Scientist Find Link Between Lupus, Climate, and Water Pollution!

Climate change and environmental pollution can trigger or worsen lupus symptoms. This post is sponsored by Cryptic Wings A Boston Based Non-Profit That Educates about Lupus with an annual (free to the public) Lupus Awareness Photo Shoot!

Boston based Boston University Criminal Justice Grad Taleah Williams-Howard is the Founder of Cryptic Wings a non profit for Lupus awareness and education

There is a possibility that contaminated water borne bacteria is the cause of most lupus cases! Poor BIPOC communities have the highest instances of Lupus! Long-term low-dose exposure to TCE and other chemicals in contaminated well water significantly increased symptoms of lupus erthematosus as perceived by the ARA score and the increased FANA titers.

Does global climate change affect lupus?

Climate change and environmental pollution can trigger or worsen lupus symptoms. Higher temperatures link with rashes, joint flares, and blood disorders. Studies have also found a link between PM pollution and increases in serositis, rashes, and joint flares. Bacterial infections of the lung, skin, bloodstream and other tissues are common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) and are often more severe and invasive than similar infections in urban black and brown populations whose water sources may be compromised as opposed to communities with untainted water supplies. What is important to keep in mind is that Lupus is NOT a hereditary condition! However, genetic factors play an important role in the condition, and certain inheritable genes may increase a person's risk of developing lupus. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.

A variety of studies have explored the changes in bacterial abundance in lupus patients, and the rates of infection and the influence of bacterial species on disease progression, using both human patient samples and mouse models of lupus. The role of a leaky gut syndrome is particularly of note in stimulating inflammation, identification of specific bacterial species associated with lupus, and the potential roles of certain common bacterial infections in promoting lupus progression. By adding a teaspoon of powdered turmeric and ginger daily to a diet leaky gut syndrome can be cured naturally. According to research studies, the curcumin in turmeric helps many people with IBS and/or leaky gut, specifically because of its ability to: Strengthen the gut wall (aka “intestinal barrier”) Reduce inflammation in the gut and stimulate digestive secretions.

THIS NEXT PART IS GOING TO GET REAL TECHNICAL!

Ginger root has a long history as a medicine, particularly as an anti-inflammatory ingredient. New research suggests ginger could be helpful in individuals with Lupus and other autoimmune diseases.

A 2023 study present study highlights the potential of whole ginger consumption as a safe and natural intervention, both to treat existing cases of APS, lupus, and other NETosis-associated diseases and to prevent the development of these conditions in hitherto healthy humans. In healthy human volunteers, ginger consumption for only seven days was associated with a notable reduction in NETosis and cAMP, confirming its anti-autoimmune disorder potential in future clinical trials. But what is NETosis most of us would ask?

NET's are neutrophil extracellular traps! neutrophil, has long been recognized as the infantry of the innate immune system, rapidly deploying to sights of injury and infection. (NETs) play a critical role in innate immunity. NETosis is activated during microbial threat and in certain conditions mimicking sepsis, and can result in both augmented host defense and inflammatory injury. So the role of NETosis is significant in lupus pathology. NETosis a unique form of cell death that is characterized by the release of decondensed chromatin and granular contents to the extracellular space. The initial observation of NETosis placed the process within the context of the innate immune response to infections. NET formation is accompanied by the cell death, this process was called NETosis. Formation of NETs can be activated by various pathogens, such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses, as well as bacterial cell wall components – lipopolysaccharides (LPS).

LPS LPS are present in the outer leaflet of the external membrane of Gram-negative bacteria (meaning too much bread, cold cereals and processed sugars in the diet). Some examples are Escherichia coli, Salmonellae, other Enterobacteriaceae like Yersiniae or Shigellae, Enterobacteria, Proteus, and pathogens like Vibrio cholerae, Yersinia pestis, Brucella abortus. Potential healthy ways to reduce LPS include cooking with olive oil and eating foods high in pre- and probiotics, polyphenols, and omega-3 fatty acids. The Mediterranean diet, which has been linked to several measures of improved health over decades of study, is rich in fiber-rich whole fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds and healthy fats — which combined are associated with promoting a microbiome associated with significantly lower irritation related to LPS levels.

