Autoimmune disorders, including conditions like multiple sclerosis, Celiac disease, and lupus, are increasing at an estimated rate of 20 percent annually, impacting an estimated 15 million Americans. These diseases occur when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells. A study released in January 2025 by the Mayo Clinic indicated that many individuals suffer from multiple autoimmune ailments concurrently.
While the precise triggers for this surge remain unclear, scientists suggest a multifactorial cause rather than a single culprit. Dr. Gary Soffer, an immunologist at the Yale School of Medicine, explained that autoimmunity is likely influenced by various factors, including lifestyle and environmental exposures.
Bryan Johnson, a prominent figure known for his bio-hacking endeavors, recently announced his diagnosis of autoimmune gastritis, a condition where antibodies attack the stomach lining. This diagnosis brought autoimmune diseases back into public focus. Dr. Sheila Rustgi, an Assistant Professor of Medicine at New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University Medical Center, described autoimmune gastritis as a disease that can lead to abdominal pain, weight loss, and an increased risk of stomach cancer. It can also result in chronic deficiencies of iron and vitamin B-12, leading to anemia and fatigue.
Christina Applegate, an actress diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021, has also spoken about the impact of her autoimmune condition, which affects her mobility. She, like Johnson, is unsure of the specific trigger for her illness.
Johnson has theorized that his past consumption of sugary foods and sodas, coupled with periods of high stress and weight gain during his business-building years, may have contributed to his condition. Dr. Soffer noted that potential contributing factors include smoking, air pollution, certain chemicals, diet, stress, sleep disruption, and vitamin D deficiency. He pointed to industrialization as a broad shift that has altered how immune systems develop.
"Humans today, 'spend a lot less time exposed to soil, animals and diverse microbes,' explains Soffer. 'This early exposure helps teach the immune system what is dangerous and what isn't.'" Additionally, increased antibiotic use, consumption of ultra-processed foods, higher pollution levels, and chronic stress have collectively "skewed" the body's immune response, leading to a rise in allergies, asthma, and autoimmune diseases.
Genetic predispositions can also play a role, contributing to the simultaneous occurrence of multiple autoimmune disorders, as they tend to cluster. Autoimmune gastritis, for example, is commonly associated with hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland produces insufficient thyroid hormone.
Improved diagnostic tools have also contributed to the identification of autoimmune diseases. Dr. Rustgi noted that while blood tests may not be sufficient for certain diagnoses, procedures like endoscopies, used to diagnose autoimmune gastritis, are now more prevalent. Sufferers of autoimmune gastritis also face an elevated risk of neuroendocrine tumors, which are typically small and treatable.
While current treatments focus on managing symptoms through supplements and dietary changes, Dr. Soffer indicated that progress is being made toward understanding how to retrain the immune system, drawing parallels to advancements in cancer treatment. However, he cautioned against aggressive supplement use, particularly "immune boosters," noting that while direct causation isn't proven, there are biological reasons to exercise caution.