User:MichaelQSchmidt/workspace/Simply Raw


 * See AFd #1
 * See AFd #2
 * And searches:

Simply Raw (aka: Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days) is a 2009 American documentary film directed by Aiyana Elliott which examines the effect of a raw food diet on diabetes. Interviewees include Woody Harrelson, Morgan Spurlock and Tony Robbins, discussing a raw food diet.

Plot


The film follows Austin, Bill, Henry, Kirt, Michelle, and Pam: six diabetics who resolve to eat nothing but raw vegan food for a period of 30 days. As their progress and health is monitored by holistic practitioner, Dr. Gabriel Cousens, the group receives examinations and medical tests at a facility in Arizona.

Over the 30 day period, the group attends daily support meetings and medical checks are conducted twice a day. They are encouraged to engage in regime of exercise, yoga and meditation, and are taught about food selection and preparation. All experience different emotions regarding the new diet and lifestyle in which they were immersed. Some adapt easily, while others feel deprivation and frustration with the shifting diet and environment. Within a short time of following the protocols, all had their blood sugar levels begin drop without medication, and all described feeling better physically having deeper mental clarity. As a group, they began to believe it possible to reverse their disease with diet and exercize, and had the transformation of feeling powerless about their diabetes, to feeling empowered and healthy.

Cast

 * Morgan Spurlock
 * Woody Harrelson
 * Rev. Michael Beckwith
 * Joel Fuhrman M.D.
 * Dr. Gabriel Cousens
 * Anthony Robbins
 * Dr. John Picken M.D.
 * David Wolfe
 * Dr. Fred Bisci, Ph.D
 * Helen Ross

Production
Raw foods advocate Michael Bedar was inspired to create Simply Raw after a meeting with raw food advocate Gabriel Cousens in 2003. The entire project took place at Cousen's Tree of Life Rejouvenation Centre, under Cousen's direction.

The project received funding from the Movement to Reverse Diabetes Naturally (RDN).

Reception
DVD Talk noted the film as "inspiring for demonstrating what can be achieved through extreme diet modification", but cautioned that as healthful as a dietary change could be, "the practical application of this documentary is limited because few American diabetics would be willing to so radically alter their conventional diets rich in meat, processed food, and empty calories even if the benefit for doing so is a healthy, longer life."