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La curación de la artritis: Guía para tratar la artritis por medios naturales
Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the world--greater than both back pain and heart disease. One example, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), is the most common autoimmune disease, affecting 1% of the U.S. population, and almost 68 million people worldwide. Conventional medicine tends to treat arthritis with strong, gut-damaging, immune-suppressing pain medications, temporarily relieving the symptoms of the disease without addressing its root causes. Now, in her groundbreaking new book, Dr. Susan Blum, a leading expert in functional medicine, offers a better approach to healing arthritis permanently. Dr. Blum's groundbreaking three-step protocol is designed to address the underlying causes of the condition and heal the body permanently by: ● Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, and more ● Healing your gut to heal your joints ● Reducing inflammation without medication Featuring detailed case studies, including Dr. Blum's own inspiring personal story, Healing Arthritis offers a revolutionary way to heal your gut, repair your immune system, control inflammation, and live a happier, healthier life . . . arthritis-free.
480 pages, Paperback
First published October 24, 2017
324 people are currently reading
697 people want to read
About the author
Susan Blum
16 books25 followersDr Susan Blum (MD) is a pioneer in Functional Medicine with over 20 years experience providing treatment and prevention plans for chronic diseases. She is the Founder and Director of Blum Center for Health in New York and a member of the Medical Advisory Board for The Dr. Oz Show. Her mission for Blum Center for Health is to facilitate personalised healing experience for her patients, providing cutting-edge Functional Medicine and teaching self-care skills to change health habits for good.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
July 2, 2017
Susan Blum offers an alternative approach to the common suffering caused by the condition of arthritis in its many forms. Her thinking derives from her own personal experience with the disease which then goes on to inform how she developed her 3 Step Arthritis Protocol. The motivation for this book are the shortfalls in the conventional methods of treating arthritis which damage the gut, suppress the immune system and giving of pain medication that temporarily ameliorate symptoms but without addressing the root causes. Blum begins by looking at the different types of arthritis. She then goes on to explore the gut connection and what the options for treating it are. There is a strong focus on anti-inflammatory foods and supplements and how they can help. Recipes are included for those who need help in this area. The emotional link is outlined along with relaxation techniques to help. I should point out the approach offered by Susan Blum is not for those searching for a quick fix solution. It requires a shift to a permanent life style change that can help to manage arthritis and perhaps even reverse the condition. Highly recommended to those who suffer from arthritis and those who have an interest in the subject. Thanks to Scribner for an ARC.
July 22, 2017
A book like this is really hard to rate. Obviously if it works I'd give it a 5 star without a second thought. BUT.... and it is a big ABUT does it work?
I asked to review this book because I actually suffer from rheumatoid Arthritis for the past 16 years. I think I have had every combination of drugs possible. Now I take 42 different tablets daily and have and injection a week, an infusion every 4 weeks and various 3 month period for steroids. So yeah I was kind of hoping for the miracle I've been promised following each treatment. That miracle is to simply go in to remission.
Now Blum encourages you to treat your gut by eating inflammatory foods. It would mean a total life style change and could take weeks before you feel any effects. Now I can not go 4 hours without my pain becoming unbearable. So if I were to start this regime how would I deal with the pain until my body alters to the new regime. Best way to describe Rheumatoid Arthritis is simply your immune system attacking healthy cells. So the treatment is to suppress your immune system. In this book Blum is attacking the inflammation.
I would like to think I can beat arthritis but to be honest I don't think you can. You can however manage it. So what I have taken from this book is how to bring my disease under control and more manageable. But in order to do that much of my life style must be changed and adhered too.
So I ended up giving the book 4 stars. Reason being I need to try this new regime out before I could ever give it 5 stars. Maybe I'll return and increase the stars but then again it may needd to be reduced. Who really knows?
I would recommend it because honestly when you live with pain 24/7 you would sell your soul to the devil for relief. Maybe not the devil in this case maybe just Susan Blum.
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
I asked to review this book because I actually suffer from rheumatoid Arthritis for the past 16 years. I think I have had every combination of drugs possible. Now I take 42 different tablets daily and have and injection a week, an infusion every 4 weeks and various 3 month period for steroids. So yeah I was kind of hoping for the miracle I've been promised following each treatment. That miracle is to simply go in to remission.
Now Blum encourages you to treat your gut by eating inflammatory foods. It would mean a total life style change and could take weeks before you feel any effects. Now I can not go 4 hours without my pain becoming unbearable. So if I were to start this regime how would I deal with the pain until my body alters to the new regime. Best way to describe Rheumatoid Arthritis is simply your immune system attacking healthy cells. So the treatment is to suppress your immune system. In this book Blum is attacking the inflammation.
