Is autoimmune disease REVERSIBLE? With Terry Wahls, MD

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Paul Saladino1h 39m · 2020-02-11

Claims Made

175

Claims Supported

126

Support Rate

72%

Support rate

126 of 175 claims supported

126 supported49 partial / not

Claims from this content

147

Well SupportedRegenerative agriculture practices improve soil organic matter, leading to more nutritious food.Well SupportedA recommended intake for organ meats is a few ounces per week, such as half an ounce to a few ounces of liver and a few ounces of heart per week.Well SupportedRegenerative agriculture practices benefit the animal, the soil, and the overall ecosystem.Well SupportedThe Rotterdam Study indicated a correlation between higher intake of Vitamin K2 and improved health outcomes.Well Supported

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A. Volkovreader

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Bookmarking — the dossier-vs-overview split is the right call. Most of the time I want overview; sometimes I want receipts.

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Would love a "what would change this verdict" RSS feed. Sign me up if it exists.

Humans have historically relied on animal foods as the primary source of protein and nutrients.

Well SupportedAncestral Supplements produces freeze-dried organ meat supplements in convenient gelatin capsules, sourced from grass-fed, grass-finished animals in New Zealand.

Well SupportedThe full spectrum of vitamin K2 menoquinones is best obtained from organs and meat of well-raised animals.

Well SupportedThe longevity observed in Loma Linda, California, is likely due to the avoidance of tobacco and alcohol by Seventh-day Adventists, not the avoidance of meat.

Well SupportedFour out of five Blue Zones consume significant amounts of meat central to their culture and traditional dishes.

Not SupportedHigh meat consumption in Hong Kong does not contradict the idea that meat absence is associated with longevity.

Not SupportedThe Blue Zones construct is flawed because it cherry-picks regions and ignores populations with higher longevity on dissimilar diets.

Well SupportedHigher alpha diversity in the gut microbiome is generally considered better, provided there is a low abundance of detrimental bacteria like Proteobacteria.

Well SupportedMental health conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and eating disorders can be characterized as autoimmune diseases of the brain.

Well SupportedA carnivore diet may help reverse inflammation and autoimmunity by removing potential triggers like lectins found in plants.

Well SupportedPoor sperm quality in some Seventh-day Adventists may be due to plant pesticides and mold toxins in their diet.

Not SupportedLacinato kale can accumulate high levels of toxic thallium from contaminated soil.

Well SupportedPhytic acid is not completely reduced by processing, and lectins are difficult to remove from foods like beans without pressure cooking.

Well SupportedNative deodorant is formulated without aluminum, parabens, and talc, using natural ingredients.

Not SupportedMost leafy greens, including brassicas and spinach, are considered toxic for humans and offer few redeeming benefits.

Well SupportedDiversity in the gut microbiome is achieved through a diversity of experiences, such as exposure to dirt, sun, and water.

Well SupportedReintroducing carbohydrates in a pulsatile or longer-term fashion with intermittent ketosis may be beneficial when hormone levels decline and individuals feel unwell.

Well SupportedThe nutritional quality of animal products differs between conventionally raised and grass-fed, grass-finished animals.

Well SupportedConsuming approximately half an ounce of liver and three to six ounces of heart and grass-fed meat daily provides adequate riboflavin.

Well SupportedMost individuals on a carnivore diet with fresh, gently cooked meat marinated in an acidic medium likely consume enough vitamin C to prevent scurvy.

Not SupportedThe Blue Zones concept is a fallacy based on cherry-picked data.

Well SupportedGrass-fed, grass-finished desiccated organ supplements are a convenient way to consume nutrient-dense organs.

Well SupportedTerry Wahls' protocol involving micronutrient consumption helped manage and reverse her MS symptoms.

Well SupportedThe amount of vitamin C required to prevent scurvy is significantly lower than the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI).

Well SupportedSome individuals resolve autoimmune conditions by eating less or no plant foods, aligning with the carnivore diet principle.

Partially SupportedEating meat from nutrient-rich animals, particularly from regenerative agriculture sources, is nutritionally superior.

Partially SupportedCarnitine, choline, carnosine, CoQ10, and creatine are nutrients found in appreciable quantities primarily in animal foods.

Partially SupportedA carnivore diet can lead to significant improvement in gastrointestinal issues, with good quality stools achievable even without fiber.

Partially SupportedSome people in Blue Zones eat meat, and this has been omitted from the narrative.

