Anyone heard of "A Promise Made, A Promise Kept"?

[jdstein11]

My grandmother, who isn't normally prone to getting sucked into infomercials, caught this one a couple of weeks ago by Dr. James Chappell who claims to have discovered a way to reverse the causes of diabetes. As a former practicing CPA, I'm inherently skeptical, but my grandmother really wants me to keep an open mind about alternatives to a life of injections.

While browsing at the book store last week, I saw at least 4 books claiming to "eliminate diabetes" or "restore the pancreatic function", etc. My first thought is why would my doctor not help me do everything I can to be disease free? What would be his motivation, other than if he received a kickback from the pharmaceutical companies, which I highly doubt (not a conspiracy theorist). :dontknow:

Anyway, the questions I have is, "Has anyone either read this book or spoken with anyone who has?" For anyone who has followed the book, is there any truth to it? I also saw someone else hawking their "system" to cure diabetes, and I immediately dismissed it when I saw he could also cure all my money / relationship / health / career / etc. problems with his other "proven" systems. What a bunch of ****. :toilet:

Any help is appreciated, thanks. Regards,

Justin

[Lee73]

Hi Justin,

You are right to be skeptical. Admittedly I have not read this book, but from what I can tell about it...this book is just another in the long line of books that claims that diabetes is just a result of laziness, poor health choices, lack of education, eating the wrong foods, drinking the wrong drinks, etc. Furthermore, the author, Dr. James Chappell also claims (in the same book) to be able to help people cure cancer, parkinson's disease, hepatitis and other diseases. I find these books particularly offensive because they often take the stance (sometimes in a round about way...packaging it as helpful) that the person with the disease (in this case diabetes) brought it on themselves through their own poor life choices etc. These forums are a testament to the fact that diabetes affects people regardless of age, background, education, choices etc.

My sister was diagnosed at age 9 and I can tell you that her background is the same as mine, the food she ate was the same that I ate, she was educated as I was and I do not have diabetes and she does. I have heard from well meaning friends and acquaintances for years that they read somewhere that "diabetes is reversable" or "curable" or that "diabetics don't NEED to take insulin" etc. I know they mean well, but they don't quite understand the disease.

All that said, if you are curious about the book you should read it with a critical, skeptical and thoughtful mind. There is no harm in that. Just get it from the library (I saw he is charging 40 bucks for it).

Lee

[archimeech]

for, maybe 50%, of the Type II cases out there, this book might be of some use. For the rest of us, it's an empty promise, a tease, slanderous falsehope of finding some fountain of youth. Well, I've been to Florida and all I saw there was old people! :aetsch:

All this guy needs now is a wagon, some snake oil, and a circus sideshow to follow behind...

[jdstein11]

Yeah, I was thinking about finding it at the library, if we have it. If not, B&N has a great return policy! :vroam:

[Del]

I googled him. He's a Chiropractor :confused:

To preface this: I have not read the book....... but.........

I agree with Meech (giving the book a huge benefit of a doubt) that there might be something useful in there for Type 2s.

But I also know that there have been snake oil salesmen out there from the beginning of civilization feeding off of people with illnesses and their false hopes. I think this guy is probably just another one of those.

Wouldn't it be nice though, if, one day in the not too distant future, somebody would come up with a wonderpill that would cure this **** disease?

If you do read it, let us know what he has to say :)

[jdstein11]

Will do; thanks to everyone for feedback.

Del, it sounds like you and I are nearly exact in our situations; I'm 33 and dxd T1 in May.

[Lee73]

Hi Justin,

Yeah, I suppose if the library doesn't have it (and this is a strong possibility) you could just get it at B&N and return it. I wouldn't even go that far...just get yourself a coffee and skim the book in the store....you will get a sense of where the guy is coming from and whether or not it is worth reading. As you said in your first post, there are several books along the same line. To me they are interchangable.

Another word on conspiracy theories....while you may not believe in them I think Dr. James Chappell does.

http://www.coralcalcium.com/coral-calciums-dr-jim.htm

He is a naturopath and does not believe in "Orthodox Western Medicine". It is also interesting to note that his website is actually an online store to promote and sell a product "coral calcium" which he believes is the key to curing any number of ailments.

Blech :eviltongu

I take back my middle of the road stance.....This guy is a schmuck who is adept at selling things on T.V. and the internet and that makes me very suspicious.

