The first step to wellness is becoming informed but, there is more to wellness than information. Someone once told me, Knowledge without action is simply entertainment. Becoming informed about the ingredients of cleaning products, how our food is grown/ raised, effect food choices, benefits of natural remedies… are only key informational pieces of wellness. We must take the next step. As we begin to take action toward our nutritional wellness, it is important to consider what we place inside our bodies on a daily basis.

Everything we touch, smell, eat, or pretty much come into contact with our bodies absorb and process. Stubbing your toe gets transmitted as  a signal to get your body to react. One reaction being the release of chemicals to relay pain and another to start a cascade of other releases to begin . It is a fascinating complex cascade of events which cause inflammation to promote healing, fight off pathogens, and cause pain to stabilize area. This is a good thing when it is short term.

Food can cause inflammation…Although food is good, remember everything eaten gets broken down into a chemical and used by the body.  This means food is just like a drug; food is medicine. Every chemical in our bodies causes a response or reaction and everything has a purpose. What we eat has an impact on our drive, emotion, focus, sleep, pain, interactions, perspective/outlook, life span, illnesses, recovery time, organs… pretty much everything physically, mentally, and spiritually. So why don’t we pay more attention to what goes into our systems?

The next several posts will be on the different ways food can impact your health and some alternative food choices.

Physically… One way food can affect our bodies is by causing inflammation. Now inflammation is not always unwanted. At a time such as an injury, your body sets off an inflammatory response causing a release of chemicals which increase blood flow to an affected area. Again, this increase the WBCs (cells in the body which fight off infection) along with other cells in order to protect, clean, and repair itself this is supposed to be a short term response.

FAST FOODS, FRIED FOODS, PROCESSED FOODS, PROCESSED SNACK FOODS, AND ADDED SUGARS/ artificial sugars can cause your body to be in a constant low grade systematic inflammatory state (the whole body is involved).  Most people don’t realize their body is in this state and try to mask symptoms with other alternatives. Feeling fatigued… coffee, energy drinks, or B12 are used. Feeling pain… medication is taken. Having breakouts, skin rashes… antibiotics are given, creams are tried. Breathing problems… medications are given along with extend hospital stays trying to decrease inflammation. ALL THE “TREATMENTS” GIVEN ONLY MASK THE PROBLEM which could be caused by eating foods which cause inflammation.

photo taken from http://solwellness.clinic/low-grade-inflammation-and-musculoskeletal-diseases/

According to a study found in the Journal of Internal Medicine, entitled Food patterns, inflammation markers and incidence of cardiovascular disease: the Malmö Diet and Cancer study (DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02382.x), looked at association between food patterns and systemic and vascular inflammation. The study found that diets high in high in sugar were associated with elevated WBC counts and after following up with the participants in 13 years there was an increase in the incidence of CVD (cardio vascular disease. 

Another study found in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Major dietary patterns are related to plasma concentrations of markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, “suggested” the role of dietary patterns (meaning daily eating habits) play a role in the pathogenesis of CVD.

 

 

This does not mean we can not continue to enjoy our favorite foods.. I love my chocolate cake. But this does mean we should increase our awareness of what we choose to eat and pay attention to the response of our bodies. Everything in moderation. Our bodies give us warnings we just don’t always listen. It is important we begin to listen before the warnings lead to injury.

Wellness is not an overnight transition but happens one choice at a time. I encourage and challenge you to make a gradual change, one day at a time/ one meal at a time. Don’t be afraid to try something new. There are tons of foods which decrease inflammation and ways to clean your system in order to know which foods affect you. I enjoyed reading The Bulletproof Diet by Dave Aspery and J.J. Virgin, which discussed hacking your body and listening to how it effects you. The book also gave a different perspective on foods we should be eating. Remember every body responds differently, it is important to get to know your body. Some foods include:

Try adding 1-2 drops of lemon essential oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, or 2 table spoons adding apple cider vinegar, along with 1 teaspoon a day of chai or flax seed start with a 1/2 teaspoon first week then slowly increase to 1 full teaspoon second week and increase water intake (try drinking at least 50-60 oz a day).

Chai/ Flax seeds increase your daily fiber (you can increase to 1-2 tablespoons to increase fiber intake but work up to it because increasing too fast can cause bloating, gas, and will send you to the restroom more frequently).  Try increasing it by 1/2 teaspoon each week, different experts will have different opinions, soak them for 20-30 min before adding them to a shake to soften the shell so your body can absorb more nutrients or sprinkle some on your food.

Adding these to your daily health regimen can slowly cleanse your body and possibly change they way your feel by gradually cleaning your system. Start your wellness journey and see the difference in your body.

Information is only the first step, now it’s time to take action.

Jasmine Hutchinson BSN, RN, PHN

If you’re looking for places to purchase natural, organic products or essential oils, check out my organic products page for links.

Disclaimer…This blog is intended solely to serve as a resource to health information and to provide you with basic information about the symptoms, cautions, safety concerns, natural remedies, DIY recipes, and nutritional concerns related to all aspects of health. This blog does not provide a comprehensive explanation of all aspects of any health condition or concern or even those aspects that are discussed in this blog. This blog is not intended to be–and you should not use it as–a substitute for medical advice or health care given by a licensed health care provider. Be sure to see a licensed health care provider to help ensure your health and the health and well-being of your family.