Referring to what he called health care that is too reactive, retired family physician Dr. Mark Nelson shared his observations about what he called an epidemic of Metabolic diseases where the body is unable to break down food into energy.  Dr. Nelson said this has led to every six out of ten people suffering from at least one of five disorders.  These disorders are obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s Disease.  He said as many as 100-million people suffer from obesity while 37.3 million people suffer from diabetes.  When charting occurrences of these diseases since 1900, Dr. Nelson said a major uptick began around 1980.  He correlated this to changes in food group guidelines at the federal level and a tendency for physicians to prescribe a pill first rather than focusing on lifestyle changes.

 

Dr. Nelson suggested a reduced carbohydrate diet as a primary way to address Metabolic diseases.  He added he is now more aware of the negative impact of starchy and sugary foods that are high in carbohydrates on one’s health.  Dr. Nelson reminded the audience they should always approach specialized diets in consultation with their primary care provider.  He went through an example of a prescription strength low carbohydrate diet.  Called a “Ketogenic Diet,” its goal is to limit carbohydrate intake to less than 20 grams a day.  This rules out such things like French fries, corn, carrots, peas, oatmeal, pastries, drinks with sugar, beer, wine, honey, and corn syrup products.  Conversely, nutrient rich zero-carbohydrate foods like beef, pork, and lamb; poultry; fish; and eggs can be used with no restrictions.

 

Dr. Nelson said in retirement he hopes to bring greater awareness as to how food choices play such a significant part in healthy living.                     

May 11, 1888 – Prolific popular song writer Irving Berlin, composer of such popular hits as Alexander’s Ragtime Band, God Bless America, Easter Parade, White Christmas, and There’s No Business Like Show Business, is born in Tolochin, Russia.

 

May 12, 1820 – The founder of modern nursing, British nurse Florence Nightingale, is born in Florence, Italy .

 

May 12, 1907 – Four-time academy award winning actress Kathryn Hepburn is born in Hartford, Connecticut.

 

May 14, 1727 – Physicist and perfecter of the thermometer Gabriel Fahrenheit is born in Gdansk, Poland.

May 10, 1869 – The transcontinental railroad in the U.S. became a reality with the driving of the ceremonial golden spike at Promontory Point, Utah joining the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads.

 

May 12, 1949 – Soviet Russia lifts its blockade of Berlin that began June 24, 1948.  American and British flyers had successfully executed an airlift that delivered 2.3 million tons of food and supplies during 278,000 flights to the isolated West Berlin citizens.

 

May 13, 1981 – Pope John Paul II was shot at close range by an escaped prisoner while riding in his open car at St. Peter’s Square.  The Pope recovered from his wounds, met with his would-be assassin, and then publicly forgave him.

 

May 14, 1796 – The first documented medical test of the smallpox vaccine was initiated by Dr. Edward Jenner, a rural English physician.