- What are some of the biggest health challenges that people face?
- I think the biggest challenges are the social ones. People are under pressure from their families and friends, and from society at large to live and indulge the way most people do. People tend to be very hard on themselves when they fall short and fail to be perfect in practising their new health habits.
My advice is to keep a positive attitude and to forgive yourself if and when you fail. Arise each morning with new resolve to keep trying to do the right thing. Don't carry over yesterday's failures into the new day.
- What should newcomers to Natural Hygiene concentrate on first?
- The first thing to concentrate on is discontinuing the really bad, destructive habits, such as smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol, or using illicit drugs.
Dietarily, start by making a point to eat some fresh fruit and a raw vegetable salad every day.
Give priority to sleep. There is nothing more restorative than sleep.
- Why is it that not more people are aware of fasting, and that it is not more commonly used?
- It is an interesting question. I think the answer to that is that there is not a large commercial interest in promoting fasting. Also it is not part of the curriculum of medical training, and it is considered 'radical'. People have an exaggerated idea of how difficult it is to fast.
- Can fasting relieve pain?
- Not always, but many times it does. If person has for example inflammatory arthritis, and is in pain, fasting tends to complete the inflammatory process to where it just naturally subsides. And the pain will subside with it. Fasting has a very anti-inflammatory effect.
- Can anybody fast?
- No, there are naturally precautions about fasting. Pregnant women shouldn't fast, at least not more than a day or so. There are people on medications, who shouldn't fast. And I would say in general that people with any serious medical problems should definitely have a doctor's blessing before they undertake any fasting. They should not attempt to employ fasting to overcome their problems, if they have not been evaluated and assessed by a doctor.
So, it is a natural thing, it is a very healthy thing, but it requires some caution and responsibility. People should not attempt fasting without the right conditions and the right supervision.
- What background should a fasting supervisor have?
- To really be qualified, you not only have to have experience with and knowledge about fasting, but I think that you have to have a general medical education:
so that you understand the body's physiology, and also have a respect for pathology and an understanding of the nature of the problems that people have.
The person should be a licensed physician of some kind, a medical doctor, a chiropractor, an osteopath, or a naturopath. We have an organization that certifies people who supervise fasting: The International Association of Hygienic Physicians (IAHP),and I think this is the best resource that people have to get a qualified supervisor.
- What is your longest fast?
- The longest fast that I have done myself was 28 days, and the longest fast that I have supervised was 40 days. That was a man from Chicago, Illinois. He had just retired, he was in his sixties, and he had a few problems, he had a little weight to get off, and somewhat high blood pressure. He had decided to start his retirement by getting a real tune-up. I have a photo of him from his last day of fasting, with a big sign saying 40. And he has gone on to do real well for himself.
- What is the greatest fulfillment of being a Hygienic physisian?
- It is very satisfying to see people overcome their health problems in a real and lasting way through fasting and hygienic living. Helping people to overcome drug dependencies and avoid unnecessary surgery is also very satisfying. Hygienic care is more than just a solution to a health problem. It is often the start of a whole new and happier way of life for them, and it is very pleasing to witness that transformation.
- What impact has Natural Hygiene had on health in the United States?
- Many of our ideas are gaining acceptance and recognition in the medical mainstream, which is very promising. Even though Natural Hygiene rarely gets the credit, it is still satisfying to see the general movement in medicine towards fruits and vegetables and exercise. Recently a major medical study declared that most people with high blood pressure can avoid the need for medication if they eat right, exercise, and avoid salt. That is what we have been saying for decades.
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