Inflammation plays a pivotal role in our overall health. When you scrape your knee or catch a cold, inflammation steps in, manifesting as redness, swelling, and discomfort, to protect and heal your body. However, this intricate system can sometimes go awry, leading to chronic inflammation – a persistent elevation of inflammation levels that can silently wreak havoc within. This hidden enemy has been linked to a range of health issues, from cardiovascular diseases to autoimmune conditions and more. Understanding the importance of addressing inflammation and learning how to harness it for better health has never been more critical.
In this review, we delve into a book that offers a comprehensive approach to this very issue – The Inflammation Spectrum by Dr. Will Cole. This book guides readers through the intricate landscape of inflammation, shedding light on its diverse manifestations within the body and providing valuable insights into how to manage and reduce it.
Author’s background

Dr. Will Cole is a renowned functional medicine expert who consults people worldwide.

Recognised among the top 50 functional-medicine doctors, he specialises in investigating root causes of chronic diseases and tailoring functional medicine solutions for thyroid, autoimmune, hormonal, digestive, and brain issues. He is a bestselling author of Ketotarian, The Inflammation Spectrum, and Intuitive Fasting. Dr. Cole has also cohosted podcasts like Goopfellas and Keto Talk and is set to host The Art of Being Well podcast.
What is the book about?

The Inflammation Spectrum by Dr. Will Cole offers a comprehensive and holistic approach to understanding and addressing inflammation in the body. Dr. Cole delves into the pivotal role inflammation plays in our health and explores how diet and lifestyle choices can either exacerbate or alleviate inflammation. Unlike traditional methods that rely heavily on prescription drugs to treat symptoms, Dr. Cole highlights the limitations of lab testing in capturing all sensitivities and intolerances that can lead to chronic issues such as pain, fatigue, digestive problems, and even autoimmune diseases.
One standout feature of this book is its emphasis on bioindividuality, recognising that what works for one person may not work for another. Dr. Cole provides a helpful quiz at the beginning of the book to categorise potential areas of inflammation in your body and then offers a tailored action plan based on your results.
If you decide to read The Inflammation Spectrum, you will find:
-
Valuable insights into your position on the inflammation spectrum, helping you identify the most suitable elimination track for your needs.
-
Tailored therapeutic foods and treatments designed to target the root causes of your symptoms, thoughtfully arranged within your personalised toolkit.
-
Detailed, sequential instructions to ensure you have clear guidance throughout the process, leaving no room for uncertainty.
-
Guidance on crafting a customised list of foods that provide the utmost nourishment and healing benefits for your unique profile.
-
Most importantly, an enhanced understanding of your body and a fresh perspective on how to lead a healthy life moving forward, fully tailored to your individual requirements, aspirations, and desires.
Table of contents

- Chapter One
- Anticipate: How Bio-Individuality Determines What Your Body Loves and Hates
- Chapter Two
- Investigate: Discover Your Personalized Inflammation Profile
- Chapter Three
- Incorporate: Your Track and Your Toolbox
- Chapter Four
- Initiate: Transitioning into the Elimination Phase
- Chapter Five
- Eliminate or Core Four: Cool Inflammation and Heal
- Chapter Six
- Dedicate: Your Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook
- Chapter Seven
- Reintegrate: Testing Your Old Favorites
- Chapter Eight
- Create: How to Design Your New, Personalized Food and Life Plan
- Acknowledgments
- Notes
- Index
- About Dr. Will Cole
Three key takeaways from The Inflammation Spectrum

