Q I have rheumatoid arthritis. I heard leaky gut is related to autoimmune disease. Is herbal medicine safe?
A When autoimmune disease is involved, both the attending physician and Korean medicine practitioner must be informed and treatment decided under specialist collaboration. Do not self-judge and start taking medicine or stop existing treatment.
Detailed Answer
There is growing research linking leaky gut with autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Hashimoto thyroiditis, etc.) through the pathway of increased intestinal mucosal permeability → immune overactivation → autoantibody production. However, medications controlling autoimmune disease can be dangerous if suddenly changed or stopped, so treatment changes must be made after consulting the primary physician.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
When an autoimmune disease is concurrent, Korean medicine treatment is approached as a complementary role that improves the intestinal mucosal environment while maintaining existing Western medical treatment. The type of immunosuppressants being taken must be reported before the visit for safe prescribing.
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