Your Immune System Isn't Attacking You (Here's Why)

What if your autoimmune symptoms are evidence that your body is responding intelligently rather than attacking itself? Today, I’m sitting down with functional medicine practitioner and autoimmune expert Dr. Greg Mongeon to challenge the idea that autoimmune disease means your body has simply turned against itself. We explore how chronic infections, toxic exposure, stress, liver and gut function, thyroid conversion, and nervous-system dysregulation can influence both autoimmunity and the hormonal changes of perimenopause. You’ll learn why testing must be paired with a meaningful conversation and how simple foundational habits can help remove the interference standing between you and better health. What you’ll learn: (05:21) Discover why chronic infections, toxic exposures, and modern stressors may intensify hormonal symptoms during perimenopause. (06:34) Learn how a regulated immune system can contain silent infections and what may happen when stress weakens that control. (09:45) Hear Dr. Greg’s alternative perspective on autoimmune disease and why he describes tissue damage as a form of immune-system “friendly fire.” (14:26) Understand how the liver and gut influence estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid conversion, and hormone therapy. (15:53) Learn why nervous-system regulation, mitochondrial energy, and drainage must be established before aggressive detoxification. (18:32) Explore how diaphragm function and breathing mechanics may affect the vagus nerve, digestion, pelvic-floor function, and the position of the stomach. (26:33) Find out why bioidentical hormones may work better when liver function, digestion, thyroid health, and other foundational systems are supported. (40:42) Discover simple practices including breathwork, walking, real food, hydration, gratitude, connection, and self-compassion that may support healing. Love the podcast? Here’s what to do: Subscribe to the podcast.  Leave a review.  Text a screenshot to me at 813-565-2627 and wait for a personal reply because your voice is so important to me. Full show notes (including all links mentioned): https://jjvirgin.com/drgreg Try Qualia (http://qualialife.com/VIRGINWELLNESS) risk-free for up to 100 days and use code VIRGINWELLNESS for 15% off  If your routine or eating habits have changed recently head to BodyBio.com/JJVIRGIN to start supporting your gut.  Mitopure supports the cellular energy that allows your muscles to actually respond and adapt. Mitopure gummies make it simple. Visit https://timeline.com/jjvirgin for 20% off your order.