| Revision as of 07:53, 21 March 2012 editNomoskedasticity (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers21,772 edits actually it is verified (see infobox) and had additional support/references until *you removed* them← Previous edit | Revision as of 07:55, 21 March 2012 edit undoNomoskedasticity (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers21,772 edits →Biography: restore -- this is all supported by secondary sourcesNext edit → | ||
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| A documentary, ''Simply Raw'', followed six people with ] who go through a thirty day program at the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center<ref name="marinij"/> in an attempt to cure their disease with a raw food diet and without drugs.<ref name="sciencebasedmedicine" /><ref name="rawfor30days">{{cite web|url=http://www.rawfor30days.com/themovie.html |title=Raw for Thirty Presents |publisher=Rawfor30days.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-05}}</ref> On average the participants lost 25 pounds, and improved health was claimed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NAH/is_10_37/ai_n27409825/ |title=Raw reversal |publisher=Natural Health |date= November 2007|author=Daniel Mazori |accessdate=2012-03-08}}</ref> The film's website touts, "After a short time following the protocol, their blood sugar levels began dropping without medication and they were delighted as their bodies felt better and their minds experienced a deeper clarity."<ref name="rawfor30days" /> The website ] reviewed the film skeptically, calling it "highly effective propaganda".<ref name="sciencebasedmedicine" /> | A documentary, ''Simply Raw'', followed six people with ] who go through a thirty day program at the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center<ref name="marinij"/> in an attempt to cure their disease with a raw food diet and without drugs.<ref name="sciencebasedmedicine" /><ref name="rawfor30days">{{cite web|url=http://www.rawfor30days.com/themovie.html |title=Raw for Thirty Presents |publisher=Rawfor30days.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-05}}</ref> On average the participants lost 25 pounds, and improved health was claimed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NAH/is_10_37/ai_n27409825/ |title=Raw reversal |publisher=Natural Health |date= November 2007|author=Daniel Mazori |accessdate=2012-03-08}}</ref> The film's website touts, "After a short time following the protocol, their blood sugar levels began dropping without medication and they were delighted as their bodies felt better and their minds experienced a deeper clarity."<ref name="rawfor30days" /> The website ] reviewed the film skeptically, calling it "highly effective propaganda".<ref name="sciencebasedmedicine" /> | ||
| ==Reputation== | |||
| Cousens has a reputation as an expert on raw foods,<ref name="mountainx">{{cite web|last=Rose |first=Tracy |url=http://www.mountainx.com/article/10889/In-the-raw |title=In the raw | Mountain Xpress | Asheville, NC |publisher=Mountainx.com |date=2000-07-26 |accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref> live foods, sprouting, and alternative medicine. ] Argentina described him as an American guru and the highest international authority in the field of "live food",<ref name="rollingstone1" /> ] a pioneer of the raw foods movement,<ref name="naturalnews1"/> ] a household name on the subject of raw vegan food.<ref name="treehugger1">{{cite web|last=Alter |first=Lloyd |url=http://www.treehugger.com/culture/dr-gabriel-cousens-on-curing-diabetes-with-raw-food-and-on-why-going-vegan-makes-sense.html |title=Dr. Gabriel Cousens on Curing Diabetes with Raw Food and on Why Going Vegan Makes Sense |publisher=TreeHugger |date=2010-01-19 |accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref> emPOWER Magazine a "published authority on alternative healing and raw living food nutritional therapies."; ] an "Internationally acclaimed health guru";<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200002160211.html|title=South Africa: Internationally Acclaimed Health Guru To Visit South Africa 16 FEBRUARY 2000|publisher=Panafrican News Agency|date=February 16, 2000|accessdate=March 8, 2012}}</ref> ] a "highly-reputed medical researcher and internationally-known sprout expert",<ref name=highbeamnutraceuticals/> and ] an "international teacher...considered by some to be a leading medical authority on live food nutrition",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-109121493.html|title=Nutritionist to present workshop at middle school|date=May 26 , 2005|publisher=Portland Press herald|accessdate=March 8, 2012}}</ref>] "one of the world's foremost experts in the preparation and nutritional values of raw food consumption for the mind and body",<ref name="midwest">{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-132527944.html|title= Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine|publisher=Wisconsin Bookwatch, originally in 2005 Midwest Book Review|date=May 1, 2005|accessdate=March 8, 2012}}</ref> ] a "forerunner" in live food diets,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1079233881.html|title=Baby Greens: A Live-Food Approach for Children of All Ages|publisher=Dynamic Chiropractic|date=July 4, 2006|accessdate=March 8, 2012}},</ref> ] a "celebrated healer and spiritual facilitator",<ref name=cleveland/> and ] a person who is known around the world as a holistic physician".<ref name=hungrysoul/> | |||
| ==Allegations of malpractice== | ==Allegations of malpractice== | ||
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| Gabriel Cousens | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1942 Chicago |
| Education | Amherst College, Columbia medical school |
| Organization | Tree of Life Foundation |
| Known for | Spiritual and nutritional guidance, promotion of a raw foods diet and lifestyle |
| Notable work | Conscious Eating, Spiritual Nutrition |
| Spouse | Shanti Golds Cousens |
Gabriel Cousens (born 1942) is a physician, natural health practitioner, raw foods advocate, and spiritual teacher. He is the founder of the Tree of Life Foundation which operates the Tree of Life Rejuvenation center in Patagonia, Arizona. Cousens is the author of several books on nutrition, health, and spirituality.
