Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Dr. Josh Axe Show
Episode: How to Reverse Autoimmune Disease in 30 Days | Dr. Josh Redd
Date: February 19, 2026
Host: Dr. Josh Axe
Guest: Dr. Josh Redd

Main Theme

This episode delves into the explosive rise of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, exploring their underlying drivers, practical steps for reversal, and cutting-edge treatments. Dr. Josh Axe interviews Dr. Josh Redd, founder of Red River Health and Wellness and author of The 30 Day Inflammatory Reset, discussing real patient experiences, dietary and lifestyle interventions, hormonal factors, and advancements in regenerative medicine.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Autoimmune "Explosion" and Its Roots

• Autoimmune diseases are skyrocketing: Both acknowledge the relentless increase, particularly in younger patients.
• Not just diagnosed cases: Dr. Redd states many undiagnosed people are suffering due to lacking permanent tissue damage, with the immune system already attacking tissue ([06:07], Dr. Redd).
• Root causes:
  • Chronic inflammation driven by modern lifestyle: blood sugar imbalances, cortisol/stress, estrogen exposure (from environment and foods).
  • Highly processed foods are at the core, creating confusion and hyperactivity in the immune system ([04:15], Dr. Redd).

Notable Quote (Dr. Redd, 04:15):

"Our immune system is wondering what the heck is going on...causing our immune system to become overzealous, that's causing inflammation to be at an all time high. And now we have this inflammatory autoimmune crisis."

Problems with Conventional Medical Approach

• Symptom management vs. root cause: Most doctors treat hypothyroid with hormones (TSH/T4), ignoring underlying autoimmunity.
• Fire alarm analogy:
  • "All the conventional doctors are doing is just turning off the fire alarm and they're doing nothing to the actual fire." ([01:51], Dr. Redd)
• Emotional toll: People "herded around like sheep," feeling "crazy" and "hopeless" ([09:41], Dr. Redd).
• Progression: Uncontrolled autoimmunity often leads from one condition (e.g., Hashimoto's) to others (rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's, etc.).

Notable Story (Dr. Redd, 01:24 & 09:41):

• Real patient story: Woman so sick her son drew her "always in bed." She'd lost hope until root causes were finally addressed.

The Role of Hormones

• Top hormonal triggers:
  • Cortisol (stress hormone)
  • Blood sugar/insulin imbalances
  • Estrogen (dominance or deficiency)
• Cycle of dysfunction: These hormones both drive and worsen autoimmune responses ([06:07], Dr. Redd).

Early Signs & the "Undiagnosed"

• Food sensitivities and GI issues often mark the immune system's growing intolerance ([07:42], Dr. Axe).
• Personalization is key: Standard recommendations (keto, vegan, etc.) don't work for everyone; patient context matters ([20:23], Dr. Axe).

First Steps to Reverse Autoimmunity

1. Remove inflammatory foods

• Top triggers:
  • Gluten (#1)
  • Conventional dairy (#2)
  • Added sugar/high-fructose corn syrup
  • Alcohol (“really inflammatory to the brain, really inflammatory to the gut” – [13:30], Dr. Redd)
  • Soy (US-sourced)
• Protein structure mimicry: Gluten and casein can mimic body tissues, prompting immune attacks ([13:30]).

2. Stabilize blood sugar

• Use of continuous glucose monitors.
• Target: 80–130 mg/dL. Spikes or drops trigger autoimmune flares and stress adrenals ([16:32], Dr. Redd).

Notable Quote (Dr. Redd, 16:32):

"If it drops too low or it spikes too high, you're going to have an autoimmune flare up. Plus you're going to actually put a ton of stress on the adrenal glands..."

Barriers to Improvement Beyond Diet

• 10–20% of people have persistent A1C/insulin issues despite good diets ([17:39], Dr. Axe).
• Causes include: genetic methylation issues, ongoing inflammation, GI permeability, and especially unresolved chronic stress ([18:00], Dr. Redd).
• "Personalized" approach is critical for complex causes.

The Nuanced View on Fasting

• Not everyone benefits!
• Most patients do well eating every 2–3 hours, supporting adrenal & hormone balance.
• Fasting is a stressor: Can be detrimental for those with adrenal or thyroid fatigue ([23:00], Dr. Axe).
• About 85% do well with fasting when properly supported; 15% need to address underlying issues first ([23:15], Dr. Redd).

COVID, Vaccines, & Spikes in Autoimmunity

• Direct clinical observation: Significant spike in autoimmune markers after COVID and after COVID vaccination. Most common: antibodies to cardiac tissue (myocarditis risk).
• Dr. Redd emphasizes transparency: not anti-vax, just reporting observed trends ([26:00], Dr. Redd).

Notable Quotes:

• "I think the vaccine is actually inducing an autoimmune disease in these patients." ([26:09], Dr. Redd)
• "The most common antibody we saw with these patients after a vaccine was cardiac peptide antibodies … and they were having a ton of different heart symptoms." ([26:23], Dr. Redd)

The Shift in Public Awareness

• Dr. Axe and Dr. Redd reflect on the dramatic change in acceptance of nutrition/lifestyle medicine, especially after COVID.
• Nutrition-literate patients often know more than many doctors ([32:09], Dr. Redd).

Biological Mechanisms: Inflammation → Autoimmunity

• Acute inflammation: Can be lifesaving for trauma/infection.
• Chronic inflammation: Virtually guarantees autoimmunity within about 5 years ([33:33], Dr. Redd).
• Pathway: Leaky gut → immune activation over 5–10 years → loss of "oral tolerance" → body attacking self.

