Health and Food

When driving in unknown territory and using our GPS, we trust it’ll provide information to get us to where we want to go. If the GPS gives us the wrong information, we will end up at a location where we don’t want to be. Similarly, the food we eat provides our bodies with directions and materials for proper cellular functioning. The wrong food choices could send us down the wrong road with respect to our physical and mental health and aging. 

As we age, we must nourish our bodies properly to help slow down the process, and protect against age-related diseases, including cognitive decline, and cancer. Research reveals that along with aging comes a chronic, low-grade inflammatory state, sometimes referred to as Inflamm-aging. Inflamm-aging is a risk factor for physical and cognitive disability, frailty, and an even higher risk of mortality. 

Inflamm-aging is a characteristic of aging and is a result of genetic as well as environmental factors. This low-grade chronic, systemic inflammation is present in the absence of infection. When we have a traumatic tissue injury or invading pathogen inflammation can be helpful. But in the absence of trauma, inflammation may potentially have adverse effects in aging, thus leading to tissue degeneration. 

We now have an understanding of the association of obesity and inflammation and its relationship to multimorbidity (two or more chronic conditions) as we age. 

Scientific evidence points to high levels of pro-inflammatory markers in older people are associated with the risk of developing the common diseases of aging as well as many different chronic diseases.

Studies now show us that intermittent fasting and cutting down on the number of calories we ingest can help with longevity. What we eat, how much we eat, and when we eat all play a role in whether we age healthy or not. But what if there was a way to help slow down the aging process by following a few simple guidelines? 

Here are ten tips to help you avoid Inflamm-aging:

1.  Eat an anti-inflammatory diet: This is a diet high in fruit, vegetable, and unprocessed food.

2. Practice Intermittent Fasting: A new study concludes that intermittent fasting reduces the monocyte cells that cause inflammation in the blood.

3. Get enough sleep: Sleep is essential for your body to repair and clean the brain of toxins.

4. Take care of your teeth and gums: Poor oral hygiene can have devastating consequences on health, including heart disease and gut health.

5. Eat a plant-based diet: Studies of a plant-based diet show an age-related decrease in telomerase activity, thus slowing the aging process.

6. Exercise regularly: Our bodies were made to move, and exercising has an anti-aging benefit. 

7. Mindfulness Meditation: Mindfulness is a superpower! Stress and angst are now a big part of most people’s lives. Mindfulness can help to mitigate those issues while minimizing inflammation in the body.

8. Breathwork: Our breath is the only system that we can use to lower stress in the body by sending a message to the brain to relax and calm down.

9. Mindful Eating: Mindful eating will help you to become more centered and grounded with your food choices resulting in lower inflammation. 

10. Gratitude: Having a gratitude practice will improve your physical and mental health and help you to sleep better. 

Taking control over your health by making good food choices, exercise, and lowering stress levels will help you to feel empowered both physically and mentally. It’s these small steps that will lead you to big changes in your life. 

Questions? Contact us here or schedule an appointment with Joanne for further support.