January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. This month is a time to raise awareness on an often silent and potentially deadly disease. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which is linked to cervical cancer. HPV can be prevented with vaccination, and cervical cancer can be caught early and potentially stopped with regular screening. If screening results in a positive diagnosis your diet will play a role in how your feel and how your body manages the disease.
There is not a disease that can not benefit from a healthy diet based on whole food nutrition. Cancer feeds on sugar and the chemotherapy treatment for cervical cancer increases your blood sugar levels, as does the stress from having the disease. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, plant-based proteins, and limiting sugar, and processed foods including meats will help your body fight disease and heal. It’s best to omit foods that aren’t organic or that are genetically modified (GMO) because studies have linked these types of foods to disease, infertility, birth defects, toxicity, food allergy and cancer to name a few concerns.
The good news is that studies are mounting on how a healthy attitude, regular exercise and diet impact cancer progression, recurrence risk, and survival. Many of us do not eat the recommended 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, so bridging the gap with a whole food supplement will ensure your body has the nutrients needed to combat disease. Healthy diets help to reduce inflammation in your body and can be supported with delicious anti-inflammatory, super foods.
Super foods, those that help fight inflammation and disease include, dark leafy greens, namely, raw kale, collard greens, baby spinach (cooked), Swiss chard and other vegetables offer magnesium and provide additional vitamins and minerals. Fruits like blueberries, cherries, strawberries, oranges combat cancer and inflammation due to their high antioxidant and polyphenols (protective compounds found in plants) levels. Other super foods include, Manuka Honey which decreases cancer growth in the breast, skin and colon when combined with chemotherapy. Olive Oil studies show that it kills cancer and shrinks cancer cells, and reduces inflammation. Nuts and seeds also have cancer fighting properties. Good choices are almonds, walnuts, pecans, pine nuts, and cashews along with seeds such as, flax chia, sunflower, and sesame. All of these fight inflammation, cancer and provide various vitamins and minerals and some provide Omegas. For us chocolate lovers, thankfully, dark chocolate contains cancer fighting antioxidants called flavones, but even better is cocoa which contains over 30 mg of Flavones without the saturated fat. You can add coco to oatmeal, smoothies or shakes for a healthy treat.
What we put in our bodies and on our bodies matters! Eating healthy organic, non GMO foods and using products with a similar theme are key to living a quality life until the end of life.
The cold and snowy weather is upon us, and this is the time of year when our bones, muscles, and joints are more sensitive to the elements. For those with Rheumatoid Arthritis the soreness, stiffness, and achiness are even more pronounced. There is not a cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis, but diet can help with reducing the symptoms.
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,” Hippocrates. This quote still rings true. The key to maintaining good health and minimalizing the symptoms of all chronic diseases is a well-balanced diet. Plant-based nutrition from a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, along with lean protein sources rich in Omega-3 fatty acids will give your body what it needs to battle AD and other diseases.
Consuming fish and fish oils have been shown to relieve inflammation that results in morning stiffness which leads to tender joints. Fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, Albacore tuna, and salmon are rich in Omega-3s. The omegas in fish oil come from the algae fish eat. Omegas can also be obtained from plant-based sources such as Chia seeds, Brussels sprouts, Hemp Seed, Walnuts, Flaxseeds, and oils namely, Perilla Oil and Algal Oil among other sources.
Joint pain and stiffness can also be improved by increasing fiber intake from a variety of sources. Fiber helps lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood, which is an indicator of Inflammation. Some of the best sources of fiber to lower CRP are oat bran, rye bran, and sugar beet fiber.
Including extra-virgin olive oil in your diet can also help reduce inflammation, similarly to that of ibuprofen or Aspin. It contains a compound called oleocanthal that blocks the enzymes that cause inflammation. Despite it taking about 3 ½ tablespoons to equal the anti-inflammatory properties of ibuprofen, it has other health benefits so it’s a better alternative to your diet than other oils.
Other food sources that reduce inflammation are green tea, green tea extract, and resveratrol, cocoa, and dark chocolate, to name a few. Consider adding these food sources to your diet.
On the flip side, there are foods that increase inflammation in the body which should be avoided. Grilled meats, such as hamburgers, chicken, and other grilled meats can raise the amount of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the blood. Higher AGEs have been detected in the blood of those with the AD. Other foods to avoid are those with omega-6 fatty acids as found in corn, sunflower, safflower and soybean oils, and many fried foods. These have been linked to increased inflammation in the blood.
