Monica Aggarwal - Body on Fire: How Inflammation Triggers Chronic Illness and the Tools We Have to Fight It

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Aggarwal, Monica, author. | Rao, Jyothi, author.

Title: Body on fire : how inflammation triggers chronic illness and the tools we have to fight it / Monica Aggarwal, Jyothi Rao.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020022093 (print) | LCCN 2020022094 (ebook) | ISBN 9781570673924 (paperback) | ISBN 9781570678288 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: InflammationPrevention. | Chronic diseasesPrevention. | Self-care, Health. | Nu trition.

Classification: LCC RB131 .A38 2020 (print) | LCC RB131 (ebook) | DDC 616/.0473dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020022093

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020022094

This book contains the opinions and general thoughts of the authors. The prescriptions in the book are meant only as general guidelines. The book is by no means intended as a substitute for the medical advice of your personal physicians. The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to his or her health or as pertains to any advice related to exercise, diet, role of yoga, sleep, personal health, or any other assistance. Specifically, a qualified physician should be consulted with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. The authors, editors, and publisher accept no liability for any injury arising out of the use of material contained herein, and make no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the contents of this publication.

2020 Monica Aggarwal, MD, and Jyothi Rao, MD
Cover and interior design: John Wincek

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced by any means whatsoever, except for brief quotations in reviews, without written permission from the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

Healthy Living Publications
A division of Book Publishing Company
PO Box 99
Summertown, TN 38483
888-260-8458
bookpubco.com

ISBN: 978-1-57067-392-4

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DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to Rob.

You are my light.

Knowing you are with me

is my greatest strength and power.

MONICA AGGARWAL, MD

I dedicate this book to my late father,

Ramachandra Rao,

for the incredible role model and influence

he was and still is in my life,

and to my late maternal grandfather,

Dhruva Rao,

who inspired me to heal others.

JYOTHI RAO, MD

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

Finding New Tools to Heal the Whole Body

W e live in a world that relies heavily on conventional medicine and, especially, pharmaceutical drugs to manage disease conditions. For acute and critical problems these approaches have tremendous value, but they are less useful in cases of chronic illness, many of which result from unhealthy lifestyle choices. I have been researching alternative healing practices for more than 40 years. After completing my training in conventional medicine, I traveled the world, living with and acquiring knowledge from people of many different cultures. Most of the healing systems I have studied emphasize the role of food choices and sleep, along with natural remedies, mind/body techniques, and spiritual practices, to maintain and restore health. Combining some of these ideas and methods with conventional medicine has been the foundation of the integrative medicine that I teach and practice.

Body on Fire is an engaging book that recounts the parallel journeys of two skilled physicians, Dr. Monica Aggarwal and Dr. Jyothi Rao, who were motivated to find new tools that would enable them to heal the whole body, not just treat symptoms. I first met Dr. Aggarwal, an energetic and accomplished cardiologist, in 2005. She had a thriving practice, with a commitment to provide the best care for her patients, but she was already aware of the limitations of pharmaceuticals and curious about alternative therapies. When she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2011, her search for other ways to treat began in earnest. Dr. Aggarwal offers a frank discussion of her debilitating disease and her path to healing. I am impressed by her transformation and evolution as a physician and how she has learned to incorporate her discoveries into caring for her patients. The positive outcome she experienced is an inspiring testament to the power of choice and control we have in matters of health.