These topics have a common thread: systemic inflammation. What causes this inflammation doesn’t seem to be as much of a pressing question as which drugs do the best job.

But what is the cause? Hundreds of research studies show inflammation is caused by eating refined manufactured foods with bad fats and having low-cholesterol levels.

Americans are told to eat a low-fat, high whole-grain diet, which is the real cause behind the high number of inflammatory diseases plaguing us today. These are diseases of modern farming and convenience foods.

In many circles, cholesterol is viewed as one of the most important molecules in the body, repairing the effects of inflammation system wide. Limit it, and the body makes its own. Get rid of it by taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, and the body manifests modern disease. The body loves fat, especially the saturated kind, as our bodies are made of saturated fats. Our brains are 70 percent fat!

Lower cholesterol, and your brain and hormone systems suffer, as all hormones are cholesterol-based. Eat bad fats, and your body will suffer. Eat refined manufactured foods, and your blood-sugar levels will elevate far above what is safe. Heart disease, diabetes, gut problems and Alzheimer’s are among the side effects.

Don’t just listen to me, check out these medical experts: cardiologist Dr. William Davis and his book Wheat Belly, neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter and his book Grain Brain and Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Moss’ book, Salt, Sugar, Fat.

Seek out the truth for yourself about the causes of modern-day disease. The facts will shock you and hopefully help change your lifestyle from one of taking drugs and eating manufactured foods to one of eating organic whole foods and living as drug free as possible on a Mediterranean-type diet.

James Forleo

Durango