In adults with rheumatoid arthritis, following an autoimmune protocol diet for eight weeks was linked to lower fatigue and improved sleep scores on a 10-point scale, with most participants reporting...
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
Eating more vegetables, fruits, and fermented foods while avoiding processed foods and gluten strengthens the gut lining and stops harmful substances from leaking into the blood. This calms the overactive immune system, reduces body-wide inflammation, and allows the body to recover from fatigue and...
Most probable mechanism
Eating more vegetables, fruits, and fermented foods while avoiding processed foods, gluten, and added sugars strengthens the gut lining, stops harmful substances from leaking into the bloodstream, and reduces inflammation throughout the body. This lowers the overactive immune response that causes joint pain and fatigue, allowing the body to rest better and feel more energized.
Increased intake of dietary fiber from fruits and vegetables promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that ferment fiber into short-chain fatty acids, particularly butyrate
Butyrate and other short-chain fatty acids enhance the integrity of intestinal epithelial tight junctions and reduce expression of zonulin, decreasing intestinal permeability
Elimination of gluten, lectins, glycoalkaloids, food additives, and refined sugars removes dietary triggers that disrupt the gut barrier and promote microbial dysbiosis
Reduced intestinal permeability prevents translocation of microbial and dietary antigens into systemic circulation, limiting activation of dendritic cells and autoreactive T-cells
Increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids from seafood and polyphenols from fruits and vegetables inhibits NF-kB signaling and suppresses production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-6
Reduced systemic inflammation decreases synovial immune cell infiltration and joint tissue damage, lowering pain and disease activity signals to the central nervous system
Lowered systemic inflammation reduces activation of peripheral and central inflammatory pathways that drive fatigue and disrupt sleep regulation
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
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The Effect of an Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet in Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Single Arm Crossover Pilot Feasibility Study
Contradicting (0)
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