How to Reverse Autoimmune Diseases Naturally with Dr. Amy Myers
Autoimmune conditions are becoming more common, yet many people are left feeling hopeless after receiving a diagnosis. Conventional medicine often normalizes autoimmune diseases, offering only symptom management rather than solutions for true healing. But what if reversing autoimmunity is possible?
Dr. Amy Myers, a renowned functional medicine expert and two-time New York Times bestselling author, joined Heal Squad with Maria Menounos to share how she overcame Graves’ disease and now helps patients reclaim their health. Here’s what you need to know about healing autoimmunity and why your gut may hold the key to recovery.
What is Autoimmunity and Why is it on the Rise?
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues. Common conditions include Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. While conventional medicine treats these conditions with medications that suppress symptoms, Dr. Myers believes this approach overlooks the root causes of immune dysfunction.
According to Dr. Myers, autoimmune diseases disproportionately affect women, often emerging in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. One reason? Hormonal shifts. “Many autoimmune diseases surface after pregnancy, during perimenopause, or menopause,” she explains. She also notes an alarming trend—autoimmune conditions are appearing in children more frequently than ever before.
The Five Root Causes of Autoimmune Disease
Dr. Myers emphasizes that autoimmunity doesn’t develop overnight. Instead, it results from a combination of five factors:
- Leaky Gut – A damaged gut lining allows toxins, undigested food particles, and pathogens to enter the bloodstream, triggering an immune response.
- Diet – Inflammatory foods like gluten, dairy, and sugar can fuel autoimmunity.
- Toxins – Environmental pollutants, heavy metals, and mold exposure contribute to immune dysregulation.
- Infections – Chronic infections such as Epstein-Barr virus or Lyme disease can trigger autoimmunity.
- Stress – Unmanaged stress and emotional trauma can profoundly impact immune function.
By addressing these root causes, many patients can halt or even reverse their autoimmune disease.
Dr. Myers’ Personal Journey: From Graves’ Disease to Healing
As a medical student, Dr. Myers was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, a condition that causes hyperthyroidism. Her symptoms—panic attacks, tremors, and extreme weight loss—were initially dismissed as stress. When she was finally diagnosed, her doctor offered only three options: toxic medications, surgery, or radioactive iodine to destroy her thyroid.
Desperate to find another way, she turned to functional medicine, researching root causes and natural interventions. Though she ultimately underwent thyroid ablation, she has since dedicated her life to helping others avoid unnecessary procedures and reverse their conditions naturally.
Healing Autoimmune Disease: A Functional Medicine Approach
Dr. Myers developed the 4R Gut Healing Protocol, which she considers essential for reversing autoimmunity.
- Remove – Eliminate inflammatory foods like gluten, dairy, sugar, and processed foods. Address infections like Candida or SIBO with targeted treatments.
- Replace – Restore digestive function with enzymes, stomach acid support, and essential nutrients.
- Reinoculate – Support the microbiome with high-quality probiotics and prebiotics.
- Repair – Heal the gut lining using supplements like L-glutamine, collagen, and herbal compounds like slippery elm and marshmallow root.
By implementing these strategies, many patients see dramatic improvements in their symptoms, reducing their need for medications.
The Role of Mold and Environmental Toxins
One of the most overlooked causes of autoimmune disease is mold toxicity. Dr. Myers herself became severely ill after unknowingly living in a mold-infested home. “I was as healthy as could be, and suddenly, I was sleeping outside on a balcony because I couldn’t tolerate my home,” she recalls.
If you suspect mold exposure, consider testing both your home and body for mycotoxins. Symptoms of mold toxicity include brain fog, fatigue, unexplained rashes, and worsening autoimmune symptoms.
The Connection Between Stress and Autoimmunity
Emotional health plays a massive role in physical healing. Chronic stress, unresolved trauma, and negative self-talk can all perpetuate autoimmune disease.
Dr. Myers shared the case of a woman with vitiligo (an autoimmune condition affecting skin pigmentation). Despite following all the right dietary and lifestyle changes, her condition persisted. Eventually, Dr. Myers discovered the root cause: the woman was a court interpreter for refugees and had been internalizing traumatic testimonies as her own. Once she changed careers, her vitiligo reversed completely.
Can Type 1 Diabetes Be Reversed?
While Type 1 diabetes is traditionally considered irreversible, Dr. Myers has seen cases where newly diagnosed patients reduced or eliminated their need for insulin through diet and lifestyle changes. By adopting a ketogenic diet, minimizing inflammation, and addressing gut health, some patients have stabilized blood sugar levels naturally.
The Importance of Intuition in Healing
One of Dr. Myers’ biggest takeaways? Listen to your body. “Nobody knows your body better than you,” she emphasizes. She encourages patients to develop their intuition, track symptoms, and advocate for themselves within the medical system. If a doctor dismisses your concerns, seek a second (or third) opinion.
Final Thoughts: Autoimmunity is Not a Life Sentence
While conventional medicine often tells patients they must manage autoimmunity forever, Dr. Myers offers a more hopeful message. Through targeted lifestyle changes, gut healing, and stress management, many people can halt and even reverse their autoimmune disease.
For more healing and wellness tips, be sure to subscribe to the Heal Squad with Maria Menounos podcast via YouTube or Apple Podcasts.
