Denton County Living Well Magazine March/April 2019 | Page 49

an enzyme in our bodies responsible for
activating our inflammatory response. So
instead of using a pharmaceutical pain re-
liever, you can reach for an all-natural alter-
native. If you experience brain fogginess,
aches and pains, or mood swings, these
may be signs of systemic inflammation. Tur-
meric has been known in clinical trials to
alleviate these symptoms.
Like many of you, I have aging parents. My
mother just turned 60 and she has been
troubled with severe back pain. She finally
told herself she was going to stop taking
Ibuprofen every day and try something
else. We went through all her supplements
and decided to put Turmeric at the top of
her list. This natural supplement has been
shown to decrease levels of a key marker
of inflammation, CRP. Turmeric boosts the
regeneration of brain stem cells creating
more youthful brain function. It has even
been shown in a clinical trial to encourage
the immune system to clean out unwanted
protein debris in the brain that causes cog-
nitive decline.
Further it has the power to decrease cho-
lesterol oxidation, which can lead to ar-
terial clogs in the heart and blood vessel
damage. Among the other benefits of this
powerful antioxidant, it shows up as a joint
pain reliever, effective at mood balancing,
and has the potential to aid with proper
digestion. Turmeric seems to be a preven-
tative and regenerative supplement. Take it
daily, along with black pepper extract and
COQ10 for whole optimal benefit and ef-
fective absorption.
Ginger
This spice has been used in cooking and
dishes for centuries but it also has some
powerful medicinal qualities. As an ex-
pecting mother, I have reaped the benefits
of ginger being an anti-nausea aid. This
pungent spice is also a remarkable antiox-
idant. We learned before that cancer can
occur due to damaged cells, but ginger
contains a compound 6-gingerol that may
be able to slow or even reverse cancer cell
growth in prostate, pancreatic and ovari-
an cancers. More research needs to be
done, but scientists seem positive about its
anti-cancer benefits. Another great prop-
erty of ginger is it regulates and reduces
Amla (Indian Gooseberry Powder) 
Douglas Won, MD
Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine Specialist
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeon
Dr. Douglas Won, a co-founder of Whole Green
Living is a dual fellowship-trained physician and
Board-certified by the American Board of Ortho-
pedic Surgeons. Dr. Won is an innovator of Stem
Cell Technology for over 12 years for Orthopedic
and Spine conditions. He is active in the research
and development of innovative stem cell therapy
as well as spine care and in using advancing
technology to create personalized treatment plans
for variety of orthopedic conditions and cervical,
thoracic and lumbar disorders.
Dr. Won and Whole Green Living help others
achieve optimal health through the life-changing
power of whole food plant-based nutrition, exer-
cise, avoidance of toxins, and restoration practices.
They’re devoted to helping you along your personal
journey to develop and sustain this healthy lifestyle
free of many chronic diseases and conditions
threatening quality and length of life.
blood sugar levels, something people with
diabetes need especially.
If that wasn’t enough, because ginger acts
as an antioxidant and therefore an anti-in-
flammatory, it has been applauded for its
aid with menstruation discomfort, decreas-
ing the pain and duration of symptoms.
This spice can also drastically help with
osteoarthritis. Arthritis can arise at any
age. The longer we put wear and tear on
our bodies, the more likely our joints may
suffer. Remember my 60-year-old mom I
mentioned? Well she works herself silly,
with yard work and housework; she still in-
sists on mowing her own lawn! And even
though these activities are great for her
overall health, they do take a toll on joints.
We found a turmeric supplement for her
that also contains the ginger root extract
with it. Ginger has been proven to reduce
pain caused by common osteoarthritis. All
together, this all-natural substance treats in-
flammation, assists with proper digestion,
increases immune responses, reduces cho-
lesterol and, like turmeric, stimulates brain
function. Take this aromatic supplement
daily to access its antioxidant power and
see the benefits first hand.
The last, but certainly not least, super
antioxidant I recommend consuming ev-
ery day is Indian gooseberry. It is hard
to know where to start with this special
antioxidant, so I will begin from head to
toe (or maybe about to your colon)! Indi-
an gooseberry also known as amla, has
been known to enhance and strengthen
hair, and prevent hair thinning and bald-
ing. This is attributed to the gooseberries’
rich carotene content, and again antioxi-
dant (cell protecting) qualities.
This berry improves already-developed
cataracts and decreases risk for macular
degeneration. Gooseberries also sup-
port healthy immune function by increas-
ing production of white blood cells, and
supports strong bones by helping absorb
calcium in the right ways. They also act
as a diuretic and helps flush out toxins in
the body. As long as you are maintain-
ing proper fluid intake daily, this flushing
property promotes healthy kidney function
and can prevent urinary tract infections.
This fruit also prevents heart diseases by
strengthening the heart muscles and there-
fore increasing circulation of blood. It can
reduce cholesterol buildup and therefore
prevent atherosclerosis. The Indian goose-
berry can also act as a natural laxative to
increase healthy bowel movements, and
will help relieve diarrhea and dysentery.
Lastly, a wonderful quality about this sup-
plement is the quantity of iron it contains,
which promotes the creation of red blood
cells. Since the berry also contains a high
amount of vitamin C, the iron is readily
absorbed in our bodies and is a great
supplement for people on a plant based
diet, who choose not to consume animal
based iron.
At the end of the day, I want you to know
that pain, discomfort, memory loss, tooth
decay, excess wrinkles, dry skin, and
chronic disease do not have to be symp-
toms of aging. We are in control of our
bodies and can increase our longevity,
manage pain and reduce chronic disease
through the supplementation of antioxi-
dants.
SEARCH FOR DR. DOUGLAS WON
DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | MARCH/APRIL 2019
47