Tag: disease

  • Invasion of the body snatchers

    Invasion of the body snatchers

    Invasion of the body snatchers

    Autoimmune diseases are on the rise (and what you can do about it)

    The rates of the most common autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis, are on the rise―but there is hope for prevention and management.

    What’s in the name: defining autoimmune diseases

    Autoimmune diseases happen when your immune system, which is supposed to protect your body from harmful invaders like viruses and bacteria, mistakenly attacks healthy cells.  This results in chronic inflammation and damage to various tissues and organs in your body, which can trigger an array of health concerns, like arthritis.

    Unlike other diseases caused by external factors, this immune malfunction makes autoimmune diseases harder to diagnose, as symptoms can overlap with many other conditions and vary widely from person to person.

    The causes of autoimmune disease

    Researchers continue to debate various questions about the underlying causes of autoimmune diseases like lupus and multiple sclerosis.

    Most theories boil down to two key factors: your genetics and your environment. Genetic triggers cannot be altered, but degenerative factors like exposure to toxic elements, infections, or chronic stress can be avoided with lifestyle changes.

    Optimize your diet

    Being overweight or obese raises your risks, so eating a healthy diet is foundational. Exactly what you eat is key, too. There’s a correlation between inflammation and both the development and the symptoms of autoimmune diseases.

    Concentrate on anti-inflammatory foods, including leafy greens, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds. That’s the focus of diets like the autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet, which has been shown to help with inflammation-linked health concerns. Reduce the intake of processed foods, refined sugar, and trans fats. Prioritize foods rich in probiotics such as yogurt and fermented vegetables, as well as prebiotic fibres, which help maintain the gut―an important factor in immune function.

    Sweat it out

    Research suggests that regular physical activity can help to both prevent and manage the inflammation and common symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, of autoimmune diseases.

    You don’t need to be a gym rat to reap the benefits. If you’re struggling with pain, mobility, or fatigue, gentle forms of exercise like yoga and tai chi can do the trick.

    When to talk to a doctor

    There are some situations where factors are simply out of your hands. But you’re still empowered to take control of your health. Regular monitoring can catch early signs if you’re at higher risk due to family history. Blood tests and symptom tracking can make a big difference.

    If you notice persistent symptoms or have a family history of autoimmune conditions, consult a healthcare provider. Early detection and management are crucial to improving your quality of life.

    by Joshua Duvauchelle

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Summer Camp Week 8: Food As Medicine

    Summer Camp Week 8: Food As Medicine

    Hippocrates wasn’t kidding when he said, “Let food be thy

    medicine and medicine be thy food.” The man knew what

    hedefinition of disease was talking about way back in (about) 475 BC – back when

    it was necessary for physicians (or healers) to know about

    nature. Ask a physician practicing traditional western

    medicine today about what you can eat to help

    diverticulitis, arthritis or a simple sinus infection, and you

    might be met with a confused face. Medical doctors in our

    western culture typically practice medicine by prescribing

    pharmaceutical drugs and addressing symptoms of disease.

    But what if we could replace disease with ease? Better yet, what if healthcare was all about maintaining

    ease instead of addressing symptoms of disease?

    Another smart man that we’re all familiar with – Mr. Thomas Edison – once said, “The doctor of the

    future will give no medicine, but will interest her or his patients in the care of the human

    frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.”

    With an ongoing discussion of preventive health amongst our community these days, more of us are

    now interested in what we can eat and how we can live to prevent disease.

    If you’re among the bunch that wishes to choose ease as a way of life, here’s an overview you may find

    to be a useful guide for living:

    Food for Thought

    Your body is an amazing machine of interconnected mechanisms that work together to generate

    a living, breathing, you. And though each function of your body is quite dependent on the functions of

    other parts of your body, there are specific foods that help support specific areas of your anatomy.

    (CLICK CHART FOR PDF VERSION)

    fam chart Bringing a regular supply of these foods into your diet can help support healthy function of all your body’s systems and mechanisms. Using these foods in times of disorder and disease can also prove to be supportive to your health.

    References

    www.clevelandclinic.com – Cleveland Clinic

    https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders

    https://medlineplus.gov/throatdisorders.html – US National Library of Medicine