Black Seed Oil

The Autoimmune Protocol removes foods commonly implicated in immune activation and gut permeability — grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, nightshade vegetables, nuts, seeds, refined sugar, alcohol, and additives — for a 30–90 day elimination, followed by careful one-at-a-time reintroduction. It is most studied in Hashimoto's thyroiditis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Typical duration: 30–90 day strict elimination, then a structured staged reintroduction over weeks to months.

AIP is restrictive and best done with a practitioner familiar with the protocol, especially when active autoimmune disease is involved or in pregnancy/lactation.

FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides And Polyols) are short-chain carbohydrates poorly absorbed in the small intestine. They draw water into the gut and are rapidly fermented by colonic bacteria, producing gas and bloating in sensitive people. The Monash University protocol uses a 2–6 week strict low-FODMAP elimination, followed by a structured reintroduction phase to identify personal triggers.

Typical duration: 2–6 week strict elimination, then 6–8 weeks of structured reintroductions, then a long-term personalized diet.

Not intended as a long-term diet. The goal is to identify personal triggers and liberalize as much as possible.

The carnivore diet is the most aggressive elimination diet — it removes every plant food (and therefore every fiber, lectin, oxalate, gluten, and FODMAP source) to isolate animal-food tolerance. Proponents use it primarily as a short-term diagnostic elimination to surface food triggers in autoimmune, gut, and inflammatory conditions. Long-term safety data is limited and observational.

Typical duration: Typically run as a 30–90 day elimination, then food reintroductions one at a time.

Long-term effects on cardiovascular markers, bone health, and the gut microbiome are not well established. Avoid in chronic kidney disease, gout flares, or active eating disorders without medical supervision.

Deficiency is linked to frequent infections, poor wound healing, easy bruising, and accelerated skin aging.

Reference intake: 75–90 mg/day RDA; 500–2,000 mg/day commonly used for immune support.

Supplementation notes: Split high doses through the day. Liposomal forms improve absorption at higher intakes.

Low zinc is linked to recurrent infections, acne, slow wound healing, leaky gut, and impaired taste/smell. Often deficient in vegetarians and those with gut malabsorption.

Reference intake: 8–11 mg/day RDA.

Supplementation notes: Take away from iron and calcium. Long-term high-dose zinc depletes copper — pair with ~1 mg copper if dosing >30 mg/day.

Low vitamin D status is one of the most widespread deficiencies globally and has been linked to autoimmune disease activity (Hashimoto's, MS), mood disorders, recurrent infections, and poor skin barrier function.

Reference intake: Adults 600–800 IU/day RDA; functional medicine often targets 2,000–5,000 IU/day with monitoring.

Supplementation notes: Take with a fat-containing meal. Pair with vitamin K2 (MK-7) when supplementing higher doses long-term.

Both deficiency and excess affect the thyroid. In Hashimoto's, supplementation should be cautious; in hypothyroidism from low intake it is essential.

Reference intake: 150 mcg/day adults; 220 mcg pregnancy.

Supplementation notes: In autoimmune thyroid disease, work with a clinician — high doses can worsen Hashimoto's.

Selenium reduces TPO antibodies in Hashimoto's and supports T4→T3 conversion. Deficiency is implicated in thyroid autoimmunity and viral susceptibility.

Reference intake: 55 mcg/day RDA; therapeutic 200 mcg/day studied for Hashimoto's.

Supplementation notes: Do not exceed 400 mcg/day long-term — selenium toxicity causes hair/nail loss.

Low vitamin A impairs mucosal immunity, gut barrier integrity, and skin cell turnover.

Reference intake: 700–900 mcg RAE/day; avoid >3,000 mcg/day preformed retinol in pregnancy.

Supplementation notes: Beta-carotene conversion is poor in some genotypes — preformed retinol may be needed.

Low ferritin (iron stores) is a frequent driver of fatigue, hair loss, restless legs, and impaired T4→T3 conversion in hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's.

Reference intake: 8 mg/day men, 18 mg/day premenopausal women.

Supplementation notes: Take iron with vitamin C; avoid with coffee, tea, or calcium. Bisglycinate is gentler on the gut than ferrous sulfate.

Low EPA/DHA status correlates with depression, anxiety, dry skin, joint pain, and autoimmune flare risk.

Reference intake: 250–500 mg combined EPA+DHA/day baseline; 1–3 g/day therapeutic.

Supplementation notes: Choose IFOS-certified or molecularly distilled fish oils to minimize heavy-metal exposure.