Are Drugs EVER Good For You?

Well the answer, I guess, has to be yes, but it pains me to say so. There are indeed some drugs out there that save lives. There are also others that eliminate symptoms which might otherwise be unbearable. So, I guess you could say (wince) some drugs are good for you.

Maybe my real question then should be stated differently. How about:

Do drugs save more lives than they eliminate?

This question pops into my head all the time as I see patient after patient who are on some medication or another to help "treat" their health condition. However, when looked at from an objective standpoint, many of these patients are also suffering from one or more side effects of the same drug. Some of these effects are so severe that, if nothing were to be done about them, they could eventually result in my patient being one of those nearly 200,000 deaths!

The true problem is that so many of these folks are being told by their doctors they can never get off their drugs. However, if treated appropriately, they could indeed eliminate the vast majority of these drugs they have been told they "need".

OK, back to the question- Do drugs save more lives than they eliminate?

One way to obtain more insight into this query is to simply look at how many people are actually harmed or killed by prescription drugs. When you do that, the answer you will find is downright scary. According to a recent study, each year drug related "problems" put 8.8 million people in hospitals, accounting for up to 28% of all hospital admissions. Of those 8.8 million, 198,815 people end up dead.

By the way, if we include surgeries and other medical procedures, we come to a staggering number of nearly 800,000 deaths PER YEAR being caused by direct medical treatment. This is more than either of the so-called #1 and #1a biggest killers in the U.S.- Heart Disease and Cancer.

The answer of "Yes" I gave at the beginning of all this seems to be even harder to say now don't you think?

Nonetheless, there must be at least a few drugs out there that help more than they hurt right? What about the simpler, "safer" ones? What about the ones that EVERYONE should be taking?

They're OK right?

How about a little test? Let's pick three common drugs and really dig to see if they help more than they hurt. My selection criteria for these three drugs is simple- If asked, most people would consider them either useful, harmless or both.

Aspirin

Why does nearly every senior citizen you know take a daily aspirin? Because it will help keep you alive right?

Wrong.

Did you know that all large, long term (the larger and longer term the better usually) research on using aspirin after having a heart attack show it has no effect on improving overall mortality rates? Instead, most research shows regular aspirin intake simply leads to a reduction in NON-fatal cardiovascular events, but an INCREASE in sudden cardiac death!

Some would also argue that daily aspirin use to "prevent" heart disease can divert attention away from other more useful preventative measures like eating well, reducing stress and exercising, as those taking it may be feeling a (likely unfounded) greater sense of security and protection.

Not only that, when we consider some of the real dangers involved with taking aspirin, we begin to realize it really has no place in the (dare I say mythical?) category of drugs that help but do not harm. You see, even though they're called "baby" aspirin they pack a mighty big, and harmful punch indeed.

Studies on aspirin have actually shown that, when taken long term it can cause:

• A 58% increase in pancreatic cancer from as little as 2 aspirins per week.*
• An 86% increase in pancreatic cancer from 14 aspirin per week (common dose for many people)*
• A 200% increase in gastrointestinal bleeding (which can prove to be fatal in some cases)
• A 300% increase in gastrointestinal bleeding when consumed along with an NSAID, like Ibuprofen

*An important side note- pancreatic cancer is one of the nastiest of all, with average survival rates of less than 3 years after diagnosis)

Tylenol (Acetaminophen)

Have you ever had a bad headache, toothache, injury or some other type of pain that prompted you to take a little more Tylenol than was recommended on the label? (if you happened to read it at all) I'd bet most of you answered yes.

Is Tylenol helpful? Yup- definitely helps reduce that pain.

Is Tylenol harmful? ........Yup.

This post is getting really long, really quick, so I'll get right to the point. Excessive (and possibly even recommended) intake of Tylenol can cause liver damage, liver failure and death. In fact, here are the FDA's recommendations on Tylenol intake:

• Follow dosing directions and never take more than directed; even a small amount more than directed can cause liver damage.
• Don’t take acetaminophen for more days than directed.
• Don’t take more than one medicine that contains acetaminophen at a time. For example, your risk of liver damage goes up if you take a medicine that contains acetaminophen to treat a headache, and while that medicine is still working in your body, you take another medicine that contains acetaminophen to treat a cold. (a VERY common occurence!!)

Did you know there were such stringent directives out there for a "harmless" little drug like Tylenol? Scary huh?

