Green Leafy Vegetables: Your Body’s WD-40

Has your body ever felt stiff, sore, and a bit “rusty”? Here is a sneaky eating strategy that may help!

Many years ago, I attended a conference called Food as Medicine. That week, we ate a lot of green leafy vegetables and other vegetable-rich dishes. It was all delicious!

A few days after the conference ended, I participated in the Peachtree Road Race. I was able to run all 6.2 miles!

I came to think of green leafy vegetables as the body’s WD-40.

For those who may be unaware of what WD-40 does, it is a penetrating oil that protects metal from corrosion and rust, releases stuck parts, and can lubricate just about any mechanical part.

Thinking of green leafy vegetables as your body’s WD-40 makes sense when you consider God’s first guidance to humankind about what to eat:

And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food (Genesis 1:19 NKJV).

I also just did some research to discover why my analogy is valid. Below is the research I did.

My prayer that you will apply what you learn so that your body remains flexible even as you age!

Green Leafy Vegetable Benefits Like WD-40

The analogy of green leafy vegetables as the body’s “WD-40” is a creative and fitting way to describe their role in promoting smooth, efficient bodily function.

Here is a list of the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s top powerhouse foods. Notice that the top 16 are green leafy vegetables!

Just as WD-40 is used to lubricate, protect, and enhance the performance of mechanical parts, green leafy vegetables provide essential nutrients that optimize the body’s internal systems.

Here’s how this analogy works:

How Green Leafy Vegetables Act Like “WD-40” for the Body

1. Anti-Inflammatory Properties:
   • WD-40 Function: It reduces friction and prevents rust or corrosion in mechanical parts, allowing them to work smoothly over time.
   • Green Leafy Vegetables: Rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and polyphenols, they combat inflammation and oxidative stress, which can “rust” or damage cells and tissues over time. By reducing inflammation, they help joints, muscles, and blood vessels function more smoothly, preventing wear and tear on the body.
2. Nitric Oxide Production for Circulation:
   • WD-40 Function: Enhances movement by lubricating mechanical parts so they can glide effortlessly.
   • Green Leafy Vegetables: High in nitrates (e.g., spinach, arugula, kale), they boost nitric oxide production in the body. Nitric oxide relaxes blood vessels, improving circulation and oxygen delivery to muscles—critical for endurance activities like running. This “lubrication” effect ensures your cardiovascular system operates efficiently.
3. Muscle Recovery and Energy Efficiency:
   • WD-40 Function: Improves efficiency of moving parts by reducing resistance and enhancing performance.
   • Green Leafy Vegetables: Packed with magnesium and potassium, they support muscle function and recovery by preventing cramping and optimizing energy metabolism during physical activity. This nutrient-rich “lubrication” helps muscles perform better during exertion and recover faster afterward.
4. Detoxification Support:
   • WD-40 Function: Removes grime or buildup from surfaces to restore functionality.
   • Green Leafy Vegetables: Contain chlorophyll and fiber, which help detoxify the body by supporting liver function and aiding in the elimination of waste products through digestion. This cleansing effect keeps your internal systems running smoothly.
5. Bone Health and Joint Lubrication:
   • WD-40 Function: Prevents wear and tear on mechanical parts by reducing friction over time.
   • Green Leafy Vegetables: Rich in vitamin K, calcium, and magnesium, they strengthen bones while supporting joint health. These nutrients act as a protective buffer against degeneration or stiffness in joints.
6. Endurance and Stamina Boost:
   • WD-40 Function: Ensures machines can operate for longer periods without breaking down.
   • Green Leafy Vegetables: Their combination of vitamins (A, C), minerals (iron), and phytonutrients enhances oxygen transport in the blood while supporting energy production at the cellular level. This helps sustain physical activity for longer periods—like running a race—without fatigue

Why This Analogy Works

Just as WD-40 is an essential tool for maintaining mechanical systems so they perform at their best, green leafy vegetables are vital for maintaining the human body’s biological systems.

They “lubricate” processes like circulation, muscle recovery, detoxification, joint health, and energy production—ensuring smooth operation and peak performance

Conclusion

Your experience at the “Food as Medicine” conference highlights how eating nutrient-dense foods like green leafy vegetables can transform physical performance—allowing you to run the Peachtree Road Race with ease!

Incorporating these vegetables into your daily diet is akin to applying WD-40 to your body: it keeps everything functioning optimally while preventing breakdowns caused by inflammation or inefficiencies in metabolic processes.

By Kimberly Taylor, takebackyourtemple.com with Perplexity.AI research.

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