Q & A with Dr. Michael Wald on the topic of Antioxidants
1. What made you interested in learning more about nutrition?
My fascination with nutrition began when I was around 15 or 16 yrs old. My father was a chiropractor and a nutritional expert at the time. He would read voraciously and he would teach me little things here and there that would interest me. He would say, “the difference between too much beta-carotene (an antioxidant) and liver disease is that only the skin and not the whites of the eyes get yellow. My dad, Dr. George Wald, was a frequent guest on Dr. Carlton Fredricks’s radio show on WOR – Fredrick’s was an original nutrition icon. My dad gave me the original Life Extension book, which was over 300 pages, and I read it in a week! I was hooked. When I was 18 yrs old I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and my life became about my health. That extended into finding healing solutions naturally for others. I later developed a software program called Blood Detective, which allows quick and accurate nutritional interpretation of all sorts of laboratory tests. With this technology, I can truly develop individualized healing plans for my patients and myself.
2. What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants are molecules that interfere with reactions in the body called oxidation reactions. Oxidation is the process responsible for breaking down various cells in the body so that they can be replaced. A certain amount of oxidation is therefore necessary for repair of all body tissues. Too much oxidation results in aging and premature aging. Antioxidants, therefore, interfere with oxidation, making them ANTI-oxidants. The term “antioxidant” is a misnomer because antioxidants can act as oxidants in the body as well. How antioxidants act in the body depends upon the balance or imbalance of other antioxidants in the individual. Sometimes I want to produce an oxidant effect in the body and not an antioxidant effect. For example, intravenous vitamin C is an oxidant, and this is why it kills cancer cells. Oral vitamin C can also be used as an antioxidant, but in my opinion is not as easily achieved for this purpose.
3. What are some of the antioxidants that are found in fruit?
Antioxidants in fruits include vitamins C and flavonoids, which are antioxidants such as catechin, epicatechin, quercetin and anthocyanidin. There are tens of thousands of antioxidants in fruits, and it is important to consume a large variety of fruits to help insure intake of as many of these healing elements as possible. I have designed three products that contain dozens of fruits and vegetables. This makes it easier to consume the equivalent of dozens of pieces of fruits and vegetables per day with just a few scoops of dehydrated powders.
4. Is it important to buy organic fruit? Why or why not?
Eating organic fruits is very important whenever possible. It is scientifically known that the consumption of pesticides, fungicides and herbicides can increase the risk of cancer, promote and cause neurologic disease and cause many other health problems.
5. What are some of your favorite fruits? Why?
My favorite fruits are the one’s that contain the most important balance of not only antioxidants but dozens of other healthy ingredients. Some of these fruits include: blueberries, blackberries, cherries , black raspberries, black currents, plumbs, elderberries, bilberries, figs, raisons, Goji berries, pomegranate, Acai fruit, grape seeds, apples, cranberries, oranges, prunes and strawberries. I have combined all of these fruits and many more into my nutritional products Reds Protect, Purple Longevity and Green Detox.
Stay tuned for part 2 of this article shortly…..
– Dr. Michael Wald, aka The Blood Detective, is the director of nutritional services at Integrated Medicine of Mount Kisco, located in Westchester New York. He has appeared on ABC World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer, Channel 11 PIX, Channel 12 News, CNN, The Food Network and other media outlets. Dr. Wald earned the name Blood Detective for his reputation to find problems that are often missed by other doctors. He earned an MD degree, is a doctor of chiropractic and a certified dietician-nutritionist. He is also double-board certified in nutrition. He has published over a dozen books with three additional titles due for release late 2013 including: Frankenfoods – Genetically Modified Foods: Controversies, Lies & Your Health and Gluten-A-Holic: How to Live Gluten Free and the Blood Detective’s Longevity Secrets. Dr. Wald can be reached at: www.intmedny.com or www.blooddetective.com or by calling: 914-242-8844.