Benefits of an Anti-inflammatory, Elimination Diet
There are two underlying processes that are linked to the development of disease: inflammation and oxidative stress. Inflammation, or “inflammaging” as some have called it, is likely at the root of many different types of chronic disease, including cardiovascular disease,[1] metabolic syndrome,[2] and autoimmune disease.[3] An anti-inflammatory diet addresses inflammation both by both increasing anti-inflammatory foods and reducing pro-inflammatory foods. One of the mechanisms behind an anti-inflammatory diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, is to reduce the ratio of pro-inflammatory Omega 6 fatty acids (e.g., high PUFA vegetable oils) to anti-inflammatory Omega 3 fatty acids (e.g., cold water fish, olive oil) in the diet.[4]
If we have inflammation in the system, which can be measured by blood tests such as highly sensitive C Reactive Protein (“CRP”), then we want to eat foods that are going to naturally help us reduce this inflammation, and restrict food intake that will continue the inflammatory cascade. The fact that this can be measured in a relatively inexpensive way, and clients can see their progress, is especially helpful.
A very, recent study[3] by Dr. Steven Gundry helps illustrate how an anti-inflammatory diet, specifically crafted for autoimmune conditions, can be very beneficial in the context of pro-inflammatory conditions, and also ties in with the concept of an elimination diet. Gundry developed a diet that is a whole foods, anti-inflammatory diet, which also eliminates the consumption of high lectin foods (i.e., gluten, dairy, legumes, nightshades). He recently published the results of a 102 subject trial of this diet.[3] After nine months, 95 of the subjects completely reversed autoimmune and inflammatory blood markers.[3] Further, 80 of the subjects were able to come off of immunosuppressive or biologic medications.[3] For me, this was a compelling result, and certainly something to seriously consider in the treatment of autoimmune conditions.
An elimination diet can be used to help not only clients with autoimmune disease, but anyone who may have food allergies or sensitivities, and/or unresolved digestive or skin complaints.[5] The approach varies greatly depending upon the underlying complaint, health goals, personality type, and motivation for change. For example, someone with an autoimmune condition who is really motivated to change, or who has already begun the transition from a standard American diet to a whole foods diet, may be more willing to go “cold turkey” and dive straight into a protocol which immediately eliminates gluten, dairy, legumes, and nightshades. By contrast, an individual with skin complaints, who is on a standard American diet, and less motivated to change, may want to start with just one food or food group (e.g., dairy) to eliminate. In all cases, I work with clients in coming up with viable substitutes for the food or foods they will be eliminating from the diet. In cases where there are greater numbers of foods being eliminated from the diet, I prepare extensive lists of foods that are allowed, in order to help my clients expand their alternatives, and hopefully help them feel less restricted in their dietary choices.
In most cases, elimination will only be temporary. While elimination allows the body (in particular the intestines) to heal, it is not necessarily the end point, but rather an important step in the process of healing.[5]
References:
Saita E, Kondo K, Momiyama Y. Anti-inflammatory diet for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease: antioxidant foods. Clinical Medicine Insights: Cardiology. 2014; 8: CMC-S17071.
Esser N, Legrand-Poels S, Piette J, et al. Inflammation as a link between obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. 2014;105(2): 141-150.
Gundry SR. Remission/Cure of autoimmune diseases by a lectin limite diet supplemented with probiotics, prebiotics, and polyphenols. Circulation. 2018; 137(suppl_1): AP238-AP238.
Sears B. Anti-inflammatory diets. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2015; 34(sup1): 14-21.
Colbin, A. Food and Healing: How What You Eat Determines Your Health, Your Well-being, and the Quality of Your Life. Kindle ed. New York, NY: Ballantine Books;1986.
