Earlier this month on Facebook I asked the following question:
Have any of you (or someone you know) been able to stop taking some prescription meds after making a change to your diet? If so, I'd love to hear about it!
I was definitely expecting to hear some great success stories, but was completely taken aback by almost 800 comments sharing amazing and - in some cases - truly unbelievable transformations. I just had to recap some of the really amazing feedback here in an effort to inspire and help others. But as I've stated on our Terms of Use page, "This information on this blog is not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure any disease. Never dismiss any advice your health physician gives. The authors shall in no event be held liable for any loss or other damages bla bla bla." So now that our arses are covered please read these stories below and be inspired. And in all seriousness, it is advised that you not stop taking any of medications unless under the guidance of your doctor. If your doctor doesn't believe that it's possible to improve your health through a change in diet (instead of immediately resorting to pharmaceuticals) then - GET A SECOND OPINION! Just my two cents :)
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Reader Feedback...
"I stopped anti-depressants for depression and anxiety that i'd been on for 3 years (post natally) after I cut out sugar and processed foods."
"My husband had AWFUL eczema...topical and oral steroids to treat...couldn't get is hands wet for more than a few minutes, had to use special soap, etc. 6 weeks on a gluten free diet and the eczema is 100% GONE."
"My husband had to take Rx med for his acid reflux! We started eating clean 10 weeks ago and he has been off his medication for 4 weeks now!"
"I have a friend that does a Paleo diet and has not had to take meds for Rheumatoid Arthritis."
"My fibromyalgia pain is so much less since eating clean."
"After going unprocessed and mostly organic as well as using food for medicine- I stopped three meds for migraines. My daughter no longer has eczema, son's allergies and chronic sinusitis is gone and we've all lost weight!"
"Yes! My husband was on two allergy meds and an inhaler. He was using all three every day. His doctor was also telling him he needed to go on meds for cholesterol. He changed his diet and ditched all meds and lowered his cholesterol 76 points in only 4 months. Nothing short of amazing!"
"My daughters were able to stop their daily Miralax and I am off antidepressants for the first time in my adult life!"
"I have Crohn's disease and am medication free after giving up dairy, coffee, and limiting fried/processed foods."
"Pulled artificial dyes, flavors, sweeteners, and petro based presertives and was able to remove stimulants for my ADHD son. http://www.feingold.org/"
"After getting rid of processed food and soda, I was able to come off antidepressants."
"I did away with my asthma meds after going paleo."
"I had a RARE case of hives that were considered idiopathic. (No known cause) I had 12 vials of blood taken on me, and was on prednisone and Allegra every day for a year and a half. If I didn't take the meds, my throat would start to swell and I would have to be taken to the ER to get a shot of adrenaline. Starting January 1 of this year, I started juicing and clean eating and boom... Hives went away. People might think it was a food allergy, but I had hundreds of pricks in my back with my allergist and nothing! So today my hives are gone and I am medicine free! I also got off my high blood pressure meds and reversed type 2 diabetes!!!"
"After cutting out processed foods I got to cut asthma medicines and steroids."
"My husband was taken off his acid reflux medication once we went on a real food diet."
"I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and after eating clean and cutting out processed crap, I was able to conceive AND lose weight! Prior to eating clean I took Metformin to get pregnant with my oldest two...awful stuff!"
"My son quit eating dairy and hasn't needed a breathing treatment in quite some time and his ezcema is almost completely gone."
"My husband took out aspartame and other artificial sweeteners from his diet and his cluster headaches/migraines ended."
"After cutting out processed foods, I stopped taking Ambien for insomnia and the occasional round of Prednasone for bursitis. Funny how when you cut out things known to cause inflammation such as hydrogenated oils you don't have problems like that anymore. What is most surprising was how quickly my healthcare provider would write that script without even asking about my diet and offering suggestions."
"I suffer from stage 4 endometriosis. Have been on a number of pain prescriptions/ "natural" hormones for several yrs now...started clean eating about 8 weeks ago and stopped ALL prescriptions 2 weeks ago today. I am sleeping great and have been more active now than I ever was able to before!"
"My kids were on allergy and asthma meds for years... No longer the case. We also pretty much made my daughters ADD symptoms disappear.. Amazing stuff what real foods can do. Also cut a lot of gluten out as well."
" I'm off thyroid meds and Heart palpitation meds. Two years ago I was forced by another disease Meniere's onto a low sodium diet, the only way to do that is with real food. It was one of the best things that has happened to my body."
"Eliminating aspartame from my diet, eliminated my migraines."
"My daughter was on concerts for ADD. She went gluten free and stopped meds. Changed her life. No ADD symptoms for 2 years. She is 10"
"Yes! i am 18 years old and i have had asthma since i was 2 and would get very sick and be on tons of inhalers and steroids. Since eating clean and cutting out processed foods and food dyes I take no medicine at all and rarely get sick!"
