The average American fills one prescription drug every month. The problem is that most drugs simply treat the symptoms, not the causes. It amazes me that one in ten people have diabetes, most of which is associated with obesity. Obesity means to be excessively overweight and effects 64.5% of all Americans. However, one does not have to be overweight to be malnourished. Poor nutrition is the cause of many health problems (at least 35% of all cancers) that effects many of us. Whet we consume everyday can make or brake your health. I am going to present to you how a balanced diet can greatly reduce your risk of health problems such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other various sicknesses. Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor.
The following information was collected through research and should be confirmed by your PCP before you change your medications and/or diet.
A healthy diet consists of eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega 3’s, found in fish. Avoid processed foods. They are linked to diseases such as heart disease, cancer, bone loss, and Alzheimer’s. 60-95% of nutrients are lost during food processing. You want to eat foods that closest resemble their original form. A general rule of thumb is to eat 80% nutritious foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals, protien, and healthy carbohydrates and fats, and 29% “junk” food, which depletes the body of vitamin B, causing low energy.
I am now going to brake down the various types of healthy foods you should eat and unhealthy ones you should avoid. I’ll start with water, which makes up 65% of the human body. It is essential to maintain life. One can live, believe ti or not, weeks, even months, without food, but only 8-10 days without water (some studies suggest 3 days). Water transports oxygen and nutrients to cells and removes waste through urine and sweat. It is good to drink eight 8 ounce glasses of water each day, but you can get it from fruits and vegetables as well, which are 80-95% water. Water also flushes out salt. Ever notice that after eating a salty, greasy meal that your mouth is dry and your stomach is bloated. That is because the salt in your stomach attracts the water from your body to it, thus leaving you thirsty and bloated. It is wise to avoid such meals. Water also keeps your skin from drying out and keeps your energy levels up. Oh, and ladies, water can also reduce the amount of cellulite on your thighs.
Carbs or no carbs? That seems to be the question now days. Well, the answer is yes and no. Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy and come from two main sources: sugars and starches. Foods that have natural sugars such as fruit and honey, and starches such as whole grains, corn, potatoes, and peas are known as complex carbohydrates. These are the healthy carbs and are used to maintain the levels of glucose already in the blood. Simple sugars that are refined and put into processed foods are absorbed too rapidly into the blood stream which triggers the release of insulin. These “empty calorie” foods should be avoided. Fibers, found in foods such as strawberries, oats, apples, and beans are found in complex carbohydrates. Fibers provide no energy, but have strong health benefits. They help prevent high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes, and colon cancer. Colon cancer is the third most common cancer for both men and women, but is one of the most preventable types of cancer. Complex carbohydrates should make up about 50% of our daily calories.
Most of us enjoy a big, fat, juicy steak. Every once in a while, this is O.K. However, we, as Americans, eat too much red meat. “But, we need protein,” some may argue. “Protein repairs the body’s tissues like hair, fingernails, and muscles.” While this is true, people were not made to eat red meats. Carnivorous animals have very short digestive systems, only about three times the length of their bodies. This is because raw flesh decays very fast and needs to be excreted quickly. Humans have long digestive systems, about twelve times the length of their bodies. By the time the average red meat eating person is 60 years old, they have about five pounds of undigested red meat in their intestines and colon. Overconsumption of red meat is attributed to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, and osteoporosis, and can effect fibromialgia. So, to get the protein needed to stay healthy, eat foods such as soy, legumes, fish, and nuts.
Everyone should take a multi-vitamin. Vitamins and minerals are needed to maintain good health. Vitamins enhance the body’s use of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. They are used in the development of blood cells, hormones, and nervous system chemicals. Vitamins contain antioxidants, which fight off free radicals, cancer causing agents. Minerals are needed for strong teeth and bones. You should eat foods such as oranges and sweet potatoes as well as taking a multi-vitamin.
