Can dietary change meaningfully improve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms?

A recently published pilot study investigating the Autoimmune Protocol diet in adults with rheumatoid arthritis found improvements in patient-reported disease activity, pain, fatigue, sleep, and quality of life measures—with several participants reaching remission-level scores by the end of the intervention.

In this episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey Trescott is joined by registered nutritionist, AIP Certified Coach, and PhD candidate Julianne Taylor to discuss the first clinical trial investigating the Autoimmune Protocol in rheumatoid arthritis.

Julianne shares her personal journey into autoimmune nutrition research, explains how the study was designed, and walks through the results of the pilot trial—including improvements in fatigue, sleep, pain, and disease activity.

Together, they also explore the nuances and limitations of dietary research, discuss why individual responses vary, and dive into Julianne’s broader scoping review of elimination and reintroduction diets in rheumatoid arthritis spanning decades of research.

• How Julianne’s personal health experience led her into autoimmune nutrition research
• What a pilot feasibility study is and why it matters
• How the AIP rheumatoid arthritis study was designed
• Why patient-reported outcomes like fatigue and sleep are important in RA research
• What improvements participants experienced during the intervention
• Why some participants experienced challenges or adverse effects
• How nutrient density and food eliminations may both influence outcomes
• What historical elimination diet research in RA reveals about common trigger foods
• Why nightshades continue to be an important area of interest in autoimmune nutrition
• What future research on AIP and rheumatoid arthritis may explore next

• Paleo Zone Nutrition (blog)
• Julianne Taylor Nutrition (website)
• Julianne Taylor on Instagram
• The First AIP Pilot Trial in Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Elimination, Reintroduction Diets, and Oral Food Challenge in Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Scoping Review

00:00 – Introduction to the first AIP rheumatoid arthritis pilot study

01:56 – Introducing Julianne Taylor

03:54 – Julianne’s personal health journey and early paleo research

11:34 – What a pilot feasibility study is

13:05 – The questionnaires used in the AIP RA pilot trial

17:07 – The AIP intervention and elimination phase

19:32 – Results of the rheumatoid arthritis pilot study

24:56 – Discussing adverse effects and individual variability

30:57 – Diet quality versus food eliminations

33:54 – Reviewing decades of elimination diet research in RA

38:48 – Common trigger foods identified in the literature

42:31 – Nightshades and rheumatoid arthritis

44:31 – Upcoming AIP and RA research

51:20 – What Julianne hopes clinicians and patients take away from the research

53:23 – Where to follow Julianne’s work online

What does it take to keep creating when your body is struggling? How do you continue making meaningful work while navigating uncertainty, limitations, and chronic illness in real time?

In this special episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey Trescott celebrates the launch of The New Autoimmune Protocol with a deeply personal conversation featuring her longtime friend Alaina Moore—vocalist and songwriter of the indie band Tennis.

Instead of interviewing a guest, Mickey takes the guest seat herself as Alaina turns the tables to explore the creative process behind the new book, the realities of creating while chronically ill, and the surprising overlap between art, music, food, and healing.

Together, they discuss what it means to pursue creative work while managing chronic illness, how illness can shape identity and perspective, and why adapting to changing capacity is often part of the process. Alaina also shares her experience navigating dysphonia while recording and touring, while Mickey reflects on photographing The New Autoimmune Protocol during a severe autoimmune eye flare.

This conversation is honest, funny, emotional, and deeply relatable for anyone who has tried to keep showing up for meaningful work while living in a body that doesn’t always cooperate.

• How chronic illness can shape creativity, identity, and artistic work
• Why adapting to limitations is often part of the creative process
• The similarities between songwriting, recipe development, and visual storytelling
• How Mickey approaches recipe development, writing, and cookbook photography
• Why creative work often requires both structure and chaos
• How sensory imagination influences both music and cooking
• Alaina Moore’s experience recovering from dysphonia while touring with Tennis
• Mickey’s experience photographing a cookbook during an autoimmune eye flare
• Why accepting chronic illness can feel freeing instead of limiting
• The emotional impact of medical gaslighting and delayed diagnosis
• How creativity, music, and art can help people move through illness
• Why managing chronic illness is different from “overcoming” it

Alaina Moore & Tennis

• Website: https://tennis-music.com
• Instagram: @tennisinc
• Playlist mentioned in the episode: Available here!

