We’ve been hearing the fearmongering over COVID since the beginning of 2020. The media decided to only showcase one perspective; the one that made our country shut down. “Two weeks,” to flatten the curve remember? Anybody who dared to question King Fauci were censored, fact-checked, or labeled a conspiracy theorist, doctors included. Apparently the attacks on him are an attack on science now too. I remember having a conversation with a former medical professional, and the advise he offered was different from the mainstream bubble. Essentially, exercise, take your vitamins, and diet, “you are what you eat.”
The sad state of America is our people are sick. The obesity rate in America is 38%. Experts predict at least half of Americans will be obese. And you may ask yourself why I am bringing this up in correlation to COVID. A new CDC report revealed 78% of deaths related to COVID were overweight or obese. Additionally, there is a reemergence of the trend of “Fat Pride.” No, I am not talking about the kind that allows for grace in our diets. I understand not everyone is a super model or a body builder, however an unhealthy weight still can affect your bodily motor functions. How you take care of your body affects how long you’ll live and during. COVID has clearly affected this population and data suggests it is not a coincidence.
I am not an expert on nutrition or medicine, but I decided to go ahead and give the floor to someone who has dedicated their time and education working with individuals on improving their health. He was a guest writer not too long ago either. Do what you want with the truth, but if you want to be comforted with lies you are at the publication.
Nutrition & Fitness
What’s going on you guys, I’m Chance Galloway. I have been a NASM certified personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist for the past 6 years. I am fully vested in researching the latest studies regarding fitness and nutrition. As an avid advocate for living a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle, I will forever be sharpening my pencil. I am here to discuss how a well-balanced diet mixed with daily physical activity can improve not only your longevity, but also significantly improve the strength of your immune system. With all this talk about COVID-19, what we eat is the one contributor (outside of sleep) to building a bulletproof immune system. Western civilization is drowning in refined grains, seed oils, processed sugars, and pure garbage that we consider “food”. This is killing us every minute of every day. Obesity is now the number one cause of death associated with COVID-19.
Obesity is associated with increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Studies have revealed a correlation between obesity and poor outcomes in individuals affected by the H1N1 influenza infection (Atamna et al., 2016). Obesity is associated with high inflammation levels, impairing the body’s immune response to bacterial and viral infections- such as COVID-19, primarily affecting the lungs. Decreased pulmonary function and immune response in individuals with obesity, has led to an increased susceptibility to pulmonary viral infections (Curtin et al., 2020). What you eat is crucial. That saying “we are what we eat” speaks volumes. We can also form other chronic and acute diseases from not being any bit concerned with what we feed ourselves.
Acute diseases may come from a virus or something an individual could have contracted due to an injury that would resolve over time (Meyer & Centre Communications, 2018). Dealing with obesity can put an individual at risk of contracting various acute diseases, leading to possible death. For example, acute pancreatitis is a disease causing inflammation of the pancreas which can become a severe risk factor and mortality in adults with obesity (Murata et al., 2016). Individuals with obesity are compromised due to their lack of healthy eating and physical activities. Their immune response is not as heightened as an individual with average weight. This means most of the diseases they may contract may lead to a higher risk of severe consequences leading to death (Murata et al., 2016).
NUTRITION:
I do want to clarify that based on my research, I concluded this to be the optimal diet. I do believe there’s dietary options ( I.E. plant-based) better than consuming the Standard American Diet (SAD). That said, eliminating processed sugars, refined grains, and seed oils, is the first thing we can all be doing. Secondly, we can all be moving toward foods which are more nutrient dense. The focus shouldn’t be on “counting calories” as apposed to knowing the nutrients in the foods we eat. The rest will follow if we are searching for a diet that will fuel us, rather than kill us. So, let’s talk plants.
Many plants have phytotoxins that have been proven to cause harm to humans. Take polyphenols, oxalates, lectins, and glucosinolates to name a few. These chemical compounds have evolved over millions of years as a means to defend the plant. PLANT’S DO NOT WISH TO BE EATEN. Plants are smart and this is how they encourage their predators to find another meal. Plants are not as concerned with their offspring (fruit) but their leaves, stems, seeds, roots, beans, nuts, or grains are all usually highly toxic for their prey to eat. I know this sounds peculiar and unorthodox from we’re taught at a young age, but looking deeper into the subject, the dots connect. There is a way to reap all the benefits of nutrient density without the toxic compounds many plants possess- that is the animal-based diet.
