Pain and Inflammation From Food Allergies: How to Live an “Itis” and “Algia” Free Life
I work with lots of people who suffer from the effects of inflammation in their body. When I work with clients, we work closely to identify and eliminate the causes so they can lead happy and fulfilled, pain-free lives.
Inflammation causes pain, stiffness, heart attacks, ulcers, and all diseases ending in “itis”.
The list of “itis” diseases is long. Here are just a few of the most common ones. You or someone you love just may be suffering from one of these:
- arthritis
- gastritis
- colitis
- thyroiditis
- dermatitis
- sinusitis
- and many more…
Other diseases whose names end in “algia” are also caused by inflammation. “Algia” means pain. Among the most common “algias” are fibromyalgia and neuralgia.
What most people don’t realize is that inflammation can be caused by what you eat.
Oh! Mega Trouble!
Some foods are inherently inflammatory. These include many fats in the omega-6 family.
There’s a particular omega-6 fat that’s especially inflammatory called “arachidonic acid“. It’s found in commercially raised meats, poultry, dairy products, eggs, peanuts, and many hydrogenated oils.
An imbalance in omega-6 to omega-3 fats creates inflammation. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is very imbalanced when it comes to omega-3 and omega-6 fats.
The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats ideally should be 3:1 or less. The average American has a ratio of 12:1 or higher. That’s a big part of why so many of us suffer from inflammatory diseases and why heart disease and cancer affect such a large percentage of the population.
What most people don’t realize is that even most people on a “healthier” diet, including vegans and raw fooders, have an imbalance of fats that sets the stage for inflammatory diseases. The imbalance of fats is due to their widespread use and consumption of vegetable oils, grains, and nuts.
Put a Fork in the Road of Inflammation!
Your fork can be a powerful weapon or a mighty healing tool. It all depends on what you put on the end of it.
In coming issues and blog posts, I’ll explore how to balance the fats in your diet to heal inflammation and protect yourself from inflammatory diseases.
In the meantime, you can’t go wrong by eating a fresh diet loaded with green vegetables, sea vegetables, and omega-3 rich chia, flax, and hemp seeds.
What many people don’t realize though is that even healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds can cause inflammation WHEN you develop an allergy to them.
Food Allergies: Potholes on the Path to Healing Inflammation
On the Vibrant Health Solutions Radio show “The Pain of Undiagnosed Food Allergies,” I reviewed one of the very important AND controllable causes of inflammation – Food Allergies!
If you’re suffering from chronic health symptoms in spite of all your attempts to control them naturally and/or using Western medical approaches, I suggest you listen to the replay for a wealth of information.
On the radio show, I explored the relationship between pain and food allergies and discussed ways you can identify and eliminate triggers AND heal the underlying causes so that “innocent” foods no longer hurt you. If you’ve been suffering from chronic pain; digestive upset; weight that just won’t go away; or other vague symptoms like depression, brain fog, or fatigue, you owe it to yourself to listen in.
http://www.drritamarie.com/radio/2012/01/the-pain-of-undiagnosed-food-allergies/
Not Sure if You Have Food Allergies?
I recently hosted a teleclass where I shared the details about an exciting new program I’m offering to guide you to identify and eliminate food allergies that may be causing inflammation in YOU. You’ll learn how to heal the underlying dysfunctions in your gut and immune system that caused you to become allergic to what you eat.
If you missed the teleclass you can register for the free recording here:
http://www.drritamarie.com/go/TurnFoodAllergiesInsideOut
If the teleclass message resonates, you just may consider joining me for my brand new, fully coached “Food Allergy Spy Training” program. I’ll guide you to identify all your trigger foods, heal the underlying immune and digestive issues that are likely at the core of your problems, and help you start to feel really good again.
The FAST Way to Heal Allergies and Inflammation
The Food Allergy Spy Training (FAST) program is one of a kind. Up until now, identification of food allergens was expensive, time consuming, and confusing. I’m eliminating a lot of the confusion and guiding you through the Gold Standard for identification of food allergens – the Food Elimination Provocation Process (FEPP).