"I started eating healthy (after eating terrible my whole life) at the age of 24 and I was able to get off my acid reflux medicine as well as medicine for IBS"
"Stopped taking Zoloft after almost 10 years! Eating clean and exercising. Never been happier!"
"My 5 year old daughter was constantly on antibiotics for various things in the winter. She also took Miralax daily for digestive issues and had really bad eczema. I took her off of gluten and dairy 5 months ago. She hasn't been on a single antibiotic, her eczema has drastically improved, and she hasn't needed any Miralax. We've noticed major improvement in her mood and behavior as well. I'm a believer!"
"After 14 years of Ulcerative Colitis and taking cortisone, prednisone and corticosteroids I was diagnosed with genetic allergies to beef and dairy as well as sensitivities to gluten. I completely removed them from my diet and added whole foods and non processed foods. I've now gone 15 months without taking any prescription medications at all! I have no symptoms at all of Ulcerative Colitis at all!"
"Yes! Husband quit taking two kinds of blood pressure medicine, cholesterol medicine (neither could be controlled very well, even with meds), and narcolepsy medicine. Turns out, ALL of those things were caused by diet. Switching to clean eating for 30 days cured ALL of those things!"
"Yes son who had been diagnosed with ADHD came off meds after finding intolerances to amines, salicylate & preservatives/colours. Made a huge difference."
"I was on a host of anxiety medications for years and years. I also ate a lot of processed food and sugar, drank a lot of caffeine and energy drinks. After meeting my husband, who owns a local wellness business here in California, I was persuaded to eat real, unprocessed foods, exercise regularly, avoid my nasty caffeine habit and learn cognitive methods of coping instead of popping a pill and being a zombie. He was the first person who had natural, sustainable, holistic answers instead of pills and gimmicks. It's why I am such a big believer in the unconventional methods he uses that WORK and change lives (and not just because I'm his wife). I have never felt better in my entire life. It's like I'm actually ME again instead of a shell. I am such a big believer that we have the power to heal ourselves with food. It can be a potent healing agent or send us into a state of suffering, and it is ultimately our choice. We have no one to blame but ourselves if we know what foods can do to our bodies and mental state and still choose to consume them. I am proud and happy to say I have been med free for over 2 years now."
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All, I have to say is...wow! If you have a story you'd like to share please do so in the comments.
Sarah says
Hi Lisa. That's a great information! I really love eating and now I'm trying to change my life from junk food to clean eating. I agree that many symptoms come from bad eating which cause effect to physical and mental health. By the way, I have a problem with wake nails so I try to find some food and nutrients to cure my nail in the long run. I'm also using nail strengthen which I found a positive result from https://www.womenangle.com/best-nail-strengthener/. Could you please suggest me some good food for my nails. Thank you in advance.
Jesica says
I was diagnosed with diabetes in September, cut out almost all sugar and started following portion sizes and very little processed foods. By January i had lost 30 pounds and cut my a1c by 1.4 and am now in the normal range.
Kristen Kincaid says
We already try to eat fairly "clean" but my year old daughter started breaking out with severe eczema all over her hands a little over a year ago. We had her tested for food allergies (including celiac) and everything came back normal. Knowing that food intolerances don't always show up in bloodwork we removed gluten from her diet and it helped so much but the gluten free bread substitutes really don't taste very good, which is hard for a child (or an adult) to live with long term. Anytime she would have a few bites of something with gluten her hands would start getting read right away. Recently, a friend introduced me to the Tartine method of homemade sourdough bread. A lot of studies show that people with gluten sensitivity can tolerate real sourdough bread. We gave it a shot and her hands look perfect! The ingredients are water, flour, salt and sourdough starter.
Kristen Kincaid says
*8 year old daughter not year old daughter.
100 Days Admin says
This is great news that you found a solution for bread. Glad it's helping. - Nicole
Marie says
It's amazing how much better you feel and how much more energy you have when cutting back on sugar! Insane
Renee Laning says
After stopping my excessive drinking of diet drinks with artificial sweeteners, I have been able to stop taking my anti-inflammatory prescription for arthritis in my knees and aching in all joints! It's amazing and I am a true believer!
Geanna says
Since getting off all steroids over two years ago and adding smoothies to my diet almost 8 months ago, I have felt a lot better. I noticed that when I don't have my smoothies, my body doesn't like that too well since it has nutrients that it needs. The steroids were constantly making me sick but since getting off them, I no longer get sick!
Alys says
What do you recommend for the throw up bug?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
HI Alys. This is a re-hydration recipe that might help:https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/01/31/homemade-pedialyte/. ~Amy
Luanne says
After discovering I had to watch my blood pressure because of having an episode where it was 210/110, I lowered my numbers to the normal range by making simple changes to my diet, watching stress, and other natural means. Only time I took blood pressure meds was in the beginning when I took one. The side effects from it were enough to make me search for other ways to get my body to heal.
