guthealth

The Basics:

In an over simplified definition of inflammation, you could say it is your body’s way of fighting off something that could potentially harm it. Inflammation is actually necessary for you to have a healthful life. When you cut your finger or scrape your knee, your body turns on its acute inflammation response to heal the area. The same idea can be translated into your diet. Every meal you eat triggers inflammation in your gut. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When you eat a meal, although you are (hopefully) taking in lots of good nutrients, you are also consuming bacteria. Your body is responsible for taking in all of the good stuff you feed it, fighting off the bacteria and discarding the bad stuff. In a recent study, scientists have discovered that the efficiency of your immune system and metabolism is highly dependent on the ratio of nutrients and bacteria that you are eating. The less nutrients you consume, the harder it is for your body to fight off bad bacteria in your gut and you’re stuck in a constant state of inflammation.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of industrial agriculture today, we are seeing a steady decline in the nutritional value of the foods we eat. Our soil is poisoned with chemicals used to improve plant growth and kill certain organisms that harm it. The bad news is that these chemicals tend to remain in the soil for long periods of time, killing communities of organisms in the soil that are beneficial to us and the quality of the food we eat. The food we eat today, even the organic ones, are less nutritious than the food our parents and grandparents ate. You can imagine how hard it can be to consume the right ratio of nutrients to ensure our body is not in a constant state of alert.

This leads me to my next point: what effects does chronic inflammation have on our bodies? The human body is very smart. It learns to adjust and adapt for survival. When your body goes from an acute state of inflammation to a chronic one, it knows that it needs to make adjustments to keep going. These adjustments can lead to acute, as well as chronic, diseases.

Some Diseases Linked to Chronic Inflammation:

• Obesity
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Crohn’s Disease
• Pancreatitis
• Some cancers
• Fatty liver
• Metabolic syndrome
• Heart disease

Some Symptoms of Chronic Inflammation:

• Fatigue
• Body aches
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Frequent infections
• Weight gain/loss
• Insomnia
• GI complications (diarrhea, acid reflux, constipation)

Although not all inflammation is related to diet, following a healthful anti-inflammatory diet is a great way to decrease symptoms associated with chronic inflammation. After all, your gut and your immune system are closely related. Your gut health is the captain leading the direction of your overall health. I recently purchased an amazing book which I will recommend in the books section of my blog this week. It has tasteful anti-inflammatory recipes and includes a lot of great information for beginners.

Now, let’s get to the point

Foods that Worsen Inflammation:

1. Processed and Red Meat

Ideally, you want to decrease your meat consumption. If you want to savor meat here and there, make sure you are buying organic, grass-fed meat. The quality of the meat you eat is very important. Skip out on the processed options. A good brand to look into is Nature’s Rancher.

2. Sugar

For decades we have been blaming fat for obesity. The real threat has always been sugar! We need good fats for our brain to function properly. Ditch sugar (even brown sugar) or any form of sugar substitute like Aspartame, Saccharin, Sucralose, and for the love of everything that is good in this world STAY AWAY FROM HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP! Consider sweetening your coffee with honey.

3. Processed Foods

This one is the hardest. In reality, the options of foods you can eat is a lot greater than what you can’t eat. The issue is that every supermarket you walk into is selling primarily processed foods. You probably have been eating processed foods your entire life. A good way to know if what you’re buying is processed or not is to check the label. If the ingredients list is full of junk that you can’t even pronounce, drop it! Also, try to buy foods that aren’t pre-packaged and full of sodium, saturated fats and added sugars.

4. Refined Grains

This is the stuff we all hold so close to our hearts and have a hard time letting go of. Some examples of refined grains are white rice, flour, white bread, pasta, cookies, and cereal. These grains are modified from their natural form. They are literally stripped of all of their vitamins, fiber, and pretty much anything that is good for you. A delicious substitute for pasta is lentil pasta and for rice is quinoa.

5. Dairy

Cutting dairy out of my life has changed me in ways I can’t even begin to describe. Dairy is a huge food allergen and it’s no surprise that a lot of people are considering alternatives. There is a common misconception that drinking milk leads to having strong bones. A 1997 study that investigated the effects of milk on bone strength discovered that drinking milk actually has the opposite effect than what is considered popular belief today. In fact, the women in the study that drank 2 glasses of milk per day for 12 years, had a 50% higher chance of suffering from a bone fracture compared to the women who consumed 1 glass or less of milk per week. Don’t panic if you love milk, yogurt, cheese, and butter. There are various delicious vegan substitutes for dairy products. Some of my favorite alternatives include Violife cheese, Califia Farms butter and almond milk, and Forager yogurt.

