So, you may or may not have heard the buzz about TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide). It is formed in by the gut flora from TMA (trimethylamine) and has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. The resulting response was to recommend diets void of meats, eggs, and dairy since they are sources of TMA. But the answer is not quite that simple. For example, fish consumption is not associated with an increased risk of heart disease. And further studies are revealing that the conversion to TMAO is due to the gut microbiome more than the diet itself. Certainly, limit consumption of animal products to healthfully-raised, organic, and in limited quantities (ie, a 4 oz serving max); eat lots of vegetables (especially cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower); include berries in your diet; eat some walnuts; include fiber (vegetables again!) and fermented foods; get exercise; get adequate sleep. Eat whole food and avoid packaged and processed foods, period. I just don’t believe that eating should be as difficult as we are making it!
