I just wanted to share how the Autoimmune Protocol diet has significantly improved my health. I have never been one for fad diets, but after my health had been declining for some time an my doctors telling me this was my new normal, I knew I had to do something. I see a nurse practitioner who mentioned a book called Practical Paleo by Diane Sanfilipo. I also have Celiac's disease as well as Sjogrens and possibly Fibromyalgia, so I had already been gluten free for 1 1/2 years, but still had declining health. In as little as 2 weeks after following the recommendations in this book, my health started to significantly improve and has continued to get better for the last 8 months. My joint pain is almost gone, my peripheral neuropathy is almost gone, my brain fog is gone, my energy levels are much better, I can sleep through the night without sipping water. I feel this is the closest thing to a miracle that I have experienced since first getting sick 4 years ago. Plus, the recipes in the book are easy and delicious. There is also a blog and a book that has been extremely helpful by a woman with a PhD who also has autoimmune diseases. Sarah Ballantyne's book is "The Paleo Approach" and explains in detail with scientifically backed research how your diet can be affecting your autoimmune disease. Her blog is the called ThePaleoMom.com and also has a section on autoimmune diseases.
I want to be honest that following The Autoimmune Protocol is not easy since you remove all grains, eggs, sugar, caffeine, nuts and seeds, nightshade plants, and dairy from your diet. It has taken me awhile to get used to it, but when you are as sick as I was, the sacrifice has been more than worth it. I was at the point where I didn't think I would be able to take care of my 3 kids and now I can function again. I really hope this information can help some of you! Good luck!
This is great news. Congrats! I’ve gone gluten and sugar free and have greatly reduced corn and dairy. Have also eliminated junk food. Which would you recommend more: Diane Sanfilipo or Sarah B? I know there is a new ultra sensitive blood test to detect food allergies, I’m also considering, but getting my blood taken lately, has been an issue.
If I were to choose just one, I would probably recommend The Paleo Approach. It is amazing and is over 400 pages long and has the most detailed info. You can always go to her blog to get recipe ideas and Sarah Ballantyne is also releasing a companion cookbook this summer. Also check out pinterest or google "the autoimmune protocol" for other sites that have recipes.
About 2 years ago I started having weird allergic reactions to foods such as spinach, cucumbers, and other foods. I had traditional food allergy testing that found nothing. I haven't had one reaction since I started this diet, which is a relief because frequent visits to the ER were costing us a fortune!
Wow this is great new! Congrats on the effort and willpower necessary to achieve this! I have tremendous respect and admiration for ALL who can accomplish this! Thank you for sharing this with us! That sounds like a must read to me.
Would you mind putting this info up in the book review section at the page top? That way this good book will always be available to all members!
I just looked up the Paleo Approach on amazon and thing I may buy it I’ll also look into the other book you mentioned. Like you, I’m willing to do anything to feel better. I recently went gluten-free. I suppose next will be dairy. Thank you so much for sharing this valuable information.
This is a great read. I recently went Gluten Free before talking to my rheumatologist about it. I almost immediately started noticing results with my digestive system.
Take care not to read too much material because every book I have read brings some confusing and contradictory information. Case in point is "The Paleo Approach: Reverse Autoimmune Disease and Heal Your Body. The author contradicts herself several times e.g. in one chapter she says not to eat certain veggies and fruits, but then if you go to the lists of veggies and fruits you should be eating she includes the ones "not to eat"!?
I am gluten-free and have found that has made a real difference in energy, pain, and dryness. I am also "juicing" and experiment with what I feel, in my body, gives me the best results. One month I add something and/or remove something; my staples are spinach, blueberries, Swiss chard (green or red), cucumber, and avocado. I believe in "whatever works!"
It sure was confusing for me when V Williams said going Vegan helped her. Going gluten free has helped me and eating healthier in general as well. I am observing what foods seem to not make me feel my best. I have my suspicions about eggs. mom of 3, you might be highly sensitive to many of the foods that typically cause problems. I am avoiding some of those same foods as I suspect they are a problem for me as well. Glad you are feeling better. I wish I could remember the name if the new food sensitivity blood test. They provide you with an index card of foods you should avoid.
That sounds very important; do you think that searching on the web for "food sensitivity blood test" would come up with the name of the test?! That seems like something worth doing, especially to take the guess work out of eating healthily.
Called my doc’s office. The new food sensitivity test they are using is called the MRT Test. The receptionist was uncertain, but believes it stands for Mediator Release Test.
Going gluten free alone was not enough to help with my autoimmune problems. I had already been strictly gluten free for 1 1/2 years when I developed peripheral neuropathy, Raynaud's, Sjogrens, food sensitivities, etc. Even now when I stray too far from the Autoimmune Protocol diet I start getting symptoms again. I had 1 cup of decaf coffee yesterday and ended up with a migraine. When I eat certain foods I experience a wave of fatigue that can last up to a few days. I am learning to read my body and can judge whether eating a gluten free dessert that day is worth it. Sometimes I think it is, I am only human, but most of the time I would rather have the energy to take care of my family and to exercise and to live my life with some normalcy. Everybody is different, but this has been the only way for me to stay healthy and to be able to function. I haven't had to go to the ER or my regular doctor since making this diet change 9 months ago. My husband can't believe the difference and neither can I! I am just grateful to find something that works because I never thought I would be able to function so well again.
I have had the same problem with the information contradicting itself. I did read into it and then bought a book on a straight-up anti-inflammatory diet. It is not as restrictive as the Paleo and there seems to be slight differences on what to eat or not. However, since it is geared specifically to anti-inflammatory I follow that when in question.
I have definitely heard of people having success with an adjusted diet too. One of the things they said was to give it a couple months for your body to adjust. 2 weeks and saying forget it it's not working isn't giving it a fair shake.
I'm up for anything that may help. And as these diets are about eating healthy rather than only eating eggs for 3 weeks….LOL….it can't hurt.
I came across a book by accident called The Virgin Diet. Author’s last name is ‘Virgin’ Easy to look up info. Basically she says that there are seven items well known to cause inflammation (my cut/paste didn’t work). From memory: eggs corn gluten soy peanuts sugar dairy.
Says these are often bad for folks with AI illness and can often lead wo weight gain for everyone. I didnt get the book. But I suspect good overall/general info. Can use elimination type diet for three weeks and add one back at a time as an experiment etc if so inclined.
I saw JJ Virgin on a PBS special and found it interesting. Her diet is very similar to the autoimmune protocol for the same reasons. 80% of your immunity is in your gut. If you can heal your gut and eliminate inflammation, you can become much healthier.