Biography
Cousens was a football lineman in college, and "wolfed down burgers and fries."
He earned his medical degree from Columbia Medical School in 1969. Medical school was a formative experience for Cousens, who was disillusioned by his experience there, later claiming that "they actually didn't have a clue about the relationship between how to get the health and how to make people healthy. What they had a clue about was how to make pathological diagnosis. That was pretty good, but to get from pathological diagnosis to being healthy, no clue." He moved toward the psychiatric profession, and completed his psychiatry residency in 1973; he then worked as the Chief Mental Health Consultant for the Sonoma County Operation Head Start and a consultant for the California State Department of Mental Health.
He became interested in the influence of diets on health, and began advocating the use of raw food, acquiring a reputation as an expert in "live food" in the United States and abroad.
In 1993, Cousens founded the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center, operating from Patagonia, Arizona. The “healing modalities” offered at The Tree of Life include fasting and detoxification, a natural approach to curing diabetes, a "conscious eating" program, workshops on modern Essene living, Essene minister and priesthood training; psycho-spiritual healing, and mental wellness for healing the brain and nervous system. The center also offers a program for a raw baby formula and studies the impact of raw diets on babies and children.
A documentary, Simply Raw, followed six people with diabetes who go through a thirty day program at the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center in an attempt to cure their disease with a raw food diet and without drugs. On average the participants lost 25 pounds, and improved health was claimed. The film's website touts, "After a short time following the protocol, their blood sugar levels began dropping without medication and they were delighted as their bodies felt better and their minds experienced a deeper clarity." The website Science-Based Medicine reviewed the film skeptically, calling it "highly effective propaganda".
Reputation
Cousens has a reputation as an expert on raw foods, live foods, sprouting, and alternative medicine. Rolling Stone Argentina described him as an American guru and the highest international authority in the field of "live food", NaturalNews a pioneer of the raw foods movement, TreeHugger a household name on the subject of raw vegan food. emPOWER Magazine a "published authority on alternative healing and raw living food nutritional therapies."; AllAfrica.com an "Internationally acclaimed health guru"; Nutraceuticals World a "highly-reputed medical researcher and internationally-known sprout expert", and Portland Press Herald an "international teacher...considered by some to be a leading medical authority on live food nutrition",Midwest Book Review "one of the world's foremost experts in the preparation and nutritional values of raw food consumption for the mind and body", Dynamic Chiropractic a "forerunner" in live food diets, Cleveland Jewish News a "celebrated healer and spiritual facilitator", and AZ Daily Star a person who is known around the world as a holistic physician".
Allegations of malpractice
| The neutrality of this section is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until conditions to do so are met. (March 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| This section may lend undue weight to certain ideas, incidents, or controversies. Please help to create a more balanced presentation. Discuss and resolve this issue before removing this message. (March 2012) |
In 1998, Charles Levy, a 57-year-old insurance agent, visited the Tree of Life Spa. He was reported by his family to have been in good health, although Cousens maintained Levy was sick when he arrived and had a prior infection. Cousens gave Levy injections of sheep DNA ("'live sheep blood RNA and DNA,' which is illegal to import for such a treatment") or, as he later said, cow hormones ("'bovine adrenal fluid,' a less controversial substance"), as part of his rejuvenation plan. The injected area on Levy's buttock became infected and Cousens reportedly treated the infection with acupuncture and massage. The infection worsened and on March 1, 1998, Cousens found Levy unconscious. He administered CPR, then called an air ambulance and arranged an emergency pickup from a helicopter, but attempts to revive Levy were unsuccessful. The Santa Cruz County Medical Examiner examined Levy's body and ruled he died from Clostridium perfringens (gas gangrene) caused by the injection.
