Longevity; Food as Medicine Gathering

August 5th, 2022

The Need

In the midst of increased levels of stress, depression and anxiety this past year, many people turned to comfort food like ice cream, pastries, bread, pizza or hamburgers to alleviate their feelings. Recent research in this area suggests that even in times of stress or depression, the sugary and fat-filled foods that we often crave when we are stressed or depressed are unlikely to benefit our mental health. In order to reap the benefits of whole foods, we should consume more vegetables, fruits, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds, beans and legumes, as well as fermented foods such as yogurt.

Nutritional psychiatry, which studies diet's relationship with mental wellbeing, is an emerging field of research. Choosing certain foods to enhance brain health might seem common sense, just as eating certain vegetables can enhance heart health. Research on nutrition has historically focused primarily on how the foods you consume affect your physical health, rather than how they affect your mental health. Researchers recently argued that the impact of food on happiness and mental well-being has been virtually ignored for a long time.

In the past few decades, however, a growing body of research has revealed intriguing hints as to how foods can affect our moods and therefore our health. There is a definite correlation between a healthy diet and a healthy gut, both of which are essential for brain function. Creating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine through the gut bacteria also affects our mood as well as emotional health, and in turn has been linked to emotional and behavioral outcomes associated with the gut microbiome.

Likewise, large-scale studies of the general population have concluded that eating foods high in vitamins and minerals leads to a less depressive state as well as greater levels of happiness and mental well-being. An earlier study of 12,400 people published in 2016, found that those who increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables for a period of about seven years were substantially happier and rated themselves higher on questionnaires that measured their general level of happiness and life satisfaction.

These challenges aren't insurmountable.

THE WALDEN GATHERING Searched to answer questions:

What comes first? healthy eaters, tend to be happier? Or does eating healthy make people happier?

Do people choose unhealthy foods because they are anxious and depressed, or vice versa?

Are people who are optimistic and happy are more likely to consume nutritious foods?

What should we eat?

A Sustainable World, Created Through Collaboration

Creating a world that values purpose, productivity and preference isn't something that can happen overnight. It will require not only hard work and perseverance, but also a deeply rooted collaboration with organizations who value the possibility of a better tomorrow over the profits of today.

setting the tone through INTRODUCTIONS

We started the day with a rigorous networking hike around the Walden property. A steady uphill climb among the leafy coastal oaks, let us breathe and introduce ourselves in a relaxed style as a group of individuals from diverse backgrounds and fields joined the discussions.

Common Threads in Shared Stories

“We use a design-thinking format around the table, walking discussions on nature trails, and guided meditation to inspire the group to solve big problems. Instead of the hyper-intense networking of your typical conference, participants spend the entire day outside with a carefully curated small and diverse group of people.”

After the Gathering intro, members presented current issues, focused on:

History

Nature

Self

Desire

During these discussions, participants break up into groups to increase contributions and engagement. Topics are addressed, opinions are shared and summaries are presented to all.

Key Themes

Farming is not just a job; it’s a lifelong connection with Nature

In the world of agriculture, there is no such thing as working between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm. There is no such thing as taking some time off, being on "stand-by" or calling in sick. Nature, has its own schedule, and you must not only adapt to it, but learn, understand and evolve with it.

If a cow goes into labor earlier than anticipated, you are up and in the barn. When rains are late and the fields are not prepared beforehand, the seeds must be sown into the soil, the weeds need to be sprayed and the soil must be worked from before dawn until long after dark. In today's world, which has lost touch with these ways of life, too many people are unfamiliar with what a beautiful thing it can be to work together as a family with the rhythms of nature.

Are we doing enough to encourage the next generation about the importance of farming as a career and lifestyle?

It is true farmers do work very hard and keep long hours in order to be successful…but that is ONLY one aspect of a multi-faceted career. Farmers lead a life of significance and purpose – after all, the work of farmers is necessary for human survival! Farmers are highly motivated and capable, multi-talented individuals who balance their chores from the field to the farm office to the agri-business environment with skill. They should be respected as professionals whose work is highly significant.

"Farming is for everyone - not for everyone"

Many farmers attribute their success to the lessons and inspiration of Mother Nature.

Passion

There is no doubt that most farmers thrive on their passion for what they do - most of them simply cannot imagine a life that makes any sense doing anything else. A farmer's passion comes from their connection with Nature and it is what gives them the unique and unbridled strength to stand up and start again after he has been knocked down by a failure or disappointment. It is this passion that keeps them going. Successful farms are always run by passionate farmers who are able to breathe farming into every fiber of their being.

