I have read a wonderful book, The Optimal Health Revolution. I just wanted to share some of my notes and personal thoughts without getting too scientific:
Inflammation: The consistent underlying theme for all chronic diseases.
Chronic inflammation underlies essentially every chronic disease that has increased rapidly in the last several decades. So wouldn't it make sense that if we can reduce inflammation, we can reduce the odds of chronic disease?
Read for yourself:
http://books.google.com/books?id=6fme4NjkH7cC&pg=PA164&lpg=PA164&dq=Dr.+Duke+Johnson+C+reactive+protein&source=bl&ots=jPvBLFAPsI&sig=NpR2nDZ3nJ9w5CEw1a22nSPMxIY&hl=en#v=onepage&q=Dr.%20Duke%20Johnson%20C%20reactive%20protein&f=false
BY DEFINITION:
Inflammation is a nonspecific protective immune system response to cell injury or irritation that is characterized by capillary enlargement, attraction of white blood cells to the area, redness, local swelling and partial reduction of normal cell function.
We all understand inflammation when visible, such as warm, red, swollen, tenderness you get around an injury like a cut, scrape or burn. An infection in the body may result in a fever, etc.
What about the inflammation you can't see? How our body responds to stressors (environment, poor nutrition, lack of exercise, etc.) could vary inflammation response levels. Longterm stressors = longterm inflammation resulting in increased risk of chronic disease.
Bottom line: we are so focused on "finding a cure" for diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cancer, etc., when we need to focus on a lifestyle that would reduce the risk factors by taking preventative measures against ALL chronic diseases.
I will go further by saying we spend a lot of money on charities (don't get me wrong, I am all for some of these charities) raising awareness or finding a cure when we could actually impact our future and others by changing our lifestyle.
Simple Example: A person smokes cigarettes (I am a former-smoker) is diagnosed with cancer and then wants to have a fundraiser to help offset medical expenses and joins the "club" of raising awareness and attempting to find a cure.
Stay tuned as I will share more notes and thoughts in upcoming posts.
NO XQSZ
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Hydration
Summer is coming to an end and fall sports are upon us. My son will have his second soccer game of the season tonight. With that in mind, we need not to forget the importance of hydration. It is the foundation for optimal health - fluids keeps our metabolism high, cushions joints, enhances mental readiness, and cleanses our body.
General guideline is to consume half your body weight in ounces per day, so 100 lbs would equal 50 ounces of fluid (roughly 4 16 ounce bottles of water). This is for the sedentary individual. Athletes will need much more depending on the sport.
Tips:
-If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.
-For many people, dehydration is mistaken as a hunger signal
-A glass of water before bed will shut down hunger pains for many people
-Dehydration is the foremost trigger of daytime fatigue
Drink up.
NO XQSZ
General guideline is to consume half your body weight in ounces per day, so 100 lbs would equal 50 ounces of fluid (roughly 4 16 ounce bottles of water). This is for the sedentary individual. Athletes will need much more depending on the sport.
Tips:
-If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.
-For many people, dehydration is mistaken as a hunger signal
-A glass of water before bed will shut down hunger pains for many people
-Dehydration is the foremost trigger of daytime fatigue
Drink up.
NO XQSZ
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