0:00:06.547,0:00:11.310
So, I love doing Taekwondo[br]and was once a national champion.

0:00:13.097,0:00:14.821
But a lot has changed since then.

0:00:14.821,0:00:17.965
I went off to medical school,[br]became a physician.

0:00:17.965,0:00:21.521
I had a son, and then a daughter.

0:00:21.521,0:00:25.746
And I developed a chronic disease[br]for which there is no cure.

0:00:26.056,0:00:29.109
In 2000, when I was diagnosed[br]with multiple sclerosis,

0:00:29.109,0:00:33.408
I turned to the best MS center[br]I could find, the Cleveland Clinic.

0:00:33.408,0:00:37.270
I saw the very best doctors,[br]received the best care possible,

0:00:37.270,0:00:40.017
taking the latest, newest drugs.

0:00:40.017,0:00:46.433
Still by 2003, my disease had transitioned[br]to secondary progressive MS.

0:00:47.216,0:00:49.463
I took the recommended chemotherapy.

0:00:49.893,0:00:53.639
I got the tilt-recline wheelchair.

0:00:53.639,0:00:56.072
I had one with a motor,[br]I could drive around.

0:00:56.884,0:00:58.956
I took Tysabri,

0:00:59.496,0:01:00.946
and then CellCept,

0:01:01.406,0:01:04.171
but continued to become[br]more severely disabled.

0:01:05.367,0:01:07.459
My disease had transitioned.

0:01:07.759,0:01:10.991
I was afraid that I was[br]going to become bedridden.

0:01:12.087,0:01:17.776
I turned to reading the latest research[br]using PubMed.gov.

0:01:17.776,0:01:23.438
I knew that brains afflicted with MS,[br]over time, shrank.

0:01:25.113,0:01:31.690
I therefore went to, every night,[br]reading the latest medical research

0:01:32.080,0:01:35.369
about the diseases in which brains shrink.

0:01:35.369,0:01:39.300
These diseases were Huntington's,[br]Parkison's and Alzheimer's.

0:01:40.125,0:01:45.967
I saw that in all three conditions,[br]the mitochondria do not work well,

0:01:45.967,0:01:47.510
leading to shrinking brains.

0:01:47.510,0:01:48.850
With more searching,

0:01:48.850,0:01:53.599
I found studies in which mouse brains[br]and their mitochondria had been protected

0:01:56.461,0:02:00.518
using fish oil, creatine and co-enzyme Q.

0:02:01.298,0:02:04.644
I translated those mouse-sized doses[br]into human-sized ones

0:02:04.644,0:02:07.452
and began my first round[br]of self-experimentation.

0:02:07.452,0:02:11.094
The rapidity of my decline slowed[br]and I was very grateful.

0:02:11.454,0:02:13.502
But I was still declining.

0:02:14.339,0:02:18.115
Next, I discovered[br]the Institute for Functional Medicine,

0:02:18.115,0:02:22.810
and through their continuing[br]medical education course, Neuroprotection:

0:02:22.810,0:02:28.370
A Functional Medicine Approach to Common[br]and Uncommon Neurological Syndromes,

0:02:28.370,0:02:33.305
I learned more brain cell biology[br]and what I could do to protect mine.

0:02:33.305,0:02:35.688
This is some of what I learned:

0:02:36.358,0:02:41.418
We have a billion cells in our brains,[br]with ten trillion connections.

0:02:41.418,0:02:46.430
All of that connective wiring must be[br]insulated with something called myelin.

0:02:46.430,0:02:49.057
And multiple sclerosis damages myelin.

0:02:49.447,0:02:54.566
In order to make healthy robust myelin,[br]your brain needs a lot of B vitamins.

0:02:54.566,0:02:57.733
In particular, vitamin B1,[br]which is thiamine,

0:02:57.733,0:02:59.800
B9, which is folate,

0:02:59.800,0:03:01.756
B12, which is cobalamin.

0:03:01.756,0:03:06.242
It also needs omega-3[br]fatty acids and iodine.

0:03:07.579,0:03:09.390
This is a synapse.

0:03:09.390,0:03:14.601
Those beautiful golden drops[br]are the neurotransmitters.

