The Immune System Recovery Plan: A Doctor's 4-Step Program to Treat Autoimmune Disease Hardcover – April 2, 2013

I read this book as I suffered from complications due to Sjogren's, Chronic Fatigue, Inflammation, Circulation and Nerve issues, Ovarian and Breast cysts, Fybromialgia and Raynaud's. I have read most of the books related to auto immune conditions and this book is very informative. Much of what Dr. Blum suggests in her book is what my current integrative rheumatoligist practices. However, most books, including this one, share stories of full recoveries without emphasizing that the healing process takes time as a weakened immune system is sensitive and it often feels like a maze to find what works and doesn't for each individual with an auto-immune condition. Recovery is definitely a journey and there are setbacks through the process. I did get lost in all the supplements Dr. Blum recommends - many that I cannot tolerate but there are some that have been extremely helpful. The one negative about this book are all the supplements she recommends that I could not tolerate but her explanation of how the immune system is impacted is informative. I always take bits and pieces from each book because I am that sensitive and had to find a way to address each infection step by step with protocols I could tolerate.A lot of the tests she recommends are also very helpful when you first are diagnosed and overwhelmed. I now no longer have to take prescription medications, antacids, Evoxac pills to make saliva daily and no longer have a running fever, neuropathy problems, severe inflammation, migraines, clotting, fatigue or joint pain and my chronic stomach problems are improving as I heal my gut which reacted to many foods and supplements. Along with a detox diet similar to what Dr. Blum recommends (but more defined towards low histamines and alkaline - geared towards lessening the acidosis, ammonia and sulfate levels in order to detoxify and methylate) as well as, supporting my adrenals, supplements and test recommendations that are indicative to my recovery and deficiencies, I implemented homeopathy and acupuncture as well as the NAET allergy elimination treatments at first. I was so sensitive to supplements and any chemical, that I had to first start with homeopathy combined with acupuncture to start making my own saliva and stop the fevers, inflammation and fatigue (that took 3 months) and dryness, reducing the acidosis, then testing and addressing my viral infections, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, genetic disposition (23andme website test results were helpful), toxic overloads, adrenals, bacterial/fungal overgrowth and so forth until my immune system started to improve and I had more good days than bad. Small Intestinal Bacterial (and "Fungal" Overgrowth) is tough to beat and causes many sensitivities, including to histamine, amines, fermented foods, sulfur, etc and Sjogrens fosters this condition. I wish I would have tested for viral infections first above all because this alone can drive the stomach and SIBO and other related issues. And you can be following a strict diet and still not make headway due to viral infections. If you are battling viral infections, SIBO/candida/dysbosis/leaky gut and you have an autoimmune condition, look into checking for any type of viral, bacterial, parasital and systemic fungal infection - also check high oxalate and histamine levels (ask for blood test or 24 hour urine test which in my case showed high histamine levels or OAT/ organic acid test for oxalate levels), sulfur, ammonia levels and address that as well as undermethylation (overmethylation for some) or a CBS enzyme deficiency issue (see website by Heather Dane as it might be your SIBO symptoms might be more related and corrected by addressing this CBS mutation. For me, in an effort to keep it simple, I had to address the SIBO and SIFO together as I found they go hand in hand (see Dr. Westin Childs website). Many SIBO protocols promote fermented foods right away and for those who are also battling the fungal component, that can backfire.Also see heartfixer website by Dr. James Roberts - check out the section under methyl cycle nutrigenomics and many important diagnostic tests are listed - and also the geneticgenie website about genetic coding and websites by Dr Ben Lynch and Amy Yasko) and also the Facebook oxalate group by Susan Owens. I found the website by Dr. Vasilka Yurukova to be very helpful but speaking to her directly helped me pull the missing pieces together and simplify my protocol for recovery when all of this can be so overwhelming. She helped me zero in on the tests I was missing and then we were able to diagnose more in specific what was going on in my system and then proceed with the right supplements. Prior to speaking to her, I had all types of tests (many inconclusive) but kept missing the viral component and her treatments were less toxic on my system than others. My system is just that sensitive. The step that helped me most of all was addressing my acidic system and I used the alkalizing suggestions by Earth Clinic because I could not take other supplements or green drinks at the time. Keep in mind that many of these pathogens cannot survive in an acidic environment. I also leveled my mineral deficiencies with Andersons MD concentrated mineral drops (this was key and the only mineral supplement I could tolerate) and for vitamins, the ones that fared best with me were Garden of Life Raw (no fillers, etc.). For DHEA, Natural Radiance cream was the only brand I could tolerate well.