NUTRITION
FOOD as MEDICINE MANY MODERN MALADIES AND THE NEED TO TAKE MEDICATION COULD BE AVOIDED – OR AT LEAST ALLEVIATED – IF PEOPLE HAD A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF FOODS THAT HARM, AND FOODS THAT HEAL
BY JOSEPHINE ZAPPIA
OBSTACLES TO CURE
Gut health is imperative for many functions of the body. It’s a complex system vital to our overall wellbeing, and gut bugs help regulate metabolism and nutrient absorption.
Some medications will disrupt the microbial actions in your gut, either by preventing and slowing bacterial growth, or killing them. For example, antibiotics will predispose to gut dysbiosis, a condition that occurs when the normal balance of bacterial flow, or microbiota, is disrupted in the body.
The needs of the body vary during different stages of life, and each person must find their most comfortable and beneficial diet. We are not only what we eat - we are also how well we digest and absorb our food. Fresh is obviously best: freshly picked fruits and vegetables that are in season rather than frozen or packaged varieties are ideal. Organic produce is better again. 24 | THRIVE #3
Cortico steroids are a common prescription in conventional medicine for inflammatory conditions. The prolonged use of cortico-steroids depletes mineral absorption, particularly calcium, leading to osteoporosis. Some useful natural anti-inflammatories are turmeric, boswelia and glucosamine (used to repair joints and reduce pain) but should be prescribed by a practitioner to suit a client’s individual state of health.
