Why We Advocate a Food-First Approach to Healthcare

A recent editorial in the scientific journal Cells, titled “Inflammation: The Cause of All Diseases,” concluded that chronic inflammation is the fundamental driver of nearly every major disease—from cancer and cardiovascular disease to metabolic, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric disorders [1].

The authors highlight how factors like diet, stress, poor sleep, and environmental toxins can lead to persistent low-grade inflammation—and over time, serious health consequences.

They also emphasize that inflammation is modifiable.

By addressing its root causes, we can reclaim control of our health.

Yet the editorial—like many medical approaches—positions pharmaceutical interventions before diet, sleep, and other lifestyle changes, suggesting drugs should take precedence. We disagree with this approach.

Sometimes medications are necessary. But if you have the power to prevent and reverse disease through diet or other lifestyle modifications, why wouldn’t you start there?

Image Note: This figure from the Cells editorial, “Inflammation: The Cause of All Diseases,” illustrates a typical framework for addressing inflammation—one that often puts medication before diet and lifestyle. Our Food First philosophy flips that script, making nutrition the foundation of health rather than the fallback.

Why Start with Food First?

Food is the most powerful—and most modifiable—tool we have to clear inflammation, boost vitality, and reclaim health. This is not news. We’ve known for millennia that “food is medicine.” The ancient Ebers Papyrus (dating back to around 1550 BCE) contained remedies centered on dietary ingredients.

The challenge today is that our food system has been corrupted by corporate greed: pesticides, molds, artificial additives, and ultra-processed ingredients are everywhere. Even those who eat “healthy” can inadvertently trigger inflammation—only to be handed a prescription when symptoms arise ... or told that their symptoms are "all in your head."

A Food-First approach means, quite simply, to start with what you eat. Research shows specialized diets can not only reduce inflammation but, in some cases, reverse, cure or prevent the very diseases it drives. So if you have the power in your hands—literally—why start with pills, potions, or magic spells?

You can save yourself so much time, money and suffering.

The problem is, most of us are confused by what a "healthy diet" includes. It gets even murkier when you consider anti-inflammatory diets.

Here's what we recommend to anyone looking to start with a Food First approach:

• Level 1: Eat a (Generic) “Healthy” Diet: If you’re coming from the Standard American Diet, cutting out ultra-processed foods, sugar, and alcohol can have a profound impact. Aim for whole, “single ingredient” foods—meats, vegetables, fruits, and grains you can actually pronounce. Eat only these—no cheating—for a month and see how you feel.

• Level 2: Adopt a Specific Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Approaches like the Mediterranean or Blue Zone diets are backed by robust research demonstrating reduced inflammatory markers and improved overall health.

• Level 3: Advanced Dietary Interventions: Protocols such as Ketogenic, low-purine, or low-FODMAP diets can offer added benefits for certain conditions or performance goals.

• Level 4: Bio-Specific Inflammatory Reset: This is where Optimal AF fits in—a lab-test-driven program that identifies your unique triggers from 170 possible inflammatory culprits. We then walk you through the Gold Standard of elimination protocols. It’s a fully personalized approach, taking anti-inflammatory eating to the nth degree.

Why Consider an Inflammation Reset?

Even if you’re eating “healthy,” there may be hidden triggers in your diet—foods or chemicals that silently spark inflammation. If you’ve gotten some results from other programs (like those listed above) but still have symptoms, you might consider a six-month inflammation reset.

Here’s why a comprehensive reset could be the game-changer:

• Identify Unknown Triggers: Elimination protocols and testing can pinpoint the exact foods fueling your symptoms for your unique biochemistry.

• Fast-Track Results: Instead of trial-and-error with generic diets, a targeted reset can bring measurable relief—from reduced joint pain and improved digestion to better mood and energy.

• Long-Lasting Transformation: Clients frequently experience complete relief from their symptoms (or a dramatic reduction)—benefits that persist beyond two years, demonstrating how a targeted, food-based approach can deliver enduring results.

• Prevent Chronic Disease: Chronic inflammation underpins many serious health conditions; resetting before it spirals can save you years of doctor visits and medications.

Where to Go from Here

If there’s one takeaway from all this, it’s never to underestimate the power of food to heal, stabilize, and energize.

Yes, sleep, movement, and other lifestyle factors are invaluable—but a strategic shift in what you eat often provides the fastest, most profound results.

And if you’re ready to dive deeper, a comprehensive inflammation reset could be the key to uncovering (and eliminating) the hidden triggers holding you back.

Wishing you vibrant health,

Team Optimal AF

For more information about our approach to inflammation reset, visit our "Science" page at: https://optimalaf.com/science

Disclaimer: This email is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.

References:

[1] Chavda, V.P., Feehan, J., & Apostolopoulos, V. (2024). Inflammation: The Cause of All Diseases. Cells, 13(22), 1906. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13221906