The Great Physician's Rx for Health & Wellness: Seven Keys to Unlock Your Health Potential

by Jordan S. Rubin

At 19 years old, Jordan Rubin was a healthy 6'1" and 180 pounds. Shockingly, his weight fell to just 104 lbs. in a matter of months. His immune system was at an all-time low, as he suffered from Crohn's disease, food allergies, anemia, fibromyalgia, intestinal parasites, and a host of other conditions. After seeing over 70 health professionals, using both conventional and alternative medicines, Rubin was sent home in a wheelchair to die.

But his story didn't end there. Through determination and a powerful faith in God, Rubin refused to give in to disease. Instead, he educated himself on natural health (eventually becoming a doctor of naturopathic medicine), and applied its principles. Now, ten years later, Rubin is fully recovered-and he desires to share the keys to his own good health. These keys aren't just for the disease-ridden; they are for anyone desiring to live an abundant life of health and wellness.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Christian, Fitness, Nutrition, Faith

525 pages, Audio CD

First published December 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jay Best · Rating 1 out of 5]

The title made it seem like this would be a scientific, medical book based on science and solid studies.

It is suffocatingly Christian and includes statements from the Bible which are just not backed up from science (eg saying not to eat pork or fish and that these are unhealthy).

Sure, say that the Bible says xyz but don't make it seem like fact or that it's backed by evidence.

I worry about people with curable, serious diseases spending time praying vs getting chemo or treatment.

[Allon Sørensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much Jesus, too little nutrition.

[David M.]

Some good info.

[Leigh]

I was not impressed. The good advise is common sense: eat fruit and veg, get regular exercise, take supplements etc. The scriptural quotes are fine. But the factual errors and ideas about daily life undermine what was good.
Take vitamins at every meal, plus enzymes, plus probiotics. Every day have a green drink, take cod liver oil etc. etc. Impractical, expensive and unnecessary.
Some things are clearly stated as his opinion but some are inaccurate and occasionally contradictory. Only eat fish with fins and scales. Fine. That would include catfish - they have fins and scales but you can't eat pigs because they are "unclean". Catfish are bottom feeders - that would be "unclean".
The sun doesn't cause sun cancer because years ago people got(on average) more sun then the average person does today but didn't get skin cancer. First of all, we don't have statistics so we don't know if that is true. Secondly, he does not address the increased strength of the sun rays due to the decrease in the ozone layer. No, he just wants you to get a lot of sun. Much safer to take Vit.
D and wear your sunscreen.
Drink more water. Great. He advocates bottled water totally ignoring that most of it is filtered tap water (which you can do cheaper at home) and ignores the ecological disaster the production of plastic bottles and their disposal causes.
You get the idea. I wouldn't recommend this book - not worth the time.

Oh- and a cow does not have 4 udders. I has one udder and four teats.

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

The premise of this book is one I can agree with: it's best to eat foods in the most natural form possible. However, I only made it through the second CD of the audio book because there was so much mis-information and left out information. For example, in a discussion of how white flour is made the author says "the wheat stalks are ground up..." Anyone who knows anything about agriculture knows that the stalks (straw) are not ground, only the grain is ground. Also he said about beef "organic beef is subject to regulations preventing the cattle from eating parts of other cattle." While this is indeed true, he failed to mention that ALL cattle raised in the USA organic or otherwise are prevented by law from eating parts of other cattle. There were more instances, just in the part of the book I listened to, so I assume the whole book is riddled with such fallacies and mis-information about food production. I would have expected a book written about food production and nutrition to be much better researched than this. Especially since the author claims it is his calling from God to educate people about how to apply Biblical principles to their diets.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Great Physician's RX for Health & Wellness is a very up-to-date volume of information on nutrition, execercise, supplements and many other elements of living a healthy life. Jordon Rubin offers many biblical quotes to support his concepts for a healthy lifestyle. This is a good book to read with a hi-liter and stickie-notes in hand. It will also serve as a useful resource for questions that may arise in the future.

