In a group of nine adults with rheumatoid arthritis, following an 8-week Autoimmune Protocol diet was linked to a measurable decrease in symptom scores, and seven of them reached a level of symptom...
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
Eating more vegetables, fruits, and fermented foods while avoiding processed foods and grains strengthens the gut lining and stops harmful substances from leaking into the blood. This, combined with anti-inflammatory compounds from seafood and plants, reduces inflammation throughout the body, which...
Most probable mechanism
Eating more vegetables, fruits, and fermented foods while avoiding processed foods, grains, and added sugars strengthens the gut lining, stops harmful substances from leaking into the bloodstream, and reduces inflammation throughout the body, which calms joint pain and fatigue.
Increased intake of dietary fiber from fruits and vegetables promotes the growth of bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids, especially butyrate
Butyrate and other microbial metabolites enhance the integrity of intestinal epithelial tight junctions and reduce expression of zonulin, decreasing gut permeability
Elimination of gluten, lectins, nightshades, and food additives removes dietary molecules that disrupt intestinal barrier function and promote antigen translocation
Reduced gut permeability prevents microbial and dietary antigens from entering systemic circulation and activating dendritic cells and T-cells
Increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids from seafood and polyphenols from fruits and vegetables inhibits NF-kB signaling and reduces production of TNF-alpha and IL-6
Reduced systemic inflammation decreases activation of immune cells in synovial tissue and lowers joint tissue damage
Lowered systemic inflammation reduces pain signaling and fatigue perception, improving patient-reported disease activity scores
Less supported by current evidence, but not ruled out
Consuming fermented foods introduces beneficial bacteria that increase microbial diversity and promote regulatory immune cells, which suppress abnormal immune responses against joints.
Elimination of refined sugars and food additives reduces overgrowth of pro-inflammatory bacterial species
Ingestion of fermented foods increases abundance of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species that produce immunomodulatory metabolites
Increased microbial diversity enhances differentiation of regulatory T-cells and suppresses Th17-driven inflammation
Reduced Th17 activity decreases autoreactive B-cell and T-cell activation in joint tissues
Lowered autoimmune activation in joints reduces synovitis and disease activity scores
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Community contributions welcome
The Effect of an Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet in Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Single Arm Crossover Pilot Feasibility Study
Contradicting (0)
Community contributions welcome
Gold Standard Evidence Needed
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