Dear reader,
We are living in a beautiful time. With so much knowledge available in the digital age, we can learn how we want, and whenever we want. Every book you could possibly want to read, available to purchase in a simple, organized way. If there is one time in the human existence where it is good to be alive, it is right now.
Your body is the only thing that you truly own. It is the greatest object, for it is the vehicle in which you must live your life. Arguably if there is anything that you should invest money in, it should be health. If you are not looking after yourself, then why invest in shares, house property etc? Health is the major cause for happiness and fulfilment.
One of the greatest books I have invested in is "The Ultramind Solution" by Dr Mark Hyman. I strongly encourage you to buy this book if you want further information.
The problems with modern medicine is that it is cures many illnesses, but fails to tackle the underlying causes. A great example of this was illustrated in an advertisement which had a family who was angry at their father for eating sausages and chips. The father replied that he was fine, because he had taken his acid blocking pill. Modern medicine for me, is about wealth, and not health. Instead of encouraging people to change their nutritional lifestyle, they provide the medicine to when things go wrong in their bodies. Pills and antibiotics would be redundant if everyone understood how to avoid those illnesses in the first place. Please understand that the major corporations producing toxic foods have no interests in people's health but rather, what money they have in their pockets.
These toxic foods are adored in the Western World. The reason being is that we live in a society of 9-5 jobs, heavy stress and commitment. People come home looking for instant gratification, pleasure, so to speak, to award their hard work. They crave something "tasty" and "simple" to avoid as much work as possible. Most of the time, what we consider tasty and simple is what is harming us. Fortunately, while food can be our greatest poison, it is also our greatest medicine.
What we must do is take responsibility back for our bodies. The crux of Dr Hyman's work is to illustrate that the mind is the body. If we remedy our bodies now, we can elevate our well being. Changing your diet, nutrient levels, the amount of exercise you do, detoxing the body, removing allergies and sensitivities and balancing your hormones will transform you.
While this sounds a lot, realistically, it is very simple. It involves taking out, and then putting back in.
1. Remove High-Fructose Corn Syrup, sugary foods and Trans Fats: this is mainstream common sense; fast food, chocolate (milk or white), crisps, packaged snacks, refined carbohydrates such as bagels, doughnuts, muffins, cookies. Check the labels. So many mental disorders have been linked to eating these sorts of foods: aggression, anxiety, fatigue, learning difficulties and not to mention, sugar crusts in the brain. Remember, there is no such thing as "junk food", there is only food, and junk.
2. Remove Metal Toxicity: metals such as mercury and lead can be found in tuna fish, coal burning industrial plants, aluminium deodorants and even silver dental fillings. Lead and mercury toxicity has been associated with brain and behaviour problems in children. Other toxins include black mould which can be found on the walls in your house. Look below to find detoxing food that you can put into your body. Instead of eating large river fish (which tend to have higher concentrations of toxicity) eat smaller fish such as sardines, mackerel. Opt for an aluminium free deodorant.
3. Remove Gluten and Dairy (optional): we have a genetic lack of adaptation towards grasses and particularly gluten in our diet. Gluten has been linked to many neurological and psychological diseases such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, dementia, migraines, and epilepsy. Dairy for some people may cause inflammation of the brain: sluggishness, fatigue, and an inability to focus. Visit www.celiac.com for a list of foods that contain gluten. Dairy foods include your cheese, milk, yoghurt.
4. Remove Exposure to Toxic Waves: in this modern age it is almost impossible to avoid electro magnetic waves in our atmosphere. However, we can all reduce the time we spend on our smart phones, around our computers, our televisions. Research as suggested that such toxic waves have been linked to higher rates of alzheimers, mood disorders and depression. Instead, reconnect with nature. Exercise, socialize and do sports.
5. Remove Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners: you can find this little devil in many sweet products on the market, including chewing gum, fruit juice and sugary snacks. To be safe, avoid them all or check the labels before you buy. This has been linked to behavioural problems and cognitive dysfunction.
6. Remove Alcohol and Caffeine: we drink these things for pleasure. One for a sense of high, or confidence, the other for alertness and concentration. If you replace these with exercise, prayer and meditation. You will get hundredfold the results of what you are looking for and better health.
Now, to put in:
1. Put in Omega 3 Fatty Acids: EDA and DHA are imperative for proper brain function. Our brains are largely made of fat. Low levels of EDA and DHA can be linked to depression, anxiety, autism, learning disabilities. Foods such as eggs, soy beans (tofu), peanuts, lentils, sesame seeds or supplements (cod fish oil) are great.
2. Put in Protein & Amino Acids : the eight amino acids are the raw materials that we need to make all of our brain messenger chemicals or neurotransmitters. Eat small fish, chicken (avoid fatty red meats such as beef and pork), beans, nuts and seeds.
3. Put in Carbohydrates: these are the most important food for long term health and brain function. However, make sure you get these from the raw food of our planet, ie: fruits, beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices. The rainbow diet.
4. Put in Detox Foods: Green tea, broccoli (my favourite), red grapes, kale, cabbage, watercrress, milk thistle, turnips, lemon, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, radish and wasabi.
5. Put in Vitamin D: this is a major epidemic and cause for depression and anxiety. Fortunately we can get this from exposure to sunlight. With spring and summer in full swing, go outside and enjoy the sunlight.
6. Put in Magnesium is known as the relaxation mineral. Reduces stress, anxiety. Eat almonds, cashews, buckwheat (amazing), seaweed, beans and dark green leafy vegetables. Magnesium can be lost with alcohol, salt, coffee and sugar--so avoid these.
7. Put in Sleep, Exercise and Relaxation: like with all of these claims, I won't bore you with the statistics and research. This is common sense. Exercise and good sleep patterns reduces anxiety, stress and elevates happiness. Improves memory, concentration and produces more energy. Relaxation is our natural state, so put yourself back into balance.
8. Put in Water: drink more water! It will detox the body, give you more energy, lose weight, give you clearer, younger skin and will produce positive energy and emotions.
9. Put in Supplements: in an ideal world these would not be necessary but due to the environment, the stress, and the convenience, these should be (providing they are in reach), essential.
(a) Multivitamin
(b) Calcium and Magnesium
(c) Vitamin D
(d) Omega 3
(e) Folate, B6 and B12
(f) Probiotics
And there we have it :). Perhaps the longest, but one of the most important posts I will make. Personally this has changed my life around. For a long time I was stuck in a bad place emotionally, physically and mentally. The power of food is the difference between living a fruitful or destructive life. I hope that this has opened your eyes as it had mine. I am still on a journey to find optimum nutrition, but this is where it all began :).
Until next time, smile, and have an amazing day. If you start today, you won't regret it ;)
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