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.Lastly, before your thyroid and adrenals are affected or if you are already being affected, consider reading the book by Dr. Izabella Wentz: Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and also see the candida protocol by Christa Orecchio of The Whole Journey (her step by step approach is very informative and helpful to recovery) . Keep in mind that if you have a candida infection, avoiding fermented foods is something that helps until the issue is resolved. Fermented foods snuff out oxygen and that's counterproductive. I had reactions to anything sulphur/sulfur based and found the link related to heavy metal toxicity, in my case mercury and cadmium. Dr. Blum does not cover this enough in her book so take note of that. She also doesn't cover Lyme in depth as well. Lyme can also cause the body build up ammonia "for some" and this is why for me testing was helpful in trying to pinpoint the infections.Originally, stomach issues festered even after treatment because in many cases, the gut is still "fermenting" - meanwhile your gut needs the necessary enzymes and acids to break down foods. It wasn't until I addressed the viral, that things started to calm down. Try to steer away from antibiotics. Rule out HPylori and parasites through testing by key labs. However, sometimes HPylori an other pathogens hide in the biofilm so this gets tricky. If you get tested for SIBO, also ask to have a test to discern fungal overgrowth. Sometimes SIBO is treated for bacterial overgrowth only when often fungal overgrowth is at the root as well. There are so many probable pathogens and for me the fungal, was the main culprit and often gets overlooked - I had to lower the yeast levels and increase the good bacteria in my gut. My body was hyper acidic and my diet had to be changed drastically. I avoided gluten and dairy as well. I was not able to tolerate many of the powder supplements that Dr. Blum sells but the good thing is that it raised a red flag of my intolerances and viral infections that this book does not fully cover, and that started the process of finding the root cause. My genetic coding report helped me zero in on the tests I needed and the right diet and supplements for me to start clearing certain pathways to help my body methylate and start healing.At the worst of my symptoms, I had a malasborbtion problem, parasites and my clogged liver (along with having my gallbladder and pancreas being affected) was not methylating well so I had to rely on certain supplements to assist but as my body started healing, I can now absorb nutrients better through my diet and many supplements are no longer needed. Healing the leaky gut and addressing the bacterial, fungal, parasital and viral infections are a necessity because these pathogenic biofilms may be the reason the body is in thea autoimmune mode. The reason I list so many references in this review is because many will follow a low sugar and gluten free diet and still not feel well when there are other intolerances going on that need to be addressed. What is healthy for one person can be toxic for another. One of the first steps should be to check and balance your mineral levels as that step is one that I found imperative. If you know you have a histamine issue, look into the low histamine/candida diet, and so forth to hold you over until you heal the leaky gut and address the infections going on. The fermented products are great for the digestive system but if you have a viral infections or fungal issue, you will have reactions and this is a good indicator. The infections and pathogenic biofilms and mycoplasma need to be eradicated for full healing to take place and your diet will be key combined with certain supplements. If you have chronic fatigue, which most people with autoimmune conditions do, look at the website Earth Clinic among others covering this subject, Phoenix Rising CFS. CFS is basically equates to a culminations of infections. I improved as I tackled each infection and I did so with patience (especially the heavy metal detox) vs. trying to resolve the problem in a few weeks. I did not find that possible.Some of the steps/supplements many authors suggest many are not able to tolerate because the supplements are overwhelming for most people who are ill. If you suspect a candida/fungal/yeast problem (a clue is when you cannot tolerate anything fermented, digestive enzymes with HCL or digestive bitters), look at the candida topic by Bill Thompson and Ted in Earth Clinic as they provide a biochemical perspective (certain supplements such as sodium bicarbonate tie with candida/cancer), but again, it is very