Disease Proof : Disease Proof : Health & Nutrition News & Commentary : Dr. Joel Fuhrman

Eating for health is a mindset. We make firm choices based upon correct information that’s been proven to restore health to the body.

However, if food choices are determined by our circumstances or fluctuating emotions, we will suffer the consequences of decisions that will never lead to optimal health.  

When I first started the journey to get my health back, I was obese, unfit and didn’t feel well. It was an effort just to get out of bed in the mornings, let alone enthusiastically eat for health. I knew that if I was ever going to succeed, I had to have something simple and concrete to follow. 

After thoroughly studying Eat to Live, using a small font, I typed out the six week eating plan on page 179. I then printed off three copies, and laminated them at an office supply store. I kept one in my purse, one next to my bed, and one under a magnet on the refrigerator. The plan made all of my decisions. Period.

• Those first couple of weeks I didn’t feel like eating romaine lettuce, collard greens or brussel sprouts. I followed the plan.

• I was heavily addicted to salt, creamy cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, and crunchy peanut butter. I followed the plan. 

• I craved diet cola and diet pudding. I followed the plan.

• I was addicted to creamy ranch dressing. I followed the plan.

• My bedtime snack was always a large bowl of cereal and milk. I followed the plan.

• My son became seriously ill. I followed the plan.

• Life suddenly became an out-of-control roller coaster. I followed the plan.  

• He had to be transferred to another hospital in another state. I followed the plan.

• I had to find my way around in a new city. I followed the plan.

• I hit rock bottom with sadness and fear of the future. I followed the plan.  

• The hospital cafeteria food looked comforting and inviting. I followed the plan.

• The candy in the gift shop called out my name. I followed the plan. 

Three months later, back home, I got on the scales. Even though the picture on the left shows the strain of crisis on my face, I was forty pounds lighter; and more importantly, I was no longer addicted to toxic foods. I now craved fresh greens and fruits. Diet soda, diet desserts and salty foods tasted disgusting to me. I could walk for ½ hour every morning and evening, and feel great. My body was thoroughly refreshed after a good night’s sleep, and brain fog had completely disappeared.

The crisis eventually subsided. My body was well-nourished. I had newfound energy to try recipes. I had a bounce in my step to attempt challenging exercises. I knew I was well on the way to getting my health back. I was free.   

“Success or lack thereof is not based upon circumstances; therefore, excuses are irrelevant.”  Emily Boller

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (23)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

(Full Article)

Dr. Fuhrman has helped countless individuals make dramatic health recoveries through his unique high-nutrient dietary approach, and as a result they have saved thousands of dollars on medications.  These dramatic success stories - like Ronnie, Anthony, Charlotte, and many more - that were achieved with natural whole foods are newsworthy and critical to consider in our present crisis of expensive and unaffordable health care.

 The number of these remarkable success stories is too overwhelming for the media to ignore.  Everybody needs to be aware that they can recover their health and avoid drug dependency.  Read this press release and share it with others to help spread the word!

Who wants to join Dr. Fuhrman's nutritarian army?

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (10)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Tell us about yourself and the events that led up to making the commitment to get your health back.

My name is Carol and I’m almost 59-years-old; mother to five, and grandmother to three.  I had been a yo-yo dieter for most of my adult life.  I would lose 30 lbs and then soon after gain more back.  Food was always a comfort and escape for me.  I didn’t need to be hungry to eat as long as the food was tasty.

Last summer I had reached a point where being on my feet for more than an hour meant lots of pain and discomfort for the rest of the day and into the next.  My skin felt bruised when touched.  I had to plan activities around how much walking was involved, and I was becoming more and more homebound.

How did you learn about nutritarian eating? 

Emily Boller lives in my hometown and I was inspired by her transformation; however, I thought nutritarian eating would be too hard for me.  In July, I read Eat to Live and believed it was the answer to my health problems.  I finally got desperate enough to attend a library talk that Emily facilitated, which motivated me to make the commitment to change.  Soon afterwards I joined the member center of drfuhrman.com and read Eat for Health.  That book set taught me more valuable information about reversing disease through excellent nutrition and being in control of my health destiny. 

The rest is history . . . .   on July 22, 2009 I weighed 345 lbs and my waist was 55”.  Now, less than four months later, November 15, 2009, I weigh 268 lbs with a 48”waist.  That’s a loss of 77 lbs so far!

How do you feel now?

