Dr. Ben Kim's blog

With few exceptions, disease and dysfunction do not appear overnight. Disease and dysfunction tend to develop slowly, usually over many years as subtle and overt signs that mark loss of health are ignored.

I have found that many people feel that they are fine until they get diagnosed with a named condition like diabetes or hypertension. The reality is that degeneration is a fact of life - with each passing day, we lose some of our health potential. It's the pace at which our bodies degenerate that we influence through our daily choices. By understanding the main causes of disease and dysfunction, we can make dietary and lifestyle choices that promote longevity.

The main causes of acceleration of disease and dysfunction can be categorized into three groups: Read more

The other day, my mind drifted back to an interview that I did with Judd Bagley of BookLoom.com almost a decade ago. I looked all over and could not find the original mp3 file that Judd expertly put together as a part of his series of podcasts for independent authors. I reached out to Judd via e-mail with just a smidge of hope that he might still have the interview, and to my surprise, I received an almost immediate reply with the original mp3 file. Read more

In response to questions I received on a recent newsletter on gluten and dairy increasing mucus production, let's have a look at the primary ways that your body
defends itself externally.

Your largest external defender is your skin, which acts as a physical barrier against harmful microorganisms. Sebum and sweat produced by your skin contain chemicals that have anti-microbial properties - this is one of a few reasons why excessive use of antiperspirants and soap is not good for your long term health. Read more

Have you noticed that your fingernails grow more quickly than your toenails? If not, the next time you clip your fingernails and toenails on the same day, take note of how quickly they grow. I'm confident that you'll find that your fingernails need another trim at least a few days before your toenails do.

Are you curious about why your fingernails grow faster than your toenails? The answer is simple: Read more

For most of the year 2000, I worked and lived at a fasting clinic in northern California where I spent time with many groups of eclectic guests from all over the world.

I often tell my wife that during that year, I felt like I was floating around in a bubble, almost immune to any downers that life brought my way. Sure, there were times when I felt a bit crummy, but most of the time, I was at peace, able to feel compassion for anyone. Read more

Imagine a warm winter coat that unfolds at its bottom to tranform into a full sleeping bag. This survival tool is at the heart of The Empowerment Plan, a Detroit-based nonprofit organization that hires homeless women from local shelters to make this coat, which is gifted to homeless people with no strings attached. Read more

Many have asked for my views on the Ebola, so I'll share a few thoughts here.

My understanding is that Ebola is more transmittable than most world health authorities are generally leading people to believe.

It's true that the current form of the Ebola virus is not airborne, which is to say that the Ebola virus isn't capable of traveling through the air without fluid encasing it. Read more

Back when I ran a residential fasting clinic, my diet was virtually free of processed foods, including bread. Breakfast was usually a large bowl of fresh fruit, avocado, romaine lettuce, and celery; lunch was typically a large salad with vegetable soup and some type of legume, often chickpeas or green peas; and dinner usually consisted of a large salad, steamed vegetables, and some type of gluten-free grain like quinoa or brown rice with guacamole or another nutrient-dense dressing. When I craved organic eggs, wild salmon, or homemade chicken broth-based soups, I ate them with gratitude. Read more

Healthy blood circulation is an absolute must for healthy tissues. Strong and steady blow flow allows for constant exchange of nutrients and waste at the cellular level, and also promotes healthy flow of fluid through your lymphatic system, a key component of your immune system. Read more