The strangest thing of all to me is that the FDA makes it sound like, as long as you stay within recommended dosing guidelines, Tylenol is perfectly safe.

How can that possibly be???

If taking even a little more than the recommended dose can cause acute liver failure and death, how can a little less than that be totally harmless? In other words, I don't think a person goes from zero effects to acute liver failure and death with the addition of a couple more pills. In all likelihood, there's at least a some harm being done (to a very important organ by the way) well before such thresholds are reached.

So, does Tylenol pass the "more helpful than harmful" test? I think not.

Lipitor

The most popular in a long and (unfortunately) growing line of "wonder drugs" for lowering cholesterol and reducing heart disease risk. Now, if you were to simply pay attention to mainstream media, you'd think Lipitor and other statins were the greatest things out there since sliced bread. (Of course, sliced bread's greatness should be questioned as well, but that's a different post.)

However, there is a lot of research and opinion out there suggesting statins don't do much at all for us. And even though, in most circumstances, they don't seem to kill people right away, their safety is still a big question mark for me. More of my opinions on this topic can be read about here and here.

My last question then is- If such "helpful" and "harmless" drugs like Tylenol, Aspirin and Lipitor fail our test, which drugs actually pass the test?

There are probably a few out there, but I don't want to put forth the effort or expend the brain power to try and come up with one.

Wouldn't it just be easier to try and live a life that creates such boundless energy and vibrant health that you don't even need to bother with these drugs anyway?

Check out some of the links on the right side of this page and start investigating ways to do so. You won't regret it!!!

Thoughts on Swine Flu

By now most of you have heard about the recent outbreaks of Swine Flu. Though confirmed cases in the US have thus far been mild, with no deaths and nearly no hospitalization, the nation still seems on the verge of a bit of a panic, perhaps rightfully so.

I wanted to give you my two cents on the matter, plus some simple, practical tips that everyone can follow to shore up their immune systems and make them more resistant, as well as some things to do if you feel you have come down with the flu, or worst of all may have contracted this virus.

How Concerned Should We Be?

First of all, let me state that this is indeed a potentially serious threat. Though the cases in the US have been mild, there have been over 100 confirmed deaths in Mexico attributed to this illness, since April 13th. That is not something to take lightly. While I don't think it is close to a time for panic, I think we should all take positive steps to improve upon our immune system function, in turn reducing our susceptibility to this or any other virus. I am definitely in support of the "better safe than sorry" tactic on this one.

On the other hand, it is important to also remember that even though the media seems to be saying a pandemic is all but imminent, the number of cases in the US is still tiny when looked at on a grander scale, or compared to even the average winter flu. In other words, you should keep a watchful eye, follow at least some of the steps I recommend and basically brace for a problem, but at the same time, keep living your life and not let the typical, overblown media coverage scare you too much!

How to Prevent the Spread of this or any other Flu

The basics-

1. Avoid contact with people if they are sick.
2. Stay at home — from work, school or other public activities — when you are ill.
3. Shield others from your coughs and sneezes by using a tissue.
4. Wash your hands often with a natural (vs antibacterial) soap.
5. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose or mouth.

Additional Prevention Tips

1. Eat lots of garlic. I recommend a raw clove every day or every other day, along with cooking with it whenever possible.
2. Eat lots of shiitake mushrooms.
3. Practice these the Healing Breath Exercise every morning and night.
4. Do regular exercise without over doing it. And rest if you start getting flu symptoms.
5. Get lots of sunshine and vitamin D.
6. Eat like a caveman and Stay away from soda, juice and other forms of sugar as much as possible.
7. Use Now Foods Activated Nasal Mist once or twice a day.
   

You Feel a Flu Coming On, Now What???

1. Constitutional Hydrotherapy Everyday
2. Take large, frequent doses of Echinacea, Garlic and Elderberry, three of the best antivirals around.
3. Take Oscillococcinum at recommended doses, at the first sign of illness. (available in most healthfood stores)
   
4. If you have a fever over 99.5 DO NOT consume anything other than bone broth, unsweetened electrolyte formulas (if vomiting or diarrhea), water or herbal tea until the fever goes below this number. Nursing children should continue nursing as they desire.
5. ABSOLUTELY NO GLUTEN, DAIRY, SUGAR OR SUGARY FOODS.
6. Pick a homeopathic remedy that most closely matches your symptoms.
7. Take Vitamin D3 at 1000iu per kilogram body weight (1 kg + 2.2 lbs) for three days in a row.
8. Continue Healing Breath Exercise.
9. Contact me or another doctor if you are not getting better!
   

