Fasting and autoimmune diseases, does it help?

Hi @cpd54, I don't think fasting cures anything but I do believe it can help with autoimmune conditions. I've always been in the pre-diabetes category and needed to lose some weight and the only way I've found to maintain my weight loss is using intermittent fasting along with lowering the amount of carbs I eat. It sounds like you also might fit in the metabolic syndrome category being prediabetes. We also have a discussion group on Connect for low carb healthy fat (LCHF)
--- LCHF Living & Intermittent Fasting: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/lchf-living-intermittent-fasting/.

Dr. Jason Fung has some YouTube videos that provide more information on how fasting helps the autoimmune system. Here are a few:
--- How Intermittent Fasting Boosts Immunity: https://youtu.be/1cKmmc3TBJg
--- The Science of Metabolic Syndrome: https://youtu.be/b9gT0G3QC7Q.

I switch up my fasting to fit my schedule with family plans but normally use a 18/6 or 20/4 (18 or 20 hour fasting period with 6 or 4 hour eating window). I use the free Zero app (https://zerolongevity.com/) on my phone to keep track which makes it easy to follow. When I started intermittent fasting the nighttime cravings were my biggest issue and I was mostly doing the 16/8 fasting plan. Gradually the snacking and craving goes away and it's easier to fast for 20 to 24 hours. I definitely feel better and my A1C has improved.

Have you done any research or reading on intermittent fasting?

Hi @cpd54, I don't think fasting cures anything but I do believe it can help with autoimmune conditions. I've always been in the pre-diabetes category and needed to lose some weight and the only way I've found to maintain my weight loss is using intermittent fasting along with lowering the amount of carbs I eat. It sounds like you also might fit in the metabolic syndrome category being prediabetes. We also have a discussion group on Connect for low carb healthy fat (LCHF)
--- LCHF Living & Intermittent Fasting: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/lchf-living-intermittent-fasting/.

Dr. Jason Fung has some YouTube videos that provide more information on how fasting helps the autoimmune system. Here are a few:
--- How Intermittent Fasting Boosts Immunity: https://youtu.be/1cKmmc3TBJg
--- The Science of Metabolic Syndrome: https://youtu.be/b9gT0G3QC7Q.

I switch up my fasting to fit my schedule with family plans but normally use a 18/6 or 20/4 (18 or 20 hour fasting period with 6 or 4 hour eating window). I use the free Zero app (https://zerolongevity.com/) on my phone to keep track which makes it easy to follow. When I started intermittent fasting the nighttime cravings were my biggest issue and I was mostly doing the 16/8 fasting plan. Gradually the snacking and craving goes away and it's easier to fast for 20 to 24 hours. I definitely feel better and my A1C has improved.

Have you done any research or reading on intermittent fasting?

@johnbishop ok I have a problem with this. The title of the link “fasting boosts your immunity” jumped out at because those of us with autoimmune diseases should NOT BE DOING ANYTHING TO BOOST OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM! (sorry for the shouting)

Our immune system is trying to hurt us. The very last thing someone with an immune system that has gone rogue is help it…

I’m done. Sorry for the screaming, John.

I could be wrong, but it doesn't make sense to me to not boost our immune system if it's weak. We need a strong immune system to ward off illness. There are antibodies that attack and these antibodies cause inflammation and need to be dealt with. I have Hashimoto's and my doctor tested me and found antibodies that are attacking my thyroid. I take LDN, low dose naltrexone, that fights inflammation.

@SusanEllen66, It's OK to scream. All of us do it at times. I have a different take but it's just my opinion. Yes, our immune system can run amuck at times and some folks have it worse than others. I don't look at boosting the immune system as making it worse for whatever conditions we have. My take when someone says boosting the immune system is that it is more about getting it back to what it was designed to do for the human body and not to wreak havoc on our body. If you listen to the video, Dr Fung does a good job of explaining the how's and why's in fairly easy to understand language.

Hoping you have a pain free day.

@johnbishop thanks John. I will check it out.

Logically, when you have an autoimmune disease, the doctor will give you drugs like prednisone or methotrexate. Those drugs are immune suppressants.

Why take immunosuppressants and at the same time do things that build up your immune system?
Isn’t that counterproductive?

@gigi4 I know it doesn’t make sense.

What is an autoimmune disease? It’s a disease that causes your immune system to get confused and attack you, the host, rather than the disease.

It’s gone haywire and turned against YOU and that is why you are sick.
That’s why we are given drugs like prednisone or methotrexate. They suppress our immune system so we can feel better. Those drugs work against our immune system.

There’s no point in taking a drug like prednisone, methotrexate etc. if we are also going to do things that benefit our immune system. That is not helpful..

I’m just trying to be helpful. Please consider this information.

Blessings