THERE ARE NO STUDIES that prove the benefits of nutritional or integrative therapies …
It’s a refrain that I hear time and time again.
And I hear it from my colleagues.
But they couldn’t be more wrong!
They just have not done their homework — or perhaps they are reading the wrong medical journals.
One of my favorite medical journals is the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,” which every month publishes more than 300 pages of research with NO ADVERTISING.
This is very unlike my other medical journals — such as the “Journal of the American Medical Association” or “The New England Journal of Medicine” — which have pages and pages of color glossy drug ads.
So today, I thought I would take you on a journey through just one issue of the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” to see just how much research is being done on how food and nutrients affect our health.
The sad thing is that it can take 20 years before this knowledge becomes commonplace or used in medical practice.
Unfortunately, there is little money available for large-scale studies or to publicize the findings of the role of nutrients and food in health and disease. Unlike in the pharmaceutical industry, there are no “food reps” that drop off food samples in doctor’s offices.
Except perhaps in my case.
You see, I have been sent walnuts, whole-food bars, wild salmon, and even whole-kernel rye bread from Germany — all of which I like much better than the pens and cups and Post-it notes with drug names all over them.
And I certainly like these better than the “free” drug samples I’m sent that are meant to get my patients hooked on the latest and most expensive (though not necessarily the best) medications.
Advertising medications directly to patients used to be illegal. They still are in Canada and the European Union.
But, boy, have things changed!
Since “direct-to-consumer” advertising has been allowed in the United States, we have seen dramatic increases in the use of those drugs.
In fact, when a person sees an ad for a drug on TV and then asks their doctor for it, they are likely to get it about 50 percent of the time.
If there were a drug that could turn off all the disease-promoting genes and could turn on all the health-promoting, anti-aging genes, it would be a blockbuster. But you don’t see ads on TV telling you to eat more whole-kernel rye bread!
Just look at the numbers.
According to a recent article in “The New England Journal of Medicine,” pharmaceutical advertising and promotion grew from $11.4 billion in 1996 to $29.9 billion in 2005 — and direct- to-consumer ads grew by 330 percent! (1)
I can assure you that NO ONE is spending $30 billion promoting the benefits of food and nutrients to support health and cure disease, even if they are more effective.
You don’t hear about the best or most effective treatments, just the ones that are most heavily promoted.
Now let’s get back to the nutrition journal and a sampling of the types of research out there that demonstrate the healing power of food.
These are all from the May 2007 issue (I am a little behind on my reading!).
The most important study in that journal was on nutrigenomics — the foundational concept of my book UltraMetabolism. The basic idea is that food is information, not just calories.
In this study, researchers from Finland took two groups of people with metabolic syndrome (pre-diabetes) and gave each group a different diet.
Well, sort of. It was different ONLY in the type of carbohydrates they consumed for 12 weeks. The rest of their diet was identical — the same calories and the same amount of fat, protein, carbohydrate, and fiber.
The first group had wheat, oats, and potatoes as the source of their carbs. The second group ate rye as their source of carbohydrate. (As I mentioned in my book, UltraMetabolism, rye has some very special properties because it is slowly absorbed by the body and has phytonutrients that help you lose weight and improve metabolism).
After the 12 weeks, the researchers took a fat sample, or biopsy, and analyzed it to find out which genes were turned on or off.
So what happened?
In the wheat, oat, and potato group, 62 genes were activated that increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and the stress response, worsened blood sugar balance, and generally amplified all of the forces in the body that lead to obesity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease!
It was a 100 percent effect — NO good genes were turned on.
In the rye group, 71 genes were turned on that prevent diabetes, lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and improve blood sugar control.
This was a 100 percent GOOD gene effect. (2)
Now that should have been headline news — but the rye lobby is just not that powerful!