0:03:14.601,0:03:16.562
For your brain to make neurotransmitters,

0:03:16.562,0:03:21.255
it needs a lot of sulfur and vitamin B6,[br]which is pyridoxine.

0:03:22.114,0:03:24.273
These are mitochondria.

0:03:24.633,0:03:26.495
They are so beautiful.

0:03:26.495,0:03:29.072
And they are so critical to your lives

0:03:29.072,0:03:33.153
because it is the tiny mitochondria[br]in each of our cells

0:03:33.153,0:03:36.913
that will manage[br]the energy supply for that cell.

0:03:36.913,0:03:39.253
Without your mitochondria,

0:03:40.832,0:03:43.652
you would be no larger than bacteria.

0:03:43.652,0:03:44.768
In medical school,

0:03:44.768,0:03:49.074
I had to memorize countless reactions[br]involving my mitochondria,

0:03:49.074,0:03:53.981
but I never learned which compounds[br]my cells could manufacture

0:03:53.981,0:03:58.809
and which I needed to consume in order[br]for those reactions to happen properly.

0:03:59.099,0:04:02.829
I now know that I need[br]a lot of B vitamins,

0:04:02.829,0:04:06.728
sulfur and antioxidants[br]for my mitochondria to thrive.

0:04:06.728,0:04:12.085
And so, I added B vitamins, sulfur[br]and antioxidants to my daily regimen.

0:04:12.522,0:04:14.616
And then it occurred to me

0:04:14.616,0:04:18.945
that I should get my long list[br]of nutrients from food,

0:04:18.945,0:04:20.086
that if I did that,

0:04:20.086,0:04:24.122
I would probably get hundreds,[br]maybe thousands of other compounds

0:04:24.122,0:04:27.372
that science had yet to name and identify

0:04:27.372,0:04:30.837
but would be helpful to my brain[br]and my mitochondria.

0:04:30.837,0:04:34.544
But, I didn't know where[br]they were in the food supply

0:04:34.544,0:04:36.178
and neither did the medical texts,

0:04:36.178,0:04:38.843
nor the food science texts[br]with whom I consulted.

0:04:38.843,0:04:41.033
But, the internet did.

0:04:41.033,0:04:42.085
And so -

0:04:42.085,0:04:43.128
(Laughter)

0:04:43.128,0:04:45.131
That's really very helpful.

0:04:45.131,0:04:46.263
So using it,

0:04:46.263,0:04:48.302
I was able to design a food plan

0:04:48.302,0:04:52.221
specifically for my brain[br]and my mitochondria.

0:04:52.621,0:04:55.790
And now, before I tell you[br]what that food plan is,

0:04:55.790,0:04:58.473
we're going to check in[br]to see what Americans are eating.

0:04:58.473,0:05:00.533
I'm going to start with you guys.

0:05:00.533,0:05:03.758
So, I want you to think back[br]to the last 24 hours,

0:05:03.758,0:05:06.333
add up all the fruits and vegetables[br]that you've eaten.

0:05:06.333,0:05:10.600
Don't include potatoes or corn,[br]because those are starches.

0:05:10.600,0:05:14.107
Now, if you could cover a dinner plate[br]heaped high, raise your hand.

0:05:14.107,0:05:16.782
Come on, don't be shy, raise your hands.

0:05:16.782,0:05:20.449
Okay, now if you could cover[br]two dinner plates, keep your hands up.

0:05:20.819,0:05:23.859
Anyone have eaten three dinner plates?

0:05:24.079,0:05:26.469
Look around, see how few hands are up.

0:05:26.469,0:05:27.575
Okay?

0:05:27.575,0:05:30.010
Now, we're going to[br]check with another family.

0:05:30.010,0:05:32.350
This is from Hungry Planet,[br]by Peter Wenzel,

0:05:32.350,0:05:35.904
it shows what this American family [br]will eat in the coming week.

0:05:35.904,0:05:40.747
Look closely and you are going to see[br]a lot of processed foods in boxes,

0:05:40.747,0:05:43.627
jars, and other containers.

