Effects of KETO food plan on autoimmune diseases

Hello @conrand, welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm hoping other members join in this discussion. I've thought about the keto diet since reading the book The Wahls Protocol by Dr Terry Wahls. Interesting story of how she used cellular nutrition to remove most of the symptoms of her MS. https://terrywahls.com/about/about-terry-wahls/

I did find a few resources that provide some information and a caution:

NCBI - The Therapeutic Potential of the Ketogenic Diet in Treating Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
-- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4709725/

The PaleoMom - Adverse Reactions to Ketogenic Diets: Caution Advised
-- https://www.thepaleomom.com/adverse-reactions-to-ketogenic-diets-caution-advised/

AutoimmuneWellness.com - Autoimmune Protocol vs. Other Healing Diets
-- https://autoimmunewellness.com/the-autoimmune-protocol-vs-other-healing-diets/

John

Hi @conrand,

@johnbishop, has provided some great resources which I hope will help. May I ask if you are concerned about any particular autoimmune condition? We look forward to getting to know you better.

In my late 20's, a Rheumatologist from Marshfield Clinic diagnosed me with Lupus. I learned how to balance it pretty well over the next couple decades. Had a few surgeries in between. Hysterectomy adnomyosis (sp?) tumor and endometriosis. Had gall bladder removed followed by arthroscopic knee surgery. In my mid 50's, I had pain in right side of my back. Several mis-diagnosis later, was encouraged by my husband to go to Mayo where a Urologist diagnosed Amylodosis of my right kidney (some other names were added....guess I was first patient seen with this type). I opted to go through some experimental treatment...which did not produce any benefits and because the stent (which was added so that I could urinaurinate) produced too much pain along with the kidney and ureter being destroyed by the Amylodosis, so... we opted to have a nephrectomy. I have done pretty well in that regard.
A couple of years ago, I knew I was in a "flare-up" so headed back to Mayo. This time, to the Rheumatology Dept. RA, Osteoarthritis and mixed tissue autoimmune diseases were diagnosed. After speaking with Orthopedic Dr. about knees, hips, etc....I have settled on a plan to avoid replacement surgery as long as possible and come in for cortisone injections on an "as needed" basis (which I have done for my knees and hips). My ophthalmologist diagnosed Sjogren's and monitors my eyes. I have struggled with GERD and IBS since my 20's. My Mayo Rheumatologists opted for me to try Methotrexate (a brief time of adding Prednisone) and increasing the dosages to maximum. I began to have side effects plus my health insurance ran out (only carried catastrophic the past 14 months). The Rheumatologist and I agreed that I should discontinue drug therapy...because of maintenance costs (regular lab work, evaluations, etc.). I am doing "ok" as long as I don't push myself beyond my limits...which is my biggest challenge.
I appreciate input as to any ways to maintain or, hopefully, improve my physical condition. I manage to stay optomistic with a positive attitude and gratitude that things aren't worse. I do my best to make the most of every day.

Hello @conrand

It sounds like you have had a remarkable journey, pursuing diagnoses, and getting treatments for various disorders. It also sounds like to have managed to find good medical treatment and advice. I admire your persistence in being proactive. Your attitude expressed in the last sentence of your post, "I do my best to make the most of every day." is admirable!

If you feel like sharing more, please continue to post. I'm sure that you have learned a lot over the years that might be helpful to others.

Teresa

One of the things the keto diet does is put you into ketosis. This causes a lot of changes in your body including a lot of cell regeneration. Old damaged cells are destroyed and replaced with new healthy cell. My choice personally is to use intermittent fasting in order to reach ketosis. I am currently doing daily 24hr fasts, where I only eat once a day. HGH gets a real boost towards the end of each fast.Then I eat a very broad based organic plant and fish based diet that I call JERF. Just eat real food. I try to eat foods that would naturally be in season, so don't eat grains and most fruits all year long. This is not always that simple, so what I do work hardest at is just eating lots of different foods throughout the year. The number one thing I avoid is any GMO, processed, or added sugar food. Basically anything produced by a corporation or backed by a politician. I also take no medications, or other drugs.

I am newly diagnosed with Hypothyroidism but over my 69 years i have had other problems

@pammettee - I was diagnosed in 2004 with Hypothyroidism. Over the years they got me to 100 mg of Synthroid. I then had breast cancer and they took me off of hormones and I went down to 88 mg. Last year I was diagnosed with Giant Cell Arteritis and was put on Prednisone. I put on 12 pounds and they had to take me up to 100 mg again. Recently I felt like I was going hyper and I was moved back to 88 mg. You certainly have to be watched every 3 to 6 months so they can regulate your dosage of Synthroid. I was being seen once a year until the diagnosis of GCA. I feel wonderful when I am on the right dosage of Synthroid. It is a wonderful medication that gives me a lot of energy. I cannot imagine having to live without my Synthroid. My problems are all autoimmune. I also have Rosacea.

Hey there Barefoot, I think your eat it/don’t eat it gatekeeping scheme has enormous merit. To wit, “Basically (you avoid) anything produced by a corporation or backed by a politician. I also take no medications, or other drugs.” You’ve doubtless discovered that as soon as a food processor enters the picture a food is at risk of becoming junk food (as measured by salt/fat content. Don

@barefoothorseman its already been 4 years after this post. Would you mind sharing if you continue on OMAD, or what is helping you know the most? I am dealing with autoinmune fatigue and don’t know if a state of ketosis is my only way out. Thanks