Functional Medicine for Autoimmune Diseases in NC
Functional medicine is a modern, science-based approach to healthcare that focuses on treating the root causes of chronic illness, rather than just masking symptoms. It is both systems-based and patient-centered, meaning it looks at how the body’s systems interact and how each individual’s environment, genetics, and lifestyle contribute to health or disease.
Unlike conventional medicine, which often relies on prescription medications and standardized protocols, functional medicine asks deeper questions—like:
“Why is this symptom happening in the first place?”
“What imbalances are disrupting the immune system?”
“How can we support the body’s natural ability to heal?”
This method is especially powerful for addressing autoimmune diseases, which involve complex, multifactorial imbalances. Functional medicine practitioners explore how factors such as gut health, toxic exposures, nutritional status, hormonal balance, stress, and genetics are driving inflammation and immune dysregulation.
One of the key differences? Personalization. At Caring for the Body, PLLC, no two treatment plans are the same. Dr. Cynthia Libert creates individualized wellness blueprints that are grounded in lab data, detailed health histories, and each person’s unique lifestyle and goals. This approach empowers patients to participate actively in their healing journey—with clarity, confidence, and support.
Functional Medicine and Autoimmune Disease: A Natural Fit
Autoimmune diseases are complex—and often misunderstood. They occur when the immune system, designed to protect you, begins to attack your own tissues. Traditional medicine often focuses on suppressing this response using steroids, immunosuppressants, or biologics. While those tools have a place, they rarely address why the immune system is misfiring in the first place.
That’s where functional medicine excels.
Rather than simply suppressing immune activity, functional medicine seeks to rebalance and retrain the immune system by correcting the underlying imbalances that drive inflammation and autoimmunity. This involves identifying and addressing the interconnected factors that contribute to immune dysfunction, including:
- Gut health: Over 70% of the immune system resides in the gut. Conditions like leaky gut, SIBO, and microbiome imbalance can trigger and sustain autoimmune responses.
- Toxin burden: Mold, heavy metals, plastics, and pesticides can overwhelm detox pathways and provoke immune dysregulation.
- Hormonal imbalances: Adrenal stress, thyroid disorders, and sex hormone imbalances often go hand-in-hand with autoimmune flares.
- Chronic inflammation: Triggered by diet, stress, infections, and lifestyle factors—leading to immune confusion and tissue damage.
Through advanced testing and personalized treatment plans, Dr. Cynthia Libert helps patients in North Carolina understand the why behind their autoimmune condition and offers a clear, empowering path to healing.
Common Autoimmune Conditions Treated Functionally at Caring for the Body
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
An autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland, often overlooked or mismanaged. Functional care focuses on:
- Gut and immune restoration
- Nutritional support (selenium, iodine, zinc)
- Thyroid hormone optimization
Lupus (SLE)
A systemic autoimmune disease with wide-ranging symptoms. Our approach targets:
- Inflammation reduction
- Detoxification and mitochondrial support
- Mind-body resilience and stress modulation
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Characterized by chronic joint inflammation and pain. We address:
- Inflammatory food triggers
- Microbiome balance
- Root-cause immune modulation
Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis
Skin and joint conditions linked to immune dysregulation. Treatment may include:
- Therapeutic diets
- Toxin clearance
- Microbiome and gut barrier support
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
A neurologic autoimmune disease. Functional strategies include:
- Nutritional repletion (vitamin D, omega-3s, antioxidants)
- Gut-brain axis healing
- Stress and trauma-informed care
Celiac Disease
More than just a gluten issue—this gut-driven condition requires:
- Full gluten removal
- Gut lining repair
- Immune system recalibration
Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis (IBD)
Inflammatory bowel diseases that benefit from:
- Comprehensive stool testing (GI-MAP)
- Herbal antimicrobials and healing nutrients
- Trauma-informed nervous system support
Sjogren’s Syndrome
Characterized by dry eyes, dry mouth, and systemic symptoms. Treatment includes:
- Hydration and mucosal support
- Antioxidant therapy
- Gentle detoxification protocols
Autoimmune Fatigue & Mixed Connective Tissue Disorders
For complex or overlapping autoimmune symptoms, we offer:
- Personalized diagnostic testing
- Mitochondrial and nutrient restoration
- Long-term lifestyle and immune resilience support
Advanced Testing and Root-Cause Diagnostics
One of the hallmarks of functional medicine—and what sets it apart from conventional care—is the use of comprehensive, root-cause diagnostics. At Caring for the Body, PLLC, Dr. Cynthia Libert uses advanced functional lab testing to go far beyond standard blood work, uncovering the deeper imbalances that fuel autoimmune disease.
Most conventional clinics stop at basic labs and symptom management. But autoimmune disorders are rarely simple—and without identifying what’s driving the immune dysfunction, long-term healing is out of reach.
