Health

Why Everyone's Getting Sick: How to Master Your Health Now

Written by Dr. Chad Walding, DPT

Updated on January 12, 2024

We’ve experienced a major shift in how we think about people getting sick. The old school of thought was we are victims of our genetics and environments. Unfortunately, this contributed to more people becoming ill, instead of working to prevent illness in the first place.

Instead of becoming healthier with so much new information, we are becoming more chronically ill (1).

This leads me to tell you about the new school of thought about how we get sick. Because now, we understand we aren’t victims. There’s a whole new field of study called epigenetics where we can actually modify how our genes are expressed. This means that we don’t have to suffer because of our DNA. In addition to this, we now know what we put into and onto our bodies plays a major role in how healthy we are. 

With that said, we’re about to learn exactly why so many people are getting sick and explain how our views on what is healthy have changed.

Table Of Contents

Outdated Thoughts on Why We Get Sick: Reaction Instead of Prevention

We used to believe there were primarily three reasons for illness – genetics, obesity, and germs. We weren’t looking at the bigger picture of why these diseases were happening but instead treating them as they occurred. Ultimately, that pattern shows a belief that disease couldn’t be prevented or there just wasn’t much we could do about it.

1. Genetics Cause Disease

From this point of view, you inherit your genetics from your biological family. If one of them has a disease such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes, then there is a pretty good chance you’re going to get it as well. All you can do is go to the doctor and get the appropriate testing done to see if you have any of these diseases. In the meantime, just hope for the best. 

If the testing shows something is wrong, then you can find out if you can medically intervene. But if the tests show you don’t have any disease process occurring, then you’re just fine. It’s not your time yet and you can keep doing what you have been doing. From that school of thought, you cannot control your genes—you can only be a victim of your genetics. 

Now, we know that epigenetics has drastically changed our outlook on life and disease. We definitely don’t have to sit around and be victims of our genetics. The truth is, we have the knowledge to actually turn genes on or off. This is because of environmental factors that change whether or not our genes are expressed. 

Gone are the days of waiting to get sick. We’re more empowered now than ever before to take control of how we feel.

2. Obesity Causes Disease

This view is very simple: obesity is bad and thin is good. If you just eat less and exercise more, then you won’t get obese. If you aren’t obese, you are much less likely to get sick. In other words, being thin is synonymous with health. 

Obesity leads to metabolic derangement which causes:

  • High blood pressure 
  • High triglycerides
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Cancer
  • Dementia

You see, just lose weight if you want to be healthy. You might be thin and make poor food choices, but as long as you’re thin it’s fine. You get the idea here.

Modern medicine challenges this idea. We now have a deeper understanding of what causes metabolic derangement. And that cause, my friends, is hyperinsulinism. Coincidentally, you actually don’t have to be obese to experience a high insulin level.

High levels of insulin are caused by: 

  • Eating foods high in sugar
  • Eating highly processed foods
  • Eating a high-calorie, high-carbohydrate diet 
  • Chronic stress
  • Sedentary lifestyle

3. Germs Cause Disease

The final reason we get sick according to outdated thoughts on disease and sickness is from germs. Sadly for us, germs are everywhere. Not only are germs everywhere, but they’re also bad! Really bad! In fact, getting germs in our bodies means we need antibiotics. 

Are you getting a runny nose? Call the doctor for antibiotics. Need to clean off the table? Don’t just clean it—sanitize it with harsh chemicals and disinfectants. Better yet, make sure you kill as many germs as possible. Germs don’t belong in our homes or on our things. The fewer germs, the better.

Microbiome research suggests that we may need to change our view of germs. We actually live in a symbiotic relationship with many. Acknowledgment of gut microbiome for example, which is home to over 40 trillion microbes, is an important realization pushing this needed shift in mindset regarding our war on germs (2).

Current Thoughts on Why We Get Sick: How Can the Environment Affect Your Health?

We now know that the ways in which we get sick aren’t simple. There are many factors that lead to getting sick or developing chronic disease. 

But this is good news!

What does it mean for you? It means you have more power now than ever before to take charge of your health.

Epigenetics in Health & Disease

The old idea was you’re given a genetic code when you’re born which you can never change. You’re just destined to get whatever is written in your genes. This was up until recently when a new discovery in science started appearing. This discovery is called epigenetics. 

