What Is the Autoimmune Protocol Diet, and Can It Help MG?

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune condition caused by the immune system attacking your own body. For some people, making certain changes in diet may support the immune system and reduce MG symptoms.¹

There is currently no evidence that a specific diet can treat the underlying cause of MG. A healthy diet, however, may help with some of the symptoms of MG. Generally, experts recommend removing highly processed foods from your diet and eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. You might need to experiment with different diets to see what works best for you.²

What is the autoimmune protocol diet?

The autoimmune protocol (AIP) is a type of elimination diet. It removes several food groups from your diet and then adds them back in 1 by 1. This diet does not have to include specific foods. Instead, the goal is to find and remove the foods that make your symptoms worse.²

Phase 1

The AIP diet consists of 3 phases. During phase 1, you eliminate food groups from your diet that may affect your immune system or your MG symptoms. This phase can last from a few weeks to a few months. You may begin to notice improvements in your symptoms during this phase.²

Phase 2

In phase 2, you begin to add foods back into your diet. You will need to pay close attention to your symptoms to see whether they get worse once you add each food.²

Phase 3

This is the maintenance phase. In phase 3, you make your own diet plan that does not include the foods that made your symptoms worse during phase 2. The diet plan should be balanced and include a variety of foods.²

What foods should I avoid during phase 1?

During this phase, you will remove a lot of the foods that may affect the immune system. These foods may include:^2,3
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• Processed foods (fast foods, refined sugar, deli meats, canned foods, freezer meals, etc.)
• Dairy and eggs
• Nightshade vegetables (potatoes, eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes)
• Nuts and seeds
• Grains and legumes
• Coffee and alcohol

Along with the above food groups, you should avoid using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, during this phase.^2,3

What foods can I eat during phase 1?

Phase 1 of the AIP diet can limit your food choices. Here are some foods you can eat during this phase to maintain a balanced diet:^2,3

• Vegetables (except for nightshade vegetables)
• Fruits
• Minimally processed meats, including fish, chicken, and beef
• Bone broth
• Fermented foods (kimchi, pickles, etc.)

AIP diet and MG

There have not been any research studies on the effects of the AIP diet on MG. So, no one knows whether it can benefit people with MG. But a few small studies have looked at the effect of AIP diet on people with other autoimmune disorders, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).^1,3

One study showed that more than two-thirds of people with IBD showed symptom improvement within 6 to 11 weeks of starting the AIP diet. But the study included only 13 people. Also, IBD is specifically an autoimmune disease of the gut, where food is processed. Improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms could have been due to cutting out the source of food sensitivities that were unrelated to IBD.³

It is unclear how successful the AIP diet would be long-term in a larger population or in people with an autoimmune disorder outside the gut. The bottom line is that it is unclear whether the AIP diet can affect the immune system and MG.¹

Regardless, people with MG may still benefit from the AIP or other healthy diets. The AIP diet would help you pay attention to what you eat and how it might be affecting your MG symptoms. A healthy diet may also promote increased energy and decrease fatigue.⁴

In general, the following changes to your diet may help improve your overall health:^5,6

• Avoid foods that are high in saturated fats or cholesterol.
• Try a whole-food, plant-based diet.
• Eat fewer animal products (like meat, dairy, and eggs).
• Eat fewer processed foods.
• Eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet. Many diets can be limiting, but a balanced diet is important to get all the nutrients you need.