What's Really Wrong with You (and Me, and Everyone Else)

A doctor's call to action

I recently heard an interview about health care that struck a deep, deep chord with me in which they discussed the inattention to the root cause of illness by physicians, driven by an opportunistic healthcare system that thrives off of sick, dying citizens. I did not learn anything that I do not already know, and in fact, they spoke on a lot of things that I am already trying to change in my own practice: I have 30-minute appointments to ensure ample time for patients to ask questions and discuss all their concerns, I preach to my patients on a daily basis about how their lifestyle is affecting their chronic pain, blood sugars, body weight, et cetera. But the interview left me asking - could I (and should I) be doing more?

Diet and exercise most obviously impacts those with high blood sugars, joint pain, and obesity (those with the latter almost always have the two former). But what about all the other illness I treat? High blood pressure and cholesterol, thyroid dysfunction, menopausal symptoms, depression and anxiety, just to name a few. The rates of these diagnoses are ever-increasing, but why? Are we really that much better at detecting these illnesses, or is there some other causation at play making these maladies more common?

Along with the rise in the aforementioned conditions, as well as many others like infertility, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), rheumatoid and juvenile arthritis, fibromyalgia, and degenerative disc and joint disease, there has definitely been a parallel rise in poverty, obesity, and death from all causes. But Americans, and those in the Western world in general, were not always this sick! In the past hundred years, the rise in popularity of processed foods - touted as “healthy” by advertisers and even some healthcare associations have created the ultimate conundrum for people, especially because of the lower market prices. Do I save money that can be used to pay my bills by buying the cheap convenience stuff at the grocery store, or do I spend more time and money on whole, natural foods that I can cook at home?

The pressures of the world today demand more work hours for adults, more after-school enrichment and sports for kids, and less time sleeping for everyone to finish work or school assignments. Every day we are tired and stressed, and then on top of it have to shop, prepare, cook, and eat fresh foods that we do not think we can afford. Not to mention that some of us have never actually cooked from scratch before. So of course we are turning to prepared, processed, artificial crap to eat (I cannot even bring myself to call it food). What is worse, is that the pre-designed stuff we eat is formulated with just the right amounts of salt, sugar, and artificial poisons that keep us addicted and wanting more, and more, and more. Some of these are even created by weight loss companies! Atkins, Slim-Fast, and Weight Watchers, just to name a few. I have even stopped giving my patients handouts from organizations such as the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the American Heart Association (AHA), because some of the foods they actually recommend for patients with these chronic conditions are processed and made with things that only sound healthy (like low-fat processed foods made with seed oils). In actuality, these foods can actually make you sicker when consumed on a regular basis.

I do not want to be part of a system that misleads people about their health. The sicker we are as a country, the higher the rates of death, and the weaker we are as a society. We are pushed to perform and succeed in school and career but are set up to fail by being overweight, under-rested, and pumped with chemicals (including prescription medications). We are depressed not just because we feel like our health is holding us down, but also because we feel trapped by our financial limitations to try and be healthier, not to mention that the toxins we consume are affecting our brains.

There is a solution that all doctors are not talking about enough: eat real food, and move as much as possible. The “do eat" list is short: fresh or flash-frozen fruits and vegetables, organic meats and fish, organic eggs and dairy. Bake with natural and organic products, including flour. THAT'S IT. Yes, organic costs more. But if you do not buy the soda, snack foods, packaged desserts, Lunchables and other grab-and-go meals, pre-made bread, frozen dinners, et cetera, then you will have money left over to afford the more expensive quality foods! Because I am telling you, that list of “don'ts" I just gave you is killing you and your children slowly by making you depresses, anxious, hyperactive, distracted, and overweight. If you do not believe me, think of the handful of people you know who went on the keto diet. I am not necessarily saying this is the best diet, but when followed strictly and correctly, it eliminates all of the items on the “don't” list. People who went on keto even for a month talk about how amazing they felt on it, and that is because they got rid of all the artificial, manufactured, factory-produced stuff in their bodies. True, the keto diet and many other strict diets are not designed to use long-term, but the essence of why they work is this.

I want to circle back to our expectations of health in this country and standards of wellness. As a physician, I tell my patients: being on blood pressure and cholesterol medicine IS NOT NORMAL. Keeping on the pregnancy weight after having a baby and even as you get older IS NOT NORMAL. Common does not equal normal, and do not let any other physician tell you otherwise.

Take back your health. Take responsibility for what you eat and what you feed your children, because you are what you eat. If you are afraid or do not know how to cook, GOOGLE IT. Type in the search bar “easy recipe for…” and find one that appeals to you! All that time you spend scrolling social media mindlessly? Well, subscribe to some easy cooking channels and try something out! Your kitchen is more than just your fridge and your microwave, and even if it is, there are microwave recipes out there too!

When it comes to exercise, forget expensive gym equipment and memberships. If you love those things, then more power to you. But playing with your kids, cleaning your house, going on walks, dancing in your kitchen, doing a fun workout video on YouTube at home - this is movement, and it is all you need! Do whatever activities you enjoy. Don’t worry about counting the minutes or the steps (unless that helps keep you motivated). JUST MOVE. To have the energy and will power to move (as much as possible) every day, you have fuel your body with real food.

Real food, movement, and health are a triad. Shoot for this every day. Try as hard as you can. Even if it is not perfect, even small changes go a long way. You and your children deserve a long, healthy life without medicines, pain, or mental illness. Take control. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are a victim of your body's biology - your body is amazing and holy, and you only get one.

If you are a physician or other healthcare provider of any specialty reading this, I implore you, spend time with your patients talking about how they can eat better and exercise to help their health. It will mean much more coming from you than it does from me because they are your patients.

Please re-post this note, please talk to others about this. Please do your research and ask your doctor questions. Take back your health.