Your Health Transformation with AliRx: Our Philosophy (Part 2 of 3)

Our Philosophy 

Welcome to this week’s part 2 in our 3-part blog series on your health transformation. 

Remember where we left off? With detailed explanation, we talked about how your body creates and suffers from inflammation. 

Now it’s time to go into our philosophy, which will then lead to the solution.  A sneak peak on the solution for gut inflammation is below. 

The solution is simple – heal your gut, thus, heal your body. 

Other measures can help reduce gut inflammation. However, with the core of inflammation sitting in your gut, the bottomline is, if you heal your gut, you will be primed for a healthy life. We can’t wait to explain exactly how to do that, but first it is important that we describe our philosophy, that thousands of patients and customers have now adopted.  

AliRx: Our Dietary Philosophy

Your health starts with your diet. But you cannot just adopt a general diet and achieve optimal results. A challenge with most diets is, they are not sustainable. While most diet programs work for a period of time, the ability to sustain them is often limited. We believe in personalizing your diet based upon your gut health, genetic makeup, and current inflammatory markers. This allows you to have a program that you know works for you, and eventually this dietary change becomes a way of life, not a strict practice. 

We believe that a diet should be sustainable over time. In order for it to be sustainable, you must enjoy it. That means that if you want to enjoy certain foods or drinks that may not be directly helpful to your health, we understand that and will incorporate those foods. That may mean family traditions, social gatherings, or just your favorite foods. But we are here to help you limit those practices in a manner that is simple and sustainable for you. 

The dietary philosophy

When we consume too many carbohydrates from grains, beans, fruits, dairy products, and many other foods and drinks that have added sugar, our body spends all its energy burning the sugar from these foods as opposed to burning fat. When we rely on sugar for fuel, and we then do not burn those calories, our body stores excess sugar as fat. This process then starts a process where when you store fat, you are unable to properly digest the toxins in your body, thus resulting in an inflammatory response to fight off these toxins, which of course leads to increased inflammation.

The goal of AliRx is to reduce inflammation in your body by training it to become what we call “fat adapted” and use fat as its primary fuel source. By following our AliRx plan, you will thrive on eating a variety of nutritious, and delicious foods, and will achieve the transformative health and cognitive function goals that you have. Whether it is weight loss, cognitive function, recovery, or reduced pain, our program is proven to achieve these goals. 

Instead of gaining weight and adding fat to your body by eating fat, your body will learn to use fat for lasting energy, boosted mood and brain function and reduced inflammation. The result of using fat as fuel is reduced inflammation which leads to systemic improvements, including improved cognitive function.

When your body becomes fat-adapted, it begins to produce ketones as its main energy source. Ketones come from the breakdown of fat and have natural anti-inflammatory properties. Unlike the typical highs and lows of using sugar for fuel, using fat as fuel creates stable and consistent energy, all while your body is simultaneously reducing inflammation.  

Ketones also act as an anti-inflammatory agent by helping your body get rid of the toxins we encounter every day that come from the foods we eat, the air we breathe, and the things we touch or put on our skin. Most of the foods available today are loaded with unhealthy additives like artificial sweeteners and chemical preservatives. In addition, ketones have a natural ability to permeate your blood brain barrier, thus reducing inflammation that leads to neurodegenerative disease. This makes sense because the ketogenic diet was originally tested to assist children who suffer from epilepsy. 

Eating too much sugar and carbohydrates can be toxic to our systems too. Our bodies typically do a great job of protecting us from these toxins, but when the amount of toxins become too difficult for our body to manage, we experience inflammation. Your body is a system. The reason that we often see people with a poor diet gain weight is not because they are eating fatty foods. It is because they are storing fatty foods. The reason our body stores fatty foods is because our body first processes the most toxic things first. Our liver will process simple sugars first, then proteins, and then fat. If we tire our digestive system out, or if we are unable to get to the point that we are utilizing fat as fuel, our body simply stores the fat for a later day, hence weight gain, and even worse, a poor functioning liver. 

Inflammation, as discussed, can also be triggered by a bacterial imbalance in our gut, which is our first line of defense from the outside world. When this happens, foreign materials pass through our gut and enter our blood. Our body naturally responds to this foreign material by attacking it. 

Unfortunately, this attack leads to increased inflammation. When in the brain, this increased inflammation makes it difficult to think and can even lead to long term health risks. 

