Restoration of genuine optimal health takes time. The childhood mentality of, "Are we almost there?" definitely applies to true healing. Most people want to know, "How quick will this work?" Although there are frequent stories of people who tell of rapid and dramatic responses with nutrition and/or supplements, the fact is . . . most do not get quick, amazing results. And, often, quick results (like losing weight) are not lasting.

To help you "stay the course" . . . realize the following:

1. With nutrition, we are not suppressing or manipulating symptoms as with pharmaceuticals. We are giving the body what it needs to heal itself and rebuild itself anew—this takes time, but promotes a true and lasting healing. New healthy cells often have to be made. Some cells, like blood, are only replaced every 120 days. Others, like nerves, much more slowly. Look at it this way: If you take a neglected houseplant and start feeding and watering it, the leaves may perk up a bit from the improved nutrition. But you have to wait for the old leaves to die off and new leaves to grow before you get a healthy plant. It is the same with a human body.
2. We are all unique. Some will respond more rapidly than others will to improved nutrition. If you’re not experiencing results as fast as you’d like, it might be your body has priorities other than the one upon which you’re focusing. Give your body permission to have its own priorities and timetable. Who knows . . . perhaps your body is trying to rid an unknown cancer! Patience might be worth it!
3. Positive health changes can be occurring without you "feeling something". Improved health begins at the cellular level. Ultimately, this may translate into the disappearance of specific symptoms or conditions. If you are an already "healthy or symptom-free" person, your benefits from optimal nutrition will likely come in the form of your body correcting sub-clinical problems that have not yet become clinical conditions or "felt" diseases. Everyone can benefit from improved nutrition!
4. The greatest health benefits of improved nutrition now may well come in your latter years of life—your senior years—the ones you would like to be enjoying in Hawaii rather than a nursing home.
5. If you experience a "correcting crisis" while on an optimal nutritional program, stay the course—don’t quit—it’s working! As one cleans out toxins, metabolic waste and the like, you may temporarily feel worse before you feel better. This so-called "crisis" is a clear indication that your improved nutrition program is truly working and leading you to improved health. Drink more water and evacuate regularly.
6. Practitioners are well aware that the longer you have been ill, the longer you will generally take to get better. Some have written: "For a specific health improvement, figure 3 months, then add one additional month for each year the chronic condition has existed." This may be conservative for some of us.
7. Let us not forget, however, that our long-term goal should be living in optimal health for as long as possible before we die. To this goal, our plan should be long term optimal nutrition. In other words, stay the course! Don’t quit! No quick fix! Think of your nutritional program as a life-long part of Life itself.

* The above paper is a modification of a paper entitled "Improving Health Through Nutrition: No Quick Fix" written by Michael Wagner, BA LMT, CFT.