Overall the best defense to fighting inflammation is a good diet. The Mediterranean diet which naturally includes plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, vegetable and whole grains, among other goodies like red wine has been observed as the best diet for improving one’s overall health. What we eat matters at all stages of life, so as the New Year begins, now is the perfect time to improve your health with better food choices so you can have a great quality of life for years to come.
With the New Year comes some food for thought..and health!
Our gut microflora (microbiome) holds trillions of microorganisms that regulate our immunity, endocrine system, digestion, and metabolism.
Recent discoveries link our gut microbiome with mood, cardiovascular health and the ability to fight disease. It appears that restoring optimum gut-flora balance may promote long-term health.
The most important gut microbiome is in the bifidobacteria group. Bacteria in this association appear to fight allergies, high cholesterol levels, respiratory diseases, diabetes, stress, and anxiety among other benefits. Unfortunately, as we age our bifidobacteria decline. Children have the highest levels, but over time – age, poor diet, and antibiotic use reduce our levels. According to the research, we start life with about 60% of healthy bifidobacteria, and by adulthood, we decline to 30%-40%, which falls to about 10% in late middle age to a low of 5% in old age.
It’s important as we age to provide bifidobacteria with the right food sources to grown and flourish in our guts. The number one source for this healthy bacteria is prebiotic soluble fiber. It’s worth noting that all prebiotics are fiber, but not all fiber is prebiotic. To be classified as a prebiotic food fiber must, 1) resist gastric acidity, enzymatic hydrolysis, and upper gastrointestinal tract absorption, 2) be fermented by intestinal flora, 3) stimulate growth and/or activity of beneficial bacteria.
There are several prebiotics that aid in shifting the microbial in our gut, but one stands out from the crowd, xylooligosaccharides (XOS). XOS are found in Bamboo shoots, Chicory Root, Jerusalem artichoke, Dandelion Greens, Garlic, Leeks, Onions, Asparagus, Wheat Bran, Banana, and honey, among other fruits, vegetables, and additional sources. There are also supplements of XOS, but be careful to check the brand to ensure quality and consistency. Several brands can be researched on consumerlab.com to verify excellence.
As you review your New Year resolutions for positive healthy habits, pay close attention to your inner body and the relationship your gut has with your overall health. What you put in and on your body matters. Consider adding XOS to your diet in a form that makes sense to you. Improve your microbiome with a diet high in prebiotic soluble fiber, and you may find that your health, mood, and ability to fight disease will improve.
Some degree of cognitive decline is inevitable. This may include forgetfulness, trouble remaining focused, and decreased problem solving skills.
Cognitive decline can turn into more serious conditions such as dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease.
Luckily, there are dietary and lifestyle changes you can make that can reduce age related cognitive decline.
Dietary and Lifestyle Changes
Eat more fruits and vegetables instead of Switch from a western diet high in simple sugars and saturated fats to a Mediterranean diet with more fruits and vegetables.
Restricting calories could improve memory and learning.
Exercise stimulates your mind and can lead to enhanced cognitive function
Balance Your Hormones
Throughout your brain there are hormone receptors that transcript all of your genetics, including cognition and behavior. Keeping your hormones balances can prevent cognitive decline and emotional turmoil.
Some of the hormones you should keep in check:
Estrogen
Studies show that postmenopausal women with higher levels of endogenous estradiol display better semantic memory than those who are deficient
Testosterone
Higher testosterone levels were linked with better performance on the Mini-Mental State Examination at baseline. Aging men given testosterone replacement showed improved cognition function in a recent study.
Anxiety and Stress
Research shows that those with higher anxiety levels have to exert more energy to function compared to those with little to no level of anxiety. This means that in those with higher stress levels and anxiety that an environment for deterioration of the brain is created.
Meditation is an amazing way to combat stress and anxiety. Studies have revealed that meditation significantly increased cerebral blood flow in several major brain regions.
Good quality sleep is essential to having a healthy body, and preventing serious illnesses. Lead researcher, Dr Nobuo Sasaki, states, “Poor sleep is associated with cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic heart disease and stroke but the kind of sleep disturbances that are most risky is not well documented. Poor sleep includes too short or too long sleep, difficulty falling asleep, and difficulty maintaining sleep.”
The Mayo Clinic offers some great tips to achieve better quality of sleep.