I hadn't realized that "Forty is a biblical number. The great Flood of Noah lasted forty days. Moses spent forty days on Mount Sinai receiving the Commandments from God. The spies from Exodus were out in the field forty days. Neneveh was allowd forty days to repent. Elijah and Jesus both fasted for forty days, and Jesus spent forty days on earth after His resurrection." (p. xxi) Rubin's health plan has also been set up with the goal of attaining better health in forty days. Menus, recipes, exercise plans, and suggestions for supplements are provided. Recommendations are offered for body health such as exposure to sunlight as well as guides for improving emotional snd spiritual health.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a bit of a different concept then other contemporary health books only in that the author also combines his theories with that of religion and the bible. I found the way the author promotes his ideas to be creative. Other than that, many of the ideas reiterate things I knew beforehand, and many are just common sense. Although he does not come out and say it, many of his dietary rules are the same as kosher dietary laws. He also stresses eating organic, exercise and a good frame of mind. He has an interesting chapter about forgiveness, for holding onto burden adds stress and conflict in your own life, and negative thoughts do affect ones health.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished this book and liked it way more than I thought I would! A friend recommended that I look into some of the healthy eating ideas, and although I'm not strict when it comes to dieting, I look forward to implementing some of the suggestions he writes about, such as eating more "whole foods." I like the idea of eating natural foods. Many of his ideas seem very practical, although some things are a little extreme (and his website and supplements are extreme, in my opinion). I would recommend this book for anyone wanting to eat healthier, especially since it's based on the principles outlined in the Bible!

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author's testimony is truly inspiring. This is a reference book, a practical guide to eating and living well, as it pertains to the Bible.

This book covers topics such as; eating to live, whole food nutritional supplements, advanced hygiene, conditioning your body with exercise, reducing toxins in your environment, avoiding deadly emotions and living a life of prayer and purpose.

I'm making some changes in my life so, I'm currently reading through it again and recommend it.

"Take what resonates with you and leave the rest."

[Sarah Gilligan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the premise of this book, and the author’s personal journey. I’ve returned to it several times over the years for reference as well. My review would be 5 stars if the author didn’t sound a little condescending towards the end. Overall though, everything is well researched and biblical! Very interesting and holistic! I appreciate that it’s not just the evidence for a kosher diet, but the overall lifestyle of living clean and self healing all with tools that God gave us a long time ago in the Bible.

[Angela]

There are some good tips for fuller living, and an inspirational story. In the same vein as "What would Jesus Eat," Rubin explains that the good Lord knew how to keep the Isrealites healthy by giving them Kosher law - and explains how to treat our bodies as temples. Yet, I will still give into Bacon once in awhile, I'm afraid.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a must for anyone considering a Levitical diet. This book talks about going back to basics of a Biblical based diet - no pork, no shrimp, no catfish, whole grains, lots of veggies, etc. Rubin shares his own experiences of having near-fatal health issues and how he overcame them on this diet.

[Vesper Stamper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. I love the slow and steady increase in the intensity of changing lifestyle. SO practical and common sense. And it contains the absolute quickest way to get rid of a cold and stay cold-free. AWESOME.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Broader spectrum of health issues that the Maker's Diet (nutrition section is a less technical summary of that book). Good for those who want to know what to do without necessarily wanting to read about the science behind it.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although l don't fully agree with everything in this book, there were many good observations and words of advice. Sometimes l questioned his ideas. l will check out his sources to validate and also -- compare his thoughts with many other authors on the same topic.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read many books related to health, wellness, and diet but this one did not do it for me. Although I agree with many of the concepts of what is good to put into your body and not, theology wise it feels like he is trying to sell a book. This would have made a good autobiography.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author talks a bit too much about the bible, Christianity and prayers but the 7 pieces of advice are actually very sensible. I agree with almost all of the information and i hope that this book will help many religious people start living healthier lives.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about a man who puts together a health and wellness/diet plan based on the bible. His own story seems rather remarkable.

[Dundee Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guide for proper diet!

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Rubin's perspective of this topic from his biblical perspective. Interesting and educational.

[Trudee Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting facts about a lot of the basics regarding nutrition. Beneficial to those of us who love and care for our family members and want them to experience health and vitality.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had some very interesting things to think about

[Geneva Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Already enjoy this book it can only get better. My body is a living sacrifice

[Stefanie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

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