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Integrative Brain and Body

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Downers Grove, IL
Integrative Brain and Body

Integrative Brain and Body specializes in providing patients with answers to chronic health conditions The key to individualized care is proper testing!

Our goal at Integrative Brain and Body is to empowering people with knowledge to overcome chronic health concerns so they may live healthy, fulfilling lives. We respect that no two people are alike, even if they have the same condition. Because of this, we take time to get to know patients as individuals so we may deliver custom tailored care. If you do not feel “normal” your body is telling you t

hat there is something physiologically not right! If you’ve been told your lab results are normal the root cause that is driving your condition hasn’t been addressed. To see the list of laboratory tests we offer, visit ibrainandbody.com/labs. For all the conditions we help we offer laboratory analysis, nutritional counseling, neurological rehabilitation, supplementation, chiropractic care and lifestyle modifications. Some conditions we help:
Thyroid dysfunction
Autoimmune diseases
Gut/digestive disorders
ADD/ADHD
Vertigo
For a complete list, visit http://ibrainandbody.com/who-we-help/

04/24/2026

🦠 What if a virus you had decades ago is still shaping your immune system today?

One of the most fascinating developments in autoimmune research involves a virus called Epstein–Barr virus (EBV).

By adulthood, over 90% of humans have been infected with EBV.
For most people it causes mild symptoms or none at all.

But in some individuals, the virus leaves behind something far more significant:

A long-term imprint on immune regulation.

A recent study in Science Translational Medicine uncovered a remarkable mechanism.

Researchers found that EBV can infect a subset of B cells that already recognize self-antigens (proteins from your own body).

Instead of remaining dormant, the virus can reprogram these cells into highly inflammatory immune cells.

These infected B cells begin acting like antigen-presenting cells, activating other immune cells and potentially triggering an immune cascade that targets the body’s own tissues.

In diseases like lupus, scientists found that EBV-infected B cells appear far more frequently than in healthy individuals.

In other words:

➡ A very common virus
➡ Infects immune cells
➡ Alters immune programming
➡ And may help drive autoimmune inflammation

From a functional medicine perspective, this finding is incredibly important.

Because it reinforces a principle we see clinically all the time:

Autoimmune disease is rarely caused by a single trigger.

It’s often the result of an immune system that has gradually lost tolerance.

That loss of tolerance can be driven by a combination of factors like:

• Genetic susceptibility
• Environmental toxicants
• Gut barrier dysfunction
• Chronic viral infections
• Microbiome disruption
• Immune regulatory imbalance

When these layers accumulate, the immune system can shift from defense → chronic activation → autoimmunity.

This also helps explain something many patients experience:

Autoimmune symptoms often appear years after the original infection.

Not because the virus is causing an acute illness…

But because persistent viral signals may slowly reshape immune behavior over time.

Modern research is increasingly focused on understanding:

• Viral latency
• Immune tolerance
• Molecular mimicry
• Chronic inflammatory signaling

Because if we can understand what pushes the immune system out of balance…

We may eventually learn how to restore immune tolerance and calm autoimmune inflammation.

And that’s where the future of medicine is heading.

Understanding the root causes behind immune dysregulation.

—

✅ Follow for more science-backed insights on:
🧠 Brain health
🔥 Chronic inflammation
🦠 Autoimmune disease
🧬 Functional medicine science

04/23/2026

"That is a great question because many people assume gluten is only a problem if you have celiac disease, but that is not necessarily true.

First, there is something called non-celiac gluten sensitivity, which is recognized in the scientific literature. In these cases, someone can have an immune response to components of wheat without meeting the diagnostic criteria for celiac disease. That immune activation alone can increase inflammation and make people feel worse.

But gluten is not the only factor involved. Wheat contains other compounds like lectins and wheat germ agglutinins that can interact with the immune system and irritate the gut lining in susceptible individuals.

Another piece that often gets overlooked is environmental exposure. Modern wheat is frequently exposed to pesticides like glyphosate, which may influence the gut microbiome and immune signaling independently of the gluten protein itself.

There is also the metabolic side of things. Many gluten-containing foods are refined carbohydrates, which can cause large swings in blood sugar and insulin. For some people, those spikes can contribute to fatigue, brain fog, and inflammatory symptoms.

One of the most important points to understand is that gluten itself can increase intestinal permeability, often referred to as leaky gut. Research suggests that gluten can stimulate the release of a protein called zonulin, which temporarily opens the tight junctions between intestinal cells. That means even in people without celiac disease, eating gluten can create some degree of increased gut permeability. In individuals who already have autoimmune conditions or underlying gut dysfunction, that increased permeability can amplify immune activation and inflammatory symptoms.