Lee

[jdstein11]

Lee, that's what I told my grandmother. These guys say that the pharmas don't care about curing the disease; they say that the pharmas only care about treating the symptoms via expensive annuities (drugs, equipment, supplies, etc.) Yet, at the same time, aren't they there to promote their book, which fills their pockets in much the same way as the pharmas?!

Does anyone else see the irony here?! :confused:

If they really wanted to help, they'd publish their findings in full on the web and market the **** out of it, knowing full well that they wouldn't get a dime.

Now of course, I realize that this would never happen because someone has to pay for all the research that goes into finding cures and treatments for diseases, but hey, it would be nice!

[Lee73]

Hi Justin,

It's not just the book....this guy is selling "coral calcium" pills as a cure for just about everything on his website. He is the creator and distributor, wholesale and to the public of these miracle pills. It is more than a little ironic. It is just shady. He is running a business like any other. He also has another book for sale on his website, authored by him (of course) about (surprise, surprise) the benifits of "coral calcium".

Too shady if you ask me.

Lee

[archimeech]

right, and it used to be this doctor that sold vitamin and mineral supplements made from ancient glacier droppings or something. Snake oil, I tell you!!!!
Although, I've got this sure fire, can't lose chance of a life time! Anyone wanting to keep their youthful appearance while making a fortune through a time tested multi-level marketing business. Are you tired of working for someone else? Do you want to be your own boss. ****, buy one for the dog!

but wait, that's not all, for a limited time only, we're offering you, yes you, this exclusive TV offer. We'll send you twice the amount for twice the price. That's right, I'll mail you this **** made in Taiwan for about 50 cents, for only 5 easy installments of only 29,999,95.99!-plus shipping and handling. That's right, you heard me correctly, but don't delay. this offer is too good to last, call today, operaters are standing by...................

[camjen1]

but wait, that's not all, for a limited time only, we're offering you, yes you, this exclusive TV offer. We'll send you twice the amount for twice the price. That's right, I'll mail you this **** made in Taiwan for about 50 cents, for only 5 easy installments of only 29,999,95.99!-plus shipping and handling. That's right, you heard me correctly, but don't delay. this offer is too good to last, call today, operaters are standing by...................


I'd like to make a check out today but you left out the cost for shipping and handling. Please let me know so I can get it sent today. Thanks!!

[jdstein11]

But does it come in green?

I saw the coral calcium link you listed, Lee, and while he says that he's not responsible for killing undersea coral, where does he think the abovesea coral came from? What a jerk.

[jdstein11]

BTW, I just received an email from another pundit who claims that we're all poisoning ourselves by eating anything other than nuts, grasses, grains, etc. According to him, meat / milk / alcohol / pasta / etc. is poison and we're all going to ****.

Bring it on, I say!

If anyone wants the eBook, as he calls it, you're welcome to an interesting yet unconvincing analysis of why we're all "sick"; I'll be happy to fw you the email.

[archimeech]

BTW, I just received an email from another pundit who claims that we're all poisoning ourselves by eating anything other than nuts, grasses, grains, etc. According to him, meat / milk / alcohol / pasta / etc. is poison and we're all going to ****.

Bring it on, I say!

If anyone wants the eBook, as he calls it, you're welcome to an interesting yet unconvincing analysis of why we're all "sick"; I'll be happy to fw you the email.


This business of going to Heaven or ****, makes me laugh. At the present time, If all the religious fanatics are correct about the rosters of those 2 places; I'll have more friends in **** than anywhere else.
Hey duck, you bring the beer, I've got the sandwiches covered! :eating:

[abryce]

