EAT TO HEAL.RELEASING THIS MONTH-PAGE TURNER BOOKS INC.

 

The Science Behind Food as Medicine

 

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Food as medicine? Sounds a bit woo-woo." But stick with me here because the science backing this up is mind-blowing.

Let's start with inflammation. You've heard this term thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean? Well, inflammation is your body's natural response to injury or infection. It's like your internal emergency response team. Short-term inflammation is a good thing – it helps your body heal. But when inflammation becomes chronic, that's when problems start.

Here's where food comes in. Certain foods can either promote or reduce inflammation in your body. For example, 

STUDY: Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that people who ate a diet high in red and processed meats, refined grains, and sugary beverages had higher levels of inflammatory markers in their blood. On the flip side, those who ate lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fatty fish had lower levels of these markers.

But it's not just about inflammation. The food you eat can influence your genes. Yeah, you heard that right. There's this fascinating field called nutrigenomics that looks at how nutrients can turn certain genes on or off. For instance, research has shown that compounds in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables can activate genes that protect against cancer.

And let's not forget about our gut microbiome – the trillions of bacteria living in our digestive system. These little guys play a considerable role in our health, influencing everything from our immune system to our mood. The food we eat directly impacts the composition of our gut microbiome. 

STUDY: Published in the journal Nature showed that switching from a plant-based diet to an animal-based diet changed the microbial composition in the gut in just 24 hours!

What to Expect from This Book

So, what can you expect from this book? Well, buckle up, because we're going on a journey through the fascinating world of food as medicine. But don't worry – this isn't going to be some dry, academic textbook. Think of it more like having a chat with your gym buddy who happens to be a nutrition nerd (guilty as charged!).

We're going to cover a lot of ground, from the basics of how food impacts your body at a cellular level, to specific dietary strategies for common health issues. We'll explore different eating approaches, debunk some popular myths, and give you practical tips for incorporating healing foods into your daily life.

 

Here's a sneak peek at what's coming up:

 

The Science Behind Food as Medicine: 

We'll dive deeper into how what you eat affects your body, right down to your DNA. Don't worry, I promise to keep the science talk fun and easy to understand. No PhD required!

2. Nutrients 101: Get ready to become best friends with proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals. We'll break down what each one does for your body and where to find them in delicious, wholesome foods.

Gut Health – Your Body's MVP: Trust me, your gut is way more important than you might think. We'll talk about how to keep it happy and why that matters for your health.

4. Food for Specific Health Conditions: Whether you're dealing with heart issues, brain fog, chronic pain, or a wonky immune system, we've got you covered. We'll explore how tweaking your diet can help manage these conditions and more.

5. Popular Diets Demystified: Keto, plant-based, intermittent fasting – we'll cut through the hype and look at the pros and cons of each approach.

6. Practical Tips for Everyday Eating: Because let's face it, knowing what to eat is one thing, but doing it is another. We'll talk meal prep, eating out, dealing with cravings, and more.

Throughout the book, I'll be sharing stories from my experience and from clients I've worked with over the years. You'll see how real people have used food to overcome health challenges, boost their athletic performance, and just feel better.