I would like to think I can beat arthritis but to be honest I don't think you can. You can however manage it. So what I have taken from this book is how to bring my disease under control and more manageable. But in order to do that much of my life style must be changed and adhered too.
So I ended up giving the book 4 stars. Reason being I need to try this new regime out before I could ever give it 5 stars. Maybe I'll return and increase the stars but then again it may needd to be reduced. Who really knows?
I would recommend it because honestly when you live with pain 24/7 you would sell your soul to the devil for relief. Maybe not the devil in this case maybe just Susan Blum.
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
October 5, 2019
This book had a great start as it promised to explore the relationship between gut health and different classifications of arthritis (particularly those caused by an auto immune disorder like rheumatoid arthritis.) She even provided some of the mounting scientific evidence.
Then the narrative quickly takes a nose dive. Blum is an MD with a MPH and founder of the Blum Center for health. She also takes a more wholistic approach to treating patients. The problem is many of the treatments she advocates by her own admission predate the research she provides to justify them. Clearly, the research is starting to support the notion that our microbiome does play a role in many disease processes including auto immune disorders, the problem is there is a still a lot we don't know. Blum's approach is presented as scientifically based, but it's really not. That is not to say that some of the treatments she advocates for are useless, it's just I'm not sure it's for the average person.
Though she admits it is always best to get what we need through the diet and promotes a healthy diet (two areas which have a lot of support among health professionals of all flavors), she also promotes a number of supplements at therapeutic doses. But should we really be blindly taking therapeutic doses of a supplement without some oversight?
So unless you're a doctor who is in a position to do more extensive testing and follow-up, I'm not sure her program is safe for everyone. As far as the science...maybe the science will get there, but despite her claims, I don't think it's there yet.
Just because we know the microbiome is a factor that is likely contributing to our health, doesn't mean we understand all the nuances. And just because we don't understand all the nuances doesn't mean we can't experiment a little. So as an alternative to drugs, under supervision, maybe some of the supplements she suggests are a lesser evil. Maybe not.
However, it sounds as if her treatment protocol predated the research to date and now she's saying, "Look, we were right." Yet while the research certainly supports the notion that the microbiome plays a role, to say it validates her treatment approach is misleading, IMO.
On one hand, I hate to give this just 2 stars as I feel there is some good stuff here. I do support a more personalized approach to medicine. I do believe that the gut is a much more significant player than we ever realized, and I totally agree that diet is so important to our health on so many levels. On the other hand, I think she twists and molds what we do know to fit her views and approach, rather than basing her approach on what we know. And I get it. That's often how progress happens. Visionaries push the boundaries. Still, when writing a book for the masses, you have a responsibility to make it clear that what you are doing while logical based on what we do know, is not necessarily proven.
I'll use a personal example to illustrate. I have a patient who sought the advice of a naturopath regarding her daughter who had several chronic issues. The naturopath immediately diagnosed her with a mold allergy even though there was no testing to confirm. She put this girl on a pretty strict diet that is healthy albeit restrictive. As one might expect, the girl lost weight and started to feel better. Case closed!? The family is now convinced that the girl has a mold allergy. She is currently sticking to the prescribed diet. But if I've learned anything about restrictive diets it's that they are difficult to maintain over the long haul. And this girl may be needlessly restricting certain foods based on the diagnosis of a mold allergy that has no basis other than a suspicion on the part of the naturopath.
Some people might say...well, who cares. The girl is feeling better. And they are right. And maybe it won't matter in the long run. Similar to the way many people feel better after they cut out gluten, not necessarily because they had a sensitivity to gluten but because by default when they cut out gluten they also cut out a lot of processed crap and generally eat better quality foods. Again. Then who cares? I guess I kind of feel like we shouldn't be treating people blindly. We shouldn't just take a supplement because someone says it's good for us. We should have a basis for what we do and some objective way to measure success.
Why can't we just promote healthy eating as being good us.
Again, yes some people have mold allergies. And some people don't tolerate gluten or lactose or soy. But many of us do. We know from experience that the best diets are the ones that people follow consistently and restrictive diets are hard to follow consistently.
After reading this book, I feel as if Dr. Blum treats many of her patients the way this naturopath treated my patient's daughter. Blindly. How is that personalized or medicine?
Then the narrative quickly takes a nose dive. Blum is an MD with a MPH and founder of the Blum Center for health. She also takes a more wholistic approach to treating patients. The problem is many of the treatments she advocates by her own admission predate the research she provides to justify them. Clearly, the research is starting to support the notion that our microbiome does play a role in many disease processes including auto immune disorders, the problem is there is a still a lot we don't know. Blum's approach is presented as scientifically based, but it's really not. That is not to say that some of the treatments she advocates for are useless, it's just I'm not sure it's for the average person.
