Autoimmune Conditions – A Tragic Tale

Eric Marquette

So, we usually think of cancer as this terrifying, out-of-control cell growth. But I guess, uh, there’s a question buried in there... what if that’s not the full story?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Exactly. Mainstream medicine tends to describe cancer as unchecked, abnormal cells dividing and consuming resources, damaging healthy tissue. That’s the narrative most of us hear.

Eric Marquette

But there’s—what, a different way to look at it?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Right. Think about it like this. Tumors often form in areas of the body that are, well, highly toxic. And the idea—some functional medicine practitioners suggest—

Eric Marquette

Mhm.

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

—is that those cancer cells might actually be working as, sort of, a last-resort storage mechanism for toxins. A protective mechanism.

Eric Marquette

Wait, hang on. You’re saying cancer cells are trying to protect us?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Potentially, yes. It’s an evolving theory, but the idea is that when the body is overwhelmed with toxins—whether from the environment, lifestyle, even chronic stress—it needs a place to put those toxins. Tumors could serve that purpose.

Eric Marquette

Wow. That’s... not what most people hear about in, like, you know, the typical cancer diagnosis conversation. Do we know any science supporting this—or is it purely theoretical?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

There is preliminary insight. For example, researchers have looked at the microenvironments of tumors. They find that these areas often have an unusually high toxic load, and the cells there seem designed to manage it. So it’s kind of like the body’s efforts to contain damage, rather than a rogue process.

Eric Marquette

Almost like, um, like fire breaks in a forest?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Yes, that’s a helpful metaphor. Fire breaks can be destructive, but their purpose is to stop the wildfire from spreading further. Similarly, these cells could be the body’s way of quarantining toxins.

Eric Marquette

That’s fascinating.

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

It definitely makes us question the conventional "enemy" narrative around cancer. We tend to fight it without understanding the root cause—or what it might be trying to accomplish.

Eric Marquette

Yeah, I mean, it shifts the whole narrative. Instead of seeing cancer as just the bad guy... there’s maybe a deeper layer? Something, like, systemic happening?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Exactly. It doesn’t mean we don’t treat cancer, of course, but understanding it in this way might help us prevent it, address toxicity earlier, and, uh, improve outcomes overall.

Eric Marquette

It’s interesting how some of these conditions—like cancer, as we just discussed—challenge the traditional narratives we’ve grown up with. Take insulin resistance, for example. It’s almost always framed as a precursor to diabetes and a host of other health issues. But is there more to understand there, too?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

That’s true, and that framing isn’t entirely wrong, but it’s also a bit incomplete. Here's the thing—insulin resistance isn’t just a malfunction. It’s actually the body trying to protect itself.

Eric Marquette

Wait, protect itself? How?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Think about what happens when we consume, uh, too much sugar. High levels of glucose in the bloodstream can be, well, toxic to our cells. So insulin resistance is like a shield—it’s the body’s way of saying, "Look, I can’t handle any more sugar right now."

Eric Marquette

Huh, like a safety mechanism. So instead of just absorbing all that sugar into the cells—

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Exactly, it’s trying to limit the damage. When cells become resistant to insulin, they’re essentially saying, "No thanks, I can’t take in more glucose without it causing harm."

Eric Marquette

Okay, but, like, doesn’t that just leave the sugar floating around in the bloodstream?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Yes, and that’s where the problems start to accumulate. Over time, if this issue isn’t addressed, the excess glucose can damage blood vessels, nerves, and organs. So while it’s protective in one sense, it can lead to complications if the underlying sugar overload isn’t managed.

Eric Marquette

Right, so it’s not, uh, inherently bad—it just reflects a bigger problem.

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Exactly. It’s the body’s way of compensating for a system that's overwhelmed. Addressing that sugar overload—which often means less processed food, better lifestyle choices—that’s where we can make a real difference.

Eric Marquette

That’s such a shift in perspective. I mean, we always hear "Insulin resistance—bad," but this paints it more as a signal, like a warning light on the dashboard.

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Yes, and recognizing it as a signal gives us the opportunity to intervene before it develops into more serious conditions.

Eric Marquette

So, earlier we talked about insulin resistance having this dual nature—protective yet potentially harmful. What about inflammation? It’s also often painted as this ultimate health villain—linked to chronic disease, aging, even cancer. Is it really that straightforward, though?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Not at all. Inflammation, as a concept, is, uh, often misunderstood. It’s not inherently bad—it’s actually a critical part of the body’s healing process.

