The Autoimmune Solution: A Bestselling Comprehensive Guide to Preventing and Reversing Inflammatory Diseases Through Functional Medicine

I like that the author covered the viral aspect of autoimmune conditions and the various infections that take place when the immune system is compromised. Her diet recommendations are good and again, based on your symptoms, may need to be modifed even more and curtailed to your condition and tolerance. She includes a lot of meat in her recipes but if if you can't break down proteins well, then eating more meat for some can backfire. I eat meat but limit my daily intake. If you can't digest proteins well, you might need to lower the sulfur/ammonia levels and that should be mentioned. Otherwise, the body can get too acidic. This is why it is important that you listen to your body. Not one program fits all because we are all genetically different. One reader wrote that Dr. Myers had neglected to include fermented foods but if you have histamine or yeast/candida/fungal issues (and viral), fermented foods or vinegars can worsen the symptoms and condition. For me I found the correlation in the sulfur allergy more related to an imbalance of some minerals, heavy metal toxicity, leaky gut, SIBO and genetic polymorphisms - see sulfur intolerance due to cystahtione beta synthase and sulfite oxidase (genetic testing helps zero in on this). Once you have addressed the deficiencies and diet (in my case lowering the sulfur and oxalates, thiols, etc) yeast and histamine issues, then fermented foods can be introduced gradually and are very helpful. But this another example of how something that works for one individual hinders another. Also all sugar (refined and otherwise) consumption needs to be reduced drastically and that includes even the use of honey or maple syrup due to the gut, which can include yeast issues among others. Bottom line, the acidosis needs to be reduced drastically and deficiencies addresses, such as minerals, etc., otherwise the pathogens will continue to thrive and you will relapse if you don't stay on a strict diet with supplements to help bring down the acid levels. Keep in mind that many of these pathogens cannot survive in an acidic environment. And each infection must be addressed one step at a time. Her graphs and supplement guides are easy to follow without being overwhelming. I have to agree based on personal experience, that the gut issues, leaky gut, viral, bacterial and fungal, parasitical all need to be addressed - and in steps so your body does not relapse in trying to do too much at once. If you don't address the issues, your autoimmune and inflammatory symptoms can progressively get worse and morph into other autoimmune conditions. As for myself, I changed my diet entirely including a low histamine/oxalate diet, addressed the parasite/bacterial issue first (that took almost 2 months due to the SIBO related symptoms - Dr Myer's MICROBCLEAR supplement is amazing and I also followed some suggestions I found on the Heather Dane website that related to the CBS mutation I have), then the viral, then the fungal/yeast/histamine/candida. I found that when you treat SIBO, you must also treat SIFO, which is the fungal aspect - and not just the bacterial component. Also, I addressed possible HPylori (I followed the protocol by Ted in Earth Clinic but there are many) because that is often related but not discussed enough - even in this book (tests often show a false negative result) but if you address the imbalances such as mineral, etc, often things start to correct themselves. I would highly recommend this new book by Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, The Toxin Solution to complement this book by Dr. Myers and also Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by Diane Solomon. You will be able to understand and identify more with the infections taking place and how to address them to curtail them to what your body can tolerate. If you can't afford all the tests, then consider taking one step at a time and not overdo it with too many supplements at once (carefully gage what works well for you by observing how you react with one supplement at a time) and also not to overtax your immune system. It is important that a strict diet be followed in order to heal the gut and that takes time - months, not just weeks. Once you heal the leaky gut, you will be able to absorb nutrients better and be able to take certain supplements you could not previously. It will take you a few weeks to get used to the diet so don't give up. I also like that Dr. Myers is very straightforward about avoiding gluten, dairy and grains whether you are are intolerant or not. Again, it is the fight for your life and it is safer to be on the side of caution and this way, your efforts will be more successful vs. being partially effective. One other subject that is critical that none of these books are focusing enough on is the pathogenic fungal overgrowth that must be addressed. Otherwise, relapses occur. These pathogens not only grow in the gut but the cells as well. This all correlates and ties in with CFS, immune system complications, etc. So in not addressing this fully, many cannot heal. If you can't make headway with the diet and supplements, look into the addressing the viral issues first to help reduce some of the symptoms as well as the heavy metal toxicity and lowering the acidity. I also incorporated acupuncture, homeopathy, massage therapy, sunshine and exercise (in limited amounts when I was very weak and then added more as my energy levels increased) through some rough patches as well as yoga to help lessen the feeling being overwhelmed