Let Food be thy Medicine

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food

― Hippocrates

We only need take a look at today’s modern diet to realize that the foods we are shoveling into our bodies are nowhere near good enough if we want to be able to prevent disease, let alone treat it. Diseases including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity have all be domonstratably linked to the quality (or otherwise) of our diet.

During the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States and rates remain high. In 2010, no state had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty-six states had a prevalence of 25% or more; 12 of these states (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia) had a prevalence of 30% or more.

– Center for Disease Control

Is it any wonder that as the amounts of animal products and processed foods that we consume have increased, so to has the rate of obesity across the entire country?

It has to be said that there are many doctors and researchers who are trying to spread the message that whole foods save lives. These include renowned names such as T. Colin Campbell, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Dr. John McDougall and Dr. Neal Barnard amongst many others.

Since their message is widely available, we have to ask ourselves why so few of us are taking it seriously? The answer perhaps has something to do with the might of the meat, dairy and processed foods manufacturers’ lobbies. We are being bombarded with information that seems to be conflicting which helps to keep us in a state of confusion. Therefore unless we take an active interest in finding out how to enjoy optimum health, it is very easy to live in a state of ignorance. This unfortunately may well be a recipe for disaster.

Simple things that we can do to look after ourselves are to always try to find the whole food option. This includes whole wheat pasta over regular pasta, brown rice instead of white rice, and so on. Consuming more foods in as close to their natural state as possible will also benefit our health. The best juicer for the task is one that will juice the produce that you like the best. The tastier good health becomes, the more enjoyable it will become.