Media Appearances

Catch all my latest featured articles, podcasts, and videos below.

Meet Doctor Micah Yu – The Integrative  Rheumatologist

Here is my podcast with Clint Paddison on my approach to autoimmune disease.

Featured Articles

 

Featured Articles

 

CREAKYJOINTS

Gluten-Free Diet and Arthritis: Does It Help Improve Symptoms?

CREAKYJOINTS

What Is a ‘Cytokine Storm,’ Exactly? What Autoimmune Disease Patients Need to Know

FORBES MAGAZINE

Food As Medicine: Understanding The Importance Of Food To Gut Health

INSTITUTE FOR PATIENT ACCESS

Our Shared Struggle with Gout

RICK SCOTT, JANEUNCHAINED

Healing Arthritis By Ditching Dairy

Like What You Hear?

My Lectures & Webinars

 

CHEF AJ

How to Fight an Autoimmune Disease?

LUPUS LA

Lupus + Integrative Medicine: A Panel Discussion

LUPUS LA - FACEBOOK LIVE

Lupus and Lifestyle Medicine During the Coronavirus Pandemic. Lupus LA.

Spondylitis Association of America

What Lifestyle Medicine Offers for Spondyloarthritis.

Lupus LA

Latest on Lupus Patient Conference Loma Linda 2019

Featured Podcasts

 

RHEUMATOID SOLUTIONS WITH CLINT PADDISON

MEET DR. MICAH YU – The Plant-Based Rheumatologist

PLANT TRAINERS PODCAST

Overcoming Autoimmune Diseases

THRIVE BITES

Bringing Lifestyle Medicine into Medical Education

VEGGIE DOCTOR RADIO

Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu on the effects of a WFPB Diet on their Lives and Careers

UNINVISIBLE PODCAST

Integrative Rheumatologist Dr. Micah Yu

ARTHRITIS LIFE

How can Lifestyle and Integrative Medicine Help People with Rheumatic Diseases?

SURVIVING MEDICINE

From Patient to Doctor with Dr. Micah Yu MD

Featured Podcasts

 

RHEUMATOID SOLUTIONS WITH CLINT PADDISON

MEET DR. MICAH YU – The Plant-Based Rheumatologist

SURVIVING MEDICINE

From Patient to Doctor with Dr. Micah Yu MD

PLANT TRAINERS PODCAST

Overcoming Autoimmune Diseases

ARTHRITIS LIFE

How can Lifestyle and Integrative Medicine Help People with Rheumatic Diseases?

THRIVE BITES

Bringing Lifestyle Medicine into Medical Education

VEGGIE DOCTOR RADIO

Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu on the effects of a WFPB Diet on their Lives and Careers

UNINVISIBLE PODCAST

Integrative Rheumatologist Dr. Micah Yu

"My integrative approach to healing not only focuses on nutrition, but also focuses on overall lifestyle. We have the power to transform our bodies into a much healthier state. We are stronger than we think."

Dr. Micah Yu

Read More From MyAutoImmuneMD

Stay up-to-date on the latest news, research, tips & tricks that I provide for my autoimmune family!

Follow Me!

Follow @myautoimmunemd for tips, advice, information, and fun!

myautoimmunemd

View

Jun 11

Open
LISTEN UP! ⠀ ⠀ I keep seeing and hearing about a RA diet, a MS diet, a lupus diet, etc....There is no disease specific diet. These are all autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune disease has nutrition principles that are anti inflammatory and that centers around fiber and phytonutrients. ⠀ ⠀ It doesnt matter if you look at functional, integrative, lifestyle....fiber and phytonutrients is key. If you look at WFPB, mediterranean, and paleo...they all have fruits and vegetables. So don't go chasing down a specific diet for a specific disease because it doesnt exist. There is no research backing to say that eating a specific item for a specific autoimmune disease will put it to remission.⠀ ⠀ I know what each field of complementary medicine is teaching because I am learning them all. Don't lose the big picture. We are all going to have our individual sensitivities on food so no one diet is going to fix everyone. There is no perfect diet for every individual. But if you keep this principle in mind you will be on your way to a better health.