The FAST program will guide you to become a super sleuth detective by training you to carefully observe changes in your body around food choices.
http://www.FoodAllergySpy.com
Food allergy tests are fraught with error and are very expensive. For a fraction of the cost of a comprehensive food allergy test, you can reliably determine what foods may be triggering you to feel unwell.
The FAST program starts next Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 and the dozens of people who’ve jumped onboard have already gotten a head start on the first two assignments designed to help you identify potential food triggers.
I would love the opportunity to get to know you and guide you to start the new year on a great path to new-found wellness of a magnitude you could only imagine before now. Because this is the first offering of the Food Allergy Spy Training program, it’s very affordable to participate in this live group program!
For a limited time only I’ve slashed the price by $100 to make it easy and affordable.
http://www.FoodAllergySpy.com
Imagine an “Itis” and “Algia” Free Life!
Imagine how it would feel to know you’re handling the cause of your ill health rather than trying to treat the symptoms.
- Think about how it would feel to know that the food you eat will no longer mistakenly trigger and over-activate your immune system.
- Step into how it will feel to experience freedom from food allergy associated conditions like depression, headaches, poor digestion, fibromyalgia, or fatigue.
If you’d like to stop imagining how it would feel to be well again and make vitality a reality for yourself through a 30-day process, I hope you’ll join me.
Let’s balance your omega fats, identify your trigger foods, and turn your fork into a powerful tool for healing and health so that you can enjoy a life of vibrant living!
Tags: arachidonic acid, arthritis, colitis, depression, dermatitis, digestion, Dr. Ritamarie, Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, elimination provocation, FAST program, fatigue, fibromyalgia, food allergies, food allergy, food allergy spy training, food allergy test, food elimination, food elimination provocation, food intolerance, gastritis, immune system, inflammation, Leaky Gut, neuralgia, omega 3, omega-6, pain, ritamarie loscalzo, sinusitis, thyroiditis
Posted in Autoimmune, Chronic Fatigue, Exhaustion, Fatigue Treatment, Health Coach, Immune System Support, Leaky Gut, Reduce Belly Fat
Dr. Ritamarie’s Food Allergy Spy Training: FAST Relief From Leaky Gut, Fibromyalgia, and More
If you have any of these problems, you should find out if underlying food allergies are the cause:
If you have persistent weight issues that won’t go away
If there are dark circles under eyes
If you ever experience upset stomach and poor digestion
If you’re embarrassed by skin eruptions
If you suffer from fibromyalgia (long-term, body-wide pain and tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons, and soft tissues)
If you have autoimmune disease (an overactive immune response where the body mistakenly attacks its own cells)
If you’re struggling with hormone imbalance
If you have concerns about your thyroid health
If you’re experiencing fatigue and adrenal burnout
If you struggle with depression
If you need to correct blood sugar imbalances
If you suffer from headaches
These unwanted health symptoms may actually be a “good” thing if they are the early warning signs that your body is trying to get you to hear. The sooner you listen to what your body is telling you, the sooner you can heal the inflammation that’s causing the problems and avoid more serious health risks.
For a limited time, Dr. Ritamarie’s Food Allergy Spy Training program (FAST) is being offered for $100 off the regular price. You’ll receive 30 days of step-by-step guidance to help you detect your hidden food allergies through a proven Food Elimination-Provocation Process (FEPP) and get a handle on your symptoms. After, you can participate for two months in the new VITAL Community (Vibrant Ideas and Tools for Awesome Living).
The first live group run of the FAST program begins on January 17th, 2012.
