Success Stories

Vance: Lost 92 pounds

At 53 years-old, I was on a downward spiral At 53 years-old, I was on a downward spiral: gaining weight, chest pains increasing daily, high blood pressure, chronic gout arthritis I had suffered from since birth, bad bursitis, and constant blood in my stool. A new symptom seemed to appear every day. I knew, at the very least, I was close to a heart attack or worse. In a moment of clarity I Googled, “can heart disease be reversed?” Dr. McDougall came up and I started to watch and read eve

Derrick: Discovered the McDougall Program and Lost 160 Pounds

I don't know where to start! I guess I should probably start with thanking Dr. McDougall for giving me a brand new outlook on life! I started following the McDougall program in May of 2020, I turned 36 this May (2021). For the last 15 years, I have struggled with my weight. I was always a bigger kid growing up but as I got older my weight got more and more out of control. No amount of exercise would help! I combined nearly every diet imaginable with rigorous exercise routines and still, the stru

Kathy H. Lost over 7 pounds in 12 Days

Already following a plant-based diet, Kathy joined the 12-Day McDougall Program seeking a safe and effective solution after gaining 30 pounds during COVID and receiving a diagnosis of fatty liver disease. Wondering if the 12-Day McDougall Program can help you? Book a consultation with Medical Director Anthony Lim, MD, JD. Learn more about the 12-Day McDougall Program.

Stephanie D. Lost 50 Pounds and Has Maintained Her Weight Loss

Stephanie D. was amazed by the 12-Day McDougall Program, returning for a second round after her initial success in November 2021, where she lost 50 pounds. The supportive community atmosphere brought her back, and since completing the program, she's embraced an active lifestyle while staying connected with fellow participants who have become friends. Learn more about Stephanie and her tips for success on the McDougall Discussion Board.  Learn more about the 12-Day McDougall Program.

Jessica P: Sheds 90 Pounds, Cures Obesity

New Zealander Sheds 90 Pounds and Poor Self-Esteem for Life I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and moved with my family to New Zealand when I was 16. My parents, specifically my mother, tried very hard to get her daughters to eat healthy foods, but we simply envied our friends' Wonder Bread, Miracle Whip and bologna! I used to eat ordinary foods plus whatever I could get to satisfy my sweet tooth. From a sedentary childhood with my books, I'd become an overweight adolescent for whom gym clas

Quintina A. Learned Tools to Lose Weight and Keep it Off

During the 12-Day McDougall Program Quintina discovered the key to weight loss and maintenance. Learn more about the 12-Day McDougall Program.  

Melysa: Ticking Time Bomb Turned Off

Have you ever learned something so valuable and life-changing that you wanted to share it with everyone you know so they, too, can benefit from it? My life-changing moment came on Thursday, January 7, 2016. A wonderful internist in College Station, TX, Dr. Philip Alexander, who was not my doctor, said without hesitation, “the only way for a person who eats our rich Western diet to lose weight and keep it off is to read and follow The Starch Solution. As soon as I heard the word “sta

Nancy: Lost Weight and Lowered Her Cholesterol

Thomas Lost Over 140 Pounds and Regained His Health

In 2010, I weighed 282 at my highest, I had high blood pressure and bad labs. Initially, I did calorie counting, and got down to 167 pounds, but was hungry all the time. The hospital nutritionist reported that I was deficient in fats. So I increased fats such as peanut butter and my weight subsequently increased. In 2013, I attended the McDougall Program in Santa Rosa and only did a partial implementation of the recommendations and my weight increased year after year. In September 2020, I

Shawnah & Shane Lowered Their Cholesterol Without Medication and Lost Over 50 Pounds

My journey has been a roller coaster ride since 2014. Gaining and losing weight has been a constant in my life since I have six kids. I went vegan and initially lost a lot of weight. I went from 185 in 2014 down to 142. I stayed vegan for years. Well as life would have it, I went back to my old ways a few times. Yet I always ended up coming back to vegan because I just felt better and ethically knew better. I have Hashimoto's disease, so weight loss is not an easy thing for me. Most top thyroid

Jack E. Lost 90 Pounds and Has Kept it Off Effortlessly

  Back in 2012, I weighed 240, I had high cholesterol and was on my way to many chronic conditions suffered by so many. I eventually found The Starch Solution book and everything else is history. I turned 50 a week ago today and I feel and look the best that I ever have in my entire life. I completely transformed my food environment at home and I crave all my healthy starchy foods. Everything Dr. McDougall said about taste buds changing, staying off the scale and not counting portion sizes h

