Hello again: It is estimated that 2/3 of Americans have some level of insulin resistance, and 90% of those with the condition do not know they have it. When we repetitively over-eat and/or eat the wrong kind of foods that supply too large of a carbohydrate load, we are demanding our bodies to make insulin. Insulin is needed to pull blood sugar out of the blood and into the tissue. When we over-consume foods that turn into sugar, we can over-tax the insulin system which can lead to either insulin resistance (too much insulin) or partial to complete burn-out of our insulin producing cells (not enough insulin any more). This cycle of events leads to increased abdominal fat, sugar and/or carb cravings, hormonal changes (low testosterone and increased estrogen), inflammation, water retention, memory loss, brain shrinkage and more. An important point is that insulin resistance that is left ... Read more
Archives for April 2019
Food in Health and Disease: Know Your Risks
Hello again everyone: As you know, chronic disease is the major cause of suffering in our country, and worldwide as well. However, knowing what the science shows us has not changed dietary patterns. This is incredibly unfortunate as it turns out that what we eat is now known to DEFINITELY be associated with the onset, aggravation and perpetuation of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular health (heart attacks, stents, stroke), diabetes, dementia, cancer, autoimmune diseases, etc., etc. Check out this recent article where they research the fact that “suboptimal diet is an important preventable risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCD’s)”. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)30041-8/fulltext#seccestitle10 "This study shows that poor diet is the leading risk factor for deaths in the majority of the countries of the world," said study author ... Read more
Processed Foods and Anti-Nutritional Results: Say What?
Hello again: Here is an important concept that is easy to grasp, but no one talks about it, and that is that processed foods actually have ‘anti-nutritional’ values. The concept is this: Processed foods contain anti-nutrients, which are things like chemicals and foods stripped of nutrients and nutritionally associated compounds (such as phytonutrients, bioflavonoids, polyphenols etc. that are essential to our natural and optimal biochemistry). In order for our bodily systems to metabolize these foods and artificial compounds and chemicals, we require the nutrients that should have come with the foods in the first place, as well as extra nutrients to get rid of the toxic chemicals. Without those nutrients, we actually have to rob our own store of nutrients, so we are in essence creating nutritional deficits…that is…nutrient insufficiencies and/or deficiencies. Thus, eating poorly ... Read more
Food and Brain Health: Keep Sharp With Healthy Eating
Hello again everyone: As you know, I have repeatedly focused on inflammation and how it ruins our health. Here is a link that is worth reviewing so that you can see that this idea is totally backed by science, and while it is not a standard part of medical care…it should be!! https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4579563/ “The importance of chronic low-grade inflammation in the pathology of numerous age-related chronic conditions is now clear. An unresolved inflammatory response is likely to be involved from the early stages of disease development.” Bottom Line: This is a great paper, and I want to focus on just a few concepts that they delineate. They basically cover cardiometabolic diseases, gut and systemic inflammatory contributions, and neurological/brain inflammation, the contribution of dietary fats and carbohydrates and plant biochemicals to inflammation, and ... Read more
Food As Medicine: An Old Idea Whose Time Has Come (Again!)
Hello everyone: Here is a link to a recent article that is really worth reading, as it does cover a good perspective and context on why food is actually the best medicine. This includes both for prevention and treatment. http://time.com/longform/food-best-medicine/ The article states: “The idea of food as medicine is not only an idea whose time has come,” says Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and the dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. “It’s an idea that’s absolutely essential to our health care system.” Bottom Line: It is so totally worthwhile to learn how to shop for clean, whole, natural, organic foods and then to invest the time in learning to prepare nourishing and health building meals and snacks. It won’t take long before you are whipping up super healthy and delicious meals. Food is literally the largest ... Read more
