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 A New, New Years Resolution!
By Dr. Tim Price
Believe it or not, the year is 2009! And hopefully, all of your New Year resolutions are well underway. Most of us have similar resolutions: losing weight, eating better, fitting into that summertime bikini and finally, getting rid of those love handles! However, while most of us strive to perfect our external appearance, we spend little time and effort addressing our internal environment. We diet, fast, take pills to "burn away the fat", and buy gym memberships, but the main causes of our weight gain, physical deterioration and medical complications is oftentimes missed.
The two main causes for these common issues are:
1. Our external environment, which is high in toxins, has a negative effect on how we feel and look.
2. Our diets are high in pro-inflammatory foods.
By understanding and addressing these issues, we can change our bodies for the better both inside and out.
External Toxins
External toxins from our environment (i.e., chemicals found in food, water and air, heavy metals and other pollutants) bombard your body on a daily basis leading to many of the chronic illnesses we see today.
If your body has the proper nutrition to provide a healthy biochemistry and if the organs of elimination/detoxification are functioning at optimal levels, your body is able to remove these unwanted substances safely and efficiently. Toxins are eliminated through perspiration, bowel movements, urination and respiration. However, if the body is taking in more toxins than it can safely eliminate, a state of constant toxicity begins. This causes illnesses that often become chronic, perpetuating the body's inability to detoxify and eventually weakening the organs.
A detoxification program allows your body to neutralize and safely eliminate harmful chemicals within the body as well as enhance the body's natural ability to handle toxins. While it is unrealistic to eliminate external toxins completely, the body can be supported in its natural function of detoxification, so that it is better able to cope with the daily stresses of modern life. Detoxification also has a beneficial effect on most chronic illnesses because it has a positive impact on almost all systems of the body: cardiovascular, nervous, immune, respiratory, reproductive, gastrointestinal, urinary, skin, musculoskeletal and endocrine.
Internal Toxins
Internal toxins such as pesticides, preservatives, fillers, additives and pro-inflammatory foods have a negative effect on our internal environment and lead to preventable diseases and unwanted weight gain. While eating organic foods free of many of these chemicals can be beneficial, we must not only be aware of where we shop but how we shop. Removing harmful products, namely pro-inflammatory foods, from our diets can lead to increased health, weight loss and decreased susceptibility to disease process.
Pro-inflammatory foods consist mostly of grains (corn, white flour, wheat, etc.), partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats), sugars and items high in Omega-6 fatty acids (like corn fed beef for example). Many different biochemical components and properties make grains an inflammatory food with the most notorious being a protein called gluten. Wheat is on the top of the list of the foods containing gluten and is the most readily available and consumed. Others include rye, barley and oats. Celiac Disease is a debilitating digestive ailment that is caused by gluten. However, individuals suffering from it are not the only people that need to avoid grains. Gluten can cause many other symptoms and conditions ranging from schizophrenia to headaches to fatigue, and other digestive problems. So, this begs the question: why do grains inflame?
Lectins
All grains and legumes (beans, lentils and soy) contain sugar proteins known as lectins, which resist digestion and absorption. Before absorption, lectins are known to cause digestive inflammation. Research suggests that lectins may promote the following conditions: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Diabetes, Mellitus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Glomerulonephritis, Psoriasis, Multiple Sclerosis, Retinitis and Cataracts, as well as congenital malformations, infertility, allergies and auto-immune problems.
Other Problems with Grains
As most people know, calcium is important for bone health. Grains contain a substance called phytic acid, which is known to reduce calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Additionally, grains promote an acidic body Ph, which is known to be inflammatory and lead to disease process. Finally, grains contain an elevated ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, which also causes inflammation.
What is the solution?
If you've made the resolution to improve your health, you need to make two simple changes. First, detoxify your body. A simple detox/cleanse can remove unwanted toxins and heavy metals in the body, subsequently, reducing or even eliminating internal inflammation. Removing the toxins can:
- Reverse fatigue
- Improve total body function
- Restore a stressed immune system
- Promote weight loss
Secondary, dietary changes that remove pro-inflammatory foods can:
- Greatly reduce existing symptoms
- Halt many disease processes
- Increase energy levels
The Wellness Center provides detoxification/cleansing programs from Isagenix as well as a free nutritional counseling sessions. Call today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tim Price and be sure to kick your New Year's resolutions into high gear! 303-357-9355
Dr. Tim Price also offers FREE cleanse workshops EVERY TUESDAY at 6 pm in the Whole Foods Cafe. Give us a shout to reserve your spot. Space is limited.
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 Wellness Tip: What is your theme for 2009?
Many of us set goals for the New Year and this year I decided to try something different. Rather than specific goals I decided to create an intention or theme for 2009. For 2008 my theme was simplicity. For this year my theme is releasing all things that don't serve me.
We live in a culture of more, rather than less. With all of us tightening
our belts it is a good time to take a moment to think about what is serving
us and letting go of all that is weighing us down.
Take a moment to think about what your theme or intention is for 2009.
Happy Chinese New Year!
Sharon Hwang
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