I have read the book and I will tell you this about it, there is nothing in the book that is not true, at least not that I could find. Basically good eating habits. He NEVER tells anyone to go off their insulin. He tells you to try his methods, herbs, teas and whole food vitamins. Keep track of your blood sugar and see if your blood sugar goes down.
I saw many opinions in this thread written by people that admitted to not reading the book. If you did not read it, you do not know what it says. How can you say it is a bunch of **** if you have no idea what the man is saying.
Like stony above sea coral for instance. Someone said, " I saw the coral calcium link you listed, Lee, and while he says that he's not responsible for killing undersea coral, where does he think the above sea coral came from? What a jerk." The truth is, what is the biggest difference between sea corral vs. above sea corral is that above sea corral is harvested way above sea level and does not destroy corral beds in the sea. It was also growing thousands of years ago so it has no chemicals from the industrial revolution. If you destroy the corral, you are destroying earth.
Now, I am not saying I think that his program is an answer for everyone, but if you follow the book, you will be healthier then if you continue eating hydrogenated foods and of course animal fats and organ meat have been known for a long time to be an unhealthy choice.
I do have one GIANT objection to his products, more then the book. He offers a kit that contains a bunch of whole food vitamins and neutracuticals consisting of 8 products. They only sent 7 and left out one of the ones I most wanted, acai plus which is a berry grown in the top of the rain forests. Good stuff. I have lost weight and gained health since I starting eating these berries in a smoothie each morning and evening. I mix a little soy milk, other fruits, a little honey, and it is great.
While I am not off of insulin, I am taking almost half of what I had been taking before I read and tried the book. The things he says are true. I just think his store is a rip off. At least it has a 30 day return on both the books and his product.
I have read the same things that this dr, Chappell talks about in his book in many of the naturopathic books of this time, and many past times as well. Is it an answer for everyone? Probably not. Will it work for everyone and will it cure diabetes? I don't know, but I do know I am taking less insulin, and less is always better when talking about medications.
I did not write this to offend anyone, I hope you do not take offence at what I have written. If you did, too bad because I did not say anything that was not true. To know if what is said in the book is true or not you would have first read the book and then you need to try it yourself and see for yourself if it works for you. I will say that it will not hurt you and is good for you.
Good Luck,
Abyce

[EdnBama]

I have read the book and I will tell you this about it, there is nothing in the book that is not true, at least not that I could find.

So he doesn't claim in the book to cure diabetes? And if he does (as he claims on his web site), then your experience shows that his claim is not true. You admit that you are not cured; you are just using less insulin.

It's one thing to help people take better care of themselves, esp. in regard to a medical condition. It's another matter altogether to claim he has a cure.

[koblenz]

This business of going to Heaven or ****, makes me laugh. At the present time, If all the religious fanatics are correct about the rosters of those 2 places; I'll have more friends in **** than anywhere else.
Hey duck, you bring the beer, I've got the sandwiches covered! :eating:
I'll bring my travel espresso machine!

[jdstein11]

I'm sorry, but I disagree with "less is better"... If you're still taking insulin, that's not a cure. Since our bodies [are supposed to] produce all the insulin we need to process the foods we eat, adjusting our diet will only change the amount of insulin we need. For those with T1 diabetes, our bodies aren't producing the insulin, so we need to inject whatever insulin will process our food, so whether I take a shot of 8 or 15 units at a meal doesn't make any difference for me; I still have to take the shot!

Until you can prove to me that something will stimulate my pancreas into producing insulin in the proper amount to replicate "normal" bodily function, thanks, but no thanks; sell it someplace else.

If we're talking about eating healthier and exercising to take better care of our bodies, that's a whole other story and thread.

[abryce]

He does claim some people have gone off of insulin altogether and was "cured" but as far as I remember, he mostly gave just good advice. I have read the same advice from many sources.
I imagine that my reduction in insulin may be as much from my change of eating habits as it is the herbs, but what ever the cause, I am happy with it. In the first week, I had lower, more stable blood sugar.

And yes, eating those things mentioned by the other poster about the calcium are poison to the body, as is white sugar, hydrogenated oils, and even though red meat is full of enzymes and other nutrients, it contains a lot of bad stuff too. You can get the same nutrients from vegetable items. I have not totally quit eating meat, but I only eat a small portion occasionally.

For breakfast this morning I had a shake made from soy milk, fresh banana, fine fresh ground flax seed, flax seed oil, acai berries, 1 tbls honey, and 3/4 cup of frozen fruit like peaches, melon, pears, apples, pineapple, blue berries, strawberries, black berries, raspberries, and several kinds of grapes as well. There was also the juice of these veggies; a carrot, a sprig of broccoli, a sprig of spinach and added this to my shake as well. Tossed it all in the blender and blended so it was all blended well. It is great! Has all those helpings of fruits and veggies, along with Omega 369 oils from the flaxseed as well as a pile of enzymes.

I used to take Prevacid everyday for a severe case of GERD or acid reflux, what ever you want to call it. I don't take them anymore either.

I am a chronic pain patient and take a lot of narcotics for the pain. This causes constipation. I just add a little extra flax seed oil to my shake every other day and that helps keep that working. No harsh laxatives.

