How Traveling Can Harm Our Health by Dr. Asa Andrew

By Dr. Asa Andrew 23 / Aug / 2015

Annette from Miami, Florida writes:

My mother has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The doctors say it is early. What can she do each day to help with this? Can she do anything with her lifestyle?

Dear Annette,

Alzheimer’s can be a very sad and scary diagnosis for everyone involved. We are learning more in the nutrition world about what foods directly affect the brain than ever before. It is not just genetics that happens to us. It is our choices every day that determines what type of health we are going to have tomorrow. This is especially true with our brain. The brain's cells can become rigid as we age. This can cause issues like our memory to not stay as sharp. There have been numerous studies that show that the foods that we eat every day directly impacts how well our brain will eventually function. Lets look at some brain healthy foods to help support her memory and her general health overall. Remember, there is always hope for better health. Never say never. The body has an amazing ability to recover and do well. 

1.Salmon
Omega 3 fatty acids are the rock stars of brain health. Wild salmon is probably the best for your brain overall. Other fish such as sardines and anchovies have tremendous benefit as well. The omega 3 fats are amazing support for your memory and empowering your health. 

2.Lentils
These are one of my favorites. Lentils are loaded with B vitamins, which are essential for the brain. These are easy to add to any meal and are great for fiber as well.

3.Blueberries
Antioxidants are a real key in supporting the brain. Blueberries are loaded with these antioxidants that help to clean out the brain and keep it working in tip -op shape. Free radicals can cause damage when in abundance and the blueberries contain components to help rid the body of these to help better support memory. 

4.Coconut Oil
Known as a saturated fat, coconut oil has some strong properties for the brain. If actually breaks down in the body like a carbohydrate called a MCT, or medium chain triglyceride. The saturated fat in coconut oil is needed to help the omega 3 fats absorb and function better. Look at using some of this special oil to cook with or add to your smoothies. 

5.Beets
Beets have been known for great digestive properties. They help with elimination, constipation, and digestive distress. Now we are learning that the nitric oxide found in beets are great for improving memory and adding oxygen into the cells. They are loaded with folic acid and have been shown in certain studies to delay dementia as we age.  

6.Cauliflower
Full of folic acid and vitamin C, cauliflower has been shown to support against the cognitive decline from aging and help to prevent against Alzheimer’s. 

7.Walnuts
Walnuts may be thought of as one of the superior nuts. They are the nuts with the highest amount of omega 3 fats. Walnuts have been shown in research to improve learning and memory. Just 1-2 oz. a day can improve overall function and cause your brain to be protected from the challenges that come with the aging process.

 

Bio

Known as America’s Health Coach, Dr. Asa Andrew is a national best-selling author and host of the #1 Health Talk Radio Show in North America. In addition to his hit television series, Dr. Asa is a regular contributor to NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, and FOX and regarded as a healthcare leader in the field of lifestyle medicine.

 

Annette from Miami, Florida writes:

My mother has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The doctors say it is early. What can she do each day to help with this? Can she do anything with her lifestyle?

Dear Annette,

Alzheimer’s can be a very sad and scary diagnosis for everyone involved. We are learning more in the nutrition world about what foods directly affect the brain than ever before. It is not just genetics that happens to us. It is our choices every day that determines what type of health we are going to have tomorrow. This is especially true with our brain. The brain's cells can become rigid as we age. This can cause issues like our memory to not stay as sharp. There have been numerous studies that show that the foods that we eat every day directly impacts how well our brain will eventually function. Lets look at some brain healthy foods to help support her memory and her general health overall. Remember, there is always hope for better health. Never say never. The body has an amazing ability to recover and do well. 

1.Salmon
Omega 3 fatty acids are the rock stars of brain health. Wild salmon is probably the best for your brain overall. Other fish such as sardines and anchovies have tremendous benefit as well. The omega 3 fats are amazing support for your memory and empowering your health. 

2.Lentils
These are one of my favorites. Lentils are loaded with B vitamins, which are essential for the brain. These are easy to add to any meal and are great for fiber as well.

