Talk about overreacting!

Autoimmune disorder put simply, is the body overreacting to an infiltrator such as a microbe, allergen or toxin. ( Sometimes this “infiltrator” can be even one’s own cells or cellular proteins.) In a review in the New England Journal of Medicine, it was acknowledged that “even in a genetically predisposed person, some trigger, an environmental exposure, or change in the internal environment — is usually required for [autoimmunity].” Our body reacts to the offending source then overreacts and attacks its own healthy cells. In turn our society overreacts in attempts to manage the disease. Additionally, we make an effort to produce healthier food but we overreact with this too and pour pesticides on our healthy foods hoping to increase production. We over-vaccinate, over-medicate, over-stimulate and over-indulge on a daily basis then wonder why the numbers of those diagnosed with autoimmune diseases is rising. We accept or desire a quick fix rather than adjusting to a preventative lifestyle.

Hippocrates, deemed the father of modern medicine, gave us a blueprint for whole body healing yet somewhere along the way we lost sight of his vision. In his time disease was considered, by many, a punishment inflicted by the gods. Hippocrates separated the discipline of medicine from religion, believing and arguing that disease was the product of poor environmental factors, diet, and living habits. His medical approach was based on “the healing power of nature”. Daily, we ignore his strongest declaration; “let food by thy medicine: medicine be thy food”. Over time we become chronically ill or develop chronic and in some cases life threatening allergies, then turn to our physicians to help us with our existing ailments; these are the very physicians who take an oath based on Hippocrates teachings, in part stating; “I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure”.

So how do we prevent disease in a world bombarding our bodies with toxins in everything we consume, inhale, wear, or apply? First off, it’s time we started putting together pieces of the puzzle. We need to pay attention to the statistics over the last ten to twenty years of the incidences of cancer and autoimmune disease. Are we getting better or are we getting worse? This is a simple quandary to work through: if we are getting worse with all of our technological advancements in healthcare and food production, then we need to rethink the standard approach and to start looking for solutions that will not contribute to an assault on our already overloaded immune systems.
There are a multitude of precursors to autoimmune disease and the combining factors are different for each individual, but the aggregates are hauntingly familiar to those of heart disease and cancer. They are: Family history, Gender, race and aging, bacterial or viral infections, toxic metal exposure/vaccinations/immunizations, toxic chemical exposure/pesticide contamination, stress and smoking. 
 
Family History

Most people do not know what qualifies as an autoimmune disease so how would they even know if they have a family history of this disorder. Even more puzzling is vulnerability to the disease can be from a familial link, yet the manifestation can be of a totally different form. For example; a parent may have had lupus, but you may develop rheumatoid arthritis in your lifetime simply because your family has a multitude of gene mutations that make you susceptible. However, this does not mean that you will certainly develop an autoimmune disorder— but, if someone in your family has one, you should keep this in mind and make record of it in your family medical history.

Gender, Race and Aging

Autoimmune disease is marked as one of the leading causes of death in women and they are three times more susceptible to the disease than men. Hormones are thought to be a contributing factor to the increased exposure to the disorder. African American, American Indian or Latinos are at higher risk for certain autoimmune disorders such a lupus, and Caucasians show a predisposition to thyroid disease. Age is also a contributing factor where young to middle age seems to show greater numbers of those affected by these diseases; however, risk of rheumatoid arthritis increases with age.

Bacterial or Viral Infections

Chronic bacterial or viral infections are a predominant factor of autoimmune disorders. Unfortunately they do not always provide a definite link, and as a result, often times remain undiagnosed until more symptoms arise. During this time the affected patient can be at risk of overmedication in an attempt to control chronic infections.

Toxic Metal Exposure/Vaccinations and Immunizations

“Aluminum, formaldehyde, and mercury, all of which have a part to play in autoimmune disorders, are all found in the various vaccines we are given from infancy on. Some are found in our water, food containers, food products, cosmetics and dental work. Learning more about the formulations of vaccines and immunizations given to us, plus knowing the ingredients and byproducts of all that we consume, is a great start to healthier living.

Toxic Chemical Exposure/Pesticide Contamination

Our conventional produce is [absolutely] covered with pesticide residue and this fact is irrefutable. Based on information put out by the USDA, our produce is allowed to contain pesticide residue as long as it does not exceed a certain “tolerance” level. So the bottom line is that we are consuming pesticides by the multitudes on the various forms of produce we purchase. This means that if you already suffer from an autoimmune disorder you will quite possibly be worsening your condition by eating certain types of fresh produce. I do not recommend you avoid these particular items altogether; just try to buy them organically grown as (this way) you can cut down on the amount of contamination you take in. Avoidance of chemical overexposure must also be avoided in our environment. Kitchen, bathroom, laundry and personal items are all made in environmentally friendly versions so there is no reason for exposure to unnecessary contaminants. If you are already affected by autoimmune disease then switching to these products is crucial.