Mercury is a neurotoxin that may trigger a broad range of illnesses when exposed in large, or small amounts. It is a naturally occurring component. Although, the burning of fossil fuels and other forms of pollution increase concentrations of mercury in our air, water, and food.
In large amounts mercury causes severe neurological disorders, most often in people who have consumed highly contaminated fish.
A team of researchers from the Universtiy of Geneva, Switzerland, ran a study that suggest how smaller concentrations of mercury affects gene expression. Even with low exposure, algae showed altered genetics. This can affect the central nervous system of top consumers as mercury concentrations accumulate through the food chain.
Possible symptoms of mercury poisoning include:
Loss of peripheral vision
“pins and needles” feelings usually in the hands, feet, and around the mouth
Lack of coordination
Impaired speech, hearing, and walking
Muscle weakness
How to detox from mercury exposure
Diet – avoid all sugar and milk, limit processed foods
Beneficial Bacteria – take one quarter to one half teaspoon a day of a high quality probiotic.
Use bathroom regularly
Eat garlic and cilantro – both herbs aid in removing toxins from your body.
Are you taking the steps necessary to maintain a healthy brain? What is brain health exactly? Having a healthy brain means that one of your most important organs is functioning at optimal level. This includes your ability to recall memories, problem solve, learn, concentrate, and how you oversee life. It is never too late to adopt healthy lifestyle habits that can reduce your risk of declining brain health. Let’s go through some of the top ways to stay on top of brain function…
Move your body!
Exercising on a regular basis is essential to having a healthy brain. Aerobic exercise increases your heart rate, sending blood to the brain and body; researchers at The University of Texas at Dallas published a new study that found regular exercise improves brain health in aging adults. Those who follow an exercise regime showed an increase in blood flow to the anterior cingulate (region linked to excellent cognitive function in mature brains) and the hippocampus (key region affected by Alzheimer’s disease). You don’t have to spend money or do anything extravagant; even a short, daily walk can promote good brain health.
Don’t just exercise your body, exercise your brain too.
Cardiovascular exercise may show regional blood flow, but if you really want to optimize your brain health mental training is essential. Complex mental training increases your entire brain’s blood flow. This can mean signing up for a class at a local college or online, or reading at home on a regular basis. Not only will you see changes in your memory, mood, and confidence, but your overall quality of life will improve as well. Combining physical and mental exercises could be the best way to improve your overall cognitive function.
Relax.
Even though stress can motivate people to perform and get things done, too much of anything is bad for you, and your brain health. Studies show that stress can have a negative effect on multiple illnesses, and cognitive function. Adding meditation into your routine can reduce stress levels, improve emotional wellbeing, and overall health. The best part is you can practice it anytime, anywhere. There are many variations of meditation you can try to see these benefits, including: guided meditation, mindfulness, yoga, focused attention, or simply relaxed, deep breathing. Keep an open mind, and know that there is no “wrong” way to meditate. Lower daily stress, and bring balance to your mind and body.
Cut out the junk.
Food is fuel, what is in your fuel determines how well your brain and body function. Studies have found that processed food worsens your ability to regulate insulin, promotes inflammation and stress, and impairs brain health. Depriving your brain of quality nutrition is a sure way to speed up cognitive decline. Eating a balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, and mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety.
Get enough sleep.
Nobody enjoys feeling sluggish and tired. Not getting enough rest impairs your ability to problem solve, reason, and concentrate. Studies show that sleep restores your brain health by flushing out toxins, and repairing cells. The glymphatic system drains waste from the brain by sending fluids through channels that surround your brain’s blood vessels. Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center discovered that this system can help remove a toxin known as beta-amyloid, a protein found in the brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer’s. Getting the sleep your body needs is essential to cognitive function.
Get started today!
A healthy lifestyle reciprocates a healthy brain. No matter what your age is you can embark on the journey of improving your life. It may take a few tweaks and adjustments to your daily life, but with consistency you will begin to see the benefits in no time.
What we eat every day is a main source of health, and our natural disease killer.
The best way known to prevent Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases is to have a healthy lifestyle. It includes great nutrition (with nutrient-dense foods- high in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, low in sugar and toxins); regular aerobic exercise (especially when you enjoy it); good sleep (in a routine and truly restful); and being happy (doing what you love, building healthy relationships, and managing stress).
