autoimmune healing books

Introduction

Autoimmune healing books are everywhere and there are too many for you to even have a chance of being able to read even if all you did was read. Here are some of the best and my favorite autoimmune healing books for you to consider reading and what you will get out of them if you decide to read them.

Nutrition & Lifestyle-Based Approaches

  1. The Autoimmune Solution – Dr. Amy Myers
    The Autoimmune Solution by Dr. Amy Myers is a health and wellness book that provides a functional medicine approach to preventing and reversing autoimmune diseases. Dr. Myers, a functional medicine physician, shares her personal experience with Graves’ disease and her journey to healing through diet and lifestyle changes.

Key Takeaways from the Book:

  1. The Root Cause Approach:
    • Autoimmune diseases are not just genetic; they are triggered by environmental and lifestyle factors like diet, stress, infections, and toxins.
    • Conventional medicine treats symptoms rather than addressing the underlying causes.
  2. The 4-Pillar Approach to Healing:
    • Heal Your Gut: Many autoimmune issues stem from gut permeability (leaky gut). Removing inflammatory foods and taking gut-healing supplements is crucial.
    • Remove Gluten, Grains, and Legumes: These can trigger inflammation and immune system reactions. The book promotes a Paleo-style diet.
    • Reduce Toxins: Exposure to heavy metals, mold, and chemicals can contribute to immune dysfunction. She recommends detoxification strategies.
    • Heal Infections and Manage Stress: Chronic infections (like Epstein-Barr virus) and stress can weaken the immune system. Lifestyle changes, mindfulness, and proper supplementation help.
    • This book provides a good foundation of understanding how to heal from an autoimmune condition. However, her recommendations are on the extreme end and you may not need to follow everything in this book.
    • The Autoimmune Wellness Handbook by Mickey Trescott and Angie Alt is a practical guide for those struggling with autoimmune diseases. It provides a holistic, step-by-step approach to managing and healing autoimmune conditions through diet, lifestyle, and mindset shifts. Written by two women who reversed their own autoimmune symptoms, the book combines personal experience with science-backed strategies. If you are looking for something to read that is more on the simple side, then this book is for you.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Understanding Autoimmune Disease:
    • Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues.
    • Common triggers include poor diet, chronic stress, gut imbalances, infections, and environmental toxins.
  2. The Six-Step Healing Approach:
    • The book is structured around six essential pillars of autoimmune wellness:
      1. Informed – Understanding your diagnosis and learning about functional medicine.
      2. Nourished – Using the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), an anti-inflammatory diet that removes gluten, dairy, grains, legumes, processed foods, and nightshades while focusing on nutrient-dense whole foods.
      3. Rested – Prioritizing sleep, relaxation, and nervous system regulation.
      4. Hydrated – Drinking enough water and maintaining electrolyte balance.
      5. Movement – Gentle exercise to support healing without causing inflammation.
      6. Connected – Building a supportive community and addressing emotional health.
  3. The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet:
    • A strict elimination diet that removes common inflammatory foods and gradually reintroduces them to identify triggers.
    • Focuses on nutrient-dense foods like organ meats, seafood, fermented foods, and bone broth to support healing.
  4. Gut Health & Immune Support:
    • Healing the gut is a priority, as leaky gut (intestinal permeability) is linked to autoimmune flares.
    • Strategies include probiotics, fermented foods, and removing inflammatory triggers.
  5. Mindset & Emotional Wellness:
    • Managing stress, reducing toxic relationships, and engaging in self-care are just as important as diet.
    • The book encourages mindfulness, journaling, and therapy to support long-term healing.
  6. Practical Tools & Success Stories:
    • Includes meal plans, symptom trackers, recipes, and real-life testimonials from people who have reversed autoimmune symptoms using this approach.

Who Is This Book For?

