Your Body's Hidden Stress Loop (And Why You Can’t Meditate Your Way Out)
Release Date: 07/04/2025
Your Body's Hidden Stress Loop (And Why You Can’t Meditate Your Way Out)
Autoimmune Simplified
Episode Summary: You’re doing the breathwork. You’ve tried the supplements. You meditate, journal, and maybe even cold plunge. So why are you still inflamed, flaring, and flat-out exhausted? In this episode, we’re flipping the conversation on stress. Not from a mindset or meditation angle, but from a deep biological perspective. We explore what it really means for your body to feel unsafe and how this hidden state of "threat" keeps your immune system stuck in overdrive, even when everything looks good on paper. If you’ve ever felt like stress is the missing piece, but traditional...
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Should I Go Carnivore? The Top Question I’m Asked Every Week
Autoimmune Simplified
Should I Go Carnivore? The Top Question I’m Asked Every Week Why Meat-Only Isn’t Your Autoimmune Fix (and What Your Gut Really Needs) Have you ever wondered if going carnivore might be the answer to your autoimmune flares, gut issues, or relentless fatigue? You’re not alone—and this episode is for you. Inside this powerful episode of Autoimmune Simplified, we’re tackling one of the biggest trends in the wellness world: the carnivore diet. You’ll hear why it seems to work at first—and why it may do more harm than good in the long run if you’re living with autoimmune issues....
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The Truth About Autoimmune Hair Loss (Spoiler: It’s Not Biotin)
Autoimmune Simplified
Hair in the drain. A widening part. Thinning at the temples. You’ve tried the shampoo. The supplements. The serums. But nothing’s working. What if the real reason your hair is falling out… has nothing to do with your hair at all? In today’s episode of Autoimmune Simplified, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood symptoms of autoimmune conditions: hair loss. What’s really causing it? Why are traditional solutions missing the mark? And what’s the one lab marker that’s often labeled “normal” but quietly sabotaging your hair regrowth? ...
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When Hormones Fuel the Fire: Autoimmunity in Perimenopause
Autoimmune Simplified
Perimenopause & Autoimmune — What’s Really Going On? Are your autoimmune symptoms flaring as your hormones shift? You're not imagining it. In this episode, Dr. Alison Danby dives deep into the powerful intersection between perimenopause and autoimmune disease — what’s happening in your body, why things feel harder than they used to, and what you can do to feel like yourself again. In This Episode, You'll Learn: What perimenopause really is — and how it affects your hormones, mood, sleep, and immune system Why hormone testing may not be as helpful as you think (and what...
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Beyond the Label: What ‘Anti-Inflammatory Foods’ Really Means
Autoimmune Simplified
We hear it everywhere: “Eat an anti-inflammatory diet.” But… what does anti-inflammatory really mean? In this episode, Dr. Alison opens up about why she made a major pivot in her approach to autoimmune nutrition — stepping away from restrictive diets she once supported — and the powerful science that changed everything. We explore two fascinating studies that challenge conventional wisdom: A brand-new randomized controlled trial in autoimmune disease A a mindblowing study that reveals how you feel about food can shift your biology You’ll discover: Why “anti-inflammatory”...
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Autoimmunity, Nervous System &... Carebears? Let’s Talk.
Autoimmune Simplified
What do childhood cartoons, spontaneous dance breaks, and ancient healing traditions have in common? They’re all part of the surprising, science-backed tools I use to support the nervous system—tools that have transformed my own healing and the journey of so many clients navigating autoimmunity. In this soul-soothing episode of Autoimmune Simplified, we’re diving into the beautiful intersection of science and self-care—nervous system regulation. I’m sharing three of my most-loved practices for calming the body, shifting out of stress, and creating space for true healing....
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LDN: Hope or Hype for Autoimmune Disease?
Autoimmune Simplified
This episode dives deep into one of the questions I get asked most often: Should I take Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)? If you're wondering whether LDN will work for your autoimmune condition, why it’s not working for you, or why so many people online swear by it—this is the episode you need to hear. LDN has gained a lot of traction in the autoimmune community, especially on social media and even among some medical professionals. But is the hype supported by science? In this episode, we're cutting through the noise and getting real about what the research actually says. We’ll break down: ...