Emily Overcame Disordered Eating, Recovered Her Health and Lost Weight

At the age of seven, I was a competitive gymnast, and body image and the effects of food were ingrained in me. When I was 16 years old, I was diagnosed with a rare brain condition called Chiari Malformation and had to have immediate brain surgery – my life as a competitive gymnast was over. After my long road to recovery, I dived into unhealthy fad diets and disordered eating to maintain my athletic build without gymnastics. My unhealthy eating habits spiraled in every direction and became a p

Tracy Found a Sustainable Lifestyle that Reversed her Type 2 Diabetes and High Blood Pressure

It was June 2020, my head was pounding and I was ignoring a lot of important symptoms. A routine check-up led me to a type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure diagnosis. At 54 years old, I found myself at serious risk of a stroke.  My father recently died from complications from a stroke, and I am a caregiver to my severely disabled adult son who had an intraventricular hemorrhage/stroke as a baby. I knew I needed to make a change, but had been struggling to find the right diet and exercise plan

Debbie P. No Longer Needs any Prescription Medications

  I have always struggled with my weight. I was normal weight at birth, but quickly became chubby as a child and by high school graduation weighed 230 pounds. My weight fluctuated over the years; as high as 290 in my 30’s, but averaging 250. I felt terrible about myself and my weight and tried many diets. I lost weight here and there but was typically unsatisfied and would eventually go off the diet and gain any of the weight I lost relatively quickly.   I learned about the Mc

Thomas Lost Over 140 Pounds and Regained His Health

In 2010, I weighed 282 at my highest, I had high blood pressure and bad labs. Initially, I did calorie counting, and got down to 167 pounds, but was hungry all the time. The hospital nutritionist reported that I was deficient in fats. So I increased fats such as peanut butter and my weight subsequently increased. In 2013, I attended the McDougall Program in Santa Rosa and only did a partial implementation of the recommendations and my weight increased year after year. In September 2020, I

Sally B. Went Starch-Based and Healed Painful Arthritis

  I found Dr. McDougall and Mary from your lectures on YouTube and went plant-based using your wisdom 10 years ago.  I was in a wheelchair with arthritis when I found your starch-based eating lifestyle. I gave up dairy totally, began going vegan and within 3 weeks, I was able to walk. My hands are now useful again. I had arthritis in my fingers so much so, typing was difficult and signing my name looked like I fell off the turnip truck on my hands. But they were never broken.

Tamara M. Lost Over 142 Pounds, Reversed Type 2 Diabetes

Before and after a year! What made me change the way I ate? Simple…the way I felt! I hadn’t felt good for a long time. I was overweight, tired and achy, uncomfortable, and I hurt a lot. I was unhappy with the way I felt! I was tired of feeling that way and wanted to be able to move easily and freely, get healthy, be active, and get my weight to a healthy BMI. I was addicted to unhealthy food. I decided that I was worth it to get myself healthy and in a place where I was comfortable wit

Dan Curtin: Depression, Hypertension, GERD, Obesity

"I decided I had to rebuild my health." My name is Dan Curtin, I'm 59 and a half years old. I'm from Wisconsin, "America's Dairy Land". I'm a poet, songwriter, and folk-singer. Every poet, however, needs a day job, so for more than 30 years I had worked as a Labor Market Analyst for the State of Wisconsin. I retired a year ago, because I was physically and mentally burned-out. When I retired I weighed 226 pounds at five feet eight inches in height! My blood pressure with medication was running a

Tracy Found a Sustainable Lifestyle that Reversed her Type 2 Diabetes and High Blood Pressure

It was June 2020, my head was pounding and I was ignoring a lot of important symptoms. A routine check-up led me to a type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure diagnosis. At 54 years old, I found myself at serious risk of a stroke.  My father recently died from complications from a stroke, and I am a caregiver to my severely disabled adult son who had an intraventricular hemorrhage/stroke as a baby. I knew I needed to make a change, but had been struggling to find the right diet and exercise plan

Debbie P. No Longer Needs any Prescription Medications

  I have always struggled with my weight. I was normal weight at birth, but quickly became chubby as a child and by high school graduation weighed 230 pounds. My weight fluctuated over the years; as high as 290 in my 30’s, but averaging 250. I felt terrible about myself and my weight and tried many diets. I lost weight here and there but was typically unsatisfied and would eventually go off the diet and gain any of the weight I lost relatively quickly.   I learned about the Mc

