Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

“Miracles Happen at the Whitaker Wellness Institute”

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

I opened the Whitaker Wellness Institute in 1979. My first Back to Health Program consisted of just nine patients who stayed with me for two weeks. We exercised together, ate meals prepared to my specifications, and I gave talks on various topics. I was amazed at the power of lifestyle changes as my patients lost weight, got off drugs, and experienced marked improvements in their quality of life.

Diet and exercise—plus targeted nutritional supplements—are still cornerstones of the clinic. Patients continue to come and stay for one to three weeks, eat healthy meals prepared by our gourmet chef, engage in exercise, and attend lectures, workshops and a plethora of therapies. Being totally immersed in a wellness lifestyle—especially when you’re surrounded by others who share your challenges and goals—is the easiest way to break old habits and establish new ones. Our patients invariably feel better, lose weight, and gain confidence that they can do this on their own once they return home. Whitaker Wellness is, in a sense, a rejuvenation boot camp.

I want to share with you one of the many letters that I have received from patients who had life-changing experiences after coming to the Whitaker Wellness Institute. This one is from a woman with a long history of diabetes.

“Turning Challenges Into Blessings!”

“I went to the Whitaker Wellness Institute for help with my diabetes, and blood pressure. I’d also been gaining weight and my legs had swollen up like posts. I had so much discomfort that I went to local doctors to try to find what was causing it and tried a variety of different medications, but nothing helped.

“At the Whitaker Wellness Institute, I got the help I needed! My medical doctor there, who is trained in Western and holistic medicine, helped me get off insulin. Yes, I stopped all insulin! I had been taking 170+ units of insulin per day, but my blood sugar was still high, in the 200-300 range. Now it is lower than that—without taking insulin—and my body is now learning to handle its own insulin, with a boost from the vitamins.

“Yes, I am on a diet, but far from an impossible one. I eat vegetables, fruit, meat, nuts, juice, etc., so it’s easy and healthy. I know a lot of my excess weight was built-up fluids, but I’ve lost 23 pounds since changing my diet. I am not thin, nor do I expect to be. But thinner and healthier I do expect!

“Miracles Happen”

“If you have health challenges, the Whitaker Wellness Institute is the place to help you tackle them. It’s not an easy fix, but it is well worth the time and effort. This experience will benefit me for the rest of my life, and I wasn’t alone. I saw many others who were in treatment with me at Whitaker Wellness receive a new lease on life. Miracles happened both weeks I was there—people with all kinds of health conditions getting stronger and better.” — Neena

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Fight Fatigue With B12

Friday, July 8th, 2011

Dog tired, bone weary, worn out, bushed, just plain pooped—there are as many ways of describing fatigue as there are causes. Fatigue is the number one complaint that brings patients to doctors’ offices, and it’s one of the most difficult problems to diagnose. That’s because fatigue isn’t an illness per se. Instead, it’s a common symptom of a number of problems.

I’ve written many times about vitamin B12’s crucial role in detoxifying homocysteine, a compound linked to an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin B12 is so important in clearing homocysteine from the body that elevated serum homocysteine is now recognized as a reliable indicator of a vitamin B12 deficiency.

However, vitamin B12 is no one-shot wonder. This nutrient is a key player in the burning of fats and carbohydrates for energy, the formation of healthy red blood cells, and the maintenance of the myelin sheaths that protect nerves. Because of these diverse roles, a deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause fatigue, memory loss, and depression. Sadly, physicians often chalk these symptoms up to the inevitable effects of aging, not recognizing that their patients suffer from a treatable nutritional deficiency.

At the Whitaker Wellness Institute, we treat patients with fatigue with B12 on a regular basis. Conventional doctors may order blood tests looking for the obvious causes and suggest their patients get more sleep, perhaps even offering addictive sleeping pills. But they generally overlook this simple solution that can dramatically improve energy and quality of life.

