1. “Food as Medicine”

2. “Two types of diseases”
Infectious and chronic
Which is which?
Examples?
Infectious: flu, smallpox, tuberculosis, HIV
Chronic: diabetes, heart disease, cancer

3. “1. Infectious Disease” “=contagious” Are these affected by diet?
“Nutrition cannot directly prevent or cure, but can strengthen immune system.”
Warning: Many immune-strengthening supplements are hoaxes!

5. “Some diseases can be spread by food.”
Especially without safe food handling!
“E. coli: dangerous bacterium in tainted meat, milk, or raw produce”
Can be deadly!
2006: Taco Bell shredded lettuce
71 ill, 53 hospitalized, 8 developed hemolytic-uremic syndrome

6. E. coli causes: “bloody diarrhea, intestinal cramps, vomiting a few days later”
Worst-case scenario:
Hemolytic-uremic syndrome: failure of organ systems in those with weakened immune systems
The very young, elderly, and ill

7. What does the government do?
“USDA inspects meat-processing plants”
Salmonella in meat and E. coli and have dropped dramatically, but we are getting lazy!
Not as many inspections today as 20 years ago.

8. What can I do? “Check freshness dates” “Inspect wrappers”
No dented cans!
“Wash produce thoroughly”
“Cook meat to proper temps”
You can also pick up cold items last before checkout.
When in doubt, throw it out!!

9. How can I strengthen my immune system?
No magic pill!
“Best way to strengthen immune system is with balanced diet to get all nutrients”
Use a multivitamin, but only as backup!

10. “2. Chronic Disease”
“=caused by genetics, prior or current diseases, and lifestyle choices”
Can’t control the first two, but can control lifestyle!
Diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol use are best indicators

12. “Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)”
80 million Americans suffer from CVD
Heart is one of least regenerative parts of body
How can we prevent?
“High saturated fat and cholesterol help hardened blockages form in arteries”

13. These blockages can cause pressure to build
This can cause ruptures and blood clots that further disrupt blood flow
“High-fiber diet and omega-3 fat (in fish) can lower cholesterol”
“Pressure is increased by high sodium levels”

15. Diabetes can further diminish circulation
Smoking powerfully increases this risk as well; tissues starved for oxygen must work harder, increasing heart’s workload

16. “Cancer”
Ranks second to heart disease as cause of death and disability in U.S.
Slow but steady decline recently
Prevention is better than treatment!
Causes: infections (HPV), genes, or lifestyle (smoking, drinking, food)
“30-40% influenced by diet”

17. How does cancer form? 1. exposure to a carcinogen
2. entry of carcinogen into cells
3. carcinogen damages or changes genes
4. other carcinogens, promoters, accelerate growth—tumor forms
5. cancer may spread through blood—metastasis
6. disruption of body functions

19. Which foods affect my cancer risk?
“Foods that increase cancer risk:”
“alcohol”
Cancers of head, neck, liver
“high dietary fat”
Accelerates any cancer
“red meats”
Colon cancer

20. Also, cooking meats at high temperatures (frying, grilling) can increase the carcinogens.
Occasionally is okay..steady diet of charred food can be harmful.
“Best diet change is addition of fruits and vegetables in large amounts!”
The more whole plants, the better.

21. Which ones?? “Cruciferous vegetables are the best!”
Arugula, bok choy, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, greens, turnips

22. “omega-3 fats in fish and fiber-rich foods help, too”
Many studies have shown that vegetarians have lower incidences of cancer.
We can reduce the effects of our genetic risks!!