Interview with Dr. Carole Hungerford
Our Book Divas interview with Dr. Carole Hungerford, author of The Good Body Guide!
What motivated you to write The Good Body Guide?
There was no one other book in the stores that did what I wanted that book to do.
In your opinion, how is it different from other healthy living books out there?
Its well referenced. Most other health books are presented as opinion pieces. And I try to give the reader the science. I think doctors often forget that their patients are just as intelligent as they are-they just don't happen to have a medical degree
What are some of your primary health concerns for young women today?
Breast cancer must head this list. Its hitting women at younger and younger ages. Looking for a "magic bullet " is not the answer.
Fertility issues are another concern. Society expects women these days to take their place in the workforce. We are way past the days where young women worked as secretaries until they found "Mr. Right". And women want careers. But all this delay does reduce fertility and I think its a constant balancing act for women.
Depression is another issue. Its a whole of society issue-but young women seem to be hit quite hard by this one too
Who would you recommend this book to?
Well-I wrote it for my patients. That covers just about the entire demographic. But primarily its aimed at those who want to be pro-active in their own health care. Not the " just give me a pill to fix it doc" patients
Probably also those who like "cross genre" books-which this is. It can't easliy be classified or "boxed"
What are the most common ailments that you see in your own practice?
I have a practice that is a bit specialised because I have a fairly long waiting list. So I see people with chronic illness such as depression, migraine, chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, multiple sclerosis and infertility
Can you give us some examples of how diet and lifestyle change can prevent or treat some of these problems?
Easily. Every one is advised to eat organic food where possible-dump the junk food, take supplements, do moderate exercise, get some sun. Without counting calories the fat ones tend to slim and the underweight start to gain it. Their health gradually returns. Its not rocket science. Its basic good medicine. I don't advertise so the waiting list is word of mouth. Ironic really-people queing to be told what they already know at some level. Of course-the ones with cancer and multiple sclerosis etc. get more targeted treatment-but there are a significant number of long term survivors whose quality of life improves -among these patients too
What are your opinions on the organic and local foods movement? How does this contribute to sustaining overall health?
Its an idea whose time has come. The contribution is enormous.
What advice would you give to readers as they go into the holidays and try to avoid over-eating and under-exercising?
Just sit down and take a long hard look at your lifestyle. Ask whether it is killing you. Go somewhere quiet and really work out your priorities. Up to 90% of the problems that walk through the family doctor's door are due to lifestyle problems
What other food and health writers out there would you recommend to our readers?
Patrick Holford is probably the easiest to come to mind. His books are a bit more accessible to the reader than mine-but I wanted the science there-hence my book
Do you have any plans for more books in the future?
Yes. I'd like to deal with some of the topics in the current book- update them-but write more of a "user guide"
Thank you for this interview!