6. Plant-Based Oils

Some oils to avoid include corn, sunflower and soy oils. These oils contain very high levels of pro-inflammatory omega-6s. Coconut oil is a good substitute but it is high in saturated fats, so you should consume it with moderation. The best substitute is olive oil.

Foods that Fight Inflammation:

1. Fruits and Vegetables

When buying fruits and vegetables, keep the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen guidelines in mind. Try to buy organic if you can. If you have to chose which produce to buy organic, follow the list. Specifically, berries, watermelon, apples, and pineapple have high levels of phytonutrients making them strong anti-inflammatory options. Try to consume fruits that have high-antioxidant vitamin C such as citrus fruits. Also, season your dishes with garlic and onions because they are beneficial to your immune system.

2. Whole Grains

Examples include quinoa, brown rice, popcorn, oatmeal, amaranth, millet, buckwheat and teff. These grains are rich in fiber, micronutrients, protein and antioxidants. Don’t be fooled, they are also flavorful!

3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Dorothy Calimeris, RDN calls these “All Star Anti-Inflammatoriy Agents” in her book The Complete Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Beginners. Foods that contain this type of unsaturated fat include salmon, sardines, walnuts, pine nuts, and seeds like hemp, chia & flax.

4. Pre/Probiotics

These kinds of foods are good for your digestive and immune health. Examples include pickles and sauerkraut. They are abundant in good gut bacteria. These are bacteria that your digestive system needs to properly function. Due to the overuse of antibiotics in our foods and healthcare system, many of us suffer from a gut microbial deficiency. These foods help in balancing the microbial communities in your gut. The good guys vs. bad guys ratio.

5. Herbs and Spices

Of course, I won’t leave you without telling you what to season your delicious meals with. Eating healthy doesn’t mean sacrifice flavor. Great spices and herbs to add to your kitchen are turmeric, ginger, saffron, thyme, rosemary, and basil. These options smell and taste great!

Wrapping Up:

I know this all seems like a lot to take in. It can be at first. Take it one day at a time and embrace the trial and error phase. Purchase anti-inflammatory recipe books or downloads similar apps. You will realize that the hassle of readjusting and retraining your brain is well worth the benefits you will experience. You will notice that your meals won’t drag you down. You will be satisfied for longer and feel energized after you eat. Food isn’t meant to make you tired. You are providing your body with nutrients that it craves to survive. If you feel sluggish or tired after a meal, it’s a good indication that you aren’t feeding your body what it needs. You may also experience weight loss, a decrease in anxiety levels and a boost in your health.

I challenge you to try an anti-inflammatory diet for one month and see how it changes your body and the way you feel!

If you are anything like me, you don’t have a large appetite in the morning. In fact, I have a hard time getting any solid food down until at least 10 am. For years, I simply skipped breakfast and went about my day, having my first meal at or after lunch. Recently, I decided to try the breakfast smoothie lifestyle and I LOVE IT! It fills me up, tastes amazing and I feel energized throughout my morning. If you are always on-the-go or don’t feel hungry in the morning, blend yourself a liquid breakfast and drop the processed protein bar aka Frankenfood. Super food smoothies are delicious and can help you improve your health. The basis behind liquid nutrition is that the nutrients are made available for complete absorption without decreasing the nutrient level (which happens when you heat or process it). Also, your body doesn’t have to spend any extra time and energy breaking it down. It’s fast, convenient and efficient!

Before we start, understand that non-organic fruits and veggies lack essential nutrients because the are sprayed with toxic pesticides and are grown in soil that is overused. Not only are GMOs harmful to your health, they make the fruits and vegetables you’re buying useless! For starters, buy organic. Second, learn about super foods. These are foods made and grown in other parts of the world that are studied for their health benefits. So, what foods and nutrients are a must in your to-go breakfast? To give you the best answer, I turned to Dr. Alan Gruning, author of “Prescription For Health” and a CIRS specialist in Southwest Florida.

HEMP (4 tablespoons)

Did you know that George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were hemp farmers? Hemp is widely grown all over the world and hemp products used for consumption (free of THC) are available is various forms. You can buy hemp powder, seeds and oils. Hemp seeds are abundant in protein, fiber, chlorophyll, iron, omega 6 and 3 fatty acids and other nutrients. Hemp is one of the only complete proteins in the plant kingdom. Dr. Gruning recommends the Hi-fiber Nutivia for organic hemp protein powder. 4 tablespoons of hemp powder is plenty for your morning smoothie.

Bone Broth (2.5-3 tablespoons)

Bone broth is an anti-inflammatory source of omega 3 and protein. It can aid in correcting Leaky Gut and reduces joint and other inflammation. Use organic bone broth made directly from U.S grass fed cows. A good company to consider is Pure Protein Organics. Pure Protein Organics make their broth from scratch and it’s delicious.