  • Anyone with autoimmune disease or chronic inflammation
  • Those struggling with fatigue, pain, and food sensitivities
  • People looking for a holistic, natural approach to healing
  1. Eat Dirt by Dr. Josh Axe

Eat Dirt by Dr. Josh Axe explores the connection between gut health and chronic disease, arguing that many modern health issues stem from leaky gut syndrome—a condition where the gut lining becomes damaged, allowing toxins and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream, triggering inflammation and autoimmune reactions. Dr. Axe presents a holistic plan to heal the gut through diet, lifestyle, and exposure to beneficial microbes. If you have digestive issues or really want to go deep into gut health, this is the best book to read.

Key Takeaways:

  1. The Root Cause: Leaky Gut Syndrome
    • Leaky gut occurs when the intestinal lining becomes compromised, allowing harmful substances to escape into the bloodstream.
    • This can lead to autoimmune diseases, digestive issues, allergies, skin conditions, fatigue, and even mental health disorders.
  2. The Five Types of Gut Damage
    • Dr. Axe identifies five main types of leaky gut, each requiring a different healing approach:
      • Candida Gut: Caused by an overgrowth of yeast due to sugar and processed foods.
      • Stressed Gut: Triggered by chronic stress and high cortisol levels.
      • Immune Gut: Linked to autoimmune conditions and food sensitivities.
      • Toxic Gut: Resulting from exposure to environmental toxins, pesticides, and heavy metals.
      • Gastric Gut: Associated with low stomach acid and poor digestion.
  3. The Solution: Healing the Gut Naturally
    • Eat Dirt: Dr. Axe advocates for reconnecting with nature by consuming probiotic-rich, unprocessed foods, avoiding excessive hygiene, and even engaging in safe exposure to soil-based organisms.
    • Dietary Changes:
      • Remove gluten, dairy, sugar, processed foods, and GMOs.
      • Eat bone broth, fermented foods, collagen, and healthy fats to rebuild gut integrity.
    • Supplements & Herbs:
      • Supports healing with probiotics, digestive enzymes, L-glutamine, zinc, and herbal remedies like licorice root.
  4. Lifestyle Adjustments for Gut Health
    • Reduce stress through mindfulness, sleep, and relaxation techniques.
    • Limit toxins by using clean beauty and household products.
    • Get outside more—walk barefoot, spend time in nature, and avoid over-sanitization.
  5. Gut Health & Whole-Body Wellness
    • A healthy gut influences immune function, brain health, weight loss, and skin conditions like eczema.
    • Healing the gut can reverse autoimmune symptoms, improve energy, and boost mental clarity.

Who Is This Book For?

  1. Anyone struggling with digestive issues, autoimmune disease, or chronic inflammation
  2. Those interested in functional medicine, gut healing, and natural health
  3. People looking for a science-backed, holistic approach to wellness

The Loving Diet by Jessica Flanigon

    The Loving Diet by Jessica Flanigan offers a fresh perspective on healing from autoimmune disease and chronic illness by integrating self-love, acceptance, and emotional healing alongside dietary changes. While many healing protocols focus solely on food and supplements, Flanigan emphasizes the mind-body connection and the power of compassionate self-care in reversing disease. If you are struggling with your self image and self esteem then this is the book to read.

    Key Takeaways:

    1. Healing Beyond Diet Alone
      • While dietary changes (such as the Autoimmune Protocol – AIP) are important, they are only part of the healing process.
      • Emotional trauma, chronic stress, and unresolved inner conflicts can fuel disease.
      • True healing comes from embracing love, acceptance, and forgiveness—both toward oneself and the illness itself.
    2. The Role of Self-Love in Autoimmune Healing
      • Many autoimmune sufferers battle feelings of unworthiness, guilt, and frustration about their condition.
      • Instead of seeing illness as something to fight against, Flanigan encourages readers to befriend their illness and see it as a teacher.
      • Self-love and compassion are as vital as nutrition and lifestyle changes in restoring health.
    3. The Loving Diet Approach
      • Uses compassion-based healing to shift the way people think about illness.
      • Encourages inner reflection, mindfulness, and radical acceptance to create a healing mindset.
      • Focuses on trusting the body’s innate wisdom rather than fearing symptoms.
    4. Trauma, Stress & the Nervous System
      • Chronic stress and past traumas can trigger or worsen autoimmune conditions.
      • Healing involves nervous system regulation, using tools like meditation, breathwork, and somatic healing.
      • Letting go of the “fix it” mentality and focusing on emotional well-being can create profound shifts in physical health.
    5. Combining Nutrition & Emotional Healing
      • While The Loving Diet is compatible with AIP, Paleo, and other healing diets, it goes beyond food.
      • Instead of obsessing over food restrictions, the focus shifts to nourishing the body with love, gratitude, and joy.

