1923 – 2011

Dr. David J. Scott was born on September 25, 1923. From a young age, he demonstrated a keen interest in both electronics and natural healing. During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a radar officer trainee, receiving rigorous technical training at Illinois Institute of Technology and other institutions as part of his military service.

While serving in the military, Dr. Scott met Thelma Gaasrud, a young woman from Ackley, Minnesota, who was working in Chicago at the time. They met at a local chapel, and their shared values and connection quickly led to marriage.

War in the South Pacific

As military needs shifted, Dr. Scott was selected for cardiographic training and was subsequently assigned to General MacArthur’s headquarters in the South Pacific for the remainder of World War II. He was placed in charge of automated cryptographic communications across the theater, coordinating with the Pentagon and, at times, directly with the Commander in Chief. His service took him northward through the jungles of the South Pacific, across the southern Philippine Islands, and onward to Manila, Okinawa, Korea, and Tokyo. On one mission, he flew over Nagasaki shortly after the atomic bombing—an experience that left him deeply shaken by the sheer scale of human devastation. Witnessing such suffering and destruction firsthand had a profound impact on Dr. Scott. Guided by his Christian faith and a deep commitment to natural principles, he dedicated his life to natural healing.

Medical Studies & Teaching

Dr. Scott was able to pursue his higher education with the unwavering support of his wife, Thelma. During his chiropractic training at the National College of Chiropractic, he developed a strong interest in the work of Dr. Herbert Shelton, a leading advocate of natural hygiene. At that time, several students were deeply influenced by the teachings of Herbert Shelton and formed a Natural Hygiene club on campus.

During the first year of training, Scott experienced a case of acute appendicitis and chose to fast through the illness, ultimately recovering without surgical intervention. Not long after, the wife of a fellow student developed a similar condition. He guided her through a supervised fast, and she too, recovered.

These early experiences sparked a deeper commitment to the principles of Natural Hygiene and led to clinical work focused on educating chiropractic patients about health and lifestyle practices. This, in turn, evolved into lecturing for various health groups.

Dr. Scott graduated cum laude and was inducted into the college’s Honor Society in recognition of his academic excellence. He earned basic science certifications through examinations in Minnesota, Iowa, and Florida. He passed the Ohio medical board exam at a time when widespread medical bias resulted in a 90% failure rate for chiropractic candidates. In 1950, he was officially licensed by the medical board to practice both Chiropractic and Mechanotherapy. Early in his career, Dr. Scott also taught physiology at Great Lakes College, where he was instrumental in helping students obtain the credentials necessary to pass the Ohio medical board examination. Over the years, he has been invited numerous times to teach fasting, natural hygiene, and laboratory diagnosis at his alma mater, as well as at other chiropractic schools, where he holds guest lecture privileges. Dr. Scott also served as an adjunct faculty member, contributing to the education and training of future chiropractic professionals.

Scott’s Health Institute

Dr. Scott began his practice in 1950 as a diversified chiropractor with a special focus on fasting. Initially, he supervised fasts for patients in their own homes, but this approach quickly proved unworkable due to limited patient compliance and a lack of support from family members. Recognizing the need for a more controlled and supportive environment, Dr. Scott opened Scott’s Health Institute in 1955, with the steadfast support and partnership of his wife, Thelma.

Scott’s Health Institute was founded on the principles of natural healing, emphasizing a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and specializing in supervised fasting. For over 60 years, it has remained a unique haven dedicated to restoring health through nature’s laws. Nestled beside the scenic Cleveland Metropolitan Park System, the Institute offers abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, horseback riding, and nature walks, further enhancing the healing environment.

Quote

“We are all endowed by design with the inclination within every one of our many millions of living cells to return to health.”

D.J. Scott – From Health Science – May 1978

Nowhere else in the region can one find a facility quite like it. From the moment one enters, there is a profound sense of calm—a welcome escape from the stresses of modern life. The Institute offers an oasis of peace, designed to provide the ideal conditions for the body’s innate healing processes to unfold. The interior features large, airy rooms, elegant carpeting, and architectural details that reflect the charm of a more gracious era.