LISTEN UP! ⠀
⠀
I keep seeing and hearing about a RA diet, a MS diet, a lupus diet, etc....There is no disease specific diet. These are all autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune disease has nutrition principles that are anti inflammatory and that centers around fiber and phytonutrients. ⠀
⠀
It doesnt matter if you look at functional, integrative, lifestyle....fiber and phytonutrients is key. If you look at WFPB, mediterranean, and paleo...they all have fruits and vegetables. So don't go chasing down a specific diet for a specific disease because it doesnt exist. There is no research backing to say that eating a specific item for a specific autoimmune disease will put it to remission.⠀
⠀
I know what each field of complementary medicine is teaching because I am learning them all. Don't lose the big picture. We are all going to have our individual sensitivities on food so no one diet is going to fix everyone. There is no perfect diet for every individual. But if you keep this principle in mind you will be on your way to a better health. ...

877 72

myautoimmunemd

View

Jun 9

Open
Is coffee beneficial for the immune system?⠀ ⠀ Caffeine has shown to increase the release of interleukin 10, which is anti inflammatory and mediate release of TNF, IL-2, and IFN-y.⠀ ⠀ RA - Interestingly, caffeine has shown that it can worsen RA. For patients taking methotrexate, theres a study that showed that coffee consumption worsened outcome. ⠀ ⠀ Thyroid - In patients taking levothyroxine and coffee it showed that coffee showed lowered average rise of thyroxin in thyroid patients. It could potentially interfere with levothyroxine absorption from the gut.⠀ ⠀ Multiple Sclerosis - the studies are mixed on caffeine consumption. In one study it showed that coffee consumption was associated with MS development while several other studies showed that opposite. In a meta-analysis, MS was found to be inversely associated with coffee intake. ⠀ Lupus - coffee consumption was not associated with lupus development.⠀ ⠀ Caffeine consumption has immunomodulatory effects and can possibly help with an anti inflammatory effect. Overall these are the studies out there but there's not much directly on coffee intake. If you like coffee, then drink it. The studies aren't not strong enough to say yes or no. There are other ways to get caffeine such as tea and those have polyphenols that can help you. ⠀ ⠀ What is your experience with coffee? How about other caffeinated drinks?⠀ ⠀ #caffeine #coffee #autoimmune

Is coffee beneficial for the immune system?⠀
⠀
Caffeine has shown to increase the release of interleukin 10, which is anti inflammatory and mediate release of TNF, IL-2, and IFN-y.⠀
⠀
RA - Interestingly, caffeine has shown that it can worsen RA. For patients taking methotrexate, theres a study that showed that coffee consumption worsened outcome. ⠀
⠀
Thyroid - In patients taking levothyroxine and coffee it showed that coffee showed lowered average rise of thyroxin in thyroid patients. It could potentially interfere with levothyroxine absorption from the gut.⠀
⠀
Multiple Sclerosis - the studies are mixed on caffeine consumption. In one study it showed that coffee consumption was associated with MS development while several other studies showed that opposite. In a meta-analysis, MS was found to be inversely associated with coffee intake. ⠀
Lupus - coffee consumption was not associated with lupus development.⠀
⠀
Caffeine consumption has immunomodulatory effects and can possibly help with an anti inflammatory effect. Overall these are the studies out there but there's not much directly on coffee intake. If you like coffee, then drink it. The studies aren't not strong enough to say yes or no. There are other ways to get caffeine such as tea and those have polyphenols that can help you. ⠀
⠀
What is your experience with coffee? How about other caffeinated drinks?⠀
⠀
#caffeine #coffee #autoimmune ...

