The Autoimmune RESET

VJ Hamilton

VJ Hamilton is a nutritionist, scientist, and autoimmune disease expert who founded The Autoimmunity Nutritionist Clinic, a Nutritional Therapy and Functional Medicine clinic specialising in autoimmune disease. VJ combines her lived experience overcoming autoimmune disease symptoms with her knowledge of nutrition, health, biochemistry, and immunology to provide you with the most up-to-date research on autoimmune disease. The Autoimmune RESET aims to provide you with the education and resources to empower you to take steps to transform your health and feel better than ever. In each episode, VJ will share simple ways to uplevel your diet and lifestyle, key learnings from her own journey reversing autoimmune disease, and inspirational stories from those who have reset their autoimmune symptoms and are now thriving in life. Health practitioners, mind and body experts, and scientists will be joining VJ as guests on the show, as well as those who have inspirational stories to share and are now thriving in everyday life! And don't miss the short episodes every Friday, The Friday 5, in which VJ shares five healthy must-haves for you to explore over the weekend. 

  1. 5 days ago

    Friday 5 - My Favourite Gluten-Free Swaps That Actually Taste Good

    Send us Fan Mail Removing gluten can feel overwhelming at first, particularly when so much of our food culture revolves around bread, pasta, cereals, and convenience foods. Yet one of the biggest lessons I've learnt after more than a decade of being gluten-free is that success isn't about finding perfect gluten-free replacements for everything you used to eat. It's about discovering new foods that you genuinely enjoy. In this episode, I share five of my favourite gluten-free swaps that I use regularly in my own kitchen and recommend to clients. From courgetti and buckwheat to quinoa porridge and tamari, these simple alternatives can help you build a more varied, nutrient-dense diet without feeling restricted or deprived. We also explore why some people don't tolerate oats as well as expected, where hidden sources of gluten can sneak into your diet, and why focusing on what you can add often makes dietary changes far more sustainable than focusing on what you're removing. Whether you're newly gluten-free, supporting an autoimmune condition, or simply looking for fresh meal ideas, this episode is packed with practical inspiration. In this episode, we discuss: Why gluten-free living doesn't have to feel restrictiveThe mindset shift that makes dietary changes easier to maintainCourgetti as an alternative to traditional pastaWhy tamari and coconut aminos are useful gluten-free staplesQuinoa porridge and chia pudding as alternatives to oatsThe nutritional benefits of buckwheatNori wraps and lettuce wraps as alternatives to sandwichesHidden sources of gluten that many people overlookHow to build a naturally gluten-free diet using whole foods📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point? → Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan — a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend You can also connect with me here: Instagram: @theautoimmunitynutritionist Website: www.autoimmunenutritionclinic.com If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you shared it with someone who may benefit from hearing it, or left a review on your podcast platform of choice. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider. Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

    14 min
  2. 5 Jun

    Friday 5 - Signs You Need a Health Strategy (Not Another Supplement)

    Send us Fan Mail Have you ever found yourself wondering whether the next supplement, test, diet, or protocol might finally be the thing that helps you feel better? If so, you're certainly not alone. In this week's Friday 5, I explore one of the most common patterns I see in clinic: people who are highly motivated, incredibly knowledgeable, and doing all the "right" things, yet still feel stuck when it comes to their health. The truth is that more information does not always lead to better health. Sometimes what we need most is clarity, prioritisation, and a strategy. In this episode, I share five signs that you may need a health strategy rather than another supplement, along with practical tips to help you simplify your approach and focus on what matters most. In this episode, we discuss: • Why the search for the "missing piece" can sometimes keep us stuck • The difference between collecting information and creating a strategy • What an overflowing supplement cupboard may really be telling you • Why trying to fix everything at once often slows progress • The importance of looking for patterns rather than focusing on individual symptoms • How to identify the areas of health that deserve your attention first • Why clarity is often more powerful than complexity Mentioned in this episode: The Root Reset® Intensive A private, in-person experience designed to help you connect the dots, identify potential root causes, and create a personalised six-month strategy for improving your health. The first Root Reset® Intensives will be taking place on Harley Street in London this summer. You can apply here.  🧘‍♀️ Need nervous system support? → I personally use and recommend SONA, a vagus nerve stimulation device clinically shown to support immune balance, inflammation, and stress recovery. Use the code VJ10 for 10% discount at checkout.  📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point? → Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan — a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend You can also connect with me here: Instagram: @theautoimmunitynutritionist Website: www.autoimmunenutritionclinic.com If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you shared it with someone who may benefit from hearing it, or left a review on your podcast platform of choice. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider. Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