at times when I started my journey. Listen to your body as you take each step. Try to steer away from antibiotics if you can as that can create a leaky gut issue and steroids as that can suppress the immune system. I had already incorporated many of Dr. Myers' suggestions before her book came out so much of what she has written has been published already but I like that she consolidated a lot so it becomes easier to follow for those just starting in this journey. She also included some great recipes, although I consume much less meat but for others, that may work just fine. Not every autoimmune book will contain all the information that is out there on the subject so read/investigate as much as you can and use common sense. I use some supplements not mentioned in her book but Dr. Myers does list a lot of great supplements without being overwhelming. Much of my progress occurred once I stayed on the strict dietary suggestions (including a low paleo with enough carbs and protein to give my body the energy it needed without feeling hungry, incorporated the right supplements, and allowed my body to rest. Sometimes when I wanted something sweet, I would make a thick smoothie out of berries and ice. I ate foods that were easy to digest as well - nothing heavy or too seasoned. Again, be creative) and listening to my body vs. adopting partial versions that limited my improvement. Dr. Myers also addresses testing for Lyme and which lab to use for more accuracy. It may be helpful to also note that Lyme has different strains and co-infections which should also be tested. However, so you don't get overwhelmed, bring the acidosis down first so you can conquer the rest. When the candida turns pathogenic, then you will see the correlation between CFS/viral infections/immune system problems, etc. I like The Whole Journey candida protocol by Christa Orecchio but there are others out there (also see website by Heather Dane) and the book by Diane Solomon:CFS. Christa Orecchio explains a lot on her website and again, if you can eliminate each infection one by one, this should help alleviate many symptoms and get to the root of the problem. Again, I have found that what helped the most was to listen to my body and I read up on my genetic disposition to help myself. I found that many good doctors can lead you to improvement but they often just focus or specialize in one spectrum vs. the entirety. Given that we are each genetically different, I don't see how one protocol can work for all. "More and more practitioners around the world are agreeing that there are three major aetiological factors underlying all chronic diseases – Fungal causes, Heavy Metals and Parasites. There is also a causal link between all three factors." UPDATE 1/29/15 - Please also consider purchasing this book now available which has complementing info: The Immune System Recovery Plan by Dr. Susan Blum and Hashimotos Thyroiditis by Izabella Wentz (this book contains many golden nuggets for autoimmune conditions and symptoms in general and not just Hashimotos), Dr Joseph Pizzorno: The Toxin Solution and Diane Solomon: CFS. Healing the gut takes many, many months so you need to be committed to the journey. Often the adrenals and thyroid start getting affected as the immune system is compromised so I found the book by Dr. Wentz very informative as well as her personal journey. ** July update. These are the steps I took which pertain to my symptoms and not intended for all or as medical advice or to promote products or sales: ALKALIZE - ALKALIZE - ALKALIZE and CHECK AND REPLENISH MINERAL LEVELS. took supplements (Earth Clinic website alkalization worked for me) and lots of mineral water to alkalize my system for an extended period of time (alkalizing helped SIBO/histamine intolerance symptoms tremendously), bringing the ammonia levels down (change of diet - if you have a problem with sulfur or digesting protein, then you may want to look into this - CBS sulfation pathway and this can also be related to hpylori/fungal infection and heavy metal toxicity, For me, I took out all fermented foods as well as honey, chocolate, all grains, beans and anything that creates gas, vinegars, fried foods in vegetable oil (coconut oil for cooking worked best for me), dairy, gluten, nightshade veggies, most legumes (chickpeas were fine) high histamine and sulfur foods, cut out most red meat, etc. I followed a low histamine and low oxalate, thiol diet but it was balanced and I did not eliminate everything. I also took homeopathic remedy Nux Moschata and acupuncture combined to regain more moisture and small intestine motility and was then able to get my saliva back in full after 3 months and no more Raynaud's. I was also given homeopathy to help heal the mucosa lining of my stomach as well as other intolerances so I could take the detox as I reacted to most herbs. I also checked my mineral levels through hair analysis testing and a blood/urine test my doctor requested. My favorite liquid mineral supplement is Andersons Sea MD because it is low in sodium. Sometimes if you balance your mineral levels, it can help correct and address some of the issues. My integrative rheumy (Smita Gupta in Santa Monica, CA) replenished my glutathione levels and other deficiencies as well through IV and once they were stable, I was able to maintain from there. Please keep in mind that I was not in a good place a few years ago. And I have found that not one doctor covers it all and keep in mind that each body reacts differently so often one approach does not work for all. Many of these integrative doctors have their specialized niches and this is what often makes the process so difficult and costly. For vitamins, Garden of Life Raw is the brand that settles best with me (no fillers, etc). For DHEA, Natural Radiance cream worked best for me. 2) PUT OUT THE FIRE - Dr. Blum has a good gut cleanse powder but many naturopaths or good acupuncturists have herbs to help calm the fire in the stomach if you have the pain under the rib cage (gastritis), which is often associated with hPylori or gastritis due to parasites. Read the website by Heather Dane as well if you have the CBS mutation. 