By following this guide and becoming fat-adapted, you will drastically reduce your inflammation by replacing high-carbohydrate, highly processed foods with healthy, high-fat, nutrient dense foods. You will enjoy eating a variety of meats and seafoods, nuts and seeds, vegetables and berries, and healthy fats like avocados and olives. 

Now that we have had the opportunity to explain our scientific philosophy, we will go into our solution for this problem. Thank you for your time today. Our next post will be in two short days!

Brain Maker: The Power of Gut Microbes to Heal and Protect Your Brain for Life

Author: Dr. David Perlmutter

Book summary

 

The Brain Maker book is written by a neurologist and expert in the field of nutrition and brain health, Dr. David Perlmutter. It focuses on the connection between the gut microbiome and the brain, and how nurturing and nourishing the gut can have a positive impact on overall brain health and function.

In the book, Dr. Perlmutter explains how the gut microbiome can affect not just digestive health, but also mood, behavior, and cognitive function. He argues that many modern health problems, including anxiety, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases, can be linked to the health of the gut microbiome. The book provides practical advice on how to improve gut health through dietary changes and probiotic supplementation.

Dr. Perlmutter also talks about the importance of reducing exposure to harmful toxins and avoiding certain foods that can harm the gut, such as processed and refined foods, as well as gluten and sugar. He also emphasizes the importance of a whole-foods, nutrient-dense diet that is high in healthy fats, fiber, and probiotic-rich fermented foods.

Moreover, Brain Maker includes success stories of patients who have used Dr. Perlmutter’s approach to improve their gut and brain health. Through the latest research and expert advice, the book provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the crucial connection between gut health and brain function.

In conclusion, the Brain Maker book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in improving their overall health and wellness, and for those seeking to understand the complex relationship between the gut and the brain. With its unique approach on gut health, this book can help readers prevent and reverse many of the chronic health problems prevalent in today’s society.

The top ten myths about a ketogenic diet

The ketogenic diet is a popular diet focusing on reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with healthy fats. However, as in any diet, there are many myths related to the ketogenic diet. In this article, we’ll debunk the top ten myths and most common fallacies about this diet and provide the facts about what it really is and how it works.

Myth #1: The ketogenic diet is just another fad diet.

Some people may believe that the ketogenic diet is just another fad diet. Why? For some, it seems like a drastic change from the typical American diet while others are intimidated because of the significant reduction in carbohydrate intake and an increase in fat consumption that it requires. Are you one of those who think it’s just a trend that will pass? Did you know that the ketogenic diet is a scientifically-backed dietary strategy and is not just a passing fad?

FACT: The ketogenic diet has been used for over 90 years, primarily as a therapeutic treatment for epilepsy. In recent years, it has gained popularity as a weight loss and health promoting diet.

Source: National Institute of Health (NIH), “The Ketogenic Diet: Uses in Epilepsy and Other Neurologic Illnesses”, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3826507/

Myth #2: A ketogenic diet is high in protein.

Just because the ketogenic diet is often associated with high-protein diets such as the Atkins diet doesn’t mean it is all protein. In fact, the ketogenic diet’s main focus is to reduce carbohydrate intake so that they are replaced with healthy fats. Therefore, while the ketogenic diet still includes some protein, the majority of the calories come from fat and not protein.

FACT: A well-formulated ketogenic diet is moderate in protein, and primarily composed of healthy fats and low-carbohydrate foods. 

Source: National Institute of Health (NIH), “Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss: Benefits, Risks, and How to Follow”, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6356343/

Myth #3: You can’t eat any carbohydrates on a ketogenic diet.

Although the ketogenic diet does limit the intake of carbohydrates to about 5-10% of total caloric intake, some carbs are allowed, such as non-starchy vegetables and nuts. Health professionals, dietitians, and nutritionists typically recognize this myth and advise against this restrictive approach of completely eliminating carbohydrates.

FACT: While a ketogenic diet is very low in carbohydrates, it allows for a small amount of non-starchy, low-carbohydrate vegetables such as leafy greens.

Source: National Institute of Health (NIH), “Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss: Benefits, Risks, and How to Follow”, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6356343/

Myth #4: The ketogenic diet is unsafe and causes long-term health problems.

Why do some people think the ketogenic diet is unsafe? Often, they are only misinformed about the risks associated with it and do not understand the importance of properly managing electrolyte levels. Some people tiptoe around this diet thinking it’s too restrictive or difficult to maintain. Others think that the lack of carbohydrates can be harmful to the body; however, the body can actually adjust to burning fat for energy.

