What is a Regeneratarian?
How it Improved the Quality of My Life
How have you been feeling? Granted we are in challenging times right now, so I ask this in general, prior to today’s world. Are you someone who needs more pep? Maybe you feel brain fog? Memory not as good? Colds and allergies part of life? Not sleeping well — maybe even feel you are not functioning well. It’s normal, right?! And amplified even more with today’s stress. Isn’t this part of the journey of getting…old…
If you are someone who agrees with this, I have something to share with you.
As a board certified health and wellness coach, also certified in functional medicine, I have learned that food is not just like medicine, it is medicine.
Let me repeat that — Food is medicine —
Yes, this is what *functional medicine doctors through research and from experiences with patients have proven. *Mark Hyman is one of these doctors and as a public figure he is sharing his knowledge.
I first heard the term Regeneratarian in February from Dr. Hyman. A name (finally) for the lifestyle I have been following for the past five years!
So what is a Regeneratarian? Here is what Dr. Hyman states:
- Eats whole, real foods grown and produced in a way that is regenerative. Food from plants — not made in a plant.
- Buys organic produce which is free from pesticides and glyphosate which is not only bad for the soil but bad for the body.
- Chooses grass fed beef and pasture raised chicken. These animals are treated humanely and are fed a real diet. It’s not just we are what we eat — it’s we are what our food eats!
- Embraces reusable containers and avoids plastic. Plastics have BPA, BPS, and pthalates. All which disrupts hormones, increases cancer risk, auto-immunity and more.
- Reduces food waste by buying just what is needed and being mindful of perishables. Use or freeze before they go bad.
- Looks for fair trade items when possible.
- Votes with dollars which forces change with products and what is produced.
- Believes in composting. (this is something I one day will be able to do).
In a world that seems out of control, here is where we can take some control. Make some changes that would be beneficial for our health and for our planet.
Dr. Hyman shares that being a Regeneratarian makes you:
- Feel good
- Fight illness/Reverse illness
- Prevent early aging and prevent disease
With all the above benefits in mind, I started a journey to eat healthier and live a cleaner, green life…
…I eliminated processed foods, fast food, gluten, dairy and sugar. I focus on real, whole foods choosing better quality meats/poultry and organic products. This includes skin and body care, household cleaners and laundry products. I drink organic coffee (black) and filtered (not bottled) water.
It might look like I have given up so much. In reality, I have gained so much!
I don’t have to think about what I am going to eat (all those food choices) and I look at food as fuel. My weight is under control. I sleep better, wake up not feeling groggy. My memory is better, I am more focused and clear headed. I’m more balanced and my mood is better.
And I haven’t been sick in years — before I was sick quite often. I feel better (when you eat crap, you feel like crap). Acid reflux, gas and bloating are no more.
An added bonus, and something I didn’t expect. In living this cleaner way, I actually lost inches in my lower half! Not weight — inches bringing me down a size. Could it be less toxins from the chemicals and less inflammation from sugar? I am not a doctor nor scientist, so I cannot say.
What I can say is that I am not following the crowd with the thoughts that getting older means falling apart. I feel healthier, and stronger.
This being said, it is not my place to recommend that anyone make changes based on how I live. However, I do wish to share my experience and what I have learned from Dr. Hyman’s research.
I’d like to include a few of my fellow writers who have noticed the food connection:
Nicole Linke shares this thought:
Your brain and your gut are continually communicating with each other.
And this from Joan Kent, PhD:
Avoid junky carbs, like sugar and white flour. Limit alcohol. These trigger high insulin release and inflammation.
Including also another article I wrote:
In case you are not familiar:
*Functional medicine — is a systems biology–based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease. Each symptom or differential diagnosis may be one of many contributing to an individual’s illness.
*Dr. Mark Hyman — is a practicing family physician and an internationally recognized leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in the field of Functional Medicine. He is the founder and director of The UltraWellness Center, the Head of Strategy and Innovation of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, a thirteen-time New York Times bestselling author, and Board President for Clinical Affairs for The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM).
And adding:
Disclaimer: This article and thoughts/views I share are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Until next time ~
Sending you light, love — and some hope for better health and wellness!
Be Well,
