(1909-2001)

Dr. Bruker was not only a devoted physician but also a trailblazer in the field of nutrition. His extensive collection of over 30 books on the causes of disease remains influential today. As a strong proponent of whole-food nutrition, he developed a distinctive approach focused on foods rich in vital nutrients. Bruker drew inspiration from the pioneering work of Swiss doctor Dr. Maximilian Bircher-Benner, highlighting the timeless wisdom of natural health principles.

Max Otto Bruker was born in Reutlingen, Germany, and his medical journey began in 1927. Over the next five years, he studied in Tübingen, Munich, and Berlin, ultimately earning his medical degree in 1934. He initially practiced in homeopathic, naturopathic, and allopathic settings. However, he quickly became disillusioned with the prevalent approach focused solely on treating symptoms. Bruker recognized that many diseases stemmed from unhealthy lifestyles and emphasized the vital link between nutrition and the so-called diseases of civilization. His insights challenge us to rethink our health and the choices we make every day.

Bruker argued that many modern diseases originate from a lack of essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes, unsaturated fatty acids, and fiber. These elements are vital for maintaining our health. When we consume diets that are excessively high in proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, we risk creating imbalances that can lead to serious health deficiencies. Over time, these deficiencies may manifest as chronic health conditions, which often take decades to develop. By focusing on a well-rounded intake of these essential nutrients, he believed that we have the potential to prevent these long-term health issues and improve our overall well-being.

Since the late 1950s, he has been a powerful voice warning the public about the hidden dangers of nuclear reactors, refined sugar, and flour. He passionately advocates for a healthier lifestyle, encouraging a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, while minimizing processed foods. He strongly cautions against the consumption of coffee and other caffeinated drinks, which can harm the autonomic nervous system and lead to addiction. Additionally, he underscores the critical role of regular exercise and addresses essential physiological concerns, making a compelling case for a holistic approach to health.

In 1978, he established the Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsberatung (GGB), known as the Society for Health Counseling, to empower individuals by training them as health counselors. This initiative transformed community health by equipping laypeople with essential knowledge and skills.

In 1994, he and Ilse Gutjahr founded a transformative health center in Lahnstein dedicated to promoting a holistic lifestyle. This inviting space empowers individuals to discover effective ways to prevent diseases. Offering a range of programs, they provide training to become a medically certified health advisor at GGB, hands-on seminars on nutrient-rich whole foods, and engaging cooking courses in their specialized training kitchen. Beyond this, the center features medical and therapeutic practices, along with weekend seminars and personalized life management consultations, ensuring a well-rounded approach to health and wellness.

He authored many books on healthful living, treatment, and disease prevention. Selected publications:

