What P eo p le A re S ayin g A bou t Never B e S ic k A gain . . . “R ay m ond Fra n cis w ill giv e you th e in fo rm atio n you re q uir e — an d if you c o m bin e i t w ith i n sp ir a tio n, s e lf -e ste em a n d s e lf -lo ve, y ou w ill a cco m plis h w onders . T ak e y our h ealth i n to y our o w n h an ds— ch oose l if e a n d Never B e S ic k A gain !” —Bern ie S ie g el, M .D . au th or o f Love, M ed ic in e & M ir a cle s an d Pre sc rip tio ns f o r L iv in g “T he w orld is a b ette r p la ce fo r R ay m ond F ra n cis a n d h is w ork . H e b rin gs h ope a n d i n sp ir a tio n t o t h ose w ho s e ek t h e p ath o ut o f i lln ess t o s u sta in ed h ealth a n d w ell- b ein g. F or th e m an y h ealth m yste rie s cau se d b y n utr itio nal d efic its , o verlo ad o f t o xin s an d neu ro -im muno-h orm onal dysfu nctio ns, th is book is a necessa ry an d j o yfu l t r e asu re .” —Russ J affe , M .D . fe llo w , H ealth S tu die s C olle g iu m fe llo w , N atio nal A cad em y o f C lin ic al B io ch em is tr y “Y ou m ust re ad th is in sp ir in g sto ry a n d le arn h ow o ne m an o verc am e h is o w n i lln ess to b eco m e a fin e e d ucato r in th e sc ie n ce o f h ealth m ain te n an ce. W ith o ur c u rre n t m ed ic al sy ste m fa ilin g m is e ra b ly to tr e at or pre v en t a w id e varie ty of i lln esse s, t h is b ook i s a t im ely c o ntr ib utio n.” —Hyla C ass, M .D . au th or o f Natu ra l H ig hs an d St. J o hn’s W ort: N atu re ’s B lu es B uste r Ray m ond F ra n cis ’s b ru sh w ith d eath a s a p atie n t d ra w s th e re ad er to a p pre cia te t h e le sso ns h e h as le arn ed . Never B e S ic k A gain pain ts a c le ar p ic tu re o f th e c h oic es t h at y ou c an m ak e to a tta in a h ealth ie r lif e . W ith th e s k ill o f a m aste r te ach er, h e p la ces t h ese c h oic es w ith in r e ach .” —Ric h ard K unin , M .D . pre sid en t, S ocie ty f o r O rth om ole cu la r H ealth M ed ic in e au th or o f Meg a-N utr itio n “ Never B e S ic k A gain pre se n ts a re v olu tio nary n ew u nders ta n din g o f h ealth a n d d is e ase . R ay m ond F ra n cis e m pow ers r e ad ers a n d p uts th em b ack in c h arg e o f th eir h ealth . T his im porta n t b ook o ffe rs k een in sig hts in to th e sh if ts in th in kin g a b out h ealth ; i t i s a p re lu de t o w hat m ed ic in e i n t h e f u tu re m ust b eco m e.” —Al L em era n de J r., M .D . dir e cto r o f m ed ic al p ro gra m s, Advan ced P hysic ia n s M ed ic al G ro up au th or o f Dyn am ic H ea lth T hro ugh N utr itio n “R ead in g Never B e S ic k A gain is l ik e l e arn in g h ealth i n o ne l e sso n. T his b ook c u ts th ro ugh th e c o m ple x ity o f h ealth a n d d is e ase w ith th e sim ple , y et re v olu tio nary , co ncep t o f one d is e a se , t w o c a use s an d six p ath w ays. This i s f u tu re m ed ic in e n ow !” —Len S ap uto , M .D . med ic al d ir e cto r, H ealth M ed ic in e I n stitu te NEV ER BE S IC K AG AIN O NE D IS E A SE • T WO C AUSE S • S IX P ATH W AYS H EA LTH I S A C HOIC E L EA RN H OW T O C HOOSE I T Ray m ond F ra n cis , M .S c. with K este r C otto n Fore w ord b y H arv ey D ia m ond Coau th or o f th e # 1 NY T im es B ests e lle r Fit fo r L ife Hea lt h C om munic a tio ns, I n c. Deerfie ld B ea ch , F lo rid a www.h cib ooks.c o m Never B e S ic k A gain an d th e in fo rm atio n c o nta in ed in th is b ook a re n ot in te n ded a s a s u bstitu te f o r th e a d vic e an d/o r m ed