This is from an excellent book I’m currently reading by Dr. Joel Furhman, M.D., entitled Fasting and Eating for Health. Some of what he says echoes Joseph Pilates belief that good health is our birthright, which I firmly believe is true.
Can someone forward this quote on to all of the physicians, politicians, and insurance companies who are trying to figure out the whole health care debacle? What Dr. Furhman says here is so simple, but it really is the answer, at least in large part, to our problems. The answer is us, not them. The answer is the individual, who will take responsability for their own health.
(Note: This book was published in 1995, so I think the statistic he shares regarding medication use has most likely changed. That is, it is currently probably a higher percentage than his 50%)
People often start getting the warning signs of chronic disease when they
are young. Generally, they go to their physicians with frequent infections
as children. As teenagers they develop acne and allergies, and often take
drugs to suppress symptoms. Years later, they gradually become medically
dependent, having to take medications for the rest of their lives. Fifty
percent of our population over the age of 60 take some medication.If we teach our children from a young age that disease is not inevitable
and not to be expected, and if we build good health into
our lives, we will have a chance have a healthy society.This book illustrates and emphasizes a powerful philosophy, a revolutionary
way of thinking about health and disease. It is not merely about fasting,
it is about realizing that we have lifetime responsibility to maintain our
health. If we protect our families and our children from the causes of ill
health, we will prevent needless suffering in the future.(p. 192-193)
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