By Teren Hanz
Do you feel that you have lost your freedom? By freedom, I don’t mean set-of-rules. I mean, do you feel that your own body has enslaved you captive?
Well, that’s how I felt when I had to adopt draconian measures to help myself. What did I do? I resorted to my PC. But I found, too much conflicting information causing confusion and frustration. I re-focussed the camera of my life and started looking at the correct side of the binoculars. And the correct side simply was about going Back-to-Basics and applying the knowledge I already had, religiously.
Just very simple things…….
First, we have to understand that our body is similar to an ecosystem. As we know, living organisms in an ecosystem depend on water to survive. The same is true for the environment of the human body. Cells hold water, as does our blood, and there is constant interaction between them. Therefore, water is a magic constituent of our diet. It keeps you hydrated, assists nutrient absorption and cleanses the bowels. A glass of water before bed gives a smooth bowel motion the next morning, one without strain, flushes our system and frees unpleasant gases from our body.
To make it a bit exciting, I add a bit of lemon which acts as a detoxifying agent, and due to its nature being alkaline, it neutralises the acid waste. This simple remedy has improved my body’s metabolic rate, served me well during corona and even reduced my joint and muscle pain.
Another way our body is like an ecosystem is that there is a community of living organisms in the form of microbes, constantly interacting and depending on one another for life, living in harmony. This type of environment is found in our body too.
It holds a vast number of microorganisms in the form of bacteria, which play very important roles in the delicate balance and homeostasis of the body. Homeostasis is our body’s ability to maintain a stable equilibrium of ratio of water-&-minerals, blood pressure, glucose, body temperature and excretion of toxins.
It is in our gut where microbes thrive; they play a very critical role in digestion, weight regulation and in the optimal functioning of the immune system. In simple terms, a colony of organisms live in the cave of our digestive system and work in a team to keep our gut healthy. These gut microbes are key to our overall health. More diverse our gut environment, better our health. It means we must eat a variety of food. I think, it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference. Here I am talking about left over small quantities of food. So, instead of throwing away the left-over bits, I combine them with a different dish to offer a greater variety for my gut.
Another way to enhance microbe population in your gut is to add whole foods: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and legumes have a portfolio of beneficial nutrients and a lot of fibre.
And whole foods encourage us to munch which leads us nicely to the subject of chewing. Sometimes, we are our worse enemies; too busy for our own good. We gulp our food too quickly which increases the risk of acid reflux. Acid reflux can cause complications in the long term but again diet can help manage symptoms effectively.
Chewing also plays a significant part to aid digestion. By chewing your food thoroughly, you can make sure saliva has a chance to do its job helping the rest of your digestive processes run more smoothly. Not just that, saliva is loaded with useful elements like electrolytes, enzymes and antibacterial compounds, as well as beneficial bacteria. The saliva prevents plaque too. It’s buffering ability against acid, making it slightly alkaline with high concentration of calcium, making it a perfect environment for your teeth. Chewing food slows down your pace of eating; you feel fuller sooner and it can lead to weight loss, constructively.
On a lighter note but an important one, chewing is a great workout for one’s teeth, gums and jaw. Dr Harald Stossier, of the celebrity-favoured Viva Mayr Clinic in Austria, has famously said, “A well-chewed burger is better for your waistline than a badly chewed salad.”
Something that really can satisfy one’s appetite is to add colour to your plate of food like that of an artist’s pallet. It makes your plate of food: attractive, appetising, appealing. Looking at something so good makes you enjoy what you are eating; you want it to last longer so you eat slowly. Anything you enjoy will have a positive effect on your body.
There is no magic pill. This is that time of the year when diet industries are at their peak, selling diets of all kinds. Some based on scientific evidence that has been misreported, distorted or used out of context. Even if they do work, results are temporary, meaning weight will get piled back on again. For permanent healthy results, the idea should be to get to the core, meaning, change on the inside to see effects outside.
So, it’s just four essentials: drink enough water, have variety in foods, chew your food for longer and choose foods of colour. Boy! The difference it makes to your life is phenomenal: increases your energy levels, lifts your spirit and reduces the likelihood of becoming ill.
Calling upon this simple “formula,” one who is unwell is most likely to heal naturally, and anyone already blessed with good health can prevent the intrusion of illness. My steady program of responsible eating, regular sleeping, and other simple lifestyle changes helped reset my body clock. Part of that reset involved an increase in the level of my melatonin which helped me sleep better and more readily.
As sad as it is, there is a day where illness or disaster will come. One cannot avoid every illness or condition – however, when this dark hour dawns, looking after your body will pay dividends in helping you to continue. as they say, “a stitch in times saves nine!”
In conclusion, set yourself free from captivity. Your body is your universe, so well worth thinking about what you put in it. You wouldn’t put wrong fuel in your car, would you?