Jessica P: Sheds 90 Pounds, Cures Obesity

New Zealander Sheds 90 Pounds and Poor Self-Esteem for Life I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and moved with my family to New Zealand when I was 16. My parents, specifically my mother, tried very hard to get her daughters to eat healthy foods, but we simply envied our friends' Wonder Bread, Miracle Whip and bologna! I used to eat ordinary foods plus whatever I could get to satisfy my sweet tooth. From a sedentary childhood with my books, I'd become an overweight adolescent for whom gym clas

Bobby Andersen: The Plant-Fueled Trucker, Wants to Help Millions of People with His Success Story

While sharing photos of one’s meals is nothing new on the Internet, the twist here is that Andersen is a long-haul trucker who has been driving five to six days a week, 11 hours a day, for the last 21 years.

Elaine: Chronic Illness, Obesity, Type-2 Diabetes

Elaine no longer suffers from chronic illness, obesity or type 2 diabetes.

Thomas Lost Over 140 Pounds and Regained His Health

In 2010, I weighed 282 at my highest, I had high blood pressure and bad labs. Initially, I did calorie counting, and got down to 167 pounds, but was hungry all the time. The hospital nutritionist reported that I was deficient in fats. So I increased fats such as peanut butter and my weight subsequently increased. In 2013, I attended the McDougall Program in Santa Rosa and only did a partial implementation of the recommendations and my weight increased year after year. In September 2020, I

Bill Zahlar: Suffered Massive Heart Attack

Bill Zahlar talks about how he thought he was healthy and could eat anything he wanted until he had a masive heart attack that nearly killed him. He regained his health on the McDougall Program.

Linda: Reversed Heart Disease, Pre-Diabetes and Lost 50 Pounds

I’m certain I would have died 34 years ago had I not found Dr. McDougall. I had thyroid cancer, severe heart disease, pre-diabetes and was 50 pounds overweight. My new neighbor recommended Dr. John McDougall. I looked him up and bought his book The McDougall Program 12 Days to Dynamic Health. After reading about the many people he saved from near-death or from being very sick, I was hooked. I changed to a starch-based plant diet. I ate Mary’s delicious recipes and lots of potatoes. I was not

Mark's Cardiologist Told Him He Wouldn’t See His 64th Birthday

A Closed Caption version of this video is available on YouTube. Facing the same fate as his Father and Grandfather who both died at age 63, Mark changed to a Starch based diet and avoided the "Family Curse". This is an Update to Mark's original Star McDougaller Message.

George Goff: Triple Bypass Surgery

George Goff thought he ate a healthy diet until he had Triple Bypass Surgery.

Kelly Caraway: Choosing diet over drugs after a heart attack

Joining the Medical Business One afternoon, in September of 2006, about a month after I turned 58, I was overtaken by excruciating chest pain, nausea, and profuse sweating. I tried to "walk it off" for about two hours at home but finally decided to go to the emergency room. I was sure that if I could just get some pills that everything would be fine. I drove myself 40 miles to the nearest hospital, and the next thing I knew the staff was looking for a helicopter to airlift me to a hospital that

Mark Jones: Cures Arthritis, Heart Disease & Obesity

Mark Jones: Cures Ankylosing Spondylitis (severe arthritis), heart disease, and obesity. Mark was looking to get "Heart Healthy" after his cardiologist gave him some shocking news...and in the process, he won a 20 year battle with arthritis and lost 70 lbs. This interview as taped at the Feb 2012 McDougall Advanced Study Weekend. See Mark's update: Mark’s Cardiologist Told Him He Wouldn’t See His 64th Birthday

Benjamin Eksouzian: Cures Type-2 Diabetes

Benjamin lost weight and stopped taking five costly medications.

Barbara Leary: Suffered from Type-2 Diabetes

Barbara Leary suffered from type-2 diabetes and took many medications. She tells how she was able to eliminate taking a huge bag full of pills and cure her diabetes by following the McDougall Program.

Tracy Found a Sustainable Lifestyle that Reversed her Type 2 Diabetes and High Blood Pressure

It was June 2020, my head was pounding and I was ignoring a lot of important symptoms. A routine check-up led me to a type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure diagnosis. At 54 years old, I found myself at serious risk of a stroke.  My father recently died from complications from a stroke, and I am a caregiver to my severely disabled adult son who had an intraventricular hemorrhage/stroke as a baby. I knew I needed to make a change, but had been struggling to find the right diet and exercise plan

Debbie P. No Longer Needs any Prescription Medications

  I have always struggled with my weight. I was normal weight at birth, but quickly became chubby as a child and by high school graduation weighed 230 pounds. My weight fluctuated over the years; as high as 290 in my 30’s, but averaging 250. I felt terrible about myself and my weight and tried many diets. I lost weight here and there but was typically unsatisfied and would eventually go off the diet and gain any of the weight I lost relatively quickly.   I learned about the Mc

Jose Cured His Type 2 Diabetes and Got Off Insulin

Jose acknowledged the state of his health and was concerned about his quality of life in the years ahead when he enrolled in the 12-Day McDougall Program. After completing the program, he successfully eliminated insulin from his routine and has sustained a low A1C through a starch-based diet and has more energy.

