Illness-Specific Protocols – an Overview

If you have actively sought out this article about healing protocols, then you are most likely in the mindset ready to make lifestyle and dietary changes. Great, this article is for you. Otherwise, you may have heard of the concept of ‘food as medicine’ and you are currently exploring this concept. This article is designed to get you started on your journey exploring various diets that aid healing.

There are a number of protocols and diets that have been designed by various researchers, doctors and other academics which are intended to aid healing from certain illnesses. I’m particularly interested in the authors that have been patients themselves. Self-healers are my favourite to learn from, because they often share their personal stories and speak with a conviction that’s almost impossible to ignore. If you take only one thing from this article, let it be this: “find someone who has healed from the disease you have, start there, learn from them.”

 “Superior doctors prevent disease. Mediocre doctors treat the disease before it is evident. Inferior doctors treat the full-blown disease.” | Huang Dee Nai-Chang, from the first known Chinese medical text 

Someone once told me that all chronic disease is the same – in the sense that they have the same roots and therefore are treated in the same way – by bringing the body back into balance. For this reason, I often find that there is significant crossover between diets presented for various chronic illnesses and they also exhibit application beyond the scope of treating the illness they are intended for. With this understanding, I believe some of these diets are the pinnacle for those proactively seeking to maintain good health and I have personally adopted many of the teachings.

Below is the list and a summary of some of the most inspiring authors – each of these protocols has detailed information available in book form that is available for purchase. Before buying a book, I personally like to watch the author present at a conference so that I get an idea of who they are and what information I’m likely to find in the book.

Autism, ADHD (& More) Protocol

GAPS Protocol – Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Natasha Campbell-McBride

Natasha’s story is fascinating, she was one of the first people I discovered that demonstrated the immense power of food for healing. Without going too deep into her story, she noticed in her clinic that patients in her practice who presented with autism almost always presented with digestive issues. Noticing the connection and having personal reason to investigate this in depth, she healed her son and wrote the GAPS Protocol.

Autoimmune & Multiple Sclerosis Protocol

The Wahls Protocol by Terry Wahls and Eve Adamson

Another powerful story. Terry Wahls was indeed a MS patient herself and having sought the care of the leading practitioners (which were also her colleagues) she continued to decline. Terry made some radical dietary changes as well as physical treatments and supplementation – her diet was founded on the paleo diet but she then added certain foods to obtain all her nutrients from her diet rather than supplementation and diet – The diet was intended to heal her shrinking mitochondria. This is a must read for anyone suffering moto-neurological decline.

Cancer & Regeneration Protocol

The Longevity Diet (featuring the Fasting-mimicking Diet) by Valter Longo

While Valter Longo’s “The Longevity Diet” is not explicitly a cancer treatment protocol, it can be considered a cancer prevention approach. The dietary recommendations in his book are designed to promote overall health, reduce inflammation, and support the body’s natural defences against age-related diseases. One particularly intriguing aspect of his work is the Fasting-Mimicking Diet (FMD). Longo highlights the importance of fasting for our physiology, as it promotes regeneration through cell death (and subsequent replacement) and autophagy (where cells remove unnecessary or dysfunctional components). The FMD allows the body to enter a prolonged ‘fasted state’ in a manner that is safer than traditional fasting. Fasting has been shown to be a valuable adjunct in cancer treatment, further emphasising the potential benefits of Longo’s approach.

Alzheimer’s Protocol

The End of Alzheimer’s by Dale Bredesen

In this program, Dale Bredesen identifies 36 risk factors which he believes are contributing to dementia – Dale mentions that there are more than 36 but he has honed in on the ones that may be affecting people the most. By addressing these 36 risk factors you can not only reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s but also reverse cognitive decline. This is an interesting read – the protocol involves not only nutrition but also environmental factors such as mould in your household.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Protocol 

Hashimoto’s Protocol by Izabella Wentz

Izabella’s story is interesting, she is a pharmacist. Upon receiving a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease (an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the thyroid) she soon realised that what she had learnt at pharmacy school was lacking and it wasn’t until she investigated her illness further that she realised her illness will require more than prescribed medication. Izabella sought dietary changes and was surprised how quickly some of her persistent symptoms healed.

Women’s Hormonal Imbalance Protocol

In the Flo by Alisa Vitti

Alisa Vitti takes you through the different phases of your cycle and how adjusting your eating and lifestyle habits around your cycle may benefit you in finding hormonal balance. She also takes you through some of the negative effects of hormonal birth control and assists you in rebalancing your hormones post hormonal birth control (amongst many other things). Alisa presents an interesting way of eating – according to the phases of your cycle.

PCOS Protocol

The PCOS Plan by Nadia Brito Pateguana ND and Jason Fung

Nadia is a Naturopathic doctor that has a particular interest in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Nadia, along with Jason attribute excess insulin as a major contributing factor for PCOS sufferers. Nadia and Jason are particularly interested in intermittent fasting and low carbohydrate eating habits which are presented in this book to assist in the treatment and reversal of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Crohn’s & Colitis Protocol

Crohn’s & Colitis Diet Guide by Hillary Steinhart

The “Crohn’s & Colitis Diet Guide” is a comprehensive resource designed to help individuals with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis manage their symptoms through dietary changes. The book provides valuable insights into the relationship between food and IBD, offering practical tips, meal planning strategies, and evidence-based dietary recommendations tailored to the unique needs of those living with these conditions. By exploring various nutritional approaches, this guide empowers readers to make informed decisions about their diets, ultimately helping them achieve better control over their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.

Diabetes Protocol

Your Simple Guide to Reversing Type 2 Diabetes by Roy Taylor

“Your Simple Guide to Reversing Type 2 Diabetes” by Roy Taylor is a straightforward and easy-to-follow book that specifically targets individuals with Type 2 diabetes. The guide presents actionable steps and practical advice on how to reverse the condition through lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, and stress management. It aims to provide readers with a solid understanding of the disease and its underlying causes.