How can eliminating processed junk and eating a traditional diet help you? Read these stories and learn how others have benefited. (Permission to share obtained prior to posting.)
LA Lakers
“…[W]e trust Dr. Cate implicitly. I’ve seen great results from it from when I started doing it last year.”
– Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers
“Everything they’re telling us, one, it makes sense, and two, [Shanahan] has science to back it up.2…I used to have stiffness in my knees, but not anymore. I’m sticking with it. I’ve noticed a change.”
– Steve Blake, LA Lakers
“I like [PRO Nutrition] I think it’s good for everybody…because it prolongs our lives, and generations after us will be healthier because we eat healthy.4 It really helped me with endurance [and] I started to feel better as a player. I was able to run more, I was able to be more active because of my diet change, and I just decided to keep going with it to this day. I can tell once I’ve [cheated], my body feels different.”
– Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets
“I’ve definitely noticed my joints aren’t as sore, aren’t as stiff when I wake up.”
– Chris Kaman
ABC Team Members
Dave Malone
Just wanted to share a few cool things with you! First, in two years I’ve seen my triglycerides drop from 160 to most recently 72!!!!! Additionally, for the first time in my life, I have a BMI that falls within the acceptable range of measurement! And lastly, I’ve discovered that Trader Joe’s makes a heart of palm “pasta” that is fantastic and super low in calories and carbs, so guess who can have “pasta” again?! Yup, me! ?
I can not thank you enough for your guidance over the past few years. I’m healthier than I’ve ever been and feel great!
Gus Chinchilla
From skipping oils and working out, I no longer required blood pressure medication and blood pressures are lower than they were on the medication. I have more energy better mental concentration, and less hunger.
My whole family is doing better—including kids! And getting healthier.
Janessa Schuster
I used to feel hopeless about ever being able to lose weight or getting rid of my migraine headaches that pained me almost on a weekly basis. I felt like I was taking too much medication and still they were very debilitating. After 7 months of avoiding the Hateful 8 seed oils I’ve now gone seven months without a migraine episode with only 2 very minor headache episodes and I’m also down 40 pounds.
Janessa describes her early experience:
I felt fine the first day of doing keto. The second day I really wanted carbs! By day 3 I felt better.
I forgot to eat one night then overnight woke up super hungry and nauseated and ate a granola bar and a popsicle to go back to sleep, that was strange! But it hasn’t happened again. After about 5 months, I started getting new cravings, for healthy things, like gravelox [salty cured salmon.]
Kelly Norvell Fischer
Your book was awesome!!!! I’ve lost 40 lbs in 3 months. Thank you so much!!!!!
I read the FatBurn Fix in January [2021] and now I’ve lost 55 pounds, 5 months after reading the book, everything is better… you’ve literally helped me with everything!
I started out with a lifestyle change on my food first after reading your book. Your shopping list on your website is AMAZING! It has helped me so much. Then after losing 30ish or so pounds on switching foods, and cutting out snacking, that’s when I started to add the gym into my routine. I’m sure by the end of the year my progress will be even more amazing! haha
Liz Holland
I am feeling great, walking 2 miles daily twice a day with my son and it’s quality time together. I feel amazing, much better than I have in years. The weight loss is an added bonus!
Q&A
Was it hard to get started?
Once I had made up my mind that I needed to make a lifestyle change, no…but it did take me a long time to accept the fact that I needed to make some serious changes. I had one defining moment that made me reevaluate the choices I was making regarding health where I couldn’t fit comfortably on a roller coaster. It sounds silly, but that moment was what kick started my health journey.
How did your family react?
Great! My husband prefers to eat a high protein lots of veggie diet, so he was onboard immediately. The only pushback I have gotten was from my youngest child, he is a carbohydrate junkie and missed his comfort foods. It has inspired me to get creative with meals finding healthy ways to make his favorites.
What keeps you going?
