Driven by his passion to educate his team members how to regain their lost health, optimize their wellness, and prevent chronic disease, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, John Mackey has become a prominent educator and advocate for a whole-food, plant-based diet. John recently gave a presentation at Dr. John McDougall’s Advanced Study Weekend in Santa Rosa, California. The short video clip above highlights his thoughts regarding the Total Health Immersion programs that Whole Foods Market offers its team members. (Dr. McDougall was the visionary that created these employee whole food immersion programs.) I have been privileged to be the Physician providing, Medical Supervision, as the Medical Director, for seven of these Whole Foods Market Health Immersion Programs!
Because they take the principles of diet and lifestyle seriously and value the health of their employees; every year, Whole Foods Market sends their highest risk members to a one-week, health immersion program. The members that are chosen have either type-2 diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, autoimmune, and/or are obese. The team members are totally immersed in the live-in program which is designed to educate, motivate, and significantly impact their overall health. These immersions prove to be a pivotal time in their lives.
“We've had at least 100 team members that have reversed diabetes - a disease that supposedly doctors say cannot be cured by drugs” John said. "The human body is very resilient; it can heal itself fairly rapidly if we just stop poisoning it. It wants to heal, only we just keep insulting it with poisons day after day. But if we turn the poisons off, and give them healthy and nutritious food, the body starts to heal and returns to a healthy state and condition. Disease starts to reverse." On the first and last day of the immersion, specific biomarkers are taken which reflects the health of each team member. After only one week, considerable results are seen.
This remarkable healing process was captured in one such testimony regarding diabetes reversal. Jacquie suffered from type-2 diabetes for many years. I had the privilege of providing Medical Supervision as the Medical Director for the first seven Engine 2 Immersions, including the 2012 Engine 2 Diet Immersion in Austin, Texas where I closely monitored and managed Jacquie's diabetes, lowering her medication doses, to keep her safe, on a daily basis. After only four days of eating the Engine 2 Diet, her glucose level fell within the normal range for the very first time. Because plant foods contain astounding healing properties, I was able to reduce and eliminate several of her medications. Her emotional testimony brought tears to many eyes.
John says that Whole Foods Market is very committed to improving the health and wellbeing of their team members. Making the transition to a diet that supports optimal health is life-changing. Many of the employees have tried all sorts of diets that have left them feeling like failures, lowering their self-esteem. Hope is restored when they begin to eat life-giving foods. They take fewer sick days, are happy, more ambitious and are productive. Watch this powerful presentation of one of the Engine 2 Diet Immersions here.
Nutritional excellence promotes the health and performance of every cell, organ, and system in our bodies. By switching to a diet rich in whole plant foods, we give our bodies the chance to heal and function optimally. It's never too late to start! Better health and disease reversal starts with your first meal. Live-in lifestyle programs are an exciting and fun way to experience first-hand the benefits of a plant-centered diet. I have provided medical supervision for many corporate health retreats, of which the results can be seen here. For more information regarding how to begin your journey, see our "Getting Started" Pinterest board.
For more information, click on the following links:
(1) Dr. Carney's Diabetes Pinterest Board
(2) "John Mackey's Plant-Based Diet Presentation"
(3) "Die Sooner with Good Looking Numbers"