0:05:43.627,0:05:46.282
This is how most Americans eat,

0:05:46.282,0:05:50.727
and this is how most societies eat[br]as they become more affluent.

0:05:50.727,0:05:54.399
And it's likely why as societies[br]become more affluent,

0:05:54.399,0:05:56.300
their health declines.

0:05:57.151,0:06:01.233
This slide is from work done[br]by professor Loren Cordain.

0:06:01.643,0:06:04.152
He is showing the percent of Americans

0:06:04.152,0:06:08.806
whose daily intake is below[br]the Recommended Daily Allowance

0:06:08.806,0:06:11.440
for a variety of important nutrients.

0:06:11.440,0:06:14.516
On the bottom half of the slide are the -

0:06:14.856,0:06:17.765
you'll see that less than half of us

0:06:17.765,0:06:21.555
take in enough B vitamins,[br]vitamin C and vitamin A.

0:06:21.555,0:06:23.714
Now if you look[br]at the top half of the slide,

0:06:23.714,0:06:28.520
you'll see that two thirds of us[br]do not take in enough calcium,

0:06:28.520,0:06:31.921
magnesium, zinc or iodine,

0:06:31.921,0:06:36.301
and that 80 percent do not take in[br]enough omega-3 fats.

0:06:36.671,0:06:40.645
We, you, are all starving your cells.

0:06:40.985,0:06:45.832
We are alive because[br]of complicated chemical reactions.

0:06:45.832,0:06:47.920
If you're not providing[br]the building blocks,

0:06:47.920,0:06:50.308
that is the vitamins,[br]minerals, essential fats,

0:06:50.308,0:06:52.916
those reactions cannot happen properly,

0:06:53.446,0:06:57.089
leading to the wrong[br]structures being made,

0:06:57.089,0:06:59.462
or structures simply[br]not being made at all.

0:06:59.462,0:07:02.027
You set the stage for chronic disease.

0:07:02.027,0:07:06.262
This is why our children are born[br]with jaws that are too small

0:07:06.262,0:07:10.547
leading to crooked teeth[br]and smaller brains.

0:07:10.547,0:07:12.776
This is why your blood pressure's -

0:07:12.776,0:07:15.818
your blood vessels[br]become stiff as you age.

0:07:15.818,0:07:19.137
This is why one in three[br]American children,

0:07:19.137,0:07:23.452
or one in two, if you're[br]African American or Hispanic,

0:07:23.452,0:07:28.021
will become diabetic and obese[br]as children or young adults.

0:07:28.871,0:07:31.284
This is why if you go to our schools,

0:07:31.284,0:07:35.653
every year we have more and more[br]children with severe learning problems

0:07:35.653,0:07:37.858
and severe behavior problems.

0:07:38.108,0:07:40.685
But, it does not have to be this way.

0:07:41.423,0:07:48.143
For two and a half million years, humans[br]ate what we could gather and hunt.

0:07:48.143,0:07:51.606
They're called foragers,[br]also known as hunter-gatherers.

0:07:51.606,0:07:54.961
That hunter-gatherer diet, [br]that Paleo diet,

0:07:54.961,0:07:59.406
consists of leaves, roots,[br]berries, meat and fish.

0:07:59.996,0:08:04.382
It's locally obtained, fresh,[br]in season, and of course, organic.

0:08:04.892,0:08:08.602
The Inuits in the far north[br]ate very differently

0:08:08.602,0:08:10.778
than the Africans on the savanna.

0:08:10.778,0:08:14.708
And yet, when scientists have analyzed[br]these hunter-gatherer diets,

0:08:15.478,0:08:20.371
they exceed the recommended[br]daily allowance two to ten fold,

0:08:20.371,0:08:22.101
depending on the nutrient.

0:08:22.590,0:08:25.260
These ancient peoples know more

0:08:25.260,0:08:28.826
about eating[br]for optimal health and vitality

0:08:28.826,0:08:31.782
than we physicians and we scientists.

0:08:31.782,0:08:35.306
The hunter-gatherer diet[br]has more nutrition

0:08:35.306,0:08:37.690
than the American Heart Association diet,

0:08:38.260,0:08:41.504
more nutrition than[br]the American Diabetes Association diet,

0:08:41.504,0:08:45.935
and more nutrition[br]than the USDA food pyramid diet.