Though she admits it is always best to get what we need through the diet and promotes a healthy diet (two areas which have a lot of support among health professionals of all flavors), she also promotes a number of supplements at therapeutic doses. But should we really be blindly taking therapeutic doses of a supplement without some oversight?
So unless you're a doctor who is in a position to do more extensive testing and follow-up, I'm not sure her program is safe for everyone. As far as the science...maybe the science will get there, but despite her claims, I don't think it's there yet.
Just because we know the microbiome is a factor that is likely contributing to our health, doesn't mean we understand all the nuances. And just because we don't understand all the nuances doesn't mean we can't experiment a little. So as an alternative to drugs, under supervision, maybe some of the supplements she suggests are a lesser evil. Maybe not.
However, it sounds as if her treatment protocol predated the research to date and now she's saying, "Look, we were right." Yet while the research certainly supports the notion that the microbiome plays a role, to say it validates her treatment approach is misleading, IMO.
On one hand, I hate to give this just 2 stars as I feel there is some good stuff here. I do support a more personalized approach to medicine. I do believe that the gut is a much more significant player than we ever realized, and I totally agree that diet is so important to our health on so many levels. On the other hand, I think she twists and molds what we do know to fit her views and approach, rather than basing her approach on what we know. And I get it. That's often how progress happens. Visionaries push the boundaries. Still, when writing a book for the masses, you have a responsibility to make it clear that what you are doing while logical based on what we do know, is not necessarily proven.
I'll use a personal example to illustrate. I have a patient who sought the advice of a naturopath regarding her daughter who had several chronic issues. The naturopath immediately diagnosed her with a mold allergy even though there was no testing to confirm. She put this girl on a pretty strict diet that is healthy albeit restrictive. As one might expect, the girl lost weight and started to feel better. Case closed!? The family is now convinced that the girl has a mold allergy. She is currently sticking to the prescribed diet. But if I've learned anything about restrictive diets it's that they are difficult to maintain over the long haul. And this girl may be needlessly restricting certain foods based on the diagnosis of a mold allergy that has no basis other than a suspicion on the part of the naturopath.
Some people might say...well, who cares. The girl is feeling better. And they are right. And maybe it won't matter in the long run. Similar to the way many people feel better after they cut out gluten, not necessarily because they had a sensitivity to gluten but because by default when they cut out gluten they also cut out a lot of processed crap and generally eat better quality foods. Again. Then who cares? I guess I kind of feel like we shouldn't be treating people blindly. We shouldn't just take a supplement because someone says it's good for us. We should have a basis for what we do and some objective way to measure success.
Why can't we just promote healthy eating as being good us.
Again, yes some people have mold allergies. And some people don't tolerate gluten or lactose or soy. But many of us do. We know from experience that the best diets are the ones that people follow consistently and restrictive diets are hard to follow consistently.
After reading this book, I feel as if Dr. Blum treats many of her patients the way this naturopath treated my patient's daughter. Blindly. How is that personalized or medicine?
July 3, 2017
Being a sufferer of arthritis herself and researching into the condition, Susan discusses how to hack gut health and heal inflammation key things which partly play into arthritis.
A complex condition which can overlap greatly with other conditions, it can be hard to find which type you have. The book is in depth and highly informative with symptoms and tests to be aware of and ask for.
Personally this book is amazing, as a sufferer of Fibromyalgia and other rheumatoid based issues, this is a guide that gives you everything about the conditions effecting you and hope of easing symptoms with simple changes.
Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!
A complex condition which can overlap greatly with other conditions, it can be hard to find which type you have. The book is in depth and highly informative with symptoms and tests to be aware of and ask for.
Personally this book is amazing, as a sufferer of Fibromyalgia and other rheumatoid based issues, this is a guide that gives you everything about the conditions effecting you and hope of easing symptoms with simple changes.
Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!
November 28, 2017
Excellent information regarding all the inflammatory illnesses and very clear overview of the causes, current studies and options for treatment. The diet is challenging to pin down regarding what you can eat and the supplements are difficult to pin down without using the "company products", although more information is provided as you read along into other chapters. My own results with the elimination diet portion of the program have been excellent. I have reduced my pain, lost some weight and am moving much easier.
