Food As Medicine
I believe that food provides our minds and bodies and with the nutrients and building blocks we need to heal and maintain health. Healthful foods contain unique nutrient profiles that can replenish nutrient deficiencies, strengthen weakened organ systems and heal damaged tissues. The choices we make regarding which foods enter our body can determine our level of health and vitality. If we choose food that is full of vital minerals, vitamins, proteins and healthy fats we will optimize our health. If we choose food that can cause inflammation and stress on our vital organs, we will diminish our health and vitality.
Not only does the type of food we choose determine their health benefit, but also the way it is grown and produced. There has been a substantial change in agricultural practices in the last century and a steady rise of chronic disease prevalence in the Western world. The majority of food we find in grocery stores today are nutrient deficient. Most of our produce comes from other countries and can take a few weeks to arrive at our grocery stores. Once picked, the nutrient content of plants diminishes with time, so once that food is available for purchase its nutrient profile has declined to one-half to one-quarter of what it was when first harvested.
Soil quality also plays a large role in a plant’s nutrient content. When food has been “mono-cropped” (only 1 type of food is grown, like corn or wheat), the soil becomes depleted in nutrients. Soil needs a dynamic ecosystem to thrive and provide nutrients for the plants that grow in it. If the soil becomes depleted, the plant has a very slim chance of becoming nutritious. Another issue is the heavy use of pesticides and herbicides, and the genetic modification of food. Research has shown numerous correlations between pesticide and herbicide intake and certain cancers and chronic diseases, and remains very limited on the health effects of genetically modified food.
Even with these harmful changes in food quality and agricultural practices, food can still be used medicinally with the right knowledge. A few simple choices that can make a large positive impact on your health and create momentum for agricultural change include:
Choosing organic foods whenever possible to reduce toxic exposure to harmful pesticides and herbicides.
Shopping at farmer’s markets or growing your own food to ensure you are eating fresh local produce from mineral-rich soil.
Buying ethical and hormone-free lean meat to avoid additional hormone and antibiotic intake.
Reducing your intake of common “mono-cropped” and genetically modified food such as corn, wheat and soy.
I am here to help you make smart food choices. If you have any questions or need more guidance in optimizing your diet, you can book a free 20 minute consultation with me to get you on the right track.