By far one of my favorite movies of all time is the Wizard of Oz. It has so many stories and events that are related to our everyday life. Dorothy had to worry about "real" creatures that would harm her in the Wizard of Oz. As they started down the Yellow Brick Road, Dorothy and the gang were afraid of many things but still hoping to get to the Wizard. In fact, for many of us, we are just walking down the Yellow Brick Road of life, not really aware of our current threats. We know that we are not going to face real Lions and Tigers and Bears. However, our enemies and threats are deeply hidden and much more dangerous. One of the biggest threats that we have to worry about is inflammation. This silent enemy robs us of our dreams, our health and our happiness. I think Life is really not so much about the goal but more of the experience. In this life, if we are chronically under attack by inflammation, our entire system is chronically being broken down. This happens slowly, so slow in fact we don't even know it is happening. I have had the pleasure to witness the detox of so many people in my office. This daily dose goes out to so many people that I am not able to see face to face in my office. I want to share the message with those people. This is why I write the Daily Dose.

There are 3 hidden sources of inflammation. In reality, there a lot more but I am going to highlight the 3. First of all, refined sugar is actually killing us. Slowly but surely, we are being poisoned as a society. When we take in the refined sugar we are in fact depleting our bodies of vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium and chromium. These sugars will increase our insulin resistance, weight gain, and the level of LDL cholesterol in our bodies. If we get too deep in this process, then we spiral down into chronic disease. It is the high glycemic foods that are causing the real problem with chronic disease. This is what we have to stop.

The other hidden "tiger" is the so called diet margarine that we use like candy. This is a source of a many unhealthy fake fats such as trans-fats. This process known as partial hydrogenation is actually causing a significant amount of inflammation in our body. We were not designed to process this material and in the end, we mount an immunological response to these foreign substances. The inflammation in our bodies keep rising higher and higher. The things that we blow off as "normal aches and pains of aging" are really not normal in many cases. The majority of trans fats are actually in all of the processed snack foods that we passively eat right out of the bag. The metabolic process in the body causes oxidation of these foreign fats. Over time we have an accumulation of free radicals and this leads to many chronic illnesses such as asthma, cancer and diabetes.

Thirdly, MSG or mono-sodium glutamate is used commonly in processed foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, personal hygiene products, and many other products including many drugs that we commonly take blindly. Also, it may be used in the wax that makes those apples so shiny and red looking. It is in many pesticides and fertilizers. It has been found on the plants that are displayed on the gorgeous fruit and vegetable stands at the local market. The important thing to know about MSG is that it is classified as an excitotoxin. Excitotoxins, such as NutraSweet, are documented to play a role in headaches, abnormal neurological development, learning disorders and obesity.  However, there are many other problems with an excitotoxin. This is for another discussion. Of particular interest to me is the ability of MSG to increase appetite. Eating, satiety, and appetite are quite complex in the neural pathway. MSG may actually interfere with the appetite center that is buried deep within the mid-brain. MSG is not just in Chinese food. In fact, it is in almost everything: canned soup, stock cubes, fast foods, dressings, croutons, ramen noodles and most instant or convenience foods.

So, what can you eat?  I have listed what you should not eat but I need to tell you what you should eat, right?  That is fair.

Try and eat as much organic foods as you can. I know that they are a lot more expensive and harder to get. However, studies prove that they have much higher levels of Vitamin C and other anti-oxidants. The theory is that if plants have to fight off pests naturally, they are going to develop more anti-oxidants. If pesticides do the job, then the plant does not have to produce as much. This seems like a reasonable explanation. The other explanation is that organic crops grow more slowly and therefore, have about 30% longer "in the soil" time. 

You also need to increase your intake of Omega 3 Fatty acids. The ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 in the American diet is heavily skewed to the Omega 6 side. Omega 6 Fatty Acids are in everything. Diets that are high in corn, corn-fed meats and processed fats and sugars are high in the pro-inflammatory Omega 6 Fatty Acids. We do not need an increase in them. By default, living and eating in America, you are going to get plenty of Omega 6 Fatty Acids. The best source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids is cold water, carnivorous small fish. For many, a supplement is the only way to get this essential fat.

Eat as much whole foods rich in fiber as you want to eat. In other words, we are actually designed to eat high fiber foods all the time. I love the saying: Eat Foods, not too much, mostly plants. If we stick to this simple mantra, you will enjoy a healthier life and by default a happier life. If you want to reduce your headaches, decrease your asthma, improve your cholesterol and your blood pressure, it has to start with the drugs that you put in your mouth each day. Remember what the Father of Medicine said, "Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food." Hippocrates was right on target. The food that you put in your mouth is absolutely no different than a prescription drug or an over the counter medication. It is just not labeled the same.

Until tomorrow,

Dr. Michelle Haendiges