Eating Plan

Optimum Nutritional Lifestyle
“The beginning is the most important part of the work” – Plato

Could your diet be killing you? I believe so. The greatest threat to your health today is likely a result of what you are eating. Food is not simply a source of energy, but a crucial factor in mental and physical well-being. Optimal nutrition contributes to the prevention and reduction of risk factors for many diseases and enhances certain physiological functions. The statistics to back it up are staggering. Today the leading killers in this country are heart attacks, strokes and cancer. Yet, it is estimated that at least 90% of first-event heart attacks are preventable. Two-thirds of all cancers occur needlessly. The American Cancer Society reports that diet alone is responsible for at least one-third of all cancers. A U.S. Surgeon General report concluded,”Imbalances or excesses of fats are involved in 70% or more of all U.S. deaths.”

Two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, a risk that will soon surpass smoking as the leading preventable cause of death in this country. A 2005 report indicated a slight increase in average life expectancy in the U.S. to 77.6 years. Sadly, it is likely to take a significant dive in the near future, as the weight of Americans will cause average life expectancy numbers to crash. The good news is that you still have the opportunity to improve your health, your quality of life and your longevity by mindfully choosing what you eat, when you eat, and how you eat – with a nutritionally mindful lifestyle.

Recent decoding of the human genome has propelled an emerging field of science called nutrigenomics, which studies the complex interplay between diet and genes and how nutrition influences health. A primary goal of nutrigenomics research is the development of effective dietary intervention strategies designed not only to treat, but also to prevent disease. Scientists have discovered that certain substances (food chemicals) can change the expression of genes and even the genome itself. Although it is well established that diet is a big factor in chronic disease risks, scientists have also found that individual genetic makeup (propensity) also must be considered. So, one size-fits-all solutions aren’t the answer either.

Today’s fast-food lifestyle makes it even more challenging to eat properly. The family seldom prepares and eats meals together any more. Moreover, exposure to an endless array of the latest dietary recommendations makes it difficult to sort fact from fiction.

What is a person to do?
Call (703)-272-8501 for your appointment today for your optimal nutritional plan.