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Nutritionist Mascha Davis explains common myths about diets and overall nutrition | Esencia
Mascha arrived in the United States from Ukraine at the age of seven as a political refugee, an experience that instilled resilience and a sense of purpose. During her time at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she discovered her passion for nutrition after learning that what we eat significantly impacts our physical, emotional, and mental health. She firmly believes that a healthy diet can prevent diseases and help us thrive in life.
Davis started her path toward becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) by studying Nutritional Science & Dietetics at UCLA. She earned a Master of Public Health and completed an accredited dietetic internship at the VA Hospital in Los Angeles.
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During the episode, Mascha shared her personal immigrant story of adapting to a new culture and how it shaped her career and ignited her passion for nutrition. She also talked about her thoughts on the standard American diet and the importance of whole foods over supplements, as written in her book, Eat Your Vitamins. “While pills, powders, and different supplements are necessary in certain situations like pregnancy or in times of illness, I think we should try to get the most from whole foods,” she explained.
Mascha then went on to explain the meaning of nutrigenomics, a fascinating field that combines nutrition and genetics. “It’s a test that looks at over 70 different markers in your genome to understand how we metabolize different nutrients or if we have a predisposition to be deficient in certain things. Knowing this information can really help to optimize your health and your diet,” she stated.
Mascha’s career has taken her around the world, from top medical centers in the U.S. to remote villages in the African continent. Through these experiences, she gained a deeper understanding of the cultural, conditioning, and belief factors that influence people’s eating habits. After years abroad, Mascha returned to Los Angeles, armed with the unique tools she had developed to transform health. She opened a private practice that combines her global insights with her science-based knowledge to help others reset their approach to nutrition.
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The specialist also tackled common myths about diets and foods, such as sugars, gluten, dairy, and eggs, and talked about the rising issues with gut health, emphasizing the importance of fiber from fruits and vegetables. “Fiber feeds the microbiome, which has all the beneficial gut bacteria that resides in our body. So if we don’t eat enough of what it needs to be nourished, we are going to have gut issues.”
Hormone balance is another critical topic Mascha discussed in the interview with Katherine. She stressed the importance of fiber, good macronutrients, healthy fats, and quality protein for maintaining hormone levels: “Fiber helps bind and excrete excess hormones and toxins from the body.”
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She also shared practical tips for implementing good eating habits, such as “simple things like starting your day with a glass of water or squeezing some lemon on it. Creating those little rituals can make a really big difference, like adding one additional serving of fruits or veggies a day. Not making it too drastic or overwhelming because that is really difficult to maintain. Making those baby steps and then building on them,” she advised.
Lastly, Mascha addressed the claims about alkaline foods and their role in our diet, as well as why we should avoid seed oils as they are not the healthiest. To end things, she explained the services she offers as a nutritionist.
Don’t miss this new episode of Esencia Latina Wellness on LATV with Katherine Castro and the amazing Mascha Davis.
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