Episode 51: The Autoimmune Protocol in 2026

There’s a lot of confusion about the Autoimmune Protocol—what it is, what it isn’t, and whether it actually works. In this episode, Mickey cuts through the noise to share the real story behind AIP and how it’s evolved in 2026.

As someone who’s been part of the AIP movement since the very beginning, Mickey explains how AIP grew from a grassroots experiment into a research-backed framework used worldwide to support people living with autoimmune disease. She also breaks down the major 2024 update to AIP, including the introduction of Core AIP and Modified AIP, and how to decide which approach is right for you.

This episode kicks off the AIP Deep Dive series and lays the foundation for using AIP as a temporary, educational process—not a lifelong restrictive diet.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. What the Autoimmune Protocol really is (and what it’s not)
2. How AIP evolved from patient experimentation to published research
3. The three phases of AIP: Transition, Elimination, and Reintroduction
4. The difference between Core AIP and Modified AIP
5. How AIP supports gut health, immune regulation, and inflammation
6. What the science says about AIP and autoimmune disease
7. Common myths and misconceptions about AIP
8. How to know if AIP is the right tool for you

Resources:

AIP Foundation Series – Free 5-day email course with printable food lists, meal plans, and reintroduction guides.

AIP Certified Coach Program – Advanced training for licensed healthcare providers who want to use AIP safely and effectively in clinical practice, or find a coach in the worldwide directory.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 – Introduction: Why AIP is misunderstood

02:45 – Autoimmune disease overview & Mickey’s story

05:06 – The origins of the Autoimmune Protocol

07:06 – What AIP is and how it works

08:01 – Phase 1: The Transition Phase

10:32 – Phase 2: Elimination (Core AIP vs. Modified AIP)

16:45 – Phase 3: Reintroduction

19:49 – How AIP supports gut health, immunity, and inflammation

22:29 – Recovery stories & medical research

25:10 – The 2024 update: Core vs. Modified AIP

27:32 – Myths and controversies about AIP

29:51 – Is AIP right for you?

30:15 – Wrap-up & what’s coming next