Chronic Stress, Chronic Inflammation, and Disease

We all know that stress can cause ailments such as difficulty sleeping, muscle tension, changes in appetite, headaches, stomach problems, panic attacks, and prolonged feeling of sadness or worthlessness. But, did you also know that stress can literally alter the cells in our body and lead to chronic inflammation and serious diseases? Prolonged, overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones can wreak havoc on the mind and body. That is why people want to turn to more natural/herbal remedies in helping them lower their cortisol levels. From taking herbal tablets, to trying weed and looking up how to pack a glass blunt, there is a myriad of ways people can reduce stress levels naturally.Chronic stress can reprogram the cells in our body and disrupt all of it’s processes.

A region at the base of our brain, the hypothalamus, is set off in the presence of a perceived threat. In turn, this signals the pituitary and adrenal glands to release a surge of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. Cortisol is the main hormone responsible for Continue reading “Chronic Stress, Chronic Inflammation, and Disease”

Arthritis and Gout are no longer considered “old man diseases”……..and they are dangerous!

These painful joint conditions were once considered the inevitable outcome of old aging joints.  However, these painful conditions have more than doubled in the past 10-15 years, with a shocking amount of sufferers now found to be under the age of 40.  Doctors have seen the sharpest rise in patients in their 20’s and 30’s, some 30% since 2012, suffering from a disease that was once thought to be limited to royalty.  Not so coincidentally, the rise in obesity, Diabetes Type 2, and prescriptions such as low-dose aspirin and diuretics has occurred almost simultaneously.

Even still there is large percentage of the population that suffers silently having never been diagnosed, or sometimes misdiagnosed.  Gout especially can be overlooked by medical professionals due to inaccurate blood measurements of Uric Acid.  Unless the fluid is directly aspirated from the joint it can be difficult to identify.  Many that are under an attack at the time they are seen by a physician will have low to normal blood serum Uric Acid levels.  Why is this?  Continue reading “Arthritis and Gout are no longer considered “old man diseases”……..and they are dangerous!”

Antibiotics- How do they affect your health?

Gout, Arthritis, Inflammation and Antibiotics

 

Antibiotics have played an integral role in modern medicine saving countless lives from bacterial pathogens that would have otherwise claimed them.  This holds true under terms that we remain responsible with the administration of such a powerful resource.  Unfortunately, organisms evolve and as such we have found ourselves at the mercy of antibiotic resistant microbes stemming from the misuse and overuse of Antibiotics.

Antibiotic literally means “against life.”  While its role has been critical in destroying the life of bad bacteria, antibiotics are indiscriminate when it comes to the life of the good bacteria our bodies still need to survive.  Research has shown that childhood antibiotic use can inhibit the normal growth and development of healthy gut bacteria.  Over 70% of the immune system resides in our gut and is home to the trillions of bacteria that play a crucial part of our physical and mental health.  We are now learning how the general shaping of our intestinal health early on in life can determine our future dealings with our immune systems and disease. Continue reading “Antibiotics- How do they affect your health?”

The Negative Effects of Antibiotics on The Body

Believe it or not the Antibiotics you are popping like candies come with harmful side effects that can cripple you. Antibiotics may be prescription drugs meant to treat infections, but they usually do more harm than good. Some of its negative effects include:

Inflammation

Prolonged use of antibiotics can cause inflammation in the large intestine. Known as Clostridium difficile- induced colitis, the condition is the result of the
growth of harmful bacteria in the gut.

Typical symptoms of the condition include loose stools, bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain that can be crippling in its intensity. In worse case scenarios, you can also get a fever along with these symptoms if you take antibiotics for your ailments. The risk of developing this condition increases as we age and it is particularly high in infants and children.

Most antibiotics change the quality of healthy bacteria in the intestines and allow the proliferation of unhealthy bacteria. The latter is imminent as these meds create an environment in the gut that is ideal for the growth of said bacteria such as the Clostridium difficile. This bacterium releases toxins that attack the lining of the large intestine leading to inflammation. Continue reading “The Negative Effects of Antibiotics on The Body”

This Is Your Brain On Turmeric……

Are we doomed for cognitive decline as we age?  Not necessarily.  There are plenty of healthy, thriving older adults pushing into their 70’s and 80’s with cognitive functioning as well as, sometimes even better than, younger adults.  Cognitive decline is far from uniform, with many variables in play.  However, 1 in 9 Americans will suffer with some level of decline by the age of 65, with 1 in 3 by the age of 85.

