BodyManual Podcast Know Your Body - Know Your Health

Suffering from chronic back pain? Relief may be closer than you think. In fact, it could be right on the tip of your fork!

Join me as I discuss the STRONG link between systemic inflammation, back pain, and diet. I’ll also show you EXACTLY what to eat, and what to avoid at all costs.

Let’s get to it….

You've probably heard vitamin E is great for its powerful anti-aging and antioxidant properties, right? But did you know that it can also reduce your risk for heart disease by as much as 25-50%? 

Let's look at how vitamin E affects your heart, as well as the best foods to eat to make sure you're getting plenty of this essential nutrient. 

Although vitamin E is key for things like anti-aging, immunity, heart health and vibrant skin, high doses over a long period of time could potentially create some issues. 

Let's discuss the symptoms of vitamin E toxicity, proper dosage and exactly what to look for when deciding to take a supplement.

Diverticular disorder (condition of the colon) is one of the most common medical conditions in the U.S. and can lead to inflammation, infections and even life-threatening complications.  Although it becomes more and more common with age, it's not actually aging that causes it. Rather, it's the accumulation of damage from lifestyle choices throughout the years.  

Why is this good news? Because it means diverticular disorder is entirely preventable! 

Let's zero in on the causes and symptoms of diverticulitis, as well as the steps you can take to avoid it altogether. 

Although urinary incontinence may be one of those subjects many people avoid talking about, it's incredibly common - especially among women and those climbing the age ladder. 

Let's look at 7 natural ways to help get you back in control and on the road to leak (and worry) free days.

When you consider inflammation or immune dysfunction is at the root of almost every common disease, it's no surprise that omega-3s get credit for preventing and, in some cases, treating various diseases and disorders.  

It can:  

✔︎ Reduce inflammation 

✔︎ Boost immune function 

✔︎ Lower triglycerides 

✔︎ Support heart health & control plaque build-up 

✔︎ Lower cancer risk 

✔︎ Increase HDL (good cholesterol) 

✔︎ Promote healthy joints, skin and brain function 

✔︎ ...and the list goes on 

Let's look at exactly why supplementing with fish oil is absolutely a MUST for just about everyone. 

When you improve the health of your digestive system, any disease that has inflammation at its root can potentially improve - including those that affect your joints. Yes, your joints! 

Listen as I discuss exactly how this works and the simple steps you can take to reap the whole-body rewards of a healthy gut.

If you have a hard time 'moving things along' in the bathroom, you're not alone. 1 in 5 Americans experience chronic constipation.  

👎 The not-so-good news: Chronic constipation can do WAY more than just waste your time. It can impact the quality of your life and can potentially be life threatening.  

👍 The good news: Making simple changes can quickly and finally bring you some relief! 

Let's discuss 5 easy and natural ways to get you back in business.

Did you know that having a sufficient amount of iron is critical for mental function, yet too much of it can lead to accelerated aging and cognitive disease? 

Not enough iron can cause:

• decreased mental sharpness

• brain fog

• anemia

• fatigue

• depression

• restless leg syndrome 

Too much iron can cause: 

• oxidative stress

• accelerated aging

• degenerative brain disorders

• higher risk of diabetes

• higher risk of cirrhosis 

Learn more about this delicate balance and who is at risk for each group. 

Arthritis can cause major pain and discomfort. Not to mention, once you have it, your risk for developing serious health conditions (such as heart disease and diabetes) goes through the roof! 

Let's discuss why eating an anti-inflammatory diet can be one of the most effective things you can do to combat arthritis. I'll also show you which foods to eat, and which foods to avoid with all of your might.

Arthritis can cause major pain and discomfort. Not to mention, once you have it, your risk for developing serious health conditions (such as heart disease and diabetes) goes through the roof! 

Let's discuss why eating an anti-inflammatory diet can be one of the most effective things you can do to combat arthritis. I'll also show you which foods to eat, and which foods to avoid with all of your might.

If you haven't hopped on the ketogenic diet train yet, now is your chance to learn the basics. 

As with any diet regimen, it's important to have a good grasp of how it will affect your body - from the inside out. This understanding can also help you stay in the saddle along the way!  

Let's discuss exactly how the ketogenic diet works, some of its key benefits and how it differs from the typical American diet.

💔 Did you know heart disease is the number ONE cause of death in the United States? Don't wait to become a part of that statistic, start being proactive TODAY 💔

Learn the 6 most important supplements for cardiovascular health and exactly what to look for when buying them. 