3.Blueberries
Antioxidants are a real key in supporting the brain. Blueberries are loaded with these antioxidants that help to clean out the brain and keep it working in tip -op shape. Free radicals can cause damage when in abundance and the blueberries contain components to help rid the body of these to help better support memory. 

4.Coconut Oil
Known as a saturated fat, coconut oil has some strong properties for the brain. If actually breaks down in the body like a carbohydrate called a MCT, or medium chain triglyceride. The saturated fat in coconut oil is needed to help the omega 3 fats absorb and function better. Look at using some of this special oil to cook with or add to your smoothies. 

5.Beets
Beets have been known for great digestive properties. They help with elimination, constipation, and digestive distress. Now we are learning that the nitric oxide found in beets are great for improving memory and adding oxygen into the cells. They are loaded with folic acid and have been shown in certain studies to delay dementia as we age.  

6.Cauliflower
Full of folic acid and vitamin C, cauliflower has been shown to support against the cognitive decline from aging and help to prevent against Alzheimer’s. 

7.Walnuts
Walnuts may be thought of as one of the superior nuts. They are the nuts with the highest amount of omega 3 fats. Walnuts have been shown in research to improve learning and memory. Just 1-2 oz. a day can improve overall function and cause your brain to be protected from the challenges that come with the aging process.

 

Bio

Known as America’s Health Coach, Dr. Asa Andrew is a national best-selling author and host of the #1 Health Talk Radio Show in North America. In addition to his hit television series, Dr. Asa is a regular contributor to NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, and FOX and regarded as a healthcare leader in the field of lifestyle medicine.

 

Gabe from Florida Writes:

My doctor recently said that I have a higher than normal kidney number on my lab test. He mentioned that I should drink more water and that we need to “keep an eye” on things. What can I do on my own to make sure my kidneys are staying healthy?

Dear Gabe,

Our kidneys are one of our most vital organs in the body. They are major players in the detoxification process. They remove our daily toxins and excessive salts therefore purifying our cells and allowing the body to function at its full capacity. One of our keys to a healthy body is keeping the kidneys running well. There are many natural ways to support the kidneys and keep them functioning well even with the daily environmental toxins that we come into contact with. 

Lets look at some basic natural ways to keep the kidneys in a constant state of cleansing and supporting their optimal functioning.

1.Drink More Pure Water
Consider the right kind of water. There are many debates on this topic of the best water to drink for empowering your health. Being dehydrated puts an undue strain on the kidneys and can cause potential damage. Regular water may increase inorganic minerals and salts that can bog down the kidney function. Look to using distilled water periodically to keep the kidneys working well.

2.Coriander and Parsley
Boiling a combination of coriander and parsley leaves in water and drinking this multiple times a day has been shown to support better kidney function. You may notice a change in urine after a few days but is normal. This combination has been known to remove excessive salts and may help erode any stones that may be forming.

3. Juniper Berries
These berries have been known to support healthy kidney function. You can get the actual berries or find them in an extract form. 

4. Cayenne Pepper
A great addition to any meal, cayenne pepper has been known for its regenerative and stabilizing support toward kidney function. I once saw a man that was in late stages of kidney disease use heavy amounts of cayenne pepper with his holistic nephrologist and do extremely well in his longevity and treatment. 

The bottom line with kidney health is to keep the fluids coming in. The kidneys thrive on clean nutrition and clean living. 

 

Bio

Known as America’s Health Coach, Dr. Asa Andrew is a national best-selling author and host of the #1 Health Talk Radio Show in North America. In addition to his hit television series, Dr. Asa is a regular contributor to NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, and FOX and regarded as a healthcare leader in the field of lifestyle medicine.

 

Sarah from New York Writes:

I travel extensively for work on a weekly basis. I have heard it can be bad for my health. What can I do to protect my body through the constant weekly car and plane travel?

Dear Sarah,

It has been well known in research studies that traveling by plane or car extensively can take a toll on your health in the long term. As a matter of fact, 85% of the root causes of many health challenges we face today have a basis in emotional or environmental toxins. Our environment plays a role in regards to the foods we eat, the air we breathe, the exercise we get, the water we drink, and the stress that we manage.

