Is Inflammation The Cause of All Diseases?

I’ve been reading a lot of articles today stating all disease is caused by chronic low grade inflammation. The articles listed every disease & disorder you could think of including diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and stroke. As we go through life our body fights one infection after another causing inflammation. And when we eat the wrong types of food it causes low grade inflammation. This chronic low grade inflammation can also be inherited or have genetic factors. The body responds by increasing inflammatory cytokines which leads to increased levels of insulin resistance. This interrupts the digestive process of glucose. The body then converts the excess glucose into fat storage. Fat storage in turn increases the inflammatory cytokines and a vicious cycle is created. This is why a lot of people have trouble losing weight and develop degenerative health.

What’s the solution?
Eating healthy foods will increase our immunity and protect us from both inflammation from infections and inflammation from eating the wrong types of food. The wrong types of food include processed and highly refined foods like; white sugar, white flour, hydrogenated oils and other bad fats including deep fried and rancid oils and other foods that cause an acidic condition.

What kinds of foods are anti-inflammatory?
Anti-inflammatory foods include high levels of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E. Choose dark green leafy vegetables, green and brightly colored fresh vegetables and fruit like these:
Spinach, kale, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cayenne peppers, winter squash, carrots, shitake mushroom, sweet potato, avocado, olives.
Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, kiwi, peaches, mangoes, cantaloupe, apples, tart cherries, papaya.
Turmeric, ginger, oregano, rosemary, green tea, red onions, garlic, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, sesame seeds, kelp, almonds, almond butter, hazelnuts, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, evening primrose oil.
Extra Virgin olive oil, coconut oil, omega- 3 fatty acids.

What I find very interesting is these foods are the exact foods I have been using to cure my diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

11th day: Phase 2, Day 9: Wednesday 2-10-10,
Weight: 198.0 lbs, -0 / - 16.0 total, BMI: 31.01
8:20 am, BP: 122/92, P: 94, BS: 192
Breakfast: None
11:00 am Hcg
2:05 pm: BP: 134/93, P: 95, BS: 176
Lunch: 2:05 pm: ½ glass green smoothie (Pineapple, Banana, apple, grapes, spinach, kale)
7:00 pm, BP: 125/93, P: 87, BS: 173
Dinner: Broccoli Mushroom Salad (Broccoli, mushroom, red onion, raisins, sunflower seeds, Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, paprika, salt, pepper)
12:30 am BP:135/85, P:87, BS: 184

Hcg Raw Vegan Diet Is The Best Diet

When I did the Hcg Diet with the Simeon Protocol, it took me 28 days to lose 16 lbs. With Hcg Raw Vegan Diet it only took me 8 days to lose 16 lbs. I can't wait to see what I can do in 20 more days!

10th day: Phase 2, Day 8: Tuesday 2-09-10,
Weight: 198.0 lbs, -1.0 / - 16.0 total, BMI: 31.01
10:15 am, BP: 143/98, P: 74, BS: 194
Breakfast: None
2:00 pm: BP: 135/94, P: 87, BS: 183
Lunch: 5:30 pm: 1 glass green smoothie (Banana, apple, grapes, spinach, kale)
8:00 pm, BP: 140/96, P: 79, BS: 167
Dinner: Berry Salad (Lettuce, Spinach, blueberries, blackberries, OJ, Rice Vinegar)
10:45 pm, BP: 125/94, P: 92, BS: 215

15 lbs lost in 7 days. I’m Now Under 200 lbs!!!

Can I say this out loud? I’m now under 200 lbs! I haven’t seen under 200 in 20 years! It’s going to be great when I go to the doctors and the nurse weighs me. She’ll be sliding that big weight marker down to the 200 mark and I’ll say, “No, you’ll have to slide it to the lower notch now!”
I have 18 more days of weight loss before I go back to the doctors. I really want to show him I made a great choice of canceling my meds. Well, OK, Maybe I’m asking too much. I hope he’ll just not be mad and start lecturing me and maybe even cancel me as a patient because I want to still monitor myself by tests. My numbers are just as good, if not better than when I was on the meds, but, with no side effects and depression. I just know if I get this weight off, my diabetes will be in control.
My husband just informed me that I didn’t snore last night. In fact, he had to lean over to see if I was still breathing, because he said I usually breathe hard! Me! I don’t snore! Do I? Well, I guess I don’t anymore!

9th day: Phase 2, Day 7: Monday 2-08-10,
Weight: 199.0 lbs, -1.4 / - 15.0 total, BMI: 31.16
9:45 am, BP: 132/98, P: 77, BS: 191
Breakfast: None
Hcg 5:00 pm
5:30 pm: BP: 126/87, P: 89, BS: 150
Lunch: 5:30 pm: 1 glass green smoothie (Pineapple, Banana, apple, orange, beet, spinach, kale)
Dinner: None - Not hungry and to late
9:50 pm, BP: 132/95, P: 85, BS: 157

Green Smoothies For Depression

I didn’t lose one pound from yesterday and you’d think I’d be disappointed, but I am so happy I could cry for joy. I feel sooo… good! I’ve eaten raw vegan before, but now I know I didn’t eat enough greens. GREENS ARE SUPERFOODS!
I found out through some research that when you have a stroke in the right brain hemisphere, you have a tendency to suffer from depression brought on by the physical damage to this area of the brain. Let alone the emotional depression that one suffers from the disabling effects of a stroke.
I have suffered depression in the past and my sister committed suicide from depression. So I’m very familiar with the affects and the medications. I was a bit worried after the stroke because of several depressing and crying moments. But, I didn’t want to go the medication route of deadening my feelings again. So, can you see why I’m so happy today! The side benefit of the journey to cure my diabetes is, I’m not depressed anymore!