0:08:46.202,0:08:49.568
I therefore started[br]with a hunter-gatherer diet,

0:08:49.568,0:08:51.649
I used those concepts,

0:08:51.649,0:08:56.635
but I structured it to be sure[br]I was getting the nutrition,

0:08:56.635,0:08:57.965
the vitamins, minerals,

0:08:57.965,0:09:02.763
nutrients that I identified as critical[br]to my brain cells and my mitochondria.

0:09:02.763,0:09:06.827
That diet is this:[br]three cups of green leaves,

0:09:06.827,0:09:09.074
three cups of sulfur-rich vegetables,

0:09:09.074,0:09:10.960
three cups of bright color,

0:09:10.960,0:09:14.724
grass-fed meat, organ meat and seaweed.

0:09:15.345,0:09:18.122
Three cups is a dinner plate heaped high.

0:09:19.042,0:09:22.420
I start with greens[br]because they are rich in B vitamins,

0:09:22.420,0:09:25.326
vitamins A, C, K and minerals.

0:09:25.326,0:09:27.069
And those are two types of kale.

0:09:27.069,0:09:31.000
Kale has the most nutrition[br]per calorie of any plant.

0:09:31.000,0:09:34.802
The B vitamins will protect[br]your brain cells and your mitochondria.

0:09:34.802,0:09:37.782
Vitamins A and C support[br]your immune cells.

0:09:37.782,0:09:41.499
Vitamin K keeps your blood vessels[br]and bones healthy.

0:09:41.499,0:09:46.885
And minerals are co-factors for hundreds[br]of different enzymes in your bodies.

0:09:47.435,0:09:50.146
Plus, having a plateful of daily greens

0:09:50.146,0:09:56.209
will dramatically lower your risk[br]of cataracts and macular degeneration,

0:09:56.799,0:10:00.653
a leading cause of blindness in the U.S.

0:10:01.483,0:10:06.438
So, have more kale, more parsley,[br]more cooked greens.

0:10:06.438,0:10:09.271
Have more smoothies and greens.

0:10:09.271,0:10:11.713
Have dehydrater kale chips,

0:10:11.713,0:10:16.064
which are so delicious - my teenage[br]daughter and her friends love them.

0:10:16.989,0:10:19.014
I want you to have three cups,

0:10:19.014,0:10:22.467
a plateful of sulfur-rich[br]vegetables every day.

0:10:22.467,0:10:26.504
Your brain and your[br]mitochondria need sulfur.

0:10:26.504,0:10:29.273
Your liver and kidney need sulfur

0:10:29.273,0:10:32.242
so they can remove toxins[br]from your bloodstream.

0:10:32.532,0:10:35.183
The cabbage family is rich in sulfur.

0:10:35.183,0:10:39.657
That includes cabbage, broccoli,[br]cauliflower, Brussels sprouts,

0:10:39.657,0:10:43.791
turnips, rutabagas,[br]radishes, collards and kale.

0:10:44.251,0:10:46.525
The onion family's also rich in sulfur.

0:10:46.525,0:10:52.731
Onions, garlic, leeks, chives, shallots,[br]and so are mushrooms and asparagus.

0:10:53.580,0:10:57.066
I also want you to have[br]a plate, three cups,

0:10:57.066,0:11:00.328
preferably three different colors,[br]every single day.

0:11:00.628,0:11:04.034
Colors are flavonoids and polyphenols.

0:11:04.464,0:11:08.737
These are potent antioxidants[br]that will support your retina,

0:11:08.737,0:11:11.680
your mitochondria, your brain cells,

0:11:11.680,0:11:14.041
and the removal of toxins.

0:11:14.371,0:11:17.031
You can get your colors from vegetables

0:11:17.031,0:11:20.093
like beets, carrots,[br]peppers, red cabbage...

0:11:20.433,0:11:22.064
or you can get them from berries

0:11:22.064,0:11:25.679
and brightly colored fruits[br]like peaches and oranges.

