
The AIP diet, or Autoimmune Protocol diet, is an elimination diet that aims to reduce inflammation and symptoms caused by autoimmune disorders. It focuses on removing inflammatory foods and replacing them with nutrient-dense foods to improve gut health and reduce symptoms. While the AIP diet is primarily intended to reduce inflammation, some evidence suggests that it may also help to reduce antibody counts in people with certain autoimmune diseases. For example, in a recent study, a participant with Hashimoto's disease reported a significant reduction in antibody levels after following the AIP diet. However, more research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of the AIP diet in reducing antibody counts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To reduce inflammation and symptoms caused by autoimmune disorders |
| Mechanism | Eliminate inflammatory foods, gut irritants, and immune stimulants; replace with health-promoting, nutrient-dense foods to improve gut health, hormone regulation, and immune system regulation |
| Foods to Eliminate | Grains, dairy, legumes, nightshade vegetables, gluten |
| Foods to Include | Nutrient-dense foods, e.g. certain fruits and vegetables |
| Phases | Elimination phase, reintroduction phase |
| Duration | Minimum of 30 days, ideally 90 days |
| Effectiveness | Limited scientific evidence; some studies suggest it may reduce inflammation and symptoms of autoimmune diseases; may not work for everyone |
| Side Effects | May require giving up favourite foods, challenging to follow, may be expensive |
| Precautions | Consult a healthcare professional before starting; ongoing treatment and support may be needed for full remission |
| Similar Diets | Paleo diet, modified paleo AIP |
| Testimonials | Dr. Terry Wahls with multiple sclerosis reported improvements; Risa Groux with Hashimoto's reported reduced antibody levels |
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What You'll Learn

The AIP diet may help reduce antibody levels
The AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet is an elimination diet that aims to reduce inflammation and symptoms caused by autoimmune disorders. It focuses on removing certain foods and ingredients that trigger inflammation and replacing them with health-promoting, nutrient-dense foods that help heal the gut. The diet is similar to the paleo diet but is considered a stricter version with more restrictions on the types of foods allowed and avoided.
The AIP diet is based on the idea that a "leaky gut" may be a contributing factor to the inflammation experienced by people with autoimmune disorders. A leaky gut occurs when the gut lining is damaged, allowing proteins and foreign particles to enter the bloodstream. This can trigger the immune system to attack these particles, which can be anywhere in the body, leading to autoimmune conditions. By eliminating inflammatory foods and potential gut irritants, the AIP diet aims to reduce gut permeability and enhance gut health, which may help reduce overall inflammation and improve immune system regulation.
While research on the AIP diet is limited, some studies suggest that it may be effective in reducing inflammation and improving symptoms in people with certain autoimmune diseases. For example, a small study found that individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who followed the AIP diet for 11 weeks reported significant improvements in bowel function, stress levels, and physical activity. Another study showed that 73% of participants with Hashimoto's thyroid disease achieved remission after following the AIP diet for six weeks.
In addition to dietary changes, the AIP protocol may also include other lifestyle modifications such as daily stretching, taking extra nutrients, and managing stress through techniques like deep breathing, yoga, and meditation. These comprehensive lifestyle changes make it challenging to attribute all improvements solely to the diet. However, the AIP diet may be a valuable tool in managing autoimmune conditions and reducing inflammation, which could indirectly influence antibody levels.
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The diet focuses on eliminating certain foods
The AIP diet, or Autoimmune Protocol diet, is an elimination diet that focuses on removing certain foods and ingredients that are known to trigger inflammation. The goal of the diet is to reduce inflammation and symptoms associated with autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
The diet eliminates foods such as grains (rice, oats, wheat, barley, rye, quinoa, and corn), legumes (beans, lentils, peas, chickpeas, and soybeans), nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplant), and dairy products. These foods are replaced with nutrient-dense, health-promoting options that are thought to help heal the gut and reduce inflammation.
The AIP diet is typically followed for a minimum of 30 days, and can extend up to 90 days or longer, depending on the individual's symptoms and progress. During this elimination phase, it is recommended to cut out all restricted foods at once and monitor symptoms closely. If improvements are noticed, the second phase of the diet can begin, where eliminated foods are gradually reintroduced one by one to assess tolerance.
While research on the AIP diet is limited, some studies suggest that it may be effective in reducing inflammation and improving symptoms of certain autoimmune diseases. For example, a 2019 study found that the AIP diet, combined with lifestyle changes, benefited people with Hashimoto's thyroid disease. Another study showed that individuals with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) who followed the AIP diet for 11 weeks reported significant improvements in symptoms, although no changes in markers of inflammation were observed.
It is important to note that the AIP diet may not work for everyone with autoimmune conditions, and ongoing treatment and support from a skilled practitioner are often necessary to manage the disease effectively. Additionally, stress management, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors play a crucial role in reducing inflammation and improving overall well-being.
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It aims to reduce inflammation caused by autoimmune disorders
The AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet is an elimination diet that aims to reduce inflammation caused by autoimmune disorders. It involves removing certain foods and ingredients that are known to trigger inflammation and replacing them with nutrient-dense foods to improve gut health and reduce symptoms. The diet typically includes the removal of grains, legumes, nightshade vegetables, and dairy products, as well as certain ingredients like gluten, which may cause abnormal immune responses.
