Your Path to Healing: Understanding the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP)

Written By Beth Russ

Autoimmune conditions can be life-altering, challenging nearly every aspect of daily living. Despite the complexities, hope lies in science-backed approaches like the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP). If you're seeking ways to manage symptoms, repair your gut, and rejuvenate your overall health, AIP might be your answer. Let's break it down into simple steps and show how it could positively impact your life, too!

 
 

What Is the Autoimmune Protocol?

The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) is a science-based elimination and reintroduction diet and lifestyle protocol, specifically designed to support individuals with autoimmune conditions. At its core, AIP focuses on:

  • Repairing Gut Health

  • Balancing Hormones

  • Regulating the Immune System

While its primary foundation is dietary, AIP goes beyond food, incorporating key lifestyle practices such as stress management, sleep optimization, regular movement, and building meaningful connections.

By addressing diet and lifestyle factors, AIP creates a comprehensive framework for healing. It’s not a cure but rather a proactive way to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life, even for those without a formal autoimmune diagnosis.

 
 

Why Focus on the Gut?

Many autoimmune conditions are rooted in gut health issues, including leaky gut or microbial imbalances like dysbiosis. A compromised gut allows toxins to escape into the bloodstream, triggering immune responses and inflammation. By targeting gut health through AIP, you can address the root cause of autoimmune symptoms, paving the way for long-term improvements.

 
 

Two Phases of the Autoimmune Protocol

AIP involves a structured yet approachable process with two main phases:

1. Elimination Phase

The elimination phase is the foundation of AIP. It typically lasts at least 30 days and focuses on removing foods known to drive inflammation, while concentrating on nutrient-dense additions, aiming to maximize healing.  Some of the foods known to drive inflammation include:

  • Refined sugars

  • Industrial Seed Oils

  • Processed and artificial additives

It isn’t always appropriate for people to start with a full elimination diet, so a Transition phase is used to bridge that gap. The Transition period can be either rapid or gradual, depending on the person’s circumstances and needs.

2. Reintroduction Phase

The reintroduction phase is reached when a person has spent 30-90 days fully compliant in elimination and has had measurable improvements in their symptoms from their baseline. We track and journal (and/or lab testing) and note relief of symptoms.

The reintroduction phase leads to an individualized, sustainable (both practically and socially), and nutrient-dense diet. It should be the least restrictive diet that gives optimal health.

 
 

Not Just Food

AIP isn’t just about what’s on your plate. To fully regulate the immune system and achieve balance, addressing lifestyle components is essential. These include:

Sleep

  • Prioritizing 7-9 hours of restorative sleep supports immunity and hormone regulation. 

Stress Management

  • Chronic stress can worsen inflammation. Incorporating mindfulness, meditation, prayer and slow deep breathing can help mitigate stress. 

Movement

  • Gentle, regular exercise promotes circulation and mobility without exacerbating stress. 

Connection

  • Building relationships with others and engaging with nature have profound healing effects on overall health.

 
 

Start your healing today. 

Schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call and take the first step to feeling better.

Beth Russ