253 59

myautoimmunemd

View

Jun 8

Open
It's #SmoothieTuesday and today I have a super delicious and protein-rich smoothie for you! This smoothie is seriously my go-to when I am having a craving for chocolate but want to ensure I am putting foods with a high nutrient density into my body! Throw all of these ingredients into your blender and see what I'm talking about, it tastes like dessert! 🍫🍌⠀ ⠀⠀ Ingredients: ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ 👉 2 cups of almond milk (or your favorite plant milk) ⠀⠀ 👉 1 frozen banana ⠀ 👉 2 tbsp hemp seeds⠀ 👉 1/2 tbsp natural peanut butter (or your favorite nut butter)⠀ 👉 1 tbsp of chia seeds ⠀ 👉 1/4 cup of oats ⠀ 👉 1-2 tbsp of cacao powder, to taste⠀ 👉 1-2 pitted dates, to taste ⠀ ⠀⠀ #MyAutoImmuneMD #Autoimmune #DrLifestyle101 #plantbaseddoctor #onthego #healthysnakcs #gutmicrobiome #autoimmunedisease #rhumetoryarthritis #recipe #nutritionaltherapy #plants #oats #breakfastforchamps #breky #doctor #plantbaseddoc #mentalhealth #chocolatelovers #protein

It's #SmoothieTuesday and today I have a super delicious and protein-rich smoothie for you! This smoothie is seriously my go-to when I am having a craving for chocolate but want to ensure I am putting foods with a high nutrient density into my body! Throw all of these ingredients into your blender and see what I'm talking about, it tastes like dessert! 🍫🍌⠀
⠀⠀
Ingredients: ⠀⠀
⠀⠀
👉 2 cups of almond milk (or your favorite plant milk) ⠀⠀
👉 1 frozen banana ⠀
👉 2 tbsp hemp seeds⠀
👉 1/2 tbsp natural peanut butter (or your favorite nut butter)⠀
👉 1 tbsp of chia seeds ⠀
👉 1/4 cup of oats ⠀
👉 1-2 tbsp of cacao powder, to taste⠀
👉 1-2 pitted dates, to taste ⠀
⠀⠀
#MyAutoImmuneMD #Autoimmune #DrLifestyle101 #plantbaseddoctor #onthego #healthysnakcs #gutmicrobiome #autoimmunedisease #rhumetoryarthritis #recipe #nutritionaltherapy #plants #oats #breakfastforchamps #breky #doctor #plantbaseddoc #mentalhealth #chocolatelovers #protein ...

192 9

myautoimmunemd

View

Jun 7

Open
Nothing beats a solid foundation of a healthy lifestyle. ⠀ This means eating a diet filled with fruits and vegetables. Exercising. Minimizing Toxins. Removing unhealthy relationships and having a solid support system. ⠀ ⠀ You can take all the supplements, medications, and alternative therapies in the world but the most powerful thing you can do for yourself is creating a solid foundation. Diseases and illnesses can still happen but at least you set your body for a more powerful fight.⠀ ⠀ When I preach a plant predominant diet I am not only preaching immune health. I am also talking about heart health, brain health, gut health, etc. There is no magic trick to a solid foundation. Even if you decide to eat other foods that you enjoy at least get those phytonutrients and fiber in everyday. ⠀ ⠀ LET'S GO

Nothing beats a solid foundation of a healthy lifestyle. ⠀
This means eating a diet filled with fruits and vegetables. Exercising. Minimizing Toxins. Removing unhealthy relationships and having a solid support system. ⠀
⠀
You can take all the supplements, medications, and alternative therapies in the world but the most powerful thing you can do for yourself is creating a solid foundation. Diseases and illnesses can still happen but at least you set your body for a more powerful fight.⠀
⠀
When I preach a plant predominant diet I am not only preaching immune health. I am also talking about heart health, brain health, gut health, etc. There is no magic trick to a solid foundation. Even if you decide to eat other foods that you enjoy at least get those phytonutrients and fiber in everyday. ⠀
⠀
LET'S GO ...