    Who Is This Book For?

    Those with autoimmune disease or chronic illness who feel stuck in their healing journey.

    Anyone interested in mind-body medicine, emotional healing, and holistic wellness.

    People who have tried strict diets like AIP but still struggle with symptoms and want to go deeper into healing.

      Beat Autoimmune by Palmer Kipper

        Beat Autoimmune by Palmer Kippola is a comprehensive guide to preventing and reversing autoimmune disease through root-cause healing. Drawing from her own experience of overcoming multiple sclerosis (MS), Kippola presents a holistic, science-backed plan to address the underlying triggers of autoimmune conditions rather than just managing symptoms with medication.

        Key Takeaways:

        1. Autoimmune Disease is Reversible
          • Autoimmune conditions occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body.
          • Instead of just suppressing symptoms, healing involves identifying and removing root causes.
          • The book shares case studies and research showing how people have reversed conditions like MS, rheumatoid arthritis, and Hashimoto’s.
        2. The F.I.G.H.T.S. Protocol – 6 Root Causes of Autoimmunity
          Kippola outlines six key factors that contribute to autoimmunity and offers strategies to address each:
          • Food: Eliminate inflammatory foods (gluten, dairy, sugar, processed foods) and eat a nutrient-dense diet.
          • Infections: Hidden infections like Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Lyme, and gut imbalances can trigger autoimmunity.
          • Gut Health: Leaky gut is a major driver of autoimmune disease. Healing the gut with bone broth, probiotics, and digestive enzymes is crucial.
          • Hormone Balance: Chronic stress, adrenal fatigue, and thyroid imbalances contribute to inflammation and flares.
          • Toxins: Reduce exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, mold, and chemicals in food, water, and household products.
          • Stress: Emotional trauma and chronic stress weaken the immune system—tools like meditation, breathwork, and therapy support healing.
        3. Food as Medicine
          • A personalized, anti-inflammatory diet is key to reversing autoimmunity.
          • Many benefit from Paleo, AIP, or keto-style diets focused on whole foods, healthy fats, and high-quality proteins.
          • Food sensitivity testing and mindful reintroductions help tailor a sustainable approach.
        4. Mindset & Emotional Healing
          • Past trauma, chronic stress, and negative thought patterns can keep the body in a state of inflammation.
          • Healing requires addressing emotional wounds, cultivating resilience, and reducing toxic stress.
        5. Testing & Functional Medicine
          • The book encourages working with functional medicine practitioners to uncover root causes through lab tests for food sensitivities, gut health, and toxins.
          • Includes recommendations for targeted supplements, detox strategies, and biohacking techniques to support long-term health.

        Who Is This Book For?

        • People struggling with autoimmune disease, chronic inflammation, or mysterious health symptoms.
        • Those who feel frustrated by conventional medicine and want an evidence-based, holistic healing approach.
        • Anyone interested in functional medicine, root-cause healing, and reversing autoimmunity naturally.
        • Hashimoto’s Protocool by Izabella Wentz

            Hashimoto’s Protocol by Dr. Izabella Wentz is a step-by-step healing plan designed to reverse Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition that attacks the thyroid. Drawing from her own journey and research as a pharmacist, Dr. Wentz presents a functional medicine approach that focuses on identifying root causes, reducing inflammation, and supporting the thyroid naturally.

