Nutrition For Healing
Ancient wisdom for nutrition came from mineral, plant and animal surroundings. Today, quality nutrition depends on your knowledge of hidden ingredients and what to avoid as well as choosing fresh, minimally processed foods.
Uncover the Nutrition Thieves
Toxins such as lead and mercury as well as acid forming stress, processed foods and sugars steal your body's ability to absorb and metabolize vital nutrients. Even distilled water robs the body of minerals needed for vital functions, making your body more acidic. How do these toxins work? Lead, for example, takes the place of calcium in chemical reactions. When you take a calcium supplement in the presence of lead your body grabs the lead, not the calcium. Mercury, another common thief, robs your body of energy when ATP converts to ADP in the mitochondria. Also, hemoglobin, which should carry oxygen, carries mercury instead thus starving your cells of vital oxygen.
You may not realize that you have invited nutrition thieves into your body. You have to know what to look for and even then, some thieves are invisible! Over time, the signs of destruction appear; wrinkled skin, obesity, fatigue, weaker bones and joints, memory and vision loss, etc. Not unlike people, poor nutrition for your pet as well as toxicity can show up as allergies, hair loss and hot spots, obesity, diabetes, arthritis and cancer. Call it aging, but we know better!
According to the Center for Disease Control, "Compared to people who eat only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts—as part of a healthy diet—are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases. These diseases include stroke, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and perhaps heart disease." Adding a rainbow of foods to your diet helps ensure a more complete profile of vitamins, essential minerals, enzymes, amino acids and other replenishing foods.
RED- Anthocyanins in strawberries, raspberries, red grapes and other fruits and vegetables act as powerful antioxidants that protect cells from damage. Lycopene in tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit may help reduce risk of several types of cancer.
ORANGE- Beta-carotene (carotenoids) in sweet potatoes, pumpkins and carrots is converted to vitamin A, which helps maintain healthy mucous membranes and healthy eyes, helps reduce risk of cancer, heart disease and can improve immune system function. Citrus fruits like oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C and folate, a B vitamin that helps reduce risk of birth defects.
YELLOW- Certain spices such as turmeric and ginger have profound health benefits. Turmeric has strong antioxidant properties that promote beautiful skin, as well as providing good nutrition for your skin. It helps clean and support the liver and has anti-aging and anti-cancer properties.
GREEN- Lutein is one of the carotenoids found in spinach and other dark leafy greens. It helps keep eyes healthy and may help reduce risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Dark greens are also great for cancer fighting properties. Leafy greens such as spinach and broccoli are excellent sources of folate, a B vitamin that helps reduce risk of birth defects.
BLUE AND PURPLE- Anthocyanins in blueberries, grapes and raisins act as powerful antioxidants that protect cells from damage. They may help reduce risk of cancer, stroke and heart disease. Eating more blueberries is linked with improved memory function and healthy aging.
WHITE- anthoxanthins in bananas and potatoes, garlic, ginger, turnips and mushrooms contain health-promoting chemicals which may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure and may help reduce risk of stomach cancer and heart disease. Some members of the white group are good sources of the mineral potassium, too.
A healthy body maintains pH balance (acid/base concentration) through homeostasis. Eating foods as close to fresh and natural, unprocessed and minimally cooked helps support a healthy body. Foods high in sugar, saturated fats, preservatives or unidentifiable chemicals on the list of ingredients do little to regenerate new, healthy cells. Eating foods that are highly acidic, such as lemons, do not make the body more acidic. However, stress, exercise, poor diet and toxins increase acidity which can cause cell damage. Balancing foods include fruits and vegetables, vital minerals, small amounts of proteins and oils, some nuts and some whole grains. Foods that stress the body, such as too much sugar or saturated fats, create imbalances which can lead to more serious health challenges.
Amazing Antioxidants... coming soon
Every day our cells require energy and basic building blocks such as proteins, complex carbohydrates and essential fats in order to function as well as to create new cells. Ingredients in many processed foods are not recognized by cells; plastics, preservatives, artificial colors and flavors, synthetic sweeteners, etc. and do little to nourish your body. We become depleted by making poor nutrition choices.
You may have the calories you need for energy, but do you choose foods that also protect you? Environmental stress such as toxins, physical and emotional stress, as well as chemo and drug therapies contribute to premature aging and disease. Unless you're building healthy cells, you could be going in the wrong direction.
Support Your Immune SystemA well functioning immune system naturally takes care of the germs we encounter every day. More than that, a strong immune system can recognize what belongs in your body and what doesn't belong. Diseases such as asthma, diabetes, arthritis and more can be the result of the immune system attacking it's own body tissues. Supporting the immune system helps it recognize and defend rather than attack healthy tissue.
Rosemary Levesque
Usui Reiki Master, Karuna Reiki® Master
Language of Light Master
Holistic Wellness Consultant
Your direct source for zeolite in Portland
Your local Reiki natural healing in Portland
Your natural pet health expert
Portland, OR 97229
- *Disclaimer- The information on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals. You may wish to consult your physician before beginning or making changes in your diet, nutritional supplementation or exercise program. The statements on this web site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
