What is Nutrition and why is it so important?

Nutrition is of vital importance even more so now than it has ever been before. Our food supply has been greatly altered over the last 50 to 60 years or so, vastly changing our metabolic performance and how we process, digest, absorb and utilize the nutrients from the food we eat. The constant over use of soil and not rotating crops, among the myriad of toxic pesticides that are used, the rise and popularity of processed foods, just to name a few, have substantially reduced the amount of actual beneficial nutrients in the food needed to keep us healthy.

Hence, in my very humble opinion the terrifying increase, as of late, in cancers, thyroid, metabolic issues (diabetes) and autoimmune diseases amongst the lesser symptomatic issues like headaches, joint pain, weight gain and general malnutrition is plaguing humanity. Eating with the seasons is something of a bygone era.  The Queen of England only eats with the seasons. Maybe she knows a secret we do not.

The importance of eating a great variety of real, whole, natural foods cannot be overemphasized. Without dietary variety, our immune systems have no break which wreaks havoc on our systems, making it difficult for our already overtaxed bodies to differentiate food sensitives/allergies from normal cells, resulting in a vast immunological dysregulation over time. This dysregulation or the body’s lack of understanding on how to process/utilize a host of complex ‘garbage’ is what eventually will thrust us into to disease(s). Never mind the food being heinously devoid of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and the. This goes for the quality of meat and its sources as well.

Take Charge of Your Nutritional Health

If you haven’t seen it please watch Food Inc., or something similar. I don’t like scare tactics as a general rule, but if this doesn’t scare you, you aren’t paying attention to what you are watching. I am not suggesting you go all fanatical and crazy making aggressive dietary changes. I am asking you to raise your awareness and begin to take small strides and modifications that will improve the quality of what you are consuming and where you are sourcing the foodstuffs you do eat. If you purchase cage free and/or free-range eggs, please do your due diligence. As a general rule, cage free just means they aren’t kept in a cage and it doesn’t always indicate that the hens were able to be free range and eat quality feed.

These are the same issues that occur with artificial sweeteners.  You may use what you think to be a non-caloric sweetener. But the fact is, the body can’t distinguish the difference between the sugar molecules or the artificial ones. The receptor sites for the sugar molecular uptake the same but doesn’t understand why the artificial sugar molecule is still hanging partially off. So, with the system confused, it proceeds to handle it exactly the same way it does the real sugar. Only now you have the added benefit of the artificial sweeteners causing unnecessary and toxic side effects ranging from weight gain to headaches to neurotoxicity. In summary, the body treats the processing of sugar and artificial sweeteners exactly the same. Back in the day the Surgeon General of the United States all but begged to prevent the influx of the artificial sweeteners into the marketplace.

Sad but truth: the world operates in a monetarily dominated oligarchy. Often times business has chosen to make decisions under a shroud of secrecy arbitrarily without many of us ‘in the know’ of the pros and cons of what’s been legislated or enacted by governments or private corporations via lobbyists’ and special interest groups based mostly on money and less frequently on safety and efficacy.

I am saying this not that I believe ‘the man’ is out to hurt any of us. I say that you should stand up and understand what can have a direct impact on the health of you and your family. Small subtle changes can and do have far bigger implications than you can imagine.

In many cases, your health doesn’t lie in a pill from the pharmacy or from a fad diet or extreme exercise regimen. It comes from managing stress, eating good quality food, getting good rest and sleep, proper bowel movements, a clean liver, staying hydrated and constantly trying to make a difference in your small nucleus of friends, family and loved ones. In addition to all of these healthy lifestyle choices, it is also very important for your health to be happy by focusing on the positives in life and minimizing your exposure to rhetoric and toxic bombardment to your psyche whether it be in the news, from negative/nasty people, or from bad situations.

Please do not let the above make you in anyway think I am against the conventional medical establishment in any way. While just like anyone I have my opinions of their philosophies and operations but please understand without ‘conventional medicine’ I would not be able to practice what’s known as ‘integrative medicine’.  I often, when necessary, refer my clients to the appropriate western trained doctor to work in tandem with what we are doing at my practice to truly optimize and offer the best of both worlds. Western Medicine is an amazing discipline and I can’t imagine where we would be today without it. Like many things in this world, it needs some reform, but without it we would not have the incredible, state of the art therapies, medicines, and lifesaving techniques to employ and use when the need arises.

By evaluating your core metabolic issues, we seek to find weakness or malfunctions in your immune system, attempting to reach the core of the breakdown occurring in your health. We search to find the culprit that is making you feel bad, worsening a chronic condition, or keeping you from reaching your health goals.

