AIP diet for autoimmune illnesses

Posted by bayhorse @bayhorse, Oct 14, 2022

Hi, all: I have celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, and was recently diagnosed with lupus. A nutritionist at my pc's office wants me to go on the Autoimmune Protocol diet, which basically eliminates everything except vegetables (though no nightshades), fruit and animal protein. In other words, no legumes, grains, dairy, eggs (and of course none of the usual "baddies" like alcohol and sugar). The aim is to eliminate lectin-containing foods, which nutritionist says can cause inflammation. I weigh 89 pounds, and cannot imagine how I am supposed to sustain this diet without losing weight. If any of you have done the AIP diet, please let me know how you managed. Thanks!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

@lloydje1

Maybe if you decide to try the diet you can focus on eating more avocados, nuts and seeds as well as drinking fruit juices to gain calories and keep your weight up.

Jump to this post

To lloydje1: No nuts and seeds allowed, much to my dismay! But sincere thanks for the thought!

REPLY
In reply to @bayhorse "Who is Wahls?" + (show)
@bayhorse

Who is Wahls?

Jump to this post

Someone mentioned the Wahls protocol for autoimmune disorder. Dr. Terry Wahls is the one who came up with the protocol which helped her multiple sclerosis.

REPLY

Good morning! Has anyone, among those with idiopathic neuropathy, tried the autoimmune protocol diet (AIP)? If so, would you share your experience? I am thinking of doing it but I would like to hear from people who have already gone through the process.

Thank you and have a good day,

Giulia

REPLY
@giulia76

Good morning! Has anyone, among those with idiopathic neuropathy, tried the autoimmune protocol diet (AIP)? If so, would you share your experience? I am thinking of doing it but I would like to hear from people who have already gone through the process.

Thank you and have a good day,

Giulia

Jump to this post

@giulia76, I moved your post to this existing discussion:
- AIP diet for autoimmune illnesses https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/aip-diet-for-autoimmune-illnesses/

I did this so you can connect with members like @nancyoinnc @cpd54 @bayhorse @lloydje1 @tricia13 who are talking about and have experience with the autoimmune protocol diet (AIP).

REPLY

I have had great relief from the AIP, but my autoimmune issues were not neurological. Good luck.

REPLY
@giulia76

Good morning! Has anyone, among those with idiopathic neuropathy, tried the autoimmune protocol diet (AIP)? If so, would you share your experience? I am thinking of doing it but I would like to hear from people who have already gone through the process.

Thank you and have a good day,

Giulia

Jump to this post

I’m on the AIP diet. It did help with my symptoms. And I can tell when I eat something I shouldn’t, like gluten. But it is a very restrictive diet. I would suggest talking with your doctor before going on it. IMHO, vitamin supplementation is needed, especially B and Calcium.
Good luck with your health journey. It’s never easy to know what to do.

REPLY

I tried it for my PMR and possible other autoimmune issues but it did not help.

REPLY
@nancyoinnc

I have had great relief from the AIP, but my autoimmune issues were not neurological. Good luck.

Jump to this post

I’m on my 5th autoimmune disease, and considering the AIP, but it seems so drastic. How long were you on it before you noticed a difference?

REPLY

Once I got over the three days of caffeine withdrawal ( I do like my coffee! and I take it strong, black and dark roasted), I noticed major improvement in symptoms. The round of AIP that I did in 2014 got me forever off gluten, 2017 took me off dairy altogether, and the biggest change then was that in a month I dropped 15 lbs, probably of bloat. Another time, the muscle and bone aches dissipated in a week. Stomach pain has been a major problem since 2011 when I got a tick borne illness (presumed to be Ehrlichiosis). I found that I can drink city water, well water, and spring water, but not distilled or reverse osmosis water, as the lack of minerals does SOMETHING to the lining of my stomach. I can't take Ambien--even half of the lowest dose available reliably causes burning stomach pain. It all pretty much stinks to be me or WITH me when it comes to eating out. I was refused service yesterday at a restaurant because the word celiac came out of my mouth, and they didn't want the liability of potential cross contamination. SO prepare to eat at home, a lot of simple cooked meals (raw vegetables can hurt if stomach pain is a part of your illness), maybe not a lot of variety. Ultimately, I found that **I** am fine with eating nightshades, eggs, and most nuts and seeds. I'm also trying a low FODMAP plan now, because I'm mortifyingly gassy and uncomfortably bloated if I eat more than just a little avocado, apple, dried fruit, broccoli, etc. SO ANNOYING because it's much worse when I get as many vegetables into my day as I really want. Good luck!

REPLY
@margar1

I’m on my 5th autoimmune disease, and considering the AIP, but it seems so drastic. How long were you on it before you noticed a difference?

Jump to this post

I was on it a couple of weeks when I started noticing the worst symptoms were gone.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.