Dr.Andrew Weil is a best-selling author with more than 4 million copies of his books in print, including Spontaneous Healing, 8 Weeks to Optimum Health, Eating Well for Optimum Health and The Healthy Kitchen.Hailed as "America's Doctor" by Larry King, Dr.Weil provides valuable information and insight on how to integrate conventional and complementary medicine practices in one's life to optimize the body's natural healing mechanisms.

Dr.Weil has researched healing practices from around the world, earning him an international reputation as an expert on alternative medicine, mind-body interactions and medical botany.

Dr.Weil shared some of his insights with us in a recent interview.

DNI: Are there such things as "bad" foods?

AW: Yes there are, and we cheat ourselves out of good health if we don't learn to identify and avoid them.Refined and processed foods, foods containing trans fats are examples: chips, white flour products like donuts, cupcakes, cookies, fast food french fries, etc.These "foods" have harmful properties.

DNI: What is your opinion on low-carb diets?

AW: It's important for people to understand that an optimum diet includes a balance of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.Carbohydrates are not bad foods.Fats are not bad foods.There are good and bad carbohydrate foods, good and bad fats, and better and worse protein choices.

I'm not a proponent of ultra-low-carb diets, so I would suggest a diet that allows you to eat fresh fruits, a wider range of vegetables, and whole grains while balancing proteins and fat.This is a more realistic way to lose weight in the long-run since you're likely to get tired of low-carb living sooner or later and regain whatever weight you've lost.Despite the popularity of these diets, in the long run, the best way to achieve and maintain weight is to eat less and exercise more.Eat the right amounts of the right kinds of foods, and re-learn what it means to be more physically active.

DNI: What is your opinion on the recent studies demonstrating the negative effects of certain supplements, such as the study published in the March 16, 2005, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association indicating an increased risk of heart failure among patients who took vitamin E supplements?

AW: I wouldn't let this new vitamin E study upset consumers.First of all, it really doesn't tell us anything new.The one new finding -- an increased risk of heart failure among patients who took vitamin E -- just isn't as significant as some journalists would have us believe.The first thing you should know about the study is that all the participants, whose average age was 66, already had some form of heart disease or diabetes and were taking a number of drugs.Vitamin E may not be a worthwhile treatment to add to other drugs for those who already have heart disease, but that doesn't mean that healthy people should stop taking it.

DNI: In your opinion, are there any supplements that are unsafe or that consumption should be limited in consumption?

AW: No one should take iron supplements or supplemental vitamin A (Retinol) except on a doctor's orders (Beta-Carotene is OK).Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign announced in August 2004 study results of research suggesting that the highly purified soy foods and soy supplements marketed in the United States may promote the growth of some pre-existing breast cancers.Until further research answers the question of safety with long-term use, I recommend that you avoid isolated soy supplements entirely.However, I still recommend one to two servings a day of whole soy foods.

DNI: Do you think people should get their nutrients from food or supplements?

AW: It is important for consumers to know that dietary supplements are not substitutes for the whole foods that contain them.However, they may be useful as insurance against gaps in the diet and as natural therapeutic agents to help prevent or treat specific diseases.I think it is critical for pharmacists, physicians and other health professionals to be educated about their appropriate uses, benefits and dangers in order to keep consumers informed.

DNI: What is your favorite fruit? What is your favorite vegetable?

AW: I love them all -- especially berries, broccoli, kale.

DNI: Vanity is a great motivator, are there foods that promote healthy hair, nails, etc.?

AW: The substance that best promotes healthy growth of hair and nails is GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), which is very hard to come by in the diet.The best sources are evening primrose oil, black currant oil and borage oil, taken in capsules as dietary supplements.Products differ in the amount of GLA they supply and in cost.I usually recommend taking 500 milligrams of black currant oil twice a day, as it's the most economical form.Don't expect overnight results.Maximum improvement occurs after six to eight weeks of use.You may also find that increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating more salmon, mackerel, sardines or walnuts or taking fish-oil capsules can help.

DNI: Are there any foods that promote sexual health?

AW: There are several herbs that people can take in order to promote sexual health.Two that I recommend are chasteberry and cordyceps.Chasteberry, which is generally marketed under the name Vitex, is an herb that may normalize sex hormones in women.It can help to eliminate the many symptoms of menopause, including vaginal dryness.It comes in capsules, teas and dry or liquid extracts at health food stores.Men might consider Asian Ginseng, a root that can help overcome general weakness and fatigue and increase physical stamina, including sexual vigor and longevity.

DNI: What is Integrative Medicine?

AW: Integrative Medicine emphasizes the body's natural healing power.It takes account of the whole person (body, mind, and spirit) -- including all aspects of lifestyle -- and makes use of all appropriate therapies, both conventional and alternative.

DNI: What is the biggest advantage of integrative medicine over conventional Western medicine?

AW: Integrative medicine saves money, is more satisfying to both patients and practitioners, is less likely to cause harm, and produces outcomes as good as or better than those of conventional medicines.

DNI: What is the biggest disadvantage?

AW: There is a short supply of trained practitioners.

DNI: What is the most exciting new development in nutrition?

AW: The understanding of differences in carbohydrate foods based on their glycemic load.Also, the emphasis on the importance of omega-3 fatty acids for optimum health.

DNI: What is the future of nutrition?

AW: I believe that the food industry should demonstrate leadership in improving the eating habits of Americans.This can be done in numerous ways.For example, a new generation of fast food restaurants is emerging with healthy offerings; snack and convenience foods have to be modified to conform to current nutritional guidelines; and portions have to be downsized.This has been started in some of the larger fast food chains and I want to see it continue.I also think that the food industry should work to develop strong programs in nutrition education for physicians and other professionals, including pharmacists, who should be reliable experts on the benefits and dangers of dietary supplements.We must also work to educate consumers about nutrition and healthy eating and get this information into K-12 curricula for our children.

DNI: Thank you..