The first step to becoming a proactive patient is to stop consuming the standard American diet of processed foods and instead eat a diet of whole, fresh foods – like these organic vegetables, grown out of the ground.
Resident Medical Authority: J. E. Williams, OMD, FAAIM
In my last blog, I introduced the concept of the proactive patient – some one who cooperates with their health care provider. This doctor-patient-partnership replaces the old, outdated model of a medical doctor acting as supreme authority on not only your medicine, but also your life.
This conventional relationship is described by Eric Topol, a cardiologist at Scripps Clinic, who says the most precious part of our existence – our health – has been largely unaffected, insulated, and compartmentalized:
- “Medicine is remarkably conservative to the point of being properly characterized as sclerotic, even ossified. Beyond the reluctance and resistance of physicians to change, the life science industry (companies that develop and commercialize drugs, devices, or diagnostic tests) and government regulatory agencies [read “FDA’] are in a near paralyzed state.”
Personally, I wouldn’t want that kind of doctor. Do you know of anyone who would?
That model is, in fact, being rejected by millions of Americans as not only dated, but morally, ethically, and economically wrong. Moreover, with the advent of the Digital Age, medical consumers have found that even much of the science behind conventional medicine is wrong – and worse, driven by high profit pharmaceutical corporations.
The answer Dr. Topol proposes is more technology – with your smart phone as the hub. While I wouldn’t want more of the same – i.e., a high priest (steeped in the same system he criticizes) upselling me on digitized conventional medicine, I would like to see more direct involvement by patients in their own health care. I would also like to see more investment into wiser, less expensive, sustainable approaches, such as acupuncture.
The majority of readers of this blog have already taken the first step… They have stopped consuming the standard American diet of highly processed, chemically laden, artificially colored foods (what I call “non-foods”, as they are not real foods at all) and taken up a diet of whole, fresh foods (aka eating what grows out of the ground; what a concept!). And, as aware consumers, they’ve chosen organic foods over foods grown on depleted soils that are treated with chemical fertilizers and sprayed with pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. This is wonderful, as being a fully engaged consumer is extraordinarily vital, as is actively participating in the choices of food and medicine that go into their bodies.
People proactive in their health care have also taken another step; they’ve started to learn about what their blood tells them by ordering lab tests, getting copies of tests their doctor has taken, and finding healthier solutions to correcting imbalanced biochemistry and organic dysfunction.
The next step is to learn the fundamentals of your body’s biochemistry and how to bring it back to normal –- even optimal -– levels with diet, natural medicine, and nutritional supplements. But, before you can do that, you’ll need to create a system of storing and codifying your medical records and tests.
I suggest the following steps:
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1. Always obtain copies of your all your lab tests and radiology reports, like bone density studies.
2. Create a folder for your personal health and wellness profile.
3. If you can, scan these into a digital folder and store in on your computer’s hard drive. Save files as PDF versions.
4. Since Google Health is gone, where you could have uploaded your digital files, look for a doctor who stores patient records in an accessible “cloud” based platform such as Hello Health, or another electronic medical records (EMR) management service. The better ones allow patients to have their own login, are HIPAA data privacy compliant, and offer an encoded account so you, or your other health care providers (with your approval), can access your health information 24/7.
Remember, it’s your body; choose wisely what you put into it. Also, find a good doctor to partner with who will cooperatively address your health care concerns. And, take responsibility for your personal wellness by being an awesome, proactive patient.
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Topol, Eric. The Creative Destruction of Medicine. Basic Books. New York 2011.
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About Dr. J. E. Williams, OMD, FAAIM: A pioneer in the field of integrative medicine, longevity and quality of life, Dr. Williams is the author of five books and more than two hundred articles. He practices in Sarasota, Florida and teaches at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Division of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, and NOVA Southeastern University.
Since 1967, he has lived and worked with indigenous tribes. In 2010, he founded AyniGLOBAL, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting indigenous culture, environment, and intellectual rights. His current work is with the Q’ero people of the Peruvian Andes.
He divides his time between the Gulf of Mexico and Peru, where he carries on non-profit work and teaches Earth-based wisdom and heart-centered spirituality, and spends as much time in the high Andean wilderness and deep Amazonian rainforest as possible.