First of all, the weight is coming off easily!  I feel better now than I have in years.  Being on my feet is no longer a problem, and it doesn’t hurt to be touched anymore.  I sleep better and have lots more energy.

Food always meant comfort to me.  Whether I was hungry or not, I’d eat a lot. Now I eat only when hungry, and I’ve discovered how enjoyable natural foods can taste.  I enjoy life again because food no longer controls me.    

Success tips you’d like to share with others in the journey to health?

• I purchase bags of dried beans and make a large pot of bean or vegetable soup on the weekend to last the next week.
• I buy lots of frozen vegetables and fruits to have on hand.
• I make smoothies and great tasting salads. 
• I don’t let eating away from home worry me like it used to when I was yo-yo dieting. I make wise choices; no longer feeling defeated like I did for years.

Is there a final thought that you would like to share with anyone who is discouraged or has given up hope?

 Just do it! 

Start however you can. It may sound overwhelming at the beginning, but in all reality, nutritarian eating is the easiest way to lose weight and feel great at the same time. It will change your life!

Congratulations Carol!  We are cheering for you as you continue on the journey of getting your health back! 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (7)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

 Alanis Morissette lost weight in a healthy, natural way following my Eat to Live program.

Alanis Morissette was plagued by eating disorders as a teenager, feeling shameful about gaining weight and going to extreme measures to lose it. On her last tour in 2008, she fell into some unhealthy habits - late-night trips to restaurants and high-calorie drinks, and the weight piled on… 

The turning point came when she read Eat to Live, which she calls her “redefining moment” – she equates food with fuel, not “fat” or “thin.” She attributes her successful, healthy weight loss, as well as her ability to choose the right foods to the Eat to Live program.

I wish Alanis continued success on her nutritarian journey, and I’m cheering her on as she trains for her first marathon!

 View the entire article here.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (5)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Using Dr. Fuhrman’s plan, Mike learned a lot about diet and improved his blood work. Jodi experienced how superior nutrition could clear up her chronic skin rashes. And don’t forget about Ronnie! He lost 110 pounds in 7 months. Now check out Amy. She read Eat to Live in a hurry and 30 pounds fell off.

I read Eat to Live in two days, and started the diet mid–week. I even returned groceries that are not recommended on the program and bought healthy foods choices.As the book claims, I began to lose weight quickly. My headache symptoms became worse as my body went through a major detoxication, just as Dr. Fuhrman claims in the book.

After two weeks I started getting relief from the headaches. I have discovered that if I include gluten in my diet, the headaches return. I am so happy I found the source of my problems! I am now trying to live a well balanced life–style of walking and eating right. Even though I have not been completely strict with following the program, I still have been able to maintain a 30 pound weight loss…continue reading.

For more success stories, visit DrFuhrman.com.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

We’ve seen a lot of people benefit from Dr. Fuhrman’s program, like Steve. He beat his diabetes and lost weight. Agatha too! She trimmed down and ditched her pills. Now get a load of Phil. Today, his blood pressure is normal and he doesn’t need his cholesterol medications:

I read Eat to Live by coincidence. Just picked it up off the book shelf. I am 60 and I had been on a beta blocker for 15 years. In the last several years I had been lethargic and very tired. My weight was almost 200 lbs. My cholesterol was 210. I had to get off the blood pressure medication, so I thought I would give the plan a try.

My weight is now 168. My blood pressure is normal and my cholesterol is 165. The first three weeks were difficult. Around week four I started feeling better and my blood pressure was much lower. Eight weeks later, my mood was back to normal and my energy level was the highest it has been in years. I am five months into the program and my story so far is a huge success.

Getting all my clothes altered was expensive. From a 37 waist to 33 ½ is a lot of alterations. I eat no salt, no bread, no processed foods, almost no desserts, almost no cheese, almost no pasta. Breakfast is a fruit smoothie with a fresh orange, or cereal with fruit or most often oatmeal—always with fresh oranges and bananas…continue reading.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

I was obese for nearly twenty years, and experienced heart disease, hypertension, pre-diabetes, organic depression, achy joints, lower back pain, “brain fog,” and loss of energy from chronic malnutrition.

Due to being chubby, I was put on my first, nutrient restrictive diet at age six by well-meaning, but totally misguided adults, and gradually developed severe anorexia that required hospitalization by age 17. Eventually I ballooned to over 230 lbs., and attempted almost every diet imaginable on the market, only to end up in the vicious cycle of yo-yo dieting that led to psychological and physiological deprivation and binge eating disorder.