I feel amazing!!! I do not have any desire to feel the way I did prior to making changes to my diet…and when I have days where I go off the plan (like Thanksgiving) I felt horrible the next day, that is enough of a deterrent for me. Receiving compliments on my progress from peers and family doesn’t hurt the cause either.
What would you say to someone who is considering changing their lifestyle to get healthier who asks for your advice?
The first thing to keep in mind, is you must be willing to make changes for yourself, not because someone else wants you to. It’s ok to make mistakes, you can always start over again. Make small goals, and celebrate EVERY goal met.
Milton Pizarro
I was able to lose some weight on my own, but could not reverse my diabetes until I started working with Dr. Cate. I am from Puerto Rico and we eat sweet bread every day. A lot of it. Avoiding the bad oils and learning about good fats to eat instead was much easier than giving up the bread! But once I made up my mind to do it, I can be stubborn so I am sticking to it. I decided it was worth it to stop eating the sweet bread and change my diet if it meant I could get rid of diabetes because I want to be around for my children to grow up.
Testimonials from Patients and Community members:
Freedom from Anxiety
I finally have peace of mind. The diet is working, we’re beyond excited, I love the way I feel around it.
This was the first time ever that I changed my diet and felt better!
I used to suffer from anxiety, now I know I am doing everything I can on my part and if something happens it was out of my control. I have more energy, I feel stronger. I lost 15 pounds without trying and feel very fit and trim now.
This does not feel like a diet because everything tastes better than it used to.
— Eyal Gordon, CA
Freedom From Food and Alcohol Addictions
As I type I’m crying tears of joy and appreciation for all you’ve done for me and my health! Without both Deep Nutrition and Fatburn Fix I would still be in the vicious cycle I’d been fighting literally all my life! I know you are busy so I won’t go into my life story but in a nutshell – I am no longer a compulsive overeating addict suffering under the crushing ‘thumb’ of all food and alcohol. Neither can control me, I’ve got health & energy, and I understand why!! Your plan works and I am a testament to it!
— Penni Wicks
At Last, 20 Stubborn Pounds Shed
I love your fatburn fix program. It has helped me so so much! I have had the dreaded weight all my life – 20 or so pounds I could never shed. I have lost that now. I only eat 2 meals a day lunch and dinner with a glass of milk or cappuccino around 4 to hold me over. No snacking and no bad oils. It has been the key to unlocking my fatburn. I work out in the a.m. and believe I am burning fat for energy not from food!”
— Lauren Smith
Life Getting Better at 74
I’m a 74-year-old woman who is still overweight, but after reading your books my life is much better. I started reading and eating like you recommend in mid-June of this year. I have since lost about 30 pounds and many of my clothes are starting to hang on me. I feel so much better also.
I make many good soups and salads with every low-carb vegetable I can pile in. I have enjoyed two loaves of the Ezekial Sesame bread in all of those months. I occasionally have a KIND bar (10 or less carbs). I purchase and use only good oils, good avocado mayo and make my own bone broth. At times I am hungry, but I can push through the hunger by prepping for dinner early.
I have experimented with a few Keto recipes that have no added sugars or sweeteners and mostly recipes for bread alternatives. They call for mozzarella cheese, eggs and 1 tsp. of coconut flour so I’m thinking these are okay with only 1 carb per slice.
I am so grateful I read an article about the L.A. Lakers and how you have worked to make them healthy as a team. That is what started me on my get healthy adventure. I have a ways to go, but I’m not giving up on my healthy weight journey.
— Donna Murphy
All-Over Pain Calmed
I am following your program and it will be three weeks tomorrow and I have lost 11 pounds so far. It has been easy for me to do and I look forward to seeing my labs in three months. I feel so much better with terrible aches and pains everywhere in my body, my hands, shoulders, and knees. So I couldn’t be happier and the way I feel is motivating me every day. Thank you. –
— DW
Formerly Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Controlled without Meds in 6 months
I would like to thank you for literally saving my life. Back in February, I had to be hospitalized while on Vacation in Phoenix with an A1C of 11% and had to start taking 2 types of insulin and 2 other meds. I read the Fatburn Fix in April [2020] and followed the program to a tee, and [now in November 2020] I’m down by 15 pounds, 6.8 A1C, and only one once-weekly diabetes medicine. Prior to reading the book, it was almost impossible for me to lose weight as a diabetic. Also getting rid of the sugar cravings was always the diet buster for me.
