Living with Chronic Inflammation?

11/19/2021

Consider AIP (AUTOIMMUNE PROTOCOL)

Living with chronic inflammation can have many different 'looks'. However, the common thread is that the symptoms are anything but desirable. Signs and symptoms of chronic inflammation can range from inconvenient and uncomfortable to very painful.

Signs and symptoms of chronic inflammation include (but aren't limited to):

  • Body Pain
  • Joint Pain
  • Constant Fatigue & Insomnia
  • Depression, anxiety, & mood disorders
  • Gastrointestinal complications (constipation, diarrhea, and acid reflux)
  • Weight Gain
  • Frequent Infections
  • Frequent Headaches

WHAT IS AIP (AUTOIMMUNE PROTOCOL)?

AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) is a relatively new protocol being used with success. AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) is a food-based approach rooted in the paleo nutrition guidelines but designed to remove foods that cause unwanted inflammation in the body.

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF AIP (AUTOIMMUNE PROTOCOL)?

The primary goal of AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) is to eliminate undesirable inflammation in a person's body. This diet is shown to reduce inflammation whether or not the source is autoimmune conditions or not.

The secondary goal/belief is that the reduction in inflammation helps to heal the gut. Often times this diet is given with the aim of healing a leaky gut. It is believed that the onset of autoimmune conditions can be triggered by "a leaky gut". A Leaky Gut is exactly what it sounds like, its small holes in your intestines that can allow for small bits of food to escape into your body, triggering the immune system to react.

WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM AIP?

Anyone experiencing systemic inflammation or experiencing any signs and symptoms of chronic inflammation from the list above. As well as anyone who is experiencing an aversion to foods, but are unsure which foods are causing the problem.

Currently, over 50 million people in the US suffer from autoimmune conditions. Some common autoimmune conditions include (but not limited to) psoriasis, Crohn's disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes.

WHAT FOODS SHOULD BE AVOIDED ON AIP?

  • Grains
  • Dairy Products
  • Legumes (beans, soy, etc.)
  • All processed foods
  • Refined Sugars/ alternative sweeteners
  • Nightshade Vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, & potatoes)
  • Eggs
  • Nuts and Seeds
  • Gum/ emulsifiers and food thickeners (found in shakes)
  • Alcohol
  • Its also advised that if healing the gut that you should avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

WHAT FOODS CAN YOU CONSUME ON AIP?

After reading that list I'm sure you're probably wondering, well what the heck CAN I eat?!?

The bulk of your diet will be rich in meats and veggies (with the exception of nightshades)

  • Coconut Oil and coconut products
  • Olive Oil
  • Fermented Foods Non-Dairy (like kombucha, non-dairy kefir, and fermented vegetables)
  • Variety of vinegar's, balsamic, red wine, and apple cider.
  • Small amounts of honey or organic maple syrup
  • Gelatin from grass-fed beef

On the AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet, fruits are to be kept at small amounts. Eliminating fructose helps to calm inflammation.

TAKEAWAY

This is a style of eating that leads to huge relief from signs and symptoms of chronic inflammation. Autoimmune conditions can't be cured. However, they can and do go into remission.

Keeping a food journal during this process is beneficial. Starting with eliminating everything on the no-no list for 4 weeks then you can test and assess items from your avoid list to see how they affect you.

Also important to note, managing stress levels and getting enough sleep and drinking enough water only aids in the 'feel-good' process.

Need a nutrition reset? Join our 7-Day Food & Fitness Fix by clicking the button below.

Share