Recipe for Chronic Disease

Throughout my own health journey I have read books, listened to podcasts, done lots of research which have helped me compile a list of what I think leads someone towards of path of chronic disease and illness. First, what counts as a chronic disease? A chronic disease is a condition that is persistent or long-lasting, requires ongoing medical attention, and limits ones activities of daily living. Some common chronic diseases include heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease according to the Center of Disease and Control (CDC). The CDC also says that 6 in 10 adults in the US have a chronic disease and 4 in 10 adults have two or more chronic diseases.

Ingredients:

• Western Diet: A Western Diet is laden with sugar, processed foods, synthetic trans fats, refined grains, and artificial sweeteners. This diet also lacks fiber, omega-3 essential fatty acids, fruits and vegetables. It is also full of dairy and meat that are of low quality, full of hormones and chemicals. This western diet can cause chronic, low-grade inflammation which can cause the body to attack itself prompting an autoimmune disease and many other disease. It can also suppress the immune system and harm gut health.

• Sedentary Life: Physical inactivity is a primary cause of most chronic diseases. Most Americans live sedentary lifestyles as they go to work sit at a desk and come home to sit on the couch.

• Toxic environment: Toxins exist everywhere in our environment. Fluoride, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury are a few that just exist in our water. Toxins can also be found in our food in the forms of pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics. In addition, dust in your home, dental fillings, and consumer products like cleaners, furniture, bedding, and plastic bags all contain toxins. Toxic mold fold in your house or environment can even have devastating health consequences and can exacerbate current chronic diseases.

• Chronic Stress: This type of stress can suppress the immune system which can manifest into an chronic illness or disease. Stress can enhance allergic inflammatory responses, increase the risk for diabetes, lead to stomach ulcers, and plaque buildup in the arteries (atherosclerosis).

• Negativity: Negative emotions and thoughts can have serious health consequences. They can lead to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness which can lead to chronic stress and disease. You can essentially "think yourself sick". Your mind is powerful in that the more ways you think about how your body can break down, fall to illness, and not heal, the more likely you are to experience physical symptoms of disease and illness.

• Excessive alcohol consumption: Several studies have linked alcoholic beverage consumption with the development of several chronic disorders such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and obesity.

• Smoking: Smoking accounts for 30% of all cancer deaths in the Unites States, including 80% of all lung cancer deaths. Smoking can also cause a host of other diseases including heart disease, COPD, chronic bronchitis, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, type 2 diabetes, eye diseases, tuberculosis, periodontitis, peptic ulcer disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, rheumatoid arthritis, and worsening asthma.

• Sleep: Insufficient sleep has been linked to the development of many chronic diseases and it can exacerbate current chronic conditions. On average an adult should sleep between 7 and 9 hours each night. What matters the most is the quality of this sleep. Are you on your phone before bed, are you drinking too much caffeine, are you working out before bed? All of these factors play a role in your sleep quality.