For more than 20 years, Brenda Watson, C.N.C., has dedicated her career to helping people achieve vibrant, lasting health through improved digestive function. A dynamic health advocate, she is among the foremost authorities in the U.S. today on optimum nutrition and digestion, natural detoxification methods and herbal internal cleansing. Now a New York Times best-selling author and seven books later, the “Diva of Digestion” continues to educate people about how digestive health is the foundation upon which total-body health is built. Ms. Watson’s high-energy, no-nonsense approach to bodily functions has made her a popular presenter on PBS television and a frequent health expert on national television.
 
Health E-Insights: Has detoxification and internal cleansing become more popular?

Ms. Watson: Certainly since I started 20 years ago it has. Unfortunately, some only hear about cleansing in relation to celebrity weight loss and that is not what our company is all about. Yes, one may lose some weight in the process of encouraging proper detoxification or finally getting their bowels working after years of being constipated but there is such a bigger benefit with detox programs. It involves the health of the body overall and making sure it is functioning optimally in our overstressed, over toxic environment.

Health E-Insights: What is the one health message you want out there?

Ms. Watson: Science is now showing that the core root of many, if not all, chronic health issues is the gut, the digestive system. Whether you suffer from arthritis, cardiovascular disease, auto-immune diseases or even brain afflictions, always direct attention to the health of the digestive system with diet and supplements. Chronic low-grade inflammation, involved in most diseases, to a great deal originates in the gut. In order to reduce this inflammation you have to heal and repair the gut.  
 
Health E-Insights: What is your food regimen? 

Ms. Watson: Personally, I eat lean proteins including chicken, fish, turkey and beef on occasion. I eat lots of vegetables, including many dark leafy greens such as kale and collards every day. I do not eat grains of any kind and am on a strict gluten-free diet. A sample of my day would include: scrambled egg and kale for breakfast; salad with grilled chicken for lunch or leftover meat and vegetables from the day before; dinner may include rotisserie turkey or fish and grilled vegetables. For a snack I would have some berries such as raspberries, blackberries and blueberries with a touch of whipped cream. That is my typical day of eating. This can be challenging when traveling but most restaurants will prepare a simple protein and vegetables for me when asked.  
 
Health E-Insights: What excites you most about your company? 

Ms. Watson: My employees and how much they care about helping individuals with our products and information. My passion has always been about education. The more one knows about how the body works and about good health the better they are at being their own health advocate.  
 
Health E-Insights: What are your proudest accomplishments in the past five years?

Ms. Watson: In the past five years of business I am most proud of several things. First, my last two PBS television specials that have aired nationwide—The Road To Perfect Health and The Heart of Perfect Health. Second is the release of my foundation this year called Renew HOPE. The mission is to help chronically ill individuals with integrative medical care through education, practitioner referrals, supplemental therapy and financial assistance. This foundation was a vision for several years and I am so proud to see it come to fruition.  
 
Health E-Insights: If you could sit next to anyone famous on a plane, who would it be?

Ms. Watson: The Dali Lama, because of his compassion and commitment to peace and commitment to the planet. It would be an extreme honor to be in his presence. 

Editor’s note: For more information about Brenda Watson, visit www.brendawatson.com; or to learn about
her foundation go to www.renewhope.org.