Why a Portuguese Healthy Lifestyle Became My Best Medicine

My Recovery Story of Health, Fasting & Supplements.

When I jumped on a big jet airplane with everything I owned, I didn’t do it lightly. My health was declining, healthcare costs were climbing, and the food in U.S. supermarkets was getting more expensive and less nourishing.

No, I don’t have cancer or anything like that, but I did feel like I was slowly dying, both from my lifestyle and from the poor quality of nourishment I was getting from the U.S. food system.

My Body was Telling me Something, and it Was not Good

Over time, I developed some serious issues, my immune system was all jacked up, I had skin rashes I couldn’t explain, and after years of hard labor in construction, my body was a complete wreck. My feet started to go numb, I was losing my balance, and walking long distances became painful. The worst of all was the brain fog, it killed my focus and left me totally exhausted.

I had to make a choice: stay on a dismal path of slow self-destruction or take an off-ramp toward healing, a change I hoped would repair both my body and soul. I’m going to share some of the things that have improved my health and given me new hope I never had before.

I want to make this clear, as I do in many of my other posts: this is my personal journey, not medical advice. I’m sharing it to encourage you to learn, research, and find what works for your own body. Some things I’ve tried may seem a bit too extreme, I once said the same thing before I finally tried them. And yes, I also tried things that didn’t work. It’s a learning process. I like to think I’m a lot smarter now than when I first started.

What I’ve Learned Along the Way

One surprising discovery was that many common U.S. pesticides are banned here in Portugal under EU guidelines (thank goodness). It’s said that the U.S. uses more than one billion pounds of pesticides per year, many of which are banned throughout Europe. That level of chemical exposure has to enter the food system one way or another. I knew this wasn’t a healthy way to live or eat, I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Out with the Old, and In with the New: CardioSmile Toothpaste

Another big realization for me was gut health. After a lot of research, I learned how critical it is for proper nutrient absorption. I also discovered that many American toothpastes contain ingredients that may negatively affect beneficial gut bacteria. A lot is said about fluoride, whether it’s harmful or not, I don’t know. I personally choose to avoid it to better support my gut health.

I currently use a new product I found, CardioSmile Nitric Oxide Boosting Toothpaste, and have ditched the old U.S. brands. I researched the doctor behind the product and even added several of his other products into my routine. I also upgraded to an Oral-B electric toothbrush, and my teeth feel incredibly clean. I highly recommend both. (Links below.)

My New Portuguese Healthy Lifestyle

I’ve found that fruits and vegetables are quite different here. Yes, some are the same, but I’ve also discovered varieties that are incredibly delicious. My love of a good fruit smoothie has evolved into what I now call a Vegamoothie. I use more vegetables than fruit and add spices and roots to the mix. I can buy raw, organic ginger and turmeric here, which I love, along with beetroot. My Vegamoothies are thick, full of fiber, and often replace lunch, or sometimes even make for a late dinner.

Fish has also become one of my favorites, thanks to the fresh in-store seafood departments here. The selection is impressive, and I’m just starting to get my hooks into it. Another surprise for me was sardines. My local market has an entire section of canned sardines and other fish like tuna and cod, packaged in small, single-serving tins. My dad used to eat sardines, and they grossed me out back then, but there’s no comparison to what’s on the shelves here, they’re actually delicious.

I’ve also added intermittent fasting and a personalized vitamin regimen to my health routine (after having blood work done). My daily fasting cycle is 18 hours fasting with a 6-hour eating window (11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.). Every 4–6 weeks, I do a single 84–96-hour fast. I highly recommend fasting, but only after researching how to do it properly. This is a simplified description of what I do, and there are many factors to consider before starting a fasting program. Everyone’s body is different, and women’s fasting needs can differ from men’s.

5 Vitamins I Take Daily

This list is personal to my needs, and is not a prescription for you, please do your research. These are the 5 Vitamins I can’t live without, literally, and I now take them daily without fail:

• Omega-3 (Vitamin E 20 mg, DHA 240 mg, EPA 360 mg, all three are important)

• Vitamin D — 600–800 IU is common, I take 1200 IU due to my age and limited sun exposure

• Magnesium Glycinate — 300–600 mg (There are three kinds of Magnesium, Glycinate is the better of the three)

• Creatine — 3 g in a smoothie daily

• Vitamin B complex — B1/thiamine (Benfotiamine 300–600 mg), B6, B12 (methyl-B12 + methylfolate)

These are specific to me and my health concerns. Your needs may be very different. Learn about what your body needs and then feed it, it's that simple. Your body will tell you what works, listen to it, and adjust as you go, mine certainly spoke loud and clear. I now feel healthier and more alive than I did six months ago, and I have no desire to return to my old lifestyle.

The Doctor Behind the Products I Use

Dr. Nathan Bryan, Ph.D.

International leader in molecular medicine. Founder of Bryan Therapeutics, Inc., Nitric Oxide Innovations LLC, Pneuma Nitric Oxide LLC, & Bryan Nitriceuticals LLC.

Dr. Bryan was the first to describe nitrite and nitrate as essential nutrients for cardiovascular health and to demonstrate an endocrine function of nitric oxide via S-nitrosoglutathione and inorganic nitrite. His technology has been validated in six published clinical trials. Over the

past 18 years, his research has helped develop bioactive natural products aimed at improving human health and chronic disease prevention. He has authored or edited six books and many highly cited papers.

To read more about his research, products, and books just hit the link below.

Dr. Nathan Bryan: Innovator in Nitric Oxide Solutions

Click here to link for an Oral-B Electric Toothbrush.

*This article discusses personal health and dietary choices. It is important to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or health routine.