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The Autoimmune Epidemic: Bodies Gone Haywire in a World Out of Balance--and the Cutting-Edge Science that Promises Hope
A comprehensive investigation into autoimmune illnesses draws on up-to-date research to identify commonalities among such diseases as multiple sclerosis, lupus, and Type-1 diabetes, in a volume that presents evidence linking autoimmune disorders to chemicals and other environmental factors. 50,000 first printing.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published February 5, 2008
75 people are currently reading
990 people want to read
About the author
Donna Jackson Nakazawa
19 books235 followersAward-winning journalist and internationally-recognized speaker Donna Jackson Nakazawa began writing at twelve years old, after her father passed away unexpectedly. Recording her thoughts and feelings in a journal helped her to make sense of a world without him. When she came to the last page of her diary, she wrote, “I think I’m going to be a writer.”
Later, in college, she joined the staff of Duke’s literary journal. After graduating, she attended the Radcliffe Publishing Program and found work in the New York magazine world as a science journalist.
She began writing books. To date, she has authored 8 books exploring the connections between emotion, adversity, and well-being. Her mission is to translate complicated science into actionable information for everyday life.
Her bestselling book, Childhood Disrupted, was a finalist for the Books for a Better Life Award. Her newest book, The Adverse Childhood Experiences Guided Journal (foreword by Nedra Glover Tawwab), offers targeted writing techniques to help readers recognize the effects of childhood adversity and reset their brain's internal stories for neurobiological resilience, and is based on Donna’s popular narrative writing-to-heal program, Your Healing Narrative.
Donna’s other books include Girls on the Brink: Helping Our Daughters Thrive in an Era of Increased Anxiety, Depression, and Social Media, named a best book of 2022 by The Washington Post, and The Angel and the Assassin: The Tiny Brain Cell That Changed the Course of Medicine, named a best book of 2020 by Wired.
Her writing has appeared in Wired, The Boston Globe, Stat, and The Washington Post. She has appeared on The Today Show and NPR and is a regular speaker at universities and organizations, including the Child Mind Institute, Harvard Science, UCLA Health, Rutgers, Johns Hopkins, Children’s Hospitals, and the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. Learn more at donnajacksonnakazawa.com
Later, in college, she joined the staff of Duke’s literary journal. After graduating, she attended the Radcliffe Publishing Program and found work in the New York magazine world as a science journalist.
She began writing books. To date, she has authored 8 books exploring the connections between emotion, adversity, and well-being. Her mission is to translate complicated science into actionable information for everyday life.
Her bestselling book, Childhood Disrupted, was a finalist for the Books for a Better Life Award. Her newest book, The Adverse Childhood Experiences Guided Journal (foreword by Nedra Glover Tawwab), offers targeted writing techniques to help readers recognize the effects of childhood adversity and reset their brain's internal stories for neurobiological resilience, and is based on Donna’s popular narrative writing-to-heal program, Your Healing Narrative.
Donna’s other books include Girls on the Brink: Helping Our Daughters Thrive in an Era of Increased Anxiety, Depression, and Social Media, named a best book of 2022 by The Washington Post, and The Angel and the Assassin: The Tiny Brain Cell That Changed the Course of Medicine, named a best book of 2020 by Wired.
Her writing has appeared in Wired, The Boston Globe, Stat, and The Washington Post. She has appeared on The Today Show and NPR and is a regular speaker at universities and organizations, including the Child Mind Institute, Harvard Science, UCLA Health, Rutgers, Johns Hopkins, Children’s Hospitals, and the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. Learn more at donnajacksonnakazawa.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
July 23, 2008
Scary stuff... Throw away all your furniture and plastic and stay away from processed foods.
This book needs editing, but contains some good facts. I wouldn't call it light reading, because the subject matter is not light... I recommend for people who don't mind overuse of bad metaphors, but want a very superficial understanding of autoimmune disease.
I fear its emphasis on medical research, especially genetics, detracts from the larger message that we have created a world full of plastic and chemicals that are killing us. I'd rather see us clean up the world that is poisoning our bodies.
This book needs editing, but contains some good facts. I wouldn't call it light reading, because the subject matter is not light... I recommend for people who don't mind overuse of bad metaphors, but want a very superficial understanding of autoimmune disease.
I fear its emphasis on medical research, especially genetics, detracts from the larger message that we have created a world full of plastic and chemicals that are killing us. I'd rather see us clean up the world that is poisoning our bodies.
May 5, 2008
I highly recommend this book for anyone w/autoimmune disorders OR anyone who is interested in the impact of our world becoming increasingly toxic and chemical. . . In fact, I'd recommend this to anyone who has food or other allergies, asthma or anyone who has KIDS . . . . or anyone interested in medical mysteries. Thoroughly researched and documented . . . a very interesting read.
March 28, 2020
This book is written by a journalist who finds herself with a somewhat rare and very debilitating autoimmune disease called guillain-barre syndrome.
As someone with an autoimmune disease, I was intrigued. At the age of 25, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (the result of an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto's thyroiditis) after suffering with extreme symptoms for over a year. At the time, I was in grad school, studying to become a physical therapist. I was tired, chronically cold, and dare I say it, horribly constipated...all the time.
