7 Steps To Optimal Health

By:  Maria

The health of Americans has been on a steady decline and seems to be quickening at an alarming pace. For the past 50 years, the medical community has robustly recommended and encouraged a diet that is low in fat and high in carbohydrates. The claims have lead us to believe that by following those recommendations, we will be healthier and would avoid or reduce risk of disease and disorders.

How has that worked out for us?

Well, let's take a look...



• Diabetes and Obesity is now affecting 100 million Americans
• 9 out of 10 Americans will develop high blood pressure
• Of those born in 2010, 1 out of 3 will develop diabetes
• Rates of heart disease are projected to double in the next 30 years

The future isn't looking very bright, is it? We are not getting healthier, we are getting worse! It's clear that following the recommended approach has not only failed our health, but has been a contributor to what is considered to be an epidemic of modern diseases.

The modern diseases share a common basis: poor diet, lack of sleep, unmanaged stress, nutrient deficiencies, lack of exercise, toxins, even medications.

The conventional solution has always been to rely on medication (i.e., drugs) without the emphasis on figuring out the underlying component at the root of the problem. It hasn't worked. The best thing we can do is empower ourselves to prevent these issues without the necessity of drugs or even invasive procedures.

• Nourish your body - eat a wide variety of colorful vegetables, lean meats, fish and seafood, healthy source of fats.
• Avoid consuming toxins - including cereal grains (especially refined flour), omega-6 industrial seed oils (corn, cottonseed, safflower, soybean, etc.), sugar (especially high-fructose corn syrup), processed soy (soy milk, soy protein, soy flour, etc.)
• Eat whole food - whole means unprocessed, unrefined, ideally pasture-raised and wild, local and seasonal is ideal and, whenever possible, organic.
• Heal your gut - an unhealthy gut equates to an unhealthy immune system. Our immune system relies on a healthy gut, given the fact that 75% of our immunity comes from our gut. Contributors to an unhealthy gut include: antibiotics and other medications like birth control and NSAIDs, a diet high in refined carbohydrates, sugar and processed foods, a diet low in fermentable fibers, dietary toxins like wheat and industrial seed oils that cause leaky gut, chronic stress, chronic infections.
• Learn to manage your stress - we all have stress, some more than others. The key is learning how to manage that stress. You can be nourishing your body with good nutrition and exercise, but if your body is under constant stress, you will still be at risk for modern diseases. Avoid stresses by: learning how to say "no", avoiding people or situations that stress you out, reduce or eliminate media exposure that leaves you stressed, forget about arguments or debates that lead to nowhere, practice acceptance, learn to be grateful, expose yourself to situations that cultivates compassion and/or empathy, learn to manage your time.
• Get quality sleep - don't laugh; it can be done. Knowing that your health is truly dependant on how well you sleep should be a motivating factor to emphasize this often ignored issue. If not, maybe knowing the effects of sleep deprivation will: compromised immune system, contributes to being overweight/obese, cognitive decline, mood/mental health problems, chronic inflammation, shortens lifespan. More here.
• Enjoy life, reintroduce fun - I'm not talking about finding a distraction (spending hours on facebook, or watching TV), I'm talking about finding something that brings you pleasure, relaxation and a feeling of absolute peace. Whether it's getting a soothing massage, walking a quiet trail at a leisurely pace and without time constraints, listening to some soothing music while sitting in the warmth of the sun, or watching a baby sleeping soundly. Just do it for pleasure and nothing else.