“Food is Medicine” is a term attributed to Hippocrates, almost 2,500 years ago, the father of western medicine. It was his belief that wholesome food is the basis for good health. “Leave your drugs in the chemist pot if you can heal the patient with food” is a saying that is still so true today.
Centuries ago physicians and health practitioners around the world used food and herbs as medicine to heal the body. Over the years we have lost the importance of this as manufacturing of food and pharmaceuticals become major players. As we have moved away from natural remedies and many rely on a diet of processed, fatty and sugar-laden food, the consequences are that the rates of obesity and disease have increased significantly. However, the research continues to show us how the food we eat plays a major role in health and how we feel and how we sleep on a daily basis. If we can learn good eating habits, then our optimum health has the best chance of being restored, and preventing chronic illness.
Scientists are uncovering the benefits of Nutrigenomics – the idea that food is information and speaks to our genes and triggers messages that create health or disease. There are many factors that culminate to bring about disease, such as stress, nutrition, hormone balance, the health of our gut, and the importance of detoxification and food. Every meal that you consume, influences not only your genes, and your internal balance, but your mood and emotions too, so the more nutrition foods you choose, the healthier physically, mentally and emotionally you will be too.
With Metabolic Balance we focus on whole foods – by that we mean foods that are based on whole ingredients, with minimal processing, preservatives and additives. These include fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products like natural yoghurt, meat and whole grains. Whole foods act as medicine to heal and protect your body and give the immune system a break from dealing with toxins, preservatives, additives and chemicals that are included in so many of today’s processed foods. Healthy, nutrient rich and alive whole foods help build the body at a cellular level and build strong defences enabling you to build strong defences which in turn enables you to combat illness and environmental toxins.
Case Study
Clive* was a 53 year old who came to me to lose weight and improve his health. He was concerned as his father had died only a few years older than he was now from complications of high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. Clive is a successful business man, working long hours and was on the road a lot. Apart from the additional 20kg he was carrying, he struggled with long term bowel issues, erectile dysfunction and ongoing joint pain. He was a strong family man and enjoyed a full social life.
We had an initial consultation and sent him off for some blood work, put him on a course of pre and pro biotics to help with his bowel and gut. Clive’s pathology came back as pre-diabetic with high cholesterol, low vitamin D and showed his heart was working a little harder than would be expected.
We started Clive on a personalised meal plan, added in some liquid vitamin D with K2 and and spoke about needed to adopt lifestyle changes rather than a short term diet. Within 7 days he was sleeping better and had lost 2.2kg.
Over several consultations we supported him with his new meal plan, spoke about eating to fuel his body rather than his emotions, worked around how to prep food whilst being on the road and how to manage social situations and the holidays he was going on. With GP support he was also able to come off his medications.
In the first 10 weeks (which included a weekend away with friends and an overseas trip) Clive had lost 9kg in weight, had gone from a 3XL to a large, and was confident in the way he was walking, and no longer experiencing joint pain. His wife was happy as he was no longer snoring and was off his CPAP machine. Gone were the naps in the afternoon, as he had more energy, and he was waking up refreshed rather than tired. We had weaned off the supplements for erectile dysfunction as things were going very well for him. He also reported “my stomach has never felt so good & quiet – it’s no longer playing 26 symphony”. He reported receiving compliments on his improved skin and was feeling like he was 21 years old again!
Changing Clive’s diet to a truly personalised one that took into account his pathology and his body chemistry had a significant impact on his life – he has regained his health, is no longer taking supplements or medications, and uses food as his medicine.
If you would like further information on our wellness and weight loss group, or to receive your own personalised food plan, then why not book a FREE discover call now.
*Name has been changed to protect identity.