Ask Dr. Andrew Weil a Question!
Posted September 2, 2009, 11:24 am in AlternativeCredit Katy Widrick
**Update: Dr. Weil has answered your questions! See those responses here.
In poll after poll, Americans seem to be focused on one thing -- health. And as we get older, the cost of treatments and medical attention seems to scare even the healthiest of us.
Dr. Andrew Weil, one of the most famous faces in health and alternative medicine, says he knows why people are so concerned, and that they're right to be. He addresses the idea of health aging in his new book, "Why Our Health Matters."
At 67 years old, Dr. Weil is still very active -- traveling to exotic locations, publishing new books, consulting with patients and much more. He credits his high energy and good health to years of healthy living, cutting out things like high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, partially hydrogenated oils and more.
So why does Dr. Weil think your health matters so much, and what are the biggest myths when it comes to American healthcare?
Dr. Weil has also embraced social media as a means of spreading his message and interacting with fans -- he even tweets his latest advice and links.
Dr. Weil has also embraced social media as a means of spreading his message and interacting with fans -- he even tweets his latest advice and links.
--Dr. Weil's Web site
--Order "Why Our Health Matters"
--GB's Health channel
--GB's Alternative Medicine channel
© 2006-2012. Growing Bolder Media Group. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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ptAire
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Posted 2:32pm September 10th, 2009Hi Dr. Weil,
I have had a pressure on my lowest ribs for a number of years. None of my doctors seem to know what it is. It is very uncomfortable and I can feel it more when I breathe. If I have a busy day or if i get very tired it gets painful, and the pain is enough to make me breathe short. Can you help? I sure hope so, as you're my last resort.
Thank you. Pat
California Travelers
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Posted 12:57pm September 10th, 2009My daughter, age 42, has MS. She was dismissed from her banking position, lost her insurance and has run out of disability insurance. Meds are too expensive and she feels they do not help her. Do you know of any alternative therapies that have been used successfully with MS patients. We are at our wits end.
Joyce Torrey, Indio, CA
C Diane Hawkins
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Posted 11:27am September 10th, 2009Good day Dr. Weil,
I have Osteopenia (just bordering Osteoporosis). It is something that has gotten progressively worse as time goes on. My doctors have prescribed all of the usual medications: Fosomax, Boniva, etc., however, I am one of those who has an adverse reaction - my bones, muscles, and joints ache when I use them. I even get this same kind of reaction if I take Calcium supplements. As my doctor put it: I am a 'skinny white chick" and am predisposed to this because my mother has it also. Even when I was on Fosamax, and calcium, working out (strength training), stopped smoking over a 5 year period, there was little to no improvement. I have met other women who are in the same situation and we would like to know - is there ANY alternative means to improve our bone density?
Thank you for all you do!
C. Diane Hawkins
Addie Smith
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Posted 4:33pm September 4th, 2009Dr. Weil:
I have over 50 fatty tumors, mostly in my arms. Other's in the groin area, lower rib cage and upper thighs. They are hideous looking and I cover my arms when I go out in public because it really bothers me. Do you have any idea what causes them and how I could stop them from accumilating (which they do) yet, at 77 yrs. of age. Also how is it that they do not grow on my face or neck??? Thanks God for that.
Thank you,
Addie
LC
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Posted 8:57am September 4th, 2009Dr. Weil,
My grandson has just started to college, intending to be a doctor. I want to steer him in the direction of Integrative Medicine and have tried to introduce him to Bruce Lipton's work on Epigenetics. I'm hitting a brick wall. Any ideas?
Thanks. Wish we all had access to doctors like you.
LC
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Posted 8:51am September 4th, 2009Dr. Weil,
Why do so many doctors prescribe anti-depressants for sleeping pills? Doctors seem to ASSUME that everyone over 65 is depressed, and completely ignore the fact that these drugs may increase falls, which lead to more medication and the too early beginning of dementia. This happened to my mother, and now they are trying to do it to me. I asked this question: What am I doing that makes you think I am depressed? Nobody can answer satisfactorily. They mumble about low-level depression of varying degrees and how some people remain highly functional, despite it. No doctor has ever said to get more exercise, lay off caffeine in the evenings, etc. They go straight to the prescriptions. Why is this?
