• Home
  • Contact Us
  • Customer Support
View CartView Cart
default logo
Signup for FREE McDougall articles, recipes & event info
google_plus
  • Education
    • Health and Science
      • Hot Topics
      • Success Stories
      • Common Health Problems
      • A Lesson in Nutrition
      • Featured Articles
    • The Free Program
    • Dr. McDougall’s Color Picture Book
    • Success Stories
    • Recipes
      • McDougall Recipes
      • Featured Recipe Videos
      • Mobile Cookbook App
      • Canned & Packaged Foods
    • Videos
      • McDougall’s Moments
      • Free eLectures
      • McDougall Experts
      • Star McDougallers
      • Live with Dr. McDougall
    • McDougall Newsletter
      • Current McDougall Newsletter
      • Newsletter Subject Index
      • Newsletter Article Index
      • McDougall Newsletter Archives
    • Live with Dr. McDougall: Free Webinars
    • Free Podcasts
  • Programs
    • 10-Day Live-in Program
    • 3-Day Intensive Program
    • Free McDougall Program
    • McDougall Quick-Start Program
    • Employee Immersion Program
    • Starch Solution Certification
    • Dr. McDougall’s Dietary Therapy
  • Shop
    • Books
    • eBooks
    • DVDs & Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Apparel
    • Cookbook App
  • Connect
    • Discussion Board
    • McDougall Newsletter
    • Starch Solution Certification Course Graduates
    • Finding a Healthcare Provider
    • It’s the Food! – McDougall Blog
    • Contact Us
  • About
    • About Dr. McDougall
    • Dr. John McDougall’s Story
    • Dr. McDougall’s Staff
    • McDougall Foundation
    • Contact Us
  • Search
  • Quick Start

Dan Brotherton: Overweight, High Blood Pressure

Age 60 and getting younger

Dan & Jan BrothertonAfter years of being overweight with high blood pressure – and being told to take the weight off, but never how to take the weight off and keep it off – in 1991 we purchased some McDougall tapes and somewhat followed a vegetarian diet. From 1991 to 2000 my weight did drop from 220 to195 lbs. However, my blood pressure remained at the high level 140 – 150 over 90 – 110. In June of 2000 we decided to attend the McDougall Clinic at St. Helena Hospital and became strict with our diet. In the summer of 2000 we went with the McDougalls to Costa Rica for one of our best vacations ever – great food, nice people, and unforgettable adventures.

From that time at St. Helena on, we have been low-fat vegans. For the last 2 1/2 years my weight has remained between 165 and 175 – I eat like a horse and am never hungry. My blood pressure in the last three years has stayed around 125/75, plus or minus 10 points without medication. My Lichen Planus (common chronic condition of the skin and mouth) has almost cleared up & the trigger finger on my left hand that kept locking doesn’t lock any more. My gums no longer bleed. My golf handicap has also dropped a couple of strokes. I thought losing weight would mean losing distance with the driver – it hasn’t. I don’t know if the golf equipment is getting better – I do know I have been getting physically healthier.

My mother was 60 pounds overweight, had diabetes, and had her leg removed prior to her death at age 74. My brother, who is a year older than I am, is 100 pounds overweight and has type-2 diabetes. I don’t want to follow in their footsteps. I shudder to think how heavy and unhealthy I would be now if I had not changed my eating habits.

Prior to going to St. Helena for the 10-day program, my primary physician informed me that he would not approve the program – which meant it would not be covered by insurance. When I returned, and after three months he saw the results, he approved the program 100% for me and 50% for Jan. What a deal – even if my insurance would have covered nothing, it still would have been the best money I ever spent.