Mickey Trescott

• Book: The New Autoimmune Protocol

Episode Timeline:

00:00 – Introduction and NAIP launch week reflections

01:31 – Introducing Alaina Moore of Tennis

04:37 – Artists, chronic illness, and creative resilience

07:08 – Mickey’s writing and recipe development process

13:31 – Alaina’s songwriting process and creative structure

18:11 – Music, taste, and sensory imagination

25:07 – How Mickey perfects recipes

30:17 – Why Mickey shares her work publicly

32:56 – Creative breakthroughs and photographing the new book

39:02 – Alaina’s experience with dysphonia and vocal rehabilitation

44:11 – Accepting chronic illness and redefining healing

51:14 – Wrap-up and closing reflections

What if healing isn’t about getting rid of pain—but about learning how to remain fully alive within it?

In this episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey Trescott is joined by K.J. Ramsey, trauma-informed therapist, author, and chronic illness advocate. Her new memoir, The Place Between Our Pains, explores life with chronic illness, medical trauma, and the complicated relationship many of us have with our bodies when healing doesn’t look the way we expected.

Together, Mickey and K.J. explore what it means to live well even when symptoms persist. They discuss medical gaslighting, identity shifts, self-trust, redefining healing, and why joy and grief often coexist in the chronic illness experience.

K.J. also shares how journaling and creative practices helped her process pain, reconnect with herself, and remain present through years of illness and uncertainty.

• How chronic illness can shape identity, especially in early adulthood
• Why medical gaslighting is so damaging—and how self-trust becomes essential
• The emotional impact of being sick without clear answers or validation
• How dissociation and disconnection from the body can develop during chronic illness
• Why speaking to your body with compassion changes the healing process
• What it means to redefine healing beyond symptom elimination
• How chronic illness can deepen connection, creativity, and joy
• Why grief and joy often coexist in the healing journey
• The role of journaling and creative practices in processing pain and stress
• How creativity can help transform suffering into meaning and aliveness
• Why “being fully alive” may matter more than becoming symptom-free

K.J. Ramsey

• Website: https://www.kjramsey.com
• Instagram: @kjramseywrites
• Book: The Place Between Our Pains

00:00 – Introduction and trigger warning

01:04 – Introducing K.J. Ramsey and The Place Between Our Pains

04:33 – Identity and illness in early adulthood

09:20 – Medical gaslighting and self-trust

16:01 – Dissociation, embodiment, and learning to listen to the body

24:14 – Redefining healing and living fully with pain

32:19 – How illness changes us

40:15 – Journaling, creativity, and processing pain

52:08 – Wrap-up and closing reflections

When starting the Autoimmune Protocol, it’s easy to focus on the details—what to eat, what to remove, and how to do everything “right.” But there’s a deeper question that often gets overlooked: what are you actually working toward?

In this episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey Trescott is joined by Jaime Hartman, National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, educator, and co-teacher of the AIP Certified Coach Program, to explore the concept of a personal health vision.

This conversation introduces a foundational mindset shift—moving beyond short-term goals and into a clear, personalized vision of what health means to you. Jaime explains how this approach helps guide decisions, build resilience, and create a more sustainable path through AIP and beyond.

Together, they explore how defining your vision can help you stay grounded, communicate your needs, and navigate the complexities of chronic illness with more clarity and purpose.

• The difference between a health goal and a personal health vision
• Why having a clear vision makes AIP more sustainable and meaningful
• How different models of health (medical, holistic, and wellness) shape your perspective
• Why a personal health vision acts as a compass during challenging moments
• How to use your vision to make decisions about priorities, support, and care
• Real-life examples of how health vision influences daily choices and long-term strategy
• How your vision can help guide reintroductions and lifestyle flexibility
• Why personal values, relationships, and purpose are essential parts of healing
• Journaling prompts and visualization techniques to help define your vision
• How to approach this process if you feel discouraged, disconnected, or unsure what’s possible

Jaime Hartman

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimehartman22/
• Website: https://gutsybynature.com
• AIP Summit: https://aipsummit.com

AIP Certified Coach Program & Practitioner Directory: https://aipcertified.com

Episode Timeline:

00:00 – Why AIP needs a bigger “why” beyond food rules

01:57 – Introducing Jaime Hartman

03:10 – What a personal health vision is (vs. goals)

05:57 – Medical, holistic, and wellness models of health

09:45 – Why vision matters in autoimmune healing

12:09 – How to use your health vision in real life

17:11 – Journaling prompts to define your vision

22:59 – How to begin if you feel discouraged

25:00 – Final reflections and encouragement

When you start the Autoimmune Protocol, it’s easy to expect a fairly straightforward path: remove certain foods, focus on nutrient density, support your lifestyle—and over time, feel better.

