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My Autoimmune Condition and the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP)


At the end of January 2018, after getting some extensive testing done with a functional medicine practitioner, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition and a genetic disorder. This was after more than a decade of ill health, extreme weightless and gain, sleep issues, mental fog, memory issues, GI troubles, issues with my cycle, and poor energy.


The autoimmune condition I was diagnosed with is a rare autoimmunity called Anti-GAD Positive Autoimmunity. This autoimmune condition specifically targets the pancreas and cerebellum of the brain. Left unchecked, this can deteriorate these organs' functions drastically causing further debilitating symptoms and conditions. Well that is not going to be my story.


As a Nutritionist, I had already narrowed my clientele down to those with autoimmune conditions and chronic illnesses and had had great success using a specific protocol called the Autoimmune Protocol. So I knew that I needed to put myself on this protocol immediately.

I also discovered that I have a genetic condition called MTHFR variance. Basically this makes it harder for my body to methylate (or break down) b vitamins, as well as heavy metals and alcohols. This just furthered my reasonings for starting myself on the AIP.

So what is the Autoimmune Protocol?

  • It is a lifestyle and dietary approach for chronic disease and autoimmunity management.

  • It focuses on reducing inflammation, healing the gut, regulating hormones, healing tissues, and down regulating over active immune function (autoimmunity)

  • Movement, stress management, reducing/eliminating environmental toxins, and sleep are all lifestyle factors that are focused on as well.

  • It eliminates foods that undermine health, while focusing on the most nutrient dense foods that promote health.


This is a temporary elimination approach to find & cut out the foods that are impeding our health and add in the foods that will support it.


Foods to Included: (foods that are nutrient dense & promote health)

  • Almost all veggies & fruits

  • Fermented foods & probiotics

  • Fish & shellfish

  • Glycerine rich foods (like collagen)

  • Healthy fats

  • Meat & poultry

  • Most herbs & spices

  • Organ meats

  • Sea veggies


Foods to Exclude: (foods that undermine health or trigger your disease)

  • Alcohol

  • Coffee

  • Dairy

  • Eggs (especially the whites)

  • Emulsifiers, thickeners, & other food additives

  • Grains & grain-like seeds

  • Legumes

  • Nightshades & spices derived from peppers

  • Non-nutritive sweeteners

  • NSAIDS

  • Nuts

  • Potential gluten cross-reactive foods

  • Refined/processed sugars & oils

  • Seeds & seed-based spices


What are Nightshades?

  • Nightshades are a family of plants and there are over 200 species! These plants can be problematic from many people due to their lectin, saponin, and/or capsaicin content.

Nightshades include:

  • All spices derived from peppers

  • Cayenne pepper

  • Cumin

  • Eggplant

  • Goji berries

  • Hot peppers

  • Paprika

  • Potatoes (sweet potatoes are AIP-ok!)

  • Red peppers

  • Sweet peppers

  • Tomatillos

  • Tomatoes

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