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Healing Foods__________________________________________________
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"Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in its work.
The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. Our food should be our medicine. Our medicine should be our food.
But to eat when you are sick, is to feed your sickness."
Hippocrates, Father of Medicine
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Hippocrates is credited as the first physician to reject the divine origin and superstition of sicknesses. He separated the discipline of medicine from philosophy and religion, believing and proffering that disease was not punishment of the gods but due to environmental factors, diet and living habits. Another important precept of Hippocratic doctrine was based on "the healing power of nature". According to this doctrine, the body contains within itself the power to re-balance and heal itself. Click here for the Hippocratic Oath
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Only a body that is fueled with the best ingredients can deliver ultimate performance. And, our consciousness is directly linked to the degree of health that we allow our body to be in.
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Nutrition: Food contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, water, vitamins, and minerals. Nutrition is the way our bodies take in and use food to maintain proper functioning, and is the foundation of good health. Eating right is critical for the proper growth and functioning of our bodies, and there is strong evidence that eating right can prevent several chronic illnesses or diseases, as well. The first principle to good nutrition is to eat a wide variety of foods, because different foods make different nutritional contributions to our diets. Keep a balance between calorie intake and calorie usage; in other words, do not eat more food than your body can use or you will gain weight. The more active you are, the more you can eat and still maintain the balance. Also, foods high in complex carbohydrates and fiber, low in fat, and cholesterol-free (fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes) should make up more than 50 percent of the calories you eat. The rest should come from lean meats and poultry, fish, and low-fat dairy products. This will ensure that you get the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals and help keep your fat and cholesterol intake relatively low.
Most fruits and vegetables contain valuable nutrients for anti-aging. Especially noteworthy are the cruciferous vegetables--broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, radishes, and watercress--for their anti-cancer properties.
Melatonin, for immunity-boosting and better sleep, is found in bananas, corn, and tomatoes.
Chromium helps regulate insulin and can be found in apples, broccoli, grapes, raisins, mushrooms, and potatoes.
Magnesium defends against asthma and heart disease, and it is also a memory booster. Good fruit and vegetable sources include avocados, bananas, and dark green vegetables.
Vitamin E’s helper selenium is found in onions, shallots, mushrooms, and garlic. These foods help the heart and keep the skin elastic.
Intense color and flavor indicate health-giving properties. Dark green and orange vegetables, for example, are high in carotene, which protects against cancer. And bitter greens help the liver. Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, help rid the body of free radicals, keep the skin young-looking, and accelerate healing.
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