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Below you will find a concise summary of our conversation with Dr. Rudy Proesmans. The full episode can be listened to via Spotify, SoundCloud & Apple Podcasts.
About Dr. Rudy Proesmans
Dr. Rudy Proesmans is an orthomolecular doctor. Orthomolecular medicine (ortho = Greek for correct) is a branch of medicine that aims to improve health through proper nutrition combined with the right vitamins and minerals in the correct doses.
Dr. Rudy Proesmans focuses on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, rheumatism, chronic fatigue, and on ‘healthy aging’. In 2009, his book “Optimally Healthy Without Medication” was published, now in its 20th edition, reflecting the most recent scientific findings.
He is also a sought-after speaker at conferences both nationally and internationally on preventive healthcare. A topic close to JustBite’s heart, to which we want to contribute by offering healthy break moments at the workplace.
Preventive Health
More and more people recognize the importance of preventive healthcare. By working today on a healthy lifestyle with balanced nutrition, sufficient exercise, quality sleep, and a healthy level of stress, you can be and remain healthy. Preventive healthcare can help you age healthily and can make the difference between merely not being sick and being optimally healthy.
The Optimal Diet
Unfortunately, there is no magical diet that perfectly fits everyone. It is especially important to experience for yourself what works well and suits your microbiome or gut flora, seeking a balanced diet that is not too extreme.
The original Mediterranean diet generally suits many people best and works preventively against cancer, rheumatism, cardiovascular diseases, osteoarthritis, and more. A diet rich in legumes, very low in sugars and carbohydrates, little meat, and some goat or sheep cheese.
A diet that is not fully but partly vegetarian, with lots of vegetables, fruit, beans, lentils, and chickpeas, is therefore a diet that offers many health benefits for many people and is sustainable in the long term.
Basically, you need to sense what feels good for you. Macrobiotic, vegetarian, vegan, or Mediterranean diets are generally well tolerated and sustainable by most people and provide the best health results.
The White Poison
Regular intake of fast, refined sugars, also known as the white poison, causes sugar fluctuations that lead to fatigue, listlessness, depression, and other unpleasant effects. Fast sugars affect your gut flora and reduce your immunity, leading to numerous conditions such as type II diabetes, various cancers, and cardiovascular diseases. By avoiding fast sugars you take a big step toward improving your health.
Slow sugars, found in whole grain bread, rice, potatoes, and fruit, are absorbed slowly into the blood and therefore do not cause harmful sugar fluctuations. They provide your brain and muscles with the necessary fuel.
There are also many natural and responsible alternatives to refined sugars. Think of honey, maple syrup, or simply the natural sweetness present in fruits. Such alternatives offer not only sweetness but also useful nutrients for the body.
Healthy Snacking
People with sedentary office jobs should avoid classic unhealthy snacks full of fast sugars as much as possible. Ideally, they keep their snacks as healthy as possible, such as fruit, nuts, seeds, and kernels. For example, blueberries improve memory and concentration.
So definitely avoid fast, refined sugars; these are ‘empty’ calories that continuously stimulate your pancreas, cause a yo-yo effect between bursts of energy and exhaustion, and increase your long-term risk of diabetes and overweight.
Especially with a sedentary job, it is important to move regularly to boost your metabolism and also increase your mental alertness.
Supplements
You cannot put food into a pill. Healthy nutrition always remains the foundation, but some vitamins and minerals may be insufficient in your diet. The right supplements in the right doses according to your specific needs can then provide that extra boost that makes the difference between merely not being sick and being optimally healthy. Optimal health gives you better protection against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, aging, and more.
Tips to Take Your Health into Your Own Hands:
- Choose healthy nutrition. What you put in your mouth every day largely determines whether you will become ill later or not. Definitely avoid fast sugars.
- Exercise! If you don’t make time to exercise now, you will have to make time to be sick later. Exercise is incredibly important.
- Use certain dietary supplements, such as vitamin D and C. Supplements can provide good additional support but are not a substitute for a healthy diet.
- Keep your stress at an acceptable level. A healthy, small amount of stress can contribute to a productive life, but avoid constant, high levels of stress.
- Ensure healthy and sufficient sleep.
All these tips together can help you age healthily and need as few doctors as possible.
Conclusion
Healthy nutrition is the foundation and can prevent many diseases preventively. Dietary supplements can be a good addition where needed. They can provide an extra boost and protection against the development of various conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatism, osteoarthritis, chronic fatigue, and more.