In this engaging discussion, Dr. Daphne Miller, a family physician and founder of Health from the Soil Up Initiative, unpacks the surprising connections between soil health and human well-being. She delves into how agricultural practices influence our microbiome and overall health. Dr. Miller emphasizes the need for a holistic view that integrates medicine with ecological sustainability. With insights on the regenerative food movement and innovative aquaculture, she advocates for a deeper connection between health professionals and environmental principles.
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Salinas Internship
Dr. Miller's internship in Salinas, California, exposed her to the harsh realities of the food system.
She witnessed firsthand how it harmed workers and contributed to chronic diseases, sparking her interest in the connection between agriculture and health.
insights INSIGHT
Beyond Diet
Diet is just the surface; the entire food production system matters.
Factors like growing methods, seasonality, and sociocultural context influence food's impact on health.
insights INSIGHT
Microbiome Crosstalk
Human and soil microbiomes are unique but communicate through food.
Fermented foods, rich in soil bacteria, can positively affect gut health, potentially surpassing lab-created probiotics.
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Network Medicine introduces a rapidly evolving field of medical research that aims to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. It emphasizes the complexity of diseases by analyzing various networks, from protein-protein interactions to gene expression studies, and utilizes modern genomics, biostatistics, and bioinformatics to understand and address complex diseases.
The Jungle Effect
A Doctor Discovers the Healthiest Diets from Around the World--Why They Work and How to Bring Them Home
Daphne Miller, MD
In 'The Jungle Effect', Dr. Daphne Miller travels to various parts of the world to study indigenous diets that have low rates of chronic diseases. She identifies 'cold spots' such as Copper Canyon, Mexico; Crete, Greece; Iceland; Cameroon; and Okinawa, Japan, where specific diets have been linked to reduced incidence of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The book provides recipes and insights into how these diets can be incorporated into modern lifestyles for improved health.
Farmacology
Daphne Miller, MD
In *Farmacology*, Daphne Miller bridges the divide between agriculture and medicine by exploring how farming practices directly impact our health. She shares lessons from seven family farms, highlighting the importance of soil management, seed choice, and holistic farming methods for personal and planetary health. The book presents a new vision for sustainable healing, emphasizing the critical role of the farm in producing healthy food.
The Soil and Health
A Study of Organic Agriculture
Sir Albert Howard
Sir Albert Howard's "The Soil and Health" is a seminal work in the field of organic agriculture. The book emphasizes the importance of soil health as the foundation for healthy plants, animals, and humans. Howard advocates for a holistic approach to agriculture, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all living things. He details the principles of composting and other sustainable agricultural practices. The book's enduring legacy lies in its promotion of healthy soil as the key to a sustainable and healthy food system.
In college, I read a book called The Soil and Health by Albert Howard. Little did I know, that book would forever change the way I viewed the relationship between dirt, food, bacteria, and human health.Emerging research continues to reveal the powerful influence of the microbiome on our health. Our microbiome is comprised of the trillions of bacteria, fungi, and even viruses present within the body. The balance of these microbes can make or break good health, and you won’t be surprised to learn the food we eat, and more specifically how it’s grown, is heavily correlated to our microbial composition.
Today’s guest on The Doctor’s Farmacy is Daphne Miller, a doctor bridging the gap between medicine and farming. Dr. Miller is a practicing family physician, Clinical Professor at the University of California San Francisco, and Founder of the Health from the Soil Up Initiative. She is the author of two books: The Jungle Effect: Healthiest Diets from Around the World and Farmacology: Total Health from the Soil Up. A pioneer in the “Healthy Parks, Healthy People” initiative, Miller helped build linkages between our medical system and our park system and writes her patients “park prescriptions” to get outdoors. She also developed a soil learning lab for health professional at Paicines Ranch in Hollister California.
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