Eric Marquette

Really? So, it’s like... what, a necessary evil?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

More like a necessary protector, I’d say. Inflammation is the body’s response to injury or infection. It’s our immune system springing into action, sending out white blood cells, cytokines, and other immune mediators to help repair tissue and fight off invaders.

Eric Marquette

So when we hear “inflammation is the root of all disease,” that’s kind of oversimplifying it?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Exactly. Acute inflammation—like when you sprain an ankle, or get a cut—is a sign that your body is doing its job to repair damage. The swelling, redness, heat—that’s all part of a healthy response.

Eric Marquette

But what about chronic inflammation? That’s the one most people, you know, worry about, right?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Right, and that’s where it becomes a problem. Chronic inflammation occurs when this repair mechanism stays turned on for too long. Instead of resolving, the immune response lingers, and that can start to, uh, damage healthy tissues and lead to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or even neurodegenerative diseases.

Eric Marquette

Okay, but why would the body, um, not just turn inflammation off when it’s done its job?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Often, it’s tied to lifestyle or environmental factors. Things like poor diet, chronic stress, lack of sleep—they can all drive inflammation to stick around. The body essentially perceives these ongoing stressors as a continual threat, keeping the immune response active.

Eric Marquette

So, inflammation itself isn’t the root problem—it’s more like, uh, an indicator that something’s gone awry?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Yes, that’s a great way to put it. It’s a signal, like pain or fatigue. It’s saying, “Hey, something needs attention here.” The problem isn’t the inflammation—it’s what’s causing it to persist in the first place.

Eric Marquette

So, speaking of the immune system—histamines seem to work in a similar way to inflammation, right? We mostly think of them as the culprits behind sneezing and itching during allergy season, but what’s their deeper role in the body?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Histamines are actually part of the immune system’s response to perceived threats. They’re like, um, chemical messengers that signal something’s wrong. When you’re exposed to an allergen—pollen, for example—your immune system overreacts and releases histamines to protect you. That’s when you get symptoms like itching, swelling, or congestion.

Eric Marquette

So, what you’re saying is they’re not inherently bad—they’re just doing what they’re supposed to do?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Exactly. In a way, they’re the body’s early alarm system. They trigger reactions to help flush out, trap, or neutralize invaders, like allergens or pathogens. Unfortunately, when histamine levels get too high, or when the immune system overreacts, they can cause more harm than good.

Eric Marquette

Huh. So, that itching and swelling—it’s not just annoying for no reason?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

It may feel that way, but there’s a purpose. For example, swelling creates a barrier to block allergens from traveling further into your system. Congestion traps those allergens, and itching? Well, that’s your body prompting you to remove the irritant—like when you rub your eyes or blow your nose.

Eric Marquette

Wait, so the symptoms we’re constantly trying to get rid of are the body trying to help us?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

That’s right. They’re part of a defense mechanism. But here’s where it gets complicated—many people today have overloaded detox pathways. If the liver and kidneys aren’t clearing histamines effectively, those compounds build up, leading to chronic allergy-like symptoms, even if there’s no allergen present.

Eric Marquette

Ah, okay. So it’s not just about avoiding what triggers histamines—it’s about how well your body is dealing with them?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Exactly. Things like a poor diet, gut imbalances, or even stress can affect how the body processes histamines. It’s a systemic issue, not just a seasonal one.

Eric Marquette

And that’s why some people have allergies that, like, stick around all year?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Yes, because their systems aren’t clearing the histamines efficiently. Addressing the root issues—improving detox pathways, stabilizing immune responses—can help manage those symptoms long-term.

Eric Marquette

Wow, it’s like there’s this whole hidden layer to allergies we don’t even think about... fascinating.

Eric Marquette

You know, talking about histamines and the body’s defense mechanisms got me thinking—fevers are another thing we often misunderstand, aren’t they? Why is it that we’re, like, instinctively afraid of them?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

That’s a great question. Fevers tend to get a bad rap because, well, they’re uncomfortable. The chills, the sweating, the fatigue. It’s easy to see why people want to get rid of them as quickly as possible.

Eric Marquette

Right, that’s me. If I get the sniffles, I’m already reaching for the medicine cabinet.

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Exactly, and that’s the issue. We’ve been conditioned to think of fever like an enemy—something to suppress as soon as it appears. But in reality, it’s one of the body’s most powerful healing tools.

