Can The Autoimmune Protocol Diet Treat IBD?
By Stephanie Schwartz
We know that what we eat plays a major role in treating IBD. But the only dietary certainty is that no one diet works for everyone.
Some people with IBD feel well on a low FODMAP diet, others on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) and still others respond to something completely different. So when a diet shows promise for IBD, it’s worth taking note.
Today we are going to look at the Autoimmune Paleo Protocol (AIP). You might think of the Paleo diet as a fad diet, but this particular version might benefit those with IBD or other autoimmune diseases.
What is the Autoimmune Paleo Protocol?
The premise behind the AIP is that certain foods trigger an inflammatory immune response, so avoiding these foods might rest the immune system and decrease inflammation.
The way it works is you would eliminate the potentially triggering foods for 1 to 3 months and then gradually reintroduce them.
Here is what you can and can’t eat on AIP:
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Not Allowed
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Allowed
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Nightshade vegetables (bell peppers, eggplant, white potatoes, tomatoes, paprika)
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All other non-starchy vegetables
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All grains, including whole grains
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Starchy vegetables, such as sweet potato & squash
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Legumes, including lentils, chickpeas, peanuts & soy
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Snap peas, string/green beans
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Eggs
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Lean protein, such as grass-fed beef, wild-caught fish, poultry & organ meat
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>2 servings fruit per day
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2 (or fewer) servings of fruit per day
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All dairy
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Coconut milk
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Nuts, nut butters/oils, seeds, seed butters/oils
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Fats, such as avocado, avocado oil, olives, olive oil, coconut, coconut oil
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Refined sugars & sweeteners
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Small amounts of natural sweeteners, including honey & maple syrup
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Fermented soy products, such as tofu and tempeh
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Other fermented foods (non-dairy, non-soy), including kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi
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Coffee
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Moderate amounts of green and black tea
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Alcohol
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Food additives, such as guar gum, carrageenan, MSG, sulfates/sulfites
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While not a food, AIP calls for eliminating non-steroidal anti-inflammatory meds (NSAIDS), like Ibuprofen
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Yes!In a 2017 study, 15 adults with active Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis were put on the Autoimmune Protocol. Over the course of 6 weeks, they gradually removed prohibited foods, and then stayed off them for another 5 weeks. The participants also received lifestyle counseling on exercise, sleep, and stress management.By the 6th week of the study, 11 participants had reached clinical remission, which they maintained throughout the study.Although this was a small group and there was no comparison group, the results are very promising. In fact, the outcome was better than the authors of the study had predicted!
How does AIP differ from the Specific Carbohydrate Diet?
AIP reminds me of a lot of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, which has shown very promising results in treating IBD.
Both diets eliminate grains, most legumes and highly processed foods, lactose and refined sugar, but the AIP is more restrictive because it removes nightshade vegetables, eggs, and all nuts and seeds, all of which are staples on the SCD.
Given the diets’ similarities, one might wonder if this study provides additional support for using the SCD in patients with IBD or did these participants feel better because of all the other foods they avoided unique to AIP?
What’s to make of this?
Before you throw out your eggs and nuts, keep in mind there is no one diet for IBD.
AIP might work for some people but isn’t a great fit for everyone. For example, one study participant with an intestinal stricture felt worse on the diet after eating rough vegetables and meat. Others might find AIP too restrictive, costly, or simply feel better on their own protocol.
But, here’s what all of us can take away from the AIP. It eliminates junk food, including highly processed foods with unrecognizable food additives, limits sugar, and emphasizes whole nutritious foods important for gut healing.
If you are interested in trying AIP, please be sure to speak to your dietitian who can guide you through the process.
References:
Konijeti GG, NaMee K, Lewis JD et al. Efficacy of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Inflammatory Bowel Dis. 2017. 23(11): 2054-2059
McGrane, M. The Beginners Guide to The Autoimmune Protocol. UltimatePaleo.com. https://ultimatepaleoguide.com/autoimmune-protocol/Published 25 January 2015. Accessed February 2018.
Bellantyne, S. The Autoimmune Protocol. ThePaleoMom.com. https://www.thepaleomom.com/start-here/the-autoimmune-protocol/Published date unknown. Accessed February 2018.
I appreciate how you worded your article using phrases like, “But the only dietary certainty is that no one diet works for everyone,” and, “keep in mind there is no one diet for IBD.” Nutrition is not a one size fits all so I think healthcare professionals need to keep an open mind when discussing eating plans for people who are struggling with their health. I was made aware of this article via NE’s in Private Practice. I understand how the participant size is only 15, but the point is not that it’s too small to use as evidence-based information, rather, for people who have tried everything else and cannot find relief perhaps this could help. Your sources are current and the article is well written. Thank you for the time and effort you put into it.