Autoimmune diseases result when the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells due to perceived foreign substances or harmful invaders.

These diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and Type 1 diabetes, among others. Patients with autoimmune diseases often experience chronic inflammation, which further exacerbates their symptoms. Adopting the right dietary practices can hugely impact the inflammation levels and overall wellness of autoimmune disease patients.

Here are ten such autoimmune disease diets that can effectively reduce inflammation:.

1. Anti-Inflammatory Diet

The anti-inflammatory diet emphasizes the consumption of whole foods rich in nutrients like antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which reduce inflammation levels in the body.

The diet includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, healthy fats and reduces or eliminates processed and sugary foods, alcohol, and excessive caffeine. Studies have shown that this diet can decrease inflammation, improve heart health, and reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.

2. Paleo Diet

The paleo diet is a high-protein diet that eliminates processed foods, grains, dairy, and legumes, believed to contribute to gut inflammation in autoimmune disease patients.

It includes lean meats, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, preserving the body’s natural diet. A study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that the paleo diet reduces inflammation markers related to cardiovascular disease, obesity, and autoimmune diseases.

3. Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet involves consuming plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds along with healthy fats, such as olive oil, and seafood and moderate red meat intake.

The diet’s plant-based components provide fiber, vitamins C and E, and antioxidants, which improve immune system functioning and reduce inflammation. Researchers found that this diet reduced inflammation in arthritis patients and increased immune responsiveness, effectively reducing the risk of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

4. Autoimmune Paleo Diet

Also known as the elimination diet, the autoimmune paleo diet is a more restrictive version of the paleo diet that suggests the exclusion of dairy, grains, legumes, processed foods, and nightshade vegetables like potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes.

The diet advocates high-quality proteins, vegetables, and fruits. The elimination diet helps identify any food intolerances or sensitivities that may trigger inflammation or other autoimmune-related symptoms.

Gradually reintroducing the eliminated foods into the diet can help gauge the individual reaction and avoid autoimmune disease triggers.

5. Low-Starch and Nightshade Diet

The low-starch and nightshade diet eliminates starchy foods like potatoes, rice, and grains and nightshade vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, as some patients with autoimmune diseases find these foods trigger inflammation and joint pain. This diet includes leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, lean meats, and seafood.

A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association discovered that patients following a low-starch diet experienced reduced inflammation compared to those following a typical Western diet.

6. Gluten-free Diet

Gluten-free diets exclude the protein gluten found in wheat, barley, rye, and some oats, as gluten may trigger inflammation in people with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or other autoimmune diseases.

The diet includes whole grains, rice, quinoa, gluten-free oats, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Studies suggest that gluten-free diets can improve digestive function, reduce inflammation, and alleviate symptoms related to autoimmune diseases.

7. Low-Glycemic Diet

A low-glycemic diet minimizes foods that spike blood sugar or glucose levels, such as processed sugars, refined carbs, and sugary drinks, which can lead to inflammation, insulin resistance, and autoimmune disorders.

This diet focuses on non-starchy vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, and low-glycemic fruits. According to one study, this diet plan reduces inflammatory markers, thus decreasing obesity and type 2 diabetes risk.

8. Dairy-free Diet

Dairy is a common allergen, and some patients with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis may be sensitive to casein, a milk protein that causes inflammation in the body.

Eliminating dairy from the diet can improve gastrointestinal symptoms and reduce inflammation. Dairy-free diets involve plant-based milk like almond, soy, or cashew milk, plant-based cheese, and yogurt, along with whole plant-based foods.

9. Anti-Candida Diet

The anti-candida diet involves eliminating foods containing fungi, such as sugar, alcohol, and processed foods, that can cause inflammation and trigger candida, a fungus linked to autoimmune disease.

This diet includes leafy green vegetables, non-starchy vegetables, meats, poultry, fish, and eggs. Studies suggest that the anti-candida diet improves overall digestive health and helps keep intestinal yeasts in check, reducing autoimmune disease symptoms.

10. Ketogenic Diet

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carb diet that induces a metabolic process called ketosis, whereby the body burns stored fat as its primary fuel source and produces ketones.

Studies show that the ketogenic diet can reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce oxidative stress, promoting overall wellness in autoimmune disease patients. The diet includes healthy fats like avocados, nuts, grass-fed butter, coconut oil, along with low-carb vegetables and protein-rich foods like fish, meats, and poultry.