Ask yourself "WHY AM I SICK?"
Too often I see people in the hospital who are VERY sick, and don't know what they can do to help their situation. They either are not aware that their lifestyle and diet play a role into their health, or they just don't care. If you are the latter, then that is your prerogative and I wish you well. If you just don't know, then you are in the right place.
First and foremost, my advice is to focus on PREVENTION. Prevention is THE MOST important thing in my opinion. Things you are doing EVERYDAY, right this moment, will effect you life forever. Also, I want to blow your mind a bit. Your grandmother (maternal), carried YOU in her stomach *mind blown*. Let me explain. When your mother was in your grandmother's belly, your MOM had all of the eggs she will ever have her entire life, aka you were one of those eggs. SO if you think your health isn't worth fighting for, then maybe you should think about your child's health and your grandchild's health too! Now that's something we can usually all agree that we care about. So right now, I'm not only doing things selfishly so that I can live a long, healthy life, but I am also doing it for the future generations of my lineage, and you should too!
Let's recap on my last blog and understand that 5-10% of disease is genetic. So 90-95% of disease is caused by what you do everyday. If that doesn't motivate you to change, then I don't know what will. That means that, YOU my friend, have WAY more control over your health than you think.
EPIGENETICS is a whole topic within itself, and I am sure I will do a blog post on that, but it means that you have a set of genes. These genes predispose you to certain things, but our environment, lifestyle, diet, beliefs, fears, STRESS, etc are the factors that TURN ON and TURN OFF these genes. So things have to line up real nice and perfect for a gene to turn on or off.
Your exposures: toxins, secondhand smoke, smoking, alcohol, heavy metals, pesticides, mold, pathogens like yeast, parasites, bacteria, viruses, drinking water, environmental/work toxins, etc
Your FOOD: anti-nutrients, inflammatory foods, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, macronutrients, micronutrients, etc
Your sleep or lack of
Your exercise
Your MIND, BODY and SPIRIT and STRESS All of these things play a role in not only epigenetics, but in PREVENTION
So if you still want to continue to drink soda, eat tons of processed foods and say YOLO, then like I said, that is your prerogative. BUT, I do want you to realize and be aware that those habits are contributing to your genes turning on or off, and leading to disease.
If prevention is already long gone, and you already have a diagnosis, you are never too late! NOW is even more of a crucial time to turn your life around and focus on the things that will make you healthier.
For instance. If you are pre-diabetic, I would encourage you to ask your doctor ways you can further prevent Diabetes. It's typically a number on a piece of paper that separates "pre-diabetes" and "diabetes". Think about that for a second. We get lab values to determine someone's Hemoglobin A1C and the moment you cross from 5.7 (which anything <5.7 is considered "normal") to >5.8, you are now a diabetic. SO, if you have an A1C that is inching up towards 5.7, it would behoove you to do something about it, rather then WAIT for a diagnosis. Make sense?
Guess what, once you have 1 chronic disease, the incidence of MORE chronic diseases increases. Once your body has dysfunction somewhere, it's a snowball effect. This is not working properly, so this has to either pick up the slack or begins to not work properly. I see it everyday. Patients start with hypertension, diabetes and/or high cholesterol. Next thing you know they are admitted for open heart surgery, a stroke or an amputated limb.
Now, if you have a disease and are taking medications, these medications are great for managing these diseases, but they are most likely never going to cure you, ESPECIALLY if you continue on with the SAME habits (the reason you got to this point in the first place). They will allow you to live longer than if you weren't on these medications, 100%, but you are still going to have the disease.
The reason I obsess over this so much is because I see SO MANY patients who could have PREVENTED their situation. Like I said, there is always that 5-10% chance that something is inevitable due to genetics, BUT chances are you can prevent something 90-95% of the time.
Let me start off by saying, NO ONE IS PERFECT. Myself included. I love to indulge in chocolate, wine and anything sweet, but I also know my body feels like absolute dog shit when I eat too many sweets or drink too much. I also know that my health depends on me taking care of myself and holding myself accountable.
Accountability is key. If you want to just rely on your doctor to "fix" all of your health problems then that is on you. I highly recommend you to do your own research and advocate for your own health. We are not meant to walk this life alone, it's okay and in fact recommended to reach out for help when you need it. Challenge things that need to be challenged. Have the conversations with your medical professionals that need to be had. But please don't give up on yourself. Your well-being is worth it. The well-being of your children and grandchildren are worth it <3
My job is to help people improve their health. My goal is OPTIMAL wellness and quality of life for each one of my clients. If you would like to work with me, book with me below!
This is not medical advice, please consult your medical doctor for medical advice.