In fact, in an accompanying editorial called “Putting your genes on a diet: the molecular effects of carbohydrate,” Harvard researcher David Ludwig, MD, PhD, wrote that “Molecular pathways involved in hormone action have been the target of a multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical research effort. However, many of these pathways may normally be under dietary regulation.” (3)
If there were a drug that could turn off all the disease-promoting genes and could turn on all the health-promoting, anti-aging genes, it would be a blockbuster.
But you don’t see ads on TV telling you to eat more whole-kernel rye bread!
Findings from a few other key studies from just that one issue are worth noting:
– Supplementing with conjugated linoleic acid (a special fat from meat and dairy fats) caused a modest loss in body fat. It also may prevent cancer, heart disease, and inflammation.
– Long-term fish consumption protects against arrhythmia or irregular heart beats.
– Eating a diet high in monounsaturated fats from olive oil can help reduce blood pressure while a high refined-carbohydrate diet can increase blood pressure.
– Combining fish oil supplements with regular aerobic exercise helps improve body composition and reduce heart disease risk factors (lower triglycerides, higher HDL).
– Women need more choline (a nutrient that is needed for cell membrane formation and to make the neurotransmitter acetylcholine necessary for brain function) after menopause or are at risk of liver and muscle damage.
– If women with HIV are given a multivitamin, they have less anemia and their children also have less anemia. Anemia in HIV is associated with a much faster rate of disease progression and death.
– In Bangladesh, where arsenic poisoning is common, giving folate, vitamins B12 and B6, choline, and niacin reduced the toxic effects of arsenic.
– People who eat more meat and saturated fat have a higher risk of skin cancer.
And those are just from May!
The June 2007 issue has a fantastic randomized controlled study of calcium and vitamin D, which shows that those nutrients substantially reduce risk for all cancers and that the blood level of vitamin D is the most important predictor of decreased risk.
So what are we to learn from all these studies?
This is just a smattering of the research out there — only a few out of the many in that one issue alone.
And it is stuff you are not hearing about.
So if you hear from your doctor that eating better and taking supplements has no “real” scientific evidence to support it, ask them if they have read the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” lately.
It is also interesting to note that the main medical journals publish mostly positive studies on drugs and mostly negative studies on nutrients, foods, and herbs.
And the findings correlate 4 to 1 for a positive outcome for a drug if the study was funded by the drug company.
The same is true for nutrients.
Dr. David Ludwig published a study that showed if a food company or industry, like dairy, for example, funded a study, there was a zero percent chance the outcome was unfavorable for the funder. But if it was independently funded, the negative outcomes were about 40 percent. (4)
That is exactly what happened in another study I saw on the effects of high fructose corn syrup. It showed no adverse effects — and was funded by the American Beverage Association.
Surprise!
So I encourage you all to beware when someone tells you there is no research to back up the use of food or nutrients as the primary mode of treatment of disease and prevention of chronic illness.
The evidence is overwhelming — just ignored.
Now I’d like to hear from you…
How often do you hear about positive studies of food and nutrients? Of drugs?
Have you ever asked your doctor for a drug based on an ad? What happened?
Has your doctor — or someone else — told you that there’s no research to back up natural treatments like these?
Please leave your thoughts by adding a comment below.
To your good health,
Mark Hyman, MD
(1) Donohue JM, Cevasco M, Rosenthal MB. A decade of direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs.
(2) Kallio P, Kolehmainen M, Laaksonen DE, Kekalainen J, Salopuro T, Sivenius K, Pulkkinen L, Mykkanen HM, Niskanen L, Uusitupa M, Poutanen KS. Dietary carbohydrate modification induces alterations in gene expression in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue in persons with the metabolic syndrome: the FUNGENUT Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 May;85(5):1417-27.
(3) Salsberg SL, Ludwig DS. Putting your genes on a diet: the molecular effects of carbohydrate.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 May;85(5):1169-70.
(4) Lesser LI, Ebbeling CB, Goozner M, Wypij D, Ludwig DS. Relationship between funding source and conclusion among nutrition-related scientific articles.
