“Inflammation is caused by an imbalance between resources and demands.” -Dr. Monica Aggarwal

When Dr. Aggarwal was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis as a young mother with 3 kids under 4 years of age, she felt bitter and angry. However, it was this physically painful and mentally challenging diagnosis that prompted her to really learn more about nutrition and lifestyle habits that can worsen or improve inflammation. Now 7 years after her initial diagnosis she is teaching others the importance of finding balance in their lives in order to promote health and wellbeing.

In this episode of Veggie Doctor Radio, I interview Dr. Monica Aggarwal about her book, Body on Fire: How Inflammation Triggers Chronic Illness and the Tools We Have to Fight It, her personal journey and how we can be empowered to make changes in our lives.

We discuss:

Her chronic illness story and what it taught her
How she defines inflammation and what diseases have inflammation at their core
Triggers for inflammation
The relationship between the gut and inflammation
The first lifestyle habit that she addresses with her patients
What food she recommends eliminating first
What food she recommends adding first
Her thoughts on oil in heart disease and inflammation
The importance of positive thinking and optimism
What she wishes more people knew
What personal habit she is most proud of

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More about my honored guest:

Dr. Monica Aggarwal went to the University of Virginia and received her BA in Religious Studies with a minor in Biology. She attended the Medical College of Virginia, completed her residency at Tufts-New England Medical Center, and transitioned to a cardiology fellowship at the University of Maryland. Further training includes an integrative medicine fellowship at the University of Arizona. She is board certified in Cardiology, Nuclear Cardiology and Echocardiography.

Today Dr. Aggarwal is director of Integrative Cardiology and Prevention at the University of Florida where she teaches and emphasizes plant-based nutrition and often performs multiple mind-body techniques with her patients, including yoga and meditation. At the hospitals, she hosts half-day immersions to give people practical tips on how to implement her five-step solution to reduce chronic illness.

In addition to giving educational lectures to physicians on nutrition and how to implement a heathy living plan with their patients, she speaks nationally on these subjects and on the benefits of a plant-based diet on decreasing the risk of disease.

Dr. Aggarwal was named a “Next Generation Innovator” by Cardiology Today and 2019 was named Florida’s Cardiovascular Researcher of the Year by the Florida chapter of the American College of Cardiology, which provided her with a grant to conduct important research needed on nutrition.

She is the coauthor with Jyothi Rao of Body on Fire: How Inflammation Triggers Chronic Illness and the Tools We Have to Fight It (2020), an updated revision of their first book Finding Balance (2016). Drmonicaaggarwal.com

The information on this blog, website and podcast is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to replace careful evaluation and treatment. If you have concerns about your or your child’s eating, nutrition or growth, consult a doctor.

Call to Action —> Open a journal and write one positive or joyful thing about yourself every single day. You can start with the mantra: “I am good, I am strong, I am loved.”

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#135: A Doctor's Personal Journey with Inflammation, What She Learned and How It Can Help You with Dr. Monica Aggarwal

Call to Action —> Open a journal and write one positive or joyful thing about yourself every single day. You can start with the mantra: “I am good, I am strong, I am loved.”