Visitors Review

leifthor-1 (2012-05-24 02:41)

Identifying the health system of food

Two years ago, I was lucky enough to have the position as the ProgramDirector for the Alternative to Meds Center in San Francisco whospecialized in getting people off non-prescription and prescriptionmeds, and a diet with no sugar and white flour (meat was stillincluded) had a huge effect on our patients.I can say I've seen this simple change to people's diets along withsupplying appropriate amino acids the right way completely change theirattitude along with their physical health being given back to them.Thank you so much for making this excellent documentary! It's not allor nothing, and simply shifting or reducing one piece like no caffeineor cutting down white flower or sugar by 50% can make a hugedifference.

cgregerson-1 (2012-05-23 19:38)

Feel-good diet with no suggestions for broad implementation

I will start by accepting every single claim in the film as true (Ipersonally believe most are mostly true). In other words, everyoneshould eat a plant-based diet, and we will have radically less disease.Bravo. Now, what are you going to do about it?It's as if the point of the movie is "Everyone should eat well andexercise, and we'll all be healthier". Well, duh! The question is, howdo you transition a society to a completely different diet? You justtell them "You should really eat better" and it magically happens?People should also pollute less, not smoke, and not use illicit drugs-- we know this already. The challenge is the implementation.I believe society will improve in these areas...once we seriouslyaddress implementation on a national level. Efforts to curb smokinghave been effective, because they have been on a national level. Butthis film leaves the viewer with the idea they "must" eat a plant-baseddied now, on their own, or they are to blame for any health problemsthey have. A few people might do this, but what about those who try tomake a radical change to their diet and fail, repeatedly -- like istrue for the vast majority of dieters?It almost gives false hope by implying there is a "simple" solution tothe issue of disease, "just completely change your diet". Ignoringimplementation and pretending the issue is solved makes the film'smessage so short-sighted it is virtually worthless.For example, the film ignores how many people have actually changed totheir recommended diet, versus how many tried and failed; and why didsome succeed where others failed? That would be useful to know.

dhunsber (2012-05-22 17:05)

A Case Could Be Made - Most Important Documentary Ever

I saw this film at a screening in Philadelphia on July 26th. Most of us understand by now that the typical Western diet is notideal. But this film explains that, in early clinical studies andscientific research, the overwhelming evidence points to some specificthings we eat that are slowly killing us. It also explains that thereis a way to eat that you will very likely live long and well. Thismovie is as simple as that, and as complex as that. Traveling along with some of the pioneers in this field, you get toreally see how obvious the approach they support is to them, andprobably should be to us. You also get a "taste" of what this movementis up against. I get the sense that this film's point is to show theDr.'s who were screaming: "Why isn't anyone listening to us?" andgiving them a chance to say, "Hey everyone, here is what we have beensaying for 20 years, and here is our clinical and scientific proof, nowgo ahead and tell us how we are wrong." Most of all, it is very well done. I really enjoyed how well thestories intertwined, as well as some terrific graphics. Some of thepersonal stories, for me, were the most convincing. Every once in a while, a documentary comes out that is just in theright place at the right time to become must see and force socialchange. I believe in 10 years, people will be talking about this filmas the moment when America and Europe finally "Got It". I cannotimagine that this will not be an early favorite for an Oscar for BestDocumentary.

spamuptheyingyang (2012-05-22 13:34)

Wake-Up Call

Forks Over Knives confirms several things we've all suspected foryears, but most of us haven't wanted to face:- The Standard American Diet and most of its variations are killing usby the millions; - Several of America's most prevalent diseases can be halted orreversed by changes in diet; - This fact has been understood for many years, but is avoided bydoctors and other health care professionals; - The diet recommended to us by our government is designed to benefitthe food industry, not to benefit people's nutrition; - The health care and pharmaceutical industries benefit by keepingAmericans in a continual state of controlled disease symptoms ratherthan in a state of optimal health. In a nutshell, "Forks Over Knives" can be interpreted as "Eat A GreatDiet In Order To Avoid Surgery." This isn't some startling new concept;over two thousand years ago Hippocrates, "the father of modernmedicine" and writer of the original Hippocratic Oath, said "Let foodbe thy medicine and medicine be thy food." The film explains how somecommon foods are killing us and how other common foods can cure us. The film's lesson is staggeringly simple, the scientific evidence isstaggering, and the personal stories are compelling. This documentaryis entirely about health; the mantra repeated throughout the film is "awhole foods, plant-based diet." Although the word "vegan" was used afew times there is essentially no mention at all of either theenvironmental or compassion benefits of this diet. The focus issquarely on eliminating disease, primarily heart disease, cancer, anddiabetes - three of this country's most urgent health issues. Most of the people excited about this film have been those alreadyfamiliar with the issues discussed. For example, my wife and I havecopies of The China Study, The Pleasure Trap, and several books by bothNeal Barnard and John McDougall, so the film didn't offer newinformation to us. Happily though the film isn't written for the veganone percent of America, it's written for the vast majority of Americanseating a poor diet and facing increased risks of a variety of healthissues. For them the information presented in this film will be awake-up call, and let's hope it will be compelling enough that theytake appropriate action and change their diet.

riannorris (2012-05-22 10:09)

Very Entertaining and VERY VERY alarming.

