Diane Weeks - Nutritional Counselor for Platt Medical Center

DIANE WEEKS

Nutritional Counselor, Platt Medical Center

How I became interested in natural foods, diet, and taking care of my health and the health of others: At age 36 I was diagnosed with arthritis in my neck. Doctors recommended anti-inflammatory medications; I felt there could be an alternative to taking drugs. I started researching and came across a pamphlet that talked about reducing sugar intake to relieve the intensity of the pain. At the time, my diet was full of sugar and soft drinks; I had overindulged because I was working hard, raising a family with few moments to stop. But then I had to stop and pay attention. Arthritis feeds on sugar and a stressful lifestyle. I was a single mother with four children and my immune system was broken. I started by cutting out diet drinks and noticed an immediate change: less pain.

So I paid attention more. I had a choice - eat a candy bar and hurt, or forgo the candy bar and feel better. I decided I wanted to feel better and this was the beginning of my lifestyle change. I left the job I had and started working at Beans, Grains and Things in Little Rock, AK, a well-known health food store, and that was the beginning of my long journey into a whole new world.

I moved from Arkansas to California and in 1995 started working at Nature’s Express in Palm Springs, managing a department, and eventually becoming a buyer. Then I left Nature’s Express (now Nature’s RX), and became an education and sales representative for a vitamin company.

"Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.”

OUR STAFF

I traveled all over southern California visiting health food stores; I also obtained health training at Bastyr College (now Bastyr University, Seattle, WA).

The first health product I promoted was progesterone cream; that was my first introduction to the concept of progesterone as a natural remedy for many female challenges. Then I focused on the healthy outcomes of several health and supplement lines. In 1999, I opened Oasis Natural Foods in Palm Springs where I could meet customers one-on-one and assist them on their path to wellness. I closed the store in 2006 and came to work with Dr. Platt after that.

The motivating factor for me to join the Platt Medical Center team:
I love to sit down one-on-one, and consult and teach nutrition and how it works with balancing the hormones and reducing stress.

Most people become unbalanced from a variety of things going on in their lives. It’s often true, you are what you eat.

What I’ve learned is only taking supplements won’t keep you completely well. You have to make a commitment to a lifestyle change to stay well – you need to be aware of what you are eating and how it will affect you, as well as awareness of your stress levels, how you internalize your emotions and how all those things lead to changes in health. Stress creates acid conditions in your body.

I am basically anti-medicine as it is practiced today. I focus on how the body can heal itself and I would not be at Platt Medical Center if I did not believe in Dr. Platt’s natural approach. I admire Dr. Platt, he is so educated on all these issues of integrative medicine; he gets to the cause, he does not treat symptoms. I so much admire how he’s following his own path.

People can tell our staff likes what we are doing here. I have the best of all worlds, Dr. Platt’s comprehensive medical education and experience, and, his natural approach. He’s forever researching and brings new ideas to his work and to us every day.

What I wish to achieve while working at Platt Medical Center:
I love working with people and the opportunity I have to teach thru my experiences about how to eat in a healthier way, and how to be more in touch with emotions. This is not just a job for me. I love being here, I believe in what Dr. Platt is doing and it is an honor to be around him.

Favorite wisdom I’d like to share:
I wish people would take preventive care of themselves instead of waiting for disease to arrive. I especially wish to teach young people the importance of healthy nutrition - how they take care of their bodies now is the foundation of their health for their later years.

What do I do when I am not at Platt Medical Center?
I love to decorate, garden and read about nutrition!! I like to go camping with my family. My four kids live close by; I have six grandchildren.