Calendula

The anti-inflammatory diet is not a single protocol but a synthesis of the patterns most consistently linked to lower inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha) in human studies — Mediterranean-style eating, oily fish, abundant polyphenols, and low intake of ultra-processed foods, refined sugar, industrial seed oils, and excessive alcohol.

Typical duration: A long-term eating pattern.

Safe and flexible. Can be combined with Mediterranean, vegetarian, or plant-forward patterns.

A whole-food vegan diet emphasizes vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. It has been associated with improvements in body weight, blood lipids, and glycemic control, and is being studied for autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. It requires deliberate planning for vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3 (EPA/DHA), iodine, iron, zinc, and (sometimes) calcium.

Typical duration: A long-term eating pattern.

Vegan diets can be excellent or deficient — quality depends on planning. Pregnant, breastfeeding, and growing children on vegan diets should be followed by a registered dietitian.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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 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.