Why change your life style when it comes to nutrition? Dr. Sherri Thomas discusses the process of what our body does when we eat more of the nutritionally deficient foods over fruits and vegetables. She breaks it down in a short explanation on biochemistry to help us realize the value of foods helping not only are hunger, but promoting health over a life time with quality of life as a bonus throughout the years.
Podcast
Show Notes
(FREE DOWNLOADABLE FILE of Dr. Sherri Thomas' recommendations
to healthy eating and help against free radicals below.)
The Bible offers instructions to give us the "Why?"
This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Joshua 1:8 CSB
Deuteronomy 28 Moses speaks to Israelites to obey God. Why?
Blessings in v. 1-14
Curses in v.15-68 many more curses than blessings from disobedience.
The Biochemistry Behind it All
All matter is made up of Molecules (atoms) electrons
Healthy molecules all have paired electrons
Free Radicals - unpaired - odd # of electrons
Unstable - steal, scavengers
Sources of Free Radicals Damage
cancer
autoimmune disease
arthritis - rheumatoid
heart and cardiovascular disease
neurocognitive diseases - Alzheimer, Parkinson’s disease
Aging - skin spots, wrinkles
Cataracts
Super Hero to the Rescue are Antioxidants
Where do we naturally get Antioxidants from?
(see document below for details of examples for each below)
Phenolic Components
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Beta Carotene - Vitamin A
Selenium
Zinc
Our bodies produce some antioxidants: alpha lipoic acid and gluta theone.
Building Blocks to a Healthy Body
Carbohydrates - for energy storage and provide structure and fuel for brain fiber for digestion.
Lipids - energy reserves, regulate hormones, transmit impulse, cushion organs, transport vitamins, and makes us feel full.
Proteins - help build structure and function of muscles, make antibodies to fight infection repair and build tissues and maintain fluid balance.
Nucleic Acids - RNA, DNA, store, express and transfer information.
When choosing good nutrients to stabilize free radicals and prevent disease, the Mediterranean Diet offers the most options for healthier nutrition. (See document below for the detailed list.)
How to Create a Life Style of Good Eating
Limit added sugar
Omega 3 fats
No perfect diet for everyone. Listen to your body, be tested if persistent symptoms
Artificial trans fats are unhealthy (processed oils - fried foods), cause heart disease, obesity, and inflammation
Vegetables improve our health; rich in nutrients, vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, and minerals
Get enough vitamin D - functions as a hormone;
sun - skin makes vitamin D
Deficiency associated with diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis
Often need a supplement or cod liver oil
refined carbs are bad (sugar and refined flour)
lacks fiber and other nutrients
i.e., whole oats vs package of microwave oats
spikes blood sugar - crashes
Supplements can’t replace real food; it can be beneficial like vitamin D
Lifestyle changes are necessary - not just a fad diet.
Live, real, unprocessed food is healthiest.
Processed food removes good nutrients, adds bad sugar/transfer
Conclusion
1. Start young and make small changes
introduce children to healthy food and play - inside and outside
2. Drink plenty of water
Recommend: 64 oz daily
3. Listen to your body - bloating, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, stiffness, inflammation, fatigue, rashes, headaches, brain fog
4. Eliminate some things for 1-4 weeks and see how you feel.
Biggest sensitivities are dairy and gluten
Try lactose free milk or other milk alternatives
Try Ezekiel bread or gluten free
Try other tree nuts if sensitive to peanuts
5. Fill your plate half with vegetables and other spots with proteins, hearty fats and whole grains and fruits
6. Don’t force yourself to “clean your plate”, take smaller portions
7. We don’t see donuts, pastries, ice cream, sodas on the antioxidant list!!!
minimize, limit to occasional intake
8. ENJOY your meals, socialize, sit outside, picnic, Face Time single members while you eat together remotely.