I was in my study in Long Island two weeks ago when the phone rang. Turns out an old buddy of mine hadn’t been feeling up to snuff so he took a trip to his family practitioner. And the medication the doctor gave him, made him feel worse.

He wanted another opinion, and I’ve never had a shortage of those. At the same time, I am usually very reticent to countermand another doctor’s advice, because I don’t have the whole story, I haven’t examined the patient, and this just generally isn’t good practice. But in my friend’s case, I made an exception, since I knew him quite well.

I went through a whole series of questions, and he answered everything I asked without hesitation. I thought things over and gave him some advice, and sent him back to his doctor. After seeing his doctor again, telling his whole story, and asking the right questions, he got the same advice I gave him.

And I’m glad he did.

At first his doctor had given him anti-depressants, and while that is appropriate for some, it’s not the right call all the time.

My advice was to get the entire story out. Quite often doctors only get the story the patient feels like telling, and critical information is left out. Then the diagnosis can be wrong.

It took thirty minutes of listening to my friend to determine he had a few things affecting his life that should be changed.

1. He was not getting enough sunlight. This isn’t a joke. Sunlight is critical to mood and emotion, and those who work indoors are affected much more often than they think, especially in Winter. I advised him to get outside at least once a day for 20 minutes.

2. He wasn’t getting enough exercise. I advised him to start walking 20 minutes a day to start, and to work toward 45 minutes. When he hits that goal, I’ll advise him on what to do next.

3. He needed to cut his alcohol consumption by about 75%. This won’t be easy for him, as he is a very sociable guy, and much of his work revolves around entertaining.

4. He needed to make some changes in his diet. This should be easier, because he doesn’t have any food phobias. (This is where a person only eats certain things, and fears eating things that are actually good for you.) He needs to work in more fruit and vegetables, and decrease the amount of red meat he is eating.

5. He needs to start taking an ultra pure pharmaceutical grade fish oil, which will support his health, as well as his mood and emotion. In numerous studies, it has been shown, time and again, that fish oil supports cognitive function and neurological healing.

His body needs balance.

And he’s not getting balance by hiding inside, staying sedentary, drinking too much, and eating like a tiger in the wild.

The changes his family physician and I outlined will make a big difference in a short time. And that’s the key to great health. Getting started now.