A little over two years ago I got on the information superhighway--as it was called then--with the launch of my interactive health program on the World Wide Web, "Ask Dr. Weil." The concept was both deceptively simple and revolutionary. From the outset, I took questions from readers like you and answered them daily on the Web. In the first week the program was "live," we got about 1,000 questions. By the last count we are getting about 60,000 questions a month from viewers like you.
That's the simple part!
At the end of each question, the program staff starts a discussion topic--known a "message board" by my Internet readers--where you, other professionals, and I talk and argue about the issues of the day. Topics ranged from the fairly sedate ("Best remedies for a cold?") to the hotly contested ("Is caffeine an addictive drug?"). What I like most about the message boards--and what I think you do, too--is the opportunity to break down the walls between physician and patient. And the information flow is not just one-way. I learn from you, too. Over the past two years, readers have made me aware of new remedies, therapies, and healthy foods....
More than that, the Web site is a far-reaching yet close-knit community of people like you, who are taking an active role in staying healthy and who believe in my approach to health, wellness, and medicine. For me, this kind of real interactivity--not the bells and whistles kind you usually read about--is what makes "Ask Dr. Weil" so revolutionary....
The book you're holding is a compilation of the Q&As that have appeared on the Web site. All of the questions contained in these pages came directly from readers. I think we've pretty much covered the health world from A to Z (or from abs to zinc). You'll find questions and answers here about natural remedies, common illnesses, women's health, diet and nutrition, mind-body science, and more.
You may have more questions. In that case, I urge you to visit us on-line at www.drweil.com. Once you're there it's easy to ask me a question. Basically you type it into a form, tell us who you are (or be anonymous) and...click. Your question is on its way to me.
Continued good luck and good health to you as you work toward optimum health in your life.
--Andrew Weil, M.D.
Copyright © 1997 by Great Bear Productions, LCC. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
