Suzanne Somers wrote the controversial book, Breakthrough: Eight Steps to Wellness, Â to share the cutting-edge information she learned on her journey to health through interviews with over a dozen doctors.
In her book, Suzanne shares her passion for being proactive and involved with her health. Â She was sick of handing her body over to doctors and was determined to do her own research and make her own decisions.
Throughout the book Suzanne expresses the importance of looking at our bodies as a whole, rather than treating or masking individual symptoms. Â She also teaches us that good health is all about PREVENTION!
Here’s a quick break down of the 8 Steps she shares in her book:
Breakthrough: 8 Steps To Wellness
1. Biodentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
Suzanne Somers believes the secret to becoming ageless is BHRT.
In this book she explains that we age because of our hormonal decline and the idea behind BHRT is to put back the hormones that are lost through the aging process.
Suzanne discusses with many doctors the roles of hormones in your body and how BHRT can bring you back to a state of well-being.
2. Avoid Chemicals and Detoxify Your Body
There are tons of chemicals around us every day: the non-organic apple we had for a snack, the deodorant we put on this morning, the unfiltered water we drank all day, etc . Â Chemicals and toxins can enter our bodies through our food, water, the air we breathe and our skin. Â Many people don’t realize the vast impact these pollutants have on our bodies!
In her book, Suzanne explains how we can protect ourselves from these pollutants and limit our exposure. Â She also teaches us how we can rid our bodies of them.
Here’s some of her suggestions:
- Eat organic or at least make sure to wash your food
- Remove toxic chemicals from your home
- Pay attention to the air you breathe; use a filter system
- Filter your water
- Consider colonic therapy
- Build your immune system
- Work on keeping your lymph system healthy
- Chelation therapy
- Hyperbaric oxygen
- Infrared sauna
3. Take Nutrition Seriously
Many of us try to eat properly but are in such a rush most of the time we grab for anything we can. Â (I can’t tell you how many people I know eat Lean Cousines!)
In her book, Suzanne teaches us how important proper nutrition is.  ‘We are what we eat’ and it’s essential that we fuel our bodies with the right foods if we want and expect to have the energy to live a productive, healthy and fulfilling life.
4. Create A Healthy GI Tract
According to her book, it is estimated that as much as 40% of the population suffers from some type of digestive stress. I can tell you from experience- about the same percentage of my patients have issues with this!
In her book, Suzanne breaks down how our digestive system works, the impact it has on our health and what we can do to keep it in good working order.
It’s so important that everything we eat gets flushed out. Â When things start to build up our body gets polluted and this can enter our blood stream and causes disease.
Here are a few of her suggestions:
- Eat organic if possible
- Chew, chew, chew….!!!
- Eat probiotic foods (fermented)
- Take digestive enzymes
- Eat more raw foods
- Get plenty of fiber and essential fatty acids
5. Avoid Pharmaceuticals Unless Absolutely Necessary
I’m not saying prescription drugs are completely bad (they are useful in some situations) But I believe these should be used VERY sparingly.
In this book, Suzanne discusses some of the natural options we have available, rather than always relying on drugs with potentially harmful side effects.
6. Supplement Your Diet
Supplements are another controversial item. Â Some people swear by them and others think they do nothing.
I recommend that all my clients take supplements- Many of the Doctors I refer to use supplements and believe that they have a place in supporting our body. Supplements should be tailored to your needs.
The majority of our food grows in soil that is no longer rich in the proper nutrients, vitamins and minerals it once was.  Because of this, it is important to consider the possibility of supplementing our diet to obtain the essential nutrition to stay healthy.
Suzanne discusses supplements that are important to add to your diet and how these nutrients enhance our health.
7. Exercise Regularly
Get up and move! Â Especially if your behind a desk all day! Â We were meant to be active individuals and when we are active, we are much healthier.
Suzanne explains that exercise doesn’t mean to be at a gym: take walks, take the stairs, get up and stretch, move those legs!
8. Proper Sleep
As I discussed in my blogs about Melatonin, it is so important to have a proper’s night’s rest. Â This is our body’s time to rest and recover.
I suggest reading this book for yourself. Â There is so much useful information in it! Â It can save your life.
And remember- it’s all about  PREVENTION!
Be Well,
Tammy Kohlschmidt RDH, CCT, CBP
