Let Food Be Thy Medicine and Medicine Be Thy Food

A wise man once said, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." Many attribute this saying to Hippocrates, while others argue otherwise. But one thing is certain—2,000 years later, these words hold true. Food can be medicine in certain circumstances, and medicine can be food. Let's dig in!

Your Food Choices Matter More Than You Think

Practically everyone knows that high sodium intake can send blood pressure soaring. People with congestive heart failure (another common condition) must also be mindful of their salt intake. And let's be real—who hasn't been advised to lay off the fried foods or those cheese-smothered, bacon-loaded burgers, no matter how mouthwateringly delicious they are? But let's go deeper.

The Gut—Your Second Brain Has Preferences

Your gut is home to trillions of tiny tenants—bacteria, viruses, and fungi—that play a significant role in your health. It has food preferences, just like you! Some foods make it sing with joy, while others make it groan like a grumpy old man.

Take beans, for example. When you eat pinto beans, your gut bacteria break them down to produce butyrate, a magical little compound that helps regulate blood sugar throughout the day. But what happens when you devour that greasy, cheese-dripping burger?

The Blood Sugar Traffic Jam

Here's the scene: You bite into that burger. The fat in the meat and cheese gets digested faster than the carbs in the bun. Once that fat enters your bloodstream, it barges into muscle and liver cells like an uninvited guest at a wedding. By the time your body finishes digesting the bun, your muscle and liver cells are already full and don't have space for the sugar from the carbs.

So, what happens next? With nowhere to go, the sugar molecules float around in your bloodstream, causing your blood sugar levels to rise. Meanwhile, your pancreas, always the helper, jumps in and says, "Hey, I got this!" and pumps out extra insulin to try and force that sugar into cells. The result? Excess glucose. Excess insulin. Not a great situation. Over time, this rollercoaster can lead to insulin resistance and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

And that, my friends, is just the tip of the iceberg regarding how food works for—or against—our health! Okay, I used a little hyperbole, but you get the gist.

Your Smart Goal This Week: Make Your Gut Happy!

This week, let's show our gut some love with a SMART goal:

S - Specific: Eat more plant-based protein and less animal protein.

M - Measurable: Make this substitution in at least three meals this week.

A - Achievable: Opt for simple swaps—lentils instead of beef, tofu instead of chicken, chickpeas instead of ground turkey.

R - Realistic: Choose foods you actually enjoy. No need to force yourself to eat something you'd rather toss in the trash!

T - Time-bound: Stick to this goal for one week and track how you feel.

Remember, every bite you take may be fighting disease or feeding it. Let's make choices that help us thrive!

Until next time—eat well, live well!

About Coach Dr. Ann

Hi, I'm Dr. Ann Hester! I'm a double board-certified physician with a certification in Lifestyle Medicine—a rapidly growing field that uses cutting-edge scientific research to help prevent, treat, and even reverse many common diseases. I've spent over 30 years in medicine and am passionate about empowering people to take control of their health in practical, achievable ways.

I'm also the author of Patient Empowerment 101: More than a book, it's an adventure, a syndicated columnist, a health coach, and an online course creator. But at my core, I'm just someone who genuinely cares about helping you feel your best—inside and out.

If you've been struggling with your health, feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice, or just want a clear, science-backed plan to optimize your well-being, let's chat! I offer free discovery calls to help you determine if health coaching is right for you, and at the very least I can recommend some resources to help meet your needs. No pressure, just a friendly conversation to see how and if I can support you on your journey to better health.

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