Eric Marquette

Wait, so the fever itself is actually helping?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Yes. A fever is essentially the body raising its internal temperature to create an environment that’s hostile to pathogens—like bacteria and viruses. Many of these invaders can’t survive at higher temperatures, so the fever is, uh, the immune system’s way of fighting back.

Eric Marquette

Huh.

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

It also activates immune cells. For example, increased temperature stimulates certain white blood cells to act more aggressively and efficiently. So, while you might feel miserable during a fever, it’s really a sign that your body is, well, doing its job.

Eric Marquette

Okay, but what about high fevers? I mean, isn’t that where things get dangerous?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Good point. Fevers over, say, 104 degrees Fahrenheit in adults or lasting multiple days can be a concern. That’s when you’d want to consult a healthcare provider. But most fevers—especially mild to moderate ones—are actually beneficial. Suppressing them too quickly with medication can sometimes prolong an illness or make it harder for your body to recover.

Eric Marquette

So instead of rushing to, like, bring the fever down, we should let it, uh, run its course?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

For the most part, yes. Focus on staying hydrated, resting, and monitoring symptoms. Of course, you’ll want to keep an eye on severe symptoms or fevers in vulnerable populations like young children or the elderly. But in many cases, letting a fever do its work can actually speed up recovery.

Eric Marquette

Wow, that is definitely not what most of us have been taught. We’ve been treating it like the enemy instead of, you know, the body’s defense mechanism.

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Exactly. Understanding that shift in perspective can help us approach fevers—and other symptoms, really—as part of the body’s natural healing process.

Eric Marquette

Speaking of rethinking health concepts, let’s talk about osteoporosis. Most of us just think of it as, you know, weak bones—bones becoming frail or brittle. But is that really the full picture?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Not quite. The way I like to think about it—and many in functional medicine agree—is that osteoporosis might actually be the body’s response to something much deeper. Specifically, it may be a response to imbalanced pH levels in the body.

Eric Marquette

Wait, pH levels? Like acidity versus alkalinity? What’s the connection there?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Exactly, pH levels. The body tightly regulates its pH—it needs to stay in a slightly alkaline range for proper function. If the blood becomes too acidic, the body has to find a way to neutralize that acid quickly because, well, high acidity can be damaging to cells and tissues.

Eric Marquette

Okay, but what does that have to do with bones?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Great question. Bones store a significant amount of minerals, like calcium and magnesium, which are alkaline in nature. When the body senses excess acidity, it pulls those minerals from the bones to help buffer and stabilize blood pH levels.

Eric Marquette

Ahh, so it’s almost like... robbing the bones to save the bloodstream.

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Exactly. Over time, this constant borrowing can weaken the bone structure. That’s likely why we see osteoporosis as people age, especially if their diet or lifestyle contributes to chronic acidity over the years.

Eric Marquette

Wow. That’s such a, uh, different take. So instead of just chalking it up to aging or calcium deficiency, we should be looking at it as a systemic issue?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Exactly. It’s about what’s happening on a larger level within the body. Factors like a diet high in processed foods and sugar, chronic stress, even excessive protein intake—they can all contribute to systemic acidity. These conditions force the body to deplete its mineral reserves over time.

Eric Marquette

Huh. So, in a way, osteoporosis might actually be the body trying its best to maintain balance?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Exactly. It’s the body adapting to protect something even more critical: your blood pH. But that adaptation comes at a cost. The good news is, understanding this opens up new avenues for prevention. Addressing acidity through diet, reducing stress, even supporting kidney function—all of that can help reduce the burden on your bones.

Eric Marquette

Fascinating. So it’s like the bones are sort of the unsung heroes in this whole balancing act.

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

That’s a great way to put it. They’re often the last line of defense in maintaining homeostasis. But without proper care, that “heroism” can turn into fragility.

Eric Marquette

Speaking of the body’s balancing acts, let’s pivot to amyloid plaques. Pretty much everyone’s heard of them, right? They're, uh, almost like the poster child for Alzheimer’s. But what are they actually?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Amyloid plaques are clumps of protein fragments that build up between nerve cells in the brain. And yes, they’re often seen as one of the main culprits behind cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s. But there’s, um, a bigger picture to consider.

Eric Marquette

What do you mean by a bigger picture?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Well, instead of thinking of these plaques as, you know, the sole cause of Alzheimer’s, some researchers suggest they might actually be a byproduct—almost like evidence—of a larger issue within the brain’s detoxification system.

