A Cup of Coffee: How Not To Die (Part I in a series)

Welcome back! Last week, we had a great discussion about the measles. If you missed this blog and would like to catch up, click HERE.

This week, we visit with an old friend, Dr. Charles Ross. He will talk with us about our diet, and at the end of this blog, there is a short video that you really need to watch. You don’t have to change a thing, just ADD these things to your diet to live longer, and in living longer, also live in good health. Who could ask for more?

So, you know the drill! Grab A Cup of Coffee and let’s chat!

Why is what we eat so important?   The number one cause of death in our country is what we eat.   The number one cause of disability in our country is what we eat.  So if what we eat is most likely to either keep us healthy or cause death or disability, doesn’t your doctor or health care provider discuss nutrition with you at every visit?  If not, why not?

In the US our medical system has traditionally been focused on sick care; diagnosing and treating diseases once they have developed.  Our system has not yet transitioned to mainly preventive health care.  Doctors are generally not paid to counsel patients on health issues unless disease is already present.  And most doctors receive very little food as medicine training.  What we eat is a root cause of disease. 

Therefore, treating and reversing disease should always start with helping a patient transition to healthier food choices…not another pill; which just treats the symptoms of diseases like hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease.   I am not against physicians and other providers.  I am for addressing the root causes of disease, (what we eat, how we move, the chemicals we choose, and how we deal with stress) to treat and prevent and even reverse diseases. 

Remember that our genes account for only about 30% of our health while our lifestyle choices account for about 70%.  My hope is that our medical system will change to actually focus on reversing the epidemic of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other chronic illnesses. 

Until that change occurs, consider going on an educational journey on your own;  read How Not To Die by Michael Greger MD or Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman MD or Undoit by Dean Ornish MD, attend free community classes, or go online at www.pcrm.org and try their 21 day kick start program. 

Best of health….

Charlie Ross DO, Westfir, Oregon