What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About(TM): Autoimmune Disorders: The Revolutionary Drug-free Treatments for Thyroid Disease, Lupus, MS, IBD, Chronic Fatigue, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Other Diseases [Paperback]

The immune system is a scapegoat for a variety of ills in this wide-ranging but tendentious guide to approaching diseases like lupus, Crohn's disease, MS, and rheumatoid arthritis. The author argues that autoimmune disorders, in which a malfunctioning immune system attacks healthy tissues, are caused or triggered by environmental toxins, especially heavy metals and free radicals. Drawing on his experience treating patients for the above disorders as well as chronic fatigue syndrome and autism, he recommends a variety of unconventional regimens to purge toxins from our bodies and surroundings, including chelation therapy, herb, vitamin and anti-oxidant supplements, an organic diet free of additives and allergens, sauna and massage, and the systematic use of air and water filters. Edelson provides detailed information in chapters covering specific autoimmune disorders, but his claims of a "fantastic" treatment record for some of them rely on anecdotal case studies of diseases that sometimes go into spontaneous remission. By the tenets of "clinical molecular medicine," he claims, "I don't need to know the specific autoimmune disorder a patient has, because the label doesn't matter." Since no specific disease label need be applied, such widespread and indeterminate "symptoms" as "fatigue," "depression," "muscle and joint pain," "frustration," "sparse hair," "brain fog" and "general malaise" can be construed as signs of the immune dysfunction. While this book offers information on conventional treatments and physicians, its orientation is decidedly elsewhere.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Dr. Edelson discusses the most common types of autoimmune diseases, outlining their symptoms, causes, and risk factors. He describes his own revolutionary program for treating the root of all autoimmune disorders--without drugs--providing readers with new hope for getting back on the road to better health.

Deborah Mitchell is a medical writer and journalist specializing in complementary medicine and nutrition topics. Her articles have appeared in professional journals, as well as national consumer magazines. She has authored and co-authored eleven books about various health topics, including Natural Healing for Back Pain, The Natural Guide to Headache Relief, The Dictionary of Nutritional Healing, Natural Aphrodisiacs, Natural Medicine for PMS and MSm: The Natural Pain Relief Remedy. I don't believe I mentioned my all-time favorite book, however: Walden, by Henry David Thoreau, which I think is a must read for everyone. "Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity" is the motto I live by, and I personally think the world would be in much better shape—spiritually and environmentally—if we lived by the Walden credo. I also think everyone should read "The Velveteen Rabbit," by Margery Williams. Although it's a child's story, it's for the child in everyone. Ms. Mitchell lives and works in Tucson, AZ.