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Gut Health & Hashimoto’s: The Hidden Connection You Need to Know with Dr. Alison Danby, ND
Autoimmune Simplified
In this episode of Autoimmune Simplified, Dr. Alison Danby ND explores the powerful connection between gut health and thyroid function, particularly in Hashimoto’s. Learn how gut imbalances, nutrient absorption, leaky gut, and dysbiosis can impact your thyroid and autoimmune response. Key Topics Covered: ✔ The Thyroid-Gut Axis – How gut health influences thyroid function ✔ Leaky Gut & Autoimmune Thyroid Disease ✔ The role of gut bacteria in Hashimoto’s and how microbiome imbalances contribute to thyroid dysfunction ✔ Diet and lifestyle shifts to support gut and...
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Episode 109: Unpacking Hard Truths: Laura's Insight on Alcohol's Impact to Health
Autoimmune Simplified
In this episode, we welcome back Laura Valvasori, she shares her remarkable journey of transforming her life and health by eliminating alcohol. This conversation tackles a critical yet often overlooked aspect of autoimmune care – the significant impact of alcohol on health. Laura's story is not just inspiring; it's a wake-up call to many who are diligently following their health routines but might be ignoring the 'big elephant in the room' – alcohol. We delve into how Laura made the pivotal decision to quit drinking and the profound health benefits she experienced as a result. This episode...
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Episode 108: The Missing Link: Key Steps to Healing Your Gut
Autoimmune Simplified
In this episode, we explore the fascinating gut-brain axis, focusing on the complex interaction between gut health and mental well-being. Discover the role of the vagus nerve in this bidirectional relationship and how stress affects both the gut and the brain. We discuss the impact of the microbiome on autoimmune and mental health, emphasizing the importance of a balanced microbial environment. Learn about the systemic effects of gut inflammation, especially in autoimmune disorders, and the influence of diet and stress management on maintaining a healthy gut-brain connection. Join us for an...
info_outlineEpisode Summary:
You’re doing the breathwork. You’ve tried the supplements. You meditate, journal, and maybe even cold plunge.
So why are you still inflamed, flaring, and flat-out exhausted?
In this episode, we’re flipping the conversation on stress. Not from a mindset or meditation angle, but from a deep biological perspective. We explore what it really means for your body to feel unsafe and how this hidden state of "threat" keeps your immune system stuck in overdrive, even when everything looks good on paper.
If you’ve ever felt like stress is the missing piece, but traditional advice isn’t cutting it… this episode is your lightbulb moment.
🔍 In This Episode You’ll Learn:
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Why your body can be in “danger mode” 24/7, even if your life feels calm
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The difference between perceived stress vs. physiological stress (and why it matters)
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Why healing doesn’t happen unless your body feels safe
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The limits of breathwork and vagus nerve hacks (and what to focus on instead)
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The 23-hour stress cycle most people never think about
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Real client stories showing how nervous system support transforms autoimmune healing
🧠 Key Insight:
Your body doesn’t heal just because you’re calm for 10 minutes. It heals when your system knows it’s safe, consistently.
📣 Call to Action:
Ready to take the guesswork out of healing and finally get results that last? Join our upcoming Autoimmune Foundations Masterclass where we break down the core habits that truly move the needle.
https://autoimmunefoundations.com/registration
Join us inside Autoimmune Foundations—our 5-week live coaching program designed to help you rebuild the 4 pillars of healing: nutrition, sleep, movement, and stress relief. Here is the link for the waitlist - join to get access to exclusive waitlist bonuses.
PS doors open early for the waitlist only.
https://autoimmunefoundations.com/waitlist
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About your host:
Dr. Alison Danby is a Naturopathic Doctor trained in Functional Medicine, who has focused on immune function and autoimmune conditions for the last 18 years. She is the founder of The Autoimmune Academy, the host of the podcast Autoimmune Simplified, an international professional speaker, educating medical professionals on the collaborative medical care model for autoimmune, and a frequent guest on podcasts.
Her mission is to change the paradigm of how we medically treat autoimmune, helping remove the frustration and overwhelm that is common with an autoimmune diagnosis while using collaborative care and helping her clients not only manage their condition but optimize their quality of life. Dr. Alison’s passion is working in both a one-on-one practice and within her autoimmune membership/group programs.
Connect with Dr. Danby, ND
IG: @dr.AlisonDanby
Facebook: Dr. Alison Danby, Naturopathic Doctor
website: www.autoimmuneacademy.com and www.AlisonDanby.com
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