Linda: Reversed Heart Disease, Pre-Diabetes and Lost 50 Pounds

I’m certain I would have died 34 years ago had I not found Dr. McDougall. I had thyroid cancer, severe heart disease, pre-diabetes and was 50 pounds overweight. My new neighbor recommended Dr. John McDougall. I looked him up and bought his book The McDougall Program 12 Days to Dynamic Health. After reading about the many people he saved from near-death or from being very sick, I was hooked. I changed to a starch-based plant diet. I ate Mary’s delicious recipes and lots of potatoes. I was not

Emily B. Successfully Overcame Rheumatoid Arthritis Following the Starch Solution

I wanted to share my success story thanks to Dr. McDougall!  I've had Rheumatoid Arthritis for almost 8 years and a few weeks ago I was told by my doctor that I could stop my medication! I started on The Starch Solution when I got diagnosed but slipped back into eating vegan junk food because I didn't address my mental health. In May of 2022, I started talk therapy and devoted myself again to a whole food plant-based, oil and gluten-free diet. I stopped drinking alcohol in February, lost 40

Juliea Baker: Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Juliea Baker was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) when she was 16. After changing to the McDougall Diet she is now completely cured. Juliea Baker, in her own words. My name is Juliea Baker and it’s a miracle that today I am a healthy 18-year-old college student. When I was 15 years old, totally out of the blue, I awoke one day with severe jaw pain. The pain hurt so bad I could barely chew any type of food for days. My mom took me to the doctor and they could not find any re

Meredith Fishman: Running Marathons after Debilitating Rheumatoid Arthritis

I am a 40 year-old female competitive marathon runner, 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing 110 pounds, and I am extremely athletic and fit. I do an intensive strength-training program every morning and then go back to the gym at lunchtime to do an hour of "cardio." In my late 30's I was an exceptionally gifted long distance runner and began to train very hard to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Trials. I was still a long way off, but that was the goal I lived for. This all changed in December of 2008,

Ten Cases of Severe, mostly Rheumatoid, Arthritis Cured by the McDougall Diet

The following are typical examples of the results achieved by people with various forms of inflammatory arthritis who have followed my dietary recommendations strictly.* You can read the short quotes beside the pictures of these people for a glimpse at their lives before the McDougall Diet. There is little need for individual comments about life "after McDougall" because the outcomes are all so similar: complete relief of their inflammatory arthritis. Clicking on the arrows over their pictures l

Phyllis Heaphy: Cured of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Phyllis Heaphy cured her rheumatoid arthritis and got her life back by following a simple diet of delicious foods, no pills, side effects, or expense. Former Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient I have overcome rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by following Dr. McDougall's dietary suggestions, and my recent trip to Paris has inspired me to tell everyone about my recovery. My goal with this account is to help others suffering with crippling arthritis. About eight years ago, at the age of 46, I began suffering

Jackie Swoboda: Cured Rheumatoid Arthritis

Jackie Swoboda cured her rheumatoid arthritis, lost 50 pounds and got her life back by following a simple diet of delicious foods, no pills, side effects, or expense.

Debbie P. No Longer Needs any Prescription Medications

  I have always struggled with my weight. I was normal weight at birth, but quickly became chubby as a child and by high school graduation weighed 230 pounds. My weight fluctuated over the years; as high as 290 in my 30’s, but averaging 250. I felt terrible about myself and my weight and tried many diets. I lost weight here and there but was typically unsatisfied and would eventually go off the diet and gain any of the weight I lost relatively quickly.   I learned about the Mc

Sally B. Went Starch-Based and Healed Painful Arthritis

  I found Dr. McDougall and Mary from your lectures on YouTube and went plant-based using your wisdom 10 years ago.  I was in a wheelchair with arthritis when I found your starch-based eating lifestyle. I gave up dairy totally, began going vegan and within 3 weeks, I was able to walk. My hands are now useful again. I had arthritis in my fingers so much so, typing was difficult and signing my name looked like I fell off the turnip truck on my hands. But they were never broken.