The case was brought before the Arizona osteopathic medical board, which ruled that the medical examiner was correct in identifying the injection and infection as the cause of death. Cousens filed a complaint against the medical examiner with the state Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, alleging an error in the autopsy. The board unanimously dismissed Cousens' complaint. Still, the Arizona Board of Homeopathic medical examiner cleared Cousens in 2001, dismissing a complaint against him, and ruled that though a patient did die Cousens did not violate any laws of homeopathic medicine.
Levy's family filed a malpractice suit against Gabriel Cousens. The family claimed that Levy had complained about the swelling, pain and discomfort and Cousens had misdiagnosed it as a muscle spasm, treating Levy with acupuncture and massage. Cousens argued the medical examiner misdiagnosed the cause of death, which Cousens maintained was toxic shock unrelated to the injections. Before trial, the case was settled out-of-court for an undisclosed amount.
Cousens said would have won the case in court, and only settled because of his insurance company: "I believe that if we were in front of the medical board, they would have cleared me just as well." Levy's family was disappointed with the outcome. "The simple fact that he can continue to practice medicine in any way, shape, or form shows that the system is failing the general public," said Howard Levy, Charles' son."
See also
References
- "ABOUT". Gabrielcousens.com. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
- ^ Arlene Fine (May 18, 2001). "'Lettuce' becomes vegetarians: Holistic doctor advocates a meatless lifestyle (subscription required)". Cleveland Jewish News. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
- "Vegetarian Health Institute". Veghealth.com. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
- "Downshifting At Dinner - Orlando Sentinel". Articles.orlandosentinel.com. 1996-09-12. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
- ^ "Interview with Dr. Gabriel Cousens, raw foods pioneer and founder of the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center". Naturalnews.com. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
- ^ Rose, Tracy (2000-07-26). "In the raw | Mountain Xpress | Asheville, NC". Mountainx.com. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
- "Nutritionist to present workshop at middle school". Portland Press herald. May 26 , 2005. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "Baby Greens: A Live-Food Approach for Children of All Ages". Dynamic Chiropractic. July 4, 2006. Retrieved March 8, 2012.,
- ^ "Poder crudo | RollingStone Argentina". Rollingstone.com.ar. 2010-10-29. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
- ^ Jim Weltemarinij.com (2009-08-23). "San Rafael man touts raw food in new documentary - Marin Independent Journal". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
- ^ "Simply Raw: Making overcooked claims about raw food diets". Science-Based Medicine. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
- "Raw food diet: half-baked idea for kids?". Azcentral.com. 2006-03-19. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
- ^ "Raw for Thirty Presents". Rawfor30days.com. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
- Daniel Mazori (November 2007). "Raw reversal". Natural Health. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
- Alter, Lloyd (2010-01-19). "Dr. Gabriel Cousens on Curing Diabetes with Raw Food and on Why Going Vegan Makes Sense". TreeHugger. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
- "South Africa: Internationally Acclaimed Health Guru To Visit South Africa 16 FEBRUARY 2000". Panafrican News Agency. February 16, 2000. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
- Cite error: The named reference
highbeamnutraceuticalswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - "Nutritionist to present workshop at middle school". Portland Press herald. May 26 , 2005. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine". Wisconsin Bookwatch, originally in 2005 Midwest Book Review. May 1, 2005. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
- "Baby Greens: A Live-Food Approach for Children of All Ages". Dynamic Chiropractic. July 4, 2006. Retrieved March 8, 2012.,
- Cite error: The named reference
hungrysoulwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ John Dickerson (2008-04-10). "Arizona's homeopathic board is the second chance for doctors who may not deserve one - Page 3 - News - Phoenix". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
- ^ "Homeopath patient's death debated despite Ariz. board clearing doctor". Azcentral.com. 2005-10-09. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
External links
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