November I had the opportunity to spend a week with my 87 year old Grandfather who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Although it has progressed enough that he needs to be hospitalized and he doesn't remember many people he sees, he still remembered me each time I come in the door. I have always been very close to my Grandparents. I spent every summer with them at the cottage and I have many great memories.
As I sat across from my Grandfather I listen to him tell the same stories over and over again, and I listened as if it was the first time hearing it. I cherished each moment with him because I know eventually he will no longer recognize me. As I write these words the tears fill my eyes because I know that Alzheimer's Disease along with a list of other degenerative diseases are all preventable. If I had only known 10 years ago what I know today maybe things would be different for my Grandfather.
So many people are so focused on the treatment and the cure for diseases when 80% of all degenerative diseases are preventable. It is for this reason that I have decided to focus my energy on educating everyone about preventing disease from occurring in the first place.
This year there will be 17 million deaths from cardiovascular disease. Millions of people will suffer from cancer, stroke, respiratory disease and diabetes. About 1 in 3 children born in America today are expected to develop Type 2 Diabetes. This is the true epidemic. These numbers are much more alarming to me than the H1N1 stats.
Dr Myron Wentz is an immunologogist and microbiologist and expert in cellular nutrition. He founded USANA Health Sciences and has made it his life mission to help people live healthier lives through scientific research and advanced nutritional products. He is often quoted as saying "we are living too short and dying too long."
Why are so many people in the world choosing death over long term health? So many people admit they are afraid to die, yet when they continue to make poor lifestyle choices is like committing slow suicide. It will catch up with them eventually. It is sad to realize that many people will wait until they are diagnosed with a disease before they stop and pay attention to their health.
According to Dr. Chris Lydon at Yale University “Chronic inflammation lies at the root of virtually every disease know to modern man – from weight gain, obesity & heart disease to autoimmune disorders like lupus, MS and rheumatoid arthritis.”
We can prevent inflammation in our bodies by eating low glycemic/anti-inflammatory foods, reducing stress and taking high quality antioxidants and supplements. Our bodies are constantly under attack by environmental toxins, preservatives and contaminants in our foods/soil, and stress. I like to describe it as your cells rusting. Once a vehicle begins to rust it spreads to the rest of the body. You can't just paint over it, you need to remove the rust. Antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids help remove the rust in our cells by reducing inflammation in our body.
I have experienced the benefits of taking antioxidants myself which I will share with you in a future post. For now I want to continue my story about my Grandfather. When I was visiting my Grandfather in November I asked him if he would be willing to take a fish oil supplement (Biomega - omega 3 fatty acid) that would help with his memory. He agreed and since November my Grandmother has given him the tablets each day. When I spoke to her this last weekend she told me his memory has improved in the last month. This was exciting to me! My Grandfather's memory has been slowing declining for the last 5 years and in one month of taking the Biomega, it has improved! I am curious to see how he does in the next couple of months. I will keep you posted here.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can nourish your cells and support your body through nutrition read my article "Are you Starving your Cells?"
We cannot just look at one aspect of our lives to improve our health. We need to look at the whole picture - health of your mind, body and soul!
Stay tuned to this blog and I will write more about how to make some manageable lifestyle changes. I will be here to educate and support you. You deserve to live a long healthy life and it would be my honor to help you on your path toward optimal health.
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