Kat's Interview: Richard Smithee, Healing Clinic Founder

Buenos Dias! This week this kat ventured south of the border to catch up with Co-op member Richard Smithee.

Alas, it was by telephone only, but the locale where Richard runs Pasaporte a la Salud (Passport to Health for those of you in need of translation) sounds divine!

Richard’s clinic offers acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, and healing services for a wide range of health issues including cancer, fertility, menopause, and pain management.

The clinic is located in Guaymas, a port city on the western coast of mainland Mexico, just across the Sea of Cortez from the boundary between North and South Baja California. (Get out your map and GPS everyone!)

Interestingly, it was a very bad migraine that brought Richard to Mexico to begin with …

OHC: Tell us how you came to practice in Guaymas.

RS: I had a practice in San Diego. One day a lovely Mexican woman came to see me about her migraines. She had suffered 3 or 4 migraines a week for over 40 years. Within three treatments, using acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, and supplements, her migraines were cured. I married her and we moved back to her native Mexico where I set up practice. That woman is now my wife of six years. Our clinic sees a mix of ex-pats and seasonal visitors from the neighboring town of San Carlos, as well as many Mexican locals.

OHC: You feel very strongly about alternative, natural approaches to healing vs. traditional western medicine. Can you say more?

RS: Western medicine never appealed to me. Its focus is on disease and treating symptoms; whereas alternative care focuses on health and healing the underlying cause of a disorder. In my clinic, I explain to my patients that we reach our physiological peak around the age 25. From that point on, our hormones begin to diminish, our digestion and absorption of nutrients becomes less efficient, and our toxins accumulate with age. Supplementation can help you maintain peak performance. It’s all too easy to jump on the synthetic pharmaceutical bandwagon. Too many people are unaware that there are low cost, natural, healthy alternatives.

OHC: For example?

RS: Let’s take migraines. Most people who suffer from migraines have a magnesium deficiency. We recommend the Co-op’s Magnesium Citrate. For those suffering from stress and depression, we prescribe your B Vitamin Trio, or B-100, among other products. Going through menopause? The Co-op’s Menopause Formula works wonders. For those with prostrate problems, including prostate cancer, Saw Palmetto and Beta Sitosterol can be enormously beneficial.

OHC: How did you discover the Co-op and what do you like about us? We’re not immune to flattery!

RS: I heard of you through Bill Henderson’s wonderful book, Cancer Free: Your Guide to Gentle, Non-Toxic Healing. We were just talking about prostate cancer. Another acupuncturist came to see me recently. He had been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. It had already metastasized to the bones. I put him on Bill’s program and within five months he had a completely clean bill of health. I know it must sound incredible, but I’ve seen Bill’s program work, what others can only call “a miracle.” As for what I like about the Co-op—quality, quality, quality. When I first started prescribing your products to patients, they would come back in a week or two raving about the results. I’ve had the same experience myself. For example, I’m a huge fan of your Amino Enhancer, a product that helps your body regenerate and protects your immune system, as well as “light up” your libido.

OHC: Here’s the million dollar question. Why do you think more people don’t try alternative approaches before gobbling down fistfuls of synthetic drugs with multiple side-effects?

RS: Oh, that’s easy! The pharmaceutical industry. I bet you didn’t know that the U.S. and New Zealand are the only two countries that allow direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceuticals. Do you realize big Pharma spends over $30 billion annually promoting their products to consumers? In the past decade, spending has increased a whopping 330%! It’s no wonder you can’t turn on the TV without being assaulted with drug ads. Good health, high energy, and healthy sexual activity are high on most people’s list of things they want. The drug ads promise all this, but, at a cost! There are alternatives!

OHC: Such as?

RS: Take Viagra, Levitra, and the other “sex drugs.” Basically they work by opening up the arteries and getting the blood flowing. L-Arginine does the same thing. Add Amino Enhancer to get the hormones going and Vitamin E, a natural sex enhancer, and voila! You’ve got a natural, safe alternative. Toss in a little Zinc, which is good for the prostrate, and you’re in business. That’s only one example. One product I’m waiting for the Co-op to offer is time-release Niacin. There are fifty years of research showing that it’s as effective as statin drugs in controlling cholesterol, without the high cost and dangerous side effects.

OHC: I can’t let you go without asking you one final question. What do you think about the kat?

RS: Your mascot is a cute idea! It keeps things light and personal. And if you want to have nine lives – listen to the kat!

OHC: Muchas gracias and adios!