Notable Quote (Dr. Redd, 34:04):

"High doses of inflammation over a prolonged period of time is just an immune problem...within about five years we're almost 100% likely to develop an autoimmune condition."

What to Eat for Anti-Inflammatory Healing

• Go-to foods:
  • Meats: chicken, turkey, lamb, fish
  • Vegetables, fruits, beans, peas, nuts, seeds
  • Healthy oils: avocado, coconut, olive
  • Milk alternatives: coconut/almond milks (low additive versions) ([38:30], Dr. Redd)
• Tailoring for severe patients: Some may temporarily need to avoid nuts, nightshades, or other triggers

Best Supplements for Autoimmunity, Inflammation, & Insulin

• Blood sugar/A1C:
  • Berberine
  • Bitter melon
• Inflammation:
  • Vitamin D (low D is a marker for high inflammation)
  • Liposomal glutathione
  • Liposomal turmeric & resveratrol
  • Methylated B vitamins (if methylation issues)
  • Pre-, pro-, and postbiotics (butyrate for gut lining)

Protocol philosophy:

• Target one imbalance at a time with 3–5 focused supplements, progressing as each improves ([43:48], Dr. Redd).

Regenerative Medicine & Next-Gen Therapies

Peptides

• GLP1s (in microdoses):
  • Decrease inflammatory cytokines, stabilize glucose, improve heart and brain function. Used for immunomodulation, not weight loss ([44:15], Dr. Redd).
• BPC-157: For gut inflammation ([44:07], Dr. Axe).
• GHK-Cu (copper peptide):
  • Originally for skin/hair, but now noted to reduce inflammation and improve mitochondrial function ([46:07], Dr. Redd).

Ozone & EBOO

• Ozone therapy: Ozonating blood improves mold, bacterial/viral infections—key drivers in autoimmunity.
• EBOO: Enhanced ozone treatment filtering 30x blood at once ([47:06], Dr. Redd).
• Add-ons: Peptides, hyperbaric oxygen, stem cell IVs can dramatically improve recovery, even for tough cases (Lyme, SIRS, mold).

The Future: Stem Cell Therapies

• Major advances expected:
  • Joint injections, systemic IVs, recovery from neuro/immune disorders.
  • Partial response rate: 50% great, 30% modest, 20% non-responders, but improvements come yearly ([52:03], Dr. Redd).
  • US lagged due to regulatory barriers, but is now catching up ([54:02], Dr. Axe & Redd).

The Importance of Grassroots Advocacy

• Patients and practitioners are fighting for transparent research and protection from harmful practices (e.g. Monsanto/glyphosate immunity) ([55:10], Dr. Axe & Redd).

Dr. Redd’s Book: The 30 Day Inflammatory Reset

• Summary: Combines up-to-date protocols, the science behind inflammation and autoimmunity, step-by-step food eliminations, reintroductions, and a cookbook section.
• Goal: Make healing accessible for those beyond his clinic ([58:09], Dr. Redd).

Notable Quote ([58:09], Dr. Redd):

"I put everything that I've learned in the last 17 years into that book...Now for the first time in my life, I actually feel good again."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Fire alarm analogy:
  “All the conventional doctors are doing is just turning off the fire alarm and they're doing nothing to the actual fire.” ([01:51], Dr. Redd)

• Unaddressed autoimmunity breeds more autoimmunity:
  “When you have an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto's and nothing's being done to calm it down, you're more likely to develop another autoimmune condition.” ([09:42], Dr. Redd)

• Fasting isn’t for everyone:
  “Fasting can be incredible for the right patient...But if I put those patients on a fast, I'm gonna make their condition way worse.” ([22:14], Dr. Redd)

• On the healing power of food:
  “There are simple, tiny changes that we can correct...that will significantly improve their quality of life.” ([13:14], Dr. Redd)

• Advocacy and empowerment:
  “I want our patients to be the expert in their own health…they know they have control.” ([32:09], Dr. Redd)

Key Timestamps

• 01:24 — Patient stories illustrate emotional toll of autoimmunity and failed care
• 04:15 — Mechanisms behind the explosion in autoimmune conditions
• 06:07 — Undiagnosed autoimmunity, the hidden toll
• 13:14 — Top inflammatory foods and why
• 16:32 — Blood sugar's direct link to autoimmune flares
• 18:00 — Why blood sugar is still high despite good diet
• 22:14 — When fasting is harmful vs. helpful
• 26:00 — COVID, vaccines, and new waves of autoimmune reactions
• 33:33 — How chronic inflammation leads to autoimmunity in 5–10 years
• 38:30 — Best foods for reducing inflammation
• 40:28 — Top supplements for addressing A1C/insulin/inflammation
• 44:15 — Peptide therapy (GLP1, BPC-157, GHK-Cu)
• 47:06 — Ozone, EBOO, and advanced blood therapies
• 49:14 — The future of stem cell therapy
• 54:02 — US healthcare lag and need for advocacy
• 58:09 — Dr. Redd’s book and its purpose

Overall Tone

Educational, passionate, and deeply empathetic. Both Dr. Axe and Dr. Redd connect on their personal experiences as practitioners and with family members, ultimately seeking to empower patients with real-world, actionable solutions. They balance clinical wisdom, patient stories, and cutting-edge science.

For Listeners

If you or a loved one are struggling with autoimmune, inflammatory, or “mystery” health conditions, this episode provides validation, hope, and a clear roadmap—both immediate steps and what’s on the horizon in natural and regenerative medicine.

Resources Mentioned:

• The 30 Day Inflammatory Reset — Dr. Josh Redd
• Dr. Josh Redd on Instagram
• Dr. Axe’s The Health Institute