At least 2 hours of high intensity exercise per day required to gain benefit.....April Fools!!

Many people out there are still under the impression that a veritable TON of exercise, lasting a long, long time, is required if you even have a snowball's chance in Jamaica to get some real benefit for your heart. Thoughts of what is necessary often conjure up images of you slaving away for hours on a treadmill or elliptical machine, eyes darting back and forth between the "calories burned" and "pulse rate" monitors, as you search for validation of the supreme effort you are putting forth.

Well don't despair! Some new research continues to support the notion that running on a treadmill until the cartilage in your knees has thinned to rice paper consistency may not be necessary. In fact some research suggests that large amounts of cardiovascular exercise may actually do more harm than good.

Quality vs. Quantity

A recent study took a fresh approach to exercising for disease prevention. Sixteen inactive men in their early twenties took part in the program, which consisted of short, all-out bouts of sprinting on a stationary bicycle alternating with periods of rest. During each session, the men sprinted for 30 seconds against a resistance, rested for enough time to recover, then repeated three to five repetitions of the same sprint/rest sequence. These sessions were repeated three times each week, bringing the grand total of time spent actively exercising to 7 minutes per week (or about 20 minutes, three times per week, including the rest time), with total calories spent doing so to about 250.

Following two weeks of this exercise training, all men showed significant improvements in insulin sensitivity compared with the beginning of the study, meaning that their ability to process sugar (glucose) from a meal improved by adhering to the program. Three other measures of glucose metabolism also improved, demonstrating that short bouts of intense exercise can have a profound effect on cardiovascular and diabetes risk factors.

The study's authors concluded, “This novel, time-efficient training paradigm can be used as a strategy to reduce metabolic risk factors in young and middle-aged sedentary people who otherwise would not adhere to time consuming traditional exercise regimens."

In other words, it doesn't take much! The neatest thing of all is that you can take this formula and apply it to nearly any exercise that suits your fancy and fitness level. The key is the mixture of approximately 3o seconds of exercise with enough intensity that you really couldn't do much more, followed by a period of rest in order to recover, and repeating this sequence a few times.

For some this could mean all out sprints plus brisk walking to recover, for others this could mean brisk walking plus standing in place to recover. Others might even find benefit from simply standing in place and swinging your arms like you are sprinting, then resting. The possibilities are endless!! I would actually recommend choosing from a variety of exercises and just applying these principles to each one on a different day.

If you are totally new to exercise or in pretty poor shape, I would encourage you to speak to your doctor or at least a trainer before embarking on this plan. If you don't want to then start off very gently.

Is Extreme Cardio Even Good For You?

I have been an exercise fanatic for a long time, but I have to say my views and approach to it have changed drastically over time. I used to think a lot like the way I poked fun at above-
ie. cardiovascular exercise is king and the more of it the better. In fact, I used to workout about 2 hours a day, sometimes at extremely high levels for nearly the whole time. And, guess what, I got sick a lot more often than I do now. These days, my workouts take anywhere from 10-30 minutes. Just about the only time I do straight exercise for longer than that is when I play basketball once a week, and I always feel bad afterwards (too bad I'm addicted).

However, not only is there research supporting the idea that we can derive benefit from the new style of exercise I have described thus far, there is a lot of opinion and research out there suggesting this style of exercise is much better for your health.

In fact, nowadays I cringe when I hear a friend or patient tell me they are training to run a marathon. Surely they are doing it because from what they understand it is an ultimate test of endurance and completing one means they are in supreme physical condition. Again, recent research is now suggesting these people are actually putting themselves in danger by pursuing such activities.

Here are some great resources for starting an exercise program that will be safe and beneficial for you:

If you prefer to exercise at home and keep things simple the various routines recommended in the book TBK Fitness, by Tamir Katz, are great. I often do these sorts of workouts when I travel. There are a wide variety of exercise routines suggested that will fit nearly every fitness level, and he also gives a wonderful description of how to eat the healthiest diet on the planet.

If you are in the Portland area and prefer to exercise in a group or even get some private lessons with a high quality trainer who will teach you what I deem to be the absolute BEST exercise methods I have come across yet, check out CrossfitPortland.com.