Stress and Smoking

These two factors are deadly enough on their own, but in combination with one another, health risks are multiplied tremendously! There is presently a multitude of information available which proves that nothing beneficial can be gained from smoking, so cutting it out, although difficult for some, is absolutely the healthiest choice. Stress is not as easily avoided, but working a stress management exercise into your everyday routine is your best bet to combating the negative effects of this overly prevalent irritant.

Action vs. Overreaction

“Approximately 50 million Americans, (i.e., 20 percent of the population or one in five people), suffer from autoimmune diseases. http://www.aarda.org/q_and_a.php .  These diseases target the very young and the old, but few are spared from the potential to exposure. There are many theories about the cause and treatment of autoimmune disease; none are conclusive and there is no cure to date. However, this does not mean you can’t decrease your chances of getting one, or manage the disease if you have one. While there are several healthy options available to assist with this effort, there are still not enough. We are slowly starting to get the message that we need to take action to make necessary changes in our food and healthcare system as it exists. For dietary changes alone, we should convince our insurance companies to pay for a once a year visit to a Certified/Licensed Nutritionist and to make certain our diets are monitored. Voting for representatives with an environmental protection/sustainability plan in their policy is crucial to the effort; also–supporting local organizations tackling these issues is important as well. 

Much of the work is already being done for us by those working in the field, and by those doing their homework, so at the very least we can assist with the outcome by our buying choices alone. Purchasing healthy versions of all that goes in on or around our bodies will make our concerns clear to those that market to the general public. In addition, we can sign our names to a multitude of petitions circulating online. These petitions are written to fight for our rights to protect our environment and our health. This minor task will be worth the effort; after all, this is the only life we are given and someone we know and love may also be affected by one of these terrible diseases– so prevention and protection is key. Our bodies are “talking” to us through their oversensitivity and overreaction to the various poisons in our environment; the problem is, we just haven’t been listening. The time has come to pay attention, stop all the “talk”, and start to take action! It is the only life we are given – did I say that already?

Eat it in the RAW!!

“I’ve made up my mind” I announce as I enter the room where my husband is quietly trying to read his newspaper. “Again, about what this time?” he mutters not bothering to even look up or stop reading. “Well, I have decided to eat all my meals in the raw from now on!” “Really!?” he says finally putting down his paper and peering out over his reading glasses. A very cheeky grin starts to spread slowly across his face as I continue with my revelation. “Yes” I state emphatically. “I have always been intrigued by the thought of eating in the raw, you know, the sheer naturalness plus the visual perfection of it all. There are so many others doing it and it’s become a big trend.” My husband now gets up, approaches me, and slowly draws me into an embrace. His eyes shining he states; “Well, I’d love to do this with you if you don’t mind.” “Really?!” I reply. “Somehow I thought you’d object to the idea; of course I don’t mind; this will be lots of fun!” “Just until I get used to it I’d prefer to start off slowly at home if that’s ok by you.” “Anything you say darling.” He says as he leans in for a sweet kiss. “Perfect, it’s settled then!” “After we try a few meals at home we can start looking for raw food restaurants in the area and get some more recipe ideas from them; maybe even take some classes on how to prepare raw foods.” “Raw foods!!?” he exclaims. “Yes, of course, exactly what did you think I’ve been talking about?” “Oh, never mind.” He grunts, and he goes back to reading his paper. “Hmpf, I’ll never understand that man” I mutter to myself and go straight to the computer to start my research.

 

That was how my journey to find out as much as I could about raw foods commenced— but chronic indigestion is what drove me to actually make some dietary changes. Until this point my limited knowledge on the subject was to avoid raw food in any form other than fruits, certain vegetables, and sushi. Having just entered middle age I find I can no longer enjoy eating certain foods due to digestive difficulties, so risking a bacterial infection from uncooked foods was what I mistakenly thought I was avoiding. This fear kept me from researching the topic further, but I knew I needed to change something, because my diet as it exists is very healthy, yet I was still having problems.
 

As with most other topics I always do some research before making any changes. In my research I learned; a raw food diet should be treated like any other diet. A visit to your doctor to get a complete physical is recommended. If your insurance company pays for one free physical a year and you decide to devote one year to making a change in your eating habits (which is a sensible time frame for any diet) then you will have a point of reference and actually see the recorded changes in blood work and other tests.

