Metabolic Crisis – Why Are Our Children Are Sicker Than Ever?
America is facing a national health emergency of unprecedented proportions. Over four in ten Americans are obese, and one in five children now suffers from obesity as well. Type 2 diabetes, once considered a disease of middle-aged adults, is now showing up in children at alarming rates. The reality is grim: teenagers are undergoing liver transplants due to fatty liver disease caused by excessive soda consumption, while the food and pharmaceutical industries continue to profit. The crisis is not just a personal health issue but a systemic failure, driven by corporate interests and government policies that favor disease management over prevention.
For decades, Americans have been told that obesity and metabolic diseases are simply a matter of personal responsibility—just eat less and move more. But the truth is far more complicated. The modern food environment is engineered for overconsumption. Ultra-processed foods, loaded with refined sugars and industrial seed oils, dominate supermarket shelves and school cafeterias. These foods are designed to be addictive, triggering pleasure centers in the brain while providing little nutritional value. Meanwhile, aggressive marketing campaigns target children, normalizing the consumption of high-sugar, high-fat, ultra-processed products from an early age.
The consequences of this manufactured diet are staggering. Childhood diabetes is rising at a pace never seen before. According to the CDC, diagnoses of Type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents increased by 95% between 2001 and 2017. What was once a disease that almost exclusively affected adults is now affecting children as young as eight years old. This trend is not just a statistical anomaly—it’s a sign of systemic failure.
Fatty liver disease, long associated with alcoholism, is now widespread among children and adolescents who have never had a drop of alcohol in their lives. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects nearly 10% of all children and up to 40% of children with obesity. Some teens are developing such severe liver damage that they require transplants—at an age when they should be playing sports, preparing for college, or simply enjoying their youth. This crisis is fueled by excessive sugar intake, particularly from sugary beverages, which are heavily marketed and readily available in schools and convenience stores across the country.
Adults are not faring much better. More than 37 million Americans—about 11% of the population—are living with diabetes, and an estimated 96 million more are prediabetic. Many don’t even know they have the condition until they experience severe complications. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, leading to kidney failure, amputations, blindness, and increased risk of heart disease and stroke. The financial burden on the healthcare system is astronomical, with diabetes-related healthcare costs exceeding $327 billion annually.
Behind this crisis are powerful multinational corporations that continue to profit while taxpayers foot the bill. The food industry, with its relentless promotion of ultra-processed products, plays a major role in driving diet-related diseases. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry benefits from treating, rather than preventing, these conditions. The diabetes drug market alone is worth billions of dollars annually, incentivizing a system that prioritizes managing symptoms over addressing root causes.
Government policies have also contributed to the problem. Agricultural subsidies favor crops like corn, wheat, and soy—ingredients that form the backbone of processed foods—while healthier options like fresh fruits and vegetables remain relatively expensive. The USDA’s dietary guidelines, influenced by corporate lobbying, have long promoted outdated and misleading nutrition advice, making it harder for consumers to make informed choices about their health. Schools, often strapped for funding, continue to serve highly processed, low-nutrient meals to children, further entrenching unhealthy eating habits.
Americans deserve better. Clear, honest food labeling should be the norm, not the exception. Policies should prioritize public health over corporate interests. Transparency in food production and marketing must be enforced to ensure that consumers can make informed choices about what they eat. Education on nutrition and metabolic health should be a fundamental part of school curriculums, empowering young people with the knowledge they need to make healthier decisions for themselves.
But addressing this crisis goes beyond policy changes. It requires a shift in mindset—a move away from the idea that chronic disease is inevitable and toward the belief that metabolic health is within our control. Real food, movement, and lifestyle-based interventions should be at the core of healthcare, not just an afterthought. The notion that we have a “disease-care” system rather than a true healthcare system has never been more apparent. If we fail to act now, the long-term consequences will be devastating. Our healthcare system will be overwhelmed, and future generations will inherit a nation where chronic disease is the norm rather than the exception.
This is not a distant threat; it is happening now. Without intervention, rates of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic diseases will continue to skyrocket. The economic impact alone should be enough to prompt action, but more importantly, this is about quality of life. It is about saving lives, restoring health, and ensuring that future generations are not burdened with preventable diseases. The time to act is now. The solutions exist—we just need the will to implement them. A future where metabolic health is prioritized over corporate profits is not only possible; it is necessary.
Ceci e Rosmarino (Chickpeas with Rosemary)
How Tobacco Companies Hooked Us on Junk Food
A Hidden History of Addiction in Every Bite
There’s something hauntingly familiar about the way that chips crunch, candy melts, and sweet drinks fizz. It’s not just taste—it’s seduction. Somewhere between the first sip of a fluorescent soda and the last bite of a buttery snack lies a story that most of us have never been told. It’s not a story about poor dietary choices or lack of willpower. It’s a story of calculated addiction, engineered bliss points, and a decades-long campaign to get Americans—and the rest of the world—hooked on food the same way generations were once hooked on cigarettes.
