CARL IVEY, MD
Parenting Coach & Retired Holistic Pediatrician

"Healing families with healthy parenting & optimal nutrition."

KEYS TO HEALTHY NUTRITION
& IMPROVED HEALTH

Here are a few tips for a New Year of abundant health!

Become aware of what Hippocrates, the father of modern Western medicine, said over 2,000 years ago, "Let medicine be thy food, and let food be thy medicine." Hippocrates also said, "If you do not understand food, you can not understand diseases."
Become aware of what Sidney MacDonald Baker, a medical doctor, was quoted as saying in 2008, "It's easier to get people to change their religion than change what they eat for breakfast."
Become aware that the chemical altering, refining and processing of much of our food supply over the past 50-75 years, along with environmental pollution, lack of exercise and excessive stress, are major causes of the epidemic of chronic disease facing our society today.
Become aware that the excessive intake of unhealthy, nutrient deficient foods and the inadequate intake of healthy, nutrient rich foods, are creating inflammation in the body which in turn is triggering the epidemic of heart disease, hypertension, strokes, cancer, osteoporosis, child and adult obesity, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.
Become aware that processed foods, refined vegetable oils, sugary cereals, refined grains, white flour, soda pop, excess saturated fats, trans fats and most fast foods promote inflammation, have low nutritional value and increase the risk of many diseases.
Become aware that fruits and vegetables (of all different colors), whole grains, beans, complex carbohydrates, raw nuts and seeds, omega-3 fish oils, salmon, sardines, olive oil and flax seed have high nutritional value, oppose inflammation and promote health and vitality. Refined sugar promotes inflammation whereas Stevia, a natural sweetener derived from plants and Organic Blue Green Agave, a natural sweetener from cactus, do not promote inflammation.
Become aware of the critical role of a healthy diet with adequate essential fatty acids during pregnancy, the first 3 years of a child's life and throughout life. Inadequate amounts of essential fatty acids, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, are associated with ADD, ADHD, learning disabilities, behavior problems, violence, depression and autism. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are called essential since they cannot be manufactured by our bodies but must be obtained from our food.
Become aware that vitamin D deficiency is epidemic. Vitamin D is not a vitamin but functions as a hormone. There are vitamin D receptors in every organ in the body. This explains why there are more heart attacks, depression and infections during the winter when there is relatively little sunlight and vitamin D deficiency is most severe. Most people require between 2,000 units and 4,000 units daily of supplemental vitamin D to maintain optimal blood levels of vitamins D.
Become aware of the latest recommendation to eat 9-13 servings of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables every day. The research consistently shows that people who eat the most fruits and vegetables have far less heart disease, cancer, arthritis, eye problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration, and Alzheimer's disease compared to people who rarely eat fruits and vegetables.
Become aware that micro-waving food disrupts the molecular structure of food. The human body is not genetically engineered to thrive on such chemically altered foods. As a result, microwaved food promotes inflammation in the body and is also deficient in most vitamins and nutrients. For more information, google "microwaving and nutrition" and "microwaving and cancer."
Become aware of the term "dysbiosis," a condition in which there is widespread inflammation of the intestinal lining or mucosa. The cause is related to the overgrowth of bad bacteria and yeast as a result of too few beneficial, good bacteria. Taking a high quality probiotic on a daily basis is strongly suggested.
Become aware that elevated blood homocycteine levels are associated with increased rates of heart disease and that adequate fruits and vegetables in the diet lowers homocysteine levels without any side-effects. On the other hand, half of people who have heart attacks have normal blood cholesterol levels and cholesterol-lowering drugs require a prescription and have many side-effects.
Become aware that over half of people over age 40 may be deficient in vitamin B12. This is because as we get older, it gets harder for our stomach acids to separate and absorb vitamin B12 from our food. Vitamin B12 is only found in foods from animal sources such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy. For these reasons, it is recommended that all vegans, everyone taking drugs which decrease stomach acid production, and everyone past 40 years of age take 1,000mcg daily of a vitamin B12 supplement in the form of methylcobalmin - the biologically acting form of vitamin B12.

If you have any questions about any of this information or if you wish to find out
how to increase the amounts of health-promoting fruit and vegetable nutrients
in your diet, please phone(250) 923-7701 or emaildocivey@carliveymd.com

For additional nutrition- related information and advice regarding
effective parenting, go towww.carliveymd.com

I wish all of you the best of health.
Sincerely,
Carl L. Ivey, M.D.