FACT: When followed correctly, the ketogenic diet can be a safe and effective way to improve overall health, as long as it is carefully monitored by a healthcare provider.

Source: National Institute of Health (NIH), “Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss: Benefits, Risks, and How to Follow”, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6356343/

Myth #5: You can’t exercise on a ketogenic diet.

The reasoning behind this myth comes from thinking that the lack of carbohydrates will not provide enough energy for any physical activity. This is far from the truth. Ketones can actually provide an alternative and efficient source of energy for the body which helps during exercise. Consequently, exercise helps boost energy levels, improves body composition, and promotes overall health.

FACT: Exercise is highly recommended on a ketogenic diet, and can even enhance the benefits of the diet, as long as it is properly fueled with sufficient fat and protein.

Source: National Institute of Health (NIH), “Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss: Benefits, Risks, and How to Follow”, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6356343/ 

Myth #6: The ketogenic diet is too restrictive and hard to stick to.

Nowadays, there are many delicious and healthy recipes that can make it easier for you to stay on track if you’re on a ketogenic diet. Believing this diet is restrictive limits you to the endless possibilities of its health benefits. Go ahead and see for yourself how possible and sustainable it is to create and enjoy keto-friendly meals with enough planning and preparation.

FACT: The ketogenic diet can be very satisfying and filling, and there are many delicious food options to choose from.

Source: National Institute of Health (NIH), “Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss: Benefits, Risks, and How to Follow”, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6356343/

Myth #7: A ketogenic diet is only for weight loss.

Just like in myth # 5, if you think that a ketogenic diet is only for weight loss, it’s  because you probably think it is only a low-carb diet. Again, ketones (not just carbohydrates) provide an alternative and efficient source of energy for the body. Thus, a ketogenic diet can help improve overall health, not just promote weight loss.

FACT: While weight loss is a common benefit of the ketogenic diet, it can also improve other health markers such as blood sugar control, cardiovascular health, and brain function.

Source: National Institute of Health (NIH), “Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss: Benefits, Risks, and How to Follow”, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6356343/

Myth #8: The ketogenic diet is bad for your cholesterol levels.

This myth may stem from the fact that some ketogenic diets contain high levels of saturated fat, often linked to high cholesterol levels. However, research has shown that this is not necessarily the case. Many studies have proven that a ketogenic diet can actually improve cholesterol levels especially when done correctly. Moreover, a ketogenic diet can lead to improved health markers, such as lower triglycerides and improved insulin sensitivity.

FACT: While some people may experience temporary changes in their cholesterol levels on the ketogenic diet, it has been shown to improve cholesterol markers in the long-term, as long as it is combined with a healthy, whole food-based diet.

Source: National Institute of Health (NIH), “Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss: Benefits, Risks, and How to Follow”, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6356343/

Myth #9: You can eat as much fat as you want on a ketogenic diet.

Many people assume that a ketogenic diet is very high in fat which leads them to believe they can eat as much fat as they want. However, this is not true, because, as in any diet, the ketogenic diet should be balanced and well-formulated so you’ll be properly nourished. That way, you can have the right amounts of healthy fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in your body, too. Did you know that eating too much fat can lead to weight gain? Therefore, it defeats the whole purpose of a ketogenic diet if that is the case.

FACT: While a ketogenic diet is high in fat, it’s important to choose healthy fats from sources such as avocados, coconut oil, and nuts, and to limit unhealthy fats from sources such as processed and fast foods.

Source: National Institute of Health (NIH), “Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss: Benefits, Risks, and How to Follow”, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6356343/

Myth #10: The ketogenic diet is only for men.

For some, the ketogenic diet is intimidating and extreme so it must only be for men who have the body type and can stick to its strict requirements. However, this is not true, as the ketogenic diet can be beneficial for any gender – men and women alike. Additionally, you can tailor a ketogenic diet to meet your individual needs so that it can be a viable choice for everyone.

FACT: The ketogenic diet can be beneficial for both men and women, although women may need to adjust their macronutrient ratios slightly to accommodate their unique hormonal needs.

Source: National Institute of Health (NIH), “Ketogenic Diet for Weight Loss: Benefits, Risks, and How to Follow”, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6356343/

In conclusion, no matter what diet you get into, it’s important to always consult with a healthcare provider. It’s important that you get professional medical advice before starting a new health regimen, including the ketogenic diet.

