CLEVELAND, Ohio — Mark Hyman is a medical doctor who, when it comes to treating patients, prefers food over prescriptions.
- Dr. Hyman and his team at the Center for Functional Medicine say they want to address problems like obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure in underserved communities
- He says it’s all about choosing natural foods and ingredients over processed foods with chemicals
- Members say everyone has lost weight and gained energy and most of them have lowered their blood pressure
“Functional Medicine is about addressing the root causes of disease,” said Hyman, director, Center for Functional Medicine. “And the truth is that most of the root causes, these aren't things that can be fixed in a doctor's office or in a hospital. They have to be fixed in the community, they have to be fixed in your kitchen, at the grocery store.”
Dr. Hyman and his team at the Center for Functional Medicine say they want to address problems like obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure in underserved communities.
“That affects poor and minority communities far more than the rest of us, and it's not going to be solved by better medications or surgery. It has to be solved by addressing the root, which is food in our food system,” said Hyman.
Showing that good food can taste good too.
It’s just about making good choices.
“And I make it really simple,” said Hyman. “Ask yourself a question, if you believe in God, and just ask yourself, did God make this or did man make this? And if man made it, don't eat it. If God made it, eat it. God didn’t make a Twinkie but he did make an avocado. Yes, it's pretty easy, even a five-year-old can understand that.”
Dr. Hyman says all of this is made easier when you’re not in it alone.
“People do better together. Getting healthy is a team sport,” Hyman said.
This group is in their 6th week of a 10-week program with the Cleveland Clinic.
Members say everyone has lost weight and gained energy, and most of them have lowered their blood pressure.