The doctor I was dating at the time said I just needed more fiber. Of course, having already earned a BS in Nutritional Sciences, I knew that my diet wasn't the issue. Still, what was I going to do. I certainly wasn't going to go to the doctor.
It was only by chance that my diagnosis was made. A thorough exam by my gynecologist revealed an enlarged thyroid, and via his encouragement I had it tested. Ultimately, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
20 years later, and my daughter who is 10 is suddenly struck with chronic vomiting and diarrhea. Testing reveals she has Celiac disease...closely associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (what I have) and also an autoimmune disease. Then we find out my mother also has celiac or at least an autoimmune response to the protein gluten.
So, yes. I get it. Ironically, it's only recently that doctors have even acknowledged that the immune system is capable of an autoimmune response. No wonder so many people, mostly women, go undiagnosed.
In her book, Nakazawa explores the rise in autoimmune disorders and what environmental factors may be at play, among her revelations...the fact that some of us may live on or near toxic dump sites...is eye opening.
She also talks about the need to start identifying autogens much the way we try to identify carcinogens as she argues that autoimmune disorders are just as serious and can be just as debilitating especially since they are often misdiagnosed.
Good book that looks at what is likely to be a growing area of concern for many of us, if it isn't already. Nakazawa points out that our immune systems are bombarded with foreign substances daily, from microscopic carpet fibers, to exhaust fumes, to chemicals we breath in and even eat. It should be no surprise that so many of our immune systems are going wonky.
As someone with an autoimmune disease, I was intrigued. At the age of 25, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (the result of an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto's thyroiditis) after suffering with extreme symptoms for over a year. At the time, I was in grad school, studying to become a physical therapist. I was tired, chronically cold, and dare I say it, horribly constipated...all the time.
The doctor I was dating at the time said I just needed more fiber. Of course, having already earned a BS in Nutritional Sciences, I knew that my diet wasn't the issue. Still, what was I going to do. I certainly wasn't going to go to the doctor.
It was only by chance that my diagnosis was made. A thorough exam by my gynecologist revealed an enlarged thyroid, and via his encouragement I had it tested. Ultimately, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
20 years later, and my daughter who is 10 is suddenly struck with chronic vomiting and diarrhea. Testing reveals she has Celiac disease...closely associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (what I have) and also an autoimmune disease. Then we find out my mother also has celiac or at least an autoimmune response to the protein gluten.
So, yes. I get it. Ironically, it's only recently that doctors have even acknowledged that the immune system is capable of an autoimmune response. No wonder so many people, mostly women, go undiagnosed.
In her book, Nakazawa explores the rise in autoimmune disorders and what environmental factors may be at play, among her revelations...the fact that some of us may live on or near toxic dump sites...is eye opening.
She also talks about the need to start identifying autogens much the way we try to identify carcinogens as she argues that autoimmune disorders are just as serious and can be just as debilitating especially since they are often misdiagnosed.
Good book that looks at what is likely to be a growing area of concern for many of us, if it isn't already. Nakazawa points out that our immune systems are bombarded with foreign substances daily, from microscopic carpet fibers, to exhaust fumes, to chemicals we breath in and even eat. It should be no surprise that so many of our immune systems are going wonky.
July 13, 2012
Living with Crohn's Disease and awaiting a possible Lupus diagnosis, Nakazawa's The Autoimmune Epidemic proved to be both enlightening in its evidence based argument of the environmental causes and pathophysiology of autoimmune disease as well as shocking in its presentation of heartbreaking anecdotes and expose of the hidden killers that are pervasive in our everyday lives. Readers with and even those without autoimmune diseases will undoubtedly rethink the way we approach diet and lifestyle after reading this book. In the final chapter, Ms. Nakazawa presents a guideline of basic changes we can make in an attempt to avoid or reduce the symptoms of already-present autoimmune diseases. As the incidence rates and diagnoses of these disease continue to increase at an exponential rate, we can no longer afford to ignore the growing body of evidence, put forth clearly by the Autoimmune Epidemic, that ties genetics, diet, environment and lifestyle with autoimmune disease.
Of special interest to me was the evidence presented on the proven connection of the modern Western diet, filled with processed and preserved foods, refined sugar, saturated fat and gluten proteins with the onset and progression of these diseases. I am a gluten-free blogger, based in Atlanta, and hope all of my devoted fans will pick up a copy of The Autoimmune Epidemic!
This is a must-read!
Of special interest to me was the evidence presented on the proven connection of the modern Western diet, filled with processed and preserved foods, refined sugar, saturated fat and gluten proteins with the onset and progression of these diseases. I am a gluten-free blogger, based in Atlanta, and hope all of my devoted fans will pick up a copy of The Autoimmune Epidemic!
This is a must-read!
April 16, 2016
The ONLY reason this book received 1 star instead of 0 stars is because at least she got her basic history right when it came to the basic research of autoimmune diseases. From the discovery of the fact that yes, it was possible for our immune systems to attack each other in rodent studies (confirming how Hashimoto's disease works), to how specialists seem to split up autoimmune diseases based on how they affected the body (Chron's and other IBDs were claimed by gastroenterologists, RA and Lupus were claimed by rheumatologists, MS was claimed by neurologists, and Hashimoto's and Graves Disease were claimed by usually endocrinologists or rheumatologists.) Brushing up on the brief history of AIs is never a bad thing. The rest of the book, well, let's just say I'm not one who's for advocating burning books, but this one might end up in my fire pit in a few months.