Fats provide 9 calories of energy per gram, cushion our vital organs, and protect us from extreme temperatures. So, not all fat is bad. There are three types of fat: saturated, monosaturated, and polyunsaturated. Saturated fats found in beef, doughnuts, and ice cream are bad for the heart and blood vessels. Monosaturated fats, found in olive, canola, and peanut oil, have the best effect on our cholesterol levels, increasing the levels of High-density lipoproteins (HDLs), which remove cholesterol from our artery walls. Our bodies need cholesterol, which is used to build membranes and produce vitamin D. But, our bodies make its own cholesterol, so we do not need it in our diets. Polyunsaturated fat, found in margarine, sunflower, corn, and safflower oils, are better than saturated fat, but too much can lower levels of HDLs. When choosing between butter or margarine, consider this, margarine is one molecule away from being plastic. Diets high in saturated and unsaturated fats contribute to colon, prostate, breast, and uterus cancer.
Many of us can’t function when we get up in the morning until we’ve had our morning fix. That’s right, I’m talking about coffee. Some of us even have a coffee maker that is set to start brewing before we even get up. Coffee contains the next item on my list of what to avoid- caffeine. Caffeine effects the body in many negative ways. It may trigger hypoglycemic reactions, which is a feeling of low blood sugar. It stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, raises blood pressure, and makes the pulse and heart rate accelerate. Caffeine, found also in chocolate, stimulates tinnitus, which is ear ringing, and depletes the body of calcium because it increases the amount excreted in urine. It also decreases the ability to get pregnant and causes mood swings and depression. If you must have your pick-me-up, limit yourself to one cup a day and drink it with food. This allows it to absorb slower.
Studies have shown that societies that have a heavy fruit and vegetable diet have a lower cancer rate than those that don’t. Perhaps you are not overweight, but how’s your nutrition intake? Is good, bad, or down right ugly? Just making simple changes in your diet can be lifesaving. For instance, try olive oil instead of margarine, carrots instead of Twinkies, fish and nuts instead of red meat. Perhaps you are overweight. If you realize the benefits of loosing weight, then start eating healthy today. Here is some advice, do not crash diet, but change your eating habits. The slower you lose weight, the more likely you are to keep it off, the faster you lose weight, the more likely you are to put it back on. Crash diets break down muscle tissue and conserve fat because your body is defending itself against starvation. The weight you initially lose in a crash diet is water loss, not fat loss. To lose one or two pounds a week is good dieting. Do not confuse crash dieting with fasting. Fasting is totally eliminating food from your diet for a set period of time. Fasting is good for eliminating toxins from your body and cleaning out your colon. This should be done with caution. An overweight person, a person with poor nutrition, or a person who has consumed a lot of medications or drugs should not fast as long as a person in better health because the toxin release can send a person into toxic shock. Start by fasting a meal or two, then gradually increase it to longer periods of time if you are looking to cleanse your body. And always remember to drink lots of water during a fast. This helps to flush the toxins and you do not want to get dehydrated.
Poor nutrition, over time, can cause the body to become weak, especially the immune system. The brain may become sluggish and react slowly. Muscle eventually becomes broken down and the body withers away, even the outwardly obese body. The outcome of poor nutrition is sickness, disease, cancer, low energy, etc., etc., etc. An apple a day really can keep the doctor away, and reduce your prescription bill!!
Dear God,
I come to you in faith believing that you can heal my mind and body. Sickness has no right to live in me. I know that by the stripes on Jesus’ back I am healed. I was healed over 2,000 years ago when Jesus hung on the cross. Father, you said that you wish above all things that I prosper and be in health. Well, I receive my divine healing today. I declare it, I believe it, and I receive it by faith. I am healed!!!Satan, you have no right to attack my mind or my body. It is written that I have been given power and authority over you, so, flee from me, in the name of Jesus. Mountain of sickness and disease be thou cast into the sea.I believe that I am healed. Father, I thank you now for giving me the faith to believe that I am made whole, nothing missing, nothing broken. I praise your holy name for setting me free from lack, depression, sickness, disease and poverty. You are my rock, fortress, salvation and the lifter of my head. I am healed, in Jesus name, Amen!!!!
If you would like us to pray in agreement for your healing, then you can e-mail us at contactus@purevictory.org
Disclaimer: Neither I nor any of the staff at PVM is a medical doctor or licensed physician. The information used for these topics was researched and found on the internet and various literary devices. Please use remedies/ recipes with caution, especially if you suspect you may be allergic to any of the products recommended. Consult your PCP before making dietary and/ or medical changes, especially if you have any health conditions, are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, are nursing, or are on medication.
For Every Great Battle, There is a Great Victory!!