The list seems endless

[DaveUK]

I'm 64 year old and have kept fit for most of my life, enjoying a wide range of sports, never smoked, not a big drinker, not obese. Two years ago I had what I thought was a heart attack. It had what I thought were similar symptoms: tight chest, extreme pain etc. After admission to hospital and further tests, it transpired that I was having an attack of gall stones; these were trying to pass. It was recommended I had the gall bladder removed and this was completed a couple of months later.

After the operation I asked my consultant if I needed to change my diet in any way "oh no", he said, "you can carry on as normal, you can survive quite ok without it, you may notice some loose stools but it will settle down in time". So, I carried on as normal and he was right, my stools were looser. But they stayed that way, and also, they were moving after every meal. After two years, I was getting fed up. I thought that my body must have a problem dealing with the fat in my normal diet due to the gall bladder being missing. Logically, I thought, if I eliminate the fat then things may improve.

I did some research and stumbled across Dr Mc Dougall's and his peers' work and thought I'd give a plant=based diet a shot and eliminate meat and dairy and associated foods. I was a bit sceptical as I had tried a few other fad diets including the demon Atkins many years earlier. The effects 8 weeks ago were immediate:

Within a few days my body felt more relaxed and lighter, the stools started to return to normal. Job done I thought
After about 2 weeks all niggling joint pain, including a painful right shoulder disappeared (unexpected effect).
Fart smells were less unpleasant (unexpected effect)
I started to loose weight judging from what I see in the mirror (unexpected effect)
After about 4 weeks my sleep patterns have improved and now sleep without waking and can sleep on that shoulder (unexpected effect)
After about 6 weeks I noticed my life long athletes' foot started to disappear (unexpected effect)
The fungal infections on my toe nails is decreasing (you guessed it: UE)
Started walking faster (UE)
Started running further, doing more reps in the gym (UE)
Resting heart rate 48-50 bpm (UE)
Sense of smell has improved (UE)
Amount of heat dissipated from body has increased, feel warmer, heating costs lower (UE)
My squelchy inner right ear has disappeared and there is less mucus in the throat. (UE)
Tinitus levels have reduced (UE)
Urine flow rate has improved (UE)

The unexpected effects list seems to go on. With all these effects there is no way I'm going back; I would just have been happy with the normal stools. I haven't even had had my blood pressure tested yet!

Here in the UK our National Health Service (NHS) is crippled with excessive demands from the obese and all its derivative disorders. The NHS's growth relies on people becoming sicker and sicker, attracting more and more money from the government. Although it's a public service it acts like a business and thrives on people becoming sicker in order to grow. This is a frightening scenario and could bankrupt the government. I can see how Dr Mc Dougall et al are on an uphill struggle with their nation's health, the profession just does not want to know.

All I can do is go and get my blood and bp tested and explain to my doctor why they have improved.

Thanks Dr Mc Dougall for all your work, the results for me have been nothing short of miraculous, and I don't believe in miracles.

[Dark Blonde]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for sharing your very inspiring story. Last year I too started having severe gall bladder attacks after losing weight quickly doing intermittent fasting. I lost 35 pounds in three months and it triggered something in my gall bladder. Wine and cookies triggered some horrific nights spent writhing in pain. I went to the doctor and had an ultrasound which confirmed that I had stones and he referred me to a surgeon for gall bladder removal. I looked to see what Dr. McDougall said about gall bladders and he recommended doing all you can to keep them. So I got a prescription for bile salts and started drinking apple juice to soften the stones. My symptoms passed but I was still fearful of having another attack. Since intermittent fasting started this certainly eating would end it and eat I did! I gained back what I lost.

I’m serious about being compliant this time and you sharing your story is heartening. Thank you. I’m off bile salts and juice and I’m enjoying the starch and veggies. Exercise is next. I am confident that my gall bladder attacks are behind me and that I’ll finally deal with my obesity problem.

And thank you to Dr. McDougall for bringing sanity to medicine and treating the root causes of disease instead of masking only the symptoms.

[Atheria]

You've successfully proven "Let food be thy medicine."


Atheria

[bunsofaluminum]

I always like to mention clean up in the kitchen, as well. The first time I cooked McDougall style, it was worth a giggle and jig to have the clean up go so fast. Not even half the soap is needed, and there's ZERO sticky residue on kitchen surfaces.

But YAY for your list! it's just peachy, isn't it? The stamina is what was most unexpected for me. What? I just ran up the stairs and I'm not breathless? woot!

[John McDougall]

Congratulations!

As a doctor, I am often surprised and amazed at the "unexpected side effects" of fixing the problem - "It's The Food."

So, even though I am happy for you and appreciate the time you spent sharing with others; I have heard it all before - hundreds (if not thousands) of times. People always underestimate the body's ability to heal and the poisonous effects of the Western Diet.

John McDougall, MD

[RussT]

Thanks for sharing your story Dave! It's truly inspirational.