Raphael says
Using food in place of drugs is so amazing. When I was young I had allergies with SP drugs. So I had to opt drug and use food for healing.my mom helped me a lot.
clint dye says
I stopped blood pressure meds after changing diet and taking natural herbs and supplements
Rachel says
Since first reading your blog two years ago, my family and I have made many gradual changes in our diet and are now eating about 95% clean. We are now both on an exercise regiment. My husband has lost about 80 pounds and looks and feels great, and my 3-year-old is a happy, healthy boy!
The only thing I still struggle with is my "need" for caffeine and sugar :( I am a 2 cup-a-day coffee drinker, with cream and sugar added (organic, non-GMO, but still...) Recently, I decided to stop taking my anti-depressants, which I have been taking since my son was 9 weeks old for PPD. We are trying to conceive again, and I do not want to be detoxing during pregnancy!
I am having a really hard time without my meds, and was wondering what to do, but after reading other reader's comments, I see the answer is before me! I've got to get off caffeine and sugar!
Does anyone else have any other advice for me?
Annette says
Hi Rachel, 2 years ago I found a nutritional system that helped permanently get rid of my caffeine and sugar cravings. I'd be happy to share with you if you'd like to learn more. :)
Martha says
Congratulations on the changes you have made so far! For the continued anxiety, etc. symptoms, check out the book The Mood Cure, by Julia Ross. The book outlines the specific amino acids you need based on your symptoms (there are several "quizzes" you can take which help to determine what might give you relief). I have three friends who have had great success weaning themselves off anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medicines with the help of this book's advice. Read the reviews of the book on Amazon for more inspiration. Best of luck to you.
Mel says
I had horrific migraines for years. It got to the point where I was making regular trips to Urgent Care and the ER as the medication that I was prescribed didn't always work if I didn't take it on time. Some of these migraines would last more than a day. They were debilitating. I kept going back to the doctor who told me that all that could be done was to treat the symptoms. Two years ago I changed my diet and my lifestyle (diet and exercise)- Part of this lifestyle change involved (and still does) educating myself about the nutritional and health value of the food I eat and an attempt to avoid processed food wherever possible. Since then, I have lost 130 pounds, I have gone from a size 26 to a size 6, my cholesterol is well within the health range (it was very high prior to my weight loss), in fact, all of my "numbers" look great. And, best of all (and unexpectedly) my migraines have disappeared. Every once in a great while, I will start to feel like I'm going to get one - I take Advil, drink water and it goes away. Poof. Easy. That was not the case before. Honestly, I don't know what did it - the new diet, the exercise, the increased water intake...I don't know - but whatever it was, it was well worth it for the improved quality of life.
Alice says
Taking medicines are not that bad for some can really relieve our illnesses but what is most important is living healthy. This is the best medicine to illnesses and this is also one way of preventing one.
Megan says
I just saw this - a bit late to the party - but I had to share that I once suffered from severe sinus headaches, and since eating cleaner, my headaches are gone. I also had a bump on my head that was apparently secondary to the sinusitis, and it is almost gone now. When I lapsed for a few days, everything came back, and then I got better within 1 day of switching back to "clean" foods. I've eliminated processed foods, and we are trying to become a more "whole food" family, with a growing emphasis on organic foods.
Billie Joe says
It's amazing to me the number of people who mentioned depression and asthma...two things one wouldn't immediately link to diet and nutrition! Very inspiring stories!
Tami says
Seven years ago I started teaching. It is said that your first year of teaching will be the hardest year you'll ever go through and that's no lie. About two months into the school year, I started having terrible abdominal distress. I suffered from daily boughts of diarrhea, causing me to have to leave my class with another teacher so that I could make it to the bathroom in time. There was no waiting for recess. Needless to say, my digestive system issues were effecting my quality of life. I finally made an appointment to see the doctor. Tests were run, interviews were had, suggestions made. In the end, I was diagnosed with what I call my tummy trifecta. I was told that I was suffering from acid reflux, IBS, and gastritis. I ended up on a daily regime of Imodium, acid reducer, and a prescription muscle relaxant for the gastritis. I lived like this for about five years.
I hit my breaking point last school year. Not only did I continue to suffer from the tummy trifecta, but I began presenting with three more ailments. I began to suffer from daily abdominal bloating and I mean bloating to the extreme. I had a close friend ask me if I was expecting. She said I looked several months along. YIKES! The second new problem was extreme pain in my back around the kidney area on the left side. All I could do was sit a particular position and teach from there. Lastly, I was suffering from chronic fatigue. I could barely make it to lunch without feeling like I was going to fall asleep where I stood. Needless to say, I was not being a very effective teacher at that point.
I saw the doctor and she had no explanation for the abdominal bloating, but my back pain was being caused by kidney stones. Kidney stones! Oh for heaven's sake. At that point, I couldn't bare taking yet another drug. I was desperate. I remembered that I had, a long time ago, purchased a nutritional healing book. I pulled it out and stated reading up on all my ailments.
With an eye towards nutritional healing and an overall change in my lifestyle, I took to the web. I found 100 Days of Real Food and slowly started to follow what Lisa and team had to share. At first it was overwhelming. I knew nothing about the additives, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, artificial coloring and the like. I was truly one of the masses following what the industry told me was ok.
