How I Reversed 7 Health Conditions by Modifying My Food and Eating Regimen
Our food choices and amounts can be the key to unlocking our body’s natural healing abilities or hindering optimal functioning.
Based on experience and observations, I believe most metabolic, autoimmune, hormonal, cellular, and mitochondrial health conditions are reversible with healthy lifestyle choices and professional support with a holistic health approach. Dietary choices and eating approaches determine our health or disease state.
Besides the importance of what we eat, how we eat and how often we eat also play a significant role in our health and well-being outcomes. The amount and frequency of food consumption are known factors that can profoundly impact our bodies and digestive system for better digestion and nutrient absorption.
I know what it’s like to struggle with health issues, so I have strong empathy and compassion for others. I faced the dire consequences of following improper diets in my younger years, resulting in a dozen health conditions giving me nightmares. I was determined to take charge of my well-being and customize my diet, leading to sustainable solutions for these issues.
After making the necessary changes, I experience a significant improvement in metabolic, immune, endocrine, cellular, mitochondrial, cognitive, and mental health. For example, I lost substantial visceral fat and gained lean muscles and dense bones. I also eliminated loose skin. In addition, my energy levels skyrocketed, making me feel better and younger.
The impact of food on our health is determined by the choices we make and how we incorporate it into our daily lives. Viewing food as a tool for healing and wellness can empower us to make better decisions that benefit our health and vitality.
In this story, I want to share my experience and perspectives to shed light on the mechanisms behind each condition, their impact on my health, and the implications of my dietary modifications. I won’t bore you with details as they are comprehensive. I will only focus on the key points to give you valuable viewpoints and practical tips.
Since we are all unique, my methods and practices might not apply to everyone. Therefore, I will explain the principles, mechanisms, and highlights of my approach to give you an idea so that you may customize your diets to reap similar benefits.
I hope that my experience will be relatable to others who are struggling with their health and that it will inspire them to take charge of their own well-being.
I believe that everyone has the power to improve their health through diet and lifestyle changes. It’s not easy, but it’s possible with focus and determination. If I can do it, others can too.
1 — Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increase our risk of cardiometabolic issues like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
These conditions include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around your waist, and abnormal lipid levels.
I experienced all these conditions. In addition, I was in a prediabetic position at a young age. Although I was not overweight, my waistline was above the threshold. I knew I needed to change my diet, but I wasn’t sure what I needed.
My diet was based on my false beliefs (cognitive distortions) and what I learned from the anecdotes and some misleading scientific papers on those days. I documented some of my nutritional mistakes. I also wrote about my mental mistakes.
By reviewing the growing literature, I started by learning more about metabolic syndrome and the role that diet plays in managing it.
I also collaborated with many professionals and biohackers with a holistic and experimental approach. They approach diet logically as a health matter rather than spiritual or ethical consideration.
Changes I Made and Their Impact
My dietary changes focused on whole foods, bioavailable proteins, healthy fats, and essential micronutrients like vitamins and minerals.
I also removed processed foods, especially sugars. The significant change was cutting and replacing carbs with healthy fats for energy.
The biggest was initially skipping breakfast and later adopting a one-meal-a-day plan.
In addition, occasional long term-fasting significantly contributed to reversing metabolic syndrome by initiating autophagy and mitophagy, clearing the garbage from my cells, and lowering chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.
After making these changes, I saw a significant improvement in my blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and overall metabolic health.
I lost substantial visceral fat and gained lean muscles and dense bones. I also eliminated loose skin. In addition, my energy levels skyrocketed, making me feel better and younger.
2 — Autoimmune Issues and Skin Problems
Autoimmune issues and skin conditions can be debilitating and distressing. They can cause chronic inflammation, fatigue, and damage to some organs.
Rheumatoid arthritis caused joint pain, fatigue, and recurrent infections due to my autoimmune reactions. I also faced challenges with acne and eczema, causing discomfort and affecting my confidence.
Diet plays a crucial role in both autoimmune issues and skin conditions. A healthy diet can reduce inflammation, improve skin health, and boost energy levels.
In my early twenties, I started feeling lower and upper back pain. However, I did not take it seriously and tried to numb it with over-counter painkillers.
After a while, the efficiency of tablets lowered, so I sought support from family doctors. During initial consultations, they gave me heavier painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication, which I did not know their purpose.
As the problem persisted, after a few years, one of the medical doctors referred me to a rheumatologist who gave me the bad news. It was rheumatoid arthritis which is an autoimmune disease.
The rheumatologist prescribed even heavier painkillers and anti-inflammatory tablets that I needed to take daily.
Disappointingly, he informed me that this was a lifetime disease, and I had to learn how to cope with it. He offered more potent anti-inflammatory injections if the pain would get unmanageable. I did not want to live with injections.
