Taking Charge of Your Health:

Colonoscopies, Diet, and Gardening for Wellness

By Amanda Mandy

You are 45. Have you scheduled your Colonoscopy? Years ago, there used to be a PSA that came on at 10:00 p.m. It asked parents if they knew where their children were. I was working in my garden while map-minding about this article and praying that I provide the information God wants me to relay to you, my beautiful readers. Getting back to the critical question, have you scheduled your Colonoscopy, and if not, why not? Don’t allow fear to be a factor in you not getting this done. Congratulations to you if you have already had it done. While there are non-invasive ways of detecting colorectal cancer, Colonoscopies remain the Gold standard. It is a highly effective screening method that allows doctors to visually examine the inside of the colon and rectum for any signs of abnormal growths or polyps. If detected early, colorectal cancer is highly treatable. Even if you feel healthy and don’t have any symptoms, it is recommended that you get a colonoscopy starting at age 45 or earlier if you have a family history of colon cancer. And every ten years after that, if the first one was normal. Don’t put off getting a colonoscopy - it’s essential to taking care of your health.

Eating healthy is the most essential part of maintaining overall health. Incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains into your diet can help reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as fatty liver disease or, as it is known now, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). I want to pause here because this is something that most people have never heard of unless they have been diagnosed with it. MASLD is excessive fat build-up in the liver without another clear cause, such as alcohol use. There are two types: non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH; formerly non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, NASH). This causes the liver to become inflamed and could eventually lead to complications such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure, or cardiovascular disease.

Contrary to widespread belief, cirrhosis of the liver is not always caused by excessive drinking. Overusing over-the-counter medications and even some prescription medications can cause liver diseases. Other risk factors include obesity and type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high serum triglycerides, and low serum HDL cholesterol, a diet high in sugar, and older age. It has been said countless times, “Most diseases start in the Gut.” If this is so, then food is our medicine. You can improve your overall health and well-being by making small changes to your diet.

One great way to maintain a healthy diet is by growing your own fruits and vegetables. Not only does this ensure that you are eating fresh, organic produce, you have the peace of mind of knowing where your vegetables were grown and how they were grown. Last year, I started with vegetables grown in pots and other containers. This year, I created an inground garden and started raising my own chickens for egg production. Starting a garden can be done just about anywhere, even indoors. The main things your garden needs to grow are good, rich soil, water, and sunshine.

Remember to always consult with your healthcare provider before making any significant changes to your diet or exercise routine.