As someone with multiple autoimmune diseases myself, it's natural to want to know what caused these problems. What made my body, and the immune system of those like me, to decide one day to turn against us? I have been searching for those same answers for well over 15 years myself, and in many of those same places--including John's Hopkins. In fact, I have followed much of their research very closely over the years.
I will start off by saying she is inconsistent at best. Genetics don't play a role at all in autoimmune diseases, then they play a tiny role, then they play a 30% role or more. (You can figure that one out.) There is an epidemic because of the serious increase in diagnosed autoimmune diseases--but it's not from better screening practices. Yet, even in the history, she contradicts herself and continues to do so throughout the book. Doctors didn't know what these diseases were, then they did, but didn't believe them, yet it can take 10-15 years to receive a diagnosis and many patients can see up to 6 doctors or more before receiving a diagnosis. But screening, awareness, and the like aren't better than they were even 40 years ago. Again, I'll leave that up to you to figure out what she's trying to say.
This woman couldn't be further off base if she tried. She cherry picks data from studies and from what she is told, twists it, turns it, and manipulates it until it fits into what she wants it to say. Does toxic waste (from when chemical companies played fast and loose with dumping rules) play a role? It very well could, but there is no solid evidence to say yes. Even in her Lupus Cluster example in East Ferry, NY, there is a strong correlation between the toxic waste sites and the spike in Lupus, but there isn't a shred of scientific proof. (Remember boys and girls, correlation does not equal causation.) I have followed the studies out of JH (John's Hopkins) and other top universities very closely when it comes to Benzene, PCBs, and VOCs and their link to autoimmune diseases, but the proof just isn't there, despite how desperately she wants you to believe it.
Then there is her "toxinz, toxinz everywhere!" speil. This kind of fallacy exists to this day--from what we use to clean our houses, our yards, wash our hair, clothes, bodies, and even in our makeup and food. It's as if the only way to avoid this evil conspiracy from Big Manufacturer/Big Ag/Big Chemical is to cook our own food, make our own soap, and go back to the basics. Even bottled water isn't safe! All of it is false. Especially alarming is the false claims regarding how "safe" organic farming is--yes, they do use pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides on their crops too and if anything, most are applied in higher quantities and are more dangerous than conventional farming.
Just a quick note about twisting studies: she makes mention about how schizophrenia has been caused by a virus. Yes and no. The actual studies have revealed that if the mother contracts a specific virus (cytomegalovirus, or CMV) during pregnancy) and the child has a specific genetic mutation, there is approximately a 5% increased risk of developing schizophrenia later in life. Not quite what she says, though, is it? Just like blaming Epstein Barr Virus on Lupus. 90% of the population has been exposed to EBV and has had it at one point or another. But I digress.
She then goes on to blame vaccines. Yep. Vaccines. And that gets worse, because the vaccine/autism link is dragged back in and it's a conspiracy. But wait! There are studies to back that up! Except the scientist uses inorganic mercury (methyl mercury) as opposed to ethyl mercury (what is found in thimerosal--the stuff found in SOME vaccines and is expelled from the body. (Never mix your ethyls and your methyls. Think alcohol).
Finally, she concludes with "debunking" a theory that we now live in an environment that is "too clean." I don't even know what to say to that one.
As someone with multiple autoimmune diseases myself, it's natural to want to know what caused these problems. What made my body, and the immune system of those like me, to decide one day to turn against us? I have been searching for those same answers for well over 15 years myself, and in many of those same places--including John's Hopkins. In fact, I have followed much of their research very closely over the years.
I will start off by saying she is inconsistent at best. Genetics don't play a role at all in autoimmune diseases, then they play a tiny role, then they play a 30% role or more. (You can figure that one out.) There is an epidemic because of the serious increase in diagnosed autoimmune diseases--but it's not from better screening practices. Yet, even in the history, she contradicts herself and continues to do so throughout the book. Doctors didn't know what these diseases were, then they did, but didn't believe them, yet it can take 10-15 years to receive a diagnosis and many patients can see up to 6 doctors or more before receiving a diagnosis. But screening, awareness, and the like aren't better than they were even 40 years ago. Again, I'll leave that up to you to figure out what she's trying to say.
This woman couldn't be further off base if she tried. She cherry picks data from studies and from what she is told, twists it, turns it, and manipulates it until it fits into what she wants it to say. Does toxic waste (from when chemical companies played fast and loose with dumping rules) play a role? It very well could, but there is no solid evidence to say yes. Even in her Lupus Cluster example in East Ferry, NY, there is a strong correlation between the toxic waste sites and the spike in Lupus, but there isn't a shred of scientific proof. (Remember boys and girls, correlation does not equal causation.) I have followed the studies out of JH (John's Hopkins) and other top universities very closely when it comes to Benzene, PCBs, and VOCs and their link to autoimmune diseases, but the proof just isn't there, despite how desperately she wants you to believe it.
Then there is her "toxinz, toxinz everywhere!" speil. This kind of fallacy exists to this day--from what we use to clean our houses, our yards, wash our hair, clothes, bodies, and even in our makeup and food. It's as if the only way to avoid this evil conspiracy from Big Manufacturer/Big Ag/Big Chemical is to cook our own food, make our own soap, and go back to the basics. Even bottled water isn't safe! All of it is false. Especially alarming is the false claims regarding how "safe" organic farming is--yes, they do use pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides on their crops too and if anything, most are applied in higher quantities and are more dangerous than conventional farming.