April 18, 2018
Food as Medicine. Food-based solutions to health issues have always made a lot of sense to me. The idea of healing diseases by eating healthy and agreeable foods, by eliminating the foods that cause the troubles, by practicing meditation and relaxation techniques for the mind-body connection, and by taking supplements that the body needs is what this book is all about by Dr. Susan Blum. I read this book with great interest, and read her companion book The Immune System Recovery Plan. Anyone with arthritis or autoimmune diseases will likely benefit from the wisdom in Healing Arthritis. The book functions as a self-healing guide with easy to understand medical information (symptoms, diagnosis, treatments) and clear advice about what causes inflammation and how diet can heal. Good food lists, what foods to avoid, and recipes too. Gut imbalances seem to play a critical role so getting the gut healthy is a priority. Blum’s medical background and research as well as her own personal experiences with autoimmune disease, and her own healing adventure, is quite convincing. The book is an education and a resource. I read this book via my local library.
October 8, 2017
This is a healthy guide for those who suffer with arthritis, like myself. Through diet; choosing the right foods and which of those you should avoid- inflammatory ones, to understanding your gut and how this may affect your pain, this comprehensive book can help those who suffer from this disease, begin to take control and ease their pain.
January 18, 2020
Good overview but then she gets into recommending her own supplements which can easily run you upwards of $1000/month which sucks.
July 7, 2017
I gave this book a three because it is one that will take a little time to test out and see results but it is so worth the effort and the time to try. It is a great additional tool in the fight against this painful condition. This would me a great gift for someone else or yourself.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2025
Excellent source of information!
Highly recommended especially if you want to learn how to eat clean.
Highly recommended especially if you want to learn how to eat clean.
October 22, 2017
I was disappointed in this book. It was really geared more toward rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune issues. Diet and healthy living emphasized, reduce stress. This is nothing new. I have heard a little about gut health, but it was interesting reading the research done and the correlation to arthritis. The average person, especially the elderly, would not be able to afford the supplements suggested.
August 6, 2017
As a rheumatoid arthritis sufferer myself, I had great hopes for this book. Blum's medical background and her personal experience do provide some authority for the subject and she's certainly referenced a variety of sources, but it's irresponsible to create the expectation in readers that they can conquer something as complex and varied as arthritis with a three step program from a self-help book.
Did she choose the three step concept so that her book would fit into the popular self-help genre? Is her goal to actually help people with arthritis or is it to be invited on daytime talk shows?
That said, her emphasis on gut health is excellent and she does provide detailed information for readers who are unfamiliar with gut microbiome research.
Some of her points are valid but there's an alarming emphasis on self-treatment. The first third of the book describes the various kinds of arthritis, then once you've determined what kind you have, you're to turn to that part of the book that deals with that kind of arthritis. Excuse me? Wouldn't it be better to have medical tests to determine this? I mean, arthritis isn't a facebook quiz.
It's not that she doesn't have good information, it's just that she's chosen an inappropriate vehicle for a complex subject. I fear that some readers might avoid medical diagnosis and/or abandon their current care program and instead try to self-cure, using this book as a guide.
The Arthritis Foundation has good information on diet and supplements, but they don't promise that you'll conquer it in three steps:
http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-...
Thank you, Netgalley, for the e-review edition of this book.
Did she choose the three step concept so that her book would fit into the popular self-help genre? Is her goal to actually help people with arthritis or is it to be invited on daytime talk shows?
That said, her emphasis on gut health is excellent and she does provide detailed information for readers who are unfamiliar with gut microbiome research.
Some of her points are valid but there's an alarming emphasis on self-treatment. The first third of the book describes the various kinds of arthritis, then once you've determined what kind you have, you're to turn to that part of the book that deals with that kind of arthritis. Excuse me? Wouldn't it be better to have medical tests to determine this? I mean, arthritis isn't a facebook quiz.
It's not that she doesn't have good information, it's just that she's chosen an inappropriate vehicle for a complex subject. I fear that some readers might avoid medical diagnosis and/or abandon their current care program and instead try to self-cure, using this book as a guide.
The Arthritis Foundation has good information on diet and supplements, but they don't promise that you'll conquer it in three steps:
http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-...
Thank you, Netgalley, for the e-review edition of this book.
October 13, 2017
I received an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I've been a fan of Dr. Blum's work for a while, and this book didn't disappoint. It's a fantastic reference for both patients and practitioners.
Things I love about this book:
1. She thoroughly outlines the different types of arthritis, including symptoms, diagnosis, and conventional treatments.
2. She clearly and concisely educates the reader on gut health and how it's applicable to these conditions and inflammation in general.
3. She offers a wealth of research to back up the information presented. I was especially impressed with the newer research on the possibility that we each have a gut bacteria enterotype that we might default to, depending on our diet.
