Dr. Goldhamer was certain that a short fast would ...

Dr. Goldhamer was certain that a short fast would relieve me of issues: an autoimmune condition, a little excess weight that remained despite years on a vegan diet, and difficulty avoiding flours & sugars. So I spent a couple grand of hard earned money and did a week-long water fast at Truenorth. Briefly, autoimmune situation improved some but there was no ultimate remission. The sugar and flour addiction returned in full force within a couple months. Lost 12 pounds at Truenorth, however, in less than a year I regained that plus even MORE. Now I'm 10 pounds heavier than what I weighed before the Truenorth fast! Perhaps fasts turn some people's bodies into more efficient fat-storing machines... so beware if you are fasting for weight loss purposes!! Admittedly, one person there had recovered from Rheumatoid Arthritis with a water fast (and some people from other conditions). However, I have no idea if this was sustained after they left the facility. As a matter of fact, I met a few people who had fasted there previously and then had to return again for their issues. The accommodations were ok; it's like living in an apartment complex with total strangers, some of whom are normal and some of whom are insane. Nearly all of the doctors and medical assistants seem completely burned out and are not friendly; the non-medical staff is a little better, however. Dr. Lisle gave a presentation, or rather a Q&A (he didn't bother preparing a topic). Then he was condescending and rude in responding to our questions. He also arrived late, but so did several of the other doctors giving presentations. You are given a DVD binder of over 40 lectures to view while you are there. The lectures are mostly available on Youtube (search: Klaper, McDougall, Novick, Goldhamer, or any plant based physician really) or buy through Amazon. The chef demos included making SOS free ketchup one day (Kathy Fisher) and vegetable broth another day (Ramses Bravo), not exactly rocket science. You can take yoga and stretching classes while you are there, but not many fasters attended (too groggy and weak for even those activities). Bottom line: I would not return again as the water fast did not resolve my health issues.