All Health’s Breaking Loose: Food Is Medicine

Loa Blasucci

Let me begin by quoting one of the coolest guys that ever walked the planet; “Nature is the healer of all disease.” He also wrote the Oath of Medical Ethics that physicians take as they begin their medical practice today. His name was Hippocrates, the founder of medicine. Other doctors of his day believed illness and disease occurred if you were possessed by evil spirits or simply on the Gods bad list. He believed that illness had a rational, physical explanation. My study of the human body has taught me to whole-heartedly agree with Hippocrates. Our bodies represent the history of our experiences. We are walking biographies of our lives.

He compiled a list of over four hundred herbs and their uses. I wonder how he would feel walking through the aisles of Sav-On and Rite-Aid today. I wonder if he would defer to the intelligence of marketing as we do. When we see a neatly sealed package with an expiration date, directions and lots of writing we assume it must be of value. For example, we might pay 10 bucks for an attractive bottle of aloe Vera gel, diluted and processed, containing 70% actual aloe vera when we could go to a nursery, buy the whole plant for a few dollars and just snip off a leaf. I think he would be interested in knowing that modern phytochemists recognize that an individual plant may contain over 1,000 unique chemical properties. He would love to hear of the research being done on plants in tropical forest habitats. The science of chemical ecology has shown that many of these plant species have developed under an extraordinary array of chemical defenses to protect themselves from viruses, fungal pathogens, and predators. Making these tropical plants perhaps the most valuable sources of new, bioactive chemical compounds available. He would’ve had fun exploring them. If he could speak to us now, what would he say? Simplify? Get back to basics? Or just, wow! I don’t know, but what I do know is, food is medicine. Let me say it the way the big guy said it as I’d love to quote him one more time, “Let food be your medicine.”

Certainly things have changed a great deal in the last couple thousand years since Hippocrates walked the earth. Especially food, how it’s grown, how it is prepared, our standard idea of what a “meal” is, and the many additives and flavor enhancers that have created excito-taste buds. But our bodies remain unchanged; the foods you eat determine how good you feel. It is important to incorporate as many of the known healing foods as you can at every meal and delete fast food, artificial colors, pre-packaged, fake foods that age the body prematurely. Here is a list of favorites. Use them as often as you can. Hippocrates would be pleased:

GARLIC — Contains eighteen anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial substances. It is a natural antibiotic that stimulates the immune system and kills parasites. It eliminates toxins from the tissues of the body such as, lead and zinc. The National Cancer Institute is currently studying it for its anti-tumor properties. Add a little extra to eggs, veggies, and meats.

OLIVE OIL — Contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and squalene. Polyphenols are potent antioxidants, which help arteries dilate, so blood pressure is reduced. Flavonoids are also antioxidants and help to prevent cell damage or aging. Squalene is a skin protector. Olive oil inhibits lipid peroxidation, a factor linked to cancer and heat disease. Use it fresh in salad dressings or for cooking, or directly on the skin as hand cream.

BROCOLI, CABBAGE, BRUSSEL SPROUTS — Versatile disease fighters. Contain many anti-cancer and antioxidant compounds. Speeds up estrogen metabolism. Anti-viral, anti-ulcer, regulates blood sugar. Cooking reduces these healing properties so, prepare al dente.

SPINACH — Tops the list, along with other green leafy vegetables, as a food most eaten by people who don’t get cancer. A mighty source of antioxidants and cancer antagonists, Contains about four times more beta-carotene and three times more lutein than broccoli. Lowers blood cholesterol. Again, cooking destroys medicinal properties. Eat raw or lightly cooked.

TOMATOES — A major source of lycopene, an antioxidant and anti-cancer agent that intervenes in devastating chain reactions of oxygen free radicals. Tomatoes are linked in particular to lower rates of pancreatic cancer and cervical cancer.

BLUEBERRIES — High in anti-oxidants. Acts as an x antibiotic as it blocks the attachment of bacteria that cause urinary tract infection. Has anti-viral activity.

PINEAPPLE — Suppresses inflammation. Loaded with bromelain, an anti-inflammatory. Aids digestion and helps dissolve blood clots. High in manganese so it helps build strong bones. Anti-bacterial, anti-viral and mildly estrogenic. Fresh pineapple is healing to the body.

CRANBERRIES — Contains strong antibiotic properties with unusual abilities to prevent infectious bacteria from sticking to the cells lining the bladder and urinary tract. So, it helps prevent recurring bladder infections. Also has antiviral activity.

YOGURT — Use only organic yogurt. Goat yogurt is preferred. An ancient wonder food, strongly antibacterial and anti-cancer. Boosts immune functioning by stimulating production of gamma interferon. Also spurs activity of natural killer cells that attack viruses and tumors. A daily cup of yogurt reduced colds and other upper respiratory infections in humans. Acidophilus yogurt cultures neutralize cancer-causing agents in the intestinal tract. Yogurt with live cultures is safe for people with lactose intolerance.

NUTS — Anti-cancer and heart-protective properties. Almonds and walnuts help reduce cholesterol, contain high concentrations of antioxidant oleic acid and mono-unsaturated fat, similar to that in olive oil, known to protect arteries from damage. Almonds are superior to milk in bioavailable calcium. Nuts generally are high in antioxidant vitamin E, shown to protect against chest pain and artery damage. Brazil nuts are extremely rich in selenium, an antioxidant linked to lower rates of heart disease and cancer. Nuts regulate insulin and blood sugar. Can cause allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.

CAYENNE — Also known as capsium, it is an overall digestive aid containing lots of vitamins A, C, B-complex, calcium, phosphorous and iron. Helpful to arthritic conditions because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Keep the shaker on your table instead of salt and spice up your life.

GINGER — Often called the “wonder drug”. Used for thousands of years to treat nausea and upset stomach. We in the west traditionally use it dried in sweet foods like gingerbread and ginger ale, which is far less of a health benefit. Ginger is loaded with antioxidants and is an anti-inflammatory. Relieves arthritic symptoms. It stimulates the production of saliva, which helps the digestion (if you read last weeks column you know how important this is). Protects the intestinal lining. Drop a small piece of fresh ginger in your water bottle. Remove it after 15 minutes for a refreshing after workout drink.

There are so many more, this list is just the beginning. I hope you find all the foods you need to create wellness and strength. Listen to your body and heal it with food. See you in two weeks.

Love and health,

Loa