The information here is not meant to replace medical care
or advice. Please consult your doctor before making 
dietary changes.

AIP (The Autoimmune Protocol): This elimination protocol isn’t meant to last forever. It’s a powerful tool to suss out food intolerances, reduce inflammation and help heal leaky gut. As I mentioned in the Food As Medicine page, we are living in a world, with constant access to foods which our bodies have not evolved to eat.

We crave sweet, salty and fatty foods because our primal instinct tells us these foods are calorie and nutrient dense. However, that instinct, meant to keep us alive, when hunting was how we ate. When we needed to wait for the fruit to ripen to enjoy the sweetness, that instinct now guides us to processed foods, engineered to seduce our taste buds, all the while starving our body of nutrition.

This constant battle between modern day living (high stress, malnourished, sleepless and disconnected) with our biological needs (nutrition, connection, sleep, and movement) tell our genes that we’re in trouble! It actives autoimmunity. Our immune system is on high alert and it attacks healthy cells, triggered by certain foods, stress or toxins in our environment. It causes systematic inflammation and a host of chronic mystery symptoms.

Many of us have a predisposition to autoimmunity passed down from our parents, and it’s switched on through gene expression.

However, genes are not static and we can turn it off. We can achieve remission. It takes time, dedication and a lot of experimenting. But a GREAT first step in that direction is The Autoimmune Protocol.

Based on a paleo approach, this elimination diet also removes: chocolate, coffee (both legumes), nuts and seeds, seed-based spices, dry fruit (or other foods which contain mold), eggs, nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers), any processed foods, including artificial and non-caloric sweetener, gums and preservatives, food coloring, corn, soy, dairy etc.

The point isn’t to avoid all of this forever, but to heal enough to add most of them back in, if not all. Some, however, may remain lifelong triggers. But again, this elimination protocol is great for figuring that out. It was extremely powerful for me as you can read HERE.

Is the Autoimmune Protocol Right for you?

• Have you been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease?
• Do you suspect you are suffering from autoimmunity or leaky gut?
• Do you have chronic fatigue, pain or inflammation?
• Are you frustrated with doctors unable to give you answers about the way you feel?
• Are there any re-occurring inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, cystic ace going on?
• Does your belly swell when you eat gluten or grains?

If you answered Yes to any of these, then it sounds like the AIP is right for you!

Back to Food As Medicine Page 

Here are some resources to get you started?

Do you also have Diabetes, Insulin Resistance or PCOS? You may want to look into Keto (low carb high fat) to help stabilize energy and blood sugar. Here are some resources on combining the two approaches: Keto (low carb high fat) AIP Keto Reset.

Resources:

• What is the AIP?
• Keto Vs Paleo
• The Paleo Approach
• The Paleo Mom 
• Phoenix Helix
• Autoimmune Wellness
• Meatified
• Grazed and Enthused 

My AIP Recipes:

• Ginger Lime Wings
• Sheet Pan Taco
• Stuffed Sweet Potato Buns
• Yuca Flatbread
• Cheesy Chicken and Zoodles
• Steak Nachos with Delicata Chips
• Brats and Brussels with Teriyaki Glaze
• Sushi Rice