Patients with autoimmune and chronic diseases tend to suffer from a range of root‐cause conditions, including blood sugar imbalance, hidden infection, methylation defects, dysbiosis, and specific vitamin and enzyme deficiencies. Because of these underlying problems, patients must often go beyond the Paleo autoimmune food protocol and may need to consider additional methods for treating the underlying contributors to their autoimmune disease. A practitioner of Functional Medicine can help guide you through the appropriate testing for getting to the bottom of your autoimmune condition, or you can do it yourself.
The 5R Program and The AIP
In my own practice, I routinely order lab work to test for a wide range of potential triggers to autoimmune disease. I also recommend Paleo autoimmune protocol along with acupuncture and the 5 R program described below to dramatically alter the course of autoimmune conditions.
Developed by Jeffrey Bland, the 5 R program (Remove, Replace, Re-‐inoculate, Repair, and Rebalance) recognizes that most inflammation comes from the gut. The goals of the 5 R program, which has been the mainstay of Functional Medicine for treating all chronic and inflammatory illnesses, are similar to the goals of the Paleo autoimmune protocol, which is why these two methods work so well together.
Let’s take a quick look at the 5 R program and how each of the five “R’s” compare to stages in the Paleo autoimmune protocol.
Remove means removing toxins in foods, irritants to the gut lining, food allergies, food sensitivities, yeast, bacteria, and parasites. In the Paleo autoimmune protocol, this is the equivalent to the elimination phase of the diet. This would be a good time in your treatment to consider working with a Functional Medicine practitioner to take a stool and blood test. Click here to learn how to order your own tests.
Replace means replacing stomach acid and digestive enzymes. Doing this with food is easy. It is also recommended to add a shot of apple cider vinegar to water at the start of high-‐protein meals and to include bitter greens (such as arugula and endive) to stimulate your parietal cells to release stomach acid. If this is not enough, hydrochloric acid tablets and digestive enzymes may be helpful.
Re-‐inoculate means restoring beneficial gut flora. Many Functional Medicine practitioners suggest beneficial probiotic supplements to replenish normal gut flora. This is the equivalent of adding fermented foods as suggested in the Paleo autoimmune protocol.
Repair means supplying nutrients to heal the mucosal lining of the gut and support the gut’s immune function. This echoes the recommendation by followers of the Paleo autoimmune protocol to utilize bone broths and organ meats. This soothes and heals the gut lining while also supplying adequate nutrition for efficient immune function. This specific recommendation may be adequate for many patients; others, however, may need to add glutamine, zinc l-‐carnosine, glycine, and DGL to receive the full benefit,
Rebalance: Rebalancing is about paying attention to lifestyle choices – sleep, exercise and stress can all affect the GI tract.
For a List of Safe Supplements for autoimmune disease, check out my free e-book Safe Supplements for Autoimmune Disease. Click here to learn how to order your own tests.
