1. Slow down the sweets

It's fitting that the acronym for the Standard American Diet is SAD. What truly is sad about what we eat is the excessive amounts of refined carbohydrates.  New research continues to attribute much of the chronic disease epidemic present in developed nations to issues with diet and lifestyle.  All you have to do is look around at the ever increasing fast food chains, commercials on TV pushing the latest tasty treat, etc.  Eating a diet high in refined sugars will feed inflammatory processes in our body and sets the foundation for disease.  The reaction that occurs in our body from eating foods high in refined carbohydrates is similar to what happens if you were to throw gasoline on a fire!  A simple rule is to stick with a diet consisting of whole, non-processed foods.  If it comes in any form of packaging, have your health antenna 'on guard' immediately and read that label. 

Yes, it is true - eating fat is imperative to prevent disease and stay healthy.  We actually have to eat fat to lose fat!  That being said there are clearly some fats that are better for our body than others.  The healthiest fats often generally come from nuts, seeds, algaes, and clean fish.  Oils such as Omega 3's and 9's are essential for optimal health.  Omega 6's are also very important, however we tend to get enough of these already.  If the ratio between Omega 6's and 3's becomes imbalanced this creates an inflammatory environment.  On the flip side, be sure to avoid oils such as Canola, Vegetable, and hydrogenated oils.  These too create cellular damage and increase risk of chronic disease.  One of the healthiest oils to cook with is not Olive oil (as most think), rather it is a non-hydrogenated Coconut oil.  Bon appetite!

3. Heal thy gut

Yes it's true that we are what we eat.  More importantly, WE ARE WHAT WE ABSORB.  The majority of absorption occurs in the small intestine and is essential to functioning optimally.  Many of us experience gas, bloating, heartburn, constipation/diarrhea, etc. on a daily basis.  Unfortunately, many assume these symptoms are normal and that we should just live with it!  This is NOT normal. These symptoms are signs of inflammation of our GI system and can be corrected by the 4 R approach. Reduce, Remove, Reinoculate, and Repair.  (please click here to see a recent interview where I explain the 4R's.

4. Get rid of your Metals

This may be a surprise to learn, but most of us are harboring unwelcome toxic metals such as Mercury, Lead, Aluminum, Cadmium, Arsenic, etc.  We have all been exposed to these at some point (via paint, gas, flames, vaccines, fish, etc.), it's a matter of understanding what remains in our tissues as these pose significant increased risk for inflammatory based illnesses such as Cancer, Heart Disease, Alzheimer's, Auto-Immune Illness, etc.  The best known way to understand if you are toxic with metals is to be tested using a Urine Toxic Metals test.  If metals are detected do not sweat!  These can be removed safely and effectively from your body by a healthcare provider trained in functional & environmental medicine.  This is mainly done by Chelation (removal of metals) Therapy.

5. Ante up your Anti-oxidants

Our body is constantly juggling a delicate biochemical balance act - one that is balancing excessive free radicals and optimal anti-oxidant levels.  This critical 'dance' occurs every second of everyday we are alive and is essential to how we feel, look, think, age, etc.  Most of us hear how anti-oxidants are beneficial to our health - however BOTH are very important to optimal health and well-being.  Unfortunately, most of us are exposed to an excessive amount of free radical activity that creates oxidative damage, much like rust on a car or the brown colour on an apple that has been partially eaten.  It is this oxidative stress that accelerates most disease progression and promotes cellular aging.  Adding multiple servings of dark coloured fruits and vegetables to your daily regime is an excellent way to slow down inflammatory damage (blueberries and pomegranates are my favorite tasty super foods).  At times supplementing with additional anti-oxidants can be helpful.  Vitamins C, D, E, B12 as well as Quercetin, Glutathione, Selenium, etc. can be helpful in the right doses. 

Yours in good health,