Wahls Paleo: Levels 2-3
Terry Wahls's Levels 2-3 build on her base Wahls Paleo diet with stricter, more ketogenic phases for those who want to go further. Her own WAVES trial found comparable benefit at Level 2 and the stricter Level 3, so Level 3 is optional and experimental, not a required escalation.
Only Level 1 (Wahls Elimination) is covered in the base protocol. Levels 2 and 3 are Wahls's more advanced phases for people who have already been on Level 1 for several weeks. Level 2, Wahls Paleo, eliminates grains, legumes, and soy while adding organ meats, fermented foods, and seaweed, at roughly 178 grams of carbs a day by her reported estimate. Level 3, Wahls Paleo Plus, is a ketogenic version at roughly 50 grams of carbs a day (about 6 cups of non-starchy vegetables), eliminating potatoes, beans, legumes, and most fruit, adding MCT oil, and optionally an overnight fast of 12 to 16 hours with two meals a day.
Why it works▼
Establish Level 1 for several weeks first
Levels 2 and 3 are progressive phases built on Level 1, not a starting point.
Eliminate grains, legumes, and soy; add organ meats, fermented foods, and seaweed
This is the level used in her own reported results and in the WAVES trial that validated the approach.
Ketogenic version: roughly 50g carbs/day, eliminate potatoes, beans, legumes, and most fruit; add MCT oil
Wahls's own trial found comparable benefit between Level 2 and this stricter Level 3, so treat this as an optional, experimental phase rather than a required next step.
Add extra fiber, such as inulin, to protect the microbiome
The very low intake of starchy and fruit carbs at Level 3 removes fiber sources that Level 1 and 2 still provide.
- People who have completed several weeks of Level 1 and want a stricter option
- Those curious about the ketogenic Level 3 who want the honest evidence context first
- Not a starting point; establish Level 1 first
- Watch for excessive weight loss, menstrual or hormone effects, and increased infection risk at the stricter levels
- Nutritional inadequacy is a real risk at Level 3; monitor intake and consider working with a dietitian
- Treat Level 3 as seasonal, not necessarily permanent
- MS and other autoimmune conditions require ongoing care from your physician; this is not a cure
- Level 3 is optional and experimental; Wahls's own trial found comparable benefit at Level 2, so there is no requirement to escalate
- Educational only, not medical advice
- July 8, 2026 Protocol published.
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Not medical advice. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a qualified clinician before changing your health routine.
Independent curation. YourProtocol.ai is an independent platform. This protocol is based on the publicly available work of Terry Wahls and is not created, reviewed, endorsed by, or affiliated with Terry Wahls or University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.