Amanda Donnell

Why This Book Deserves a Spotlight

I waited to write about Beat Autoimmune by Palmer Kippola because I wanted to honor its impact. I wish I remembered how I discovered this book, but I do remember the shift it created. The six lifestyle keys were not just part of her story. They were a practical guide that pushed me toward action. I read the book in November 2023, and something clicked. I recognized that I could influence my health through daily choices. While, I did not blame myself for getting MS, I could acknowledge the habits that needed to change.

The Six Lifestyle Keys at the Heart of Autoimmune Healing

Palmer Kippola outlines six core lifestyle factors that influence autoimmune conditions. These factors create a roadmap for anyone ready to take control. They also gave me a structure that helped me understand where to begin. Below is the framework that shaped my next six months.

1. Nutrition: The Foundation of Every Change

Nutrition sits at the center of autoimmune healing. The book highlights how certain foods can trigger inflammation. It also explains how nutrient dense meals can support recovery. This section encourages readers to remove common triggers and add supportive foods. It also gives practical steps that anyone can start immediately.

My Nutrition Changes: The First Major Shift

My diet before my diagnosis belonged in a documentary titled “What Not to Eat.” I needed a complete reset, so I started with a dramatic but effective step. I donated or tossed everything in my fridge and pantry. This was a lifestyle change, so out of sight meant out of mind. If I saw it, I would eat it. I also committed to food prep and regular meals. Eating three times a day with limited snacks kept my routine steady.

Below are the key changes I made. These choices reflect my personal journey, not medical advice. Every doctor I spoke with said diet changes were unnecessary. I chose to make them anyway because I wanted a different path.

• Eliminated alcohol
• Eliminated Sugar Free Red Bull
  • I mainly drank water. When I wanted flavor, I used GURU Tropical Punch, an organic energy drink I enjoyed.
• Switched to only organic foods
  • I made this change gradually over two months as I replaced spices, condiments and ingredients.
• Chose only Lily’s chocolate
  • I have a strong sweet tooth. This was the hardest change. I used Lily’s dark chocolate sea salt bars when sugar cravings appeared.
• Selected higher quality meats
  • I chose grass fed or organic steak, chicken, wild tuna and ground beef.
• Added anti-inflammatory foods
  • I used blueberries, extra virgin olive oil, onions and garlic regularly.
• Eliminated carbs and dairy most of the time
• Added plant-based protein shakes

These changes created a foundation that supported every other habit I built. They also gave me a sense of control during a time when everything seemed unpredictable.

2. Gut Health: The Hidden Powerhouse

Gut health influences immunity more than most people realize. The book explains how gut imbalance can contribute to autoimmune activity. It also outlines how to repair the gut through targeted strategies. These strategies include probiotics, healing foods and reduced toxins.

My Gut Health Reset

After reviewing my six-month experiment, I am confident that I had a leaky gut before my diagnosis. Healing foods played a major role in my improvement. I also tried a probiotic supplement for a short period. I focused on reducing toxins, which I will explain in the next section.

3. Stress: The Silent Accelerator

Stress can push autoimmune conditions into overdrive. The book breaks down how chronic stress impacts the body. It also offers tools to reduce stress through daily practices. These practices include breathing, mindfulness and better boundaries.

My Stress Reality Check

One vivid conversation in the hospital still makes me laugh. The neurologist pointed out inflammation in my brain. I asked if she was sure, it was not my ego. I offered up my ego as a possible explanation. She assured me the inflammation was real. My ego remains fully intact today.

In addition to healing foods, I knew I needed consistent sleep. This meant fewer late night drag shows and fewer late-night events with friends. It also meant a conversation with my boss about work boundaries. I eventually realized that I was the biggest violator of my own boundary.

4. Toxins: The Overlooked Trigger

Toxins hide in products, food and household items. The book explains how these exposures can influence autoimmune activity. It also provides steps to reduce toxins in manageable ways. These steps include cleaner products, filtered water and safer cookware.

My Toxin Purge

I may have gone overboard with healing foods, but I went to the extreme with toxins. I launched a full purge of plastics. Not the Mean Girls plastics. The real plastics.

Notable changes included:

• Swapped nonstick cookware for stainless steel
• Chose plant based or organic detergent, toothpaste, deodorant, body wash, luffas, sponges, floss, sunscreen, dish soap, shaving cream and bandages
• Swapped plastic utensils, drinkware and cutting boards for bamboo or stainless steel
• Chose organic bedsheets, blankets and tissues
• Added stone bath mats
• Switched from purified to spring bottled water
  • I bought a Brita filter to reduce plastic use
• Purchased an air purifier

5. Infections: The Unexpected Influence

Underlying infections can contribute to autoimmune symptoms. The book outlines how infections interact with the immune system. It also explains how to identify and address them with medical support.

My Infection Link

My commonly linked infection was the Epstein Barr Virus. This connection increased my likelihood of MS. Understanding this link helped me see the bigger picture.

6. Hormone Balance: The Key That Unlocks Everything

Hormone balance plays a major role in autoimmune conditions. The book explains how hormones influence energy, immunity and long-term stability. It also highlights how stress, sleep, nutrition and toxins can disrupt hormone function. These disruptions can create a chain reaction that impacts the entire body. Therefore, restoring balance becomes a crucial part of healing.

My Hormone and Supplement Shift

Testing in the hospital revealed a vitamin D deficiency. I started supplements for the first time in my life. I still take them daily. My routine includes Vitamin D, Vitamin B, a multivitamin, biotin, Omega 3 fish oil gummies and calcium and magnesium.

Why I Chose to Change Everything at Once

Many people prefer to change one habit at a time. They want to identify the exact reason for improvement. I understand that approach, and it works well for many situations. However, I did not think I had time to experiment slowly. I also know my personality. I am impatient, determined and ready for action. However, I wanted to stop progression as quickly as possible. I already saw the impact MS had on my mobility, energy and clarity. So, I changed everything at once. I replaced habits, removed triggers and added supportive routines. I committed to six months of full effort.

Why I Would Do It Again

The first MRI after diagnosis showed real improvement. My symptoms also changed in surprising ways. My mobility returned, energy increased and brain fog lifted. I cannot pinpoint which habit created the biggest shift. However, I know the combination mattered. I would choose the same approach again without hesitation.

If this post helped you rethink your own health journey, I’d love to have you along for the next chapter. Subscribe to get new posts, book spotlights and real‑life consistency stories delivered straight to your inbox. Or keep reading or jump to a previous post in my MS Journey series.

My MS Journey Series

• Homepage: My MS Journey
• Post #1: How My Grandma’s Legendary Fall Shaped My MS Mindset
• Post #2: Choosing MS Treatment with Humor and Panic
• Post #3: How My MS Symptoms Finally Forced Me to Listen
• Post #4: Why I Joined My First MS Research Study
• Post #5: Why I Spoke Up About NIH Funding
• Post #6: Feeling Like an Inflatable Tube Man at the Grocery Store
• Post #7: My First MRI Update Since Diagnosis: A Surprising Step Forward
• Post #9: My First Ocrevus Infusion and the Three-Year Price Roller Coaster
• Post #10: Sixth Ocrevus Infusion, New Routines, and an Unexpected Family Emergency
• Post #11: The Mono Chapter I Never Expected to Matter
• Post #12: Mean Baby by Selma Blair
• Post #13: The Night I Went Searching for Answers at an MS Patient Event
• Post #14: Discovering the MeSsy Podcast and the Stories That Shape Us