Medical disclaimer.

What this site is.

The Holistic Rheumatologist is an educational platform created by Sarah Luebker, DO — a board-certified rheumatologist trained at Vanderbilt — to share what the published science says about food, movement, environment, sleep, stress, and lab interpretation as they relate to autoimmune disease.

Every page on the site is written or reviewed by Dr. Luebker, references peer-reviewed sources where possible, and is intended to help you understand your own condition more clearly. It is not designed to replace your rheumatologist, your primary care physician, or any other clinician you see.

What this site is not.

Nothing on this site is medical advice for you, individually. Specifically:

• Reading this site does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Luebker.
• Email exchanges, comments, newsletter responses, social media interactions, and the free guide do not create a doctor-patient relationship either.
• Information here is general. Your situation is specific. They are not the same.
• This site does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
• Statements about supplements, foods, and lifestyle interventions have not been evaluated by the FDA.

Independent of clinical practice.

Dr. Luebker is the Medical Director of Rheumatology at White River Health and practices clinically at White River Rheumatology. The Holistic Rheumatologist and holisticautoimmune.com are independent of her clinical practice at White River Health. White River Health does not endorse, sponsor, or have any responsibility for the content of this site.

If you are an existing patient of Dr. Luebker, this site does not replace, supplement, or interact with the care you receive at White River Rheumatology. For any clinical questions about your specific case, contact the clinic directly.

If you are not already her patient, this site does not establish a clinical relationship with her or with White River Health. Dr. Luebker is not able to provide individual medical advice through this website, the newsletter, comments, social media, or any other channel.

Always consult a qualified clinician.

Before you make any change to your medications, diet, exercise routine, supplement regimen, or treatment plan based on something you read here, talk to a qualified healthcare professional who knows your full medical history.

This is especially important if you:

• Take prescription medications, including DMARDs, biologics, immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, or anticoagulants.
• Are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
• Have a chronic disease (autoimmune, cardiovascular, metabolic, kidney, liver, or otherwise).
• Are immunocompromised.
• Are a minor or are caring for a minor.

Do not stop, start, or change any prescription medication based on anything you read on this site without first speaking to the clinician who prescribed it.

Accuracy and limitations.

We work to keep content accurate, current, and well-referenced. Medical science evolves, individual circumstances differ, and information on this site may become outdated between revisions. Where possible, we cite peer-reviewed sources, society guidelines, and named clinical trials. No source on this site should be taken as the final word for any individual decision.

If you spot an error or an out-of-date citation, email DoctorSarah@holisticautoimmune.com and we'll correct it.

External links.

This site links to external resources including peer-reviewed journals, society guidelines, and other clinicians' work. Those sites have their own policies, accuracy standards, and editorial decisions. We don't control them, and a link does not imply endorsement of everything on the destination site.

Affiliate disclosures.

Some links on this site may be affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. Affiliate relationships never change what we recommend or what we say about a product. See the full affiliate disclosure for details.