PLoS Med. 2007 Jan;4(1):e5
Yes, Yes and Yes when I try to explain to my Dr. “Yes I have COPD, yes I’m using my inhalers BUT when I feel a cold coming on or am getting congested! I use a program of Oregano Oil and Acidophilus and with in days I feel well again.”
His response was “Well that is good if that works for you but I haven’t heard much about those Natural Remedies.” Then he wanted to give me prescription for an inflammatory drug and I told him “No thanks I will stay with my Natural Products.”
Thank you for all your work and research. You’ve been such an important partner in my quest for health.
In your article, you tout the benefits of whole-grain rye. I’m gluten intolerant, so what food(s) could I substitute for the health benefits of rye?
Thanks!
I agree 100% with what you are saying. I am not in favor of more medication, but how do you convince someone to buy organic vegetables, supplements, and quality food when a copay for a drug might be $15.00 – $30.00, and the alternative is much higher. I bought a supplement the other day that cost me $50.00. It is expensive to eat well. Yes the drug industry is crazy, but I believe that we as consumers are also being taken advantage of by the health food industry as well.
I developed arthritis in my hip to the point where I could barely walk. I was a 53 year old farmer and very active. I ate fairly well. The doctors prescribed pain killers and steroid shots in my spine.
Instead, I decided to try the D’Adamo blood type diet and some physical therapy. Now, about a year later I have gained complete mobility (I still have some pain and stiffness) and I can definitely tell when I eat things (wheat) that I shouldn’t.
I wasn’t willing to give up being active for the next 40 years of my life. Nor to further damage my body with continual pain killers. I have hopes of eventually being free of pain.
I am just wondering, then about organic oat cereals and muesli. Are they a source of inflammation and the other negative outcomes you mentioned in this article?
Thank you
I eat oatmeal almost everyday, and as a result my cholesterol improved. Of course, I exercise and try to eat other healthy foods as well. So when I saw your comment about oats, you’ve confused me now.
Please clarify.
Thank you
nutrition and excercize are absolutely vital. But ask the women if they are being physically, verbally ,or emotionally abused. That is a good way to die.
i read your comments on wheat potatoes and oats turning on 62 bad genes causing inflammation etc. I have diabetes 11 and been watching now for 6 yrs. i eat steel cut oats and find that blood sugar is improved i use mccaan oats which is gluten-free.its low on gi index. so which oats was used in study? potatoes digest like grain but dont understand what that means and of course wheat is high in gluten, both are high glycemic. rye on the other hand is low glycemic as are steel cut oat and its also low in gluten or so i believe. steel cut oats contain beta glucans which are important to immune system. kindly respond to my comment. prefer my email.
Thanks for your very informative newsletter. Some of my problems are gerd or acid reflux, hietal hernia. I had the specialist go down and look to see what was causing my esophigus to be continusously inflamed. Also i have had my voice to change and be weaker for the last couple years. I’m a 75 year old female. The dr said it was acid reflux causing it, and didn’t mention any foods or natural means of controlling it. He only wrote me a prescription for previcid and left the room. I’ve never got it filled, because taking this and others like it caused my daughter’s muscles in her stomach to stop working and i lost my baby girl.
My problem is not pain, but just a changed voice and red streaks in my throat..
What helps me the most is eating smaller meals more often.
I also eat an apple every day, altho i do not have any burning sensation or pain.
Could you tell me what else could be causing my symptoms?
I also have HBP and a skipping heart. I had to quit my bp pills and STATINS because of severe side effects, so i need to know how to do a better job of controlling my symptoms without drugs.
Thanks for any advice you can offer me
Sincerly
Henrietta
Thank you, Etta, for your message and your interest in Dr. Hyman’s work. Your question and constellation of symptoms represents a complex medical condition. Questions regarding conditions like these cannot be answered in a responsible manner via the Internet.