            Key Takeaways:

            1. Hashimoto’s is Reversible
              • Conventional medicine often treats Hashimoto’s with thyroid hormone replacement but does not address underlying causes.
              • Healing requires a holistic approach, including diet, gut healing, detoxification, and stress management.
            2. The Three-Phase Healing Plan
              • The protocol is designed to reduce symptoms quickly and restore long-term thyroid health.
              • Phase 1: Remove Triggers
                • Focuses on eliminating food sensitivities, infections, toxins, and stress that contribute to autoimmunity.
                • Common culprits include gluten, dairy, soy, processed foods, heavy metals, and gut infections.
              • Phase 2: Repair & Rebuild
                • Heals the gut, liver, adrenals, and immune system using targeted nutrition and lifestyle changes.
                • Supports the body with bone broth, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and stress reduction techniques.
              • Phase 3: Restore Thyroid Function
                • Balances hormones, optimizes nutrient levels (like selenium, zinc, and vitamin D), and personalizes treatment.
                • Some people may still need thyroid medication, but many see dramatic improvement with diet and lifestyle alone.
            3. The Root Causes of Hashimoto’s
              • Chronic stress and adrenal dysfunction play a significant role.
              • Nutrient deficiencies (selenium, iron, iodine, B12) are common in Hashimoto’s patients.
              • Gut health issues (leaky gut, SIBO, infections like H. pylori) often trigger or worsen symptoms.
              • Toxins and heavy metals (fluoride, mercury, BPA) can interfere with thyroid function.
            4. Diet & Lifestyle Changes for Healing
              • Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) diet or a modified Paleo/Gluten-Free diet helps reduce inflammation.
              • Removing gluten, dairy, soy, and sugar can make a huge difference.
              • Managing stress, sleep, and exercise is just as important as diet.
            5. Personalized Approach
              • Lab testing for thyroid hormones, antibodies, gut health, and nutrient levels helps tailor treatment.
              • Not all solutions work for everyone, so it’s important to experiment and track progress.

            Who Is This Book For?

            • Anyone diagnosed with Hashimoto’s or hypothyroidism who wants to heal naturally.
            • People struggling with fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and other thyroid-related symptoms.
            • Those interested in functional medicine and root-cause healing.

            Gut Health & Inflammation

            Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) – Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride
            Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride explores the link between gut health and various psychological and neurological conditions, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, depression, anxiety, and more. Dr. Campbell-McBride argues that the health of the gut directly influences mental health and brain function, and offers a dietary and lifestyle protocol to heal the gut and improve psychological well-being.

              Key Takeaways:

              1. The Gut-Brain Connection
                • Dr. Campbell-McBride presents the theory that imbalances in the gut microbiome (the community of bacteria in the intestines) can lead to psychological and neurological issues.
                • Leaky gut (intestinal permeability) allows harmful substances to enter the bloodstream, triggering inflammation that affects the brain and nervous system.
                • Many mental health conditions, including autism, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety, are rooted in gut dysbiosis (an imbalance of gut bacteria).
              2. The GAPS Protocol
                • The GAPS Diet is designed to heal the gut by eliminating foods that cause inflammation and introducing healing foods that support gut health.
                • The protocol consists of several phases:
                  • Introduction Diet: A stricter phase that focuses on bone broth, fermented foods, and nutrient-dense meals to heal the gut lining and reduce inflammation.
                  • Full GAPS Diet: Includes meats, fish, eggs, vegetables, and fermented foods, while eliminating grains, sugars, processed foods, and starchy vegetables.
                • Probiotics and Fermented Foods: Essential for replenishing beneficial gut bacteria and supporting digestion.
              3. Healing the Gut to Improve Mental Health
                • Leaky gut, poor digestion, and food intolerances (especially to gluten and dairy) can disrupt brain function and lead to mental health issues.
                • By restoring gut health through the GAPS Diet, many psychological symptoms can be improved or even reversed.
                • Digestive enzymes, good fats, and fermented foods are key to repairing the gut and improving nutrient absorption.
              4. The Role of Food and Supplements
                • Nutrient-dense foods like bone broth, meats, vegetables, and fermented foods play a key role in healing the gut and the brain.
                • Supplements such as vitamin D, probiotics, omega-3s, and zinc can help restore balance to the gut and improve neurological function.
                • Eliminating processed foods, sugar, grains, and dairy helps reduce inflammation in both the gut and the brain.
              5. The Importance of Lifestyle
                • Stress management, adequate sleep, and physical activity are important factors in supporting both gut and mental health.
                • Addressing emotional trauma and toxic relationships can also support healing, as emotional and psychological stress negatively impacts the gut.

