The Anti-Inflammatory Diet

The Anti-Inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-illness, anti-acne, anti-feel bad Diet. 

 I have been on Dr. Andrew Weil's regiment for about a month now, before which I had never heard about. I never followed that USDA food pyramid before and always new the "nutrition facts provided were nonsense, and never really had any reason to pay attention to them. I never ate processed food, junk foods, oily or heavy foods, not much gluten or sugar to begin with. If it has more than 7 ingredients on the side of the bag or anything I can't say or identify, I don't eat it. I mean.... I never even take medicine or medications of any kind no matter the cold or period cramp, (you know unless someone tells me to stick the IV in my arm because I might die! There are extreme exceptions of course). I did allow on cheese but never bought milk or ate ice cream. In the past couple years I had cut down on meat consumption not only for moral reasons (like having a soft spot for fuzzy farm animals small and large) but also due to on going political an media exposure of the horrors of the meat industry that I was becoming more aware of. I've always been pretty much dairy free and didn't buy meat. I only ate these if they were given to me at a dinner party for example, as not to seem picky, rude or make a scene. Also, I swear by the statement "It's very easy if you make all your own food, which is not as time consuming as people make it out to be". All organic, natural, and local products were the way I rolled and many of my digestive problems disappeared, keeping in mind that I adopted other routines as well, such as fish oil capsules twice a day, ginger or peppermint tea at night, digestive yoga and massages and trail running.

I thought I was doing pretty well! I mean I was very healthy. But I'm always learning about new foods and I am very curious about food science, what could this possibly offer.

I noticed his picture right away and scoffed because I thought this guy was just another Dr. Oz or some doctor trying to make a buck. But like I said, my beloved therapist, who shares very similar lifestyle and opinions as my own, recommended him so I continued on... Then I started to read his websites, watch clips of his movies* and found that he is a huge supporter of alternative living. he promotes staying away from commercial food products and over prescribed medical drugs, both of which are ever changing, have very little evidence of success and a laundry list of side affects and adverse reactions, like the birth control I took for 2 1/2 years and the digestive medications that I taking four times a day for 8 years. I had problems that I never dreamt possible. Dr. Weil calles it a mix of sense and nonsense, especially anti-aging products, beauty medical and supplements.

Dr. Andrew Weil's Anit-Inflammatory Pyramid
photo cred: www.drweil.com
http://www.drweil.com/drw/ecs/pyramid/press-foodpyramid.html  

So. Here I was drowning in his wealth of knowledge concerning food & cancers of South East Asian cultures, Jewish death rituals, his experience with depression/SSRI's, spices, foreign fruits and veggies, vitamins (synthetic and natural), and his 12 point program to name a few!! Of course not all applied to me but I learned a lot of things that I never expected! Enriching to say the least.

Here are my reactions to the diet, after a month or so.

I did not have to change much but have learned more about the science behind the healthy foods that I was used to eating. For example, slow vs quick digesting carbohydrates and that the slow help reduce the inflammatory responses in the body. Before I was very restrictive at home so that I could have fun when I went out. Now I am a little more upfront and outspoken about my restrictions and don't buy anything pre-made even if it is organic or natural. I make everything and use lots of fresh food. After researching his recommended spices and anti-inflammatory list of foods ( I also looked up the science behind not only out of curiosity but because it almost acts as motivation) I have used more of those ingredients in my cooking, such as turmeric, a spice which you can about on my blog. For the only part, it that has been difficult of an adjustment for me but the sweets... which is supposed to be only 70% dark chocolate. I cut suger before (no high-fructose, no produced or packaged sweets and never ordered desserts at restaurants) but I liked to bake once in a while and I was smart about my ingredients so now I only have a piece or two of dark chocolate and save my baked goods for friends and family, that's right! no. licking. the. bowl.

I hope this has been enlightening for you as well. If you were considering his message just another gimmick or diet, I hope you'll reconsider. Below I have listed his websites, his school in Arizona (The Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine), and other helpful links. Take a look!

