Embracing National Nutrition Month: Somebody Move The Cheese!

Change is overdue in mainstream food and conventional healthcare.

March is National Nutrition Month, a perfect time to reflect on our food choices and their impact on our health. As a nutritionist, nearly every client I see comes to me with a mindset and belief around nutrition, and it is one of the hardest things to overcome. It takes a lot of educating clients, reframing a new way to think about food, and creating a new relationship with food. Nutrition is foundational to health, so the discussions surrounding food are a constant in my practice.

Nutrition is among the most debated topics today, thanks partly to the myriad of dietary movements we've seen emerge. From the carnivore and plant-based diets to low-fat, low-carb, and the increasingly popular ketogenic or paleo diets, there is a new approach popping up all the time. Then, of course, we have the Standard American Diet, often called the "S.A.D.," which aligns with U.S. government guidelines and is what many doctors and registered dieticians are trained in. Nutritionists take a different approach; we focus not just on macronutrients but on the holistic nature of food and its effects on our bodies. We take a personalized approach to tailoring dietary needs.

The Foundation of Health: Metabolism

What we eat significantly influences our overall health. Many of us are increasingly aware of the links between sugar consumption and various health conditions like cancer, diabetes, and cognitive decline. The relationship between sugar and our mitochondria is at the heart of this conversation.

Cells are the unit of life, and the mitochondria are the powerhouse of our cells responsible for making ATP, aka cellular energy. Understanding the difference between fuel sources like glucose and ketones can revolutionize our health. Metabolism is the body's process of converting fuel sources into energy.

Metabolic flexibility is the body's ability to switch to different fuel sources, glucose and fat for energy efficiently and effectively, depending on its current needs. When we consume carbohydrates and sugar in excess and get stuck in a carbohydrate/glucose-burning state, we can become metabolically inflexible. Overconsumption and metabolic inflexibility result in what researchers call "mitochondrial gridlock." Overconsumption of carbohydrates and sugar causes congestion and confusion for mitochondria over which fuel they need. This can impair metabolism, insulin resistance, and mitochondrial dysfunction, increase oxidation, speed up the aging processes, and degrade metabolic health. Over time, being in this chronic state can lead to metabolic diseases such as diabetes and even cancer.

If you're metabolically flexible, the mitochondria choose which fuel they need and help the body balance energy supply and demand.

Improving metabolic flexibility and transitioning to a state where your body becomes a fat burner can lead to numerous health benefits. However, achieving this balance requires attention to the types of carbohydrates consumed, the adequacy of fat in the diet, and the proper protein intake. This journey toward optimal health is highly personal, emphasizing the need for tailored nutrition plans.

The Importance of Monitoring Data: Smell the cheese often so you know when it is getting old.

We need to look at data to grasp how our bodies function at a cellular level. We can use labs to monitor for improvements and direct our next steps to fine-tune and optimize health. So many people these days are DIYing their health using AI to dictate their health for them. It's concerning and flat-out dangerous. Labs, supplements and done times therapeutic diets should be guided by a healthcare practitioner. A VERY BASIC lab panel includes lab tests such as fasting glucose, A1C, and fasting insulin levels (many conventional doctors often don't even run insulin- Shocking, yet unsurprising). The "trifecta" which includes a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a basic cholesterol panel consisting of total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides, B12, folate, vitamin D 25O-OH, and an Omegacheck.

You might be surprised by the number of omega-6 imbalances I encounter; it's pretty concerning. A few interesting facts regarding omega-3:6 ratios:

• When we were hunter-gatherers, our omega-3:6 ratio was likely around 1:1 to 1:4. In today's modern world, however, with the addition of agriculture and processed foods, the average American's omega-3:6 ratio is around 1:26.

• High levels of omega-6 fatty acids in the body can cause you to burn more quickly in the sun. Since Vitamin D is synthesized from cholesterol, if you're burning in the sun, you're not converting cholesterol into vitamin D. Plus, burning in the sun leads to oxidation and can have harmful effects.

