Introduction
You may not feel it, but right now—this very moment—your body is fighting for you. Every second, your internal systems are scanning, repairing, and regenerating to keep you healthy. From cellular repairs to immune surveillance, your body is constantly engaging in disease prevention through a series of highly sophisticated biological systems.
Let’s explore five extraordinary self-healing mechanisms your body uses every day to protect your health and how you can support each of them.
1. Angiogenesis: Building Healthy Blood Vessels to Starve Disease
Angiogenesis is the process by which your body forms new blood vessels. It plays a central role in healing wounds, restoring oxygen to damaged tissues, and even protecting against diseases like heart disease and cancer.
Healthy angiogenesis ensures your tissues receive proper nutrients and oxygen, while also cutting off blood supply to abnormal or precancerous cells. However, when angiogenesis becomes unbalanced, it can feed tumors or promote chronic inflammation.
Support Healthy Angiogenesis With:
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Foods rich in natural angiogenesis inhibitors: green tea, turmeric, tomatoes (lycopene), blueberries, and soy.
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Physical activity, which promotes healthy blood flow and vessel repair.
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Stress reduction, since cortisol can impair vascular health.
2. DNA Repair: Fixing Cellular Damage Before It Becomes Dangerous
Our DNA is constantly under attack—from UV rays, pollution, stress, poor diet, and internal metabolic waste. Fortunately, the body has an army of DNA repair enzymes that identify damage and fix it before it can cause problems like mutations, aging, or cancer.
Aging and chronic disease are often tied to breakdowns in this repair process. Keeping your DNA repair systems strong helps reduce your long-term risk for serious illnesses.
Enhance DNA Repair With:
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Antioxidant-rich foods: dark leafy greens, pomegranates, carrots, and berries help neutralize DNA-damaging free radicals.
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Fasting and autophagy, which allow cells time to repair themselves.
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Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts) which may upregulate DNA repair enzymes.
3. Immunity: Your Daily Defense Against Viruses and Inflammation
Your immune system is a complex web of cells and molecules designed to defend you against pathogens and internal threats. Whether it’s neutralizing a virus, managing inflammation, or eliminating precancerous cells, your immune system is always on patrol.
But modern life—with its chronic stress, poor diet, and environmental toxins—can impair immune function, leaving you more vulnerable.
Strengthen Your Immune System By:
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Prioritizing sleep, which boosts immune cell function.
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Taking in Vitamin D and Zinc, which are essential for immune signaling.
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Consuming mushrooms, garlic, and ginger, all of which enhance natural killer (NK) cell activity.
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Managing chronic inflammation, since low-grade inflammation can impair immune surveillance over time.
4. Stem Cells: Rebuilding and Regenerating Damaged Tissue
Stem cells are your body’s internal repair crew. They have the unique ability to become different types of cells—bone, nerve, muscle, or organ tissue—depending on where they’re needed. They’re especially active after injuries or infections.
As we age, stem cell production and activity slow down, making regeneration more difficult. But through lifestyle and nutrition, you can support stem cell renewal and function.
Boost Stem Cell Activity With:
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Intermittent fasting or caloric restriction, which has been shown to stimulate stem cell regeneration.
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Phytonutrient-rich foods like blackberries, green tea, and resveratrol (found in grapes and red wine).
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Moderate exercise, which activates stem cell niches in muscle and brain tissue.
5. Microbiome Health: Your Gut’s Role in Disease Prevention and Hormone Signaling
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that work with your immune system, regulate inflammation, and even control hormone signaling. A balanced microbiome supports digestion, mental health, immune function, and helps prevent chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity.
An unhealthy gut, on the other hand, may contribute to autoimmune diseases, depression, skin conditions, and even cancer.
Optimize Your Microbiome With:
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Fermented foods (like kefir, sauerkraut, and miso) to replenish good bacteria.
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Prebiotic fibers (from bananas, onions, garlic, and oats) to feed the microbiome.
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Avoiding antibiotics unless necessary, as they disrupt microbial diversity.
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Limiting sugar and processed foods, which feed harmful bacteria.
Final Thoughts: Your Body is Smarter Than You Think
The most potent tools to fight disease already live inside you. Your body was designed with intelligent systems—like angiogenesis, immunity, DNA repair, stem cells, and the microbiome—to keep you healthy, energized, and resilient.
At Chandra Britt Armstrong MD, LLC, we believe in partnering with your biology to strengthen what’s already working. Our functional wellness programs are designed to optimize these natural systems and empower your body to heal itself.
Ready to tap into your body’s own healing power?
Call or Text (404) 289-4556 today to schedule a wellness consultation.