Just a quick note about twisting studies: she makes mention about how schizophrenia has been caused by a virus. Yes and no. The actual studies have revealed that if the mother contracts a specific virus (cytomegalovirus, or CMV) during pregnancy) and the child has a specific genetic mutation, there is approximately a 5% increased risk of developing schizophrenia later in life. Not quite what she says, though, is it? Just like blaming Epstein Barr Virus on Lupus. 90% of the population has been exposed to EBV and has had it at one point or another. But I digress.
She then goes on to blame vaccines. Yep. Vaccines. And that gets worse, because the vaccine/autism link is dragged back in and it's a conspiracy. But wait! There are studies to back that up! Except the scientist uses inorganic mercury (methyl mercury) as opposed to ethyl mercury (what is found in thimerosal--the stuff found in SOME vaccines and is expelled from the body. (Never mix your ethyls and your methyls. Think alcohol).
Finally, she concludes with "debunking" a theory that we now live in an environment that is "too clean." I don't even know what to say to that one.
December 8, 2012
Out of all the books that I've read on autoimmune diseases, this one is the most informative. The topics that I so often dwell upon and obsess over are all discussed and with extensive evidence, citation and sensitivity. These topics include chemical toxicity, Vitamin D, vaccinations, adrenaline, emotional sludge, stress, and of course the workings of the immune system. I really feel this book as a value to my education and outreach in researching and learning about the autoimmune disease I was diagnosed with eight and a half years ago - lupus. Lupus is mentioned a lot and by a lot I mean almost in every section. Since lupus is one of the more common autoimmune diseases it gets a front seat in this book - which I love. I was so excited to read about the condition, and the theories I have to what have contributed to my immune system going awry, while reinforcing my own feelings and analysis on my specific case. Overall, I recommend this book to people with and without autoimune disease. This book is for everyone. Although the book is not wrapped up succinctly, and the conclusion a little cheesy - I believe the in-between moments are eye-opening and respectable to the point of changing lives.
December 27, 2010
I read it because I have an autoimmune disease, but everyone would benefit from a quick read.
The number of people in the USA who have an autoimmune disease outnumber Cancer patients, or Heart disease patients. Research has confirmed that chemicals - industrial, man-made chemicals - are causing many if not all autoimmunity. I worked around a solvent that (as I found out later), that has been shown to trigger my disease.
A co-worker has the same disease (Maybe more, I'm not in touch).
But this same stuff is in ground-water. You drink it, breath it when you take a hot shower.
Other nasty stuff is in our food. Nothing changes overnight - but the book does give some hope, and
ideas to avoid much of the chemicals we now are exposed to in our diets.
The number of people in the USA who have an autoimmune disease outnumber Cancer patients, or Heart disease patients. Research has confirmed that chemicals - industrial, man-made chemicals - are causing many if not all autoimmunity. I worked around a solvent that (as I found out later), that has been shown to trigger my disease.
A co-worker has the same disease (Maybe more, I'm not in touch).
But this same stuff is in ground-water. You drink it, breath it when you take a hot shower.
Other nasty stuff is in our food. Nothing changes overnight - but the book does give some hope, and
ideas to avoid much of the chemicals we now are exposed to in our diets.
March 16, 2013
This book was one of the highly educational ones that I have read. Recently I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, and I did not know how or why it happened. But as I read this book it helped to explain what was going on and why. Also, it helped to realize that while there is no cure there are ways to live green and to keep a person safe while being treated with this disorder.
December 16, 2015
The author seems to think that to get an autoimmune disease one needs
1 the wrong genes
2 to be female
3 to be exposed to chemicals
4 to be exposed to certain viruses
5. more stuff...
If Mr Occam was alive today, he'd take his razor to this pile of babel.
The one thing the author is sure doesn't cause AI disease,
is the Hygiene Hypothesis.
In a recent book: An epidemic of absence,
that author make a very compelling case that overly hygienic conditions in the 20th century is the main cause.
To discredit the HH theory the author talks with a junior scientist who is working with a group of senior scientists who are trying to prove that viruses cause AI diseases.
Of course someone who is devoting years of work to prove one idea
is not likely to support some other idea.
The 2 women sit around saying, common sense says...
and it stands to reason that....
They think because kids get as many colds now as kids 50-100 years ago
that proves their immune systems are properly challenged.
Most of the "reasoning" in the book is very simplistic.
Also the author makes a big deal about "clusters" of disease,
she ignores the fact that for every cluster of disease,
there is a cluster of NO disease.
No one notices that tho.
That the way things work out when things are random.
Try flipping a coin 20 times, does it come up heads 10 times every time?
and tails 10 times every time?
NO, random events run in streaks or clusters.
1 the wrong genes
2 to be female
3 to be exposed to chemicals
4 to be exposed to certain viruses
5. more stuff...
If Mr Occam was alive today, he'd take his razor to this pile of babel.
The one thing the author is sure doesn't cause AI disease,
is the Hygiene Hypothesis.
