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Hey there, In today's fast-paced world, where success is often synonymous with high stakes and intense demands, it's crucial to prioritize your well-being to achieve optimal performance. A few years ago I met J, the CEO of an upcoming digital marketing agency in the UK during a stay in the Douro valley. We were chatting about how nutrition impacts health beyond calories and macro-nutrients and how changes in gut health at the cellular level can increase systemic inflammation which leads to a whole cascade of issues. Given the high-stacks' live she was living, I explained how it can lead to impaired immune function, brain performance decline and get a step closer to burnout. I get really energetic about sharing this with people - a little too much energy, according to my wife. J's journey took an unexpected turn last year when health issues escalated during a critical expansion period for her business. Despite seeking medical help, she faced challenges and setbacks, prompting her to ask her doctors a crucial question about improving her immune function. Shockingly, she received a disheartening response – "there's nothing you can do." This revelation left me astounded, as it contradicts the wealth of scientific evidence suggesting otherwise.I want to share with you the empowering truth: you have the ability to optimize your immune system and enhance your overall well-being. There's a wealth of research supporting lifestyle interventions that can make a significant impact. For instance: In a 2019 study, probiotic bacteria and fermented milk were found to have significant effects on mucosal and systemic immune systems. A 2017 study highlighted the safety and efficacy of Vitamin D supplementation in protecting against respiratory tract infections.
Upon reflection, it dawned on me how frequent I've heard stories like this in my appointments: it is very very common that I see people who go from doctor to doctor trying to get answers to a simple question: "what can I do to get the results that I want?" They may not get the straight forward "there's nothing you can do" but rather more nuanced answers... "Your blood results are normal, there's nothing wrong with you" (implying what you feel is somehow a construct of your mind) "Most people feel tired and do not wake up fresh, don't worry about it" (assuming straight away that you should only aim for being average) "Do not go on Dr Google!" (closing the door to any meaningful discussion)
You must see your doctor as your co-pilot, not the driver of your car - you will always be piloting your journey. The pilot sets the goal, the co-pilot helps navigating the journey, advising what he or she believes to be the best course of action to get there or as close as possible. At the end of the day, your doctor should be your partner, helping you navigating the complexity of health information, making sense of the different data available and drafting with you what the next steps can and may be, according to your goals. Not defining what you can or cannot do, overcome or achieve. I beg you: if your doctor tells you there's nothing you can do, change you doctor ASAP because there's always something you can do.This is what I told J.
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