Paleo and Autoimmune Disease

Posted by Amy Baranski

The secrets of the universe contained inside.

I'm curious about the autoimmune protocol offered up on the PaleoMom.com. I have an autoimmune disease that causes hyperthyroidism. I'm game to try any kind of nutritional approach (in conjunction with treatment advised by my amazing endocrinologist) to help. Sadly the autoimmune protocol is seriously punitive. From ThePaleoMom.com:

It is vitally important to adhere to a strict paleo diet with no cheating. While other people may be able to enjoy the occasional bowl of rice, if you suffer from an autoimmune condition you are not one of these people. Grains and legumes should never be consumed. Dairy of any kind (even grass-fed ghee which can still have trace lactose and dairy proteins!) should be avoided initially (most people will not be able to successfully reintroduce dairy, although some will be okay with grass-fed butter and ghee). This may be true for the rest of your life. In addition, if you have an autoimmune condition, you should completely avoid:

• Eggs
• Nuts
• Seeds (including cocoa, coffee and seed-based spices)
• Nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, sweet and hot peppers and spices derived from peppers)
• Potential Gluten Cross-Reactive Foods
• Alcohol
• NSAIDS (like aspirin or ibuprofen)

In other words: bye-bye Siracha and Mayo. What's left to live for?

 

Not to mention I'll be one sober bitch for all of eternity. NO CHEAT DAYS?!?!?! 

 

On the other hand, I am starting to feel pretty good as I've begun to purge dairy, gluten, and legumes from my diet. Or maybe it's that six-day feeling of freedom from my addiction to sugar. I feel more in control of my blood sugar levels. It's easier to reach for fruit or nuts instead of obsessing about a pastry. Has anyone out there gone this extreme with their diet? For how long? Did it help?