I have been following the real food eating habits since last summer. This is the first school year in which, I have not had to run daily from my classroom in hopes that I make it to the bathroom on time. I no longer have abdominal bloating. I no longer have pain from my kidney stones. They are still there, but because my kidney is not inflamed from the all the extras that is in processed foods, I no longer feel them. My asthma is under control. I no longer suffer from chronic fatigue. I have had only one gastritis attack this year and that was my own fault. It was caused by over eating.
It is what I have learned from this blog that has helped me heal. There is real healing power in whole foods.
Tina says
I went gluten-free after trying a diet that excluded gluten. I lost a few lbs on that diet, so went totally gluten free and lost 11 lbs in 6 weeks (after trying for 4 years all sorts of diet restrictions). And suddenly my TSH thyroid scores were normal, after two years of taking bio-identicals and bouncing up and down only slightly.
Laura says
I have not made the switch to eating clean, mainly because I am out of a job, and I live with my parents, who make the decisions on what food is brought into the house, even though I do the shopping/couponing/etc. Despite this, I am doing a lot of research on my own to become aware of the toxic poisons in our food.
HOWEVER, I am a caffeine addict, and I love soda. My nutritionist--yes, a registered nurse who worked with me to help me lose weight so I wouldn't become diabetic like everyone in my family--was adamant that I switch to Diet Mtn. Dew if I had to have a caffeine or soda fix. Growing up in a family of diabetics, I am used to the taste of aspartame and other artificial sweeteners in soda, so this was not a problem for me.
I have always had a suppressed immune system, and it got worse after a nearly-fatal bout of mono, so I would chug at least one 24 oz. Diet Mtn. Dew at my last job (a teacher working at a child development center) to keep my brain functioning until my shift ended at 6:30. I started having these "attacks" where I felt extremely hypoglycemic, I would nearly pass out, and sometimes I would vomit. I even bought glucose tablets to keep in my purse in case of an "attack". I went to my doctor, because my blood glucose levels were normal at home, and after extensive blood tests, she determined I was hyperinsulinemic, meaning my body was producing more insulin than it was supposed to and my system couldn't handle it; this is also a precursor to diabetes. I was devastated, because I have lost 40-45 lbs. in the effort to avoid the diabetic curse in my family.
I knew about BVO in Mtn. Dew, and after reading many articles about how artificial sweeteners can actually cause *more* insulin issues (because the brain believes it is receiving sugar, so the pancreas sends out more insulin, when in reality there is no sugar for the insulin to attach to), I decided to try an experiment. I stopped drinking diet sodas, and went back to drinking regular (and I am trying to come off of soda completely, and drink water or my own homemade sweet tea). My hyperinsulinemic attacks have reduced DRASTICALLY. Now I only have the attacks if I've gone too long without eating, which has always happened since I was a little girl. I had a diet drink last week, and lo and behold, I had an attack.
Shae says
Laura, I cut out soda because I was drinking 3-4 cans a day about 8 years ago. I've never drunk diet as I can't stand the taste. Anyway, I started drinking sparkling water to wean myself off of soda for good, because I discovered it wasn't the sweet I was missing but the carbonation.
Nichole says
I am an RN and work in a trauma/medical ICU and I was very passionate about my work for the first several years. I used to get angry with my sister that she did not want to go to the gynecologist for a yearly pap smear or a mammogram. I preached the benefits of annual screenings and vaccinations. I truly believed that I was helping people. But things changed for me when I really started trying to solve my own health problems through conventional medicine.
I have been plagued with migraine headaches since I was about three years old. I would get several a month but would deal with them thru chiropractic and rest. However, I started having more migraines and decided to go to a world renown headache clinic. Needless to say, they did not help me. Other than placing me on many medications that did nothing to prevent the migraines while giving me many unwanted side-effects. I went from clinic to clinic and doctor to doctor with no results. Things were getting worse, I was up to 20 to 30 debilitating migraines per month. I felt like I was losing my mind. Then I did lose my mind. I was placed on yet another preventative medication that gave me mood altering side effects. On Thanksgiving day 2010 I had an emotional breakdown at work in the ICU. I left work and went to the ER where they called psych to deal with me. I was sent to an outpatient day program. I was diagnosed with bipolar. I was placed on Lithium. I went crazy. I have never thought of myself as bipolar until I went on Lithium. It was horrible. It got to the point that the psychiatrist wanted to do electrical shock therapy on me. I said NO!
