Sedona Sweat Lodge Deaths: Expert Interview

SEDONA, Ariz., Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- "Fasting and lack of water was the biggest problem for retreat attendees," says expert Mark Laursen, M.D., MD(H) of Sedona, AZ. Dr. Laursen is an expert on fasting, fluid resuscitation and hemodynamics (BP and pulse), and can provide an expert interview on how the fasting, the pre-sweat meal, lack of hydration, and sweat lodge heat interacted to make attendees at a James Ray retreat on October 8 become sick and unconscious, with three ultimately dying.

"The emphasis in this tragedy has been on the heat of the sweat lodge experience, whereas the dehydration and fasting created a significant part of the problem," says Dr. Laursen. The people who died on scene had both taken part in the fasting prior to the sweat lodge. Dr. Laursen will be one of the first to receive the coroner's reports as soon as they are released.

Dr. Laursen has safely fasted for 45 days and knows the proper procedures that need to take place before entering into a fast or detoxification sauna. Detailed in his book Original Fasting (How to Fast Safely), Dr. Laursen states how people must monitor and prepare themselves when using these traditional healing and purifying techniques.

Dr. Laursen (University of Iowa M.D., 1982)(Emergency Medicine 1983-2000) (Complementary Medical Practice 2000-2010, Sedona) consults with patients, on alternative health modalities and healing techniques, such as fasting, sweat detoxification as well as food and nutrient therapies.

Mark Laursen, M.D. author of:

Start Living Stop Dying – 10 Steps to Natural Health (2008)

The Inside Outside Diet – How to Lose Mental Weight, Emotional Weight and Physical Weight (2008)

Original Fasting – Rest Your Body, Awaken Your Mind (2009)

SOURCE Mark Laursen, M.D.