As an Engineer I like charts and real numbers – the following numbers say it all:

Diet Year Wt. B/P Age
None 1961 165 ? 18
None 1972-1991 175-220 140/90 32-48 (quit smoking in 1972 after 11 years.)
Veg. 1991-2000 220-195 150/100 48-57
Vegan 2000 195 150/90 57
Vegan 2003 165-170 130/80 60

 

Jan says, “When Dan goes looking for something to snack on, anything he finds is fair game – and as much as he wants! So one of my jobs is to support him and keep the junk out of the house. I try to be creative with meals (using herbs is a big help) and I adapt dishes to our way of eating. The McDougall cookbooks are helpful, but I am more prone to throw my own menus together. With little effort, I can come up with 50 variations of rice dishes alone. Each week I set aside a cooking day so I can make meals for the next 3 days ahead. I tend to spend a little more on groceries than before; due to the fact I shop for more organic items. However, we don’t eat out as much now, so I really think our overall food costs are about the same. When we do eat out, we don’t give in to the menu. We ask for modifications. Our favorites are Chinese food (no eggs with fried rice and no added oil) & salad bars with soups. This way is so much easier than having Dan overweight and sick. I never even think of going back and trading my piece of mind for constant worry about Dan’s health.”

 

Comments:

“Behind every successful man is a great woman” – or better said, “Behind every great woman is a supportive man.” One of the most important criteria I use to distinguish between those who are going to follow my program and regain their lost health and appearances, and those who are going to fail, is the kind of support system they have in place. Of course, it is possible to make these life-saving changes on your own, and even when living amongst un-supportive people; but it is a whole lot easier when those close to you all work together for the same ends.

Another essential quality of persons able to put my principles into action is; they are already successful in other areas of their life. For the most part, these winners have shown their interest in a good life by obtaining a first-rate education, building flourishing businesses, and establishing productive family and community relationships. A proper diet, exercise, and clean habits are just more ingredients they understand are required to obtain and maintain the life they deserve. Dan and Jan are excellent examples of people who want it all – and warrant having it all. The effort they now put into their health is miniscule compared to what they have already expended in education, business, and family matters to make happy, productive lives – and without their health, they realize all of the above is irrelevant.

One of my most brutal tactics for encouraging people to think seriously about their health is to threaten them with pain for their loved ones. I ask, “OK, you are a real tough guy (gal) – you don’t care if you die. But how do you feel about the suffering your disability and/or death will cause your spouse and/or children? Or business associates? I cannot tell you the number of patient’s relatives who have confided, after the fact, that they would have fed their mate cardboard for the last 10 years rather than suffer the days and nights of loneliness they are now going through.

So during this season of Valentines – a celebration of love – you have an opportunity to show those around you that you really care by becoming as healthy and functional as possible – and that means a no-cost diet and exercise program. And those of you with loved ones who are in need of your support, you also have a precious opportunity to help. What are you waiting for? An elephant to sit on your (their) chest?

