Dr. W. Lee Cowden
Educational information only. Beyond ALS shares personal experience, traditional healing perspectives, and emerging research. It is not medical advice and does not claim to diagnose, treat, or cure disease.
Dr. W. Lee Cowden is a cardiologist and internist whose medical career spans more than four decades across conventional, integrative, and teaching disciplines. His unique combination of advanced conventional training and extensive integrative expertise positions him as one of the most broadly trained physicians in the field of comprehensive medicine.
Dr. Cowden received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. He then completed an Internal Medicine Residency and a dual Fellowship in Cardiology and Critical Care Medicine at St. Louis University Hospital Group.
In 1985, he became board-certified as both an internist and cardiologist—credentials that reflect the highest level of conventional medical training and specialization in complex cardiovascular and critical care conditions.
Throughout his career, Dr. Cowden has maintained a deeply held belief that healing involves not only the physical body, but also the mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the individual. His work continues to influence practitioners and patients globally, leaving a lasting legacy in the advancement of comprehensive, integrative medical care.
Professional Career and Integrative Medicine Leadership
After establishing private practices in cardiology and internal medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, and later in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Dr. Cowden began expanding his work beyond conventional approaches. Having studied integrative medicine since 1975, he incorporated a wide range of disciplines into his clinical practice, including homeopathy, herbal medicine, orthomolecular medicine, electrodermal screening, evaluative kinesiology, neural therapy, electromagnetic therapies, and detoxification protocols. In 2005, he further expanded his credentials by earning his Homeopathic Medical Doctor license in Arizona.
Throughout his clinical career from 1986 until his retirement from private practice in 2019, Dr. Cowden became internationally recognized for his ability to address complex and chronic illnesses. His work has included pioneering integrative treatment approaches for cardiovascular disease, cancer, Lyme disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, neurological disorders, and other challenging conditions.
Dr. Cowden is also a leader in medical education and research. In 2008, he co-founded the Academy of Comprehensive Integrative Medicine (ACIM), where he serves as Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board and Academy Professor. In this role, he teaches physicians and healthcare practitioners worldwide, helping expand the reach of integrative medicine through structured training and education.
Books and Publications
He is the co-author and contributor to numerous books and publications, including:
- Foods That Fit A Unique You
- Create A Toxin-Free Body & Home Starting Today
- BioEnergetic Tools for Wellness
- Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide to Cancer
- Longevity: An Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide
- Cancer Diagnosis: What To Do Next
Comprehensive Medical Perspective
What distinguishes Dr. Cowden most is the diversity of his experience across multiple medical disciplines. He brings together the analytical rigor of conventional cardiology and critical care medicine with decades of clinical experience in integrative therapies. This rare combination allows him to approach health and healing with a uniquely comprehensive perspective.
Following his retirement from private practice in 2019, Dr. Cowden now focuses on teaching and advancing integrative medicine through physician education and professional training programs worldwide.
ALS Research and Current Work
For the last 4+ years, Dr. Cowden has been researching Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. He recruited other integrative practitioners for this research and, with them, completed a year-long pilot study of 45 patients with ALS, in which 85% improved functionally beyond what is predicted by the peer-reviewed literature. This data was presented at two national conferences.
Dr. Cowden is now the Principal Investigator for a multi-year, observational study of 1000 ALS patients, which began recruiting patients in early 2026 at www.HealingALS.org.
Guiding Philosophy
Throughout his career, Dr. Cowden has maintained a deeply held belief that healing involves not only the physical body, but also the mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the individual. His work continues to influence practitioners and patients worldwide, leaving a lasting legacy in advancing comprehensive, integrative medical care.
Added by Dr. Cowden:
“I was board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, but chose not to renew those certifications once my focus shifted entirely to outpatient integrative medicine.”