3) PARASITE CLEANSE - This is important. There are various good programs out there. I took Paragone and Dr. Myers’ Microbclear but Systemic Formulas is also great along with Accell daily. Accell daily is a great supplement and would recommend it highly for a few months along with sunflower lecithin and FIBR (System Formulas) if you are constipated. My debilitating gastritis healed once I successfully addressed the parasite issue. 4) ADDRESS THE BAD BUGS - If you feel you have a combination of candida/Fungal Overgrowth/SIBO/LEAKY GUT, then look into Christa Orecchio Gut Thrive program and for SIBO, the supplement MICROBCLEAR by Dr. Amy Myers works like a charm. Remember that not one program fits all but her program addresses all of the above while doing a heavy metal detox - all in one approach that may save you time. But this program is not meant for all if you have certain intolerances to some of the supplements suggested. They are expensive protocols so please study them out well first. For me, my genetic testing helped to understand why I could not tolerate some supplements. This is why you need to listen to your body and investigate the best protocols for your system. Also see book by Dr. Joseph Pizzorno and Diane Solomon as mentioned previously and you will better understand how these infections play critical roles. Each author has different insight based on experience and this is why I don’t follow one book alone. 5) HIGH SUGAR LEVELS - It is important to help maintain normal sugar levels (although heavy metal toxins also play a role in diabetes II). These infections also tend to affect the blood sugar levels. For me, in addition to a careful diet (I had to watch the protein as well as the sugar), I took Vanadium with Chromium (source naturals) and also supplements such as Gymnema Sylvestre, Anderson MD concentrated minerals, selenium, molybdenum, magnesium chloride, among others. I did away with all fried foods but incorporate good fats, watched my vitamin D levels, etc. This step is so very important to not overlook. 6) ADDRESS THYROID and ADRENAL SUPPORT – I had hypothyroidism and my diet and supplements were geared to support my thyroid. I found alkalizing to be most productive along with a strict diet. It is important not to overlook the thyroid support (the book by Izabella Wentz is a must) and also checking for heavy metals. When your thyroid is in trouble, I found that you must avoid certain foods or you will continually relapse and pack on the weight. Alkalization is key along with diet if you can't make headway along with certain supplements. I had to stay away from eggs and dairy, etc. Note - I could not tolerate iodine in any way shape or form (it made my symptoms worse), even after I supplemented with selenium and vitamin C. However, after my glutathione levels normalized as well as my mineral deficiencies, I was then able to take KM gradually, which contains the iodine and potassium, etc. and the cysts in my breasts minimized. 7) HEAVY METAL DETOX – you may not be able to tolerate the heavy metal detox protocols if your body is not strong enough. This is why addressing the gut issues first is key. If you have sulfur allergies, you might want to consider this step. With Sjogrens, cadmium levels are usually high, etc. Clearing the body of heavy metals is a gradual process so try to be patient with this step. The minerals I took were selective so that I did not introduce more heavy metals back into my system and also to balance my deficiencies. Testing is key for this (see tests listed by Joseph Pizzorno). If you have the CBS genetic mutation, you need to be careful that you avoid high sulfur protocols or it may aggravate the problem. This is for those that can't tolerate NAC, MSM, etc. 8) LIVER AND GALL BLADDER - this will help your body methylate better as well as detox your liver, gall bladder, etc. There are various protocols out there. However, if you have a weak system, you may want to look into other protocols that are more gentle but effective over time. Please be cautious and not just try everything you read. Again, the books mentioned previously touch on the liver issues. 9) VIRAL INFECTIONS - there are many supplements that help with viral infections including humic acid, olive leaf extract, homeopathy, Cellfood (don't take this with Paragone or they cancel out) helps to oxygenate as well as re-mineralize body. This also helps address the viral infections, and also hpylori, etc. There are other mineral supplements if you can’t tolerate Cellfood due to the sulfites (an inability to oxidize and detoxify sulfur compounds) but Cellfood is key for viral infections. If you can’t tolerate any mineral supplements, look into the CBS enzyme deficiency protocol to overcome that at the heartfixer website. 