Can the Paleo Diet Help Fight Autoimmune Diseases? (2024)

FAQs

Does paleo help with autoimmune disease? ›

The traditional Paleo diet eliminates all grains and processed foods. It focuses on whole, nutrient-dense foods, such as fruit and vegetables, organic meats, eggs, and wild-caught fish. However, this is often not comprehensive enough for chronic autoimmune diseases, as not enough of the immune triggers are removed.

Emerging research suggests a link between gut health and autoimmune diseases. The Paleo diet, rich in fibre from fruits and vegetables, supports a diverse and thriving gut microbiome. A healthy gut microbiome is essential for regulating immune function and reducing the risk of autoimmune flare-ups.

Research shows that the paleo diet may help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, as you're cutting out foods that are high in fat and sugar. And it can even improve your glucose tolerance and increase insulin sensitivity, which may help manage Type 2 diabetes.

A: The paleo diet emphasizes eating foods high in anti-inflammatory nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation.

Eggs: You may want to avoid eggs and any foods that contain them. Dairy: People with autoimmune diseases may want to stop drinking or eating any type of animal milk, such as cow's, sheep's, and goat's milk, and foods that derive from them, such as cheese, butter, cream, and dairy-based protein powders and supplements.

The paleo diet's emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods and elimination of potential inflammatory triggers such as grains, legumes, and dairy may be beneficial for those with autoimmune disorders.

Are bananas ok for autoimmune? ›

Examples of foods you can eat while on the AIP diet include: Vegetables that aren't nightshade vegetables like cucumbers, spinach, sweet potatoes and zucchini. Fresh fruits like apples, oranges, mangos, strawberries, bananas and blueberries.

“Unfortunately, there just isn't enough scientific evidence to clearly show that following a paleo diet would be helpful for improving symptoms of an autoimmune condition,” Kennedy says. “For some people, following the diet might help, but for others, it may not.”

Foods to avoid on the initial phase of the paleo AIP diet: Grains: wheat, barley, oats, rye, rice, as well as all byproducts like pasta and bread. Legumes: including, but not limited to, beans, lentils, peanuts, soybeans, as well all byproducts like tofu and peanut butter. Dairy: cheese, milk, yogurt.

Berries, fatty fish, nuts, leafy greens, oatmeal, and olive oil can all be part of an anti-inflammatory diet. But it's best to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. What meat is anti-inflammatory? The Mediterranean diet includes anti-inflammatory omega-3 rich fatty fish.

An AIP diet avoids all processed foods, alcohol, additives, refined sugars, coffee, tea, oils, and certain medications. In the elimination phase, a person will also avoid foods such as grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, and nightshade vegetables, but they may reintroduce these later.