FOOD AS MEDICINE
Food used as a preventative to dis-ease and as an essential part of medicine has been established for over 4,000 years by physicians of natural medicine. Food is a major determinant of health that is directly under our control. We cannot always control pollution, hereditary factors, noise, environment, and the social and emotional behaviors of others, but we can certainly choose what and what not to eat. Most people do not realize the power of foods. We hope that you will pay attention to the principles of food as medicine and incorporate these natural and powerful healing components into daily living, because anything we do three times a day will have an effect on our body!
Naturopathic Principles Applied to Meal Planning
A naturopathic diet follows the six guiding principles of naturopathic medicine: trust that the body can heal itself; identify and treat the cause; treat the person as an integrative whole; use non-harming and non-invasive techniques; focus on overall health, wellness and disease prevention; and use education to allow people to take responsibility for their health.
Naturopathic medicine is based on the belief that a diet that doesn’t include food that is natural or wholesome produces toxins that poison the body. Conditions that are treated and eliminated with a naturopathic diet include digestive issues, food sensitivities and allergies, immune disorders, reproductive imbalances, high cholesterol, insomnia, stress and anxiety.
What are its Benefits?
Switching to a naturopathic eating plan would most likely help you lose weight and lower your risk of a variety of chronic medical problems, including cancer and heart disease. Dietary changes like reducing your salt intake may help you control current conditions, such as high blood pressure. The plan’s restriction on beverages can help you avoid consuming excess calories in the form of soda or sugary coffee drinks.
Unlike other weight-loss programs, naturopathic medicine attributes weight problems to the potential for physical imbalances such as liver or kidney disease and thyroid disorders, high stress or emotional unevenness, food toxicity or drink addictions, or to sudden lifestyle changes.
Fasting and detox
Fasting is the complete abstinence from all substances except pure water, in an environment of total rest. Juice fasting, a popular variation, is abstinence from all food and drink except water and fresh vegetable and fruit juices. A modified fast includes small amounts of solid food, usually raw fruits as well as raw and steamed vegetables.
Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralizing the toxins resulting from biochemical functions through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph nodes, and skin. DIFFERENT TYPES of Fasting precipitates this process because, when food no longer enters the body, the latter turns to its fat reserves for energy. When the fat reserves are used for energy during a fast, they release the stored chemicals from the fatty acids into the system and are then eliminated through the above mentioned organs.
Another benefit of fasting is the healing process it triggers. During a fast, energy is diverted away from the digestive system, since there is no food to mobilise it, towards the metabolism and immune system. This is one reason why animals stop eating when they are wounded, and the reason why we feel less hungry when we’re sick.
Spring fasts are highly recommended because the increased physical vitality and availability of fresh produce and vegetables in the spring and summer can make the cleansing process pleasant and beneficial. For a winter fast, plan a short 2 day program, like a weekend fast for instance.
Long, unsupervised fasts can be dangerous. If you plan to fast for more than 2 or 3 days in a row, you must consult your natural health practitioner or doctor before you start.
Tags: Fitness, Healthy Food, medicine, naturalcure, Yoga