8th day: Phase 2, Day 6: Sunday 2-07-10,
Weight: 200.4 lbs, -0 / - 13.6 total, BMI: 31.38
8:00 am, BP: 125/86, P: 86, BS: 191
Breakfast: None
1:30 pm Hcg2:15 pm: BP: 127/86, P: 79, BS: 167
Lunch: 2:45 pm: 1 glass green smoothie (Pineapple, Banana, apple, orange, spinach, kale)
8:15 pm, BP: 127/86, P: 79, BS: 155
Dinner: Cucumber Tomato Salad (Tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, cumin, sea salt, lemon juice, olive oil)

My leg is now Strong again after the stroke.

Today, while walking into Walmart, I realized my left leg wasn’t dragging anymore. In fact, it was strong with every step! I also feel my mind is a lot sharper. And my recall is much better. Now, if I can just get my left fingers to work better.
I did have a tough moment today. My husband cooked some Mexican Soup. It filled up the whole house. It was very temping! I just stayed in my room and didn’t get to eat until 4:oo pm when the smell died down. This was my first weekend with everyone home. Maybe, I should make up food on Friday’s, so on weekend's I can rush in and out of the kitchen fast to prevent temptations. It was funny though, how I wasn’t really hungry until 4pm. I think my stomach has shrunken.

7th day: Phase 2, Day 5: Saturday 2-06-10,
Weight: 200.4 lbs, -1.0 / - 13.6 total, BMI: 31.38
8:15 am, BP: 133/95, P: 90, BS: 222
Breakfast: None
4:00 pm Hcg
Lunch: 4:00 pm: 1 glass green smoothie (Pineapple, Banana, apple, spinach, kale)
8:35 pm, BP: 128/92, P: 96, BS: 198
Dinner: Cucumber Tomato Salad (Tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, cumin, sea salt, lemon juice, olive oil)

I lost 12.4 lbs in 4 days!

I just can't tell you how much better I feel! But, I will try. I lost 12.6 lbs in 4 full days! Yeah! I've never lost weight this fast. So much faster than the regular Hcg protocol. It must be all the weight I gained taking my meds. I think it must of been a lot of water weight, but I drink a gallon of water a day. So, go figure! My blood sugar is coming down a lot faster than I expected. My blood pressure is still high. Hopefully when I lose more weight, it will come down.

6th day: Phase 2, Day 4: Friday 2-05-10,
Weight: 201.4 lbs, -1.6 / - 12.6 total, BMI: 31.54
9:20 am, BP: 134/94, P: 82, BS: 191
Breakfast: None
12:00 pm Hcg
Lunch: 1:30 pm: 1 glass green smoothie (Banana, Orange, apple, spinach, kale, broccoli)
7:20 pm, BP: 155/103, P: 77, BS: 150
Dinner: Mexican Soup (Tomatoes, carrots, celery, cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, Mrs. Dash extra spicy)
11:10 pm, BP: 138/104, P: 74, BS: 178

Hcg and Raw Vegan

So, I started the Hcg protocol.
The loading days where hard to figure out raw vegan meals on short notice. I was supposed to load with a lot of fat, so I compromised and ate what I had.
Sorry, for so much details. But, If I don't I won't remember.

1st Load Day: Phase 1: Sunday 1-31-10,
Weight: 214.0 lbs, BMI: 33.51
7 am: BP: 130/93, P: 78, BS: 143
Meds: Hcg, 10 mg Benzepril, 500 mg Metformin, 100 mg Januvia
Breakfast: Almond Butter
Lunch: Soy Sloppy Joe mix with baked corn chips, Salad: lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, olives, blue cheese dressing
Dinner: 2 marinated portabella mushroom sandwiches on whole wheat with raw feta cheese, pretzels.
7:40 pm: BP: 125/94, P: 82, BS: 166
Meds: 1 unit ReliOn insulin, 500 mg Metformin, 325 mg Aspirin
Started Severe Burning with peeing

2nd Load Day: Phase 1: Monday 2-01-10,
Weight: 211.6 lbs, -2.4 / -2.4 total, BMI: 33.14
8:50 am: BP: 128/93, P: 76, BS: 148
Meds: Hcg, Discounted all prescription meds!
Breakfast: 1/2 glass green smoothie (Banana, Strawberries, apple, spinach, kale)
Lunch: Guacamole, salsa chips, 4 morning star soy sausage patties
Snack: popcorn, olives
Dinner: 2 pieces fried chicken (breast & thigh)
10:30 pm: BP: 140/87, P: 84, BS: 220
Slight burning with peeing. Tolerable. (So, it wasn't just a bladder infection!)

