Low FODMAP Diet for SIBO

Last updated: April 2026

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Quick Answer

Autoimmune diseases affect about 50 million Americans, nearly one in five people, where the immune system mistakenly attacks its own body tissues (Functional Medicine Perspective on Autoimmune Diet).
The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet is a strict elimination diet that removes targeted foods for a minimum of three weeks, but preferably three months, to allow the gut to heal and reduce inflammation.
Many people following the AIP diet report improvements in symptoms like fatigue, gut pain, or joint pain, though research on this diet is still limited (Healthline's AIP Diet Guide).
The diet focuses on healing the gut to reduce inflammation and symptoms of autoimmune diseases, which can manifest as increased intestinal permeability, often called "leaky gut" (US Pain Foundation on Autoimmune Protocol Diet).

The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet is a specialized eating plan designed to help manage symptoms of autoimmune diseases by focusing on gut healing and reducing inflammation. This diet involves a strict elimination phase where certain foods believed to trigger an immune response are removed for an extended period, typically three weeks to three months. The goal is to give the digestive system time to recover and reduce what is known as "leaky gut," a condition where the intestinal lining becomes more permeable. After this initial phase, foods are slowly reintroduced to identify specific triggers. Autoimmune disease impacts about 50 million Americans, meaning almost one in five people face these conditions. Many individuals who have followed the AIP diet report feeling better, with reductions in common symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, and digestive issues.

What is the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet?

The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet is a strict elimination diet designed to reduce inflammation and the symptoms of autoimmune diseases. It works by removing certain foods that are thought to increase the gut's permeability and then replacing them with nutrient-dense options. The main goal of the AIP diet is to heal the gut, which is often damaged in individuals who have autoimmune conditions. This approach helps the body calm its immune response and reduce the impact of autoimmune disorders.

The AIP diet is similar to the paleo diet but is generally more strict. It focuses on taking out specific foods that might cause inflammation in the body. Then, these foods are gradually brought back into the diet once symptoms start to improve. This careful process allows people to see which foods might be triggering their symptoms. The AIP diet aims to lessen inflammation, pain, and other symptoms that come with autoimmune diseases. These conditions include lupus, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Understanding Autoimmune Conditions and Diet

Autoimmune diseases are conditions where the immune system, which is supposed to protect the body from foreign invaders, mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells and tissues. This misguided attack can lead to widespread inflammation and a variety of symptoms. The AIP diet suggests that certain foods can make this problem worse by increasing the permeability of the gut lining. When the gut becomes "leaky," substances that should stay inside the digestive tract can pass into the bloodstream. This can then trigger an immune response, making autoimmune symptoms worse.

By focusing on foods that support gut health, the AIP diet aims to reverse this process. It emphasizes nutrient-rich foods that help repair the gut lining and reduce overall inflammation. This makes the diet a foundational part of a functional medicine approach to autoimmune care. Many people with autoimmune conditions experience digestive issues alongside their other symptoms. The AIP diet directly addresses these gut problems, believing that healing the gut can lead to improvements in other parts of the body, including reduced pain. Susan Blum, MD, MPH, a leading functional doctor, states, "Autoimmunity is associated with damage to the gut. [The AIP diet] is thought to be a gut-healing diet." This perspective highlights the central role of gut health in managing autoimmune conditions.

The Phases of the AIP Diet

The AIP diet is typically followed in two main phases: the elimination phase and the reintroduction phase. During the elimination phase, a wide range of foods believed to be inflammatory or gut-damaging are completely removed from the diet. This phase is crucial for giving the gut a chance to rest and heal. The length of this phase can vary, but it often lasts for a minimum of three weeks, with many people following it for three months or even longer for better results. The strictness of this phase is important for seeing real changes in symptoms.

Once symptoms have significantly improved, the reintroduction phase begins. In this phase, foods that were eliminated are brought back into the diet one at a time, very slowly. Each food is tested individually for a few days, and the person monitors their body closely for any return of symptoms. If a food causes irritation or symptoms, it is then removed again. This systematic reintroduction helps individuals identify their personal food triggers. Lydia Nader, MS, RD, LDN, a sports dietitian, notes, "For those who wish to try this diet, it can open their eyes to how certain foods affect their body, as elimination allows for their body to heal itself." This personalized approach is key to the long-term success of the AIP diet in managing autoimmune symptoms.