— LHT
I Didn’t Think I Could Do It!
I’ve lost 100lbs!! To be honest, when I started this weight loss journey over 14 years ago, I never dreamed that was even possible for me. As I became healthier, I became passionate about reading and researching for my health. I found you and other programs that promote only healthy fats.
I’d say that over 60/70 lbs were lost since cutting seed & vegetable oils out of my life. Anyone who knows me knows I don’t have them in my home, and I’m THAT person who will always discuss cutting them and swapping for healthier options at a meal.
I have never been successful with full keto, but I have eliminated some foods from my diet (along with veg oils) because of having Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. I found that I feel a lot better cutting gluten, dairy, sugar, soy, and processed foods. Eating whole-clean foods is what I strive for and what helped me maintain my weight loss. I have 3 daughters who have lived with their mother on a diet their whole life. I’m happy to report that they’ve learned to eat healthy and clean and are now afraid of veg oils too thanks to you!
— Adrianne Rendall
Hypoglycemia Was Stalling Weight Loss
I read Fatburn Fix after I saw you on Bill Maher. You have completely changed my thoughts on health and what I should be eating. I have been eating “clean” (at least what I thought was clean) for many years. I am 53 and fairly healthy (I don’t take any long-term prescriptions) and in good shape. I work out 30 mins every weekday before work and usually hover around 136 to 138 lbs for the last 20 yrs…I am 5’3. We get pretty good bloodwork done every year at work, and my #s have always been above average.
However, I had all the hypoglycemia symptoms you address and no matter what I ate or how hard I worked out, I could not lose more than 1 lb or two. Most people see me as someone who does not need to lose any weight, but I had some extra weight around the middle…that’s where I carry it. After starting your book, I started with a Keto foundation but I am only eating good fats and cutting all the bad seed oils. I also stopped snacking on protein bars between meals. That was weird at first but I have kicked the habit!
I do not have any hypoglycemia symptoms anymore!
Also, I believe balance is the key to success with anything in your life. So during all of this, I have not missed our every Friday night Mexican meal and my 1 margarita a week. I have also switched to organic wines and don’t usually drink until the weekend. I intend to eat like this forever, understanding there will be moments every week when I indulge myself…on my terms.
So As of June, I have lost a solid 20 Lbs and my bloodwork (after 3 months of eating your way) was even better! I was metabolically healthy (per your book) before I read your book, but barely. Lowering my weight, sealed the deal! I have been talking about you and your book to anyone who will listen, but getting people to believe that everything we’ve been taught about what food (good vs bad) is actually completely wrong is very difficult. I get it…it was hard to wrap my head around it…but I trusted you and I am a believer!! Thank you for all you’ve done and what you continue to do!! You are changing lives for the better!!
— MC
Joy and Astonishment
Thank you so much, Dr. Cate. My family and I have been following your recommendations since reading Deep Nutrition last summer and The Fatburn Fix this winter. I have NO DOUBT that you have literally saved our lives. Thank you for your work, your energy, your courage, and your dedication.
My husband and I daily shake our heads in joy and astonishment at how wonderful we feel and are beginning to look. And at how much better we are able to feed our children (8 and 3). We are so so grateful.