4. She outlines popular diets to give readers a better understanding of why these diets may or may not be the healthiest option for their condition.
5. She offers a number of test recommendations and diet/supplement/mind-body protocols for different case studies, which practitioners and patients should find helpful.
6. Her 5 simple principles are: reduce processed foods, improve the quality of fats, improve the quality of proteins, increase fiber, micronutrients, and phytonutrients, and limit salt, food dyes and preservatives.
7. She devotes a chapter to the impact of traumatic stress and ACEs on health. This topic needs more mainstream coverage, and I'm happy to see functional medicine practitioners taking the lead.
This book is a comprehensive resource I'll refer to again and again, and I've already recommended it for pre-order to a few colleagues and clients. It's well organized, easy to read, and covers everything you can think of and plenty you'll be happy to learn.
I've been a fan of Dr. Blum's work for a while, and this book didn't disappoint. It's a fantastic reference for both patients and practitioners.
Things I love about this book:
1. She thoroughly outlines the different types of arthritis, including symptoms, diagnosis, and conventional treatments.
2. She clearly and concisely educates the reader on gut health and how it's applicable to these conditions and inflammation in general.
3. She offers a wealth of research to back up the information presented. I was especially impressed with the newer research on the possibility that we each have a gut bacteria enterotype that we might default to, depending on our diet.
4. She outlines popular diets to give readers a better understanding of why these diets may or may not be the healthiest option for their condition.
5. She offers a number of test recommendations and diet/supplement/mind-body protocols for different case studies, which practitioners and patients should find helpful.
6. Her 5 simple principles are: reduce processed foods, improve the quality of fats, improve the quality of proteins, increase fiber, micronutrients, and phytonutrients, and limit salt, food dyes and preservatives.
7. She devotes a chapter to the impact of traumatic stress and ACEs on health. This topic needs more mainstream coverage, and I'm happy to see functional medicine practitioners taking the lead.
This book is a comprehensive resource I'll refer to again and again, and I've already recommended it for pre-order to a few colleagues and clients. It's well organized, easy to read, and covers everything you can think of and plenty you'll be happy to learn.
December 5, 2017
Dr. Blum provides practical guidance on how to overcome arthritis using safe, natural methods. She offers a great meal plan and nutritional supplements that help control inflammation and heal damaged tissue. I've been recommending Dr. Blum's book to all of my patients with arthritis and they've loved it! A must read for anyone suffering from arthritis.
August 16, 2017
Healing Arthritis by Susan Blum is subtitled a 3 Step Process to Conquering Arthritis Naturally. Dr. Susan Blum, a leading expert in functional medicine, offers a better approach to healing arthritis permanently. Even more inspiring to me, she shares her own personal healing story in this book.
I have osteoarthritis in an ankle that I broke when I was in my early 20s. I didn't really feel the arthritis until the last couple of years due to a combination of stress and a tendon tear in the same ankle. I don't want to take a lot of medication so I decided to read Dr. Blum's book to see if I could make a difference naturally.
I received a copy of Healing Arthritis by Dr. Susan Blum from the publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for the book.
Dr. Blum gives a lot of information in an easy to read format. She first explains the various types of arthritis that one can contract. She also shares stories of real people who have those types of arthritis and how this program helped their lives improve and helped them to heal. As with many health issues, she shares how this issue is best helped by healing the gut first. To me, this makes sense, as I can tell that I have had some digestive issues this past year or two after facing so much stress. I especially like how her 3 step program includes a holistic program. Dr. Blum tells us how we can helps ourselves holistically by changing our diet, better handling our stress through various natural methods that she discusses, and by moving more. I like that this program looks at the person's whole lifestyle to make changes. The program she offers patients and has used herself also uses a variety of supplements. For me that is something I will have to budget into our household budget. Thankfully, I have a supportive spouse who wants to see me succeed. I have also done some health changes several years ago working with a naturopathic doctor and had good success with a different health issue, which gives me hope that I can succeed with this one.
I have not gone through the Healing Arthritis program in the book yet. However, I believe that it will be helpful. I don't, however, think it will be overly easy. It will take time and discipline on my part to make the program work. At the same time, I think my health is worth it. Dr. Blum shares in this book her own challenges in making the program work through some large stresses in her life and how she worked through those challenges to do it. Her tenacity in working her own program, sharing stories from other patients who have done the program, and her complete outline of what to do, give me hope that I can also do this for myself and help myself to feel much better in the long run. I would recommend anyone with arthritis read the book and give it a try too. I will try to come back and update after working this program.
