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A British couple are being credited with transforming the lives of diabetics at a new centre for managing major illnesses.

Ninety per cent of diabetic visitors to the pioneering Obsidian Retreat say they have either greatly reduced or stopped taking prescribed medication, including insulin and metformin, following their stay. This supports the study published last week that confirmed that type 2 diabetes is reversible*.

Other patients, including cancer and heart disease sufferers, say the centre has made a significant impact on their recovery.

Diabetes now affects 2.8 million people in the UK with at least one million type 2 diabetes cases currently undiagnosed, while coronary heart disease affects 2.6 million people and a further two million suffer with angina.

Andy and Carol West opened the Obsidian Retreat in Alicante to offer UK clients a year-round facility for their innovative health management programme. The retreat officially opens this week. Their approach, tailored to meet the needs of individual guests at the retreat, combines tried and tested theories and practices from the US and Europe in a new unique way.

Elements of the innovative new programme are already accessible in the US but this is the first time a permanent retreat of this kind has been opened within such easy reach of UK residents.3

Andy West explained, “A major influence on our new health restoration programme has been the long-term studies of some of the American pioneers in this field, including Dr John McDougall, Dr Dean Ornish and Dr Colin Campbell.

“Trials by Dr Campbell and Dr Ornish have proven that a healthy, plant-based diet can reverse diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, and Dr Dean Ornish has been designated the number one diet for heart health and number two for preventing and managing diabetes by the Preventive Medicine Research Institute. All guests follow his dietary programmes whilst staying at Obsidian.

“We also share the belief of Charlotte Gerson of the Gerson Institute that type 2 diabetes is reversible through change in diet, ‘every time’; and like Dr Caldwell Esselstyn, who directed the longest and most successful heart disease reversal programme ever completed, we have evidence to prove that diet and lifestyle can stop and even reverse heart disease.”

Patients can benefit from a combination of:

Health restoration through a vegan, plant-based and raw (living) food detox diet and juicing therapy

Patients can benefit from a combination of:

•  Health restoration through a vegan, plant-based and raw (living) food detox diet and juicing therapy
•  Light Exercise
•  Stress relief through yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy and EFT
•  Colon hydrotherapy and similar health treatments
•  Longer term change management through education and life coaching
•  Rest and recuperation

Case Studies – Type 2 diabetic ditches his medication after just 10 days

Visitors who attended the retreat’s trial programmes say they cannot praise it highly enough – and report instant results. They are amazed at the effect not only on their bodies, with an average weight loss of seven pounds in a week, but also on their illnesses and their attitude towards eating and food.

Andy continued, “In our own trial, prior to our official launch this week, we have seen fantastic results.

“One of those we helped was type 2 diabetic Lawrence, who says his stay ‘changed his life’. After just 10 days into his stay he came off his diabetic medication, despite being told by his doctor that his diabetes was irreversible. Lawrence has continued to maintain his sugar levels, without medication, even upon leaving the retreat and has lost a stone in weight.

“Bob, 79, came to the retreat with serious heart disease. He had been warned his arteries were so blocked he was beyond medical intervention and would struggle to walk further than very short distances ever again.

“Amazingly, within three days of taking part in the programme – using a controlled diet, exercise and education – he could walk two miles unaided and lost a total of nine pounds in just seven days. Both Bob and his wife Pat are now telling everyone about their amazing life changing experience at Obsidian Retreat.”

The retreat’s bespoke programme of health restoration is the result of extensive research and training by Andy and Carol West. The couple, who have personal experience of diabetes, heart disease and obesity, have completed courses including plant based nutrition by Dr Colin Campbell (author of the China Study), juicing therapy by Jason Vale (The Juice Master), and a Life Mastery programme by Anthony Robbins out in Fiji.

Andy is a qualified hypnotherapist, advanced EFT (Emotional Training Technique) practitioner, a qualified councilor and trainer, and a qualified yoga and meditation instructor.  Carol is also a qualified Colon hydro therapist and trainer and vegan/raw food chef. Obsidian also employs a part-time doctor, Dr Hendricks, and meditation expert Bodhin Woodward, an English ordained buddhist monk.

Guests spend the first three days detoxing through juice therapy, then meals and soups are introduced that meet the body’s requirements to balance insulin levels or to aid weight loss/gain.  The raw food/nutrition programme is in line with the Florida-based Hippocrates Health Institute, run by leading doctors and scientists. Its philosophy is founded on the belief that a pure enzyme-rich diet, complemented by positive thinking and non-invasive therapies, can lead to optimum health. Raw food is food that’s not been cooked over 115^oF thus maintaining essential enzymes, oxygen, vitamins and minerals and is the ideal diet for effective detoxing.

Clients are constantly monitored during their stay with advanced Kifit systems. On arrival clients undergo a full assessment then the system tracks calories burned, cholesterol levels, sleeping patterns and activity levels on a daily basis.

Approach could save UK millions by tackling obesity

In addition to diabetes and heart disease reversal, Obsidian Retreat can offer help with general weight loss, recuperation from major illnesses (including cancer), detox, and addiction control.

Andy added, “Britain’s levels of obesity and stress-related illnesses are rocketing.

“Around 25% of the UK population are classified as obese; and diabetes and heart disease cases are increasing. So there is more need than ever before for innovative new approaches to health management and in particular the reversal of diabetes through diet. We’ve already had doctors and health practitioners recommending the retreat to patients.

“Unlike other juicing and raw/plant based food retreats, Obsidian is a first of its kind and offers a year-round facility based in stunning surroundings with a proven programme and virtually guaranteed results. Guests generally are looking for some kind of change, either physically or mentally. In addition to kick-starting a new diet and lifestyle, we’re change coaches for longer term shifts in behaviour and attitude, which we achieve through our workshops and educational support.”

A second Obsidian Retreat and Training School are due to launch later this year.

For more research and discussions relating to the retreat and its approach see http://www.facebook.com/obsidianretreat

References

1. Source http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Diabetes/Pages/Diabetes.aspx
2. Source: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronary-heart-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx
3. The retreat is situated just 45 minutes’ drive from Alicante Airport, served by the UK’s three, largest low-cost airlines.
* http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13887909 Type 2 diabetes in newly diagnosed ‘can be reversed’.  An extreme eight-week diet of 600 calories a day can reverse Type 2 diabetes in people newly diagnosed with the disease, says a Diabetologia study. Newcastle University researchers found the low-calorie diet reduced fat levels in the pancreas and liver, which helped insulin production return to normal. Seven out of 11 people studied were free of diabetes three months later, say findings published in the journal. More research is needed to see whether the reversal is permanent, say experts.

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Deborah

Hi - I am Deborah, and was the founding director of talkhealth My blog is generally focused around my own personal story about weight loss, running, exercise and generally trying to get and stay fit, as well as what's been in the news that's topical. Any views expressed are my own.