Tara Grant - The Hidden Plague: A Holistic Field Guide to Managing Hidradenitis Suppurativa & Other Skin and Autoimmune Conditions

Im not a doctor. I dont have a degree in nutrition and Im not a medically trained professional of any kind. I do, however, have some really cool traits: the ability to connect seemingly unrelated things and a basic understanding of some stuff in medical and nutrition journals. I visit doctors, read scientific studies, experiment on myself and then translate medical jargon into real words that are way more interesting to read than journals containing gobbledygook like pro-inflammatory cytokines.

I have a degree in journalism from Carleton University in Canadathe top journalism school in the country. I am trained to report facts with an unbiased view. Any statistical data and specific scientific information Ive included has been carefully researched, referenced, and checked for errors. I only use the work of research studies, books, and websites that have a reputation for accuracy and innovation. The people behind these sources are rock stars.

The advice in this book is not intended to diagnose or cure any disease. I provide details regarding my success at putting my own hidradenitis suppurativa into complete remission. It is up to you whether or not to implement these practices into your own self-treatment of the condition. These practices should not supersede nor conflict with instructions from your doctor. I cannot be held liable if you deviate from your doctors counsel, advice, or prescription.

Current Western medical practice does not have a standard, effective treatment or cure for hidradenitis suppurativa or other autoimmune diseases and often suggests surgery or pharmaceutical intervention. Many medical professionals are also unaware of the existence and cause of HS. You should be aware of this.

I am required by law to inform you that you should always consult your doctor before starting anything new, whether it is a new diet or exercise regimen. I strongly advise that you visit a doctor before starting self-treatment to have tests done to rule out serious infections, including staph and MRSA. You also need to check with your doctor to see if a Primal or Paleolithic-style diet is right for you.

Howdy! My name is Robb Wolf. Im a former research biochemist specializing in autoimmunity and cancer research. I also run a gym in Chico, California called NorCal Strength & Conditioning (One of Mens Healths Top 30 Gyms in America). Ive had the good fortune of pursuing a line of work that I not only love, but has helped millions of people. One of the people that Ive been able to help is in fact the gorgeous author of the book you are now holding in your hands. Tara Grant has a fascinating story that is equal parts detective novel and self-transformation. She once suffered from myriad maladies, leaving her tired, lethargic, and, at certain points, hopeless. As is common for many people with non-typical health issues, Tara spent years just getting a solid diagnosis of what her condition was, which in this case was the autoimmune condition known as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

Autoimmunity is a process in which our bodys own immune system attacks us. Normally the immune system protects us. It identifies a foreign invader (bacteria or virus), attacks it, and ideally clears the infection. All of us have molecules in our tissues that our immune system uses to recognize self from non-self, and this is where things can go haywire. For example, if a donated organ is not close enough to the recipient in tissue type, the immune system will attack and destroy the organ. In autoimmunity, a similar process occurs in that an individuals own tissue is confused as something foreign and the immune system attacks this mislabeled tissue.

Common forms of autoimmunity include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and vitiligo, to name only a tiny fraction of autoimmune diseases. Elements of autoimmunity are likely at play in conditions as seemingly unrelated as schizophrenia, infertility, various forms of cancer, and hidradenitis suppurativa. Interestingly, all of these seemingly unrelated diseases share a common cause: damage to the intestinal lining which allows large, undigested food particles to make their way into the body. This is called leaky gut and the autoimmune response.

This may sound both scary and possibly familiar to you if you suffer from any type of autoimmune or systemic inflammatory condition. Lucky for you, however, because you have what may be the solution to a whole new way of life in your hands.

Ive had many folks write to me about hidradenitis suppurativa, but Tara was the first to show that you can absolutely beat this thing with diet. She has pored through medical studies, found evidence linking HS to autoimmunity, and has managed to explain all the science mumbo-jumbo in a way thats easy to understand. For the first time, someone with this horrible condition has come forward and has not only exposed the suffering these people are going through, but has also given them concrete steps toward healing.

Something that is important to note up front: all autoimmune diseases, and a host of systemic inflammatory conditions (such as chronic fatigue), have what doctors call common etiology or similar cause. Although this information is not widely known in mainstream medicine (yet) there are more and more doctors who are recommending what is called an autoimmune paleo diet to their patients suffering from these potentially life threatening conditions, and with remarkable success.

The paleo diet is the healthiest way you can eat because it is the only nutritional approach that works with your genetics to help you stay lean, strong, and energetic. Research indicates that our modern diet, full of refined foods, trans fats, and sugar, is at the root of degenerative diseases such as obesity, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Parkinsons, Alzheimers, depression, and infertility, not to mention a host of other autoimmune conditions.

For most people, the fact the paleo diet delivers improved blood lipids, weight loss, and reduced pain from autoimmunity is proof enough. Many people, however, are not satisfied with blindly following any recommendations, be they nutrition or exercise related. Some folks need to know why they are doing something. Tara is one of these people. She has taken apart my autoimmune protocol step-by-step, added some other pertinent stuff with regards to HS, and put it all back together so that you can rid yourself of this disease for good. Oh, and I know most people are not swayed by silly sayings like life saving or reversing disease; we need something a bit more motivational like fitting into our skinny jeans. Not only will a paleo diet help you look great and feel fantastic, you will better your odds of living a long, long time to enjoy your newfound health.

If youre one of the millions of people affected by HS (or a host of other autoimmune problems), today is your lucky day.

Robb Wolf

Reno, Nevada

August 2013

The Lord will strike you with the same boils that plagued the Egyptians. He will strike you with hemorrhoids, sores, and itching that wont go away.

Deuteronomy 28:27

No doubt everything youve ever read on hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) has been depressing. Why? Because until now there have been few answers and little, if any, help. Many readers of PrimalGirl.com have said that my blog posts on this issue were the first real and helpful information theyve received about their HS, probably because it comes from someone who understands the agony and embarrassment, the drive to end this scourge once and for all.