Sacred Plates: Reclaiming Wellness Through Ancestral Eating | Kamila McDonald | TEDxClarkstown

Health & Wellness Industry Trends - Chronic preventable diseases are becoming the new norm, often attributed to genetics and age [2] - Poor diet is now the leading cause of early death worldwide, according to a 2023 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association [13] - A 2024 study in the Lancet shows that a plant-rich whole food diet can add up to 13 years of life expectancy [13] - Diets high in processed food and refined sugar are directly linked to depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline, according to a study in nutritional neuroscience [14] Dietary Recommendations & Gut Health - Ancestral wisdom emphasizes eating real food, trusting food, and respecting it as medicine, survival, and sacred [3][4] - The gut is a lush living sacred ecosystem with trillions of beneficial bacteria that protect immunity, elevate mood, sharpen the mind, manage cravings, and influence thoughts [17][18] - Individuals who ate over 30 different plant foods per week had a more diverse and resilient gut than those who ate 10 or fewer plants, according to the American Gut Project which studied over 10,000 individuals [24][25] - Ultra-processed food, refined sugars, toxic oils, and chronic stress are soil killers that destroy the gut microbiome [28][29] Practical Steps for Healing - Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, sending a message of safety to the body and promoting healing [20][21] - Regardless of diet, eating more diverse plants is essential for a vibrant gut [23] - Focus on crowding out toxic elements from the diet, such as ultra-processed foods and refined sugars [28][30]