ANDREW WEIL: I wouldn't worry about it, given your good health. You might try substituting some walnuts, which have a better fatty acid profile.

I am now 50 years old and up until about 5 years ago could eat what I pleased and lots of it and still reamined below 80 kgs which is reasonable for my height.
I currently eat what many call an atkins diet; ie butter for cooking, lots of protien, salad and vegetables, low carbohydrates — no processed sugars, and virtually no starchs.
What this effectively means is I don't eat sweets, soft drinks, pasta, rice or breads. Just meats/fish and salad and vegetables, some cheese and tea or coffee with cream and without sugar, berries and melons. An occasional — once per week, small slice of cake my body seems to totlerate, but this is usually about a fifth of a normal slice.
Surprisingly while I do this my cholesterol ratios are extremely good — my doctor says my chances of stroke or heart attack are virtually nil based on the ratio.
If I start eating patatoes, bread and fruit; I immediately put on weight and feel bloated and uncomfortable. My cholesterol ratio decreases. My wife finds this annoying as she likes to cook rich sauces and sweets which I then won't eat.
I tell her I am only eating what doesn't make me feel uncomfortable — that is when I eat like this I feel good. I feel that if I feel uncomfortable after eating something that it can't be good for me. Is this a reasonable approach or am I killing myself with this self imposed diet?
Russell Tibballs
Carwoola, New South Wales

ANDREW WEIL: I 'd recommend that you transition to a more balanced diet. You can still avoid sweets and sauces, but it would be a good idea to eat low-glycemic-load fruits (berries, cherries, apples, pears) and starches (beans, sweet potatoes, whole grains). I suggest you eat less meat, more fish (especially oily fish), and vegetable protein (like soy).

I like your approach of weaving together philosophies and medicine. I am 40, and I have never seen so many people getting plastic surgery. I hate to say it, but now I feel drawn towards laser this and thermo that. How do you feel about plastic surgery if it is not invasive, and as a way to reduce wrinkles? Also what do you think is safe? Is there any known herbal medicine that helps with this aspect of aging?
Gretchen Linzer
New York, NY

ANDREW WEIL: Avoiding smoking and excessive sun exposure and eating enough essential fatty acids are the best measures to slow age-related changes of the skin. If you want to try less-invasive surgical approaches, that's your decision. I have no objection to people using them to feel better about their appearance. I just worry about the extensive use of plastic surgery to deny the reality of aging.

Dear Dr. Weil:
My chiropractor has suggested that he use Applied Kinesiology to identify my allergies. Do you believe that Applied Kinesiology has any valuable as a method of diagnosis?
Peter Mackeonis
Watsonville, CA

ANDREW WEIL: In a word: no. There is no scientific evidence for the accuracy of applied kinesiology (muscle resistance testing) as a diagnostic technique.

Dr Weil, I am really looking forward to seeing you in Kelowna, B.C. on June 13th. I was wondering if you have ever heard of a product called Juice Plus? If so, do you have an opinion to share?? Thank you for your time and keep up the exceptional work. A HUGE fan,
Carol Webb
Kelowna, B.C. Canada

ANDREW WEIL: In general, I'm not a fan of products sold through multi-level marketing. But Juice Plus is a good product, useful for people who do not eat the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables.

Hi doctor, I was just curious about the effect of alcohol in the body and how it affects metabolism as well as tissue repair. I've been told that it should not be consumed after working out because it stops the repair of the muscles post workout. Is this true and is there a window or time frame that one should wait? Thanks for your time!
Danielle Crouch
Las Vegas, NV

ANDREW WEIL: I know of no effect of alcohol on tissue repair and no reason why you shouldn't drink alcohol (moderately, of course) after working out.

My CRP is 12.6 and I have scheduled a colonoscopy. What can I do to get that number down? My diet is excellent (fish and chicken w/ veggies) but I still have a cholesterol of 248 with HDL of 127. I would appreicate your advice.
David G. Paul
Phoenix AZ

ANDREW WEIL: Follow an anti-inflammatory diet (see my book Healthy Aging). Chicken is high in arachidonic acid, a pro-inflammatory fatty acid. If your numbers do not improve after making the change, talk to your doctor.

I eat three bowlfuls of ice cream every day after dinner. My question is about what bodily harm sugar does to me besides jacking up my insuline level in my liver? I have osteopenia and was wondering if sugar has anything to do with robbing my bones of calcium. Also, about the milkfat in the ice cream. Can it convert to dangerous plaque for clogging my arteries?
Sheila Glass
North Las Vegas, Nevada

ANDREW WEIL: I'd need to know more about your health, medical history, and lab values to answer your questions. Some people can tolerate more butterfat in the diet; many can't.

We know to avoid hydrogenated and trans fats but what is fractionated oil we see listed on ingredients? Is it another way of saying hydrogenated?
Trevor Murphy
Ventura, CA

ANDREW WEIL: Fractionation removes some of the saturated fat from oils to keep them from solidifying. It is not the same as hydrogenation and does not affect the trans fat content of oils. I often see the term in the phrase "fractionated palm kernel oil," an ingredient to be avoided.

What is the medicinal benefit of Red Wine and would three glasses in the evening four times a week be cause for concern? Is this harmful to your health?
Fred Hayes
Potomac, MD

ANDREW WEIL: The pigments in red wine and a compound called resveratrol have antioxidant and anti-aging effects. Alcohol itself is relaxing and has some beneficial effects on cardiovascular function and blood lipids. It also has toxic effects on nerve and liver cells. The key is moderation. If you were drinking three glasses every day, I'd ask you to cut down, but if you can keep it to four times a week, you should be ok.