I found a new psychiatrist and a therapist and started doing research. I had recently found real food and had been following several blogs. I sought help from a holistic nutritionist. She suggested gluten free. I really didn’t want to try gluten free because I LOVE bread and pizza and anything that contains gluten. I told her that I needed to have empirical data to support the idea of going gluten free (a little bit of my RN background showing thru, I needed proof). I decided to order some blood work thru a functional medicine doctor in Atlanta. I got the labs done and paid cash. Money was tight because I had been off work since the breakdown but I needed that data in order to move forward. Once the test results came back, I booked a telephone consultation with the doctor. We went over the test results which showed that I clearly had a gluten sensitivity but also that I have the gluteo-morphin reaction where gluten proteins seep into the bloodstream and cross the blood-brain barrier to hit the morphine receptors in my brain. I am literally hooked on gluten. So I made the decision to go gluten free and I started doing research on gluten and unresolved neurological issues. To my amazement, there is a TON of information and studies that show that people with refractory neurological conditions are often gluten intolerant and once placed on a gluten free diet their symptoms go away. Well this happened for me. I went from nearly daily migraines to a couple a month. I was livid!!!! Backup, I was thrilled that I was feeling better, but I was LIVID at the medical community. I had suffered needlessly for years while being a guinea pig for doctors. I could have had a productive life with no side effects if only someone had told me about this earlier! I became so disillusioned with my beloved medical community. I had tried holistic treatments before but really food made the difference for me.
I was eventually able to go back to work, which I did but I found it difficult to just pump my patients full of drugs and offer them no other hope. I am still working as an RN but I am going to school for holistic and functional nutrition. I will be done next year and hope to start my own business helping people to heal with foods and nutrition rather than drugs.
I have also been diagnosed with hypothyroid (which I do take Armour Thyroid for and have had to for over 20 years), bipolar, depression, narcolepsy, fibromyalgia, allergies, leaky gut, Celiac,PMLE (polymorphic light eruption which causes rash and itching from the sun) and I think that is all. I have been working for the last two years to heal my gut and my health. I am a work in progress but am down to only 2 regular medications (one being my thyroid drug and Cymbalta for depression) I am working with a counselor and my teacher for functional nutrition to see if I can get off of the anti-depressant. I also take a migraine abortive if I have to. But this is down from the handfuls of pills I was on and some of them very scary ones.
I am so thankful that I found several real food blogs a couple of years ago. These were my stepping stone to finding my health solutions.
Thank you Lisa and team for all of your hard work and for sharing yourselves and your information with us.
Blessings,
Nichole Patrick
Cortni says
I love this post. I am currently focusing on how changes in diet can improve my family's overall health. (I have become so fascinated with this subject, think I might even go back to school for nutrition!)
I find it very frustrating that most general doctors, including pediatricians do not have any formal training in nutrition. They are not required to take any nutrition courses during undergrad, and while in medical school nutrition courses only take up a couple of weeks. It sometimes feels like medication is the only way doctors think to fix ailments. Our diets have such a profound impact on our health, it would be much more beneficial from patient's standpoint to focus on a complete treatment, including diet changes, before resorting to medication. We really are what we eat!!
Capability Homecare says
I would like to recommend the documentary, Forks over Knives (available on Netflicks) . This film shows scientific research to back up the claim that food is the best medicine. The studies on rats who ate food with animal proteins was a major wake up call to me!
Ash says
My boyfriend and I saw that and changed the way we ate accordingly to help out his cholesterol. He is otherwise very healthy, extremely fit and active. I focused on cutting out processed foods in addition to meat and dairy, but now my digestive system is all messed up (after 4 months) and I am doing an elimination diet through my nutritional therapist to see how to fix it. We are adding back meat and some dairy, because there was a lot of information from those studies that they left out of the movie. Do your research before following that path, and decide what is best for you after. We totally fell for it, and I like the overall message, but be careful and do your own research first.
Amy says
Wow, I just heard your interview on the radio here in town, and it was BEYOND frustrating. I feel like the host was totally missing the point (or maybe just trying to rile you up for a good show). It's attitudes like "I grew up on Kraft and I'm just fine" that make me feel like this is going to be a looong battle. You ladies did great and held your own - kudos!
Terry d'Selkie says
I started eating bladderwrack seaweed about 5 years ago. I have hypothyroidism and was taking synthetic hormone at the time. Once I started eating seaweed every day, I was able to drop the medication and I feel great! Seaweed is a great power food for your hormones and is the only plant based iodine. The seaweeds that are healthy include those that are not processed into little sheets and then have salt and oil added. Look for real seaweeds, sun dried and wild!
Terry d'Selkie says
I have been able to stop using hypothyroid medication by adding bladderwrack seaweed to my diet every day. It needs to be "real" seaweed and not the type that comes in snack packs, which has been totally denatured by the processing and then adding back in salt and oil. You can get fucus/bladderwrack at http://www.seaweedmermaid.com
JoLynn Braley says
What an awesome post!! It's truly amazing what real foods can do for the body! Definitely hard to break habit, but what makes healthy eating, exercising, & staying motivated easy, is the right mindset. A weight loss mindset is 90% of the game if you wish to see lasting success! Diet & exercise is only 10% of the solution.
Carin says
I wish I would have been able to respond on FB. (Gave it up for Lent.) My husband and I have been trying to conceive for 11 years. No success ever, until November of last year. The ONLY change I had made was about a year before, I found your site and began eating non-processed foods.
