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I was so hyper-focused on biological networks and systems medicine or NETWORK medicine as the answer to solving the puzzle of chronic disease — on turning the dials on biology for individuals –that I missed something much more important.
That most chronic disease is very often a SOCIAL disease and not just a problem of biology!!!!
We know that you are more likely to be overweight if your friend’s friend is overweight than if your parents are overweight. That the genetic threads that connect us may be less important than the social threads – that our social connections and our ancient need to be part of a tribe may be a way out of our epidemic of chronic disease…
That just maybe SOCIOGENOMICS – or how social networks influence health and disease and how social networks alter gene expression, are where we need to look for the solution.
In some places, gastric bypasses are being touted as a cure for diabetes. As if you could cut out a poor lifestyle like a wart. Is this really a solution for our 400 million diabetics at a cost of $30,000 per person – or $12 trillion?
We can’t medicate our way out of a bad diet. Taking a statin while downing a double cheeseburger, fries and a soda just doesn’t make any sense.
But there has been a new drug discovered – that can beneficially modulate thousands of genes and enhance the function of dozen of hormones and regulate tens of thousands of protein networks and can prevent cure and even reverse most chronic disease. And it works faster, better and is cheaper than any other drug discovered and it is available to almost everyone on the planet right now…
It is food – we now know that food is information, not just calories, and that it can upgrade your biologic software. The majority of chronic disease is primarily a food borne illness. We ate ourselves into this problem and we have to eat ourselves out of it.
If you want to get healthy, you just might not want to go to a doctor. You might instead, go to church. The power of community to create health is far greater than any physician, clinic or hospital. You are more likely to be overweight if your friend’s, friend’s friend is overweight than if your parents are overweight. Your social networks may matter more than your genetic networks. But if your friends have healthy habits you are more likely to as well. So get healthy friends.
Marliss Bombardier
Dum spiro, spero -- While I breathe, I hope
Psoriasis - the dark ages
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dec 2001
Collagenous Colitis - Sept 2010
Granuloma Annulare - June 2011
Gabes, I so much second your comment! If it weren't for this forum family, I would hate to think of where I would be now. The advice I had received from my GI doc was pretty much worthless . What I found here was love, compassion, understanding and valuable advice. I know I wouldn't be as far along as I have come without the advice and support of my PP fam!
When I was in high school I took up the awful habit of smoking because I had a friend who smoked. And then I made more friends who smoked and so on and so on. The most difficult part of quitting was when I realized the only way I could kick the habit was to quit my friends who smoked. I had to find a new tribe and that can be very difficult to do.
I agree with you Gabes this forum is a wonderful "place". Even though I don't post often, I don't feel so alone with MC.
Without this forum? I can't even begin to imagine where I would be. Lost doesn't even begin to describe it. The information alone is worth gazillions, but the support, caring and understanding are worth their weight in gazillions, and therefore so much more!
Knowing I am totally confused today, and can come in here and ask questions makes this almost bearable!
When I think of how the doctors have (NOT) treated me, and how they so want to be convinced they are RIGHT that they make me feel as though it's my head rather than my gastric system that needs treating, I think I would have taken to my bed and not left it without you guys.