*Dr. Weil, doesn't like the term diet, because it's goal is not to lose weight, although some people making drastic changes might.

***Please PLEASE read my upcoming piece on the hidden post side affects after coming of long term use of birth control!!! It will discuss the hormonal side affects that doctors and OBs never ever tell, but only after it's too late. 

*available on Netflix, Dr. Weil : Healthy Aging, Dr Weil : Guide to Eating Well, etc. 

www.drweil.com
       on Herbs and Supplements: 
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/PAG00324/Supplements-Vitamins-Herbs.html
      Head to Toe Wellness Guide:
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/PAG00363/Dr-Weil-Head-to-Toe-Wellness-Guide.html
      Recipes and Cooking:
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/PAG00318/Dr-Weils-Healthy-Kitchen.html
      Mental Health:
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/PAG00062/Mental-Health-Center-Dr-Weil.html
     Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine
http://integrativemedicine.arizona.edu/

Turmeric, A Magical Spice!

I first heard of turmeric when was researching Dr. Andrew Weil's Anti-Inflammatory Diet. In his pyramid, along with teas, dietary supplements, whole soy foods, asian cooked mushrooms, he has a recommended assortment of spices and herbs that help maintain your health. Among the obvious were, garlic, ginger and cinnamon, and then there was one of them being turmeric.

Under Herbal Remedies, on his website he gives a rather in depth description of the root and the tea:

Technical Name:	(Curcuma longa) Rhizome related to ginger
Used for:	Arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis; it acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent
Available In:	As culinary spice, in powdered form; as medicinal extract, in tablets or capsules. Labeled as standardized turmeric extract or curcumin.
Herb Drug:	None known
Interaction:	In rare instances, daily use over extended period of time can cause stomach upset and/or heartburn. If pregnant, do not use without your doctor's approval. Do not use if you have gallstones or a bile duct dysfunction; however, curcumin, an active component of turmeric, can increase bile solubility and is recommended for the condition.
When Buying:	Look for products standardized for 95% curcuminoids. Products made by New Chapter containing curcumin are highly recommended. For cooking, brightly colored and aromatic powder is best.
Dosage and Warning:	400 to 600 mg of extracts (tablets or capsules) three times per day or as directed on product. Dried spice is not effective for treating conditions.
Child Dosage:	Do not give to young children.

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/REM00019/Turmeric-Dr-Weils-Herbal-Remedies.html 

Balanced Living: Healthy Turmeric Tea 
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02833/turmeric-tea 

         I then went on to research more benefits and found amazing articles on turmeric face masks, lotions etc. and most of them are home remedies! As I ate my broccoli scrambled eggs powdered with a little sea salt, pepper and lots of turmeric (all cooked along with the eggs), I read this article from HealthyDiaries.com on the 20 health benefits of turmeric:

The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Tumeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, where it was most likely first used as a dye.

The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease.

Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:

1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.

2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.

3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.

4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.

5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.

6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.

7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.

8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.

9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.

10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.

11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.

12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.

13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.

14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.

16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.

17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.

18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.

19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.

20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form. It is available in pill form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules.

Once you start using turmeric on a regular basis, it’s fun to find new ways to use it in recipes. My favorite way to use it is to add a pinch of it to egg salad. It adds a nice flavor and gives the egg salad a rich yellow hue.

Because of all these properties, the root powder makes for an amazing face mask for problem skin!! check out my posting from Anam Saleem’s Blog!! 

Contraindications: Turmeric should not be used by people with gallstones or bile obstruction. Though turmeric is often used by pregnant women, it is important to consult with a doctor before doing so as turmeric can be a uterine stimulant.

http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/20-health-benefits-of-turmeric.html

The links to blogs with recipes for facial masks for acne, belly butters for pregnancy, etc can be found on my tumblr at : 

http://inthehabitofsmiling.tumblr.com/post/29334799413/turmeric-is-anti-bacterial-freshens-the-skin#notes

I hope you give this spice a try sometime! I now take it daily in capsule form along with my fish oil !