Inspired Life: Changing Food Changed Her Health

My guest this week is Susan Neal. Susan is a Registered Nurse, and a certified health and wellness coach who coaches people to overcome health challenges. She is the award-winning author of seven books as well as numerous DVDs, and yoga card decks. She is a Christian yoga instructor who teaches Scripture yoga (she also has a book on this  topic).

I met Susan through Twitter. She reached out to me about my podcast, and then we discovered that we have many common connections through other writers, and we're both part of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA). We also are both nurses. I asked Susan to join me for this issue, because I have been on my own health and wellness journey for a while now, and I have been gluten free for two years. I have also worked on reducing the amount of sugar I eat. As I looked through Susan's website and materials, I realized that some of the topics Susan teaches on are part of my own health plan, and I wanted to learn more about her story.

It Started with an Abscessed Tooth

Susan's health had significantly declined after having an abscessed tooth, but it took a while to diagnose. She ended up with ten medical diagnoses, including depression and adrenal fatigue, and had two surgeries before she used her nursing background and God's wisdom to reclaim her health. She was fifty years old when she realized the abscessed tooth was poisoning her body. The treatment for that infection included antibiotics and steroids, which left her body depleted, anemic, low of vitamin D and more.

One of the things Susan discovered that was causing some of her sugar cravings was an overgrowth of yeast in the gastrointestinal tract, called a candida infection. In her book 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates, (part of the 3-in-1 Healthy Living Series) there is an assessment to find out if you might have an overgrowth of Candida albicans. Susan's plan included eight months of a strict anti-candida diet.

Susan's plan of eating really boils down to the question, "Did God create this, or did the food manufacturer?" This question helps to eliminate processed foods, chemicals and more. She also includes a biblically based perspective in the book where the reader learns to seek God's help for overcoming a food addiction. The reader is also asked to find an accountability and prayer partner, to memorize strategic bible verses, to pray, and to use a five-step freedom from addiction plan.

Do You Have Food Cravings?

Susan mentioned three reasons for why we might have food cravings and an inappropriate relationship with food:

1. Overgrowth of candida. It craves the sugar, carbs, and alcoholic beverages.
2. A food addiction. This is connected to how the sugar or wheat can trigger dopamine receptors. She explained how we can find other habits that make us feel good to replace food - for example, petting a dog or going for a walk - to release those endorphins.
3. Emotional issues. To work on this, Susan teaches how a spiritual connection can heal emotions.

Ultimately, Susan's goal is to coach people to learn how to put a relationship with Jesus Christ over their addiction.

7-Day Food Challenge

There is a Healthy Living 7-Day Challenge available on Susan's website.  Check it out!

Susan shared this verse with us on the podcast:

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT)

Because she experienced the devastating effects of health troubles, she wants to help others overcome those effects too.