The human gut hosts a significant population of immune cells, which, when triggered by irritants in food, can contribute to flare-ups in certain autoimmune conditions. The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet eliminates potential dietary triggers to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and ease symptoms. The AIP diet has shown encouraging results in managing Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.
What is the Autoimmune Protocol Diet?
AIP diet is a modified paleo diet tailored to autoimmune conditions to fight chronic inflammation. Gut health and the microbiome play a crucial role in immune regulation, and eliminating diets that irritate the gut lining (“leaky gut”) can relieve symptoms and chronic inflammation.
AIP diet eases autoimmune symptoms by:
• Reducing inflammatory foods and common irritants such as gluten and nightshades
• Promoting healing of the gut lining, preventing the penetration of toxins and undigested foods that trigger the immune system
• Restoring the immune system by improving the microbiome and nutrient absorption
Although no diet can cure autoimmune diseases, emerging research indicates that an AIP diet can improve symptoms or reduce inflammation markers. More than 100 autoimmune conditions can benefit from an autoimmune protocol diet, the most common are:
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
• Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Sjögren’s syndrome
• Celiac disease
• Lupus
• Hashimoto’s disease
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Adrenal fatigue
• Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
How Does AIP Diet Work?
Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet can be divided into three phases:
• The elimination phase includes getting rid of problematic foods
• Reintroduction phase that includes testing the foods that are safe to eat
• Maintenance phase that includes creating a meal plan for long-term benefits
Elimination Phase
To start an AIP diet, the first step is to stop eating certain foods that could potentially trigger the immune system. The foods to avoid include:
- To Avoid: Grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, nightshades (tomatoes, peppers), nuts, seeds, alcohol, processed foods, coffee, and additives
- Focus On: Pasture-raised meats, fatty fish, non-nightshade vegetables (e.g., leafy greens, carrots), fermented foods, and healthy fats (e.g., olive oil)
The elimination phase can last 1 to 3 months (or until symptoms start to ease), but it could vary from person to person. Consult your physician to test your inflammatory markers after 4 to 6 weeks to confirm that the AIP diet is taking effect.
Reintroduction Phase
The reintroduction phase can begin when symptoms have significantly improved. It starts by adding one diet at a time over a period of 4 to 7 days, monitoring changes in symptoms during that period, and then moving to the next diet.
The reintroduction can be done in the following order:
Egg yolks, legumes, nuts, seeds, nightshades, dairy, grains
• There is no fixed or scientifically proven order of foods in the reintroduction phase. You can start with the foods that you miss most or with the ones with more nutrients
• For a comprehensive assessment, keep a journal and follow these steps:
• Choose one food at a time during the reintroduction phase
• First start with a small portion. If there are no noticeable changes in symptoms, try a larger portion, and then a full meal
• If you feel your symptoms worsen, it means the food might be an irritant and can be contributing to the autoimmune symptoms
• Repeat the process for every food on your list
Maintenance Phase
The maintenance phase involves making a long-term diet plan by eliminating those foods that trigger the autoimmune symptoms, personalizing eating habits, and maintaining a diverse and flexible diet after combining all the information from the previous two phases. Sometimes, the trigger foods can be safe to eat in smaller portions, and you don’t have to abandon your favorite foods altogether.
The maintenance phase can help avoid flare-ups during traveling, seasonal changes, and other environmental triggers. However, diet is a personal choice, and it is up to you to decide how much you want to cut out. It is worth trying if it reduces the severity of autoimmune symptoms and disease progression.
Potential Benefits
• AIP diet may help mitigate chronic inflammation and associated symptoms. Many people report decreased joint pain and fatigue
• AIP diet may help select gut-friendly foods, ensuring improved digestion and reduced bloating. A healthy gut can help absorb more nutrients
• AIP diet has been reported helpful in better management of autoimmune flare-ups
• AIP diet can potentially help with disease remission (completely disappearing symptoms). Disease remission should not be confused with disease cure or reversal. No diet can cure the autoimmune diseases. However, disease remission can last for years
Challenges and Considerations
• AIP diet requires strict dietary style and meal planning, which might come with social and practical hurdles
• If the diet is not balanced during the elimination and reintroduction phases, there is a risk of nutrient deficiency (e.g., lack of calcium due to dairy elimination)
• Not all autoimmune patients respond similarly. AIP diet can improve symptoms in low-to-moderately severe autoimmune conditions
• The research on the AIP diet is emerging and evolving, and conclusive results are yet to be reported
Conclusion
The AIP diet offers a structured approach to managing autoimmune conditions through dietary intervention. While not a cure, it may provide symptom relief and improved quality of life for many. Success requires patience, careful planning, and consultation with healthcare providers. As research evolves, AIP continues to gain recognition as a valuable tool in the holistic management of autoimmunity.
Always consult a healthcare professional before starting the AIP diet to ensure it meets your health needs.