1What is the problem with inflammation and why you should take control of it?
Inflammation, typically a crucial part of the body’s defence system, can become problematic when it goes awry. Chronic inflammation, characterised by persistently elevated inflammation levels, can lead to various health issues such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s and others. This book underscores the importance of maintaining a balanced inflammatory response, neither too little nor too much. An elimination diet can help identify the specific foods and behaviours contributing to inflammation, which can vary from person to person due to genetics, lifestyle, and other factors.
Inflammation is not a one-size-fits-all problem; it manifests differently in eight primary systems of the body, including the brain, digestive tract, detoxification system, blood sugar regulation, hormone system, musculoskeletal system, immune system, and multiple areas simultaneously (polyinflammation). Each of these areas has its unique inflammation spectrum, from absent to extreme.
The Inflammation Spectrum Quiz provided in the book allows readers to assess their inflammation levels in these different areas, enabling them to target specific problem areas with customised diet and lifestyle adjustments. Regardless of where you fall on the inflammation spectrum, the book empowers readers with the knowledge and tools to reverse their direction towards improved health through an advanced and personalised elimination diet.
2Foods to eliminate to soothe inflammation
The book introduces the ‘Step-Down Process,’ a gradual transition into full elimination mode, spanning either four or eight days based on your chosen track, Core4 or Elimin8. During the initial four days, both tracks involve giving up one inflammatory food per day. Core4 participants can proceed to the next chapter after four days, while Elimin8 individuals continue for an additional four days, eliminating four more inflammatory foods. After eight days, Elimin8 participants can advance to the next chapter.
The book provides valuable information on why each inflammatory food should be eliminated, how to do it effectively, and what suitable alternatives to consume during this process. The eliminated foods include grains, dairy products, added sweeteners, inflammatory oils, legumes, nuts, seeds, eggs, and nightshades. This structured approach allows readers to gradually adapt to the elimination diet, making it more manageable and increasing the likelihood of success in reducing inflammation.
3What to eat on an anti-inflammatory diet
The book provides detailed guidance on what to eat during the elimination phase, focusing on nourishing and healing foods categorised by type. The key points include:
Clean Protein: Incorporate 1 to 1.5 palm-sized portions of clean protein into each meal. Seafood is highly recommended, especially low-mercury options like Alaskan salmon and anchovies. Organic poultry and meat, preferably from pasture-raised or game animals, are also suitable choices. Look for specific labels like ‘wild-caught’ for seafood and ‘grass-fed’ for beef. Prioritise organically sourced proteins whenever possible.
Vegetables: Aim for a minimum of 4 cups of vegetables daily, with at least 1 cup per meal and snacks. Emphasise green leafy vegetables for their folate content, vital for methylation pathways. Explore a variety of vegetables, including artichokes, broccoli, kale, and more, to diversify your nutrient intake. Vegetables should form the foundation of your diet.
Fruit: Both Core4 and Elimin8 tracks allow fruit consumption, except for goji berries on Elimin8. Opt for fruits with lower fructose content to support liver function, digestion, and stable blood sugar levels. Prioritise fruits like avocados, blackberries, blueberries, and cantaloupe. Remember to consume more vegetables than fruit overall.
Healthy Fats: Include at least 1 to 3 tablespoons of healthy fats in every meal, whether through cooking, dressings, or direct consumption. Healthy fats play a crucial role in overall health and should be incorporated regularly. Gradually increase your fat intake if you’re not accustomed to consuming healthy fats from real foods, as your gallbladder, pancreas, and liver may need time to adapt.
The book also provides guidance on selecting the best-quality seafood, beef, poultry, and pork, emphasising the importance of choosing organic and pasture-raised options when available.
Strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews

Strengths
-
Provides comprehensive information on addressing inflammation through a holistic approach, considering various bodily factors and offering natural solutions like food, herbs, and supplements.
-
Includes a wealth of practical resources such as recipes, meal plans, and food lists, simplifying the process of implementing an elimination diet.
-
Maintains a balance between scientific explanations, relatable examples, actionable strategies, and a touch of humoгr, making the book both informative and engaging.
-
Features a customiіable plan with an easy-to-understand quiz, ensuring readers can tailor the approach to their specific needs.
Weaknesses
-
The book received negative feedback for making throwaway comments about the increase in autism and ADHD diagnoses, which some readers found insensitive and dismissive of the challenges faced by individuals with these conditions.
Best quotes from The Inflammation Spectrum

“Researchers are now finding evidence for what we’ve been saying for decades in functional medicine: Mild food reactivities like gluten sensitivity with only occasional, mostly tolerable symptoms are on one end of the larger inflammation spectrum, with autoimmune diseases like celiac disease (CD) on the opposite side. I believe that just as there is an autoimmune-inflammation spectrum, there is a spectrum from mild gluten sensitivity to true celiac disease. I call this the celiac spectrum. Conventional doctors can diagnose”
“Everything you do either increases your health or decreases your health – and in many cases, that means everything you do either increases inflammation or decreases it.”
“HOW TO GIVE THEM UP: Stop eating all foods made with wheat, barley, rye, spelt, oats, rice, corn, quinoa, and any other grain. That means no bread, pasta, cereal, or baked goods like muffins and cookies. This may seem impossible at first, especially if your diet is currently grain-heavy, but don’t worry – there are still lots of delicious anti-inflammatory foods for you to eat!”
Final takeaway

Dr. Will Cole’s The Inflammation Spectrum offers a comprehensive and personalised approach to tackling inflammation in the body. With a focus on bioindividuality, the book empowers readers to identify and address inflammation through dietary and lifestyle changes. It highlights the importance of maintaining a balanced inflammatory response and provides a structured elimination diet plan to achieve this goal.
Overall, The Inflammation Spectrum is a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand and manage inflammation for improved health. It is recommended for individuals seeking a holistic approach to wellness tailored to their unique needs.
Where to buy
You may purchase The Inflammation Spectrum on Amazon at the best price. It is available in paperback, hardcover, spiral bound, audio and Kindle versions, so you may choose an option that appeals to you the most.