Brooke Goldner, MD, on Chronic Illness & The Power Of Nutrition

When the pandemic hit, Brooke Goldner became passionate about helping as many people as possible reverse their autoimmune diseases and become healthy. Before she became a doctor or even a genetic researcher, she was a patient. 

At the age of 16, Goldner was diagnosed with Lupus. She had rashes, arthritis throughout her body and was already in stage IV Nephritis (kidney failure). When analyzed, her nephrologist told her that she would only have six months to live due to severe kidney disease. However, there were experimental treatments to try. With the help of hydrosteroids, chemotherapy, and a mix of other medications, Goldner overcame this debilitating and deadly disease. 

Lessons From Hardship

This life-changing situation taught Goldner that having a purpose in life can motivate humans to push through any symptoms. Goldner thought she would connect with her patients and teach them how to have a happy life, despite going through a chronic illness. After all, she made this discovery firsthand years ago, reversing her autoimmune disease by finding the right foods for her diet. Having experienced the power of nutrition to help overcome her condition, she wants to teach and treat patients with similarities to help get their lives back. 

“It was very hard, but I learned that having a purpose in my life gave me the motivation to push through my symptoms,” said Goldner. “I initially thought that my experiences would help my patients learn how to have happy lives despite chronic illness.”

Goldner And Seidelmann’s Planet-Based Research On COVID-19

Recently, Goldner’s research and experience have proved relevant once again, especially in having the body fights COVID-19.

The original research by Dr. Sara B Seidelmann of Stamford Hospital Greenwich, CT, suggests that the main dietary component increasing the immune response of the plant-based and pescatarians is that they eat higher levels of nutrients. Golder adamantly agrees this is an essential piece of the puzzle.

“My research and results prove that adding nourishment through high levels of vegetable consumption improves the body’s ability to fight infections and reverses damage from even long-term chronic disease,” she said.

Goldner found that eating animal products’ harmful effects on the immune system was missing from the conversations. Within the study, the patient on the plant-based diet experienced a 73% reduction in moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms, while the pescatarian had a 59% reduction. She also found while looking at a patient who ate mainly meat products, and they had a 48% high risk of contracting the virus. Goldner’s findings showed that by adding fish to your diet, the protection from the infection decreases your chances of the virus but eating meat drastically decreases that protection. 

Goldner’s work has showcased how her disease reversal practice helps thousands of people reverse chronic disease using foods found in supermarkets. “When people add what they are missing using my hyper-nourishment protocol to raise the intake of vegetables dramatically, they can frequently reduce their symptoms of chronic disease,” she said. “When they hyper-nourish and eliminate all animal products, they can experience complete reversal of their disease.” The combination of increasing nourishment and reducing intake of animal products will optimize immune function both for disease reversal and preventing infections. 

But What Can Meat-Lovers Do? 

Goldner’s advice for meat lovers during this pandemics is that while the healthiest diet for the immune system is a nourishing plant-based diet, one of the essential components of a healthy immune system is adequate intake of fresh air, vegetables, omega-3s, and water. By adding these three components that most people are desperately missing, you can improve your immunity, recovery, and overall health.  

One of the simplest ways to help do this is by adding a green smoothie to your daily diet.

“While the healthiest diet for the immune system is a nourishing plant-based diet, one of the essential components of a healthy immune system is adequate intake of fresh vegetables, omega-3s, and water,” said Goldner. “By adding these three components that most people are desperately missing, you can improve your immunity, your recovery, and overall health.”  

Goldner believes that the straightforward way to do this is by adding green smoothies. “The smoothie solution is easy, just take a blender (high powered is better), fill it up 75% with dark leafy greens like spinach and kale, add a handful of flax or chia seeds for omega-3 fatty acids, and fill up the final 25% with fruit for flavor, like bananas, mangoes, and pineapples,” Golder explained.

“Add water to the level of the greens, and voila, a hyper-nourishing green smoothie that will instantly add the nutrients you need to improve your immune system and overall health. They also provide wonderful natural energy fueled by a generous dose of vitamins and minerals, and the fiber helps you have a healthier gut and regular bowel movements, a win all-around for your body!”