Well SupportedConsuming 9-12 cups of greens daily was instrumental in Terry Wahls' recovery from progressive MS and filling her micronutrient tank.

Partially SupportedIncreasing vitamin C intake from 70 mg/day to 250 mg/day showed no change in antioxidant capacity or DNA damage in one trial.

Partially SupportedInterventional studies with vitamin C generally fail to show improvements in endpoints for cardiovascular disease, the common cold, or cancer.

Not SupportedA study in Loma Linda found that a vegetable-based diet decreased sperm quality, specifically reducing sperm motility and count in males.

Partially SupportedChronic inflammation and autoimmunity are essentially synonymous and represent a significant health issue in Western medicine.

Partially SupportedA healthy gut microbiome is indicated by the absence of skin issues like eczema and regular bowel movements.

Not SupportedThere is a lack of awareness in Western medicine regarding the fixability and malleability of autoimmune illness through diet and lifestyle.

Not SupportedThe notion that plant fiber is absolutely necessary for a diverse microbiome is premature and potentially false.

Well SupportedAssessing food patterns, rather than single nutrients, is key to understanding optimal diet and lifestyle.

Partially SupportedMega doses of vitamin C are likely not necessary for humans, and reasonable amounts can be obtained from fresh, minimally cooked animal foods.

Partially SupportedThe author's preference for carnivore diets includes fluctuations between carnivore and fasting, and seasonal introduction of plant material.

Well SupportedFocusing on eating real food is beneficial for those with limited resources.

Partially SupportedThe 1930 carnivore diet study measured parameters like overall weight, BMI, body fat, blood pressure, and kidney function.

Partially SupportedPeriodically entering a state of ketosis through carbohydrate restriction, intermittent fasting, or a ketogenic diet is a natural and beneficial practice.

Partially SupportedDiet quality and lifestyle significantly impact fertility, pregnancy, and the ability to carry a pregnancy to term.

Partially SupportedHumans can obtain all necessary vitamins and minerals to thrive by eating fresh animal foods nose-to-tail, including vitamin C.

Partially SupportedIsotopic analysis of early hominin teeth suggests a more carnivorous diet preference, with early Homo habilis exhibiting isotopic ratios similar to carnivores.

Not SupportedTerry Wahls believes a low-fat vegetarian diet may have contributed to her autoimmune disease.

Well SupportedThe gut microbiome influences metabolic health by producing critical metabolites.

Partially SupportedFresh, raw, or minimally cooked animal foods contain sufficient vitamin C to prevent scurvy.

Partially SupportedPesticides or residues on traditional vegetables may contribute to lower sperm quality.

Partially SupportedA low-fat vegetarian diet may not have prompted Terry Wahls' autoimmune disease and could have been nutrient deficient.

Partially SupportedA healthy microbiome is likely one that is consistent with an individual's ancestral diet.

Partially SupportedA study examined the effect of the carnivore diet on the microbiome.

Partially SupportedKale does not contain Vitamin K2, but gut bacteria can synthesize it, and the liver can further process it.

Partially SupportedAutoimmune disease is modifiable and can improve with diets like carnivore or Wahls.

Not SupportedPolar bear liver consumption may be problematic due to high vitamin A and cadmium contamination.

Partially SupportedDiet and lifestyle are the biggest levers for addressing chronic disease.

Partially SupportedCarbohydrates can be obtained without consuming plant matter, such as from honey or dairy which contains glycogen.

Partially SupportedThe body needs to be signaled for both feast and famine states.

Partially SupportedSocieties in Blue Zone areas, despite consuming diets that may include dairy and gluten, exhibit high proportions of centenarians and thrive.

Not SupportedOxalates in leafy greens like kale and spinach can be problematic for individuals with autism spectrum disorder or kidney stones.

Not SupportedTesting single nutrients rarely impacts clinical outcomes due to the complexity of diet and lifestyle.

Partially SupportedTerry Wahls practices time-restricted feeding after a water fast, consuming tea and water in the morning and an evening meal of protein, liver, and vegetables.

Partially SupportedA seven-day water fast performed once per month can lead to significant hunger by day six or seven, with a reduction in workout intensity.

Partially SupportedFasting levels of ketones in the morning may indicate lipolysis occurring in the liver and throughout the body.

Partially SupportedSeasonal variation in diet, including the intermittent introduction of plant materials, may have provided reproductive advantages through random mutations that tuned individuals to their environment.

Partially SupportedWaking up with positive fasting ketone levels suggests a level of autophagy and potentially lower IGF-1 levels.

