The Auto Immune Protocol (AIP) Diet is a short to medium term elimination diet that aims to put autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Chrohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia into remission. Developed by Dr. Loren Cordain, AIP focuses on eliminating most inflammatory foods such as excess sugar, gluten, dairy, soy, caffeine, alcohol, grains like lentils and rice, nuts, simple carbohydrates, eggs, corn, and the nightshade family. Elimination of these items, which contain immune stimulants such as solanine, can help mitigate symptoms of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, ADD, and ADHD in children according to research.
While the AIP diet isn’t meant to be a long-term diet, some choose to remain on it indefinitely or maintain a modified version. The diet encourages nutrient-dense foods such as fresh vegetables, good fats, and lean organic meats while working back in items on the original elimination list in moderate amounts after 30 days. Gluten is usually permanently eliminated, and most tend to keep dairy and soy off the menu. A guide to the reintroduction phase is available for individuals interested in pursuing my AIP Guide.
After implementing the AIP diet, individuals have noticed favorable changes in their overall health. Results from studies confirm the efficacy of elimination diets in mitigating symptoms of autoimmune diseases. For instance, AIP has been effective in putting Hashimoto’s disease into remission, and strict elimination of specific foods has been noted in ameliorating fibromyalgia symptoms while promoting detoxification in individuals.
