Doctor Reversed Her Own Lupus in Just Three Months With Plant-Based Diet

The power of diet may be stronger than we think: It's no secret that a whole-food, plant-based diet is one of the healthiest ways to eat, but what if it could reverse chronic illnesses altogether? Dr. Brooke Goldner, bestselling author of Goodbye Lupus, is an example of how effective a plant-based diet can be.

Fifteen years ago, as a young woman, Goldner was diagnosed with Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body's immune system to attack healthy tissue. She was also suffering from mini-strokes, blood clots, and stage four kidney failure, all at the age of 16, and relying on steroids and chemotherapy as her lifeline.

Dr. Goldner recently testified in front of the USDA Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee that she used diet to help her defeat her Lupus. The testimony is more relevant than ever since the Advisory Committee will announce new updated dietary guidelines, and  Dr. Goldner and other doctors are strongly advocating for a more plant-forward approach to them. 

Dr. Goldner went fully plant-based at age 16 and after just three months, the illness that once threatened her life appeared to be remission. Now 15 years later, she remains healthy and symptom-free, dedicating her life to helping people who suffer from chronic auto-immune illnesses such as Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, and Hashimoto's disease.

In Dr. Goldner's address to the Advisory Committee, she recommends a plant-concentrated diet. She also pointed out that the guidelines should outline what is good for human health rather than for the meat and dairy industry.

Dr. Goldner wasn't the only doctor promoting a whole-food, plant-based diet.  Dr. Michael Greger, author of the bestseller How Not to Die, and Dr. MIlton Mills, who appeared in What the Health, also presented evidence that aligned with Dr. Goldner's speech. If you want to weigh in on these guidelines you can add your voice to the conversation. Go to The Beet's Facebook page and let us know how you think the new USDA Guidelines should be updated.