Share

Success Stories

  • Star McDougallers – Video Interviews
    • Andres and Alex Vallejo: Found New Health & Hope
    • Ann Wheat: Constipation & Abdominal Pains
    • Barbara Leary: Suffered from Type-2 Diabetes
    • Benjamin Eksouzian: Cures Type-2 Diabetes
    • Bill Zahlar: Suffered Massive Heart Attack
    • Brett: Lost weight and regained health
    • Caroline Duke: No Longer Suffers from Psoriasis
    • Cloudy Rockwell: Loses a Hundred Pounds
    • Dan: No longer needs blood pressure meds
    • Daniel: Has taken back control of his health
    • Dr. Walter Vermeulen’s patients in Samoa are sick and dying because of the Western Diet
    • Ed Smith: Lowered PSA, Lost Weight, Gained Health
    • Elaine: Chronic Illness, Obesity, Type-2 Diabetes
    • Elena: Diabetes, Heart Attack & Subsequent Recovery
    • Ellen Jaffe Jones: Beating the Genetic Odds
    • Evan: Got Rid of his Fatty Liver and Lost Weight
    • Frank: Whole Foods Market Team Member Lost Nearly 160 Pounds
    • George Goff: Triple Bypass Surgery
    • Gustavo: Lost Over 70 Pounds, Regained His Health and His Passion for Life
    • Jackie Swoboda: Cured Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • James Brown: High Blood Pressure & High Cholesterol
    • Jeb McIntyre: Lost Weight and Regained his Health
    • Jeff: Lost Over 100 Pounds, No Longer Suffers from a Long List of Health Problems
    • Jerry: Cured his Heart Disease by Switching to a Starch Based Diet
    • Jessica Bowen: My Winning Battle with Breast Cancer
    • Jo Lynne: No longer suffers from severe pain in her feet
    • Joani & Mark: Sick Overweight Vegetarians
    • John Roberts: High Cholesterol & Upper Respiratory Illnesses
    • Judith: Needlessly Suffered from Many Chronic Illnesses for 40 years
    • Judy Patti: Lost weight and no longer spends $800 on medications
    • Juliea Baker: Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Karen Barrow: Lost 100 Pounds & Kept it Off
    • Maralyn Millar: Pain & Discomfort Free from Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Mark Jones: Cures Arthritis, Heart Disease & Obesity
    • Mark’s Cardiologist Told Him He Wouldn’t See His 64th Birthday
    • Mary Duffield: Cures Obesity & Hypertension
    • Michael Goldberg: Type-1 Diabetes w/o Complications
    • Nancy: Lost Weight and Lowered Her Cholesterol
    • Nina & Randa Nelson: Cure Embarrassing Acne & Oily Skin
    • Norm Weinstein: Lost 250 Pounds
    • Paul: Lost Weight and No Longer Suffers from Severely Painful Intestinal Issues
    • Paula: No Longer Suffers from the Debilitating Effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Paula: Tells why she had to come to an Advanced Study Weekend
    • Peggie: No Longer Suffers from Acid Reflux
    • Peggy Fought Ovarian Cancer by Changing to a Starch Based Diet
    • Phyllis Heaphy: Cured of Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Phyllis: Changed her Diet in 2001 After She Was Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Randy: Lost over 70 pounds and is off all medications after 2 Transient Ischemic Attacks in 6 months
    • Rebecca Lewis: MS No Longer Controls Her Life
    • Roberta Joiner: lost weight and no longer suffers from severe pain
    • Sharon: Loves Trying Recipes in the McDougall Cookbooks and Has Lost Over 30 lbs.
    • Sondra Berk: Suffered with Crohn’s Disease for Years
    • Stacy: Lost Over 50 lbs. and Stopped 3 Medications Simply By Changing Her Diet
    • Star McDougaller: No Longer Suffers from Debilitating Arthritis Pain
    • Steve: Changes to Starch Based Diet, Regains Health
    • Tarver: Lost Weight & Regained His Health by Eating a Starch Based Diet
    • Tim Kaufman: Changed His Diet & Changed His Life
    • Valerie & Ed: Lowered Cholesterol & Blood Pressure
  • Star McDougallers – Written Stories
    • kiki: What a Change Has Taken Place in My Life!! – NEW
    • Shelly: Finds The Starch Solution and Regains Her Life – NEW
    • Kate: Terminal Prognosis Turns Into Tremendous Results – NEW
    • Amanda Carlson: Went No Oil and is Now More Fit Than Ever
    • Amy Fewel: Cures Herself of Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Andrew: Recovered from Severe Ulcerative Colitis
    • Anne Heineman: Lost Over 70 Pounds
    • Anneliese Moore: Breast Cancer Treated with Diet
    • Ashley: Compulsive Overeating, Obesity
    • Barbara Ellicott: Hypertension, Marathon Runner
    • Benji Kurtz: A Relatively ‘Healthy’ Obese Person
    • Beth Burns: Goodbye to Migraines!
    • Bethany: Conquering Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Bobby Andersen: The Plant-Fueled Trucker, Wants to Help Millions of People with His Success Story
    • Burgess Laughlin: Dermatitis, Arthritis, Bursitis, Tendonitis, Iritis
    • C. Scott Campbell: IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
    • Cathy Stewart: Loses 150 Pounds
    • Charles Alexander: Listen to your body’s wake up calls
    • Cheryl M. Lambert: Cures Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
    • Christensen / Alexander Families: Vegan Family
    • Christine Sorenson: Cures Obesity, Weightlifter
    • Christine: Cured Crohn’s Disease
    • Christopher Falcone: A Family’s Transformation
    • Chrystal Lax: Lost 80+ Pounds, Feels & Looks Younger Than Ever
    • Claudia Dealmeida: Had Debilitating Migraines, Now Pain Free
