Autoimmune Simplified

Why do autoimmune symptoms flare after stress, poor sleep, illness, or major life events? If autoimmune disease were simply the immune system attacking the body, symptoms would be constant. But for many people, flares follow a pattern. So what's actually driving them? In this episode, Dr. Alison Danby explains a system in the body that most autoimmune patients are never taught about in the doctor's office, and why understanding it may completely change how we think about autoimmune disease. You'll learn: • Why stress is the #1 trigger for autoimmune flares • Why cortisol may not be the real problem • The hidden communication system between the brain and the immune system • Why chronic stress changes immune behavior • The surprising research on stress resilience from Navy SEAL training • Why autoimmune disease might be responding to signals from somewhere else Once you understand how these systems interact, autoimmune disease stops looking random. And that changes everything. Next Episode Why pushing through fatigue may actually make autoimmune disease worse. Ready to go deeper? Check out autoimmuneacademy.com Get on the waitlist to be the first to hear about Autoimmune Rewired. https://autoimmuneacademy.com/rewired Drop a Review on the Podcast + Send us a screenshot and we'll send you Dr. Alison's Exclusive Training on Autoimmune Myths, That Are Keeping You Stuck www.autoimmuneacademy.com/review Follow Dr. Alison Dnaby on Instagram @dr.AlisonDanby

If you've ever wondered why eating "right" feels harder during menopause, this episode is for you. We're taking an honest look at food, hormones, and the messy middle between doing what you should and what your body actually needs. This conversation is about letting go of rigid food rules and leaning into practical nutrition, the kind that supports your energy, hormones, and overall well-being without guilt or perfection. You'll hear insights on intuitive eating, how to navigate conflicting nutrition advice, and why freedom with food can be one of the most healing steps in menopause and perimenopause. You'll Learn: Why menopause is the perfect time to rethink old food beliefs The truth about carbs, protein, and balance How intuitive eating builds trust with your body Why "good" and "bad" foods don't exist What practical, sustainable nutrition really looks like Listen if you're ready to: Stop second-guessing what you eat Reconnect with your body's cues Let go of diet culture and find peace with food About Our Guest: Dr. Jenn Salib Huber is a Canadian Registered Dietitian, Naturopathic Doctor and Intuitive Eating Counselor on a mission to help women manage menopause without diets and food rules. She supports women through the physical and emotional shifts of perimenopause and menopause using a Health at Every Size approach, intuitive eating, and practical nutrition. Jenn hosts The Midlife Feast podcast and community, and is the author of the upcoming book Eat to Thrive During Menopause, out October 21, 2025. How to find Jenn, Book: https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/Book Podcast (The Midlife Feast) and/or my free nutrition blueprint: https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/MenopauseNutritionGuide Instagram @menopause.nutritionist, https://themidlifefeast.substack.com/ [email protected] Resources & Links: Ready to go deeper? Check out autoimmuneacademy.com Get on the waitlist to be the first to hear about Autoimmune Rewired. https://autoimmuneacademy.com/rewired Drop a Review on the Podcast + Send us a screenshot and we'll send you Dr. Alison's Exclusive Training on Autoimmune Myths, That Are Keeping You Stuck www.autoimmuneacademy.com/review Follow Dr. Alison Dnaby on Instagram @dr.AlisonDanby

