Red's Health Tips

Allow me a short explanation of inflammation.  I cover it in detail in my book. Free radicals are created by almost everything we do.  Free radicals are atoms or molecules that have lost an electron.  They are ‘out of balance.  They need an electron to balance their chemical arrangement.  Any other atom or molecules they come in contact with are potential candidates to ‘steal’ an electron and make them stable again.  The new atom or molecule now becomes a free radical looking for a replacement electron.  It is a vicious never-ending cycle.

If the number of free radicals is low enough the stealing stays confined to a small area.  What creates problems is when the number of free radicals far exceeds the number of atoms or molecules that contact each other.  Electrons are ripped off and not replaced.  Individually it is a minor problem.  When cells, organs, tissues, etc become inundated with free radical damage you begin to develop inflammation in those areas.  It begins at a very low level and continues to build over time.  Given enough time you will see damage occur that is difficult to control or overcome.

Low level chronic inflammation left unchecked will allow disease, tumors and other health issues to develop.  Low level chronic inflammation is impossible to feel.  You are totally unaware of any problems.  If you were to have a C – reactive protein (CRP) blood test you would be able to get a quantitative assessment of your body’s inflammation.  Most people don’t know about CRP and they don’t check their inflammation levels.  Most blood tests don’t include it.  I’ve been adding CRP to my personal list of blood tests that I have each year whether the insurance company pays for it or not.  I pay for it some years and the insurance company pays for it other years.

Free radicals from the air you breathe (pollution, exhaust, pesticides, etc). Free radicals come from the food you eat (artificial colors, artificial flavorings, preservatives, etc). Free radicals come from the stress you have every minute of the day. Free radicals are generated by your body’s systems and processes.  There are many different types of free radicals, some more dangerous than others.

Antioxidants are ‘extra’ atoms and molecules that have an extra electron that can be ‘given up’ without impacting the stability of the antioxidant.  Antioxidants are present in many foods, vitamins, minerals and supplements.  The vitamins and minerals contained in the food you eat are the best antioxidants - compared to the store-bought variety.

Inflammation creates problems in many ways with weight loss.  Two specific issues address your insulin response and your digestive process.  The impact is that more fat gets stored and less fat gets burned.  You have to control the inflammation in your body for long-term health and to help you win the battle of losing fat.  Antioxidants are most important to be taken daily, without stopping, for the rest of your life.   This is a lifestyle change if you aren’t already taking supplements - or, you aren’t eating a nutritionally balanced diet.  You need a nutritionally balanced diet to provide the vitamins and minerals needed by your body to improve your insulin response and to control the oxidative stress in your gut.

Store-bought vitamins and minerals are sold to make a profit.  Many times you get a vitamin or mineral that meets the requirement on the label, but the bioavailability of being absorbed by your body varies significantly compared to the foods you eat.  Manufacturers try to make up for what people don’t eat by providing extra vitamins and minerals.  80-100 years ago the foods grown had double or triple the nutritional content of foods grown today.  Even eating a very balanced diet can lead you down a false road.  Supplementation is needed to assist you in maintaining a winning strategy over the second-by-second battle that is being waged in your body by free radicals.

Week 2 should include a healthy balanced diet along with supplementation.  Which supplements are the best?  I’m not a doctor or nutritionist.  I am a researcher and can tell you what vitamins and minerals are good when presented with a specific cause and effect relationship.  That is what I have done throughout my book.  Each chapter identifies food products and other supplements that can assist you combat the daily battle of inflammation.

Today I had a hotel-prepared meal for breakfast for an early morning meeting.  I came home and fixed a very modest lunch.  After lunch I finally got to the gym - something that I had wanted to do and was unable to do for the past several days.  My daughter joined me in mid-afternoon and I had a good workout and a half-hour in the sauna.  My granddaughter and I stopped by Whataburger for a quick bite to eat.  Then we went to the gym together around dusk and I had another wonderful time doing more cardio that I had done earlier today.  I also spent another half-hour in the sauna.  Both my daughter and granddaughter reported excellent workouts today also.

I hydrated in the sauna and after leaving the sauna.  Hydration is critical to maintain your body’s systems.  Many times people should hydrate and they don’t.  They don’t ‘feel’ thirsty.  When you feel thirsty, it is way past needing it.  It’s best to drink fluids throughout the day, whether you feel thirsty or not.  If you exercise and sweat a lot, then you need to increase your fluid intake.

Red O’Laughlin

Your Prosperity Professor

281-437-8114 H/W  281-687-1188 C