Inflammation

If you are trying to keep yourself healthy now and the rest of your life and you want to know what single thing you should be paying attention to more than anything else, it is this: INFLAMMATION.Every single one of my clients has expressed that inflammation is causing many problems in their lives and they need help figuring out how to lessen or eliminate it. Many of my family and friends feel the same way, and I've certainly had a great deal of it myself. When I was in my mid-20s, I suddenly noticed that when I ate, my sinuses were becoming blocked. To the extent that I literally could not breathe through my nose. Also,  my lower back was very stiff and sore. I had no idea what it was and actually thought, “am I allergic to food?” Then a friend of mine said, “it's probably something you're eating”. I remember thinking, “well, what could it possibly be that I'm eating? Because it happens every time I eat.” And she suggested, “maybe it is wheat.” This was over 25 years ago and there wasn’t really much of a gluten-free market yet. I was devastated by this idea because almost everything I ate did have wheat in it. My diet consisted primarily of pasta, bread, pretzels, etc. I was thinking “this is crazy! I cannot stop eating everything I eat!” I also remember being out with friends one night and having a beer and thought, "it cannot be wheat because I am having the effects after not eating anything, but just drinking beer". Until I found out that wheat is in beer too! I thought I’d be smart and start eating lots of Chinese food. But wheat is also in soy sauce!So, to me, this was a death sentence. I was like, how am I going to ever not eat pasta, bread, beer, and Chinese food again?!I pretty quickly found there is plenty of food someone with high gluten sensitivity can eat, but it was going to be a huge adjustment. My symptoms were so severe, not making this major change wasn’t really an option. I quickly started eating rice and potatoes and lots of popcorn.By ‘the body’ I mean everywhere in your body from your joints to your digestive system to your brain!The other effects on the body that inflammation causes are:

• HEART DISEASE

• ALZHEIMERS

• STROKE

• DIGESTIVE ISSUES

• RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

• FEELING PUFFY/BLOATED

• LUPUS

• INFECTION

• SOME FORMS OF CANCER (stomach, liver, lung, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, cervical, colon, breast)

• HEADACHES

• SKIN AILMENTS (rashes, eczema, psoriasis)

• SINUS PROBLEMS (mucus, stuffiness, coughing)

• AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE

• JOINT PAIN

• FIBROID TUMORS

These conditions and diseases can really wreak havoc on your life or end your life. So I seriously suggest that if you're experiencing inflammation in your body you consider identifying the cause and eliminate it. If you think this is impossible, please reach out to me. This is what do. Help people make healthy life changes.The foods that cause inflammation are very, very far reaching. Many people may not be aware, but the foods that can cause inflammation are:

• SUGAR

• PROCESSED FOODS (bread, pasta, cake, cookies, crackers)

• DAIRY PRODUCTS

• CAFFEINE

• ALCOHOL

There are also lots of environmental factors that can cause inflammation such as:

• ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS (pesticides, herbicides, food additives, and preservatives).

• STRESS

• LACK OF EXERCISE

• NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES (B12, vitamin D, essential fatty acids, vitamin C)

• OVERUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS

• LACK OF SLEEP

• LACK OF ADEQUATE WATER (I feel like changing my website to DRINK LOTS OF WATER)

So, what to do? I suggest that you basically experiment with an elimination diet. This may sound extreme, but it will help you identify what is causing inflammation. Awareness is everything. Once you know, you cannot unknow it.  So eliminate:

• SUGAR

• DAIRY

• EGGS

• MEAT

• WHEAT

...from your diet for three weeks. Then them back into your diet one-by-one. As you add each one back in, keep a food journal and write how you are feeling during the week you have added the food back. Try the each for 1 week before moving on to the next.Please don’t worry, there are plenty of other foods you can eat. I'm happy to help you navigate around this experiment. It's easier than you think and more than worth it.I've mentioned lots about what not to do. So now, what can you do?

• EAT LOTS OF Leafy greens, colorful veggies, nuts, seed, herbs, and spices (turmeric, ginger, rosemary) and extra virgin olive oil.

• EXERCISE

• GET ENOUGH SLEEP

• INTRODUCE PROBIOTICS

• DRINK LOTS OF WATER

• INTRODUCE FISH OIL

As I mentioned earlier, all of my clients experience some form of inflammation. To all of them, I have recommended the following MAGIC POTION to be added to their daily routine. I will give this MAGIC POTION to you for free. It is a TURMERIC shot. It is delicious and does wonders for you as an anti-inflammatory. 2 oz Nopal Cactus Juice (this is the juice from a prickly pear)8 oz Coconut Water2 tablespoons Turmeric Powder1 tablespoon Honey (I prefer raw and local)Blend and enjoy! I sometimes make mine in a mason jar and shake. Be careful working with Turmeric, because it is VERY YELLOW and gets everywhere until you are used to it. One of my clients adds grated GINGER to this, as well. Which is fabulous because GINGER is another anti-inflammatory. I also make a few portions of this at a time, so it is easier to pour out daily without having to concoct it every day.  Here is a link to a version of this that travels well: SUPERFOOD SHOT. I bring this with me on vacation. This is truly a MAGIC POTION and I would love to hear from those of you who try it!PLEASE share with anyone you think would benefit from this info. Also, please let me know if there are any topics you would like me to write about. I'd love to hear your comments! Lastly, I am available to speak on Health for FREE! Please check my website for a list of suggested topics.I hope you have a wonderful week!