By Wilma Young

I want you to start thinking of your food differently. Everything you put in your body can take one of two pathways. That is, it can create an ANTI-inflammatory response or an inflammatory response. There are really no neutral foods except maybe water but that is also debatable. Studies show that the majority of diseases are related to inflammation in the body. Diabetes is inflammation based on the bombardment of sugar that the body cannot handle. High Blood Pressure is inflammation in the cardiovascular system and extra weight and obesity is inflammation of the fat. The fat LITERALLY comes alive. These responses of inflammation lead to a host of ailments and the body feels it is under attack so it goes on the defensive. This does not lead to a healthy body and the body gets significantly unbalanced, tired, grumpy and broken and cannot find optimal health. At this point your body is just trying to put out the “fires” that are raging through it. When we choose food, we can either put the fires out or add gasoline to them! When we choose anti inflammatory foods we are investing in our health, quieting the extreme responses and giving our body the armor it needs to thrive not just survive. Anti-Inflammatory foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, healthy fats and lean meats. Inflammatory foods are processed, full of sugar and usually stripped of all nutrition. These include soda, chips, bottled dressings and sauces, sugary snacks and fast food. This also includes red meat, alcohol and gluten. As an individual, it is important to understand your own body and find your particular triggers that can lead to inflammatory responses like aching joints, indigestion, poor sleep , moodiness, depression, lack of energy, etc. etc. etc.!!. Gluten is in almost everything these days and is responsible for an increasing intolerance in the systems of many people. (If you would like to get some specifics on your body we do have an incredible test that is from Biomeridian. It can test food sensitivities in all food categories. It can also test for parasites and hormone imbalances which can also lead to inflammation). The key is to build your health on a strong foundation and reduce the inflammation response in the body. When you choose healthy foods 80% of the time you can quiet the fires and invest in less disease, less weight, and better emotional happiness, I’m not saying that you will never eat a piece of cake at a birthday party but when your body is in balance it can stave off small “attacks” and move on to continue building health. If it is ALWAYS under attack and resources are depleted , it is going to get weak and then be susceptible to an all out war! Make the choice for yourself. Every time you put something in your mouth ask yourself “which pathway is the fuel going to go, the inflammatory way or the supportive ANTI- inflammatory way?” You make the call every single day!