“It is health that is the real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.“
– Mahatma Gandhi

Our focus in this month’s issue is Health. Specifically, we will be exploring the links between genetically modified foods (GMOs), glyphosate, gut health, and autoimmune disease.
About a year ago, I broke out in a strange rash and immediately went to the doctor. After a series of tests, including one for chemicals in my body, we found I had a toxic level of glyphosate (the chemical in Roundup® weed killer) and parabens (preservatives) in my body. I was shocked! We don’t use Roundup® on your yard, and I thought I ate a healthy diet. How did this happen? I had always been what some might call a “health nut,” but I didn’t know what I didn’t know!
I took immediate action and found a functional medicine doctor who helped me turn my health around with a special protocol of an all organic and gluten-free diet to begin healing my gut, plus an immune supplement regimen. It took four months for my symptoms to go away. I lost some extra weight I was carrying, and I noticed that I had a sense of clarity that I hadn’t had in a long time.
About that time, I interviewed Dr. Tom O’Bryan who is a recognized world expert on gluten and its impact on health. He is also a sought-after speaker on autoimmune disease. This interview was so powerful, that I am sharing it with you again, and I hope you watch it. He also has two books, the first is The Autoimmune Fix: How to Stop the Hidden Autoimmune Damage the Keeps you Sick, Fat and Tired Before it Turns Into Disease. and the other is You Can Fix Your Brain: Just 1 Hour a Week to the Best Memory, Productivity, and Sleep You’ve Ever Had. I bought them both on Audible, so I can listen to them as I drive, exercise, and make dinner at night.
Did you know that autoimmune diseases are now common, affecting more than 23.5 million Americans, and nearly 80% of those are women! There are more than 80 autoimmune diseases. Some are well-known like diabetes, but others include lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis, and scleroderma. Perhaps you or a loved one are afflicted with one of these diseases? If so, I invite you to explore this issue more, read the articles, and watch or listen to these interviews because they are cutting edge and science based.
Now let’s talk about our children, because I believe they are the guinea pigs for our industrialized food and our chemical industry. The first GMO produce — a GMO tomato – became available for sale in 1994, right around the time my daughter was entering kindergarten. Now in 2020 the FDA has approved a GMO pig that is available for food consumption. How safe is all of this? Only time will tell.
Want to know what an expert knows on this topic? I hope you join our show this month when I interview Dr. Michelle Perro and discuss what she has been seeing with chronic disorders among children reaching epidemic levels and why. We will talk about tools to create healthy habits not taught in mainstream medicine, and we will explore her book, What is Making Our Children Sick?: How Industrial Food is Causing an Epidemic of Chronic Illness, and What Parents (and Doctors) Can Do About It.
I also bought Dr. Perro’s book on Audible and am almost finished. All I can tell you is that there is hope if we all come together to take charge of our health by educating ourselves and then taking action. That will mean speaking up to our governmental agencies as well. We will go deeper on this topic in April to celebrate Earth Day and find out more about protecting our environment, nature, and our living planet.
Thank you for being part of our community. When you watch our shows, please be sure to subscribe and like it! Thank you!

Katana Abbott, CFP®, CSA, CSSCS, is a Retirement Income Coach, founder of The Midlife Millionaire® Solution, and the host of Smart Women Talk with over a million subscribers. For over 30 years, Katana has shown women how to take charge of their life and finances and believes it’s never too early to plan for expected and unexpected events like retirement, encore careers, moving abroad, or preparing for long-term care. She has written several books, created a financial literacy course, and is a popular speaker. Katana has been honored by NAWBO as one of Detroit’s Top 10 Business Women, receiving the Breakthrough Award. To download her new retirement guide, Three Smart Strategies to Maximize Your Retirement Income visit www.katanaabbott.com