The Autoimmune Wellness Podcast

Mickey Trescott of Autoimmune Wellness

The Autoimmune Wellness Podcast is brought to you by Mickey Trescott, MSc., a functional nutritionist, chef, and author of three best-selling books: The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook, The Autoimmune Wellness Handbook, and The Nutrient-Dense Kitchen. After personally navigating life with Hashimoto’s disease and celiac disease, Mickey is passionate about empowering others to take charge of their health. She is the creator of the AIP Certified Coach Practitioner Training Program and co-founder of Autoimmune Wellness, a platform dedicated to helping people find a path to healing using the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP). Her approach blends evidence-based principles from both natural and conventional medicine to give those with autoimmune disease their best chance at a vibrant, healthy life. This podcast was originally co-hosted with Angie Alt, NTC, CHC, who helped launch the show and contributed significantly to its early success through her advocacy and personal story of living with endometriosis, lichen sclerosis, and celiac disease. For more information on the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), visit autoimmunewellness.com.

  1. 4d ago

    Food Sensitivity Testing: What Tests Can and Can't Tell You (Ep 098)

    Episode 98: Food Sensitivity Testing: What Tests Can and Can’t Tell YouFood sensitivity tests promise something incredibly appealing: send in a sample, receive a personalized list of reactive foods, and skip the uncertainty of elimination and reintroduction. But can these tests actually tell you which foods are causing your symptoms? In this episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey Trescott takes a closer look at the science behind commercial food sensitivity testing, including IgG panels, MRT, ALCAT, and other commonly marketed approaches. She explains the important difference between a test being able to measure something in the body and that measurement actually being clinically useful. Mickey also explores what it means for a diagnostic test to be properly validated, why major allergy organizations recommend against IgG food sensitivity testing, and why feeling better after following test results doesn’t necessarily prove that the test accurately identified your problem foods. Finally, she shares fascinating emerging research into food reactions that conventional testing may not yet capture—and explains why systematic elimination and reintroduction remain the most useful tools for building a personalized diet. In this episode, you'll learn:What IgG food sensitivity tests actually measure—and why a positive result doesn’t necessarily indicate a harmful reactionHow MRT, ALCAT, and other food sensitivity tests work and where the evidence falls shortThe difference between analytical validity, clinical validity, and clinical utilityWhy feeling better after following test results doesn’t necessarily prove the test accurately identified your problem foodsWhy elimination and systematic reintroduction remain the best way to identify individual food toleranceWhat emerging research may tell us about food reactions conventional testing doesn’t captureWhy unnecessary food restriction can have nutritional, financial, and quality-of-life consequencesHow to think about past food sensitivity test results without dismissing your own experience Resources:Episode 54: A Deep Dive Into the AIP Reintroduction ProcessThe Autoimmune Protocol: theautoimmuneprotocol.comResearch on confocal laser endomicroscopy and food-related reactions in IBS (Study 1 and Study 2) Episode Timeline:00:00 – Can food sensitivity tests really identify problem foods? 02:59 – IgG food sensitivity testing 07:16 – MRT, ALCAT, and other food sensitivity tests 12:31 – What does it mean for a test to be validated? 16:22 – But what if the test worked for me? 19:28 – Why elimination and reintroduction remain the gold standard 23:10 – Emerging research into food reactions we can’t yet test for 26:52 – Reframing food sensitivity testing 31:33 – Wrap-up and closing

    Food Sensitivity Testing: What Tests Can and Can't Tell You (Ep 098)
  2. Sep 21

    Integrative Rheumatology: Bridging Medicine, Nutrition & Lifestyle with Dr. Micah Yu (Ep 97)

