Autoimmunity is where your body does not know the difference between the good and bad cells in your body. Instead of being a pacifist and letting everyone stay, your body decides to try and make everyone get out and starts attacking. This can be going on for a long time before developing into a full blow autoimmune disease. Shockingly enough, there are more than 80 (!) types of autoimmune diseases, many of them are conditions that we grew up thinking were somewhat ‘normal’ or ‘routine’. Any system of your body can be affected by autoimmunity, from your brain, to nervous system to glands and even skin.
So what is this ‘Autoimmune Protocol’ anyway?
The Autoimmune Protocol is a way of eating that helps to calm your body down and begin to heal itself.
Sounds pretty good to me.
It does this by reducing inflammation around the body, and most importantly, the gut. Many foods that we have eaten over the years have been damaging to our Gastrointestinal (GI) system and have been inflammatory to our bodies. AIP is an elimination diet that targets these inflammatory foods, removing them from our daily lives and puts our GI tract on a path to healing itself. Although it cannot be completely cured, autoimmune disease can be put into remission.
This is not just an elimination diet however. Yes, many things are eliminated, at first. But one of the main points of AIP is to concentrate on adding the most nutrient dense foods available. Unfortunately the Standard American Diet (SAD), is fairly nutrient deficient, and nutrient deficiency is a key factor in developing autoimmunity. Adding in nutrient dense foods helps to jump start the autoimmunity healing process. Eating nutrient dense foods will help reduce inflammation, restore proper gut microorganisms and help heal the gut. It will also help balance hormones and regulate the immune system.
But the AIP lifestyle doesn’t stop there, it’s called a lifestyle for a reason! There are several other components of AIP that are equally as important to healing as the food we eat. Managing stress, prioritizing sleep, avoiding environmental toxins and getting plenty of movement are all essential components of AIP as well. If these other aspects are ignored, you may not see the results you are looking for with diet alone! More on these topics in later posts 😉
SO, WHAT FOODS CAN I HAVE IN THE AIP WORLD?? Let’s start there, shall we?
EAT ALL THE VEGGIES! (well, mostly) 8-14 cups a day
Organ meat and Offal (offal ain’t awful) 5 times a week
Seafood at least 3 times a week
Quality Meat
Quality Fats
Fruit
Probiotic Foods
Glycine-rich Food
WHAT FOODS ARE OFF THE TABLE? (pun intended) Along with cutting out the foods does, AIP also eliminates:
Nuts
Seeds
Eggs
Nightshades
Potential gluten-cross reactive foods
Alcohol
NSAIDS (this one is really hard for me with migraines) and Birth Control
Non-nutritive sweeteners
Emulsifiers, thickeners and food additives
This seems like a lot of things, at least it did to me when I first looked at the list, especially the nightshades! I lived off of tomatoes for the first 25 years of my life! But once I got into actually cooking AIP recipes, I found that it wasn’t that bad and it was actually quite good! I got excited to experiment and find new ways of making old tastes. Also, once I realized the reasons WHY these foods were eliminated, they became much easier to get rid of. There are many reasons to eliminate these foods at first. They all harm our bodies in some way most creating gut irritation or dysbiosis, creating gut permeability (leaky gut) or causing inflammation. That’s all reason enough for me!
How long do I have to stay Strict AIP?
Well, that’s a great question. The recommended amount of time is at least 3 months, after that it’s up to you and your journey. Some people only need 3 months, then they can begin to re-introduce foods. Some people need much longer, which can be up to a year or more. So how do you know? It all depends on how you feel. Your initial symptoms should be gone, you should be generally feeling better day to day. Listening to your body is key during this process. Keeping a journal of symptoms is a great way to go about this so you can look back and see the big things, but also the little things that you may forget. Once you are ready for re-introductions, there is a way to best go about those as well, which is another post! So keep on the look out for that as well 😉
As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me through the ‘work with me’ page, and I’ll get right back to you!
And if you’d like to receive my emails, where I send out additional weekly insights, sign up here —> http://bit.ly/LissMS
follow along on Instagram:
First, comment SLAP and I’ll send you my morning exercise that is great for waking you up and helping you feel better in your body.
Second.. The actually doing something day after day after day is the hardest part!
Most people think consistency means daily- but that’s not true! Don’t fall into that perfectionist trap.
Set an alarm on your phone a few times a day.
When the alarm goes off- don’t turn it off and ignore it- do the thing!
And you’re done!
How do you help yourself remember to be consistent?
#lissms #slapittomapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms
First, comment SLAP and I’ll send you my morning exercise that is great for waking you up and helping you feel better in your body.
Second.. The actually doing something day after day after day is the hardest part!
Most people think consistency means daily- but that’s not true! Don’t fall into that perfectionist trap.
Set an alarm on your phone a few times a day.
