Bernie Kosar, a Cleveland Browns legend, has beenpublic about his health challenges, including liver disease and Parkinson's disease. His story is one of resilience, positive thinking, and a commitment to finding solutions that improve his quality of life. In recent years, Kosar has faced significant health obstacles, leading him to explore various treatment options and embrace a holistic approach to wellness.
Health Struggles and Diagnoses
In March, Bernie Kosar described himself as being "in bad shape" due to his battle with liver disease and Parkinson’s disease. He revealed that he was placed on the liver transplant list in late spring after being diagnosed with cirrhosis, the third stage of liver failure, approximately 16 months prior. Additionally, in mid-February, an independent NFL doctor diagnosed Kosar with Parkinson's, a neurodegenerative brain disorder.
Kosar's health issues became so severe that he felt unrecognizable at one point. He recounted experiencing E. Coli blood poisoning and heart trouble, leading him to believe he urgently needed a liver transplant. "I wish you could have seen me three months ago,’’ Kosar said, recalling a point in March when he looked unrecognizable. “Actually, maybe not, because I looked like death. I felt like death."
The Fluctuating Nature of Liver Disease
Dr. Anthony Post, a hepatologist at University Hospitals treating Kosar, explained the fluctuating nature of liver disease. "Liver disease does tend to fluctuate," Post stated, noting that Kosar experiences ups and downs in his condition. Despite the challenges, Kosar's condition has shown improvement due to a combination of medication, supplements, exercise, and a healthy diet.
Doctors had informed Kosar in January that he would likely need a new liver. However, Dr. Post noted, "Remarkably - you know, he takes a lot of supplements, he’s been exercising and has been on a good diet and is taking the medications that we’ve prescribed him and we’ve been following him pretty closely so - he’s really gotten a lot better."
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Kosar's Positive Mindset and Health Regimen
Despite the severity of his health issues, Kosar remains positive and proactive in managing his condition. "It's amazing that you can feel as good as I do despite all this stuff going on. I can see that what I'm doing is making a difference. I strongly believe it will continue. Time will tell," he said.
Kosar has been able to maintain relatively good condition through a strict health regimen. However, he has experienced recent health struggles that might necessitate a transplant soon. "It’s been a challenging time mentally and physically,” Kosar said. He even moved into an apartment near the University Circle area to be close to the hospital when the call for a transplant comes.
Kosar also shared the emotional challenges of waiting for a liver transplant, acknowledging the difficult circumstances surrounding organ donation. “To really realize that I’m going to be getting a liver from somebody that really could have a bad accident today. From a psychological standpoint, I don’t wish any ill or issues like that on anybody, and to think that that’s kind of what we’re waiting for right now, it's spiritually conflicting.”
Due to his liver failure, Kosar requires frequent medical procedures to remove fluid from his body, causing significant weight fluctuations. “I fluctuate about a good 40 pounds through the course of the week, so depending on what day of the week you catch me, I could look like a pregnant guy with twins or I could look like a heavy chemo patient depending on what part of the week it is.”
Addressing Public Concerns and Maintaining Transparency
Kosar decided to be open about his health struggles to address public concerns and maintain transparency with his friends and fans. “To have friends like you, to have other friends that have asked me to talk about this, I thought it was wrong of me to try to mask it and hide it and not be blunt with you,” he said.
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He approaches his health challenges with the same mental strategy he used in football, emphasizing the importance of a positive mindset and thorough preparation. Kosar believes that positive thinking and self-belief, combined with diligent effort, increase the chances of success.
The Impact of Football on Kosar's Health
Bernie Kosar's career in the NFL took a significant toll on his health. Over more than 10 years, he endured persistent pain from over a dozen documented concussions. He remembers some hits, while others he brushed off with smelling salts. However, the ringing and buzzing in his head never stopped.
Kosar experienced insomnia and slurred speech, and his life was further complicated by financial issues and a divorce. He sought help from Dr. Rick Sponaugle, who specializes in brain therapies. Kosar credits Sponaugle's treatments with improving his symptoms and aiding his brain's healing. "It was a gift from God to find this and feel like this," Kosar said, noting that his symptoms were diminishing.
Kosar aims to help former teammates and other ex-NFL players struggling with dementia, depression, and other symptoms resulting from the physical demands of football. He contacted NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to discuss Sponaugle's treatments.
After initial skepticism, Kosar felt a difference after just five days of treatment with Sponaugle. "I feel 20 years younger," he said, having lost 40 pounds and nearing his playing weight. A PET scan revealed that most of the damage to Kosar's brain was in the frontal lobe, affecting his emotions and speech.
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Sponaugle compared Kosar's football-related trauma to the impact of a head-on car collision. "Bernie, in effect, put his head through the windshield every Sunday," he said. Sponaugle's treatments aim to improve blood flow in the brain and reverse the effects of brain trauma.
Kosar clarified that he has no regrets about playing football and does not blame the league or his former medical treatment. He acknowledged that leading with the helmet was once encouraged in football. "The head-to-head contact was coached," he said. "That's the way you were taught to hit the quarterback."
Embracing Organic Living and Sustainable Choices
Bernie Kosar's journey toward better health led him to embrace organic living and sustainable choices. He realized the importance of reducing exposure to harmful substances and prioritizing natural solutions. One of the most significant revelations was the importance of sleep, as quality rest is essential for cellular repair, brain function, and overall well-being.
Kosar emphasizes that organic living extends beyond diet. Switching to an organic mattress was a game-changer for him. "Putting your body in the best possible situation, the best mechanism possible to allow it to heal itself," Kosar advocates, "it absolutely starts with where and how much you're sleeping."
Kosar also prioritized health for his family, particularly his granddaughter. He recognized the potential dangers of toxins in everyday products, especially crib mattresses. This led him to choose Naturepedic, ensuring a safer sleep environment for his loved ones.
Kosar's Holistic Health Plan
Kosar, with guidance from Dr. Michael Roizen, Dr. Post, Rick Haines, and wholistic health coach Sean Loomer, developed a detailed plan encompassing various treatment approaches. The plan includes a specific regimen of juicing, black coffee, smart supplementation, digestive enzymes, and intermittent fasting. "I have an incredibly specific regimen of juicing, black coffee and smart supplementation,’’ he says. "Digestive enzymes are part of it. Intermittent fasting. Basically, I’m using food as medicine and avoiding the processed foods, the foods with inflammatory properties."
Dr. Roizen noted that the cause of Kosar’s liver failure remains undetermined but found unusually high levels of an organic solvent in his liver. "This compound doesn’t live in humans for 24 hours,’’ Roizan says. "But it’s lived in him for probably 10 years, and we don’t know why."
The Power of Positive Thinking
Throughout his health challenges, Kosar maintains a positive outlook. "I strongly believe in the power of positive thinking,’’ he says. "For me, it’s not just a slogan. I believe that positive energy can be manifested in our brains, and I love to live in the space of positivity. I want to think about things that are helpful. It sounds like I’m getting on a soap box here, but I visualize good health. It’s not so much that I’m trying to sell it to myself, or that I’m in denial, as it is choosing to be positive. Because everybody’s got something."