Plant-based diet for autoimmune?

Hi @bayhorse, I myself haven't tried an all plant based diet but hopefully others that have can share their experience with you. There is another discussion on the same topic in a different group here that might be helpful:
--- Plant-Based Diet to Mitigate Prostate Cancer: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/plant-based-diet-to-mitigate-prostate-cancer/.

While we wait for other members with experience to join the discussion, I though you might find this information helpful if you haven't already seen it.
--- The Benefits of Plant-Based Nutrition: Treatment and Prevention of Autoimmune Disease:
https://lifestylemedicine.org/articles/benefits-plant-based-nutrition-autoimmune-disease/
--- Plant-Based Diets and Autoimmune Disease – 7 Reasons You May Not Feel Better: https://eatandlivehealthfully.com/plant-based-diets-and-autoimmune-disease-7-reasons-you-may-not-feel-better/.

@bayhorse it has been my experience that well meaning family and friends offer me advice that is contrary to what I should be doing. I have several autoimmune diseases and have been told countless times that I should be taking immune boosting supplements like Vitamin C or Zinc or other supplements. That is incorrect and harmful.

Autoimmune diseases should NOT be treated with immune builders! That concept is so hard to get others to understand. Our immune system is trying to make us sicker so we don’t want to strengthen it.

I find sugar to be partially responsible for my flares. But, when you have any autoimmune disease, there are bound to be flares. I don’t have lupus. I have a form of Vasculitis, and fibromyalgia. I have good times and bad days like everyone else.

I choose to eat healthy but not restrict myself to doing anything I don’t like. I want to enjoy my life and not worry about having a piece of cake!

Hello @bayhorse -

I have the autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis and began a plant based diet one week after my diagnosis. This was not at my doctor’s suggestion but based on what I’ve read. That was more than a year and half ago. Since then, I have not had a flare or taken any medication. At the one year mark, I did start to have animal foods on occasions, like turkey at Thanksgiving. I’ve also eaten gluten free this whole time and started a low dose blood pressure medication. Of course I can’t say which if any of these are responsible for my lack of symptoms, but I will continue to eat gluten free and vegan until I have a reason to think it is not helping.

Best of luck and health to you!

Before my diagnosis of Sjogerns, I was eating vegan. I did this for about 6 months. And that’s when all my problems started. I had problems getting enough protein as I Can’t eat the amount of legumes required, nor do I like tofu. I also wasn’t getting enough calcium. I did take a supplement for vegans called Complement so if you do a plant based diet I highly recommend it. I think plant based is great but it didn’t work for me. The AIP diet, along with a food sensitivity test, did.

Your statement that our immune system is trying to make us sicker is incorrect. Our immune system defends our body against infections from viruses, bacteria and more. We need many vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. Vitamin C and zinc are only two necessary for many reasons.

I have EDS Mast Cell Gad and allergic to gluten . My life is finally bordering on normal thanks to going on. carnivore diet and that is not keto . The price of having my health and life restored, is knuckling down and living on it! That’s the price and the healthier I get the cheaper that feels! Non of any half steps even came close! And there are millions out here quietly doing that bec it works and we don’t want to hear from the naysayers. I think there is a blood type connection to O type. O was made by meat eaters. I’m O. And I am well only on Carnivore! Shawn Baker on You Tube will help if you are interested! Good Luck!

@gigi4 an autoimmune disease is one where your own immune system is attacking your body.
Normally it works as you described.

Autoimmune disorders are baffling because something happens that makes your immune response go haywire attacking the body it’s supposed to be protecting.
Therefore, the last thing you want to do is boost the power of this predator.

Yes, I am aware that something goes haywire and in my autoimmune disease - Hashimoto’s- my thyroid is being attacked. But my doctor also tests my vitamin and mineral levels and makes recommendations to take what I need to be at required levels.
As well she prescribes what I need to have a strong immune system. Weakening the immune system leaves one susceptible to other issues - viruses, bacteria and other types of infections. The entire immune system isn’t the predator. In my case, there’s an antibody that’s attacking my thyroid. I’m on a med to deal with that antibody.
And it’s helping and my thyroid meds have been reduced and hopefully they will be reduced again.

Please tell me what the AIP diet is. I also have Sjogrens, Schlerderma and have an ileostomy which really complicates my diet.

Thank you, John. I'll take a look at these resources. I really appreciate you sending them along!