Chia and Flax Seeds (1 tablespoon of each)

Chia seeds are high in omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, iron, easily digestible protein and other nutrients. They were commonly used amongst the Aztecs, Mayans and Incas. Flax seeds are a good source of healthy omega 3 fats, fiber and protein. You can buy both in powder or seed form but make sure to opt for organic. If you purchase the seed form of chia seeds, soak them for 5-10 minutes to allow them to turn into a gel and not get stuck in your teeth.

Cacao (1-2 tablespoons)

Cacao beans are the highest antioxidant containing food on earth! It’s a vegetable and contains compounds that neutralize free radicals. It has fiber, magnesium, iron, calcium and protein. The high nutrient levels in cacao are only retained when it is cold pressed. Heating it destroys many beneficial nutrients. Unfortunately, most of the chocolate you see in store today contains cacao, but they are heated, killed and combined with sugar and fat. So drop the Hershey’s chocolate and pick up some organic cacao chocolate powder. Dr. Gruning recommends Viva Naturals Organic Cacao Powder. It is made from Criollo beans grown in the Andes Mountains, which are highly prized, and it has a very rich, dark color.

Açaí

Açaí berry is one of the highest antioxidant fruits on earth. It is grown in the Amazon rain forest and is loaded with vitamins, minerals, omega fatty acids, and other health promoting nutrients. Use only organic Açaí powder in your smoothie. If you don’t want to purchase the organic powder, a small amount of the juice (available at Costco) will also suffice.

Pomegranate (1 tablespoon)

Pomegranate is frequently mentioned in the Bible. It is high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber. You can eat the seeds raw or they can be freeze dried into powder.

Maca (1 tablespoon)

Maca is a root grown in the Andes Mountains. It helps balance Adrenal function during stress and is rich in nutrients and fiber. Dr. Gruning recommends Food to Live Organic gelatinized Maca because it removes some substances that can upset your gut.

Wheatgrass (1 teaspoon)

Wheatgrass has lots of chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals and nutrients. It is great as an alkalizing and detoxifying agent as well as an energy source. When purchasing wheatgrass powder, avoid any products from China due to quality concerns. Stick with organic and U.S made.

Turmeric (1/2 teaspoon)

Turmeric is an orange spice that is loaded with antioxidants and is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. It can help your immune system and joints. The great thing about turmeric is that if you use a small amount, you won’t taste it in your smoothie.

Aloe Vera (2 ounces)

Aloe Vera can help in healing your gut lining. The biggest con with aloe vera juice is that it’s often bitter. Dr. Gruning recommends George’s Aloe, which is made from the Aloe plant and isn’t as bitter as other options.

Alan Gruning, D.O

Dr.Gruning is a Christian physician in Southwest Florida who seeks to heal the whole person-body, mind and spirit-because that is what provides the greatest long term success for patients. He is the author of Prescription for Health, a comprehensive guide to living a balanced life in a toxic world, and was the host of his own TV program of the same name, still visible on his YouTube channel. He is the founder, Executive and Medical Director of the Southwest Florida Free Pain Clinic, the only free medical clinic in the US specializing in the comprehensive treatment of low income, uninsured patients with acute and chronic pain. Dr. Gruning speaks frequently about numerous topics to many different groups around SW Florida.

Dr. Gruning’s smoothie recipe:

1/2 cup vanilla coconut milk or almond milk + 1/2 cup George’s Aloe + 1 cup water
4 tbsp organic Hi-Fiber Hemp protein powder or 2.5-3 tbsp organic grass fed bone broth protein
1 tbsp organic Flax powder
1 tbsp organic Chia Seeds (soak for 5-10 minutes before blending to make a gel)
2 tbsp organic Cacao powder
1 tbsp organic Baobab powder or 1 tsp Açaí or Pomegranate powder or 1-2 ozs Açaí juice
1 tbsp Maca powder
1/2 tsp organic Turmeric powder
1/2 Banana
1/2-1 cup frozen organic berries

Combine in blender or Ninja. Add a little organic cane sugar or stevia if it is not sweet enough. Add less Cacao if you like less chocolate. Use a frozen banana if you want it colder. This provides about 16 ozs.

Total nutrition:

24+g protein
37g fiber
450 calories (if no sugar added)
8,000+mg Omega 3 (converted to EPA/DHA at 20-25% in the body)

This smoothie has so many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in their raw form that one a day will improve your overall health! In-between meals, eat organic nuts, dried organic berries, and raw cacao nibs. Eat more raw organic fruits and vegetables and watch the new you come to life!