Ten Cases of Severe, mostly Rheumatoid, Arthritis Cured by the McDougall Diet

The following are typical examples of the results achieved by people with various forms of inflammatory arthritis who have followed my dietary recommendations strictly.* You can read the short quotes beside the pictures of these people for a glimpse at their lives before the McDougall Diet. There is little need for individual comments about life "after McDougall" because the outcomes are all so similar: complete relief of their inflammatory arthritis. Clicking on the arrows over their pictures l

Mark Jones: Cures Arthritis, Heart Disease & Obesity

Mark Jones: Cures Ankylosing Spondylitis (severe arthritis), heart disease, and obesity. Mark was looking to get "Heart Healthy" after his cardiologist gave him some shocking news...and in the process, he won a 20 year battle with arthritis and lost 70 lbs. This interview as taped at the Feb 2012 McDougall Advanced Study Weekend. See Mark's update: Mark’s Cardiologist Told Him He Wouldn’t See His 64th Birthday

Star McDougaller: No Longer Suffers from Debilitating Arthritis Pain

See Hot Topic Arthritis

Ellen Finally Found a Lifestyle That Works

Ellen has tried every diet on the planet and finally found what works.

Sarah R. Found Relief from GI Distress

My Name is Sarah and I wanted to share my story of overcoming chronic GI distress as a result of Dr. McDougall’s work and of course Mary’s recipes. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I was 16 the first time I drove myself to the pediatrician because I hadn’t had a bowel movement in over two weeks. The man who stood in front of me began questioning me about my mental health status. “Have you had any recent trauma?”, “What’s going on in your life?”, “Have you been feeling

Sondra Berk: Suffered with Crohn's Disease for Years

Sondra Berk, in her own words. Sondra Berk suffered with Crohn's Disease for years and years and years...after many surgeries, psychoanalysis and drugs she found healing by simply eating the diet human beings are designed to eat.

Ann Wheat: Constipation & Abdominal Pains

Ann Wheat suffered from severe constipation and abdominal pains from childhood until she gave up all dairy products (cow's milk). She changed to the McDougall Program and is now enjoying excellent health at age 72.

Paul: Lost Weight and No Longer Suffers from Severely Painful Intestinal Issues

Ryan Schultz, DVM (veterinarian) Cures Himself of Crohn's Disease

My story is one of mental and physical transformation. I have always considered myself a healthy person. I have been a weightlifter for 15 years, eating as much protein as I could, as that was what the muscle building magazines and books told me was appropriate. The protein usually came in the form of dairy foods; I was taught since childhood that cow's milk was the most nutritious and complete food. But I also ate plenty of meat. 6' tall 35 year old male Before After Weight 186 l

Phil: Cured Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Took Up Competitive Cycling

I spent my childhood overweight and was always teased at school for being fat. My name is Phil and I’m 28 living in the UK. I spent my childhood overweight and was always teased at school for being fat. I also suffered with stomach issues, which was later discovered to be IBS. This would give me extreme pains in my lower abdomen. By the time I was 18 years old, I was 6 ft 5 and 280 lbs. I decided to try and lose weight with all kinds of crash diets, and therefore my weight yo-y

Katerina Overcame Multiple Sclerosis and Yannis is in the Best Shape of His Life

I am Katerina from Greece. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2012, at 31 years of age, after an episode of double-vision. I remained in the hospital for some time and was given large amounts of cortisone, which absolutely destroyed me. After that, I began daily injections for about 6 months. During that time I met my husband who was starting to eat vegan, and he began to search for how could we cure my MS and helped me stop poisoning my body with drugs. I began a vegan diet as well, and

Rebecca Lewis: MS No Longer Controls Her Life

Rebecca Lewis: Multiple Sclerosis No Longer Controls Her Life (Video)

Ten Cases of Severe, mostly Rheumatoid, Arthritis Cured by the McDougall Diet

The following are typical examples of the results achieved by people with various forms of inflammatory arthritis who have followed my dietary recommendations strictly.* You can read the short quotes beside the pictures of these people for a glimpse at their lives before the McDougall Diet. There is little need for individual comments about life "after McDougall" because the outcomes are all so similar: complete relief of their inflammatory arthritis. Clicking on the arrows over their pictures l

Jeanmarie: From Multiple Sclerosis to Complete Remission

My journey began just a few months after I turned 24. I started feeling numbness in both my hands. Within a few days, I became totally numb in not just both hands, but along the side of my body. I also experienced severe levels of fatigue and “spasticity.” I went to a Neurologist who told me, after getting some tests (including an MRI), I had Multiple Sclerosis. The doctor then proceeded to tell me that I should expect I would have to use a cane in a few years. This would be followed by me e

Donna McFarland: Diagnosed with MS; Food Became My Medicine

To Dr. McDougall, a heartfelt “Thank you!” for your dedicated efforts to continue the work of Dr. Roy Swank. The legend lives on because of you. I’ve since adopted Dr. McDougall’s low-fat, plant-based diet as another layer to my health restoration and preservation. To quote Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, “Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food.”

