The Autoimmune RESET

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.

• Transcript

Can You Actually Speed Up Hair Growth? What’s Really Going On with Alopecia and Regrowth

Send us Fan Mail Can you actually speed up hair growth — or is that the wrong question? In this episode, I’m unpacking one of the most common questions I hear in clinic, particularly from those navigating hair loss and conditions like Alopecia Areata. We explore what is really happening beneath the surface when hair isn’t growing as expected, why regrowth can stall at fine, vellus hair, and what may be blocking the transition to stronger, terminal hair. Rather than focusing on quick fixes or isolated solutions, this episode takes a systems-based view — looking at how immune activity, inflammation, energy, hormones, and the nervous system all influence hair growth. I also share insights from emerging research, including how hair is not simply “pushed” from the follicle but involves coordinated cellular activity, and where tools like red light therapy may fit in. This is about shifting your perspective — from trying to force hair growth… to understanding what your body needs in order to support it. 🔑 Key Topics Covered Why “speeding up hair growth” isn’t always the right focus What’s really happening in alopecia and autoimmune-related hair loss Vellus vs terminal hair — and why regrowth can stall The role of immune activity and unresolved inflammation How cellular energy and mitochondrial function impact hair growth The connection between stress, the nervous system, and hair Nutrient sufficiency vs nutrient utilisation Where treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride fit The science behind red light therapy and why wavelength matters Why hair growth is a systems issue — not a single pathway problem Ready to go deeper and understand your own “why”? → Learn about the functional testing and 1:1 analysis I offer in clinic — the same root-cause tests I used to rebuild my own health, with personalised guidance so you know exactly what to do next. You can learn more about the tests offered at the Autoimmune Nutrition Clinic here. 🧘‍♀️ 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 to all clients as they begin calming the immune response and rebuilding resilience. Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Friday 5 - Why Progress Plateaus In Autoimmune Disease Recovery

Send us Fan Mail At some point in any health journey, there is often a phase where progress appears to slow — or stop altogether. You may be doing many of the “right” things, yet symptoms persist, energy remains low, or improvements are not as consistent as expected. This can feel frustrating, and it is often the point where people begin searching for something new or more intensive. In this episode, we explore a different perspective. Rather than adding more, this is often a moment to refine. To look at whether the body is able to fully utilise what is already in place, and whether the current approach aligns with what it needs right now. This Friday Five walks through five key areas that commonly underpin plateaus, alongside practical ways to support your body in moving forward — in a way that feels both sustainable and effective. In This Episode, We Cover Why plateaus are a common and often necessary phase of the healing process The difference between doing more and doing what is appropriate for your body at a given time How subtle imbalances in foundational habits can quietly limit progress The role of digestion as a potential bottleneck, even when diet appears supportive Why reducing overall load can sometimes be more impactful than adding new interventions How the nervous system influences repair, inflammation, and energy The importance of allowing time for integration, rather than constantly changing direction 🧘‍♀️ 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 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 to all clients as they begin calming the immune response and rebuilding resilience. 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.

What to Do After an Autoimmune Diagnosis: A Practical Guide to Your First Steps

Send us Fan Mail Being diagnosed with an autoimmune condition can feel like a turning point — but also an incredibly uncertain one. In this episode, I’m walking you through what to do next. Not in a complicated or overwhelming way, but in a way that helps you feel more grounded, informed, and supported from the very beginning. Because what I see time and time again in clinic is this: people leave with a diagnosis, but very little clarity on how to actually support their body. So instead of reacting with restriction, over-researching, or trying to fix everything overnight, this episode will guide you through a more strategic and sustainable approach. We explore what autoimmunity actually is, why it develops, and — most importantly — the practical first steps you can take to start supporting your body without burnout. 🔍 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN What autoimmunity really means (and why it’s not random) Why the first step is not to overhaul everything overnight The most common mistakes people make after diagnosis How stress, gut health, hormones, and environment all play a role Why stabilising your foundations is more important than complex protocols When functional testing can be helpful — and when it’s not How to approach your healing in a way that feels manageable and sustainable 🧘‍♀️ 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 to all clients as they begin calming the immune response and rebuilding resilience. 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.