When the alarm goes off- don’t turn it off and ignore it- do the thing!
And you’re done!
How do you help yourself remember to be consistent?
#lissms #slapittomapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms
If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa.
I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in Multiple Sclerosis.
There are SO many tools that we can use to help improve our bodies functioning- which can in turn improve our MS symptoms.
The biggies that have helped me? 👇🏼
🥗Nutrition
🏋🏻♀️Movement
🧘🏻♀️Stress management
Want my most favorite, super short exercise that can help MS symptoms??
Comment: SLAP and I’ll send it to you!!
#lissms #SlapittoMapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems
If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa.
I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in Multiple Sclerosis.
There are SO many tools that we can use to help improve our bodies functioning- which can in turn improve our MS symptoms.
The biggies that have helped me? 👇🏼
🥗Nutrition
🏋🏻♀️Movement
🧘🏻♀️Stress management
Want my most favorite, super short exercise that can help MS symptoms??
Comment: SLAP and I’ll send it to you!!
#lissms #SlapittoMapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!
Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?
It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?
Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!
Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?
It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?
Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!
Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?
It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?
Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #slapittomapit #betterbrain
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!
Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?
It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?
Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #slapittomapit #betterbrain
It’s an easy exercise with a silly name, but it actually packs a punch and can really change how you feel.
Imagine measurably more energy and feeling more stable and balanced- and even improving a few MS symptoms here and there too?🤷🏻♀️
Your possibilities are endless!
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short video about how to do it!
#lissms #slapittomapit multiplesclerosis #thisisms
It’s an easy exercise with a silly name, but it actually packs a punch and can really change how you feel.
Imagine measurably more energy and feeling more stable and balanced- and even improving a few MS symptoms here and there too?🤷🏻♀️
Your possibilities are endless!
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short video about how to do it!
#lissms #slapittomapit multiplesclerosis #thisisms
Take a time out for a literal minute.
It’s amazing what happens when you take the time to care for your body and nervous system.
#LissMS #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation
Take a time out for a literal minute.
It’s amazing what happens when you take the time to care for your body and nervous system.
#LissMS #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation
First year flower garden needed a post. Already looking forward to next summer, maybe a little less yellow? Can’t wait for the zinnias to bloom!
😂🌼💛
What are you growing??
#lissms #cutflowergarden
First year flower garden needed a post. Already looking forward to next summer, maybe a little less yellow? Can’t wait for the zinnias to bloom!
😂🌼💛
What are you growing??
#lissms #cutflowergarden
Thankfully I haven’t heard any of these in a while.. maybe that means I’m getting my point across 🤷🏻♀️
But if you’re new here, I value holistic lifestyle medicine (snake oil 😂) but ALSO conventional medicine, I utilize it all after all.
Yes, what we do as an individual matters for our health.
But so does the health systems we as individuals operate in.
Tomorrow is my MS-aversary, 16 years of having this disease. my newly diagnosed 24 year old self would be pretty shocked that I’m 40 (like in general lol) and also not in a wheelchair.
Here’s to many more years defying what I initially thought to be true about MS.
Comin with me? Hope so.
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #lifewithms
Thankfully I haven’t heard any of these in a while.. maybe that means I’m getting my point across 🤷🏻♀️
But if you’re new here, I value holistic lifestyle medicine (snake oil 😂) but ALSO conventional medicine, I utilize it all after all.
Yes, what we do as an individual matters for our health.
But so does the health systems we as individuals operate in.
Tomorrow is my MS-aversary, 16 years of having this disease. my newly diagnosed 24 year old self would be pretty shocked that I’m 40 (like in general lol) and also not in a wheelchair.
Here’s to many more years defying what I initially thought to be true about MS.
Comin with me? Hope so.
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #lifewithms
I’ve tripped a few times in the last few weeks.. nothing crazy, but I noticed.
And I noticed my thoughts… is this a “THING”??
Oh the constant wonderings of an MSer…
is this a regular life occurrence?
Or is this a new symptom? 😂😂
When was the last time you had this thought process??
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosiswarrior
I’ve tripped a few times in the last few weeks.. nothing crazy, but I noticed.
And I noticed my thoughts… is this a “THING”??
Oh the constant wonderings of an MSer…
is this a regular life occurrence?
Or is this a new symptom? 😂😂
When was the last time you had this thought process??
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosiswarrior
When you’re living with MS, it’s not that you don’t want to feel better…
It’s just that life keeps interrupting the plan.
Stress, symptoms, fatigue — they throw you off track.
That’s where support, structure, and accountability change everything.
That’s exactly what my membership is for.
✔️ Evidence-based strategies for MS
✔️ Real community and support
✔️ Gentle consistency that actually works
Only the waitlist is getting access as a Founding Member.