Deb Tasic: Stops Multiple Sclerosis

I believe a healthy diet is the answer and from what I have seen, the scientific research backs that up. Too bad everyone doesn't know this simple truth.

Debbie P. No Longer Needs any Prescription Medications

  I have always struggled with my weight. I was normal weight at birth, but quickly became chubby as a child and by high school graduation weighed 230 pounds. My weight fluctuated over the years; as high as 290 in my 30’s, but averaging 250. I felt terrible about myself and my weight and tried many diets. I lost weight here and there but was typically unsatisfied and would eventually go off the diet and gain any of the weight I lost relatively quickly.   I learned about the Mc

Candy M. Wants to Come to The McDougall Program Every Year!

Candy's experience with the 12-Day McDougall Program has been nothing short of transformative. Not only has she seen a remarkable reduction in inflammation and shed 15 pounds, her sleep has also improved significantly. She now has a more active lifestyle, exercising twice a day. Perhaps even more inspiring is the positive ripple effect she's had on those around her; her son-in-law, who has rheumatoid arthritis, has seen noticeable improvements, and her son, who suffered from a traumatic brain in

Emily Overcame Disordered Eating, Recovered Her Health and Lost Weight

At the age of seven, I was a competitive gymnast, and body image and the effects of food were ingrained in me. When I was 16 years old, I was diagnosed with a rare brain condition called Chiari Malformation and had to have immediate brain surgery – my life as a competitive gymnast was over. After my long road to recovery, I dived into unhealthy fad diets and disordered eating to maintain my athletic build without gymnastics. My unhealthy eating habits spiraled in every direction and became a p

Al: Got off Statins, Healed GERD and Returned to his College Weight!

My father and mother did a lot together — they both had their gallbladders removed before age 60, got cancer at age 72 togeth...

Jenison Cut Out High-Fat Plant-based Foods and Lost 20 Pounds Effortlessly

Our family has been eating WFPBNO at home since our son Jenison was 6 years old. This past August our family decided to do the 12-Day McDougall Program as a refresher. Jenison and his older sister participated some, while we, his parents (and even grandparents a couple months later) enjoyed the course in its entirety. During the 12-day, we were reminded about calorie density. We opted to cut out extra fat (all the whole plant fats we loved and ate quite a bit of - nuts, nut butters, avocado and

Jeanne G. Lost Weight, Lowered her Cholesterol and Stabilized her Blood Pressure

Jeanne has lost weight, lowered her cholesterol and blood pressure eating a starch-based diet.

Emily B. Successfully Overcame Rheumatoid Arthritis Following the Starch Solution

I wanted to share my success story thanks to Dr. McDougall!  I've had Rheumatoid Arthritis for almost 8 years and a few weeks ago I was told by my doctor that I could stop my medication! I started on The Starch Solution when I got diagnosed but slipped back into eating vegan junk food because I didn't address my mental health. In May of 2022, I started talk therapy and devoted myself again to a whole food plant-based, oil and gluten-free diet. I stopped drinking alcohol in February, lost 40

Katerina Overcame Multiple Sclerosis and Yannis is in the Best Shape of His Life

I am Katerina from Greece. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2012, at 31 years of age, after an episode of double-vision. I remained in the hospital for some time and was given large amounts of cortisone, which absolutely destroyed me. After that, I began daily injections for about 6 months. During that time I met my husband who was starting to eat vegan, and he began to search for how could we cure my MS and helped me stop poisoning my body with drugs. I began a vegan diet as well, and

Sarah R. Found Relief from GI Distress

My Name is Sarah and I wanted to share my story of overcoming chronic GI distress as a result of Dr. McDougall’s work and of course Mary’s recipes. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I was 16 the first time I drove myself to the pediatrician because I hadn’t had a bowel movement in over two weeks. The man who stood in front of me began questioning me about my mental health status. “Have you had any recent trauma?”, “What’s going on in your life?”, “Have you been feeling