Let's talk about one of the ten essential trace minerals that your body relies on - selenium. Even though you only need a small amount, getting sufficient amounts of it can mean the difference between great health or disease.  A deficiency can cause:  • Chronic illness • Fatigue • Hair loss • Muscle weakness • Infertility • ...and more  Because your body does not make selenium, it's important that you know how to get it into your diet. Let's discuss why it's so important and, of course, what you can do to make sure you're getting ample amounts. 

You won't need to venture far into a Google search to see how dangerous some sleep aids can be. You'll also quickly find how critical QUALITY sleep is to your overall health.  In fact, poor sleep can contribute to: • weight gain • heart disease • brain disorders • diabetes • ...and so much more  So, what's a person to do when they're counting sheep night after night?  Luckily, nature provides some pretty powerful tools to help you get those Zzz's.  

Let's take the discussion to the table and talk about your salt. Did you know not all salt is the same - by far?  The most common type:  🚫 significantly lacks nutrients  🚫 is refined with chemicals 🚫 lacks minerals 🚫 lacks health benefits 🚫 can cause high blood pressure  While another type can promote:  ✅ healthy pH ✅ digestion ✅ strong bones/teeth ✅ healthy blood pressure ✅ muscle function ✅ heart health ✅ hydration  Listen to learn why your body needs salt, what kind you should be using and what kind you should avoid.   Not-so-fun fact: In a recent study, 36 out of 39 brands of table salt contained microplastic - yuck! 

Despite all of the propaganda from the grain and dairy industries, their products are not the best sources of calcium, fiber and vitamin D. Because of the way they are grown, processed and/or produced, the health problems that result from them FAR outweigh any nutritional value they may provide.   BUT... if you do follow a grain free and dairy-free diet, how can you be sure to get enough fiber, calcium and vitamin D?  Ditch the grains and conventional dairy products and learn how to get these important nutrients from much healthier foods. 

Lectins vary in their potency and how they attack your body. However, the most dangerous lectins are a common hidden source of MANY health problems and weight gain.  Let's get you in-the-know and discuss the ones you should avoid with all your might.
 

If you crinkle your nose when you hear the word algae, you're in for a BIG surprise. Let's specifically talk about the freshwater blue-green algae called spirulina - which is incredibly nutritious and has been described as one of the most nutrient-dense foods on Earth.   This complete protein is packed with vitamins, minerals AND antioxidants and can:  • Balance blood sugar • Reduce insulin resistance • Lower blood pressure • Lower triglycerides • Balance LDL/HDL • Enhance energy & endurance • Eliminate heavy metals • Boost immune system  Learn more about spirulina and how it can help your body thrive today! 

Our bodies naturally make certain nutrients that combat aging. However, at about the age of 35-40 (just when we need them!) our bodies start to make less and less of them.   The decline in these nutrients can:  👎 cause oxidative stress 👎 promote cognitive decline 👎 bring about joint and skin issues 👎 reduce energy levels 👎 decrease heart health  👎 ..and much more!  Let's discuss the TOP 4 anti-aging nutrients that decline with age and how to make sure you stay ahead of the game so you can enjoy a long, full and energetic life. 

Let's talk about a category of vegetables that a lot of people are confused about - nightshades. The confusion revolves around whether or not they cause more harm than health.  Some common nightshades include:  • Potato • Tomato • Eggplant • Okra • Bell, sweet and hot peppers  So, what's the deal? Should you be eating them, or should you steer clear of them altogether?  Find out! 

Berberine has been used in Chinese and Ayurveda medicine for thousands of years - and for good reason. It has properties that cut right to the root of most diseases and aging.   Study after study shows that it has HUGE potential to help with obesity, heart disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, fatty liver and even cancer.   But that’s not it...  It also plays a role in controlling diabetes and is showing to be as effective as metformin. It has shown to help lower fasting glucose, insulin levels, post-meal glucose levels and markers for long-term blood sugar. 

Do lectins really deserve their bad reputation? You bet they do!!   Lectins have no mercy on your health and can affect your:  • Gut health • Heart health • Immune system • Endocrine system • Brain heath  Learn how lectins attack your body and what you can do to lessen the damage they cause. 

When gut health is compromised, every part of your body becomes susceptible to dysfunction and disease.  Let's zero in on one of the MANY ways grains and legumes contribute to gut chaos.  Specifically, the toxic chemicals they can contain. These chemicals are pro-survival mechanisms that ward off predators, but they certainly won't do YOU any favors.  In fact, they can cause:  • Inflammation • Tearing of intestinal wall cells • Leaky gut • Autoimmune conditions • Food sensitivities • Skin issues • Brain disorders • Heartburn • Joint pain • Weight gain • ...and more.