    16 min
  3. 1 Jun

    Breathing Your Body Out of Survival Mode with Dan Brulé

    Send us Fan Mail Many people focus on nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes to improve their health, but often overlook one of the most powerful healing tools available to them: their breath. In this episode, I am joined by breathwork pioneer and bestselling author Dan Brulé, whose book Just Breathe has helped thousands of people understand the profound connection between breathing, stress, energy, and wellbeing. Dan has spent decades teaching breath mastery to everyone from elite athletes and military personnel to individuals navigating chronic illness, anxiety, pain, and fatigue. Together, we explore how breathing patterns influence the nervous system, why so many people unknowingly live in a state of chronic survival mode, and how simple breath awareness practices can help regulate stress, improve resilience, and support healing. We discuss:  Dan's remarkable journey into breathwork and the experiences that shaped his life's work  The connection between breathing, stress, and nervous system regulation  Why chronic stress can contribute to inflammation and immune dysregulation  Common breathing mistakes, including mouth breathing and shallow chest breathing  The importance of diaphragmatic and nasal breathing  How breathwork may help with pain, fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, and chronic health challenges  The role of carbon dioxide in health and why many people are over-breathing  A simple breathing assessment you can try at home  The power of sighing and yawning for relaxation and nervous system regulation  Practical ways to become more aware of your breathing throughout the day  Why breath awareness is often the first step towards lasting change Whether you're living with an autoimmune condition, chronic fatigue, stress, or simply looking for a practical way to improve your wellbeing, this conversation offers simple yet powerful tools that you can begin using immediately.  Resources 📖 Just Breathe by Dan Brulé 🌐 Dan's website: BreathMastery.com 📱 Follow Dan on Instagram here 📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point? → Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan — a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend You can also connect with me here: Instagram: @theautoimmunitynutritionist Website: www.autoimmunenutritionclinic.com If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you shared it with someone who may benefit from hearing it, or left a review on your podcast platform of choice. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider. Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

    29 min
  4. 22 May

    The New Autoimmune Protocol: What’s Changed and Why It Matters with Mickey Trescott

    Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode of The Autoimmune RESET, I’m joined by Mickey Trescott, one of the leading voices behind the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), to discuss the evolution of AIP, the science behind it, and why the new version is far more flexible, sustainable, and nuanced than many people realise. We explore Mickey’s own personal journey with autoimmune disease, how she used nutrition and lifestyle changes to support her recovery, and the research that has emerged around AIP over the last decade. We also discuss why so many people with autoimmune conditions react differently to foods, how reintroductions should actually work, and the importance of avoiding fear-based or perfectionist approaches to healing. One of the things I particularly appreciated in this conversation is the focus on nutrient density rather than restriction alone. Mickey explains why many “healthy” diets can still leave people depleted nutritionally, and how the updated AIP framework aims to support people in a much more realistic and individualised way. We also talk about:  The difference between core AIP and modified AIP  Why food reactions are not always immediate  The role of gut health and immune regulation  Practical first steps for implementing AIP without overwhelm  Why some people struggle with overly restrictive wellness messaging  The importance of reintroductions and long-term sustainability  Common mistakes people make when trying elimination diets  How to approach autoimmune healing without perfectionism Whether you are completely new to AIP or have tried it before, this episode offers a much more balanced and evidence-aware perspective on how food can support autoimmune health. Resources & Links The New Autoimmune Protocol: The Complete Guide to Managing Autoimmune Disease Follow Mickey Trescott for more on AIP and autoimmune health: https://www.instagram.com/mickeytrescott/📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point? → Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan — a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend You can also connect with me here: Instagram: @theautoimmunitynutritionist Website: www.autoimmunenutritionclinic If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you shared it with someone who may benefit from hearing it, or left a review on your podcast platform of choice. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider. Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

