Diet and Exercise

As a PA student my rotation in family medicine was a real wake up call. I realized, in only the way a hands-on, real life experience can drive a point home, that so many medical problems are easily ameliorated by improved diet and exercise. It blew my mind at how unwilling people were to make better decisions. To me it was a no brainer. Eat right, exercise and you’ll feel better, have more energy, be at less risk for heart disease and likely be able to stop taking many of the dozens of pills you take every day! I couldn’t understand the resistance to making lifestyle changes that would so clearly improve all aspects of one’s life. I know now it is sometimes more complicated than that. It that can be difficult to wade through the plethora of information that is out there, difficult to understand what is just the latest fad and what really matters.

It’s no secret eating right and exercising help improve health; we are constantly being inundated with messages about the importance of diet and exercise. Mostly those messages revolve around diabetes, heart health and cholesterol. Now, more than ever before, there is an abundance of evidence to suggest that there are associations with food, weight, exercise and one’s risk for cancer. When people ask me what they can do to prevent cancer my answer is swift and clear, “eat right and exercise (and don’t smoke).” When cancer patients ask me what they can do to reduce their risk of recurrence my answer is swift and clear, “eat right and exercise.” It actually matters.

So we know that eating right and exercising matter. But what does that mean? What should you and shouldn’t you eat and why? In Diet and Exercise I will share with you all that I know, all the reasons why it matters and share how you can make eating right and exercising an integral part of your cancer journey.

Featured

The Game Changers

Mary Jane Berry is a colleague and Nurse Practitioner who has a special interest in nutrition as it pertains to Cancer Patients. She and I both watched the documentary “The Game Changers”, available on Netflix. We found this movie not only to be entertaining but also a persuasive and well-informed look at plant-based eating. Like Mary Jane, I recommend that my patients watch this film to learn about plant-based eating and the benefits of optimizing health, and physical performance.

My Journey to a Better Me by Jill Folkert

Jill Folkert is a Nurse Practitioner who has extensive experience caring for cancer patients. Recently, she changed her diet which, in turn, changed her life. As a healthier, happier and more fit version of herself she is able to counsel patients from a perspective of having done it herself. She is such an inspiration, and I am so humbled that she agreed to share her story here, with you!

Namaste

I left yoga class yesterday acutely in touch with feeling empowered physically and peaceful mentally. I know that when I go to yoga regularly, I am a better version of myself. I can take what I learn on the mat and apply it to my life off the mat.

How To Get Enough Plant-Based Protein!

One of the biggest misunderstandings about a plant-based whole grain diet is that you cannot get enough protein. It’s simply not true. There are plenty of foods that are not meat, dairy or eggs that contain enough protein to not only keep you healthy, but also feeling good.

NutritionFacts.org

NutritionFacts.org is a comprehensive resource where you can find TONS of information on the role diet plays in preventing, treating and even curing many of our country’s leading causes of death, including cancer.

How Not To Die by Michael Greger

Dr. Greger’s common-sense guide for focusing on a plant-based diet is a must read for those motivated to optimize their health and reduce their risk for cancer and cancer recurrence.

Rich Roll with Dr. Dean & Ann Ornish: The Power of Lifestyle Medicine to Undo Disease & Live Better

Rich Roll is an author, athlete and podcast creator who, on his 40th birthday, took a self-inventory and found himself fifty pounds overweight and out-of-shape. He adopted a plant based, whole grain diet and his life changed. Here he interviews Dr. Dean Ornish. Dr. Ornish believes, as do I, that the simple choices we make in our lives (such as what we eat and how much we exercise) can make a big difference.

Vegan Minestrone Soup

I've always believed a plant based, whole grain diet (with fish) is the healthiest diet. And now, there is significant data to support the benefits of such a diet for those with cancer. Having access to good recipes helps make eating this way easier and enjoyable.

Donald Abrams, MD: Integrative Cancer Care and Nutrition

I saw Dr. Donald Abrams speak at the annual Society of Neuro-Oncology meeting in November, 2017. He is an Integrative Oncologist who believes in a "whole-person" approach. He believes patients benefit from a western treatment plan but that their plan of care should also include good nutrition, acupuncture and meditation, among other things. As far as nutrition, specifically, he endorses a plant based, whole grain diet with fish. This is the diet to which I try to adhere and the diet that I encourage my patients to adopt.

“Sugar Feeds Cancer?”… Not quite!

Patients often ask about diet as it pertains to their cancer diagnosis. Many patients come in having heard that “sugar feeds cancer.” This is a common myth/misperception and it is simply not true. Eating a lot of sugar can contribute to obesity. Obesity is a risk factor that is linked to several types of cancer (Breast, Colorectal, esophagus, pancreatic, endometrial, kidney, thyroid and gallbladder). In addition to being a risk factor for certain types of cancer, obesity has many other negative implications for your health.