Dr. Skip, O.M.D., evaluates your overall health through the review of laboratory testing. This may include the assessment of hormones levels, inflammatory markers, or tests for viruses and bacteria, just to scratch the surface. A review of your medical history plus this specialized testing helps him understand any metabolic and functional breakdowns, hormonal dis-regulations, sugar imbalances, food sensitivities, and the impact stress is having on your health. This evaluation will inform Dr. Skip as he puts together recommendations for any nutritional changes and supplements that might be useful to returning your body to full health.

Nutrition for Weight Loss, Energy & Digestive Restoration

Introduction: The following plan is designed on a very simple principle.  Be aware of what you eat for caloric intake, choose foods that are very EASY for the body to digest, and supplement with very high nutritional shakes to help maximize your body’s healing process which for most, translates to increased energy, alertness and improved quality of life. The shakes can be mixed with water, juice or milk; however I recommend only mixing with water for lower caloric intake, less acidity that is prone with juices and lactose digestion issues that milk often creates.  This program is designed to give your body the chance to “heal” itself because you are not taxing your digestive system.

Food Diary:  If it isn’t easy, people will not do it.  We recommend you download the free app “myfitnesspal” or go to their website if you do not have a smart phone.  This application will make tracking what you consume very easy.  You set your information including current weight and what your goal weight is.  The tool will automatically provide a caloric intake based on your weight loss goals, your exercise program, etc.

Note: The app even allows you to scan a bar code of a food item you are eating for ease with loading and provides a daily summary readout so you can ensure you have enough protein, fiber, key vitamins etc. in your dietary choices. All the shakes are loaded into the app so just scan and your caloric intake is loaded. Things to avoid: Dairy products, breads, and complex carbs.

The NanoMeal, NanoPro, and NanoGreens products are available through health care professionals only.  Dr. Skip, O.M.D.’s Dispensary has arranged below retail prices for patients.  It may seem like a lot, but as you look at the following program you will see that your food bill will more than likely drop considerably and will pay for itself.

Eat Like a King for Breakfast

Breakfast:  Eating it is essential! Keep your caloric intake higher at breakfast and this recipe is especially good for people who may have high cholesterol or digestive issues and it does ensure you have a good amount of fiber to help the cleansing process (as well as suppress appetite by making you feel full), which is an important component to the effectiveness of the shakes and program.  If you do this at home before you leave for work it is an easy process and will fill you up. Please make sure you are having at least one completely formed bowel movement each day. If not, contact me for additional information.

Mix the following for breakfast and do not forget to log your coffee/tea.  An average cup of coffee with sugar/cream is 30 calories. It’s quick, easy and very healthy for you.

Item

Amount

Calories

Suggested Brand

Banana

1 small banana – sliced

150

Any organic will do

Organic whole Ground Flax-seed

2 tbsp.

60

Bob’s Red Mill

Oat Bran

2 tbsp.

45

Bob’s Red Mill

Fat Free French Vanilla Yogurt

1 cup

130

Stoneyfield

Mid Morning Breakfast Shake:  For those of you that are not used to eating breakfast this will give you a jump start to your metabolism to help maximize your energy and weight loss. Therefore, do not be surprised if you find that you are hungry in a few hours. This is where the NanoMeal comes in. Do NOT allow yourself to become hungry! EAT every few hours.

Approximately, 2 hours after you have eaten breakfast prepare your NanoMeal shake.  This supplement is very high in vitamins, omegas, minerals, fiber and protein as well as detoxification components to help you cleanse and boost your immune system.  This is a key ingredient in maximizing your metabolism and contains the antioxidants of 10 servings of fruits and vegetables.

Eat Like a Prince for Lunch

Lunch:   The important thing is to choose things that are very easy to digest like soup or salad.  Soups can contain beef, chicken and even noodles. Add a package of Veetee Basmati Rice or Seeds of Change Quinoa/Whole Grain Brown Rice to bulk up your food to avoid any hunger issues. When eating a salad try using sunflower oil and balsamic vinegar.  Be very careful with salad dressings as they are high in fat and calories.  When choosing a soup, be careful to keep the calories and sodium low.  High sodium can make you bloat. Mix this up so that you have a variety in your diet and don’t forget to log in your food diary. Logging your foods has been shown to help people with weight loss by drastically reducing food intake because you are much more careful with what you put in your mouth when you have to write it down. Most hunger pains are actually more of  habit and usually are from dehydration. Drink plenty of water!

Afternoon Shake:  To keep your metabolism going and to ensure you have enough protein that your weight loss does not result in muscle mass loss we recommend that approximately, 2 hours after you have eaten lunch prepare your NanoPro shake.  This supplement is very high in protein, promotes good immune and intestinal support, continues your detoxification and helps normalize your blood sugar and works as an appetite suppressant.

NOTE: if you are hungry in the late afternoon – EAT something.  Have a piece of fruit or a small handful of nuts.  Just work to keep to your myfitnesspal caloric intake for the day.  Just note that when eating fruit it should always be on an empty stomach to ensure maximum digestion.  Also try consuming water or oolong tea to help curb your appetite.  There are also natural appetite suppressants that are available that I can provide, however, most people are not hungry.

