Why the Keto Diet Might Make Autoimmune Symptoms Worse

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The keto diet is often marketed as an anti-inflammatory solution for chronic illness—but for people with autoimmune diseases, keto can backfire. While it may temporarily reduce symptoms for some, research shows that a high-fat, low-carb diet may trigger flares, disrupt immune regulation, and worsen thyroid and gut function over time.

If you’re dealing with conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders, here’s what you need to know before following the ketogenic trend.

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Why Autoimmune Conditions Require a Different Approach

Autoimmune diseases develop when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. These conditions often stem from:

• Chronic inflammation

• Gut permeability (leaky gut)

• Nutrient deficiencies

• Hormonell obalans

• Toxin overload

Any diet that increases inflammatory triggers, disrupts the gut microbiome, or lacks critical nutrients can aggravate autoimmunity—even if it appears “clean” on the surface.

📌 Research shows that gut health, micronutrient status, and immune regulation are essential in preventing autoimmune flares (Vojdani & Vojdani, 2019).

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How Keto May Worsen Autoimmune Symptoms

1. Gut Microbiome Imbalance

The keto diet is extremely low in prebiotic fiber, which feeds beneficial gut bacteria. A diverse microbiome is key to immune regulation and preventing autoimmune flare-ups.

📌 Studies show that ketogenic diets reduce microbial diversity and may increase the growth of pro-inflammatory bacteria (Ang et al., 2020).

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2. Increased Intestinal Permeability (Leaky Gut)

High saturated fat intake can damage the gut lining, promoting “leaky gut”—a well-known trigger for autoimmune responses.

📌 Research in Nutrients found that saturated fats increase intestinal permeability and systemic inflammation, both of which worsen autoimmune activity (De Santis et al., 2021).

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3. Nutrient Deficiencies That Impair Immune Regulation

Keto restricts many plant-based foods, leading to deficiencies in:

• Vitamin D (immune modulation)

• Magnesium and selenium (thyroid support)

• Zinc and iron (T-cell function)

• B vitamins (anti-inflammatory enzymes)

📌 A review published in Autoimmunity Reviews emphasized that nutrient deficiencies are common in autoimmune patients and must be corrected to reduce flare-ups (Agmon-Levin et al., 2014).

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4. Thyroid Dysfunction (Especially in Hashimoto’s)

Low-carb diets suppress thyroid hormone (T3) production. This is particularly dangerous for people with Hashimoto’s, where underactive thyroid function is already a concern.

📌 One clinical study found that carbohydrate restriction reduced active thyroid hormone and worsened fatigue in women with thyroid disorders (Powers et al., 2010).

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5. Cortisol and Stress Hormone Imbalance

Keto raises cortisol, your body’s main stress hormone. In autoimmune conditions—especially lupus and RA—chronically elevated cortisol can suppress immune resilience and worsen symptoms like joint pain, insomnia, and fatigue.

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Who Should Be Cautious with Keto?

• Anyone diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s, or MS

• Women with thyroid or adrenal imbalances

• Individuals with gut issues or IBS

• Those with fatigue, anxiety, or mood instability

• People with nutrient malabsorption or digestive complaints

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The ASTR Diet: A Safer Way to Manage Autoimmune Symptoms

Instead of extreme carb restriction, the ASTR Diet—developed by Dr. Joseph Jacobs—focuses on healing the root causes of autoimmunity:

✅ Anti-inflammatory foods to calm the immune system
✅ High-fiber, gut-healing meals to repair leaky gut
✅ Toxin-free ingredients to reduce immune overload
✅ Thyroid-supportive nutrients from whole foods
✅ No deprivation—just balance

The full program is outlined in Eat to Heal and used in ASTR’s clinical protocols for autoimmune recovery.

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Top ASTR Diet Foods That Support Autoimmune Healing

• Wild-caught salmon (omega-3s)

• Flaxseeds and chia (fiber, lignans)

• Leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables (detox support)

• Berries (antioxidants)

• Quinoa and sweet potatoes (slow-digesting carbs)

• Fermented vegetables (microbiome repair)

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Final Thoughts: When Keto Makes Autoimmune Conditions Worse

The keto diet isn’t one-size-fits-all. For people with autoimmune issues, it may increase inflammation, reduce immune tolerance, and damage the gut—making symptoms harder to manage.

✅ Restore balance and support immune healing with the ASTR Diet.
✅ Start your personalized recovery plan with a free consultation:
ASTR Diet Health Coach Session
✅ Read Eat to Heal to learn the full protocol.

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Referenser

1. Vojdani A, Vojdani E. The role of intestinal permeability in autoimmune diseases. Altern Ther Health Med. 2019;25(2):34–45.

2. Ang QY, et al. Ketogenic diets alter the gut microbiome in mice and humans. Cell. 2020;181(6):1263–1275.e16.

3. De Santis S, et al. Saturated fatty acids induce increased intestinal permeability. Nutrients. 2021;13(2):683.

4. Agmon-Levin N, et al. Nutritional factors in autoimmune diseases. Autoimmun Rev. 2014;13(9):849–854.

5. Powers M, et al. The influence of dietary carbohydrates on the thyroid axis. Endocr Pract. 2010;16(2):303–307.