Autoimmune Protocol for IBD
Have you ever wondered what diet is best to follow if you have IBD? I am creating a series where I profile, discuss, and explain various diets that can be used to help manage IBD.
Previously we have discussed: low FODMAP diet, plant based diet, carnivore diet, and SCD.
This week we will discuss the autoimmune protocol diet for IBD.
We will discuss
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What is the autoimmune protocol diet?
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How does it help IBD?
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Potential drawbacks
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Tips for starting the autoimmune protocol diet for IBD
What is the Autoimmune Protocol for IBD?
The autoimmune protocol for IBD is an elimination diet designed to help people with autoimmune diseases. In many ways it is similar to the paleo diet, but it is more strict.
The autoimmune protocol (AIP) is a nutrient dense diet, that eliminates common gut irritants. It also places importance on non dietary factors including stress management, and sleep quality.
Completely eliminated foods are:
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All grains and pseudo grains
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All legumes, nuts and seeds
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Nightshade vegetables (such as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers (capsicum), chilli and eggplants)
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All forms of dairy
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Eggs
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Coffee
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All modern vegetable oils
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Alcohol
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Products with added sugar or sweeteners (both natural and artificial)
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Trans fats
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All food chemical additives (such as emulsifiers, colourants, flavourings, and thickeners)
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NSAIDs (like ibuprofen and aspirin)
Foods that are included:
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Vegetables (except nightshades). Especially cruciferous veggies
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Good quality seafood, particularly fatty fish rich in omega-3 fats.
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Quality meats, especially organ cuts such as liver.
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Quality fats such as extra virgin olive oil, avocado, and coconut oil (in restricted quanitties).
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Fermented foods (probiotic sources)
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Fruit in small quantities.
In the single study that has been conducted on the autoimmune protocol diet for IBD, the results are promising.
Clinical remission was achieved at week 6 by 11/15 (73%) study participants (6 CD and 5 UC), and all 11 maintained clinical remission during the maintenance phase of the study.
It is important to note that almost half of this study group was also on biological medications. And some patients who experienced adverse effects from the diet withdrew early. This would have affected the overall results, as they were not counted in the final statistics.
How Does it Help?
Increases Nutrient Density
This is a highly nutritious diet. It focuses on healthy, whole foods. And eliminates all ultra processed foods. It provides all the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that a human body needs to function.
The modern Standard American Diet is severely lacking in nutritious foods. This may lead to nutritional deficiencies, and disease. Eating a highly nutritious diet will reduce, and can ever reverse these factors.
Helps Restore Gut Biome
Gut dysbiosis, and leaky gut are key factors in IBD. The foods and lifestyle tricks in the AIP diet promote a health gut biome and healthy gut environment. These factors may help restore the balance between good and bad bacteria.
Reduces Gut Irritants
The autoimmune protocol reduces known, and suspect gut irritants. These include chemical additives, grains, pseudo grains, and inflammatory oils. It removes these completely from the diet while the body is healing. Giving the gut the tools and space it needs to heal.
Lifestyle Factors
The autoimmune protocol also focuses on lifestyle factors. These lifestyle factors include healthy social connections, and using mother nature’s circadian rhythm for your sleep cycle. As well as managing stress.
These factors have been shown to improve overall quality of life in both sick and non-sick patients.
To learn more about the autoimmune protocol diet for IBD, read The Paleo Approach by Dr Sarah Ballantyne PhD. Or have a look at her blog here.
Potential Drawbacks of this Diet
As with any major diet changes there are some concerns that need to be addressed.
The only research paper that I could find on the autoimmune protocol for IBD had a very small study group of only 15 patients. Some patients who experienced worsening symptoms within the first days or weeks, withdrew from the study. Meaning they were not in the final analysis and these withdrawals will have affected the overall results of the diet. But are not represented in the final statistics.
The study also did not have any control groups.
And although patients were monitored by a health coach, and dietician. Patients were making daily dietary decisions on their own. Which leaves room for error.
In the clinical study, two of the Crohn’s disease participants had previous ileal strictures. These patients experiences worsening disease activity, or partial bowel obstruction.
If you are experiencing an eating disorder. Further restrictions on your diet may be harmful to your wellbeing.
If you are not able to commit to this diet entirely, it may be best to avoid it all together. The autoimmune protocol for IBD is a strict diet that does not allow for half-attempts.
Tips on Starting the Autoimmune Protocol for IBD
Deciding when to move from strict AIP elimination phase. To the reintroduction phase may be one of the most challenging aspects of this diet.
Based on the research, it is best to stick with the elimination phase of AIP until all of your symptoms have disappeared. This may take as little as three weeks, or as long as six months. Once you are fully in remission, begin to add back eliminated foods.
Foods should be added one at a time, and over a period of 5-7 days each. This way you can truly see and feel the effects of the new food being added.
You may find it easier to follow AIP under the guidance of a professional. Such as a nutritionist, health coach, or dietician who is knowledgeable in AIP.
Overall, the autoimmune protocol for IBD is a healthful diet that promotes high levels of nutritious foods. The lifestyle factors that are included are an important aspect when healing disease.
There is some anecdotal evidence that suggests that it may be helpful for patients with IBD. Whether they are on other medications, or not.