How We're Becoming What We Eat

Lee Swanson: Hi, I’m Lee Swanson, president of Swanson Health Products. I’m here today with Dr. Barbara Hendel, author of the best-selling book, Water and Salt: The Essence of Life and the Healing Power of Nature. I read Barbara’s book a couple years ago and I consider it one of the most important health books I’ve read in the past 30 years. Barbara, in your last discussion with me, you talked about as a child you were sick, because of a diet of junk food, sugar, that type of thing, and you were introduced to a natural physician who got you onto organic foods and eating a healthier diet. I’d like to talk a little bit about your college years [at the] university in Germany. You were first an economics student, is that correct? Dr. Barbara Hendel: Yes. I studied economics. It was the wish of my father, but I have always practiced medicine. First, I was in pharmaceutical industry, but then I changed. I [now] have my own clinic. Lee Swanson: You received your degree from what is considered the most prestigious medical university in Germany, Maximillian-Ludwig – Dr. Barbara Hendel: Yes. It’s Ludwig-Maximillian University in Munich. Lee Swanson: And that’s considered the Harvard of Germany. Dr. Barbara Hendel: Yes. Lee Swanson: And after you received your medical degree, you worked in the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Barbara Hendel: Yes. I have to make money. Lee Swanson: Sure, we all understand that. Dr. Barbara Hendel: Yes. Lee Swanson: But after, a few years, you… Dr. Barbara Hendel: It was my wish to bring [what I learned about holistic health from my own experience to other people] and I founded a clinic for [chronic] diseases. Lee Swanson: Yes, in Munich? Dr. Barbara Hendel: It’s near Munich. And I was very, very successful there. I treated with natural methods only, like colon hydrotherapy, homeopathic medicine, acupuncture, and even speaking with the person to change their lifestyle. And everybody has to change his lifestyle; otherwise, otherwise… you can’t heal [chronic] diseases without changing your life. This is hard work for a physician. Lee Swanson: What percentage of chronic diseases, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, do you feel are caused by lifestyle issues? Dr. Barbara Hendel: 18% of our diseases come from bad eating. Lee Swanson: What we put into our bodies. Dr. Barbara Hendel: What we put in our bodies and how we live. We need sleep, [and] we need enough sleep. Don’t smoke [it hurts the body] and everybody knows it. I can’t understand why people smoke. Lee Swanson: It’s a mystery why people want to kill themselves. Dr. Barbara Hendel: And the food is so important. You have to eat… as natural as [possible]. If you [eat the vegetables and salads, you get so much energy that you would never get if you eat a candy bar instead of food.] Lee Swanson: Here in the states, I don’t think there’s any question that Americans have the worst diet, of any nation on earth. The per capita consumption of sugar in America is over 160 pounds per year. The average American consumes 15 pounds of table salt per year. I read a study a couple of months ago that the average American consumes 9 pounds of chemicals per year. If you add that up, 160 pounds of sugar, 15 pounds of salt, 9 pounds of chemicals, is it any wonder that we’re sick? Dr. Barbara Hendel: Yes. Scientists know… fat people don’t get their weight from the fat, but from the sugar. This is the main reason why they get fat, because of the insulin they have in their body. Lee Swanson: Well I think it’s well accepted by most everybody in the U.S. that sugar increases blood sugar levels, it increases fat in the body, and there’s no question that, as you said earlier, we are sick because of what we’re eating and putting into our bodies. Dr. Barbara Hendel: Yes. Lee Swanson: And what fascinates me is that I’ve always believed that salt is bad for us. And before I read in your book, I was pretty much on a salt-free diet. And what we’re going to talk about today and in future videos is how salt—the right type of salt—is not necessarily bad for us, but can actually have a healing effect on the body. And that’s why I urge all of our viewers to buy a copy of Dr. Hendel’s book, Water and Salt: The Essence of Life and the Healing Power of Nature. It’s a wonderful book and thank you for joining us today Barbara. Dr. Barbara Hendel: Thank you.