important to be cautious and you may want to proceed under the direction of someone who has treated patients successfully with pathogenic fungi and mycoplasma. There are various regimens to address candida. One of my favorites is the one by Christa Orecchio The Whole Journey and Earth Clinic. Much is listed on the website that is user friendly but if you need step by step instructions, her plan is $200+. The information you gather will help you understand your test results better and you will start connecting the dots. You will start asking the questions that will zero in on the problem as a result. I have found this to be key before you proceed with supplements. You will find that many medical experts differ in opinions of diets and protocols so you will have to decipher and weed through a lot to find the right balance vs. going to extremes. In doing so, you will be able to better define your diet and minimize your supplements. This is why testing, again, is important as you pay attention to your symptoms. This is all so very overwhelming and you will feel discouraged at times but you will find that in time, you will become better informed and there is a support system out there. You are not alone in this battle.Many autoimmune sufferers have methylation problems(this is helpful to know if you can't digest cultured/fermented foods or if you try a certain diet protocol and still can't fully make headway) and that is not covered in Dr. Blum's book so I also followed a diet that lowers histamine levels, ammonia and one that limited oxalatates, thiols and sulfur (this is key) until I addressed the fungal and yeast overgrowth. I was also low in molybdenum, selenium and DAO depleted. This needs to be resolved for the histamine levels to drop. It was not easy but helped turned the corner for me. There is so much to figure out individually it seems. Please just keep in mind all these doctors don't know everything - they are learning themselves as they go along. If you suspect a methylation problem, you may want to look up the research done by Dr. Amy Yasco and Dr. Ben Lynch and the MTHFR support group found by Sterling Hill. I gathered as much information that coincided with my genetic testing results and I can now see the correlation and tendencies within my family. Since the underlying root was the gut dysbosis and leaky gut and viral infections - along high histamine and oxalate levels/undermethylation/CBS enzyme deficiency, then my gut issues and the SIBO were just going to continue to reoccur if the histamine/sulfur/ammonia levels were not treated first along with the fungal overgrowth and biofilm association with SIBO that is often overlooked. It can become a vicious circle if you are not careful. Also, the clogged liver, gallbladder and low adrenals must be supported and a whole detoxification of the body needs to take place for the immune system to heal. Autoimmune problems affect the entire endocrine system. This book also suggests taking oregano oil as a natural antibiotic and for me, it was helpful for the fungal aspect but rather strong and taxing on my system at times as it can wipe out a lot. I always proceed cautiously with any supplement to see how my body reacts first. Everyone is different and my case was chronic, complicated and extreme.Lastly, keep in mind that autoimmune conditions directly affect your entire endocrine system. As a result, your thyroid is in direct attack and often the problem goes undetected until the damage is advanced. May I suggest you pick up a copy of the book by Izabella Weintz, Hashimotos Thyroiditis The Root Cause. There are many golden nuggets in that book including which probiotics may work best, a good elemental diet for those with SIBO, etc.Listen to your body and take one step at a time to achieve recovery. You may want to address one infection at a time so it is not overwhelming and start healing your gut first above all. The rest will follow. Auto-immune conditions start with the gut and there are many deficiencies, malabsorptions and fungal/bacterial/viral infections associated with that as a result. I was allergic and had reactions to everything under the sun initially but now I am so much better and healthier. My skin also reflects this improvement. It is very important to follow the right diet based on your condition, symptoms, deficiencies (based on what testing indicates) etc. and please avoid all processed foods and GMOs, and stay within the organic realm. For certain women such as myself, my menstrual cycles became intolerable and I battled ovarian and breast cysts. I realized I was becoming estrogen dominant and after I took Vitex (liquid non-alcoholic tincture), the symptoms went away when I addressed the estrogen dominance and hormone/adrenals issues naturally.Basically I have taken the best information, research and techniches available to me and applied what works best for my healing process. I had to research everything and that was no easy task but it had to be done because doctors are just learning themselves. All this is leading to my recovery and I only wish the same and the best for all auto-immune sufferers - especially since many physicians are not well versed in functional medicine yet and this is all so overwhelming in the beginning. This book is a great starting point and resource but if you have serious complications, you need to dig deeper and connect the dots. I wish this book had been around three years ago when my symptoms started to better guide me. Too much time was dangerously wasted in getting an accurate diagnosis for my condition. The author of this book is correct in her assessment that it is best to address the symptoms early before the immune system is further compromised and conditions worsen. You might get lost in trying to figure out which supplement to take when so many are listed in this book so use some common sense and try one or two at a time to see what works for you best. Take out what doesn't settle well with your system and don't give up on your efforts as healing the immune system takes time and relapses occur until you find the right approach and balance to what works for your body. Get the proper tests to better assist you and your physician through the process as this journey is one that requires several steps to healing. What helped me after gathering as much information as possible, was to request certain tests through my gastro and rheumy (unless you have a good ND or functional medicine doctor already) that my insurance would cover (and some that my insurance did not but without paying outrageous prices). Then with those test results, I found a great specialist confident and experienced in treating in my issues who was up on the latest and that did not break the bank or self promote, I lowered my costs without spinning my wheels, which is what I did initially by investing in supplements with no return. I also learned it is critical to have tests done so you are not taking supplements that may worsen your condition, set you back or further trigger your immune system.Become informed so you do not follow anything, anyone or any doctor blindly. Most of all, listen to your body and take charge.** 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/SIFO/LEAKY GUT, then look into Christa Orecchio Gut Thrive program and for SIBO, the supplement MICROBCLEAR by Dr. Amy Myers works like a charm but you may need supplements for SIFO if you have a fermented gut. 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.

I just completed reading two books that turned my thinking about health and medical issues on its head. The two books are Alejandro Junger's "Clean Gut" and Susan Blum's "The Immune System Recovery Program." Because the two books complement each other, I will review them together and post the same review for both books.Both books present very similar arguments and plans for health improvement, but have different presentations. I found reading the two of them in conjunction with each other helpful.Junger's "Clean Gut" is stronger on summarizing the argument made by both books. He compares modern medicine, with its specialists, focus on the use of drugs and symptom reduction, to trying to fix a dying tree by painting its leaves green, when instead, one should be feeding the roots of the tree. In his words (p. 27), "(T)he gut is the root of health, and gut repair is the mother of preventative medicine." His book provides somewhat more elaboration than Blum's does on the mechanics by which gut dysfunction can translate into disorders such as asthma or skin rashes.Blum's "Immune System Recovery Program," however, I thought was more useful for implementation of a recovery program. While Junger's book is targeted at anyone, whether ill or not, Blum's book is targeted at those with autoimmune disorders. The first chapter summarizes the triggers of these diseases: our poor modern diet, chronic stress (and associated adrenal fatigue), gut issues, and liver overload because of our high load of environmental toxins. Accordingly, Blum presents her program in four parts: Fixing your Diet, Reducing Stress, Healing your Gut, and Reducing Toxic Load (Liver support). Each of the four parts is presented in three chapters: one that explains the issues and how problems develop, one that has a series of self-assessments and a three tier recovery program (the three tiers being food, supplements and other things one can do on one's own, and medical support). She suggests focusing on trying to resolve issues with dietary changes as the primary method, then adding supplements and other self-care regimines (e.g., meditation, exercise) as warranted by the severity of the issue, and proceeding to medical support if self-help does not improve things. I like the self-assessments and the systematic nature of her program.In contrast, Junger's program is more of a one-size-fits all approach (to start, anyway) focused on gut repair, with one month-long program divided into two phases: a three week diet change where one removes common allergens, takes a variety of gut-cleansing and gut-supporting supplements, adds meditation and exercise, reduces toxic exposures, and then in week four, adds back the two most-often missed allergens, gluten and dairy, one at a