And get some rest wouldja???

More Help For Healthy Eating

Well, in my continued quest to get you all eating as well as I possibly can, I wanted to provide you with a bunch of awesome links I found recently. With help like this, it's going to be hard to convince me that you can't adopt some of these ideas at least once or twice a day, if not all day everyday!
What to do if you can't be "perfect" about your diet
Paleo/Primal Office Snacks
Paleo/Primal Breakfast Ideas
Grain Free Muffins
Inexexpensive Homemade Jerky Without a Dehydrator
Additional Recipe Ideas
Even More Recipe Ideas
A great description of basic guidelines for a Paleo/Primal eating plan
A great description of how to live a more Primal (healthy) Lifestyle

Cod Liver Oil, Bugs, Organs and Sunshine- Key Factors in Your Health

There has been a tremendous amount of controversy lately, swirling around the various nutritional circles I am connected to, involving the supposed toxicity of vitamin A and one of its most potent nutritional sources- cod liver oil.

The topic was first brought to light after early research showed an increase in fracture rates and osteoporosis risk from excessive vitamin A intake. However, additional studies in 2005 and 2009 seem to have discredited the original findings, suggesting there was no connection between the two.

More recently, the Vitamin D Council came out with a statement again suggesting that vitamin A can indeed be toxic and that cod liver oil should be avoided. This article suggested that while cultures around the world who are deficient in vitamin A certainly benefit from taking it, more affluent cultures like ours have no such deficiency and cited studies showing that taking additional amounts could be harmful.

An article by Dr. Joe Mercola followed soon afterwards, echoing the statements made by the Vitamin D Council. In this article Dr. Mercola, a long-time proponent of cod liver oil, completely reversed his stance based on the findings reported by the Vitamin D Council, suggesting we all avoid it from now on.

Finally, the Weston Price Foundation, another long time supporter of cod liver oil consumption, had previously published articles supporting the use of vitamin A and refutting the vitamin A-osteoporosis connection. They then came out with a preliminary rebuttal to the statements by Mercola and the Vitamin D Council and plan to publish a more in depth article exploring this topic further in the next edition of their journal.

The problem with all of this is that these three groups, especially Weston Price and Mercola.com have been some of the main influences in my nutritional education and research. Having also been a long time consumer and supporter of cod liver oil, I was (for lack of a better term) FREAKING OUT a bit when I read all the recent information from Mercola and the Vitamin D Council.

After taking a few breaths, researching more on my own, re-reading the article by the Vitamin D Council and contacting Dr. Mercola, Sally Fallon (president of the Weston Price Foundation), Dave Wetzel (owner of Green Pasture- the company who makes the cod liver oil I take and recommend to my patients) and Dr. Ron Schmid (owner of DrRons.com and long time cod liver oil advocate) all directly, I was finally able to revise my opinion on this entire topic. The remainder of this post will contain my best effort at summarizing my current stand on things.

Basically when it comes to vitamin A or cod liver oil my feelings are the same as they are when considering any other vitamin or supplement. In essence, natural and whole is better and safer than processed, isolated or synthetic.

What quickly became apparent to me when re-reading the information from the Vitamin D Council is that they kept referring to "modern cod liver oil" as being a problem. I would agree whole heartedly with this contention. You see, "modern cod liver oil" is not fully natural or whole. It is processed, molecularly distilled, heated, and basically altered in many ways from it's original form. It's difficult to say just how much all of these actions do to change its constituents, but one thing is for sure. The processing many cod liver oils go through significantly reduces their vitamin D levels. In turn we are left with a product that has much LESS vitamin D than whole, unprocessed cod liver oil does.

This brings me to my second point. As seems to be the case in other categories of nutrition and life in general, with vitamin A, vitamin D and cod liver oil, it's really all about balance. It's pretty well established that both vitamin A and D are essential nutrients for us. The problem comes when we over consume one over the other. Typical store bought cod liver oil, having been through all the processing it has, has less vitamin D than it should, thus decreasing its ratio in comparison to vitamin A. This is where I along with other experts I have spoken with feel the problem truly lies. Most cod liver oil brands are, in fact, unsafe, because they contain too much vitamin A compared to vitamin D.

In fact, some experts in the field have already come out in direct opposition to the Vitamin D Council's statements about cod liver oil, stating that they were making sweeping generalizations and, in essence, throwing the baby out with the bathwater!

