autoimmune illness Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Does Fasting Help Autoimmune Diseases?

The AHA! Team — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 05:25:27 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – Fasting has shown potential benefits for various autoimmune diseases, including lupus, multiple sclerosis, and mixed connective-tissue disease, though most evidence is based on individual case reports rather than large-scale studies. Various fasting regimens have been attempted for inflammatory autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic urticaria, mixed connective-tissue disease, glomerulonephritis, and multiple sclerosis, as well as osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. The strongest evidence of the benefits of fasting surrounds the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis The strongest evidence of the benefits of fasting surrounds the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune joint disease, as I detailed in my previous blog post. A German study suggested benefits for osteoarthritis, too, and reported improvements in pain and joint function, but we’d really need randomized controlled studies to know for sure. The researchers despaired they only had 30 patients, but that’s 30 times more than many reports on fasting in the medical literature, which may detail only single cases. So, does fasting work for mixed connective tissue disease? One woman, for example, with a rare autoimmune disease known as mixed connective-tissue disease, which can cause all sorts of painful and distressing symptoms, was treated with steroids in an attempt to suppress her immune system. After 21 days of fasting, and off her medications, “she had no further complaints.” More importantly, her symptoms seemed to stay away, and “she remained free of medication.” So, does fasting work for mixed connective tissue disease? All we can say is that it worked at least once. A similar success story was reported with fibromyalgia. A woman with pain throughout her body, who couldn’t sustain activity and was on a lot of drugs, became “symptom-free” after a 24-day fast and remained that way at her “follow-up visit 1 month later.” However, when a modified fasting regimen was tried on dozens of individuals, the benefits seen at week 2 largely disappeared by week 12, as shown below and at 1:32 in my video Fasting for Autoimmune Diseases. What about lupus? A 45-year-old woman who had remained in pain despite taking immunosuppressive drugs was pain-free by day four of fasting and remained symptom-free for one year when her symptoms began to recur, but she wiped them out again with a second seven-day fast, “after which she had no symptoms.” Note, though, that she didn’t only fast. She water-only fasted, then followed it with a plant-based diet in an attempt to solidify the gains. On its own, a strictly plant-based diet without any animal protein has been shown to control symptoms in at least some cases. The same with sacroiliitis, a common manifestation of ankylosing spondylitis, an autoimmune arthritis that primarily affects the spine, causing back pain that can last for years. In the case of a 33-year-old man, all sorts of conventional therapies and drugs were tried, but the pain wouldn’t go away. So, the complete avoidance of animal foods was recommended, and “the complaints improved distinctly and persistently” within days—until the patient ate meat again. Once again, back on plant-based nutrition, he was off most of his drugs and almost completely free of symptoms. So, at least in this case, inflammatory pain refractory to other treatments was abolished by eating more healthfully. At least it’s worth a try! Autoimmune glomerulonephritis, where your body attacks your own kidneys, is a common manifestation of lupus. In a case series, 29 patients were fasted for 60 hours, then had only fruits and vegetables until they got better. They described such remarkable recoveries that fasting, in their opinion, “should be an essential part of treatment.” What about multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune nerve disease? Individuals with MS were randomized to a “fasting-mimicking diet”—in this case, a modified fast that started out with an 800-calorie-a-day diet of fruit, rice, or potatoes, followed by a week sipping a few hundred calories of flaxseed oil and vegetable broth, then transitioning to a plant-based Mediterranean diet. Over the next three months, they experienced a significant improvement in overall quality of life. They also tried a ketogenic diet, but that failed to offer clinically or statistically significant overall benefit, as you can see below and at 3:34 in my video. And, finally, let’s look at chronic urticaria (hives), where you get a rash of itchy weals and welts, as seen here and at 3:40 in my video. Individuals started to improve on day 3 of the fast Individuals started to improve on day 3 of the fast, and their hives completely disappeared by day 11. This is consistent with studies from Germany and Japan that evidently showed around 75 percent effectiveness for such patients with what looks like some sort of tea with sugar diet. It’s certainly worth giving fasting therapy a try, but, of course, fasting should only be done under trained medical supervision. Otherwise, you’d never know if you have some hidden underlying kidney issue that could land you in a coma, then maybe in the morgue. You have to have your kidney function and electrolytes monitored to make sure your body is up for the challenge. Water-only fasting is not a cure or treatment in the traditional sense “Despite the possible good outcomes, water-only fasting is not a cure or treatment in the traditional sense; it is simply intended to promote the body’s self-healing mechanisms.” Since fasting is unsustainable, by definition, “to maintain the results obtained by water-only fasting, it is necessary to adhere to a health-promoting lifestyle that includes a diet of minimally processed plant foods, adequate sleep, and robust physical exercise.” If you haven’t seen it yet, check out my related video Fasting for Rheumatoid Arthritis. I’ve held three webinars on fasting. All of the videos are available for free on NutritionFacts.org, but you can also get them in a digital download—as a bundle or separately. See: Intermittent Fasting Fasting for Disease Reversal Fasting and Cancer To see all of the fasting videos currently on the site, please visit our fasting topic page. Interested in more on using diet to prevent and treat autoimmune diseases? Check out the related posts below. Key Takeaways Fasting has shown potential benefits for various autoimmune diseases, including lupus, multiple sclerosis, and mixed connective-tissue disease, though most evidence is based on individual case reports rather than large-scale studies. Fasting has the strongest evidence for treating rheumatoid arthritis, with some suggestive benefits for osteoarthritis, but more robust, randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings. After fasting, many individuals maintained their symptom-free state by adopting a strictly plant-based diet, suggesting the importance of long-term dietary changes in sustaining the benefits of fasting. Conditions like fibromyalgia, ankylosing spondylitis, and chronic urticaria have also shown improvement with fasting, but the effects may not be long-lasting without continued dietary management. Fasting should be done under medical supervision to monitor kidney function and electrolytes, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the regimen, as fasting is not a traditional cure but a way to activate the body’s self-healing mechanisms. To read the original article click here.