Will this cure my diabetes? I don't know, I am not going to say either way, but if it does, great. If not, I feel better, have more energy, I do more things, and life is just better all around.

I used to think like most of the thought on this page. I always figured something had to kill you so why worry about it. Now I feel, yes, something will kill me, but this might help life be of a little better quality. Maybe the time I spend in a nursing home with dementia, alzheimer's, Parkinsons disease, stroke, or any of the other millions of different non life threatening diseases that just make life a misery for the victims and the people around the victims that have to watch as the person they once new, slowly goes away, and the frame and body still in tact, still functioning well, but who's personality and soul is unrecognizable because they no longer are living the same reality as the rest of the world.

There are so many delicious and healthy foods and recipes out there that I no longer miss a thick juicy T bone steak, or Rib eye. I don't miss an Iowa pork chop, nice and thick with apple sauce. I would actually rather eat my mostly uncooked, organically grown, mostly vegetarian diet.

The book will not hurt you, what he says, I have actually spent hours researching to see if these idea's are unknown and/or radical. All of these things I have researched so far have been backed up by many studies, not just his.

He says most drugs the doctors give you are poisons, the only difference between a drug and poison is intent and dosage. I have found that this too is true. They all will kill if you take too much. If you take too much whole food nutrients, you may get fat, but it is rare someone dies from it. Taking too many synthetic vitamins is another story, but he does not promote using synthetic vitamins.

Yes, he is a chiropractor, but there are medical doctors saying the same thing as this guy.

Once again, it is not all good. I found his company that is selling his Life Pack System to be a rip off. After being promised 8 products, then receiving only 7 and the one missing product to be a major part of the kit, Acai Plus. I was told, too bad, so sad, we do not have it, but we were suppose to have it and didn't get it. Now we are not going to get it at all, but this other stuff in the kit is the same stuff. But that was one of the 8 products I was suppose to get in the kit anyway, and it is not even close to having the same ingredients that the Acai Plus has. I found his company that sells those products less then honest.

What the doctor says about health I feel is good advice. What he sells, I will never again buy. Those are the whole food products from the life pack system.

Live healthy, eat right, live a longer life with a better quality.

Abryce

[EdnBama]

abryce ...

People aren't saying he doesn't have good advice. People are taking exception to his claim that his methods cure diabetes. His advertising doesn't say it cures it in "most" or even in "some" ... he says it cures it. Period.

Anyone who is conscientious about what they eat and what kinds of physical activity they get will show varying levels of improvement in the condition. So your claims on that have merit, but that doesn't support his claim that his methods constitute a cure.

If what he is proposing works for you, that's great. But you aren't cured and that speaks ill of his most basic claim.

[abryce]

You asked if anyone had read the book and wanted to know what our thoughts were on it was your question to begin with. Now you seem to want to attack me for what I have related what the book said and if I thought it to be truth or someone hawking their products. Most of the herbs etc that he talks about, he does not sell and I have sent back the life pack system for a refund so what I am taking for my diabetes among other problems does not even come from him.
You wanted an opinion on what he said, so I gave it to you. Please do not attack me for answering your question. It is working for me, I have a better quality of life because of the book, and also my research into his claims.
Why don't you do your own investigations. If you do not want to listen to someone who gave their opinion of a book, do your own research and quit asking for other people to do it for you. I don't care if you purchase the book or not. You wanted an opinion from someone who has read the book, you got it. bye

[EdnBama]

Actually, I didn't ask for your opinion. Someone else did. But when you decided to comment, I chose to reply to you.

I'm glad his plan is working for you, such as it is. Not sure why you want to get worked up over the obvious point that he has not cured you as his web site claims he can.

You asked if anyone had read the book and wanted to know what our thoughts were on it was your question to begin with. Now you seem to want to attack me for what I have related what the book said and if I thought it to be truth or someone hawking their products. Most of the herbs etc that he talks about, he does not sell and I have sent back the life pack system for a refund so what I am taking for my diabetes among other problems does not even come from him.
You wanted an opinion on what he said, so I gave it to you. Please do not attack me for answering your question. It is working for me, I have a better quality of life because of the book, and also my research into his claims.
Why don't you do your own investigations. If you do not want to listen to someone who gave their opinion of a book, do your own research and quit asking for other people to do it for you. I don't care if you purchase the book or not. You wanted an opinion from someone who has read the book, you got it. bye

[abryce]