By making changes to my diet, I was able to tame my overactive immune system, reduce chronic inflammation, alleviate symptoms, and improve my overall well-being. Improving skin conditions delighted me and increased my confidence in social settings.
Changes I Made and Their Impact
I adopted an anti-inflammatory diet focused on whole, nutrient-dense foods and eliminated potential trigger foods using an elimination diet.
My solution was moving from a plant-based to an animal-based diet. Time-restricted eating coupled with a keto-carnivore diet was the cornerstone of my solution.
3 — Chronic Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are interrelated conditions that can harm our health. They can adversely affect our cells, tissues, organs, and systems. They can show symptoms like fatigue, confusion, discomfort, and pain.
Chronic inflammation occurs when the body’s natural defense mechanisms become imbalanced, causing prolonged inflammation and cellular damage. It can be triggered by oxidative stress and toxic ingredients in food like lectins.
Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body’s ability to neutralize them. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and tissues.
Changes I Made and Their Impact
The major change for me was to use an anti-inflammatory diet removing all toxic and allergic food from my eating regimen.
Time-restricted eating and long-term fasting, inducing ketosis, significantly lowered chronic inflammation. I documented the six ways ketosis can lower chronic inflammation in a previous article.
I also find practical ways to optimize my elevated cortisol levels caused by oxidative stress.
4 — Leaky Gut and Gastrointestinal Disorders
Leaky gut and gastrointestinal disorders can cause digestive discomfort, nutrient malabsorption, and compromised immune function.
They caused me bloating, irregular bowel movements, recurrent digestive issues, weight gain, allergies, auto-immune conditions, and mental health issues like brain fog and anhedonia.
Changes I Made and Their Impact
Initially, a gut-friendly diet helped to heal the gut lining to some extent, improve my digestion, and reduce inflammation.
However, the most significant impact was to remove plant toxins from my diet. Using digestive enzymes also helped.
I documented practical ways to fix my leaky gut in a previous article. I also wrote a story about a friend, Anna, who managed it using different protocols.
5 — Anemia
Anemia happens when the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to tissues. Oxygen is essential for the body to survive and produce energy. This can result from iron deficiency, vitamin deficiencies, and other underlying health conditions.
Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. When the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells, we lack oxygen levels due to insufficient hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. It transports oxygen to various body parts and releases it where needed.
When hemoglobin levels are low, the body cannot receive enough oxygen. So low hemoglobin levels indicate anemia and usually show symptoms of pale skin, fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and rapid heartbeats.
Major root causes of anemia include vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The common ones are insufficient iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid. These two vitamins are needed to make the DNA in red blood cells.
I didn’t know I had anemia until a hematologist detected it through blood tests which showed significant vitamin B12 deficiency.
During that period, I experienced constant tiredness and lack of energy due to anemia.
Changes I Made and Their Impact
Initially, the most significant impact was the Vitamin B12 shot prescribed by the hematologist. Then, he suggested taking 1000 mg methylated B12 daily and a low-dose iron tablet.
Later I stopped supplements and increased food rich in vitamin B12 and iron. By increasing healthy fats, bioavailable proteins, and essential micronutrients in my diet, I was able to combat anemia and improve my energy levels.
I documented my experience of defeating anemia in an article titled How I Fixed My Anemia in 3 Steps and Regained an Abundance of Energy. Solving anemia also improved my cardiac output.
6 — Dental Issues
Dental health is an integral part of overall well-being. I didn’t know dietary choices were crucial in maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Dental health is a lifelong commitment, and with dietary mindfulness and regular oral care, we can maintain healthy teeth and gums. Losing one of my teeth and having gum disease in my fruitarian diet hurt me badly.
Excessive sugary foods and acidic beverages like lemons or oranges might erode tooth enamel and lead to cavities. To protect our teeth, it’s necessary to limit our intake of these foods and wash our mouths immediately after consuming them.
A diet focused on dental health offers numerous benefits, including a reduced risk of cavities, stronger enamel, and improved gum health.
Changes I Made and Their Impact
Moving from a plant-based to an animal-based diet which gave more bioavailable proteins, collagen, essential vitamins like Vitamin K2, and minerals, made the most significant difference in my dental health.
Fixing my vitamin D deficiency by eating food rich in this vitamin, like egg yolks, dairy, and red meat, and increasing calcium and collagen from bone broth helped immensely.
In addition to dental hygiene like brushing and flossing three times, using interdental teeth cleaning, and drinking adequate water flushed away food particles and neutralized acidity in the mouth, reducing the risk of cavities.
I documented my experience in an article titled Here’s How Altering My Diet Solved the Unbearable Teeth Problems Sustainably.
