As I considered the inspiration for this letter, our feature article, “Food as Medicine, The Healing Power of Nutrition,” by Julie Peterson, some counter-productive thoughts bubbled up regarding how commercialism has affected the health of Americans, particularly over the last 20 years. It took some effort to shift away from the angry and frustrated thoughts I sometimes experience when thinking about how the Standard American Diet (SAD) has failed us so enormously. It occurred to me that SAD is quite the fitting acronym.

The guidelines we’ve been taught have created a country that is rampant with chronic disease as it has turned hordes of us into sugar and carbohydrate addicts. Now suffering through unprecedented obesity, chronic illness and perpetual inflammation, many Americans face feelings of personal failure, despair and depression, etc., when attempting to make lasting healthy changes. The great news is, now we know. With that knowledge comes power.

Our feature article helps to break down some of the ways we can counter what we’ve been taught for so long. By taking small steps toward change, we can ultimately take control of and responsibility for our health once again, even if that means seeking support through others.

The often cited, “Father of Western Medicine,” Hippocrates, is said to have stated, “Let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food.” This has never resonated quite as strongly as it does today in consideration of all the evidence to support its validity. For me, seeing the dramatic, positive health effects I and family members have been experiencing since going (mostly) sugar- and flour-free this past year, has been astounding proof of the truth of those words.

Though it’s rarely an easy or quick fix, I’m grateful these pages allow us to serve as a conduit of what we always hope to be—a regular source of helpful information for the communities we serve.

Have a happy and healthy summer!

Peace,