THE THREE BOOKS I MOST OFTEN RECOMMEND TO PATIENTS
Summer is a great time to relax in the hammock or on the beach with a good book. Below are three books I frequently recommend to patients. Each is the type of book that you can come back to over time, re-reading chapters and absorbing more information. Happy reading!
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM RECOVERY PLAN: A DOCTOR'S 4-STEP PROGRAM TO TREAT AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE
By Susan Blum, MD, MPH
A must-read for anyone seeking a Functional Medicine approach to Autoimmune Disease, and a great companion to my office protocols.
This book provides:
-A basic science “primer” of the immune system and its dysfunction in Autoimmune Disease (you can skip ahead if it’s too much).
- An overview of a Functional Medicine approach to Autoimmune Disease.
- Sep-by-step protocols for managing stress, cleaning up the gut and optimizing detoxification.
THE HORMONE CURE:
RECLAIM BALANCE, SLEEP, AND SEX DRIVE; LOSE WEIGHT; FEEL FOCUSED, VITAL, AND ENERGIZED NATURALLY WITH THE GOTTFRIED PROTOCOL
by Sara Gottfried, MD
If you are a female between the ages of 35-65, you should read this book!
Harvard-trained physician Dr. Sara Gottfried provides an easy-to-read, well-organized summary of a Functional Medicine approach to hormone balance, including:
GRAIN BRAIN:
THE SURPRISING TRUTH ABOUT WHEAT, CARBS, AND SUGAR--YOUR BRAIN'S SILENT KILLERS
by David Perlmutter, MD
Looking to learn more about gluten and its potentially damaging effects on the body? Considering a more “Paleo” diet? This best-selling book by board-certified Neurologist David Perlmutter is thought-provocative and research-oriented, and will certainly cause you to pause before you put that bagel in your mouth! Included is a practical four-week plan to get you started on a grain-free lifestyle, including gluten-free recipes.
Want to learn more? Consider a few of Dr. Perlmutter’s other books:
Summer is a great time to relax in the hammock or on the beach with a good book. Below are three books I frequently recommend to patients. Each is the type of book that you can come back to over time, re-reading chapters and absorbing more information. Happy reading!

By Susan Blum, MD, MPH
A must-read for anyone seeking a Functional Medicine approach to Autoimmune Disease, and a great companion to my office protocols.
This book provides:
-A basic science “primer” of the immune system and its dysfunction in Autoimmune Disease (you can skip ahead if it’s too much).
- An overview of a Functional Medicine approach to Autoimmune Disease.
- Sep-by-step protocols for managing stress, cleaning up the gut and optimizing detoxification.

RECLAIM BALANCE, SLEEP, AND SEX DRIVE; LOSE WEIGHT; FEEL FOCUSED, VITAL, AND ENERGIZED NATURALLY WITH THE GOTTFRIED PROTOCOL
by Sara Gottfried, MD
If you are a female between the ages of 35-65, you should read this book!
Harvard-trained physician Dr. Sara Gottfried provides an easy-to-read, well-organized summary of a Functional Medicine approach to hormone balance, including:
- - Adrenal dysfunction
- - Thyroid disorders
- - Peri-menopause and Menopause

THE SURPRISING TRUTH ABOUT WHEAT, CARBS, AND SUGAR--YOUR BRAIN'S SILENT KILLERS
by David Perlmutter, MD
Looking to learn more about gluten and its potentially damaging effects on the body? Considering a more “Paleo” diet? This best-selling book by board-certified Neurologist David Perlmutter is thought-provocative and research-oriented, and will certainly cause you to pause before you put that bagel in your mouth! Included is a practical four-week plan to get you started on a grain-free lifestyle, including gluten-free recipes.
Want to learn more? Consider a few of Dr. Perlmutter’s other books:
- “The Grain Brain Cookbook” and “The Grain Brain Whole Life Plan” offer even more practical, day-to-day applications.
- “Brain Maker” a compelling read that describes the relationship between gut health and brain function.