Dr. Weeks’ Comment: Sjogren’s is an auto-immune inflammatory process which is very debilitating on many organ systems. Steroids are used short term but their side-effects are too dangerous over the long term. The Anti-Inflammatory Diet is the most effective option as this disease, like all auto-immune illnesses, is driven by inflammation. Anti-inflammatory herbs like curcumin (tumeric) are less powerful than fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin D3 and fat soluble herbs like anti-inflammatory seed oils because the oils are better delivered to all tissues.
Heat-solubilized Curry Spice Curcumin Inhibits Antibody-Antigen Interaction in in Vitro Studies: A Possible Therapy to Alleviate Autoimmune Disorders
Biji T Kurien et al Mol Nutr Food Res 2010 Aug;54(8):1202-9. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.200900106.
Abstract
Chronic and complex autoimmune diseases, currently treated palliatively with immunosuppressives, require multi-targeted therapy for greater effectiveness… Heat-solubilized curcumin/turmeric significantly decreased binding of autoantibodies from Sjögren’s syndrome (up to 43/70%, respectively) and systemic lupus erythematosus (up to 52/70%, respectively) patients as well as an animal model of Sjögren’s syndrome (up to 50/60%, respectively) to their cognate antigens. However, inhibition was not specific to autoimmunity. Heat-solubilized curcumin/turmeric also inhibited binding of commercial polyclonal anti-spectrin to spectrin (50/56%, respectively). Thus, we suggest that the multifaceted heat-solubilized curcumin can ameliorate autoimmune disorders. In addition, the non-toxic curcumin could serve as a new protein stain in SDS-PAGE even though it is less sensitive than the Coomassie system which involves toxic chemicals.
AND
Review Autoimmun Rev 2017 Jun;16(6):587-593. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2017.04.004.Epub 2017 Apr 12.
Vitamin D and Sjögren Syndrome
Mario Garcia-Carrasco 1, et al
Abstract
The immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D have been extensively studied in the context of autoimmunity. Multiple studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in autoimmune diseases. Recently, a possible protective role of vitamin D in autoimmunity has been described; however, this function remains controversial. Few studies have investigated the role of vitamin D in patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS). In this review, we compiled the main features of SS pathogenesis, the vitamin D immunomodulatory effects and the possible interaction between both. Data suggests that vitamin D may play a role in the SS pathogenesis. In addition, vitamin D low levels have been found in SS patients, which are associated with extra-glandular manifestations, such as lymphoma or neuropathy, suggesting a possible benefit effect of vitamin D in SS.