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Aug 5

What is Autoimmune Paleo or AIP Diet?

Diet Comments Off on What is Autoimmune Paleo or AIP Diet?

The Autoimmune Protocol is a diet that helps heal the immune system and gut mucosa. It is applicable to any inflammatory disease.

We have a problem in this country with how we eat, treat disease and heal disease. AIP addresses inflammation in the gut that causes Autoimmune Disease. Autoimmune disease is a condition where the body cannot tell the difference between healthy tissue and foreign invaders and a hypersensitive reaction occurs. The body starts self-tissue attack. For months or perhaps years, this self-tissue attack can occur silently until full blown autoimmune disease develops. There are more than 80 types of "official" autoimmune disorders (and MANY more being discovered daily) but all autoimmune disease have in common is tissue self-attacking in places like the thyroid gland, brain tissue or salivary glands, to name a few.

The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet works to reduce inflammation in the intestines. Many elimination diets are not complete enough and often do not remove immune triggers that promote inflammation in the gut. AIP works to calm inflammation in the gut and also calm inflammation in the body. And while autoimmune disease can never be cured, it can be put into remission. The AIP diet is geared toward healing the intestinal mucosa and supporting low inflammation in the body that can temper the fires of an autoimmune flare-up. First I would like to say that this is our interpretation. There is more than one interpretation of how to follow the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet. I call it a lifestyle because in a modified form it is how I eat and live my life. It is also how I recommend my autoimmune clients to eat in their own modified form long term as well.

The Autoimmune protocol has been said to be a version of the Paleo diet, but really, I see that it is so much more than that; it is a dramatic way to address inflammation that is driving Autoimmune Disease that has its beginning roots in the gut. Diet is one aspect of healing. And, although it is the largest aspect of long term health, in the short-term, there are other components that require the help of a skilled practitioner. I suggest you find one that is trained. I personally have a professional practice primarily around helping those on this diet as well as nutritional lab work evaluations, supplement protocols and dietary support. Please email me at info@aiplifestyle.com if you would like to set up an appointment and work together remotely. There are many divergent paths that have an overlap with the AIP lifestyle like Autoimmune disease, adrenal fatigue, H-P Axis imbalances, co-infectins, parasites, SIBO, liver congestion, hormone imbalances, insulin resistance that play a role in how you may use supplements along with the AIP diet to heal your body. Each person who decides to try the AIP diet should work with their practitioner to determine if they are candidates for a low histamine, low latex and/or low FODMAP in addition to following AIP. This is where you will benefit from having an experienced, clinically seasoned practitioner to help personalize your AIP plan. Other adjunct protocols may include: functional blood chemistry, saliva hormone testing, saliva adrenal testing, stool testing and antibody tests.

Before you start AIP, I encourage you to read this post: When AIP Is A Crutch Not A Cure.

I share this all with you as an expert AIP Nutritionist. I am an authority in the AIP movement. I always recommend working with an experienced practitioner when starting AIP and getting blood work and other functional tests like adrenal/cortisol and hormone saliva tests. If you have dysglycemia, insulin resistance, anemia (not all anemias are from low iron!), intestinal or other infections like h. pylori, SIBO, h-p axis issues, adrenal dysfunction, you may not get better on the AIP diet alone. I see this quite a bit in my nutrition practice. If you have been on the AIP diet and are not seeing results you wanted, or are looking for a heart-centered approach to autoimmune disease please contact me directly for information on how to set up an appointment with me. I primarily use Skype for both my AIP clients and The Loving Diet Program. For more information about me and working together, go to this page.

6-8 Weeks

High FODMAPS may disagree with some on the AIP diet. For example; nectarines, coconut or onions may bother some people. Whole30's great Paleo Low FODMAPS shopping list: http://whole9life.com/book/ISWF-Shopping-List-FODMAP.pdf

If you are reacting to certain starches in foods, it may be a sign that high FODMAPS need to be eliminated from your diet. Also, Ashwaganda is in the nightshade family, and should be eliminated during the first phase of AIP. I find it usually well tolerated in general by most people however. If you are FODMAPS sensitive, eliminate for 10-14 days and then slowly reintroduce.

Eliminating these foods is important to reduce inflammation. All of the above listed foods can be gut irritants and exacerbate dysbiosis in the gut and contribute to SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth). AIP can help address the GALT imbalances (Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue) in the intestines. Because the gut contains such a large percentage of immune system GALT tissues (70%) that mediate the T & B Lymphocytes that carry out immune system attack by producing antigens or antibodies, the goal of AIP is to reduce this from occurring. It is widely accepted that gut mediated inflammation is applicable for addressing Autoimmune Disease. Below are the studies I have found that link the gut to the immune system. I encourage you to print these articles out and bring them to your doctor.

I also recommend doing yearly or twice yearly cleanses and support phases, eating fermented foods and bone broth at least 2-3 times a week in 1/2 cup portions. The reason we are compelled to share this all with you, is that food is fun. I believe you can be on the AIP diet and do as a lifestyle. You can be a foodie and do AIP. I love food too much to feel like I cannot eat foods that are satisfying, creative and exciting. Food is spiritual for me. It is my path. Helping others heal is my path. Teaching is my path. As I share my recipes with you, I eat them too. You are not alone in your path to health. We do this journey together.

There are many resources available to you beyond diet and supplements. I talk about them extensively on this blog as well as in my private practice. Looking beyond diet and supplements can be a very valuable endeavor on your path to healing. Here are a few posts to check out:

When You Don't Get Better on The AIP Diet

Self-Compassion and Autoimmune Disease

Trusting Your Life

Autoimmune Disease As Joy In Disguise

New Program for Autoimmune Disease

Illness as Transformation

Other Fabulous Resources (Some are not AIP but useful for autoimmune disease):

http://carrickbraincenters.com/

http://www.terrywahls.com/http://www.drperlmutter.com/http://www.thyroidbook.comhttp://brainhealthbook.com/http://the21daysugardetox.com/http://www.thyroidpharmacist.com/

https://www.functionalmedicine.org/

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What is Autoimmune Paleo or AIP Diet?

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