23andme genetic testing gave me a good roadmap. Cellfood is not tolerated well by those with sulfite allergies. For viral infections, humic acid and fulvic acid are super helpful but I would recommend after doing the heavy metal detox (as you don’t want to add more heavy metals back into your system before the detox) and homeopathy to address the viral infections. Other great supplements to help alleviate the viral infections are VitaNutrients Viracon, AHCC or Shitake mushroom, Shilajit Extract, Fulvic Acid. I took some of these at night on an empty stomach and they helped wipe out the 3 am. stomach inflammation and reflux type of sensation that would wake me. This is a good indication that there is a viral component. I repeat, please read the books mentioned so you can understand how to approach this step by step. If you have a reaction to raw garlic (due to the ethiols), fermented foods, supplements such as Alpha Lipoic, NAC due to a sulfur intolerance, you may want to be checked for the CBS mutation and also possibly for heavy metals, candida or Lyme. I had two hair analysis tests done by different labs and both showed the same results for me. Poor sulfur oxidizers often have seasonal hayfever allergiers, CFS, impaired glutathione synthesis, etc. However, if you balance your mineral levels first, that might help turn the corner. 10) GENETIC TESTING - see 23andme.com for genetic testing - there are other labs as well but this is the least expensive. Your genetic coding will help explain a lot. I was able to understand my sensitivities, as well as why I reacted to certain supplements that do well for others and more importantly, it helped me address and help correct some of the mutations. I found it to be a good road map for me that explained my sulfur intolerance and mutations. Note _ I followed a CFS methylation protocol - my body undermethylates. This is where the tests are very important. My DNA test results showed CBS deficiency snps as well as DAO enzyme depletion and my lab work showed low homocysteine and given the fact that I could not tolerate Bcomplex (as I improved, B complex Plus by Pure Encapsulations was one I could tolerate better but Garden of Life raw vitamins were my fave), then I knew I had CFS (culmination of infections) and my body was not able to detox or methylate correctly. In order to clear that pathway, this last step was helpful and I took it slow under a doctor's direction at times for modifications. Note - I don't believe that methylation is the root problem so if you are on a good protocol to get rid of the pathogens successfully, this step may not be necessary as your gut issues resolve and you are able to detox successfully. If you are aware of your genetic disposition, you will know how to proceed as you heal yourself. There were certain supplements that did not work for me and my genetic profile validated that but for me, I found that poor methylation came as a result of other contributing factors. Since I have hayfever allergies and high histamine/sulfur levels (common with Sjogrens and if you can't eat fermented foods and many with Sjogrens have cadmium toxicity), I took a combination of active B6, zinc, magnesium, molybdenum, and a few other key supplements that helped me tremendously to lower the sulfur levels and with acid reflux along with bringing down the ammonia and acid levels, etc. However, I was not able to tolerate antioxidants such as Vitamin C initially (vitamin C is very important - I was not able to take it until my gastritis healed) so this is where it gets tricky and it takes steps to cross those bridges. I also was given other homeopathy remedies to address some deficiencies, viral infections and stayed on those for months. Some people take milk kefir to get the B complex benefits but I could not tolerate kefir due to histamine levels and dairy intolerance also had a problem with certain B vitamins and casein. I had to isolate which of the vitamin Bs I could take safely and took them individually vs as a complex until my body got stronger. My guess is that when I was given a series of antibiotics throughout my life for sinus infections, my vitamin B6 and zinc levels were depleted (plus my CBS mutation), which is common with allergies. Thus, weakening my body's line of defense that was not addressed through the years. Please understand this takes months to a few years to heal and it needs to become a lifestyle in order not to relapse - for me the detox alone took a long time because of an entire gut dysbosis. You need to follow a clean, strict diet that works for your issues or the chances of relapse are high. But once you feel better, you will feel the inflammation come down drastically, etc. So stay on course and again, testing is key. For example, some people have high levels of copper and some trap calcium and some can't take supplements such as iodine because it can trigger the immune system further - others have low levels and if you supplement incorrectly, it can backfire on you. Most important, learn to relax and take each day in stride. Take yoga and meditation classes and the reason I mention this is to help calm your body so your immune system can try to recover and stop going on overdrive. Then everything else calms down with a good immune system and gut health- the viral issues and other reactions and issues will have a chance to resolve themselves as your immune system recovers and is not in constant alert. Think of the journey as a way of life to recovery so you are patient with each step towards recovery

