AIP for IBD: The Groundbreaking Scripps Pilot & Quality of Life Studies (Ep 059)
AIP for IBD: The Groundbreaking Scripps Pilot & Quality of Life Studies (Ep 059)  
Podcast: The Autoimmune Wellness Podcast
Published On: Mon Feb 02 2026
Description: Episode 59: AIP for IBD — The Groundbreaking Scripps Pilot & Quality of Life StudiesFor years, people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis have asked whether diet can meaningfully impact inflammatory bowel disease. Until recently, there was very little clinical research to help answer that question.In this episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey Trescott kicks off a new AIP Medical Research Review series by walking through the very first clinical studies ever conducted on the Autoimmune Protocol. These groundbreaking studies—led by gastroenterologist Dr. Gauree Konijeti and her team at Scripps—examined the effects of AIP in adults with longstanding, active inflammatory bowel disease.This episode reviews two landmark papers: the 2017 Scripps pilot study on AIP for IBD and the 2019 follow-up study examining patient-reported quality of life. Mickey explains how the studies were designed, who participated, what the AIP intervention looked like in a clinical setting, and what the results actually showed—both in symptoms and in day-to-day functioning.Along the way, this episode clarifies why these studies still matter nearly a decade later, how they helped shape today’s Core and Modified AIP approaches, and what they reveal about the role of diet and lifestyle in autoimmune care.In this episode, you’ll learn:How the first AIP research study began with a single ulcerative colitis patientWhy Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis fall under the IBD umbrellaWho participated in the Scripps pilot study and why the results were so strikingWhat the AIP intervention looked like in a clinical research settingWhich foods were eliminated and which nutrient-dense foods were emphasizedHow lifestyle support and coaching were integrated into the studyWhat clinical remission meant in the context of these trialsHow AIP affected inflammatory markers and gut-specific biomarkersWhat the quality of life study revealed beyond symptom improvementWhy these findings helped pave the way for Modified AIPKey safety considerations for people with IBD, including stricturesPractical takeaways for applying AIP to IBD todayResources:Scripps Pilot Study (2017): Efficacy of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet for Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseScripps Quality of Life Study (2019): An Autoimmune Protocol Diet Improves Patient-Reported Quality of Life in Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseAIP Foundation Series – Free 5-day email course with printable guides and beginner resourcesAIP Certified Coach Program & Practitioner Directory – Professional training and global support directoryEpisode Timeline:00:00 – The patient story that sparked AIP research 02:35 – Overview of the IBD and quality of life studies 03:46 – Understanding IBD and standard treatments 05:10 – Why study AIP for inflammatory bowel disease 06:13 – Study participant profile 08:19 – The AIP study intervention 11:41 – Clinical endpoints and biomarkers 13:58 – Results: clinical outcomes 17:19 – Medication changes during the study 19:05 – Safety considerations 20:54 – Quality of life study results 23:53 – Why these studies still matter 27:15 – Practical takeaways for listeners 31:03 – Recap and wrap-up