• Omega-6 fatty acids are inflammatory and often oxidize in the body—oxidation is akin to rust. Rusty cells lead to increased aging, which we want to avoid.

Other monitoring includes monitoring glucose throughout the day with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). The information gleaned from these helps you understand how your body uses glucose.

It is also important for those who are aiming to be in Ketosis to monitor ketones. The easiest way to see if you're in Ketosis and know what level of Ketosis you are in is to conduct a blood test. Testing is the only surefire way to know if you are in Ketosis. Testing for Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), blood ketones, is a more accurate way to test for ketones and is the preferred method for testing over breath or urine ketones.

Food Myths: This Ain't Even Cheese

Challenging the mainstream health narratives often perpetuated by food companies and conventional medicine is key, well, that is, if you want to achieve health.

Contrary to popular belief:

• Red meat is not harmful.

• Saturated fat is not detrimental.

• Cholesterol is not the enemy.

• Salt isn't bad for you.

• The sun has powerful health benefits.

What IS truly harmful to your health? Sugar, refined plant-based oils, grains, diets high in carbohydrates, cholesterol-blocking/reducing medications, poor electrolyte balance, glyphosate*, and most sunscreens. (That is the shortlist)

Understanding Glyphosate*

Glyphosate is another topic worthy of our attention. It's present in nearly all plants and grains in today's modern food supply—including those labeled "organic." It's well-known that glyphosate residue is in many of our plant foods. Grains and legumes chelate glyphosate out of the soil and sequester it. Studies have shown that glyphosate persists in our food, while cattle appear to detoxify glyphosate, meaning they don't accumulate it in their bodies. For more information on glyphosate residue-free foods, check out The Detox Project.

My go-tos to eliminate glyphosate from the body

• 1st- Avoid it and foods that contain it

• 2nd- Test the body for accumulation (I can help you with this)

• 3rd- Ensure the body's drainage pathways are open, detoxification is supported, and the layer is in appropriate binders. (My preference is Cell Cores, HM-ET Binder)

My Personal Approach to Nutrition

My dietary choices are guided by a blend of several nutritional philosophies, which I summarize as a combination of Mediterranean, Paleo, and Keto. This sort of hybrid approach emphasizes adequate animal-based protein intake while prioritizing high-fat, low-carbohydrate foods. I dial in my macronutrient ratios based on the day, exercise needs, menstrual cycle needs, etc. But, typically, it is around 75g of protein, 25g of net carbs, and the rest fat, around 150+ g per day. I often incorporate intermittent fasting into my routine to enhance my overall health. I avoid grains entirely and focus on consuming above-ground vegetables; dark leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables are my faves. Herbs and spices are a staple, as are pestos. Pestos are chock-full of healthy herbs, spices, and fats! My fruit choices are organic berries, lemons, limes, pomegranates, and Granny Smith apples. I indulge in the delicious local mangos and papayas when I find myself in Bali or Costa Rica.

I prioritize healthy fats in my diet, particularly saturated animal-based fats such as fatty cuts of meat, beef tallow, duck fat, and eggs. I also include a variety of monounsaturated fats, like olives, olive oil, and avocados. Essentially, I view my proteins and carbohydrates as vessels for healthy fats, which are the cornerstone of my nutrition. I use a Keto Mojo device to check glucose and ketones a few times throughout the day.  I aim for nutritional Ketosis levels around 1.0-3.0.

Final Thoughts

As we celebrate National Nutrition Month, remember that our food choices hold monumental power over our health. It's time to rethink what we've been taught and empower ourselves with knowledge about what truly nourishes our bodies. Together, let's move toward a holistic, personalized approach to nutrition that allows us to thrive.

If you're ready to take control of your health through a holistic lens, Book a call with me, Eli, to start your journey toward more profound, long-lasting wellness. Together, we can develop a plan addressing the intricate relationship between your oral health and overall wellness. Let's embark on this journey to better health together!