Today’s PrimalMed Prescription
Ellen Metzger MS, RD aka The PrimalRD revisits the Elephant in the Room and the importance of sound nutrition as a key driver of metabolic health and immunity.
A previous PrimalMed Prescription from April 26, 2022 discussed the importance of sound metabolic health as a driver of immunity. PrimalMD addressed the importance of having a strong terrain, so when challenged with ever-changing viral variants we are “Strong like Bull.”
Now we are faced with BA.4 and BA.5.
The Elephant in the Room, an issue that most are aware of yet often ignore, is that we should evaluate our own diet and lifestyle choices as a first step in taking personal responsibility for our health.
So…what have we learned in the past 2 years as viral variants come and go? As we continue to see a persistent and increasing incidence of chronic disease, are we as a population any healthier? Are we any wiser in our food and lifestyle choices?
Many food companies continue their production of unhealthy products and new marketing ploys. Recently, at a local food market, a brightly colored cereal box with cartoon characters enjoying frosted animal-shaped, sugar laden ‘new and improved’ food, was proudly displayed. Of course, this was at the eye level of a toddler’s cart seat. I spotted a box of wheat crackers, the front noting ‘lower in calories.’ The label on the back? Same ingredients but only the serving size changed.
THIS is what propelled me to finally write this blog…
We had a choice, to be IN control… to shift our thinking, to wake up to the issues behind chronic disease.
As a Registered Dietitian, working with clients for 30+ years, those with greatest success shift to eating REAL food. I try to instill in clients, compelling reasons to make optimal food choices, which may ultimately improve their metabolic health and immunity. Behavioral strategies are coupled with dietary interventions such as limiting processed foods, vegetable oils, and sugars.
By incorporating a healthy lifestyle, one’s immunity may be improved by decreasing cellular inflammation and minimizing glycemic variability - repeated spikes in blood sugar leading to persistent insulin elevations/insulin resistance, and eventual fat storage and obesity. Adipose inflammation, insulin resistance\, and cardiovascular disease - PubMed.
Optimal health starts with understanding that Food is Medicine, and Nutrients are Information (Proteins, Fats, Carbohydrates, Vitamins, Minerals, Water) - to repair, restore, and become part of the many intricate immune functions that help us to not only survive but to thrive.
A healthy immune system starts with a healthy gut (GI tract), with about 70-80% of our immune cells residing there. Ultra-processed diets consisting of manufactured vegetable oils, flavorings, dyes, emulsifiers, preservatives, added sugars, artificial sweeteners, hormones and antibiotics - CAN create a toxic overload. This in turn can lead to downstream effects of nutrient deficiencies, microbiome imbalances, and intestinal permeability or ‘leaky gut’.
Can this effect our immunity? Yes!
Viral variants will continue to come and go. It is our personal responsibility to make the necessary choices to enhance our own innate immunity and create a strong terrain. Of course, each individual patient is an individual person - one size does not fit all. There is no one perfect solution for everyone but let’s start with the basics.
Eat.Real.Food.
THIS is how we address the Elephant in the Room.
Ted Metzger, MD is a practicing board certified Radiologist as well as founder and owner of PrimalMed, LLC. PrimalMed educates and advocates on Metabolic Health and Wellness, as seen through the lens of a curious radiologist.
Ellen Metzger MS, RD - the other half of the PrimalMed team, is an Integrative Registered Dietitian, addressing ancestral and primal nutrition principles as drivers of metabolic health and wellness.
The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on the PrimalMed website.
Eating real food for good health and to build up your immunity is the best possible message. If only we would get that message on a daily basis from federal agencies maybe that would be pressure on the corporations that make the junk food so that when we go to the supermarket we can get real food and be healthier as a nation. Keep putting that message out it’s so important that we all hear it.
Glad to hear from the other half of the team! Love the message to eat real food!