Shared by DeniseM
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WOW, WOW, WOW! Talk about an earth-shattering book! "Lies My Doctor Told Me" by Dr. Ken Berry is a thought-provoking book that takes so many of modern medicine’s conventional practices and questions the conventional wisdom behind them. These practices are what so many doctors hold as truth. A family physician, Dr. Berry challenges and critically analyzes commonly accepted health advice.
Dr. Berry hits one “Lie” as he calls them, after the other. He backs up all of his views on the healthcare misconceptions by citing studies that led to these questionable modern-day practices, describes why the studies could be skewed, and then invites the reader to be proactive and be medical sleuths by citing resources to aid in their investigations. He gives the reader homework!
The book delves into so many things that I thought were such a given practice, and I could not even imagine how they could be questioned. These things included the role of dietary guidelines, cholesterol, and the use of medications and even sunscreen in managing chronic illnesses. Dr. Berry advocates for a low-carb, high-fat diet, a stance that has ignited considerable debate within the medical community. He argues that many traditional medical recommendations, such as low-fat diets and excessive use of prescription drugs, may do more harm than good. He frequently cites how things were with our pre-historic ancestors saying, this is what they did and how they ate, and our species has survived!
Dr. Berry's easy-to-understand writing style and personal anecdotes set "Lies My Doctor Told Me" apart. If books get too sciency I completely zone out and this book did not do that to me, in fact, I found it extremely fascinating! He draws on his experiences as a physician and his health journey to illustrate his points. He also frequently speaks about his wife and what she has faced medically. This personal touch makes the book very relatable.
This also is not really a doctor-bashing book, but rather, I think what he is saying is for doctors and patients both not to be lazy and just accept things just because they have been done for many years as gospel, but rather do the work it takes to reach their conclusions.
Dr. Berry says there are two types of doctors. The first is comfortable where he is. He keeps up with his CME but probably does not need to read broadly about medicine. He readily accepts any information out there and doesn’t consider the source. He considers himself the boss, not be questioned, holds all the knowledge, and thinks the patient should listen and accept what he says respectfully. If the patient suggests trying something new, he can become impatient or angry. He can belittle or berate a patient that suggests something different.
I remember bringing some things I printed out to a doctor of mine. The doctor looked at me and asked, “Where did you get that?” I said, “I googled it” Her reply was, “You need to stop googling!” I was shocked. This is exactly what Dr. Berry is talking about!
The other type of doctor is a life-long learner who reads deeply about his specialty and even other specialties. He considers ancient treatments as well as new ones. He is impressed when a patient is interested enough in their health and brings that information to him. He considers himself a partner in a patient’s health! Yes! That’s why we need a partner! He’s excited to see a patient with papers covered in handwritten notes! Wouldn’t this be so amazing? I know doctors are very busy these days and have serious time constraints, but showing interest in a patient’s questions and concerns is key to a good relationship.
This book is available in paperback and on Kindle.
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I won’t go into all the “Lies” but let’s say there are many. To illustrate Dr. Berry’s points and show his thought processes, here is one of the most shocking lies. I found a lot of them shocking, actually. But this next lie was jaw-dropping because I have forever heard its importance.
This next lie is we need fiber, and it’s good for you, and we should add more to our diets. Dr. Berry states fiber can be very irritating to the gut. Conventional advice is fiber is supposed to keep our digestive system running smoothly and prevent constipation, diarrhea, diverticulosis, and colon cancer. Fiber is undigestible plant matter that passes through the gastric system. Dr. Berry cites studies where the fewer fiber people ate, the less constipation they had. He is saying that the increased consumption of junk foods is the root cause of gut distress and colon cancer and not the lack of fiber. No studies show that colon health benefits from increased fiber and can do more harm than good.
Dr. Berry frequently looks to the past as to what we should eat in the present. There is no evidence our ancestors went out of their way to find foods with fiber, in fact, they primarily consumed the fatty meats of large animals, however, they did go far distances for things like salt. Fiber is an indigestible irritant to our bowels and an anti-nutrient preventing the absorption of some necessary vitamins and minerals. He goes on to say some fiber supplements we are sold contain sawdust, and how do you think our gut system will process sawdust? He also states people on a strict carnivore diet have no increased risk of colon cancer.
I know that seems unbelievable, but that’s because it is the opposite of something we have repeatedly heard for years! While the book raises valid questions about the status quo in healthcare, it is not without its critics. Some argue that Dr. Berry oversimplifies complex medical issues, and his dietary recommendations may not suit everyone. His confrontational approach to challenging mainstream medicine might not resonate with everyone.
In summary, "Lies My Doctor Told Me" is a thought-provoking book that challenges conventional medical advice and encourages readers to question the status quo. Dr. Ken Berry presents a compelling case for a more personalized and natural approach to patient care by healthcare professionals. However, readers should approach this book critically, do their research, and don’t be afraid to discuss their care with their doctors! That’s what doctors are there for! It's a book that will undoubtedly ignite discussions and further exploration of health and wellness.
Wishing you good health and happiness,
Denise🩷
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