This quiz will save you from getting sicker, and help you age slowly...

Answer these questions from the book The Anti-Inflammation Zone by Dr. Barry Sears to see you if have internal silent inflammation:

Are you overweight?
Are you always craving carbohydrates?
Are you constantly hungry?
Are you tired, especially after exercise?
Are your fingernails brittle?
Is your hair limp with little texture?
Do you sleep excessively?
Are you groggy upon waking?
Do you have a lack of mental concentration?
Do you lack a sense of well-being?
Do you have headaches?
Are you constantly fatigued?
Do you have dry skin?
(The Anti Inflammation Zone, p. 34, by Dr. Barry Sears author of the New York Times bestseller The Zone)

Dr. Sears writes that "if you answered yes to more than 3 questions, you probably have elevated levels of silent inflammation." (p.35) Silent inflammation can go undetected for years and manifest itself later in life as chronic illnesses like Alzheimer's disease and early aging. It's important that you listen to what your body is trying to tell you. Silent inflammation can also contribute to depression. Be mindful of signs that your body is under distress, and take the time to care for it.

Sometimes I was too busy to listen to what my symptoms were trying to tell me. If you have screaming pain, you already know you have inflammation. Inflammation is what causes pain, so if you nurse the inflammation, you will help calm the pain. In order to combat the inflammation, Dr. Sears recommends taking fish oil, exercising regularly (but not excessively), and reducing stress. He also suggests extra-virgin olive oil, ginger, and Aloe Vera (p. 91-92).

My doctor also says it's important to pinpoint possible food intolerances. Recent studies also show that if you avoid using too many strong cleaning chemicals, you can reduce inflammation. Using more natural beauty products--rather than products with a lot of chemicals--can help you reduce inflammation. Check back for future posts on more ways to calm internal inflammation.

"By reversing silent inflammation you will: think better, look better, feel better...help prevent heart disease and stroke, help ward off cancer, help reverse type 2 diabetes, help prevent neurological disease (Alzheimer's, depression, attention deficit disorder, Parkinson's), help reduce autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis), help reduce screaming pain (fibromyalgia, migraines, chronic pain, arthritis, and so on). But most important, you begin to control your own future."

Dr. Barry Sears The Anti Inflammation Zone p.8-9

How to avoid getting CANCER (healthy goodness)

"The American Cancer Society reports that one in two men and one in three women will develop cancer. Yet, the No.1 risk factor associated with cancer death is diet." (BetterNutrition.com, July 2008) If you already have cancer and are reading the title of the post, you're probably a little bugged right now. I know that most often when people are diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses, it isn't a result of choices that they've made. I lived a very active, healthy life before I became ill. I also know what it's like to try to control every aspect of your environment (what you eat, how much you exercise, etc.) and still be very ill. There is nothing you did to cause your illness. BUT there are prevention steps everyone can take for some cancers, and if you're already sick, this advice will really help your body handle your illness. Better Nutrition.com recommends, based on research, the following...

1. Eat at least 5 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit daily. (For example; fix yourself a big salad on most days of the week. If you have Crohn's disease, IBS, or a similar illness check with your doctor before adding a lot of raw veggies to your diet.)
2. Eat organic whenever possible to avoid harmful preservatives, pesticides, hormones, and other cancer-causing substances; new research also indicates that organic foods have higher nutritive value.
3. Drink more pure water (avoid sodas).
4.Choose essential fatty acids. Take an omega-3 product.

Healthy Goodness...

At the time of my diagnosis, one the worst symptoms I experienced was nausea. I was vomiting all the time. It doesn't matter what your chronic illness is, it will be aggravated by your stomach digesting improperly. Sometimes, chronic illnesses can even be caused by an upset digestive system. Initially, my doctor tested me and treated me for a parasitic infection. (I had been living outside of the country for over a year.) Then, he had me do these important things...(Remember, it's important that you check with your doctor before you start any new treatments)

Probiotics - To place healthy bacteria in your digestive system, use probiotics--especially if you've been on a lot of antibiotics that can kill good bacteria. Better Nutrition says that probiotics are one of the "3 Household Essentials" (July 2008). "Probiotics improve resistance to respiratory infections, lower the risk of...allergies, and support healthy digestion. Probiotics are found in yogurt with live cultures and in supplements."

Elimination Diet - If your stomach is upset, it could be from food allergies. It's important to meet with a doctor who guides you through all the steps of an elimination diet, so you can find out what your food-triggers are. I started out eating only veggies, rice and chicken and slowly added wheat, milk, soy, corn, eggs, sugar, nuts, etc. back into my diet. I paid attention to how I felt as I added these foods back into my diet. If I felt nauseous, groggy, or stuffed up, I knew I needed to eliminate that food from my diet.

Digestive Enzymes - These enzymes can help you digest your food better.

Fish Oil - This helps to heal any inflammation in your digestive track. Better Nutrition also recommends this as one of the "3 Household Essentials". It can help you have healthier hair, skin, and a healthier heart. It "helps to stabilize mood, reduce depression..., relieve PMS symptoms, alleviate attention deficit disorder..., and support healthy weight loss."

Nystatin - This help to kill any yeast overgrowth in the 'gut' that might be affecting your digestion.