I cannot recommend this book enough, it was absolutely incredible. The entire book included applicable information and steps to take toward reclaiming your health. The research was backed by both science and experience from a practicing MD and the entire book was full of hope and encouragement! As a nurse, I am exposed to the reality of conventional medicine everyday. Working in the ICU has been rewarding but also devastating seeing the number of lifestyle-related illnesses. Doctors are simply medicating symptoms, prescribing more medication for the side effects and our nation is continuing to get sicker. Dr. Myers’ approach sets her apart and this book offers an alternative approach that actually addresses the underlying causes of disease. Because autoimmunity is on the rise, I am grateful knowing that there are MD’s like Amy Myers that take a functional medicine approach and share the information with the world. Also, some of the other autoimmune books referenced in previous reviews are great but NOTHING like this book. In fact one in particular is full of research and information and even with my medical background, I find it hard to comprehend and apply. The Autoimmune Solution doesn’t stop at the education part, and that is what sets it apart from any other book out there. Dr. Myers goes above and beyond to make sure that the reader can practically apply the knowledge and gives you a plan to carry it out. The recipes I have made are AMAZING. This book is now my motivation to take charge of my health, I have never been more excited to do so until reading this book! Not only does Dr. Myers explain the causes of autoimmunity and share her story and real life examples, but also she equips the reader, educates and even empowers them to take health into their own hands. The program in the book includes a diet and a comprehensive approach to prevent all the factors that can lead to autoimmunity. Don’t even think about buying this book, just do it! Whether you have an autoimmune disease or not you will greatly benefit from and appreciate this book. I have never been more motivated, inspired and encouraged to lead a healthier life. THANK YOU DR. MYERS FOR SHARING THIS INFORMATION, GIVING US TOOLS AND SHARING YOUR JOURNEY IN THE AUTOIMMUNE SOLUTION!!

The book is very good! it explains everything any person with an autoimmune disease should know. The basic how the immune system works and the relationships of our digestive system and the immune system. I've been following a strict diet since years ago when a yoga professor told me to avoid gluten and dairy and basically what the book says, I feel GREAT!, from a person who barely could walk when I started with symptoms and I couldn't take any of the conventional medicine because I was looking to get pregnant, this is why I started to look everywhere and I met this yoga professor. I started with this diet, started to exercise again little by little, and with super healthy habits (sleeping, water, avoiding stressful people and situations) now I had my baby, he is 3 years old, I exercise, I feel greater than ever (even better than before the disease appeared). Anyway, this book resumes all of it which I learned little by little in ONE book, this is why I consider it is a GREAT BOOK, but I REALLY HATE IT when she calls it "The Myer Way"... it makes the book sound like a snake oil salesman and maybe some people will read it and feel it like it and won't listen to it (this is why I gave it 4 stars), although it is telling the truth! but this method is been suggested by so many people (not conventional doctors) to treat autoimmune symptoms. Also, this book must be followed WITH A DOCTOR MONITORING YOU. We have to monitor our bodies ALL THE TIME for the rest of our lives! Taking tests to check for any inner inflammation we can't notice (like heart, lungs, liver, etc). DO NOT ABANDON YOUR DOCTOR!

This book is excellent. I recommend it to anyone with any Autoimmune disease. She also has videos on youtube and was interviewed on "Autoimmune Summit" a few months ago, by videos. Other functional medicine doctors were interviewed by videos on that sumit also. Not sure if its still online or not. try it. Dr Kharrazian and others. Excellent online summit. Most or all those videos were also on youtube. I dont know how long youtube keeps videos before they delete them. Check it out. Most conventional doctors dont know how to treat autoimmune diseases, but now there's breakthrough treatments via natural supplements, diet, probiotics, and more..much more, where you can help yourself. Dr Amy Myers' book above is one, and here videos are also very informative and fascinating and supportive to watch. Her book is a must read for any autoimmune disease healing, which focuses mainly on healing the gut...leaky gut. Two of Dr Kharrazian's books are also important for autoimmune diseases..with some sililar and some different information from her's. they are "Why do I still have thyroid symproms when my lab tests are normal?" & "Why isnt my brain working"...also about why leaky gut, autoimmune diseases, also affects the brain function and that healing the leaky gut, heals leaky Blood Brain Barrier" I recommend all 3 of these books, to cover most of what you need to know and do. Amy Myers is a supportive, vivacious, competent, creative Functionaol Medicine (as Opposed to Dysfunctional medicne!!!) doctor...who thinks outside of the conventional box. Very inspiring and very hopeful with good solutions. i suggest get the book and watch her videos also, and you can also get a free e-newsletter to your email inbox from her, and check her website also. Not sure if Dr Kharrazian also has a free newsletter and he probably has a website. Google them both. There are ways to heal autoimmune diseases according to these 2 Functional medicine doctors. and also check out The Institure for Functional Medicne website. They have "health talks Online" for various disease videos etc with a schedule of which talks on which dates to come, and you can buy past talks/videos. Other than this, they are all free videos online, many on youtube as well..

