Imagine being offered a cup of pesticide, disguised as the tastiest drink of the summer with images of beautiful people basking by a pool. You would likely reject it, right? Yet, daily, we are bombarded with ads for highly processed foods laden with sodium, trans fats, and saturated fats. These are some of the very ingredients linked to heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.
This scenario isn’t far-fetched when we consider the Standard American Diet (SAD), characterized by a high intake of salty, greasy, and nutritionally poor foods. It is no coincidence that alongside these ads, we see commercials for supplements claiming to reduce cholesterol and other symptoms, many of which have not been rigorously tested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These supplements often promise quick fixes but do little to address the root causes of our health issues.
Our susceptibility to such marketing isn’t merely a lapse in judgment. It is partly rooted in the misconception that our genetic makeup solely determines our health and that, therefore, there is nothing we can do other than accept our destiny and spend our money on medicines.
We overlook the impact that lifestyle choices, such as nutrition, exercise, and sleep quality, have on our bodies and even on the expression of our genes (a concept known as epigenetics).
As a future counselor, I want to adopt a holistic perspective when working with clients. Mental health issues, for instance, can be exacerbated by poor nutrition and an over-reliance on medications, which often bring a host of side effects without addressing the underlying causes. Additionally, my goal is to help clients overcome any shame or self-blame for this systemic issue. I want to empower them to take charge of their health through informed lifestyle changes.
Research by Dr. Michael Greger and Dr. Dean Ornish underscores the benefits of a whole-food, plant-based diet combined with regular exercise and stress management. Their studies have shown that such a lifestyle can improve and even reverse chronic health conditions.
Dr. Greger’s work presents compelling evidence that many of the leading causes of death can be prevented through diet. Similarly, Dr. Ornish has demonstrated through his research that comprehensive lifestyle changes can reverse heart disease and improve overall well-being. These findings challenge the conventional reliance on medication and highlight the power of lifestyle in disease prevention and health promotion.
So, who benefits from perpetuating a cycle of poor nutrition and chronic disease? The answer is SAD: food manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies profit from selling us processed foods and the medications required to manage the resulting health issues. It is a cycle that keeps us dependent on their products while our health deteriorates.
The time has come to reclaim our health by making informed lifestyle choices. This means being critical of the food we consume and recognizing the influence of ads designed to manipulate our desires. By prioritizing nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being, we can break free from this cycle and improve our quality of life.
As I advance in my studies to become a counselor and improve my own lifestyle to build coherence between what I know and what I do, my goal is to empower my clients to make healthier choices. Our physical and mental health are intertwined, and we can work together to create lasting change. The research is clear: a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and effective stress management are powerful tools for enhancing life quality.
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Let’s choose health over convenience, and our well-being over their profit.
I will see you next week!
Roque Neto 