After a family member endured a medical scare, we consulted a functional medicine doctor to get to the root cause of his condition. The focal segmental glomerulonephritis and colitis was assessed to be secondary to years of increased total toxin load and poor clearance and recovery. These prompted an imbalance in the gut microbiome and gastrointestinal functions of digestion, absorption, intestinal permeability, immune regulation and neurologic/neurotransmitter production and function.

The plan was to boost his biotransformation and detoxification pathways by improving gastrointestinal function, correcting his nutritional imbalances, chronic untreated infections and immune dysregulation.This was to be done with a 21-42 day comprehensive elimination diet: mostly or completely plant-based for the first 21 days. Exercise was required for daily sweating, and guided meditation to promote good oxygenation of poorly perfused areas, especially the kidneys.

Sadly, the patient didn’t follow through. While his lab tests showed how a vegan diet stabilized him from the brink, he wouldn’t sustain it.

As highlighted in the 2023 Food Revolution Summit, the biggest challenge for many isn’t knowing what to do; it’s doing what they know. Ultimately, our habits shape our future more than our aspirations.

Eating right

At 58 years old, music icon Lenny Kravitz has retained his cut physique. He revealed in a 2020 interview with Men’s Health that he has been a mostly raw vegan since 2016.

“My best shape is not behind me. It’s in front of me. We keep moving that bar as we get older,” said Kravitz, who admitted that he’s careful about what he puts into his body. Guyabano, atis, avocado, broccoli and other greens are his staples.He also exercises five to six days a week. Kravitz credits the combination of eating right and working out to how his muscles and joints stay in shape “so that I can do what I do, which is get up on stage and play music and have a body that feels free,” he said.

In the summit docuseries, Michael Beckwith, founder and CEO of Agape International Spiritual Center, said that a “disciple” is someone with a discipline about whatever they love: music, food, exercise or meditation.

“If you love music so much that you want to play the piano, out of that love comes ‘blisscipline.’ You don’t feel an obligation but love. So what it takes to practice becomes pleasurable,” he explained. “You become sensitive to the wonderful release.” But when we numb symptoms with a pill or quick fix, we can’t feel or listen to our body and what it’s saying, whether it’s dehydrated, hungry or needs rest.“Deciding what to eat is not about information,” said Dr. Brooke Goldner, author of “Goodbye Lupus.” She said that it’s about tradition, addiction, peer pressure, self-esteem and if people are willing to stand out and be different.

But how can we not succumb to societal tension when trying to implement what we know to be healthy for us?

Dr. Columbus Batiste, chief of cardiology at Kaiser Permanente, said that we don’t necessarily have to disrespect our ancestors or family when we choose instead to celebrate resilience and togetherness in a health promoting manner.

“Eat like a pauper so you can live like a king,” he said, adding that we don’t need to be subjugated to the diseases that come with the food of our culture.

Neuro adapt

Author and TV host Chef AJ reminded, “What you eat today is what you’ll crave tomorrow.” She cited the work of osteopathic physician Dr. Alan Goldhamer, who advises giving the body time to neuro adapt. She said, “Steamed kale probably won’t taste good if you’ve been eating an ultra-processed standard American diet, but if you refrain from eating that way, you will soon grow to like whole, natural foods.”

“People tend to put off changes that feel too big: make it New Year’s, my birthday, when I finish what’s in my fridge,” said Dr. Goldner. She noted that when we do that, it feels impossible.

“Think of the steps you can do today to start making a change. Because ultimately, it’s not just about you and your health. It’s also about the people who love you and need you in their life,” she said.

Even after over 20 years since Dr. Goldner recovered from lupus, she said her mom still carries trauma that never goes away, the fear of losing her daughter.

“I don’t want anyone else to have to experience that. If you are sick, there are people out there right now who are scared of losing you. So if you can’t do it for you, take those steps for them. Find a reason to connect to something inspiring enough: your kids, grandkids or spouse. Do what you can today.”