ic al c are o f th e r e ad er’s p hysic ia n , n or a re th ey m ean t to d is c o ura g e o r d is su ad e th e r e ad er f ro m th e ad vic e o f h is o r h er p hysic ia n . T he r e ad er s h ould r e g ula rly c o nsu lt w ith a p hysic ia n in m atte rs r e la tin g to h is o r her h ealth , a n d e sp ecia lly w ith r e g ard to s y m pto m s th at m ay r e q uir e d ia g nosis . A ny e atin g o r lif e sty le r e g im en sh ould b e u nderta k en u nder th e d ir e ct s u perv is io n o f th e re ad er’s p hysic ia n . M ore o ver, a n yone w ith c h ro nic or s e rio us a ilm en ts s h ould u nderta k e a n y e atin g a n d lif e sty le p ro gra m , a n d/o r c h an ges to h is o r h er p ers o nal eatin g an d lif e sty le re g im en , u nder th e d ir e ct su perv is io n o f h is o r h er p hysic ia n . If th e re ad er h as an y questio ns c o ncern in g th e in fo rm atio n p re se n te d in th is b ook, o r its a p plic atio n to h is o r h er p artic u la r m ed ic al pro file , o r if th e re ad er h as u nusu al m ed ic al o r n utr itio nal n eed s o r c o nstr a in ts th at m ay c o nflic t w ith th e ad vic e in th is b ook, h e o r s h e s h ould c o nsu lt h is o r h er p hysic ia n . If th e re ad er is p re g nan t o r n urs in g s h e sh ould c o nsu lt h er p hysic ia n b efo re e m bark in g o n a n y n utr itio n o r lif e sty le p ro gra m . Lib ra ry o f C ongress C ata lo gin g-in -P ublic a tio n D ata Fra n cis , R ay m ond, 1 937– N ev er b e s ic k a g ain : R ay m ond F ra n cis w ith K este r C otto n ; f o re w ord b y H arv ey Dia m ond. p . c m . e IS B N -1 3: 9 78-0 -7 573-9 628-1 e IS B N -1 0: 0 -7 573-9 628-3 1 . H ealth — Mis c ella n ea. 2 . S elf -c are , H ealth . 3 . H ealin g— Mis c ella n ea. 4. H ealth — Philo so phy. 5 . M in d a n d b ody. I . C otto n, K este r. I I. T itle . RA 776.5 .F 736 2 002 613— dc2 1 2002033399 © 2 002 R ay m ond F ra n cis All rig hts re se rv ed . P rin te d in th e U nite d S ta te s o f A m eric a. N o p art o f th is p ublic atio n m ay b e re p ro duced , sto re d in a r e tr ie v al s y ste m o r tr a n sm itte d in a n y f o rm o r b y a n y m ean s, e le ctr o nic , m ech an ic al, p hoto co pyin g, re co rd in g o r o th erw is e , w ith out th e w ritte n p erm is sio n o f th e p ublis h er. HCI, its lo gos a n d m ark s a re tr a d em ark s o f H ealth C om munic atio ns, I n c. Publis h er: H ealth C om munic atio ns, I n c. 3 201 S .W . 1 5th S tr e et D eerfie ld B each , F L 3 3442-8 190 R-0 2-0 7 Cover d esig n b y L aris sa H is e H en och In sid e d esig n b y L is a C am p a nd D aw n V on S tr o lle y G ro ve CO NTEN TS Fore w ord b y H arv ey D ia m ond Ack now le d gm en ts In tr o ductio n 1. I A lm ost D ie d 2. Y our P ote n tia l f o r H ealth 3. T he N ew T heo ry o f H ealth a n d D is e ase 4. C hoosin g H ealth y C ells 5. T he N utr itio n P ath w ay 6. T he T oxin P ath w ay 7. T he P sy ch olo gic al P ath w ay 8. T he P hysic al P ath w ay 9. T he G en etic P ath w ay 10. T he M ed ic al P ath w ay 11. A S hif t i n P ers p ectiv e Refe re n ces Auth or’s N ote : G oin g B ey ond H ealth Appen dix A : H ealth I n fo rm atio n Appen dix B : V ita m in S upple m en ts Appen dix C : F oods a n d P ers o nal P ro ducts Appen dix D : A lte rn ativ e C an cer T re atm en ts Appen dix E : I m pro vin g V is io n Appen dix F : H ealth -E -A m eric a F oundatio n F OREW ORD N ever B e S ic k A gain ta k es th e m yste ry o ut o f d is e ase . T his g ro