ingrained that some news reports even stated that Johnny Cash died
of diabetes, a notion not compatible with physiology and pathology.
My approach was to improve body function with physical activi-
ty and proper diet, and let nature take her course. I never talked of
“diabetes” but discussed the importance of controlling blood sugar so
the nerves and muscles would be ready to work when asked.
Oddly enough, despite Johnny’s more-recent intake of so many
prescription drugs, his final months of life were of a higher quality
than those of the average person. Many people may find this surpris-
ing considering all the attention devoted to his ill health and previous
substance abuse, but the fact is people spend an average of 12 years
in a state of dysfunction. By comparison, Johnny became very func-
tional at the end of his life. And, despite the prescriptions, his condi-
tion had actually improved leading up to the time of his death.
So why did Johnny pass on when his health was actually improv-
ing? Maybe he died because it was his time, or as he stated to me, it
was time to go see June. Certainly this issue can be debated, some-
thing I have no intention of doing. However, what’s clear is that
Johnny’s body was severely lashed by 40 or more drugs he was given
in the name of health. It was quite obvious to me, despite their legal
use, the prescriptions were causing interactions that seriously dis-
rupted his life.
Death at age 71 is too young. Considering that we know how to
naturally prevent and treat the kinds of problems Johnny Cash had,
we all should be physically and mentally active far past that age.
The day Johnny Cash died, I was sitting with him in his office. He
suddenly but casually turned to me and just said it was time. I was
not really sure what he meant until a couple hours later when he was
on his way to the hospital where he would pass on a few hours later.
Perhaps the most important lesson we can learn from Johnny
Cash’s life and death is that it’s never too late to improve your health,
and also that when it is time to move on it’s better to go out with some
remaining vitality and dignity. In his last few weeks he had arisen
from the wheelchair and continued his passion. Up until just a few
days prior to his death, he worked in the studio on new songs,
because that’s what he longed to do.
AGING GRACEFULLY • 347