Are you familiar with “The Prime” program created by Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary, MD ? If not, it’s time to learn about it.
About Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary, MD
Why is “The Prime “Diet So Powerful ? The Benefits of The Prime Tea and Diet Including The Four Stages of The Prime Diet
About Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary, MD
She has a unique and smart approach to restore health. Not just brain and gut health, but overall health. It comes from her medical background, US trained neurologist and neuroscientist, combined with the knowledge and wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic medicine.
Her book “The Prime- Prepare and Repair Your Body For Spontaneous Weight Loss” may have got the attention of people who want to lose those extra pounds, but this plan was created for a different reason: to treat MS, Parkinson’s, headaches and other neurological problems. The weight loss part of her protocol is simply a “side effect” that was not planned or expected.
Dr.Chaudhary had her own medical problems. When she developed stubborn headaches, she tried to use what she recommended to her patients :prescription drugs. However, she had to look into alternative options due to significant drug adverse reactions- including brain fog and weight gain. She went back to her Indian roots (her grandfather being the town doctor where she grew up) and started to learn Ayurvedic medicine. Not only she treated her headaches with Ayurveda, but her mood, weight, energy levels and vitality improved dramatically.
Next, she started to recommend her most challenging patients -with MS and Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease to Ayurvedic physicians until she got her own training in this system and started to practice it, creating what she later called “The Prime” diet or protocol.
The results were unbelievable: her MS patients experiencing fewer relapses and no longer need for medication (MS drugs and other meds for associated problems- fatigue, constipation, urinary problems). Her patients with Parkinson’s were able to reduce dosage and walk better. Some would improve a lot- from having troubles walking to start taking dance classes. Some went into remission entirely. Other issues such as sugar cravings, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels or pain and sleep also improved.
Why is “The Prime “Diet So Powerful ?
In my opinion, the benefits of The Prime Tea and Diet derive from the following:
Works with the body’s healing system. No restrictive diet, no long lists of no- no foods. No will power required either. No stress around your meals. You can eat whatever you want while on “The Prime”. Sounds too good to be true, right?
Provides a real detox- “ama detox”. Ama includes both physical and emotional toxins.
I really like the fact it focuses of gut health. Improving digestion is the essential to brain and overall health. Ayurvedic physicians knew this for thousands of years. In conventional medicine, this fact was recently researched and understood.
Addresses lymphatic system issues. Unlike conventional therapies, one of the key goals of “The Prime” is to improve lymphatic flow. According to Ayurvedic medicine, a big problem in MS is the brain’s inability to detox properly. Off note, lymphatic vessels are also found in the brain, not just in the body (as previously thought) and the lymphatic system is involved in immunity but also in the removal of waste products and toxins- Manjistha powder is particularly helpful to improve lymphatic flow, and also Guggul. Signs of lymphatic system problems: big weight fluctuation (ie few pounds in 24 hrs or during menses), little sweating even during exercise, fingers swollen (rings get stuck), swollen ankles, achy joints, excess cellulites).
The Prime protocol and generally speaking, Ayurveda sees food as medicine, and believes all health is related to the gut. The gut-brain connection is further explained, and how digestive problems develop before brain diseases occur. For example constipation, IBS and other chronic digestive problems are experienced before the diagnosis of Parkinson’s or MS. Even Lewy’s bodies, the proteins that clump i the brain in Parkinson’s, are detected first in the gut. Similar problem seen with plaques and tangles which appear in the gut, and later in the brain in those with Alzheimer’s disease.
It is gentle, yet effective and is adapted to your own unique needs and digestive health. It was 4 stages.How long it will take for you to complete each phase depends on your own condition. Take her Gut IQ test to find out more.
The Four Stages of The Prime Diet
The Prime Stage I Activates A Biochemical Shift
The goal is to improve the colon and lymphatic system to improve detox pathways. You will use dry massage (garshana) to improve lymphatic flow; this is how you do it. Drink a special tea — The “Prime” tea based on cumin, fennel and coriander seeds ; 3. Take triphala (a combination of three berries) and 4. Fiber flush with ground flax seeds and psyllium husk. When asked what is the most important step one could take to improve his/her health, Dr. Chaudhary recommended The Prime Tea.
More details about the Prime Tea: Sip Prime Tea : prepare the tea using 4-5 cups water and ½ teaspoon of each :cumin seeds, fennel seeds, coriander seeds. Add manjistha ½ teaspoon if you need to improve lymphatic system). Add fenugreek seeds ½ teaspoon if excessive bloating/gas. Add 1 inch fresh ginger peeled to improve the function of the small intestine (the “digestive fire”)
The Prime Stage II- you will add a few supplements which promote brain health and improve sugar levels — Ashwagandha and Brahmi (Bacopa). In addition, you will consume Prime Juice (filled with nutrient rich foods: spinach, beets and ginger and more), Prime Broth and keep a food craving journal. Healthy tip: if you experience sugar cravings try to chew on cardamon pods.
The Prime Stage III is all about igniting the energy and fat. Guggul is the key supplement during this stage. Homemade curry powder and ginger flush also recommended during this stage.
The Prime Stage IV- covers biohacking lifestyle habits such as improving sleep (go early to bed), improving digestion (by eating the largest meal at lunch, and warm foods/drink), use meditation daily (which she considered the best brain detox).
“The Prime” and Ayurveda’s therapeutic benefits are supported by science- great explanations on how this program can improve neuroadaptation, dopamine receptors, stress response, the gut flora, and the brain and the gut-brain axis. For example Brahmi and meditation normalizes dopamine pathways and loss of dopamine receptors, while Ashwagandha improves HPA axis (stress response and stress hormones). Guggul upregulates the expression of key detox enzymes, detoxing your body.
The Prime and Ayurveda emphasizes mind-body connection. “Ama” is like a toxin, but has a broader meaning is made up of substances inside the body and mind that are not properly digested. For example a protein from food that is not processed the right way will become toxic by creating inflammation in the gut; an undigested emotion in your psyche (ie a trauma from the past) can also be an ama. Stomach pain is linked with sadness and “undigested” emotions. Small intestine is the center of agni or “digestive fire”. Strong agni means strong digestion. Weak agni means ama (toxins) build up, and also emotional issues, weakens identity and feeling of personal power, causing procrastination, insecurity, indecision. The large colon is the center of stability. When your colon is healthy you feel centered and secure. Liver is not just the well-known chemical detoxifier, helping remove toxins from the body, it also helps with emotional detox. That’s why people with liver diseases have often depression, anger and frustration as well.
my note: It’s very interesting to look at IBS, SIBO, IBD and altered gut balance from this perspective.
Why we need detox ? Modern word is more toxic than ever: we created or isolated and released over 100,000 toxic chemicals in environment (in the air, food, water) and only 5% had been studied for safety in humans. Did you know that?
Do you want to get “Super-Primed” ? If you want to upgrade your health to the next level, Dr Chaudhary has some dietary recommendations for you. For example, eating according to your constitution (or doshas)- you can find your dosha here. Or focusing on wholesome foods, limit consumption of meat (except bone broth) and fish, eating healthy dairy products (like diluted yogurt called lassi or ghee). Cooked veggies are better tolerated than raw. You shouldn’t use intermittent fasting until you detox your digestion. Why some people are doing well on paleo, while others will thrive on vegetarian diets. There is a lot more useful information in her book, get her book today, read it and use it- it can make a huge impact on your health.