Why Do Autoimmune Diseases Develop?

Autoimmune diseases develop when the immune system, which is designed to protect the body from harmful invaders, mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells and tissues. This leads to a chronic inflammatory response that can target various parts of the body, such as the thyroid, joints, gut, skin, nervous system, or connective tissue. The exact causes of autoimmune diseases are complex and are thought to involve a combination of factors.

About 50 million Americans are affected by autoimmune disease, representing nearly one in five people. This significant prevalence underscores the importance of understanding the underlying mechanisms of these conditions. What starts as an imbalance in the immune system can become a whole-body process, influencing many essential bodily functions. These include metabolism, how hormones signal throughout the body, how nutrients are absorbed, and how cells repair themselves. The widespread impact of autoimmune disease means that a comprehensive approach to treatment, like the AIP diet, can be beneficial.

Genetic and Environmental Triggers

Several factors are believed to contribute to the development of autoimmune disorders. One key factor is genetic predisposition. This means that some people may inherit genes that make them more likely to develop an autoimmune condition. However, genetics alone are usually not enough to trigger the disease. Environmental factors often play a critical role in activating these genetic predispositions. For example, infections can sometimes trigger an autoimmune response. A viral or bacterial infection might confuse the immune system, causing it to start attacking the body's own tissues even after the infection is gone.

Stress is another significant factor believed to contribute to autoimmune disease development. Chronic stress can impact the immune system and increase inflammation throughout the body, potentially worsening or triggering autoimmune responses. Inflammation itself is a central component; while acute inflammation is a healthy part of the immune response, chronic inflammation can damage tissues and lead to autoimmune conditions. Certain medications may also be linked to the onset or exacerbation of autoimmune diseases in some individuals. Understanding these multiple causes helps functional medicine practitioners develop more targeted and personalized treatment plans, often starting with dietary interventions like AIP.

The Role of Gut Permeability

A crucial concept in the development of autoimmune diseases, particularly in the context of the AIP diet, is increased gut permeability, often referred to as "leaky gut." The lining of a healthy gut acts as a barrier, carefully controlling what passes from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. In people with autoimmune disorders, this barrier can become compromised, allowing undigested food particles, toxins, and microbes to "leak" into the bloodstream. This leakage is believed to trigger an immune response, as the body identifies these substances as foreign invaders.

This ongoing immune activation can then contribute to the chronic inflammation seen in autoimmune conditions. The AIP diet focuses on healing this gut damage, aiming to restore the integrity of the intestinal lining. By removing foods that might contribute to gut permeability and introducing foods that support its repair, the diet seeks to reduce the immune system's burden. This, in turn, can help calm the autoimmune response and alleviate symptoms. While research on the direct link between leaky gut and all autoimmune diseases is ongoing, many functional medicine practitioners consider it a fundamental piece of the puzzle. The idea is that if you can heal the gut, you can reduce the triggers that keep the immune system in an overactive state.

How Does the AIP Diet Work to Heal the Gut?

The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet works to heal the gut primarily by removing problematic ingredients for a specific period, which allows the intestinal lining time to recover from increased permeability. This approach aims to reduce "leaky gut," a condition where substances can leak from the digestive tract into the bloodstream, triggering an immune response. By eliminating potential irritants and inflammatory foods, the diet creates an environment where the gut can repair itself.

The immune system and gut damage are closely linked in autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune-related damage to the gut often shows up as increased permeability of the intestinal lining. This means the gut barrier isn't as tight as it should be, allowing substances to pass through and get into the bloodstream. When this happens, it can cause the immune system to react, leading to more inflammation and worsening symptoms. This creates a cycle where gut damage leads to more sensitivity to certain foods, which then causes more damage. The AIP diet steps in to break this cycle. It takes out the foods that are causing problems for a while, giving the gut a chance to heal and calm down.