August 26, 2017
This book uses a functional medicine approach to helping people reduce and manage problems caused by arthritis. Blum is a physician who runs a functional medicine center that emphasizes the role of diet and nutrition in health. The book starts with an overview of different types of arthritis, their symptoms, causes, and typical treatments. It then goes on to discuss the role of gut health in inflammation and arthritis. Finally, there is a diet plan for people to follow, including recipes and a discussion of the ways supplements can and should be used to support the program. Most of the author's claims are supported by research, and she does recognize the limitations of many studies, including those that she uses to support her points.
As someone who has recently been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, I found the book particularly interesting. Especially since I am allergic to NSAIDs. In addition, this book looks like a very good fit for problems my mother suffers from, and I intend to recommend she try the plan to see if it helps.
The main reason I didn't give the book five stars was that at times the discussion was not clear or well supported. For instance, in the chapter that describes different issues related to certain foods, the section on vegetable oils doesn't actually say much about them. Later in the book there is a more specific statement about why they might be a problem. However, the section about them talked more about other issues than laying out the characteristics of vegetable oils that cause the author concern.
I received a digital copy for honest review through Netgalley. Having read the book I am considering buying a copy as a gift.
As someone who has recently been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, I found the book particularly interesting. Especially since I am allergic to NSAIDs. In addition, this book looks like a very good fit for problems my mother suffers from, and I intend to recommend she try the plan to see if it helps.
The main reason I didn't give the book five stars was that at times the discussion was not clear or well supported. For instance, in the chapter that describes different issues related to certain foods, the section on vegetable oils doesn't actually say much about them. Later in the book there is a more specific statement about why they might be a problem. However, the section about them talked more about other issues than laying out the characteristics of vegetable oils that cause the author concern.
I received a digital copy for honest review through Netgalley. Having read the book I am considering buying a copy as a gift.
April 25, 2022
A very thorough book but very hard to read as she goes into detail on all the gut biome flora, good and bad, the enzymes and herbs that support or destroy them, and how it all connects to arthritis of all different types. She describes her treatment plan but it is very tough to unpack because she doesn't really organize it to make it simple. I had to reorg it for myself to break it down and found that she had important details scattered at different points in the reading, which took me some time to dig back out.
Then I did some research to figure out how much it would cost to follow her 3 step elimination diet and supplement plan to clean up my gut biome and figure out what trigger foods I might be sensitive too. Of course, being the genius she is, she had her website all set up with her own supplements that provide the exact amounts she recommends. If I had to go find the alternatives supplements that she says are also good, they have differing amounts of ingredients and it would be quite difficult to figure out. Of course, it is much simpler to just purchase her supplements right? Well, even leaving off the common vitamins that I already have, the cost of her supplements for her 3 step plan come out to just under $600! Tempting but I am having a hard time convincing the spouse that this is money well spent, she already thinks I buy too many unneeded supplements.
Anyway, now I won't be tempted by those pop up ads that tease me with what foods are causing inflammation, I know more than I ever wanted to know. I really want to try the 3 step process but it would be great if she could lower the bar somehow by designing an easier to achieve and understand process.
Then I did some research to figure out how much it would cost to follow her 3 step elimination diet and supplement plan to clean up my gut biome and figure out what trigger foods I might be sensitive too. Of course, being the genius she is, she had her website all set up with her own supplements that provide the exact amounts she recommends. If I had to go find the alternatives supplements that she says are also good, they have differing amounts of ingredients and it would be quite difficult to figure out. Of course, it is much simpler to just purchase her supplements right? Well, even leaving off the common vitamins that I already have, the cost of her supplements for her 3 step plan come out to just under $600! Tempting but I am having a hard time convincing the spouse that this is money well spent, she already thinks I buy too many unneeded supplements.
Anyway, now I won't be tempted by those pop up ads that tease me with what foods are causing inflammation, I know more than I ever wanted to know. I really want to try the 3 step process but it would be great if she could lower the bar somehow by designing an easier to achieve and understand process.
December 6, 2017
I was very excited to read this book in the hopes that I would be able to do something to improve my osteoarthritis. It was very interesting to read that gut problems can play a big part in causing the inflammation that damages joints. This is not the first book that I have read that discussed this.
The three-step protocol however, seems very daunting and restrictive. It requires the use of several supplements (which my doctor would give me a hard time about, especially if they skew my blood work or cause other symptoms to appear); a strict diet that you can modify after a while, but basically have to stay on to remain healthy; and strategies for mind-body. I guess if you are very sick with an inflammatory condition, you would do anything to improve your health. This protocol requires a lot of money, time and effort. The author sells her special protein powder mix on her website that she recommends at quite a high cost. She thankfully has given other options to use if you choose not to use her mix.