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Posted 10:33pm September 3rd, 2009As I look at some of the comments I see some good comments, but none stresses the importance of both good diet and exercise. Most of my life people who were very active seemed to think that provided enough exercise. After getting older, (I'm now 81), I have learned that an active life does not provide enough exercise, and I now do 20 minutes of exercises to limber up my back when I get out of bed, then walk two miles a day, and then go to a gym where I do 35-40 minutes of strength-building exercises. As I look around at the average person I see many older people limping, bent over, walking extremely slow, etc., and I can only think that if only they would have started on a good exercise program how much better off they might be. I believe most would reply they didn't have the time! My question is, why don't doctors stress to their patients the importance of a minimal good exercise program and good diet with minimal animal fat and plenty of fruits and vegetables? Just now the media is beginning to push the fact that the public is becoming increasingly obese, but why don't people realize that for themselves? The answers are all around, especially today with the Internet. Is it that people don't care about their own health?
Amy Korn-Reavis
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Posted 10:03pm September 3rd, 2009I know the number of people with insomnia is growing. It seems to be associated with our growing sedentary life style and our staying inside so much. One of the things we are using to help is light therapy. Are there other benefits to light therapy of other uses for it besides help with insomnia and seasonal affective disorder?
Amy Reavis
debworks
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Posted 9:56pm September 3rd, 2009I know the importance of vegetables in a diet. I just don't like them! Is vegetable juice as good? Or vegetable supplements? I'd smother them in cheese and sneak them in, but that's no good either. Help this 54 year old out please!
Deb Brown @debworks
debworks
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Posted 9:55pm September 3rd, 2009I know the importance of vegetables in a diet. I just don't like them! Is vegetable juice as good? Or vegetable supplements? I'd smother them in cheese and sneak them in, but that's no good either. Help this 54 year old out please!
Deb Brown @debworks
Coni
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Posted 9:25pm September 3rd, 2009I agree 100% that a lifestyle change from high-fat foods is the key ingredient to better health but what is the best way to deliver that point to the masses when all you see on TV, etc are advertisements for junk food and the like?
I eat out often but I don't fall prey to rich, high-calorie foods simply because it's imperative that I maintain good health and proper weight. However, I'm not very popular and friends dislike dining with me simply because I don't indulge.
Coni Valentine
sassier299
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Posted 6:36pm September 3rd, 2009I have fibromyalgia. I take Lyrica for it and that medicine does ok but it makes me gain weight and I don't want to do that but my doctor says it all ways will do that. Is there anything else that I can take? I hate to see the winter come because in the winter my fibro hurts more and I will have to up to dosage of Lyrica.
MIKIE
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Posted 4:08pm September 3rd, 2009My 18 year old granddaughter is becoming extremely emotional and unable to concentrate. All summer she has been eating fast food, lots of soda and generally irregular mealtimes. Is there an interesting, nutritional diet that could be offered to her to help her nerves and her general well-being? Thank you so much. MIKI
mel
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Posted 3:12pm September 3rd, 2009What causes a person's rear end to grow massive in relationship to the rest of the body and is irt curable?
Gerrye
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Posted 2:36pm September 3rd, 2009I have a dear friend (only 50 yrs old) that is severely in need of a hip replacement, confirmed by x-ray - are there any reasonable priced, non-prescription pain releivers that would take the edge off? He's very hard headed, and won't have anything done until he can get Medicaid or other help, as he has no insurance and can't work. The arthritus also bothers his knees and hands, but he has great upper body strength.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
Thank you!
Peggy J. Smith
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Posted 1:48pm September 3rd, 2009I am also 67 years old and very healthy. I saw Dr. Weil in Sarasota 13 years and he changed my life and habits.
My question is how much is too much daily Fish Oil and should it be taken if you take baby aspirin. I had heard that it would cause bruising.
Thanks and keep up the good work. I have all your books and hope I win this one