The Elimination Phase: Resting and Repairing

The first and most critical step in the AIP diet's healing process is the elimination phase. During this time, a wide range of foods known to potentially trigger inflammation or contribute to gut permeability are completely removed from the diet. This includes common allergens, inflammatory foods, and certain food groups that are difficult to digest for some individuals. By taking these foods out, the gut gets a much-needed rest from constant irritation. This allows the cells lining the intestines to repair themselves and helps to reduce inflammation within the gut wall.

The duration of this elimination phase is important. While a minimum of three weeks is suggested, many experts, like Dr. Susan Blum, recommend a longer period, such as three months, or even longer in some cases, for the gut to truly heal. This extended period allows for significant tissue repair and a reduction in the body's overall inflammatory load. During this time, the focus shifts to nutrient-dense foods that support healing, such as a variety of vegetables, certain meats, and healthy fats. This approach ensures the body receives the necessary building blocks for repair while avoiding potential triggers.

The Reintroduction Phase: Identifying Triggers

After the gut has had time to heal during the elimination phase, the reintroduction phase begins. This is a careful and systematic process where previously eliminated food groups are reintroduced back into the diet one at a time. The key is to introduce only one new food every few days, in small amounts, and then monitor the body for any symptoms. If a food causes any irritation or a return of symptoms, it is then removed again. This method allows individuals to identify their specific food sensitivities and triggers.

For example, if someone reintroduces eggs and experiences joint pain or digestive upset, they learn that eggs are a trigger for them and should be avoided, at least for a longer period. This personalized understanding is a powerful tool for long-term health management. Lydia Nader, MS, RD, LDN, emphasizes that this process "can open their eyes to how certain foods affect their body, as elimination allows for their body to heal itself." If multiple foods cause irritation during reintroduction, it might mean the initial exclusion diet needs to be extended for an even longer period to allow for more complete healing before trying again. This careful, step-by-step approach is what makes the AIP diet effective in helping individuals manage their autoimmune symptoms by understanding and healing their unique gut responses.

What Foods Are Eliminated and Reintroduced on AIP?

The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet involves a strict process of eliminating certain foods and then carefully reintroducing them. The first step is to completely remove targeted foods from your diet for an absolute minimum of three weeks, but preferably three months, and sometimes even longer, as advised by Dr. Susan Blum. This initial removal phase is critical for allowing the gut to heal and for inflammation to subside.

This diet is often described as similar to a paleo diet but much stricter, focusing on foods that are nutrient-dense and thought to support gut healing. The foods eliminated during the initial phase are chosen because they are commonly associated with inflammation, increased gut permeability, or immune responses in sensitive individuals. These often include grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, nuts, seeds, nightshades (like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers), refined sugars, and certain oils. The idea is to create a clean slate, allowing the body to reduce its inflammatory burden before systematically testing for individual tolerances.

The Elimination List: What to Avoid

During the elimination phase of the AIP diet, a wide array of foods must be strictly avoided. This comprehensive list is designed to remove common dietary triggers and allow the gut to heal. Here are the main categories of foods that are typically eliminated:

Grains: All grains, including wheat, corn, rice, oats, and quinoa, are removed. This is because grains contain compounds like gluten and lectins that can contribute to gut inflammation and permeability for some individuals.
Legumes: This includes beans, lentils, peanuts, and soy. Legumes contain anti-nutrients like lectins and phytic acid, which can be irritating to the gut.
Dairy: All dairy products, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter, are eliminated. Dairy can be a common allergen and inflammatory for many people, especially those with autoimmune conditions.
Eggs: Eggs are a common food sensitivity, and they are typically removed during the AIP elimination phase.
Nuts and Seeds: This category includes all nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews) and seeds (chia, flax, sesame), as well as seed-based spices. They contain compounds that can be inflammatory or difficult to digest for some.
Nightshade Vegetables: This group includes tomatoes, potatoes (not sweet potatoes), peppers (bell, chili, cayenne), eggplants, and goji berries. Nightshades contain compounds called alkaloids that some people with autoimmune conditions find problematic.
Refined Sugars and Artificial Sweeteners: All forms of processed sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners are strictly avoided due to their inflammatory effects.
Processed Foods and Industrial Seed Oils: Highly processed foods, trans fats, and industrial seed oils (like canola, sunflower, safflower oil) are removed because they promote inflammation.
Alcohol and Coffee: These are also eliminated to reduce gut irritation and support liver detoxification.