Your Health Transformation with AliRx: Introduction (Part 1 of 3)

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine by thy food” – Hippocrates

Introduction to AliRx

AliRx (previously the Cognitive Health and Wellness Institute) was created with one goal in mind – to transform your health by reducing your body’s inflammation thus allowing your body to work for itself, not against itself. We believe that food is medicine, and our approach is here to arm you with the right foods to ignite a transformative health process within you.  

The foundation of our program for you is based on scientific evidence that your gut health can lead to the prevention and possible reversal of symptoms related to nearly every autoimmune disease and neurodegenerative disease. Although it’s important to catch it earlier, or better yet, stop it from ever happening, it is never too late. 

It is important that as we start, we provide a simple explanation of what gut health means. Simply put, gut health is measured by the types of bacteria that live within your digestive system. A healthy gut, just like a healthy body, works like a well oiled machine. But if your gut health is not well, it can lead to a lot of issues, far beyond what most have ever known. The great thing about focusing on gut health is, it can be the answer to many of your unknown health issues, or areas of discomfort and concern that you may have had. 

With that in mind, did you know that gut health is linked to nearly every single autoimmune disease diagnosed, and is also linked to a large majority of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons? 

Now that we have discussed the premise for our transformative program, we will now go into the process for you. Our premise is,  healing your gut will heal your body, and even your brain. 

Even if you don’t have a formal diagnosis, the AliRx plan is intended to help you prevent down-the-road issues or health concerns from ever happening. However, equally as important, this program will help you function at a higher level, by transforming your health. 

To describe our program, it is important to first describe the system that is at work when it comes to pain and discomfort that is often caused by inflammation. Inflammation starts in your gut. The simplest way to describe inflammation is, it is your body’s natural response to attack unnatural responses in your body.

For example, when you skin your knee, that pain that you feel throbbing is your body’s inflammatory response to that skinned knee. It is calling healing agents to the injury, thus speeding up the healing process. This process is painful but natural. However, chronic systemic inflammation is not healthy, and can lead to your body’s inability to fight off other diseases, such as this listed above. 

How does inflammation happen, and what effect does it have on our body and our brain?

The inflammatory process explained

  1. Your gut microbiome consists of millions of types of bacteria, some good and some bad.
  2. When your gut microbiome bacteria is off balance, it causes bad bacteria to permeate your gut lining, often called leaky gut syndrome.
  3. As this bacteria enters your body, your body signals healing agents to fight off the bad bacteria. These healing agents are the inflammation in your body. Acute inflammation is your body’s way of fighting off things in your body that could cause harm. However, a perpetual leaky gut will cause your body to be chronically or continuously inflamed, which eventually causes your body to work against itself. 
  4. When your body is working against itself, things happen systemically that will lead to a higher likelihood of the onset of certain diseases. Some of these diseases are behind the protective mechanism of your brain (the blood brain barrier)  and some of them are before it. Those that are before it are likely the cause of autoimmune diseases and those that are behind it, and in the brain are likely the cause of neurodegenerative disease such as mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease. 
  5. When your body’s chronic inflammatory properties slowly beat against your blood brain barrier, over time, the barrier is permeated, causing inflammation in your brain.
  6. Over time, this inflammation in your brain can cause protein build up, or even plaque. This plaque serves as the beginning stages of mild cognitive impairment, which is the precursor to Alzheimers’ disease. 
  7. Even if the permeation of the brain barrier does not take place, this inflammation will wreak havoc on your body, leading to the cause of chronic pain, as well as almost every autoimmune disease.

Now that we have explained how this inflammatory process can cause a number of issues in your body, we will now focus on the AliRx philosophy, and then the solution. 

Check out our next blog this week for a detailed explanation about how we will help you transform your health.

inflammation

How a Happy Gut Lends Itself to a Happy Brain

If you’ve ever received a CRP (C-reactive protein) test, you’re probably aware of the correlation between systemic inflammation and dozens of diseases and illnesses. If your CRP reads high, it means inflammation levels are high where the body is in a reactive state all the time. As a result, cooling this constant internal flame has become a significant focus on preventative medicine. 

Inflammation is your body’s response to try to find something: your body trying to heal itself. It signals healing agents to go to the injured part of the body. With systemic inflammation, your body is on fire and can’t heal and repair itself correctly. It can stay localized as many of us struggle unknowingly from gut dysbiosis. Our lifestyle, environmental toxins, and diet can influence this state. Unfortunately, we often eat foods that create a fight response internally as our body treats the offending foods like an invasive threat. 

gut
Image source: frontiersin.org

On his weekly podcast, Lucas Rockwood interviewed Jimmy St. Louis, the Cognitive Health and Wellness Institute founder. CHI focuses on gut health to reduce inflammation to lower the likelihood, and symptoms of autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, heart conditions, chronic low-grade conditions like hypertension, cancer, and others. 

