The phrase “Mad as a Hatter” is
derived from the nineteenth-century occupational hazard and, was
found to be caused by the inhalation of mercury vapors caused
in the making of felt hats.
This paradigm shift in the vision of focus of living systems,
now encompasses Community Ecology, i.e., taking care of the planet
and, has extended to a shift in the focus of Healthcare, with
an emphasis on the well-being of the patient as a whole; one who
also exists on emotional and spiritual levels.
“Dis-ease symptoms express a total condition
of the organism.”
The Holistic Viewpoint: Driven
by discontent with technical and chemical approaches to our health
and well being, a grass roots movement (known as the holistic
viewpoint), has evolved.
The holistic viewpoint encompasses alternative practices, is
referred to as holistic medicine and recognizes, that health comes
from an integration and unity of our various levels of functioning
and, is affected by a variety of factors, both internal and external.
“The Whole is Greater than the sum of
its parts.”
Historical Perspective:
The idea that the foods we eat, can have an influence on our well-being
is not a new concept. In 3500 B.C. Hippocrates, the founder of
medicine said:
“Let your foods be your medicine and
let your medicine be your food.”
Food as Medicine: Nutrition is fundamental to good health and
the diet must supply all the correct nutrients in the appropriate
amounts, that enable our bodies to build new tissue and breakdown
old tissue, as required for growth and development.
The nutrients we need to survive and thrive are water, carbohydrates,
fats, proteins, minerals, and vitamins. However, it is the quality
and quantities of these major nutrients that we ingest, that ultimately
dictates our health status.
The closer that researchers examine the very nature of wholesome
foods, the more evidence comes to light about their therapeutic
value. Whether it is the omega 3-6-9's from seafood or botanical
oils or, the antioxidants in fruit and vegetables, foods have
therapeutic properties fully capable of treating a wide variety
of ailments. This is the reason that holistic practitioners utilize
the food approach to healing as part of first line therapy.
The Mind/Body Connection:
Since what and how we eat, have numerous and wide-ranging effects
on the body’s organ systems, it seems only logical that
our diets also affect the brain and therefore our behavior and
emotions.
Eat with awareness and listen to your body.