If you would like information on becoming a patient at The UltraWellness Center please see “How to Become a Patient” at http://www.ultrawellnesscenter.com. That site is designed to give prospective patients a comprehensive source of information about The UltraWellness Center. You may also feel free to call The UltraWellness Center at (413) 637 9991.
Regardless of becoming a patient at The UltraWellness Center, it sounds like you need to consult with a doctor. Please seek medical attention for the issues that you outlined in your message.
Wishing You the Best of Health!
Dr. Hyman,
I would love to hear your advice on the benefits of cod liver oil which
contains vitamin D2 and the difference between taking D3 supplements.
Thank you!
A Fan
Once again, Dr. Hyman you are right! I have had the good fortune of working with another functional doctor who has studied under you. She is great. It’s refreshing to be treated as a whole person and not worry that she’ll throw a drug at me to treat a symptom. like you, she emphasises the key to health is a diet of whole, organic foods, exercise, meditation.
I find that the epsom salt/baking soda/ lavendar oil bath a great relaxer at bedtime1 Thank you! i also enjoyed your seminar at Kripalu in 2009.
Hello Dr. Hyman and company,
My husband and I read your book UltraSimple Diet last year and slowly but eventually took a week to detox & continue the receipes at your book’s suggestion. I originally hoped that inflammation would abate and the arthritic pain in my neck and lumbar back would lessen. Pain hasn’t changed very much but other benefits occurred – That was approx. a year ago and I have kept 20 lbs. off.. my grey almost white hairline has started to come in dark. Is that because of all the vegetables??
Thanks for your good work & I’ve told many people of our success. Your book is easy to read and once our minds were made up to follow your directions – it was truly not that difficult. Sincerely, Carole Suddaby
Mark,
I was diagnosed with bladder cancer in June 2006. After my operation, I asked my Dr., who is a German surgeon, what I should eat. He told me it was not necessary to chang my eating habits; just eat what I had always eaten.
I looked at him and told him that I was an educated man and my major was science and that I knew that was not so. He studied me for a moment, as if he were measuring his response, and said, “If I told people how much they would have to change their eating habits, they could not do it.”
I’ve been meat and dairy free for over two and one half years. That is from a potatoes and steak man who felt deprived if you invited me to a meal and served me a casserole. I wanted to know where the beef was.
About 40 years ago, after consulting medical practitioners who seemed indignant that I should expect them to treat problems relating to digestive and metabolic health, I began to seek information to help myself and changed my eating habits. An endocrinologist considered nothing beyond thyroid. A gastroenterologist snickered when I asked for a celiac test. Another practitioner rejected the idea of adrenal insufficiency because I am not underweight. I was given a hysterectomy and prescribed antidepressants and alendronate for osteoporosis, then had to keep looking for help to balance hormones. I’m thankful that I now, at age 69, have more energy and mental clarity and fewer sick days than I did in my “prime” years, thanks to books, articles & websites like yours. Thank you, Maggie B
Thank you for this wonderful article. in 2005 I went on a 21 day vegan detox program and completely eliminated Type 2 Diabetes, IBS, terrible eczema, plantar fasciitis, my huband completely eliminated male ED and prostate problems, IBS and low back pain. It was ALL GONE in 21 days (most of it within the first 10 days).
We felt so great we continued to eat this way and in four months we lost a combined weight of 132 pounds! It literally just fell of, 76 for me and 56 for him.
That was 6 years ago, we continue to eat a diet that consists of mostly raw veggies, some fruits, some cooked veggies, plant proteins like beans, nuts and seeds and a little meat (less than 12 ounces per week).
We continue to experience excellent health and maintain our wonderful weight loss. We influence those who are ready but so many are set in their ways, following the AMA and the drug industry. Keep at it Dr. Hyman, Keep telling the truth.
