Can Food Act as Medicine?

I'm sure we all know someone who is going through this scenario: they go to the doctors with a certain pain, tingling, or they just "don't feel right". The doctor asks them a few questions and runs a few blood tests, but the test results come back normal. The doctor might say it's all in their head or give them a medication to ease whatever pain they're feeling. They may feel better in the moment, but the problem will eventually continue or emerge as a problem elsewhere. They return with new symptoms, and they may get another medication and later on there will be more problems. Unfortunately, this vicious cycle happens time and time again. The root cause of the issue isn't getting fixed, and the actual problem is just being covered up. Think of it this way: There is a leak. Would you rather get some buckets, put it under the leak, fill it up, and keep replacing it? Or would you rather figure out why there is a leak in the first place or plug the hole?

Western medicine is great for a lot of things, like if you break your arm or if you are in a car accident. But, in scenarios like this there is always a root cause to those symptoms. Just about all of the chronic health issues we face today are due to poor diet and lifestyle. The same actions and thinking that created a problem, won't help to solve it. So, if you take a medication for these symptoms and make no change in your diet or lifestyle, the problem is still there.

As nutritionists, we are taught to play detectives and look at exactly what is causing these issues. Based on your symptoms we examine your current diet/lifestyle habits and determine what labs to run and pinpoint what exactly is causing your complaints. Maybe you're low in a certain vitamin or nutrient. Maybe you've been exposed to a lot of heavy metals/toxins and your body is having a tough time getting rid of that. Maybe you're eating food that is giving you inflammation, causing you to have chronic pain, brain fog, low energy, acid reflux, and so on. When you restore these levels and eliminate what is causing harm, the body will heal and function efficiently. Food has properties that either heal you or harm you.

When you look at yourself or anyone externally you are looking at their dietary habits. From the way your eyes look, the way your tongue is shaped, the thickness of your hair, and your skin is made up from the food you consume every day. Internally, it is the same thing - the way your digestive system works, the way your heart beats, your brain, and even your immune system are all heavily related to the food you eat at every single meal. I have experienced first-hand and learned that what we eat and every piece of food we put in our body is so heavily tied to our health. It is the main driver of our overall health. I highly recommend seeing a nutritionist that can guide you down this path. Your health issues can be fixed, and you can achieve true health.