It is essential to be aware that lifestyle is constant, habitual, and built throughout our lives. Thus, start with one of its areas and improve – you will definitely see results with consistency.
On this post the main goal is to share information about how to use food in our favor. As the father of medicine Hippocrates said once: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Today, learn about some foods that are great for the body and for the mind. These are exceptional foods, great for Alzheimer’s disease prevention but also for overall health.
The Brain Foods
1.Blueberries
The anthocyanins and flavonoids found in blueberries are polyphenols that act as powerful, natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, so they help protect the entire body from free radicals and inflammation. Studies have shown that diets rich in blueberries significantly improved both the learning capacity and motor skills of aging rats, making them mentally equivalent to much younger rats. It is not fully understood how these plant nutrients affect the brain, but it is likely that the polyphenols improve nerve connections and stimulate cell repair. Make sure you implement your diet with some blueberries.
2. Wild Salmon
This and other deep water fish (mackerel, sardines) are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are an essential part of brain structure and function. This fatty acid can lower blood levels of beta-amyloid, a protein related to Alzheimer’s. A Columbia University study found that the more Omega-3 fatty acids a person eats, the lower their blood beta-amyloid levels. The recommended is about 8oz per week.
3. Nuts and Seeds
There are so many different options of flavors,presentation and ways to use these amazing foods that no one can get bored! Walnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, filberts, almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, flax seed, as well as nut butters (without sugar) and tahini. Almonds and Hazelnuts are two of the most concentrated sources of vitamin E available, and vitamin E intake is generally associated with less age-related cognitive decline. Walnuts are the top nut for brain health. They have a significantly high concentration of DHA, a type of Omega-3, which has been shown to protect brain health in newborns, improve cognitive performance in adults, and prevent or ameliorate age-related cognitive decline. DHA is also related to neurogenesis, the regeneration of neurons.
4. Avocado
Healthy unsaturated fats in avocados help keep your brain cell membranes flexible, according to Kansas State University. A study published in the October 2012 issue of the “Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology” found that monounsaturated fatty acids helped protect nerve cells in the brain known as astrocytes, which provide support to information-carrying nerves. Its monounsaturated fats also help in lowering the blood pressure, associated with brain health. Enjoy it in your guacamole, a green avocado smoothie or as a side.
5. Spinach, Kale, and other Leafy Greens
Full of antioxidants and fibers. The antioxidants protect your cells against free radical damage, either the naturally produced in our bodies or the one obtained from external stresses. Fibers are essential for the gut microbiome health (known to influence in all processes of the body), and they help in maintaining blood sugar levels, strongly related to brain diseases. There are many creative ways of including these great vegetables in your diet, and they do taste delicious!
6. Cocoa or Dark Chocolate
Research already shows that the cocoa in dark chocolate, which contains flavonoids (a plant compound that helps with the body’s circulation), can help combat heart disease. Also, flavonoids may help slow down the effects of dementia. Its is known to have powerful antioxidant properties, and it stimulates the production of endorphins, which helps improve mood. Always prefer chocolate 70% or more in cocoa. Enjoy with moderation for anything that has sugar or just freely enjoy it in unsweetened recipes!
Implementing good foods not just as part of a diet, but as part of a routine and leisure is the key to the healthy lifestyle we all look for. Start with small steps and build the best version of yourself!
May is the official month of the Mediterranean Diet. Many studies have found that the diet based on the lifestyle of Mediterranean people in the 1960s is efficient in reducing the risk of heart diseases, slowing aging and improving overall health. Its main focus is a natural, balanced diet which will prevent or even cure physiological problems and provide whole-range health.
“At the present time, the U.S. health system almost entirely ignores nutrition in favor of pharmacology and is hugely expensive and ineffective compared with the systems in other countries,” wrote Dr. Walter Willett of Harvard School of Public Health. “Integration of the Mediterranean diet and related dietary patterns into medical practice, hospitals, schools and other institutions has the potential to improve well-being.”
If compared to other healthy diets, the Mediterranean appears to be the most effective. It was determined according to researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, who surveyed the eating habits of more than 4,600 women of the long-running Nurses’ Health Study. This and other studies have proven the Mediterranean diet to be a much better option than the standard low-fat diet, especially when comparing disease prevention and longevity. The diet has also shown to be successful in preventing major cardiovascular diseases, as well as protecting memory and thinking skills.
