Cause or Effect?

I always try to impress upon people the vital importance of diet. What we put into our bodies has a tremendous impact on how well they function, how healthy we are now, and how healthy we will be in the future.

Just recently, I had a conversation with a patient about a child she knew who had been diagnosed with ADHD, experienced stunted growth by age two, and suffered from severe digestive issues. The child’s mother had been following her medical doctor's instructions and administering various medications, but the child’s condition wasn’t improving—if anything, it seemed to be worsening.

Then a friend recommended a book to the mother titled The Maker’s Diet by Jordan Rubin, which emphasizes the importance of a whole-food, unprocessed diet. The mother decided to make a significant change: she eliminated processed foods and focused entirely on feeding her child whole, nutritious foods. The results were nothing short of life-changing.

In a short period, the child began to grow again, his digestion significantly improved, and the ADHD symptoms resolved. At a follow-up appointment, the doctor was impressed by the child’s progress and encouraged her to continue with the medications. She then informed him that the child had not been taking any medications—just following a clean, whole-food diet.

Initially, the doctor was frustrated that she hadn’t followed his advice. Although he eventually acknowledged the progress and told her to keep doing what she was doing, he still wanted her to continue the medications. But the reality is this: the problem wasn’t a lack of medication—it was a lack of proper nutrition.

Many of the health issues people struggle with can be dramatically improved—or even resolved—through dietary changes. Ultimately, our health is in our hands. The choices we make every day, especially regarding what we eat, play a powerful role in shaping our well-being.