I just finished the 30 day reset diet in this book. I absolutely LOVED the recipes and much of what Amy Meyers wrote was extremely helpful. However, I gave it 3 stars for a reason. When I got into the 4th week of the 30 days, I began to look for "how to transition" from there. I couldn't find much of anything and this was kind of surprising, to say the least. Then my husband and I started to have health problems. He works outside and his job is very physically demanding. He began to tell me that his physical energy levels were so low that he felt like he couldn't do his jobs properly. He is an independent contractor and his clients expect a certain level of performance. This was not good news. About 3 days ago, he said he felt like he was exhausted and could barely make it up a hill - walking. That's not him at all. He is slim and muscular - was BEFORE we started this. He actually lost 5 lbs. and was not happy about that. I also have been having health issues. I started to get horrific calf and foot/toe cramps in the middle of the night. To the point where I had to jump out of bed and walk around - half asleep - and in severe pain. I also have developed a sore neck - to the point where sometimes I don't think I can bare it. It is muscular - not skeletal - I know the difference. We went on this 30 day reset and purchased both of her books to heal autoimmune issues - not to develop NEW issues once we faithfully completed the 30 days! My husband was a carb-0-holic for sure before we started... so I figured out he needed to ad more healthy fats so that he would have more energy. He used to get his "energy" from eating carbs - chips, bread, muffins, etc. I think I have figured out my issue - i'm pretty certain it is a lack of potassium and am working on healing it. MY POINT IS THIS: Dr. Meyers really SHOULD be including in her book that some of these types of issues may happen and then provide possible solutions! She should not just allow people to trust her "Meyers Way" and then just leave them with nothing to do about issues that may come up! This is unethical and NOT okay! If she has cured thousands of people of autoimmune diseases, then surely she must have run across others having negative experiences that needed attention. Yet not a word about this is mentioned. I'm fortunate that I am 100% into alternative healing so I know how to do research and heal myself -- but many others may not have that skill. This is a BIG HOLE left in her information and it really needs to be filled in. Otherwise, I now do not feel I can tell others about her work - as who knows what issues might crop up for them. I HOPE SHE ACTUALLY READS THIS and does something about this! I called and told one of her reps too - and he had the nerve to tell me "well... this diet is not for everyone". REALLY? The name of her book says it is for people with Autoimmune diseases. Both my husband and I were trying to heal Autoimmune diseases - different types. So to say "it's not for everyone" is a bit "offputting" to say the least. Don't get me wrong - and again - I LOVED everything else in her books - both of them - but not filling in that "blank" for people is just unacceptable! I hope she changes that in a new edition to her book!

This book is a must read if you have inflammation problems, skin disease, and/or allergies. I've suffered from numerous allergies and a chronic skin condition, called Seborrheic dermatitis since I was a little kid. For over three decades I used steroidal medicine to alleviate the symptoms. Last year, in August of 2015, I learned that I could treat the cause, not the symptoms from The Autoimmune Solution. At first, the 30 day meal plan in the book seemed too hard to follow, so I started with gluten free and dairy for 30 days. Amazingly, just by doing that I was able to get off the medicine I used since I was thirteen. The good results motivated me to keep pushing forward, so I eventually managed to do the 30-day mean plan in the book. I am glad I did. After 30 days, I woke up one day, I had no joint/muscle pain in my body. Currently, I am in the reintroduction of foods phase. Learning how I work with my body, not against it through changing diet is a mind-blowing experience. It has also taught me how little things make huge impacts on my body and mind. Here are some of the side effects of eating real foods and avoiding fake foods that I have observed over the past year. I've lost a total of 14 lbs/ 7kg that I had never been able to shed over the years. Most importantly, I feel both wholesome and content. Also, extra bonus includes, glowing skin, diminished dark circles and the most fit body in my 40's. Something I had not known that it's even possible. So what are you waiting for? Grab this book and take it to your heart. Claim your health in your own hand. Thanks again for the empowering book and here is the pix of me, before and after =)