    Episode 97: Integrative Rheumatology: Bridging Medicine, Nutrition & Lifestyle with Dr. Micah YuFor many people living with autoimmune disease, seeing a rheumatologist can bring up a lot of uncertainty—especially if you want to incorporate nutrition and lifestyle alongside conventional medical care. In this episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey Trescott is joined by Dr. Micah Yu, a quadruple board-certified physician specializing in rheumatology, internal medicine, integrative medicine, and functional medicine. Dr. Yu also lives with autoimmune arthritis himself, giving him a unique perspective as both physician and patient. Together, they explore what integrative rheumatology actually looks like, why conventional medicine and lifestyle don't have to be an either/or choice, and how patients can build a healthcare team that supports the full picture of autoimmune health. They also discuss how to prepare for a rheumatology appointment, when medications may be necessary, and how nutrition and lifestyle can work alongside medical treatment. In this episode, you'll learn:How Dr. Yu's experience with gout and spondyloarthritis shaped his approach to medicineWhat rheumatologists actually treat and why they often serve as "detectives" for complex casesCommon misconceptions about rheumatologists, nutrition, and lifestyle medicineWhy time constraints within conventional healthcare can make complex autoimmune care challengingWhat integrative and functional rheumatology looks like in practiceWhy medication and lifestyle interventions don't have to be mutually exclusiveHow to prepare for a rheumatology appointment and make the most of limited timeWhy tracking symptoms, medications, supplements, and your health history can help your physicianHow patients and their prescribing providers can approach medication changes when health improvesWhy building a multidisciplinary healthcare team can be valuable for autoimmune disease Resources:Dr. Lifestyle: https://drlifestyle.orgMy Autoimmune MD: https://myautoimmunemd.comSocial Media: @MyAutoimmuneMDPodcast: Autoimmune Alchemy Episode Timeline:00:00 – Why rheumatology and lifestyle medicine don't have to be either/or 02:15 – Introducing Dr. Micah Yu 03:41 – Dr. Yu's personal journey with autoimmune arthritis 07:40 – Rheumatology 101: What does a rheumatologist do? 10:15 – Common misconceptions about rheumatology 16:15 – What integrative and functional rheumatology looks like 19:40 – How to get the most out of a rheumatology appointment 22:02 – Combining medication with diet and lifestyle 25:27 – Hope for people living with autoimmune disease 27:34 – Dr. Yu's advice for building a healthcare team 28:22 – Wrap-up and where to follow Dr. Yu

    Integrative Rheumatology: Bridging Medicine, Nutrition & Lifestyle with Dr. Micah Yu (Ep 97)
  3. Sep 14

    Understanding Food Reactions: Why Foods Affect People Differently (Ep 096)

    Episode 96: Understanding Food Reactions: Why Foods Affect People DifferentlyOne of the central goals of the Autoimmune Protocol is figuring out which foods work for you and which ones don’t. But when a symptom appears after eating a food, what actually counts as a food reaction—and does every reaction mean the same thing? In this episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey Trescott explores the science of food reactions and why they can look so different from person to person. She breaks down the major categories of reactions, including food allergies, celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, digestive intolerances, and reactions to specific compounds in foods. Mickey also explains why a reaction and its underlying mechanism aren’t necessarily the same thing, and why that distinction matters when personalizing your diet. She explores how dose, timing, preparation, digestive function, and other factors can influence food tolerance, plus why a reproducible reaction can still provide useful information even when science can’t yet explain exactly why it happens. In this episode, you'll learn:The many ways a food reaction can show up, including changes in autoimmune symptomsThe difference between a food reaction and its underlying biological mechanismHow food allergies, celiac disease, food sensitivities, and digestive intolerances differWhy dose, timing, preparation, and digestive function can influence food toleranceHow compounds like histamine and sulfites can trigger symptoms in some peopleWhy meaningful food reactions can occur even when we don’t fully understand the mechanismWhy food reactions can be difficult to identify when symptoms fluctuateHow AIP elimination and reintroduction help identify the foods that work for you Resources:The Autoimmune Protocol: theautoimmuneprotocol.comThe New Autoimmune Protocol by Mickey Trescott Episode Timeline:00:00 – Understanding what constitutes a food reaction 03:24 – What can a food reaction actually look like? 07:29 – Food allergy: When the immune system reacts to food 15:22 – Gluten reactions: Celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity 21:54 – Food intolerances: When digestion and absorption are the problem 27:35 – Reactions to compounds in food: When it isn’t the food itself 35:37 – Why food reactions can be so hard to figure out 40:06 – Bringing it back to AIP: Finding the foods that work for you 42:06 – Wrap-up and closing

    Understanding Food Reactions: Why Foods Affect People Differently (Ep 096)
  4. Sep 7

    Understanding Perimenopause: A Beginner's Guide with Dr. Mariza Snyder (Ep 95)