Thus, aberrant NETosis can play diverse roles, including autoantibody production, inflammation, and tissue damage, at different stages of lupus pathogenesis. Science shows a radical change in diet is the best way to reduce or stop almost completely Lupus flareups as well as making sure your drinking water is safe! Avoiding a high-fat diet, especially high in saturated fat, and processed foods and sugars can be most helpful as high-fat diets increase LPS production and sugars feed gut harming bacteria. Eating a variety of fermented foods and foods with prebiotic fibers, while also limiting alcohol, can also help maintain a healthy balance of your gut microbes to avoid an overproduction of LPS. One species of bacteria that has been linked to lupus pathogenesis in humans is Enterococcus gallinarum.

The most common infections in people with lupus involve the respiratory system (lungs and airways), the skin, and the urinary tract. People with lupus are also at high risk for developing Candidiasis, sometimes called thrush or yeast infection, and shingles (the same viral infection as chicken pox). Again a daily cup of tea or coffee with turmeric and or ginger can rid the body of candida in 3-6 months or less. Turmeric, coffee, and ginger also induce thermogenesis or fat burning. Coffee (without processed sugar, agave, coconut, monkfruit or date sugar are good alternatives) may help the immune system regulate more efficiently as well as help protect from tissue damage.

IS YOUR LOCAL WATER SUPPLY CONTAMINATED WITH ENTEROCCUS GALINARUM?

Antibiotic resistance is a major 21st century One Health challenge whose spread limits options to treat bacterial infections. There is growing interest in monitoring water environments, including surface water and wastewater, which have been identified as key recipients, pathways, and sources of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB). Aquatic environments also facilitate the transmission and amplification of ARB. Enterococcus often carry clinically-important antibiotic resistance genes and are of interest as environmental monitoring targets. Enterococcus are Gram-positive bacteria that are typically of fecal origin; however, they are also found in relevant environmental niches, with various species and strains that are opportunistic human pathogens. Although the value of environmental monitoring of antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus has been recognized by both national and international organizations, lack of public knowledge has hindered responses needed to implement integrated surveillance and mediation programs. In the EU, enterococci are regulated in both drinking water and recreational water by standardized culture methods (EEA, 2020).

While there are several studies that report associations between contaminated drinking water and GI illnesses and some types of cancers (liver, lung, bladder and kidney), there is limited evidence showing or describing the association between contamination of drinking water and lupus due to the potential of massive class action lawsuits especially in BIPOC communities. From 2006 to 2018, Enterococcus spp. were responsible for approximately 15% of all healthcare-associated infections in the US, ranking second overall behind Staphylococcus aureus!

The environmental exposure that has one of the best-studied connections with lupus is silica. Silica is a mineral that people can be exposed to in mining and glass production. “Silica is one of the strongest known risk factors for the development of lupus,” says Frederick W. Miller, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the Environmental Autoimmunity Group at the NIH’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Sodium silicate additive is used as a thin protective film on the inside of many older water pipes as it aids in preventing additional pipe corrosion and stopping pinhole leaks from forming. The main applications of sodium silicates are in detergents, paper industry (as deinking agent), water treatment, and construction materials. Sodium silicate is an inorganic sodium salt which has silicate as the counterion. It is also called Sodium metasilicate or Waterglass.

A fifth of the United States is drinking contaminated water. There are contaminants in municipal drinking water such as heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and other impurities that can affect your health. Some of these contaminants can lead to serious health problems including cancer, autoimmunity, and birth defects. In addition, many of these contaminants are not removed by standard filtration methods. As a result, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with drinking municipal water. There are a number of ways to reduce your exposure to these contaminants, including using a water filter or drinking bottled water. By taking simple steps to protect yourself, you can help reduce your risk of exposure to harmful contaminants.