And for some people, that’s exactly what happens.

But for many others, the process feels more complicated. You might feel worse when you begin, struggle to stay consistent, stop seeing progress after a few months, or feel confused during reintroductions.

If you’ve ever wondered, What am I doing wrong? or Why isn’t this working for me?—you’re not alone.

In this episode of the AIP Deep Dive series, Mickey introduces troubleshooting as a normal and essential part of the process. Rather than seeing obstacles as failure, this episode reframes them as useful feedback—and gives you a clear way to identify what might be getting in the way and how to move forward.

Mickey explains when it actually makes sense to troubleshoot (and when it doesn’t), outlines the three main layers where issues tend to arise, and walks through how to make thoughtful adjustments without creating more confusion.

1. What troubleshooting really means—and why it doesn’t mean you’ve failed
2. When to troubleshoot vs. when to give the process more time
3. The three layers of troubleshooting: implementation, physiology, and medical factors
4. Common challenges in each phase (transition, elimination, and reintroduction)
5. Why lack of progress after 30–90 days may require a different approach
6. How to avoid overcomplicating the process with too many changes at once
7. Why mindset and patience play a key role in long-term success

1. The New Autoimmune Protocol (Book) – A practical guide to implementing AIP with a focus on preparation, sustainability, and personalization
2. AIP Foundation Series – Free 5-day email course with food lists, meal plans, and beginner tools
3. Episode 52: Tracking & Preparing for AIP

Episode Timeline:

00:00 – Why AIP doesn’t always go as expected

03:05 – What troubleshooting actually means

06:32 – When to troubleshoot—and when not to

09:51 – The three layers of troubleshooting

10:15 – Implementation challenges

11:58 – Physiological adjustments

13:41 – Underlying medical factors

14:57 – Troubleshooting across AIP phases

15:07 – Transition phase challenges

18:59 – Elimination phase troubleshooting

22:41 – Reintroduction phase challenges

25:19 – The mindset of troubleshooting

27:41 – Key takeaways and closing

What if the return of symptoms in midlife isn’t a setback—but a signal? What if shifting hormones during perimenopause and menopause are actively reshaping your gut, your immune system, and your resilience?

In this episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, I’m joined by Cynthia Thurlow, nurse practitioner, bestselling author, and expert in perimenopause and metabolic health. Her new book, The Menopause Gut, explores how hormonal changes in midlife impact the microbiome, immune regulation, and inflammation—and what women can do to adapt.

This conversation is especially relevant for the autoimmune community. Many women experience stable symptoms for years, only to find new flares, food sensitivities, sleep disruption, or anxiety emerging in their 40s. We explore why this happens, how estrogen and progesterone shifts influence gut and immune function, and how to support your body through this transition with clarity and intention.

1. Why perimenopause can trigger new autoimmune symptoms—even after years of stability
2. How declining estrogen reshapes the gut microbiome and increases inflammation
3. The connection between hormone fluctuations, histamine, and new food sensitivities
4. Why perimenopause is a time of increased autoimmune risk (and what that means)
5. How microbiome diversity influences immune tolerance and gut permeability
6. The role of stress, sleep, and the nervous system in midlife immune health
7. How bone density is connected to gut health and inflammation
8. Why “gray area” foods can become more reactive during hormonal shifts
9. Foundational strategies for supporting gut and immune health in midlife
10. How hormone replacement therapy (HRT) fits into an autoimmune-aware approach

Cynthia Thurlow, NP

1. Website: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com
2. Instagram: @cynthia_thurlow_
3. Facebook: The Midlife Pause
4. Podcast: Everyday Wellness
5. Book: The Menopause Gut

Episode Timeline:

00:00 – Why midlife symptoms aren’t a failure of your protocol

02:25 – Introducing Cynthia Thurlow

04:20 – What perimenopause and menopause actually are

13:02 – How the microbiome changes in midlife

17:01 – Microbiome diversity and immune tolerance

22:47 – Estrogen, histamine, and new food sensitivities

30:57 – Bone density, inflammation, and gut health

37:37 – Practical strategies for gut and immune support

44:57 – Hormone replacement therapy and autoimmunity

50:31 – Wrap-up and closing

If you’ve ever felt like AIP requires too much thinking in the kitchen, you’re not wrong.