I also have a child with type I diabetes, and managing the disease has required extensive oversight, and a couple of hospitalizations due to complications.

Back in 2002, I read Eat to Live for the first time, but put it away, because I incorrectly assumed that a lifestyle of eating mostly high nutrient, plant based food was totally impossible to achieve in our culture.

After a few years of mounting medical bills, including a heart catheterization, and various other medical incidents, I made the decision to get my health back, and committed to the nutritarian way of eating on July 10, 2008.

Ten months after starting the journey to get my health back, the majority of 100 lbs was shed, and today, a year later, I no longer have heart disease, pre-diabetes, hypertension, achy joints, lower back pain, organic depression, brain fog, or chronic lethargy. You can read more on EmilyBoller.com.

My body is well nourished, my complexion is clear, my hair is soft and shiny, and most importantly, because my body is completely satisfied from eating nutrient dense foods, the intense cravings that compelled me to eat high fat, processed foods are completely gone. I have literally been set free from all food addictions and eating disorders that controlled my every waking moment for long as I can remember.

I am not an expert on nutrition and health; that is Dr. Fuhrman’s area of expertise. Nor am I an expert in the blog world; that is Gerry Pugliese’s area of expertise.

I am a former food addict that understands the utter despair and all-consuming pain and confusion of eating disorders. I understand a broken heart from loss of personhood and dignity due to anorexia, yo-yo dieting, and obesity. I understand what it means to be so discouraged and hopeless that the desire to live fades, and I understand the sorrow of watching a child suffer from chronic illness.

Most importantly, I understand what it feels like to be completely free from toxic food addiction through embracing the nutritarian lifestyle while living in this processed food culture, and it is my sincerest desire to inspire and encourage those who want to live in that same freedom.

I also totally understand that my topics and style of writing may not be of interest to some, and I encourage those readers to skip to other authors that best fit their tastes and preferences. However, for those who would benefit from my writings, I invite you to comment under my posts so that we can dialogue about your struggles, or the successes you have achieved as a result of embracing the nutritarian lifestyle so that others may benefit also.

I count it a privilege and honor to inspire and encourage you in your journey of getting your health back, and staying healthy!

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (17)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Lots of people from different walks of life have shaped up on Dr. Fuhrman’s approach to diet and nutrition. A pharmaceutical rep likes it and even a lowly blogger like me lost 60 pounds. Now here’s a story from a solider in Iraq.

In January, Matt was deployed to Iraq. He has been eating Eat To Live for 8 months in military dining facilities and in the field. It's challenging, eating veggies, fruits, and whole grains, but they do provide it, you just have to filter your way through the chow hall and seek out the good foods. I also sent him boxes and boxes of healthy nuts and seeds, dried fruits, nut butters, and healthy crackers (not perfect there, but he needs energy in the desert).

People always question his diet, some in disbelief and some generally interested, like anywhere else in the world. So many people (as you all have encountered) have excuses for not wanting to eat healthy and modify their diet and lifestyle, because it's too hard, too many obstacles, etc., but here's a person who has been able to be successful in Iraq in the middle of a war for 8 months! I am so proud of him. I attribute determination, personal health goals, and compassion for his success...continue reading.

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Months after ending her stint as a vegan and saying, “I will forever be a more cautious and conscious eater.” Oprah Winfrey has admitted she’s ballooned to more than 200 pounds. She blames anxiety-eating and binging on organic, multi-grain blue chips; The New York Post reports.

Celebrities go on diet rollercoasters all the time. Singer, Alanis Morissette did. She packed on 20 pounds, but after following Dr. Fuhrman’s Eat to Live, now she looks hotter than ever. So Oprah, email me and I’ll make sure Dr. Fuhrman gets it!

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (2)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link

Success stories come in all shapes and sizes, no pun intended, but it’s always cool when celebrities get fit. And singer Alanis Morissette recently dropped 20 pounds on Eat to Live. Take a look at this video from E News Now.

Well, there’s nothing ironic about that—horrible joke, I’m sorry. Congratulations Alanis, you look great! And for more weight-loss triumphs, check out DiseaseProof’s success stories category or head over to DrFuhrman.com.

Oh, and here's an interview with Alanis from OK Magazine. She talks about how she found Eat to Live.
 

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (1)
• Trackbacks
• Share Link