KITTERY, MAINE | It was roughly four years ago when Denise McCarthy was put on two different kinds of blood pressure medication. She was also on medication for diabetes. In total, she was taking five medications for her ailments.

It was the side effects of the aforementioned drugs that were of greatest concern. McCarthy describes herself as someone who is active, someone who goes to the gym and swims on a regular basis. Despite her continued activity, McCarthy was gaining weight and depression was beginning to set in.

"My body was just blowing up," she said, "and I'm a very active person."

Her desire to lose weight and again become healthy, along with the prodding of her niece, led her in to the door of A Lebro Center for Well Being. Dr. "Tony" Lebro has been operating his practice of holistic healing, which incorporates both chiropractic as well as nutritional practices. He was the first in New England to practice what is now commonly known as holistic health care.

Lebro said nutrition is a key part of making and keeping the body healthy. A key part of proper nutrition is the reintroduction of whole foods.

"People are in a state of cellular starvation," he said.

Prior to the end of 1945, most people in the U.S. were eating non-processed foods from gardens often grown in their own backyards. Lebro said after 1946, large food producers were looking for a way to increase the shelf life of their products, hence the introduction of processed foods. The process includes the removal of 32 nutrients that are replaced with four synthetics, according to Lebro.

"Right now there is a higher rate of disease in some foreign countries because they're taking on the American diet," he said.

Lebro said he has always wanted to help others, starting at the tender age of 5.

"My purpose has always been to help people," he said.

And that's not just lip service. Lebro's caring for his patients is shown through the distribution of his cell phone number. Patients are invited to contact him from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., seven days a week with any questions or concerns they may have.

And that willingness to help goes beyond animals of the two-legged variety. Lebro also lists dogs, cats and even horses among his patients.

"I love animals," he said.

Education is the key to good health, according to Lebro. There are TV screens in each room and a host of posters and other information posted on the walls to aid in the education of the patient.

"This is what should be taught to people," he said. "There needs to be training on nutrition in school."

"I started losing weight," said McCarthy after she began visiting the center. She has lost 50 pounds in just over a year since her first visit to Dr. Lebro. "I'm into clothes that I never thought I'd fit into again."

In addition, Dr. Lebro's care in conjunction with the care of McCarthy's regular physician has enabled her to be on only one of the five medications she was on prior to her first visit.

"It's from having Dr. Tony balance my body, which is basically what Dr. Tony is doing," said McCarthy.

And that's just McCarthy's story. The office in the wellness center also maintains a binder within the waiting room that is filled with years worth of testimonials from patients with stories just like hers.

For more information on how Dr. Lebro can help you get on the road to wellness visit the office located at 135 Rogers Road in Kittery, Maine or call (207) 439-7246. Those who are computer savvy may also visit the Web Site at www.alebrocenter.com.

Originally published in "Health & Wellness" Vol.32, No 45, November 17,2006