Between figuring out what to cook, how to combine ingredients, and whether you have what you need, relying on recipes for every meal can quickly become overwhelming.

But AIP doesn’t have to feel that complicated.

In this Small Bite episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey Trescott introduces a simpler approach: flexible meal templates that take the guesswork out of cooking.

Instead of starting from scratch every time, these templates give you a repeatable structure you can use with whatever ingredients you have on hand—making meals easier, faster, and more sustainable.

1. Why relying on recipes can increase decision fatigue
2. How meal templates simplify everyday AIP cooking
3. The foundational formula: protein + vegetables + fat
4. How to batch cook and mix-and-match meals throughout the week
5. The skillet meal method for quick, one-pan cooking
6. How to layer ingredients for better texture and flavor
7. The “fridge dump” soup and stew approach for using leftovers
8. How to build a satisfying, balanced “big salad”
9. Why flexible structure supports long-term consistency

You don’t need more recipes to succeed on AIP—you need a system that works on your busiest days.

1. The New Autoimmune Protocol – Pre-Order

Episode Timeline

00:00 – Why AIP can feel like too much thinking

01:09 – Template 1: Protein + vegetables + fat

04:41 – Template 2: Skillet meal

08:16 – Template 3: Soup or stew

11:40 – Template 4: The big salad

14:00 – Recap & next steps

Living with autoimmune disease is deeply personal—but the systems that shape diagnosis, treatment options, and long-term outcomes extend far beyond the individual. Research advancements, policy decisions, and community-led initiatives all play a role in what care looks like today—and what becomes possible in the future.

In this second Quarterly Community Update episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey Trescott zooms out to explore what’s currently unfolding across the autoimmune landscape. These quarterly conversations are designed to keep you informed and grounded—without overwhelm—so you can better understand the bigger picture while navigating your own healing journey.

This episode focuses on three key areas shaping autoimmune care in real time: research, advocacy, and community education. Mickey is joined by three returning contributors who bring both professional expertise and lived experience to these important conversations.

First, Sybil Cooper, PhD, immunologist and AIP Certified Coach, breaks down emerging research on CAR-T therapy—an innovative and highly targeted treatment approach that may transform how autoimmune disease is treated in the future.

Next, Jamie-Nicole Martin, chronic illness advocate and founder of the AIP BIPOC Network, shares insights from recent advocacy efforts in Washington, DC, along with updates on community-driven initiatives like the ROCK Summit and ROCK the Block, which aim to improve awareness, access, and equity in autoimmune care.

Finally, Jaime Hartman, National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, AIP Summit organizer, and co-teacher of the AIP Certified Coach Program, discusses trends within the AIP community, including how coaching support is evolving and how more practitioners worldwide are integrating AIP into their work.

Together, these conversations highlight how innovation in research, progress in advocacy, and growth in community education are all interconnected—and why they matter for anyone living with autoimmune disease.

• What CAR-T therapy is and why it represents a promising new direction in autoimmune treatment
• How CAR-T differs from traditional systemic treatments by targeting specific immune cells
• Why this research could shift the conversation from symptom management toward potential remission or cure
• How advocacy efforts are pushing for increased autoimmune research funding and policy change
• The role of the Office of Autoimmune Disease Research and why coordinated data matters
• Common barriers patients face with insurance, including step therapy and copay policies
• How community-based events like ROCK the Block and ROCK Summit are improving awareness and access
• Why advocacy happens at both the individual and systems level—and how they connect
• Where people commonly get stuck on AIP, especially during reintroductions
• How AIP Certified Coaches provide personalized support to help navigate those challenges
• How the AIP community is expanding globally, with more practitioners and diverse specialties
• Practical ways to find AIP-trained support and connect with ongoing education

• AIP BIPOC Network – Advocacy initiatives, events, and community programs
• AIP BIPOC Network Donation Link – Support ongoing advocacy and programming
• Autoimmune Association – Advocacy resources and policy initiatives
• Office of Autoimmune Disease Research (NIH) – Federal research coordination efforts
• AIP Summit – Annual event, replays, and community access
• AIP Certified Coach Program & Practitioner Directory – Professional training and global directory

00:00 – Introduction to the Quarterly Community Update series

01:10 – Meet the recurring contributors

02:31 – Research update with Sybil Cooper, PhD

03:07 – What is CAR-T therapy?

