#245 - Autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis, holistic protocols, & metabolic health | Dr. Terry Wahls & Dr. Casey Means - (Replay)
Feb 8, 2024
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Dr. Terry Wahls, developer of The Wahls Protocol, and Dr. Casey Means, expert on metabolic health, discuss the root cause of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. They explore the link between metabolic health, blood sugar levels, and autoimmune diseases. They also dive into topics like optimizing metabolic health, mitochondrial dysfunction in autoimmune diseases, the role of osteopontin in brain health, and challenging conventional medicine.
Addressing root causes and optimizing metabolic health through diet and lifestyle modifications can help individuals with autoimmune diseases improve their symptoms and overall well-being.
Mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance play significant roles in the development and progression of autoimmune diseases, emphasizing the importance of optimizing mitochondrial function and addressing insulin resistance.
Deep dives
The Transformative Power of Lifestyle in Autoimmune Disease
Dr. Terry Wal's personal journey with multiple sclerosis (MS) led her to develop the Wal's Protocol, a nutrition and lifestyle program to treat chronic autoimmune diseases. By focusing on creating health through modifiable lifestyle factors, she was able to reverse her own disease process and regain her mobility. Dr. Wal's emphasizes the importance of addressing root causes, including weakened mitochondria, toxin overload, hormone imbalance, and difficulty eliminating toxins. Insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar levels contribute to glycation, which leads to protein damage and autoimmune processes. By optimizing metabolic health and reducing sugar and fructose intake, adopting a vegetable-rich diet, and monitoring glucose and insulin levels, individuals with autoimmune diseases can take proactive steps towards healing.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Autoimmune Disease
Mitochondrial dysfunction and its role in immune function play a significant role in autoimmune diseases. Weak mitochondria, which cannot generate sufficient energy, act as an accelerant for disease progression and fail to resolve immune dysfunction. The mitochondria are also involved in recognizing cell danger and activating the innate immune system. Altered mitochondrial function and increased oxidative stress contribute to the emergence of autoimmune diseases. Factors that disrupt metabolic health and promote insulin resistance, such as poor dietary choices, toxic exposures, chronic stress, and disruptions to the microbiome, contribute to the development and acceleration of autoimmune diseases. By optimizing mitochondrial function and metabolic health, individuals can mitigate the progression of autoimmune diseases.
Insulin Resistance and Autoimmune Diseases
Insulin resistance is a common feature in many autoimmune diseases, as elevated blood sugar levels and glycation contribute to protein damage and immune dysregulation. Western modern lifestyles, including high sugar consumption, fructose intake, and disruptions to the microbiome, fuel insulin resistance and autoimmune responses. Insulin resistance also increases vulnerability to other non-infectious chronic diseases. Identifying and addressing insulin resistance is crucial for mitigating the progression of autoimmune diseases. Ditching sugar-sweetened beverages and fructose-rich foods, replacing grain-based products with vegetables, and focusing on creating metabolic health through diet and lifestyle modifications can help regulate blood sugar levels and optimize immune function.
Hope for Autoimmune Disease through Lifestyle Changes
Dr. Terry Walz emphasizes that there is hope for individuals with autoimmune diseases through lifestyle changes. Addressing modifiable lifestyle factors, such as diet and stress management, can lead to remarkable improvements in autoimmune disease symptoms. By adopting the Walz Protocol and focusing on creating health through nutrition, individuals can optimize their mitochondrial function, balance their hormones, reduce toxin exposure, and maintain metabolic health. Understanding the link between metabolic health, glycation, and autoimmune processes provides opportunities for individuals to take proactive steps towards healing and improving their overall well-being.
Can a holistic protocol address the root cause of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS)? We explore how metabolic health is tightly linked to autoimmune diseases and how understanding blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity is key. Dr. Terry Wahls developed The Wahls Protocol, which helped Dr. Wahls reverse her disease process and helped her get back on her feet. The Wahls Protocol is one of the most influential lifestyle programs that helps people address their autoimmune diseases.Look for multiple new shows per week on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations about metabolic health and how the Levels startup team builds a wellness movement from the ground up in the health and wellness tech industry.
Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.
Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.
🎙 What Dr. Terry Wahls and Dr. Casey Means discuss:
(00:00) - Intro
(03:16) - A new framework for thinking about autoimmune disease
(07:14) - A supplement cocktail
(15:17) - The creation of health
(18:26) - Humans are metabolically complex
(27:52) - What is mitochondrial dysfunction?
(41:19) - The connection between type-1 diabetes and mitochondrial dysfunction
(53:03) - Addressing the root cause of autoimmune issues
(01:01:31) - How to support mitochondrial health
(01:03:21) - Improving metabolic health can improve autoimmune disease
