Feeling trapped in a cycle of chronic pain and inflammation? You're not alone. Millions struggle with inflammatory conditions that conventional medicine often manages with medications rather than addressing root causes. But what if your kitchen could be your pharmacy?

In this revealing episode, Dr. Craig Keever and his wife, Amy Keever, explore the powerful connection between what's on your plate and the inflammatory response in your body. They break down the crucial difference between helpful acute inflammation and the destructive chronic inflammation that contributes to heart disease, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, and even neurodegenerative disorders.

The standard American diet creates the perfect storm for chronic inflammation – processed foods, refined sugars, and foods high in omega-6 fatty acids fuel the fire. Meanwhile, the delicate balance of our gut microbiome gets disrupted, potentially leading to a "leaky gut" that allows substances into our bloodstream that have no business being there.

Dr. Craig shares his remarkable personal journey from taking multiple medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol to transforming his health through plant-based nutrition. Through continued dietary refinements focused on omega-3/omega-6 balance and reducing fat intake, he's achieved near-normal blood sugar levels without medication.

You'll discover specific foods with powerful anti-inflammatory properties: dark leafy greens, omega-3-rich seeds like flax and chia, berries packed with antioxidants, cruciferous vegetables, legumes, and healing spices. Learn how these foods work together to calm inflammation at the cellular level and potentially reverse conditions once thought to be irreversible.

Ready to fight inflammation at its source? This episode offers practical ways to incorporate these healing foods into your daily routine. Whether you're dealing with chronic pain or simply want to optimize your health, this conversation might just change your relationship with food forever.

Thanks for listening to Roots To Health!

The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have seen or heard in this video. Dr. Craig Keever is a licensed pediatrician, but the content shared here is general in nature and may not be applicable to your individual health needs.

Stay connected and keep the conversation going:

🌱 Follow Dr. Craig Keever for more plant-based pediatric insights:
📍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ozarkpediatrics/
📍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ozarkpediatric/
📍 Website: https://www.ozarkpediatrics.org/

🎨 Connect with Amy Keever for art, creativity, and inspiration:

Website for plant-based Cuisine : https://www.wildflowercuisine.com/
📍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amykeevergallery/
📍 Website: amykeever.com

📩 Have a question or a topic you’d love to hear about? Send us a message or tag us on social media!

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—it helps more people discover Roots To ...

The journey toward optimal health often begins with what's on our plate. Dr. Craig Keever and his wife Amy reveal how the Food for Life program, developed by Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, has revolutionized their approach to health and chronic disease management.

Their personal testimonials are powerful: Craig reversed his metabolic syndrome, shedding nearly 100 pounds and eliminating five medications for diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension. Amy conquered debilitating fibromyalgia and high blood pressure that once dominated her daily life. Now, with Amy becoming Arkansas's fourth certified Food for Life instructor, they're passionate about helping others achieve similar transformations.

Food for Life classes combine science-based education with practical cooking demonstrations that dispel common myths about plant-based eating. Far from bland "rabbit food," participants discover delicious recipes for everything from hearty lasagna to delicious desserts. The program offers specialized tracks addressing diabetes, heart health, cancer prevention, and navigating food deserts—providing solutions for various health challenges and living situations.

One eye-opening revelation shared by the Keevers illustrates why this knowledge is so critical: a typical steakhouse meal contains 350-400 grams of fat—approximately two weeks' worth of recommended fat intake for someone managing insulin resistance. This stark contrast helps explain why chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer remain so prevalent despite medical advances.

The transition to plant-based eating represents a significant mindset shift that happens gradually. Tools like the Chronometer app can help newcomers track nutritional intake while making this transition, and communities like the Keever's Facebook group "The Keever's Plant-Based Tribe" provide ongoing support and inspiration. For those interested in learning more, Amy's upcoming classes will be listed on her Wildflower Cuisine website and through PCRM's instructor directory.

Ready to transform your relationship with food and take control of your health destiny? Connect with Food for Life and discover that when it comes to chronic disease, your plate may be more powerful than your prescription pad.

Thanks for listening to Roots To Health!

The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have seen or heard in this video. Dr. Craig Keever is a licensed pediatrician, but the content shared here is general in nature and may not be applicable to your individual health needs.

Stay connected and keep the conversation going:

🌱 Follow Dr. Craig Keever for more plant-based pediatric insights:
📍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ozarkpediatrics/
📍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ozarkpediatric/
📍 Website: https://www.ozarkpediatrics.org/

🎨 Connect with Amy Keever for art, creativity, and inspiration:

Website for plant-based Cuisine : https://www.wildflowercuisine.com/
📍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amykeevergallery/
📍 Website: amykeever.com

📩 Have a question or a topic you’d love to hear about? Send us a message or tag us on social media!

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—it helps more people discover Roots To ...

The destructive cycle of chronic inflammation affects millions, yet conventional medicine often addresses symptoms without resolving root causes. In this candid conversation, Dr. Craig Keever and his wife Amy reveal the profound connection between diet and auto-inflammatory conditions through both scientific evidence and personal testimony.

Amy's journey from debilitating fibromyalgia, endometriosis, and thyroid issues to vibrant health at age 54 demonstrates the transformative power of plant-based nutrition. After decades, facing what seemed like a genetically predetermined future of illness, she discovered that food could be her most effective medicine. "I want to tell that woman out there who's struggling that there is hope for your pain," she shares with raw emotion.

The science behind this healing centers on what gastroenterologist Dr. Will Bulsiewicz calls "leaky gut"—damage to the single-cell-thick intestinal lining that allows inflammatory triggers to enter the bloodstream. The standard American diet, rich in inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids from meat, dairy, eggs, and oils, creates a perfect storm for chronic inflammation. By contrast, omega-3s from sources like flaxseeds and chia seeds help decrease inflammation and repair cells.

Particularly striking is how even after adopting a plant-based diet, Amy continued to refine her approach with digestive enzyme support and focused nutrition that ultimately continued to reduce her chronic pain. The couple explains how consuming diverse plant foods—aiming for 30 different plants weekly—rebuilds the gut microbiome that influences not just digestion but immune function, hormone balance, and even mood.

Whether you're facing rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, or unexplained joint pain, this episode offers practical strategies for healing through nutrition. Visit ozarkpediatrics.org for evidence-based resources that could change your relationship with chronic pain forever.

Thanks for listening to Roots To Health!

The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have seen or heard in this video. Dr. Craig Keever is a licensed pediatrician, but the content shared here is general in nature and may not be applicable to your individual health needs.

Stay connected and keep the conversation going:

🌱 Follow Dr. Craig Keever for more plant-based pediatric insights:
📍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ozarkpediatrics/
📍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ozarkpediatric/
📍 Website: https://www.ozarkpediatrics.org/

🎨 Connect with Amy Keever for art, creativity, and inspiration:

Website for plant-based Cuisine : https://www.wildflowercuisine.com/
📍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amykeevergallery/
📍 Website: amykeever.com

📩 Have a question or a topic you’d love to hear about? Send us a message or tag us on social media!

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—it helps more people discover Roots To ...