Oh No! Not Another Fad Diet!
Q: I've been wondering lately what a truly healthy diet is. There
seem to be so many cure-all diets. In the last year alone, I've read
about the blood-type diet, where the foods you eat are based on your
blood type; the Zone diet, which rigidly balances fats and carbohydrates;
the Atkins Diet, focused on protein and fat; and Dean Ornish's
healthy-heart diet, high in carbs, low in fats. Isn't there a happy
medium?
A: The problem with most fad diets is that they offer a simple
prescription for the whole population, when dietary needs are much more
individual. When I prescribe a diet for a patient, I begin with a close
look at the person's family history. I want to be sure to protect against
any hereditary weakness.
If your father has heart disease or an uncle has diabetes, for
instance, you may be susceptible to those conditions, and you can make
specific dietary adjustments to protect yourself. For instance, fish oils
protect against heart disease, while a diet high in fiber, along with
nutrients like vitamin C and magnesium, can help ward off
diabetes.
Secondly, I review your own medical history. It will indicate
possible areas of immediate concern, most of which can be heavily
influenced by good nutrition. If you have high triglyceride levels, for
instance, you should restrict simple carbohydrates and emphasize proteins
and fats. That's because triglycerides are made when you cannot process
sugar properly.
In general, certain themes run through all healthy diets. Eat
adequate amounts of fruits, vegetables, and grains, which contain fiber
as well as antioxidants and phytochemicals that protect against a range
of diseases.
Educate yourself. Each food contains specific nutrients that can
target equally specific diseases. Tomatoes are good for the prostate and
have been shown to cut the risk of prostate cancer by half, while squash
and carrots are good for the eyes and beet greens help cleanse the
liver.
Everybody needs essential fatty acids in the Omega 3 family, either
from fish or flaxseed. Try to eat organic foods, especially meat and
eggs, in order to lower your intake of pesticides, antibiotics, and
harmful chemicals. And drink plenty of water daily to flush out your
system.
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