3rd day: Phase 2, Day 1: Tuesday 2-02-10,
Weight: 209.4 lbs, -2.2 / -4.6 total,BMI: 32.79
7:30 am: BP: 148/96, P:71, BS: 199
Breakfast: None
12:30 pm: Hcg, BP: 147/95, P: 71, BS: 157
Lunch: 1/2 glass green smoothie (Banana, strawberries, apple, spinach, kale)
6:15 pm: 153/102, P: 77, BS: 148
Dinner: 1/2 glass green smoothie (Banana, strawberries, kiwi, apple, spinach, kale)
8:20 pm: BP: 152/103, P: 103, BS: 162
Snack: 1/2 glass green smoothie (Banana, strawberries, kiwi, apple, spinach, kale)
12:30 am: 157/95, P:74, BS: 151
Burning pee totally gone!

4th day: Phase 2, Day 2: Wednesday 2-03-10,
Weight: 204.8 lbs, -4.6 / -9.2 total, BMI: 32.1
8:00 am, BP: 131/98, P: 76, BS: 205
Breakfast: None
1:45 pm: Hcg, BP: 149/102, P: 80, BS: 153
Lunch: 1/2 glass green smoothie (Banana, strawberries, apple, spinach, kale)
5:15 pm: BP: 154/102, P: 85, BS: 165
Dinner: Red and Green Cabbage Slaw with red onions, garlic, apple cider vinegar, agave nectar
6:45 pm: BP: 144/103, P: 74, retook same time: BP: 133/98, P: 71, BS: 158
Snack: 1/2 glass green smoothie (Banana, strawberries,apple, spinach, kale)
11:40 pm: BP: 144/97, P: 82, BS: 173

5th day: Phase 2, Day 3: Thursday 2-04-10,
Weight: 203.0 lbs, -1.8 / - 11.0 total, BMI: 31.8
7:05 am, BP: 126/94, P: 86, BS: 191
Breakfast: None
1:45 pm, Hcg, BP: 134/101, P: 81, BS: 167
Lunch: 1/2 green smoothie (Banana, Orange, apple, spinach, kale)
7:35 pm, BP: 148/116, P: 84, BS: 161
Dinner: Broccoli, mushrooms, red onions, red bell pepper, 3 tbs Olive oil, 3 tbs balsamic vinegar, 3 tbs agave nectar, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp pepper
11:00 pm, BP:124/93, P:91, BS:199

Stroke! Big Wake Up Call!

Time for a big change! A stroke will kinda do that to ya. I'm lucky it was a mild stroke. I still have numbness in my upper left lip, three left fingers and weakness in my left leg. The worst part is my mind isn't sharp anymore. I'm fine talking, but if someone asked me a question, the retrieval is slow or not at all. Can't seem to connect. I am determined to change my life for the better and lower my risk factors by losing weight.

I decided to start this blog to help me commit to this lifestyle change and to help others that might need encouragement on their journey. And if I record things, it might help me exercise my brain and remember things.

To sum up how I got to this point, I noticed I was having problems with my blood sugar and blood pressure probably about 10 years ago. I started monitoring my blood sugar and blood pressure on and off. And decided to go the natural route by losing weight and eating better to correct this. I went on several diets:

Atkins
1200 calories
200 calories
Fit for Life
Weightlifting
Personal Trainer
Exercise videos
Diet Pills
Hypnosis
Guided Imagery
Blood Type
Alkaline
Juicing
Hcg
Vegan
Raw Vegan

Most diets I would lose the first week, then plateau. My doctor said I must be eating too much, so that's when I ate only one 200 calorie frozen diet meal a day. I gained 10 lbs that week! The only success I had was with raw vegan. But it was hard to stick to it because of no support system and my family eating differently. (The smells of Pizza and other cooked foods in the kitchen were hard to resist) But, I did managed to go from 258 lbs in 2000 to 225 in 2009.

This was just too slow for me, so I went on the hcg homeopathic diet in October 2000. I went down to 200 lbs. I took a break during the holidays and was going to start on Hcg again in January.

Well, January 3rd, 2010, I had a stroke. My blood sugar went up to 464 and my blood pressure was 149/111. It scared me so bad I did everything the doctor said: I checked my blood sugar at least 5 times a day, injected insulin 3+ times a day, I took 2 Blood sugar pills, 1 Blood Pressure Pill and an adult aspirin every day. This was hard for me because I'm the type of person that doesn't even take a Tylenol for a headache. But, I was determined not to have another stroke.


My weight started climbing fast. So, I went on a Vegan diet. My numbers started dropping, but my weight was still climbing. I had gained 16 lbs in a matter of weeks. I started to have burning when I peed. I started drinking more water and drinking cranberry juice. One day it got so severe, I just sat on the toilet crying for hours. I looked up my meds on the Internet and every one of them had uti as a side effect! Sure it was a low and uncommon side effect, but I was the lucky one in the low percentage to get this side effect. I decided I can't keep going on like this. How can I get healthier with fast weight gain and severe side effects?