Thankfully, all this time I have been recommending a brand of cod liver oil to my patients that is not nearly as highly processed, and still contains the natural ratios of vitamin A to vitamin D in it. I have also taken to recommending many of my patients take additional vitamin D during the winter time. I feel these steps have eliminated the risks proposed by the Vitamin D Council and Dr. Mercola.

Remember, cod liver oil has been used to complement traditional diets throughout the world for centuries. Traditional diets centered on foods rich in vitamins A and D – liver and other organ meats, seafood and the fats of grass-fed animals. People spent much more time outdoors in the sun than we do. Yet these people still used fish liver oils as an essential part of their diets.

The basic fact then is that extensive evidence shows natural vitamin A in foods such as cod liver oil is not toxic except in cases where vitamin D is deficient. The key is to avoid cod liver oil that contains low levels of vitamin D in relationship to vitamin A. The natural ratio is about ten to one, yet in some brands the ratio is as high as one hundred to one.

I have even come to find out that soon the company I get cod liver oil from for my patients (greenpasture.org) will only be carrying a fermented version of cod liver oil, the most truly natural form of all. Fermented cod liver oil not only contains the appropriate ratio of vitamin A to vitamin D, it is also easier to digest than regular cod liver oil, and contains a variety of other known and unknown nutrients produced directly via the fermentation process (see below for more details). Fermented cod liver oil is indeed one of nature's true super foods.

Finally, in all this discussion about vitamins A and D, something very important has been left out. Vitamin K. More specifically vitamin K2, the form of vitamin K found only in certain fermented foods and certain animal foods. Vitamin K1, found in plants and grasses, is not nearly as useful to us humans as K2 is now being found to be. Research is now showing K2 to be crucial for cardiovascular and bone health. Some research is now showing evidence that consuming it may even reduce plaque formation already present in a person's arteries!

It is my belief that we must eat a good balance of all three of these fat soluble nutrients- A, D and K, and that doing so will keep us safe from any potential toxic effects over consuming any one of them may cause. If we consume a traditional diet rich in high quality animal foods and the fats they naturally come with, and we are sure to get into the sun regularly, whenever we are able, we will get substantial, live-giving portions of all three of these nutrients.

Vitamin A can be found in beef and chicken livers, high quality, full fat dairy foods and fish liver oil. It's precursors-the carotenes are found in dark colored (especially reds and oranges, but also dark green) vegetables. If you are not a fan of organ meats, you can take these items in capsule or powdered form like I do.

The best source for vitamin D is sunshine. If that is not available and/or you live at a latitude where in the winter you can't make vitamin D from the sunshine no matter what, the next best source in my opinion is a vitamin D lamp. The third best option is old fashioned, fermented cod liver oil and straight vitamin D supplements. Again, if the vitamin D lamp is not an option for you, I recommend consuming both fermented cod liver oil and extra vitamin D during the winter (preferably emulsified).

The best sources of vitamin K2 are the traditional Japanese fermented food natto, raw fermented cheeses, raw butter and egg yolks. Interestingly enough, another way we are designed to obtain vitamin K2 is through the fermentation process that is supposed to be going on naturally in all of our guts. You see we are all supposed to have a high level of probiotic organisms in our guts, some of whom actually make vitamin K2 for us to absorb, when they ferment the vegetables and other healthy foods we are supposed to be consuming every day.

Unfortunately, many of us either don't eat the foods these bugs want to ferment, or we've done too many things like take antibiotics, prednisone and birth control pills, all of which destroy these precious friends of ours.

So the bottom line in all of this again is two fold:
1) Consume things in their most natural, unprocessed states.
2) Consume a balanced amount of ALL the nutrients needed for health, especially the fat soluble vitamins A, D and K.

This is obviously a vast topic and there is even more to it all than I am able to get down on a single blog posting. I've already gone way longer than usual! So, if you'd like to know more about this truly crucial component of nutrition and health, please contact me.

Eat Some Olive Oil, Save Your Colon

While the silly notion that all fat is bad continues to linger in the minds of many Americans, my hope is that everyone is at least clear on one thing:

Stay away from trans fats.

There are few if any foods on the market that I consider worse for your health than those containing these nasty little buggers. Past research has confirmed their contributing role in conditions like heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and yes, even the "C" word.

In fact, new research has surfaced recently further proving the strong connection between trans fats and cancer.