Under the leadership of Dr. and Mrs. Scott, the Institute became known not only for its effective therapeutic care but also for its warm, welcoming atmosphere. Thelma Scott’s gracious presence helped create a space where guests felt more like cherished visitors on a restful retreat than patients in a clinical setting.

The Practice of Fasting

Dr. Scott was a passionate advocate for the science of fasting and fought tirelessly for the legal right to practice it. A true pioneer in the field, he was among the first to incorporate blood work as a clinical tool to monitor the physiological progression of fasting, setting standards later adopted by his peers across the discipline.

Throughout his career, Dr. Scott lectured extensively across the United States and Canada on behalf of the American Natural Hygiene Society (ANHS), where he also served for many years on the board of directors. His leadership was key in shaping the policies that elevated the ANHS from a grassroots educational movement into a respected and influential voice in the natural health field.

Quote

“The early practising doctors, such as Hippocrates, used fasting extensively, recognizing it as a powerful therapeutic agent. Hence, it is not surprising that scientists find its influence consistent with the laws of nature.”

D.J. Scott From Health Science Oct/Nov 1980

Dr. Scott was a determined and principled figure—a fighter by nature. He stood his ground against the chiropractic board, challenged local zoning authorities, and remained a staunch defender of the foundational principles of Natural Hygiene.

He was deeply interested in the scientific validation of the body’s inherent healing processes, a commitment embodied in his personal slogan, “Health by Design.” His method involved rigorous physiological monitoring throughout fasting and recovery, ensuring a safe and scientifically informed path to wellness.

Liver Damage & Natural Healing

After suffering severe liver damage from prescribed medications during his military service—and enduring years of related chronic illness, Dr. Scott became deeply convinced of the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. This personal experience played a significant role in shaping his lifelong dedication to natural healing. Through the consistent application of Chiropractic care and Natural Hygiene principles, Dr. Scott gradually regained his health. Grateful for his recovery, he dedicated his life to helping others understand the importance of avoiding self-destructive habits and embracing a lifestyle rooted in personal responsibility, prevention, and natural self-care.

Fasting Physician

Dr. Scott was the founding president of the International Association of Professional Natural Hygienists—an international organization of multidisciplinary primary care physicians specializing in supervised fasting. Under his leadership during its formative years, the association developed into a fully functioning professional body with internship training requirements, a formal code of ethics, established standards of practice, and the organizational strength to endure well into the future.

The association continues to grow, uniting a diverse group of physicians—including those trained in medicine, osteopathy, naturopathy, and chiropractic—who not only practice Natural Hygiene professionally but also embody its principles in their personal lives and families. These dedicated practitioners meet annually to exchange research, share clinical insights, and promote the advancement of natural hygiene as a respected health discipline.

Widely regarded as a “doctor’s doctor,” Dr. Scott was frequently consulted by fellow professionals and provided care to many physicians and their families, earning deep respect throughout the natural health community.

Research

Dr. Scott’s scientific expertise has earned him a distinguished reputation, leading to his selection for research on alkaline phosphatase (AP), an enzyme secreted by nearly every cell in the body. AP exhibits slightly varying molecular characteristics depending on the tissue from which it originates, with further changes occurring in the presence of disease. Dr. Scott, along with leading global scientists, believes that refining this testing procedure could potentially allow for the early detection of tumors, possibly even before they are visible through conventional diagnostic methods. This groundbreaking study will involve collaboration with several of Dr. Scott’s esteemed colleagues in the scientific community, as well as cooperation from the National Institutes of Health.

Fifty Years of Practice

With over five decades of experience, Dr. Scott has personally supervised the care of more than 40,000 patients. Among the many cases under his guidance, the longest fast lasted over 55 days and was undertaken to address Paget’s disease of the breast. His patients have ranged widely in age—from a 93-year-old to a young child who successfully fasted to overcome asthma, ultimately achieving a full recovery.

Throughout his career, Dr. Scott has remained at the forefront of health and wellness by embracing advancements in science and technology. He consistently incorporates state-of-the-art tools to assess health through accurate and comprehensive physiological measurements.

Read his interview in Health Science, July-August 1994 Magazine.

