Awareness Film Festival - Un-Inflame Me: Reversing the American Diet & Lifestyle
Groundbreaking inspirational story about a woman who was given a second chance at health through root cause medicine and reducing chronic inflammation naturally.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Angela Lamb
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Four years ago I had a scary weeklong hospitalization and was diagnosed with a chronic illness - a blood clotting autoimmune disorder called Anti-phospholipid Syndrome. None of the physicians in the hospital or immediately following that treated me could tell me what caused it or had answers for me how I could become well. I was simply told this is your new sad life of biweekly blood draws, injecting yourself with a needle 3 times a day and later you can switch to oral warfarin to thin your blood for the rest of your life, a statin medication to reduce the chronic inflammation that plaques your body and frequent doctors appointments forever.
In the hospital I also found out I was pre-diabetic and had some arterial plaque. Feeling hopeless initially with the autoimmune disorder, I began working on my diet and exercise to prevent heart disease and reverse the pre-diabetes. As a Midwestern girl, red meat, dairy and processed food was a staple. I eliminated those, all white flours and soda. I also for the first time in my life began to exercise regularly.
Then 3 months after my hospitalization, I went to my rheumatologist to be re-tested. He saw a marked improvement. I also sought guidance from an Integrative Cardiologist, Dr. Michael Twyman, to reduce my chronic inflammation with the hope of getting off the statin someday. Unlike all the other doctors that saw me and I saw many, Twyman & I discussed finding out why my body was attacking itself and potential disease reversal.
It was at this moment that I began to understand there was a difference between conventional medicine that promotes chronic illness by just suppressing the symptoms with a pill and what I call root cause medicine that dives deeper to find out why your body is attacking itself and what can be done if anything to reverse it.
In his care, I learned I have a genetic mutation called MTHFR that leads to blood clotting and I had some nutrient deficiencies that was leading to the chronic inflammation. Dr. Twyman treated me with nutraceuticals. I also adapted an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle. Over time I became well.
I created the film to educate others about chronic inflammation which leads to the top 8 causes of death in the US and root cause medicine (which I believe encompasses naturopathic medicine, holistic medicine, functional medicine, integrative medicine, preventative medicine and lifestyle medicine) so others can have a fighting chance to reverse their health and become well too.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Root cause medicine is not the norm - conventional medicine is. Why? Because having people chronically ill is very profitable in the US. But if you are a chronically ill patient you want answers and I believe this film will enlighten people to know even if it is not within their immediate community that there are practitioners out there that may be able to help them. Additionally, chronic inflammation leads to the top 8 causes of death in the U.S. With the knowledge brought to you in the film, you have the ability to reduce it naturally and become healthy if you choose.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Although this is my personal journey and path to wellness it relates to anyone and everyone who has faced a significant challenge health-related or otherwise. Never give up, push forward and great things can happen. It may not lead you to exactly where you thought it would, but this journey called life is worth fighting for...it is worth the struggle.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Initially it was going to be my personal wellness journey as well as the wellness journey of others in the film. It was only in my search to become well that I learned that the norm in healthcare was not the best in healthcare and the film also needed to highlight root cause medicine.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Among root cause medicine physicians and patients searching for answers it has been very well received. Unfortunately in the U.S. we are faced with a health epidemic. Diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders and cancers are all on the rise at staggering rates which all start with chronic inflammation. I feel the information in this film could help so many more but unfortunately people often do not consider their health until there is a significant problem and I worry for some at that point it could be too late.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Many times the feed back has challenged my point of view. I have been told this is a film about alternative medicine. When is looking for the root cause considered alternative medicine? The fact is I am challenging conventional medicine and all the organizations that profit from people being chronically ill with the creation of this film. Once I became well, I reached out to the two support groups in the US for Anti-phospholipid Syndrome. My hope was to partner with them so further research could occur regarding genetic mutations, reducing chronic inflammation in Anti-phospholipid Syndrome patients.
Sadly I learned they were not actually support groups but rather funnels to obtain patients for pharmaceutical blood thinner research trials. I am not saying there should not be new blood thinners that are researched and some patients may forever need to be on blood thinners, but support groups should actually be there to help people reach the best outcomes possible.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
This film I completely self funded and created to help people have a fighting chance to become well like I did. I have resources, some time and have a certain understanding about how things work. Others may not be as fortunate. When I was given a second chance at life, I was compelled to do something to make a difference in the lives of others.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I need sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors and journalists to get the word out about this film. As a first time filmmaker, the film world is a big complex mystery and I am a one woman show. Having film experts passionate about "Un-Inflame Me" would make all the difference in the world.
I want root cause medicine to become standard medicine and for everyone to understand chronic inflammation and how to reverse it naturally.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How can we change the healthcare system to promote wellness in the US?
Would you like to add anything else?
Bestselling Author & Contributor in the film Dr. Jessica Black is always writing brilliant books to promote wellness. Myself, Filmmaker of "Un-Inflame Me: Reversing the American Diet & Lifestyle, Angela Lamb is a Wellness Warrior and Health Advocate focused on using this film to make a positive impact in the world by educating the public about chronic inflammation and root cause medicine.
Interview: October 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Un-Inflame Me: Reversing the American Diet & Lifestyle
Groundbreaking inspirational story about a woman who was given a second chance at health through root cause medicine and reducing chronic inflammation naturally.
Length: 62 minutes
Director: Angela Lamb
Producer: Angela Lamb
Writer: Angela Lamb
About the writer, director and producer:
Angela has always been a creative person from drawing, painting, photography, an author of a healthy living children's book and a 15 year career as a graphic designer, art director, and producer of 30 second spots. However, Angela never dreamed of becoming a filmmaker until her life was threatened by chronic illness. In the process of becoming well, she was driven to share the information to help others do the same. Although the most challenging creative endeavor of her life, creating “Un-Inflame Me: Reversing the American Diet & Lifestyle," it has also been the most fulfilling because it can truly make a difference in the health of others.
Key cast: Dr. Jessica Black, ND; Angela Lamb, Dr. Michael Twyman; Dr. Hamid Bashir
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival > directors, journalists):
Social media handles: uninflamememovie, healthylifenation
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Funders: Self-Funded
Made in association with: Healthy Life Nation www.healthylifenation.com