Brazos Minshew

NOURISH

Brazos Minshew

“Every living cell in your body is made from the food you eat. If you consistently eat junk food, then you’ll have a junk body.”

– Jeanette Jenkins

Nourishing our bodies with the right nutrients is vital to our health and wellness. Precisely what constitutes the ideal diet is an ongoing debate, but most agree that eating natural, unprocessed foods (eg, vegetables, fruits, legumes, lean proteins), and avoiding sugars, salt, trans fats, refined grains and processed meats are best.21–25

The further our food source gets from its natural state, the worse it is for us. Poor diets comprised of foods that promote inflammation, including corn and soybean oils, pasteurized dairy products, refined carbohydrates, meats, sugars and trans fats, have dire consequences. Obesity and diabetes are just the tip of the iceberg.26 Persistent inflammation and oxidative stress throughout the body and the central nervous system underlie many age-related chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and may greatly contribute to other serious health conditions from cardiovascular disease and diabetes to certain cancers and allergic diseases like asthma, arthritis and Crohn’s disease as well as IBD and some infections.5,22,27 Poor eating habits can make you fat and sick, destroying your quality of life and killing you off early.

Nourish your body with fresh, nutritionally rich foods, and reap the protective benefits as you cultivate wellbeing and longevity.

References

21 Mayo Clinic. “Common sense” helps patients through diet maze. Cardiovascular Update. 2004:2(3). http://www.mayoclinic.org/documents/mc5234-01-04sm-pdf/doc-20079051. Accessed March 23, 2017.

22 Godman H. Adopt a Mediterranean diet now for better health later. Harvard health blog. November 6, 2013. http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/adopt-a-mediterranean-diet-now-for-better-health-later-201311066846. Accessed March 23, 2017.

23 Mayo Clinic. DASH diet: Healthy eating to lower your blood pressure. Healthy lifestyle: Nutrition and healthy eating Web site. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/dash-diet/art-20048456. Accessed March 23, 2017.

24 Williams J. Optimal diets for longevity: the science, not the hype. Huffington Post blog. December 10, 2012. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-williams-phd/best-diets_b_2268460.html. Accessed March 23, 2017.

25 Littlehales N. Sleep: Redefine Your Rest, for Success in Work, Sport and Life. London, England: Penguin UK; 2016.

26 Via M. The malnutrition of obesity: micronutrient deficiencies that promote diabetes. ISRN Endocrinol. 2012;2012:103472.