In chiropractic care, we see many patients with joint disorders. Some of our most common musculoskeletal conditions have an autoimmune component to their etiology and may account for their relentless progression and difficulty in treatment. The role of dietary and gut-related pathogens as triggers or exacerbators of joint disorders has been defined. The gut-joint axis is real. Gut-related antigens from bacteria, oral pathogens, and food proteins can play a role in multiple joint disorders, including joint tissue inflammation, tissue autoimmunity, and tissue degeneration. Gram-negative bacteria in the gut produce a toxin called lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which, if translocated to the bloodstream, upregulates the production of inflammatory cytokines that target joints, as seen in arthritis. Antibodies made against specific foods (gliadin, dairy proteins, pork) and pathogens (Clostridium botulinum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Streptococcus, and Klebsiella) are known to cross-react with joint tissues, such as collagen, fibulin, and arthritic peptide.
Additionally, lectins and agglutinins from wheat, lentils, peas, and beans, can bind to cartilage and connective tissue. These mechanisms destroy self-tissues. Tissue antibodies can appear in the blood up to 10 years before the onset of disease. If detected in the early, subclinical stages of autoimmunity, protocols can be implemented to stop the autoimmune process and potentially prevent disease onset. Through inflammation, cross-reactivity, and covalent binding, gut-related antigens can contribute to joint disorders. When the gut barrier is broken, these potential joint disorders' potential triggers can more easily ignite or fuel the autoimmune pathogenesis. Thus, the importance of intestinal barrier health cannot be emphasized enough. Gut barrier integrity testing, autoantibody assessments, identification of environmental triggers, and intestinal barrier healing and wellness protocols will be presented.