• National German Library
• Deutsche Digital Library
• Alimentaci? sana y racional (Food healthy and rational) – (date unknown)
• Allergien müssen nicht sein: Ursachen und Behandlung von Neurodermitis, Hautausschlägen, Ekzemen, Heuschnupfen und Asthma (Allergies don’t have to be: causes and treatment of neurodermatitis, skin rashes, eczema, hay fever and asthma ) – (2021)
• Ärztlicher Rat aus ganzheitlicher Sicht: Fragen und Antworten aus der Sprechstunde(Medical advice from a holistic perspective: questions and answers from the consultation) – (2013)
• Aus der Sprechstunde : [Sammlung der Reihe]– (From the consultation hours: [Collection of the series]) – (date unknown)
• Biologischer Ratgeber Fur Mutter Und Kind (Biological guide for mother and child) – (1992)
• Candida albicans. Pilze, Mykosen, Bakterien: Mythen und Fakten (Candida albicans. Fungi, mycoses, bacteria: myths and facts) – (date unknown)
• Cholesterin, der lebensnotwendige Stoff (Cholesterol, the essential substance for life) – (date unknown)
• Curar el estreñimiento sin laxantes (Cure stress without laxatives) – (1992)
• Diabetes und biologische Behandlung (Diabetes and biological treatment) – (date unknown)
• Diabetes und seine biologische Behandlung: Ein Ratgeber aus der ärztlichen Praxis mit Vollwertkost-Rezeptenby Bruker, Max Otto, Gutjahr, Ilse (Diabetes and its biological treatment: A guide from medical practice with whole food recipes) – (2011)
• Diäten (Diets ) – (2012)
• Die Deckung des Eiweißbedarfs, 1 Audio-CD – (Covering protein needs) – (date unknown)
• Erkältet? (Cold?) – (1980)
• Erkältungen müssen nicht sein (Colds don’t have to be there) – (2002)
• Erkrankungen der Bewegungsorgane, 1 Audio-CD (Diseases of the locomotor organs) – (date unknown)
• Der Murks mit der Milch by Bruker, Max Otto; Jung, Mathias (The mess with the milk) – (2013)
• Fasten – aber richtig (Fasting – but fasting properly) – (date unknown)
• Gesund durch richtiges Essen. ( Ratgeber). (Healthy through real food. (Guide) – (1992)
• Herzinfarkt. Herz-, gefäß- und Kreislauferkrankungen. (Heart attack. Heart, vascular and circulatory diseases.) – (1992)
• Hilfe bei Kopfschmerzen, Migräne und Schlaflosigkeit (Help with headaches, migraines and insomnia) – (2018)
• Kann ein Kranker organisch gesund sein? (Can a sick person be organically healthy?) – (date unknown)
• Kleinschriften-Sammelmappe (Small font collection folder)  – (date unknown)
• Krampfadern: Schnelle, erfolgreiche und dauerhafte Beseitigung (Varicose veins: quick, successful and permanent elimination) – (date unknown)
• Krank durch Zucker. Der Zucker als pathogenetischer Faktor. Gesammelte Forschungsergebnisse als Basis für umwälzende Erneuerung der Diätetik. Mit Grundregeln für eine wirksame Heilkost der Zucker als pathogenetischer Faktor ; gesammelte Forschungsergebnisse als Basis für umwälzende Erneuerungen der Diätetik ; mit Grundregeln für eine wirksame Heilkost (Sick from sugar. Sugar as a pathogenetic factor. Collected research results as a basis for revolutionary innovation in dietetics. With basic rules for an effective medicinal diet, sugar as a pathogenetic factor; collected research results as a basis for revolutionary innovations in dietetics; with basic rules for an effective healing diet) – (1986)
• Lebensbedingte Krankheiten (Life-related illnesses) – (date unknown)
• Leben ohne Herz- und Kreislauferkrankungen (Life without heart and circulatory diseases) – (date unknown)
• Lebenskrisen (Life crises) – (date unknown)
• Leber-, Galle-, Magen-, Darm- und Bauchspeicheldrüsenerkrankungen (Liver, gallbladder, stomach, intestinal and pancreatic diseases) (2009)
• Naturheilkunde: Richtige und erfolgreiche Anwendung zu Hause (Naturopathy: Correct and successful use at home) – (1998)
• Nie mehr erkältet! (Never catch a cold again!) – (date unknown)
• Osteoporose: Verhütung und Heilbarkeit (Osteoporosis: prevention and curability) – (1992)
• Reine Frauensache (Purely a woman’s thing) – (2007)
• Rheuma. Ursache und Heilbehandlung (Rheumatism. Cause and treatment) – (date unknown)
• Schicksal aus der Küche – Zivilisationskrankheiten – Ursachen, Verhütung, Heilung. (Fate from the kitchen – diseases of civilization – causes, prevention, cure.) – (date unknown)
• Schlank ohne zu hungern durch vitalstoffreiche Ernährung. (Get slim without going hungry thanks to a diet rich in vital nutrients.) – (date unknown)
• Sich schützen vor dem Herzinfarkt : Gefässerkrankungen, Kreislaufstörungen, Herzkrankheiten ; ihre Ursache, ihre Behandlung u. Heilung u.d. zuverlässige Vorbeugung. (Protect yourself from heart attacks: vascular diseases, circulatory disorders, heart diseases; their cause, treatment, and cure, etc., reliable prevention.) – (1978
• Störungen der Schilddrüse: Was man über die Schilddrüse wissen sollte. Störungen, Ursachen, Heilbehandlung, Warnung vor jodiertem Salz (Thyroid disorders: What you should know about the thyroid. Disorders, causes, treatment, warning about iodized salt) – (date unknown)
• Stuhlverstopfung in 3 Tagen heilbar – ohne Abführmittel (Stool constipation can be cured in 3 days – without laxatives) – (date unknown)
• Ursachen der ernähungsbedingten Zivilisationskrankheiten. Mörder bekannt, kein Kläger (Causes of diet-related civilization diseases. Murderer known, no plaintiff)  – (date unknown)
• Unsere Nahrung, unser Schicksal. Früher: Schicksal aus der Küche (Our food, our fate. Previously: Fate from the kitchen) – (date unknown)
• Vollkornbäckerei zu Hause (Whole grain bakery at home) – (1982)
• Vollwertmenüs ohne Fleisch. Frische Küche rund ums Jahr Kleiner-Röhr, Christina, Bruker, Max Otto (Whole food menus without meat. Fresh cuisine all year round by Kleiner-Röhr, Christina, Bruker, Max Otto) – (date unknown)
• Vollwerternährung Schützt Vor Viruserkrankungen: Bericht Über Eine Ernährung, Die Kinderlähmung Verhütet. Früher ‘Sonderernährung Verhütet Kinderlähmung’ Sandler, Benjamin Überarb. V. Max O. Bruker; Sandler, Benjamin; Bruker, Max O. (Whole Food Diet Protects Against Viral Diseases: Report on a Diet That Prevents Polio. Formerly ‘Special Nutrition Prevents Polio’) – (2001)
• Vorsicht Fluor!: Das Kariesproblem. Fluoridtabletten, Fluoridlacke, Kochsalzfluoridierung, Trinkwasserfluoridierung (Beware of fluorine!: The tooth decay problem. Fluoride tablets, fluoride varnishes, saline fluoridation, drinking water fluoridation)  – (date unknown)
• Wer Diät ißt, wird krank: Wunderdiäten genauer betrachtet. Über Sinn und Unsinn einseitiger Ernährungsformen (Anyone who eats a diet gets sick: a closer look at miracle diets. About the sense and nonsense of one-sided diets) – (1992)
• Zucker, Zucker.: Krank durch Fabrikzucker. Von süßen Gewohnheiten, dunklen Machenschaften und bösen Folgen für unsere Gesundheit  (Sugar, sugar.: Sick from factory sugar. About sweet habits, dark machinations and evil consequences for our health) – (date unknown)

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.