Studies and Conclusions
PREDIMED Study
It happened for 5 years, with 7447 individuals who were at a high risk of cardiovascular disease and would follow either: a Mediterranean Diet with added extra virgin olive oil, a Mediterranean Diet with added nuts, or a low-fat control group diet.
Conclusions
A Mediterranean diet with either olive oil or nuts may reduce the combined risk of stroke, heart attack and death from cardiovascular disease
A Mediterranean diet may help to reverse the metabolic syndrome.
The Mediterranean diet caused reductions in oxidized LDL cholesterol (which causes inflammation and diseases), along with improvements in several other heart disease risk factors.
A Mediterranean diet without calorie restriction appears to be effective in preventing the development of type 2 diabetes.
Compared to a low-fat control group, a Mediterranean diet can have beneficial effects on various risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Consuming nuts was associated with a significantly reduced risk of death over a period of 5 years.
Weight Loss with a Low-Carbohydrate, Mediterranean, or Low-Fat Diet
The New England Journal of Medicine, 2008.
It involved 322 obese individuals who were randomly assigned to a calorie restricted low-fat diet, a calorie restricted Mediterranean diet, or an unrestricted low-carb diet.
The low-fat group lost 2.9 kg (6.4 lbs), the low-carb group lost 4.7 kg (10.3 lbs) and the Mediterranean diet group lost 4.4 kg (9.7 lbs). Diabetic participants had improved blood glucose and insulin levels on the Mediterranean diet, compared to the low-fat diet.
Conclusion
A Mediterranean diet may be more effective for weight loss and improving symptoms of diabetes, when compared to a low-fat diet.
There is already information about diets which use concepts from both Mediterranean and Low-Carb points of view to try achieving even better results.
Mediterranean diet may be best for memory and cognitive skills
Neurology, 2013
The study was of 17,478 Caucasian and African-American subjects and lasted 4 years.
Conclusion
It found that adults who closely followed a Mediterranean diet were 19 percent less likely to develop memory and cognitive problems later in life. Subjects with diabetes had no cognitive improvements from the diet — about 17 percent of the subjects enrolled on the study had diabetes, and those who already had cognitive problems would probably not benefit from jumping on the diet.
However, there are many studies that a low-carbohydrate diet would reduce brain damage and even cure mental diseases, thus the connection of both would be an interesting idea.
The Diet
The basic principle of the Mediterranean diet is to use a wide range of fruits and vegetables, which gives the body maximum access to sources of vitamins, minerals and other trace nutrients. There are individual foods within the Mediterranean Diet which are particularly beneficial to health, such as olive oil, garlic and some fruits and vegetables but overall it is the combination of foods within a healthy lifestyle which is linked to improved health.
The Mediterranean Diet is not about quick fix superfoods. Nor is it a strict list of what you should not eat. Rather, the Mediterranean Diet is a formula for healthy day-to-day eating over the long term. The major foundation of it is: eat NOTHING PROCESSED!
Some other guidelines are:
Maximize your intake of vegetables, peas and beans (legumes), fruits and wholegrain cereals.
Limit your red meat intake – fish and poultry are healthier substitutes.
Where possible, use mono-unsaturated olive oil or rapeseed oil.
Limit/Eliminate your intake of highly processed foods and ready meals, which may be high in salt and saturated fat.
Do not add salt to your food at the table – there is already plenty in the food.
Snack on fruit, dried fruit and unsalted nuts rather than cakes, crisps and biscuits.
Drink (red) wine during meals but no more than two small glasses per day.
Water is the best ‘non-alcoholic beverage’ (as opposed to sugary drinks), although health benefits have also been claimed for various teas and coffee.
The most interesting aspects of the Mediterranean Diet – actually a lifestyle – is that it highly recommends people to be active (at least 30 minutes a day) and, most importantly, to truly enjoy their meals. It means to take the time to socialize with others and have a good digestion.
In a nutshell, the Mediterranean Diet provides your body with the essential nutrients it needs for a full-potential, enjoyable, and lifelong health. It is achieved by focusing on right-from-the-source foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and good fats. Thus, by increasing the consumption of good nutrients and antioxidants, and decreasing the toxins, it is obvious that there are going to be many health benefits. The active and social lifestyle is also very important for hormonal balance and the body’s homeostasis.
Start this month well by giving the Mediterranean lifestyle a try, and enjoy its benefits!
