The author of a book that says people are barking up the wrong tree when it comes to dealing with digestive problems discusses his new book at Harbourfront library Wednesday (Aug. 15).
Van Clayton Powel wrote You Are Not What You Eat after researching his own digestive health issues.
“We’ve become obsessed with what to eat,” he said. “Or lately, what not to eat. Yet digestion problems in the West are at an all-time high.”
Powel said people ignore an important part of the equation when it comes to digestive health – how we eat.
“Many of our common eating habits can wreak havoc on digestion,” Powel said. “If your digestion isn’t working properly, it’s impossible to be healthy, no matter how nutritious your food is.”
One of his examples which he discusses in the book is eating between meals. He argues that your stomach would much prefer to deal with one meal at a time, pointing to a study of 7,000 people that found eating between meals was one of seven major factors that could shorten life. In the book, he offers seven steps to enhance digestion.
“In my case they took me from a severely restricted diet – no wheat or gluten, no dairy, no chocolate – to today when I can eat anything I want again.”
Powel is a former registered psychiatric nurse, specializing in addictions treatment and emergency psychiatric assessments. He spent years in Asia training in traditional medical systems, martial arts and yoga.
Powel’s presentation starts at 6:30 p.m. For information, please visit www.youarenotwhat youeat.com.