Modern and Natural Medicine
Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh
Modern medicine seems to be winning the war against infectious diseases and is good at repairing the body from trauma, these used to be the main causes of ill health and death in western societies. The major cause of ill health and death in the 21st century in the western world is now from degenerative diseases such as coronary artery disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's and cancer. Modern medicine is less effective against these degenerative diseases because it has a blinkered approach of using drugs to suppress the symptoms and does not to look at the bigger picture of why the disease has come about in the first place.
Modern medicine uses drugs to stop a single step in the overall process leading to illness which is ineffectual and has a high risk of side effects. Many people are ill in hospitals from side effects caused by their drug therapy for their original illness, this is called iatrogenic illness. For example painkillers can cause ulcerations and gastrointestinal pain, anti-ulcer drugs can cause impotence and Viagra a treatment for impotence can cause structural damage to the penis. As illustrated with modern medicine you can start with one symptom and end up with a multitude of health problems. This is most evident with the therapies to treat cancer - chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are all debilitating, painful and disfiguring treatments which use a multitude of drugs to combat side effects. This is a typical approach of modern medicine in that it practices crisis management; it waits until the diagnosis then bombards the patient with drugs. This is all too late as by the time the symptoms of degenerative disease appear, the damage has already been done and drugs cannot address this. Modern medicine does not look at the overall picture and asks itself why are people getting these diseases in the first place and how can we prevent them.
Degenerative diseases are the result of a mechanism within the body being tipped off balance causing slow deterioration into disease. For example, coronary artery disease happens when the speed of fats being oxidized and deposited in the artery walls is quicker than which the body can remove them. These problems arise when the body's natural defense mechanisms are undernourished or overloaded. Even a slight imbalance if unchecked will lead to major problems many years down the line. The self-destructive ways that many people now live, tip their body's scales from self-repair to self-destruction.
Nutritional therapy recognizes that the body can self-repair itself over a period of time by increasing vital micro-nutrients, exercising and restricting the intake of harmful substances such as tobacco smoke, sugar, salt and alcohol. It recognizes that prevention is better than cure. A lot of people who look and feel healthy are in fact 'pre-ill' due to their self-destructive lifestyles, which in time will lead to a degenerative illness such as cancer and coronary artery disease. Nutritional therapy addresses the pre-ill problem and rectifies it before it becomes clinical.
Most people in the developed world are depleted in most micro-nutrients which will over years develop into ill health; drugs cannot rectify this only good micro-nutrient repletion plan can.
The main reasons for why we are depleted in micro-nutrients are:
We don't eat enough resulting in less micro-nutrients being consumed.
We eat too much process foods that are depleted in micro-nutrients.
The soil that animals and plant are raised on is depleted in key minerals which are due to use of intensive farming. Bad habits such as smoking, sunbathing and heaving drinking all deplete the body of anti-oxidants.
As we get older we become more depleted in micro-nutrients this is because older digestive systems are less efficient in absorbing them.
No one person's nutritional requirements are the same, for example a 60 year old who has been a heavy smoker all his/her life would be different from a teenager who likes to eat junk food. A Nutritional Therapist would analyze each individual nutritional status and then tailor make a dietary plan specifically for him/her.?
Nutritional therapy aims at reaching optimum nutritional levels which research shows will protect the body against degenerative diseases. A healthy diet which is rich in vegetables, fruits, soy, oily fish combine with moderate exercise plus cutting out smoking and heavy drinking and adding a good supplement plan will keep the body healthy.?
In Dr Paul Clayton's book 'Health Defence' he illustrates the complex subject of nutritional defence by visualizing a nine piece jigsaw which once put together will form the bigger picture of a nutritional plan which will defend against degenerative diseases and promote good health.?
This is a concise version of his nutritional jigsaw.
To protect your cells against free radicals by consuming anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C, Vitamin D, the flavonoids Q10 and the mineral Selenium.
To consume Carotenoids such as beta carotene, lutein and lycopene which have anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. To take Flavoniods such as grapeseed extract, green tea extract and pycnogenol which are strong anti-inflammatory and anti-aging agents, these will also protect against heart disease, cancer, asthma and arthritis.
To consume Omega 3 oils which are found on oily fish and certain plants, these defend against conditions such as asthma and arthritis.
To protect against cancer and help with the menopause take Isoflavones (such as Genistein), they are found in Soy. To help against heart disease and Alzheimer's take Betaine. Use pre-biotics such as FOS and inulin to help and protect the bowel against cancer.
Take A-Z type multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. To protect the body's cellular structures take the co-enzyme Q10 and glucosamine.?
To conclude, modern medicine waits for something to go wrong then tries to suppress the symptoms by using chemicals that are alien to the body which intern normally causes more problems with side effects. Whereas Nutritional therapy uses compounds that the body is familiar with to repair, support and protect the body against disease and infection.?
About the author:
Advice for a healthier natural life
website: http://www.newbeingnutrition.com
The latest information and news on Anti-Aging:
The latest innovative techniques in the field of anti-aging are set to be showcased at a conference to be held in Dubai this autumn.
Anti-Aging Skin Treatments That May Work (CBS News)
A study shows their effectiveness in treating sun-damaged skin and fine lines and wrinkles. A dermatologist explained the science and named product names, on The Early Show .
Beautorium Keeps Getting Greener and Greener (PR.com)
From anti-aging to pregnancy and baby, from body care to hair care, from aromatherapy to makeup, Beautorium is a luxury of ?green? solutions for modern skin care and beauty needs. The beauty doesn?t stop there. Get ready for three more cult beauty brands to join the mix: Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics, John Masters Organics and Weleda. Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics Hailing all the way from ...
Cardio Infrared Technologies Commits to Attend World's Largest Anti-Aging Con...
LAS VEGAS, Aug. 14, 2008 -- Cardio Infrared Technologies, Inc. announced today that they will again be attending the world's largest Anti-Aging show at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, .
Researchers discover scent of skin cancer (EurekAlert!)
According to new research from the Monell Center, odors from skin can be used to identify basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer. The findings, presented at the 236th meeting of the American Chemical Society, may lead to development of new methods to detect basal cell carcinoma and other forms of skin cancer. Earlier work identified almost 100 different chemical compounds ...
Does It Work: Anti-aging device or just scary? (MSNBC)
We test the Flex-Away Facial Exerciser, which claims it will give your "entire face a younger appearance." Too bad it looks like something out of "The Silence of the Lambs."
Researchers discover scent of skin cancer (PhysOrg)
According to new research from the Monell Center, odors from skin can be used to identify basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer. The findings, presented at the 236th meeting of the American Chemical Society, may open doors to development of new methods to detect basal cell carcinoma and other forms of skin cancer.
Christie & Co. wins top beauty award (Queens Courier)
Spa de Beaut/ was awarded the coveted 2008 Rep?chage¨ Spa de Beaut/ of the Year Award at the 10th annual Award Gala at the beautiful Tribeca Rooftop in New York City.
Wrinkle Removers, Backed by Science (New York Times)
Over the past decade, researchers have been learning which treatments for wrinkles work, and why.
The crop may be blue, though the mood is anything but at Evergreen Berry Farm...
"Therapeutic," is how Rosaline Mays, an avid blueberry picker, describes her annual summer ritual. "It calms the mind. Just me, the berries and the birds. I love it," said the Bantam resident.