Arnold Ehret is a great example of a person who sought to participate in healing himself. He was born in Germany in 1866. Tragically he died of a skull fracture in Los Angeles in 1922. At the age of 31 he was diagnosed with Bright's disease, a form of chronic kidney disease. At the time they did not have kidney biopsies or renal dialysis machines. However, in Ehret's quest to get better, he discovered the benefits of eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. He practiced what you might call "dietary dialysis". He fully recovered from his kidney disease. Afterwards he devoted himself to healing and ran a sanitarium in Switzerland for 10 years.

Is it possible for a diabetic patient to really lose weight, get his blood sugar under control, and lower his Hemoglobin A1c level? Is it possible for a patient who has suffered a heart attack to regain his strength and return to work? Is it possible for a patient with emphysema who smokes heavily to kick the smoking habit and improve his exercise capacity? The answer is "Yes" if the patient is willing to do his part.

Everyone is born with genetic strengths and weaknesses. Sooner or later most of us experience some kind of illness. Some will receive medications temporarily. Many will need chronic medication. I believe that the difference between surviving an illness and fully recovering depends upon the patient's degree of participation in the healing process. Whether you are sick or not you should strive to achieve your ideal health. Ask yourself: What is my ideal weight? What is my highest exercise capacity? What are my essential medications? What are my important goals in life?

We all need to be more self-reliant and do our part to be healthy. We need to investigate for ourselves what a good diet, regular exercise, and a positive attitude does for our sense of well-being. After 17 years of working at Metropolitan Hospital in Manhattan I have left the hospital to open my own medical office in Astoria. I desire to see patients who are interested in fully participating in their own care. I believe that Self-Reliance is the next frontier in Medicine.