I decided to watch this documentary a few days ago because I'verecently watched "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" and "Foodmatters" and Iloved them both. They were both inspiring on some level, but more thaninspiring they were eye opening. It can't come as a surprise to anyoneliving in the west that we are clearly doing something wrong. We maynot want to hear about it, or agree on what "it" is but I can tell youafter you watch "Forks Over Knives" you will hear a convincing caseagainst the consumption of meat and dairy. The documentary illustratesthe findings of two different scientists who have spent more than 50years each researching the link between nutrition and disease. Theirfindings are compelling to say the least. Not only does thisdocumentary show tons of scientific evidence but it mixes in somepersonal stories for variety and entertainment. I eat tons of meat andtons of dairy so some of the science presented in "Forks over Knives"wasn't exactly music to my ears, but the evidence is hard to deny. Evenif it's not what you want to hear, and you have no inclination tobecome vegan you will still find this documentary highly entertainingand memorable.

David Ferguson (2012-05-22 00:13)

Even this Texas boy gets it

Greetings again from the darkness. Don't show up for this documentaryexpecting Morgan Spurlock or Michael Moore. This one offers littleentertainment value. But then, that's not the objective of thefilmmaker, writer Lee Fulkerson. Mr. Fulkerson provides the polaropposite of Spurlock's award-winning "Super Size Me". Where Spurlockate McDonalds fast food at every meal for a month, Mr. Fulkersonrejects our typical animal-based and processed food diet forplant-based whole foods.This test is conducted under the watch of Dr. Matthew Ledderman, whoalong with his wife, run all pertinent blood and medical tests, andthen proceed to teach Mr. Fulkerson how to shop, cook and eat in anentirely new way. The goals are weight loss, increased energy and areduction of prescription drugs.This film plays more like a PBS special or a film for medical class, asit pounds the viewer with data and information and studies andexamples. A few doctors are interviewed and only minimal input isobtained from the "other" side.The film gives the impression that Mr. Fulkerson set out to prove hispoint, much like Dr. Esselstyn and Dr Campbell give every indicationthat their goal is to prove their own points. The famousChina-Oxford-Cornell study has received some heat over the years, butregardless, it seems very clear that WITH PROPER GUIDANCE, aplant-based whole food diet affords many benefits to the human bodywhen compared to the animal-based and processed food that have becomeso prevalent in the U.S.No attention is given to cigarettes or exercise as this is totallyfocused on nutrition and it's effects. There is also some informationprovided in regards to the governmental subsidies of corn crops, andmeat and dairy farmers. This leads our filmmaker and many others topresume that the government is not necessarily interested in what'sbest for us or school kids' lunches. In fact, it appears both sideshave a bit of self-interest at stake.I would encourage everyone to see the film and educate yourself so thatyou can make the decisions that are best for you. Consult with multipledoctors and nutritionists. No one can argue with the goal of reduceddisease and minimal drug intake ... the big question is what's the bestway to achieve this.

movie-enthusiast (2012-05-18 23:41)

Have we forgotten baked apples for dessert?

Some documentaries pose a dilemma. The subject matter is terrific, butthe film itself may be just average. I review films. I can state in thereview that the importance of the subject matter is second to none! Thefilm is adequate for conveying information, but not unique or inventivein any way. Certainly, viewers will watch average films occasionallyand I hope this is one of them. The subject matter is enlightening andmay even be life changing. Enough of talking around the subject. Awhile back, I had been on a vegetarian diet for a period seven years. Iwas not perfect, but I would say less than five percent of animalproduct got into my diet. Most violations occurred when there wereanimal products in sauces and cheese sprinkled in salads when I waseating out. In order to adhere to my regimen, I ate most meals at home.For a single man in America in my thirties, vegetarianism requiredconscious effort. But I did discover that there was a social life in avegetarian world also. Why would I do it? I had a health issue. Did itseem to help? Yes. Much increased endurance and better sleep wereobvious benefits. In fact I never slept better than when I was on thisvegetarian diet. I have a basis for understanding this documentary. Ido agree that there are too many variables that were not controlled insome of the studies mentioned, but not all. The film shows thatDr.Esselstyn treated heart patients with low-fat vegetarian diets withsuccess. The armed services have adopted a low fat diet--anothersupporting factor. Of course, most sources of fat in our diet areanimal. The Norwegian study which reflects the decrease in diseaseduring the NAZI occupation is good corroboration. I first read aboutthis study in the '60's and I am glad to see it referenced here. Thisis particularly supportive because the NAZI's took all the meat theycould find for themselves. Other wartime studies merely showed thebenefits of under-eating. There is a common belief that eating meatincreases strength and aggression -- even today. The endorsement by thesports fighter shows that this is most probably a myth. With the helpof blood tests and a doctor's guidance, you can avoid the pitfalls ofswitching to vegetarianism. You have to balance your nutrition withoutmeat and diary and you may have to be monitored for a while. I havefound that the craving for meat is sometimes just a craving for salt.Some people add eggs to their diet for convenience and a quicksolution. Cultivating an interest in spices will certainly berewarding. Please watch this documentary and follow up with your ownresearch if you like. There is plenty of information online.

MovieLoverEasyCritic (2012-05-18 13:29)

This Movie....Is REAL...Not Fluffy!....

This Movie....Is REAL...Not Fluffy!....EVERYONE should take the time to watch this movie! If you can go watchit with an open mind....It' basically common sense! From a Biblicalbeginning of time perspective (though this is not a religious movie) itmakes so much sense! Why plants have protective things in them.Why when we eat them they Help US! Why so much of what we eat is notbeneficial to us in a nutritional way! If every time we took a bite offood and thought is this good or bad for me....there would be noobesity! Go see this movie with an open mind! I Loved the book andThankful for the movie!