Travel alone is stressful to the body. I can tell you that I have been traveling for years for my work. There were several years that I was “on the road” for up to 250 days per year. You might not be that level of a road warrior, yet even the occasional eight-hour drive, or four-hour plane flight can be challenging. Any type of travel can create certain stressors that can be detrimental to your vitality and rob you of your energy. One of the main issues with travel is the amount of radiation that we get while in a plane flight. For every 6 hours in the air it is equivalent to a chest x-ray.

Also, whether driving or flying we increase a major stress hormone in our body called cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that causes us to age faster, wrinkle and sag more, store more body fat, and reduce brain activity. Not good!

So what can you do? It comes down to creating some basic habits that will help you overcome the negative effects of being on the road.

Whether by plane or car, these principles are the same. Keep your routine to maintain your health while on the road.

1.Drink More
Ok so I’m not talking about alcohol. We are made of an estimated 75% water and our cells crave water. When flying, our bodies can become dehydrated much easier due to the altitude. It is easy to want the sodas, coffee, and the juices. If you do have some of those beverages, make sure to follow with plenty of water on the flight depending on how long it is. A good rule is an 8oz bottle of water for every hour you fly or drive. I usually carry bags of green tea in my briefcase. Just add one bag of green tea to your water. It is proven to help lower the stress hormone cortisol. If you are complaining about paying for water because its not free on many flights anymore, fly Delta, it’s still free and my personal favorite airline.

2.Get Up and Walk
Jesus did it, and made others do it too. He was definitely into exercise and for a good reason…kidding but not really. Movement creates a positive impact on our health. As I fly, I notice some people getting up to use the bathroom only to hurry back to their seats. We love to sit, eat, and be entertained. A recent study noted that for every 6 hours we sit, we might take up to 6 years off of our life! Wow! Flight attendants have it the best on the flights because they are always walking to serve others. That is great for their health. Make it a goal to stand for 5 minutes for every hour that you fly and for every 2 hours that you drive. This keeps great blood flow, reduces the chance for a blood clot, and reduces the wear and tear on your spine and posture. In addition our body has it’s own built-in detoxification system. When we move, we pump the lymphatic system and cause the body to help fight against most health challenges.

3.Eat Every 3 Hours
When traveling, it is easy to snack on the junk food and not keep up with your daily eating habits. Blood sugar levels can suffer when you are not in your daily routine. A granola bar instead of a salad, potato chips for lunch because you don’t want to stop driving or your will be late to your meeting. It’s about being prepared. I was asked the other day by a flight attendant why I seemingly had so much packed in my roller board for such a quick trip. It may have looked like all clothes, but I always carry my supplements, healthy nuts and snacks, to help stay on my routine. Because I travel so often, I refuse to let my daily eating habits and lifestyle suffer. Remember you control life each day, or it will control you. A big part of the stress of travel is not getting the right nutrition. Make sure to get a healthy snack or meal every 3-4 hours while traveling to keep your blood sugar stable and get the right nutrients to combat the travel stress.

4.Avoid Sugary Snacks
When it comes to cortisol and stress, nothing will accelerate the hormone more than eating the sugary snacks and sugary drinks. If you get the sweet tooth opt for a piece of fruit and some nuts to help balance the blood sugar and the cravings. While traveling make a goal to drink water or unsweet tea. Most teas, like green tea, have potent antioxidants and polyphenols that can help you improve your health, protect against the aging process and help ward off the toxins from travel.

5.Get Your Rest
When traveling make sure to get your rest. Although some say they will just sleep on the plane or in the car, that sleep is usually not the best. Travel takes a large stress toll on our health so getting proper rest on the day of travel is very important. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep both the night before a big trip and the day of arrival. This will help reduce stress on the body and help balance the overall cortisol levels.

 

Bio

Known as America’s Health Coach, Dr. Asa Andrew is a national best-selling author and host of the #1 Health Talk Radio Show in North America. In addition to his hit television series, Dr. Asa is a regular contributor to NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, and FOX and regarded as a healthcare leader in the field of lifestyle medicine.