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Hair loss is rarely random — and it is almost never just about iron or shampoo.

In this episode of The Autoimmune Reset, VJ Hamilton explores the deeper physiology behind alopecia and autoimmune-related hair loss, and explains why standard blood tests often leave people stuck with answers but no real direction. Because while tests like ferritin and thyroid markers can tell you what is low, they rarely explain why the body is struggling in the first place.

Drawing from both her own recovery journey and years in clinical practice, VJ shares the five functional tests she most often uses to uncover the hidden drivers of hair thinning and shedding. From gut health and nutrient absorption to hormonal rhythms, mitochondrial energy production, mould exposure, and food reactivity, she walks listeners through the upstream factors that quietly influence immune balance and hair growth.

This episode reframes hair as a barometer of overall health — not the problem itself, but a signal that something deeper requires attention. If you’re tired of guesswork and want a more strategic, root-cause approach to testing, this conversation offers a clear, practical roadmap.

Because when you understand the “why,” everything becomes more precise — and far less overwhelming.

Key Takeaways

• Hair loss is often a symptom, not the root issue
• Blood tests show what’s happening, but rarely explain why
• Gut health determines nutrient absorption and immune regulation
• Hormonal rhythms and stress physiology directly influence shedding
• Mitochondrial energy is essential for growth and repair
• Hidden mould exposure can perpetuate inflammation and immune activation
• Food reactivity may contribute to autoimmune flares
• Strategic testing prevents supplement guesswork
• Alopecia improves when underlying systems are supported
• A personalised, systems-based approach is far more effective than chasing single nutrients

Chapter Markers

00:00 Why blood tests aren’t the full story
02:10 Hair as a barometer of deeper health
03:05 Gut testing: Microbiome Explorer vs GI Effects
06:00 Hormones, cortisol and the DUTCH test
08:10 Energy, nutrients and Metabolomix
09:40 Mould and environmental triggers
10:45 Food reactivity and immune load
12:00 A root-cause roadmap for recovery

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.

💬 Want to connect

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Holly Bertone — a former FBI Chief of Staff turned Emotional Eating Profiler and coach — whose own journey through breast cancer, autoimmune disease, and high-pressure corporate life led her to completely rethink what health and success truly mean.

Together, we explore why midlife can feel like a turning point for so many women, particularly when it comes to food, weight, and energy. Hormonal shifts, stress physiology, and years of pushing through fatigue often converge at this stage of life, leaving women feeling disconnected from their bodies and frustrated by habits that no longer make sense — especially emotional eating.

Rather than framing this as a willpower issue, Holly offers a far more compassionate and scientific lens. We talk about the behavioural and biological drivers behind emotional eating, how chronic stress and immune dysregulation can influence cravings, and why learning to listen to your body’s signals is often the most powerful place to start.

This conversation is ultimately about trust — rebuilding trust with your body, moving away from rigid food rules, and developing the discernment to understand what genuinely nourishes you versus what depletes you. Because real, lasting change rarely comes from another plan; it comes from personalisation and paying attention.

If you’re navigating midlife changes, autoimmune symptoms, or simply feel like your relationship with food has become more complicated than it used to be, this episode will offer both clarity and reassurance.

🧘‍♀️ 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.

💬 Want to connect with others on this journey?
→ Join The Autoimmune Forum, my private community for anyone navigating autoimmunity. Ask questions, share your progress, and get support every step of the way.

Subscribe to the podcast for more expert insights on healing chronic illness through root-cause medicine, and if you found this episode helpful, leave a review or share it with someone who needs it.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications, supplements, or treatment plan — especially if you have a diagnosed autoimmune condition.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us a text

Headaches are often dismissed as stress, dehydration, or “just one of those things.” But in clinic, I rarely see headaches as random.

In this Friday 5 episode, I’m sharing five functional, root-cause ways to stop headaches naturally — not by masking symptoms, but by understanding what your body is actually asking for.

We explore why headaches so often stem from blood sugar crashes, mineral imbalances, nervous system overload, histamine build-up, and restricted circulation, and how simple, targeted interventions can bring real relief.

I also share personal insights from my own experience — including why I used to get headaches while fasting, why eating protein helped almost immediately, and what that tells us about the brain’s need for stable fuel.

We’ll cover:

• Why headaches are a common sign of blood sugar instability (even if you’re eating regularly)
• How low minerals — not dehydration — often drive head pain
• The role of the nervous system and vagus nerve in headache patterns
• When histamine and detox pathways are involved
• Why improving circulation can be more effective than lying still

This episode also touches on the growing evidence behind vagus nerve support, including science-backed tools that help calm the nervous system and restore balance when headaches are stress- or tension-driven.

🧘‍♀️ 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.

💬 Want to connect with others on this journey?
→ Join The Autoimmune Forum, my private community for anyone navigating autoimmunity. Ask questions, share your progress, and get support every step of the way.

Subscribe to the podcast for more expert insights on healing chronic illness through root-cause medicine, and if you found this episode helpful, leave a review or share it with someone who needs it.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications, supplements, or treatment plan — especially if you have a diagnosed autoimmune condition.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.