For decades, he’s been a lone voice trying to urge everyone that natural medicine is the key to a healthier, longer life.

And it seems like his message may finally be resonating.

Ever since Andrew Weil, M.D., graduated from Harvard Medical School he’s been an advocate for integrative medicine and the power of the body, mind and spirit connection.

Time magazine recently named him one of the most influential people on the planet. He’s a columnist for Prevention magazine, a regular guest on Oprah and the Today Show and a best-selling author.

His new book is, “You Can’t Afford to Get Sick: Your Guide to Optimum Health and Health Care.”

He talks to Growing Bolder about the state of our country’s health care and why he thinks we’re failing. Why do we spend more than nearly every other country yet rank 37th in the world in overall health outcomes?

Dr. Weil explains some of the problems he sees in our current system and why he believes food may be the single greatest influence on our health.

He says the problem is that too many of us expect instant fixes. He says natural methods take time but they’re worth the effort because they have no side effects, they’re less expensive and the results are often better.

Dr. Weil predicts that there may be one motivating factor that will force us all — patients, doctors, pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies — to make changes: saving money. They way things are going, our current system could sink the entire economy, Dr. Weil says.

He also discusses his book “Healthy Aging” and explains why people should stop trying to stop or reverse aging. He believes anti-aging medicine to be a waste of time and energy.

If you’re ready to take his advice to heart, he gives his suggestions for the ideal breakfast and explains why he takes two baby aspirin every day. Plus, find out which diets he thinks are ideal for lowering your risk of developing aging-related and chronic diseases.

Looking for more information? Check out his website drweil.com.