Summary:
This study is a prospective interventional study that examined a 12-week Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) elimination diet in adults with Hashimoto’s thyroid disease. The AIP diet is a restrictive elimination diet designed to reduce potential immune triggers. It removes foods commonly thought to contribute to inflammation or gut permeability, including grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, nuts and seeds, nightshade vegetables, alcohol, coffee, refined sugar, and processed foods. It focuses instead on nutrient-dense foods such as vegetables (excluding nightshades), meat, fish, organ meats, bone broth, fermented foods, fruit in moderation, and healthy fats. The aim of the study was to assess changes in thyroid function, autoantibodies, symptoms, and body composition. After 12 weeks, participants reported improvements in general symptoms and wellbeing alongside weight loss, which was likely related to reduced energy intake. Blood results showed statistically significant changes in thyroid hormones (TSH, FT3, FT4), although all remained within normal ranges. Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies decreased slightly, while other antibodies increased. Thyroid ultrasound showed a reduction in gland volume. The authors note that some of the biochemical changes may reflect calorie restriction rather than the specific dietary elimination pattern. Overall, the study suggests that short-term AIP dietary changes may be associated with symptom improvement and shifts in thyroid-related markers in Hashimoto’s disease.
Abstract:
Introduction and objective: In the scientific world, the nutritional needs of persons with Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroid disease are discussed, and there is a lot of interest in the autoimmune protocol (AIP). The aim of the study was to check the effects of AIP on thyroid parameters in euthyroid patients with Hashimoto’s disease. Material and methods: Among 28 people with Hashimoto’s (including 1 male) the consumption of nutrients, anthropometrics, symptoms of the disease, values of thyroid parameters: FT3, FT4, TSH, thyroid ultrasound and autoimmune aTPO, aTG were analyzed before and after 12 weeks of using the AIP diet. The impact of changes in the consumption of selected nutrients on changes in thyroid biochemical parameters were analyzed using multiple regression models, where the dependent variables of the created models were changes in thyroid biochemical parameters.
Results: After applying the AIP diet, the number of people reporting symptoms of malaise decreased, the levels of FT3 and FT4 as well as TSH decreased, remaining within the reference concentration range. aTG decreased slightly, but aTPO increased significantly. Ultrasound examination also showed a decrease in the volume of the thyroid gland. The body weight of the subjects decreased, which indicates a caloric deficit.
Conclusions: Given the numerous advantages of the AIP diet, extending the observation time of the diet, along with its personalization in terms of food selection, energy and nutritional value, could show changes in both well-being and biochemical test results to a greater extent. The use of a personalized AIP protocol can improve the quality of life, a positive change in mental state, reduction of stress, and above all, the improvement of adverse ailments associated with Hashimoto’s disease.
Date: 01/03/2023
DOI: 10.26444/aaem/166263