When someone removes gluten, they are often removing multiple stressors at once including immune triggers, gut irritants, blood sugar spikes, and sometimes environmental chemicals. That combination is why many people report feeling dramatically better even if they have never been diagnosed with celiac disease."

-Dr. Scott Beyer

04/22/2026

Chronic stress doesn’t just make you tired.
It can change how your immune system behaves.

When the HPA axis becomes blunted, cortisol drops below its optimal range. And cortisol is one of the body’s main brakes on inflammation.

Without that brake, inflammatory and autoimmune processes can accelerate.

If you have autoimmunity and symptoms like afternoon crashes, poor sleep maintenance, salt cravings, or low morning appetite… it may be worth looking at your HPA axis and cortisol rhythm.

04/21/2026

As it currently stands, autoimmunity can't be "cured," but it CERTAINLY can be managed effectively and put into remission.

An autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. The reason why autoimmunity can’t be fully cured lies in the immune system’s memory—once an autoimmune response has been established, the immune system retains the ability to reactivate under certain conditions. Environmental triggers, infections, stress, or inflammatory foods can all reignite the immune response, leading to a flare-up of symptoms.

However, with proper management, those with autoimmune disease can reach a point where they are no longer experiencing chronic immune flares. The key to achieving remission is understanding and avoiding individual triggers. This is often what we help people with at IBB through advanced testing and personalized protocols.

-Dr. Matt

📌 Share this post with somebody who might need some hope along their healing journey!

04/20/2026

💩 I ran a p**p test on my son when he was barely 1 year old.

Not because something was wrong.

Because I was curious what was living inside him.

Most parents track things like:
• height
• weight
• first words
• first steps

But as a functional medicine doctor and someone who loves neuroscience…

I was thinking about something different.

His microbiome.

The bacteria in the gut aren’t just about digestion.

They help shape:
• the immune system
• brain development
• inflammation levels
• food tolerance
• allergy risk

And what many people don’t realize is that the gut microbiome is largely established by age 3.

That means the early years are when a lot of the foundations of health are built.

So I wanted to ask a simple question:
What microbes were actually colonizing my son's gut?

Not to diagnose anything.

But to understand the ecosystem developing inside him.

A comprehensive stool test can show things like:
• beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium
• microbial diversity
• short chain fatty acid production
• digestive function
• immune markers in the gut

Think of it less like a medical test…

and more like looking at the soil quality in a garden.

If the soil ecosystem is strong, things grow well.

If it’s disrupted, problems tend to show up later.

And today we know early microbiome disruptions can be influenced by things like:

• antibiotics
• C-sections
• ultra-processed foods
• environmental exposures
• low microbial diversity environments

Again — this wasn't about medicalizing childhood.

It was about understanding something conventional medicine rarely looks at:

the microbial ecosystem inside the gut.

Because health isn't just about organs.

Sometimes it's about ecology.

And sometimes the best time to understand that ecology is before symptoms ever appear.

Curious question for parents:
If you could see your child’s microbiome early in life… would you want to?

— Dr. Scott Beyer

04/16/2026

🦠 Did you know that 70–80% of your immune system lives in your gut?

This means your immune health isn’t just about avoiding germs — it’s deeply tied to the health of your intestinal ecosystem.

Inside the gut, three critical systems are constantly interacting:

1️⃣ The Gut Microbiome
Trillions of microbes help regulate immune activity. Certain bacteria produce metabolites like short-chain fatty acids that help calm inflammation and train immune cells to respond appropriately.

2️⃣ The Intestinal Barrier
Your gut lining is only one cell layer thick. When this barrier is strong, it selectively allows nutrients into the bloodstream while keeping toxins, microbes, and food antigens out.

But when this barrier becomes compromised (often called increased intestinal permeability), immune cells beneath the surface can be exposed to substances they were never meant to see.

3️⃣ The Mucosal Immune System
Just beneath the gut lining sits an enormous population of immune cells constantly sampling what passes through the gut. Their job is to decide:

✔️ Harmless → tolerate it
⚠️ Threat → mount an immune response

When the microbiome becomes imbalanced or the barrier becomes disrupted, this immune surveillance system can become overactive.

And for many people with autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, this immune activation may begin in the gut.

