Ref : The Metabolic Matrix: Re-engineering ultra-processed foods to feed the gut, protect the liver, and support the brain - Dr. Robert Rustig,
Fat Chance - Beating the Odds on Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity & Disease - Dr. Robert Rustig,
The Hateful Grateful 8 - Dr. Rob Rustig
One of the most challenging parts of chronic disease risk reduction is the current medical paradigm that says that we can use medication to prevent & treat chronic conditions, and despite all the evidence to the contrary, we continue to do so in 2023. As we speak more than 75% of healthcare spend in the worlds richest country (the USA) is spent on managing the basket of conditions listed below.
Diabetes
Hypertension
Lipid Abnormalities (High Cholesterol)
Cardiovascular Disease
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Polycystic Ovarian Disease
Cancer
Dementia
But that's America, SA is different!
This is what we hear from across the spectrum, from patients to healthcare professionals. Unfortunately it's false.
We have not escaped the pandemic of chronic disease, despite the fact that we are on the other side of the world and have a vastly different socio-economic reality. More than 40% of adult males and more than 70% of adult females in SA have exactly the same basket of chronic disease as US adults.
The Grateful or Hateful 8
It turns out that the origins of chronic disease can be traced back to 8 cellular processes that, if healthy, promote health and longevity, but if not healthy, drive illness and pre-mature death.
Not Drugg-able BUT Move-able and Food-able!
Cellular processes cannot be medicated but how much we move and what we do with what we eat will decide if these 8 cellular processes either make sure we live long, healthy and vibrant lives, or we don't. The choice is in our hands.
The challenge is that we have our hands tied behind our backs. The last 50 years have seen us sacrifice many of the habits and foods that were naturally part of human life for thousands of years, for convenience, and the belief that it's okay, we can take a pill. Even when the evidence is clear, big pharma and big food spend massive amounts to ensure that the message is either suppressed or buried or at least muddied enough to create uncertainty, and uncertainty is enough to make sure nothing changes, if nothing changes.
If you have not yet watched this documentary - watch it now!
A high level overview
In Summary
In summary, the Hateful 8 are a group of harmful processes that can lead to chronic diseases. The Grateful 8 are the same processes that can lead to longevity and health. Same coin just different sides!
Simple but not easy
You may notice that the prevention columns look remarkably similar and in order to prevent, treat and reverse chronic disease you need to do the following. On paper these look pretty simple and they are. They are however far from easy.
1. Eat a diet rich in whole foods, fiber, antioxidants, and omega 3 fatty acids.
2. Eat a diet low in meat and exclude dairy
3. Supplement folic acid and high quality Vit B12
4. Reducing the intake of harmful sugars and processed/ ultra processed foods.
5. Do 150min of moderate or 75min of vigorous physical activity per week
Functional Medicine has the answers.
Functional medicine uses an integrative approach that looks at the underlying contributing factors to support long-term success. Our goal is to understand what health factors are causing your struggle and then help you make the appropriate adjustments within all areas of your lifestyle, nutrition, and whole health.
Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?
Book your 45min FREE discovery call with Functional Medicine Practitioner - Jenny Hague and find out how our 16 week programme approach can change your life.
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