    • Cloudy Rockwell: Loses a Hundred Pounds
    • Dan Brotherton: Overweight, High Blood Pressure
    • Dan Curtin: Depression, Hypertension, GERD, Obesity
    • Dan McCrady: Overweight, Athlete
    • Darrell Woodruff, MD & Norma Woodruff
    • Deb Tasic: Stops Multiple Sclerosis
    • Debbie Cockrell: Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Diane Weedling: Diet Freed Me from Lupus and Medical Specialists
    • Donna Byrnes: Conquering my weight issues after 40 years
    • Donna Kondrak: Lost 60 lbs. No Longer Needs Diabetes Medications
    • Donna McFarland: Diagnosed with MS; Food Became My Medicine
    • Edna Roseberry: Elderly, Angina, Reverses Heart Disease
    • Elizabeth TeSelle: Beyond Veganism
    • Elle: Followed the Clear Skin Diet of Nina & Randa Nelson
    • Ellen Jaffe Jones: Beating the Genetic Odds
    • Esther: Her New Life
    • Evelyn Johnson: Helping Others, by Example
    • Fran Myers: Discovered the Starch Solution, Lost weight, Now Pain Free
    • Gabrielle: Overcame Ulcerative Colitis
    • Gain John: Hypertension, Lost 66 Pounds, Has Loads of Energy
    • George Sanders: Freeing Myself of Metabolic Syndrome
    • Gerald Klosky: Obesity, Type-2 Diabetes, Hypertension
    • Gerard Talamo: Lost 31 Pounds in Only Six Weeks
    • Howard Bartner: Coronary Heart Disease, Hypertension
    • Jan: Better Health, Overweight
    • Jane Golson: Having the Time of Her Life
    • Jason Wyrick: Cured Type-2 Diabetes and Obesity
    • Jean Brown: Cures Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Jeff Armstrong: Weight Loss, Sleep Apnea
    • Jeff Kristad: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Jennifer: Loses an Average of 0.3 Pounds Per Day
    • Jessica Bowen: My Winning Battle with Breast Cancer
    • Jessica Parsons: Sheds 90 Pounds, Cures Obesity
    • Jim Ettinger: Heart Disease, Cholesterol, Hypertension
    • Joan Isa: Hiatal Hernia, GERD, Indigestion
    • Joanne Irwin: Reduces Cholesterol, Cures Arthritis, Helps Others
    • Joe Jacob: Overweight, Cholesterol
    • John Staley: Lost Half a Person 22 Years Ago
    • Jon Hess: Reversing Heart Disease
    • Joseph Wysoki: Physician, Cholesterol, Overweight
    • Josh: Lost 100+ Pounds & Kept His Cholesterol Under 120
    • Joyce Rainwater: Overcoming Obesity for Good
    • Joyce Rossi: From Crippled to Running
    • Joyce Shank: Cures Obesity, Arthritis
    • Juliea Baker: Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • June Ziegler: Depression, Heart Disease, Overweight
    • Karen Barrow: Lost 100 Pounds & Kept it Off
    • Karen Cooper, MSW, LICSW: “I Can’t Have MS!”
    • Kathy Roberts: Model – No Longer Overweight
    • Kelly Caraway: Choosing diet over drugs after a heart attack
    • Kelly G.: Cures Morbid Obesity
    • Kim Hoffman: Beating MS!
    • Lars P. Lidberg: Painful Arthritis, Cholesterol
    • Lassie Nelson: Lost 135 Pounds: Cures Morbid Obesity
    • Leslie Craine: Cured RA (rheumatoid arthritis)
    • Linda Chalmers: Cured High Blood Pressure & Lost Weight
    • Lyndall Shick: Had Her First Heart Attack at 41
    • Maralyn Millar: Free of Pain & Discomfort from Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Marjorie Hart: Low-Carb Enthusiast Turned Starch Strong and Dialysis Free
    • Mary Duffield: Cures Obesity & Hypertension
    • Mary Lou Sheehan: Hypertension, Diabetes
    • Mary Splady: Standing up to the Osteoporosis Hype
    • Mayra: Almost Lost to Lupus
    • Meredith Fishman: Running Marathons after Debilitating Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Michael Glaser: Lost 80 lbs, Overcame Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fully Enjoys His Life
    • Michelle Bachmann: loses over 100 pounds
    • Mike Teehan: Stopping a lifetime of weight loss and gain
    • Mike Wilson: Cures Obesity: 450 pounds down to 185 pounds
    • Nat Cohen: Elderly Recover with Diet
    • Nettie Taylor: Finally Winning the Weight Battle
    • Nicole S. O’Shea: Cured Crippling Psoriatic Arthritis & Skin Psoriasis with Diet
    • Pat and Marge Luyk: Elderly Recover with Diet
    • Paula: Cured Endometriosis
    • Peter Rogers, MD: Heals Self
    • Phyllis Heaphy: Cured of Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Randy: McDougall Soups for the Win
    • Raynal: Discovered the Power of Plants Before Age 21
    • Rich Richardson: Heart Disease
    • Robert Cross: Formerly Dying from Heart Disease
    • Roberta Varney: Weight Problems
    • Robin Avery: Singer, Overweight
    • Ron M: How One Man Put an End to All of His Problems
    • Ruth Heidrich: Defeats Cancer and Osteoporosis, Breast Cancer
    • Ryan Schultz, DVM (veterinarian) Cures Himself of Crohn’s Disease
    • Sabrina Nelson: Cured Relapsing Polychondritis
    • Scott Haas: Cures Hypertension
    • Scott Raphael, N.D.: Type-2 Diabetes, Obesity
    • Shannon Woods — World Class Athlete: on the Verge of Obesity
    • Star Lauralee: Cures Inflammation and Completes IronMan – NEW
    • Stinker: Overweight, Cholesterol
    • Syd Wyemann: My Hands Were Crippled With Arthritis
    • Teresa Rodriguez: Learning to Love Myself Again
    • The Weaver Family: Conquering Ulcerative Colitis, Family Heart Disease & Finding Vibrant Family Life
    • Uncle Buck: Permanently Cures Obesity
    • Vanessa: Lupus Nephritis
    • Vickie Barlow: Lost 63 lbs, No Longer has Gout or Arthritis

