Historically, great wealth has always meant great health. Although we are still the wealthiest country in the world, we are also clearly one of the unhealthiest. For starters, we are at the bottom of a long list in terms of life expectancy. As a wellness researcher and writer, I found this to be very curious. 

We have more food, better medical technologies, and more income per capita compared to these other wealthy nations…. but terrible health?

The chart below summarizes this and other health issues that Americans are facing in comparison to other wealthy nations. We are on the wrong end (either highest or lowest) for Life Expectancy, Infant Mortality, Diabetes, Chronic Illness, Obesity, and Longevity. The only place where we are below average in a good way is smoking, in as much as not as many Americans smoke today compared to other countries. 

Unfortunately, resisting tobacco does not appear to be helping us all that much when it comes to general wellness. As you can see from this chart, we are in last place when it comes to life expectancy with Japanese citizens living 8 years longer than we do. In terms of infant mortality, the only other two countries that even come close to our 5.6 deaths per 1000 births, are New Zealand and Canada with 4.1 and 4.4 deaths per 1000 births respectively. On the other hand, when it comes to chronic illnesses, we are way ahead of the other countries with 68% of the US population over 60 having two or more chronic illnesses. 

We are almost tied with New Zealand for the lowest percent of the population over 65. In other words, we are living shorter and shorter lives. In fact, in Japan, 29.3% of the population is over 65 in comparison. 

Finally, we have been, and continue to be, the most obese country in the world with the most obese children. 

When I first started researching these issues in 2011, I had to ask myself again and again, how could these problems be occurring in the wealthiest country in the world? What was the common denominator that was putting the health of so many Americans at risk? I eventually put it together that it was our food. It was polluted and it was killing us. Literally. But it took years for me to convince myself of this. Bottom line, the data doesn’t lie. 

That is what I want to talk to you about. Many of you already have life-threatening conditions, or you are losing the battle with your weight, or you have a sick child and you do not have years to figure this out. You need help now. 

Having spent the better part of 10 years studying the issue, I can tell you that the evidence is overwhelming, and although I resisted the notion that our food supply in the US was polluted, I finally came to accept that U.S. foods were knowingly, willingly, and systematically contaminated to increase profits at the expense of the consumer. So, I decided to write a book about it. 

The title for the book, at that point, was Poison for Profit. Unfortunately, that title was already taken. After 10 very long years, I have finally finished the book. It is Below the Radar: What They Are Not Telling You About Your Food. I hope you buy a copy and that it helps you understand the health crisis in the US. 

What I have discovered and written about in Below the Radar is that Americans and their doctors are either not informed or are misinformed when it comes to good health and what is causing an epidemic of illnesses in the US. I am even more determined today than ever before to provide accurate information so that you can regain your health and reverse the aging process just as I have been able to do armed with this information. 

About that. When I started this journey, I was aging very poorly. My hair, what little I had, and which I referred to as “micro-hair” was falling out. I had dry eye syndrome, high cholesterol, rising blood sugar levels, and the beginnings of dementia. This was not for lack of interest in good health as you can see from this photo of me in my 20’s with Kenny Waller, Mr. USA when we both worked for a fitness company. 

But drinking vodka tonics for 25 years had taken its toll and at the age of 60, I was seeing the effects. After shifting to a clean diet and ditching the vodka tonics with the nasty sugar, I began to reap the benefits of clean eating and I still do today. Currently, I am known as a wellness expert who walks the talk.  At 73 I am healthier now than I was 10 years ago. My hair is back, my skin radically improved, my cholesterol is great, my eyes are perfect, my blood sugar is good, and absolutely no dementia. I am still on occasion mistaken for my grandson’s mom! I have reversed the aging process and so can you. 

If you are struggling with your weight, premature aging, or even an illness that is kicking your butt, reach out to me. I am the Mind Weight & Wellness Pro and I can help.