For other physical reasons, the pregnancy didn't make it, but I truly believe that eating real food was the factor. Now, I have hope for the future. Thanks so much, Lisa and team!!!!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Carin. So sorry for your loss but happy for your hope. ~Amy
Sherra Kinder says
Thank you Lisa for such a great post! I too want to share! About 10 years ago the doc prescribed reflux medicine for some chest pains I was having. I did a tiny bit of research and discovered I needed to remove sodas from my diet and bam- didn't need that med after all-Yeah! Then about 5 years ago put on thyroid med as a result of fertility work up. A year later thinking, I don't want to be on this med forever, I discovered the truth about iodine in my diet and after finding a whole food vitamin that would be naturally assimilated by the body, I went off my thyroid med as well. (I did A LOT of research before I quit it-educate yourself!!! Iodine is in a lot of good foods too.) My doc was no less than amazed and I consistently have good blood work results of my thyroid and I have been off the thyroid med for 3 years now. Since then, I have conceived naturally and have lost overall, 20 lbs since having the right supplement. If I ate even cleaner diet I could probably go off the supplement too. Kudos Lisa for this great post!!!!! I have learned a lot!!!
Elizabeth says
Wow! these are all amazing! Could any one explain to me does process foods means it had to go on cooking? Does every one only eat fruits and vegetable without cooking it?.. I wanted to go on this but I'm not sure where to start with. I guess this knowledge could help a diabetic person a lot.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Elizabeth. Welcome! While we really love carrots and a great crispy salad, we are not a raw food site. In fact, once you dig in you will see lots and lots of recipes...most of which require conventional cooking methods. ;) ~Amy
Dawn says
We began our journey of clean eating along with amazing all natural organic supplements Genesis PURE about two years ago. My 4 year old daughter was throwing up daily. They sent us to the best of the best in the MD world and after a year she was worse than ever. That's when we decided we were going to let food be our medicine and heal from the inside out instead of covering up the symptoms .
Our entire family of five has not been to Dr in two years, our immune system is awesome, and our daughter is thriving! I have lost 25 pounds, no longer suffer from migraines, and my hormones are in tact for the first time in my adult life. Now during what used to be mandatory nap time, I exercise or look at new clean recipes!
We knew we would spend our money somewhere, but for us we choose to spend it in prevention vs. Dr's, scripts, and hospitals ! You truly are what you eat !
Alexa says
I'm now 23 - I grew up with terrible IBS and was also diagnosed with "non-specific Ulcerative Colitis" at 14 years old. All of these things caused stomach problems for the majority of my life. That is, until just last year when I introduced clean eating to my household, as well as cut all red meat out of my diet (the biggest known IBS trigger). I can honestly say I've never felt better! I'm naturally thin with a high metabolism, so it had nothing to do with weight and I've maintained the same weight for over five years, but I'm convinced it completely changed my insides. I have more energy, take no medication for IBS, and just FEEL BETTER after every meal! I never regret the food I eat, because I simply don't eat "crap" anymore. I now eat all fruits, veggies, whole grains, organic as much as possible, and no ingredients I don't recognize/can't pronounce. An indulgent dessert = sweet Greek yogurt!
I'm a firm believer that diet can make or break our bodies, and I think the majority of us can be well without unnecessary medication and medical intervention!
Andi says
I eat a completely clean, vegan diet due to rheumatoid arthritis, but, unfortunately, I still need to be on medication. I've tried removing gluten, nuts, and nightshades, not mention other foods at various points, but nothing seems to truly help. There are so many possible and contradictory "therapeutic" diets out there for RA that I've nearly driven myself mad trying to figure out the one that might work. I've done acupuncture, chiropractics, massage, taken fish oil, did a food intolerance test (comments on that by the peanut gallery: "maybe it's all in your head") and seen an ND. Again, so much conflicting information and the cost became a tad overwhelming. Any real world advice?
JMSH says
Andi - I so feel for you when I read this. I am going through a similar situation trying to rid my son of his almost debilitating eczema. I've tried every diet and cream under the son for him until we finally had to resort to steroid creams. I feel like a little bit of a failure, but seeing the cream actually HELP when nothing else would makes me a little relieved. It does get a little disheartening when I read that people were able to cure their kids' eczema with diet and other natural remedies. I guess I have no real advice, just that I sympathize and please don't feel like a failure when you've already tried so hard.
Linda says
I used to have super bad eczema and psoriasis (behind my ears, around my mouth, elbows, knees, huge spots on my calves, and one ankle. I didn't completely change my diet but I did do a colon and internal organs cleanse from Blessed Herbs. I would go with the ginger vs mint. I struggled for a better part of a year and shortly after I finished the cleanse, it all of the sudden went away! I also had to eliminate any lotions, shower gels, etc that had parabens in them. Look up what parabens are. I also, after the cleanse, resumed taking my healthy vitamins from Mannatech. The mannatech cleared up all the skin issues above my waist and then I struggled for a very long time with the spots (the size of my hand-I am almost 40 years old) on my calves and ankle. I tried soaking in vinegar and epsom salt with lavendar oil. I tried taking gluten out of my diet. This lotion also helped http://www.amazon.com/Eczema-Psoriasis-Cream-1-Ounces/dp/B001BBGJ9S/ref=sr_1_92?ie=UTF8&qid=1364270227&sr=8-92&keywords=psoriasis+lotion
I would goop up a thick layer of this natralia lotion on my calves and ankle, wrap with a gauze wrap, and put tape to keep it in place. I applied it a few times a day.
