As an Autoimmune Sister, you likely know how important it is to be your own advocate. Statistics show that on average a person will see four different doctors over a four-year period before receiving their autoimmune diagnosis. I would say these numbers are probably higher based on what I’ve seen with the clients I’ve worked with and experienced on my own autoimmune journey.
What helped me finally get to the bottom of what was going on with my health was doing my own research; reading the latest books, listening to podcasts, and following the top functional health experts around the world. Armed with the information I had consumed I was able to have a more educated and advocating conversation with my doctor to find the missing pieces of my health puzzle so I could get back to feeling like myself again.
Once I was finally diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, I dove right into reading or listening to the latest books about autoimmunity with a strong determination to turn my health around.
Along the way what I also found was how important it was to not only work on my physical health but to also work on my emotional health, happiness, and overall empowerment as a woman.
Summer is a great time to load up on paper, hardback or audiobooks to learn more about your health as you embark on road trips or find yourself relaxing by the pool and beach so I want to share some of the books that have been the most informative, health and life-changing for me in hopes that they will help you find your way to better health too.
The Autoimmune Solution and Thyroid Connection by Amy Myers
Both of these books became my bible for healing and reversing my Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Amy Myers has a knack for explaining the complicated workings of the thyroid and autoimmune conditions in and easy to understand way. She paints the big picture so you can understand how you might have ended up with a thyroid and/or autoimmune condition which sheds light on the healing opportunities you have. The book gives you great advice around diet, supplements, toxins, and other things you can do to support your health and even reverse a thyroid or autoimmune condition.
Pussy: A Reclamation by Mama Gena
Don’t let the title of this book scare you. This has been one of the best women’s empowerment books I have ever read, and it helped me find my voice as a woman again. Yes, you will be encouraged to get in touch with your femininity as a means to connect to the power within yourself, but it also stresses the importance of sisterhood and using your voice to stand up for what you need to thrive. Regena Thomashauer, “Mama Gena,” is a teacher, mother, media personality, and founder and CEO of the School of Womanly Arts, which began in her living room in 1998 and has since grown into a global movement. Her story of rising up and reclaiming her power after sexual abuse as a child is incredible. Trust me, you won’t be able to put this one down.
Beyond the Pill by Jolene Brighten
Every girl or woman should be required to read this book before embarking on the use of birth control. Did your doctor ever tell you that taking birth control could increase your risk for an autoimmune condition, let alone a slew of other hormonal, liver, and other health issues? Mine sure didn’t and so I continued to take it for 17 years before I realized what it was doing to my body when I became a Functional Health Coach. As quoted in the book “there is a 300 percent increased risk of developing Crohn’s disease if you take the pill.” In this book, Jolene Brighten covers all the things you should know if you’re considering taking the pill OR if you’re taking hormonal birth control so you can either support your body while on it or get off it safely to reverse the damage it has caused.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
This is my most recent favorite personal growth and women’s empowerment read. It feels like Glennon Doyle is in my head sometimes when I read the things she has experienced or written about. She shines an interesting perspective on what it’s been like growing up in our existing society and how abiding by societal expectations has driven women to drink, develop eating disorders or body dysmorphia, to second guess ourselves and to deny our own happiness in the pursuit of making others happy – all of which can lead to autoimmunity too. She shares her own story as an example and to lead by example with how she has and continues to think differently in order to make herself a priority over others because true happiness is when you love yourself unconditionally. Finding internal happiness has been a BIG part of reversing my own autoimmune condition and is something I find every client I work with needs to work on.
The Autoimmune Fix by Tom O’Bryan
Originally known for his work regarding all things gluten-related, Dr. Tom O’Bryan is a pearl of knowledge when it comes to autoimmunity too. I often borrow his metaphors and explanations to help my clients understand their health and autoimmune conditions. He does a great job of showcasing how the root cause can be far removed from the symptom. For example, he shares the story of a toddler with a reoccurring eye growth that other doctors couldn’t figure out. Dr. Tom O’Bryan tested the child for gluten sensitivity and sure enough, the test was positive. After removing gluten completely from the child’s life, the eye growth never came back! This book will give you deeper insights into what an autoimmune condition really is and what you can do to manage it naturally or reverse it.
Someday Is Not a Day in the Week by Sam Horn
I had the pleasure of meeting Sam Horn recently and she is one of the most delightful and joyful people. Aside from the inspiring contents of her book, she is an engaging narrator if you decide to get the audiobook version as I did. Her book is all about honoring and following your dreams. Looking back I can see how working in the corporate world contributed to the decline in my health, and once I followed my dreams to become an independent Functional Health Coach my health started to really turn around. Dreaming big and taking action on them has nourished my soul and my health in so many ways. In this book, Sam gives you practical tips to make the rest of your life your best life. The entire book is full of aha-moment quotes, one of my favorites being “you can’t feel down when you’re looking up, so just look up.”
Other notable mentions include:
- Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms by Dr. Datis Kharrazian
- Take Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler
- The Wahls’ Protocol by Dr. Terry Wahls
I hope you’ll find some of these books as inspiring as I have and that they’ll give you the clues you need to feel your best every day despite your autoimmune condition.
Have another great read you think others should know about? Share it in the comments below!
Love this Jenn! what fabulous book recommendations. I have Untamed on my reading list.
Glad you enjoyed it and Untamed is SO GOOD!