What is the autoimmune protocol diet paleo? A Comprehensive Guide

Autoimmune diseases impact millions, with over 100 conditions where the immune system attacks the body's tissues. The AIP diet is a specialized elimination diet designed to manage these conditions by removing potential dietary triggers. This protocol is a stricter extension of the Paleo diet, focused on reducing inflammation and promoting gut healing.

Quick Summary

The AIP diet is a phased elimination eating plan derived from Paleo principles, designed for those with autoimmune conditions. It excludes potential food triggers and identifies individual sensitivities to reduce inflammation and promote gut healing.

Key Points

• AIP vs. Paleo: AIP is a stricter elimination diet based on Paleo principles, removing additional potential immune triggers like nightshades, nuts, seeds, and eggs.

• Phased Approach: The diet involves two main phases: a temporary elimination phase followed by a careful, systematic reintroduction of foods.

• Gut Healing: A primary goal of AIP is to reduce inflammation and heal the gut lining, which is thought to be linked to autoimmune responses.

• Nutrient-Dense Foods: The protocol focuses on anti-inflammatory, whole foods such as vegetables, quality meats, fish, bone broth, and healthy fats.

• Identify Individual Triggers: The reintroduction phase is critical for determining which specific foods cause a flare-up of autoimmune symptoms for an individual.

• Professional Guidance: Due to its restrictive nature, the AIP diet should be followed under the supervision of a healthcare professional or registered dietitian.

The Connection Between Paleo and the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP)

The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) is an adaptation of the Paleo diet, specifically designed for autoimmune conditions. While the Paleo diet emphasizes foods available to hunter-gatherers, the AIP diet takes a stricter approach, eliminating additional food groups that may be problematic for individuals with autoimmune issues. This includes foods that may contribute to inflammation and increased intestinal permeability.

How the AIP Diet Works: A Phased Approach

The AIP diet is a temporary, two-phase process intended to identify food triggers and encourage healing.

Phase 1: The Elimination Phase

This phase, typically lasting 30 to 90 days, removes foods often linked to inflammation and immune responses. The goal is to allow the gut to heal and reduce symptom severity.

• Foods Eliminated: During this phase, individuals avoid:
  • Grains and Legumes
  • Dairy and Eggs
  • Nightshade vegetables
  • Nuts and Seeds, including seed-based spices
  • Processed sugars and artificial sweeteners
  • Processed vegetable oils
  • Alcohol, coffee, food additives, and NSAID pain relievers

Phase 2: The Reintroduction Phase

Once symptoms improve, foods are systematically reintroduced to identify personal triggers.

Foods to Eat on the AIP Diet

During the elimination phase, the diet emphasizes nutrient-dense foods such as quality meats, a wide array of non-nightshade vegetables, and healthy fats. Fermented foods, bone broth, moderate fruit, and fresh herbs and select spices are also included.

What to Avoid on the AIP Diet

The AIP diet's elimination phase strictly avoids a range of foods, including all grains, legumes, dairy products, eggs, nuts, seeds, and nightshade vegetables. Refined and artificial sweeteners, processed foods, alcohol, and coffee are also excluded.

Paleo vs. AIP: A Comparison Table

Feature	Paleo Diet	AIP Diet (Elimination Phase)
Purpose	General health, mimics ancestral eating	Targeted intervention for autoimmune symptoms
Grains	Excludes	Excludes all grains and pseudo-grains
Dairy	Excludes	Excludes all dairy products
Eggs	Allows	Excludes
Legumes	Excludes	Excludes
Nuts & Seeds	Allows	Excludes
Nightshades	Allows	Excludes
Reintroduction Phase	No structured reintroduction	Built-in process to identify triggers
Restrictiveness	Moderately restrictive	Very restrictive

Benefits and Potential Outcomes of the AIP Diet

The AIP diet may offer several benefits for those with autoimmune conditions by reducing inflammation, supporting gut healing, and potentially improving symptoms like joint pain and fatigue. Some studies suggest it can enhance the quality of life.

Downsides and Important Considerations

The AIP diet's restrictive nature presents challenges, such as potential difficulty in adherence and a risk of nutrient deficiencies without proper management. It's a management tool and shouldn't replace medical treatment. Potential risks include disordered eating patterns, and it's not suitable for everyone, such as pregnant individuals or those with a history of eating disorders.

Conclusion

The autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet is a therapeutic elimination diet based on Paleo principles, designed to help individuals with autoimmune conditions identify and manage dietary triggers. Through its two phases, it aims to reduce inflammation, promote gut healing, and alleviate symptoms. While it may be beneficial, the AIP diet is highly restrictive and requires careful planning and medical supervision to ensure nutritional adequacy and overall well-being. The goal is to develop a personalized eating plan for long-term health.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary difference between AIP and Paleo?

The AIP diet is a more restrictive version of Paleo. While both exclude grains, legumes, and dairy, AIP further eliminates eggs, nuts, seeds, and nightshade vegetables during the initial phase to target specific autoimmune triggers.

Who is the AIP diet for?

The AIP diet is designed for individuals with autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto's, rheumatoid arthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), who are looking for a dietary approach to manage their symptoms.

How long does the AIP diet take?

The elimination phase typically lasts between 30 and 90 days, or until symptoms improve. The reintroduction phase follows and can take several months, as foods are added back one at a time.

Is the AIP diet meant to be followed forever?

No, the AIP diet is not a permanent state of restriction. It is a temporary elimination and reintroduction protocol to identify individual food triggers, after which a personalized, less restrictive maintenance diet is created.

What are the biggest challenges of the AIP diet?

The high degree of restrictiveness can make meal planning difficult, potentially leading to social isolation. There is also a risk of nutrient deficiencies if not properly managed, and it requires significant commitment.

Does the AIP diet cause weight loss?

While weight loss can occur as a side effect due to the elimination of many processed foods and refined sugars, it is not the primary purpose of the diet. The main goal is to reduce inflammation and identify trigger foods.

Can I do the AIP diet without a doctor's supervision?

It is strongly recommended to consult a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before starting the AIP diet. Their supervision helps ensure nutritional needs are met and that the diet is safe and appropriate for your condition.