Chronic Health Conditions: What to do now?

The CDC released a study (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db100.htm) that  reveals 21% of  Americans ages 45-64 have at least 2 of  9 chronic health conditions. That’s a sad statistic that has risen in the past decade.

Those nine conditions are:

  1. heart disease
  2. high blood pressure
  3. diabetes
  4. cancer
  5. stroke
  6. asthma
  7. kidney disease
  8. chronic bronchitis
  9. emphysema.

Prevention is the best but what happens if you already have one or more of these conditions?

I believe you can still improve your health naturally by:

  • eating healthy, eat as many Mother Nature foods as possible, skip the processed stuff
  • stay active, keep moving to get your heart in shape and breath better
  • get your weight as normal as possible (BMI 19-24)
  • drink water, herbal teas, and fresh juices. Sodas taste great but don’t have  any nutritional value
  • deal with stress, get plenty of rest, sleep and relax
  • no smoking
  • let go of emotional baggage and have a positive outlook life
  • smile

 

 

Food as Medicine

The Father of Medicine–Hippocrates said “let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food”.  How is that so?   In modern times medicines are our medicines and not food.  But in ancient times they had an understanding of the powerful healing effects of foods especially herbs.  Not to discount medicines because they have saved many lives but in certain diseases and ailments,  food can also be part of the  healing process.

Starting with heart conditions  which is the #1 killer of Americans

Helpful foods: apple cider vinegar, olive oil, nuts, garlic, almost a vegetarian diet

Diabetes: cinnamon, more vegetables, less fruit, decrease the whites->bread, flour, pasta, rice, potatoes, sugar

Thyroid: coconut oil, sea salt,  kelp & sea vegetables (high in iodine)

Joint pain: fish especially the fatty fish->salmon, mackeral, herring, also  nuts, olive oil, vegetables,  turmeric, skip processed food (they are toxic to joints)

Digestive problems: papaya, pineapple, ginger, mint, honey

Cancer: Foods high in anti-oxidants like fruits, especially berries and vegetables

Here’s some other thoughts:

Eat in moderation. The cultures that are healthier and live the longest eat less food.  Especially as we age we need less food. Plan to have a day when you drink fresh juices or water with lemon  to give the body a break from digesting food.  Digesting food is a huge energy  process for the body.  Every once in a while it needs a break.

Do not eat to close to bedtime.  At night the body is in the repairing, renewing and regenerating mode not the food digesting mode.

What do we eat?  Mostly food from the land-vegetables, fruits, whole grains, herbs, nuts & seeds, meat & seafood.  Eat less processed foods.  Drink mostly water and herbal teas.

And lastly eat to live, don’t live to eat.  Put food in it’s proper place.  It’s main purpose is to give energy to the body. It’s  to be enjoyed because it is very delicious,  but not THE best thing on earth eaten in large quantities.  Life is more than food.

A good resource  when looking for what foods are good for what ailments can be found in  Reese Dubin’s book:  Miracle Food Cures From The Bible. The best part is that you get to eat your healing treatment.

 

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