Food – The Regulator of Your Health |
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Let your food be your medicine and let your medicine be your food.
There is no book on nutritionism that doesn’t start with this ancient statement of Hippocrates.
This classic statement was considered true … until recently.
Technological development of biochemistry, pharmaceutics and modern medicine demolished Hippocrates way of thinking.
The intention of the scientists was not destructive but the results show otherwise.
Today, food is no longer considered as a medicine and in some countries laws are prohibiting food to be considered as such.
Substances that lead to health are considered as medicine.
There are many definitions of what is to be considered as medicine. Some do not mention food, but legislators have prohibited connecting food with medicine drugs.
Food is considered only as a fuel and energy for the body.
Connection between Food and Health
Is this really so?
Doesn’t food affect our health and the development of diseases?
Of course it does.
Food is one of the main health factors. Irregular nutrition has led to the development of many new diseases which never existed before or were extremely rare.
Some of these diseases are diabetes type 2, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, ulcerous colitis, Crohn’s disease and other disorders that were previously very rare.
Of course we cannot say that the food is the only cause of those diseases.
Food is just one of the relevant factors and when combined with other risk factors it can lead to diseases.
Also, food can be helpful in eliminating and easing health problems.
We should remember the ancient herbal pharmacies that were managed by priests who were considered as keepers of herbal medicine and herbal healing – the fact is that modern pharmacy and medicine later developed from them.
But still some institutions question the effect of natural substances but not on the basis of their real effect (which is not questionable) but on the formal basis emphasizing that “there is not enough scientific proof…”
This is a hypocritical attempt to degrade nature, because scientific research and studies are expensive, and phytotheraphy or traditional herb experts don’t have the support of billions of dollars coming from multinational companies.
Healing Benefits of Food – Example from Practice and Paradox of Medicine
Let’s take for example one possible life scenario.
Person suffering from overweight problems comes to the doctor. Blood tests show high amounts of lipids (triglyceride, LDL) in blood.
Person gets a recommendation to go to a specialists who determines hyperlipidemia and obesity.
The person returns to his or her doctor and the doctor recommends the following: let’s try to eliminated carbohydrates and trans-fat from your diet and add “slow” carbohydrates and natural fats (in small quantities), generally reduce the amount of food and check your condition in a month.
The person accepts and follows the instructions.
After a month, the patient makes blood tests and the results show that lipids are in normal limits, also the person is losing weight and the problem seems to be solved.
The doctor wants the patient to come back in a month for a checkup. Blood tests results are again optimal and the patient has lost more weight.
New checkup is scheduled in 3 months – again blood test results are optimal. The person is cured.
What cured this imaginary person? Food.
Is Food Really an Absolute Medicine?
People are inclined to generalize many things in life and they can therefore conclude that food is the only medicine they need.
But food is just one of the puzzles in the picture of life which means there are other components.
These are physical activity, relaxation, mental and emotional pleasure, position in the society and natural medicaments.
Phytotheraphy is also included (using herbal medicine and their extracts)
As an expert in phyto-aromatherapy, I always recommend counselling with educated herb expert.
This is because it can be dangerous if it is not used in a proper way, especially if you are going through pharmaceutical therapy.
Good example is St. John Wort or cantarion (Hypericum perforatum) which has many interactions with satins (medicine that reduces fat) and antidepresants.
The connection between application of medicine and food is well known.
Ancient doctors never separated nutrition from using healing substances, they used both for the benefit of the patient.
Proper Nutrition is Essential for Good Health
Some consider food as a type of medicine, while others laugh at this statement and emphasize the lack of scientific research and data.
What should we common people think?
Food is in a way “the first” medicine and Hippocrates statement is correct.
Human body should be nourished to be healthy and have the maximal effect.
This is accomplished by regular and proper nutrition which is adjusted to you and your physical qualities.
If you are suffering from some health disorder or you just want to lead a quality life visit a nutrition expert and try to live a healthy life.
Exercise, avoid stress, relax and be positive.
With regular nutrition this is the basis of a long, happy and healthy life.
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