208 15

myautoimmunemd

View

Jun 5

Open
Missing Hawaii already.⠀ ⠀ I have seen multiple patients in the past several weeks that are very complicated. This world of integrative medicine is like a complete new specialty. There is integrative medicine then there is INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE. Currently listening to lectures on mold toxicity as I have seen multiple patients that potentially have mold problems.⠀ ⠀ Its a complicated world and there is nothing standardized at this time. Autoimmune disease is a complete different beast in medicine. Mold toxicity is not a diagnosis in allopathic medicine. It is what integrative doctors believe exist and the data is scattered. Its research is in the infancy. There are multiple docs out there who are very good at this. Dr. Shoemaker is one and Dr. Neil Nathan is also. I am going to have to look at the data and treatment plans for chronic lyme as well. When I trained in rheumatology, one of our attendings was a lyme expert. Chronic lyme does NOT exist in the field of allopathic medicine. In naturopathic/integrative medicine field? It exists and I want to know why and the how of it. Its important to understand both sides and their viewpoints. CIRS or chronic inflammatory response syndrome is another diagnosis that is in the integrative world. ⠀ ⠀ I have seen patients who have autoimmune disease who have tried different diets and have had multiple procedures as well as medications and have gone to prestigious academic centers and still have not improved. WHY? What are we missing? Whats the root cause? ⠀ ⠀ You dont know what you dont know. Lets keep learning and figuring this out. #lymedisease #cirs #mold #moldtoxicity

Missing Hawaii already.⠀
⠀
I have seen multiple patients in the past several weeks that are very complicated. This world of integrative medicine is like a complete new specialty. There is integrative medicine then there is INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE. Currently listening to lectures on mold toxicity as I have seen multiple patients that potentially have mold problems.⠀
⠀
Its a complicated world and there is nothing standardized at this time. Autoimmune disease is a complete different beast in medicine. Mold toxicity is not a diagnosis in allopathic medicine. It is what integrative doctors believe exist and the data is scattered. Its research is in the infancy. There are multiple docs out there who are very good at this. Dr. Shoemaker is one and Dr. Neil Nathan is also. I am going to have to look at the data and treatment plans for chronic lyme as well. When I trained in rheumatology, one of our attendings was a lyme expert. Chronic lyme does NOT exist in the field of allopathic medicine. In naturopathic/integrative medicine field? It exists and I want to know why and the how of it. Its important to understand both sides and their viewpoints. CIRS or chronic inflammatory response syndrome is another diagnosis that is in the integrative world. ⠀
⠀
I have seen patients who have autoimmune disease who have tried different diets and have had multiple procedures as well as medications and have gone to prestigious academic centers and still have not improved. WHY? What are we missing? Whats the root cause? ⠀
⠀
You dont know what you dont know. Lets keep learning and figuring this out.

#lymedisease #cirs #mold #moldtoxicity ...

245 13

myautoimmunemd

View

Jun 4

Open
Low Starch Diet and Ankylosing Spondylitis? ⠀ ⠀ There are several studies that have shown potential benefits of a low starch diet with AS. It all ties to the bacteria called Klesbsiella in the gut. ⠀ ⠀ It has been shown in some studies that AS have higher levels of antibodies vs various parts of the Klebsiella bacteria compared to healthy controls. Molecular mimicry could be the main mechanism that explains Klebsiella infections and development of AS. ⠀ ⠀ Studies suggest that the raised amounts of Klebsiella in the intestines could be related to the rising incidence of ankylosing spondylitis. Nothing is conclusive at this time and there are individuals who eat starch that have AS that are doing well also.⠀ ⠀ I recommend a general anti inflammatory diet to patients with ankylosing spondylitis. I keep preaching a plant predominant diet or a plant based diet if you can tolerate it. I would not go low starch if you don't want to or need to. There are many patients that have done well eating a general anti inflammatory diet that is high in fruits and vegetable intake. I have patients who eat starch who are doing well with their AS also. Everyone's microbiome is different and no two ankylosing spondylitis patients are the same. ⠀ ⠀ My posts are here to educate you. Data like this are evolving. What is your experience with a low starch diet? ⠀ ⠀ PMID: 25385438⠀ PMID: 8835506⠀ ⠀ #ankylosingspondylitis #AS #rheumatology #antiinflammatory #plantbased #mediterranean #inflammation #autoimmune #myautoimmunemd