07:08 – Future implications of CAR-T for autoimmune disease

10:33 – Advocacy update with Jamie-Nicole Martin

11:25 – Autoimmune Association fly-in and policy efforts

16:25 – ROCK Summit & ROCK the Block recap

20:07 – Upcoming initiatives from AIP BIPOC Network

21:49 – Community trends with Jaime Hartman

22:47 – How AIP Certified Coaches support clients

25:59 – Trends in the current AIP coaching community

28:50 – How to find the right AIP Certified Coach

32:02 – Closing reflections and wrap-up

Healing stories are often told once there’s a clear path—but autoimmune life is often lived in uncertainty, advocacy, and difficult decisions.

In this episode, Mickey talks with Emmitt Henderson III, lupus patient and founder of Male Lupus Warriors, about navigating life with a complex and often misunderstood condition. Emmitt shares his decades-long journey to diagnosis, his experience living with lupus as a man, and what it’s like to face stage four kidney failure while continuing to advocate for others.

This conversation offers perspective for anyone navigating uncertainty, advocating for themselves in the medical system, or learning how to keep showing up—even when the path forward isn’t clear.

1. What it’s like to live with lupus and face complications like kidney failure
2. Why lupus is often misunderstood—especially in men
3. How delays in diagnosis can shape the autoimmune experience
4. What it means to advocate for yourself within the medical system
5. How Emmitt stays motivated while navigating serious health challenges
6. The role of community and representation in chronic illness
7. What to know about kidney donation and donor exchange programs
8. Why sharing your story can help others feel less alone
9. How to stay grounded and keep going during uncertain seasons

1. Male Lupus Warriors Website
2. Emmitt's Email: [email protected]
3. Autoimmune Association – Advocacy and autoimmune disease support
4. Kidney Donation Screening

00:00 – Introduction to Flare to Flow and living in uncertainty

01:15 – Meet Emmitt Henderson III

02:12 – Emmitt’s lupus diagnosis journey

05:08 – Navigating kidney failure and transplant uncertainty

06:29 – Advocacy and representation in autoimmune disease

08:11 – Understanding kidney donation and donor exchange

10:06 – Message for those struggling right now

11:12 – Male Lupus Warriors and community support

12:44 – Wrap-up and closing

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “doing AIP right,” you’re not alone.

From navigating the early days of elimination to troubleshooting plateaus, managing low energy, and figuring out how to make this work in real life—there are so many questions that come up along the way.

In this special Q&A episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey answers listener-submitted questions from across the community, covering both the practical and emotional sides of the Autoimmune Protocol.

She walks through common challenges like symptom flare-ups in the first few weeks, what to do if you’re not seeing results, how to handle reintroductions without fear, and how to make AIP sustainable long term. She also dives into bigger-picture topics like personalization, research, and the future of autoimmune care.

This episode is a reminder that AIP isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning, adapting, and finding what works for your body over time.

1. Why symptoms can temporarily worsen in the first weeks of AIP
2. How to troubleshoot when you’re not seeing improvement after 1–2 months
3. Common reasons AIP “isn’t working” (and what to look at first)
4. How to navigate low energy, flares, or limited capacity for cooking
5. Practical strategies for eating out or using meal shortcuts on AIP
6. How to think about supplements, fillers, and what’s actually necessary
7. Why fear around reintroductions is common—and how to move forward safely
8. How to approach reintroductions without triggering anxiety or over-restriction
9. What to do after a failed reintroduction (and how to continue progressing)
10. How to make AIP sustainable long term without feeling deprived
11. The relationship between structure and bio-individuality in AIP
12. What the research says about common trigger foods
13. Why AIP is not a replacement for medical care or medication
14. How to advocate for more autoimmune research and better care

1. The New Autoimmune Protocol (Book + Preorder Community)
2. Episode 58: The 3 Meal Safety Net
3. Urban AIP Meal Delivery
4. Autoimmune Association
5. AIP BIPOC Network

Episode Timeline:

00:00 – Introduction to the Q&A episode

01:22 – Is it normal for symptoms to worsen early on AIP?

05:02 – Two months on AIP with no improvement

11:04 – Real-life barriers: energy, cooking, and access

17:36 – Supplements and AIP compatibility

22:43 – Fear of reintroductions

27:43 – Reintroduction strategy and failed attempts

32:53 – Getting back to AIP after life changes

38:17 – Personalization vs protocol structure

41:33 – Common trigger foods and medication expectations

46:20 – Troubleshooting setbacks and research advocacy

51:21 – Wrap-up and closing