I’m also sharing your work with my clients- pro dancers and active people who are overcoming chronic pain and injury. I have been in the health and fitness fields for years and (as you know) so much of what I have learned in regards to nutrition has been backwards, useless, or at best, confusing, ineffective, and barely actionable. I am so grateful to finally have a resource to point my clients to that I KNOW is credible, actionable, and SO GOOD for them.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
— Melissa HoneyBee Reh Fearless Dancer Studio
The Secret to Ending Carb Cravings
Dr. Cate, I feel like you’ve changed my life by changing my diet. After 3 weeks I have no more carb cravings and more energy. Now, I’ve lost 15 pounds without any effort.
I want to keep eating this way.
I feel like my whole life there was a secret out there and this was the secret.
— Melissa McPherson
Biometrics Better and Looking Foward to Workouts
I am 61 year old male and have lost 22 pounds in the last 6 weeks while on the fat-burn fix plan. My BMI has dropped from 27.4 to 24.3. Blood Pressure is now normal, 96/68. Resting heart rate lower, at 50bpm Triglyceride/HDL = 1.63, down from 2.72 since last blood test in 2016. HOMR-IR = Insulin*Glucose/450 = 3.1*69/450 = 0.48
Plus I work out every other day one hour bike ride, about a third of which is an uphill ride where I get my heart rate up to 130-140 bpm for 20 minutes. Plus I do feel better and have more energy. I get through my stretching routines a lot easier now, and instead of “forcing” myself to do workouts I now look forward to them.
— TP
Collagen Supplements Work
I switched all my supplements to what you recommended in the book. I have no serious injuries, I don’t run, and did not play sports in school, but I do have lower back issues and my knees were hurting going up and downstairs. also, when working out the transitioning between standing up and going down to the floor was getter harder and slower. No doctor has ever told me, he why don’t you start taking a collagen supplement? And/or add some cartilage and liver pills for all your joint and inflammation issues?! Well now (thanks to you) I do and I have noticed a huge difference with all of the above issues. I won’t say I feel 20 again, but I definitely feel like a solid 30 yr old…and that’s a big W!! PS…and I had no idea supplements weren’t regulated (which is crazy)!!!
— MC
Thyroid Function Normalizing
I feel compelled to reach out to tell you that my most recent blood work revealed that due to your guidance my thyroid is beginning to work again! I’ve been eating faithfully as per Deep Nutrition for a year now and Fatburn Fix since February of this year and was delighted to see all of the positive results from an internal perspective. I’ve officially begun the process of weaning myself off thyroid medication! Thank you!
Thank you again for your willingness to share what you know through your books! You’ve forever changed my life and health and also that of my daughters and their families!
—PW
An End to Heartburn
I’m a type two diabetic and just started on your program a few months ago. Already I lost 20 pounds and all I did was stop seed oils and follow your baby steps plan. I didn’t have to go keto. This is the first time ever I’ve ever done anything that’s worked. It’s totally changed my life. And I love not having to take tums after every meal.
— Gina Delano
So Much More Energy!
As a pilot, I’ve always been health conscious but still, my weight crept up, and so did my blood pressure. The FATBURN Fix plan has been tremendously effective. I lost 30 pounds in 5 months. I have more energy. I feel much better to go work out. I’ve been saying to my wife, “Let’s get out of the house and do something” and that’s new because I didn’t use to feel like it. Folks at the gym are asking “what have you done” and I tell them they won’t believe it, “just cut out sugar and vegetable oil.”
— Gary McMillain
Chest Pains Stopped, “I feel free!”
Dr. Cate, I’m a 65-year-old man, who [started your plan] about a month ago. Before you, I was a strict vegan for 9 months.
During my vegan days, I gained weight. My belly got fatter and my arms got skinnier (muscle loss). I had little energy. In the past, I have also been on the Atkins diet, but I got bored with that. I am 6? and have always been around 205 to 210lbs. Anyway, for the last month, I have really been reading all labels on everything. I have completely removed those 8 oils you talk about. I must tell you, I feel great! I have more energy and I am now 197lbs. I eat potatoes with real butter, grass-fed steak, pasta with the right toppings. I eat everything! I seem to crave less sugar. I love it! I have since bought two of your books. So I just had to tell you, Thank you Dr Cate!!
