Blog

My next book, which will be the first one I've written about my practice days in Kissimmee, Florida (1985-2001) with Dr. John Hartman is scheduled for release on October 6, 2020. Here's the cover: Coming October 6, 2020 Novelist and multi-#1 New York Times best-selling author, Jerry B. Jenkins, has agreed to write the Foreward for the book. He's the author of the perennial best selling "Left Behind" series. Wow! I've just submitted the manuscript for the first book, and a teaser (the first chapter for the second book). My editor wrote this to me, and I wanted to share it with you all. The teaser for the next (the second Kissimmee) book that you wrote … wowzers! That’ll get your attention! Readers are going to love it! The manuscript came…

In my and Phil Bishop’s book, Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You, we write: Diets high in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains (and low in red and processed meats) have been linked with lower rates of cancer ... A diet quality score based on the PURE study, which advocates eating more of seven key foods—fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish, dairy, and non-processed red meat—has been linked to lower premature deaths and reduced cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke in at least three large independent studies. Fit over 50, page 28 and 166 Order Fo50 Here Study: Plant-based diet reduces heart disease Reuters reports a study suggests that “people who eat a healthy, mostly plant-based diet may be less likely to develop heart disease and…

This is from the fifteenth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me each week, and that if you do, you'll be sure to invite your friends and family to join us. (more…)

Dear Dr. Walt, I keep reading articles about the fake meats that are popping up in many grocery stores and restaurants. Are they actually healthier than real meat for me and the environment? — Meat Eater in Minnesota Dear Carnivore, For my entire medical career, I have advocated whole healthy foods and encouraged people to eat less meat and choose plant-based proteins. The latest fad in the “vegetarian” and “healthy food” category involves a slew of so-called “plant-based fake meats” that proport to be healthier for people and the planet. Popular meatless hamburgers are sold under such brands as “Impossible Foods” and “Beyond Meat.” Other meatless fake-meat products are showing up all over the country. Qdoba pitches a trademarked “Impossible” protein product “made from plants.” White Castle serves a meatless…

In my and Phil Bishop’s book, Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You, we write: As simple a choice as improving your nutrition can have substantial benefits. According to one report, “A diet quality score based on the PURE study, which advocates eating more of seven key foods—fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish, dairy, and non-processed red meat—has been linked to lower premature deaths and reduced cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke in at least three large independent studies.” But, there's another amazing benefit.Fit over 50, Essential #2 -- Preventive Care, page 28 Order Fo50 Here NEW ST A poor diet increases risk for "frailty" Reuters reported a study suggests that “when older people eat a poor-quality diet, they may be increasing their odds of becoming…

This is from the fourteenth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me each week, and that if you do, you'll be sure to invite your friends and family to join us. (more…)

In my and Phil Bishop’s book, Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You, we write: English cleric and theologian John Wesley (1703–1791), a cofounder of Methodism, wanted his family, friends, and followers to enjoy healthy lives. In 1747 he penned “Primitive Physick, or An Easy and Natural Method of Curing Most Diseases.” He defines physic as “the art of healing.” In this treatise he suggested 37 rules for living a balanced life and preventing disease—rules that involve all four wheels of health. These ia my favorite: A due degree of exercise is indispensably necessary to health and long life. Walking is the best exercise … The open air, when the weather is fair, contributes much to the benefit of exercise.Fit over 50, pages 21-22 Order Fo50 Here "But," you may…

Here are the contents of this month’s newsletter: Do You Want to on MY "SUPER BOWL" Team?Answers to last month’s prayersPrayer requests for this monthPast Issues 1) Do You Want to Be on My "SUPER BOWL" Team? I’m excited to tell you that I’m releasing the first of two books about my practice days in Kissimmee (1985-2001) in September 2020. And, I’m putting together a SUPER BOWL team of folks to tell their family and friends about it. Team members get to:  Read a free copy of my book well before anyone else Be a part of a private Facebook page with me as well as have exclusive access to ask me questionsView my exclusive interviews with some of the "characters" in the bookHelping me minister to readers  For more details,…

This is from the fourteenth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me each week, and that if you do, you'll be sure to invite your friends and family to join us. (more…)

