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Saves $330 a month on medications and regains
his lost health -- with vegan diet and exercise
by John McDougall MD
From the April 2002 McDougall Program
Gerald Klosky, 69 years old, from Almont, MI (near Detroit) came to the
McDougall Program after listening to the Mark Scott radio show on
WXYT in Detroit since 1985. It only took him 17 years to make
it to us -- but better late than never. He came with a history
of adult-type diabetes for 2 years for which he took five different
kinds of medications (8 pills and 2 to 3 shots a day) and high blood
pressure for which he took four kinds of medications (7 pills a day).
This represents over $350 a month in medication costs (from a discount
online pharmacy -- costs would be much more from a local drugstore).
He also suffered from obesity, severe constipation, and bone loss.
Gerald summarized his experience of adopting a low-fat vegan diet
with these words:
"Not only did I throw away all of my medications, but I feel greater
than I have felt for decades, and after such a short time without
them. Not only have I have thrown away the medications, that were slowly killing
me, but I have thrown off the shackles of an unhealthy life style.
The greatest of all rewards, and consequence of my new life style,
is the fact that, after a very short time, I no longer have to debate
with myself if my weekly cathartic should be a little T.N.T. or
the usual stick of Dynamite to loosen me up, just to suffer another
painful and uncomfortable week."
In 9 days he was able to stop all of his diabetic medications,
and all of his high blood pressure medications except for clonidine
0.1 mg twice a day ($19.98/month). His blood sugars remained
close to normal while requiring no medication; and his blood pressure
went from 186/112 to 160/80 after five of the seven pills were stopped.
He lost nearly 6 pounds while eating as much as he wanted over
11 days (Probably even more fat-weight was lost because he stopped
his diuretics which usually result in a 3 to 5 pound water-weight
gain – this means he actually lost over 10 pounds of body weight).
His bowel function became normal and he dramatically improved the
way he felt and his exercise tolerance. His cost for monthly
medications was reduced by over $330/month ($353.47 – $19.98).
With the saving from one year's medication alone he can pay for
the entire McDougall Program experience.
Geralds's Monthly Medications Before Changing his Diet:
DIABETIC MEDICATIONS (30 days' supply):
Glucovance 2.5/500 = $30.49
Glucophage 500 mg = $23.69
Prandin 2 mg four times a day, $96.99/100 = $116.39
Glucotrol XL 10 mg twice a day, $21.89 x 2 = $43.78
Humulin (insulin) 2 to 3 times a day = $25.41/vial
HYPERTENSION MEDICATIONS (30 days' supply):
hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg $9.99
Accupril 40 mg = $33.5
clonidine 0.2 mg = $9.99
clonidine 0.1 mg twice a day, $9.99 X 2 = $19.98
Calan SR 240 mg twice a day = $39.89 (60 pills)
Total Monthly Medication Expenses: $353.47
Prices from CVS pharmacy.
Even though these results do not occur with everyone, they are
typical for people who make the diet and lifestyle changes at the
10-day McDougall Program.
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