by Dr. Fred Harvey, MD   

Hippocrates believed that food can be medicine, and medicine can be food. We know that food is the foundation of health or the source of illness. In face, we see a lot of interest in various diets these days, touting a cure just about everything. 

In my clinical experience, I find that diets are effective for many reasons in different people. Each set of genetics and clinical illnesses results in a physiology that can benefit from changes in diet. For example, those with celiac disease should refrain from eating foods that contain gluten because their bodies interact poorly with those foods, creating disease.  

Similarly, those with diabetes have difficulty metabolizing carbohydrates. Therefore, they would benefit from a limited carbohydrate diet. A person whose physiology absorbs saturated fat and cholesterol should likely avoid foods containing saturated fat and excessive cholesterol to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. 

The diet with the longest track record for success is surprisingly simple. It comes with extensive evidence for promoting health, reducing disease and increasing longevity. This diet is the Mediterranean Diet, which consists of eating no processed foods. It is the principal diet of much of the world, also called the Blue Zone Diet.  

Humans have eaten this particular diet for millennia. It’s a mostly plant-based diet that is 80–90% plant and 10–20% animal product. This diet contains the widest variety of nutrients to support human physiology, including fiber (both soluble and insoluble), phytonutrient, and antioxidants. Animal products provide the necessary vitamins, proteins and fats, unavailable or at reduced availability in the plant kingdom.  

Eating a diet of this type––along with adequate clean water intake, daily movement or exercise, quality sleep and healthy relationships––promote optimal health and longevity. Those who live in the Blue Zones have more centenarians (individuals who live to 100 years or more) per capita than any other society. 

At Functional Medicine Florida, we can help you find the most appropriate diet for your own unique physiology. This way, we can help you find optimal function energy levels, so you can live a full and joyous life.  

Listen to Dr. Fred Harvey discuss this topic and more as he hosts the Healthy Steps Radio Show every Monday, 10 a.m., on 88.5 WMNF. Listen to past shows at HealthyStepsShow.com. Dr. Fred Harvey is the Medical Director of Functional Medicine Florida. He is quadruple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Functional Medicine and Holistic-Integrative Medicine, specializing in chronic illness recovery plus prevention and defiant aging. For more information, visit FunctionalMedicineFlorida.com.