The Neurologist and New York Times Best Selling Author, Dr. David Perlmutter presents his 35-year long research findings about how to prevent major diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, depression and cancer, generally a result of wrong widespread concepts.
He explains how basic lifestyle changes play a major role in adapting the human body to its natural health and potential. Learn how a low-carb, high-fat diet coupled with aerobic exercise and hormone balance can give you optimum health and longevity.
Below is part of the article The Grain Brain Whole Life Plan With Dr. David Perlmutter posted by Lauren Bryant at the Wellness Force website (wellnessforce.com), accessed in May 1, 2017.
“Our dietary choices play a major role in determining whether we are going to live into our 80s and 90s and even beyond with a good, functioning brain, or like 50% of people who live to be age 85, we will experience brain decline in the form of Alzheimer’s which is a preventable disease.”- Dr. David Perlmutter
When we think about brain health, we don’t think that our gut has anything to do with it. However, the fact is that the gut and free radicals have everything to do with how our brains function as we grow older.
Neurologist and New York Times Best Selling Author, Dr. David Perlmutter has witnessed the damaging effects that a poor diet can have on our brains. Today is perfect timing with the launch of his new book, The Grain Brain Whole Life Plan, as he shares why we are vulnerable to develop brain degenerative disease and how we can take matters into our own hands in order to live long, healthy lives with a bright mind that is free of illness.
MAKE THE CHOICE TO HAVE A HEALTHY BRAIN
Even if a relative of yours was diagnosed with a brain degenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s, you have the amazing opportunity to make lifestyle choices to ensure your brain’s health.
Factors such as sleep, nutrition, stress levels, free radicals and exercise can impact your health, but you can also take advantage of them to improve your wellness and lower the chances of brain decline.
CONNECTING WELLNESS AND GUT HEALTH
“It’s a bit humbling to recognize that mood is regulated by our gut. Not only through the process of controlling inflammation, which is a cornerstone player in depression, but that around 90% of our levels of dopamine and serotonin are not manufactured in the brain. They’re mostly manufactured in the gut.” – Dr. David Perlmutter
Approximately 90% of the human body’s total serotonin is located in the GI tract, where it is used to regulate intestinal movements.
If the gut is leaky and we lack serotonin, it can be linked to feelings of depression. In a study with probiotic yogurt, researchers found a dramatic change in brain function and mood in the test subjects that ate the yogurt compared to those who did not.
BUILD A HEALTHY GUT
At this moment, there is a diverse community of healthy, gut bacteria living inside of us. If any harm comes our gut’s way, it can increase the chances of having a leaky gut. This leaky gut can lead to inflammation and degenerative diseases including:
Alzheimer’s
Parkinson’s
Diabetes
Multiple Sclerosis
Cancer
The right way to eat food, is to focus on following a diet that helps reduce the chance of a leaky gut and inflammation from happening inside the body.
DO YOU HAVE A LEAKY GUT?
In today’s world, we should assume that it is likely that we all have somewhat of a leaky gut. We would have to take a test or participate in a study to know for sure by having an LPS level done in a lab.
There’s a higher chance that you have a leaky gut if you have an inflammatory condition such as:
Depression
Early onset Parkinson’s
Alzheimer’s
Joint issues
Skin inflammation
Autism
What can you do to heal your leaky gut?
To help heal your gut, remove any offensive agents that may be harming it such as any overuse of:
Antibiotics
GMOs
Over production of free radicals
Drinking chlorinated water
Artificial sugars and sweeteners
Acid blocking drugs
Proton pump inhibitors
Non-steroid and anti-inflammatory drugs
Stress
To heal our gut, we need to stimulate and increase the diversity of the organisms that live inside of the gut by exercising and eating foods that are rich in pre-biotic fiber that helps nurture our gut bacteria:
Mexican yam/ jicamo
Onion
Garlic
Leek
Dandelion greens
Kimchi
Kobucha
Yogurt
Fermented vegetables
THE TRUTH ABOUT SUGAR AND GLUTEN
“Inflammation caused by sugar consumption can lead to diabetes and quadruples your chances for Alzheimer’s Disease.” – Dr. David Perlmutter
For decades, we’ve been told that gluten and sugar is good for our health and that fat is bad. However, recent research has shown that this is the exact opposite.
Healthy fat is good for both the body and brain function, but gluten and sugar (including artificial sugar and sweeteners) can cause our insulin levels to spike which leads to inflammation in the body.
