The What and Why of the Autoimmune Paleo Approach (AIP)

What is the Autoimmune Paleo Approach, and why in the world would someone do such a restricted diet?

Dr. Sarah Ballantyne wrote a beautiful, thorough, 400+ page book detaling the nitty, gritty details of the science of autoimmune diseases, dietary and lifestyle factors that can contribute to them, and how to use nutrition and lifestyle to heal your body. The book is clearly a labor of love and is a one-stop source for all the information you could want on the topic of the relationship between autoimmune diseases and lifestyle. I highly recommend reading The Paleo Approach if you are considering trying AIP.

For those of you who are just curious what it's all about, here is my brief explanation.

In order to have an autoimmune disease, three things must be present:

1. You must have genes which make you more susceptible to autoimmunity. Just having the genes alone, however, doesn't guarantee you'll get an autoimmune disease.
2. A triggering event must occur to encourage your immune system to begin attacking your body. Triggers can be exposure to toxins, infections, depression, prolonged stress, etc. This is the most mysterious and individualistic factor.
3. You must have a permeable gut.

There's not much we can do about our genes, and if we already have an autoimmune disease, we can't time-machine our way back to undo whatever triggered our immune systems. However, we can heal our digestive systems, and that's exactly what AIP helps to accomplish. The protocol includes a specific diet as well as lifestyle changes that one must make to allow the body to mend.

AIP is not intended to be a permanent dietary change, although it can be if you believe that it is what is right for you. The protocol is to be strictly followed until your symptoms have been relieved and you feel better. I personally plan on having another blood test done once I'm feeling better to confirm that my autoantibodies have been tamed. Some people choose to do the diet for 6-8 weeks, but that is generally a minimum length of time. Once your gut has been healed, you can reintroduce items, one by one. This process helps you understand what foods you might choose to continue avoiding (if you have an adverse reaction when reintroducing), and you will know which foods you tolerate and can enjoy in your diet. During the diet, you should also add certain, nutrient-dense foods to expedite the healing process.

Now I know you're dying to know...what is this diet?

Take a deep breath--the list is long. But, believe me, it isn't as impossibly difficult as you might think. These are general lists. For full lists, go to The Paleo Mom.

Avoid

• Processed foods
• Grains (including wheat...hello, gluten) and pseudograins, NOTE: Corn is a grain.
• Dairy (including butter and ghee)
• Soy
• Nuts
• Seeds (including seasonings derived from seeds)
• Beans/legumes
• Eggs
• Alcohol
• Chocolate
• Caffeine
• Vegetable oils
• Nightshades (tomatoes, peppers and pepper spices, eggplant, potatoes, goji berries, etc.)
• Alternative sweeteners and white sugar
• Gums (guar gum, etc.)

Include

• Vegetables (except nightshades)
• Fruit (keep it to 2-3 servings a day, fruit spikes your blood sugar)
• Grass-fed meats (BONUS POINTS for organ meats-AKA offal)
• Pastured poultry (BONUS POINTS for organ meats-AKA offal)
• Seafood
• Coconut products (oil, milk, shredded, aminos, vinegar, flour, etc.--do watch for sneaky ingredients, such as sweeteners and emulsifiers)
• Olive oil
• Animal fats
• Bone broths
• Fermented foods and beverages
• Non-seed herbal teas
• Vinegars
• Honey, grade B maple syrup, maple sugar, sucanat-dried sugar cane juice (occasionally and sparsely)
• Herbs, dried and fresh
• Gelatin
• Staches such as arrowroot and tapioca (occasionally and sparsely)

What about the lifestyle changes?

Diet alone will not stop your immune system from attacking your body. Additionally, you will need to:

• Get lots of sleep
• Reduce stress and improve your resiliency to stress
• Get regular light to moderate exercise
• Get your vitamin D from being outdoors
• Upgrade your beauty and household products to non-toxic alternatives
• And generally, take care of yourself!

I know this can seem impossible and quite undesirable. I spent a lot of time convincing myself to give this a shot! Remember--I am a French food fanatic who doesn't believe in diets. I will testify, however, that my sugar and bread cravings as well as my need for an afternoon goûter vanished after being on the protocol for just a couple of days. It was hard to give up my morning coffee, but now rooibos tea is my signature breakfast drink. And afterall, a period of time giving up so many foods is nothing if you're able to put your disease in remission and boost your health! 

Love yourself as the French women do--you're worth it. Bonne chance!