Where does diet fit in to the equation? Is there an optimal autoimmune diet for patients with autoimmune diseases and/or arthritic symptoms?
David Brownstein, M.D.: A healthy diet is paramount to achieving ones optimal health as well as allowing one to overcome chronic illness. I included a whole section on diet in my book. It is impossible to achieve your optimal health eating the Standard American Diet. There is no optimal diet for every patient. I believe that getting the nutritionally deficient foods-trans fatty acids, refined sugars and flour and others-out of the diet is absolutely necessary for one to allow the healing process to begin. In addition, all artificial sweeteners (especially Aspartame) must be removed. I have seen many patients improve their health considerably by removing artificial sweeteners, such as Aspartame. People with chronic illnesses must remove all processed foods from their diets. Examples of processed foods include cookies, cakes, donuts, etc. I think that autoimmune problems and infections may begin by ingesting poor diet. A poor diet leads to nutritional deficiencies and immune system probl