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7:37 pm on February 4th, 2012
My prediction for some time is that it won’t take a “bridging” of allopathic medicine with natural medicine, but that the allopathic model will simply crumble under the weight of its corruption, failure, and economic disaster. When this happens, doctors will be forced to learn new things. Patients will seek out other options. Government will be forced to open up healthcare to the free market.
To me, this is the most likely scenario because there are too many vested interests who are hanging on for dear life. Many (or most) of these people will be cut off from funding and/or lose their jobs. It will be painful for the people in “conventional” healthcare, but good for everyone else.
8:23 pm on February 4th, 2012
I agree with Drew. I don’t think it is possible to bridge between allopathic medicine as it exists and natural medicine becasue allopathic medicine currently attempts to undermine natural medicine. there is also a kind of “we” “they” attitude of allopaths towards natural medicine docs as if they think the naturalm med docs aren’t really worth much in terms of their knowledge. There are allopaths who are the exception but the important thing here is that they are working outside their scope of practice and increasingly, are really jeopardizing their licenses by not sticking with the drug model of medicine. So, as Drew said, the allopathic model just has to decay and crumble away. Hopefully, we can salvage some of the things that work (such as emergency medicine) as we watch it sink into oblivion.
8:58 pm on February 4th, 2012
I would like to see this happen, but I can’t see it occurring in the next 20-30 years.
9:05 pm on February 4th, 2012
When I met my current doctor last year, I had just started my new all raw vegan diet. I had started learning some of the benefits of raw and was feeling hopeful. I went to the doctor because of unbearable heart palpitations that really scared me. I had other problems too, but that was the main one. I told him of my new diet and my desire to work on my health with the use of this new way of life. I wanted to know if he could work with me knowing that. He didn’t have much to say, except that he works with people of all sorts of diets. I knew that he didn’t get how serious I was and I wanted to be respectful.
My record showed that I also had osteoporosis and esophogeal reflux. In spite of that I wanted to get off the medicines I was taking to try to improve my heart irregularities. I suspected that the meds were doing my heart no favors. I was right but he didn’t like the idea. I said I understood but still wanted to get off them. It is hard getting off some of these meds, as your body often has a rebound effect. He ordered all the tests and I was happy to get the non invasive tests to determine if the source could be something other than the meds. By the time I had the tests done, things were better due to less meds. While not a clean bill of health. The final determination was that I had a heart of most people my age with no special problems.
My Dexa scan wasn’t great. I have taken the osteoporosis meds and they made my situation worse so I’m off them too. He wanted me to take a new version of the O drugs which has as it’s first side effect, blood clots. I took the papers home to study them and decided against it. He was really unhappy with me. That’s when I realized that Doctors really don’t want patients who create wellness for themselves where they can’t sell meds. He also wanted me to take estrogen again. Something that also can cause blood clots. He sent me to a gynocologist who had no idea why I was sent to him. He agreed that I shouldn’t be taking estrogen with a history of irregular heart beats.
When I went for a follow up to my regular doctor again, we talked about my plan to work on the problem(s) with this new diet and appropriate supplements if needed. He was less angry (of course, because the other doc agreed with me.) As we talked for awhile, he let his guard down and started talking about taking care of oneself and said, “You don’t want to get too involved with the doctors, if you can help it and expecially want to do whatever you can to stay out of the hospital.”
I thought this was extremely profound and honest of him. I also thought he believed I would do just that. I’m not perfect and have a lot of respect for his training. I also am so very grateful that he got to a point with me that he could trust me.
Now I need to follow up with my plan. Mostly for me, but this is what it takes to build that bridge and start to work with doctors to show and maybe even teach about our movement of healthy eating. It will never make them obsolete, but will make the medical industry what it should be. It will take away the “them vs. us” and eventually create a more balanced, integrated, service oriented industry which is already starting to see them combining with other practices.
I hope that everyone can find someone who will work with them and not be an authoritative, demanding type. If that’s what you have, I hope you will get a second opinion. I will.
Thanks, Kevin and Dr. Williams.