Quote
“Every one of us has a body that knows how to be well. The body will heal if our mind will allow the conditions for healing to occur. This requires a mind which is both decisive and forgiving. Still, it must remain uncompromising on principles. It’s that sim ple. It is really amazing when you finally comprehend the simplicity of healing. I call this truth ‘profound simplicity.'”

D.J. Scott From Health Science Oct/Nov 1980

Wide-Spread Acceptance

Throughout his lifetime, Dr. Scott witnessed a remarkable transformation in the scientific community’s perception of his natural health principles—what was once met with skepticism evolved into widespread acceptance and agreement. This shift was made possible by the rigorous, demonstrable science behind his methods, perfectly encapsulated in his personal motto: “Profound Simplicity.”

Dr. Scott was highly respected by his peers and deeply cherished by his patients. He achieved a distinguished place in his profession, dedicating himself fully to patient care, the promotion of chiropractic, and the establishment of high professional standards. Always eager to embrace innovation, he remained fascinated by new technologies throughout his life, continually testing and integrating them into his practice. Dr. Scott passed away on September 23, 2011, leaving behind a legacy of healing, education, and advocacy for natural health.

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Remembering Dr. Scott

From the Magazine Health Science – Summer/Fall 2011

Mark Huberman

My family and I had the privilege of living only about an hour and a half down the Ohio Turnpike from the late Dr. D.J. Scott, so we were closer to him than most. My mom, dad, and I all fasted at his world-famous Natural Health Institute in Strongsville, and he confidently and competently guided each of us through some extraordinary health crises. He and his late wife Thelma were virtually a part of our family, and they came to most of our important lifecycle events, from anniversaries to bar and bat mitzvahs. 

I had an extra special relationship with Dr. Scott. As a young lawyer back in 1978, I had the privilege of helping Dr. Scott and the other leading Hygienic physicians of the day (Drs. Burton, Cinque, Brosious, Esser, Sidhwa, and Vetrano) form the International Association of Hygienic Physicians (which initially also included Drs. Shelton, Gross and Benesh). Dr. Scott recognized early on the critical need to provide legal protection for those engaged in fasting supervision and aided that effort by helping craft fundamental Principles of Ethics and Standards of Practice. He was the first president of the association and led the way in emphasizing the importance of documenting the validity of therapeutic fasting. 

He was a pioneer in utilizing blood work to monitor the course of fasting and established standards that came to be adopted by all of his peers. 

Dr. Scott was always generous with his time. He was always available to consult with his colleagues over challenging conditions their patients were facing, and frequently came to the aid of his colleagues whenever they were under the gun of their governing boards. He was also a frequent lecturer at his alma mater, National College of Chiropractic, where he ensured that fasting remained part of the curriculum, a key component to the defense of his chiropractors engaged in the practice. He served many terms on the NHA Board of Directors and annually served as a speaker at our Conferences. 

As one who literally grew up in the modern-day Hygiene movement and who attended ANHS Conferences dating back to the early 1960s, it is incredible for me to reflect on the fact that Dr. Scott has been a leader of our movement for nearly 50 years. I have pictures of him in my scrapbook sharing the platform with legends like Dr. Robert Gross, Dr. Robert Anderson, Dr. William Esser, and, of course. Dr. Herbert Shelton. It is fair to say that he was one of the modern-day pioneers of our movement. He outlived most of his peers and, remarkably, worked up until the very end. He may well have fasted more people than anyone in the history of our movement. 

Dr. Scott was a fighter. He battled his chiropractic board, he fought local zoning officials, and he was a fierce defender of our fundamental principles. You always knew where Dr. Scott stood. The Huberman family has lost a great friend, and the Hygienic movement has lost a legend. 

Daniel Marshall

My friend, mentor, and doctor, D.J. Scott, lived in constant anticipation of the “rapture” that would take him home. At 10:30 p.m. on Friday, September 23, he experienced it and is now where his mind and heart have been set and where care, suffering, and death can no longer touch him. 