Low Starch Diet and Ankylosing Spondylitis? ⠀
⠀
There are several studies that have shown potential benefits of a low starch diet with AS. It all ties to the bacteria called Klesbsiella in the gut. ⠀
⠀
It has been shown in some studies that AS have higher levels of antibodies vs various parts of the Klebsiella bacteria compared to healthy controls. Molecular mimicry could be the main mechanism that explains Klebsiella infections and development of AS. ⠀
⠀
Studies suggest that the raised amounts of Klebsiella in the intestines could be related to the rising incidence of ankylosing spondylitis. Nothing is conclusive at this time and there are individuals who eat starch that have AS that are doing well also.⠀
⠀
I recommend a general anti inflammatory diet to patients with ankylosing spondylitis. I keep preaching a plant predominant diet or a plant based diet if you can tolerate it. I would not go low starch if you don't want to or need to. There are many patients that have done well eating a general anti inflammatory diet that is high in fruits and vegetable intake. I have patients who eat starch who are doing well with their AS also. Everyone's microbiome is different and no two ankylosing spondylitis patients are the same. ⠀
⠀
My posts are here to educate you. Data like this are evolving. What is your experience with a low starch diet? ⠀
⠀
PMID: 25385438⠀
PMID: 8835506⠀
⠀
#ankylosingspondylitis #AS #rheumatology #antiinflammatory #plantbased #mediterranean #inflammation #autoimmune #myautoimmunemd ...

137 26

myautoimmunemd

View

Jun 1

Open
It's #SmoothieTuesday and today I have a super healthy and delicious anti-inflammatory smoothie for you! Throw all of these ingredients into a blender and take this smoothie on the go or sip it in the sunshine! This smoothie is a great cold treat on a hot day 🌞 ⠀ ⠀ Ingredients: ⠀ ⠀ 👉 1/2 cup chopped carrots⠀ 👉 1/2 inch of fresh ginger⠀ 👉 1 cup of pineapple ⠀ 👉 1/4 inch of fresh turmeric ⠀ 👉 1/2 cup orange juice⠀ 👉 pinch of black pepper⠀ ⠀ #MyAutoImmuneMD #Autoimmune #DrLifestyle101 #plantbaseddoctor #onthego #healthysnakcs #gutmicrobiome #autoimmunedisease #rhumetoryarthritis #recipe #nutritionaltherapy #plants #oats #breakfastforchamps #breky #doctor #plantbaseddoc #mentalhealth

It's #SmoothieTuesday and today I have a super healthy and delicious anti-inflammatory smoothie for you! Throw all of these ingredients into a blender and take this smoothie on the go or sip it in the sunshine! This smoothie is a great cold treat on a hot day 🌞 ⠀
⠀
Ingredients: ⠀
⠀
👉 1/2 cup chopped carrots⠀
👉 1/2 inch of fresh ginger⠀
👉 1 cup of pineapple ⠀
👉 1/4 inch of fresh turmeric ⠀
👉 1/2 cup orange juice⠀
👉 pinch of black pepper⠀
⠀
#MyAutoImmuneMD #Autoimmune #DrLifestyle101 #plantbaseddoctor #onthego #healthysnakcs #gutmicrobiome #autoimmunedisease #rhumetoryarthritis #recipe #nutritionaltherapy #plants #oats #breakfastforchamps #breky #doctor #plantbaseddoc #mentalhealth ...