Eric Marquette

Wait, are you saying the plaques could be a symptom, not the root cause?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Exactly. The brain has a unique cleansing system called the glymphatic system. Its job is to remove waste, including misfolded proteins like amyloid beta. When this system isn’t functioning properly—

Eric Marquette

—That waste builds up?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Right. And amyloid plaques could be an example of that buildup. But here’s where it gets interesting: these plaques might not be entirely harmful. They could be the brain’s way of containing toxic substances, almost like a Band-Aid to prevent further damage.

Eric Marquette

So the brain’s trying to protect itself but ends up creating this, uh, dangerous side effect?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

That’s one way to look at it. It’s like the brain is overwhelmed with waste it can’t clear, and the plaques are a fallback measure. But over time, their presence can disrupt normal brain function, leading to the symptoms we associate with Alzheimer’s.

Eric Marquette

Wow, that really changes how we think about this. Is there, like, any way to fix the detox system?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Potentially. Sleep, for example, plays a huge role in brain detoxification. During deep sleep, the glymphatic system is more active, flushing out toxins efficiently. Chronic sleep deprivation, on the other hand, could impair this process and, over time, increase the risk of plaque buildup.

Eric Marquette

So, poor sleep could actually, um, set the stage for Alzheimer’s?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Yes, among other factors. Things like systemic inflammation, high toxin loads, even vascular health can all affect how well the glymphatic system functions. It’s a complex interplay of factors, which makes addressing it challenging but also really promising.

Eric Marquette

So instead of just targeting the plaques themselves... we should be looking at the system, and how to support it?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Exactly. Treatments that focus solely on clearing plaques might miss the underlying imbalance that caused them in the first place.

Eric Marquette

So, Tanya, thinking about what you said with the plaques being like a Band-Aid instead of the enemy—what if, uh, symptoms in general aren’t just random, awful things our bodies throw at us? What if they’re more like adaptations?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

That’s exactly it, Eric. Symptoms are often the body’s way of signaling that something isn’t right within its environment—whether that’s stress, toxins, or lifestyle factors. They’re not failures; they’re survival mechanisms.

Eric Marquette

It’s like… the body’s trying to, uh, adapt to something it sees as a challenge, right?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Right, exactly. Take something like fatigue. Most people see it as an annoyance, but really, it’s the body saying, "Slow down, I need to conserve energy to heal or reset." Or inflammation—it’s not just random swelling, it’s the repair crew coming to fix damage.

Eric Marquette

And, I guess, when we fight those symptoms, we’re... kind of ignoring what the body’s asking us to do?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Yes. Of course, there are situations where intervention is necessary, but often, jumping straight to suppressing the body’s responses can prevent us from understanding what’s really going on. If we listen to those signals instead, we can identify the root causes and address them.

Eric Marquette

So really, it’s about reframing how we see these things. Like, not as enemies, but... messages?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Messages, exactly. The body has this incredible intelligence—it’s doing whatever it can to keep us alive and balanced. Those symptoms we complain about? They’re often the body’s way of adapting to an unhealthy environment in the only way it knows how.

Eric Marquette

Wow, that is such a shift in how we think about health. I mean, instead of fighting our bodies all the time, we should be partnering with them, right?

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Exactly. When we learn to listen to what our body is telling us, we can create an environment that supports healing and resilience, instead of perpetuating cycles of stress and illness.

Eric Marquette

I love that. It’s like... the body’s not the enemy—it’s actually on our side, doing its best to help us, even when things feel, you know, completely out of whack.

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Absolutely, Eric. And I think if more people knew that, we might approach health and wellness in a far more compassionate way—towards both ourselves and our bodies.

Eric Marquette

Tanya, this whole episode has just been, uh, eye-opening. I mean, the idea that so much of what we see as “problems” might actually be the body working overtime to protect us—it’s just... yeah, it’s mind-blowing.

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

It really is. And I hope it encourages people to explore these perspectives further, to look at their symptoms and ask, “What is my body trying to tell me?”

Eric Marquette

Such a powerful takeaway. Well, Tanya, it’s been an absolute pleasure diving into all of this with you today. Thanks for sharing all this insight—it’s been, uh, genuinely fascinating.

Gerontologist Tanya Dave

Thank you, Eric. It’s been great to talk about this with you and hopefully inspire some positive shifts for our listeners.

Eric Marquette

Alright folks, that’s all for today. Remember—your body is not your enemy. Be kind to it, listen to it, and, uh, work with it. Until next time, stay curious and take care of yourselves. See you soon.