It all started in the 1960s, when two of the world’s most powerful tobacco giants, R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris, began looking for new business ventures. Tobacco was still king, but the writing was on the wall. Mounting research was linking smoking to deadly diseases, and the industry was starting to feel the pressure. But if there was one thing Big Tobacco had mastered, it was creating loyal customers. And they weren’t about to let all that expertise go to waste.
So, they pivoted. Quietly and deliberately, these companies turned their gaze toward the food industry. Not just any food, but the kind that lights up the brain like a pinball machine—bright colors, addictive flavors, and a marketing strategy that knew exactly how to appeal to the youngest, most impressionable consumers.
By the early 1960s, R.J. Reynolds had begun acquiring sugary drink brands like Hawaiian Punch, Kool-Aid, Capri Sun, and Tang. These were not accidental purchases. Internal memos from that time reveal a methodical approach to product development that eerily echoed their work in tobacco. They ran taste tests with children. They experimented with artificial flavors and additives. And just as they had done with cigarettes, they loaded these drinks with sugar and chemical flavoring agents designed to ignite cravings.
But it didn’t stop with sugary beverages. As the years went on, both R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris moved deeper into the food industry. By the 1980s, they owned Kraft, Nabisco, and General Foods—some of the most iconic names in American pantries. With them came a whole new playground for manipulation: cereals, cookies, processed meals, boxed snacks—everything from what you fed your kids for breakfast to what you grabbed from the vending machine on your lunch break.
This new food empire wasn’t just about selling products. It was about redefining how we eat. Using the same marketing strategies that once glamorized cigarettes—seductive advertising, eye-catching packaging, product placements aimed at children—these companies built a portfolio of foods that were engineered to override satiety and encourage overeating.
Researchers at the University of Kansas, led by Dr. Tera Fazzino, later coined the term “hyper-palatable” to describe these products. These foods didn’t just taste good—they hijacked the brain. By precisely combining fat, sugar, salt, and carbohydrates, they created a sensory experience that was nearly impossible to resist. The foods didn’t satisfy hunger; they bypassed it entirely. They tricked the body into wanting more—even when it was already full.
What’s even more disturbing is that this wasn’t a side effect. It was the goal.
According to the Kansas researchers, food companies owned by tobacco conglomerates were significantly more likely to introduce hyper-palatable foods into the marketplace between 1988 and 2001. These products didn’t just take over grocery store shelves—they changed the entire landscape of the food industry. Competing companies had to adapt or get left behind. By the time tobacco companies started to pull out of food altogether in the early 2000s, the damage was done. The processed food arms race had begun, and there was no turning back.
Today, nearly 70 percent of American adults are overweight or obese. Childhood obesity is at an all-time high. And the foods we eat—those irresistible snacks and meals that once seemed like harmless indulgences—are now at the center of a national health crisis.
It’s not just about weight. It’s about the quality of the food itself. As Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current Secretary of Health and Human Services, has said, “We have people who are obese who are at the same time malnourished.” That paradox—too many calories, too few nutrients—is the direct result of a food system engineered for profit, not wellness. It’s a system that has created millions of Americans who are full but undernourished, tired, inflamed, and struggling with chronic disease.
Kennedy’s concerns don’t end with health. He’s also sounded the alarm on national security. An astonishing 74 percent of young Americans are now ineligible for military service, primarily due to obesity and related health conditions. The junk food legacy has grown into something far more serious than convenience or taste preference. It’s affecting the readiness of an entire generation.
And it’s not just the United States. The addiction to hyper-palatable foods has gone global. In Europe, more than 60 percent of adults are now overweight or obese. Countries that once boasted diets rooted in whole foods, seasonal produce, and culinary tradition are seeing their health outcomes shift dramatically. The spread of ultra-processed foods—driven by the same multinational conglomerates that learned their trade in the American tobacco and food industries—is reshaping the health profile of the planet.
What makes this story even more unsettling is how invisible it’s been. When people think of junk food, they often imagine bad habits, lack of discipline, or convenience. Rarely do they consider that what’s in those products was designed—down to the molecule—to override natural hunger cues, promote addiction, and maximize consumption. The comparison to cigarettes isn’t just symbolic. The techniques were copied, pasted, and perfected. Where tobacco used nicotine, processed food used sugar, salt, and chemical additives.
