Food is Medicine
Food is a huge part of our lives. It makes us happy, fills us up and is used as an opportunity to come together. But it is much, much more than that.
What you eat affects your health, mood, body and beyond.
Food is fuel AND medicine.
What does this mean?
What we eat either gives our bodies energy and strength, or makes them feel sluggish and slow. Eating a nutrient-dense, protein-packed diet ensures we are living our best lives. This means performing our best in and out of the gym.
Our bodies quite literally take from the food we consume and use it to function. It also can heal itself by using the nutrients from whole foods. This holds true for physical ailments as well as mental.
Obesity and Inflammation
Obesity and inflammation are two illnesses that can be influenced by diet – both exacerbated and tamed.
Food affects the brain’s neurotransmitters. A high fat, high sugar diet increases inflammation. Inflammation is known to decrease dopamine, serotonin and brain function.
Certain amounts of inflammation can actually be good for the body. Low grade inflammation activates immune cells a little bit all the time. However, elevated amounts for long periods of time are where issues form.
Activating immune cells takes a lot of energy. Someone with constant, high grade inflammation will be taking a ton of energy from their brain. They will experience great fatigue.
Blood Sugar and Hormones
We can also influence the balancing of our blood sugar and hormones. This can be achieved by including protein, fats and fiber with every meal. Another key aspect is to avoid eating carbs ON THEIR OWN (notice I didn’t say all together).
Carbs are broken down into glucose (sugar) which spikes blood sugar quickly. It’s then carried into our cells. Constant recurring spikes of glucose means our bodies are always pumping out insulin (a main hormone that regulates sugar in blood).
If high amounts of insulin are always present, our bodies will build a tolerance toward it.
This means it won’t be able to perform its job. Glucose will build up and eventually lead to type 2 diabetes. Studies show that individuals can enter remission and reverse type 2 diabetes through diet changes (and exercise).
Jessie Inchauspé, a French Biochemist, also known as “Glucose Goddess” on Instagram, promotes “clothing your carbs.” Which is adding a source of protein and fat to your carb. Instead of just toast, add some avocado and a fried egg.
Combining protein and fat with carbs slows down and mitigates blood sugar spikes.
Gut Health
The entire body is influenced by the state of your gut health. A lot of diseases and “common” issues can be linked to gut function. Examples include: autoimmunity, depression, anxiety, fatigue, skin issues, headaches, ADHD, thyroid issues, etc.
Just because something is “common,” doesn’t mean it’s normal.
Food plays a major, if not the largest, role in gut health. We discussed this in our mind gut connection post. Managing, and even beating ailments, becomes a whole lot easier when your gut is on your side.
The key here is to: focus on ADDING more whole, unprocessed foods.
When people are told they need to eat better, they immediately think of going on a diet or eliminating foods. Most diets can’t be followed sustainability because they are too restrictive or are focused on removing certain foods.
Diets allude to the idea of a quick fix. In reality, building a lifestyle and implementing changes that will improve overall wellbeing is needed. Adding more fruits, veggies and protein is way easier.
That isn’t to say that it’s smart to eat excess amounts of refined sugars and processed foods – these can still be enjoyed, but in moderation.
Takeaways
A lot of the information for this blog can be found in this The School of Greatness podcast episode – it’s definitely worth a full listen.
Other examples and scenarios can be given, but this is just a spotlight to shine some awareness that food can be healing.
Choose your hard. Be disciplined and regimented now, or be suffering and struggling later. It won’t be easy and will prove to be a mental challenge changing your relationship with food.