Fred F. Lost Over 100 Pounds on The McDougall Program

On March 1, 2021, I stepped on the scale and found my weight at 350 pounds. I was mortified. I made a firm decision to do whatever it took to get back to my ideal weight of 205 pounds. I created a success plan for myself that I titled “Think and Grow Thin” and I said a prayer for Divine guidance. At the time, I didn’t have a specific diet in mind but I knew I would have to change the way I ate.  A week later, I was at Barnes & Noble in search of a new book when suddenly, for reason

Tamara M. Lost Over 142 Pounds, Reversed Type 2 Diabetes

Before and after a year! What made me change the way I ate? Simple…the way I felt! I hadn’t felt good for a long time. I was overweight, tired and achy, uncomfortable, and I hurt a lot. I was unhappy with the way I felt! I was tired of feeling that way and wanted to be able to move easily and freely, get healthy, be active, and get my weight to a healthy BMI. I was addicted to unhealthy food. I decided that I was worth it to get myself healthy and in a place where I was comfortable wit

Taylor has lost 70 pounds since discovering The Starch Solution

I wanted to reach out to let you know how The Starch Solution has changed my life, as well as my mother’s. I am so grateful for your knowledge about a starch-based diet. I am 24-years-old and have lost a total of 70 pounds since February 2020 after becoming plant-based! In April of 2020, I was researching nutrition and diets because I knew there had to be something more I could be doing for my body and health, and that’s when I came across The Starch Solution. I started The Starch Solution a

Karla: My Asthma Journey

I have suffered from asthma since the 5th grade. Now, at 50 years of age, I reflect on everything I endured with asthma...

Ellen Finally Found a Lifestyle That Works

Ellen has tried every diet on the planet and finally found what works.

Raynal: Discovered the Power of Plants Before Age 21

When I was 19, I considered myself "healthy" and believed I did not need to change my diet. Even my doctor said other than being overweight, I was generally healthy. We were both wrong. These pictures are 1 year and 5 months apart. The first five months I counted calories and hit the gym everyday, upset that I was not seeing results. I worried everyday about gaining what little weight I had lost. All this changed by adopting a whole food, plant based diet. I simply began to give my body

Dan Curtin: Depression, Hypertension, GERD, Obesity

"I decided I had to rebuild my health." My name is Dan Curtin, I'm 59 and a half years old. I'm from Wisconsin, "America's Dairy Land". I'm a poet, songwriter, and folk-singer. Every poet, however, needs a day job, so for more than 30 years I had worked as a Labor Market Analyst for the State of Wisconsin. I retired a year ago, because I was physically and mentally burned-out. When I retired I weighed 226 pounds at five feet eight inches in height! My blood pressure with medication was running a

Derrick: Discovered the McDougall Program and Lost 160 Pounds

I don't know where to start! I guess I should probably start with thanking Dr. McDougall for giving me a brand new outlook on life! I started following the McDougall program in May of 2020, I turned 36 this May (2021). For the last 15 years, I have struggled with my weight. I was always a bigger kid growing up but as I got older my weight got more and more out of control. No amount of exercise would help! I combined nearly every diet imaginable with rigorous exercise routines and still, the stru

June Ziegler: Depression, Heart Disease, Overweight

A Psychological War for Enduring Health I was dying and I couldn't save myself no matter how hard I tried. My wanting to eat healthy was always there – forefront in my mind -- but my "old foods – the ones mommy used to cook for me," kept calling out to me. "Eat me and you will feel better." "You deserve more comfort." When I was depressed, things got especially bad. I found fleeting relief in my old familiar foods – until I realized what I had just done to myself. I knew intellectually, my

Ruth Heidrich: Defeats Cancer and Osteoporosis, Breast Cancer

Ruth Heidrich Defeats Cancer and Osteoporosis For all my 47 years, I thought I was extremely healthy! After all, at that time (1982), I'd been a daily runner for 14 years, had run 3 marathons, and ate what I considered a very healthy diet -- lots of chicken, fish, and low-fat dairy. I'd been heavily involved in my career as a military logistician. In fact, as a management-level female in a male-dominated world, I was being groomed for a top-level position in the Pentagon. Little did I know t

Jessica Bowen: My Winning Battle with Breast Cancer

Jessica Bowen, in her own words. I've always considered myself pretty healthy. My weight was an issue at times, and I tried a variety of diets throughout the years, but every doctor's visit and all the tests told me I was in excellent health. My husband and I wanted to start a family, so to be as healthy as possible I stuck to what I thought was best: a high-protein, low-carb diet. After two miscarriages I decided to heck with eating healthy—while eating "healthy" I'd lost two babies. I plung

