Our system of health care fails miserably in the art of keeping patients healthy — in others words, keeping them out of hospitals, doctor offices, and emergency rooms. Employing prevention tactics — the practice of not getting sick — has never received the medical attention it is begging for. Our present day health care system is really more of a sick care system.

Institutionalized Western medicine is a “one size fits all” method of health care that fails to shoulder any blame on the patient for his or her state of health. This must change for two reasons. First, loading up on junk foods and a myriad of other bad health habits has birthed a nation of Sickos and we can ill afford the skyrocketing costs of high tech medical interventions as is evidenced by our current health care crisis. Secondly, repeat patient visitors fail to realize that a doctor’s prescription is not a cure — it’s symptom management. Most prescription drugs should be the last resort, never the first!

Future generation of Sickos.

Why do Americans suffer an outrageously high price tag on health care compared to other countries? Could it be that we have the winning combination of lazy drug-happy Sickos who lack motivation to improve their diets, stop smoking, and curb other bad health habits coupled with our ‘for profit only-not health’ insurance? I toss this into the health care debate on Capital Hill: In addition to making greedy insurance companies more responsible for payouts and coverage for all, I vote for self-made Sickos to pay higher health care premiums — just like bad drivers pay higher insurance rates. People that cherish better health should be rewarded with lower rates, making health care more affordable for them and for the have-nots. Let’s call it the Stay Healthy Plan. And no, I will not be running for public office — I am a grassroots type pushing for social change on many levels.

I believe that getting well and staying healthy is our personal responsibility — not that of your doctor, the government, or the insurance companies. Take a serious look at how your lifestyle choices could make you the next statistic for heart disease, hypertension, cancer, obesity, diabetes, depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lifestyle choices are the basic things we do everyday — Eat, Sleep, and Exercise. The typical American eats the wrong foods, is sleep deprived, would rather read People Magazine than 8 Weeks to Optimal Health, and recants the motto: Just say NO to exercise.

Personal note to me: An assault on my good health would no doubt receive a consultation by an MD knowledgeable in methods of health restoration — replacing the prescription pad with a cocktail of safe effective botanical medicines and targeted nutrients that have healing properties. My doctor is impressed — not brainwashed by TV drug company ads — with the body’s innate wisdom to heal from illness and imbalances when given the proper raw materials and rest. The emerging real doctor of the future practices what has been termed Integrative Medicine. The leader of this movement, Dr. Andrew Weil, is the founder of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at http://integrativemedicine.arizona.edu/.

However, if I am found to be suffering from an acute appendicitis, become the victim of a drunk driver or dangerous Golden Retriever — call 911. Modern day magical medicine excels in crisis management — life threatening trauma and disease. And while it can make a frozen heart beat again and cheat death … its magic wand will not restore your health.

Why are you hearing this rant from a vet? Because some of you look sicker than the pets you bring to me! And when you start to embrace the importance of nutrition and exercise, you will better follow my recommendations for the patients (your beloved pets) I endeavor to keep healthy. Seeing sick pets is a drag — and I get especially high and mighty when the most common problems I treat are on my LPP list: Largely Preventable Problems. Better diets, targeted nutritional supplements with proven efficacy, and routine physical activity can prevent — and be treatments for — such problems as obesity, dental disease, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, arthritis, and yes, even cancer.

FYI: My overdue cancer care guide — as promised several months ago — is to be finished December 2009: Natural Chemo — proven strategies that can prevent and help your dog battle cancer.

In the meantime … I hope you will join my book club. If you are battling a medical problem, Cracking the Metabolic Code by James LaValle is a must read. I gave this book 5 stars on Amazon***** Or maybe you are ready to take some small steps to better health. If so, get started with 8 Weeks to Optimum Health and let Andrew Weil ease you into making better choices with simple weekly assignments. His suggestions will become a no-brainer as you graduate to health 101. And be sure to share the broccoli with your dog!

More information on both books:

Book Description for Cracking the Metabolic Code:

Doctors traditionally prescribe a pill for every ill. But for most people, these single solutions don’t work. The truth is, most chronic health problems, including stubborn weight gain, unbeatable fatigue, intestinal distress, high blood pressure, creeping cholesterol, and high blood sugar, are not found in simply one organ, but in several parts of the body (often times in twos and threes). This is the result of years of slow, subtle challenges to your metabolism, which is as unique as you are. Your lifestyle habits, stress level, prescription drug use, relationships, as well as the genes you inherit and the environment in which you live — in effect the sum total of your life experience up to this day — determine your personal metabolism and, in turn, your current state of health.

Using a step-by-step, easy-to-implement system of diet, lifestyle strategies, and state-of-the-art nutrients and supplements, Dr. James LaValle will help you create an individualized program for reclaiming your metabolism and health.

About the Author

James B. LaValle, R.Ph., C.C.N., N.D., is a nationally recognized pharmacist, author, educator, industry consultant, and clinical practioner in the field of natural therapeutics. He is co-founder of the Living Longer Institute, an innovative, integrative, healthcare facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. LaValle is coauthor of “Smart Medicine for Healthier Living”, “Drug-induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook”, and the Nutritional Cost of Prescription Drugs”.

Book Review for 8 Weeks to Optimum Healing — A Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage of Your Body’s Natural Healing Power:

Weil has designed an easy, step-by-step program for wellness. The book’s audience is the over 40 crowd. Weil’s philosophy is that “most bodies come with warranties for eighty years of productive…trouble-free service, if basic requirements for preventive maintenance are followed.”

This book is meant as a guide to such maintenance. Its strength lies in its design, which uses small, easy steps to achieve big changes. For instance, Weil suggests eating broccoli just twice in Week 1, then builds on this to create a complete change of diet by Week 8. Recipes reinforce the message and make it palatable in every sense. Weil also stresses the importance of the holistic approach and includes a simple mental/spiritual component in each week’s program.

As a physician, Weil is careful to substantiate every claim, and he debunks some of today’s more extreme alternative health theories. He also includes chapters outlining the special needs of seniors, children, and people at risk for cancer or cardiovascular disease.

About the Author

Andrew Weil, M.D., a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, has worked for the National Institute of Mental Health, is the founder of the Center for Integrative Medicine in Tucson, Arizona, and is director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. He is the author of seven previous books and has made two television programs for PBS. He lives near Tucson.