The strictness of this list is intentional, as it aims to remove as many potential triggers as possible to give the body the best chance to heal.

The Reintroduction Process: Testing for Tolerance

After the initial elimination phase, which should last at least three weeks and ideally three months or longer, the reintroduction phase begins. This phase is crucial for personalizing the diet and understanding individual food sensitivities. Here’s how it works:

Choose One Food Group: Select one food group from the eliminated list to reintroduce. For example, you might start with egg yolks, then egg whites, or a specific type of legume.
Small Amount, Short Period: On the first day, eat a very small amount of the chosen food (e.g., a teaspoon) and wait 15 minutes. If there are no immediate symptoms, eat a slightly larger amount (e.g., a tablespoon) and wait a few hours. If still no symptoms, eat a normal portion later that day.
Observe and Wait: For the next 5-6 days, completely avoid that food again and carefully monitor your body for any delayed symptoms. These could include digestive issues, joint pain, fatigue, skin changes, or mood shifts.
Evaluate and Decide:
- If no symptoms appear, the food is likely well-tolerated and can be added back into your diet in moderation.
- If symptoms appear, the food is a trigger for you. You should remove it again and consider trying to reintroduce it later, perhaps after a longer period of gut healing, or avoid it indefinitely.
Repeat for Each Food: Move on to the next food group only after you have fully evaluated the previous one. This slow, methodical process ensures that you can pinpoint exactly which foods cause a reaction.

If multiple foods cause irritation or symptoms upon being reintroduced, the exclusion diet might need to extend for a longer period of time. This allows for more comprehensive gut healing before attempting reintroductions again. This systematic approach, as outlined by US Pain Foundation on Autoimmune Protocol Diet, is key to successfully personalizing the AIP diet for long-term management of autoimmune symptoms.

Is the AIP Diet Effective for Autoimmune Symptoms?

The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet has shown promising results for many individuals managing autoimmune symptoms. Many people who have followed the AIP diet report improvements in how they feel, experiencing reductions in common symptoms of autoimmune disorders such as fatigue, gut pain, and joint pain. These reported improvements highlight the potential of dietary changes to positively impact health for those with autoimmune conditions.

While anecdotal evidence and patient reports are strong, it's important to note that research on this diet is promising, but it is also limited. This means that while many individuals experience significant benefits, more large-scale scientific studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms and long-term effectiveness across a broader range of autoimmune diseases. Despite the current limitations in extensive research, the improvements reported by those who try the diet offer a compelling reason for its consideration as a therapeutic approach.

Patient Experiences and Symptom Reduction

Patients following the AIP diet often report a range of positive changes. These improvements frequently include a decrease in chronic fatigue, which is a debilitating symptom for many with autoimmune conditions. Beyond fatigue, reductions in gastrointestinal issues like abdominal pain and diarrhea are commonly noted, consistent with the diet's focus on gut healing. Joint pain, a hallmark symptom of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, is also frequently reported to lessen. These symptom improvements can lead to a better quality of life for individuals who have struggled with chronic autoimmune flare-ups.

The AIP diet aims to reduce inflammation, pain, and other symptoms caused by autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. These diseases involve the immune system attacking healthy tissues, leading to a variety of symptoms. By addressing potential dietary triggers and promoting gut health, the AIP diet helps to calm this overactive immune response. When patients experience fewer symptoms, they often feel more energetic, have less pain, and generally feel better. This can empower them to take a more active role in managing their health.

The Science Behind the Approach

The scientific rationale behind the AIP diet centers on the concept of gut permeability and its link to systemic inflammation and autoimmunity. Certain foods are believed to possibly increase the gut’s permeability, thereby increasing your likelihood of leaky gut. When the gut lining becomes permeable, it allows substances that normally would not pass through to enter the bloodstream. The immune system then identifies these substances as threats, triggering an inflammatory response that can contribute to autoimmune activity throughout the body.