UPDATE: that was a few months ago, and things have changed since then. First, I became a label reader and literally check everything that I eat for vegetable and seed oils. I can still literally eat anything I want that does not include those oils. But here is what has changed.
- I lost approx 20lbs. I stabilized at 190lbs. I could probably lose more weight if I cut carbs, but honestly at 6? 190lbs is comfortable for me.
- My blood pressure dropped about 20 points. I went from sometimes high 140’s over high 90’s to well under 120/80.
- Before cutting these vegetable oils out of my diet I sometimes had chest discomfort, which is now completely gone.
Dr. Cate, thank you so much. I feel better than I have in years, and for me, it was all about the hateful 8 oils. Watching you on TV that night literally changed my life, and I really enjoy food again. I feel free if that makes sense. And btw, I already have two of your books and continue to learn. Thank you again!
— Robert Kirkendall
Heal Your Children’s Brain’s
This is my area of research and I understand the importance of traditional nutrition from a personal standpoint, as I have a child with Aspergers/Adhd/…(I’d been told -age 10-by MD that he’d never have a job or live on his own- he moved out at 19, has a full-time job & graduated highschool with honors-no IEP). He improved tremendously when I switched him from a vegetarian, fake foods diet to a whole foods omnivorous diet. [Also lots of sunshine & very minimal screen time!]
— Anonymous Middle School Teacher
Crowd-Pleasing Science
“I use “Deep Nutrition” as my textbook for my Nutrition and Public Health course at Siena College. The word is out and I even have students that have graduated coming back to sit in on the class.”
— Bridgit Goldman
Lifelong Allergies Zapped
Hi Dr. Cate! I wanted to thank you for the work you do. My husband and I watched your interview on the Bill Maher show and what you said about seed oils was something I hadn’t heard before. I was so intrigued that I immediately purchased both of your books.
We (including our teenage son) completely cut out seed oils from our diet [3 months ago] and it’s been great!
The biggest difference for me (and a surprising one) is that my allergies have almost completely disappeared! This is a big deal for me because I’ve had allergies most of my life and they have often affected what I do which is teaching music in a public school district. In general, I feel much better and have more consistent energy throughout the day.
The biggest challenge is losing weight which is the next goal. I’m just so grateful for the information you have shared from your research, work, and writings. Thank you!
— Erica Turrell
The Missing Information I Needed
Your “Fatburn Fix” book is amazing, my friend. Thank you! I’m an Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and I know my stuff. This is the extra layer of knowledge I didn’t know I needed. Well done!
— Jennifer Dillman
Brought Back to Good Health
In ten weeks, I went from being prediabetic to now having my A1C in the normal range. I cut my triglycerides almost in half, lowered my cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and lost weight. I will be forever indebted to you for bringing me back to good health. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
—SR
Finally Sleeping Better
Working with Dr. Shanahan, I’ve radically changed my diet. I can’t tell you how much better I feel. I noticed tons more energy and a minor stomach pot is disappearing fast. I’m calmer and getting restful sleep, which I’d about resigned myself to doing without for the rest of my life. Incidentally, my high blood pressure is decent for a change and those annoying, stubborn skin rashes are next in line for full attention. Knee and neck pain from long ago injuries are gone; my joints are looser and more flexible. I’m happy as a clam. Health and longevity are vital interests of mine. “I’ve got to live a long time so I can write my books,” is what I say. Plus I’m addicted to feeling good, my blessedly lucky state for most of my life.
– JoAnne Lordahl, Kaui resident and Author Princess Ruth
Junk Food Addictions GONE
I want to thank you for helping my parents get on the road reclaiming their health!
I hope it’s ok that I’m writing to you…But I just HAVE to thank you!