In my and Phil Bishop’s book, Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You, we write: A chapter entitled, "Five Habits to Live Ten Years Longer (or More!)," in which we show five lifestyle habits that dramatically reduce your risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and, most importantly, premature death -- thus increase the quantity and quality of your life. Now these five habits have been shown to reduce the risk of dementia and Alzeheimer's disease. Fit over 50, Five Habits to Live Ten Years Longer (or More!), pages137-139 Order Fo50 Here According to a report from NBC News: The key is not any one factor, several studies show, but following a combination of healthy lifestyle habits. And the more healthy habits a person adopts, the…

This is from the fourteenth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me each week, and that if you do, you'll be sure to invite your friends and family to join us. (more…)

In my and Phil Bishop’s book, Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You, we write: Three-quarters of premature cardiovascular deaths and half of premature cancer deaths in the U.S. cold be attributed to lack of adherance to the five low-risk factors. Fit over 50, Five Habits to Live Ten Years Longer (or More)! pages 137-138. Now a study shows these factors also dramatically reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Order Fo50 Here The Washington Post reported researchers “found that combining five lifestyle habits ... can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by 60 percent.” The researchers “assessed study participants’ lifestyles on five metrics,” including eating, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, “and their ‘engagement in cognitive stimulation activities.’” The research found that those who “pursued four or five healthy behaviors over…

This is from the fourteenth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me each week, and that if you do, you'll be sure to invite your friends and family to join us. (more…)

In my and Phil Bishop’s book, Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You, we write: Three-quarters of premature cardiovascular deaths and half of premature cancer deaths in the U.S. cold be attributed to lack of adherance to the five low-risk factors ... (one of which is) a high-quality, nutrient-dense diet.Fit over 50, Five Habits to Live Ten Years Longer (or More)! pages 137-138. Order Fo50 Here CNN reported research suggesting “cutting just 300 calories from your daily diet could significantly benefit your cardiovascular health, even if you’re already at a healthy weight.” Researchers found that “during the course of two years, participants in the study who were on a calorie restriction diet lowered their blood pressure and levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol, and saw a 24% drop…

This is from the thirteenth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me each week, and that if you do, you'll be sure to invite your friends to join us. (more…)

In my and Phil Bishop’s book, Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You, we write: Vivek Murthy, MD, as the nineteenth US Surgeon General, ... sounded a new alarm saying, “It turns out that loneliness is associated with a reduction in your lifespan.” He called it a loneliness epidemic.Essential 5 -- Healthy Relationships (page 49) Order Fo50 Here Now a new study reports loneliness tied to premature death. The study found that heart patients who reported feeling lonely were more likely to die a year after hospitalization compared with their peers who didn't feel lonely, according to a study in the journal Heart. Researchers collected data on over 13,400 heart patients with average age of mid-60s and found higher odds of depression, anxiety, and lower quality of life…

This is from the thirteenth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me each week, and that if you do, you'll be sure to invite your friends to join us. (more…)

Here are the contents of this month’s newsletter: Calling All “Bryson City” Fans – Join an Exclusive ClubInterview on Chris Fabry LiveInterview on Christian Doctors’ DigestA column in Today’s Christian Living Answers to last month’s prayersPrayer requests for this monthPast Issues 1) Calling All “Bryson City” Fans – Join an Exclusive Club Covers from my three Bryson City books Of my 33 books, by far the most popular (and best-selling) are the three from my medical practice years (1981-1985) in Bryson City, North Carolina (Bryson City Tales, Seasons, and Secrets). Many have requested I write about my days of practice in Kissimmee. Well, I have great news for you.  I’m excited to tell you that I’m releasing the first of two books about Kissimmee called “The Best Medicine: Tales of Humor and…

How to keep our New Year’s resolutions: Seven science-based strategies In his Daily Article today, Dr. Jim Dennison writes: Researchers say about 60 percent of us make resolutions each new year. That’s a remarkable figure. It’s higher than the percentage of Americans who vote in presidential elections or the percentage of Americans ages eighteen and older who are married. However, researchers report that only about 8 percent of us are successful at keeping the resolutions we make. How can we do better? Here are seven science-based strategies: Pick a theme for your year based on what changes would make you happiest, then develop habits during the year to fulfill it.Enhance habits by identifying what motivates them and finding better ways to meet that underlying need.Begin forming a habit by working…