time, and then removing them again if one sees a change in bodily reactions.In other words, what Susan Blum might have you do over a period of 3 months, Alejandro Junger condenses to one intense month. Some might prefer Junger's approach, but that means, for example, taking several supplements to reduce "gut dysbiosis" regardless of the existence or severity of symptoms. He believes everyone will benefit, while Blum's approach focuses on doing the gut dysbiosis reduction program only if one scores high on related symptoms. So there is a difference in treatment philosophy here, but the overall programs are remarkably similar.One quibble I have with Blum's book is her ordering of the chapters. Her discussion of immunity, like Junger's, puts gut issues at the center, so I thought that the chapter on healing the gut should have come earlier in the book. Placed in Part 3, the centrality of the gut to immunity kind of gets lost.However, Blum deals more with problems caused by low stomach acid--heartburn and even asthma (see also Jonathan Wright and Lane Lenard's "Why Stomach Acid is Good for You" and Jamie Koufman's "The Chronic Cough Enigma"), which could be helpful to those for whom those are issues would in particular benefit more from Blum's gook.Both books provide illustrative case studies, recommendations for specific supplements (sold on their associated websites), and a series of recipes.I vastly preferred the recipes in Blum's book. I am a vegan, and there was just too much meat in Junger's selection of recipes. In addition, the recipes had very long lists of ingredients and seemed more complex to prepare. Blum's book has some recipes featuring chicken and fish, but the majority of the recipes are vegan, with shorter ingredient lists and less complicated directions than those in Junger's book.Blum also provides for free on her web site a series of guided programs for each of the four steps. I've signed up for all four, but since they haven't started yet, I can't say anything about them, other than that, while the program is free, each suggests that you buy an associated "started package" for that step, which ranges in price from about $80 to almost $400. But buying the starter packages is not required to participate, and you can find many of the supplements cheaper online than by buying them from her.I liked that Hunger included involvement in community as one of his general well-being principles in the concluding chapter, and his discussion of dealing with "addictions" to bad foods by"crowding out" and "pulsing out."In sum, I thought both books were useful--Junger's for the cogency of the argument (and the greater power and detail of his personal story) and Blum's for her self-assessments, systematic approach, and attention to detail. If I had to buy only one, I would buy Blum's. If I could afford them both, I would read Junger's first and then follow up with Blum's.As for how this all works? We'll see. I currently am suffering from asthma, low iron stores, and an elevation of thyroid antibodies. I've bought some of the suggested supplements, have put myself on a gluten-free diet (I was dairy-free already, being vegan), and will see I am feeling and how my blood test results are in December, by which time I expect to have gone through all four steps of the program.I'll try to remember to update in December (on the Blum review only, since it is the details of her program that I will be following).

As a patient who had arthritis -- and has been diagnosed with borderline hyperthyroidism -- I found this fascinating book to be one of few that offers real HOPE along with the possibility of healing without radioactive treatment or drugs with side effects that can be worse than the symptoms of the disease.I've read several books on thyroid diseases that left me reeling with fear -- or totally depressed. As anyone who is familiar with hyperthyroid disease knows, the conventional medical options for treatment are barbaric and extreme, treating the symptom rather than the autoimmune disease itself.When I stumbled on this new book, which makes intelligent connections between all autoimmune diseases, I was uplifted by the news that I really do have the power to control or heal my condition -- and that there are viable, natural, non-invasive options that could lead to a remission or a cure. Thank goodness there are medical professionals like Dr. Blum, who are exploring the use of stress control, diet, supplements and other alternatives.I am so grateful that I found this book before making a decision in regards to my future treatment. I have already started to implement some of the strategies in this book and feel better already. My only hope is that I can convince my internist and my endocrinologist to agree with my decision to try Dr. Blum's program for a few months.I wish I had this book in paperback, as it is a reference source and much harder to use on Kindle. You really need to flip back and forth in this book, marking and using the workbook and other portions to full benefit. Otherwise, I would have given it 5 stars.

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