In a recent book: An epidemic of absence,
that author make a very compelling case that overly hygienic conditions in the 20th century is the main cause.
To discredit the HH theory the author talks with a junior scientist who is working with a group of senior scientists who are trying to prove that viruses cause AI diseases.
Of course someone who is devoting years of work to prove one idea
is not likely to support some other idea.
The 2 women sit around saying, common sense says...
and it stands to reason that....
They think because kids get as many colds now as kids 50-100 years ago
that proves their immune systems are properly challenged.
Most of the "reasoning" in the book is very simplistic.
Also the author makes a big deal about "clusters" of disease,
she ignores the fact that for every cluster of disease,
there is a cluster of NO disease.
No one notices that tho.
That the way things work out when things are random.
Try flipping a coin 20 times, does it come up heads 10 times every time?
and tails 10 times every time?
NO, random events run in streaks or clusters.
February 13, 2008
I started reading the book in the middle, because I was flipping through it at the library. I was perusing the new nonfiction to just catch up on what we had, and I started reading about a swarm of lupus cases in one neighborhood. I wanted to know why, so I kept reading until the end. Then I went back and read the first half of the book. It is very good, well-researched, and very scary. However, I cannot find a reference in the book for the statement the author makes that hair dye increases the chances of developing lupus. She talks about data, but never references back to where she found this data. Perhaps I missed something and it's there. I rather want to dye my hair anyway, though.
March 17, 2008
excellent resources in the book for those with (or who know someone with) an autoimmune disease. Worth reading just for the chapter on autoimmune disease in the East Ferry neighborhood in Buffalo. please think again if you think the government (example FDA) really gives a rats ass about people. scary info at http://www.epa.gov/enviro/emef
.
.
November 28, 2024
Excellent review of all the ways we are poisoning ourselves and the consequences.
July 13, 2009
I read this book to get a better understanding of the disease I'll be dealing with (maybe for the rest of my life.) It was informative, but also a bit frustrating. If so many people are being diagnosed with auto-immune diseases, why isn't more being done in the field of science and medicine? According to the book, more patients suffer from auto-immune disease than heart disease and cancer. It's a little upsetting. Also, the book talks about how to change your lifestyle to help prevent further attacks or the onset of other auto-immune diseasese, but you can't do all of it, and it's a bit overwhelming. There's also a diet section that supposed to improve your life, but that means practically going on an elimination diet and not eating at all. I guess I'll try to live my life healthier, but you can't stress about all of the points in the book, or you're going to drive yourself crazy.
June 11, 2011
I purchased this book after a recent rash of autoimmune flares had me in bed and unable to walk without pain for 20 out of 60 days. I never realized how much of an impact diet, stress and environment have on my condition until I started reading this book. It has inspired me to change my diet and start thinking about the environment that I live in and how it is affecting my health. The exact mechanisms that trigger autoimmunity are not completely understood, but toxins in industrial chemicals, heavy metals and some drugs are thought to trigger the autoimmune process in individuals who are already predisposed to autoimmunity. Over 20% of Americans suffer from some form of autoimmune disease and that number is on the rise. Reading this book has taught me that I need to start putting a lot more thought into changing my lifestyle to prevent further attacks or the onset of another autoimmune related disease.
December 19, 2009
This book had a few nuggets of good information, but overall I was not impressed it was too focused on Lupus to be a general comprehensive look at autoimmune diseases. Also her lifestyle changes and take on why there are more diagnosed cases of autoimmune issues is to get rid of all things with chemicals etc. She did not even really consider the possibility that more people are being diagnosed because more doctors know about them and the tests have become more advanced and accurate. It seemed to me as I read, that she merely found doctors or specialist who supported her claim and used them. I wanted to hear more about the other possibilities. I am not saying that processed foods and the intake of chemicals throughout our day are not playing a part, but that is not the whole picture like she was portraying.
January 3, 2013
Nakazawa explains the mechanism of autoimmune response while showing how exposure to toxins, viruses, chemicals, etc., has caused an epidemic of autoimmune diseases. Part of her research involved the cluster epidemics of lupus etc. in Buffalo, New York, due to toxic waste in the soil and water, and a genetic predisposition to autoimmune response.
p.255: "Each day an average of five new chemicals are put out on the market in the United States without any testing as to whether or not they pose a challenge to the immune system. Although our scientific literacy about links between chemicals, heavy metals, and autoimmunity is growing quickly, it has to date had little impact on federal environmental laws."
She has a helpful precautionary response list of products that may trigger or exacerbate autoimmune disease.
p.255: "Each day an average of five new chemicals are put out on the market in the United States without any testing as to whether or not they pose a challenge to the immune system. Although our scientific literacy about links between chemicals, heavy metals, and autoimmunity is growing quickly, it has to date had little impact on federal environmental laws."
She has a helpful precautionary response list of products that may trigger or exacerbate autoimmune disease.
September 28, 2010
I'm not totally sure what to say about this book. Seems to be well researched, although it's a few years old so I'm sure some things have changed. Mainly it seems to be thought provoking. The fact that 1 in 12 Americans have an autoimmune disorder is shocking. And the possibility of those numbers increasing greatly are disturbing. It definitely shows how complicated the autoimmune disorder can be - so many possible puzzle pieces of causes and so many illnesses or disorders in one big umbrella. Some of the causes certainly made light bulbs go off in my own case. I would recommend for those with an interest in autoimmune disorders, and those who enjoy non-fiction about health, science, and research.
