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Food is the Great Occupier of our minds and emotions - McDowell's Herbal Treatments

"We may find in the long run that tinned food is a deadlier weapon than the machine-gun."- George Orwell

Food is the great occupier of our mind and emotions. This pre-occupation with food can be seen in all cultures across the globe, and particularly highlighted now in mainstream media. I can't believe how many cooking shows are now on TV. It's incredible. We are a world obsessed... emotionally, intellectually and politically by food.

From a health stance, the food that we eat should be nutritious enough to ensure a healthy body and should also be pleasurable to partake in.

When thinking about our physical health, most people are aware that a good wholesome diet is required as a minimum. However, knowing what to eat is very confusing. Marketing of food products is now acceptable at any level, even with labelling laws, it a nightmare to navigate the local supermarket. Not to mention the diet industry in all its forms.

The pet food industry is even worse, as we are encouraged to feed packet foods over common sense options like table scraps and raw meat.

Only 100 years ago this kind of excessive obsession to do with food was related only to the immediate needs of nourishment to get a good days work done. And food was a good excuse to sit down around the table, converse the days events and relate to one another.

Today, it's another matter entirely.

Navigating the Supermarket Storm and Myths about what to eat...

In actual fact, it's very simple to eat well for good health. You don't need fancy recipes, or a huge budget, or a Science Diet. All you need to know is that if its alive and came from a plant , it's the best option, and if it came from an animal and is fresh and locally produced, it's the next best option, and if its been processed and pulverised and comes in a bright packet, your best to leave it alone.

Simplistic maybe. Non the less, this simple approach works for many.

Addressing all basic nutritional requirements.

I have three favourite foods that I make sure I take every day. By ensuring that these foods are taken daily, I can be relaxed about meals. It's very challenging as a parent, busy breadwinner or carer to find the time to make healthy food, so by having these on the shelf and adding these to your diet, you can rest assured that you're getting the peak nutritional aspects covered. By eating these foods, you also find that cravings for sugar and bread are reduced, and you won't need a multi vitamin pill.

These foods are: Flax seed meal or oil (Omega 3,6,9) , Spirulina (a super food high in vegetable protein and iron, as well as a-z in minerals) and Maritime Pine Bark Extract ( high in bioflavonoids- super anti oxidants)

The basics -Protein, Carbohydrates and Fibre-

Now -just a simple explanation of how we evolved, and what we really need in our diet.

We were hunters and gatherers. Agriculture is a fairly recent influence to our evolution, and certainly our digestive systems have not changed in tens of thousands of years.

Small, highly nutritionally dense foods were eaten – berries, nuts, fruits in season and the odd small animal, or bison (if you go back far enough!). Herbal teas and grazing on seed heads were common.

Agriculture introduced a new culture (approx 10,000 BC), and communities were formed around these new areas. This was just as risky- waiting for the field to yield what was planted, and protecting the captured herds of livestock.

So it was that bulk grain was introduced into our diet, cooking and preparing grains and bread baking became the norm.

Nowadays, wheat flour , sugar and corn bi products form the basis of many processed foods. White flour and white rice representing the nutritionally depleted product. However, even the whole grain is problematic.

The development of Genetically Modified grains, the bulk Chemicals used in the production of these grains has seen allergies skyrocket, and it is not surprising that digestive issues like Irritable bowel syndrome are common place. You don't need a scientific study to relate the rise of these conditions ( as well as obesity and related illness) to the most fundamental source- our Diet.

It is common understanding now that these foods actually cause inflammation in the body.
This comes as a surprise for some, particularly those who take the time to choose "healthier" options like whole grain breads.

With this inflammation come all sorts of issues. Hormone imbalance is one thing that I see increasingly as the result of excessive use of wheat and sugar.

Heart disease is another. Here is an interesting link from a well renowned heart specialist on diet. What you read here may surprise you: http://www.realfarmacy.com/world-renown-heart-surgeon-speaks-out-on-what-really-causes-heart-disease/#t1ltjoWIsORmeTBe.01

What to do next...

First of all, don't panic!

Keep your approach to diet simple and sensible. It's not all doom and gloom. Once you have identified your key dietary imbalance ( and mostly the problem is wheat and sugar) , just eliminate these from your diet.

Choose instead carbohydrates that are not genetically modified ( like rye , spelt and whole rice) .Replace sugar with Honey and Maple syrup if you need to have something sweet.

Add the super foods that I have suggested, and see what happens!

Eat a diverse range of raw vegetables and fruit, have small portions of meat, eggs and fish, and choose a different grain.

Include pulses in your diet for extra fibre and protein. These are also good to make soups and stews out of, they last well, can be cheap to make and are highly nutritious.

Add nuts and berries when you can, and culinary herbs are also highly nutritious and add an extra medicinal quality. Garlic, Fenugreek and Turmeric to name a few.

Use olive oil on salads, and Coconut oil to cook with.

Specific foods...

Many foods provide the missing link. If you have been "diagnosed" as being deficient in a particular vitamin or mineral, get on the internet ( or browse our site) for foods that provide the missing element. You will be amazed at how much is just simply marketing hype for a product that is actually readily available in many fresh foods.

Vit D..

Is one of the Vitamins that is being diagnosed as a major deficiency. Sunlight ( 15 minutes a day) is the best option. If this is not possible, Cod Liver oil and fresh fish are the highest in this vitamin.

Much better to take these as a food than to take a Vit D supplement.

Absorption of Vitamins and Minerals:

Many will be aware that one issue in nutrition is absorption. There is no doubt that diet is one thing, and absorption is another. I really feel that by eliminating both wheat and sugar , and adding fresh raw fruit and veges to your diet, absorption is improved. However, sometimes this is still a problem.

I suggest that before you try anything else; drink plenty of Dandelion and Chamomile tea.

If your digestion is still not great, then this is where we need to balance your system with herbs to restore correct digestive and metabolic functioning.

This is not difficult to do, and if you require some help in understanding your system, you can contact me directly.

Herbal Support:

Herbs are peak nutrition,  highly bio-availble. Bio available simply means the extent to which a substance is available to be used by the body. As an herbalist, it's my job to assess the physical body as a whole organism, and find the weak link.

To do this, I ask numerous questions. Then, I prescribe a mixture that is able to support these weak areas. These weak areas can be in veins, liver, heart, kidneys, stomach, Nervous system etc to name a few. .

If you're eating well, and still have problems, then we are dealing with "history". Genetics, environment and the ever present emotional issues need to be addressed.

But I do want to make one element particularly clear.

If you want to get well, and heal, (particularly if you want to heal emotionally) you do need a good foundation to start with. And it's only through good nutrition that this occurs.

Everyone is different, and not everyone knows how to support their body to peak fitness. This is where I can assist, contact us to find out how.

Have a question? Contact McDowell's Herbal Treatments

Get in Touch

We are open Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm. AEST. You can also contact us by phone or email.

02 6331 3937
+61 2 6331 3937(Int)
info@mcdowellsherbal.com

McDowell's staff Herbalists can not diagnose your disease or illness. What they can do is offer a herbal program to assist with healing, after you have had advice from your doctor or specialist. If you have unexplained pain or symptoms, seek medical advice.

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