Highlights from the Food as Medicine Webinar with Dr William Li
Drink loose leaf tea (not tea bags) and avoid diet sodas
Yesterday I had the great pleasure of listening to a webinar with the exceptional Dr William Li.
Dr Li is a likeminded proponent of food as medicine.
He is a vascular biologist, internal medicine physician, scientist and author of How to Beat Disease (and other titles). He was a key source of new research for the Food Medicine Diet for MS video course (unbeknownst to him).
To say we’re on the same page is an understatement.
The webinar reinforced everything in the Food Medicine Diet for MS and why its possible to be well, even if you have a chronic disease like multiple sclerosis.
Here are the takeaways in case you missed it.
Although he is neither vegetarian or began, Dr Li says the best foods to eat are plant-based.
His 5 food groups are FRUIT, VEGETABLES, NUTS, LEGUMES, OLIVE OIL.
He favours beans (all kinds incluyding white beans, black beans, pulses, lentils). Beans are not only great for feeling fuller longer and beans are the common factor in the ‘blue zone’ aka countries where people have long lifespans.
Only drink Tea, Coffee, and Water. Especially avoid processed drinks and soda including Diet Sodas as they ‘pound’ your gut microbes and they die.
Dr Li is a huge believer in the power of Green Tea. This miraculous drink lowers inflammation, cuts risks of cancer and dementia, and reduces your stress and anxiety instantly. Dr Li also touched on plastics in food.
Tea bags are sprayed with plastic by manufacturers so they don’t tear. However, a billion nano-particles of plastic goes into the tea. Plastic has has now been found in human blood, breastmilk, and is associated with 4 times greater risk of heart attack. What to do? Loose leaf tea is best. Don’t microwave in plastic. Use glass or pyrex for food storage.Avoid ultra-processed food.
If you’ve done the Food Medicine Diet for MS, you might remember me saying some of the most unhealthy food is Vegan. Dr Li concurs and says a ‘Beyond Burger is so highly processed with genetically modified everything, it’s far healthier to eat the meat version.
Anti-inflammatory foods reduce inflammation. Vitamin C is great for this. Think oranges, lemons, citrus, cumquats, limes, mandarins, tomatoes, bell peppers (capsicum). brocolli.
Eat and drink Ginger. The bioactive gingerol dissolves in water, lowers inflammation and cuts off the blood supply of tumours. Excellent for cancer prevention and recovery.
Cocoa also has amazing brain benefits. One tablespoon of cocoa a day empirically improves the brain’s bloodflow.
Sleep is part of the body’s detox system. When we sleep well with dreams (REM sleep) we have what Dr Li described as a “sewer grate” that open and drains the toxins. He is referring to the newly recognised glymphatic system, and reinforced what we know about how sleep cleans the brain.
Although Dr Li mentioned that he wanted the participants in the webinar to spread the information widely, it’s appropriate for me to mention he was promoting his 4-week course about Food As Medicine. In the course Dr Li will include information about dosages, shopping, and food storage. The price is $499 US. I am not an affiliate.
I haven’t done his course but it’s always good to learn from others. Dr Li is a wonderful and expert source of knowledge. Check him out!
(Did I mention the Food Medicine Diet for MS video course is $35)
Have a wonderful few days!
Best wishes and Be well,
XO