**Modern Diseases: The Ailments of Excess and How to Overcome Them**
Imagine living like a king, surrounded by abundance and indulgence. Sounds like paradise, doesn’t it? But what if that very abundance came at a cost—your health? In a fascinating conversation with Dr. Alan Goldhamer, the founder of the TrueNorth Health Center, we dive into the idea that modern diseases—obesity, diabetes, heart disease—are, in fact, “diseases of kings.” These ailments stem from the same overindulgence that once afflicted royalty but have now become all-too-common in our modern world of excess.
In this post, we’ll explore the key insights from Dr. Goldhamer’s approach to combating these “luxury diseases.” From the benefits of intermittent fasting and whole-plant SOS-free eating (that’s salt, oil, and sugar-free, for the uninitiated) to the critical role of medically supervised water fasting, he lays out a roadmap for breaking free from the grip of our modern food environment. Whether you’re curious about revolutionizing your health, preventing chronic diseases, or rethinking the concept of “eating like a king,” this blog post will provide the wisdom and science-backed strategies to help you chart a new course. Let’s peel back the layers and discover the keys to health in simplicity, not in abundance.
Fasting as a Tool for Modern Health: When, How, and Why It Works
Fasting has emerged as a **powerful tool for modern health**, addressing many of the lifestyle-driven illnesses prevalent today. Dr. Alan Goldhamer emphasizes the value of **daily fasting for 12 to 16 hours**, which aligns with the body’s natural rhythms. By simply ensuring you stop eating **3 to 4 hours before bedtime** and delaying your first meal in the morning, you can give your body the time it needs to focus on repair and recovery rather than digestion. For those looking to **lose weight**, adding light morning exercise before breaking the fast can enhance the benefits. This approach, though simple, is foundational for improving overall health.
- Evaluate your medical history and ensure you’re a candidate for fasting.
- Rest adequately during fasting to prevent dehydration.
- Follow a **careful refeeding process** to avoid risks like post-fasting edema or refeeding syndrome.
For extended fasting, **clinical supervision is highly recommended**. At facilities like the TrueNorth Health Center, professionals carefully assess medical histories, perform physical exams, and conduct lab tests to ensure safety. If visiting such centers isn’t feasible, telemedicine services can provide remote guidance, ensuring fasting is individualized and properly monitored. This structured approach not only makes fasting effective but also minimizes risks, turning it into a therapeutic practice for modern health.
The Role of Whole Plant Foods in Combating Diseases of Affluence
Whole plant foods are a cornerstone of health, particularly when it comes to addressing **diseases of affluence** such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. At TrueNorth Health Center, Dr. Alan Goldhamer emphasizes an **SOS-free diet** (no added salt, oil, or sugar) that simplifies nutrition and focuses on whole, unprocessed foods. These nutrient-dense choices not only support the body’s natural healing processes but also reduce inflammatory triggers often linked to modern chronic illnesses.
- Promotes natural weight regulation
- Reduces dependency on medications
- Minimizes the risk of chronic diseases
- Supports optimal metabolic function
According to Dr. Goldhamer, adopting a whole plant food diet can be transformative, especially when coupled with medically supervised practices like fasting. These changes allow individuals to reset their habits and realign their bodies with a diet that reflects our evolutionary needs rather than modern excesses. By eliminating processed foods and excessive consumption, this approach combats the very diseases that have become synonymous with wealth and modernity.
Remote Healthcare: The Rise of Telemedicine for Holistic Wellness
As technology continues to reshape the healthcare landscape, telemedicine has emerged as a cornerstone for delivering **holistic wellness**. The **True North Health Center**, under the guidance of Dr. Alan Goldhamer, has embraced this transformation by providing remote support to patients who are unable to visit the center in person. Through telemedicine, individuals can consult with doctors trained in **medically supervised fasting**, plant-based nutrition, and lifestyle medicine, enabling access to expert care from virtually anywhere.
Among the services offered remotely, patients can receive guidance on strategies such as **daily fasting protocols**, adopting a **whole plant-food, SOS-free diet**, and understanding if they are suitable candidates for extended fasting. Here’s a quick breakdown of what True North telemedicine includes:
- Initial evaluations via medical history reviews and lab testing.