In fact, according to Dr. Perlmutter, artificial sweeteners were created to help people control the amount of sugars in their diet, but still be able to taste something sweet. Unfortunately, artificial sugars and sweeteners can dramatically increase a person’s risk for obesity and diabetes.
Take your health into your own hands by making good choices and eating foods that minimize free radicals. Eat healthy and avoid any sugary drinks, high gluten foods, and anything labeled “sugar free” or “contains artificial sugars.”
THE BEST SOURCES OF HEALTHY FAT
There’s a lot of taboo hanging around the words, “fat” and “fatty food.” However, healthy sources of fat are great for our bodies and important for our brain’s health.
According to Dr. Perlmutter, the brain is already made up of a lot of saturated fat and even human breast milk is 50% saturated fat. If you want to ensure that you follow a healthy diet, use the Ketogenic and Mediterranean diets as a good model to follow.
Olive oil particularly is good source of polyphenols that act as antioxidants and nurture the gut bacteria. This source of healthy fat provides both mono and unsaturated fats for our brain cell building blacks.
When you follow a Ketogenic or Mediterranean based diet, but add extra amounts of olive or cocnut oil, your cognitive function can improve dramatically.
A DIET TO HELP PREVENT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
To better understand your body and gene makeup, there are numerous services available from companies that offer biometrics tests including:
The sooner you better understand your genes and if there is a chance for you to have an inflammatory disease, the sooner you can take action to fight against it.
Depending on our dietary fat composition, there is a risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, but it can be handled by following a diet that includes food that is high in healthy fats.
As mentioned before, we should be eating more nuts, seeds, olive oil, and avocado. Monosaturated fats such as almond oil, almond butter/nut butter, an oleic acid in sunflower oil can help prevent degenerative brain disease.
However, we should avoid canola oil, vegetable oil, corn oil and other modified oils in our diets. These are the unhealthy oils that can lead to excess free radicals, and harm our body and brain function.
BUILD A HEALTHY BRAIN WITH AEROBICS
If you want to build a healthy brain, change your diet, but also increase the amount of aerobic exercise. Working out helps to turn on BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor) which serves as a growth hormone for the brain and helps increase the number of memory cells throughout our lifetime.
People who exercise regularly can reduce their chances for Alzheimer’s Disease by 50%!
One of the best things you can do to help your brain stay healthy is to include aerobic exercise for 20 minutes every day.
6 KEY FACTORS FOR A WHOLE LIFE PLAN
According to Dr. Perlmutter, there are 6 key factors and goals that take place in creating a whole life plan for a healthy brain and gut:
Reducing and controlling inflammation
Turning the body into a fat burning machine
Balancing levels of bacteria
Balancing hormones and increasing leptin sensitivity
Taking care of our genes
Balancing our life
ABOUT DR. DAVID PERLMUTTER
Dr. Perlmuter is a Neurologist and Fellow of the American College of Nutrition who received his M.D. degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine where he was awarded the Leonard G. Rowntree Research Award.
He is the author of: The Better Brain Book and the #1 New York Times Bestseller, Grain Brain, and Brain Maker, also a New York Times best seller. He is recognized internationally as a leader in the field of nutritional influences in neurological disorders.
Over the past 35 years, Dr. Perlmutter has been interviewed on many nationally syndicated radio and television programs including 20/20, Larry King Live, CNN, Fox News, Fox and Friends, The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Like with Kelly and Michael, Montel Across America and The CBS Early Show.
The cornerstone of Dr. Perlmutter’s unique approach to neurological disorders is founded in the principles of preventive medicine. He has brought to the public awareness a rich understanding that challenging brain problems including Alzheimer’s disease, other forms of dementia, depression, and ADHD may very well be prevented with lifestyle changes including a gluten free, low carbohydrate, higher fat diet coupled with aerobic exercise.
Mercury is a neurotoxin that may trigger a broad range of illnesses when exposed in large, or small amounts. It is a naturally occurring component. Although, the burning of fossil fuels and other forms of pollution increase concentrations of mercury in our air, water, and food.
The basic principle of the Mediterranean diet is to use a wide range of fruits and vegetables, which gives the body maximum access to sources of vitamins, minerals and other trace nutrients. There are individual foods within the Mediterranean Diet which are particularly beneficial to health, such as olive oil, garlic and some fruits and vegetables but overall it is the combination of foods within a healthy lifestyle which is linked to improved health.