Success Stories

  • Success Stories
    • Video Interviews
    • Written Stories

Health and Science

  • Hot Topics
  • Success Stories
  • Common Health Problems
  • A Lesson in Nutrition
  • Featured Articles

McDougall Program Links

  • McDougall Programs Overview
  • 10-Day Live-in Program
  • 3-Day Intensive Program
  • Free McDougall Program
  • McDougall Quick-Start Program
  • Employee Immersion Program
  • Starch Solution Certification for Professionals and Nonprofessionals
  • Dr. McDougall’s Dietary Therapy: An Online Course for Reversing Common Diseases
  • Tax Deduction Information

Contact Info

Dr. McDougall’s
Health and Medical Center
PO Box 14039
Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Phone: 1-800-941-7111
Skype: +1-616-874-8155

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday:
9:00AM - 5:00PM (PST)

 

Email:
office@drmcdougall.com
(General Inquiries)

carol@drmcdougall.com
(Registration and Orders)

Follow Dr. McDougall

You'll find Dr. McDougall on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

facebook
twitter
youtube
linkedin

McDougall Foundation

Our non-profit foundation has funded a study on the dietary treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with the Oregon Health & Science University. Our second ongoing project is the measurement of artery wall thickness changes that occur as a result of the McDougall Diet using ultrasound measurements (CIMT).
Donate Online.
Copyright (c) 2019 John A. McDougall, M.D., All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service
Webmaster: Graphicsmith