I have read a lot of books recently about gut health and how it is the most important aspect of your overall health, but this book completely tops all of them and then some. I want to scream from the roof tops about this book, and I have already made all of my friends read it. Even if you don't have autoimmunity, you still need to read this. This book should be read by every person everywhere. I wanted to wait at least 6 months before giving a review because reviews are useless if you haven't given it some time and effort. I have been on Amy's program more strictly for about 5 months and I can say it's a life changer. My father has horrible psoriasis and I have been terrified of getting it my whole life. I have seborrheic dermatitis and have never been able to get it under control as well as a host of other small ailments. I am 32 years old and thought I was relatively healthy. I realized after reading this book that I had a very bad yeast overgrowth in my gut with all the symptoms that go along with that. So that's where I started.... I first did the diet changes and the yeast/candida program by using the caprylic acid and candisol every day for 3 months. I noticed a huge difference in just 2 weeks. All symptoms were gone (I won't get into them, but trust me, not pretty) and what was the most amazing was I stopped craving any carbs/sugar and 5 months later this is still the case. You could put a fresh baked croissant in front of my face and I don't care. On top of the candida program I take the L-glutamine, Glutathione, Fish Oil (Metagenics), probiotics, and Ashwhaganda (which is a recommendation from Dr. Kulreet's The Prime) as well as Magnesium every night. I follow her diet program, but not to an insane degree. I have sugar sometimes, as well as cheese, and wine. I don't have full blown autoimmune disease so there is definitely more leniency with the diet part-- but I really avoid gluten as much as I can. The biggest changes I have noticed are no bloating, regularity, my skin looks great (people tell me a lot that I am "glowing"-- seriously no one has ever said that to me until now), my seborrheic dermatitis is GONE, I have way more energy, less anxiety, brain fog, no cravings, and I had chronic pain in my forearms and elbows from nerve entrapment-- it's 95% relieved. Also, I have always been slim, but since I have started this I lost those last few pounds that bothered me and I don't have any trouble keeping them off now. Yes, the supplements aren't cheap. The diet guidelines can take some getting used to. But there are so many things that can be taken out of this book and applied to your life that will help you feel better, even if you can't do it all. It is a must read!!

Well let me say that for the past 10 years I've slowly gone down hill. The progression was so subtle that I thought it was me naturally aging. Until about 4 years ago it really smacked me in the face. That's when the anxiety attacks, twitching, headaches, tinnitus, joint and muscle pain, and a burning face, lips, and eyes which gave me really bad dry eyes. I've visited numerous doctors, had probably 200 vials of blood drawn and over 30k in doctors bills. Nothing abnormal. My primary doctor eventually said there's nothing he could do, imagine that. So about 3 weeks ago a friend told me about this book. Eager to try anything I read the whole thing in two days. It's amazing how she explains everything, even talking about dental issues with toxicity.(I just had all my amalgam fillings replaced). Well I started eating what she recommends, and ordered the supplements through Amazon and a few other places. The first 2 days were hell, because I stopped caffeine cold turkey. But after that things started slowly turning. And now 12 days later into the 30 I can say I haven't felt this good in a long time. My face, lips, and eyes have quieted down and I want wait to see what the rest of the 30 days will bring me. This book gave me my life back, thanks DR. MYERS!

Researcher from the Netherlands here, who is looking into the causal-loop relationships of the human metabolism on a professional level. So I also came across this book and thought to give it a try, as it claims to promise a solution. The book indeed contains some good general information with respect to antibodies, molecular mimicry, etc. that can be quite useful to understand why autoimmune diseases might occur. However, the book is full of superficial claims that read like they were taking over from some teenager internet blog. Lists full of general symptoms every couple of pages, thousands of repetitions (this is super annoying for the European reader; I get that the average American might need this in order to actually perceive the information), and constant self-adulation are frustrating while reading the book. Why does the author need to mention "The Myers Way" at least once on every page? This approach offers nothing special compared to other approaches on the internet. What is that "Myers Way", besides that Mrs. Myers manages to run a fully-organized marketing campaign for her own products, books, and the clique of other associated American doctors in this field?! I have run a keyword search, just to show how ridiculous this neo-capitalistic self-marketing campaign is. "The Myers Way" has been mentioned 207 times throughout this book. This is at least once per page, when excluding the appendices, forewords, and empty pages. In comparison, "thyroid" has been used 57 times, "leaky gut" 79 times, and "serotonin" (which is more than crucial when fixing autoimmune diseases) just TWICE. Again: TWICE, even though serotonin is a crucial neurotransmitter that is essential for reducing stress - that again leads to higher cortisol levels in the blood, which has a tremendous impact on the whole metabolism, especially with respect to the intestinal permeability, dysbiosis, nutrient absorption, and mental well-being. Another thing I am missing are citations (in the text itself). In such a book that claims to offer a "science-based solution" called (surprise, surprise) "The Myers Way", direct citations to scientific peer-reviewed publications that underpins the specific claims are simply necessary.