The AIP diet focuses on eliminating these foods and replacing them with health-promoting, nutrient-dense foods that are thought to help heal the gut, and ultimately, reduce inflammation and symptoms of autoimmune diseases. By removing potential irritants and providing the body with essential nutrients, the diet supports the repair of the intestinal barrier. A healthier gut barrier can reduce the immune system's exposure to triggers, thereby lessening the chronic inflammatory response. While the body of evidence is growing, the clinical experience of many functional medicine practitioners supports the effectiveness of this gut-healing approach. This approach helps explain why patients report improvements in a wide range of symptoms, from digestive issues to joint pain, as the underlying inflammation is addressed.

What Are Common Symptoms of Autoimmune Disorders?

Common symptoms of autoimmune disorders are diverse and can affect nearly any part of the body, reflecting the systemic nature of these conditions. These symptoms can include joint pain, persistent fatigue, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and brain fog. Additionally, individuals may experience tissue and nerve damage, depending on the specific autoimmune disease. These symptoms often significantly impact a person's daily life and overall well-being.

A few examples of autoimmune disorders include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), type 1 diabetes, and psoriasis. Each of these conditions targets different parts of the body, leading to its unique set of challenges, but many share common underlying inflammatory processes. Digestive issues, in particular, accompany many autoimmune diseases, highlighting the strong connection between gut health and systemic immunity.

Diverse Manifestations of Autoimmunity

The immune system's mistaken attack on healthy cells and tissues can lead to a wide range of symptoms, making autoimmune disorders complex to diagnose and manage. For instance, in rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the joints, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and eventually joint damage. Lupus, on the other hand, can affect almost any organ or tissue, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain, manifesting with symptoms like rashes, fatigue, and organ inflammation.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, primarily affects the digestive tract, causing severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. Type 1 diabetes involves the immune system destroying insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to high blood sugar levels. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that mainly affects the skin, causing red, scaly patches. The variety of these conditions underscores how broadly autoimmune diseases can impact the body, making it challenging to find a single, universal treatment. This is why personalized approaches like the AIP diet are often explored to address the individual's specific symptoms and triggers.

The Link Between Gut Health and Systemic Symptoms

The connection between digestive health and the broader symptoms of autoimmune disease is a cornerstone of the AIP approach. "Digestive issues accompany many autoimmune diseases," as Rebecca McKinsey notes in the US Pain Foundation article. These issues are often linked to damage to the gut, specifically increased permeability of the intestinal lining, referred to as "leaky gut." When the gut barrier is compromised, substances that should remain within the digestive tract can leak into the bloodstream. This leakage can trigger an immune response, contributing to systemic inflammation.

This chronic inflammation can then manifest as symptoms in various parts of the body, far beyond the digestive system. For example, gut inflammation can contribute to joint pain, fatigue, and brain fog. The AIP diet focuses on healing this gut damage, aiming to reduce the immune system's overactivity. By removing foods that may be irritating the gut and introducing nutrient-dense foods that support its repair, the diet seeks to reduce overall inflammation. This reduction in inflammation can then lead to an improvement in a wide array of autoimmune symptoms across the body, supporting the idea that healing the gut can have far-reaching positive effects on health.

Can Supplements Support an AIP Diet?

Supplements can indeed support an Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet, especially when individuals are working to heal their gut and manage autoimmune symptoms. While the AIP diet focuses on obtaining nutrients from whole foods, certain supplements can help address specific deficiencies, support bodily functions, or enhance the healing process. For example, some supplements, like Magnesium Glycinate, are formulated to promote restful sleep and muscle relaxation, which can be beneficial for those experiencing pain and sleep disturbances common in autoimmune conditions.

Another example is Creatine, which can support lean muscle mass, endurance, cellular energy, and brain function. These benefits can be particularly helpful for individuals dealing with fatigue and muscle weakness often associated with autoimmune disorders. When considering supplements, it is important to choose high-quality products from reputable brands. Companies like Thorne offer clinically backed supplements, ensuring that products are tested for purity and potency. Moreover, Thorne also accepts FSA/HSA funds via Truemed, making certain health-supporting supplements more accessible for many individuals.

Key Supplements for Autoimmune Support

When following an AIP diet, certain supplements might be considered to complement the dietary changes and support overall health. These are often chosen to address common deficiencies or to provide targeted support for gut healing and immune modulation.

