Guest Author: Jessica Kolahi, PA-C, LAc

Chronic inflammation is the underlying cause of countless disease processes, premature aging, and difficulty losing weight for many people.

So…what is inflammation?

Inflammation is the body's immune response to certain triggers. Small amounts of inflammation protect the body from foreign pathogens and preserve normal tissue repair. However, when unchecked, inflammation results in abnormal cellular responses. The result: interruption of normal blood circulation, poor digestion, loss of mental clarity, thyroid and adrenal hormone imbalances, and decreased reproductive capacity.

Inflammation results from a variety of internal and external factors. Infection, toxin exposure, stress, and radiation all result in increased inflammation. The stealthiest cause of chronic inflammation, however, is diet.

Certain foods promote inflammation in nearly all people. Modern farming practices and modifications to foods are increasingly to blame. But apart from this, the human body evolved to consume different foods than what is readily available in modern grocery stores. Therefore, it is simply not equipped to eat certain foods in the volumes that have become normalized in the Standard American Diet. When consumed in excess, the body views these foods as foreign and cannot assimilate them appropriately, triggering an immune response.

Top pro-inflammatory foods include:

Dairy
Wheat
Corn
Sugar
Processed foods that include trans fats or hydrogenated oil
Artificial food additives
Red meat that is not grass-fed or organic

Anti-inflammatory foods, on the other hand, provide the body with the nutrients it needs for optional functioning. People on anti-inflammatory diets generally experience improved energy, improved mood and digestion, and healing from any number of inflammatory conditions. As a bonus, they also more easily drop lingering weight, which can result from low-level inflammation.

As a rule of thumb, anti-inflammatory foods are as close to whole and unprocessed as possible. Ideally, they are organically sourced, so they don't contain environmental toxins. If the food is an animal protein, it is raised in a healthy environment with space to move, also eating anti-inflammatory foods (hint: not grains), and without additional medications to enhance growth.

Top anti-inflammatory foods include:

Leafy green vegetables (and most vegetables)
Berries (and most fruit)
Nuts, especially raw almonds and walnuts
Seeds, including quinoa, chia, sesame, and flax seeds
Fish high in omega 3s such as salmon
Good fats such as olive oil and coconut oil
Spices, including turmeric and ginger
High-fiber unrefined gluten-free grains such as buckwheat, amaranth, and farro

Suppose you struggle with mental clarity, low energy, hormone imbalance, inflammatory skin conditions, poor digestion, and stubborn weight. In that case, an anti-inflammatory diet may be the key to reversing your symptoms and experiencing true healing.

Wanting more support with stubborn weight? Starting Fall 2022, Jessica Kolahi, PA-C, LAc (one of the original partners at Vitalize), will be hosting focused group weight-loss programs for women based on an anti-inflammatory diet with intermittent fasting. The first cohort is specially designed for moms and launches September 16th, with additional groups for women nearing menopause in the works, slated to begin this winter.

In her healing journey, Jessica released 18lbs of persistent post-partum weight in less than two months using this approach. The Reclaim for Mamas program includes a comprehensive diet that has helped thousands of individuals release 15-30 lbs of inflammatory weight in a matter of six weeks, as well as weekly coaching and an online community for support. This program, launching in September, is for moms who would like to:

Permanently release 15+ lbs of weight
Deep dive into emotional and mindset mastery to step into the best versions of themselves
Travel alongside other moms on the same path

To sign up for this amazing opportunity, use this link

For 10% off at checkout, use the code: VITALIZE