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In this episode of the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast, I interviewed Mickey Trescott, a leading voice in the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) community, nutritionist, and co-founder of Autoimmune Wellness. Mickey has been at the forefront of helping people with autoimmune conditions use food as a powerful healing tool, and her work has shaped how we approach dietary interventions for conditions like Hashimoto’s, IBD, and rheumatoid arthritis.
We spoke about her personal journey with Hashimoto’s and celiac disease, the evolution of the Autoimmune Protocol over the past decade, and the exciting new research validating what so many of us have experienced firsthand: that food can truly change the course of autoimmune disease. We also dive into her new book, The New Autoimmune Protocol, which introduces a more flexible, sustainable approach to healing.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by dietary changes, unsure where to start, or worried that healing means restriction forever, this episode will give you a whole new perspective.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why the Autoimmune Protocol isn’t meant to be forever. Many people fear the AIP means a lifetime of restriction, but Mickey explains how it’s actually a temporary tool designed to uncover your personal food triggers so you can expand your diet with more confidence, flexibility, and freedom.
- How food can drive real, measurable remission in autoimmune disease. From clinical studies in inflammatory bowel disease to real-world improvements in Hashimoto’s, we discuss how dietary changes can lower inflammation, reduce symptoms, and help shift the course of autoimmune disease.
- The biggest mistake people make with elimination diets. Removing one food at a time often doesn’t work because the immune system is still “loud” with multiple triggers. The AIP works by clearing the slate so you can finally hear what your body is trying to tell you.
- Why the “modified AIP” approach may work better for many people. After years of clinical experience and research, Mickey shares why a more flexible version of the AIP, including foods like rice and certain legumes, can reduce stress, feel more sustainable, and still deliver powerful healing benefits.
- How to reintroduce foods without fear (or setbacks). The reintroduction phase is where the real magic happens. When done correctly, it helps you build a more personalized, sustainable way of eating without triggering unwanted symptoms.
- The surprising connection between food sensitivities and hormones. Food reactions don’t always happen immediately. They can show up days later as mood changes, skin flare-ups, fatigue, and even menstrual cycle symptoms, making tracking and timing an essential part of healing.
The New Autoimmune Protocol: The Complete Guide to Managing Autoimmune Disease, with 75 Delicious Recipes by Mickey Trescott – If you’re ready to take a more structured (and much more sustainable) approach to healing with food, I highly recommend Mickey Trescott’s new book. This beautifully designed guide walks you through both the traditional AIP and the newer, more flexible “Modified AIP,” making it easier than ever to personalize your healing journey. With 70+ delicious recipes and practical meal plans, it’s an incredible resource for anyone navigating autoimmune disease. Available for preorder now, the book will be released May 26th!
Freebies
- AIP Foundation Series (60+ pages of guides, food lists, and meal plans)
Guest Resources / Connect with Mickey Trescott
- Learn more at her website
- Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube
- Listen to the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast
- Check out Mickey’s books:
- The New Autoimmune Protocol: The Complete Guide to Managing Autoimmune Disease, with 75 Delicious Recipes (releasing on May 26th, 2026)
- The Nutrient-Dense Kitchen: 125 Autoimmune Paleo Recipes for Deep Healing and Vibrant Health
- The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook: An Allergen-Free Approach to Managing Chronic Illness
- The Autoimmune Wellness Handbook: A DIY Guide to Living Well with Chronic Illness
Supplements We Discussed
- Magnesium – Supports relaxation, sleep quality, and regular bowel movements, and is often depleted in times of stress. Consider Rootcology Magnesium Citrate Powder.
Other Tools and Resources
- Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) – A structured elimination and reintroduction framework to identify food sensitivities and reduce autoimmune symptoms.
- Modified AIP – A more flexible version of AIP that includes select foods like rice, legumes, and seeds for improved sustainability.
- Food and symptom tracking – A critical tool and practice for identifying delayed reactions and patterns in energy, digestion, and mood.
- Batch cooking – A practical strategy for preparing nutrient-dense meals in advance to reduce stress and support consistency.
- Research studies on the AIP:
- Effects of Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet on changes in thyroid parameters in Hashimoto’s disease by Paula Ihnatowicz et al. – Polish study on AIP for Hashimoto’s showing a 30 to 70% improvement rate in symptoms.
- Efficacy of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet for Inflammatory Bowel Disease by Gauree G. Konijeti et al. – Pilot trial using AIP for IBD with a 73% remission rate.
- Efficacy of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet as Part of a Multi-Disciplinary Supported Lifestyle Intervention for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis by Robert D. Abbott et al. – Findings suggest AIP may decrease systemic inflammation and help modulate the immune system.
- An Autoimmune Protocol Diet Improves Patient-Reported Quality of Life in Inflammatory Bowel Disease by Anita Chandrasekaran et al. – AIP diet improved quality of life in patients with active IBD.
- The Autoimmune Protocol Diet Modifies Intestinal RNA Expression in Inflammatory Bowel Disease by Anita Chandrasekaran et al. – Findings from the microbiome team at Scripps Research suggest diet may help modify inflammatory pathways in people with ulcerative colitis.
Books and Articles About the AIP and Thyroid Health
- Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back by Dr. Izabella Wentz – A root-cause approach to reversing thyroid symptoms.
- Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause by Dr. Izabella Wentz – A comprehensive guide to identifying triggers of Hashimoto’s.
- IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Dr. Izabella Wentz
- Autoimmune Paleo Diet
- Healing Food Sensitivities
- Food Sensitivities and Hashimoto’s
- Uncover Your Hashimoto’s Root Cause with an Elimination Diet
Get the Full Episode Transcript
Let’s Connect!
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Got questions? Drop them in the comments! 🙂
About Our Host
Dr. Izabella Wentz
Dr. Izabella Wentz is a compassionate, innovative, solution-focused integrative pharmacist dedicated to finding the root causes of chronic health conditions. Her passion stems from her own diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2009, following a decade of debilitating symptoms.
Dr. Izabella Wentz has written several best-selling books, including the New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause, the protocol-based #1 New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back, the Wall Street Journal bestseller Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health, and Adrenal Transformation Protocol. Her latest book, IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is now out in the world, and available here!
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About Our Guest
Mickey Trescott, MSc, is an author, nutrition professional, and leading voice in the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) community. She holds a Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine, and has supported autoimmune clients since 2013. As co-founder of Autoimmune Wellness, she helped grow AIP from a small online community into a globally recognized, research-supported protocol. She has collaborated with medical researchers studying the AIP for various conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis, and co-created the AIP Certified Coach Practitioner Training Program, which has trained more than 1,000 providers worldwide. She is the author of four best-selling books, including The New Autoimmune Protocol, which introduces the first major update to the AIP in over a decade.
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