The AIP diet is based on the idea that a "leaky gut" may be a contributing factor to the inflammation experienced by people with autoimmune disorders. A leaky gut refers to increased intestinal permeability, allowing foreign particles to enter the bloodstream and potentially triggering inflammation and autoimmune responses. By eliminating inflammatory foods and improving gut health, the AIP diet aims to reduce overall inflammation and manage autoimmune conditions.
While research on the AIP diet is limited, some studies suggest that it may be effective in reducing inflammation and symptoms associated with certain autoimmune diseases. For example, a 2019 study found that the AIP diet, in conjunction with lifestyle changes, helped individuals with Hashimoto's thyroid disease, an autoimmune disorder. Another study in 2015 showed that people with multiple sclerosis reported feeling better when they made dietary changes similar to the AIP diet.
Additionally, the AIP diet has been found to improve bowel frequency, stress levels, and the ability to perform leisure or sports activities. However, it is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the effectiveness of the AIP diet and its impact on reducing inflammation caused by autoimmune disorders. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet, especially when managing a medical condition.
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It resembles the paleo diet
The AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet is an elimination diet designed to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms caused by autoimmune disorders. It focuses on removing inflammatory foods, gut irritants, and immune stimulants and replacing them with health-promoting, nutrient-dense foods. The AIP diet resembles the paleo diet in several ways, and some even consider it a stricter version of the paleo diet.
The AIP diet is a multiphase anti-inflammatory plan that eliminates foods such as grains, legumes, nightshade vegetables, and dairy products. It is typically maintained until a person feels a noticeable reduction in symptoms, with an average duration of 30–90 days. During the elimination phase, individuals cut out potentially problematic foods and monitor their symptoms closely. If the AIP diet is effective, people generally experience overall improvements in their quality of life and a reduction in symptoms over time.
The paleo diet, like the AIP diet, is an elimination diet that aims to reduce inflammation. It involves cutting out and replacing certain foods known to trigger inflammation with nutrient-dense alternatives. The paleo diet also shares similar phases to the AIP diet, including an elimination phase where specific foods are avoided.
Both diets emphasize the importance of gut health and its impact on the immune system. The AIP diet specifically targets "leaky gut," a condition where the gut lining is damaged, leading to increased intestinal permeability. This can trigger the development of autoimmune diseases as proteins enter the bloodstream and are attacked by the immune system. The paleo diet, while not specifically named "leaky gut," also addresses gut health by reducing inflammation and promoting a healthy gut barrier.
The AIP diet is often considered an extension of the paleo diet but with stricter guidelines on the types of foods to be avoided. While the paleo diet may allow some dairy products and certain types of grains, the AIP diet eliminates these food groups entirely. This strict elimination is done to promote gut healing and reduce inflammation associated with autoimmune disorders.
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It may help heal a leaky gut
The AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet is an elimination diet that aims to reduce inflammation and symptoms caused by autoimmune disorders. It focuses on removing certain foods and ingredients that are known to trigger inflammatory responses and replacing them with health-promoting, nutrient-dense foods.
The AIP diet may help heal a leaky gut, which is often associated with autoimmune disorders. A leaky gut, or increased intestinal permeability, is when foreign particles can cross over into the bloodstream through small tears in the gut lining. This can trigger the immune system to attack these particles, leading to inflammation and potentially autoimmune conditions.
The AIP diet eliminates foods that are believed to cause gut inflammation and increase the permeability of the gut, such as gluten, grains, dairy, legumes, and nightshade vegetables. By removing these foods and replacing them with nutrient-dense alternatives, the AIP diet aims to improve gut health and reduce inflammation.
Some evidence suggests that the AIP diet may be effective in reducing inflammation and symptoms associated with a leaky gut. A 2019 study found that a small group of people with Hashimoto's thyroid disease who followed the AIP diet, along with lifestyle changes, experienced improvements in their symptoms. Another study in 2015 showed that people with multiple sclerosis felt better when they made dietary changes similar to the AIP diet.
Additionally, the AIP diet's focus on increasing the diversity of gut bacteria may also contribute to healing a leaky gut. A diverse gut microbiome is important for maintaining a balanced immune response, and the AIP diet's emphasis on nutrient-rich foods can support the growth of beneficial bacteria.
While the AIP diet may hold promise for healing a leaky gut, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet, especially for those with specific health concerns or conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
AIP stands for Autoimmune Protocol. It is a multiphase anti-inflammatory diet that eliminates foods like grains and dairy products before trying them again to see if they cause problems. It is designed to reduce inflammation and symptoms caused by autoimmune disorders.
The AIP diet is an elimination diet that removes inflammatory foods, gut irritants, and immune stimulants for a minimum of 30 days. After the elimination period, foods are reintroduced one by one to see if the body can tolerate them.
Yes, the AIP diet is designed to reduce inflammation. It focuses on eliminating foods that are known to trigger an inflammatory response and replacing them with nutrient-dense foods that promote a healthy gut.
The AIP diet may help reduce antibodies. For example, one individual recounted how she had antibody levels above 1400 when diagnosed with Hashimoto's. After implementing the AIP diet, her antibody levels were close to normal.











