September 28, 2008
This book talks about the variety of reasons which may contribute to the rise in various autoimmune diseases, but ends on a very positive note, highlighting some progress being made in the field. The biggest downside is that funding for research is too limited, so progress is slow.
February 13, 2013
Hands down the most comprehensive, informative book on the rising autoimmune diagnosises and their many complexities. Shocking and scary from a medical and social perspective. A lot of medical research and data. The author does tend to over cover topics long after a point has been driven home.
May 19, 2008
Good info but so much conspiracy theory it was depressing.
August 20, 2019
The smoking gun? The canary in the coal mine?
What is causing the unprecedented and alarming increase in the number of people with autoimmune diseases in recent years? What is causing the frightening rise in the number of children with autism? In this painstakingly researched and thoroughly documented book, Donna Jackson Nakazawa makes the case that pollution is the culprit. She argues convincingly that levels of pollution below those allowed by government standards enter our bodies and confuse our immune systems into attacking our own cells.
The case is not however proven by scientific standards. Although the circumstantial evidence is persuasive, it may take many years for the scientific proof to manifest itself. But you and I do not have to wait that long. A question that might be asked is, what else can it be? The rise in autoimmune disease is clearly correlated with the rise in man-made and man-delivered chemicals into the environment. What we need to do now is elect representatives who will enact legislation that will sharply reduce the number and amount of chemicals being dumped into our rivers, streams and oceans, that will stop the feeding of noxious substance and hormones to our animals, and that will switch from burning fossils fuels to more sustainable and non-polluting alternatives. We need to make the transition from Big Agriculture with its pesticides and its weed killers to small cooperative organic farming methods. The health costs to our people are now enormous and growing. We cannot expect bottom-line driven corporations to voluntarily give up besmirching the environment and poisoning our children. They have to be stopped through the force of law.
Meanwhile, we as individuals need to reject highly processed foods and being super-sized. We need to reward close to home organic farmers and think slow food, not fast food. We need to stay away from MacDonald's and the Burger King. We need to give up the automobile and embrace mass transit and the bicycle. We need to leave the asphalt jungle and return to the Garden of Eden. We need stop stock-piling armaments and use our resources to fight disease and poverty. We need to reduce the sheer numbers of humans on this planet and allow not only more open space but more wild and agrarian space. We need to wake up in the morning and look out over greenery and clear, flowing waters, not concrete and steel, asphalt and the brown haze.
But wait. How can we do this? We can't. At least we can't do it anytime soon. It will take a gargantuan effort, greater than the resources put into World War II, into the space race, and into the Cold War combined to bring about the kind of changes that will stop the epidemic. First we will need to educate the general populace about what needs to be done. The vast majority of people have no idea what is happening. Most of us are living in a kind of willful ignorance about what we are doing to the planet and ultimately to ourselves. We need to get the short-sighted to see the world through the eyes of their grandchildren. We need to wrest power from pathological corporations, and put it in the hands of people who care.
Again, how do we do this?
It is a race between understanding and ignorance, between the side of human nature that uses its intelligence to see the present objectively and to imagine the future, and the side of human nature that is blind and fearful, that yields to the authority of special interests and wallows in ignorance.
Can we win this race? Nakazawa thinks we can and presents a strategy in the concluding chapter for shielding our immune systems from noxious chemicals and from stress and negative emotions. But what about that dark cloud drifting over the Pacific Ocean from the coal fires and the dust storms and chemical dumps in China? What can we do about THAT?
We, to our shame have elected know-nothings like George W. Bush, who has installed in his government legions of people dedicated to the increase of pollution and the wanton use of weapons and armies and gas-guzzlers to continue the destruction of the planet. We can only hope that our children and their children do a better job at governance, because at most we have perhaps two generations left before the world falls into a kind of horror of nature out of balance and of people at each other's throats to save what little is left for themselves.
The autoimmune epidemic is the canary in the coal mine. Unless we change our ways, it's going to get worse, much worse, so that on a clear day we will be able to see the smoke along Lincoln County Road as it leads to Armageddon.
--Dennis Littrell, author of “The World Is Not as We Think It Is”
What is causing the unprecedented and alarming increase in the number of people with autoimmune diseases in recent years? What is causing the frightening rise in the number of children with autism? In this painstakingly researched and thoroughly documented book, Donna Jackson Nakazawa makes the case that pollution is the culprit. She argues convincingly that levels of pollution below those allowed by government standards enter our bodies and confuse our immune systems into attacking our own cells.
The case is not however proven by scientific standards. Although the circumstantial evidence is persuasive, it may take many years for the scientific proof to manifest itself. But you and I do not have to wait that long. A question that might be asked is, what else can it be? The rise in autoimmune disease is clearly correlated with the rise in man-made and man-delivered chemicals into the environment. What we need to do now is elect representatives who will enact legislation that will sharply reduce the number and amount of chemicals being dumped into our rivers, streams and oceans, that will stop the feeding of noxious substance and hormones to our animals, and that will switch from burning fossils fuels to more sustainable and non-polluting alternatives. We need to make the transition from Big Agriculture with its pesticides and its weed killers to small cooperative organic farming methods. The health costs to our people are now enormous and growing. We cannot expect bottom-line driven corporations to voluntarily give up besmirching the environment and poisoning our children. They have to be stopped through the force of law.
