Dr. Will Cole: Autoimmune Crisis? Uncover Mold and Toxins Harming You | TUH #159

Cole frames triglycerides >100 as the ‘proverbial Paul Revere’ signalling that the body is storing excess blood sugar as circulating fat, while HDL below 50 for men/59 for women compounds the risk. A1C is a 3‑month blood sugar average; he wants it ideally under 5.6, and fasting glucose under 90. Even mildly elevated homocysteine is linked to blood‑brain‑barrier permeability and cardiovascular disease. The NMR test, often overlooked, measures the number of small dense LDL particles—the truly atherogenic fraction—not just total cholesterol. He emphasises that these are standard, non‑functional labs anyone can ask their PCP to order, yet millions walk around with suboptimal numbers that are dismissed as ‘normal’.

Cole explains that standard doctors are not trained to look beyond CRP and homocysteine. By running TGF‑beta1, C3a, C4a, and MSH—markers of innate immune activation—he often finds significant abnormalities in these ‘normal‑lab’ patients. He then layers in urine mycotoxin panels (e.g., Vibrant Labs) and, when indicated, blood metal screening. Genetic testing for HLA reveals why a person’s immune system cannot appropriately clear biotoxins; variants like HLA‑DR help determine susceptibility. He notes that 90% of the population has EBV antibodies, but only a subset show viral reactivation, often due to concomitant mold or heavy metal burden. The host shared his personal lead toxicity story to illustrate that provoked testing was the only way to uncover stored metals.

Cole points out that 70‑75% of the immune system resides in the gut, so calming it is foundational. He likens this approach to a ‘proverbial siesta’ or Sabbath for the gut, giving it a rest from the mechanical and immune stress of digesting raw, fibrous foods. He suggests hearty soups made with bone broth (rich in glycine and glutamine to support enterocyte repair), slow‑cooked meats, and carrots or squash cooked until soft. Even fruit is steamed or simmered into a warm compote. This mirrors elements of the GAPS or carnivore‑adjacent protocols but is more inclusive. Once the gut barrier begins to heal and symptoms subside, patients can test raw foods one by one.

Cole advocates a tiered approach: first use food‑based detoxifiers (spirulina, chlorella, cilantro) and daily sweating. Binders are critical because without them, toxins can be reabsorbed in the enterohepatic circulation. He specifically names activated charcoal, zeolite, diatomaceous earth, and modified citrus pectin as effective options. Sweating is non‑negotiable; even a sauna blanket counts. Ozone therapy is a ‘game changer’ but not mandatory. The host shared his own lead detox journey using oral DMSA, sauna, and glutathione, which Cole reinforces as effective when lab‑guided. He emphasises that many people never sweat enough, so this simple habit can move the needle dramatically.

Cole frames fasting through the lens of hormesis—the dose makes the poison—citing Paracelsus’s description of fasting as ‘the physician within.’ He notes that just like cold plunges and saunas, fasting pushes the body to become more resilient, but overtaxing an already stressed system can backfire. He commonly sees patients who fear that skipping breakfast will wreck their metabolism, yet the biological reality is that many are stuck in constant sugar‑burning mode and need a break. The simplest intervention is to stop eating late at night, allowing a natural 12‑hour fast. He discourages rigid dogmatism; some may thrive on 16:8, others need a shorter window. The key is to track energy, mood, and sleep to find the sweet spot.

Cole integrates the ACE questionnaire clinically because higher scores correlate with autoimmune prevalence. He explains that the body holds trauma memory, keeping the nervous system hyper‑vigilant, which weakens vagal tone. The vagus nerve innervates the gut, heart, and immune organs; when it is weak, the sympathetic system dominates. Practices like gratitude and self‑compassion are not fluffy—they have been shown in studies to lower IL‑6, a key inflammatory driver. He acknowledges that many successful, high‑pressure individuals (as shared by the host) use morning gratitude as a non‑negotiable. He advises that the people who struggle most with meditation are often those who need it most, and it's okay to start poorly.

Cole uses a ‘bucket’ analogy: each person has a genetically determined capacity to handle biotoxins. Those with certain HLA haplotypes have a smaller bucket, so even an average mold exposure overflows and triggers chronic inflammation. He routinely runs immunology markers (TGF‑beta1, C3a, C4a, MSH) and urine mycotoxin panels alongside HLA typing. This approach frequently explains why, for example, a wife becomes severely ill while the husband in the same moldy home remains asymptomatic—he may lack the sensitivity but is still at risk for slow‑burn carcinogenic effects. The insight has profound implications for family dynamics and medical validation.

He breaks down each category: gluten grains are hybridised, sprayed with glyphosate, and over‑consumed without traditional preparation, driving zonulin release and intestinal permeability. Dairy has been stripped of its protective enzymes through pasteurisation and homogenisation, and the A1 beta‑casein protein is pro‑inflammatory compared to A2. Industrial seed oils (soy, corn, canola) are de‑gummed with hexane, deodorised with sodium hydroxide, and bleached, yet carry a heart‑healthy label; their high omega‑6 content skews the fatty acid ratio. Added sugars, even ‘healthy’ agave nectar, lack fiber and spike blood sugar. Alcohol, though socially accepted, acts as a fifth core inflammatory driver. He stresses that avoiding these does not mean a joyless existence—it’s self‑respect.

Cole explains that the gut and brain derive from the same fetal tissue and remain connected via the vagus nerve, which governs the parasympathetic rest‑and‑digest state. 95% of serotonin and 50% of dopamine are produced in the gut. When a person is stuck in sympathetic overdrive from unresolved trauma or chronic stress, vagal tone weakens, perpetuating inflammation. He administers the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) questionnaire to all telehealth patients, finding a strong correlation between high ACE scores and autoimmune/metabolic disorders. A cited study showed that people with higher self‑compassion had the lowest interleukin‑6 levels after a public‑speaking stress test. He advocates for daily stillness, breathwork, meditation, gratitude, and professional therapy like EMDR as essential—not optional—components of healing, noting that those who resist such practices often need them the most.