We Are What We Eat; Food Is Medicine

American Diet has come so far away from what is considered ideal, we consume high calorie, low nutrient foods that is essentially altering our genetics to trigger disease states. Below is what our diet today consists of: Flour and cereal products 23%rnAdded fats 24%rnAdded sugars 17%rnMeat/eggs/nuts 17%rnDairy 10%, Fruit 3%rnVegetables 5% Courtesy of USDA/Economic REsearch Service updated March 15, 2008 45 % of meals aways from home, up from 39% in 1980 and 34% in 1970rn34% of dinner entrees are homemade; Nearly 7% of those are sandwichesrn25% of meals at home are frozen or prepared from a market or restaurant Newsweek Feb 9, 2004 Total Diet Study found: Over half of americans ate less than 80 % of the RDA for : Cal, Mag, iron, zinc, copper, and manganesern90% marginal in chromiumrn80% deficient in B6rn20% women iron deficientrnFDA/ Total Diet STudy 2005 This can lead to malnutrition even though we are more obese than ever before. Stages of nutritional depletion is as follows: 1. Tissue depletion without symptomsrn2. Tissue depletion measurable through labs without symptomsrn3. Physiological and pychological changes, malaise, fatigue, depression, mood swings, anxiety, nervesrn4. Disease and medical intervention Food can be inflammatory 26.5% of adults eat at fast food restaurantsrnFast foods contributed more than 1/3 of total calorie intakernLower levels of vitamin A, Carotenoids, vit C, calcium, magnesium, fruits and vegetablesrnIncreased intake fo soft drinksrnBowman SA, Vinyard BT. J Am Coll Nutr. 2004; 23: 163-168 Refined foods=trigger immune cellsrnDietary patterns high in refined starches, sugar, and saturated and trans fatty acids poor in natural antioxidants and fiber from whole foods plus poor omega 3 fatty acids may cause an activation of the innate immune system, most likely by an excessive production of inflammatory byproducts (proinflammatory cytokines) associated with a decreased production of protective immune responsernGiugliano, D. et al., J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006:48(4):677-685 Foods can alter brain chemistry to alter moods Food can be healing Food is our information to the world around, it becomes a part of our being, ultimately altering our genetic disposition...... Rather than taking ibuprofen or anti-inflammatory drugs to further alter our natural biochemistry, try the Anti-inflammatory foods: rnGarlic, cherries, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, fish, beans, nutsrnPolyphenols reduce inflammation: rnthey are found in fruits and veggies, green tea, plant foods/ prevents cancer, degenerative diseases, and chronic and acute inflammation You may never have to worry about pain again. Remember, you are what you eat, everything you breathe and eat becomes a part of you, replenish your body and let it flourish by eating real foods.