Inflammation | Live Young - Lou Ann Donovan

Sugar & Acidic Foods the Effects on Chronic Disease

April 18, 2016 by Lou Ann Donovan Leave a Comment

Sugar is everywhere! It’s in plain sight – soda, cookies and candy and hidden in salad dressing, ketchup and peanut butter. So what role does all this sugar play with excess acid in the body? Furthermore, how does both sugar and acidic foods have an effect on chronic diseases?

Sugar

For starters, too much sugar consumption causes obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. A not so common side effect of too much sugar is the effect on body pH which leads to chronic and life-threatening diseases. Bringing awareness and knowledge to the American population is the key to reducing our nation’s health issues. [Read more…]

The Gluten and Inflammation Link?

November 23, 2015 by Lou Ann Donovan Leave a Comment

Is there a link between gluten and inflammation? There is a proven link that it negatively impacts those with celiac disease.

How about everyone else? Do any of the following sound familiar?

Do you often experience extreme fatigue?
Do you have unexplained digestive issues?
Do you have painful and swollen joints?

The most gluten laden foods are breads containing wheat, barley and rye ingredients. Gluten can also be found hiding in chicken broth, salad dressing, soy sauce, seasonings and spices.

[Read more…]

Surprising Omega-6 Foods to Avoid

August 17, 2015 by Lou Ann Donovan Leave a Comment

Most people are eating 10 to 15 times more Omega-6 fats these days. On the flip side, the healthy Omega-3 fats consumption is at an all time low. Having an unbalanced ratio of these polyunsaturated fatty acids leads to excessive inflammation in the body and increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Keep in mind Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids don’t have the same effect on the body. Omega-6’s are pro-inflammatory increasing inflammation and Omega-3’s are anti-inflammatory decreasing inflammation!

The body doesn’t have enzymes to produce fatty acids so we must get them from our diet or vitamin supplements.

I was surprised to learn that the fatty acids in one of my favorite snack foods almond butter is unbalanced.

[Read more…]

Inflammation: Eating Too Many Acidic Foods?

May 11, 2015 by Lou Ann Donovan Leave a Comment

Feeling sluggish and bloated all the time? You may be eating too many acidic foods.

Start today by making the choice to consume 80% alkaline foods at each meal. This will allow your body to maintain a slightly alkaline pH level of 7.4. You will gain the benefits of weight loss, more energy plus feel and look years younger!

[Read more…]

Douse the Inflamed Body with Whole Foods

December 22, 2014 by Lou Ann Donovan Leave a Comment

Christmas VACATION week…woooot!! What a perfect time to start a 10 day whole foods detox right?

So off to Natural Grocers I go with my long grocery list in hand of yummy ingredients for salads, soups, snacks, protein and chicken recipes from the detox book.

Piled high on the counter were veggies, greens, spices, almond butter, miso paste and more. The store clerk was wondering what I was up to and I imagine you are too. She said, “You are doing a detox during the holidays? What about all those yummy holiday foods?”

Sure I do my best to eat clean but I do have a weakness for…fresh baked cookies especially Christmas cookies. I love love them times infinity! Yum sugar cookies…soft and chewy underbaked…straight out of the oven…breaking apart as you eat…sweet tasting sugar…oh sorry where was I?!

Back to the detox. It just seemed like an easier time to fit in during my vacation. So, let’s dig in and learn how to douse the inflamed body with whole foods!

Inflammation – Is It Acute or Chronic

[Read more…]

Health Risk, Strengths, Weight Loss by Blood Type

August 20, 2013 by Lou Ann Donovan 1 Comment

Research suggests that your blood type may affect several areas of your health such as; digestive system, diet profile, type of exercise, weight loss results, supplements and health risk to various diseases.

When reading the diet profile about my blood type O, I was not surprised by what I read. It recommends that I reduce gluten/wheat which I’ve had sensitivity and to increase protein which helps with my low blood sugar. So there may be something to eating for your blood type. Here’s my earlier post with the blood type diet profile foods and best exercises for your type: Eating Right for Your Blood Type

Blood Type & Diet

Health Risk, Strengths, Weight Loss by Blood Type

Find your blood type below and read about your susceptibility to various health risks, strengths within your body, weight loss foods which ones to reduce and increase in your diet and suggested supplements to add.

[iconbox title=”Blood Type A” icon=”Medical_Case.png”][/iconbox]

Health Risk: heart disease, cancer, anemia, liver and gallbladder disorders and type 1 diabetes

Strengths: immune system metabolizes nutrients easily, adapts well to changes in diet and environment

Weight Loss: reduce meat, dairy, wheat and increase vegetables, soy foods, pineapple and add supplements B-12, folic acid, vitamin C and E [Read more…]