Amari Thomsen - Idiots Guides: Autoimmune Cookbook

Autoimmune
Cookbook by Amari Thomsen, MS, RD, LDN A member of Penguin Random House LLC
Publisher: Mike Sanders Associate Publisher: Billy Fields Acquisitions Editor: Nathalie Mornu Cover and Book Designer: William Thomas Development Editor: Ann Barton Compositor: Ayanna Lacey Proofreader: Amy Borrelli Indexer: Heather McNeill
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DIGITAL OPERATIONS, DELHIHead of Digital Operations: Manjari Hooda Producer: Rahul Kumar Assistant Editor: Etika Kapil DTP Designer: Manish Bhatt Operations Assistant: Tauhid Nasir
First American Edition, 2015
Published in the United States by DK Publishing
6081 E. 82nd Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46250 Copyright 2015 Dorling Kindersley Limited A Penguin Random House Company
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. www.dk.com A WORLD OF IDEAS
SEE ALL THERE IS TO KNOW Introduction An autoimmune disease refers to an illness characterized by a misguided immune system, which causes an attack on the bodys own healthy tissues. A common attribute of an autoimmune disorder is inflammation of the gastrointestinal system. The autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet encourages the consumption of foods that decrease inflammation, heal the gut, and assist in the restoration of healthy immune system function. Having worked with clients with autoimmune conditions and digestive disorders, I can appreciate and understand the challenges that come along with adopting such a unique new diet.

Many fear the idea of avoiding the foods they are most familiar with. Understanding which foods to avoid and adjusting to a new way of cooking can seem daunting at first. But take it upon yourself to channel positive creativity and curiosity. Find excitement in trying new things and experimenting with alternative ingredients. Embrace the power that comes along with being conscious of the foods you put in your body and how they make you feel. The recipes in this book are designed to help you transition into your new AIP lifestyle without feeling deprived.

In addition to delicious recipes, you will find tips and tricks to help you along the way as well as meal plans to ensure your efforts are as successful as possible. Acknowledgments I would like to express my gratitude to the many people who saw me through this book. Thank you to my parents, for always believing in me and encouraging me to make my dreams a reality. From the very first day when this book was simply an idea, my familys excitement and continuous support has made this journey a memorable one. Thank you to my amazing husband, Will Thomsen, who has loved and supported me from day one when I first began experimenting in the kitchen and sharing my recipes with the world on my blog. A big thank you to Nathalie Mornu for taking a chance on a new author and to Ann Barton, William Thomas, and the rest of the Alpha Books team for helping me bring my ideas to life.

And finally, a special thanks to my registered dietitian support team and friends, Jessica Bringas and Catherine Young, who tested recipes and accepted samples with open arms. I am forever grateful for my family and friends who have given me the confidence to do what I love and accomplish the unimaginable.

Chapter 1 Cooking for
Healing What Is Autoimmune Disease? Autoimmune disease can refer to a number of illnesses that are characterized by an overactive immune system that attacks the bodys healthy tissues. Abnormal Immune Response Disorders of the immune system cause the immune system to be abnormally underactive or overactive. In cases of immune system overactivity, such as with autoimmune disorders, the body attacks and damages its own tissues. Antibodies are response proteins that the body produces to protect us from infection.

As a defense mechanism, the bodys immune system naturally produces antibodies designed to fight against foreign substances that enter the body. In the case of autoimmune disorders, however, the immune system begins producing antibodies that attack the bodys own tissues. This misdirected immune system response can lead to the destruction of healthy body tissue. Autoimmune diseases are caused by the immune system losing the ability to differentiate proteins belonging to your own body with proteins belonging to a foreign invader (like a bacteria, virus, or parasite). Which proteins or cells are selectively attacked is what differentiates one autoimmune disease from another. Common Autoimmune Diseases Alopecia areata Immune system attacks hair follicle cells.

Autoimmune hepatitis Immune system attacks the liver. Celiac disease Immune system attacks the lining of the small intestine. Crohns disease Immune system attacks any part of the digestive tract from mouth to anus. Graves disease Immune system attacks the thyroid, resulting in an overactive thyroid gland. Hashimotos thyroiditis Immune system attacks the thyroid, resulting in an underactive thyroid gland. Lupus Immune system attacks cells of the skin, joints, and organs.