What the Health is a film that explores the role diet plays in creating chronic and deadly health conditions. Film maker Kip Andersen goes on a journey to determine whether diet can prevent and even reverse disease. Along the way he uncovers the connections between leading health organizations (such as Susan G. Koman, American Heart Association, etc.) and the food companies that offer the food that can lead to disease. 

Like many shockumentaries What the Health is filled with amazing facts that most people just do not know but should. The facts in this film are centered around the negative impacts of eating things we think are healthy. While What the Health does point viewers in the right direction, there are a couple of misleading items in the film that should be mentioned. The first one is the idea that sugar does not play a role in disease. To learn more about the negative effects of sugar check out our blog post 4 Health Impacts of Sugar. The second is the overarching idea that cholesterol is bad. To learn more about cholesterol check out our book review Cholesterol -  Friend or Foe?

​Overall this film is loaded with eye opening health data. As with any health information you learn please be sure to do your own research and check with your doctor before making any changes to your health routine including diet and exercise. ​

This a story of conventional agriculture and why we need to go back to traditional organic farming. This film helps us learn the benefits of buying and eating food from farmers that are operating organic sustainable farms. We should no longer eat food from farmers using conventional/industrial agricultural practices. Watching this movie will open your eyes to why where you get your food is important!

From the first scene to the very end GMO OMG opens your eyes to an understanding of the impact of GMOs. The opening scene narrative is this poem:

"The Peace of Wild Things"
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief.
I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars 
waiting with their light.
For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
-Wendell Berry 

Resistance is an eye-opening film about the use of antibiotics. It explores how overuse of antibiotics in the form of prescriptions  from doctors to use in farm animals has allowed a resurgence of bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics. Those antibiotic resistant bacteria are now harming humans. The effects range anywhere from limiting function to death. We need to be aware of the potential risks from over use of antibiotic prescriptions, products with antibacterials (soaps, lotions, cleaners, etc.) and food that has been treated with antibiotics. We are inundated with antibiotics that may some day be the death of us...

Vitality explores the underpinnings of what it really means to be well and live fully. The cast of doctors and health care providers provide insight on what the medical profession was meant to do and how it's falling short of those original aspirations. For example they say that being a doctor has changed from teaching people how to be well to writing a prescription that in most cases causes more symptoms. In fact, it's stated that for every $1 spent on a prescription, we spend $1.85 to treat the side effects of the drug!

"vitality is not nearly the absence of disease, it means living life fully and being able to enjoy our days with our loved ones."

Joe Cross bravely documents his journey to wellness after years of bad food and a toxic lifestyle nearly robbed him of his life. Joe's journey includes an inspiring trip across the US where he meets others who want to take back their lives by becoming healthy. He coaches them on the lifestyle and food choices that worked for him. As you can tell from the cover picture, juicing is a big part of his recovery. 

Learn how to 'reboot your life' by watching this educational and entertaining video.  Side note: The husband of one of our HEY contributors watched this film, followed Joe's advice, and lost over 20 pounds in a few short months. 

"70% of the diseases that affect us now are caused by our life choices: how we exercise, if we smoke and what we eat." Dr. Joel Fuhrman

Happy is an enlightening journey around the world to understand the science behind happiness and how some people 'lucky' have acquired it. This most sought after human emotion seems to be elusive to many. This in-depth look at happiness is an inspiring reminder of the indelible human spirit. It also shows us what it takes to be happy and points out some of the obstacles ​in our way. 

Watch this film with your family this weekend and open the door to conversations about what changes you want to make to embrace happiness

“The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.” — Benjamin Franklin

PlantPure Nation presents a compelling story about why increasing our consumption of plants can improve our health and in some cases reverse chronic illness. This documentary also uncovers the reasons behind why the US government does not advocate for a plant based nutritional approach to diets. Even if you do not support a vegetarian approach to diets and nutrition, this documentary does offer some very insightful information about our food, our health, and alternatives to preventing and mitigating chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, etc. The China study is the foundation for the information presented and for the subsequent pilot programs that were conducted when creating this documentary. The participants in the very short pilots programs were astonished by the positive impacts on their health. Perhaps it worth a try to see how a PlantPure diet can improve your health too!

We've all heard of chemicals that were used in the past that we later find out are extremely harmful to our health. Examples include asbestos, lead based paint, formaldehyde, mercury, BPAs, fluoride, and flame retardants. Some of these chemicals are still in use today and causing irreparable harm to our health. This film highlights the struggle to stop manufacturers from using chemicals that are known to cause health issues and chemicals that are still untested and therefore the damage they cause is yet unknown. Throughout the film you follow community advocates against the use of these chemicals in our products. The premise that the burden of proof that a chemical is safe should be on the manufacture and upheld by government is a takeaway message from this film. In the end the film highlights the hope in new generations of ethical chemists and improved chemists educational programs being developed in top schools.  

Consumed is an interesting portrayal of a family faced with trying to determine the root cause of a young boy's illness. After hospital stays, doctor visits, and even specialists input, one mother is faced with the reality that GMOs might be at the root of her son's chronic illness. Viewers follow along as this family seeks to find out the truth about the safety of GMOs. Rather than a traditional documentary, Consumed is more like a Hollywood movie staring well known actors. The movie is a wonderful reminder that GMOs are still too new and there is still not enough evidence for them to be considered safe. 

Under Our Skin is an amazing documentary that delves into the controversy surrounding Lyme Disease. You will walk in the shoes of those afflicted with Lyme and co-infections as well as the doctors who try to treat them. You will find yourself questioning everything you thought you knew about Lyme Disease and other chronic health conditions.
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There is politically charged information presented in this film as well as a great deal of clinical research and speculation about the future of chronic disease diagnosis and treatment.

This documentary is a great resource for those suffering from chronic illness and suspected or confirmed of having Lyme disease.  

The Secret is a documentary that reveals methods used by successful people to create the life they desire. A trip through history unveils how famous inventors used The Secret to create our current day essentials, like electricity. It also describes how people can change the course of their lives by implementing The Secret. This documentary describes how everyone can have his or her desired life. By learning how to use the Law of Attraction you learn how to control your future. Remember the last time something good just seemed to 'fall into your lap?' This documentary explains how that was not a coincidence - the 'you' of the past made that happen. Watch this documentary and enlighten yourself. Learn the inner workings of the Law of Attraction and your role in that law and in our Universe.