Case Report Publications
TrueNorth Health Foundation collaborates with TrueNorth Health Center to publish clinical findings in peer-reviewed journals such as BMJ Case Reports, International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention, and Integrative and Complementary Therapies.
These remarkable cases educate patients, clinicians, and researchers. We are interested in case reports because they establish feasibility and, in some cases, lead to clinical trials.
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Reductions in Lp(a) and Cardiovascular Risk Following a Remotely Supervised Water-Only Fast in a Postmenopausal Woman Already Adherent to a Whole-Plant-Food Diet: A Case Report
This report describes the case of a postmenopausal, White female of normal weight with a history of idiopathic dyslipidemia. She presented with high systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]—an independent and causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases—despite eating an exclusively whole-plant-food diet free of added salt, oil, and sugar (SOS-free) and adhering to other health-promoting practices for the… Read More
Reduction in Lp(a) after a medically supervised, prolonged water-only fast followed by a whole-plant-food diet free of added salt, oil, and sugar: a case report
Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. High Lp(a) levels are genetically determined and lack effective pharmacotherapy. This case report describes a 67-year-old, vegan male with elevated blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol (TC), LDL, and Lp(a) who underwent a 10-day, medically supervised water-only fast followed by a 6-week SOS-free diet (free of added salt, oil, and sugar). At the 6-week-follow-up visit, he… Read More
Prolonged water-only fasting in the management of low-grade follicular lymphoma: a case series
Follicular lymphoma typically follows an indolent and relapsing course often requiring several treatment cycles to achieve remission. Some patients opt to use complementary and alternative therapies particularly when observation is a treatment option.
Case presentationHere we present a case series of three patients, a 50-year-old, White, Hispanic female, 56-year-old, White, non-Hispanic male, and 49-year-old, White, non-Hispanic male, who elected to undergo one or more… Read More
Relief of Symptoms Associated with Long COVID After Prolonged Water-Only Fasting: A Case Report
Long COVID is a broad range of symptoms that develop in a subset of people after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Current treatment options are investigational, not yet standardized, and aimed at symptomatic management of individual organ systems. This report presents the case of a 73-year-old male patient who achieved sustained improvements in symptoms associated with long COVID after two prolonged water-only fasting and refeeding interventions.
Prolonged Water-Only Fasting in the Management of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: A Case Report
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is a common autoimmune disease and current treatment aims to manage symptoms with ongoing hormone replacement therapy. Here we present the case of a 61-year-old female who experienced a sustained decrease in symptoms of HT as well as levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone and C-reactive protein after two prolonged water-only fasts at a residential health clinic.
Challenging Case in Clinical Practice: Prolonged Water-Only Fasting Followed by an Exclusively Whole-Plant-Food Diet in the Management of Severe Plaque Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, inflammatory disease with a chronic relapsing nature that is characterized by increased skin proliferation and systemic manifestations.1 Topical and systemic medications manage inflammation and typically require long-term adherence to avoid relapse. 2 Here we present the case of a man with chronic, severe plaque psoriasis that regressed into remission after a 13-day, medically supervised water-only fast followed by a whole-plant-food diet free of gluten and… Read More
Medically Supervised, Water-Only Fasting Followed by a Whole-Plant-Food Diet Reduces Visceral Adipose Tissue
Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is associated with chronic metabolic and inflammatory disorders. Normal weight, overweight, and obese people can all be overfat with visceral adipose tissue (VAT). In this case series, we describe the total body composition of three male patients with excess VAT after undergoing prolonged medically supervised water-only fasting followed by an exclusively whole-plant-food diet free of added salt, oil, and sugar. All patients lost a substantially higher percentage… Read More
An Exclusively Whole-Plant-Food Diet in the Improvement of Fuchs’ Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy
Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a progressive disorder of the corneal endothelium characterized by endothelial cell functional abnormalities and loss of visual acuity. Chronic oxidative stress plays a key role in disease progression. We present the case of a 69-year-old woman with an 18-year history of FECD that improved after dietary intervention with an exclusively whole-plant-food diet free of added salt, oil, and sugar. An eye exam 1 month prior to dietary intervention… Read More
Challenging Case in Clinical Practice: Water-Only Fasting and an Exclusively Whole-Plant-Food Diet in the Resolution of Seborrheic Keratosis
Seborrheic keratosis (SK) is a common skin tumor that is typically benign but can be indistinguishable from malignant tumors. Current treatment methods carry risk of scarring and discoloration and are not always effective. We present the case of a 68-year-old woman with an SK lesion on her right cheek that had been growing for the previous 10 years. During an in-patient water-only fasting and exclusively whole-plant-food dietary intervention, the SK lesion began regressing until complete… Read More
Challenging Case in Clinical Practice: Total Resolution of Hydronephrosis and Ureterectasis and Partial Regression of an Unspecified Retroperitoneal Mass Following a Medically Supervised, Water-Only Fast and an Exclusively Whole-Plant-Food Diet
A 66-year-old woman presented with an unspecified retroperitoneal mass measuring ∼4.4 × 4.4 cm with concomitant hydronephrosis, ureterectasis, and a simple kidney cyst as confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography (CT) scans. The patient arrived to the center during the intervening 8-week period between the initial scans and the follow-up CT-guided biopsy. The visit was planned 3 months prior with the intention of improving her overall health. She elected to undergo a 13… Read More
Exclusively plant, whole-food diet for polypharmacy due to persistent atrial fibrillation, ischaemic cardiomyopathy, hyperlipidaemia and hypertension in an octogenarian
Polypharmacy is common and associated with negative health outcomes in the elderly. We report the case of an 82-year-old man with a history of polypharmacy due to coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, ischaemic cardiomyopathy, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension and persistent atrial fibrillation who presented with memory loss, cognitive impairment, fatigue and weakness. His treatment plan included an exclusively plant, whole-food diet and moderate physical activity which resulted in a… Read More
Follow-up of water-only fasting and an exclusively plant food diet in the management of stage IIIa, low-grade follicular lymphoma
Challenging Case in Clinical Practice: Long-Term Relief from Chronic Posttraumatic Headache After Water-Only Fasting and an Exclusively Plant-Foods Diet
Chronic posttraumatic headache (CPTHA) occurs in up to 95% of patients following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and can prove highly debilitating. The mechanism of CPTHA is poorly understood, treatment protocols are not standardized, and the syndrome is difficult to manage. Here, the case is reported of a 52-year-old woman with unremitting CPTHA. The patient underwent two medically supervised, water-only fasts and began an exclusively plant-foods diet, free of added sugar, oil, and salt, which… Read More
Water-only fasting and an exclusively plant foods diet in the management of stage IIIa, low-grade follicular lymphoma
Follicular lymphoma (FL), the second most common non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), is well characterised by a classic histological appearance and an indolent course. Current treatment protocols for FL range from close observation to immunotherapy, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapies. We report the case of a 42-year-old woman diagnosed by excisional biopsy with stage IIIa, grade 1 FL. In addition to close observation, the patient underwent a medically supervised, 21-day water-only fast after… Read More
A case of nonpharmacologic conservative management of suspected uncomplicated subacute appendicitis in an adult male
BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is an acute condition of the abdomen that is treated with surgical intervention. Conservative treatment of appendicitis currently involves intravenous antibiotics. While conservative care is a useful tool in apprehensive patients, in conditions such as appendicitis, delays in proper treatment can be life threatening. In spite of this, some patients will still refuse surgical and pharmacologic intervention, which can significantly limit the physician's therapeutic… Read More