“Let food be thy medicine, and medicine thy food.” -Hippocrates<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Dr. Joyce and I met through social media, and it has been a blessing to know about her inspirational and motivational health journey. Let\u2019s jump right in!<\/p>\n
You grew up on a vegetarian diet\u2014Why did you decide to progress your vegetarian diet to a plant-based diet (vegan)?<\/strong><\/p>\n Once I was in medical school, that is when I started thinking about eating healthier, and I progressed to consuming more healthy plant-based foods.<\/p>\n Why did you focus on autoimmune health specifically?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n It was because of my own personal health issues. It wasn\u2019t enough for me to just adopt a plant-based diet; I had to take things further because plant-based foods can also be unhealthily processed. As mentioned above, I was accustomed to eating processed foods, tons of pasta, etc. I always experienced chronic muscle pain and severe weakness especially during residency in medical school. I realized I really had to do something about it. In 2011, I visited my friend my Mercy, and that is when I found out I had leaky gut. I had read about this condition years prior, but the recommendations I received were implausible.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s been a lifelong fascination of mine to learn about diet and lifestyle choices affect chronic disease and how to use safe and natural remedies to further promote healing. This interest has grown deeper, as it has become more personal.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n What was your experience with leaky gut syndrome like?<\/strong><\/p>\n I experienced severe weakness; the point where I was afraid I couldn\u2019t properly hold my sister\u2019s baby without dropping her. When I went water skiing, I couldn\u2019t get out of the water; it was a struggle! I couldn\u2019t hang from a monkey bar. My symptoms developed into experiencing electrical shocks, nerve pain, scarring of neurovascular bundles. I struggled with debilitating pain for 20 years after being put on antibiotics.<\/p>\n Could you share your journey to healing? How do you feel now, overall?<\/strong><\/p>\n I was asked to discontinue nightshade foods, corn, and soy since they are highly associated with food sensitivities. I didn\u2019t want to give up more food than I already was, and it was starting to get expensive. My condition worsened. A practitioner recommended an elimination diet, and it did help tremendously. In 2015, I tried to reintroduce soy, corn, and other foods into my diet. Once again, I started getting sick\u2014my voice sounded congested, my eyes were red and weepy. In 2016, I went to a lifestyle center called Years Restored<\/a>, and I was put on a 10-day detox. I was drinking healing drinks. After 3 days, I had no more pain, my nighttime breathing difficulty went away. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Prior to this, I had wondered, \u201cWhy are seemingly healthy foods causing problems?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Part of it lies in the food cooking process, chemicals, etc. There are certain things that our bodies can\u2019t tolerate. It works well to soak and sprout legumes, nuts, grains, and seeds. This renders the foods much more digestible. I also avoid foods that I tested positive on during the test, and I also avoid GMO foods and other foods that commonly cause sensitivities. I eat organic foods as much as possible.<\/p>\n What is your main focus as a plant-based advocate?<\/strong><\/p>\n My whole purpose in doing this is to provide health support. When I was going through my journey to find healing, I didn\u2019t have much support. Certain health practitioners categorize you into 1) Part of a group of people who are just sensitive to \u201ceverything\u201d, or 2) that it\u2019s all your head, 3) or that you need to explore diet modifications; \u201cyour plant-based diet isn\u2019t working, you need a paleo diet, etc.\u201d These are the complications along the journey. What was it that made you want to start a blog and cookbook?<\/strong><\/p>\n After attending the program at Years Restored lifestyle center in 2016, I was really impressed to see my friend Mercy experience a similar journey as mine. Mercy was impressed that she should start a lifestyle center in California with her husband. Some of the largest weaknesses with lifestyle programs is that there is no follow-up. People end up going back to their lifestyle. My concern is, how can people receive support to continue their journey to health; what platform can people get information and support? What about those who simply can\u2019t afford these lifestyle programs? I wanted to create an online community, where people can share their experiences and not feel isolated or \u201cdifferent\u201d, so I started a Facebook group (Gut Health with Dr. Joyce and Mercy), YouTube channel<\/a>, and blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n The reason why I started the cookbook is to help people stay on a better path to health. We believe the scientifically sound diet is the plant-based diet. As far as a Christian personally, I believe the Bible is true. The cookbook has some scientific and Bible references.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n What are your thoughts on this movement towards veganism? <\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m very encouraged to see lots of people interested in doing what they think is the right thing; that\u2019s what we\u2019re all trying to do. We\u2019re all attracted to different reasons. For example, animal support-It\u2019s great to have a compassionate heart towards animals. It impacts our psyche \u2013 mental well-being. When we have God\u2019s love in our hearts, and we understand our role as His children, it influences how we treat those around us including animals. Some change their diet for health reasons. I look at it through all those perspectives. Veganism makes sense from an environmental point of view. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lifeandhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/gardenportraitsJoyce-8.jpg\")
<\/a>During college, my roommate and I ate a very basic plant-based diet consisting of beans, rice, and salad. We didn\u2019t really cook. It was fine until I would go home, and then I\u2019d develop digestion issues, and swelling in the extremities. Those health issues disappeared when I ate a simpler diet, which was mostly when I was on the college campus. My parents and I were always interested in health. However, I discovered there was much to it than I thought. We ate typical foods to our community culture, like veggie links, Campbell’s soup, and such. One day, I ate these processed foods again, and I got the worst indigestion. It\u2019s all vegetarian, and we grew up with those types of faux meats and processed foods. However, I discovered that not all foods are healthy simply because it is vegetarian. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n