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Food or Fraud? How to give your body the nutrients it needs to thrive by Dr. Bart M. Precourt, D.C.
L et’s not “sugarcoat” this—what you eat either supports your health, or undermines it. As a functional medicine practitioner for over 30 years, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful food is, not just for energy or weight management, but as a direct driver of health or disease. And finally!! Finally!! we’re seeing a real shift. More and more people are waking up to the truth: much of the food sold in the U.S. is loaded with chemicals, additives and ingredients banned in other countries. People are beginning to ask better questions, read labels and demand transparency. It’s no longer a fringe concern— it’s becoming a movement. Organic Isn’t a Trend—It’s a Line in the Sand Choosing organic food isn’t about joining a trend or trying to eat “clean” just for appearances. It should be a non-negotiable line in the sand for your health. Pesticides, herbicides, GMOs and synthetic fertilizers commonly used in conventional farming don’t simply rinse off. These toxins accumulate in the body over time, stressing your detox pathways and potentially disrupting everything from hormones to immune function. When you choose organic, you’re choosing to reduce that toxic load. You’re voting for food that supports your body’s natural intelligence instead of sabotaging it. Functional medicine teaches us to eliminate the interference—chemical, emotional or environmental— so the body can do what it was designed to do: heal. Think of it this way: you wouldn’t fill a high- performance sports car with dirty fuel and expect it to run smoothly. Your body deserves that same high-grade attention. Every organic apple, every grass-fed burger is a message to your body: “I’m on your side.” And here’s the good
about deprivation, it’s about giving your body what it truly needs to thrive. And with awareness growing, healthier options are becoming more accessible. You don’t need to be perfect, you just need to be aware. Every small shift matters. Are You Justifying Choices You Know Are Hurting You? One of the biggest traps we fall into is the justification loop. “It’s just one cookie.” “I deserve this glass of wine.” “I’ve had a long day.” We’ve all been there. But when those moments become daily patterns, they create damage that adds up—slowly, quietly and sometimes irreversibly. Refined sugar? It’s linked to inflammation, insulin resistance, gut dysfunction and mood swings. Alcohol? It’s a poison. It compromises liver function, alters brain chemistry and disrupts gut health, even in “moderation.” In functional medicine, we don’t wag fingers, we hold up mirrors. You don’t have to be perfect. Are you honoring your long-term health with this choice or sacrificing it by seeking short term pleasure? Being honest with yourself is the first step toward reclaiming control. You deserve to feel good. Feeling good tomorrow starts with the choices you make today. Final Thought: Every Bite Is a Choice Toward Health—or Away From It Functional medicine isn’t about rigid rules or fad diets. It’s about truth. The truth is this: food is either fueling your healing or feeding your dysfunction. Choose organic, not because it’s trendy, but because it’s safe. Choose whole, nutrient-rich foods because your body runs on them. Choose to stop making excuses, not because you’re being “bad,” but because you want better. There is a momentum building—a collective awakening. The more we question, the more we change. Change starts at the table. Each meal is an opportunity—a powerful, personal act of either medicine or poison. Choose wisely, you're worth it! Dr. Bart M. Precourt, D.C., is a holistic doctor, chiropractor, acupuncturist and nutritional consultant. For nearly 20 years he has helped people get healthy, lose weight and create healthy sustainable lifestyles. He currently practices in Seagrove Beach at Balance Health Studio. For more information or a consultation, visit www.balance30a.com, call 850- 231-9288 or email drbart@drbartprecourt.com
Dr. Bart Precourt
amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals. Amino acids (from high-quality protein) are the building blocks for your muscles, enzymes and even neurotransmitters. Omega-3s, found in fatty fish and
nuts, reduce inflammation and support cognitive health. These are not optional—they’re foundational. Yet so much of what fills grocery carts and pantries today is ultra- processed food with artificial flavors and empty calories. These products
“The food you eat can either be the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.” – Ann Wigmore
news—we’re seeing progress. Schools are starting to question processed lunches. More companies are removing toxic dyes and preservatives. Families are making the shift from convenience to consciousness. The momentum is real.
fill your stomach but starve your cells. They leave the body nutrient-depleted, sluggish and vulnerable to chronic disease. Nourish yourself with real food like organic leafy greens, clean proteins and healthy fats—foods your great-grandparents would recognize as food. This isn’t
Nutrients Are the Building Blocks of Health Let’s talk essentials. Your cells, hormones, brain function and immune resilience all rely on nutrients:
34 | THE THIRTY-A REVIEW | MAY/JUNE 2025
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