9:22 pm on February 4th, 2012
Well, I am going to Florida,(God willing) I am taking my father to Sarasota, Fl. I am grateful and excited. I don’t trust most doctors..some I do and Dr. Williams you are one of them. Blessings.
9:53 pm on February 4th, 2012
I also believe that in the coming years we will see a serious impact on the medical system, where the only medical procedures that will remain will be some emergency procedures, and whatever else can serve the holistic health model.
what i find strange, is that alternative healing is referred to as quackery by the medical system. while I think the medical system is complete quackery compared to the holistic model.
The holistic model of health and healing can make sense to anyone, no matter what level of knowledge the person has.
The medical system with all its research spending raising money and spending billions on finding the cure. It’s like they are all living in some dreamland, and waiting for the day they will find the magic pill. It doesn’t make sense. Health is very simple it is really a system that makes complete sense.
coming up with some magical pills that will rescue someone from any abuse is living in dreamland that’s what i think.
10:00 pm on February 4th, 2012
I want to explain more clearly, what i mean that holistic health model makes sense, is that what you put in you get out, that makes sense.
the medical model of disregarding how the person is living and than doing something magical that restores them is a dreamland philosophy.
Its like oh, you cut off your arm? we can fix that no problem, and they can, but who wants an artificail limb, much better to protect your limbs in the first place.
Same thing with general health, can the mecical model help some things to a certain extent, yes, but who wants that type of help, better just protect your organs to begin with, by living a life that makes sense, and not abusing your body.
10:20 pm on February 4th, 2012
I think it’s ironic how holistic & natural medicines are referred to as as alternative when they were the norm for thousands of years and continue to be the norm in certain areas of the world. The AMA and mainstream medicine have hijacked what healthcare was and should be. This all goes back to around the beginning of the 20th century when the AMA had universities and more money on their side. This lead to their dominance in the medical world and continues to grow to the corruption we experience today. I agree that conventional medicine is much needed for trauma care and certain surgeries. It is just a shame though when patients are scared or not explained all their options, simply to make more money for hospitals and docs.
11:15 pm on February 4th, 2012
I am a naturopathic doctor (22 years) and one of my best friends is a Kaiser M.D., family doctor. She is often surprised that “we” have answers for things “they” don’t. She has gone to many holistic classes with me on many subjects over these last few years AND Kaiser is beginning a holistic division in San Jose soon that she has asked to be part of. Movement is happening.
12:00 am on February 5th, 2012
THE CHINA STUDY OF 130 REMOTE CHINA VILLAGES OVER 20 YEARS SHOWED THAT VILLAGES EATING MOSTLY PLANT FOODS WERE HEALTHY; THAT VILLAGES EATING A FEW ANIMAL FOODS HAD SOME HEART, CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES; THAT VILLAGES EATING MOSTLY ANIMAL FOODS HAD HIGH RATES OF CANCER, HEART AND OTHER DISEASES.
THE SAME RESULTS SHOWED UP IN OTHER COUNTRIES. IT SEEMS THAT THE WAY TO AVOID ILLNESS IS TO EAT MOSTLY PLANT FOODS, FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS AND SEEDS AND WHOLE GRAINS.
12:17 am on February 5th, 2012
To Brenda #7….My Hero!!
12:48 am on February 5th, 2012
I agree whole heartedly that there needs to be better co-operation between the homeopathic and allopathic approach to medecine….I greatly prefer promoting health, but there are things in the allopathic approach that are helpful. I have a hypo thyroid condition that was likely caused by my work with electronic equipment. The levothyroxine makes it possible for me to function.
I don’t think the allopathic approach is going crumble easily. There is a LOT to loose for the big pharma interest, and they aren’t going to just fade away. They will do everything in their power….and they have a lot of power…to kill the upsurge in natural health methods. Doctors are at the mercy of the FDA regulations if they want to keep their license, and the FDA is pretty much controlled by big pharma.
Just look what has happened to Dr Burzinski as an example. He has been persecuted and prevented from bringing a major breakthrough in cancer treatment to the mainstream. I realize he is not a homeopathic Dr, but has been treated in a brutal fashion by the FDA. If you haven’t seen the Burzinski movie which was funded by his patients, it will be very eye opening to see it.