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Posted in Alternative Medicine, Fatigue, Uncategorized, Wellness | No Comments »

The Truth About the Nuclear Threat From Japan

Thursday, April 14th, 2011

The media outlets are abuzz with sensationalized headlines and stories about potential nuclear threats in the US due to the recent earthquakes and reactor accidents in Japan. While the situation is certainly dire for the Japanese people and my heart goes out to them, the danger to us here in America is negligible. In fact, I firmly believe you’d be exposed to more radiation during a dental X-ray than you would be from any contamination coming from Japan at this time. This is just another example of the media riling people up and causing undue fear.

If you hadn’t heard about potassium iodide (KI) before the tragedy in Japan, now’s the time to take note. Let me stress again that at the present time there’s no danger here. That being said, it’s good to be prepared and educated. When taken in the event of radiation exposure—and only in the event of exposure—KI blocks the uptake of radioactive iodine and protects against thyroid cancer. KI tablets that contain the proper protective dose are sold in health food stores and online.

Please folks, don’t get caught up in this fear-mongering. Consider purchasing KI tablets to have on hand for peace of mind, but try to ignore the negative and skewed press coverage.

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Make Optimism Your New Year’s Resolution

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

As we kick off 2011, I want to remind you that, like nutritious food, pure water, and exercise, a positive outlook on life is a cornerstone of optimal health.

Though scientists aren’t sure exactly how optimism promotes good health, they suspect it has to do with the effects of your mental outlook on immune function. An entire field of medicine called psychoneuroimmunology has emerged to study the effects of thoughts and emotions on immunity, and the findings are compelling. From laughter to tears, friendship to romantic love, your emotions and attitudes all have a bearing on your health.

If you tend to focus on the negative side of things, let me assure you that you’re not doomed to carry a cloud over your head for the rest of your life. Even the most committed pessimist can learn the skill of optimism. Here’s how:

1. Count Your Blessings
As Einstein pointed out, everything is relative. While pessimists tend to focus on what is wrong with their lives, optimists are more likely to count their blessings. If your life seems particularly unblessed, there’s an easy way to use the principle of relativity to help you expand your appreciation of your good fortune: practice “downward comparison.”

For example, if you’re stuck in traffic, remind yourself, “At least I have a car.” If you burn dinner, remember, at least you have food to eat. If there’s a task you’re dreading, finish this sentence three different ways: “At least I don’t have to ___________.”

Don’t feel guilty about comparing yourself to those worse off than you. The fact is that people who use this technique are more likely to act compassionately towards others.

2.Fake It ‘Til You Make It
You probably know that your feelings can affect your body language. When you’re happy, you smile, and when you’re confident, you stand taller and look people in the eye.

Studies have shown that you can actually “change your mind” by changing your body language. Smiling on the outside sends a message to your brain, which makes it “assume” that you’re happy. Walking tall and meeting people’s glance will likewise “tell” your brain that you are confident and upbeat. The positive feedback you’ll get in response from others will reinforce your feelings of optimism.

3. Make Optimism Your New Year’s Resolution
Like strong and flexible muscles, a positive mental outlook enables you to respond proactively to the challenges of life. So this year rather than vowing to give up sweets, clean your attic, or learn a foreign language, resolve to cultivate an attitude of hopefulness and gratitude. It is one of the simplest and most profound ways to enhance your emotional and physical well-being.

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Burzynski: A Must-See Film

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

For those of you who don’t know, my friend and colleague Stanislaw Burzynski, MD, PhD, has made what I believe to be the most important cancer discovery of all time. Subscribers of my monthly newsletter Health & Healing have been following his triumphs and challenges since I first wrote about Dr. B in 1995. And now, a remarkable new movie entitled Burzynski can bring this amazing story right to your living room.

Burzynski was featured this spring in film festivals in California, New Jersey, Florida, and Australia and screened in major cities nationwide. It won the esteemed Humanitarian Vision Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival and has received glowing reviews from critics.