Meanwhile, we as individuals need to reject highly processed foods and being super-sized. We need to reward close to home organic farmers and think slow food, not fast food. We need to stay away from MacDonald's and the Burger King. We need to give up the automobile and embrace mass transit and the bicycle. We need to leave the asphalt jungle and return to the Garden of Eden. We need stop stock-piling armaments and use our resources to fight disease and poverty. We need to reduce the sheer numbers of humans on this planet and allow not only more open space but more wild and agrarian space. We need to wake up in the morning and look out over greenery and clear, flowing waters, not concrete and steel, asphalt and the brown haze.
But wait. How can we do this? We can't. At least we can't do it anytime soon. It will take a gargantuan effort, greater than the resources put into World War II, into the space race, and into the Cold War combined to bring about the kind of changes that will stop the epidemic. First we will need to educate the general populace about what needs to be done. The vast majority of people have no idea what is happening. Most of us are living in a kind of willful ignorance about what we are doing to the planet and ultimately to ourselves. We need to get the short-sighted to see the world through the eyes of their grandchildren. We need to wrest power from pathological corporations, and put it in the hands of people who care.
Again, how do we do this?
It is a race between understanding and ignorance, between the side of human nature that uses its intelligence to see the present objectively and to imagine the future, and the side of human nature that is blind and fearful, that yields to the authority of special interests and wallows in ignorance.
Can we win this race? Nakazawa thinks we can and presents a strategy in the concluding chapter for shielding our immune systems from noxious chemicals and from stress and negative emotions. But what about that dark cloud drifting over the Pacific Ocean from the coal fires and the dust storms and chemical dumps in China? What can we do about THAT?
We, to our shame have elected know-nothings like George W. Bush, who has installed in his government legions of people dedicated to the increase of pollution and the wanton use of weapons and armies and gas-guzzlers to continue the destruction of the planet. We can only hope that our children and their children do a better job at governance, because at most we have perhaps two generations left before the world falls into a kind of horror of nature out of balance and of people at each other's throats to save what little is left for themselves.
The autoimmune epidemic is the canary in the coal mine. Unless we change our ways, it's going to get worse, much worse, so that on a clear day we will be able to see the smoke along Lincoln County Road as it leads to Armageddon.
--Dennis Littrell, author of “The World Is Not as We Think It Is”
October 12, 2019
4.5 stars
This book was exactly what I needed to read at the right time. I've been fighting with autoimmune issues for several years and can especially relate to the author's stories of bizarre symptoms (especially for my age) and the seemingly neverending appointments with new specialists but coming home with no answers except useless suggestions to get more sleep (I had 3 children four and younger at the time!), have less stress and get a better bra! I even had one Rheumatologist who'd rather debate me on the merits of homeschooling my children rather than looking into my symptoms! It took me several years of enduring pain, exhaustion and conventional medicine's ignorance until I got to the root of my problem with a naturopath - Epstein Bar Virus and all the autoimmune issues brought on with it.
Fast forward a few years and now my darling 10 year old daughter is going through a similar situation. Unexplainable pains and swelling, odd red dots all over her legs, exhaustion and nausea. Luckily I knew which sort of doctor to take her to when her pediatrician was baffled and she was diagnosed with 2 autoimmune issues - Henoch Scholein Pupura and Vasculitis. We both have a long and hard road ahead of us.
This book was extremely thorough in its scope of the why and the how of the insane increase of autoimmune diseases in the past 40 years. It mixes personal stories in with scientific research and fact. The only reason I took a half star away was for the lack of how to treat naturally. There was a section in the last chapter regarding vitamin supplements however it seemed to have an underlying tone of skepticism to it. I can personally attest to the validity of herbal and homeopathic remedies for treatment of autoimmune issues as it has been the ONLY route to relief for my daughter and I. Overall this was a very enlightening, albeit frightening, look into how our bodies are going haywire in today's modern world.
This book was exactly what I needed to read at the right time. I've been fighting with autoimmune issues for several years and can especially relate to the author's stories of bizarre symptoms (especially for my age) and the seemingly neverending appointments with new specialists but coming home with no answers except useless suggestions to get more sleep (I had 3 children four and younger at the time!), have less stress and get a better bra! I even had one Rheumatologist who'd rather debate me on the merits of homeschooling my children rather than looking into my symptoms! It took me several years of enduring pain, exhaustion and conventional medicine's ignorance until I got to the root of my problem with a naturopath - Epstein Bar Virus and all the autoimmune issues brought on with it.
Fast forward a few years and now my darling 10 year old daughter is going through a similar situation. Unexplainable pains and swelling, odd red dots all over her legs, exhaustion and nausea. Luckily I knew which sort of doctor to take her to when her pediatrician was baffled and she was diagnosed with 2 autoimmune issues - Henoch Scholein Pupura and Vasculitis. We both have a long and hard road ahead of us.
