Hippocrates said “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.”
Over the last century, we have forgotten this simple, sage wisdom. We no longer remember that what we consume supports, sustains and heals us, OR it has the ability to weaken our body temples and make us more vulnerable to illness.
First, I would say that all dis-ease and illness comes from unloving, judgmental, fear-based thoughts. When our thoughts are consistently infused with love, acceptance, peace, gratitude, and joy, it leads to an elevation of our energy or vibration. With a high vibration, disease cannot persist. The love in each of use either will melt that disease away, OR if our vibration is high enough the illness or dis-ease can never enter our body temple. This is the most important factor in staying well or reaching a state of healing.
With that said, we can help to raise our vibration and dissolve dis-ease through the healing properties of foods. A low vibration, invites in and harbors negative energy in organs where it manifest as sickness and dis-ease. On a biological and physical level all disease is represented as inflammation. This is an imbalance of our energy that derails the proper functioning of our body.
In the Paleolithic Ages, our ancestors ate an anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense diet. This was a whole food and unprocessed plant-based diet. This diet was rich in anti-oxidants, fiber, and other healing chemicals. Their diet was supplemented with free game meat and fresh fish that was high in health omega-3 fats.
In the 1900s, there was a shift in our diet. We started eating a nutrient-deficient, processed diet. This diet has been referred to as the “Great White Diet.” The grains we eat are processed and therefore, white. These include white flour-based products, white sugar-rich foods, white rice, white potatoes, etc. Whole foods that are rich in color are often rich in nutrients. For example, sweet potatoes orange hue represents healing chemicals, including beta-carotene (not present in white potatoes). Green Kale is rich in anti-oxidants, minerals, fiber, and other healing and detoxifying nutrients.
When we choose to eat colorless grains and starches, we do not even eat them as whole foods. We eat them in a very processed state. Our diets today lack natural color, and therefore, they lack naturally occurring nutrients called phytonutrients (anti-oxidants), as well as vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
We also have become a society that eats a large amount a red meat and poultry that is pro-inflammatory. The overconsumption of red meat supports inflammation manifesting as heart disease, diabetes, allergies, cancers, etc.
Red Meat takes several days to digest, and it takes a significant amount of your vital energy to digest it. The meat that is widely available these days is high in the pro-inflammatory fat. Additionally, most red meat and poultry consumed is of low quality. The meat is pumped with antibiotics, growth hormone, and is often not coming from a healthy animal. This all leads to meat that is high in chemicals and fats that leads to inflammation in our body temples.
So, how can we learn to change the healing capacity of our diet? There are several dietary changes we can all make today to support healing.
1. Start eating whole foods
Eating a food in their whole state allows you to receive the synergistic effect of the healing nutrients, chemicals, anti-oxidants, and fiber2. Up the anti-oxidant intake with fresh, organic vegetables, and some fresh, organic fruits
Eating these fresh (or frozen fresh) and organic yields a higher anti-oxidant capacity than vegetables and fruits that are not fresh and organic Eat vegetables at least 3-5 times a day Dirty Dozen List (a list of what need to buy organic): http://www.foodnews.org3. Eliminate or drastically reduce white, processed foods
Most importantly reduce sugar intake White processed foods are pro-inflammatory, supporting all dis-ease4. Increase intake of detoxifying foods
Including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale, collards, arugula, cilantro, spinach, wheat grass, garlic, rosemary, turmeric, ginger, basil, cherries (sparingly), etc.5. Stop Eating Foods that increase inflammation in your body temple
Red Meat, “white” foods, processed foods, artificial sweeteners Limit red meat to < 1 time per month, if at all6. Work with a competent doctor to decrease intake of medications, when possible
Medications alter/impair your ability to efficiently and effectively detoxify Antibiotics alter the balance of healthy bacteria in our bodies, thereby impairing our ability to heal7. Switch to eating more of a plant-based diet with legumes and fish being the main sources of protein
Legumes are rich in fiber, healing phytochemicals and protein Fish like wild Salmon , Trout, Sardines, and Herring are high in Omega-3 Fish to eat: http://www.edf.org/home.cfm8. Work with a competent doctor to choose supplements to help increase anti-oxidant intake and detoxification capacity
9. Eliminate intake of artificial sweeteners, artificial coloring and additives
Replace diet sodas with fresh, filtered water Artificial sweeteners and other artificial additives also may interfere with our ability to detoxify other food10. Avoid Heavy Metal Intoxication
If you suspect that you’ve been exposed, work with physician to eliminate heavy metalsThe final and very important step in improving your ability to detoxify and heal is to find a competent physician to determine whether your bowel is healthy. If your gut is not healthy, it is an important place to start on a physical level. There are things your doc can offer to help to bring it back in balance.
Please remember that all of the above suggestions are things to support healing and wellness. However, if your thoughts remain misaligned and unloving, lasting wellness or healing cannot occur. My suggestion is always identify the unloving thoughts and correct them before intervention with a physician or simultaneously.
Be Well,
Nayo Wills, M.D.
All information shared is for informational purposes only. All changes in your healthcare regimen should be done in partnership with a physician. Discuss all health questions and issues with a competent, experienced physician who can address your questions and wellness needs directly.
References:
Northrup C et al. Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, 2006
Murray M, et al. Healing Foods, 2005