 

Raw Fruits and Vegetables

 

I started my search on the topic of raw produce. My first findings were cautionary– especially concerning gastrointestinal problems. I learned to avoid most acidic produce in the beginning and to not overdo dried fruits, as they can produce excess gas. I also learned that my diet may initially make me feel ill; headache, indigestion, rashes, diarrhea, acne breakouts – crikey! I thought I was switching to this diet to get healthier! Upon reading further, it was explained that as the body starts to detoxify itself it releases poisons that are accumulated in fat. Once on a raw diet we naturally start to lose weight and release toxins that are built up over a lifetime. After this cleansing time our energy level starts to increase and we lose the cravings for unhealthy foods. I also learned is it wise to start incorporating raw foods slowly into your diet; the ideal——-to reach approximately 90%.
 

There are foods that can be digested better with some light cooking. A common misconception is that raw foods always have to be served cold. In actuality the temperature of some foods can be brought to 104 degrees and still be considered raw. Fermented foods are a very healthy choice when on a raw food diet, and consuming raw cultured vegetables can add beneficial bacteria that can help your intestines digest foods consumed. Blending vegetables and fruits into smoothies is also a sufficient way to add fresh products as well as to assist in the breakdown process of cellulose fiber, which can be difficult to breakdown for those of us with weakened digestive systems. It is even easy to eat out when on a raw food diet, as most restaurants have a salad section on their menu. Just make sure that you make a healthy choice on dressing, or even better—-bring your own. Raw food diets can be tailored to your individual needs; just devote some time to research, and as with anything else, don’t go overboard, especially in the beginning.

 

Raw Milk and Dairy Products

 

On the subject of raw dairy it is difficult to make anything but an educated yet consequential choice. In a perfect world our livestock and the feed they consume would be healthy, thereby lessening their risk of bacterial contamination and weakened immune systems. However, it is far from a perfect world and there are many bumps in road and questions to ask when attempting to source and consume raw milk. First off, finding a state that allows the sale of raw dairy for human consumption is difficult. The current laws regarding raw milk are as follows: Retail sales are legal in 10 states; on-farm sales are legal in 15 states; herd shares are legal in 4 states-and there is no law on herd shares in 6 states; pet food sales are legal in 4 states—– (implying that human consumption is feasible). http://www.realmilk.com/whichchoose.html
 

Raw milk is a product that should go through the minimal amount of travel and processing. Ideally it should be sold straight from a legitimate farm (after passing tests) and taken directly home. The farm should be well established and adhere to the ultimate safety standards plus the testing procedures to check for bacterial contamination. The benefits from an untainted product are numerous; if you are a diehard dairy consumer it is well worth the research process to find a local certified organic dairy farm. 

 

We are the only mammal that continues to drink milk past infancy and have developed diverse methods of processing this product. We have altered it from its natural state to make it palatable and useful in our culinary procedures. Yet for some, something in the pasteurizing procedure makes this product, even in its many altered forms, difficult to digest. In my research I discovered that those who switch to raw milk and other raw dairy products have fewer incidences of digestive upset. These people also do experience other health benefits from nutrients that are present which are not destroyed by the heating process. There are many nationwide consumers enjoying the health benefits from eating organic and tested raw dairy products. They are exercising their freedom of choice and perhaps even performing health experiments on their own bodies. Given the circumstances, (i.e., of a local organic dairy farm), I would make this choice for myself but not my children, as I understand the risk of *bacterial contamination to be higher for those under 20 years of age. I encourage you to research both sides of the argument, (just as I hope you would do for anything you put in or on your body), then decide for yourself. *As with any of my previous advice, if you are in doubt or in ill health, consult a physician prior to experimentation. (*disclaimer)

http://www.rawmilkusa.com/rawmilk.html;

http://www.cdc.gov/Features/RawMilk/

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol5no5/mead.htm

 

Raw Honey

 

“The secret of my health is applying honey inside and oil outside”

 

Democritus, (philosopher rumored to have lived 109 years)

The recorded health benefit of honey stretches back centuries. It is a well known remedy for allergy relief; I have used it myself to assist in the control of allergy related asthma. Wound care is among its uses, as well as it is an internal relief for ulcers. Honey can be used from many forms, such as raw, pasteurized, ultra-filtered, (most common for supermarket use), comb honey and more. Raw honey and comb honey are generally unheated and minimally processed to retain all the nutrients and enzymes naturally present. The heating process for honey can kill many beneficial factors, darken its color, and alter the taste.