Where and how does it all begin?  We know that inflammation is at the heart of all disease.  Often times the signs of chronic inflammation begin with achy muscles and joints.  We find ourselves at the doctor being prescribed something specifically for that ailment.  What we need to be considering is how that inflammation could be affecting other parts of our body, as well.  We are programmed to treat each symptom individually, and as separate conditions, when we should actually be addressing the inflammation in the body as a whole before it continues to creep into and destroy other parts of the body.  What does this have to do with your brain? Continue reading “This Is Your Brain On Turmeric……”

Probiotics May Help Decrease Inflammation and Treat Inflammatory Disease

Science has determined that chronic inflammation plays a role in many diseases, including those that are commonly understood as inflammatory diseases as well as others that were not originally connected with inflammation, such as obesity and diabetes. Now it appears that probiotics, healthy bacteria that live in the gut, may be a key to help treat many inflammation-associated diseases, like ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease. Probiotics may also help alleviate many of the uncomfortable symptoms experienced by people who must take antibiotics for extended periods of time.

The Role of Probiotics in Fighting Inflammation

In healthy people, inflammation helps the body fight off infection. When inflammation doesn’t switch off Continue reading “Probiotics May Help Decrease Inflammation and Treat Inflammatory Disease”

Is Allopurinol Safe and Effective?

Have you ever taken note of the long list of side effect warnings that come with prescription medications?  I’m sure the answer is, an unequivocal, YES!

Have we been programmed to ignore these warnings because they are so forthright with stating them, no matter how quickly they run through this long and dirty list in a commercial?

So many of us are looking for quick fixes, especially when it comes to this excruciatingly painful condition.  When that Gout attack hits we are pretty much willing to cut off a limb to ease the pain.  Does that make us more susceptible to taking a prescription without even knowing what it could do to us?  Sadly, many of us are at the mercy of both our health conditions and the trust for our physicians to do what is right for us. Continue reading “Is Allopurinol Safe and Effective?”

Should I be taking Turmeric?

This powerful Indian spice has been proving its worth for nearly 4,000 years.  Its active medicinal compound known as Curcumin (curcuminoids) is a powerhouse antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.  Turmeric has been studied and linked to having anti-cancer properties, ability to slow the progression of joint conditions, fight infection, assist with digestive disorders, skin conditions, and so much more.  The U.S.D.A. Agricultural Research Service has listed 78 biologically activities associated with Curcumin.  The main debate is how to obtain enough of this important spice via oral consumption knowing its absorption rate is rather low.  It is important to keep the medicinal compounds active in the blood and in the body for long enough periods of time to utilize all of its powers.  Some formulations have included piperine (black pepper) to increase its bioavailability.  Another formulation known as BCM-95 has been said to offer new technology that has been able to capture, hold onto, and keep the curcuminoids active in the body for several hours beyond standard forms.

One thing is for certain, regardless of the source, Turmeric/Curcumin would be a great addition to your diet and/or supplement intake.

Ever heard of Golden Milk? Continue reading “Should I be taking Turmeric?”

What Can I Eat at Chipotle?

You’re at Chipotle and not sure what to order……

The age old question when it comes to avoiding Gout attacks, “WHAT CAN I EAT?” If only the answer was as simple. I can’t tell you how many conflicting ideas and suggestions I’ve come across in my many years working with this painful condition. What we’ve come to be certain of is that following a low purine approach alone can lead you into some serious confusion and even more serious trouble.

Before we go further in suggesting what to eat when you are at a fast food place like Chipotle, it is important to understand that gaining control of your Gout is vital to your continued success and ability to splurge. Bringing the uric acid levels into a manageable range will allot you a bit more freedom in the diet area. We’ll elaborate on this in posts to come.

Back to the main subject – THE CHIPOTLE ORDER!! Skip the white rice, skip the tortillas (soft and crispy), and limit the meat. Order a bowl and load on the veggies. Load on the romaine lettuce, double up on the onions and peppers, go for the hot salsa if you can, load on the sour cream, load on the guacamole, and go light on the meat and cheese. The goal here is aiming more for an acidic/alkaline balance and worrying less about the purines. Olé!

Natural Relief for Inflammation

Natural Treatments for Inflammation

November 29th, 2017

Inflammation is at the heart of all disease. Inflammation is a biological and necessary response for our body’s healing process in the presence of dying cells, pathogens, and other irritants. However, the presence of chronic inflammation can be devastating to our health.

What is the difference between Acute and Chronic Inflammation?

Acute inflammation is the temporary response to undesirable bacteria and/or tissue injury. The onset of this level of inflammation is rapid and tends to only last a few days, sometimes a few weeks. At this point whatever caused this onset either improves, turns into an abscess, or becomes a chronic condition. Acute inflammation usually involves pain, swelling, redness, heat, and loss of mobility. Examples of acute inflammation include sore throats, bronchitis, appendicitis, physical trauma, cuts/scratches, etc.

Chronic Inflammation results from Continue reading “Natural Relief for Inflammation”