    Episode 95: Understanding Perimenopause: A Beginner’s Guide with Dr. Mariza SnyderPerimenopause can feel especially confusing when you’re already living with autoimmune disease. Changes in sleep, mood, energy, inflammation, cognition, and even how your body responds to familiar strategies can leave you wondering: Is this an autoimmune flare, perimenopause, or both? In this episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey Trescott is joined by functional medicine practitioner, bestselling author, and women’s hormone health expert Dr. Mariza Snyder for a Perimenopause 101 conversation designed to help women understand what’s actually happening during this transition. Together, they explore when perimenopause can begin, the surprising symptoms that often appear before cycle changes, and why fluctuating estrogen and progesterone may be especially disruptive for women managing autoimmune disease. They also discuss the foundational role of nutrition, sleep, strength training, metabolic health, and stress resilience, plus where hormone replacement therapy may fit into a personalized approach. In this episode, you'll learn:What perimenopause is and why it can begin as early as the late 30sWhy symptoms can appear years before noticeable menstrual cycle changesCommon early symptoms, including anxiety, irritability, brain fog, sleep disruption, and mood changesWhy perimenopause and autoimmune flares can be difficult to distinguishHow estrogen and progesterone interact with immune regulation and inflammationWhy strategies that worked for years may suddenly feel less effectiveHow tracking symptoms alongside your menstrual cycle can reveal important patternsWhy blood sugar regulation, nutrition, sleep, strength, and stress resilience matter in perimenopauseDr. Mariza’s “landing the plane” strategy for improving your nighttime routineHow to advocate for better perimenopause care and know when to seek additional supportWhere hormone replacement therapy may fit alongside foundational lifestyle strategiesWhy your needs may continue to change throughout the perimenopause transition Resources:Book: The Perimenopause RevolutionThe Perimenopause Revolution resources: drmariza.com/bookPodcast: Energized with Dr. Mariza Episode Timeline:00:00 – Why perimenopause can be confusing with autoimmune disease 03:16 – Introducing Dr. Mariza Snyder 04:28 – Perimenopause 101: What are we dealing with? 10:28 – Common and surprising symptoms of perimenopause 17:14 – The perimenopause-autoimmune connection 23:22 – Why old strategies can stop working in perimenopause 28:27 – A foundational approach to perimenopause 35:28 – Knowing when to dig deeper and advocate for care 40:57 – Hormone replacement therapy in perimenopause 46:09 – Hope for autoimmune women navigating perimenopause

    Understanding Perimenopause: A Beginner's Guide with Dr. Mariza Snyder (Ep 95)
  5. Aug 24

    Food Nomad: Navigating the Emotional Journey of Autoimmune Disease with Imei Hsu (Ep 94)

    Episode 94: Food Nomad — Navigating the Emotional Journey of Autoimmune Disease with Imei HsuFor many people, changing the way they eat because of autoimmune disease can feel like losing more than food. It can affect family traditions, cultural connection, travel, restaurants, and the simple feeling of belonging around a shared table. In this episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey Trescott is joined by Bernice Imei Hsu, registered nurse, licensed mental health counselor, National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and AIP Certified Coach, to explore the emotional and cultural journey of living with dietary restrictions. Five years after writing her Autoimmune Wellness article, "Bringing Culture Back to the Kitchen," Imei reflects on what she has learned about healing, reintroductions, adapting traditional foods, and becoming what she calls a "Food Nomad." Together, Mickey and Imei discuss why healing isn't simply about getting foods back. It's also about finding new ways to reconnect with culture, relationships, travel, and joy. In this episode, you'll learn:What Imei means by becoming a "Food Nomad"Why dietary restrictions can affect identity, culture, and belongingWhy adapting cultural recipes can take years of experimentationHow reintroducing foods like soy helped Imei reconnect with family traditionsWhat Imei learned from experimenting with gluten-free sourdough and other foodsWhy healing and food tolerance can continue evolving long after the elimination phaseWays to navigate family gatherings when you can't eat traditional foodsHow to give yourself permission to adapt traditions instead of perfectly recreating themWhat it means to become the "keeper of the food flame"Why grief around food and cultural traditions is a normal part of the autoimmune journeyHow to hold onto hope when you're still early in elimination or reintroductions Resources:Bringing Culture Back to the Kitchen – Imei's original 2021 article on Autoimmune WellnessImei Hsu on Instagram: @everydaywithimei Episode Timeline:00:00 – Food, identity, belonging, and autoimmune disease 02:34 – Introducing Bernice Imei Hsu 03:39 – What it means to be a "Food Nomad" 06:17 – Revisiting "Bringing Culture Back to the Kitchen" 13:21 – The long game of healing and food reintroductions 18:19 – Gluten-free sourdough baking experiments 25:58 – Bringing culture back into the kitchen 31:48 – Food, belonging, and navigating relationships 37:55 – Giving yourself permission to adapt tradition 42:09 – Becoming the "keeper of the food flame" 46:12 – Encouragement for anyone grieving foods or traditions 48:24 – Wrap-up and where to follow Imei