I personally believe in eating the way our ancestors did, otherwise known as ancestral nutrition. This consists of eating “nose to tail.” Yes, this includes consuming the organs of the animal. Before you turn your turn the other way, think about the following. There have been thousands of people coming forward who have tried an animal-based or carnivore diet, immediately reaping massive benefits. I interviewed Brian Sanders and Sally Norton on my podcast The Relentless Life. These two do a phenomenal job at exposing the truth on why an animal-based diet is truly the way to go in many, if not all cases. I am also a supporter of Dr. Paul Saladino and his book “The Carnivore Code”. He has provided me with knowledge needed to establish a well-balanced opinion to coach others in making lifestyle shifts needed to reclaim their life. A few other people worth investing are Shawn Baker, Mikhaila Peterson, Dr. Ken Berry (Author of Lies my Doctor Told Me), Nina Teicholz, and Mike Sheridan. They have a plethora of information regarding plant toxicity, why red meat is actually beneficial to humans; why eating organs is natures multi vitamin; when the saturated fat myth came to be; and personal experience with eating a carnivore-based diet. Eating from ALL NATURAL sources such as buying and eating meat/organs from local farms or farms that raise their animals on grass. Allowing these animals to free roam allows them to live according to their design. Thus, upregulated the amount of bioavailable nutrients and reducing the stress that animal undergoes in their lifetime. I now practice this lifestyle of eating from regenerative agriculture, while getting 80-90% of my calories from an animal. Primarily grass finished beef, pasture raised pork, and free-range chicken. This can be an excellent starting point for anyone seeking out a change or shift in the way they are currently eating. Start consuming fewer toxic plants and more nutrient rich animal foods that are raised on regenerative agriculture. Check out Episode 52 and 55 on my podcast to further learn on the topics of Regenerative Agriculture and eating animal-based.
FITNESS:
Along with eating like our ancestors, we must also move the way they did too! Today, this is known as functional movement. Not just “working out” but moving in a fluid and dynamic way. I use to be a typical '“Gym Bro,” but outgrew that stigma. In reality, it’s not all about how much weight you can press, or how many pushups you can do. Yes, putting on lean muscle has its benefits; however, it is not the secret formula to preventing early onset chronic diseases. Moving fluidly *and* intensely is more of the route worth striving. Focusing on our core, posture and stability while moving certainly is key. This can prevent injuries and when done properly can build a bulletproof machine. We all do not have to look like Arnold to live a high-quality life. Moving properly and in a functional format gives the body a much better shot to battle viruses such as COVID-19. When we move, we improve immunity. Add Outside Environmental Hormesis (otherwise known as a healthy form of physical stress on the body) can also be extremely helpful in building up an elite immunity. A few examples of hormesis you can practice would be taking a cold shower or plunge, sitting in a sauna, receiving sun exposure, and exercise. Essential this is our cells adapting to some form of intermittent/moderate outside stressor. The cells must withstand this stress, to become stronger and more resilient.
I believe in not just fitness, but movement. By moving fluidly the way our ancestors did, we will elongate the quality of life. Moving intensely for short periods of time daily or even 3-4 times per week will significantly help mold our metabolism into an unbreakable one. This will create an internal fat shredding machine. Say goodbye to obesity or being overweight. When you can combine a nutrient dense diet with a functional movement routine, life can be so much greater. Once you have your nutrition and fitness down, add in solid sleep (in pitch dark with silence), a healthy amount of sun exposure, proper hydration (with spring water), and some environmental hormesis. You my friend will be well on your way to living the way our ancestors did. Truly even better. Lastly, try to meditate while incorporating breathing exercise daily if you can. This has been link to decreasing anxiety and depression, improving sleep, reducing stress, enhancing self-awareness, and improving overall emotional health. You’ll thank me once you’ve got it down. That is true euphoria.
I want to thank the readers and Ken Drew for inviting me to contribute. I know my opinion will be criticized by many, because it does challenge the norm; however, there is tons of research backing everything I discussed. I encourage you to check out the people and resources I provided. This will explain in great detail all we talked about today. To build a rock-hard immunity stay active and eat the right way. COVID-19 is not something to fear. It should be something we stand bold against. If we are eating densely and moving intensely (thanks to my friend Brian Sanders for that saying) we should be in good shape! I wish you nothing but success and happiness in your future endeavors. Stay healthy, Stay Fit, and Stay Relentless.
Publisher’s Note: Anything underlined is a link for you to click on if desired. Everything in slant are also resources you can pursue to further investigate. Readers are encouraged to educated themselves and seek other sources for information. Follow Taboo Topic on Instagram @kengine_express to stay in the loop on what’s to come! Additionally, you can message and follow @Chancegallowayfitness and LinkedIn / Facebook as Chance Galloway. Taboo Topic supports the first amendment right of Chance Galloway to express his view point based on his education. I thank him for his time and dedication put into this tough conversation.