Epigenetics is being able to turn genes on or off because of the condition of our environment. We can actually alter how genes are expressed without ever altering the genetic code itself. Fascinating, isn’t it? 

Epigenetics is playing a crucial role in disease processes including (3):

  • Behavior plasticity
  • Memory
  • Cancer
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Addiction 
  • Neurodegenerative disorders
  • Psychological disorders

Relationship Between Nutrition & Disease

In today’s modern world, we aren’t eating the way our ancestors ate. We’re overconsuming processed and refined foods that have drastic amounts of sugar and toxic chemicals. The further you get away from eating real, whole foods, the sicker you’ll be.

Turns out obesity isn’t the cause of disease in and of itself. Hyperinsulinism is the main cause of metabolic derangement. This comes from eating toxic, overprocessed foods (4). If you remove these foods from your diet and begin eating real, whole foods, you’ll significantly reduce your chances of ever getting sick.

Importance of Gut Health

Do you remember reading earlier about the old thought process that all germs are bad germs? Well, you’re in for a surprise because this thought process has really shifted. The truth is not all germs are bad. In fact, many types of bacteria can be very beneficial to the health of your gut. Researchers are still learning much about how gut health affects our bodies from cancer to inflammatory bowel disease (5).

Did you know your gut makes up 80% of your immune system? 80%–that’s a huge chunk of your health hiding within your gut. This is why it’s imperative you do what you can to keep your immune system running smoothly. 

Your immune system helps you fight off harmful: 

  • Bacteria
  • Viruses
  • Fungi
  • Parasites

In addition to this, your gut is responsible for digesting and absorbing the food you eat. If your gut health is poor, it only makes sense your total health is also suffering. By regularly consuming nourishing foods, you can build up the health of your gut, and restore your immune system. This ultimately further decreases your chance of getting sick in the first place.

Some foods you can eat to regain a healthy gut include:

  • Bone Broth
  • Fermented foods
  • Probiotics
  • Prebiotics
  • Whole foods
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Hazardous Chemicals & Disease

A sneaky way many people get on the road to chronic disease is by unknowingly using toxic products. Whether they’re applied to your hair, skin, or home, it’s crucial you use non-toxic, natural beauty and cleaning products. Many contain chemicals that are extremely hazardous to your health, especially your neurological system.

A few things you can do to reduce your chemical exposure are:

  • Remove household items with:
  • Parabens
  • Phthalates
  • Ammonia
  • Sodium lauryl sulfate
  • Reduce the use of:
  • Air fresheners
  • Carpet spray
  • Perfumes
  • Only use mineral-based sunscreens
  • Only use deodorants without aluminum
  • Avoid plastic and styrofoam containers

These chemicals and items lead to things like asthma, reproductive problems, cancer, developmental disorders, and chemical reactions (6). Create a healthy environment for you and the ones you love. You can do this by using only natural and organic ways to care for your skin and maintain your home. I promise it will be a decision you won’t regret.

Chronic Disease Prevention & Management

The bottom line is you don’t get sick because of a few things. You get sick because of many things – most of which are directly related to a toxic environment. The truth of the matter is that your state of health isn’t controlled by your genes. 

Get this: YOU are the one who controls your genes because you are the one who controls your environment. That’s right. You get to decide if you want to live a life of sickness or a life of health and vitality. When you make the life-changing decision to put your health first, I recommend starting with the NativeBody Reset. When on this new path, I’ll help you find optimal health and wellness through nutrition and exercise. Together, we can get you feeling and truly being your best self. 

My NativeBody Reset includes fresh, whole foods eaten in their natural form. But most of all, this isn’t a diet. It’s customized to you and focused on how food makes you feel. Plus, NativeBody Reset is easy to follow and incorporate into your life. 

So what are you waiting for? A total body transformation is waiting for you!

Dr. Chad Walding
Article by

Dr. Chad Walding

Dr. Chad Walding is the Co-Founder and Chief Culture Officer at NativePath. He is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with a passion for helping people eat, move, and live in harmony with their natural state.

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    Medical Disclaimer

    This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Chad Walding nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program.

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    We’ve experienced a major shift in how we think about people getting sick. The old school of thought was we are victims of our genetics and environments. Unf...