I loved this book, but found it overwhelming and daunting. I believe that it really does work as per the testimonies and stories she included. I wish that our Western trained doctors would receive more education about this and teach their patients rather than give drugs.
Another option is to go Vegan, Vegetarian or follow the Mediterranean Diet, which can be of great help. I have decided to follow many of her strategies, but not the full program and we will see what happens from there.
The three-step protocol however, seems very daunting and restrictive. It requires the use of several supplements (which my doctor would give me a hard time about, especially if they skew my blood work or cause other symptoms to appear); a strict diet that you can modify after a while, but basically have to stay on to remain healthy; and strategies for mind-body. I guess if you are very sick with an inflammatory condition, you would do anything to improve your health. This protocol requires a lot of money, time and effort. The author sells her special protein powder mix on her website that she recommends at quite a high cost. She thankfully has given other options to use if you choose not to use her mix.
I loved this book, but found it overwhelming and daunting. I believe that it really does work as per the testimonies and stories she included. I wish that our Western trained doctors would receive more education about this and teach their patients rather than give drugs.
Another option is to go Vegan, Vegetarian or follow the Mediterranean Diet, which can be of great help. I have decided to follow many of her strategies, but not the full program and we will see what happens from there.
March 24, 2021
This book was recommended to me by my primary care physician. In all honesty I did not fully read this book but read about two thirds and skimmed a few sections and the last third of the book.
I am familiar with dietary and supplement approaches to managing or eliminating RA symptoms. This book was extremely detailed in describing digestive metabolism. I found these descriptions overly complicated and confusing to the point of exasperation (I really don't need to know about every kind of bacteria in my gut). The author cited case studies all with her varying approaches. For me I would not be able to implement her recommendations since they all seemed different for different cases. Yes, I could try to implement some basic supplements, but it seemed totally confusing, unrealistic and expensive. I thought the author was also somewhat disingenuous to so frequently encourage the use of her own proprietary supplements. Somehow I think this author needs to attempt to legitimize her approach for everyday people.
I am familiar with dietary and supplement approaches to managing or eliminating RA symptoms. This book was extremely detailed in describing digestive metabolism. I found these descriptions overly complicated and confusing to the point of exasperation (I really don't need to know about every kind of bacteria in my gut). The author cited case studies all with her varying approaches. For me I would not be able to implement her recommendations since they all seemed different for different cases. Yes, I could try to implement some basic supplements, but it seemed totally confusing, unrealistic and expensive. I thought the author was also somewhat disingenuous to so frequently encourage the use of her own proprietary supplements. Somehow I think this author needs to attempt to legitimize her approach for everyday people.
July 14, 2017
Having been diagnosed with some lovely pain conditions, I was extremely interested in reading Healing Arthritis, and it provided a lot more information than I was prepared to deal with (I'm an 'ignorance-is-bliss' believer), but I'm very glad I read it. It has practical information about a holistic approach to dealing with arthritis (the several kinds of arthritis), and while I think that the title can be a bit misleading, I do think that there are very good points in changing a lifestyle to increase your physical and mental health to at least dial back the arthritic issues that can be crippling.
September 21, 2017
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Susan Blum's new book, Healing Arthritis, is a well researched, organized explanation of arthritis and how to alleviate inflammation and pain through diet and supplements. Dr. Blum gives the reader several examples in real life of patients with different types of arthritis and the steps she recommended for treating the disease, including herself and her mother.
I appreciated the format of the book and the layout. Dr. Blum makes it easy to follow and gives complete information on where to get supplements and charts for daily consumption. Often, books like this are overwhelming and confusing to follow. This new book, Healing Arthritis, is straightforward and a very welcome addition to the efforts to help people who suffer from debilitating diseases.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for the opportunity to read this advance copy.
Susan Blum's new book, Healing Arthritis, is a well researched, organized explanation of arthritis and how to alleviate inflammation and pain through diet and supplements. Dr. Blum gives the reader several examples in real life of patients with different types of arthritis and the steps she recommended for treating the disease, including herself and her mother.
I appreciated the format of the book and the layout. Dr. Blum makes it easy to follow and gives complete information on where to get supplements and charts for daily consumption. Often, books like this are overwhelming and confusing to follow. This new book, Healing Arthritis, is straightforward and a very welcome addition to the efforts to help people who suffer from debilitating diseases.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for the opportunity to read this advance copy.
November 5, 2019
After I started having accelerating arthritis symptoms I went looking for some information about the subject. With this book I hit the motherlode. There is a great discussion of various conditions that have the name arthritis in them, the causes, symptoms, % of people suffering from, etc. etc.