He lived almost all his life within a few miles of the Institute in Strongsville, to which he brought a young wife in 1950, and where he served over 20,000 fasting patients for 61 years. A few miles further north in the adjacent wooded park that rings Cleveland is the old quarry on which he ice-skated as a boy. 

Each week for most of those 61 years, he drove downtown to the Westside Terminal Market, and in recent summers to Amish organic farmers south of Cleveland, to buy fresh produce for patients breaking fasts. He remembered seeing local farmers years ago bring their harvests to this market, driving teams into and out of the deep ravine that runs along Rocky River before a high bridge was built on Lorain Avenue. “It was hard to find a case of cancer or heart disease when I was a boy,” he said.

From the Cleveland area, he left in 1942 to serve on Douglas MacArthur’s staff in World War II. At war’s end, appalled by the devastation that he saw at Nagasaki and the loss of lives represented by rows of white crosses stretching beyond the horizon in the U.S. Marine military cemetery on Iwo Jima, he resolved to devote his life to humanitarian work. Discharged from the Army in 1945 with cancer caused by an experimental pill given to soldiers in the South Pacific, he entered the field of chiropractic health care and, by study, discipline, and experiment, he discovered what he needed to keep his cancer in remission for 66 years.

D. J. Scott attained a place of eminence in his profession. He gave himself unstintingly to patient care, promotion of chiropractic, and the establishment of high standards. He helped to establish a professional organization and certification program for doctors wanting certification in therapeutic fasting supervision. He played a significant role in introducing and developing laboratory methods for monitoring treatment. He was a teaching chiropractor.

He accepted the very sick and troubled, and was himself personal, forthright, and perceptive. He became a compassionate doctor, caring friend, reliable neighbor, and consummate professional. Until the end of his life, he was wary of ideologies and ever fascinated with new technologies, quick to test and adopt them.

Simplicity, precise observation, and submission to nature’s design were his witness, and competence, loyalty, and right spirit were his values. Esteemed by all, he was loved by many grateful patients. Quick to profess what he believed to be true, he accepted others who had different beliefs. He asked little for himself except to serve, reserved almost no personal time, and created a path very much his own. Even in disagreement, as he sometimes was, he earned the highest tribute from colleagues when they referred their most difficult patients to him. Battles came to him, and he won them all because he knew the law and obtained the required certifications. But he also told me many times, “The Lord is the reason for the success of this work, and when He no longer wants me in it. He will let me know.” Early this summer, my wife Dee and I did substantial fasts at the Institute. One day, as he explained how he was treating a growth on his forehead, he gently remarked, “This may be my last battle.” He said it peacefully and was quite energetic. It was difficult to take seriously the possibility of his imminent passing. He extended his usual hospitality to us with his usual warmth, and we enjoyed visiting with him. As he declined in August, he still conferred from his bed with his secretary about paperwork and, to the extent that he could, with staff about the care of patients until he became unable to communicate much at all. He did not go easily into “the dark night;” he still had his boots on, faithfully working to the limit of his ability. He was never given a notice that his work was no longer wanted. We have received a great gift.

Keki Sidwha, ND, DO.

I have known Dr. Scott for nearly 40 years.  He was a kind and considerate man who lived up to his Christian values. I have fasted at his place many times, and on one such occasion, wandered into his walk-in freezer, which closed on me! I am so glad he came looking for me. Otherwise, I would have been frozen forever! He fortunately found me and thawed me out with lots of hugs and massages, as he was a genuinely compassionate man. May his soul rest in peace.

Barbara Ferguson

May God bless his soul; he did so much good for so many and never sought the spotlight. He dedicated his life to helping others heal.

Paula Duvall

I will never forget Dr. Scott.  He was a scientific, caring, hygienic healer. From my beginning years of involvement with Natural Hygiene, I developed a personal and professional relationship with Dr. Scott. Since our family lived in Indiana, it was easy to contact Dr. Scott in Strongsville, Ohio, which was only a four or five-hour drive. I consulted with Dr. Scott in the early stages of raising my children Hygienically. He got me through every situation. Whenever the children developed a problem, I would call Dr. Scott for his opinion. Because of him, both of our children were raised with no vaccines or antibiotics. He talked me through fasting and breaking the fast. Thank you. Dr. Scott, because both children are now married, and we have six wonderful grandchildren. I sent many of my clients who were sick to Dr. Scott. I remember one case in particular. Whenever I would recommend someone to go away, they often did not go, but Jill went. She fasted for 10 days under the care of Dr. Scott and came home a rejuvenated person. She claimed she thought she was in heaven at Scott’s. There was so much caring and personal attention. Thank you. Dr. Scott, for the loving watchfulness you gave to the people I referred.