    Food Nomad: Navigating the Emotional Journey of Autoimmune Disease with Imei Hsu (Ep 94)
  6. Aug 10

    Beyond the Studies: Results from the New Autoimmune Protocol Community (Ep 093)

    Episode 93: Beyond the Studies — Results from the New Autoimmune Protocol CommunityWhat happens when people put the Autoimmune Protocol into practice—not in a clinical trial, but in real life? To celebrate the launch of The New Autoimmune Protocol, hundreds of readers joined a guided online community where they worked through the new Transition Phase, completed 30 days of either Core or Modified AIP, tracked their symptoms, and supported one another along the way. In this episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey Trescott shares the results from this unique community experience. While this wasn't a formal research study, the symptom improvements closely mirrored many of the findings from published AIP research—and the participant stories reveal the power of preparation, accountability, and community support. Together, these survey results offer a real-world look at what implementing AIP can look like, what people struggled with, what surprised them, and why healing is often about much more than food alone. In this episode, you'll learn:Why Mickey created a guided community alongside The New Autoimmune ProtocolWhat surprised her most about who joined the programWhy the new Transition Phase helped participants feel more prepared for eliminationHow overall autoimmune symptom severity changed after 30 daysWhich symptoms improved the most, including digestion, energy, sleep, pain, and brain fogThree standout participant stories that illustrate the range of real-world experiencesHow these community results compare with published AIP researchWhy symptom tracking is one of the most valuable tools during AIPThe importance of community support when implementing dietary changeHow to join the ongoing Autoimmune Protocol community Resources:The New Autoimmune Protocol – Mickey Trescott's updated guide featuring the Transition Phase, Core and Modified AIP, and personalized reintroductionsThe Autoimmune Protocol Community Episode 59: The First Published AIP Study in Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseEpisode 61: AIP and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis ResearchEpisode 63: AIP IBD Gene Expression StudyEpisode 65: New Hashimoto's Research from PolandEpisode 89: The First AIP Pilot Trial in Rheumatoid Arthritis with Julianne Taylor Episode Timeline:00:00 – Introduction and overview of the community experience 02:39 – Why Mickey created The New Autoimmune Protocol community 06:38 – Who joined the community? 09:45 – The new Transition Phase in action 14:33 – What happened after 30 days? 17:16 – Overall autoimmune symptom improvements 19:12 – Energy and sleep results 20:03 – Digestive health improvements 21:53 – Joint pain and inflammation 22:42 – Brain fog, skin, and other symptom changes 23:59 – Three standout participant stories 28:58 – Comparing community results to published research 32:06 – Mickey's biggest takeaways 36:26 – An invitation to join the ongoing community 40:11 – Wrap-up and closing

    Beyond the Studies: Results from the New Autoimmune Protocol Community (Ep 093)
  7. Jul 27

    Fiber, Gut Health & the Microbiome with Farzanah Nasser (Ep 092)

    Episode 92: Fiber, Gut Health & the Microbiome with Farzanah NasserFiber is having a moment—but for people with autoimmune disease, digestive symptoms, or a history of restrictive diets, it can also feel confusing. In this episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey Trescott is joined by UK-based naturopathic nutritionist, certified functional medicine practitioner, and author Farzanah Nasser to explore why fiber is one of the most overlooked nutrients in modern nutrition—and why it's so important for gut, immune, and overall health. Together, they discuss how fiber nourishes the gut microbiome, supports immune function, and helps produce beneficial anti-inflammatory compounds. They also dive into why increasing fiber sometimes causes digestive discomfort, how to introduce it gradually, and practical strategies for reaching the recommended 30 grams per day—even for those with sensitive digestion or autoimmune disease. In this episode, you'll learn:Why 96% of people aren't getting enough fiberHow fiber feeds the gut microbiome and supports immune functionThe difference between probiotics, prebiotics, and postbioticsWhy short-chain fatty acids are so important for gut and immune healthWhy increasing fiber too quickly can cause bloating and digestive symptomsPractical strategies for gradually increasing fiber intakeTips for improving bean tolerance through preparation methodsHow to approach fiber if you have IBS, IBD, SIBO, or sensitive digestionWhy mindful eating and proper digestion matter when increasing fiberFavorite high-fiber foods for the Autoimmune Protocol and Modified AIPWhat 30 grams of fiber actually looks like in a daySimple ways to build more fiber into everyday meals Resources:Website: https://farzanahnutrition.comInstagram: @farzanahnasser_nutritionBook: The Everyday High-Fiber Plan Episode Timeline: 00:00 – Why fiber matters for autoimmune health 01:30 – Introducing Farzanah Nasser 03:28 – Why fiber deserves a rebrand 04:48 – What fiber is and why we need more of it 07:11 – How fiber feeds the gut microbiome 08:32 – Fiber, inflammation, and immune function 10:51 – Why fiber sometimes causes digestive symptoms 17:01 – Preparing beans for better digestion 19:28 – Fiber for IBS, IBD, SIBO, and sensitive digestion 23:16 – Optimizing digestion before increasing fiber 25:38 – Favorite high-fiber AIP foods 30:39 – What 30 grams of fiber looks like in real life 37:04 – Favorite recipes from The Everyday High-Fiber Plan 40:48 – Wrap-up and closing

