The number of Americans that this condition affects – 24 million – has tripled in the last few decades.

In fact, it affects more women than heart disease and breast cancer combined.

==> I’m talking about autoimmune disease.

Actually, autoimmune disease isn’t just one condition.

You’re probably familiar with the most common autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, type-1 diabetes, hypothyroidism, and psoriasis.

But there are many more autoimmune diseases that affect the nervous system, joints and muscles, skin, endocrine gland, and heart.

Simply put, autoimmune diseases are conditions where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues rather than a foreign molecule like bacteria.

This happens when something confuses the immune system. Increasingly, that “something” appears to be the enormous load of environmental toxins to which we are all exposed.

The groundbreaking new book, “The Autoimmune Epidemic,” by Donna Jackson Nakazawa is a breath-taking piece of investigative journalism that seeks the real causes for this epidemic. Her desire to find answers was fueled by her own struggle with autoimmune disease.

Donna lays out very clearly a radical, but unfortunately very true, picture of what’s happening. But she also provides clear solutions for changes in diet, supplements, and our environment that can help people deal with and even reverse autoimmune diseases.

There’s no doubt about it.

Donna calls these environmental toxins “autogens” – foreign compounds that create an “auto” reaction, a reaction against the self.

==> But the fact is that toxins may be the most important cause of the autoimmune epidemic.

Ever wonder how some doctors can miss what's right in front of them?

This week, I'd like to tell you why conventional medicine doesn't always get it right when it comes to disease -- autoimmune diseases, especially.

If you suffer from things such as acne, allergies, asthma, arthritis or other related conditions, then you'll want to read on.

Recently, I flew to Rochester, New York, to participate in a national PBS show called SECOND OPINION. 

This is a fantastic opportunity for viewers to see a living room discussion about a medical topic between specialists, general practitioners, patients, patient advocates, and odd characters like me who don't quite fit in.

We shot three shows: one on migraines, one on osteoarthritis, and the last on inflammation.

There were renowned, smart and very qualified specialists and doctors there, from whom I could learn much.

But as we sat there during the inflammation show talking about a woman who had an autoimmune disease, I felt sad and distraught.

And try as I might, I couldn't break through the basic foundational idea of conventional medicine.