Jimmy played football for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and was recently a member of the 2016 United States Rowing Team. However, through rowing, he inadvertently found his passion for cognitive health. Rowing anywhere from 60 to 80,000 meters a day for four to six hours, he noticed a different mental strain than football. 

After a career without significant brain injuries, he discovered the link between cellular repair and the brain’s ability to get oxygen. Then, feeling helpless when his grandmother passed away from Alzheimer’s, he was inspired to understand the gut biome and the connection between inflammation and neurodegenerative illnesses.

Your gut bacteria form a soil-like environment for digestion

gut

St Louis urges us to think about our gut bacteria like a garden. When we look at the human genome, the human microbiome contains three pounds of bugs living inside your body. However, we are also aware that microbiota are different for different people. For example, a person from the Mediterranean and someone of the same age from Osaka would have similar DNA, but the internal garden would be different because of their environment.

People are often tempted to buy a supplement from a health food store, but in thinking of the gut as a garden, you can’t just throw some nitrogen on it and expect to have fertile soil. St. Louis wants to dispel the myth that Alzheimer’s is strictly genetic, and if you are genetically prone, you’re going to get it. Instead, he suggests that these diseases build up over time by not caring for our bodies and everything we put into our mouths. 

Why modern foods and lifestyles leave many of us imbalanced

gut

Most people don’t realize they’re not eating healthy. If it’s organic, it’s healthy, but that’s not necessarily the case. If people believe they’re eating healthy, they’re not armed with that knowledge to help to improve their overall health. That superfood may very well not be beneficial for you. You can eat the kale and drink the juices, but if you’re not aware, your body will continue to fight against yourself and your habits.

Autism, early-onset dementia, or mild cognitive impairment have been linked to systemic inflammation. Over time when you put the wrong things in your body, you develop a bacterial imbalance in your stomach. At some point, that imbalance begins to permeate the gut lining and enter your system. Later on, the blood-brain barrier meant to protect your brain from the rest of your body can lead to protein plaque build-up and eventually to a stroke or Alzheimer’s.

It’s never too late to make necessary changes, but there is no quick fix

Regardless of age, you can slow that aging process. Still, preventative care is challenging for anyone at any age to think about, especially something as invisible as neurodegenerative disease or cognitive decline. We Americans tend to look for a quick fix, but if we want to live better, not just longer, we need to bridge that gap between the quality and length of life. We should want to feel great until that final day. No one wants to be stuck in a nursing home. 

Unfortunately, people start to decline very quickly when a diagnosis happens, and it just feels like it’s just only a matter of time. It’s often a triggering event like a personal health crisis in their fifties or sixties with either a heart attack or type two diabetes diagnosis that brings about awareness. Old habits do die hard, but you can start to create some new healthy habits that won’t take as long as you think. Even after two weeks of dietary changes, you might not crave things you did before. In fact, it might not make you feel good to even think about them anymore.

gut

While many people default to whatever their GP recommends during a routine checkup, most only visit their GP every three or four years. People can opt to do a gut test to indicate what should and should not be eaten. Even poor habits building dysbiosis over time can all be reversed. 

Finding motivation

Some people have felt lousy their whole life. They didn’t feel good when they were in their twenties, and when they’re 42 or 62, there is the possibility of feeling better than when they were 22. St. Louis looks to empower people who have never looked after their body, diet, or fitness and are willing to witness a radical transformation often available for unfit middle-aged people. With health, it doesn’t take forever to start feeling better.

You might feel too far gone, say suffering from type two diabetes or carrying 50 extra pounds. However, one good meal or one good day can make all the difference. So put effort into your diet and embrace the opportunity of feeling better than ever by just choosing one of St. Louis’ programs. They are easily adaptable, the food selection is good, tailored to your gut requirements, and you’ll notice changes more quickly than you’d imagined. 

Do you still want to drink alcohol or go out to dinner? He doesn’t suggest cutting those things out as mental health also plays a role. The point is to create a sustainable path so you can pick a program and not have to give up all the pleasures in life. Columbia Health Institute was created to introduce dietary changes, reduce systemic inflammation, and improve cognitive health scores to help prevent the early onset of neurodegenerative illnesses. It’s never too late to change course.