455 17

myautoimmunemd

View

May 29

Open
Lectins! What about lectins? This has been requested multiple times through DMs.⠀ ⠀ Lectins are carbohydrate binding proteins that are found in many different types of plants. They are mainly in beans, lentils, and various legumes. They can also be found in potatoes as well. Some say they are inflammatory. They are avoided in the autoimmune protocol diet as well as in the anti lectin movement as well.⠀ ⠀ Are lectins really as bad as they are and should we really be avoiding them? Most lectins are actually destroyed in high heat when you cook them. Research has shown that cooking foods with lectins such as beans for over 100 celsius for over 30 minutes will inactivate them.⠀ ⠀ There's no strong evidence that lectins are causing autoimmune disease at this time. I have patients and myself eat lectins with no problems. If lectins are posing a problem for you, it may be that your gut microbes are already in dysbiosis because of your autoimmunity so that you can't digest these foods properly. It may be prudent to introduce these foods slowly back into your diet. Research has shown that lectins can increase intestinal permeability and has shown to potentially activate the inflammasome(an inflammatory signal in the body). ⠀ Studies have shown that lectins can pose a problem if you do eat them raw...but who eats raw beans??? You can't even digest them. ⠀ ⠀ You don't want to eliminate groups of plants if you don't have to. Studies have shown that our health is tied to a diverse gut microbiome and we can do that by eating >30 plants per week. Beans and these foods with lectins are part of a healthy diet and have been a part of many cultures. ⠀ ⠀ The mediterranean diet is filled with foods with lectins and has the most evidence for an anti inflammatory diet in scientific literature. Many of these foods with lectins are filled with nutrients and should be part of a healthy diet if tolerated. More research needs to be done on these lectins. Peas and some other foods have very amount of lectins. Beans have more⠀ ⠀ What are your experience? ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Tips:⠀ - Soak your beans and legumes. Cook > 100 celsius for at least 30 minutes⠀ - Dont eat your legumes raw =)

Lectins! What about lectins? This has been requested multiple times through DMs.⠀
⠀
Lectins are carbohydrate binding proteins that are found in many different types of plants. They are mainly in beans, lentils, and various legumes. They can also be found in potatoes as well. Some say they are inflammatory. They are avoided in the autoimmune protocol diet as well as in the anti lectin movement as well.⠀
⠀
Are lectins really as bad as they are and should we really be avoiding them? Most lectins are actually destroyed in high heat when you cook them. Research has shown that cooking foods with lectins such as beans for over 100 celsius for over 30 minutes will inactivate them.⠀
⠀
There's no strong evidence that lectins are causing autoimmune disease at this time. I have patients and myself eat lectins with no problems. If lectins are posing a problem for you, it may be that your gut microbes are already in dysbiosis because of your autoimmunity so that you can't digest these foods properly. It may be prudent to introduce these foods slowly back into your diet. Research has shown that lectins can increase intestinal permeability and has shown to potentially activate the inflammasome(an inflammatory signal in the body). ⠀
Studies have shown that lectins can pose a problem if you do eat them raw...but who eats raw beans??? You can't even digest them. ⠀
⠀
You don't want to eliminate groups of plants if you don't have to. Studies have shown that our health is tied to a diverse gut microbiome and we can do that by eating >30 plants per week. Beans and these foods with lectins are part of a healthy diet and have been a part of many cultures. ⠀
⠀
The mediterranean diet is filled with foods with lectins and has the most evidence for an anti inflammatory diet in scientific literature. Many of these foods with lectins are filled with nutrients and should be part of a healthy diet if tolerated. More research needs to be done on these lectins. Peas and some other foods have very amount of lectins. Beans have more⠀
⠀
What are your experience? ⠀
⠀
⠀
Tips:⠀
- Soak your beans and legumes. Cook > 100 celsius for at least 30 minutes⠀
- Dont eat your legumes raw =) ...

374 49

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