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INFLAMMATION AND NUTRITION 14th February 2014
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Food has been on my mind!
Last weekend I took part in a Bowen Nutrition and Inflammation Webinar with Andrew Johnston followed by a Turkish Cookery course with Ozlem Warren.
There was a wealth of information, some of which I would like to share with you below.
So this Valentine's Day I hope that we shall be able to make good food choices and think carefully about eating the chocolates!
I shall be doing a talk at a Business Breakthrough meeting next week on "The Power of Healing with Sound." Music can lift your mood, touch your emotions and your body in a profound way, affecting your biochemistry and hormones.
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It is sometimes good to be reminded about the effects of certain foods on the body, blood sugar balance, stress on the adrenals, and the possible indications of liver and gallbladder congestion, as inflammation can come from within.
Seeking healing from Bowen Therapy alongside a qualified Nutritionist, Naturopath, Homeopath or Kinesiologist can really help reduce inflammation in the body which can manifest in so many ways. (I can refer you to some excellent therapists, if needed.)
Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury, infection, excessive exercise, emotional stress, lack of sleep, or other forms of stress or food.
Acute inflammation is the normal immediate reaction and should disappear with healing. However, there can be chronic inflammation as a result of the continual response of the immune system to an ongoing problem. Inflammation can continue for years, or a whole lifetime, causing scarring and degenerative disease. (It may manifest in loss of strength, twitching, fatigue, muscular/skeletal problems, swelling, heat, high blood pressure, pain, or loss of normal function to the area which is affected, for example.)
Tissues release multiple substances, including histamine, seratonin, prostaglandins and hormone substances called lymphokines from sensitised T-cells. Pain is also caused by prostaglandins and nerves that are stretched.
One of the worst side effects of taking anti-inflammatories such as Aspirin or Ibuprofen, is that they block the natural response of the body, and are not treating the actual cause. They can cause stomach upsets and ulcers. So having good nutritional support is really important.
There is a lot that you can do for yourself.
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Don't Feed the Fire.
The underlying cause needs to be found and removed, then healing can follow. What is your body needing? What is missing? What needs to be increased? (Magnesium is a common deficiency, for example.) Specialists in this field can help you.
The modern Western diet is high in calories and low in essential nutrients. Micronutrient deficiencies including antioxidants result in fat gain/obesity and poor health. Excess fat increases the inflammatory response that can make one vulnerable to low grade infections that create chronic inflammation. Meat fat, fried food, chips and cake are low in nutrients and inflammatory.
A healthy diet of 7 a Day should be filled with all the colours of the rainbow; vegetables; salad; a small amount of fruit (red or dark blue berries and cherries are good); legumes; moderate whole grains; protein and a significant amount of fat from good sources.
If you have a gut problem you may suffer from stress, anxiety and poor sleep. The gut is an important aspect of the immune system.
Inflammation affects the whole person. Stresses can be structural, biomechanical, emotional, on an energy level (chakras, meridians) and environmental. Avoid adrenal fatigue. Balance needs to be restored for optimum function to be enjoyed by your whole being.
There are many Bowen Procedures that address stomach problems; bloating; IBS; indigestion; the colon, liver, kidneys, gallbladder, pancreas, etc. So don't suffer in silence, seek professional help.
In brief
Eat: whole foods; lean organic protein, free range and organically reared, grass fed; along with legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds; Omega 3 fish oil (anti-inflammatory), healthy oils and fats; Vitamin D rich foods (or sunshine without burning); herbs and spices. Follow a PH balancing way of eating, more alkaline and less acidic, also low GL to balance blood sugar/insulin. Hydration is very important. Drink pure filtered or spring water, herbal teas, or green or white teas which are rich in antioxidants.
Avoid: sugar, alcohol, caffeine, allergens, fasting, excessive consumption of diuretic drinks and fruit juice. (This list is not all-emcompassing. Also check for hidden ingredients.)
Lifestye and other recommendations: moderate exercise of the right sort and balance; natural daylight; sunshine (if you get the chance! Avoid burning.) Get plenty of sleep (usually 8 hours for mopping up free radicals); seek therapies for postural, structural and mechanical alignment; relax; laugh; play uplifting music and enjoy social connections!
Accept nurturing and affection.
Celebrate love and compassion for yourself and for others.
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