so which bad guys affect autoimmune diseases?

Let’s look at the specific gut microbes that are linked to Hashimoto’s, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Lupus (SLE), and Psoriasis — both harmful strains that worsen these conditions, and beneficial strains that can help reduce symptoms.

🧫 GUT MICROBIOME & AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE LINKS

1. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

🚨 Harmful gut microbes (increased in Hashimoto’s):

• Prevotella spp. – Promotes Th17 inflammation and disrupts mucosal tolerance

• Klebsiella pneumoniae – Linked to cross-reactivity with thyroid tissue

• Yersinia enterocolitica – Molecular mimicry potential (triggers thyroid antibodies)

• Proteobacteria overgrowth – Linked with leaky gut and systemic inflammation

✅ Helpful microbes (often decreased):

• Lactobacillus reuteri – Regulates thyroid axis and inflammation

• Bifidobacterium longum – Supports mucosal immunity and Treg cells

• Akkermansia muciniphila – Improves gut barrier and insulin sensitivity

• Faecalibacterium prausnitzii – Produces butyrate; anti-inflammatory

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

🚨 Harmful microbes (increased in RA):

• Prevotella copri – Strongly linked to early RA onset; promotes immune dysregulation

• Collinsella aerofaciens – Alters gut permeability and promotes IL-17

• Eggerthella lenta – Increases inflammation and disease severity

• Actinobacteria imbalance – Associated with pro-inflammatory T-cell activity

✅ Helpful microbes (often reduced):

• Lactobacillus casei – Reduces joint inflammation

• Bacteroides fragilis (non-toxigenic) – Promotes Treg development

• Faecalibacterium prausnitzii – Suppresses TNF-α and IL-6

• Roseburia spp. – Butyrate producer, supports gut lining

3. Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – SLE)

🚨 Harmful microbes (increased in lupus):

• Ruminococcus gnavus – Major lupus trigger; activates TLRs and flares

• Lachnospiraceae imbalance – Increases intestinal permeability

• Clostridium spp. (pathogenic types) – Disrupts immune signaling

• Bacteroides dorei – Associated with autoantibody production

✅ Helpful microbes (often reduced):

• Bifidobacterium bifidum – Modulates immune activity

• Lactobacillus fermentum & plantarum – Supports Treg cells and gut barrier

• Akkermansia muciniphila – Helps prevent flares by regulating mucus lining

• Bacteroides vulgatus (at proper levels) – May balance gut immunity

4. Psoriasis (and Psoriatic Arthritis)

🚨 Harmful microbes (overgrown in psoriasis):

• Escherichia coli (pathogenic strains) – Promotes gut-skin axis inflammation

• Streptococcus spp. – Can trigger molecular mimicry (especially with guttate psoriasis)

• Candida albicans (yeast) – Often overgrown; linked to flare severity

• Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes imbalance – Common in gut dysbiosis of psoriasis patients

✅ Helpful microbes (deficient in psoriasis):

• Lactobacillus salivarius – Helps reduce skin lesions

• Bifidobacterium breve – Improves skin barrier and inflammation

• Faecalibacterium prausnitzii – Major anti-inflammatory action via butyrate

• Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum – Supports gut barrier and skin health

🧠 Summary Table

Autoimmune Condition	Harmful Microbes	Beneficial Microbes
Hashimoto’s	Prevotella, Yersinia, Klebsiella	L. reuteri, B. longum, A. muciniphila
RA	P. copri, Collinsella, Eggerthella	L. casei, F. prausnitzii, Roseburia
Lupus	R. gnavus, Clostridia, B. dorei	B. bifidum, L. fermentum, Akkermansia
Psoriasis	Candida, E. coli, Streptococcus	L. salivarius, B. breve, F. prausnitzii

Here's a targeted probiotic + prebiotic + herb protocol for each of the four autoimmune conditions:

• Rebalancing gut bacteria

• Reducing inflammatory microbes

• Feeding beneficial strains

• Supporting immune modulation

  
  