Hmmm, after reading some of these responses, I’m thinking I will try the “rye bread” for 3 months. My cholesterol is usually higher as is the CRP reading (inflammation). This is worth a try. I have no problem eating 27 fruits, veggies and berries every day as for 16 years I have been an avid Juice Plus+ fan. But, this “rye” is an interesting twist I am eager to try. Truth is, I am a “senior” and have only had 2 mini colds for 1-1/2 to 2 days in the last 16 yrs, and no other problems, take no drugs. I am very thankful for really good health.
I have to tell you that my husband is the very best home made bread maker. I’m not sure he’ll be too happy with this decision, that is unless he can bake 100% rye bread … he is thinking it won’t rise like the white and almond bread he makes, but we’ll see.
I love your information Dr. Hyman … never stop providing us with these wonderful healthy gems of information!!!!
To Your Good Health!!
Mark, wouldn’t it possibly reduce the 20 year estimate on considering certain foods to be helpful if the studies START on KNOWING where their foods came from? So if the study concerns blueberries, they grow their own blueberries, which might as well be a lot of blueberry bushes.
If it’s possible pesticides and another things can be harmful to fruits and vegetables, why not realize what’s obvious: if you’re growing it and you’re looking at what you’re growing, it’s probably more safer than allowing pesticides to be a rule of thumb for safety of dangerous parasites or whatnot.
Also: if you know the BEST ways to fertilize a garden, the best water, and even going for taking care of trees that will last 10-20 years, how would they end up after 10 years if you took care of them with the best compost, fertilizers, and anything that will help optimize fruits and vegetables? How can people raise the healthiest plants since purchasing goods is made possible over seas and within America by shipping? Because of shipping, people should have the opportunity to purchase the necessary goods, and even knowledge, to raise food that will clear their mind and body happy enough.
Actually people could know these things by now. I am not talking about brands of fertilzers. I am not even trying to think of fertilzers but things… ANYTHING by any way of mixing or whatever to create the best outcomes, much like the idea of functional medicine! People coould use this kind of knowledge now!
Even knowing which merchants will sell seeds that will give offspring to more seedsthat WILL grow more plants, assuming they have the right climate and ways of growing. IF people knew enough, they can have the healthiest diet simple because they one day will just spend money on what will make the best gardens and trees. The truth could even be better: some things you could just have to find on your own in a distant place!
I call that a rule of thumb for knowing what could help: what we already know… or what can go figure. Concentrated simplicity is all I base my idealogy from… or in a way.
Dr. Hyman, I watched Food Matter and I got very impressed. What do you think about what Dr. Saul said about helping depression with 3,000 mg of Niacin?? I just tried taking 500 mg and I called the 911 because I got a really bad skin flush. I can’t imagine somebody taking 3,000. Is that really safe? If so, what can I do with the skin flush?? Is it true that you may liver damage??
Hi Maria, thank you for your comment. Dr. Hyman cannot personally answer your question but we can tell you that niacin is not tolerated by everyone in the same way and doses at that high of a level are accomplished in steps.
Wishing You the Best of Health!
I have used wheat berries, but want to know if there are rye berries. With all the good in whole kernal rye, they would be a good addition to my diet.
I’m a psychiatrist, working and living in Brazil. I’m aware of many nutrients may cause benefits healing some biological,genetic, nurture cerebral diseases (mental diseases). But for some of them, like psychoses, schizophrenia and perhaps bipolar disease, recommend the use exclusively of certain kinds of amino acids, or minerals or wherever else, without medication is unthinkable, once the patient can put their and other’s life in danger and in odd chance of death. Talking about ADAH I’ve read at Lancet, or another England journal, a trial using Omega 3, 6, 9. They compare a group children that had the disease taking the omega and with another group that had the disease and did not take the omega. I Think that after a month later the group that took omega had improved in concentrating at school, at home doing the homework, reading more books than the other group. So I believe we have to prudent and discerning well what kind of disease we are talking about. The best treatment is prevention, what means nutrition, nurture, good relationship among parents, healthy family group.