And much like tobacco, the marketing was relentless. Bright packaging, cartoon mascots, catchy jingles, and emotional appeals turned meals into moments of joy. Advertising targeted children aggressively, creating brand loyalty before they even learned to read. Just like the Marlboro Man once embodied freedom and rebellion, colorful snack foods came to represent comfort, celebration, and happiness. But the cost has been staggering.
Behind every box of cereal, every brightly colored drink pouch, every chip that tastes just too good to stop eating—there is a hidden story of manipulation. And while we can’t undo the past, we can begin to reclaim our health by understanding how we got here.
Knowing this history matters. It shifts the conversation from shame to strategy. If you’ve ever felt frustrated that you can’t stop at one cookie or that your cravings seem stronger than your willpower, it’s not a personal failing. It’s the result of decades of research, development, and marketing designed to make you feel exactly that way. The solution isn’t just about individual choices—it’s about systemic awareness.
As public figures like Robert Kennedy Jr. bring these issues into the light, and as researchers continue to unearth the long-term impact of hyper-palatable foods, there’s an opportunity to change course. Real food—food that nourishes, satisfies, and supports well-being—still exists. But reclaiming it requires more than a trip to the farmer’s market. It requires a cultural shift.
We need to talk about what happened. We need to teach our children that just because something is colorful and tasty doesn’t mean it’s harmless. We need to support policies that limit aggressive food marketing to kids and demand transparency in labeling. And most of all, we need to forgive ourselves for the ways we’ve been misled and manipulated by industries that saw us not as people, but as consumers. The fight against junk food addiction starts with understanding that it was never really about food. It was about power, addiction, and profit. But now that we know the truth, we can begin to take that power back—one meal, one conversation, and one choice at a time.
The Invisible Enemy
The Microplastic Invasion: How It’s Affecting Your Body and How to Fight Back
It can begin with something small—barely even noticeable: a random headache, a little more fatigue than usual. Your digestion doesn’t feel quite right, and your sleep, even when it is deep, doesn’t leave you feeling refreshed. Many attribute it to stress, aging, or overworking.
As a health professional, I’ve learned to pay attention to subtle signals. The body whispers before it screams. What began as a personal curiosity quickly snowballed into a deep dive into one of the most pressing and overlooked health issues of our time: microplastics.
If you’ve never considered the plastic in your water, your food, or even the air you breathe—now is the time to start. These microscopic invaders aren’t just “out there” in the environment; they’re inside you. And they’re affecting everything from your liver to your hormones to your mental clarity.
Microplastics: A Global Problem That’s Getting Personal
Microplastics are exactly what they sound like—tiny particles of plastic, usually less than 5mm in size. They come from the breakdown of larger plastic products, like bottles, packaging, textiles, and even car tires. These particles are everywhere: in our oceans, our soil, our rain, our air, our food supply—and now, undeniably, in our bodies.
In fact, microplastics account for over 80% of marine pollution, with more than 10 million metric tons dumped into the oceans every year. They drift through the water, get consumed by fish, and make their way into the food chain. Studies have found them in seafood, shellfish, sea salt, bottled water, and—alarmingly—even in the placenta of unborn babies.
They don’t just pass through. They stay. They lodge themselves in tissues, sneak past cellular membranes, and slip into our bloodstreams, organs, and lymphatic systems. Some are excreted—but the tiniest ones? They hang around.
Plastic in Your Bloodstream: What That Really Means
I was stunned when I first learned that microplastics had been detected in human blood. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s a scientific fact. These particles do not remain inert. Once inside, they trigger alarm bells—literally and biologically.
Microplastics trigger chronic inflammation, a slow-burning, body-wide fire that’s linked to nearly every modern disease: heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune conditions, Alzheimer’s, and more. They cause oxidative stress, damaging cells and accelerating aging. They disrupt the gut microbiome, weakening immunity and impairing nutrient absorption.
They’ve been associated with lung damage, liver dysfunction, metabolic disorders, neurotoxicity, and even DNA damage. If left unchecked, they don’t just make you tired—they set the stage for long-term degenerative disease.
And the worst part? Most people never realize that microplastics are the problem. They blame aging, the weather, hormones, too much screen time, and stress. But what if it isn’t any of those? What if it’s plastic—literal plastic—silently clogging your organs, exhausting your immune system, and triggering those vague, nagging symptoms you can’t quite explain?
You Can’t Flush Microplastics — But You Can Fight Them
None of us likes to admit it, but no magic pill will “flush” all microplastics from your body overnight. These particles are stubborn. However, you can combat them by reducing your exposure, supporting your body’s natural detox pathways, and creating an environment where plastic has no place to hide. It starts with awareness.
Replace bottled water with reusable options. Eliminate microwaveable plastic containers. Opt for glass, ceramic, or stainless steel for food storage and cooking.
