Should I Go Paleo or AIP for Autoimmunity?

If you’ve been asking “Should I Go Paleo or AIP for Autoimmunity?” learn which natural diet may be best for your lifestyle and needs.

Autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn’s, lupus, Hashimoto’s, and Celiac disease can really affect many people’s quality of life. Sufferers of these diseases usually experience chronic pain, constant flare-ups, fatigue, and even some mental issues as well.

When dealing with chronic pain, it goes a long way to use both medical and natural remedies in an effort to manage symptoms. As with a lot of diseases, autoimmune diseases do not have a cure. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to manage and reduce the symptoms. And if you come here often, you know that one of those ways is by eating a healthy, natural diet like the Paleo Diet or the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol.

Wondering which of the options may be best for you? Keep reading to learn more!

Both Options Are Natural and Anti-Inflammatory

Eating a more natural diet is not meant to be a substitute for quality medical treatment. Rather, it should complement your treatment so that it can improve your quality of life. The idea is to add an extra boost to those medical treatments that your doctor has recommended for your autoimmune disease.

Reducing inflammation is important as it leads to a whole slew of other issues.  Inflammation in the body can show up in the form of joint pain, headaches, and even lead to cardiovascular disease.

A natural, healthy diet is wildly important for anyone who suffers from an autoimmune disease. Foods that contain both refined carbohydrates and refined sugar will do their worst to increase inflammation and even trigger pain joint and muscle pain. If you are eating the aptly named Standard American Diet (SAD indeed!) which contains rice, bread, pasta, baked goods, and other refined sugars and grains, it is going to cause your symptoms to worsen.

But Which Diet Option Should I Choose for My Autoimmune Disease?

There are many popular dietary options for those with autoimmune diseases. Today we‘ll cover two of the most popular and effective ones: the Paleo Diet and the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol (aka the AIP).

The Paleo Diet

The Paleo diet aims to bring the eating habits of the Paleolithic era to our modern diet. Since there were no donuts or twinkies during this period, those items would clearly be off the table.

In that era, people would have been eating meats along with seasonal fruits and vegetables. That means no dairy and, of course, no baked goods. A Paleo diet is a good idea for any autoimmune disease sufferer. If you give it a go for a good few months and don’t see improvement, then it may be time to consider the AIP.

Check out this post for a bit more on getting started with the Paleo Diet!

The Autoimmune Protocol (or AIP) Diet

The Paleo Autoimmune Protocol diet shares a few similarities with the Paleo diet. Though it goes a few steps further by eliminating foods that have the potential to trigger flares.

Its purpose is to help the gut recover by providing it with easily digestible, anti-inflammatory foods. The belief is that most, if not all, autoimmune diseases have their roots in intestinal permeability issues which allow foods to leak out of the gastrointestinal tract and into the bloodstream to affect the rest of the body. When this happens, it causes an autoimmune reaction which leads to both inflammation and discomfort.

The AIP diet insists upon complete elimination of all possible trigger foods for the first couple of weeks. Since it will eliminate the gastric distress of difficult-to-digest foods, your gut will be able to mend itself. Once this recovery starts to happen, you will be able to reintroduce foods, and consequently be able to identify what your trigger foods are.

You can learn more about the AIP here!

“But I Don’t Wanna!” Tips for Those Not Ready to Make a Major Dietary Change

Eliminate Gluten

If you have Celiac disease, you must go gluten free. In fact, other autoimmune disease sufferers (like RA, psoriasis, and/or autoimmune thyroid disease) find some relief when they eliminate gluten as it can also trigger painful flare-ups, so it is a good idea to give a gluten-free diet a try.

Quit Drinking

If drinking were good for us, then most of us wouldn’t feel like hot garbage the next day. That is thanks to its diuretic nature and lack of nutritional value. When it comes to alcoholism, it can greatly increase the risk of infection and increase the body’s inflammatory responses. It is for these reasons that the AIP and most camps of the Paleo diet advise against alcohol consumption.

Here is a great mocktail recipe for you to help you cut back or quit the booze (as well as some of my story about whyI don’t personally drink alcohol anymore).

Reduce or Eliminate Caffeine

While its effects are not really well-understood, caffeine consumption may increase the risk of developing both Rheumatoid Arthritis and Type 1 Diabetes. It also irritates the bladder and GI tract. Introducing the occasional cup of decaf or even half caffeinated coffee will aid in making you feel better.

Use Turmeric or Ginger

These spices are readily available in every store and are found in powdered, capsule, and even root forms. Studies have shown that turmeric and ginger do wonders to reduce inflammatory responses thanks to their ability to limit the production of inflammatory proteins.

A Few More Dietary Recommendations

Drinking sugar is a recipe for disaster. Eliminate sugary drinks like juice and soda. Choose naturally flavored or sparkling water. Stay hydrated so that your body can do its job and flush out toxins. Make eating out in restaurants or indulging in fast food a rare treat unless you have a good idea of what ingredients are used in your meal.

Take a day or two out of your week to prep your meals at home. This will help to eliminate cravings because you will already have food readily prepped and available when you get hungry. It will help to avoid sliding back into old habits.

Ask Your Trusted Doctor, “Should I Go Paleo or AIP for Autoimmunity?”

If you have or think you have an autoimmune disease, discuss which diet options may be best for you and your condition. Let your doctor know especially if you have struggled with kidney disease or insulin resistance.

If you are looking for a way to avoid inflammation, brain fog, and live without pain, the Paleo and AIP diets are here to help!