Anneliese Moore: Breast Cancer Treated with Diet

In Charge of Her Medical Fate I will be 89 years old next August; I was born in Berlin, Germany at the beginning of First World War. My father died when I was 2 years old during the war and my mother had to raise me alone. Living in Germany, not being rich and without the "right" contacts, I was brought up on the strictest McDougall diet possible - if I was fortunate, my daily food was maybe potatoes, rye bread, and some veggies. We had occasionally meat on a Sunday. This went on throughout all

Linda: Reversed Heart Disease, Pre-Diabetes and Lost 50 Pounds

I’m certain I would have died 34 years ago had I not found Dr. McDougall. I had thyroid cancer, severe heart disease, pre-diabetes and was 50 pounds overweight. My new neighbor recommended Dr. John McDougall. I looked him up and bought his book The McDougall Program 12 Days to Dynamic Health. After reading about the many people he saved from near-death or from being very sick, I was hooked. I changed to a starch-based plant diet. I ate Mary’s delicious recipes and lots of potatoes. I was not

Peggy Fought Ovarian Cancer by Changing to a Starch Based Diet

Nina & Randa Nelson: Cure Embarrassing Acne & Oily Skin

We are identical twins. By profession, we both are performers and actors, and it's impossible for us to be hired with our faces covered with pimples. Developing severe acne in the spring of 2014, at age 20, was devastating. We didn't want to go out of the house or see our friends. We started thinking that we would not be able to continue our dreams of being singer-songwriters and actors. Our appearance was just too awful. Our father, Jeff Nelson, and our mother, Sabrina Nelson, founded the we

Kayla: Starch Made Her Diet Sustainable

“I’m aging in reverse!” I just wanted to take the time to say thank you for relentlessly preaching the truth about nutrition. You have helped so many people regain their health, including me! I went vegan 3 years ago. Before this, I was 23 going on 45. I had no idea how to eat healthy, but I wanted to be leaner and healthier. I was constantly starving during the week on low calorie, high protein foods only to binge eat at restaurants on the weekends. I suffered from horrible stomach ul

Ann Wheat: Constipation & Abdominal Pains

Ann Wheat suffered from severe constipation and abdominal pains from childhood until she gave up all dairy products (cow's milk). She changed to the McDougall Program and is now enjoying excellent health at age 72.

Raynal: Discovered the Power of Plants Before Age 21

When I was 19, I considered myself "healthy" and believed I did not need to change my diet. Even my doctor said other than being overweight, I was generally healthy. We were both wrong. These pictures are 1 year and 5 months apart. The first five months I counted calories and hit the gym everyday, upset that I was not seeing results. I worried everyday about gaining what little weight I had lost. All this changed by adopting a whole food, plant based diet. I simply began to give my body

Sally B. Went Starch-Based and Healed Painful Arthritis

  I found Dr. McDougall and Mary from your lectures on YouTube and went plant-based using your wisdom 10 years ago.  I was in a wheelchair with arthritis when I found your starch-based eating lifestyle. I gave up dairy totally, began going vegan and within 3 weeks, I was able to walk. My hands are now useful again. I had arthritis in my fingers so much so, typing was difficult and signing my name looked like I fell off the turnip truck on my hands. But they were never broken.

Ellen Finally Found a Lifestyle That Works

Ellen has tried every diet on the planet and finally found what works.

Ruth Heidrich: Defeats Cancer and Osteoporosis, Breast Cancer

Ruth Heidrich Defeats Cancer and Osteoporosis For all my 47 years, I thought I was extremely healthy! After all, at that time (1982), I'd been a daily runner for 14 years, had run 3 marathons, and ate what I considered a very healthy diet -- lots of chicken, fish, and low-fat dairy. I'd been heavily involved in my career as a military logistician. In fact, as a management-level female in a male-dominated world, I was being groomed for a top-level position in the Pentagon. Little did I know t

Ashley: Compulsive Overeating, Obesity

Ashley's Long Struggle I'm not sure what caused my compulsive overeating but I do know that as long as I can remember, I've always been preoccupied with food. I grew up in a family that was very image conscious and diet obsessed. My weight was always a focus of everyone's attention. I was a normal sized child until age 8 when my grandma started picking me up from school and taking me for an afternoon snack at a fast food restaurant drive-thru. We would pick up a snack big enough to be a meal for