Issue #325: Ask These 5 Questions
Good morning. It’s Thursday, April 4th.
Stat of the Day
The number of Americans that don’t have a primary care doctor. (NACHC)
Learn
Interview Your Doctor
In Issue #324, we outlined how to change your annual physical so that it isn’t a “7 minute waste of time” appointment. It’s only worth it if you actually get insights into what’s going on inside your body and can understand your future health risks.
But the problem starts before the appointment. We’ve had multiple readers complain how hard it is to find the right doctor - which also explains why many of us - especially if we’re under 45 or 50 - don’t even have a primary care doctor.
And if we do have a doctor - best case it was a referral from someone we trust, but normally it’s a quick search on our insurance website, ZocDoc, or even Yelp.
As an entrepreneur I spend a big percentage of my time vetting our partners - the right lawyer, accountant, marketing agency, etc.
I’d never hire a software developer without getting validation of their technical skills, if they’re aligned with my vision, and if they have the time and capacity to do a great job.
But most of us don’t do that for our doctors. Again - I get it, who has the time??
And yes - nearly everything we write is about empowering ourselves to take control of our health. But even if we know about investments, we still probably have a financial advisor. And the best executives still hire a personal coach.
A bad doctor won’t change your health - and might actually have a negative effect. But a good doctor can be a valuable partner to support your goals and boost your longevity.
For people that can afford out-of-pocket docs - like Functional Medicine docs - that can be a big win. But even if you can’t, there are amazing doctors in traditional medicine too - we just need to find them.
Try
5 Questions
If you’re looking for a new doctor - here’s a short list of 5 questions that will help you decide if they’re the right fit for you:
How can you help me not slow down as I get older?
What preventive care should I be doing right now?
What are your thoughts on medication vs. lifestyle intervention?
What’s your particular interest or specialty?
What’s your policy to call, email or ask you questions between appointments?
This first question will show how they think. Are they about just keeping away disease or are they invested in helping you thrive, and if so, how.
The second question shows how they view future risk. Are they aggressive with preventive care, screenings, optimal ranges for test results - or will they give you the standard level of care (which isn’t good enough to thrive).
Next - you want to make sure your doctor is aligned with your values when it comes to natural ways to protect your body or using drugs.
The question about their specialty is interesting because you’ll learn more about their education and experience as they tell their story and also it’s human nature to find problems and to run to solutions around what you know best - so you’ll uncover any hidden bias.
Last - is the doctor going to be a partner or just a 1x per year drive-by? Do they have the capacity and are they willing to be a resource for you when questions come up?
No doctor is perfect and if we want to thrive it’s on us - but it sure helps having a real awesome partner along the way.
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Eat
Ginger
Ginger dates back over 5,000 years in eastern medicine - mostly in China and India. It’s been used to treat everything from the common cold to cancer - but scientific studies now prove out some real health benefits of this tonic root.
Specifically, ginger is rich in gingerol, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It also contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals like vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, folate, riboflavin, and niacin.
Health Benefits
For all of us - aids in digestion and reduces bloating
Reduces nausea and vomiting, particularly in early pregnancy and after chemotherapy
Has anti-inflammatory effects that can help with pain relief, especially for osteoarthritis
May lower blood sugar and improve heart disease risk factors
How to Eat
Serving Size: fresh ginger = 1g or roughly a 1-inch piece of raw ginger. Ground ginger = ¼ tsp
Best Time to Eat: all day, but eating before a meal can aid in digestion
Pairing: no one food aids in nutrient absorption, so feel free to pair ginger with anything - try pumpkin, sweet potatoes, squash and most proteins
Go With…: fresh ginger. It has higher levels of gingerol, so will have more health benefits than dry ginger - but feel free to keep eating the canned ginger with your sushi
Disclaimer: ginger is generally safe for most people, but for some, it may cause mild side effects like heartburn, diarrhea, and general stomach discomfort. High doses might worsen certain heart conditions. Be sure to test it out to see what works for you
Cook
Green Garlic & Ginger Chicken and Rice Soup
Wave goodbye to chicken noodle and welcome the new champion of comfort: Swamp Soup, your go-to immune-boosting elixir. Packed with powerhouse ingredients like raw garlic and ginger, both celebrated for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, spicy jalapeños known for their vitamin C, iron-rich spinach, and fresh herbs, this soup isn't just a meal - it's a natural flu shot in a bowl. Made with a nourishing base of chicken broth and tender chicken, each spoonful promises to fortify your body against colds while tantalizing your taste buds. Savor this healing, flavorful remedy that turns sick days into recovery days.
Pro Tips: save time by using an organic rotisserie chicken. Also, this soup keeps really well, so don’t be afraid to make extra
In the News
In Memoriam: Seven aid workers for World Central Kitchen, an organization we actively support, were killed in Gaza this week. José Andrés, the founder of WCK, says these individuals were “more than heroes” and have supported WCK in Ukraine, Turkey, Morocco, the Bahamas, Indonesia, Mexico, Gaza and Israel. They are Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, John Chapman, Jacob Flickinger, Lalzawmi Frankcom, James Henderson, James Kirby and Damian Soból. (WCK)
Protect Your Memory: A renowned brain expert shares a few simple things we can do to prevent memory decline as we age. (NYTimes)
People Love Protein Bars: I’ll admit that for years I lived on protein bars - only to finally realize most are filled with junk. Aloha just raised $68M to grow their plant-based bar business and RxBar founders are coming out with a new brand “David” soon. (Fitt Insider)
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Why Thrive25
We’re 40-something dads that felt our bodies and minds start to slow down and we’re not ready for that. We found too much information on every subject. So we started Thrive25 to transform what we’ve learned into something useful for the rest of us to spend just 3-5 min a day to optimize our health & longevity.
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To health!
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25, Inc. does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.