Fasting and Eating for Health: A Medical Doctor's Program for Conquering Disease

My knowledge and experience allows me to comment on his work with a depth of understanding shared by only a few. That said, I am writing this because I felt the strong need to comment having viewed some of the weird, self-serving posts and `reviews' in recent weeks.

Dr. Fuhrman's Eat to Live is the most comprehensive research-supported and scientifically credible diet book, offering significant health improvement, longevity and sustained weight control, simultaneously. Dr. Fuhrman has successfully treated thousands of over-weight patients (with a variety of related medical problems) many of which were referred to him by other physicians because of his impressive results. (see physicians comments on drfuhrman.com).

But, there are crazy people and those who feel threatened by Fuhrman's ideas who will work feverishly to attack and discredit him. His powerful message poses a resounding danger to the profits of the food, drug and weight loss industry; industries that have billions of dollars to spend on advertising. Dr. Fuhrman's rise in popularity will unquestionably cost these industries untold millions in lost sales. They will wisely make large investments to discourage the ever-increasing popularity of Eat to Live and plan appropriate counter-attacks against him.

One such group is called the "Center for Consumer Freedom" established with a grant from Philip Morris (its funding now largely derived from the liquor and fast-food industry). They have previously been hostile to Mothers Against Drunk Driving and have also stood in opposition to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, The Center for Disease Control, numerous animal protection groups and The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. In reality, the group seeks to impair consumer choice. They achieve this by disrupting the discussion and dissemination of information by anyone's message that details the dangers of certain (unhealthy) foods and substances. Their approach is simple: "If you can't argue with the message, shoot the messenger." Rather than intelligently discussing health issues, CCF attacks health advocates, like Fuhrman.

The attacks against Dr. Fuhrman are directly proportional to his book sales. They're both on the rise! But these phony, unsupported attacks are easy to spot. Be particularly skeptical of vicious attacks with a similar style with rotating names and city locations that instantaneously pop-up again as soon as Amazon decides an old posting was too unbelievable and inappropriate to leave on their system. These `objective reviewers' also typically claim they are a doctor. Or they claim to have spoken to a doctor who invariably indicts Dr. Fuhrman's book as dangerous. Physicians and the scientific community don't make critiques or advise in this method. Dr. Fuhrman always evaluates another author's diet book by looking at scientific research studies that point to its value or dangers. This is clear in his discussion of high protein diets or diets rich in trans-fats or refined foods.

I am very interested in watching what will happen as the opposition gets more creative and uses more of their big budgets to protect their profit and loss statements. I hope Dr. Fuhrman has a bullet proof vest. For me, having already seen many, many lighter, healthier and happier people successfully embrace Eat to Live I know which side I'm on! Read the book and decide for yourself.


Your food is killing you ...   October 30, 2001
Donald Gillies (San Diego, CA United States)
129 out of 141 found this review helpful

The only sure-fire way to extend a person's life is by _underfeeding_. Why is this so ?? Could it be that foods are killing us ?? The answer is definitely YES, foods ARE killing us, in more than a dozen different ways, and the reasons are clearly and thoroughly explored in this book.

Dr. Fuhrman is a medical doctor, and a former olympic ice skater who overcame an injury that was almost fatal to his olympic career, via fasting. In this book, he explains some of the benefits you can gain from fasting, and he explains exactly why you should not engage in fasting for more than 3-4 days without going to a medical clinic.

This is not a book to help you plan a fast. This is a book that can help to motivate a fast and to motivate more healthy eating. This book has a few very critical pieces of information (e.g. never eat between zero and 1200 calories because above 1200 calories you have enough carbohydrates -> glocose for your brain, and at zero calories your brain converts to ketosis and has enough glucose, but between 0 and 1200 calories your brain and organs compete for cabohydrates and you can easily damage your internal organs.)

The book is so motivational that I think many people will try unsupervised fasting after reading this book. I think the doctor should admit that his book will be too successful, and he should give a few more tips about how to run a short unsupervised fast, or what entry criteria / monitoring could be used for a short and self-supervised fast. That's the only flaw in this book.


Wonderful book, however...   October 16, 2002
60 out of 64 found this review helpful

It's premised on the idea that if you are going to fast for more than 3 days, you obtain a trained physician to assist you in your fast. Good luck finding one. Most MDs won't support the necessary regimen or have the training to perform it. Frequently, one finds that chiropractors or naturopaths are main the ones offering this service. But even then, there are only a handful certified by IAHP (Hygeniec Physicians). That leaves the reader in a quandry. Do you I go it alone and risk complications or resign myself to 3 days or less without many of the benefits a longer fast has. To me, the only flaw of Dr. Fuhrman's book is that it leads the reader to the hope of fasting for health without the necessary support work of physicians or health professionals to provide this service. Flying to New Jersey to spend a month with Dr. Furhman isn't realistic for me or many I would imagine. Perhaps it would be better to empower the patient and train individuals in what to look for regarding their own health. Order their own blood tests, etc. I'm frustrated that there is a wonderful treatment potentially so close and yet so far. BTW, otherwise, his book is wonderful (which is why I gave it 5 stars). It's an excellent buy whether you can find a doctor or not.