I just recently heard a staggering fact on a podcast…

The macro economic analysis of the cost chronic disease in the United States is a staggering 95 trillion dollars over the next thirty years.  That is three trillion a year.

Is our system currently a “health care” or “sick care” system?   We are spending massive amounts of money just managing chronic illness of which most could be prevented through the right lifestyle choices.   A startling 6 in 10 adults have a chronic disease, which most people think is just “normal” today as we traverse through life and age.  This is far from normal.  70% OF ANNUAL DEATHS IN THE U.S. ARE CAUSED BY CHRONIC DISEASES.  As a health coach, I continually have people ask me “what can I do?”.  They get very excited at first when they realize they do have so much power in their own hands.  Then the excitement wanes when they realize that “health insurance” does not cover the cost and that they will have to make some big changes to their diet and lifestyle.     

Most things in life that are good are not simple nor cheap, however some things are worth it, and your health is one of them!  You can have everything in the world but you have nothing if you don’t have your health!

Food matters!  One of the most exciting fields of study is Nutrigenomics! This is the study of how food influences gene expressions and contributes to either health and longevity or to disease and earlier death.   What we eat and what goes in and on our bodies completely changes the biochemistry inside, setting us up for either health or disease. 

According to Dr. Josh Axe below are 7 of the best medicinal foods:

1. Fresh/Raw Vegetables

Green vegetables (like kale, wheat grass and spinach, for example), sea vegetables and fresh vegetable juices are considered some of the healthiest foods on earth, known to dramatically help slow aging. They help restore the body’s proper pH, prevent nutrient deficiencies, curb hunger and detoxify the blood. They are also super low in calories, yet beaming with antioxidants, phytonutrients and vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, potassium, iodine and fiber.

Antioxidants found in vegetables are an amazing thing: They develop within plants to protect the plant from its damaging environment including ultraviolet radiation, predator pests, toxins and pollution. Phytonutrients have the purpose of shielding plants from predators (and also provide their color, flavor and smell), and we obtain the same benefits when we eat them.

Nearly all diseases including infections, osteoporosis and even cancer thrive in an acidic environment, but by alkalizing your body naturally through eating more plant foods (especially fresh veggies), you help prevent cellular damage. Veggies of all kinds help lower free radical damage and control inflammation, plus many provide prebiotics and a high dose of fiber.

2. Organ Meats & Bone Broth

Organ meats, including beef or chicken liver, are some of the most nutrient-concentrated foods available to us. Liver is a true superfood and exceptionally high in zinc, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B12 and more.  It might not seem appealing to you at first, but consider that a “nose to tail” approach of eating animals has been practiced for thousands of years — and for good reason!

Consuming nutrient-packed organ meats and all edible parts of an animal, plus making bone broth with the remaining parts that are normally discarded (like bones, skin and ligaments), provides us with hard-to-find nutrients like collagen, glucosamine and an abundance of electrolytes and trace minerals. These nutrients help ward off and treat illnesses like irritable bowel disorders (IBD), arthritis and joint pains, chronic fatigue, leaky gut syndrome, anemia and allergies.

3. Probiotic Foods

Probiotics are not only critical for optimal digestion, but also for overall immune function and health. The digestive system is the second largest part of our neurological system and holds 80 percent of your entire immune system! A huge array of illnesses actually stem from poor gut health, including thyroid imbalances, chronic fatigue, joint pain, psoriasis, autism and food allergies.

The microbes that make up our gut flora are involved in weight control, appetite, inflammatory processes, cognitive functioning and neurotransmitter production. (7) This means that everything from your mood and energy levels to your ability to prevent common colds is tied to your gut.

Beneficial bacteria and other microbes living in the digestive tract thrive when we regularly replenish them by consuming both probiotic-rich foods (like yogurt, kombucha, kefir and cultured veggies) and also those with prebiotics (like chicory, asparagus and articohokes).

4. Omega-3 Foods

A diet high in “good fats” is essential for controlling inflammation, cognitive health, hormone production, cancer prevention, weight loss and cellular healing. Omega-3 fats are natural anti-inflammatories and help counteract the effects of pro-inflammatory omega-6 fats, which are very high in modern-day diets. (8)

The best sources of omega-3s include wild-caught fish like salmon, sardines, halibut, tuna and mackerel. Other plant sources include walnuts, flaxseeds and chia seeds. Try to avoid hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, trans fats, soybean oil, canola oil and other vegetable oils which are very high in omega-6s.

5. Healthy Fats

Not all fats are created equal (see directly above), but the certain good ones pack a lot of medicinal punch. From lowering bad cholesterol and helping shed excess weight to giving you shiny hair and healthy nails, your body will reap the benefits of healthy fats like avocado, grass-fed butter, ghee, coconut oil, MCT oil, extra virgin olive oil and yes, omega-3 fats (such as found in wild-caught salmon.)

It’s been been proved there is no evidence that dietary saturated fat increases a person’s risk for coronary heart disease or cardiovascular disease. (9)

Additionally, a seven-year study of more than 48,000 women showed that low-fat diets don’t lead to more weight loss or less disease. (10) And yet another study found that, when subjects ate either a Mediterranean diet (which is loaded with healthy fats), low-fat diet or low-carb diet, those following a high-fat, low-carb meal plan not only lost the most weight, but also drastically reduced their bad cholesterol levels. (11)

6. High-Antioxidant Foods

antioxidants slow the effects of aging by decreasing free radical damage. A good indication that a food has a high amount of antioxidants? If it’s naturally brightly colored (red, orange, yellow, green, etc.) chances are it’s supplying nutrients like beta carotene, resveratrol, flavanoids and more. Some of the best foods for obtaining antioxidants include: berries, red wine, raw cocoa, acai, spirulina, leafy greens, fresh herbs and spices, cruciferous veggies and bright root veggies.

7. High Fiber Foods

Here’s a scary finding: it’s estimated that less than 5 percent of Americans get the recommended amount of dietary fiber they need each day! You might already know that dietary fiber helps keep you “regular” in the bathroom, but did you know it’s also very important for heart health, your entire digestive system and gut, and even your immune system?

Fiber helps to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, strengthens the colon walls, plays a role in regulating blood sugar levels, helps prevent insulin resistance, and promotes the growth of beneficial probiotic bacteria in your gut that influence immunity.

It’s recommended that adults get at least 25–30 grams of fiber daily. (12) High-fiber diets are associated with better protection against obesity, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, digestive disorders and menstrual problems (just to name a few). High-fiber foods include leafy greens, cruciferous veggies, avocado, coconut, starchy veggies, berries, nuts, seeds, sprouted legumes and ancient grains.

In addition to a diet using many of these foods, another crucial step to keeping the body in optimal health, thus preventing chronic diseases, is to detoxify and eliminate toxins. In our modern society we are bombarded with chemicals from our diet and environment that contribute to inflammation, autoimmune diseases, infertility, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia and many other chronic diseases.

As I always say, ” It’s your life, live a great one!” You are worth it!

Please reach out to me if you have any comments or questions.