What is the autoimmune protocol diet?
The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet is a specialized diet designed to help individuals with autoimmune diseases manage their symptoms and potentially reduce inflammation in the body. The primary goal of the AIP diet is to eliminate foods that can trigger or exacerbate inflammation, immune responses, and gut-related problems, as these factors are often associated with autoimmune conditions. The diet typically involves a strict elimination phase followed by a gradual reintroduction of foods to identify potential triggers.
An AIP diet avoids processed foods, food additives, alcohol, refined sugars, coffee, tea, oils, and certain medications. During the elimination phase, people will also avoid foods such as grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, and nightshade vegetables, but they may reintroduce them later.
What is the best protein powder for autoimmune disease?
If you are following the AIP diet, specifically the elimination phrase of the AIP diet, there are not many protein powders that are compliant. Your best options are beef protein isolate and collagen protein powder, which is made from the connective tissues of animals. Once you complete the elimination phrase, however, your list of safe options grows.
After you have identified your trigger foods, the type of protein you choose does not really matter. Any type of dietary protein can help you safely boost your protein intake. What you have to worry about are the other ingredients in your protein powder.
Most protein powders are made with food additives like emulsifiers, thickeners, sugar substitutes, and flavorings. Ingredients like these are to be avoided at all costs. Not only can they cause painful side effects, but they can also contribute to inflammation and the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease.
Additives are such a problem because they alter the composition and function of the gut microbiome – the community of microorganisms living in your gut. In recent years, several studies have highlighted the role of the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. It is thought that these changes may affect the permeability of the intestinal barrier, allowing toxins to pass into the bloodstream.
This means that people with autoimmune disease need a protein powder made with a short list of gut-friendly ingredients. By prioritizing your gut health, you may be able to slow, stop, or possibly reverse the development of certain autoimmune diseases.