There is an extensive analysis of the root causes of inflammation and how this manifests as arthritic pain and damage. In addition to this a great portion of the book has advice on diet, eating and living advice, all with the aim of reducing or even healing arthritis symptoms. Recommended for anyone who is facing arthritis in their life.
There is an extensive analysis of the root causes of inflammation and how this manifests as arthritic pain and damage. In addition to this a great portion of the book has advice on diet, eating and living advice, all with the aim of reducing or even healing arthritis symptoms. Recommended for anyone who is facing arthritis in their life.
November 27, 2019
This book is for those people suffering from various forms of arthritis who want to know what lifestyle changes they need to make to lessen their pain. Some may get complete relief, others may be able to get enough relief to reduce medication. Much of the information is already available from other sources, Dr. Blum's other book 'The Immune System Recovery Plan' included, however there are several interesting takeaways. One is that you may have to make a number of attempts to reach good gut health. Another is the ways inflammation can cause the pain in the first place, even in osteoarthritis.
October 12, 2023
The book is full of lots of great ideas but at the same time it’s very overwhelming. There’s just so much info about the various gut bacterias. Much more than the average person needs.
I was disappointed that it requires so many supplements. She happens to sell them but they’re super expensive.
Having said all that I’m still going to follow as much of her advice as I can. I imagine that cutting out all processed foods, alcohol, and sugar should make a noticeable difference. Fingers crossed.
I was disappointed that it requires so many supplements. She happens to sell them but they’re super expensive.
Having said all that I’m still going to follow as much of her advice as I can. I imagine that cutting out all processed foods, alcohol, and sugar should make a noticeable difference. Fingers crossed.
January 20, 2021
Giving this book a 3 is a gift. I have read enough books on nutrition to have a degree and thus I did not find this book particularly helpful. HOWEVER if you have not read any books on nutrition or arthritis or auto immune conditions then this one is probably as good a place to start as any. A big NO WAY for any of these books, in my mind, is promoting supplements to the point the reader must be pretty sure some of the book’s funding came from that industry.
February 22, 2021
I’m going to write a blog post at AmySuto.com on all this shortly, but after receiving my diagnosis this book helped me reframe food as medicine and recommit to my healing an incurable autoimmune disease using functional medicine (how hard can it be?)
Dr. Blum’s books and advice all come from both her own struggles with the disease as well as her experience helping others heal. Highly recommend this book for anyone dealing with inflammatory conditions.
Dr. Blum’s books and advice all come from both her own struggles with the disease as well as her experience helping others heal. Highly recommend this book for anyone dealing with inflammatory conditions.
June 28, 2022
I finally gave this one back to the library. I really liked this book and learned so much from it. It generated a lot of good questions for me to take to my functional medicine doctor, leading to discoveries in my own health. I will probably either end up buying this or checking it out again, when I need a refresher or am ready for the next step. A lot of good information for those searching for answers to their own pain and healing.
November 2, 2023
In Step 2 of the Plan & Experiencing Less Pain
I had been having pain in my lower spine & hips. The treatments recommended by my doctors have only made things worse: gabapentine, chiropractic, NSAIDs. Physical Therapy has helped some. I started on the non-inflammatory diet & supplements and began to notice a difference after three days. Stopped the gabapentine & NSAIDs with doctor's consent. Trying this whole new lifestyle. It's been a real eye opener.
I had been having pain in my lower spine & hips. The treatments recommended by my doctors have only made things worse: gabapentine, chiropractic, NSAIDs. Physical Therapy has helped some. I started on the non-inflammatory diet & supplements and began to notice a difference after three days. Stopped the gabapentine & NSAIDs with doctor's consent. Trying this whole new lifestyle. It's been a real eye opener.
February 24, 2020
This book is not really helpful in suggesting that arthritis can be healed. It's a condition where bone rubs against bone, so that can't be reversed. The inflammation in the body causing arthritis can be improved, however, and this book tries to address this.
If you already have severe arthritis, like me, then the bone damage and pain can't be reversed. This is more of a preventative book.
If you already have severe arthritis, like me, then the bone damage and pain can't be reversed. This is more of a preventative book.
March 26, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I found that I could relate to the author. Recently diagnosed with RA, I found the book very informative.
I was disappointed however, that the 2 week and 6 week plans were based around supplements and not a diet regime.
I'm still not very clued up on healing arthritis with food.
I was disappointed however, that the 2 week and 6 week plans were based around supplements and not a diet regime.
I'm still not very clued up on healing arthritis with food.
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