If I could prescribe movies to my patients to watch, this one would make my list. I hadn’t heard much about this documentary before but after seeing it, I really wish it had gotten more press and more of a following.
Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead is about—in a kind of reverse Super Size Me—two men who go on induction juice fasts and not only lose weight but are able to get off their chronic medications, feel better about themselves, and make lasting positive lifestyle changes.
Don’t let the trailer dissuade you, the movie is very entertaining and truly inspiring; I loved the snippets of interviews throughout and the health messages are straight forward and easy to comprehend. As a doctor, one of the most satisfying experiences I have is when I can safely get a patient off a chronic medication they no longer need—and this usually doesn’t happen until a patient makes some kind of positive lifestyle change. To see a story about people who are able to find a way to better health is a wonderful tale, and to me, a great lesson to be shared.
You can find the movie online for free on Hulu; it is also available on Netflix streaming and Amazon streaming.
