look elsewhere.

Written by Alison Bell

These were the simple, gentle words uttered by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride during an interview on the Wise Traditions podcast.

She reiterated that we should be polite, say “thank you very much” and then walk out the door. Once there, the work begins. It’s time to buckle down and begin investigating on our own.

This advice is something that Natasha has lived out. She is now known as the brilliant author of “Gut and Psychology Syndrome”—a book that has helped millions. But what got her there was a tragic turning point. She was thrown for a loop when her son was diagnosed with autism around the age of three. She was a neurologist but she knew nothing about what could possibly be the root of his condition. What she did know is that she could not/would not accept that diagnosis as the final word.

She began digging around and found that there was a connection between gut health and how the brain functions. Years earlier, she had noticed that many of her neurology patients had gastro-intestinal issues as well, but she would simply refer them to the GI specialist. Now she was beginning to see how these issues were interrelated. Her investigations led her to the Specific Carbohydrate Diet created by Dr. Sidney Valentine Haas. From that diet, she derived the GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) diet which helped her son recover completely and put her on the path to help countless others with chronic conditions, including epilepsy, ADHD, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, dyslexia, dyspraxia, depression, and schizophrenia.

Natasha’s story ended up in the “Best of 2016” episode of the Wise Traditions podcast, where it is paired with the story of holistic doctor Dr. Tom Cowan and dairy farmer Charlotte Smith. Each of them, in their own way, basically gives the same message that Natasha gives: “If your mainstream doctor doesn’t have answers, look elsewhere.”

As a young man, Dr. Tom Cowan was not satisfied with the simplistic answers he heard doctors giving their patients. He recounts witnessing the following encounter. A doctor told his patient that the poor air quality in Detroit was the cause of her persistent cough. She then asked him, “Then why aren’t you coughing, doc?” Tom laughed (and was not allowed to stick around after that).

He came to the realization that most doctors were treating symptoms but not the root cause of many conditions. Even holistic doctors have this tendency, he readily admits. This is why he recommends taking your health into your own hands

Charlotte Smith’s children struggled with intense eczema. The itchy red rash was even on her daughter’s eyelids! The backs of her son’s hands were constantly scabby and red. She tried everything under the sun that doctors, fellow moms, and friends said might work. When she got to raw milk, her expectations were low, but after having her family drink some daily for just two weeks, her son showed her the back of his hands and they were perfectly smooth. He recovered completely in a matter of two months! (Her daughter, whose case was more serious, recovered in about six months.)

Food could be medicine, Charlotte realized! It was a HUGE a-ha moment. She would not have stumbled upon it had she not persevered in finding something beyond conventional treatment (steroids) to bring her children relief. Now her whole family is enjoying the benefits of raw milk. They haven’t been sick for years! Charlotte’s own seasonal allergies have cleared up. Antibiotics for infections are a thing of the past. And now Charlotte even runs a micro dairy, Champoeg Creamery, in Oregon!

These three distinct stories have one cohesive message. Do not passively accept what anyone tells you. When it comes to your health, be skeptical, like “doubting Thomas” (as Dr. Cowan dubs himself). Dig deeper. Ask questions. Educate yourself. Listen to the episode here that highlights these three individuals who did just that. And then continue on your journey to improved health.

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Hilda Labrada Gore is a health coach and fitness professional. She is the DC chapter leader for the Weston A. Price Foundation and is the Wise Traditions podcast host. Wise Traditions can be found on YouTube, iTunes, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Google Play Music and at westonaprice.org.