WE CANNOT BELIEVE THE CHANGES! My parents call us to talk about buying grass-fed liver and to brag about their awesome food and lifestyle upgrades. I am SO HAPPY that you were able to help them transition. We got such a kick out of the phone calls) – “Did you know that sugar feeds cancer?” I am more than impressed by the depth and breadth of Dr. Shanahan’s knowledge. More importantly, as the daughter of one of her patients – I am amazed by her effectiveness. Dr. Shanahan listens carefully to my mother’s concerns and clearly shares and explains health-saving information. In a few short weeks, my mother transformed from a life-long junk food eater to a nutritional maven. She is losing excess weight, showing large improvements in her blood work and – most critically – strengthening the systems of her body to help her as she undergoes chemotherapy and surgery in her ongoing fight against cancer. As a family, we are fortunate beyond measure to have Dr. Cate in our corner!
– Lizzie Harris McCormick, PhD. Long Island City, NY
From Sick to Fit at the Age of 56
Mitzi’s full story was published in First For Women May 25, 2020 page 29, Reprinted here with permission:
Mitzi listened as her doctor prescribed antidepressants, anti-seizure pills, and ADD meds. Medical professionals couldn’t identify what was wrong with her, but Mitzi knew pills weren’t the answer.
Now I’m taking three medications and I don’t even know if they are helping, she said. I need to find a real way to feel better.
Mitzi started researching nutrition and began with a real food challenge, cutting out all packaged fare. Mitzi incorporated advice from Catherine Shanahan, MD like eating minimally processed unrefined oils—coconut oil, olive oil, duck fat, and lard.
Limiting processed foods and eating healthy fats was the recipe for optimal health. The delicious real food improved Mitzi’s mental clarity, strength, and mood.
I felt like I was aging in reverse. People were saying, ‘Are you going to the gym? Your arms look great.’ And I’d say, “Nope, I’m just losing fat.’
Now Mitzi is a health coach and takes zero prescription pills.
I no longer have monthly $150 copays for those meds. It’s never too late to start. I’m walking on cloud nine!
Stage 4 Breast Cancer Survivor
I’m a two-time cancer patient healing with nutrition. I love your book! Thank you! My oncologist says that my lifestyle has helped my treatment to be more effective. I am in remission from stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.
PS- 5 bone metastasis gone!!
— Teresa P
Heart Palpitations Have Stopped
I’ve been familiar with your work for several years but finally started practicing it in May of this year. I’ve read Fat Burn and Deep Nutrition multiple times, successfully converting my wife and parents, and the best man from my wedding (a T2DM patient).
I’ve lost 20+ pounds (also fasting 16-24 hours daily) and haven’t had palpitations except for one occasion — I had a mini bag of Fritos for the first time in July. And, I feel better now on a daily basis than I ever did all through college.
I still get funny looking from my colleagues when I have bone broth for lunch or tell them about my experiments cooking pork hearts, but I will never turn back now!
— Mike Wright
Esophagitis Healed
I’m so glad I discovered you. I wish I had 10 years earlier. I had been suffering from an increasingly common condition where I had terrible difficulty swallowing. Not in my throat, but in my lower esophagus. Food would get lodged, sometimes for an hour or two. Choking – or should I say, drowning, would ensue if I tried to wash the food down with a liquid. This is called eosinophilic esophagitis, or EE. Various physicians told me it was likely caused either by excess stomach acid (take omeprazole, they told me) or a food allergy/intolerance. After about 18 months of trying omeprazole and numerous food elimination diets, I stumbled on to the real culprit – industrialized seed oils. I have avoided these oils as much as possible and completely eliminated the swallowing issues! I’ve given a copy of your book to my primary physician and asked him to share it with his other patients also suffering from EE. Thank you!
— David V
Joint and Tendon Pain Resolved
I have suffered from plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and a myriad of other sports injuries off and on for 30 years. I always attributed it to running too much, being active, getting older etc. etc. Not only did Dr Cate heal my ailing joint and tendons but my skin looks amazing! That coupled with the anti- inflammatory diet has cleared up my adult cystic acne as well and we are well into the dog days of summer in Atlanta. Usually by this time of year my skin is a mess as and I am happy to say it looks and feels great. My body feels happy!