    Fiber, Gut Health & the Microbiome with Farzanah Nasser (Ep 092)
  8. Jul 13

    Understanding Hair Loss and Autoimmune Disease with VJ Hamilton (Ep 091)

    Episode 91: Understanding Hair Loss and Autoimmune Disease with VJ HamiltonHair loss is one of the most common symptoms people experience with autoimmune disease—but it's also one of the most misunderstood. While many people assume it's simply part of having an autoimmune condition, hair loss can actually have many different causes, from immune dysfunction and nutrient deficiencies to hormone changes, chronic stress, and scalp inflammation. In this episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey Trescott is joined by registered nutritionist, AIP Certified Coach, and founder of the Autoimmunity Nutrition Clinic, VJ Hamilton, to explore the many factors that influence hair health in people with autoimmune disease. VJ brings both professional expertise and personal experience, having lived with alopecia areata, psoriasis, and post-viral chronic fatigue syndrome herself. Together, they discuss the different types of hair loss commonly seen in autoimmune patients, how to distinguish between them, and why identifying the underlying cause is essential for supporting healthy regrowth. They also explore nutrient deficiencies, gut health, hormones, stress, topical therapies, and why patience is such an important part of the healing process. In this episode, you'll learn:The different types of hair loss associated with autoimmune diseaseHow alopecia areata differs from stress-, hormone-, and nutrient-related hair lossWhy iron deficiency and low ferritin are common contributors to hair sheddingThe role of protein, B vitamins, zinc, selenium, vitamin D, and omega-3s in healthy hair growthHow gut health and nutrient absorption influence hair healthWhy stress-related hair shedding often occurs months after a stressful eventThe importance of investigating the root cause rather than treating hair loss as a diagnosisWhich supplements may be helpful—and which are often overhypedTopical strategies that may support scalp and follicle healthWhy hair is often one of the last tissues to recover during healingHow to set realistic expectations for hair regrowth while addressing underlying health concerns Resources:VJ Hamilton Website: https://autoimmunenutritionclinic.com Instagram: @theautoimmunitynutritionist Podcast: The Autoimmune Reset Episode Timeline:00:00 – Why hair loss is so common in autoimmune disease 01:52 – Introducing VJ Hamilton 03:13 – VJ's journey with alopecia, psoriasis, and chronic fatigue 06:40 – Different types of hair loss in autoimmune disease 13:30 – Nutrient deficiencies and hair health 23:46 – Common root causes and what to investigate first 27:26 – Why stress-related hair shedding is delayed 30:34 – Helpful supplements (and common misconceptions) 35:15 – Topical treatments and scalp care 41:23 – Setting realistic expectations for hair regrowth 47:14 – Wrap-up and where to learn more

    Understanding Hair Loss and Autoimmune Disease with VJ Hamilton (Ep 091)
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About

The Autoimmune Wellness Podcast is brought to you by Mickey Trescott, MSc., a functional nutritionist, chef, and author of three best-selling books: The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook, The Autoimmune Wellness Handbook, and The Nutrient-Dense Kitchen. After personally navigating life with Hashimoto’s disease and celiac disease, Mickey is passionate about empowering others to take charge of their health. She is the creator of the AIP Certified Coach Practitioner Training Program and co-founder of Autoimmune Wellness, a platform dedicated to helping people find a path to healing using the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP). Her approach blends evidence-based principles from both natural and conventional medicine to give those with autoimmune disease their best chance at a vibrant, healthy life. This podcast was originally co-hosted with Angie Alt, NTC, CHC, who helped launch the show and contributed significantly to its early success through her advocacy and personal story of living with endometriosis, lichen sclerosis, and celiac disease. For more information on the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), visit autoimmunewellness.com.

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