Click HERE to learn more:
Tags: autoimmune conditions, autoimmune disease, depression, Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, Dr. Rtiamarie, fibromyalgia, food allergies, food allergy, food allergy spy training, food allergy test, food intolerance, food sensitivity, headache, Hormone Imbalance, Leaky Gut
Posted in Adrenal Fatigue, Autoimmune, Fatigue Treatment, Immune System Support, Leaky Gut, Reduce Belly Fat
Day 14 of the 30 Day Fun and Sleep Challenge: Exercise, Vitamin D and Antidotes for Chronic Fatigue
What do chronic fatigue, belly fat, depression and hormone imbalance have in common?
Exercise, sleep, fresh air, sunshine (vitamin D) and fresh foods. A deficiency of any or all of these can create imbalances in hormones and blood sugar irregularities that lead to persistent belly fat, fatigue and depression. So what do these have to do with the 30 day fun and sleep challenges? Plenty! Most people I talk with feel fatigued much of the time and would like more energy.
Lack of sleep is only part of the equation, but it can make you fat. Researchers have found that lack of sleep can cause decreased leptin levels. Leptin is a hormone that regulates your appetite. As a result of not getting enough sleep, you’ll find yourself more hungry and you’ll find it challenging to control the amount you eat. This leads to blood sugar imbalances, insulin resistance and increased belly fat. Insulin resistance results in fatigue after eating, rather than increased energy, which means you’re less likely to exercise. It’s quite the vicious circle.
While I have not been as good as I had planned at writing these blog posts daily, I am pleased to admit that the reason why I haven’t had the time to write the blog posts daily is that I have been fulfilling my commitment to get to bed as close to midnight as possible. Thus, I am sleeping more. As a result of sleeping more, I’ve also been exercising more. A double win! There have only been a couple of later than midnight bedtimes, and that was because I chose to sit in the sauna before bed.
If my lack of posting has in any way effected your commitment to the 30 Day Fun and Sleep Challenge, my apologies. I am committed to resuming writing daily, and have it scheduled in my calendar.
Our weather in Austin has finally become warm and sunny! I’m very happy about that. The mornings have still been cool…40′s, but the afternoons are in the 70′s and 80′s. So I have been out for a run in the sun most days this week. It feels great.
I am usually very consistent with exercise…as consistent as I am with food. When the weather got so cold and cloudy for so long, I got out of the habit of running first thing in the morning, and some days, time and obligations got away from me and I found my exercise dwindling.
In addition to getting your daily dose of vitamin D on sunny days, exercising in the fresh air offers so many benefits. Exercise is super important for hormone balance, weight management, increasing your energy and overcoming fatigue. It’s also good for your heart, your mood and your immune system. Fresh air and exercise are a dynamic duo, so get outside and move as much as you can.
My blog post back in the fall about exercise and burst training is a good one to review for some tips.
My report card for the last few days:
1- getting to sleep at or around midnight: Excellent
2- exercise: excellent
3- writing my blog posts: fair
4- Having fun – good. I’ve spent a lot of time with family and have had some friend fun too.
My commitments for Monday:
1- bed by midnight.
2- finish writing a few projects that are close to completion
3- fun time with kids, who are off school for spring break
4- running in the sun
Commitment for at least one day this week: Get to bed by 10 PM and see if it is really as good as it’s cracked up to be!
What about you? What are you committed to?
Post below in the comments section.
This week we’re having a contest. I’m offering a prize to whoever posts the most this week…genuine commitments and report cards. I’ll post the prize on Tuesday.
Wishing you lots of Love, Health and Joy (and sleep, too)
Dr. Ritamarie
Tags: Adrenal Fatigue, chronic fatigue, depression, Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, DrRitamarie, Exercise, Exhaustion, fatigue, fatigue symptoms, Living Foods, livingfoods, Raw Foods, raw foods diet, raw foods recipes, sunshine, Vitamin D
Posted in Articles, Fatigue Treatment, Fitness, Gluten Free Diet, Gluten Free recipes, Sleep for Vibrant Health, Vibrant Health, Vitamin D
What would your life be like if you had more energy?