🌿 HASHIMOTO’S THYROIDITIS

🦠 Target: Lower Prevotella, Klebsiella, Proteobacteria — Increase Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteria,

Akkermansia

✅ Probiotics (daily):

• Lactobacillus reuteri (5–10B CFU)

• Bifidobacterium longum (5B CFU)

• Bacillus subtilis (soil-based, gut modulating)

• Saccharomyces boulardii (yeast balancer)

✅ Prebiotics/Foods:

• Green banana flour (feeds A. muciniphila)

• Stewed apples (pectin-rich)

• Lightly cooked garlic & leeks

• Fermented veggies (small amounts)

🌿 Herbs & Botanicals:

• Turmeric (curcumin) – anti-inflammatory for thyroid tissue

• Licorice root – gut healing and cortisol modulating

• Ashwagandha – only if antibodies are low and patient isn’t flaring

• Selenium-rich foods – Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds

🦴 RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA)

🦠 Target: Suppress Prevotella copri, Collinsella, Eggerthella — Boost F. prausnitzii, Roseburia, L. casei

✅ Probiotics (daily):

• Lactobacillus casei (anti-inflammatory in joints)

• L. rhamnosus GG

• Bifidobacterium breve

• Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (if available in advanced formulas)

✅ Prebiotics/Foods:

• Cooked & cooled sweet potatoes

• Ground flaxseed

• Chicory root tea or powder

• Oat bran (small amounts if tolerated)

🌿 Herbs & Botanicals:

• Boswellia serrata – anti-arthritic, blocks leukotrienes

• Turmeric + black pepper – strong TNF-α inhibitor

• Devil’s Claw – reduces joint pain & stiffness

• Cat’s Claw – immune balancing

🌺 LUPUS (SLE)

🦠 Target: Lower Ruminococcus gnavus, Clostridia, B. dorei — Restore Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus, Akkermansia

✅ Probiotics (daily):

• Bifidobacterium bifidum (immune calming)

• Lactobacillus plantarum

• L. fermentum

• Bacillus coagulans (heat-stable, supports butyrate levels)

✅ Prebiotics/Foods:

• Stewed blueberries + chia (gut-healing)

• Slippery elm powder

• Moringa (natural prebiotic and antioxidant)

• Pumpkin (rich in fiber + A)

🌿 Herbs & Botanicals:

• Reishi mushroom (low dose) – modulates immune system

• Green tea extract – powerful antioxidant & Treg booster

• Milk thistle – supports liver during flares

• NAC or glutathione – protects against oxidative damage

🧖 PSORIASIS / PSORIATIC

ARTHRITIS

🦠 Target: Reduce E. coli, Candida, Streptococcus — Boost Lactobacillus, F. prausnitzii, Butyricicoccus

✅ Probiotics (daily):

• L. salivarius

• Bifidobacterium breve

• L. paracasei

• Saccharomyces boulardii (clears Candida)

✅ Prebiotics/Foods:

• Jerusalem artichoke (inulin-rich)

• Fermented coconut yogurt

• Cooked plantains or green banana flour

• Polyphenol-rich: berries, green tea, olives

🌿 Herbs & Botanicals:

• Oregon grape root – antimicrobial + skin detox

• Burdock root tea – blood purifier & skin support

• Neem leaf – antifungal & anti-inflammatory

• Milk thistle – detoxifies liver → improves skin clarity

📌 General Tips for All Conditions

• Start probiotics slowly (1 every 2–3 days for sensitive systems)

• Rotate prebiotics weekly to encourage diverse flora

• Avoid kombucha and sugar-fermented drinks if Candida is present

• Track reactions — use a food & symptom journal

At Essential Health Wellness Centre, we create personalized herbal protocols tailored to your blood type, autoimmune condition, and unique constitution.

📞 Book your consult: 083 654 9943📧 lee.essentialhealth@gmail.com🌐 www.essentialhealthsa.com#healingwithpassion | Premium Health. Exceptional Care.