Limit your consumption of heavily processed foods. These often contain higher levels of pollutants and additives, including microplastics that leach from industrial packaging and equipment.
Shellfish like shrimp, oysters, and clams are known to be heavily contaminated. If you eat them regularly, it may be time to either reconsider or at least source them with extreme care.
Beyond reducing exposure, the true key is detox support. You need a multi-faceted approach that nourishes your liver, strengthens your gut, balances your immune system, and promotes daily elimination.
The Detox Begins with Food and Herbs
Real detox isn’t about juice cleanses or expensive powders. It’s about consistency. It’s about using your plate and your pantry as your medicine cabinet.
Begin with fiber—lots of it. Soluble fiber, in particular, can bind to compounds like BPA and help move them out of the body. Think chia seeds, flax, oats, and psyllium husk.
Eat the rainbow. Vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants that fight the oxidative stress caused by microplastics.
Cruciferous vegetables—broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage—enhance liver enzymes that aid detoxification.
And don’t forget to sweat. Exercise increases circulation and promotes toxin release through your skin—your body’s largest detox organ.
Herbal Allies in the Fight Against Plastic
This is where the herbal kingdom truly shines. Plants have been detoxifying bodies for millennia. And when it comes to plastic pollution in the human body, a few stand out:
Dandelion root and burdock root are powerful detoxifiers, known to support liver function and help flush accumulated toxins.
Milk thistle contains silymarin, a compound that not only protects the liver but also encourages regeneration of damaged cells.
Chlorella and spirulina, nutrient-dense algae, bind to heavy metals and synthetic toxins, helping escort them out of the body.
Turmeric, a potent anti-inflammatory, helps reduce plastic-induced inflammation while supporting liver function.
Aloe vera, tamarind extract, fenugreek, and psyllium husk may also help bind microplastics and eliminate them.
Okra: The Slimy Secret Weapon
One of the most surprising—and promising—discoveries in the fight against microplastics is okra. Long valued in traditional cuisines for its unique texture and nutritional benefits, okra may also serve a more unexpected purpose: plastic removal.
Dr. Rajani Srinivasan’s research revealed that okra, especially when combined with fenugreek or tamarind, can bind to microplastics in water and remove them. That same mucilaginous quality—what gives okra its signature “slime”—may also bind plastic in your digestive tract, helping escort it out before it crosses into the bloodstream.
Okra is rich in polysaccharides, fiber, vitamin C, and flavonoids—making it not only a detox tool but also a nutritional powerhouse for supporting your immune system and gut health.
Add okra to soups, stews, or even smoothies if you’re brave. Your liver will thank you.
The Hidden Toll of Microplastics
You may not see the damage microplastics are causing, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. If you’re struggling with bloating, fatigue, poor focus, allergies, acne, mood swings, hormonal issues, or just a sense that your body is “off,” microplastics could be part of the problem.
Left unchecked, their effects accumulate. What starts as fatigue becomes chronic exhaustion. What starts as mild digestive discomfort becomes leaky gut. What starts as occasional brain fog becomes cognitive decline. It’s not an overnight collapse—it’s a slow leak of vitality, and the earlier you act, the better your chances of reversing the damage.
The Microplastic Detox I’ll Never Skip
When I first realized how widespread and invasive microplastics were, I knew I had to take action. I started with herbs. I added sweat sessions, better hydration, and clean eating. However, the real turning point for me came after research led me to a systemized approach that laid everything out clearly.
- Dandelion & Burdock Purge – a go-to liver support after travel or a long week
- Bay Leaf Water – a surprisingly simple way to balance blood sugar and soothe inflammation
- Nettle Soup – a springtime ritual to cleanse the lymph and reset digestion
The best part? These aren’t trendy fads or one-time fixes. They’re rituals—daily, weekly, seasonal tools that help you live cleaner, not just temporarily, but long-term.
Final Thoughts: This Fight Is Worth It
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. After all, you can’t control everything. You can’t live in a bubble. Microplastics are in the air, the water, and the soil. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. You have more control than you think. Every choice you make—from what you drink to what you cook in, from the herbs you sip to how you move—adds up.
You can’t eliminate microplastics from the world. But you can reduce their hold on your body. Start small. Drink filtered water from a glass bottle. Cut out plastic containers. Add a detox tea to your nightly routine. Try that okra stew. Move your body. Get fresh air.
And if you’re ready to take it further, explore herbal strategies that truly support your body—gut, liver, brain, and beyond.
Your body is brilliantly designed to heal and detox—but in today’s plastic-saturated world, it needs your help.
Always listen to your body closely. The fatigue, the skin breakouts, the inflammation, the cravings—they’re trying to tell you something. The time to listen, and act, is now.