Comment WAITLIST and I’ll send you the link to add your name
#lissms #MultipleSclerosis #MSwarrior #MSsupport #ChronicIllnessHealing #MScommunity #HolisticHealing #NervousSystemHealing
When you’re living with MS, it’s not that you don’t want to feel better…
It’s just that life keeps interrupting the plan.
Stress, symptoms, fatigue — they throw you off track.
That’s where support, structure, and accountability change everything.
That’s exactly what my membership is for.
✔️ Evidence-based strategies for MS
✔️ Real community and support
✔️ Gentle consistency that actually works
Only the waitlist is getting access as a Founding Member.
Comment WAITLIST and I’ll send you the link to add your name
#lissms #MultipleSclerosis #MSwarrior #MSsupport #ChronicIllnessHealing #MScommunity #HolisticHealing #NervousSystemHealing
But seriously.. this isn’t too far off 😂
Life handed me a lemon that was a MS diagnosis at 24.
Life handed me a lemon that was multiple relapses and MS progression by 30.
Then I snatched those lemons, made some healing lemonade, and feel night and day different than I did 10 years ago when my symptoms were at their worst.
I could do it, my clients are doing it, I know you can too.
That’s why I’m so passionate about doing what I do. I know it’s possible for you to feel better in your body and be able to do the things you want to do.
Like go for a walk or hike with your spouse, say yes to a spontaneous night out with friends or get up and down off the floor playing with your kids.
That’s why I want to invite you to the waitlist for what I have coming.
Think, somewhere to go online, where you can: connect with others who have MS, get questions about MS answered, get tools that can help your symptoms, support & accountability to help with actually doing those things.
Comment WAITLIST below and ill send you the link to join the list
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #becausems #thisisms #communityheals #mscommunity
But seriously.. this isn’t too far off 😂
Life handed me a lemon that was a MS diagnosis at 24.
Life handed me a lemon that was multiple relapses and MS progression by 30.
Then I snatched those lemons, made some healing lemonade, and feel night and day different than I did 10 years ago when my symptoms were at their worst.
I could do it, my clients are doing it, I know you can too.
That’s why I’m so passionate about doing what I do. I know it’s possible for you to feel better in your body and be able to do the things you want to do.
Like go for a walk or hike with your spouse, say yes to a spontaneous night out with friends or get up and down off the floor playing with your kids.
That’s why I want to invite you to the waitlist for what I have coming.
Think, somewhere to go online, where you can: connect with others who have MS, get questions about MS answered, get tools that can help your symptoms, support & accountability to help with actually doing those things.
Comment WAITLIST below and ill send you the link to join the list
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #becausems #thisisms #communityheals #mscommunity
I have a saying about dealing with MS (and any other autoimmune/chronic illnesses) that inevitably comes up in my work with clients:
“You don’t get it, until you get it”
Meaning, you don’t understand living life with MS (or any of the above), until you live in a body that has it.
Which is why living with MS can be so tough and lonely, because its hard to find people that truly understand what you mean when you say you’re exhausted, or brain foggy or “fine”.
This is also why I believe that having a community of others who get it is invaluable.
I’ve seen countless times over where someone new to one of my groups is able to feel fully seen and heard for the first time, and that is priceless for them and their healing.
They walk away feeling validated, understood and at home, which are hard to come by at the doctors office 😂🙄
You’re not too much
You’re not alone
You’re not lazy
You’re just talking to the wrong people.
If you wanna talk to the right people, I’m creating something for you..
Think, somewhere to go online, where you can: connect with others who have MS, get questions about MS answered, get tools that can help your symptoms, support & accountability to help with actually doing those things..
BUT- only the waitlist is going to hear about it. So- if you want to be notified and involved in creating whats coming, comment WAITLIST and you’re in
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiscommunity #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosissupport
I have a saying about dealing with MS (and any other autoimmune/chronic illnesses) that inevitably comes up in my work with clients:
“You don’t get it, until you get it”
Meaning, you don’t understand living life with MS (or any of the above), until you live in a body that has it.
Which is why living with MS can be so tough and lonely, because its hard to find people that truly understand what you mean when you say you’re exhausted, or brain foggy or “fine”.
This is also why I believe that having a community of others who get it is invaluable.
I’ve seen countless times over where someone new to one of my groups is able to feel fully seen and heard for the first time, and that is priceless for them and their healing.
They walk away feeling validated, understood and at home, which are hard to come by at the doctors office 😂🙄
You’re not too much
You’re not alone
You’re not lazy
You’re just talking to the wrong people.
If you wanna talk to the right people, I’m creating something for you..
Think, somewhere to go online, where you can: connect with others who have MS, get questions about MS answered, get tools that can help your symptoms, support & accountability to help with actually doing those things..
BUT- only the waitlist is going to hear about it. So- if you want to be notified and involved in creating whats coming, comment WAITLIST and you’re in
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiscommunity #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosissupport
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