Dr. Weil,
First, I'd like to say I'm on board with your approach to wellness and look forward to hearing your response towards my life line relationship to chocolate! Almost daily, I get chocolate cravings. They come on around 4-ish, or following dinner.
As a rule I avoid sweets, with exception to pacifying my craving. I began to turn away from sweets in my teens, as I noticed I'd beging to feel drugged, or listless and to the point of being dazed out if I'd been over indulgent. I felt sugar and I weren't the best of friends.
My cravings may start out as wanting something sweet...however, most often it comes in the NEED for chocolate. Could this be an addiction to chocolate, a sugar issue, or perhaps both?
Please advise, if I should be more mindful of a potential health issue, or enjoying my small indulgence, which usually comes in the form of almond M&M's, soylicious ice cream, or dark chocolate. I try to be good, even when being bad!
Laura Whitaker
New York, NY

ANDREW WEIL: I'd let yourself have moderate amounts (say 1 ounce) of good quality dark chocolate as a reward. Don't feel guilty about it — dark chocolate is a healthy treat.

About 3 years ago I started having cravings for eating radishes, raw - up to two pounds per day. I eat now about two pounds every 3 days. I am a 64 year old male, don't smoke, may have one beer per day, never took any drugs. Please let me know what is going on?
Sigi Oberlaender
Indialantic, FL

ANDREW WEIL: I have no idea, but there are far worse things you could be craving and eating immoderately.

I am a 49 yr. old female at 5'4" - 128 lbs. I am a teacher. I wake up every night around one o'clock in the morning, go to the kitchen, and eat chocolate, ice cream, cake, cookies, or sweetened cereal by the handfuls. Even iced Pop Tarts will do! This has been going on for a long, long time. I can't help it! It seems that a craving for sweets is waking me up. What is going on and how can I stop it?
Kathleen Carey
Livingston, NJ

ANDREW WEIL: This is not a great pattern. Maybe consult a hypnotherapist for help in changing it.

I am glad that someone is writing about overeating as an addiction. I've known this for years. But just telling me to substitute healthy foods for sugary ones doesn't work since the need/want for the sugary ones is overwhelming sometimes. And saying to eat them in moderation causes bingeing. I really need help breaking the cycle of "substance abuse".
Donna S.
Jackson, Michigan

ANDREW WEIL: You might want to consult Overeaters Anonymous for help.

What might my body need if I'm craving avacados, almonds and bananas? Weird diet, but it is what my body wants right now. Thanks,
Virginia
Toledo, OR

ANDREW WEIL: All these are good foods — I'd follow the cravings and not worry about it. Avocados and almonds provide good fat; bananas are rich in potassium.

In the June 12th issue, page 90, the top box says "Calcium - 1500 mg recommened daily, but—paired with vitamin D—provides little defense against bone loss and colorectal cancer." What study says this, or what are we suppose to take to prevent bone loss or reduce risk of colorectal cancer? After a colonoscopy they tell people to take calcium.
D. Thomas
New Jersey

ANDREW WEIL: Our thinking about calcium is in flux. I recommend that all people take 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily. Men should not take supplemental calcium, women should take some, but 700 milligrams daily might be plenty.

It seems like lots of low-calorie food products now contain Splenda. What are your feelings about the use of this sugar substitute?
Susan
Gettysburg, PA

ANDREW WEIL: I'd stay away from all artificial sweeteners, including Splenda.

Dr Weil, I was told by my doctor that my white blood count was 3,500 which is one the low side. But she said it was still normal. My cholesterol is normal, my physical was fine as well. Here is my question, I am 48 yrs. old, I work out most days and do weight lifting. I also eat right, and weigh in the normal range. I get 8 hours of sleep each night. But I am so tired during the day that sometimes I take a nap twice a day! I can't understand what is wrong with me, and why I am so tired. Could it be from a low blood count? And how can I get it up to 4,000 which is more of a normal range. I take a multivitamin a day, extra C and E, and I also take fish oil. So why am I so tired? And what can I do to get my white blood count up?
Joanne Biegen
Hamilton, New Jersey

ANDREW WEIL: Naps are not bad, but you shouldn't be having an energy deficit. You might experiment with an herbal tonic like eleuthero ginseng, rhodiola, or cordyceps.

Dear Dr. Weil:
I have a two-part question concerning depression:
1. What role does nutrition play in preventing and/or treating depression?
2. What holistic therapies can be used to supplement western medical treatments?
Linda
Phoenix, AZ

ANDREW WEIL: 1. It may be a factor. Try upping intake of omega-3 fatty acids, as by taking a fish oil supplement.
2. Take a look at my book Natural Health, Natural Medicine to get my ideas on this.

My 15 year old daughter has been suffering from acne. We have tried Acutane ect., but find the harsh drugs harmful to her. She is very fit and slim, we have a very healthy lifestyle and diet but she did get glandular fever a few years ago. We would like some dietary advice ...like does cutting out dairy help? We have tried many different supplements combinations but have not had any success (cod liver oil, primrose). Please help.
Candy James
New Zealand, Auckland

ANDREW WEIL: Try consulting a practitioner of chinese medicine with experience in this area. Chinese medicine is often successful with acne.

What is the truth about HGH? Is it safe, and does it work, where do you get it?
Marie Reynolds
Terryville, Connecticut

ANDREW WEIL: Real HGH is only available by prescription and has to be taken every day by injection. We don't know about long-term safety, and I do not recommend it except to carefully selected patients.

BACK TO TOP

Previous:
Ask Dr. Weil about osteoporosis
Ask Dr. Weil about diabetes