Welcome everyone to another edition of the Doctor’s Note where we talk about what’s on our minds when it comes to your health.
This week on the podcast, I talk about processed foods and how they are wrecking our health. With our nation’s escalating rates of obesity, insulin resistance, and chronic diseases, it’s crucial to reexamine what we’re putting on our plates daily. Despite having advanced medical technology, our health is deteriorating, largely due to processed foods. Let’s explore the difference between unprocessed, minimally processed, and ultra-processed foods, and how making better dietary choices can lead to improved health and well-being.
PODCAST NOTES
Despite having the best medical technologies and treatments, our country’s health is deteriorating. We’re seeing skyrocketing rates of obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. This isn’t just anecdotal; it’s a full-blown epidemic.
Now, let’s talk about the industries. Both the food and the medical industries contribute heavily to this problem. We’re bombarded with misinformation. These sectors often prioritize treatment over prevention, chasing the money in treating sickness rather than keeping us healthy in the first place. It’s a system that needs a serious overhaul.
What exactly are processed foods? They’re foods that have been altered from their natural state for durability and taste. This means added oils, butter, sugar, and salt. Then we have ultra-processed foods - these are the real bad boys, filled with synthetic ingredients like preservatives and food colorings, and produced in industrial factories. Those are the ones you want to avoid at all costs.
These ultra-processed foods are directly linked to chronic disease - obesity, diabetes, hypertension, lipid problems, arthritis, and autoimmune diseases. They are a major factor in our nation’s declining health. It’s not just theory; it’s what I see in my practice every day.
A lot of processed foods hide damaging ingredients like high fructose corn syrup and refined vegetable oils. And here’s a shocker: many of these additives are banned in other countries. It makes you question why we allow them in our food in the first place.
Let me share a personal story - my own kids, Andy and Kelli, have Type 1 diabetes. They traveled to Europe, ate what they wanted, and noticed their blood sugars were much more stable. Andy’s eczema cleared up, where in the States it is always a hit or miss. This is most likely due to food additives. What does that tell you? There’s a clear correlation between what we’re consuming and our health outcomes.
If we want to turn this ship around, we need to start by eliminating processed and ultra-processed foods from our diets. Check labels for oils, salt, and sugar. Long ingredient lists filled with unrecognized chemicals? That’s a red flag - avoid them!
We must shift our focus to functional, integrative medicine. This means using advanced tools like the Cleveland Heart Panel to measure insulin resistance, getting an InBody scan analysis to see your body composition, and using continuous glucose monitors (CGM’s) to track your blood sugar levels. It’s about understanding what foods spike your blood sugar and adjust accordingly. Everyone is different, and we need personalized approaches to combat metabolic disorders.
So, folks, I challenge you - get rid of those ultra-processed foods from your pantry and start focusing on real nutrition. It’s not just about losing weight; it’s about improving your overall health and preventing chronic diseases.
Remember, health isn’t just what you do in a doctor’s office. It starts in your kitchen, at your dinner table, and with the choices you make every day. Let’s make better ones together.
Stay educated. Stay healthy.
Till next week.