              Mind-Body & Emotional Healing

              You Can Heal Your Life               by Louise Hay is a powerful and transformative book that explores the connection between the mind, body, and spirit, emphasizing how thoughts and beliefs can affect our physical and emotional health. Hay, a renowned motivational author and teacher, presents the idea that by changing our thought patterns and practicing self-love, we can heal ourselves from within and create a life of happiness, health, and abundance.

              Key Takeaways:

              1. The Power of Thoughts and Beliefs
                • Hay argues that negative thoughts and self-limiting beliefs are often the root causes of physical ailments, emotional challenges, and life difficulties.
                • By changing our inner dialogue and focusing on positive, affirming thoughts, we can shift our energy and begin the process of healing.
                • Our beliefs create our reality—what we think and feel has a direct impact on the quality of our lives.
              2. The Mind-Body Connection
                • The book emphasizes the strong connection between the mind and body. Hay believes that emotional pain, repressed feelings, and unresolved issues can manifest as physical illness.
                • For example, fear might contribute to conditions like asthma, while guilt might be linked to issues like arthritis or joint pain.
                • To heal, it’s important to address both the mental and emotional root causes of physical conditions.
              4. Affirmations for Healing
                • Affirmations are central to Hay’s approach. Positive affirmations are statements that we repeat to ourselves to change negative thought patterns and cultivate self-love, acceptance, and healing.
                • Hay provides a variety of affirmations to support healing in areas like physical health, relationships, abundance, and emotional well-being.
                • For example: “I am worthy of all the good things life has to offer” or “I love and approve of myself.”
              5. Self-Love and Compassion
                • One of the main messages of the book is the importance of loving oneself. Hay teaches that self-love is the foundation for healing and that when we truly accept and appreciate ourselves, we can attract more positivity into our lives.
                • Self-love is about forgiving yourself, letting go of past mistakes, and treating yourself with kindness, respect, and compassion.
              6. The Healing Process
                • Healing is a journey that requires patience and commitment. It’s not about quick fixes but about consistently choosing to heal and transform your life over time.
                • Hay explains that the healing process involves self-reflection, confronting past pain, and adopting healthier beliefs.
                • By focusing on love and forgiveness, individuals can release negative patterns and move toward wholeness and vitality.
              7. The Role of Forgiveness
                • Forgiveness is crucial in the healing process, both for oneself and others. Holding onto anger, resentment, and past hurt can block healing.
                • Hay offers a simple mantra: “I forgive myself,” encouraging readers to release old emotional baggage and create space for healing.
              8. Creating the Life You Desire
                • The book also teaches how to use the power of the mind to create the life you want—one filled with health, wealth, love, and joy.
                • Hay suggests that by focusing on the positive, visualizing goals, and using affirmations, anyone can start manifesting their ideal life.
              9. Practical Tools for Healing
                • In addition to affirmations, Hay offers other practical tools for self-healing, such as meditation, visualization, and breathing exercises.
                • The book also includes a detailed body reference guide, where Hay offers specific mental causes for physical conditions and corresponding affirmations for healing.

              Who Is This Book For?

              • Individuals who want to understand the mind-body connection and the power of thoughts in creating health and happiness.
              • People seeking emotional healing or working through physical health challenges by addressing the root cause of their ailments.
              • Anyone interested in learning how to cultivate self-love, forgiveness, and a more positive, fulfilling life.


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