Eat

Eat Well Feel Well slogan illustrated on a backdrop of healthy foods

course syllabus for Your Well-Being online health and wellness education course

Course Outline

Main Ideas

Learning Objective

Understand the influence of dietary choices on genetic activation and systemic health, and to debunk common misconceptions about diet quality.

Behavioral Objective

Identify and modify your own dietary habits to reduce inflammation and support genetic health.

Key Thought

Our diet profoundly influences our health, not just through calorie intake but through its impact on our genes and systemic inflammation.

Main Ideas

Learning Objective

Understand the influence of dietary choices on genetic activation and systemic health, and to debunk common misconceptions about diet quality.

Behavioral Objective

Identify and modify your own dietary habits to reduce inflammation and support genetic health.

Key Thought

Our diet profoundly influences our health, not just through calorie intake but through its impact on our genes and systemic inflammation.

Terms

Degenerative Diseases

Degenerative diseases are conditions characterized by the gradual deterioration of the structure or function of tissues or organs. These diseases primarily affect neurons in the human body and are often progressive, meaning they worsen over time. Common features of degenerative diseases include loss of function in the tissues and organs they impact, leading to diminishing health and quality of life.

Metabolic Dysfunction

Metabolic dysfunction refers to a range of conditions that disrupt normal metabolism, the process by which the body converts food into energy. These conditions often involve impairments in the handling of lipids, carbohydrates, or proteins in the body, and can lead to serious health issues.

Nutrigenomics

Nutrigenomics is a field of science that studies the relationship between the human genome, nutrition, and health. It explores how food and its components affect gene expression and how individual genetic variations can affect the way nutrients are metabolized and utilized by the body.

Terms

Degenerative Diseases

Degenerative diseases are conditions characterized by the gradual deterioration of the structure or function of tissues or organs. These diseases primarily affect neurons in the human body and are often progressive, meaning they worsen over time. Common features of degenerative diseases include loss of function in the tissues and organs they impact, leading to diminishing health and quality of life.

Metabolic Dysfunction

Metabolic dysfunction refers to a range of conditions that disrupt normal metabolism, the process by which the body converts food into energy. These conditions often involve impairments in the handling of lipids, carbohydrates, or proteins in the body, and can lead to serious health issues.

Nutrigenomics

Nutrigenomics is a field of science that studies the relationship between the human genome, nutrition, and health. It explores how food and its components affect gene expression and how individual genetic variations can affect the way nutrients are metabolized and utilized by the body.

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Introduction

In our exploration of the 4 Pillars of Wellness, we delve into nutrition and nutrigenomics, understanding how our dietary choices activate genes, the role of antioxidants in reducing oxidative stress, the principles of anti-inflammatory eating, and the concept of consuming what we term "God's food", which signifies naturally occurring whole foods.

Common Misconceptions About Diet

Let's consider the widespread misconception about diet quality. Many assert, "I don't really eat that badly," yet a peek into their kitchens often reveals a different story. Despite their beliefs, the reality of sugary cereals and sodas stacked high paints a clear picture of dietary habits.

This discrepancy is highlighted during my home health assessments, where even those on multiple medications may overlook the impact of their diet choices. At times, I joke about my trips to New Orleans and Café Du Monde, where even vitamin D-enriched options can't offset the effects of poor dietary habits.

Understanding Diet's Broader Impact

Our understanding of diet extends beyond calorie counts to the profound systemic changes brought by Western dietary influences. These changes often result in metabolic dysfunctions, such as inflammatory dysbiosis, where the imbalance of gut microbiota affects our immune response and overall health.

The focus on carbohydrate density, rather than just glycemic index, reveals how refined foods disrupt our internal ecosystem, contrasting sharply with the lower impact of natural foods. This recognition underscores the need to view health holistically, acknowledging the interconnectedness of diet and disease.

"Nearly all degenerative diseases share a pro-inflammatory dietary origin, necessitating nutritional interventions alongside conventional treatments to mitigate this state," highlights the pervasive influence of diet on health.

Eat

Main Ideas

Learning Objective

Behavioral Objective

Key Thought