    37 min
  5. 16 May

    Friday 5 - Simple Ways to Lower Histamine Load Naturally

    Send us Fan Mail For this week’s Friday Five episode, we are talking about histamine overload and five simple ways to naturally reduce histamine burden without becoming fearful of food or excessively restrictive. Histamine intolerance is often far more nuanced than simply reacting to high-histamine foods. In this episode, I explore the deeper connections between histamine, the nervous system, gut health, inflammation, stress, nutrient deficiencies, and immune regulation. We discuss why symptoms like headaches, flushing, hives, sinus congestion, anxiety, palpitations, bloating, poor sleep, and feeling “wired” can sometimes be signs that the body’s overall inflammatory load has become too high — and how supporting the body more holistically can help improve resilience over time. Inside this episode, we cover: Why histamine is not inherently “bad”The histamine bucket analogy and why symptoms can suddenly appearThe connection between stress, mast cells, and nervous system dysregulationHow gut health and the microbiome influence histamine levelsWhy blood sugar balance and sleep matter more than many people realiseThe role of leftovers and food freshness in histamine symptomsNutrients involved in histamine breakdown including vitamin C, magnesium, B6, zinc, and copperGentle, practical ways to support the body naturallyResources mentioned in this episode: Nurosym vagus nerve stimulation device. Use code VJ10 for a discount: Nurosym Functional Gut Testing & Advanced Testing Options: Gut Testing Information 5 Day Burnout RESET: download here 📥 Ready for a more structured, personalised approach? → Apply to work with me — we’ll create a clear, step-by-step plan tailored to your body, your symptoms, and your goals. 🧘‍♀️ Need nervous system support? → I personally use and recommend SONA, a vagus nerve stimulation device clinically shown to support immune balance, inflammation, and stress recovery. Use the code VJ10 for 10% discount at checkout.  📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point? → Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan — a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend You can also connect with me here: Instagram: @theautoimmunitynutritionist Website: www.autoimmunenutritionclinic If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you shared it with someone who may benefit from hearing it, or left a review on your podcast platform of choice. The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider. Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

    14 min
  6. 10 May

    Friday 5 - "Your Blood Tests Are Normal” — But Are They Really?

    Send us Fan Mail In this week’s Friday Five, I’m breaking down some of the standard blood markers I commonly look at in clinic when somebody is dealing with autoimmune disease, inflammation, fatigue, or hair loss — including alopecia. One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that “normal” blood tests automatically mean everything is functioning optimally. But in reality, many people continue to struggle with symptoms despite being told their results are fine. In this episode, I explain why interpretation matters just as much as the numbers themselves, and why looking at patterns across the body can often reveal far more than one isolated marker. I discuss: • Ferritin, transferrin and the wider iron picture • Why ferritin alone may not tell the full story in inflammatory conditions • Thyroid markers beyond TSH, including Free T3, Free T4 and thyroid antibodies • The role of thyroid hormone conversion in energy, metabolism and hair health • Vitamin D and immune regulation • Zinc and its role in immune resilience, skin and hair health • White blood cells, neutrophils and lymphocyte patterns in autoimmune disease • What triglycerides can tell us about metabolism, blood sugar regulation and inflammation • Why markers like serum B12 or HbA1c may not always reflect the full picture • The importance of interpreting symptoms alongside laboratory testing This episode is not about becoming fearful of blood tests or obsessing over numbers. It’s about understanding the body more deeply and recognising that subtle shifts in markers can sometimes provide important clues long before symptoms become more significant. If you’ve ever been told “everything looks normal” but still feel that something is off, this episode is for you. 📥 Ready for a more structured, personalised approach? → Apply to work with me — we’ll create a clear, step-by-step plan tailored to your body, your symptoms, and your goals. 🧘‍♀️ Need nervous system support? → I personally use and recommend SONA, a vagus nerve stimulation device clinically shown to support immune balance, inflammation, and stress recovery. Use the code VJ10 for 10% discount at checkout.  📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point? → Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan — a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider. Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

    16 min
  7. 1 May

    Why Fat Digestion Matters for Hair Growth (And What Most People Miss)

