Additional Coverage:
- A woman who has autoimmune gastritis, the same condition as Bryan Johnson shares what it’s like to live with it (businessinsider.com)
Bryan Johnson, the well-known biohacker, recently revealed he has been diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis (AIG), a chronic inflammatory disease where the immune system attacks stomach cells responsible for producing acid. This condition impairs the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients. For Lori Taylor, 60, this announcement hit close to home-she has been managing AIG since her diagnosis in 2018.
Taylor, a registered dietitian and adjunct professor from Whidbey Island, Washington, shared her journey with the condition. She recalls struggling with subtle stomach issues and unexplained iron deficiency since her twenties.
Over time, symptoms intensified, especially in her late 40s while working as a clinical dietitian in an oncology unit. Notably, she experienced severe hair loss, debilitating fatigue, and troubling brain fog that affected her memory and cognitive function.
One moment stands out vividly: at a boba tea shop, a simple change in available flavors left her feeling mentally blank and overwhelmed.
Autoimmune gastritis is notoriously difficult to diagnose because its symptoms overlap with other conditions. The disease causes the immune system to attack parietal cells in the stomach lining, reducing acid production and hindering absorption of nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and vitamin C.
Initially, Taylor’s iron and B12 levels were borderline or low, but her other health factors complicated the diagnostic process. After extensive testing and some initial uncertainty, elevated parietal cell antibodies and an endoscopy confirmed her AIG diagnosis.
Treatment for AIG can be challenging and often requires a personalized approach. Taylor experimented with various diets, including elimination and low-FODMAP plans, but long-term relief came only after diagnosis.
She began supplementing meals with betaine hydrochloride to boost stomach acid, which dramatically improved her symptoms. In addition, she has received iron infusions-necessary because oral supplements were ineffective-and regular vitamin B12 injections, which helped restore her cognitive function and alleviate neuropathy.
Taylor welcomes Johnson’s public discussion of AIG, recognizing the condition’s complexity and the difficulty many clinicians face in diagnosing it. Since her diagnosis, Taylor has become passionate about advancing research and treatment for AIG. She co-authored a review paper advocating for further study into acid replacement therapy and plans to begin a doctorate in clinical nutrition focused on AIG at Rutgers University later this year.
With AIG affecting nearly 4% of the global population, Taylor hopes Johnson’s visibility will raise awareness and encourage the development of accessible treatment options. “Not everyone can afford vitamin infusions,” she noted. Ultimately, she believes progress will come from patient-driven advocacy and increased research, with figures like Johnson playing a vital role in moving the conversation forward.