Magnesium Glycinate: This optimally absorbed chelated form of magnesium is beneficial for several reasons. It promotes restful sleep and muscle relaxation. For individuals with autoimmune conditions who often experience muscle pain, cramps, or difficulty sleeping, Magnesium Glycinate can support a calm response to everyday stress and emotional well-being while helping reduce feelings of stress and promote relaxation before bedtime. It also supports bone and joint health, as well as heart and vessel function. Thorne offers Magnesium Glycinate as a best-selling supplement for $26.
Creatine: While often associated with athletes, creatine monohydrate offers benefits beyond muscle performance. It promotes enhanced muscle performance and strength, supports lean muscle mass and endurance, and is important for cellular energy and brain function. For those dealing with autoimmune-related fatigue or cognitive issues like brain fog, creatine can help support cellular energy production and cognitive function to help you perform at your best. Thorne's Creatine - 90 Servings is available for $44 and is NSF Certified for Sport®.
Other Potential Supplements: Depending on individual needs and under the guidance of a healthcare professional, other supplements might be considered. These could include vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, or digestive enzymes, all of which play roles in immune function, inflammation, and gut health. However, it's crucial to ensure any supplement fits within the AIP framework and does not contain ingredients that are being eliminated.

Choosing Quality Supplements

The effectiveness of supplements depends heavily on their quality, purity, and bioavailability. It is essential to choose supplements from trusted sources that prioritize clinical backing and rigorous testing. For instance, Thorne provides clinically backed supplements and daily essentials. They emphasize high-quality ingredients and formulations designed for optimal absorption.

When sourcing supplements, looking for certifications like NSF Certified for Sport®, as seen with Thorne's Creatine, can indicate a commitment to quality and safety. Many functional medicine practices, such as Functional Human Solutions and Functional Nutrition and Fitness, LLC., partner with companies like Thorne to offer their patients access to high-quality supplements through dispensaries. These partnerships often mean that the products have been vetted by healthcare professionals. Furthermore, the ability to use FSA/HSA funds via Truemed for certain Thorne products can make these beneficial supplements more accessible financially, helping individuals integrate them into their autoimmune management plan. Always consult with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate supplements for your specific health needs while following an AIP diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I follow the elimination phase of the AIP diet?

The elimination phase of the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet should be followed for a minimum of three weeks. However, many practitioners, including Susan Blum, MD, MPH, recommend a longer period, preferably three months, and sometimes even longer, to allow the gut sufficient time to heal and reduce inflammation. This extended period helps ensure that the body has truly reset before reintroducing foods.

What are some common autoimmune diseases that might benefit from the AIP diet?

The AIP diet aims to reduce inflammation and symptoms caused by various autoimmune diseases. Examples include lupus, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and psoriasis. These conditions affect about 50 million Americans, and many individuals with these disorders report improvements in symptoms like fatigue and joint pain when following the AIP diet.

Is the AIP diet the same as a paleo diet?

No, the AIP diet is not the same as a paleo diet, though it is similar and often called "autoimmune paleo." The AIP diet is usually much stricter than a standard paleo diet. While both eliminate grains, legumes, and dairy, AIP further removes eggs, nuts, seeds, and nightshade vegetables during its initial elimination phase. This makes AIP a more restrictive but targeted approach for autoimmune conditions.

Can I use supplements while on the AIP diet?

Yes, supplements can be used to support an AIP diet, but they should be carefully chosen and ideally discussed with a healthcare provider. High-quality supplements like Magnesium Glycinate can help with sleep and muscle relaxation, while Creatine can support energy and brain function. Companies like Thorne offer clinically backed supplements, some of which are eligible for FSA/HSA funds via Truemed, providing additional support for individuals following the diet.

What is 'leaky gut' and how does the AIP diet address it?

"Leaky gut," or increased intestinal permeability, occurs when the lining of the digestive tract becomes compromised, allowing substances to leak into the bloodstream. This can trigger an immune response and contribute to inflammation associated with autoimmune diseases. The AIP diet addresses leaky gut by removing problematic ingredients for a period, giving the gut time to heal, and then reintroducing foods slowly to identify and avoid triggers that might worsen gut permeability.