AIP AIP Gut Health & Microbiome 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate are produced in the gut by which process?
- Protein digestion in the stomach
- Fermentation of dietary fiber by gut bacteria (Correct answer)
- Fat emulsification by bile salts
- Pancreatic enzyme activity
Correct answer: Fermentation of dietary fiber by gut bacteria
SCFAs such as butyrate are produced when gut bacteria ferment dietary fiber, and they play a key role in maintaining gut barrier integrity and reducing inflammation.
Question 2: Which probiotic strain is most commonly associated with supporting gut barrier integrity and reducing intestinal permeability?
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (Correct answer)
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Streptococcus thermophilus
Correct answer: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is one of the most researched probiotic strains for supporting intestinal barrier function and reducing gut permeability.
Question 3: An AIP client reports bloating, gas, and loose stools after reintroducing eggs. As a coach, what is your recommended next step?
- Advise them to continue eating eggs daily to build tolerance
- Remove eggs again, wait until symptoms resolve, and attempt reintroduction later (Correct answer)
- Switch them to a different autoimmune protocol
- Recommend a digestive enzyme supplement to offset the reaction
Correct answer: Remove eggs again, wait until symptoms resolve, and attempt reintroduction later
When a reintroduced food causes symptoms, the AIP protocol requires removing it and waiting for full symptom resolution before attempting another reintroduction.
Question 4: What does the term 'secretory IgA (sIgA)' refer to in gut health?
- A hormone that regulates stomach acid secretion
- An antibody that protects mucosal surfaces from pathogens (Correct answer)
- An enzyme that breaks down gluten proteins
- A protein that transports nutrients across the intestinal wall
Correct answer: An antibody that protects mucosal surfaces from pathogens
Secretory IgA is the primary antibody found in mucosal secretions that protects the gut lining from pathogens and helps maintain immune balance.
Question 5: Which AIP-compliant food is a rich source of glycine, an amino acid known to support gut lining repair?
- Salmon fillet
- Bone broth (Correct answer)
- Avocado
- Sweet potato
Correct answer: Bone broth
Bone broth is rich in glycine and other amino acids derived from collagen and gelatin, which support the repair and maintenance of the intestinal lining.
Question 6: Why does the AIP protocol eliminate nightshade vegetables during the initial elimination phase in relation to gut health?
- They are high in oxalates that damage kidney function
- They contain lectins and saponins that may increase intestinal permeability (Correct answer)
- They suppress stomach acid and impair digestion
- They reduce production of digestive enzymes in the pancreas
Correct answer: They contain lectins and saponins that may increase intestinal permeability
Nightshades contain lectins and saponins, compounds that can disrupt the intestinal barrier and contribute to intestinal permeability in susceptible individuals.
AIP AIP Gut Health & Microbiome 2
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate are produced in the gut by which process?