I interviewed Gowri Reddy Rocco M.D., a double-board certified physician and wellness and longevity expert. She is the author of the book Growing Younger: Restore Your Hormones, Energy and Sex Drive.
Dr. Rocco specializes in functional/regenerative medicine. She incorporates lifestyle modification rather than just taking prescriptions for her patients so they will feel better. “It’s important to be proactive in your health and to do it correctly.”
Dr. Rocco is based in Southern California. She was born in India, grew up in Michigan, and then moved to Corona, California after training. She earned a fellowship in women’s health at Rutgers in New Jersey.
Watch our video interview
Have you noticed that produce and meats in the market tend to be rubbery and don’t taste very good? Why do you think this is happening?
GMOs (Genetically Modified Foods). In about 2009 there was an influx of GMO-produced products and crops that grew in the U.S. Many countries in Europe and other locations banned those foods.
When food is modified, the genetics change. GMOs allow the U.S. to produce foods quicker, bigger, and prettier. They are not healthier for us but are more convenient. Much of this food is sprayed with Round-Up. Examples are watermelons produced without seeds and apples that do not brown when cut open. Even potatoes that are not organic do not turn brown when cut.
Grocery shoppers get rubbery chicken, and fruits like strawberries that are pretty on the outside but tasteless on the inside.
How do you avoid eating GMO food?
Dr. Rocco recommends shopping at farmer’s markets to support local farmers. She also encourages you to get natural produce from the organic non-GMO section in your market. Look for the stickers to make sure they are legitimate. Many regular markets carry organic produce, so you don’t have to get it at premium stores like Whole Foods.
Take up gardening and grow food at home as a hobby. Plant produce and herbs in your garden and use organic soil to nurture them. It’s much richer in nutrients.
Frozen organic foods and berries are good to eat as well. Look for pasture-raised free-range eggs. If your market does not carry organic food, make a request. They will usually accommodate their regular customers.
The nutrient profile is 50% higher in organic food, especially meats. Omega 3 is a good fat and tends to be present in pasture-raised meats, cheese, and eggs. Raising chickens at home is ideal although not convenient for most people.
If you can’t garden at home, check into a community garden. Many neighborhoods have them.
Dr. Rocco believes we should reinstate Home Economics in our public schools to teach children how to cook again. That includes boys. Most renowned chefs are men.
Teach kids to cook with whole foods and whole grains. Most GMOs are in fast food and convenience packaged food.
Families grow stronger when they cook and share meals. You can also improve your community by sharing resources.
Many farmers are struggling but there has been an uptick in female farmers and entrepreneurship because women are concerned about what their children eat
Fake foods cause childhood obesity, they are hard to digest and contribute to more cancers, toxins, and allergens.
Let’s talk about fake meat
Vegetarians and vegans are encouraged to buy fake meat products like Impossible Burger which is all GMOs and other items which are chemical mixes. Dr. Rocco says if you only eat plant-based that is fine. She encourages you to eat lentils, vegetables, and grains.
Grass-fed, organic meat is real food and comes from Mother Nature. The body recognizes it, absorbs it, digests it better, and then what’s left goes out as waste
When you eat Fake GMO foods your body holds them in your GI tract and it can cause autoimmune disease because it doesn’t know how to get rid of it.
Prioritize self-care.
Do this by walking, moving, and eating whole foods. Prioritize sleep, hydration, and being quiet (meditating or journaling). These are all important for longevity and sustained wellness.
Why do older women develop visceral fat around the middle even if they do everything right?
Dr. Rocco is a hormone specialist. She practices bio-identical hormone replacement and optimization using plant-based estrogen. When women are in their fertility years, they have plenty of estrogen and progesterone. Both burn fat around the waist and preserve mental capacity and heart health.
After menopause, we lose estrogen and gain weight around the waist. It’s almost impossible to lose. Dr. Rocco recommends cutting out simple sugar, and carbohydrates as much as possible. Eat complex carbs such as nuts, and vegetables and take a low dose of plant-based estrogen.
You can get plant-based estrogen naturally by eating foods like organic soy and organic yams. Drink more green tea and matcha tea. Green tea is a powerful and natural metabolizer. Walk 150 minutes per week.
Stress is the magic word. Stress increases abdominal fat because of cortisol. That is the only hormone that increases as you age. To eliminate it, get more sleep. Check your sugar levels with a blood test. A1C tests how much sugar we have in our blood. Have your thyroid tested as well.
Minimize simple carbs and Maximize protein and vegetables to reduce belly fat. Check your genetics to see how you might age.
A little extra weight is fine for older people because it reduces the risk of osteoporosis
Eat healthy fats.
Gluten can also cause bloating and weight gain. Dr. Rocco says that gluten is an additive and is not Mother Nature. Organic Sourdough bread is fine. It is one of the cleanest breads. If you experience bloating, gas, and weight gain try going gluten-free for three weeks to see if there is a difference. Bake whatever you want to eat if you want to eat flour.
What else would you like our readers to know?
Dr. Rocco encourages women to put themselves first and prioritize self-care. As mothers and caretakers, we tend to put others ahead of ourselves. Take time for yourself often. When we do this, we inspire other people to do it.
She wrote her book because not everyone can see a doctor or come to Southern California. She feels it’s important to educate people so they can take care of themselves at home. Following her book and tips can help you avoid going to the doctor.
These are her 3 most important things to do.
- Wake up and exercise.
- Eat whole foods – Nutrition is everything and is the key to curing most illnesses.
- Embrace positive thinking and a positive mental mindset. This releases natural levels of Oxytocin which is a love hormone. It’s so important to have community, connection, and laughter in our lives.
All of this is free.
Do you focus on eating whole foods or are you the first in line at fast food? Please leave a comment below.
This is such good advice.
She sounds like a wonderful doctor. I’ll have to learn more about her.
She was great to talk to.
I have been a farmer’s market shopper since my boys were babies. Great article, great suggestions.
That’s great to hear, Meryl. Support local farmers!