Call or Text

Search

Labor Day Sale

$50 Off Programs & Kits* Code: Labor

AIP vs. ASTR Diet: Which Heals Autoimmune Symptoms More Effectively?

Search terms: AIP diet comparison, autoimmune healing diet, AIP vs anti-inflammatory diet


🧠 Struggling With Autoimmune Symptoms That Won’t Go Away?

If you’ve tried the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet hoping to calm inflammation, fix your gut, and finally feel better—but your symptoms haven’t fully resolved—you’re not alone.

While the AIP diet eliminates many food triggers, it often falls short when it comes to nutrient restoration, detoxification, and hormonal balance—key factors in true autoimmune healing.

Dr. Joseph Jacobs, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, certified nutritionist, and autoimmune recovery expert, created the ASTR Diet after his own health worsened on trendy diets like AIP. The ASTR Diet focuses on addressing root causes of autoimmune disease, not just removing food triggers.


🥗 What’s the Difference Between AIP and ASTR?

Category AIP Diet ASTR Diet
Goal Eliminate food triggers Heal the root causes of chronic illness
Duration Short-term elimination phase (30–60 days), often hard to sustain Long-term, sustainable anti-inflammatory plan
Foods Eliminated Gluten, grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, nuts, seeds, nightshades Gluten, refined sugar, seed oils, processed foods
Nutrient Focus Lacks key nutrients like B12, DHA, zinc, and iron Replenishes essential nutrients for immune repair
Gut Health Support May irritate gut with high-oxalate and raw-fiber foods Uses cooked, low-inflammatory, easy-to-digest foods
Detoxification Support Not addressed Built-in support for liver, lymph, and toxin clearance
Hormonal Support Not addressed Supports cortisol, insulin, and estrogen balance
Supplement Dependence Often requires supplements to fill nutritional gaps Reduces need for supplements through whole foods
Sustainability Highly restrictive, often leads to burnout Balanced, flexible, designed for long-term use

❌ Why AIP Doesn’t Work for Everyone

While the AIP diet is helpful for identifying food sensitivities, many people on AIP still suffer from:

Eliminating food is only one part of the healing process. Without addressing detox, nutrient repletion, and inflammation at the cellular level, the immune system remains dysregulated.


✅ The ASTR Diet: A Better Path to Autoimmune Recovery

Created by Dr. Joseph Jacobs after his personal struggle with inflammation, pain, and fatigue, the ASTR Diet is a complete healing approach that:

📘 Learn the full protocol in Eat to Heal


⚠️ The Problem with Long-Term AIP and Plant-Based Diets

Many patients who try AIP or plant-based diets long-term develop:

These diets lack vital healing nutrients like B12, zinc, DHA, collagen, and bioavailable iron—which are crucial for reversing autoimmune conditions. That’s why Dr. Jacobs transitioned away from AIP and designed the ASTR Diet to fill these gaps and promote full-body healing.


📘 Dr. Jacobs’ Story: From Flare-Ups to Full Recovery

After battling chronic pain, fatigue, and autoimmune symptoms—and trying every elimination diet including AIP—Dr. Jacobs realized what was missing: a comprehensive, restorative plan. He created the ASTR Diet and now helps patients around the world reverse inflammation and regain energy.

Read more in Eat to Heal
Book a Free ASTR Diet Health Coach Consultation


🧠 Summary: AIP vs. ASTR Diet

Key Healing Factor AIP ASTR
Nutrient Replenishment
Detox and Hormone Balance
Sustainable Long-Term Plan
Addresses Root Causes
Supports Gut & Liver Health
Whole-Body Healing

📚 References