Pursuit of knowledge and eagerness to learn

Farming is not an environment that stays the same for long. Every day there are new setbacks, discoveries and challenges. The best farmers are perpetual students who seek out information from experts, their community and most importantly their natural environment. The best farmers strive to constantly improve themselves as well as their business skills in order to succeed in the field. Your crops will only grow as much as you grow!’

Problem solving skills

Nobody has ever said that choosing a career in agriculture is an easy one. In many situations, a farmer has to respond quickly and creatively to challenges and crises. Rather than reacting to problems reactively, farmers take proactive measures.

‘’n Boer maak ‘n plan! ’

Historically, farmers have been known for their innovative thinking and courage to confront problems. In this respect, farmers are unique from other people who need a computer or a manual that explains everything clearly - a skillset that the community typically attributes to their relationship with their natural surroundings.

Team player

In most large scale farming, it is imperative to work within a team, either as a leader or a team member. In order for people to believe in the common goals, you need to be able to inspire and motivate them. Studies have demonstrated that those who have grown up around livestock tend to have more of an "innate" sense of leadership. Recognizing each member of your team and their value is key to not only their success, but the health of their livestock and crops. Oftentimes, these teams consist of one of the most challenging dynamics - a family. To achieve high productivity and success for the family team, it takes wisdom and skill to keep them motivated and pulling together.

Patience, Perseverance & Emotional Resilience

In farming, patience is necessary because rewards are slowly rewarded. Farming does not have an instant return or immediate reward. A farmer's job satisfaction fluctuates as slowly as the seasons - and if there is a drought, it's even longer.

The process of sowing and harvesting takes time. Matching bulls with cows and waiting for calves to be born are necessary steps in breeding an ideal herd. A never-give-up attitude is perhaps the most important characteristic of a farmer. Farmer's success frequently depends upon a long term investment in not only their business, but their lifestyle. Through perseverance, patience, and a connection with nature, one can overcome challenges and failures.

When was the last time you:

1. Connected with yourself?

2. Connected with your community?

3. Connected with Nature?

Community

Community is built through food. We are all fortunate enough to easily recall fond memories of sitting down with friends or family; for the purpose of fulfilling a natural need, eating, but utilizing that time for much more. Having food slows down our pace, facilitates communication, laughs, and enables us to connect with one another. Its a time to leave our distractions behind and look at and hear each other. In addition to filling our stomachs, we can comonly fill our hearts and minds.

Food, however, builds community on a deeper level. Our spheres of life expand when we step outside our homes. We interact with people who are different from us. Seeing diversity around us helps us learn and grow. Our love for other cultures can be fueled by food. Think about the times you’ve sat down at a Mexican, Indian, Puerto Rican restaurant. Taste buds are your window into a culture as you eat the foods prepared for you.

A plate can carry much more than just food. It can bring history, stories, new flavors and most importantly new appreciations for what may have once been perceived as different or unknown.

Indigenous Practices

Despite the fact that Thanksgiving was based on cooperation and a newfound community between settlers and natives, that cooperation did not last long. Native Americans have been stripped of their resources and left dependent on the government throughout US history. “I was raised on food programs by the government, which was necessary,” said Sean Sherman who grew up in the Pine Ridge reservation of South Dakota. “But it’s also really detrimental because of the poor nutritional aspects: over-processed food, tons of carbs, lots of sugar, over salted foods…you look at communities that are surviving under a program like that and you have diabetes, obesity, heart disease…that’s all a direct result.” Sherman is known as The Sioux Chef and founded Indigenous Food Lab which seeks to connect entrepreneurs creating healthy indigenous foods.

The application of indigenous knowledge to an industrialized world provides a very different way to produce and generate food than what consumers are currently accustomed to. 

An intense understanding of nature and nature’s cycles.

A combining of food generation with food production.

Going distances to gather food, then preparing and consuming it in the same place

Generation of food through territorial management.

The importance of spirituality.

In accordance with the UN, indigenous food systems can scale up. The FAO's indigenous peoples unit in North America is led by Mikaila Way, who said that indigenous peoples could actually produce more food if they had the same access to land and finance that non-indigenous peoples have in agriculture. It may be possible to interconnect indigenous food systems and realize their full potential through reclaiming land.