Partially SupportedDiets like the Mediterranean, Paleo, and MIND diets reduce processed foods, sugar, and high glycemic index grains.

Partially SupportedA therapeutic lifestyle clinic achieved success using only diet and lifestyle interventions without functional medicine testing.

Partially SupportedRegions like Hong Kong and Iceland have a higher proportion of centenarians and super-centenarians, eating diets dissimilar to the Blue Zones.

Partially SupportedEmulating ancestral dietary and lifestyle practices within the modern environment is recommended for health.

Partially SupportedMicrobiome health should be assessed by observing stool quality rather than relying solely on complex lab tests.

Partially SupportedDiet and lifestyle interventions can repair and grow brain tissue in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Partially SupportedTraditional carnivore societies consumed meat mostly raw and fermented.

Partially SupportedPlants can trigger the immune system, with individual variations in response.

Partially SupportedVitamin K deficiency can be problematic, especially when not obtained from animal sources.

Partially SupportedChicken feet are commonly added to soups and stews for nutritional value.

Partially SupportedMonitoring retinol ester levels can help assess vitamin A toxicity.

Partially SupportedAdopting a paleo diet did not halt Terry Wahls' decline from MS.

Partially SupportedSome carbohydrates may be less toxic and less triggering to the immune system than others.

Partially SupportedA carnivore diet with adequate protein does not guarantee constant ketosis due to gluconeogenesis.

Partially SupportedPaul Saladino recommends 8 to 16 ounces of liver weekly and notes that animal fat contains Vitamin K2.

Partially SupportedTerry Wahls modified her diet by reducing meat intake, prioritizing organic foods, adding liver, and increasing consumption of mussels, oysters, and clams.

Partially SupportedTerry Wahls uses desiccated organ supplements when traveling because she values liver and other organs but cannot always access them.

Partially SupportedMany individuals can achieve ketosis at certain times of the day even while consuming carbohydrates, particularly with time-restricted eating.

Partially SupportedVitamin K2 (MK-4) is important for brain health and may help the body absorb carotenoids.

Partially SupportedTerry Wahls experienced significant improvement in her condition the day after resuming mitochondrial supplements after a two-week break.

Partially SupportedTerry Wahls reversed her multiple sclerosis through dietary changes.

Partially SupportedSupplements targeting mitochondria and brain cell health provided some benefit for Terry Wahls' fatigue and slowed her MS decline.

Partially SupportedHigher microbiome alpha diversity in indigenous peoples may be linked to ancestral lifestyle practices like exposure to dirt, animals, and sun.

Not SupportedThe Ancel Keys seven countries study's conclusion that meat or saturated fat increases cholesterol may be flawed due to low meat consumption during Lent.

Partially SupportedReducing processed foods, sugar, and high glycemic index grains leads to improved health outcomes.

Partially SupportedTraditional Northern European ancestral societies, when strictly carnivore or with minimal plants, consumed meat mostly raw and fermented, and had seasonal plant material introduction.

Partially SupportedAutoimmune diseases are malleable with diet and lifestyle interventions.

Partially SupportedSignificant health improvements can be achieved through diet, lifestyle changes, education, and social support.

Partially SupportedTerry Wahls has added electrical stimulation of muscles and a spa foot bath with electrodes to her daily routine for a more intense workout.

Partially SupportedImproving insulin resistance and removing processed foods can lead to improved fertility.

Partially SupportedVA lifestyle clinic classes improved health metrics and reduced medication use and hospitalizations.

Not SupportedUsing deodorants with xenoestrogens like parabens in the armpit area can lead to absorption.

Partially SupportedTerry Wahls experienced a steady decline from Multiple Sclerosis despite conventional treatments and a low-fat vegetarian diet.

Partially SupportedThe science of analyzing microbiome-derived metabolic processes in blood, urine, and stool is very young and requires significant research funding.

Partially SupportedStool consistency and ease of defecation provide more guidance on microbiome health than lab tests.

Partially SupportedCommunity and lifestyle are likely more responsible for regions with longer lifespans than individual dietary variations.

Partially SupportedGenetic variations may influence an individual's optimal diet for health and longevity.

Partially SupportedTeaching patients to cook with inexpensive ingredients like stew cuts of meat and bones using a pressure cooker makes healthy eating more affordable.

Partially SupportedAffordable healthy eating is possible through strategies like cooking classes and utilizing inexpensive ingredients such as organic liver and venison.