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“Magic” Milk Protects You From Chronic Disease

AHA Publisher — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 08:00:10 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – A groundbreaking new study out of Stanford University may finally compel the so-called “experts” to admit they’ve been wrong about what’s causing the shocking rise in diabetes.1 The FDA and Big Pharma want to blame it on family history and high blood sugar. They still don’t understand what’s REALLY going on… The crisis, which I call Syndrome Zero, is a direct result of chronic inflammation caused by an industrial, grain-based diet. Our bodies simply weren’t designed for all the carbohydrates modern humans eat. This carb overload wipes out beneficial bacteria in your gut microbiome. Before long, disease-causing bacteria begin to bloom unchecked inside your body. Soon, fissures and gaps in your intestinal lining expose you to toxic-gut syndrome. And that sends your immune response into overdrive. What follows is a runaway train to diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune illnesses – and even more inflammation. And as you know, inflammation is the root cause of chronic disease. Fortunately, some treatments can stop – and even reverse – this progression. Stanford University researchers wondered if a specific type of food could reduce biomarkers of chronic disease by feeding the beneficial bacteria that serve as your frontline defense. I’m talking about fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, kombucha, and sauerkraut. Stanford researchers put patients on a 10-week meal plan featuring fermented foods. Throughout the study, they measured changes in 19 key proteins linked to inflammation. They described their results as “stunning.” Individuals who ate fermented foods developed far more diverse, resilient microbiomes. Even more important… All 19 inflammatory protein markers dropped significantly in those patients eating fermented foods. Plus, their immune cell responses became calmer, better modulated, and less hyperactive.2 Unfortunately, you can’t just go to the local supermarket and buy fermented foods. Not only are they stuffed with extra sugars you need to avoid, but the pasteurization process kills off the good bacteria. Take kefir, for example. For my money, this fermented, “magic” milk gives you the biggest health benefits. It’s packed with up to six times more varieties of good bacteria than your typical probiotic yogurt. The most beneficial kefir contains healthy yeast, but store-bought brands don’t. Manufacturers stop the yeast process before packaging. If they didn’t, the fermentation process would continue… and the sealed containers could burst. Nourish Your Gut And Lower Inflammation With Healthy Homemade Kefir I get my homemade kefir from a local farmer. But you can make your own – it’s surprisingly simple. Begin by obtaining “kefir grains” – the yeast and bacterial clumps that resemble cauliflower florets. You’ll find them online, and some kefir-lovers just give them away. Here’s my recipe: Ingredients: 1 quart of organic, grass-fed whole milk (If you want to use raw milk, make sure it comes from a safe and reputable dairy) Kefir grains Large glass bowl or pitcher One-quart mason jar with lid Colander Directions: Put 2-3 heaping tablespoons of kefir grains into the mason jar. Shake the milk, then pour it into the jar as well. Place the lid atop the jar, but do not twist and seal it. Place it in a cupboard, and keep the room temperature between 72 and 78 degrees. The warmer it is, the faster it ferments. Store it for about 24 hours. Upon opening the jar you’ll notice the curd-like grains have risen to the top, and the milk is a thicker consistency, like buttermilk. You should detect a slightly sour, fermented smell. To strain, place the colander over the glass bowl or pitcher. Pour the contents of the mason jar into the colander. Next, you’ll want to stir the colander for a few minutes to aid the separation of the kefir grains that remain behind in the colander. (Save the left-over kefir grains, you can use them again to repeat the process!) Pour the kefir into a mason jar and store it in the refrigerator. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS References: 1. Wastky H, et al. “Gut-microbiota-targeted diets modulate human immune status.” Cell. 2021 Aug 5;184(16):4137-4153. 2. Ibid. To read the original article click here.