I have only been on the program for a month. I have not given up, I am doing well.
I was not talking about you Edbauma anyway. I was talking to the person who asked the question, at least not until now.
Besides, I am not all worked up, only answering the person's original questions. Answers from the ignorant don't affect me much because by their own admission, they are ignorant of the books contents, only wanting to toss in an opinion not asked of them, but felt obliged to state an opinion anyway based on their own idea of what the book might say.
My reason for finding this site to begin with was so I could flame and complain about the business practices that this doctor does lend his name to for the sale of a few products. I highly do not recomend buying from his company that he has selling his lifepack system.
I really could care less if you think taking a pile of insulin is better for you then taking less of it. The less you take, the better off you are, at least as long as you can keep your blood sugar in line and as ballanced as possible.

[EdnBama]

I really could care less if you think taking a pile of insulin is better for you then taking less of it. The less you take, the better off you are, at least as long as you can keep your blood sugar in line and as ballanced as possible.

I guess I'm doing pretty well then. I don't take insulin. :eek:

[vrocco1]

If it worked, they would not have to sell the cure in a book!

[F€đ Üp & 17]

I googled him. He's a Chiropractor :confused:

To preface this: I have not read the book....... but.........

I agree with Meech (giving the book a huge benefit of a doubt) that there might be something useful in there for Type 2s.

But I also know that there have been snake oil salesmen out there from the beginning of civilization feeding off of people with illnesses and their false hopes. I think this guy is probably just another one of those.


Its not that these buyers are naive its just that alot of us are losing this battle and can not afford to remain skeptical.

I'm tired of misconceptions, type mix ups, and "in theory this should work" scemes. Misconception: Diabetes is the result of heavy eaters who took it to far. Type mix ups: Calling everything that is some what related to type 2 simply diabetes. This leads to non-diabetics with big mouths being able to fuel the comments that come out of their necks. "In theory this should work" scemes: If fat brought it own maybe exercise can reverse it. That does happen at times so I will cut some slack there. He might have just converted a neutral diet plan he wanted to market as a do-it-yourself cure bonus. Meaning maybe he wasnt evil enough to try and scam up but just diddn't understand fully. :deal:

I've seen his infomercials and they look cheap but the bowflexes are not worx of art either but I still respect and admire their product.

[MarkMunday]

Opinion seems to be polarised on this topic. I wonder why? The problem with taking an extreme view is that you end up not being able to see the wood for the trees. And I choose to take a more balanced view.

I haven't read the book. But it was clear to me from the promotional blurb that it's focus is on treating T2 diabetes. Calling the author a "snake oil salesman" is unfair and totally unwarranted. In general, I agree with his position that medicine is highly politicised. And, when it comes to optimising the wellbeing of the public, conventional medicine fails miserably. The reality is that medicine is not a science. It is a business. The key driver is optimising bottom line profits of pharmaceutical companies and medical service providers.

Most medical doctors are blissfully unaware of treatment options that don't make money for the pharmaceutical companies. And there are numerous such treatments. I experienced this again recently when looking for a treatment for insomnia. The doctor tried putting me on various drugs, non of which worked. And it was through my own research that I found a natural supplement that works wonders (5HTP). The doctor hadn't heard of it because it doesn't require a prescription and isn't promoted by big pharma.

Dr Chappell claims to successfully treat a range of severe diseases. Which seems like an extravagant claim. But, having said that, I do believe that using natural methods and making sensible choices reduces susceptibility too these conditions. And I have no doubt that natural methods of treating various illnesses produce better outcomes than using drugs.

The unfortunate reality is that no drug or natural remedy will cure T1. The body has permanently lost the ability to produce an essential hormone. And I don't think Dr Chappell is suggesting that he can fix this with herbs. However, complying with his guidelines could make living with the condition a lot easier. But I guess we need to read the book first to find out!

Rejecting natural medicine out of hand essentially means that you are putting all your eggs in the big pharma basket. It is a high risk strategy which seems to be failing a lot of people. But if that is what you want to do, good luck!

Cheers,

Mark

[F€đ Üp & 17]

I dont think it will help at all with T1s. Its like trying to jump start a dead battery with a deader battery, its just to far down the line.

[rzrbks]

Anyone heard of "A Promise Made, A Promise Kept"?


I do believe the title of this thread should instead be:

This way to Egress
or

There's One Born Every Minute

or maybe

A Fool and his Money are Soon Parted