Autoimmune Protocol Diet, what is it?

Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues. There are over 80 known autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis. These diseases can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life, causing pain, fatigue, and disability.

While there are medications available to manage symptoms of autoimmune diseases, many people are turning to dietary changes to help manage their condition. One approach that has gained popularity is the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the AIP diet and its benefits for people with autoimmune diseases.

What is the AIP Diet?

The AIP diet is a food-based approach to managing autoimmune diseases. It is based on the belief that certain foods can trigger inflammation and autoimmune reactions in the body, and that by eliminating these foods, symptoms of autoimmune diseases can be reduced. In combination with supplementation and lifestyle changes, many have had great improvements in health.

The AIP diet is a more restrictive version of the paleo diet. While the paleo diet eliminates grains, legumes, and dairy, the AIP diet goes a step further by eliminating additional foods that are known to trigger inflammation and autoimmune reactions. These include processed foods, refined sugars, some vegetable oils, and foods that are known to be allergenic, such as eggs, nuts, and nightshade vegetables (e.g. tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and eggplant).

What Can You Eat on the AIP Diet?

While the AIP diet eliminates many foods, it is still a nutrient-dense diet that includes a wide variety of whole foods. Here are some of the foods that are allowed on the AIP diet:

A focus on whole vegetables and fruits is part of the AIP Diet

• Grass-fed and pasture-raised meats

• Wild-caught fish and seafood

• Vegetables (except nightshades)

• Fruit (in moderation)

• Fermented foods (e.g. sauerkraut, kimchi)

• Bone broth

• Coconut products (e.g. oil, milk, cream)

• Herbs and spices (except seeds and nightshades)

• Olive and Avocado oil

The AIP diet is meant to be followed for a period of time, usually 30 to 90 days. During this time, people can gradually reintroduce foods to see which ones may be triggering their symptoms. This can be really difficult for some and sometimes a modified version of this diet is recommended.

Benefits of the AIP Diet for Autoimmune Diseases

The AIP diet has been shown to have many benefits for people with autoimmune diseases. Here are some of the ways that the AIP diet can help:

Reduces Inflammation

The AIP diet eliminates many of the foods that are known to trigger inflammation, such as processed foods, refined sugars, and vegetable oils. By reducing inflammation in the body, the AIP diet can help to alleviate symptoms of autoimmune diseases.

Supports Gut Health

The AIP diet is rich in foods that support gut health, such as bone broth, fermented foods, and vegetables. A healthy gut microbiome is essential for immune function, and many autoimmune diseases are thought to be linked to imbalances in the gut microbiome.

Identifies Trigger Foods

By eliminating common trigger foods, the AIP diet can help people with autoimmune diseases to identify which foods are causing symptoms. This can be useful information for creating a personalized dietary plan that supports optimal health.

Improves Nutrient Intake

The AIP diet is a nutrient-dense diet that includes a wide variety of whole foods. By focusing on nutrient-dense foods, the AIP diet can help to improve nutrient intake which provides better health outcomes in individuals.

Improves Quality of Life

Many people with autoimmune diseases report improvements in their quality of life after starting the AIP diet. This may be due to a combination of factors, including reduced inflammation, improved gut health, and better nutrient intake. Elimination of processed foods, sugars and alcohol also tend to alleviate a lot of symptoms related to autoimmune conditions as well as overall well-being.

Summary of the AIP Diet

The AIP diet is a food-based approach to managing autoimmune diseases that has gained popularity in recent years. It involves eliminating foods that are known to trigger inflammation and autoimmune reactions, and focusing on nutrient-dense whole foods that support gut health and overall health.

While the AIP diet can be challenging to follow, especially in the beginning, many people with autoimmune diseases report significant improvements in their symptoms and quality of life. If you have an autoimmune disease and are interested in trying the AIP diet, it is important to work with a healthcare professional who can guide you through the process and ensure that you are meeting your nutrient needs.

It is also worth noting that the AIP diet is not a cure for autoimmune diseases, and that medication and other treatments may still be necessary for managing symptoms. However, by reducing inflammation and supporting overall health, the AIP diet can be a useful tool for minimizing flare ups, allowing medications or other treatments to be more effective, finding some food causes of flare ups and reducing negative health outcomes.

References:

1. Abbott RD, Sadowski A, Alt AG. Efficacy of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet as Part of a Multi-disciplinary, Supported Lifestyle Intervention for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Cureus. 2019 Apr 27;11(4):e4556. doi: 10.7759/cureus.4556. PMID: 31275780; PMCID: PMC6592837.

2. Ihnatowicz P, Gebski J, Drywien ME. Effects of Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet on changes in thyroid parameters in Hashimoto's disease. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2023 Sep 28;30(3):513-521. doi: 10.26444/aaem/166263. Epub 2023 Jun 1. PMID: 37772528.

3. Konijeti GG, Kim N, Lewis JD, Groven S, Chandrasekaran A, Grandhe S, Diamant C, Singh E, Oliveira G, Wang X, Molparia B, Torkamani A. Efficacy of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2017 Nov;23(11):2054-2060. doi: 10.1097/MIB.0000000000001221. PMID: 28858071; PMCID: PMC5647120.

4. Vadell AKE, Bärebring L, Hulander E, Gjertsson I, Lindqvist HM, Winkvist A. Anti-inflammatory Diet In Rheumatoid Arthritis (ADIRA)-a randomized, controlled crossover trial indicating effects on disease activity. Am J Clin Nutr. 2020 Jun 1;111(6):1203-1213. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa019. PMID: 32055820; PMCID: PMC7266686.