- Fasting supervision to ensure safe practices and minimize risks.
- Post-fasting recovery protocols for optimal results.
- Tailored remote consultations for ongoing lifestyle changes.
For those looking to explore consistent wellness routines, consider integrating **daily fasting of 12–16 hours** or consulting with experts remotely for personalized advice. A structured approach to fasting combined with telemedicine ensures convenience, safety, and long-term success.
Avoiding Pitfalls: Essential Guidelines for Safe and Effective Fasting
Fasting, while powerful, can come with risks if not approached thoughtfully. To ensure safety and effectiveness, it’s essential to keep some key guidelines in mind:
- Evaluate Your Eligibility: Not everyone is a suitable candidate for fasting. A thorough medical history review, physical examination, and laboratory testing are necessary to ensure your body is prepared for the metabolic demands of fasting.
- Hydration Is Key: Dehydration is a common pitfall. Hydrate adequately before and during fasting, and ensure you observe signs of water balance.
- Prioritize Rest: During prolonged fasting, energy conservation is critical. Excessive activity may lead to unnecessary strain on your system.
- Refeeding with Care: A rapid transition to eating can trigger complications such as post-fasting edema or refeeding syndrome. A gradual and strategic refeeding protocol is crucial for recovery.
- Clinical Supervision: Especially for extended fasting, partnering with a knowledgeable doctor can provide vital support, monitoring, and reassurance throughout the process.
For daily fasting practices, like 12-to-16-hour windows, it’s sufficient to avoid eating 3-4 hours before bedtime and to remain active before your first meal, particularly if weight loss is a goal. For longer fasts, consider remotely consulting specialists through services like telemedicine, which can bridge the gap when in-person support isn’t feasible.
From Daily Fasting to Extended Programs: Personalized Strategies for Lasting Results
At TrueNorth Health Center, fasting is tailored to the individual, offering a spectrum of strategies to suit varying health needs and goals. Whether it’s **daily fasting** for 12-16 hours, **modified fasting** for those with specific medical circumstances, or **supervised extended fasting**, the approach is always personalized. The daily fasting routine, for example, aligns with the natural rhythm of the body—encouraging a no-eating window of 3-4 hours before bedtime and potentially incorporating morning exercise before the first meal to optimize results.
For those considering longer fasting programs, a step-by-step, data-driven process ensures safety and efficacy. Here’s an overview:
- Initial Assessment: Reviewing medical history, conducting physical exams, and laboratory testing.
- Proper Rest: Allowing the body to conserve energy, ensuring hydration, and avoiding strenuous activities during fasting.
- Refeeding with Care: Gradual reintroduction of food to prevent complications like post-fasting edema or refeeding syndrome.
The integration of **telemedicine services** extends these benefits beyond the physical center, allowing remote consultation, fasting guidance, and monitoring by TrueNorth physicians. This approach makes lifelong health transformation possible not only for in-person patients but also for individuals worldwide seeking structured guidance for a sustainable path to wellness.
The Conclusion
In a world where the diseases of kings—obesity, heart disease, diabetes—have become the afflictions of the modern era, Dr. Alan Goldhamer’s work reminds us that healing often begins by returning to simplicity. As highlighted in his TrueNorth Health Center’s transformative practices, medically supervised water-only fasting, along with whole-food, plant-based diets free of sugar, oil, and salt (SOS), offers a sustainable path to health. His emphasis on daily intermittent fasting—paired with proper medical guidance for extended fasts—underscores the importance of intention and care.
Whether you’re exploring fasting’s benefits for the first time or simply striving to align your lifestyle with natural principles, Dr. Goldhamer’s insights serve as a gentle nudge toward self-discipline and informed choice. As modern life bombards us with indulgences, let his work remind us of a sobering truth: the diseases of kings can only reign so long as we fail to take back our health. Perhaps the true cure lies not in abundance, but in the remarkable power of restraint.
Are you ready to reclaim your health? The choice is yours—today, and every day.
