Optimal nutrition supplements are more essential today than ever before. In her books Raw Energy, Endless Energy, and Time Alive, Susannah Kenton highlights the reasons why:
Changes in the way our foods are grown, harvested, ripened and sold mean that we simply are not getting the nutrients even our parents – let alone our grandparents – did from their foods.
The lack of nutrients in today’s fruits and vegetables can be traced in part to a loss of soil quality. Driven by profit and an attitude of “bigger-better-faster-more,” corporate farms no longer make soil maintenance apriority. Instead of plowing mineral-rich natural substances like kelp, manure and compost back into the soil to help build healthy plants naturally, corporate farms use three elements – nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium – to force growth. This results in plants that grow big quickly, look acceptable, but are deficient in dozens of nutrients needed by humans to sustain optimal health.
The modern agricultural practice of loading soil with artificial fertilizers and pesticides creates an environment where the mychorrhizal fungi cannot survive, which interferes with the ability of plants to extract all the nutrients they need from the soil.
In order to keep crops fresher longer so they can be transported long distances, many are harvested early, before they develop their full nutritional content. Tomatoes are a good example. Because they bruise easily, tomatoes are harvested green, while they are still firm. To turn them red, the harvested tomatoes are gassed with ethylene. In nature, as a tomato ripens on the vine, it develops an abundance of the red phytonutrient lycopene, which gives it a beautiful color. Artificially ripened tomatoes, by contrast, develop almost no lycopene. Many of our fruits are artificially ripened, including bananas, strawberries, citrus fruits and mangoes, dramatically reducing their nutritional value – not to mention their flavor.
As we are rounding the corner on our last month of summer, I want to help you prepare for the upcoming autumn season and all that this means.
As we send our children back to school and wonder what is going to happen with this pandemic, we can literally slip into the emotional shadows, often with the added burdens of overeating and unneeded weight gain. What determines how resilient we are during season changes and global crises? The deciding factor is typically our brains’ supply of its most potent natural anti-depressants, serotonin. Serotonin production is stimulated by
Cause: Heredity may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis and associated complications (heart attacks and strokes), but little attention should be given to this factor when planning therapy. First of all, heredity is obviously not an overriding factor, since whole populations of people in the non-American world (as in most Asian and African countries) show no clinical evidence of atherosclerosis–and do not suffer heart attacks or strokes. Their genes are not protecting them–if they change to an American diet, they soon develop this disease in epidemic proportions, just as Americans do. (Another important reason why heredity should be given little or no attention is the obvious one: you can’t do a thing about it.)
An atherosclerotic plaque is not made of concrete. It can be removed rather easily. So when you start controlling your knife and fork, keeping them from scooping up gobs of grease and clumps of cholesterol-filled fats, you stop promoting the disease. Soon, with such restraint on your part, more cholesterol leaves your arteries than enters them. The plaques shrink and the artery walls strengthen. The risk of tragedy to you from a ruptured blood vessel or a blocked artery is diminished almost overnight.
To reduce the risk to your health and to hasten the progress of your recovery, focus your attention on the amount of cholesterol you eat each day and the cholesterol level in your circulating blood. Estimates by respected doctors say that when a person’s cholesterol level has fallen by 65 mg%, then reversal of his atherosclerosis probably has begun.
As noted by Josh in his testimonial above, I am Dr. Robinson's Nutritionist. In 2012 Dr. Robinson established a Nutrition Department (DPR Wellness) for anyone interested in seeking nutrition guidance.
Yes, anyone who wants to meet with me can do so with a first appointment to then see how to move forward with your personal health and wellness goals.
My consultations are personally tailored to you. Step one is to call for your first consultation whether or not you are a patient of Dr. Robinson's office at (510-886-5515). I will respond every Tuesday or Wednesday). You can also go to https://drpaulrobinson.com/front-desk and request more information about the DPR Wellness and Weight Loss options available with the services I offer.
I encourage a positive relationship with food and movement with all my patient-clients. I am here to empower and guide you with a plan and "your" goals. Your benefit is a healthier lifestyle. The services available through my department are effective and affordable (we do take insurances from selected companies).
My goal is to also make food delicious and fun. Enjoy any one of these delicious smoothie recipes below that are designed to nourish you with vitamins, minerals and ingredients known as "super foods" to support your immune health!
Here's to a healthy and fun summer! Sincerely, Karie Ploeger, Nutritionist, FNTP, FHC
Dog ownership is at an all-time high. According to the American Pet Products Association, there are close to 90 million dogs in the United States. And, over one-third of dog households have more than one. Dogs provide companionship and joy to both young and old. Being a past dog owner has given me an opportunity to make some observations. I thought my reflections about a dog’s life would be appropriate for everyone to ponder this week:
Dogs never pass up the opportunity to go for a walk.
Dogs love to ride in the car and experience fresh air and the wind in their faces.
Dogs stretch before they rise from sleep.
Dogs take naps.
Dogs romp and play daily.
Dogs drink a lot of water.
Dogs (many) are not allowed junk food (i.e., table scraps) and enjoy eating specialized, healthy dog food.
Dogs dance around and wag their entire body when they are happy or excited.
Dogs eat with gusto, and stop when they’ve had enough.
Dogs run to the door to greet loved ones when they come home.
Dogs get regular check-ups from their doctors.
Dogs realize when they are tired at night and therefore go to bed.
Dogs thrive on building loving relationships rather than accumulating material things.
Sounds like a pretty healthy lifestyle, don’t you think?
Your Partner in Family Medicine