These are the things that have helped me. I have been free of the eczema and psoriasis for about a year now! I feel like i have my body back and have the confidence to go out in shorts and sandals! I pray that you can find things that help your son!
JMSH says
Thank you, Linda!I'm so glad you found something that works for you.
Renee says
Andi, Medications are meant for people like you, people who live a health lifestyle and have tried everything. Sometimes diet and exercise can work wonders, but when you're already living well, and still having symptoms, take medication. You can feel better about the fact that you probably require less medication and probably respond better to them in your healthy state.
Barbara says
is your food 100% non processed ORGANIC? just wondering all those chemicals in conventional foods are disturbing.
Judy Lueer says
I have a lot to share, but 1 item in particular. I am reading about people going off depression meds, and kids going off ADD medicine. My journey was the opposite. I went to the doctor, about to turn 60, about 60-70 pounds overweight and asked her to prescribe Adipex. My daughter took it with great results. My doctor agreed, but only with monthly checkups. My first checkup appointment and several pounds lighter, she asked me if the Adipex made me jittery and nervous. I said, that it actually calmed me and made me more focused and organized. BINGO! I had adult ADD. She put me on a different med and before long 60 pounds was gone! I am 60 years old, 60 pounds lighter and at I am finishing my Master's degree with a 3.5 GPA! I have not been this weight in 30 years. I am not saying that meds are the answer for everybody, but I do follow a very healthy diet and I have so much energy now. I am focused and I believe the reason I do not overeat is because I am able to concentrate, relax and make appropriate healthy meal choices.
Julia says
I don't think anyone's suggesting that all modern medicine is bad or that everyone should get off it. It's a good idea, however, to acknowledge that medications can have deleterious side effects and, if you can deal with issues by changing diet, then it's better to stay off them. However, that's a big IF. For those people who have issues that diet just isn't helping, medicine is necessary. An example- antibiotics should be used sparingly with extreme caution. They're over-prescribed and have tons of bad side effects (both for the person taking them and society as a whole). They should never be used on the animals we eat. Many of the people who take them can find healing through other, better, safer means (diet, rest, time, ect). HOWEVER, when that stuff doesn't work, antibiotics can save lives. (Or in my case, my hearing. I'd most likely be completely deaf if it were not for amoxicillin.) This post is just pointing out other methods to try, because artificial medication should be a last resort (not eliminated completely).
Emily says
I'm on day 5 of a Whole30, along with my husband, and it is HARD. Our plan is to do a sort of "cleanse" through the Whole30 and after that to slowly reincorporate some foods as our bodies tolerate, but sticking to all real food. I never imagined this would be so difficult for me, but I already am seeing how addicted we both are to various forms of food and how much we use it as a comfort rather than as fuel. Almost gave in today and didn't... whew! Reading this post is a great encouragement. Here's to hoping that we will both see similar results in many chronic health issues and that the results will make it worth it for the long haul!
Carrie says
For those who where on asthma and allergy meds, how did you know when you could stop taking them? My 3 yr old is on asthma meds and allergy meds. We are just beginning our whole food transformation. I'd really like to get him off of his daily preventative meds. He also has food allergies: egg, nuts, dairy. Has anyone had any success in overcoming food allergies?
Amy says
We started feingold 9 months ago. I am off depression and anxiety meds after 15 years. My 4 yr old son stopped throwing his daily tantrums. My 10yo daughter no longer has "brain buzzes" and screaming running fits. My 8yo daughters add symptoms are gone. My 12yo son doesn't get temper flare-ups. My 6 yo daughter's asthma symptoms went away (I think that's due to switching to raw milk). My husband, who has always been a healthfood "nut" has never once said "I told you so."
We have gone beyond feingold, but that amazing organization got us on the path to healing.
terry armstrong says
I am not thin, Never was but spent years as competitive swimmer then just anything that grew muscles. I got tired of being addicted to the gym about 8 years ago;now I am 62 and not toned ie now overweight. I am very adHd about 6 years ago started taking stattera (60) to stop having "meltdowns of a drama queen," It has been wonderful peace; I have been squirrelly all my life; 1st and 2nd grade I was in the corner all year (I just learned by osmosis). Menopause migraines ended a few years ago. For decades had VERY low blood pressure, for 2 years we live on what remains of a lime farm. I drink diluted limeade and lime water all day but also some diet cokes (!). I do not eat whole but when I go to my daughters she eats whole and I can rest and read a lot more there. Problem: no doctor seems to help me with except recently reducing strattera (40): My pulse is almost always racing beyond 100 at rest and blood pressure highest of normal range. Doctor did EKG and a lot of blood tests - answer unknown. CAN you point me in a BETTER DIRECTION. Oh in a few days a 51" deep exercise spa is being delivered. The racing pulse was first noticed when I got shingles in Sept, I am also reducing to go off the pain antidepressant (nortriptyline) for that.
