Understanding Autoimmune Conditions: How Functional Medicine Finds the Root Cause
Autoimmune conditions are some of the most misunderstood and frustrating health challenges people face today. You may live with fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, or digestive issues, only to be told that your labs are “normal” or that your symptoms are “all in your head.” At O’Keefe Matz Functional Health Clinic in Saint Paul, we take a different approach. Functional medicine looks deeper to uncover why your immune system is attacking healthy tissue and what can be done to restore balance.
What Are Autoimmune Conditions
Autoimmune conditions occur when the immune system mistakenly targets the body’s own cells, tissues, or organs. This leads to chronic inflammation and a wide variety of symptoms depending on which part of the body is under attack.
Common autoimmune conditions include:
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Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
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Rheumatoid arthritis
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Lupus
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Multiple sclerosis
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Psoriatic arthritis
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Celiac disease
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Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis
Research shows that intestinal permeability, often called leaky gut, plays a central role in triggering autoimmune activity. When the gut barrier becomes compromised, harmful particles enter the bloodstream, confusing the immune system and setting the stage for chronic disease.
Source: National Library of Medicine https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4253991/
Learn more about gut health in our blog on the Gut Brain Connection here: https://improveurhealth.com/blog/gut-brain-connection
Expert Insights on Autoimmunity
Dr. Tom O’Bryan, an internationally recognized authority on gluten sensitivity and autoimmunity, emphasizes that “autoimmune disease begins years before symptoms appear.” Elevated antibodies can often be detected long before a diagnosis, offering an important window of opportunity for prevention and early intervention.
Source: Rupa Health Podcast https://www.rupahealth.com/post/podcast-episode-how-gluten-impacts-your-autoimmune-disease-with-dr-tom-obryan
Dr. Jeffrey Bland, known as the father of functional medicine, explains that “autoimmune disease represents a loss of tolerance.” The immune system becomes confused, no longer distinguishing between friend and foe, and begins to attack the very tissues it is designed to protect.
Source: Jeffrey Bland https://jeffreybland.com
Dr. Mark Hyman, a functional medicine leader and best selling author, reminds us that “food is the most powerful drug we have.” He highlights the role of diet in calming inflammation, rebalancing the immune system, and restoring health in those living with autoimmune disease.
Source: Dr. Mark Hyman https://drhyman.com
Research continues to support these expert insights. Studies show that environmental triggers, diet, and microbiome imbalances are key drivers of autoimmunity.
Source: National Institutes of Health https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5865602/
Symptoms That May Indicate Autoimmune Activity
Autoimmune conditions can affect almost every system in the body. While symptoms vary widely, common signs include:
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Persistent fatigue even after rest
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Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
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Digestive problems such as bloating, diarrhea, or constipation
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Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
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Unexplained skin rashes or flare ups
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Muscle aches and weakness
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Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
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Sensitivity to cold or heat
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Recurring infections or slow healing
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How Functional Medicine Helps with Autoimmune Conditions
Traditional medicine often relies on medications that suppress the immune system. While these may help manage flares, they do not address why the immune system is misfiring in the first place. Functional medicine takes a different approach.
At O’Keefe Matz Functional Health Clinic, we focus on:
Identifying Triggers
We use advanced testing to uncover food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies, environmental toxins, hidden infections, and chronic stress patterns that drive immune dysfunction.Restoring Gut Health
Since 70 percent of the immune system lives in the gut, restoring the intestinal lining is a cornerstone of care. We use targeted nutrition, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and gut healing nutrients to repair the barrier and rebalance the microbiome.Balancing Neurotransmitters and Hormones
Autoimmune activity is often influenced by hormonal shifts and neurotransmitter imbalances. Cortisol, thyroid hormones, serotonin, and dopamine all play roles in regulating immune activity. Functional medicine testing allows us to see where imbalances lie and address them with lifestyle, nutrition, and supplementation.Personalized Nutrition
Food can be the most powerful medicine. We create customized anti inflammatory nutrition plans that eliminate common triggers such as gluten, dairy, and processed foods, while adding in nutrient dense whole foods to support immune regulation.Advanced Therapies Unique to Our Clinic
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Neurofeedback helps regulate stress responses and calm brain inflammation, improving focus, mood, and resilience.
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Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) reduces inflammation, calms the nervous system, and supports vagus nerve function, which is vital in autoimmune recovery.
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Acupuncture regulates energy flow, eases pain, and helps balance the immune system.
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Soft Tissue and Chiropractic Care restore mobility and reduce the musculoskeletal strain that often comes with chronic autoimmune inflammation.
Whole Body Support
We understand that autoimmunity affects more than one system. Our care supports fatigue, brain fog, pain, and emotional well being, not just lab markers.
Why Choose Functional Medicine in Saint Paul
Healing autoimmune conditions requires patience, personalized testing, and therapies that address the whole person. At O’Keefe Matz Functional Health Clinic, we create a calm and supportive environment where patients are truly heard. Our goal is not just to reduce symptoms, but to help you reclaim energy, clarity, and long term wellness.
Meet Dr. Shannon O’Keefe
Dr. Shannon O’Keefe, DC, DCBCN, is a Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist and a graduate of an Internal Medicine program. She specializes in functional medicine and clinical nutrition, helping patients uncover the root causes of chronic health concerns such as fatigue, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, and autoimmune conditions. At O’Keefe Matz Functional Health Clinic in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Dr. O’Keefe combines advanced diagnostic testing with personalized nutrition and lifestyle strategies to guide patients toward lasting health and vitality.
Learn more at www.improveurhealth.com or call 651 292 8072 to schedule a consultation.
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