.
Etta:
One possible disorder that might be giving you HBP, a “skipping” heartbeat, and GERD all at the same time, is Hyperparathyroidism, which causes a fluctuating excess of blood calcium, and which is not nearly as rare as many docs think. Go to http://www.parathyroid.com for all the info you can ask for, and learn how to be tested and treated.
Been there, done that…
Good luck -
Leaf Eating Carnivore
I spout to my doctor (my boss) almost daily about the changes I want to see in our patients regarding their diets. He hasn’t a clue. WHy is it that doctors don’t learn about food, nutrition and supplements in med school? Because the Pharma companies are funding the schools and the curriculum?! It is an uphill battle, but I, as a nurse and health coach, try to work daily putting out the good word. Thanks Dr. Mark for giving us fuel for the fire!!!!
Diane Lassen, RN, BSN, HHC
My oncologist has repeatedly recommended that I go on Lipitor to treat high cholesterol and I did take it for 5 years. During that time, my muscles felt very stiff. I later learned that muscle stiffness was a side effect of the Lipitor. Well, the heart is a muscle and I really don’t want my heart to become stiff! So, I’ve been trying to get the cholesterol down by natural methods of eating properly and excercising.
My holistic general practitioner disagrees with the oncologist’s recommendation, stating that the studies promoting Lipitor were done on older men, not on 57 year old women like me. I now take Garlicin and No-Flush Niacin as part of my supplementation to treat the cholesterol.
Having been on the SCD diet for 5 yrs. now with no sugar or starches, I’ve managed to cure my Crohn’s and now I don’t even get a cold. I swear the aging process is actually working in reverse. My whole family now benefits from your advice and good health.
You are so ahead of the pack in your approach !
Best wishes for continued success in spreading the word in 2012.
It’s not often that you walk into your doctor’s office with a complaint or symptom and not walk out with drug samples and or a prescription. I try very hard to stay away from them! I have turned down anti depressants and muscle relaxers for my fibromyalgia, Previcid for heartburn, Sinthroid for my low thyroid and HRT for menopause symptoms and have done great with what a naturopathic physician has me doing plus, all of this has improved with a great many other complaints, by following the Weston A Price Foundation’s suggestions on real foods, traditionally prepared and lots of lacto-feremented foods. And don’t forget the exercise and relaxation too!
Dr. Hyman. What are your thoughts on The GAPS diet??
THANK YOU for announcing the “other” source of information regarding health! We are what we eat, and Americans are dying of diseases virtually unknown in parts of the world with healthier (mostly plant-based) diets. We hear of another bypass operation, and think nothing of it… and we also hear NOTHING of a plan to keep the blockage from returning. The US Medical system is mostly about drugs & surgery, and almost nothing is done to prevent disease nor prevent disease from returning once surgery has been performed. FOOD is medicine. Read “The China Study” by T. Colin Campbell, watch “Food Matters” (on Netflix), watch the new documentary “Forks Over Knives,” read “Diet for a New America” written in 1987! This is not new information, we are just victims of a medical – political – agribusiness system that doesn’t want us to know.
I actually cancelled my health insurance this year (I’m 50 and healthy) and opted for a $40/month “accident” insurance plan. If everyone was held accountable for what they put in their mouth every day, and therefor, which diseases they’re most likely to get… we could all save on health care costs… we simply wouldn’t get sick.
I eat a lot of EV olive oil and I still have high blood pressure. I have a high-stress job, try very hard to limit junk food, and eat mostly the WAP diet. I try to eat fermented oats, wheat, etc.
I wonder if eating even a little of nasty refined carbohydrates negates all the my healthy eating habits? Seems to me from this article that these carbs can be powerful poisons.
I suggest a new term for refined carbohydrates. How about calling it “CARB POISONING”?
