Most of you know that I am big on fighting inflammation in the body… Here are some of the crazy things I do to keep inflammation (and homocysteine) low!
- Get proper sleep – 8 hours minimum.
- Have a green smoothie every day – Focus on GREEN LEAFY vegetables to get optimal levels of folate (baby spinach, kale, Swiss chard, Collard greens, Tsunga etc) and cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cabbage, Chinese cabbage), rather than fruit, but include a banana for flavour! (How to wash your fresh produce)
- Include raw apple cider vinegar, ginger and turmeric in your green smoothie.
- Cut the sugar and alcohol. Choose raw honey!
- Be sure to not over-train – Get a coach (aka a handbrake!)
- Don’t train if you’re sick! (How to keep your immune system strong…)
- Take Collagen peptides – Not only does collagen repair all connective tissue in the body, it also lowers total inflammation throughout the body!
- Eat healthy fats, and essential fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA (fish oils)
- Drink of choice – Water!
- Alternative to water: My anti-inflammatory nightly tea: Fresh ginger, turmeric, sprinkle of black pepper, cinnamon, raw honey, rooibos. (Optional: Himalayan salt).
- Make time to pray daily. To be thankful… Gratefulness translates into joy and peace.
- Cold showers! Yes, even in winter… Boosts the immune system, the brain and muscle recovery. However, If I’m feeling run-down at all, then I switch to warm-water showers until feeling normal again. Note: Absolutely do not take cold showers if you are pregnant, have a heart condition (atrial fibrillation, arrhythmia, pace maker, etc.) or have extreme adrenal fatigue, autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue. If you have any underlying medical or mental health conditions, consult your doctor first.
- Get some sun, but be sure to not burn your skin! Vitamin D
- Meals – add garlic and onion – For strong immunity. (Tips for strong immunity)
- Intermittent fasting.
- Kefir or Kombucha – I make my own. (Ask me for scoby or kefir grains/plant – These are a free gift from me to you!)
For those who don’t know about homocysteine, it is a major cause of heart disease, stroke, harding of the arteries, blood clots and Alzheimer’s. It is often an indication of high inflammation.
Tip: When you go for your annual check-up, ask your doctor to include a blood test for homocysteine, along with your cholesterol etc. (It’s not expensive and it may save your life – or prevent disease such as Alzheimer’s)