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6 INCREDIBLE Probiotic Foods to Improve Digestion and Immunity

AHA Publisher — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 07:00:54 +0000

Michelle Marks via NaturalHealth365 – Probiotics are foods that help build the population of healthy bacteria in the gut. Why is this so important to human health? Because poor digestive health leads to a wide range of health issues from allergies to many forms of cancer. Unfortunately, too many people have consumed synthetic antibiotics – which kill healthy bacteria. As healthy adults, we are supposed to carry around 3 to 4 pounds of “good” bacteria and yeast in our gut. But, every time we take antibiotics, we kill beneficial bacteria inside the digestive tract. Dysbiosis Has Been Linked to a Multitude of Chronic Health Conditions, Scientific Evidence Suggests Eventually, a condition called dysbiosis can occur – which can cause arthritis, autoimmune illness, vitamin B deficiency, chronic fatigue syndrome, food allergies, and food sensitivities, irritable bowel disorders plus skin problems like, eczema and psoriasis. THESE Are Some of the Best Probiotic Foods to Improve Digestive Health Try eating fresh sauerkraut and pickles. Finely shredded cabbage, which gets fermented, is a super-rich source of probiotics. A 2007 study published in the journal of Applied and Environmental Microbiology revealed that more than 13 different species of gut-friendly bacteria are present in sauerkraut. Naturally speaking, pickles and sauerkraut are some of the best probiotic foods to eat – especially after a heavy dose of antibiotics. Fortunately, it’s quite easy to make your own sauerkraut at home by combining finely shredded cabbage with Himalayan sea salt. Just store it in a mason jar at room temperature. In the presence of sea salt, the cabbage releases water, and the surface bacteria on the cabbage helps in the process of fermentation. If you want to buy sauerkraut, be sure to avoid the ‘commercial’ varieties that are heat-treated and pasteurized for obvious reasons. My personal favorite store brand is Real Pickles. Miso soup is one of the mainstays of traditional Japanese medicine and is commonly used in macrobiotic cooking as a digestive regulator. Made from fermented rye, beans, rice, or barley – you can easily add a tablespoon of miso paste to hot water to make an excellent (quick), probiotic-rich soup. One of my favorite companies for quality miso paste is South River Miso Company. Kefir, which is similar to yogurt, is a fermented dairy product. High in lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria, kefir is also rich in antioxidants. Look for a good, organic version at your local health food store to improve digestive health and help restore your microbiome. Kombucha is a form of fermented tea that contains a high amount of healthy gut bacteria. This probiotic drink has been used for centuries as a natural way to boost energy levels, improve digestion and achieve weight loss goals. Just keep in mind that kombucha, with its natural sugars, may not be for everyone – especially if you suffer from candida. Tempeh – as long as it’s non-GMO – is a probiotic-rich, fermented soybean product. It’s also a delicious meat substitute for vegetarians or vegans and a nice source of vitamin B12. Kimchi is the Asian form of pickled sauerkraut. It’s actually an extremely spicy and sour fermented cabbage – typically served in Korea. Kimchi is rich in beta-carotene, calcium, iron, and vitamins A, C, B1, and B2, plus a great source of probiotics. However, proceed with a bit of caution, as this food has an intense spicy flavor. But Wait, That’s Not All! THESE Foods Also Offer Probiotic Benefits Remember, to restore your gut bacteria, it is also important to consume a variety of raw fruits and vegetables – as often as possible. We say ‘raw’ because, although most produce gets washed before consumption, some bacteria clings to the surface, providing natural probiotic benefits. Improving gut health is relatively inexpensive and loaded with health benefits like a stronger immune system and greater clarity of mind. If you suffer from serious health problems, work with an experienced healthcare provider to restore healthy bacteria today. Sources used for this article: NIH.gov NIH.gov NIH.gov This article has been modified. To read the original article click here.

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