Partially SupportedThe contrast between the soil on regenerative farms and conventional farms demonstrates the impact of regenerative agriculture on nutrient density.

Partially SupportedThe traditional Inuit diet of raw meat and fermented foods allowed them to survive and gain weight, suggesting humans can thrive on a meat-only diet.

Partially SupportedTerry Wahls aimed to consume 200 different plant species per year, focusing on greens, garlic family, cabbage family, and mushrooms.

Partially SupportedConventionally grown meat may have a different nutritional profile and be inflammatory due to pesticide exposure.

Partially SupportedTerry Wahls travels with organ meat capsules and substitutes cabbage for greens when traveling.

Not SupportedThe conventional understanding of neurodegeneration and multiple sclerosis is incomplete.

Partially SupportedPatients with various chronic diseases can experience significant improvements in weight, blood sugar, pain, and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, type-2 diabetes, anxiety, and depression through diet and lifestyle changes.

Not SupportedRelying on Vitamin K1 for Vitamin K2 needs is not a good strategy due to poor conversion.

Partially SupportedTerry Wahls experienced a significant drop in energy when her intake of greens decreased, possibly due to low Vitamin K2.

Partially SupportedVitamin K1 intake is not associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes or reduced aortic calcification, suggesting poor conversion to K2.

Partially SupportedModern animal farming practices, such as grain-feeding and indoor housing, may result in meat products with low Vitamin K2 content.

Partially SupportedHuman DNA has been simplified over millions of generations, with many essential health processes now reliant on the microbiome.

Partially SupportedThe current epidemic of autoimmune issues and poor health stems from a mismatch between human biology and modern environments and foods.

Partially SupportedRemarkable health transformations can be achieved by incrementally improving diet quality, daily activities, and stress reduction.

Partially SupportedTerry Wahls consumes liver once a week, followed by liver pâté, and includes other organ meats, bone broths, bone marrow, oysters, mussels, and clams in her diet.

Partially SupportedA single-arm feasibility study for safety in a target population, such as individuals with Multiple Sclerosis, would be ideal to assess the effects of a dietary intervention like the carnivore diet.

Partially SupportedReducing plant intake during early recovery from illness can lead to a sharp decline in health.

Partially SupportedThe conversion of vitamin K1 from leafy greens to K2 may not be efficient for many people, suggesting vitamin K should be obtained from animal sources.

Partially SupportedPlants may not provide indispensable nutrients unobtainable from animals.

Partially SupportedFunctional medicine uses metabolite tests for fatty acids, Krebs cycle, and vitamin markers to optimize health.

Partially SupportedProlonged ketosis can lead to a hibernation state characterized by decreased thyroid and sex hormones, reduced fertility, and potential negative impacts on brain health.

Not SupportedOvershooting retinol intake on a carnivore diet can lead to pulmonary fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Partially SupportedAncestral Supplements' Male Optimization Formula is made from testicle, prostate, and liver.

Partially SupportedAdequate protein and calorie intake can provide a 'fed state' signal to the body in the absence of carbohydrates.

Partially SupportedConsuming liver once a week carries a risk of vitamin A toxicity, which can lead to pulmonary fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Partially SupportedDeclining global sperm counts, younger menarche, and falling fertility rates are significant public health issues.

Partially SupportedThe inclusion of meat and organ meats in Terry Wahls' diet was valuable for her recovery.

Partially SupportedIntestines, a freeze-dried animal organ supplement, contains growth factors that may benefit individuals with gut issues.

Partially SupportedIntermittent ketosis is preferred over sustained ketosis due to hormesis and potential reproductive advantages.

Partially SupportedA diet that is more 'Palaeo-like' or 'Mediterranean-like' or 'Wahls-like' is associated with healthier outcomes.

Partially SupportedTerry Wahls travels with cabbage and organ meat capsules to maintain nutrient intake.

Partially SupportedThere is a correlation between sunlight exposure and increased microbiome diversity.

Partially SupportedHumans can survive on a meat-only diet, although it may be difficult.

Partially SupportedPoop quality provides feedback on health status.

Not SupportedThe emphasis on testing and supplements in some functional medicine communities may be overly reductionist.

Partially SupportedExperiencing the hormetic effect of fed and unfed states, involving mild to moderate stress and a feeding recovery period, is optimal for well-being.

Partially SupportedKetone levels can be present if excessive carbohydrates are avoided, time-restricted eating is practiced, or during fasting.