In this new study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, 622 people who underwent a routine screening colonoscopy were interviewed about dietary and other factors thought to be related to colorectal cancer. Researchers used this information to estimate how much trans fat each person regularly consumed and compared these numbers to the colonoscopy results.

Compared with those who ate the least trans fats, people who ate the most had an 86% higher likelihood of having colorectal adenomas—small growths, or polyps, in the colon and rectum that, if left untreated, can develop into colorectal cancer.

Ding, ding, ding, ding! We have a winner! Trans fats take first place in the "not fit for human consumption" contest! (Followed closely by runners up corn syrup, white sugar, white flour, preservatives, food dyes, Splenda, Nutrasweet, MSG.......)

In fact, Dr. Walter Willett, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard Medical School and one of the nation’s foremost experts on food and health recently concluded that trans fats represent “the biggest food processing disaster in US history.”

What kinds of fats and oils are OK to eat? I have a simple rule to follow that will pretty much cover it. Just ask yourself one question:

If I were placed on an Earth with no machines, chemicals, or chemistry labs available anywhere, what kinds of fats could I find and eat?

Well, trans fats which require all three in order to be produced, would definitely be out. So would corn, soy, and other liquid vegetable oils. All of these products require a machine to press the oils out of them.

On the other hand, the oils from foods like olives, coconuts, and fish can be procured by simple means. Even if you just rub one of them in your hands a bit, your hands will soon be covered with oil. Try doing that with a corn kernel or dry soybean!

Admittedly, this is a simplistic way of looking at things, but I for one prefer simplicity. Of course for those of you who need more proof, just remember that there have now been countless studies done on the tremendous benefits to be had from olive and fish oil consumption. There is also emerging research now available which proves the value of the once maligned coconut.

I actually recommend the above rule to my patients in order to help them select all of their foods, not just their oils, and it works like a charm! What could you eat in a natural environment if you had nothing but your hands, feet, some primitive tools and your brains? Meats, plants, fruits, eggs, raw honey, sea salt (in certain environments), eggs, nuts and seeds, give or take a Twinkie or two (they've been around forever!!).

What has research shown to be the ultimate diet for preventing heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other chronic diseases? A so-called "Primitive" or "Paleo" diet. The components of this diet? The exact foods I just mentioned.

Finally, it might interest you to know some ways to help prevent colon cancer, aside from just avoiding trans fats. Here's a brief list:

1. Get your "25, OH Vitamin D levels" tested through a blood test with your doctor. If your levels are less than 60, start taking concentrated cod liver oil and getting as much regular sunshine as possible without getting burned. If your levels are less than 30, add an additional vitamin D supplement and get your levels retested until they range between 60-80 consistently.
2. Exercise.
3. Eat your veggies, especially of the cruciferous variety (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, etc).
4. Eat and drink unpasteurized, fermented or cultured foods like kombucha, raw sauerkraut, homemade yogurt or kefir made from raw milk and miso soup on a regular basis. If these foods are unacceptable or unavailable to you, get a really good acidophilus product and take that instead.
5. Add 2 tbsp of freshly ground organic flax seeds to a smoothie at least a few times a week.
6. Drink green tea often.
7. Eat turmeric or take curcumin supplements.
8. Stay away from processed meats containing nitrites.
9. Don't overcook or char the meats that you eat. If you are going to cook them in this way, marinate them in ginger and garlic first, which will lessen the damage that happens to them from this kind of cooking.
10. Drink gelatin rich, homemade bone broth regularly.
11. Eat a handful of brazil nuts (an excellent source of selenium) on a regular basis.

FIBER IS NOT ALL IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE

I have recently discovered some fascinating work by a man named Konstantin Monastyrsky, author of The Fiber Menace. His book goes to great lengths to expose the untruths surrounding the universally accepted notion that fiber is good for everyone and more of it is even better.

What I was most interested in and surprised by was that even though this man was coming from a totally different perspective that I do when talking to my patients about their diets, his conclusions about the best diet were basically identical to mine.

I have to admit though that I was not aware of ALL the particular dangers behind excessive fiber consumption, especially in the supplemental form used by so many people, and that this info has really opened my eyes to how potentially harmful excess fiber consumption can be.

To get started, I would strongly recommend watching Mr. Monastyrsky's video introduction to the topic. You can find a link to it by clicking HERE.