Wheat, rice, soy, and corn make up the majority of the world's food supply. Diversifying these foundational foods should become a priority for industry and our health. There is a strong tendency for these foundational crops to be produced by profit-driven incentives, rather than healthy eating or the wellbeing of our environment. Monocrops often neglect nutritional fruits and vegetables. Health problems are associated with processed foods like high-fructose corn syrup. Increasing the variety of crops grown could lead to more nutritious foods being offered to consumers.

In order to eat strawberries or oranges all year round, long distance transportation is necessary, resulting in a large carbon footprint. There is less need to transport food when it can be grown locally. Some items may be more scarce, but they may taste better, be produced more naturally and may be more popular during certain seasons. After all, it is okay to not have everything you want at any given moment.

A greater emphasis should be placed on the production of food by the industry as well. Natural food production is what nature does without human intervention. Food production uses human intervention to produce food from nature. For example, the ocean providing fish is food generation, the act of fishing is food production. Overfishing has depleted fish populations around the world due to an overreliance on food production. A regenerative approach could involve periodically stopping fishing in certain areas in order for fish populations to grow, and replenishing soil in order for native plants to colonize an area.

Health & Food

Your health is profoundly influenced by what you eat.

The habits we follow when it comes to eating influence our risk of disease. Despite the fact that some foods may trigger chronic health issues, others may also offer strong medicinal and protective properties.

Consequently, many people believe that food is medicine.

Nonetheless, diet alone cannot and should not replace medicine in every situation. That being said, diet and lifestyle changes can prevent, treat, or even cure many illnesses, but they cannot cure others.

A healthy diet protects your body from disease and promotes the well-being of your body.

There is no doubt that whole, nutritious foods are more effective than supplements because they contain unique substances that work synergistically to deliver powerful benefits.

Protein and healthy fats

Your body depends heavily on protein and fat in order to function properly. Protein plays a multitude of critical roles in your body.

There are many benefits to amino acids, including the ability to improve immunity, muscle synthesis, metabolism, and growth, as well as providing fuel and aiding the absorption of nutrients.

In addition to helping to regulate inflammation, a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, has been linked to improved heart function and immunity in humans

Vitamins and minerals

Despite the fact that you only need small amounts of vitamins and minerals for your body, they are vital to your health.

As a result of the high consumption of processed foods in the Western diet, as well as the low intake of whole foods like fresh produce, the Western diet generally lacks sufficient vitamins and minerals. These types of deficiencies can have a significant impact on your risk of contracting diseases in the future.

By consuming insufficient levels of vitamin C, vitamin D, and folate, one can suffer from heart disease, immune dysfunction, as well as certain types of cancer.

Fiber

In order to maintain good health, it is imperative that you consume a diet that is rich in fiber. Apart from assisting digestion and elimination, it has been shown to also support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Foods that are high in fiber, such as beans, grains, and fruits, not only protect against diseases and deplete inflammation in the body, but also boost the immune system.

On the other hand, a diet low in fiber is associated with an increased risk of infections, such as colon cancer and strokes.

Beneficial plant compounds

Vegetables, fruits, legumes, and grains, as well as many other healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits, are full of beneficial compounds such as antioxidants.

The antioxidants are not only able to protect cells from damage, but they can also prevent disease from developing in the first place.

Several studies have shown that people who consume a diet that is rich in polyphenol antioxidants are less likely to suffer from depression, diabetes, cognitive decline, and heart disease than people who do not consume such a diet.

Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, protein, and fat are all components of whole, nutritious foods that are essential in maintaining good health and the optimal functioning of the body.

Unhealthy Food Choices & Disease

The consumption of nutritious foods may decrease your risk of disease, while the consumption of highly processed foods may increase it.

A diet high in sugary drinks, fast food, and refined grains is responsible for the development of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Processed foods have been shown to promote insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and a greater risk of disease in general when consumed in large quantities.

According to a study of over 100,000 people, ultra-processed foods increased cancer risk by 12% with every 10% increase in intake compared to foods that are not ultra-processed.

Furthermore, an investigation on mortality and disease at the global level estimated that poor diets are responsible for 11 million deaths and 255 million disabilities-adjusted life years (DALYs) around the world.

One DALY represents one year of full health lost due to disease.

Food as Medicine

It has been shown through research that diets high in plant-based foods are healthier than diets high in processed foods.

For example, there is increasing evidence to suggest that the Mediterranean diet, which consists of high amounts of healthy fats, whole grains, and vegetables, is linked to lower rates of heart disease, neurodegenerative conditions, diabetes, certain types of cancers, and obesity.