– Pattie Blohm, Milton, GA
High Blood Pressure GONE
In a matter of six weeks I lost six pounds, my blood sugars are in much better control, my blood pressure dropped from the 140/80 range to 112/72, I feel much less hungry and have a lot more energy. I’m not really eating a lot less, but rather a lot different.
– M Davis, Manchester, NH
Articles about Dr. Cate and her professional athletes:
Dwight Howard:
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/24370416
Migraine Headache Relief
I have been following your plan and I am astonished. I have suffered migraines for 53 years and even a Neurologist specializing in headaches could not figure out what you did. I definitely think I was prediabetic. I have had hypoglycemia symptoms for years. I am making good progress by increasing healthy fats, cutting carbs, and cutting out snacks and unhealthy fats. THANK YOU for being the one who is changing my life <3
— JQ
Cutting Seed Oils Drops Triglycerides
After many years of trying low fat, low cholesterol diets and taking Lipitor, I was encouraged by Dr. Sayess, to try Dr. Cate’s program. I was very skeptical but considering that my triglyceride and sugar levels were rising I decided to give it a try. After 3 months, I had my blood work done, and was pleasantly surprised. My triglycerides were the lowest they EVER were (even on meds), my cholesterol numbers were fabulous (Lipitor dose was cut in 1/2), and sugar levels better! I’m sold!
— Paul, Manchester NH
Disabling Pain 99% Gone in 21 Days
My hip pain is 99% gone and my heel pain is less each day. This is all within the last three weeks or so. I first saw you on Bill Maher and my curiosity was triggered. Now I can’t get enough. My hip pain was so debilitating I couldn’t walk without a can and I would sit and cry. I believe it was mostly due to inflammation. I have changed many things in my diet and my energy level is way up. I’m also losing weight. I have told friends and family about how and why vegetable oils are bad because you explain it all so succinctly. I love your passion and how much you care about your fellow humans to do all this work so they can get healthy. Thank you thank you thank you,
— Sue Deutschero
Your Plan Is The Cure
Dr. Cate,
thank you so much!!!!!!!!!! I have been dealing with overweight for decades. I just never had the energy I need to exercise to work it off. I have had a sweet tooth forever. Last Thursday I woke up a new man. I have sleep apnea. I slept that night the best sleep since I got my machine 6 years ago. When I woke up I had more energy than I have had since my 20’s. I am still going strong. I eat about once or twice a day. I am never hungry!!! I was one of those who my ex called a bear if I missed a meal or if it was late. I am in Phase 2 of your plan. I have told everyone I meet and see about your book! I told 2 friends your book is like I had cancer and your book is the cure. I want to thank you so much. I go to the gym 6 times a week and still have energy afterward. People have already noticed a change in me, they say I glow now and ask how much weight have I lost?
—HD ATTELL
Transformational Journeys from N.H. Practice Dates: 2010-11
Karen’s story
PROBLEMS: Joint Inflammation, Prediabetes, Fatigue
Karen first came to me in 2010 at age 68 with pain in her thumbs and knees that was making it hard for her to do things like button clothes, open jars, climb stairs, and get up out of a chair. She needed Tylenol, alleve, osteobiflex, and chromium to control her pains and muscle cramps enough to get through her day.
She’d also been on Zocor, a medication for high cholesterol for over 15 years. I informed her that was longer than any study had ever shown to be safe, and that the Zocor could be contributing to her aches and fatigue. I suggested she cut her heart disease risk naturally by reducing inflammation, which would also reduce her joint pains. Karen thought that sounded logical and wanted to go for it.
Karen’s labs:
Fasting glucose= 112. (Normal under 90)
Total cholesterol 154, LDL 91, HDL 52, triglycerides 86.