Thanks so much Doc. for all your hard work and research. As a health coach and IIN graduate your info is so helpful. Is there a good supplement to take for anger??? I have so many clients who just can’t work through their anger issues.It’s more then situational. Thanks again for all you do.
Hi Mike,
Thank you for your interest in dr. Hyman’s work. Anger can be due to an array of causes from hormone imbalance to poor nutrition. The best thing you can do is an attentive food intake. Are they getting B vitamins? Magnesium? Essential fats? Probiotics? Green Tea? How is the sugar, refined flour, alcohol, caffeine intake? How is their digestion and are they absorbing nutrients effectively? There are several supplements that could help with the nutrition component of course but we like to suggest a food first approach. Under the appropriate guidance in alignment with a complete health history you might suggest 5-HTP, PS, PC, melatonin, GABA, Theanine, Tyrosine etc. depending on their needs and health status. It is important to take into acount blood sugar and hormone balancing too with moods! These are often two of the most essential areas related to anger and as a coach you can offer plenty of tips on how to get in balance using diet and lifestyle techniques!
In good health
I work with dancers, and this is a group of individuals in severe need of good health information. These data provided by Dr. Hyman is outstanding. I will be building much of this into the university dance health course I teach, as well into my Choreohealth community program for dancers. Thanks, Dr. Hyman! P.S. Thanks also for your work with The Daniel Plan! That has helped my family and I greatly.
Any special food suggestions for detoxing after long-term exposures to toxic molds and chemicals including hydrogen sulfide and methane gas? I take many supplements already, but wonder about specific foods.
Also, I wanted to ask– for persons who are gluten-intolerant, are there substitutions for rye?
I have the same question as Emily. If I am gluten intolerant can I still have whole kernel Rye? If not what should I have?
Yes food should be our medicine! Which foods? Depends on the individual and their needs. My brother is a doctor and would love to have people eat healthy, exercise and not have to push all the meds, BUT the people don’t want to have to change their life style. They want the “magic pill” that will let them just continue on living and eating the unhealthy way they are use to. So you just have to do the best you can with non compliant people and give them what the next best thing to make thier life as good as “they will let you”.
Also a natural remedy takes longer to work and most people are only interested a quick fix. We can try to educate the ones that will listen, but you just can seem to fix lazy and stupid. It is very sad.
I am 42 and was told by a cardiologist that due to heart disease in the family he wanted to put me on meds and an aspirin a day without even looking at blood results. He further went on to say that “diet and exercise do not/cannot help.” I laughed my way out of his office. If I die early, so be it. But I will take my chia seed, keep eating my kale and hope for the best.
Any advice for oxylate senitivity? A lot of the fruits a vegies I love, I cannot eat because they cause pain. Thanks.
Hi Adina,
Thank you for sharing your concerns about oxalate content of foods and the pain they cause you. Yes, very unfortunate because these are some of the best foods! Yet there is good news- by ensuring the integrity of your gut with an antiinflammatory diet, probiotics and other gut healing nutrients you can regain the ability to tolerate these foods. Also, not all foods in the oxalate list are as severe as others. For instance while spinach is high, kale, mustard greens and collard greens seem to be more moderate. You can try and experiment with this and see how you do.
Read this article for more on gut health:
http://drhyman.com/blog/2010/04/28/ultrawellness-lesson-4-gut-digestive-health/
http://drhyman.com/blog/conditions/is-your-digestive-system-making-you-sick/
In good health
Lizzy
When my internist noted that my triglycerides were through the roof (330) and my cholesterol fractionations were bad, he instructed me to avoid processed foods, sugars, flour in any form, and potatoes and pasta. I lost 70 lbs. and improved all my “numbers” dramatically by following his advice. After a while (about a year for me), I didn’t want to eat any other way. The verboten foods really lost their appeal.
Rye still contains gluten and I would think twice about ingesting gluten. Food and nutrition is the only way we can heal our bodies. Medicine won’t do it. Gluten Free can be the best Rx you have never had!