What’s Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the spinal joints. In some cases, it can affect the joints of the hips, shoulders, ribs, heels, and hands. It can also impact the eyes, heart, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs. The condition can progress differently for every person who has it. The symptoms usually appear between the ages of 17–45 years, but they can sometimes begin in childhood.
Ankylosing spondylitis affects about 1% of the U.S. population, or an estimated 3.2 million people. Worldwide, it affects a smaller percent of the population, from 0.1% to 1% of all people. It occurs more frequently in men and in people who carry the gene called HLA-B27. Because the medical establishment believes there's no cure for ankylosing spondylitis, your doctor will likely manage your disease with medications and other therapies to give you some temporary relief. But what your doctor may not know is that the body of research linking AS to the gut microbiome is mounting.
While its causes appear to be multifactorial because they aren’t fully understood, new research in the last 5 years is pointing to the gut microbiome as an environmental factor in the development of this disease.
The Gut-AS Connection: Emerging Scientific Evidence
Gut microbiota (the trillions of microorganisms that call your gut home) perform critical functions in the development of AS, and by extension the reversal of AS, through various mechanisms. These include interacting with genes (like HLA-B27) to switch them on or off, increasing intestinal permeability (also called leaky gut syndrome) and activating the gut mucosa to trigger autoimmunity.
A recent review of studies that support the Gut - AS connection was published in Frontiers in Immunology (2022) demonstrating that the occurrence and development of AS are related to changes in the diversity and composition of the gut microbiome.
Led by Zi-Yi Song, this study describes 3 possible mechanisms for how the gut microbiome promotes the development of AS. Read the study here.
Role of Microbiome Imbalance in AS
The takeaway from this comprehensive review of the research is that because the gut microbiome impacts gene switching, gut permeability and regulates the immune system, it may be a prime mover in the development of the autoimmune condition, AS.
In another 2022 study, published in Arthritis Research & Therapy, a team led by P.R. Sternes explored the correlation of inflammatory bowel disease with ankylosing spondylitis. They concluded that the gut plays a different role in driving AS compared with IBD but that the evidence in development of both diseases suggests that the presence of a shared/common microbial trigger of disease cannot be discounted.
The Wrap Up
While the link between Ankylosing Spondylitis and the gut microbiome is still a burgeoning field, the evidence is already painting a compelling picture. Namely that a focus on balancing your gut microbiome may be the first promising path forward to recovery that you’ve been looking for.
Fastest Recovery from Ankylosing Spondylitis
Over the last decade in my work coaching clients one on one, I've honed the following system for relieving autoimmune diseases of all kinds, including AS. Here is the simple blueprint, containing the fewest steps for the fastest recovery in the shortest amount of time.
1. Keep the Bowel Moving
Do whatever it takes to clear the biggest channel of elimination every day. With joint pain, you'll feel, right away, the difference that increasing your output of stool makes. Take 1-2 teaspoons Tumtree Prebiotic Gut Sponge mixed in juice or water. If you haven't had a bowel movement in the last 24 hrs, you might take a capsule of vegetable laxative like cascara sagrada or senna leaf as well. If you’re uncomfortable enough, doing an overnight GI cleanse with Gut Sponge is recommended. Each bowel movement will bring another leap forward in relief to your back and achy joints.
2. Cut the Carbs
Avoid all sweets, dairy and baked goods from refined grains (anything that spikes insulin) until the area heals. Focus on lots of veggies, clean animal protein and healthy fat (nuts, seeds, avos, coconut products). Elevated insulin means elevated inflammation, and sweet also feeds mold and fungus which are not the microbes you want to encourage.
3. Kill the fungus, mold and other overgrowths
While you're eating well and avoiding sugary foods, hit it hard with Tumtree’s 30 Day Reboot to clear the gut of all bad bacteria, mold, yeasts and fungus. If this isn’t your first go round with inflamed joints, and especially if antibiotic use preceded your pain, consider stepping up to a full 30 day Reboot to alkalize and restore balance to all your mucous membranes, especially those that line your moveable joints. Your satisfaction is always guaranteed, or your money back. (A guarantee you won't get from your doctor or pharmacy.)
4. Megadose Glutamine
Glutamine cuts recovery time for muscle repair AND it restores proper permeability to the inner lining of the gut which is important for proper immune function. Torn, pulled or sprained muscles and ligaments respond noticeably to leveling up your glutamine stores as well. For more on the benefits of supplemental Glutamine, Click Here.
5. Supplement with Friendly Bacteria
Once you’ve cleared off some real estate inside the gut, begin supplementing heavily with Tumtree’s Probiotic Blend to restore a robust population of the friendly bacteria that protect your gut lining and properly regulate the immune system. By the time you've been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, you may already be sensitive to fermented foods which can contain small amounts of alcohol. For the first 30 days, a non fermented source of friendly bacteria is recommended.
The Results Speak for Themselves
Jacob Ballsteadt has suffered from Ankylosing Spondylitis since age 19. See what he saw when he employed our protocol for relief.
You can read hundreds of customer reviews and watch more 2 minute videos from people who’ve helped themselves to greater wellbeing by healing their gut microbiome with Tumtree’s 30 Day Reboot program.
Curious? Reach out on our live text chat with any questions. We’re sure you’ll have some. Just look for the little blue bubble on our website. We’re here to help.
Hi, I'm Jonell Francis, an expert in Leaky Gut Syndrome, a nerd when it comes to the science of feeling fabulous, and obsessed with guiding women (and those they love) back to vibrant health.