Comment on labs:
Even though Zocor made her cholesterol numbers look good, the drug does very little to reduce risk in nonsmoking patients without prior heart attacks because it doesn’t get at the root of the problem. Long-term use of Zocor would put her at risk of heart, memory and more muscle problems (among other things). So I had her taper the drug over two weeks and then stop it.
Notice the high glucose. As I told Karen, that to me was where her real trouble was. Sugar can damage the cholesterol packages called lipoproteins, and it’s really the elevations in blood sugar together with toxic fats from vegetable oils that put you at risk of heart disease. (PUFAs from vegetable oils building up in her body fat is what caused her blood sugar to rise, as is the case for most people with high blood sugar for reasons described in The FATBURN Fix.)
Two Weeks Later
Already Less Inflammation and Down 7 Pounds
Off Zocor and vegetable oils, her weight dropped 7 lbs, and she experienced an improvement in joint pain and flexibility. She was motivated to be more active and continue with the changes she’d made. I was impressed by her rapid adaptation of the Deep Nutrition principles, especially since her friends were suggesting her new, low-carb diet was dangerously high in fat.
Labs: Fasting glucose=91, total cholesterol=225, LDL 145, HDL 48, triglycerides 113.
Six Months Later
Bursting With Energy
At her latest visit she reported that six months into following Deep Nutrition’s principles she noticed a surge in her energy levels (probably because her inflammation quieted down). Her joint pains were a distant memory, and she no longer needed Tylenol, Alleve or joint supplements.
Labs: Fasting glucose 90, total cholesterol 223, LDL 156, HDL, 56, triglycerides 131.
By now, her friends had stopped calling her new habits ‘radical’ (what’s so radical about chicken soup?) and started asking her for advice!
She also told me she’s been recommending Deep Nutrition to tons of her friends, for which I thanked her kindly.
Leanne’s story
PROBLEM: Decades of Worsening Diabetes
Leanne first came to me for help with her weight and her diabetes at age 61. She’d been diagnosed with diabetes in 1997, and on gradually more prescriptions over the years. She’d seen several dietitians who offered the usual food-pyramid misinformation, after which her metabolic imbalances progressed. Leanne was particularly motivated to make changes because her previous physician had just ordered blood work showing progressive glucose elevations and insulin resistance and advised her to start yet another, very costly medication.
Medications at first visit: Crestor, Metformin, Glyburide, Nateglinide. Weight 203 lbs.
Labs from the week before ordered by her previous doctor: Total cholesterol 136, HDL=36, LDL=75, triglycerides=191. Fasting glucose 130. A1c
I gave Leanne the handout from my TRIMProgram and a food diary and had her come back two weeks later. I also wanted to see what her cholesterol was without Crestor, so asked her to stop it and then get her blood tested.
Two Weeks Later:
Thinner Already
When she came back two weeks later, she’d forgotten the blood tests but had already lost 3 lbs just from following the handout. I could tell she was going to be a success, so I did not tell her to restart the Crestor because I decided that no matter what her labs might be right then, they were soon to be much better because she was going to be putting the right things into her body. I had her stop one of her diabetes meds, just to prevent dangerously low blood glucose (we stopped the most expensive one, Nateglinide).
Four Months Later:
Medication Freedom in Sight
Leanne weighed in at 180 lbs, down over 20 from just 4 months ago. It’s important to understand that she had not cut calories or stepped up her exercise, but simply followed the principles of Deep Nutrition, summarized here: http://www.trimprogram.com/p/10-steps-to-healthier-body.html. She’d cut carbs, added back natural fats, bone broths, bought better quality meats, and even found naturally fermented sauerkraut and pickles. Her glucoses were dropping to the 40s overnight, so we cut the glyburide down to 25% of the former dose. Now she’s only on generic metformin and a tiny generic glyburide, plus a baby aspirin, and is saving hundreds.
Leanne is using some of that to buy better, yummier, healthier food. I’m very excited about her progress and look forward to scratching more prescriptions off her list.
