The Wellness Prescription

From the desk of Christopher Knott M.S.

I am asked continually if health can be restored from diet alone. Several decades ago I would have said yes. But unfortunately with the increase in environmental pollutions, refined foods, and decrease in nutritional value of our farmed crops as well as changes in farming practices, the answer is now typically NO.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that every year more than 6 billion pounds of foreign chemicals are released into the environment. Our planet has become so thoroughly polluted that environmental pollutants can even be detected at the north and south poles, carried there by wind and ocean currents. Besides the environmental toxins we are exposed to, dietary toxins also flood our systems and contribute to the toxic cesspool within our bodies. And even our clothes and bedding are sources of toxicity, as many new clothes, mattresses, and bedding are treated with fire retardants.

All these exposures add up. It has been determined that there are at least 167 synthetic and carcinogenic chemicals lodged in the tissues of the average human. These chemicals have even been discovered in mothers' placentas and breast milk. It is also known that "Environmental factors constitute 80 to 90 % of cancer risk. " N Engl J Med. 2000; 343(2):135-136.

When it comes to food, every day the average American is exposed to an estimated 10-13 different pesticides and/or their metabolites (breakdown products) through food, beverages, and drinking water. There is a plethora of research, too much to list here, that goes into the detrimental effects of pesticides on health. But there is some hopeful research stating you can reduce your pesticide exposure by nearly 80% simply by choosing organic versions of the 12 fruits and vegetables show in its tests to contain the highest pesticide load.

In order of pesticide load, they are peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, kale, lettuce, imported grapes, carrots, and pears.

There is also a group of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables with the least pesticide residue: onions, avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, mangoes, asparagus, sweet peas, kiwis, cabbages, eggplants, papayas, watermelons, broccoli, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes.

Though I would recommend being conservative and going with all organic foods, I understand that cost and convenience play a role. If this is your case, consider going organic from the first list and purchasing regular from the second list. But no matter what, make sure you thoroughly wash all your fruits and vegetables.

Even with these changes, most people will need to undergo a thorough detox program from years of toxic buildup, and maintain health with a regular multi-vitamin and essential fatty acid supplement to fill in the nutritional gaps. This is the main reason why diet alone will no longer do the trick.

Please give me a call if you are interested to find out exactly where your body is deficient so you know exactly what your needs are instead of trying to guess.

Christopher Knott M.S. The Wellness Prescription/Dunamis Fitness CKnott@coloradospringswellnessprescription.net