Padezco hipotiroidismo de Hashimoto desde 2013 y para obtener ese diagnóstico tuve que pasar por infinidad de médicos y estudios clínicos. Esta travesía la han sufrido muchos otros con enfermedades autoinmunes como la mía. Debido al Hipotiroidismo de Hashimoto, aumenté 25 kg, perdí mucho cabello, tenía niebla mental (hasta la fecha todavía hay palabras que olvido, pero no es nada comparado con lo que sufría antes, no podía comunicarme ni trabajar adecuadamente ya que olvidaba muchas cosas, incluyendo palabras), tenía ataques de pánico incapacitantes y que asustaban a mi familia (temían que tuviera una enfermedad mental), fatiga extrema que también me alejaba de mis seres queridos porque sólo quería dormir (me levantaba con mucha dificultad y sólo para cumplir con mis obligaciones básicas, como ir al trabajo o dejar a mi hijo en la escuela, andaba en automático y solo quería dormir) y, lo peor, fue cuando terminé en el hospital con riesgo de caer en coma mixedematoso. Los médicos convencionales, además de prescribirme levotiroxina para regular la función de la tiroides, sólo me daban medicamentos que atacaban los síntomas, no la raíz; incluso con el diagnóstico de Hashimoto, ninguno me dijo que es una enfermedad autoinmune ni el riesgo de morir a causa de un coma mixedematoso. Entre el “cóctel” que me recetaban había antidepresivos (para la fatiga, ansiedad y los ataques de pánico), pero estos causaron desbalance hormonal (menstruaciones de 8 semanas e interrupción de la misma por 6 meses); para el aumento de peso, me decían que hiciera ejercicio, como si fuera algo tan fácil (con la fatiga propia del hipotiroidismo, tu cuerpo simplemente no puede, te duele todo y te cansas hasta por comer o por caminar unos cuantos metros) y para el desbalance hormonal causado por los antidepresivos, me mandaron hormonas sintéticas, que causaban acné, ansiedad, más aumento de peso, crecimiento de vello facial. Era un círculo vicioso interminable. La primera doctora que me dijo la cruda verdad fue la internista de la sala de urgencias que me recibió en el hospital y me dijo todos los riesgos que existen cuando no se trata esta enfermedad adecuadamente. Después de enfrentar el riesgo del coma y enfrentar que no me estaban atendiendo adecuadamente, me puse a investigar y compré este libro a finales de 2018, lo terminé de leer en un par de días y desde entonces cambié radicalmente mi alimentación y eliminé los medicamentos que en vez de ayudar, empeoraban mis síntomas, y los sustituí por suplementos (La levotiroxina es el único medicamento que sigo tomando por prescripción de mi médico funcional y su dosis varía de acuerdo con los resultados de mis análisis periódicos) Sentí mejora en unos días. Los ataques de pánico fueron los primeros en desaparecer, recuperé energía poco a poco, cada vez fue más fácil despertar y levantarme por las mañanas, no me sentía mareada todo el tiempo y el dolor corporal empezó a desvanecer. A las pocas semanas, mi ciclo menstrual se regularizó, después de un par de meses pude hacer ejercicio ligero y a un año y medio de haber adoptado este estilo de vida, he bajado 18kgs (De noviembre de 2018 a la fecha, mayo de 2020), he recuperado un poco de cabello y me he alejado del riesgo de caer en coma. Respecto al plan de alimentación expuesto en el libro, algunos ingredientes son difíciles de obtener en México, pero se pueden sustituir. Muchos están disponibles aquí en Amazon. También es difícil encontrar médicos funcionales, pero logré encontrar a una doctora que me ha dado seguimiento y me ha confirmado todo lo que viene en el libro. El libro NO sustituye la consulta médica ni el seguimiento de un profesional de la salud, pero te brinda información que muchos doctores no creen necesario compartir o que no forman parte de su especialidad. Sé que los médicos que me atendieron antes hicieron su mejor esfuerzo y buscaban lo mejor para mí, pero gracias a la información de n este libro logré encontrar al especialista correcto. Tengo 46 años y logré retomar el control de mi vida, me perdí media década por falta de información. ¡Si tan sólo hubiera sabido esto antes! Todos estos consejos los he incorporado a la vida familiar ya que es una excelente forma de cuidar la salud de mi hijo e inculcarle buenos hábitos basados en información confiable y comprobada.

Read this book. You won’t regret it.

Thank you, Dr. Myers for this excellent book, both interesting and useful for those already on the way to treat the autoimmune condition from the functional medicine point of view and those who just start to discover the way to heal the autoimmunity.

The Step by Step guide on how to resolve Autoimmune condition really helped me. After reading the book, I took consultation of Dr. Myers's Wellness coach Liz Schau, she recommended a list of supplements which have helped me handle my allergy. Personally I can vouch that the process described in the book works!