The best healing modality is to avoid getting sick in the first place! For many reading this newsletter, it's too late. For our friends, families, and others, there may still be time. In the event illness is already present, practicing the same tips may result in improved health. There are many environmental toxicants that are correlated with various illnesses in our society. While it is not yet possible to avoid them all, there are things we can do to limit our exposures. Diet, that nasty 4 letter word, is one of the most crucial aspects of our health. Our diet provides the very nutrients we need for normal function, detoxification, rebuilding, and healing. Eating a widely varying diet with fresh produce, whole grains, essential fats, and lean proteins is beneficial. Using as many organic foods as possible serves to limit intake of dangerous pesticides. Avoiding fast foods, restaurants, and taking to the kitchen ensures knowing exactly what is going into the foods you eat.
Exercise is also beneficial, as it improves fitness, increases caloric need to ensure adequate nutrition and satiation, and encourages sweating to removes toxicants.
Supplementation with needed vitamins and minerals is also essential, as many of the minerals we require are depleted from the soil we grow our food in. Many naturopaths, and some doctors, will order blood tests to determine what, if any, vitamins and minerals are lacking or in overabundance. It is important to remember that too much can be as bad as too little. Those suffering high iron levels become sick and the practice of blood letting is still used to reduce iron levels. Balance and testing is essential.
It is given that alcohol and cigarettes should be avoided, though some studies show a glass of wine with dinner is beneficial.
Enough sleep is absolutely essential to give the body time to repair and rebuild itself. Sleep deprivation is common and can cause accidents, lost productivity at work, and increase susceptibility to environmental contaminants.
Finally, avoidance of any and all chemical exposures is essential to avoiding the negative affects many toxicants have on reproduction, energy, metabolism, blood pressure, and general health. This can be the hardest step we take to improve our health as chemicals are everywhere and we are often not in control of what our neighbors or employers are using in our airspace. It takes diligence, effort, and constant follow-up to ensure we are taking care of ourselves. However, if we don't take care of ourselves, no one will!
To Good Health!
-LS
