PREVIEW Aliquot #54: Dietary and environmental factors that may impact autoimmune diseases

04/04/22 • 30 min

Autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis occur when the immune system mistakes the body's own proteins for those released by invading pathogens. The immune system has strategies for filtering these autoimmune cells out of circulation; however, this filter can malfunction due to age, genetic predisposition, disruption of the gut barrier and gut microbiota, or other environmental exposures. In this episode of the Aliquot podcast, we'll discuss autoimmunity and how childhood exposure to germs, dietary fiber intake, and fasting can build a healthy and balanced immune system.

(00:00) Introduction
(02:06) Childhood exposure to germs educates the immune system (Eran Elinav segment)
(08:51) Environment has more influence over the microbiome than genes
(12:42) The conversation between gut bacteria and the immune system (Sonnenberg segment)
(15:51) Fiber feeds friendly bacteria and attenuates immune overactivity
(19:15) Prolonged fasting resets autoimmunity (Valter Longo segment)
(22:55) Fasting is an opportunity to repair the body

Watch the full episode featuring Dr. Eran Elinav

Watch the full episode featuring Drs. Erica & Justin Sonnenburg

Watch the full episode featuring Dr. Valter Longo

Get more Aliquots! Become a FMF Premium member and get full access to our members-only podcast, The Aliquot, plus live Q&As with Rhonda, biweekly Science Digest emails, and more.

Learn more and sign up at: https://www.foundmyfitness.com/aliquot

(00:00) Introduction
(02:06) Childhood exposure to germs educates the immune system (Eran Elinav segment)
(08:51) Environment has more influence over the microbiome than genes
(12:42) The conversation between gut bacteria and the immune system (Sonnenberg segment)
(15:51) Fiber feeds friendly bacteria and attenuates immune overactivity
(19:15) Prolonged fasting resets autoimmunity (Valter Longo segment)
(22:55) Fasting is an opportunity to repair the body

Watch the full episode featuring Dr. Eran Elinav

Watch the full episode featuring Drs. Erica & Justin Sonnenburg

Watch the full episode featuring Dr. Valter Longo

Get more Aliquots! Become a FMF Premium member and get full access to our members-only podcast, The Aliquot, plus live Q&As with Rhonda, biweekly Science Digest emails, and more.

Learn more and sign up at: https://www.foundmyfitness.com/aliquot

Previous Episode

PREVIEW Aliquot #51: What's the best omega-3 dosage for maximum benefit?

Early studies of omega-3 fatty acid intake demonstrated dramatic biological effects. Since then, the body of research enumerating the profound anti-inflammatory and multi-system, generalized health-promoting qualities of omega-3s continues to grow; however, some studies fail to show any effects from omega-3 supplementation. This source of consternation may, by and large, boil down to low doses, raising the question: what is the right dose of omega-3 to use? In this Aliquot, Dr. Bill Harris shares his experience administering some of the largest omega-3 doses ever used in human trials and gives his recommendations about optimal dosage taking genes and diet into account.

(00:00) Intro
(01:51) Tolerability of very high doses (25 grams or more)
(14:35) Why dose titration based on the RBC test is better than ball-parking
(15:58) The right dose for 95% of typical Westerner
(16:30) Why 4 grams might be better than 2 grams for some people
(20:00) How the FDA decided on dosage for prescription omega-3
(21:05) Does the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio matter?
(22:49) Concluding thoughts

Watch the full episode featuring Dr. Bill Harris

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Learn more and sign up at: https://www.foundmyfitness.com/aliquot

Next Episode

PREVIEW Aliquot #59: How alcohol affects sleep, behavior, and cancer risk

Alcohol, one of the most used drugs worldwide, is a controversial subject. Whereas some research suggests drinking alcohol improves health, an abundance of evidence indicates that drinking alcohol also harms health. Particularly, higher alcohol intake is associated with an increased risk of many cancers. Some of the deleterious effects of drinking may be due to alcohol's effects on sleep. Although alcohol may help us feel calm and ready to sleep, it has surprising effects on REM sleep and maybe our waking behaviors too. In this Aliquot, we discuss some of the risks and surprising effects of alcohol on human health and behavior.

(00:00) Introduction
(00:57) Multiple drinks per day increases the risk of many cancers (Member Q&A segments)
(07:16) Moderate alcohol consumption reduces cognitive impairment risk, heavy drinking increases it
(08:58) Mild alcohol intake increases the likelihood of living to 90 and improves insulin sensitivity
(11:30) Alcohol dampens autoimmunity, but increases infection risk
(12:07) Take-home messages about breast cancer
(14:38) Alcohol and four other factors that reduce sleep quality (Matthew Walker segments)
(20:16) Alcohol is a sedative, but reduces sleep continuity and suppresses REM sleep

Watch the full Q&A featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick Watch the full interview featuring Dr. Walker Watch the full interview featuring Tim Ferris

Get more Aliquots! Become a FMF Premium member and get full access to our members-only podcast, The Aliquot, plus live Q&As with Rhonda, biweekly Science Digest emails, and more.

Learn more and sign up at: https://www.foundmyfitness.com/aliquot