Kelly says
As much as I'm a #1 fan of eating natural foods, I do think people need to focus on eliminating supplements as well. Just because someone stopped prescription medication, doesn't mean they stopped supplementing their diets. Eat well and save your money on the pills - supplements AND everything else!
Kristin says
I COMPLETELY REVERSED STAGE 2 PRECANCEROUS CELLS off my cervix by an almost 100% raw food diet, vitamins, herbs, fruits and veggies and some natural topical treatments recommended by my natropathic doctor. My gynocologist highly recommended a surgery time and time again to cut out the precancerous cells. This would damage my cervix and not cure the problem, just cut it out. After a year and half or so, under my natropathic doctors care, I have completely and successfully reversed my precancer! God gave us bodies with the ability to heal themselves naturally. In some cases I believe the cancer, condition, disease is too far progressed and unfortunately a treatment I under went is not enough. But I am living proof that this is true! Thank you God and thank you to my natropath.
Lauri says
How do you people get your kids to eat the good stuff?? Unfortunately when mine were little (now 10, 12 & 14) I was overextended and stressed so did not start them out right. Every day is a battle ground in my house with food threatening our very relationships. I used to be on a mission but am starting to wonder if it's worth it. I want to teach them healthy choices but they don't seem to want to adopt them. My kids are at an age where I have less and less control outside the home and junk is thrown at them from every possible angle - how can I fight that? I'm on the Wellness Committee at school with my main mission being to stop the crazy practice of using junk food as a reward. I'm seen as extreme (when honestly I'm not) and they joke about hiding their brownies when I walk by because I'm on the Wellness Commttee! I embarrass my kids just by being on the committee. I'm getting tird of fighting the good fight. I don't want a home filled with anxiety over food anymore but I want health for my family. None of them seem to care - is there a "Dear Abby" concerning food out there??
Cari says
Lauri, I understand your frustration. I took a children's nutrition class a couple years ago and the best take away from that was this: It is your job as a parent to provide children what food to eat, when to eat and where to eat, it is their job to decide whether to eat and how much. If you want to read more about this check out Ellyn Satter's books (http://www.ellynsatter.com). I will say that her techniques definitely worked for our family. You make dinner (or whatever meal), make sure there is at least one thing on the table everyone will eat (ie bread) and let the kids serve themselves from what you have there. This process might take a while but it does work. I do not pressure my son to eat anything or clean his plate. I simply provide food and it's his choice to eat it (or not). The theory is that if kids see other people enjoying a variety of food, they will eventually want to try it on their own. My son now asks for lettuce and tomato on his sandwiches and loves broccoli. Here is another link:http://www.ellynsatter.com/ellyn-satters-division-of-responsibility-in-feeding-i-80.html I hope this helps!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Lauri. Also, knowledge is power. If your kids can see the "why" behind it, that will help. I have used these two Ted Talks to help drive home the point with my kids: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWXrRftyOMY and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go_QOzc79Uc. Best of luck. Keep fighting the good fight. ;) ~Amy
mitzi says
A year ago I was on an antidepressant and amphetamines for ADD. After I began eating real food and cut out wheat, sugar and processed foods, I was able to stop taking both with the blessing of my physican. He was surprised when I told him how I was eating but was not argumentative about it. He was openminded to what I was saying. After a year, I know exactly how certain foods will make me feel when I eat them and as a consequence I don't "crave" those types of foods anymore and that includes alcohol.
Shallon says
We have always eaten healthier than the average American I'm sure, but still wasn't very good. My husband got back blood tests that said his fasting glucose level was 1 point below the cut off indicative of pre-diabetes. He stopped adding any sugar to his morning tea and reduced how many sweets he ate. This alone dropped him to the low acceptable range in one year. After our first child was born we cut out the most obvious processed foods (fish sticks, meals in a box, etc., as my main concern was salt and sugar content) and added some more fruits and veggies. This little change elimiated his heartburn and smelly gas. We are now eating more and more real, haven't seen any health changes since, but I simply rest better knowing that because of their healthy diet my children are at less risk of, well . . . everything.
Wanita Levacy-Sabin says
I want to know the true cost of eating healthy. I feel like my family and I have been lead on a healthier lifestyle journey over the past couple of years and people keep saying how expensive it sounds. But I feel like we are actually saving money, sure we spend more on food, but have our own garden in the summer. We also have less doctor visits, less prescriptions and more energy so we walk to the store, bike ride to my errands etc. I would love to see a true break down of the cost of eating healthy with all its positive side effects and the standard american diet with all its side effects.