Why the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP)?
So you’ve learned of something called the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP). What is it, and is it worth it?
Are you looking to avoid biologics, chronic use of NSAIDs, or steroids that your doctor has prescribed for your autoimmune disease?
Would you like to be able to lead an active lifestyle free of constant, frequent and sometimes even occasional flares?
If you answered “Yes!” to both questions, this is the dietary/lifestyle protocol for you.
The AIP, a dietary and lifestyle approach to managing and reversing autoimmune disease, is premised on the fact that about two-thirds of the risk of developing an autoimmune disease derives from dietary and lifestyle factors.
Only one-third of the risk is genetic.
Its primary aim is to give your body the most nutrient-dense foods while avoiding those foods most likely to trigger an inflammatory response.
This dietary strategy, combined with adequate sleep, reducing stress, regular exercise, and other lifestyle tools, are all aimed at calming the immune system down and healing the gut.
While improving your mindset is the bread and butter of this site, let’s be honest. It can be a tad more difficult to think of your attitude and thought patterns when you often feel like your body is being torn apart and you’re watching it happen on the sidelines. You know what I’m talking about.
So, my first recommendation: get thee to learning the AIP, but first start with the right mindset by checking out my post on the AIP Elimination Phase Mindset!
You can either start slowly, working up to the AIP Elimination Phase diet, or dive right in, head first, clearing your kitchen if possible of anything that would tempt you to give in or give up. I personally would go with the latter if at all possible, but trust your gut as to what will work best for you and your lifestyle.
You will likely need to adapt it a bit to fit your individual needs/reactions, but the AIP Elimination Phase of the diet will help you identify those foods that tend to trigger flares for you.
ATTENTION, PLEASE NOTE:
The AIP diet is NOT meant to give you another excuse to feel bad about yourself and your disease.
It is meant to be LIFE-GIVING, as a basic protocol or template to GUIDE you to feeling your best. That is what I and loads of other people have truly found with it.
Treat it with care and gratitude, not with resentment and as an excuse to beat yourself up.
And give yourself GRACE if you find it challenging to adapt to it, especially if your current lifestyle is very different. It WILL get easier over time, trust me.
It is a LIFESTYLE, not just a diet. And your MINDSET does matter.
How did you find the AIP? Do you plan to ease into it through first starting a paleo or whole foods diet, or are you diving into the AIP Elimination phase first?
Comment below, then head on over to AIP Elimination Mindset!
