Taking Charge of Women's Health | A Different Perspective | July 22, 2023 - A Different Perspective

--Movement. The term exercise generally makes people think of high-intensity movement, CrossFit, or some other weight loss regimen. But, most people just need to get moving. Given Doc’s recommendations for what kind of exercise to do on which week of a woman’s menstrual cycle, Doc also gives a few examples of types of exercise to help your lymphatic system. These include Pilates or yoga, resistance training, and even vibe plates, which you can get for relatively inexpensive.

--Eating more protein. A lot of people need to eat more protein than they currently are. Doc explains a bit about why he likes timed eating, and why it’s likely not for the reasons most people think. As always, Doc advocates for organ meats, but also gives vegan options like chickpeas. Doc also gives a brief overview of why he suggests animal meats as opposed to plant-based meats. Remember – the amount of protein you need to take in will change based on how you’re doing with movement. A couch potato doesn’t need the same amount of sustenance as a marathon runner, doesn’t need the same amount as a competitive swimmer!

--Schisandra. Schisandra is an adaptogenic herb that helps support your liver function – something most women could certainly use, these days! All the women Doc loves and that will take advice from him are taking schisandra – don't overlook the importance of the liver!

--Getting more sleep! The amount of sleep needed is different for women than men – women need two hours more a night and should be getting to bed sometime between 9 PM and 10 PM, while men can handle 11 PM much better. Doc points out that if a woman goes to bed between 9 and 10 PM and gets up at 6 AM, they’ll feel much better than if they go to bed at midnight and wake up at 8 AM.

--Stop eating sugar! Your body needs sugar – that is true. But the kind and amount of sugar you take in –and the kind of foods you take in – may be working against you. Processed sugars and things like fructose and corn syrup may be working against your health. You also get sugar from carbohydrates, starches, and fruits – and that’s the natural stuff! It’s not even accounting for “health drinks,” exercise drinks, or foods like soup or ketchup that hide sneaky sugars. How much are you really taking in?

--Increase fiber. Eating fiber is the one thing that both the medical field and natural medicine agree is good for your health. As a matter of fact, studies found that those who eat fiber had a 10% decrease in overall mortality! This is one of the many reasons Doc campaigns heavily for fermented fibers like sauerkraut.

Doc finishes this week’s ADP with the reminder that health is a participation sport, and the final result is all under your control. You get to take responsibility, for better or worse.