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I explore a frequently overlooked but fundamentally important driver of hair health — fat digestion. While much of the conversation around hair loss focuses on nutrients, hormones, and stress, what is often missed is whether your body is actually able to digest, absorb, and utilise those nutrients effectively. We look at how bile production, liver function, and gallbladder activity influence the breakdown and absorption of fats — and why this matters so much for fat-soluble vitamins essential for hair growth. I also explore the role of gut health, including how certain bacteria and endotoxins such as LPS can disrupt digestion and contribute to inflammation, alongside the impact of toxins and mould exposure on bile flow and detoxification pathways. This episode will help you understand why you might feel like you are doing everything right, yet still not seeing progress — and how supporting digestion at a foundational level can shift that.  Key Topics  Why fat digestion is essential for hair growth and follicle resilience  The role of bile, the liver, and the gallbladder in nutrient absorption  How hormonal shifts, including perimenopause and menopause, influence bile flow  The impact of gut bacteria, dysbiosis, and LPS on inflammation and hair health  How toxins — including mould — are processed and excreted through bile  Why sluggish bile flow can lead to toxin recirculation  Signs that fat digestion may not be working optimally  Practical ways to support digestion, absorption, and detoxification📥 Ready for a more structured, personalised approach? → Apply to work with me — we’ll create a clear, step-by-step plan tailored to your body, your symptoms, and your goals. 🧪 Want to understand what’s happening beneath the surface? → I use functional testing in clinic to assess gut health, nutrient status, and digestion — including markers related to bile flow, microbial balance, and inflammation. You can explore the tests I use here: https://theautoimmunitynutritionist.com/functional-testing/ 📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point? → Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan — a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider. Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

    25 min
  8. 26 Apr

    Friday 5 - Signs You Need a More Structured Approach to Your Health

    Send us Fan Mail If you feel like you’re doing everything “right” — eating well, taking supplements, trying to manage stress — but your symptoms aren’t fully shifting, this episode will give you a different lens to look through. Because often, it’s not about effort. It’s about structure. In this episode, I explore five key signs that your current approach may be missing that structure — and why this can keep you stuck in cycles of inflammation, histamine reactivity, fatigue, and inconsistent symptoms. From a functional medicine perspective, we look beyond isolated symptoms and into the underlying systems driving them — including gut health, immune signalling, nervous system regulation, and detoxification capacity. You’ll also understand why “healthy” foods can sometimes exacerbate symptoms, why you may feel better only temporarily, and how a lack of consistency can subtly perpetuate dysregulation in the body. This episode is designed to help you move away from guesswork and towards a more intentional, physiology-led approach — one that supports stability, resilience, and long-term change. What You’ll Learn  Why doing “all the right things” doesn’t always translate into results  How histamine can present beyond allergies — and why it often sits at the centre of fluctuating symptoms  The difference between supporting your body and correcting underlying imbalances  Why symptoms can “move around” the body — and what this reveals about systemic health  How conflicting health advice becomes clearer when viewed through your individual physiology  The role of consistency and structure in regulating inflammation, energy, and immune function 📥 Ready for a more structured, personalised approach? → Apply to work with me — we’ll create a clear, step-by-step plan tailored to your body, your symptoms, and your goals. 🧘‍♀️ Need nervous system support? → I personally use and recommend Nurosym, a vagus nerve stimulation device clinically shown to support immune balance, inflammation, and stress recovery. Use this link: https://link.nurosym.com/VJ10 for 10% discount at checkout.  📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point? → Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan — a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider. Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

    13 min

About

VJ Hamilton is a nutritionist, scientist, and autoimmune disease expert who founded The Autoimmunity Nutritionist Clinic, a Nutritional Therapy and Functional Medicine clinic specialising in autoimmune disease. VJ combines her lived experience overcoming autoimmune disease symptoms with her knowledge of nutrition, health, biochemistry, and immunology to provide you with the most up-to-date research on autoimmune disease. The Autoimmune RESET aims to provide you with the education and resources to empower you to take steps to transform your health and feel better than ever. In each episode, VJ will share simple ways to uplevel your diet and lifestyle, key learnings from her own journey reversing autoimmune disease, and inspirational stories from those who have reset their autoimmune symptoms and are now thriving in life. Health practitioners, mind and body experts, and scientists will be joining VJ as guests on the show, as well as those who have inspirational stories to share and are now thriving in everyday life! And don't miss the short episodes every Friday, The Friday 5, in which VJ shares five healthy must-haves for you to explore over the weekend. 

You Might Also Like