Hi everyone and welcome back for another informative blog post. With the final month finally upon us I think it’s time we start diving into one of my favorite books The Healing Protocols by Dr.Mark D. Emerson. The healing protocols is a informative book that teaches you how to prevent and reserve heart disease, diabetes, leaky gut and other chronic progressive diseases. To purchase the book I would check Amazon, Barnes & noble or your local book store.
The book starts off explaining that your body has the ability to heal itself and is designed to help you with everything you need. A crazy theory that we don’t need all the “medicine” that is pushed by “doctors”. That with the right care and love you can grow or buy everything you need from any local produce store or wellness store.
Remember that change requires change.
If you have a chronic health issue your body is dealing with ongoing stress and dysfunction. Luckily with healthy changes you can heal your body and be a happier you. To get to the root you have to know what four factors contribute to resolving any chronic issue.
1. Chronic Inflammation 2. Gut dysfunction 3. Toxic Foods 4. Food addictions
Most Common Chronic Health Issues
Heart disease / Stroke / Lung cancer / Depression / Type 2 diabetes / Arthritis / Asthma / Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)/Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Other Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Cystic Fibrosis
It’s important to know that inflammation is a normal part of the body’s defense to injury or infection, and, in this way, it is beneficial. But inflammation is damaging when it occurs in healthy tissues or lasts too long which leads to diseases. Acute inflammation is triggered by any harmful stimuli like pathogens, toxins, or physical injury.
Acute inflammation —> Repair—> Inflammation Resolves —>Healed
Chronic inflammation is a pathological condition referred to as slow, long-term inflammation lasting for prolonged periods of several months to years. Chronic inflammation is the acute inflammatory response over and over. The problem never goes away like a wild fire spreading with no end in sight.
Injury—> Inflammation —>Injury—> Inflammation —>Injury—> Pathology
Now you are probably thinking what is the cause of inflammation and I am more than sure you know the answer. It’s the food! In the second chapter of the healing protocols Dr. Emerson explains that nutrients are essential to our life and health. Poor eating habits create poor health. For your body to run properly you need to remember repair, maintenance, growth, detoxification and immunity which are all things your body gets from the foods you eat. To make sure you’re getting everything you need to eat Whole Foods.
Whole Foods are the key to restoring your health.
What is a whole food? A whole food contains the four components your body needs for energy, repair, and good health.
1. Macronutrients 2. Micronutrients 3. Fiber 4. Water
1.Macronutrients: The carbohydrates, proteins, and fats found in food that are considered the main energy sources for the body.
Macronutrients Foods: Meat (beef, chicken etc), Seafood, Dairy foods, Beans and Pulses, Nuts, Soy and tofu products
Carbohydrates: Starches – Macronutrient. Carbohydrates are needed for energy, repair, and homeostasis. The body burns carbs as its primary fuel and looks to burn carbs in the form of glucose. ( Random fact- Anyone who eats meat, fat, skin or bones have no amylase on their saliva)
Amylase- An enzyme, found chiefly in saliva and pancreatic fluid, that converts starch and glycogen into simple sugars
Protein: Amino acids-Macronutrient. Protein is essential to the body growth and repair, oxygen transport, antibody production for immunity, and to help with water balance within your cells. When you consume protein, your body breaks to down to amino acids. Amino acids are the budding blocks of protein.
Fats: Macronutrient. The good and the bad. Fats are needed for the body in many metabolic functions, and dietary functions. Fats also play a big role in stabilizing blood sugar levels, and the formation of hormones.
Good fats- Found in unrefined whole food plant sources such as avocados, raw nuts, and seeds
Bad fats- Toxic to human physiology are trans fats. There are two dietary sources of trans fats: 1. Processed vegetable oil 2. Animal fat
2.Micronutrients: The antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals and essential omega fatty acids within Whole Foods. They neutralize oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, fight cancer and strengthen immunity.
Micronutrient foods: Dark leafy vegetables, Small fish, Bell peppers, Whole grains, Eggs, Citrus foods
Antioxidants: Micronutrients. Antioxidants help with neutralizing the dancing effects of free radicals (oxidation). They are the shield and body armor you need to function properly.
Phytonutrients:Micronutrients (Phyto)meaning plant of nutrient substances. With over 5000 known phytonutrients it always amazes me that they aren’t talked about more.
For more info on phytonutrients check back tomorrow
3.Fiber: Detoxification, elimination, & microbiome. A high fiber diet reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, colon and breast cancer. Fiber controls the rate of digestion, stabilizes blood sugar levels, strengths the immune system and rids the body of toxins. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body can’t digest. Though most carbohydrates are broken down into sugar molecules called glucose, fiber cannot be broken down into sugar molecules, and instead it passes through the body undigested.
Soluble Fiber- Soluble fiber dissolves in water, and includes plant pectin and gums. Soluble fiber helps to build a strong and robust microbiome.
Insoluble fiber- Doesn’t dissolve in water or gastrointestinal fluids and provides your intestines need for regular bowel movements.
One for fuel One for bulk
Remember fiber is found in whole plant foods. There is no fiber in animal based products such as dairy, meat and eggs.
4.Water: Fresh Water- The key to maintain life and your body’s system. When you eat unrefined whole plant foods that are naturally grown they come with the necessary bioavailable nutrients you need all four pillars.
Macronutrients + Micronutrients + Fiber +Water = Health
Macronutrients + Micronutrients + Fiber +Water = Disease
Unrefined whole plant foods are foods that have been minimally processed from their natural state, as opposed to refined ingredients. Examples of unrefined ingredients include fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and oats.
To learn more about whole plant food diets check out https://eatplant-based.com/what-is-plant-based-diet/
Humble Soul 