Can a paleo diet help with autoimmune disorders?

October 18, 2025 •

3 min read

Over 20 million people in the United States alone are estimated to have some form of autoimmune condition. The question, "Can a paleo diet help with autoimmune disorders?", has become a popular inquiry for those seeking dietary strategies to manage chronic inflammation and symptoms. While the standard Paleo diet offers some benefits, a more targeted and restrictive variation, the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), is often the focus for those with autoimmune conditions.

Quick Summary

The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), a specialized form of the Paleo diet, aims to reduce chronic inflammation and manage autoimmune symptoms by temporarily eliminating potential dietary triggers. It works by supporting gut health and calming the immune system through a structured elimination and reintroduction process. Preliminary research and anecdotal evidence show promise for conditions like IBD and Hashimoto's, but expert guidance is recommended to ensure nutritional adequacy.

Key Points

AIP is a stricter version of Paleo: The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) is a more restrictive dietary approach than the standard Paleo diet, specifically designed for individuals with autoimmune conditions.
Heals the gut to calm the immune system: The core mechanism of AIP involves healing gut permeability ('leaky gut') to prevent immune triggers from entering the bloodstream and reduce systemic inflammation.
Follows an elimination and reintroduction process: The diet has a structured elimination phase (30-90 days) to remove common triggers, followed by a reintroduction phase to identify personal sensitivities.
Evidence is limited but promising: While large-scale trials are few, small studies on IBD and Hashimoto's, along with extensive anecdotal evidence, suggest that AIP can significantly reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
Professional guidance is crucial: Due to its restrictive nature, it is highly recommended to work with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to ensure nutritional adequacy and safely navigate the process.
Not a cure, but a management tool: AIP should be seen as a complementary strategy for managing autoimmune disease, not a replacement for conventional medical treatment.

Understanding the Link Between Diet and Autoimmunity

Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks its own healthy tissues, leading to systemic inflammation. The gut plays a significant role in this process, with increased intestinal permeability potentially allowing substances into the bloodstream that trigger immune responses and worsen symptoms. The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) is a diet designed to address this by removing foods believed to contribute to inflammation and gut issues.

The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) vs. Standard Paleo

The standard Paleo diet eliminates grains, legumes, and dairy. The AIP is a stricter version tailored for autoimmune conditions.


Feature	Standard Paleo	Autoimmune Protocol (AIP)
Goal	General health improvement.	Targets reducing autoimmune inflammation and managing symptoms.
Foods Eliminated	Grains, legumes, dairy, processed foods, refined sugar.	More restrictive: Removes all Paleo exclusions PLUS eggs, nuts, seeds, nightshade vegetables, coffee, alcohol, most food additives.
Structure	Unstructured.	Structured elimination and reintroduction.
Primary Focus	Whole, unprocessed foods.	Healing the gut and identifying personal food triggers.

The AIP Journey: Elimination, Reintroduction, and Maintenance

AIP is a temporary process to identify food triggers, not a permanent diet. It has three phases:

Elimination Phase: For 30-90 days, or until symptoms improve, remove potential triggers like grains, dairy, legumes, eggs, nuts, seeds, nightshades, processed foods, and additives. Focus on nutrient-dense foods such as non-nightshade vegetables, fruits, wild-caught fish, grass-fed meats, and fermented foods.
Reintroduction Phase: Slowly reintroduce foods one at a time over 5-7 days to identify triggers based on symptom changes.
Maintenance Phase: Based on reintroduction findings, follow a personalized long-term diet, avoiding identified trigger foods while eating a diverse range of tolerated nutrient-dense foods.

The Evidence and What's Missing

Research on AIP is growing, with small studies showing promise for certain conditions:

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Studies indicate improvements in clinical responses and quality of life for IBD patients following AIP.
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: A study found AIP reduced symptoms and inflammatory markers in women with Hashimoto's.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Psoriasis: Anecdotal reports suggest reduced pain and inflammation, with surveys of psoriasis patients showing favorable responses to Paleo diets.

However, more extensive research is needed to fully understand the long-term benefits of Paleo or AIP for autoimmune management.

Risks and Considerations

Potential challenges of the AIP diet include:

Nutrient Deficiencies: Eliminating food groups may lead to deficiencies in fiber, calcium, and vitamin D if not carefully managed.
Social Isolation: The restrictive nature can make social eating difficult.
Risk of Disordered Eating: AIP may be challenging for individuals with a history of disordered eating.
Not a Cure: AIP is a management tool and should supplement, not replace, medical treatment.

Conclusion

While a standard Paleo diet offers some benefits, the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) provides a more targeted approach for individuals with autoimmune disorders. AIP aims to manage symptoms by reducing inflammation and supporting gut health through elimination and reintroduction. Though research is ongoing, small studies and anecdotal evidence are promising. Due to the diet's restrictive nature, consulting a healthcare provider or registered dietitian is vital to ensure nutritional needs are met and to integrate AIP safely into a comprehensive treatment plan. A holistic approach including diet, stress management, and sleep is key to effective autoimmune management.

For additional information and success stories from the community, consider exploring the Autoimmune Wellness website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is the level of restriction and the goal. The standard Paleo diet is for general health, while the AIP is a stricter, short-term elimination diet specifically designed for individuals with autoimmune disorders. AIP removes additional potential triggers, such as eggs, nuts, seeds, and nightshades.

The elimination phase involves removing all foods believed to contribute to inflammation and autoimmune reactions for 30 to 90 days. This includes grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, nuts, seeds, and nightshades.

Nightshade vegetables include tomatoes, potatoes (not sweet potatoes), eggplants, and peppers. They are temporarily eliminated during AIP because they contain compounds that some people with autoimmune conditions may be sensitive to, potentially contributing to inflammation.

No, the AIP diet is not a cure for autoimmune diseases. It is a management tool designed to help reduce symptoms, control inflammation, and improve overall quality of life.

Potential risks include nutrient deficiencies if the diet is not properly managed, and the strictness of the diet can lead to social isolation and may pose a risk for individuals with a history of disordered eating.

The elimination phase typically lasts for 30 to 90 days, or until symptoms improve. After that, the goal is to enter a reintroduction and maintenance phase to build a personalized, less restrictive diet.

Yes, it is highly recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have a pre-existing autoimmune condition.