The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is a weekly one-on-one conversation with renowned medical experts, specialists, and pioneers who are influencing the way we look at our health and well-being. This week we’re joined by Dr. Tom O'Bryan, a World Expert on Gluten and Autoimmune Health. In this episode of The Root Cause Medicine Podcast, Dr. Tom O'Bryan talks about gluten-related disorders and the benefits of going gluten-free for lowering your inflammation and reducing your autoimmune risk. Dr. Tom O’Bryan is a recognized world expert on gluten and its impact on health. He is an internationally recognized and sought-after speaker and workshop leader specializing in the complications of Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, Celiac Disease, and the development of Autoimmune Diseases. Dr. O'Bryan is on a mission to educate patients and healthcare practitioners across the globe about the many possible manifestations of non-celiac gluten sensitivity and celiac disease and why patients with gluten-related disorders require treatment programs that go beyond just a gluten-free diet. Key Takeaways: The five pillars in the development of chronic inflammatory diseases The first one of the five pillars is your genetics. The second is environmental triggers, including food, stress hormones, heavy metals, and the toxic chemicals in your body. Number three is dysbiosis, which means too many bad guys and not enough good guys in your body. When you have environmental triggers that are offensive to the body, they create an inflammatory reaction in the gut. Dysbiosis sets the stage for number four, which is the leaky gut. And number five is systemic inflammation. Gluten sensitivity Gluten activates toll-like receptor 4 and leaky gut and increases inflammation. This occurs in all humans who consume gluten, even if you feel you don't have any problems. One person out of eight gets gut problems related to wheat. The other seven get brain, skin, or hair problems. So anytime you have a health disorder that's just not responding the way it should to your efforts, test to see if you have wheat sensitivity. The wheat problem Wheat damages the intestinal lining and prevents poor absorption of essential nutrients. A person may not get gluten sensitivity, but may experience symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue, mood irritability, brain fog, or memory issues. Dr. Tom O'Bryan’s bits of advice Spend at least one hour a week learning more about how you can be healthier. You can learn about plastic storage containers and get glass storage containers instead. Then about organic cosmetic companies that aren't using phthalates. And how house plants absorb over seventy-four percent of the toxins in the air.