This is why functional medicine often focuses on restoring:

• Microbiome diversity
• Intestinal barrier integrity
• Healthy immune signaling

Because when the gut environment improves, the immune system often becomes more regulated as well.

💡 The gut isn’t just a digestive organ.

It’s one of the central command centers of the immune system.

04/15/2026

What causes autoimmunity?
In my previous video I talked about the second of 3 things that can lead to autoimmunity. In this video I am going to touch on the last of 3 things that can cause autoimmunity - that is a loss of barrier integrity.
In order for your immune system to have to make a mistake in the first place, it has to have a trigger to be overworked. In order for your immune system to be exposed to a trigger in the first place something from the outside world, has to breach a barrier and enter our “inside” world (AKA our blood stream).

One of our most fragile barriers is our gut barrier. You may have heard of leaky gut? Our gut is made up of a single cell-to-cell connection. On top of those cells rests a protective mucosal barrier.
Our gut and mucosal barrier can be worn away from things like: stress, gluten, infections, antibiotics, NSAID/Pain killer meds, etc.
When we lose our barrier systems, our immune system has to work harder to motinor the influx of particles into our body, and inflammation follows as a result.
If you want to join me on a deeper dive on all things about the health of our brain, body, and immunity - follow my channel!

04/14/2026

A 2023 study found that low-dose glyphosate exposure altered the gut microbiome and increased inflammatory immune signaling, including IL-17–producing immune cells.

These changes were also linked with reduced production of short-chain fatty acids, molecules that normally help regulate inflammation and immune tolerance.

04/13/2026

🏋️‍♂️ Exercise & Autoimmune Health 🏋️‍♀️

This new study in the Journal of Autoimmunity discusses how physical activity can help regulate your immune system and reduce autoimmune flares! Regular movement may accomplish this by increasing T regulatory cells (Tregs)—the immune cells that keep your system in balance and prevent it from attacking your own body.

When you exercise, your muscles release powerful molecules (like IL-6 and BDNF) that support Treg function and help maintain immune tolerance. This means consistent movement isn’t just good for strength and function — it can be essential for autoimmune health!

🚶‍♀️ Actionable Tip: Find a movement you enjoy, whether it’s walking, yoga, strength training, or dancing. Your immune system will thank you!

📌 Save this post & tag a friend who needs this info!

04/11/2026

Your immune system doesn’t live in isolation.

It lives in partnership with trillions of microbes in your gut.

A 2023 study found that low-dose glyphosate exposure altered the gut microbiome and increased inflammatory immune signals — even at levels considered “safe.”

Beneficial bacteria ↓
Short-chain fatty acid production ↓
Inflammatory immune responses ↑

This is why modern research increasingly links microbiome disruption with autoimmune disease and chronic inflammation.

Your immune system is only as stable as the ecosystem that trains it.

The real question is:
What in our environment is quietly reshaping that ecosystem?

04/10/2026

The interactive metronome is a great therapy to activate two of the major regions of the brain that control and coordinate movement, thoughts, and emotions. 🧠

The proposed mechanism of Interactive Metronome therapy centers on neural entrainment and strengthening of temporal processing networks that link motor timing, attention, and cognitive functions. The therapy is theorized to work through rhythmic auditory stimulation that synchronizes neural oscillations and enhances connectivity within sensorimotor and cognitive networks. ⚡️

Some research shows improved cognitive outcomes in those with previous neurological deficits after using Interactive Metronome (PMID: 24059443;11761130)

Who it’s good for:
-Those dealing with cognitive issues
-Chronic post-concussion syndrome
-Athletes looking to maximize their hand-eye coordination and timing

Send this to somebody who could use some more rhythm and focus!

04/09/2026

Recent research suggests that supplementing with Vitamin D and marine omega-3 fatty acids may significantly reduce the risk of developing autoimmune diseases. ☀️ 🐟

A comprehensive study involving 25,871 participants found that daily intake of 2,000 IU of Vitamin D led to a 22% decrease in autoimmune disease incidence over approximately five years. Combining Vitamin D with omega-3 supplementation resulted in a 30% reduction compared to placebo!

These findings highlight the potential of these supplements in preventing autoimmune conditions. However, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your supplement regimen.

Address

2777 Finley Road Suite 5
Downers Grove, IL
60515

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 1pm
	2pm - 6:30pm
Wednesday	2pm - 6:30pm
Thursday	10am - 1pm
	2pm - 6:30pm
Friday	10am - 1pm

Telephone

+16309687891

Website

https://ibrainandbody.com/

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