What Dr Burzinski’s patients have done has keep him in practice and stopped the FDA from putting him in jail and stealing his patent.
There is a lot of mis-information floating around on the internet. We should also fight against the “snake oil” sellers who are just taking advantage of people gullible or desperate enough to buy into their pitch. If we don’t fight it, the government will, and that will be in the form of laws that hurt us all.
All of us who value the natural approach to health are going to have to stand up and help fight for the things that keep us in charge of our own health. Look at the way providers of raw milk are being treated as another example of government power gone wrong.
Well, enough venting for now.
1:25 am on February 5th, 2012
As an Australia, I just spent 3 weeks in Whittaker’s Wellness Institute in Irwin, California with Dr Whittaker, who has published many books and is plainly similar to Dr Williams in his advocate of finding a doctor to work with. In fact I was given my first hug by my female doctor, and this was the first hug from either a male or female doctor I have ever had in my 67 years. There was wonderful acupuncture and many other “treatments” both natural and technologically cutting edge, but it was expensive. I just hope that one day we may return to what I believe was the ancient Chinese method where you paid a doctor for keeping you well and you didn’t pay when you were sick!
5:16 pm on February 5th, 2012
I have cancer and all that Kaiser will do for me is chemo, and monitor my cancer count. I have worked with my Oncologist as Dr. Williams is suggesting for 2 years now but Kaiser keeps changing their Oncologist at the facility near me. They don’t know what to say about the fact that I have steadily improved my health by stopping, and refusing more, chemo. I eat mostly raw food and take some good supplements. I recently caught the flu that was keeping everyone around me sick for 3 to 4 weeks. I followed Dr. Williams natural recommendations for flu and was well in 9 days! And this is with an impaired immune system! Thank you Dr. Williams!
1:41 pm on February 6th, 2012
I’ve discovered the The Institute of Functional Medicine via Dr. Oz’s website: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/functional-medicine-paving-way-toward-better-care
On his show he had four specialty physicians explain how diet can cause disease and cause wellness. I was mightily impressed that they were on mainstream media at all, although one of the doctors has also been on PBS.
The Institute for Functional Medicine has an educational component for health practitioners. I haven’t seen my conventional doctor lately because I rarely get “sick.” But the fact of the matter, I’ve not been in optimum health, and I’ve changed my diet and now take supplements–especially for my low D–and feel a whole lot better, if not optimum.
I encourage people to take a look at the website as a potential avenue in which to get your physician on board with nutrition. When more and more physicians get on board, then functional medicine practices could be a choice on our insurance. One could hope, but it may start with our own education and educating our physicians. Imagine if Kaiser Permanente adopted functional medicine as its model of care.
10:24 pm on April 11th, 2012
Integrating allopathic medicine and natural approaches including nutrition is totally possible. My private practice was founded on these premises. The key to receiving integrative health care is finding someone with medical knowledge who embraces natural healing. Allopathic medicine is essential in emergency care or some acute care. Natural healing is most effective in Preventative Medicine and in treating chronic health conditions in an effort to reverse disease.
Natural approaches without medical training also has a gap. Some herbs will interact with medications for example or some herbs are related to other naturally occurring allergens. For example, chamomile has benefits but some patients with pollen allergies react to it. Without medical training alternative medical practitioners may not be able to fully treat a patient.
An Integrative approach is ideal because it brings the “best of both worlds” together for a team approach. Not all allopathic treatments should be discouraged. An EpiPen could save someone’s life, if they have an accidental exposure to an allergen that causes anaphylactic reactions. C-Sections can save lives if the baby is in distress during a baby delivery. There are other areas of allopathic medicine that save lives. Natural healing methods also save lives and often have fewer side-effects than allopathic methods. Optimizing allopathic treatments and promoting a more holistic approach to heal the whole person is how integrative medicine handles both sides.
It is totally possible to incorporate both, if the practitioner has knowledge in both arenas. Feel free to check out my website and how I incorporate both. I have a functional medicine approach, focusing more on treating the underlying cause rather than masking symptoms. My website is: http://www.HopeFamilyHealth.com