Personally, I chatted with Dr. Scott many times. He always gave me ideas and tips. One suggestion was the potato diet. I have recommended this diet to many of my clients who have gastrointestinal problems and couldn’t go on a fast. Many have reported how well this diet worked for them. Thank you. Dr. Scott, for your teachings. Of course, I have fasted at Dr. Scott’s. I remember the green drinks that we got three times a day after we broke our fasts — they were not my favorite! When my clients would cheat, I would always give them a pep talk, but when I would cheat, Dr. Scott would give me my pep talk. Actually, it was more like a reprimand. I shall miss Dr. Scott a lot. And I wish to thank him for his advice, guidance, and recommendations whenever I called. 

Jean and Brad Oswald

What I remember most is that he was a great and disciplined Hygienist who lived by his beliefs, yet was humble enough to acknowledge his mentors. The publication of Fasting for the Health of It was a direct result of a 28-day fast at Dr. Scott’s Institute in 1977. Brad read the book in the UK and came to fast for 16 days with Dr. Scott, who was inspirational in us coming together and getting married. We were honored to be friends with Dr. Scott.

Alan Immerman, D.C.

I was fortunate to meet Dr. Scott in my 20s in the 1970s. This was an age of no computers and the Internet, so information on natural hygiene was extremely difficult to find. I had read a copy of Fasting Can Save Your Life by Dr. Herbert Shelton, and it had a reference to the American Natural Hygiene Society. I wrote, and they supplied me with a list of a few doctors worldwide practicing fasting, and Dr. Scott was one. I was thrilled since Dr. Scott was located just outside of Cleveland, my hometown, and it was so easy to visit on my many trips home from Arizona to see my family.

Little did I know that when I contacted Dr. Scott, I would be embraced by a man with many gifts. He was a highly accomplished doctor of Natural Hygiene, having fasted hundreds, if not thousands, of patients by that time. He lived the life, as did his family and staff, and was an example of the excellent health that could be produced by Natural Hygiene. He was the ultimate pioneer in studying the science of Natural Hygiene, having developed a laboratory and performed blood tests on his patients throughout their fasts. He knew more about the biochemistry of fasting than anyone alive.

More than anything. Dr. Scott overwhelmed me with his generosity of time and attention in teaching me Natural Hygiene. He opened his office and the Institute’s doors anytime I visited to do rounds with him or simply sit and answer questions. He answered the phone whenever I called to help me understand the intricacies of our science. I visited and called many times over many years. He steered me to the right chiropractic college, and my career was launched as a dedicated Natural Hygienist.

Dr. Scott inspired me to investigate the scientific basis of natural hygiene more deeply. We knew it worked, but we had never pulled together the published research and put it all in one place in the scientific literature. That task was assigned to me in the late 1970s, and the result was a number of published journal articles documenting the scientific basis of Natural Hygiene. I now use it as a teaching tool for the chiropractic profession to inspire chiropractors to incorporate these concepts in their practices. I do not believe any of this would have been possible without the inspiration of Dr. Scott. 

Dr. Scott, you have been a fine example of what a human being is intended to be — a loving healer, a compassionate man, a leader in your field, and a dear and beloved friend to many.

The NHA wishes to remind the readers that nothing in this or other publications is intended to constitute medical treatment or advice. Readers should be aware that some previous publications do not reflect the NHA’s current health teachings or approach to health in several areas.

Our Mission

The mission of the National Health Association is to educate and empower individuals to understand that health results from healthy living. We recognize the integration of all aspects of health: personal, environmental, and social.

We communicate the benefits of a plant-based diet, exercise and rest, a healthy environment, psychological well-being, and when indicated, the use of fasting.