This film highlights Dr. Burzynski’s struggle against the FDA and other federal and state bureaucrats. In it, you’ll see the unjust persecution he’s faced simply because his effective therapy challenges traditional medicine’s expensive and unsuccessful cancer treatment paradigm.

For 90 minutes, you’ll ride a rollercoaster of emotions: from inspiration and motivation to infuriation and frustration. And at the end of the film, you’re sure to be as big of fan of Dr. Burzynski as I am.

My nonprofit Freedom of Health Foundation has been involved in the screenings and publicity of Burzynski, and we want to get it into the hands of as many people as possible. Please help me spread the word about this important movie. To get your DVD of this full-length feature film, along with key articles I’ve written about Dr. Burzynski, call (800) 792-4269, visit our Web site, thefhf.org, or send $20 (tax-deductible, postage included; make checks out to the Foundation) to:

Freedom of Health Foundation
P.O. Box 11599
Newport Beach CA 92658

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Posted in Alternative Medicine, Cancer, Medical Politics | No Comments »

New Therapy at Whitaker Wellness

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

I’m always on the lookout for new therapies that will benefit our patients at the Whitaker Wellness Institute. When I find something that makes the grade—whether it’s a nutritional supplement, noninvasive treatment or dietary modification—we add it to our treatment protocols.

I want to tell you about our latest addition. It’s a time-honored therapy that has been proven to be effective in clinical trials, yet is completely ignored by conventional physicians. It’s fasting.

Abstaining from food for a few days to a few weeks has numerous—and enduring—benefits. The body is able to get rid of excess sodium and accumulated fluids, resulting in reductions in edema and dramatic lowering of blood pressure. The copious amounts of water you drink during a fast flushes out toxins, making it the best of all detox regimens.

Fasting gives your digestive system a break, which leads to improvements not only in chronic gastrointestinal problems but also in allergies and autoimmune disorders, which are often related to leaky gut syndrome. In addition, fasting provides substantial benefits for patients with diabetes. It improves insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control, promotes weight loss, and facilitates the adaptation to a healthier lifestyle after the fast ends.

Fasting is best done in a medically supervised environment, such as the Whitaker Wellness Institute. During your treatment program at the clinic, you will be closely monitored by our professional staff, undergo other therapies for your specific condition, and attend educational activities that will help you stay on track once you leave the clinic.

I personally underwent a five-day fast several months ago, during which I lost 21 pounds, my blood pressure and blood sugar decreased, and my cholesterol and triglycerides improved. The first two days were tough—I was definitely grumpy and irritable. But after I got over the hump, I felt better than I had in years. Best of all, the strides I made during that short fast have endured, and as an added bonus, I find that sticking to a good diet and avoiding salty, sugary foods is now much easier than before. 

If you have diabetes, hypertension, obesity, an autoimmune disease, or digestive issues, I encourage you to look into this remarkable therapy.

Posted in Diet, Nutritional Supplements, Uncategorized, Weight Loss, Wellness | No Comments »

Supplements Reduce Health Care Costs

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Although legislation revamping our health care system has been signed into law, debate continues to rage, and one topic of discussion is how we’re going to pay for it all. There is no doubt that health care costs are out of control. Annual spending is more than $8,000 per person, and government statisticians predict that by the year 2018, it will exceed $13,000 for every man, woman, and child. That’s 20 percent of our gross domestic product!

We must get a handle on this. Sure, we need to tackle inflated prices, inefficient and inappropriate care, poor management, and waste. But, according to a study based on an extensive review of the medical literature, targeted use of nutritional supplements could save more than $24 billion in health care costs over five years. Here are some of the study’s findings.

• If everyone age 65 and older took calcium and vitamin D supplements, approximately 776,000 hospitalizations for hip fractures could be avoided. Estimated savings: $16.1 billion.

• If people in that same age group took 1,800 mg of fish oil daily, we’d be able to cut back on 374,301 hospitalizations for coronary artery disease. Estimated savings of hospitalization plus physicians’ fees: $3.2 billion.

