Dr. Mitchell L. Gaynor is an oncologist and clinical assistant professor from New York, USA. In this interview he talks about his latest book The Gene Therapy Plan: Taking Control of Your Genetic Destiny with Diet and Lifestyle, which brings a revolutionary approach to living a healthy lifestyle.
The topic of your book might sound daunting to many readers. Who’s your readership?
The Gene Therapy Plan: Taking Control of Your Genetic Destiny with Diet and Lifestyle is a book about restoring balance. The world and our bodies have become unbalanced and out of harmony for a variety of reasons including assault by environmental toxins such as herbicide and pesticide residues, dioxins, heavy metals, and numerous food additives. On top of that, food has become so processed that many of the critical nutrients essential for harmonious body system functioning are lacking. This is why many people feel hungry “all the time.”
There is an epidemic of stress in our society as well. We all know that we received half our genes from our mother, and half from our father. However what most people do not realize is that the expression of these genes can be changed throughout their lives. Healthy gene expression must occur through consuming a diet that is balanced with the right mix of macro nutrients such as proteins, healthy carbs, and healthy fats.
It is also essential to consume the right mix of micronutrients that affect information, detoxification, aging, degenerative diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. The book is far from daunting. In fact it’s a relief to find out that you can regain control of your genetic destiny as well as your health and well-being. In essence, your future is in your hands. That is why I say throughout the book, “it’s never too late to bring back the balance.”
Are you challenging modern medicine practices in this book?
This is the next evolution in modern health practices. The last 50 years have been a symptom – Band-Aid approach to healthcare. Anti-ulcer medication has become the solution to ulcers. Pain medication has become the solution to headaches. However my book looks at the most fundamental and balances that create the symptoms and the diseases that plague our society. Obesity is largely a disease of inflammation and inadequate detoxification. The solutions are straightforward and simple. Preventing disease before it happens is the best solution, and it does challenge current medical practice of waiting until a disease has begun to disrupt the body before attempting to treat it.
What you’re proposing sounds like a sci-fi movie. Are we technologically there yet?
Gene therapy is often thought of as a science fiction concept. People think it is a technology that is 50 to 100 years away. However each of us is doing gene therapy every time we consume food – for better or for worse. The foods we put in our body affect thousands of genes in terms of their expression. They either promote or reduce detoxification, inflammation, immune function, and sugar metabolism. It is time for the next evolution of medicine to begin. Many of the diets people have tried do not work for the long-term because they are unbalanced. Harmony and balance are the keys to my program.
What concrete changes would your theories bring?
I have been an oncologist and integrative wellness expert for over 30 years. This includes work with thousands of patients as well as clinical and basic science research. I am on the staff at Cornell medical center and have done research at both Cornell and Rockefeller Universities. When people begin the gene therapy plans recipes, juices, supplements, and lifestyle changes they feel better almost immediately. It is not uncommon for patients to tell me that they have never had more energy, slept better, been able to give up binge eating, have more peace and harmony in their lives from adopting these changes and making them habits.
How can one vitalize their gene expression for optimum health and harmony?
There are specific nutrients that up regulate detoxifying enzymes such as: garlic, Rosemary, omega-3 fatty acids, and cruciferous vegetables. I have recipes, supplements, and juices that incorporate the optimal nutrients to balance these genes even if you have a busy life. There are numerous anti-inflammatory foods that one can consume which assist with weight management, aging, cancer risk, as well as the risk of diabetes and heart disease. These foods include turmeric, rosemary, black cumin seed and other spices.
What three lifestyle tips would you give to health-minded people?
First, I would recommend people begin juicing daily. There are a number of fruits, vegetables, and spices that some people find it difficult to consume as part of their meals on a daily basis. I have many juicing recipes that include these and which are quite tasty and easy to prepare.
Second, I would recommend people avoid processed foods, foods that are likely to be contaminated with high levels of pesticides or herbicides residues, and what I call “food-like substances” which are so highly processed that most of the vital nutrients are stripped from them.
Third, I would recommend a course of meditation practice that one includes for at least 10 minutes per day on genechanger.com. I regularly update here various meditation practices people can employ.
What are the best ways to release stress?
People should remember that stress affects the expression of many genes that induce inflammation and degenerative processes throughout the body. One can expect that chronic stress, depression, worry, and anxiety will eventually lead to illness. I have created a series of meditation CDs involving music and chanting which thousands have felt helpful. The key is quieting the mind so one can have a greater experience of their heart. One can do this by learning breathing exercises that automatically quiet the mind in conjunction with music therapy and guided imagery. Also, taking walks in nature and listening to nature sounds is very helpful and quieting the mind. I include such sounds on many of my CDs as well.
Thank you for these valuable tips.