This book was extremely thorough in its scope of the why and the how of the insane increase of autoimmune diseases in the past 40 years. It mixes personal stories in with scientific research and fact. The only reason I took a half star away was for the lack of how to treat naturally. There was a section in the last chapter regarding vitamin supplements however it seemed to have an underlying tone of skepticism to it. I can personally attest to the validity of herbal and homeopathic remedies for treatment of autoimmune issues as it has been the ONLY route to relief for my daughter and I. Overall this was a very enlightening, albeit frightening, look into how our bodies are going haywire in today's modern world.
August 23, 2024
A really good read, especially as someone who has suffered from an autoimmune disease before. For those of us who have suffered from one (or who are currently suffering from one), this book is an invaluable resource for helping you understand why your body acts like it hates you. For everyone who doesn't suffer from an autoimmune condition, this book could help you to make better lifestyle decisions to help prevent joining us in this unfortunate club.
This book was written 15 years ago. Thinking back to that time, it's pretty eye-opening. Donna Jackson Nakazawa investigates and writes about the issue as only good journalist can; telling a compelling story while uncovering the facts. I will categorize autoimmune disorders along with other diseases of civilization, which are caused primarily from factors like diet and the environment we live in. This book, along others like what Silent Spring did for pesticides and what Toxic Bodies did for endocrine disruptors, makes it abundantly clear that one of the greatest threats we face as society is under-regulated chemical manufacturing of every day products. These products are largely designed by men and of course, women bear the brunt of the collateral damage.
The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 is needs a revised edition. Medicine and science have come a long way in the past 15 years, particularly epigenetics: a word that would certainly appear in the index of a revised edition. Including up-to-date research and facts would strengthen this book by quite a bit.
This book was written 15 years ago. Thinking back to that time, it's pretty eye-opening. Donna Jackson Nakazawa investigates and writes about the issue as only good journalist can; telling a compelling story while uncovering the facts. I will categorize autoimmune disorders along with other diseases of civilization, which are caused primarily from factors like diet and the environment we live in. This book, along others like what Silent Spring did for pesticides and what Toxic Bodies did for endocrine disruptors, makes it abundantly clear that one of the greatest threats we face as society is under-regulated chemical manufacturing of every day products. These products are largely designed by men and of course, women bear the brunt of the collateral damage.
The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 is needs a revised edition. Medicine and science have come a long way in the past 15 years, particularly epigenetics: a word that would certainly appear in the index of a revised edition. Including up-to-date research and facts would strengthen this book by quite a bit.
October 26, 2017
I can't claim to "like" this book. It scared me.
But compared to another book I read on the same topic, as I began doing more research into my autoimmune condition(s), this one was much more researched-based. The narrative journalism style also made it much more of an engaging read --though not a fun one. I have to admit I skipped/skimmed several parts, too. But unlike other authors, this one actually convinced me to consider the possibility that diet, environmental toxins, and stress could possibly be contributing to my mysterious symptoms.
More thoughts on this book, and a few related others, on my blog: https://thankthatshtandletitgo.wordpr...
But compared to another book I read on the same topic, as I began doing more research into my autoimmune condition(s), this one was much more researched-based. The narrative journalism style also made it much more of an engaging read --though not a fun one. I have to admit I skipped/skimmed several parts, too. But unlike other authors, this one actually convinced me to consider the possibility that diet, environmental toxins, and stress could possibly be contributing to my mysterious symptoms.
More thoughts on this book, and a few related others, on my blog: https://thankthatshtandletitgo.wordpr...
November 5, 2022
Lots of useful information. Autoimmune diseases are increasing and Doctors have a hard time diagnosing patients as their are so many to choose from. Patients go for years being misunderstood and getting sicker before finding out what they have. In most cases the damage is too far gone. Patients especially women, black women and Hispanic in particular are overwhelmingly the ones who get sick. We still have Doctors believing it is all in there heads. So many chemicals, pesticides, junk foods, etc make it worse and probably cause the illnesses.
May 11, 2024
Saw this book was flagged by one of my favorite health gurus (Mark Hyman) and decided to give it a read. They ought to make this mandatory reading in every school
What's convenient kills. Use nutrition to bulletproof the gut. Never buy a label with an ingredient you can't pronounce. Always be skeptical
What's convenient kills. Use nutrition to bulletproof the gut. Never buy a label with an ingredient you can't pronounce. Always be skeptical
March 2, 2025
I first gave 4 stars, but then I realized that even though this seems like a good summary, I’m not sure it covers all angles. And it’s almost 20 years old…
It was a good read and could point to further topics to check out, but the science I cannot verify, so I remain healthily sceptical and not take this as a sole guidebook for understanding my illness.
It was a good read and could point to further topics to check out, but the science I cannot verify, so I remain healthily sceptical and not take this as a sole guidebook for understanding my illness.
June 30, 2017
I got this book from the library. I do believe that toxins and hazardous waste can cause all sort of diseases, however this book is not updated anymore. I should have checked the date of the edition before reading.
November 13, 2019
Absolutely fantastic !
Well researched and thorough. This was an excellent primer for me to gain an understanding of autoimmune diseases. I would love to read a follow up book on this topic.
Well researched and thorough. This was an excellent primer for me to gain an understanding of autoimmune diseases. I would love to read a follow up book on this topic.
October 2, 2022
Great and interesting read as it pertains to autoimmune disease in our synthetic society, would give five stars except the author treads dangerously close to some conspiratorial thinking about vaccines and other therapeutics that, as far as I can tell, is not evidence based.
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