Why This Neurologist Ate Only Raw Foods For 21 Days

I believe in the power of food to heal. And that power comes from giving our bodies the wide array of nutrients and vitamins they need to perform their complex daily biochemical reactions with efficiency and precision. Eating raw for a period of time can reset the body as it allows the body to revert to a more primitive—and evolutionarily necessary—ability to chew, digest, absorb, metabolize, and utilize. Cooked foods bypass many of these processes, or at least minimize the need for the body to perform its natural functions.

There are no two greater reasons to step up and make a statement to my patients and myself that there's a lot we can do to empower ourselves in the face of health challenges. Because despite the increasing popularity of Facebook groups and support groups, patients often feel they are alone in their despair. I can try to convince them that they are not alone, but I cannot share the plight of other patients due to confidentiality laws.

At first it seemed insurmountable, but then it got better. I learned to prepare in advance and to pack snacks and meals to eat on the go. I learned there are some foods that are raw, portable, and quite tasty. I reignited my love affair with fruit, and I learned I can make a sandwich using raw sweet potato slices. I also noticed some pretty profound changes in the way my body functions, including:

1. My skin cleared and the texture improved.

2. My sleep was deeper and more restorative.

3. My bowels have never been smoother.

4. I lost 9 pounds.

5. I had incredible amounts of energy and bounce in my step.

6. I felt more motivated in general, as if there was nothing I could not tackle.

7. I rediscovered the real taste of foods before we cook and sauce them up.

I always ask my patients to focus on the good while striving to fix the bad. I work to help them see that they are not powerless—ever. There is always something to be done to feel a little more in control, and the most powerful method I have to help them take back their resolve and their grit, beyond my preaching, is to do it myself and make them realize that they have someone on their side and a community surrounding them.

In total honesty, my patients do more to encourage and motivate me than I do them. It is their pain that makes me want to dig deep inside myself and find the strength to show them who they can be, despite the challenges they face. It's only an added perk that I now salivate when I see an avocado or a banana or even a plump leek.