Why Food Is More Powerful Medicine Than Drugs with Maggie Ward

Apr 24, 2020

Maggie Ward, Nutrition Director at The UltraWellness Center, shares her expertise in functional nutrition therapy. She discusses how food serves as a robust medicine for chronic illnesses, revealing that dietary choices can influence gene expression. Maggie highlights the significance of personalized nutrition strategies, showcasing success stories that illustrate the healing potential of whole foods over conventional medications. The conversation also touches on the importance of understanding food sensitivities and the role of nutrition in supporting digestive health.

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ADVICE

Food as Medicine

Prioritize nutrition appointments alongside doctor visits, especially for chronic issues.
Food is medicine, so treating patients effectively requires addressing nutrition.

ANECDOTE

Reflux and Unsustainable Diets

A 64-year-old woman struggled with weight gain, reflux, and low energy, having tried various unsustainable diets.
Common triggers like dairy, gluten, stress, and alcohol worsened her reflux.

INSIGHT

Root Causes of Reflux

Reflux, often caused by food sensitivities, dysbiosis, and motility issues, is a common digestive problem.
Addressing these root causes through dietary changes and stress management can effectively treat reflux.

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Mounting research shows that there is no magic bullet to treat heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, allergies, digestive disorders, headaches, fatigue, or any of the myriad problems we suffer from in the 21st century. But increasing evidence also shows us something else. It shows that food is the most powerful “drug” we have not just to prevent, but also treat, cure, and reverse most chronic illnesses. Food contains information that speaks to our genes, not just calories for energy. What you eat programs your body with messages of health or illness. We are learning from research in the field of nutrigenomics, that food “talks” to our DNA switching on or off genes that lead to health or disease.

In this mini-episode, Dr. Hyman speaks with Maggie Ward about the nutrition-focused appointments she conducts at The UltraWellness Center, and the power of treating people with food.

Maggie Ward, MS, RD, LDN, is the Nutrition Director at The UltraWellness Center. Maggie holds a masters degree in Nutrition from Bastyr University which focuses on using whole foods for holistic Nutrition Therapy. In addition, she completed her requirements to become a registered dietitian at Westchester Medical Center in NY. Prior to joining The UltraWellness Center team in 2008, Maggie worked at The Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York providing nutrition counseling to children and families dealing with HIV. She also taught at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan and other sites throughout New York City, teaching nutritionally focused cooking classes for children and adults.Much of her focus is on food allergies, digestive disorders, inflammatory conditions, Pediatrics and Sports Nutrition. Maggie has been counseling individuals, families and business groups on therapeutic diets to address various health concerns for more than 15 years. Her ongoing clinical training through the Institute for Functional Medicine uses a systems biology approach when working with those who suffer from chronic and acute conditions to help them find their path to healing. She has a passion for cooking and reconnecting people with their potential to heal using whole, organic and local foods.

This episode is sponsored by AirDoctor. We need clean air not only to live but to create vibrant health and protect ourselves and loved ones from toxin exposure and disease. Learn more about the AirDoctor Professional Air Purifier system at a special price at www.drhyman.com/filter

In this episode Dr. Hyman and Maggie discuss:

Foods that frequently cause reflux and digestive issues, including dairy and gluten

Why taking deep breaths before you begin eating and chewing slower can improve digestive issues

Using elimination diets to identify common food sensitivities and irritants

The danger of long-term acid blocking drug use

Nutritional testing and what can be gleaned from it

Sleep apnea and its relationship to high-blood pressure and weight gain

Using DNA testing and nutrigenomics to identify genetic variations and personalize your diet

The value of low carbohydrate diets and reducing starch and sugar intake

Supporting your detoxification system with foods such as cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, broccoli sprouts, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, and through protein sources