One large study showed that a "Western" diet heavy on red and processed meat, refined grains, fried foods, and sugars raised the risk of getting rheumatoid arthritis (RA). People who ate a diet filled with fruits, veggies, and lean proteins were less likely to have it. But the autoimmune protocol (AIP) takes Paleo a step further. It works on the theory that certain foods can bother your gut and cause inflammation (swelling), which also happens with autoimmune diseases like RA. With AIP, you follow the Paleo Diet. But you also stop eating the following for a while:
If you start feeling better after three or four weeks, you bring back these foods one at a time. Watch for a reaction for a few days before adding another one to your diet. Stop eating the food if:
- Alcohol
- Eggs
- Fruit juices and many sweeteners
- Nightshade veggies (tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, peppers, tomatillos, etc.)
- Nuts
- Seed-based spices (fennel, dill, sesame seeds, and others)
- Seeds (including cocoa and coffee)
- Your RA comes back or gets worse
- Your stomach hurts or you have bowel changes, heartburn, or other intestinal distress
- You're low energy or tired
- You have headaches or dizziness
- You have a runny nose
- You notice skin changes (rashes, acne, etc.)