Plant-Based Elimination Diet is Best for Chronic Illnesses
The elimination diet is widely recognized as an effective method for identifying food sensitivities that trigger your symptoms. Though the elimination diet has great potential on its own, it offers even more profound benefits when combined with a plant-based diet. That is because plant-based diets are full of fiber, phytonutrients, and other anti-inflammatory compounds. This helps to feed the good bacteria and calm the immune system while providing essential nutrients to enhance your overall well-being.
Scientific evidence increasingly supports the use of a plant-based elimination diet to manage various chronic health conditions, including digestive disorders, autoimmune diseases, skin conditions, migraines, ADHD, and even mental health issues. By eliminating common triggers and eating mostly plants during the initial elimination phase, you typically experience a reduction in symptoms. Once you get to the reintroduction phase, you add one food back into the diet at a time. If there is an issue, symptoms will appear within the first 3 days of reintroducing the food.
Combining Plant-Based and Elimination Diets Together
Inflammation is at the core of many chronic diseases, from autoimmune conditions to cardiovascular disease and digestive disorders. Research has shown that food sensitivities often trigger these inflammatory responses, making the elimination diet a powerful tool for reducing symptoms.
A plant-based elimination diet offers unique advantages in this context. First, you eliminate the foods that aggravate your immune system, and then you replace them with plant-based foods. Plants are naturally high in phytonutrients, fiber, and antioxidants, which have been shown to improve gut health, reduce inflammation, and support immune function. For example, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, and brussel sprouts contain compounds such as sulforaphane, which can inhibit inflammatory pathways in the body. In addition, these foods contain important fibers which nourish gut bacteria and indirectly reduce inflammation.
Studies have also shown that a plant-based diet reduces C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, an inflammatory marker associated with cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions, and other chronic illnesses. By combining the anti-inflammatory power of plant foods with the elimination of trigger foods, individuals can experience significant improvements in their health.
Plant-Based Elimination Diet for Digestive Disorders
Digestive disorders like IBS and IBD are closely linked to inflammation in the gut. Many individuals with these conditions find relief through a plant-based elimination diet. This is because it removes foods that irritate the digestive system while providing fiber and other soothing, anti-inflammatory nutrients.
A study published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases found that a plant-based elimination diet led to fewer flare-ups and improved gut health for individuals with IBD. The study emphasized the importance of removing foods that contribute to gut inflammation, such as processed foods and certain animal products, while emphasizing whole plant foods that support a healthy microbiome. Participants who adhered to a plant-based elimination diet reported better symptom management and an overall improvement in their condition.
Using the Elimination Diet for Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune patients often have widespread inflammation due to a dysfunctional immune system. Certain foods that trigger immune responses can exacerbate autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and lupus. A plant-based elimination diet can play a crucial role in managing these conditions by reducing the inflammatory burden on the body.
In a study published in Autoimmunity Reviews, individuals with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis who followed a plant-based AIP diet experienced significant reductions in thyroid antibodies and also improved their energy, digestion, and overall well-being.
Another study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology found that a plant-based elimination diet reduced joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. The study highlighted the role of plant foods in reducing inflammation, with participants reporting less swelling and improved joint function. This suggests that eliminating trigger foods while emphasizing anti-inflammatory plant foods can be a powerful strategy for managing autoimmune conditions.
Elimination Diet Useful for Skin Conditions
Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne are often driven by chronic inflammation and can be exacerbated by food sensitivities. The elimination diet has long been used to identify food triggers for these conditions.
A study published in The British Journal of Dermatology investigated the effects of a plant-based elimination diet on children with eczema. The researchers found that eliminating common allergens like dairy and eggs while emphasizing anti-inflammatory plant foods like fruits and vegetables led to significant improvements in skin condition. Children who followed the plant-based elimination diet had fewer flare-ups and improved overall skin health.
A study published in Dermatology and Therapy showed that following a plant-based elimination diet reduced the severity of skin lesions for adults with psoriasis. The diet focused on eliminating inflammatory foods, such as processed foods and animal products, while emphasizing whole plant foods like leafy greens, berries, and seeds. Over time, participants who adhered to the plant-based elimination diet reported better symptom management and clearer skin.
Elimination Diet is Helpful with Migraines
The elimination diet has been shown to reduce migraine frequency and intensity by removing dietary triggers. When you combine this strategy with a plant-based diet, it offers further benefits. This is because plant-based foods are inherently anti-inflammatory and supportive of brain health.
In a study published in The Journal of Headache and Pain, participants who followed an elimination diet experienced reduced migraine frequency and severity. The study identified gluten, dairy, and processed foods as your common migraine triggers, but trust me, there are plenty more.
Another study published in Cephalalgia found that removing food additives and emphasizing a plant-based diet reduced migraine frequency and intensity. The researchers believed that the anti-inflammatory compounds in plant-based foods likely contributed to the reduction in symptoms.
ADHD Symptoms Improve from Elimination Diet
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that can be influenced by immune activation. The most common way for the immune system to become irritated is through diet. In studies, the elimination diet has shown promise in reducing ADHD symptoms, particularly in children. By eliminating potential trigger foods and focusing on whole, plant-based foods, individuals with ADHD may experience improvements in focus, behavior, and overall well-being.
A randomized controlled study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that children with ADHD who followed an elimination diet showed significant improvements in behavior and attention. The study emphasized the elimination of common triggers like eggs, dairy, gluten, artificial colors, preservatives, etc., while focusing on whole, plant-based foods. The children who adhered to the elimination diet experienced improvements in hyperactivity, impulsivity, and overall behavior.
Another study published in The Lancet demonstrated that an elimination diet reduced ADHD symptoms in children by 50%. That is quite a difference! This research illustrates how food sensitivities can influence behavior and cognition.
Plant-Based Elimination Diet Improves Mental Health
Emerging evidence suggests that the elimination diet could help those struggling with anxiety or depression. This is because when you have food sensitivities, your immune system becomes overactive. This leads to more inflammation in the body, which in turn, influences your mood. In short, by eliminating trigger foods and eating more plant-based, you will have a lower level of inflammation in the body, which translates into an increase in overall well-being. To support this concept, let’s look at some studies.
A study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that individuals with food sensitivities who followed a plant-based elimination diet reported improvements in mood, anxiety, and depression. The researchers noted that the dietary changes must have reduced inflammation, thereby improving mental health.
Similarly, a study published in Nutritional Neuroscience explored the connection between gluten sensitivity and depressive symptoms. The researchers found that individuals with non-celiac gluten sensitivity who followed a gluten-free, plant-based elimination diet reported improvements in depression and overall mental health.
Plant-Based Elimination Diet is Best for Chronic Illnesses
The elimination diet is the ultimate tool for identifying and removing trigger foods that contribute to symptom flares. Combining this strategy with a plant-based approach makes it even more effective. Whether managing digestive disorders, autoimmune diseases, skin conditions, migraines, ADHD, or mental health issues, a plant-based elimination diet provides a comprehensive approach that you can’t find in any other diet.
The plant-based elimination diet addresses the root cause of inflammation and provides the body with the nutrients it needs to heal and thrive. With growing scientific evidence supporting its benefits, the plant-based elimination diet is one of the best approaches to achieving long-term health and wellness.
If you want to implement a plant-based elimination diet, get in touch! I have seen it help my daughter, myself, and my clients.
Happy healing everyone!
Matt Nedin, B.S.
Certified Holistic Nutritionist
CEO, EndSickness.org
Phone: (734) 846-8619
WhatsApp: +17348468619
Email: endsickness@gmail.com
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