Eat Like a Pauper for Dinner

Dinner and Shake:  This should be the smallest meal of your day and should still consist of very easily digestible items like soup and salads.  Mimic your lunch and add the quinoa or rice if you need to, but try and lower your portion from what you had at lunch. Then add a NanoGreens shake to continue your metabolism and will keep your energy strong into the evening and ensure your blood sugar is normalized. Do NOT eat after 8pm.

NOTE: The same hold true, if you are hungry in the evening – EAT something, just keep it small and healthy. You may eat an unlimited amount of vegetables and salads. Fruits are ok as well but must be eaten 30 minutes before or several hours after eating anything else. No creamy dressings and minimal amounts of vegetables such as peas, carrots and corn. Keep meat consumption to the size of your palm and as a general rule do NOT mix proteins and carbs together at any meal. I’d prefer if your last meat protein consumption was at lunch. Not paramount. If you must eat a ‘meat’ at dinner, a small piece of grilled fish or the like is the way to go!

WARNING: Pregnant and nursing mothers, anyone taking prescription medications, or prior to any surgical procedures, inform Dr. Skip, O.M.D., as well as their physician and/or pharmacist before taking this or any other dietary supplementation or before starting a weight loss/diet plan. www.askdrskip.com/disclaimer

Fertility Foods: Helpful in Fertility Treatment

The standard American diet known as, S.A.D. –  is very sad to say the least. Modern day produce and food is usually processed to death and lacking vital minerals and nutrients your body needs to be well and stay well. It is no wonder why folks are becoming sicker and sicker every day. Oftentimes, we ignore the signals our bodies are giving us when something is malfunctioning when what you put into your body is something you have the most control over.

Much like deficiencies in vitamin D, iodine and magnesium we see infertility in what I could consider epidemic proportions. With so many new cases being diagnosed each and every day and the defeated look families have from coping with this problem, it is heart wrenching. With problems like infertility, which involves a breakdown in the body, nutrition plays a significant role in repair. The things you allow into your body should be considered very carefully, as they have lasting effects and consequences. Make healthier choices and you will undoubtedly have a healthier body.

Health Concerns with today’s diet

  • Increased GMO foods (genetically modified)
  • Food grown in soil devoid of nutrients
  • Conventional produce laden with pesticides and herbicides
  • Conventional dairy full of antibiotics and growth hormones.

Nutrition Considerations for Infertility Treatment

Eat real food

Please remember the single best improvement you can make on your health is in the food you put into your body. You will not be or get healthy eating off the dollar menu at Fast Food restaurants. Their quality of meat and food sources are extremely questionable. Eat real foods, stay away from food opened from a wrapper. Organic is best whenever possible. If using conventional, please was fruits and veggie soap to clean them first before consumption.

Increase the following foodstuffs recommended by Expert Dr. Skip, O.M.D.:

  • Nuts: Almonds, Walnuts
  • Hemp seeds
  • Coconut oil
  • Avocados
  • Chia seeds
  • Whey protein
  • Green leafy vegetables: Chard, Spinach, Kale
  • Beets and beet greens
  • Bee pollen
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Eggs
  • Quinoa
  • Black rice and butter
  • Ghee is good too, if you are familiar

Beverages

Stay hydrated and drink plenty of clean, filtered water. Coconut water is also very good for hydration. I advise my clients to discontinue use of all carbonated beverages except sparkling mineral water and to stay away from drinks with artificial sweeteners.

Green drinks and smoothies are essential to regain/maintain proper health, body pH and alkalinity. If you can’t make smoothies yourself in the fancy blender then here is an alternative click here. Drastically increasing the consumption of dark leafy green vegetables is a must. Blending in a Blendtec or Vitamix is preferred.

Avoid bad fats

NO MARGARINE and NO non-organic butter what-so-ever. Throw it away if it is in your fridge. Margarine is virtually plastic and of no value nutritionally. It does not offer any support in losing weight or dropping cholesterol levels. We recommend the use of organic, salted butter and coconut oil. Do make sure you are getting enough good fats. Avocados are loaded with lots of good stuff. You will NOT and I repeat WILL NOT gain weight from eating them.

Remember to avoid and minimize the following:

  • Artificial sweeteners
  • All dairy (especially non-organic)
  • Corn
  • Wheat
  • Soy
  • Food preservatives
  • Food dyes
  • Pesticides
  • GMO foods
  • Trans fats
  • Margarine
  • MSG

As a rule of thumb – If you can’t pronounce it, you should not put it in your body.

These are my general nutrition recommendations for infertility. If you would like a more customized nutrition plan, or would like to find out more about infertility treatments in or holistic services – contact us today!