Have you ever asked yourself that question? Ever wonder what you’d do differently if you felt more alive, energetic and Healthy?
Take out a piece of paper and brainstorm. What WOULD you be doing differently? I hear it all the time, both professionally and in my private life.
“I’m so exhausted”.
“I’m too tired to go out tonight”.
“I’d love to get a better job, but I’m just so fatigued, I’m not sure I can handle it.”
“I’d like to exercise, but I just don’t have enough energy.”
Have you ever said (or thought) any of these statements?
If you’re thinking “I don’t have an energy problem. I have lots of energy.”, think again. Fatigue accounts for 80% of all doctor visits. 80% of women are expected to experience adrenal fatigue at some point in their lives. Many people are fatigued and they don’t even know it. What about you?
Take this quiz and find out your energy quotient.
- Do you need caffeine to get you started in the morning?
- Do you drink diet cola on a daily basis?
- Do you experience a dip in energy mid afternoon?
- Do you have persistent muscle pain or discomfort?
- Do you find yourself waking up unrefreshed in the morning, wishing you could sleep another hour or two?
- Do you have problems with short term memory?
- Do you frequently say no when you want to say yes to social engagements?
- Do you get less than 8 hours of sleep a night?
- Are you exposed to toxins on the job or at home (ie pesticides, chemicals, unfiltered water, non-organic food)?
- Do you feel very tired after exercise?
- Have you been under stress for a prolonged period of time?
- Do you have difficulty concentrating or with memory?
- Are you frequently moody or irritable?
- Does fatigue prevent you from doing things you’d REALLY like to do?
- Does fatigue interfere with work or family life?
- Did fatigue and other symptoms that trouble you begin after an acute illness, trauma, infection or emotional stress?
- Do you overeat on a regular basis?
- Have you been diagnosed with any of the following (please circle)
- Gulf War Syndrome
- Alzeheimer’s
- Parkinson’s
- ALS
- Autism
- ADHD
- Depression
- Bi Polar Disease
- Schizophrenia
- Chronic fatigue
- Fibomyalgia
- Chronic infections
- Anxiety
Count up all the yes answers. Score yourself as follows:
0: Congratulations. You are an energizer bunny!
1-5: You’re likely experiencing a mild loss of energy. Optimizing your diet and removing the energy zappers in your life can help restore you and prevent you from ending up with a more serious fatigue problem down the road.
5-10 You’re likely experiencing a moderate degree of fatigue or loss of energy. Restoring balance to your body, mind and spirit through diet, lifestyle and spiritual practices is a good idea to nip it in the bud and start restoring your energy reserves.
Greater than 10: You are showing signs of a severe loss of energy and fatigue and should begin to address it right away
Any surprises?
If you scored anything other than 0 on this quiz you are at risk for developing or already have a fatigue problem.
I’m here to offer my assistance to you in jumpstarting your tired body to the success and joy you deserve.
I’m excited to be offering a very special workshop that’s just right for you if you are fatigued, exhausted or just don’t have the energy to live your life the way you’d like to. It’s called, “3 Myths About Fatigue Every Woman Should Know”.
I’m offering it in Austin on May 29 and June 24. A teleseminar version of it being offered on June 1. The workshop is very interactive and experiential as well as very informative. If you can, I encourage you to attend live to get the full benefit of the workshop.
I’ve written a very detailed events page all about the workshop. Seating is limited, so register early. As an incentive for registering early, I’ve decided to give full scholarships to the first 30 people who register. Yes, you heard right! This very valuable workshop will not cost you a single dime...if you act fast. Last time I offered this I had 20 people sign up in the first hour.
http://www.TheWomensFatigueExpert.com
I encourage you to bring at least one friend who you think could benefit.
In fact, I’d love it if you would send this email message on to everyone you know who could use to have more energy. If you or someone you love is suffering from chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, adrenal exhaustion or hypothyroidism, you’ll learn tools and techniques to release them from the debilitating fatigue they experience daily.