Leaky gut is extremely common and can lead to devastating health problems ...yet most people who have it don't even know it!  To make things worse, most doctors either don't know anything about leaky gut, or they simply do not fully understand the condition.  

Because of this, it can often go undetected during patient evaluation - leading the doctor to only treat the SYMPTOMS of leaky gut, instead of honing in on the actual CAUSE of those symptoms.  Because the symptoms aren't always obvious, it's important for YOU to know what to look for.  Let's discuss... 

Learn how 3 nutrients, which are extremely powerful on their own, can supercharge your health as they work together to make a dream team for your heart, bones AND brain. 

Young, old, male or female, whether you like it or not, YOU are aging right now. But don't think for a second how fast you age is out of your control.  Watch as I discuss the KEY to harnessing the most powerful aging process happening in your body - Glycation.  The glycation process forms something called advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which:  • accelerate aging • destroy organs • causes disease • increases inflammation • causes oxidative stress  These tips will help you slow this process down - and maybe even reverse the damage glycation has done. 

Packed with antioxidants and brain enhancing compounds, red palm oil is one of the best foods for anti-aging and brain health. But wait, it gets better! It's also super easy to cook with!  However, not all types are created equal. 

In fact, some of them can actually be bad for your health!  

Let's discuss what this nutritious powerhouse has to offer and exactly what kind you should look for (and avoid). 

Did you know about 75% of your immune system is in your gastrointestinal tract?  

Whether you're the person who always gets "the bug" or not, it's so incredibly important to focus on the health of your gut.   Learn how probiotics can be a game changer when it comes to balancing good and harmful bacteria in your gut and, of course, why this is so important for your immune system.   

Let's get to it... 

 💔 Did you know heart disease is the number ONE cause of death in the United States? Don't wait to become a part of that statistic, start being proactive TODAY 💔  Learn the 6 most important supplements for cardiovascular health and exactly what to look for when buying them. 

Noticing your skin looking a little 'blah' lately?  

Did you know, what you eat and drink can either make your skin look radiant and vibrant, or dull and sickly?  

If you've been pawning it off to be the result of aging and completely out of your control, you might think again after watching this... 

Because the health of your gut goes WAY beyond your digestive system, taking a high-quality probiotic is on the list of things I recommend for just about everybody.  

However, with so many options, choosing which probiotic to buy can be confusing. Where do you even start? What should you look for? What even is a probiotic?  

Join me while I discuss exactly what to look for so you can make informed and healthy decisions. 

If you've seen my other videos on vitamin D, you may already know how a deficiency can be absolutely devastating for your health.  You may also already know that deficiency symptoms can include depression, hair loss, fatigue, back pain, muscle pain, poor immune system, bone loss, impaired wound healing and more.  But we've only just begun.  

Because it is so very important, let's take yet another look, but from a different angle - lung health. Specifically, how vitamin D can reduce your risk for:  • Lung cancer • COPD • Asthma • Bronchitis • Interstitial lung disease • ...and so, so much more 

Because food labels can often look like they are written in a different language, I want to spend some time getting you familiar with some of the ingredients you might come across.  The more ingredients you recognize when buying your food, the healthier choices you can make for you and your family.  In this food label spotlight, let's discuss the pros and cons of Guar Gum - which is a common additive you'll find in a lot of processed foods. 

Let's discuss 5 foods that absolutely destroy your brain.  

These foods can:  👎 steal your memory 👎 destroy your ability to focus 👎 worsen your mood 👎 substantially increase your risk for brain and memory disorders later in life  

Chances are, you might be eating all 5 every single day! 

Starting at about age 30, your body produces less and less digestive enzymes each year.   What does this mean for you?  When you don't have a sufficient amount of digestive enzymes, you simply do not break down food efficiently - which means you're not getting all of the nutrition out of your food. This can lead to all kinds of problems, such as:  • Key vitamin and mineral deficiencies - which leads to a plethora of other health problems • Lack of energy • Chronic diseases • Premature aging • Bloating • Constipation • Gas • Heartburn • Brain fog and/or headaches after eating •  ...and much more  

Learn what digestive enzymes do, how to know if you're lacking them and what steps you can take to make sure you have enough. 

Searching for the energy to do the things you used to but can't seem to find it? Vitamin B12 may be the culprit.  Besides lack of energy (as if that wasn't bad enough), a deficiency in vitamin B12 can cause:  • muscle weakness • tingling numbness in arms and/or legs • memory loss • confusion • mood disorders • ...and more  

Since your body does not produce B12 on its own, it is important for you to learn exactly how to get enough of it to maintain energy levels and great health. 

