Adults with rheumatoid arthritis who followed an 8-week Autoimmune Protocol diet used NSAIDs far less frequently, dropping from nearly two doses per week to about one-tenth of a dose per week.
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
Eating more vegetables, fruits, and fermented foods while avoiding processed foods and gluten repairs the gut lining and stops harmful substances from leaking into the blood. This calms down the immune system, reduces joint swelling and pain, and eliminates the need for pain medicine.
Most probable mechanism
Eating more vegetables, fruits, and fermented foods while avoiding processed foods, gluten, and added sugars repairs the gut lining, stops harmful substances from leaking into the bloodstream, and calms down the immune system. This reduces swelling and pain in the joints, so less pain medicine is needed.
Increased intake of dietary fiber from fruits and vegetables promotes the growth of bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids, especially butyrate
Short-chain fatty acids, particularly butyrate, strengthen the intestinal epithelial barrier by increasing tight junction protein expression and reducing zonulin levels
Exclusion of gluten, lectins, and glycoalkaloids removes dietary molecules that disrupt intestinal tight junctions and increase permeability
Reduced intestinal permeability prevents translocation of microbial and dietary antigens into systemic circulation
Decreased antigen translocation reduces activation of dendritic cells and T-cells, lowering production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-6
Omega-3 fatty acids from seafood are metabolized into specialized pro-resolving mediators that actively terminate inflammation and inhibit NF-kB signaling
Polyphenols from fruits, vegetables, and olive oil inhibit COX-2 and LOX enzymes, reducing prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis
Reduced systemic inflammation decreases synovial immune cell infiltration and joint tissue damage
Lower joint inflammation reduces nociceptive signaling and fatigue perception, leading to decreased demand for pain relief medication
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)
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Gold Standard Evidence Needed
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