0:11:26.728,0:11:32.127
I want you to have high-quality protein[br]that's rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

0:11:32.347,0:11:37.929
Omega-3 fatty acids are very important[br]to insulate that wiring in your brain.

0:11:37.929,0:11:40.818
It's also critical[br]for the development of your jaws

0:11:40.818,0:11:44.535
so you can have straight teeth[br]and a larger brain.

0:11:44.747,0:11:49.653
Therefore, have wild fish,[br]in particular salmon and herring.

0:11:50.173,0:11:53.291
Also have grass-fed meat every day.

0:11:55.143,0:11:59.393
Our ancient societies[br]all valued organ meats.

0:11:59.393,0:12:04.739
And organ meats are concentrated sources[br]of vitamins, minerals and co-enzyme Q.

0:12:04.739,0:12:08.603
They are particularly potent[br]at supporting your mitochondria.

0:12:09.353,0:12:13.097
Therefore, have organ meats[br]like liver and onion, heart, tongue,

0:12:13.097,0:12:16.110
gizzards, sweetbreads once a week.

0:12:17.542,0:12:23.224
The ancients would travel great distances[br]or trade to ensure access to seaweed.

0:12:23.549,0:12:27.390
Seaweed is a rich source[br]of iodine and selenium.

0:12:28.011,0:12:31.043
Your brain needs iodine[br]to make myelin,

0:12:31.043,0:12:33.122
the insulation for the wiring.

0:12:33.122,0:12:35.552
It also needs iodine to remove toxins,

0:12:35.552,0:12:39.229
in particular, mercury,[br]lead and heavy metals.

0:12:39.526,0:12:45.021
And adequate iodine lowers your risk[br]of breast cancer and prostate cancer.

0:12:45.932,0:12:51.159
Studies have shown that 80 percent[br]of Americans have a relatively low iodine.

0:12:51.159,0:12:54.273
Therefore, have seaweed[br]at least once a week

0:12:54.273,0:12:58.095
to ensure and maintain[br]adequate iodine levels.

0:12:59.375,0:13:05.014
Most Americans can't imagine[br]eating nine cups,

0:13:05.014,0:13:08.943
three platefuls of vegetables[br]and berries every day,

0:13:09.270,0:13:15.820
but, if you'll commit to having nine cups[br]of these incredibly healthy,

0:13:15.820,0:13:19.157
wonderful-for-you[br]vegetables and berries every day,

0:13:19.157,0:13:24.286
before you have grain, potatoes, dairy,

0:13:24.286,0:13:26.998
you will have dramatically increased

0:13:26.998,0:13:29.858
the vitamin and mineral[br]content of your diet.

0:13:29.858,0:13:34.600
Plus, you will have dramatically[br]lowered the risk of food allergies.

0:13:34.600,0:13:38.618
Food allergies and food sensitivities[br]are far more common than we realize.

0:13:38.618,0:13:42.309
They're difficult to diagnose,[br]and in particular,

0:13:42.309,0:13:46.423
sensitivity to gluten,[br]the protein in wheat, rye and barley,

0:13:46.423,0:13:51.227
and to dairy,[br]the casein protein in dairy,

0:13:51.867,0:13:54.599
is associated with a wide variety[br]of health problems,

0:13:54.599,0:13:57.281
including, but not limited to:

0:13:57.281,0:14:01.835
eczema, asthma, allergies,[br]infertility, irritable bowel,

0:14:01.835,0:14:05.930
fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue,[br]arthritis, chronic headache,

0:14:05.930,0:14:09.211
neurological problems[br]and behavior problems.

0:14:10.671,0:14:15.990
Yes, it will cost more to eat[br]these beautiful vegetables and berries,

0:14:15.990,0:14:19.070
but I assure you,[br]you are going to pay the price.

0:14:19.070,0:14:25.603
You will pay the price now for food[br]that restores your health and vitality,

0:14:26.143,0:14:29.558
or you pay the price for doctor's visits,

0:14:29.558,0:14:33.592
prescription drugs, surgeries,[br]missed time from work,

0:14:33.592,0:14:36.824
early retirement and nursing home care.

0:14:36.824,0:14:38.301
The choice is yours.

0:14:39.668,0:14:40.838
Okay.

