Did you know that approximately 50% of people who are overweight have impaired iron metabolism, detectable on blood tests? For many of these people, they are getting plenty of iron in their diet. Researchers have found that inflammation associated with excess body weight elevates a hormone in your liver called hepcidin, which has the effect of reducing iron absorption into your body from your digestive tract. The result is a metabolic storm of weight gain, fatigue, and poor thyroid function.

Coffee is not just a cup of caffeine. It is a complex drink with hundreds of different compounds in it. We know that insulin resistance and inflammation are the foundation of most chronic diseases, and coffee contributes to both of those health concerns. If you’re still addicted to that morning coffee, here are 8 things to consider that may change your mind. 1. ADRENAL HEALTH: While a cup of coffee consumed infrequently may not be problem for most people, the constant consumption of coffee taxes your adrenal glands by pumping you full of adrenaline.

There is a group of plants known as nightshades which should be avoided by anyone who has inflammation in the body, particularly in the joints. It is wise to completely avoid all nightshades if you have an autoimmune condition of any kind. Nightshades are some of the most commonly consumed fruits and vegetables, and even some very common herbs and spices.

In the past few years I have seen a definite increase in leaky gut in my clients. Also known as hyperpermeability, leaky gut is a syndrome where food travels through the intestinal wall into the abdominal cavity, causing hyperstimulation of the immune system. Leaky gut happens when there is inflammation in the body due to chronic stress, allergies to wheat or dairy, or other causes outlined below. The inflammation causes the spaces between the cells of the gut wall to become larger than usual.