7 — Brain Fog and Anhedonia
Brain fog causes mental confusion and a lack of clarity. Various factors, including poor diet, stress, lack of sleep, and hormonal imbalances, can cause it. In my case, the main culprit was a poor diet.
The symptoms of brain fog can vary from person to person. Common symptoms in the literature are difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, mental fatigue, slowed thinking, and feeling overwhelmed.
Anhedonia is a complex condition characterized by the inability to experience pleasure or joy in once enjoyable activities.
The causes of anhedonia are not fully understood. Several hypotheses mention neurotransmitter imbalances, changes in brain structure, and chronic inflammation, psychological and physiological stressors.
Symptoms of anhedonia can vary from person to person, but common ones include loss of interest in once-enjoyable activities, feeling empty or detached, difficulty experiencing pleasure, and social isolation.
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for brain fog and anhedonia, but diet can help.
Changes I Made and Their Impact
Like previous conditions, changing my diet from plant-based to animal-based was the most critical step. Time-restricted eating accelerated the healing process.
In addition, avoiding excessive caffeine and removing alcohol helped. I stopped smoking and, fortunately, never used recreational drugs.
Besides diet and lifestyle modification, other interventions like therapy and medication might be needed. I did not need medication.
However, I started practicing meditative mindfulness, structured meditation, self-talk, working in a flow state, self-hypnosis, water and soil- therapies, and self-therapies, including self-induced cognitive behavioral therapy. Lowering social media use and watching the side effects of technology also helped.
Conclusions
Solving seven health conditions through dietary modifications made me aware of the powerful mechanisms behind each condition.
By customizing my diet to address specific health concerns, I witnessed the profound impact it had on my well-being. Embracing a personalized approach to nutrition empowered me to take control of my health and enjoy a life of abundant energy and sustainable vitality.
After suffering from serious conditions, I gained wisdom, empathy, and compassion. Therefore, I pass along my knowledge and experience generously.
I believe that everyone can benefit from taking a personalized approach to nutrition. Therefore rather than diet, I emphasize the importance of nutritional biochemistry.
By understanding the unique needs of our bodies and tailoring our diet accordingly, we can improve our overall health, fitness, well-being, and happiness.
If you are struggling with similar health conditions, I encourage you to customize your diet by obtaining from qualified dietitians, nutritionists, or other healthcare professionals who can help you create a personalized nutrition plan right for you.
As part of my creative non-fiction writing goals, I’d like to share a few stories that might warm our hearts with a bit of humor into weighty topics.
Sample Humorous Stories
Finally, After Burning Her House, Georgia Found Enlightenment
Hilarious Tips to Prevent Brain Atrophy and Keep the Gray Matter Giggling
8 Psychological Points I Had to Unlearn and Relearn the Opposite
Based on my writing experience and observations, I documented findings and strategies that might help you amplify your voice, engage your audience, and achieve your desired outcomes in your writing journey.
As a new reader, please check my holistic health and well-being stories reflecting my reviews, observations, and decades of experiments optimizing my hormones and neurotransmitters.
Petechiae, ALS, Metabolic Syndrome, Type II Diabetes, Fatty Liver Disease, Heart Disease, Strokes, Obesity, Liver Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Autoimmune Disorders, Homocysteine, Lungs Health, Pancreas Health, Kidneys Health, NCDs, Infectious Diseases, Brain Health, Dementia, Depression, Brain Atrophy, Neonatal Disorders, Skin Health, Dental Health, Bone Health, Leaky Gut, Leaky Brain, Brain Fog, Chronic Inflammation, Insulin Resistance, Elevated Cortisol, Leptin Resistance, Anabolic Resistance, Cholesterol, High Triglycerides, Metabolic Disorders, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Thyroid Disorders, Anemia, Dysautonomia, cardiac output, Neuromuscular Dysfunctions, and urinary track disorders.
I also wrote about valuable nutrients. Here are the links for easy access:
Lutein/Zeaxanthin, Phosphatidylserine, Boron, Urolithin, taurine, citrulline malate, biotin, lithium orotate, alpha-lipoic acid, n-acetyl-cysteine, acetyl-l-carnitine, CoQ10, PQQ, NADH, TMG, creatine, choline, digestive enzymes, magnesium, zinc, hydrolyzed collagen, nootropics, pure nicotine, activated charcoal, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B1, Vitamin D, Vitamin K2, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, Cod Liver Oil, and other nutrients.
More stories like these are on EUPHORIA.
Disclaimer: My posts do not include professional or health advice. I only document my reviews, observations, experiences, and perspectives to provide information and create awareness.
I publish my lifestyle, health, and well-being stories on EUPHORIA. My focus is on cellular, mitochondrial, metabolic, and mental health. Here is my collection of Insightful Life Lessons from Personal Stories.
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