0:14:40.838,0:14:43.247
Seven years - I get the best care,

0:14:43.657,0:14:45.686
the latest, newest drugs.

0:14:45.686,0:14:47.687
I continue to get more disabled.

0:14:47.687,0:14:49.807
By November of 2007,

0:14:49.807,0:14:53.269
I could not sit in a chair[br]like you are now.

0:14:53.269,0:14:56.269
I had be reclined[br]in a zero-gravity chair like this,

0:14:56.269,0:14:59.073
at home or at work, or in bed.

0:14:59.073,0:15:02.038
I could walk short distances[br]using two canes.

0:15:02.038,0:15:04.090
I was losing my keys, my phones.

0:15:04.090,0:15:06.257
I was having nightmares[br]that my chief of staff

0:15:06.257,0:15:08.604
had pulled my clinical privileges.

0:15:09.604,0:15:12.362
That is when I designed a diet

0:15:12.862,0:15:16.881
specifically for my brain cells[br]and my mitochondria.

0:15:17.191,0:15:18.849
That's when I began -

0:15:19.599,0:15:22.822
I became a modern-day hunter-gatherer.

0:15:23.102,0:15:28.986
Three months later I could walk[br]between exam rooms using one cane.

0:15:29.486,0:15:34.712
The month after that I could walk[br]throughout the hospital without a cane.

0:15:35.532,0:15:40.667
At five months I got on my bike[br]for the first time in a decade,

0:15:41.833,0:15:43.774
and I pedaled around the block.

0:15:45.513,0:15:50.931
Nine months into my new way of eating,[br]I pedaled 18 miles.

0:15:51.581,0:15:55.949
The following year I did a trail ride[br]in the Canadian Rockies.

0:15:57.584,0:16:01.427
I am the canary in the coal mine,

0:16:01.427,0:16:03.947
here as a warning to all of you.

0:16:04.717,0:16:06.048
We have a choice:

0:16:06.861,0:16:10.129
We can continue to eat[br]that delicious, convenient,

0:16:10.129,0:16:12.500
tasty, processed food,

0:16:12.500,0:16:15.631
and watch ourselves and our children

0:16:15.631,0:16:20.261
grow steadily more overweight,[br]depressed and diabetic;

0:16:20.817,0:16:21.935
[and] ...

0:16:22.975,0:16:28.580
we can continue to watch[br]health care costs balloon out of control,

0:16:29.380,0:16:33.682
bankrupting us individually[br]and collectively as a country;

0:16:34.264,0:16:35.364
or ...

0:16:36.416,0:16:39.517
we can eat for our mitochondria,

0:16:39.957,0:16:42.343
eating vegetables and berries,

0:16:42.903,0:16:45.800
grass-fed meat, organ meat and seaweed,

0:16:45.800,0:16:48.069
and have more vitality.

0:16:49.149,0:16:50.915
We all have a choice.

0:16:50.915,0:16:53.281
I choose to teach the public

0:16:53.281,0:16:57.148
about the healing power of food[br]and to conduct clinical trials.

0:16:57.378,0:17:01.318
We are testing my interventions[br]and others with secondary progressive MS.

0:17:01.318,0:17:06.604
We'll present our research on Sunday[br]at the 2011 Neuroscience Conference.

0:17:07.044,0:17:09.114
The results are breathtaking.

0:17:10.377,0:17:12.645
We all have a choice.

0:17:13.321,0:17:16.572
I challenge you to become[br]modern-day hunter-gatherers,

0:17:17.032,0:17:19.168
and eat for your mitochondria,

0:17:19.168,0:17:22.030
become ambassadors for your mitochondria.

0:17:22.250,0:17:26.120
For if I can rise up from[br]a tilt-recline wheelchair doing this,

0:17:26.120,0:17:29.821
imagine what eating[br]for your mitochondria can do for you,

0:17:29.821,0:17:34.433
your family, your country,[br]your community, your world.

0:17:34.722,0:17:36.365
We have a choice.

0:17:37.255,0:17:38.900
What will yours be?

0:17:39.504,0:17:40.856
Thank you.

0:17:41.146,0:17:42.526
(Applause)