It has been shown that a plant-based diet, a whole-food diet, and a paleo diet are all effective at preventing diseases.

In some cases, certain conditions can be reversed by certain diets. This has been demonstrated by some studies.

In a number of studies, it has been discovered that plant-based diets can reverse coronary artery disease, while very-low-carb lifestyles can eliminate type 2 diabetes.

As a result, it has been found that nutrient-rich eating patterns like the Mediterranean diet are associated with higher self-reported quality of life and lower rates of depression than typical Western diets.

According to these findings, a robust diet can act as a preventative medicine.

There is no doubt that certain dietary choices can either decrease or increase your disease risk. However, it is imperative to keep in mind that diet alone does not prevent or treat every disease.

It is unfortunate that there are many other complex factors that can affect your health and disease risk as well.

When determining whether or not a poor diet has contributed to or caused an illness, there are many other factors that need to be taken into consideration.

A number of other factors should also be taken into consideration, including genetics, stress, pollution, age, infections, occupational hazards, and lifestyle choices, including smoking, drinking alcohol, and not exercising. There is no way for food to compensate for unhealthy lifestyle choices, genetic factors, or other factors that contribute to the d

Nutrition & Mental Health

We all know food plays an essential role in optimizing our physical and mental health, and while it's common for people to make changes to their diet in the interest of their physical health, we usually overlook the impact of our eating habits on the state of our mental health as well. In the near future, nutrition psychology is poised to make a significant impact on society as a whole.

According to a group of recent studies, there is considerable scientific evidence that suggests a cyclical relationship between the gut and the brain exist. Since both organs can act on the other, it is easy to conclude that what is put in your stomach has a direct impact on your mood, behavior, and mental health.

Nutritional psychiatrist Uma Naidoo, MD, explores the relationship between the gut and the brain in her recent book, "This Is Your Brain on Food," and provides insight into the ways food can help combat conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD and OCD. Although the mainstay of therapy and treatment for these disorders are courses of medication and psychotherapy, neglecting to keep in mind a patient's diet can have devastating effects on their condition.

“The problem is bigger than psychiatry, extending to medicine as a whole,” Naidoo writes. “Despite the huge number of health issues that relate to diet, it may sound farfetched, but many patients don’t hear food advice from their doctors, let alone their psychiatrists.... Nutrition education for doctors is limited.”

Nutritional psychology utilizes food elements to form part of treatment plans with other potential therapeutic modalities, all in the aim of improving mental wellness through a more holistic approach. Even though there is a field for Nutritional Psychology, organizations such as The Center for Nutritional Psychology are actively working on building methodology and developing formalized curriculum for placement in universities within the next ten years.

“In psychiatry, we are finally beginning to talk about the power of food as medicine for mental health,” Naidoo writes.

WALDEN GATHERINGS ARE NOT JUST FOCUSED ON TALKING ABOUT SOLUTIONS, BUT PUTTING SOLUTIONS INTO ACTION.

While ideas are shared throughout the day, we gather to create change.

In order to improve the world around us, we must not only speak about the issues at hand, but work towards solutions. The point of the discussions is to establish the framework for identifying and understanding the problems.

What follows, is most important.

Emerging Ideas

Health is a personal journey that needs to be examined.

Need to change how we think about food and health.

Change the narrative around health away from the industrial food’s marketing.

Apply indigenous knowledge to the problem.

4 legs- Diet, Quiet, Happiness, Movement.

Mindset is the key to longevity.

Habits and rituals.

Connected group for shared experiences.

Healthy living is not just for you, but for everyone around you too.

Heal yourself and you heal the world.

The group solution summarized:

Healthy living is a personal journey that should be examined using the latest science along with indigenous, ancestral and spiritual knowledge thus creating habits and rituals that guide us to a lasting health conscious mindset. We do this not just for ourselves but for our community because when we heal the world heals.

Team

We aim to bring together passionate individuals, groups and organizations to gather, learn and collaborate in small groups on how best to contribute and invest their time, talent and resources to innovative solutions -- and then take them back into the world.   We see everyone who joins as an equal expert at the table because we believe in the wisdom of the crowd to find solutions.
 

Olga Verkhotina | Michael Firestone | Jon Letts

Jeff Brothers | Hoda Mohajerani | Mark Kaltenbacher

Frances Shipnuck | Jason Gandzjuk | Thyme Lewis

Nick Jekogian

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