What’s autoimmune gastritis that anti-ageing influencer Bryan Johnson suffers from?

Longevity entrepreneur and millionaire Bryan Johnson has recently opened up about an autoimmune disease called autoimmune gastritis (AIG) that is damaging his stomach. In a long and detailed X post, Johnson disclosed his diagnosis of autoimmune gastritis, saying, "My stomach is eating itself."

“I have an autoimmune disease. My stomach is eating itself," he wrote on X. His post also carried the quote: "Conquering death will be humanity's greatest achievement."

According to him, the condition often goes undetected, affecting an estimated 2–5 per cent of the population. Left untreated, it can lead to nutritional deficiencies, anaemia and an increased risk of cancer over time.

Read his post here:

Johnson revealed that routine investigations initially could not identify the root cause of the disease until specialised blood tests and stomach biopsies were conducted.

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We take a look.

What is autoimmune gastritis?

According to the US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), autoimmune gastritis (AIG) occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the stomach lining.

The condition is chronic and typically non-erosive, which gradually damages the stomach's acid-producing parietal cells, which play a vital role in digestion. Over time, the condition reduces stomach acid production, thereby impairing iron absorption and eventually causing vitamin B12 deficiency.

What are the symptoms of AIG?

According to the NIDDK and the Cleveland Clinic, in some cases, autoimmune gastritis does not cause any symptoms; however, when symptoms develop, they are often linked to complications such as vitamin B12 deficiency, iron deficiency, or anaemia.

The symptoms include: fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headaches, pale skin, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, problems with balance, confusion or difficulty concentrating, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and weight loss, the Cleveland Clinic reported.

As some remain symptom-free in many cases, the disease often remains undetected until medical evaluation reveals nutritional deficiencies or stomach damage.

Is autoimmune gastritis curable?

NIDDK notes that treatment for AIG focuses on managing the health problems it causes rather than reversing the disease. Depending on the severity of the patient's condition, treatment may involve vitamin B12, iron or folic acid supplements to address nutritional deficiencies.

According to the US National Cancer Institute (NCI), AIG is associated with a rising risk of gastric cancer. Patients diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis may need extra monitoring depending on their condition.

Who is Bryan Johnson?

Bryan Johnson is an anti-ageing influencer and American technology entrepreneur, investor and longevity advocate. He is known for his efforts to slow biological ageing.

He established online payments firm Braintree, which acquired Venmo before PayPal purchased Braintree in an $800 million (around Rs 7633.32 crore) deal in 2013.

Johnson went on to found Kernel, a neurotechnology company focused on creating sophisticated brain-monitoring technology.

More recently, he has become known for "Project Blueprint", a rigorous health and longevity programme centred on disciplined nutrition, exercise, sleep, medical testing and constant tracking of biological markers.

Johnson has publicly shared several aspects of his regimen, claiming it is intended to lower his biological age and enhance long-term health.

With inputs from agencies