Then over a period of two years, peculiar symptoms began. And like most things I don’t understand or don’t want to deal with, I ignored them. But they persisted…an eye inflammation, swollen fingers, back pain, knee pain, numbness and discoloration in my hands, then severe pain in my shoulders and arms. Blood tests showed numerous indicators for inflammation. A doctor suggested my symptoms indicated Lupus and sent me off to a rheumatologist for further assessment.

Lupus? Rheumatoid arthritis? Polymyalgia rheumatica? I was awaiting a diagnosis. But until more in depth tests were conducted, I was prescribed some powerful meds as off-handedly as if they were a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I asked the doctor “Is there something from a nutritional perspective that I can do to turn this around?” I was studying integrative nutrition and I believed in a natural solution to my symptoms. It was so logical to me! I know the food we ingest transforms every cell in our bodies. What we eat becomes our blood, our bones, our organs and our cells. So my question seemed legitimate. “No.” he said. “You could try that, but the pain is coming back. And your symptoms will worsen. I’ve seen it thousands of times.” I knew he had. I had no reason not to believe him.