Can what we eat cause us pain?In this episode of the Health Quest podcast, Dr. Sal is talking into the profound impact that diet and stress management have on our overall well-being.We're looking at two scientific articles: one on the relationship between diet and chronic musculoskeletal pain and one on the recently reported decline in life expectany in the U.S.These articles both support the idea that lifestyle choices can have a significant impact on our overall health.Exploring these articles, Dr. Sal discusses the effectiveness of various diets, including intermittent fasting, ketogenic, Mediterranean, and calorie-restricted diets, in improving chronic musculoskeletal pain. This evidence-based approach explores how dietary changes can lead to reduced inflammation, improved quality of life, and even extend life expectancy by positively influencing the immune system.With the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealing a decline in life expectancy to 76.4 years, the shortest in nearly two decades, Dr. Sal also discusses the role of chronic stress in this decline, including financial strain, unaffordable housing, inadequate healthcare, poor education, and lack of social support as contributing factors.These articles and Dr. Sal's insights make one thing very clear: our health is in our hands and we need to make an effort to improve our overall wellbeing.Key takeaways:1. Chronic musculoskeletal pain can be improved through various diets, such as intermittent fasting, ketogenic diet, Mediterranean diet, and calorie-restricted and time-restricted diets. These diets showed improvements in pain intensity, quality, frequency, and inflammation, as well as benefits to overall quality of life.2. The declining life expectancy in the United States is attributed to chronic diseases, which are largely preventable. Dr. Sal emphasizes the importance of taking control of one's health through dietary choices and lifestyle changes, rather than attributing it to hereditary or genetic factors.3. Chronic stress has become a societal epidemic and is linked to shortened life expectancy, inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, and neurologic disorders. Addressing chronic stress through spiritual and mental exercises, such as prayer, meditation, and focusing on positive activities, is crucial for maintaining good health.4. Financial strain, inadequate healthcare, poor education, unaffordable housing, and lack of social support are contributing factors to chronic stress. Dr. Sal encourages reducing unnecessary spending, increasing education through focused learning, and seeking support from family and friends.5. The key to good health is to adopt a natural, healthy diet, avoid overeating, get enough rest, and focus on positive activities. Dr. Sal emphasizes the importance of connecting with God, and finding purpose and happiness in life. He also suggests addressing chronic stress through prayer, meditation, and relaxation techniques.Find transcripts, videos, and more at www.drsalhealth.com, or send a question to be answered on a future episode to drsalhealth@gmail.com.