• If just a quarter of the women of childbearing age not taking folic acid took 400 mcg every day, 600 families could be spared the heartbreak of having a baby with spina bifida or other neural tube birth defects. Estimated savings, minus the cost of supplements: $1.4 billion.

• If people with macular degeneration took 6–10 mg of lutein with zeaxanthin daily, 190,927 of them might be able to remain independent and stay out of nursing homes due to vision loss. Estimated savings: $3.6 billion.

Routine use of just a handful of supplements would result in astounding savings, not only in money but in pain and suffering as well. The government conducts public health campaigns encouraging people to get vaccinations, to say no to drugs, and to wear seatbelts. Why not broadcast the benefits of nutritional supplements? Insurance companies require only a small co-payment for drugs, hospitalizations, and surgeries. Why not help pay for supplements, too?

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Posted in Alternative Medicine, Medical Politics, Vitamins | 1 Comment »

Act Now: Your Supplements Are in Danger

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Sen. John McCain has introduced a bill to give the FDA broader regulatory control over the manufacture, sale, and use of nutritional supplements.

The Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2010 would require registration and extensive reporting by any business engaged in “manufacturing, packaging, holding, distributing, labeling, or licensing” of supplements. This includes everyone from large manufacturers to people who sell multilevel products out of their homes. Failure to comply would be a violation of the law.

This bill would also make it easier for the FDA to remove supplements from the market. A list of “Accepted Dietary Ingredients” would be prepared, and if a nutrient didn’t make the list, it would be banned. It would also be easier for the FDA to outlaw any supplement with even a suspicion of potential harm. Furthermore, there are no safeguards to protect against abuses of these extensive powers—a real concern with this bureaucracy, which is openly hostile towards nutritional supplements.

Quite a few individuals and organizations are jumping on this bandwagon. After all, isn’t it all about safety and protecting the public? Wrong. Supplements are among the safest of all consumer products. The American Association of Poison Control Centers in their 2008 annual report did not attribute even one death to a nutritional supplement. Compare this to the 100,000 deaths per year caused by prescription drugs. These guys should be going after pharmaceutical companies instead of the supplement industry.

Current laws are perfectly adequate to ensure supplement safety. Let’s not invite in more unnecessary government red tape. Contact your U.S. Senators and encourage urge them to oppose the Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2010. To learn more and to email your Senators on this very important issue, visit anh-usa.org.

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Posted in Alternative Medicine, Medical Politics | No Comments »

Happy Holidays!

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Well, folks, the end of 2009 is upon us and the holidays are here. It’s time to celebrate with family and friends and take a moment to reflect on the last 12 months.

Surely you’ve enjoyed many blessings but there are likely a few things you’d like to change in 2010. Start by writing down your goals and sharing them with your loved ones. Making your resolutions public will give you more of an incentive to keep them.

Next, remember to keep your expectations realistic. Instead of trying to lose 20 pounds or a drop few pant or dress sizes, why not aim to shed one or two pounds per week? Seeing these small changes over short periods of time will help you stay on track.

Remember, the best gift of all over the holidays is the time you spend with your loved ones. Focus on the camaraderie of the season and be grateful for all that you have.

Here’s wishing you and your family a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year.

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Happy Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

Thanksgiving is upon us and with it comes the start of the holiday season. It’s been a rough year for many Americans and though times may be tough, do your best to focus on all of the blessings in your life. Know that the most valuable among these are your family, your friends, and your health.

As you gather with acquaintances new and old, remember that what makes these holidays most meaningful is not a tipsy head or a bloated stomach so be mindful of your “celebrating.”

Thanksgiving is a perfect time to take a moment to reflect on the year gone by, make some decisions about things (within your control) you’d like to change moving forward, and start preparing for the year ahead. You want to improve your health? Make a resolution now to start that new diet and exercise plan. Why wait until January 1? Do your personal relationships need attention? Write down your goals for making amends and get started today. The sooner, the better.

Finally, remember to take time out each and every day to recognize and be thankful for the many gifts you enjoy.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

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