The Hidden Plague by Tara Grant (second edition)
A heartfelt patient guide to HS diet changes, weakened by disputed theory and a strict tone.
The short version
- People with HS who want a patient's perspective alongside medical care
- Readers willing to try a structured elimination diet
- You want guidance grounded in clinical trials
- You dislike strict, paleo style food rules
What owners like
- Makes readers with HS feel understood and less ashamed
- Explains the author's reasoning on inflammation and gut health in plain terms
- Success stories that give readers a sense of hope
Common complaints
- Leans on the leaky gut theory, which critics call unproven
- Strong paleo bias and a strict, absolute tone about food
- Gives little balanced space to conventional medical treatment
- Some readers noticed editing errors and repetition
Based on Goodreads reader reviews of the second edition, bookseller listings from Annie Bloom's Books and Barnes & Noble, and the American Academy of Dermatology's page on diet and HS for context..
Research scores
Scored from the maker's specs and what owners report. Drew's own notes and photos will refine these.
Ownership
Drew's hands-on notes for this product are on the way. Long-term updates will be added to this timeline.
What it does
A patient written guide to managing hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) through diet and lifestyle changes, built around the author's own elimination diet; this is the 2019 second edition.
- Draws on the author's roughly 20 years with HS and the recovery plan she shared in online HS groups
- Presents HS as an autoimmune problem tied to gut health
- Centers on removing suspected trigger foods
- Covers lifestyle habits alongside diet
- Second edition widens the scope to other skin and autoimmune conditions
Best suited to people with HS who want one patient's detailed account and a structured diet experiment to bring to their dermatologist. Readers credit it with making them feel less alone, but critics fault its reliance on the leaky gut theory, a strong paleo slant and a strict, absolute tone, and the author says she is not a medical professional.
How it compares
Specs
- Author
- Tara Grant
- Publisher
- Bradventures LLC
- Published
- June 1, 2019 (first edition 2013)
- Pages
- 320
- ISBN
- 9781732674547
- Formats
- Paperback, ebook and unabridged audiobook (about 9.5 hours)
- Author background
- Long time HS patient and certified CHEK Holistic Life Coach, per her bookseller bio
Worth knowing
- The author states she is not a medical professional.
- The American Academy of Dermatology advises checking with a dermatologist before making diet changes for HS.
Questions
Is Tara Grant a doctor?
No. She writes as a patient and states she is not a medical professional; her bio lists her as a certified CHEK Holistic Life Coach.
What is the difference between the two editions?
The 2013 first edition focused on surviving HS; the 2019 second edition is subtitled a holistic field guide and also covers other skin and autoimmune conditions.
What does the AAD say about diet and HS?
It says there is no single diet for HS, notes small studies on weight loss, Mediterranean, dairy free and brewer's yeast free eating, and advises talking with a dermatologist before changing your diet.
Sources
- Goodreads: The Hidden Plague, A Holistic Field Guide by Tara Grant
- Annie Bloom's Books: The Hidden Plague
- Barnes & Noble: The Hidden Plague by Tara Grant
- American Academy of Dermatology: Is there a diet for hidradenitis suppurativa?
Researched 2026-10-02. We bought this product; our page is built from the maker's details and what owners report across reviews and forums. We never copy Amazon customer reviews.