The risk of consuming raw honey is not much different than commercial grade honey. Botulism can seriously affect infants one and a half years old and under, due to immature digestive systems; It can be fatal to adults as well, especially those with severely weakened immune systems. A spoonful of unprocessed honey on an empty stomach works wonders for the digestive tract and the “healing” process due to antibacterial properties inherent in the honey. It also works as well as beneficial bacteria to assist in digestive imbalance. Just as with all raw foods, the heating process for honey can destroy many of its healing properties. Remember- it is up to you to make your own decision and do some research based on your particular ailment. This is the reason you need to *see your physician before you start any diet program to make certain you are physically fit for it. (*disclaimer)

 

The Raw Deal

 

When attempting to eat naturally, making certain you source as many of your raw products from local farmers is critical to the process. Knowing your farmer and asking the right questions can make all the difference in the world to feeling comfortable with your food choices. This is a security we are not afforded in our fast, over-processed food world. It is all well and good to have our leading food agencies tell us we are protected, yet most days from these very agencies, I get reports in my inbox regarding food recalls due to tainted product (processed and approved product mind you) and my security level goes down the tube. 

 

It is all too common to wait until our immune systems are down or we are experiencing chronic problems, such as severe indigestion, before making any form of lifestyle change. We slowly poison ourselves over a lifetime, then expect modern medicine to save us– rather than inconvenience ourselves by adopting a whole body-healing attitude. I must equally be clear in stating; I am not suggesting anyone go by my word or any one word alone on the subject of raw food – this is not dogma. I merely expose some of what I and others believe to be half truths or myths regarding the state of our current food system. Our overall health starts with the digestive tract and it is also where most things begin to go wrong due to nutritional imbalance. No matter how healthy we think we are eating, if we are not on an organic diet, we continue to absorb many toxins through food and drink, plus- ditto via medications we may be taking. This deadly trio can lead to chronic disease, which may result in an increase of medications. Combined with the pesticides, hormones and antibiotics on our conventional foodstuffs, we are slowly poisoning our systems from the “outside in”. The way the current food system is structured, in order to produce the food volumes we are led to believe we need; many things- good and natural- in products from our animals and plants are depleted. We over-medicate our animals to keep them free from disease, over-process our food to keep it free from disease, and over- medicate ourselves to keep us free from disease; this becomes an unending and unhealthy cycle.

 

All of these poisons are incorporated and brewed in the digestive tract, and instead of making the necessary dietary changes, we seek a quick fix from pills for inevitable problems. Our society creates laws that treat us like children by regulating our food choices, and what really bothers me about the world we live in, is our level of hypocrisy. In our backward view, it’s perfectly legal to advertise, sell and consume alcohol and cigarettes, provided a warning label is placed on the product. Both of these items are dangerous and can make one sick by weakening the immune system through the destruction of vital organs. As reported by one of our leading authorities on disease; in 2007, the estimated deaths from lung cancer was 158,683 and deaths from cirrhosis of the liver was 29,165— and despite all the warning labels, these industries are still booming thanks to clever yet dubious advertising campaigns. If farmers were as degenerate in their desperation as those in the cigarette and alcohol industry, then the consumption of raw foods would be prevalent thanks to likewise chicanery. Equally disturbing are the anti-depressant commercials with their overwhelming disclaimers rapidly stating the dangerous side effects of these perfectly legal drugs.

 

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/liverdis.htm http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/statistics/index.htm

The aforementioned miscommunication with my husband really got me thinking; if we marketed our healthy products like our unhealthy ones, I believe we would easily convert to making better food choices. I bet it wouldn’t take long to change legislation on certain raw foods with sexually charged commercials promoting these products. Imagine this: A beautiful young woman with a fantastic body; teeny milk maid costume thirstily gulping down a glass of raw milk; flash of pearly whites and a “Raw milk is whole body goodness” tagline. How about an ad with youthful nudists down on the farm, and farm store, stocking shelves and coolers with raw products; all things not allowed to be shown are carefully concealed behind bushes baskets and shelves. The beautiful, happy and healthy farm workers go about their business selling their healthy wares to an unending line of customers eager to try these raw products. The tag line reads: “Welcome to Bare Acres Organics where everything is better in the raw”.

 

The attention and money paid in response to the visual gratification practically guarantees the industry would flourish. If we applied this technique to all healthy, unprocessed foods, it would mean lower prices for healthier foods; demand for fresh vegetables would increase at the very least, and curiosity would be piqued enough for some to start the research process of raw food diets on their own. According to the current advertising standards, all you need are disclaimers to shield you from lawsuits and you can promote almost anything. You see— it’s all in the marketing, I mean, if they can sell us the junk they do now, and make us believe it is good for us, then marketing good food should be easy. All we need to do is educate ourselves and get the “raw truth” on the subject of food, as it was meant to be consumed, or at least as close to that form as possible without removing all the goodness nature intended to be absorbed. 

 

Of course this “in the raw”, marketing concept would never work for collecting raw honey! Hmmm….guess I’ll have to go back to the drawing board on that one!