Eye-opening reading
In the course of my work as a massage therapist, my interest is often peaked by the new writings of health professionals on a number of different pathologies. In this case, it is Dr. Heather Sandison’s book entitled Reversing Alzheimer’s. I will admit that the subject matter can be a little fear-inducing in case I succumb to the ravages of this disease.
I am aware that someone might write a text that claims all sort of miraculous cures on diseases that the mainstream allopathic medicine has failed to conquer. There is importance in revisiting the subject with an open mind. Then perhaps, like fruit from an overripe tree, something will fall to the ground that plants a seed for future exploration for an effective cure. Finding a cure for anything is often an evolutionary process.
When I was diagnosed with “high-risk” prostate cancer with a possibly doubtful outcome, I decided to get my body in as best a physical and mental shape as possible. I suppose that one might call what I was doing as alternative, although I don’t like that label because it suggests an either/or approach. I much prefer the word complementary because one takes the best approach to good health by combining effective allopathic procedures with more natural and less invasive methods. I carefully watched my diet, exercised more vigorously, reduced my alcohol intake and added nutritional supplements that I thought would be helpful.
What I like in my reading of the above book is that, in the absence of a complete cure or eradication of Alzheimer’s, the author sets out a modus operandi for important lifestyle changes that will help. Are they the complete answer to fixing the Alzheimer epidemic? Probably not, but they do help preserve the body. Like an Olympic athlete, prepare the body to be as strong and efficient as possible.
Another book that I like is Anti-Cancer written by David Servan-Schreiber M.D. This is the story of the author who, in the course of his research, was diagnosed with a brain cancer. With his skills and knowledge basis as a western trained doctor, he underwent surgery, chemo and radiation. Initially his outcome was successful, but the cancer returned. He then examined lifestyle changes, including nutrition, exercise including yoga and meditation. This preserved his life for many more years.
Dr. Jason Fang M.D. with his books entitled The Diabetes Code and The Obesity Code seems to have written the definitive guide to intermittent fasting for help combatting obesity and diabetes. There is a great connection between the two. Not all medical professionals are in agreement as to whether or if you can reverse diabetes. However, most doctors will advise on the benefits of losing weight as certainly a first step in generally becoming more healthy.
What do these books have in common? They don’t have all the answers on eliminating all these diseases but, like the pieces in a jigsaw puzzle, they do provide helpful advice in helping the human body become stronger and more efficient.