Pregnant or know someone who is? You do NOT want to miss this video!  The children of mothers who take this supplement while pregnant are shown to benefit from it even years after being born.   Let's dig in...  ***Don't forget to share with a mommy-to-be!*** 

Did you know: Your body can only make small amounts of DHA - which is a very important omega-3 fatty acid? Because of this, it's important that you make it a point to get the rest from your diet.   However, the typical American diet, which is full of sugar, grains and unhealthy fats, severely lacks adequate amounts of DHA. Deficiency symptoms can include eye conditions such as dry eyes, macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma.  DHA works with EPA and can help:  • reduce your risk for heart disease • improve brain function • fight inflammation • improve the health of your eyes  

Let's discuss this super important omega-3 fatty acid, what it does and, of course, how you can start getting more of it.  

Cell phones, tablets and computers can bring us some pretty awesome conveniences, but they can also bring us some pretty hefty consequences - like poor vision.  Since it’s safe to say our handy dandy devices are here to stay and, if anything, our use of them will only increase, let's focus on how you can start protecting those eyes from blue light exposure - from the inside out.  Your eye health and vision are just too important to let fade away. 

Bone broth is not only delicious, but if made right, it can also be incredibly nutritious!  It can: 👍 boost muscle and bone mass 👍 keep blood vessels strong, reducing the risk of heart disease 👍 improve skin elasticity 👍 support brain health 👍 support gut health 👍 aid in weight loss 👍 support healthy joints 👍 encourage antioxidant production  

Time to pull out that extra large stock pot? I think YES! 

Let's discuss how to easily increase the length AND quality of your life by caring for the tiny, yet extremely important, energy-producing structures in your body - mitochondria.  

NOTE: Living a lifestyle that supports and enhances your mitochondria might be the most important health decision that you make...  

Many people may feel they have a solid grasp of what fiber is and what it does for their body. 

Chances are, your doctor has even recommended you eat more of it at one time or another.  However, did you know there's a difference between soluble and insoluble fiber, and that your diet should contain both?  Learn the differences between the two, the important roles they play and how to start getting both kinds into your diet today! 

Research has shown that people who live to the age of 100 have high levels of this one MASTER antioxidant, which some consider THE most important molecule for good health - glutathione.  In fact, it's so important for your body that almost all chronic diseases are associated with the LACK of it.  Things such as poor diet, medications, aging, illness and pollution can affect how much of it your liver produces.  Learn what you can start doing today to support glutathione production so you can lead a long, healthy and vibrant life. 

If you ask me, a little pungent breath is a small price to pay when you consider all of the impressive health benefits garlic can provide. It can help you:  ➤ Decrease heart attack risk ➤ Fight infection ➤ Protect against certain cancers ➤ Boost your immune system ➤ Maintain healthy cholesterol ➤ Maintain healthy blood sugar ➤ Reduce inflammation  In this short video, I'll discuss 5 reasons you should include this amazing vegetable in your daily health routine and how to do it! 

Let's discuss the strong link between depression and a VERY important mineral - magnesium.  Unfortunately, if you're like most people, you don't get enough of it. In fact, due to poor farming practices, lifestyle choices, stress (mental, emotional and physical) and eating too much processed food, about 80% of people have sub-optimal magnesium levels.  But wait, the repercussions of low magnesium doesn't stop at depression - as if that weren't alarming enough. Low magnesium levels can also cause:  👉 Irritability 👉 Chronic inflammation 👉 Anxiety 👉 Stress 👉 Muscle twitching or cramps 👉 Serotonin depletion 👉 Constipation 👉 ...and more  Good news! The effort it takes to make sure your magnesium levels are optimal is MUCH easier than dealing with the consequences of being deficient.  Let's get you in the know so you can live life to the fullest! 

When it comes to ingredients, Body Manual always looks to the power of nature.  Let's put the spotlight on one of the many naturally powerful ingredients you'll find in my products - Turmeric.  Curcumin, the active ingredient in Turmeric, has shown to:  ✔️ Improve brain function ✔️ Calm autoimmune conditions ✔️ Relieve pain ✔️ Improve heart health ✔️ Aid in weight loss ✔️ Reduce inflammation ✔️ Fight oxidative stress ✔️ Provide antioxidants ✔️ ...and much more  Let's dive in... 

90% of Americans don't eat the MINIMUM recommended amount of vegetables per day (2 1/2 - 3 cups). Ninety percent!  Even more troublesome, only 2% of the kids in the US are meeting this minimum recommendation. Two percent!  Why is this so concerning? Because a poor diet developed at a young age, and then continued into adulthood is the leading risk factor for disease and death in the US.  Listen as I discuss some of the most nutritious kinds of vegetables, why they are so important for your health and easy ways to make sure you and your family are getting enough every day.