Gut Health & Microbiome Testing
- GI-MAP™ stool test: Assesses for pathogens, SIBO/SIFO, leaky gut, inflammation, and microbiome balance
- Food sensitivity testing: Identifies immune-triggering foods that may be aggravating symptoms
Toxicity Panels
- Mold, mycotoxins, and environmental toxins (formaldehyde, phthalates, plastics)
- Heavy metal analysis (mercury, lead, arsenic, etc.)
- Partner labs: Quicksilver Scientific and Vibrant Wellness provide cutting-edge data for safe detox support
Hormone & Adrenal Testing
- DUTCH test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones): Reveals detailed hormone metabolites and circadian cortisol patterns
- Thyroid panels (including T3, T4, rT3, antibodies)
- Adrenal function and stress resilience metrics
Genetic Insights
- 3×4 Genetics and IntellxxDNA: Uncover genetic predispositions and epigenetic influences on detox pathways, inflammation, and nutrient needs
- Tailored support based on your unique genomic blueprint
Lab Partners You Can Trust
Dr. Libert partners with world-class functional laboratories for accuracy and insight:
- Genova Diagnostics
- Doctor’s Data
- ZRT Laboratories
- IGeneX (specialized tick-borne and chronic infection testing)
Core Components of Functional Medicine for Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune conditions develop through layers of dysfunction—not just in the immune system, but in digestion, hormones, detoxification, and even emotional health. At Caring for the Body, PLLC, Dr. Cynthia Libert uses a whole-person approach grounded in functional medicine to restore balance and promote healing across all body systems.
Gut-Immune Restoration
Over 70% of your immune system resides in your gut. That’s why healing the gastrointestinal tract is foundational for reversing autoimmune activity.
We focus on:
- Addressing leaky gut (intestinal permeability), a key driver of immune miscommunication
- Testing for and treating SIBO/SIFO (small intestinal bacterial/fungal overgrowth)
- Rebalancing the microbiome through targeted probiotics, prebiotics, and herbal antimicrobials
A strong, healthy gut creates a calm, resilient immune system.
Anti-Inflammatory, Therapeutic Nutrition
Food can either fuel inflammation or reduce it. Using food as medicine, Dr. Libert creates customized nutrition plans that eliminate common immune triggers like:
- Gluten
- Dairy
- Refined sugars and processed foods
We use personalized elimination diets to identify reactive foods and introduce anti-inflammatory healing foods that support immune regulation, hormone balance, and gut repair.
Detoxification & Environmental Medicine
Your body is constantly exposed to toxins—from mold spores to pesticides to heavy metals—that can overwhelm detox pathways and trigger autoimmunity.
We provide:
- Comprehensive testing for mold, heavy metals, and environmental chemicals
- Support using Quicksilver Scientific protocols, liver nutrients, and binders
- Safe, gentle detox tools including infrared sauna therapy and lymphatic drainage
Clearing toxic burden helps calm chronic inflammation and restores immune clarity.
Hormone Optimization
Hormones have a profound effect on immune function. Imbalances in thyroid, adrenal, and sex hormones often go hand-in-hand with autoimmune conditions—especially in women.
We assess and rebalance your hormones using:
- Advanced DUTCH hormone testing
- Personalized adrenal and thyroid support
- Bioidentical hormone therapy when needed to restore hormonal harmony
Balanced hormones promote better energy, sleep, resilience, and immune stability.
Mind-Body-Spirit Healing
Chronic stress, trauma, and spiritual disconnection can fuel autoimmunity by dysregulating the nervous system and increasing inflammation.
Dr. Libert integrates tools for deep healing including:
- The JOY Prescription: a faith-informed model of emotional and spiritual care
- Breathwork, somatic awareness, and mindset coaching
- Nervous system regulation techniques to help shift from fight-or-flight to rest-and-heal
When the mind and spirit are nourished, the body often follows.
A Clear Path to Autoimmune Healing in North Carolina
Living with an autoimmune condition can feel overwhelming, isolating, and confusing—especially when the answers you've been given don’t explain the full picture. But there is hope, and there is help.
At Caring for the Body, PLLC, we believe that healing is not only possible—it’s your birthright. Through the lens of functional medicine, we offer a deeper understanding of your body, a clear plan for healing, and the compassionate partnership you deserve.
Whether you're newly diagnosed or have struggled for years, Dr. Cynthia Libert and her team are here to help you uncover the root causes of your symptoms and reclaim your vitality. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone.
📞 Call Today: (828) 490-1545
📍 Visit Us: 1998 Hendersonville Rd, Suite #24, Asheville, NC 28803
📧 Secure Email: help@caringforthebody.org
🌐 Website: www.caringforthebody.org