The information needs to be spread and I’m on a mission to share what I know so that you and those you love can live a life of joy, passion and prosperity. My life has been forever changed by applying what I’ll be sharing with you in this workshop. I want you to experience the great joy and fulfillment that I experience daily. You deserve it. Don’t wait.
So go to http://www.TheWomensFatigueExpert.com to learn more and to sign up.
I am looking forward to connecting with you soon.
Love, Health and Joy,
Dr. Ritamarie
Tags: Adrenal Fatigue, depression, fatigue, fatigue symptoms, irritability, lethargic, overweight, tired
Posted in Adrenal Fatigue, Fatigue Treatment
The New Health Insurance: Eating Like Chimps
I read an article today about a man in Medford, Oregon who lost almost 200 pounds, overcame type-2 diabetes, and climbed California’s Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 U.S. states. He now claims to enjoy the best health of his life. How did he do it? He changed his diet to a raw-food diet that includes copious quantities of green smoothies. Click here to read the entire article.
About a month ago, a new DVD was released called Raw for 30 Days. It’s a documentary following a group of type 2 diabetics on a raw foods program, including an abundance of greens, with Dr. Gabriel Cousins at the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center in Arizona. The people who finished the program had amazing results. One of the men, a long time diabetic, completely reversed his condition and went on to enroll in naturopathic school so he could help others on their road to health.
A few days ago, I went back to eating solid foods after a week of drinking only green smoothies. I was joined by at least 50 others who spent last week drinking their greens and experiencing a wide range of health benefits including weight loss, allergy relief, reduction in joint pain, normalization of blood sugar, elimination of depression, mental clarity and abundant energy.
Sounds like snake oil, doesn’t it. It’s not magic, or placebo or even secret properties of rare and exotic herbs that produce these amazing results so quickly. It is the power of green foods, many of them wild and free, often classified as weeds, that produce these miraculous changes.
When you blend the green foods that are too often left as garnish, and mix them with delicious fruits, herbs, and spices, you create a tasty and powerful beverage that can transform your life. When you remove the foods that drain your health and replace them with foods that fully nourish every cell in your body, miracles can start to happen.
I’ve seen it over and over. Every two months I lead a group of 50 or so busy people through a 7 day green smoothie cleanse. During our week together, we each follow our own path and choose the plan that works for us as individuals. Some of us choose the most rigorous option and replace all of our meals with green smoothies. Others replace one or two meals a day with green smoothies and eat a high quality diet composed of raw fruits and vegetables. Still others choose to get their feet wet and replace one or two meals with green smoothies and focus on eating a mostly a whole foods, green vegetable rich diet.
One of the participants last week lost 12 pounds, her allergies cleared and aches and pains that had been plaguing her for months were dramatically reduced. A participant on one of the previous cleanses reduced his blood sugars by 100 points in just 3 days. A fibromyalgia sufferer experienced the joy of pain free movement for the first time in years.
I personally know people who have gone off antidepressants and antihistamines after a month of raw foods and greens. I know others who have recovered from cancer.
If I were talking about a prescription drug that claimed all the results I’ve seen with whole, fresh foods and green smoothies, people would be knocking down doors for it.
If this diet is so powerful, why aren’t more people doing it? It’s a question worth exploring and I’ll be doing just that over the next few blog posts, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, learn more about the miracles of green food at www.GreenFoodMagic.com
In this time of political unrest and economic stress, the best gift you can give yourself is health insurance of the most effective and economical sort…taking charge of your health through conscious diet and lifestyle choices and periodic cleansing to counteract the toxic effects of your stressful lifestyle. Mental clarity, energy and focus will help see you through even the most difficult of times.
Tags: allergies, blood sugar, depression, Diabetes, fibromyalgia, Gabriel Cousens, green leafy vegetables, green smoothie cleanse, Green Smoothies, raw food diet, Success Stories, weight loss
Posted in Detox Program, Green Smoothies, Vibrant Health
