Two Simple Changes for Disease Prevention and Health Restoration

By Dottie Drake, RN, Certified Fitness Professional, Owner of Miracles Fitness 
Most health problems that plague us as we age aren’t caused by a single factor. Several compounding causes lead to these issues, but one that repeatedly plays a key role is poor gut health.
Many chronic diseases, like type 2 diabetes, can often be avoided, reversed or cured simply by taking better care of your gut. Here are two simple changes you CAN make to improve your gut health and start yourself on a path of disease prevention and health restoration:
Reduce inflammation in your body. Heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, osteoporosis and many other age-related issues could all be signs of inflammation in the body. Fight inflammation by reducing or eliminating sugary and processed foods. Here is your simple anti-inflammatory rule of thumb – If God made it, eat it. If man made it, don’t. I know – easier said than done. So, as a first step, stop eating foods that come in bags or boxes. Yes, processed and manufactured foods seem like easier choices, but they contain ingredients that are toxic to our bodies! If you must eat prepared foods, look at the INGREDIENTS. If there are more than three, put it back on the shelf, especially if you cannot pronounce them. There are lots of better, non-toxic choices like meats, poultry, fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and berries. For added benefit, chose foods that naturally fight inflammation like salmon, spinach, broccoli, garlic, apples, blueberries, pineapples, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, walnuts, and fermentable fibers like sweet potatoes and yams.
Reduce your body weight.  Inactivity increases overall health risks. Dropping even five pounds of unwanted body fat can drastically improve your health! Losing weight is an issue for many people, but a daily burn of 250 calories can result in a half-pound of fat loss per week! Exercising will also help to improve the balance of bacteria in your gut and provide you with other health benefits, such as reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity. Keep exercise fun by choosing activities you enjoy. Walk with a friend, ride bikes with your children or take a Miracles Fitness Active Aging Fitness Class specifically geared toward your age group. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry. Stop by Miracles Fitness today for a free fitness assessment, and let us help you take a proactive stance against aging and disease!
For more information, call (609) 886-7070 or visit www.miraclesfitness.com.