Introduction from
Winning the Battle for Health in a Toxic World
“Beep! Beep! Beep!” blares the alarm clock. What time is it? Six o’clock already! What day is it? What do I have to do today? I’m not ready! I am going to hit snooze!
Eventually I begin the relentless mental commentary of “to dos” for the day. As busy people, we have all awakened to the foreboding demands on our time, attention, and energy. Too often, our own health and wellbeing is at the end of the list.
More than seventeen years ago, while my children were infants, I wrote my first book. I aimed to share my medical knowledge and expertise with women who endeavored to keep themselves and their families healthy. It was a simple book; maybe too simple. Since then, my outlook on health, medicine, family, and lifestyle has become more comprehensive. In short, God's wisdom and life’s experiences have refined my message.
Over the decades, the curtain of truth has been opened. Now my kids are leaving home, and I am entering a new season. I must boldly proclaim the truth that I have learned in twenty-five years of marriage, twenty years of parenting, and twenty years of practicing medicine. My husband often reminds me that I must speak the truth from a posture of gentleness, kindness, and faithfulness—characteristics of the love of God—and therefore, this book will not focus on blaming, but on providing meaningful information and practical solutions from the perspective of an experienced primary care physician and healthcare leader.
In the past, consumer surveys showed that healthcare professionals were the most trusted source of health information. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a seismic shift in opinions. Many started to question the advice of traditional medicine, seeking out new sources, often turning to the internet and social media. However, discerning truth on the internet and social media can be difficult because these sources can be a minefield.
With my twenty years of health care experience and expertise, I am offering this book as a reliable source of health information. I have seen what works and what does not. I have seen innovation and, unfortunately, I have seen errors. During the pandemic, I had my own seismic shift. You will read how I confronted these issues, and how I found the keys to unlocking my own physical and emotional health.
Our culture promotes a narrative that truth is relative. Lack of absolute truth causes the world to seem unstable because there is no firm foundation. During the COVID era, I leaned into my Christian faith as my anchor of truth. This book will have biblical references because I believe the Bible is the foundation of what is true and what is false.
Faith and Science
Many voices separate faith and science. I do not. I believe that God, as the Creator of all things, gave us the gift of science to unpack, discover, and understand His created order. While science explains how things work, the Bible explains the why.
This book will discuss complex scientific concepts in simple ways. You do not have to have a degree in science to understand. When I explain the most challenging subjects, like genetics, I will break down the terms using real world examples. New scientific terms will be seen in bold.
In addition to my medical degree and my board certification in Family Medicine, I have a bachelor’s degree in biology: the study of living things. I am excited to share with you how living things and the natural environment impact human health.
Understanding is Power
How did our world become so toxic? The threats lie waiting for us everywhere, from our food and water to our air and soil. Even inside of our homes, dangers exist. We are wrestling with toxic systems and industries that are profiting from the status quo and unfortunately, the healthcare system has been infiltrated by greed that profits from sickness. Fortunately, we do not need to passively accept the world in which we live. After uncovering the toxins themselves, I will proclaim to you the power of choice. Your choices. Often, our choices can protect us from the toxins permeating our world.
Then, you will learn the basics of genetics. Our DNA is the blueprint for our physical bodies and includes our strengths and weaknesses. The genes that we receive from our parents and grandparents do not only determine our hair and eye color and predisposition to certain diseases, but incredibly, genes encode trauma and weakness that can be passed down from prior generations. Our genetic weaknesses lead to diseases that can amplify the impact of a toxic environment.
While we live in a toxic world, we do not have to passively accept its consequences. There are practical steps that we can take every day to minimize its impact. This book will teach you important keys to winning back our health including:
1. Fasting
2. Probiotics
3. Whole food
4. Exercise
5. Home cooking
6. Gardening
7. Mentality for Battle
While life expectancy in the Unites States is on the decline, this does not have to be the case for you and your family. The simple keys I will give in this book will arm you with the knowledge that you need to fight and win.
Many of us have been trained to seek a quick fix when it comes to our health. When I talk to a patient about the importance of making lifestyle changes, they often prefer to take a pill. Or they change nothing and ignore the problem. Or they browse the internet to find the latest fad that requires little effort. We have been lulled into believing that things should be easy. I do not think that we Americans are naturally lazy, but we need to admit that perseverance and sacrifice are rarely celebrated in our entertainment focused culture. This book will give you practical tips that you can walk out one step at a time.
Disclaimer
This book is not meant to replace consultation with a licensed medical professional. I recommend that everyone has an annual check-up. If you are diagnosed with a medical condition, you should follow up with your physician as instructed.