In my and Phil Bishop’s book, Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You, we write: ... half of the premature cancer deaths in the US could be attributed to lack of adherence to the five low-risk factors, including (1) not smoking, (2) maintaining a normal weight, (3) physical activity, (4) no or limited alcohol, and (5) a high-quality diet. Fit over 50, Five Habits to Live Ten Years Longer (or More)! Order Fo50 Here Now recent research indicates that exercise may lower risk for seven cancer types. NBC News reports research indicates “exercise is linked to a reduced risk of seven types of cancer, and the more physical activity the better.” In the study, “participants reported their leisure-time physical activity, and were followed for a decade, on…

This is from the thirteenth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me each week, and that if you do, you'll be sure to invite your friends to join us. (more…)

This is from the twenty-sixth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me each week, and that if you do, you'll be sure to invite your friends and family to join us. (more…)

This is from the twenty-sixth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me each week, and that if you do, you'll be sure to invite your friends and family to join us. (more…)

In my and Phil Bishop’s book, Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You, we write: Steve Wilson, a psychologist and self-proclaimed “joyologist,” says, "There is a kind of unhappiness that cannot be repaired by getting, because it requires giving. There is a kind of dissatisfaction, disappointment, and absence of joy that is remedied by giving something out, doing something for others… Happiness is an inside job that consists of… remembering who you are (precious), finding your source, laughing often, serving with love.”Fit over 50, XOXO, Essential #7 -- Positive Self Image, page 68 Order Fo50 Here We all know giving helps and pleases others, whether it's giving gifts at Christmas, volunteering during the holidays, offering emotional support to those around us, or donating to worthy charities. But…

This is from the twenty-seventh chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you’ll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me and if you do, you’ll be sure to invite your friends and family to join us. The Best Christmas Present Ever (Part 3) We arrived at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville in a driving snowstorm. I dropped Barb at the emergency room entrance and parked the car. By the time I arrived in the ER, Barb had been whisked up to the obstetrics unit and was already being evaluated by the admitting nurse, who had spoken by phone with the admitting physician—Sedrick Porter, M.D. Our admitting nurse, Marie, had been a labor and delivery nurse for her entire career—all of which had been at this hospital. “I am…

This is from the twenty-sixth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me and if you do, be sure to invite your friends and family to join us. (more…)

This is from the twenty-sixth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me and if you do, you'll be sure to invite your friends and family to join us. (more…)

In my and Phil Bishop’s book, Fit over 50: Make Simple Choices Today for a Healthier, Happier You, we devote a whole chapter to MOVE! We write: “If you’re plopped on a bed, couch, or chair right now,” write the editors of Reader’s Digest, “you might have what is arguably the most common health problem in America today—sitting disease.” That might sound silly. But prolonged sitting—sedentary living—has been shown by researchers to play a significant role in many of the most troublesome health issues of our time, from obesity and heart disease to diabetes and depression.Fit over 50, Tip #12, MOVE!, pages 149-156 Order Fo50 Here Reuters reported researchers found that “sedentary older adults” who “start exercising” will “lower their risk of heart disease.” For the study, “researchers examined data on more than…

This is from the twelfth chapter from my best-selling book, Bryson City Tales. I hope that you'll enjoy going back to Bryson City with me each week, and that if you do, you'll be sure to invite your friends to join us. (more…)

Of my 33 books, by far the most popular are the three books from my medical practice in Bryson City, North Carolina (Bryson City Tales, Bryson City Seasons, and Bryson City Secrets) in the early 1980s (1981-1985). Many have requested I write about my days of practice in Kissimmee (1985-2001). Well, I have great news for you! I’m excited to tell you that I’m releasing the first of two books about my Kissimmee days called “The Best Medicine: Tales of Humor and Hope from a Small-Town Doctor.” It will release in the fall of 2020.  I wanted you to be the first to know that I’m putting together a book launch team called the “Kissimmee Kowboys.”  If you’d like to help me tell other people about “The Best Medicine,” I’d love to have…