Building Resilience: The Missing Link in Autoimmune Burnout Recovery Most people think resilience means pushing harder, powering through stress, fatigue, and flare-ups until the body finally gives in. But what if that approach is actually keeping you stuck in burnout? In this episode of Autoimmune Simplified, Dr. Alison Danby redefines what resilience really means in autoimmune healing, and it's not about being tougher or doing more. You'll learn how true resilience is built through flexibility, not force, and why it may be the key to restoring balance after chronic stress or flares. This is Part 3 of our 3-part Autoimmune Burnout Series, wrapping up the conversation on burnout and cortisol with the science (and practice) of building your bounce-back capacity. 🔑 In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why resilience isn't about "staying strong", and what it actually looks like in autoimmune recovery. How burnout affects your body's ability to adapt (and how to retrain it). The subtle mindset shift that signals your nervous system that it's safe to rest. Practical ways to start rebuilding energy, balance, and emotional flexibility, one small step at a time. Resources & Links: Ready to go deeper? Check out autoimmuneacademy.com Get on the waitlist to be the first to hear about Autoimmune Rewired. https://autoimmuneacademy.com/rewired Drop a Review on the Podcast + Send us a screenshot and we'll send you Dr. Alison's Exclusive Training on Autoimmune Myths, That Are Keeping You Stuck www.autoimmuneacademy.com/review Follow Dr. Alison Dnaby on Instagram @dr.AlisonDanby

The Surprising Truth About Cortisol and Autoimmune Health Cortisol gets blamed for everything from weight gain to fatigue to brain fog, but what if we've been thinking about it all wrong? In this episode of Autoimmune Simplified, Dr. Alison Danby reveals why cortisol isn't the enemy, and why the way it's often talked about online is missing the bigger picture. We'll dig into the myths, the surprising truth about testing, and what actually matters for autoimmune health. This is Part 2 of our 3-part Autoimmune Burnout Series, so if you've ever wondered whether your symptoms are due to "adrenal fatigue" or questioned if testing your cortisol is worth it, you don't want to miss this one. 🔑 In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why the real story of cortisol has less to do with "high" or "low" and more to do with rhythm. The hidden truth behind popular cortisol myths you've probably heard. Why testing isn't always the answer — and what to focus on instead. Practical ways to work with your body's natural patterns to build resilience and energy. -------------------------------------------------------- Resources & Links: Ready to go deeper? Check out autoimmuneacademy.com. The Fatigue Fix course & Autoimmune Foundations has a full section designed specifically to help you overcome burnout. https://autoimmuneacademy.com/programs/ Drop a Review on the Podcast + Send us a screenshot and we'll send you Dr. Alison's Exclusive Training on Autoimmune Myths, That Are Keeping You Stuck www.autoimmuneacademy.com/review Follow Dr. Alison Dnaby on Instagram @dr.AlisonDanby

Why Autoimmune Burnout Hits Harder, And What to Do About It Burnout isn't just about long hours and too much coffee. When you live with an autoimmune condition, burnout is deeper, more advanced, and more relentless. Think of it as burnout on steroids, an emotional rollercoaster of symptoms, endless appointments, a diagnosis that's both a relief and a life sentence, and fatigue so bone-deep it's invisible to everyone but you. Description: In this first episode of the Running on Empty series, Dr. Alison breaks down why autoimmune burnout is different, and why it leaves you more exhausted, more frustrated, and more misunderstood than "regular" burnout. Here's what you'll discover inside this episode: Why autoimmune burnout is more advanced: from the exhausting path to diagnosis, to the emotional weight of "no cure," to the invisible fatigue no one else seems to understand. The science behind it: how burnout impacts your brain, nervous system, hormones, and inflammation — and why it can amplify flares and symptoms. The truth about testing: why there's no single burnout biomarker, and why cortisol panels won't tell you what you already feel in your body. What doesn't work: quick-fix detoxes, supplement stacks, or trying to "push through." What actually helps: research-backed strategies, from sleep and movement to mindset, gratitude, and nervous system regulation, that rebuild resilience step by step. ✨ Most importantly, you'll walk away knowing this: burnout isn't permanent. With the right strategies, you can recover, rebuild, and reclaim your energy. --------------------------------------------------------------- Resources & Links: Ready to go deeper? Check out autoimmuneacademy.com. The Fatigue Fix course has a full section designed specifically to help you overcome burnout. https://autoimmuneacademy.com/programs/ Drop a Review on the Podcast + Send us a screenshot and we'll send you Dr. Alison's Exclusive Training on Autoimmune Myths, That Are Keeping You Stuck www.autoimmuneacademy.com/review Follow Dr. Alison Dnaby on Instagram @dr.AlisonDanby