undbre ak in g b ook pre se n ts a re v olu tio nary th eo ry o f h ealth a n d d is e ase : T here a re n ot th ousa n ds o f dif fe re n t d is e ase s, b ut o nly o ne d is e ase : m alf u nctio nin g c ells . P ut s im ply , i f t h e c ells th at m ak e u p y our b ody a re h ealth y, t h en y ou a re h ealth y. T ak e c are o f y our c ells b y pro vid in g th em w ith a ll th e n utr ie n ts th ey n eed , k eep th em f re e o f in ju rio us to xin s, an d d is e ase w ill n ot h ap pen . T hat c o ncep t i s w hat t h is b ook i s a ll a b out. Never B e S ic k A gain is h ealth m ad e s im ple , w ritte n b y s o m eo ne w ho f ig ure d i t o ut th e h ard w ay. I n 1 985, a u th or R ay m ond F ra n cis ( a c h em is t a n d a g ra d uate o f M IT ) su ffe re d a n ear-fa ta l h ealth c o nditio n. H e u se d h is k now le d ge o f b io ch em is tr y to sa v e his ow n lif e , an d durin g his re co very , F ra n cis ask ed him se lf fu ndam en ta l questio ns lik e, “ W hy d o p eo ple g et s ic k ?” a n d, “ H ow c an d is e ase b e p re v en te d o r re v ers e d ?” T he a n sw ers to th ese q uestio ns a re th e e sse n ce o f F ra n cis ’s n ew th eo ry : One d is e a se , tw o ca use s of d is e ase an d six path w ays betw een h ealth a n d d is e ase . Expla in ed in easy -to -u nders ta n d la n guag e, th is co ncep t o f h ealth an d d is e ase is sc ie n tif ic ally g ro unded i n c u ttin g-e d ge c ellu la r b io ch em is tr y a n d m ole cu la r b io lo gy. Never B e S ic k A gain is th e d is tille d w is d om o f h undre d s o f b ooks, th ousa n ds o f sc ie n tif ic jo urn als a n d o ver s ix te en y ears o f e x perie n ce a n d o bse rv atio n. F ra n cis ’s book p ro vid es a s im ple a n d h olis tic a p pro ach t h at c an h elp t o p re v en t a n d/o r r e v ers e alm ost a n y d is e ase — th e u ltim ate t r iu m ph o ver d is e ase . A b ook l ik e t h is i s n eed ed n ow m ore t h an e v er. H ealth -c are c o sts c o ntin ue t o r is e while t h e h ealth o f t h e A m eric an p eo ple c o ntin ues t o d eclin e. T he a v era g e p ers o n i s lo st in a g lu t o f c o m ple x a n d c o nfu sin g h ealth in fo rm atio n. W hen w e d o g et s ic k , th ough, n ot u nders ta n din g w hy w e a re sic k o r h ow to b eco m e w ell, w e fe el lik e pow erle ss vic tim s, su bje ct to se em in gly ra n dom in fe ctio ns an d gen etic pre d is p ositio ns. W e fe el help le ss becau se our unders ta n din g of dis e ase re m ain s stu ck in th e arc h aic germ th eo ry . W e w orry to o m uch ab out our bodie s bein g in vad ed b y m ic ro org an is m s an d n ot en ough ab out b uild in g an d m ain ta in in g th e overa ll h ealth a n d fu nctio n o f o ur c ells . D is e ase is n ot a ra n dom e v en t. W e c an ch oose to p re v en t it, p ro vid ed th at w e k now h ow . H ealth is d ete rm in ed b y w hat w e, as i n div id uals , a re w illin g t o d o f o r o urs e lv es; i t i s o ur r e sp onsib ility . Rath er th an b ein g a g am e o f c h an ce, h ealth is a c h oic e. W heth er w e r e aliz e it o r not, t h e d aily c h oic es w e m ak e h av e a d ir e ct i m pact o n t h e h ealth o f o ur c ells . W hen we m ak e th e w ro ng c h oic es, a n d o ur h ealth ta k es a tu rn fo r th e w ors e , w e b la m e gen es o r g erm s o r th e a g in g p ro cess r a th er th an th e w ay w e liv e o ur liv es. I n tr u th , th e o nly w ay to h eal a n y d is e ase is to n orm aliz e c ellu la r fu nctio n b y c o rre ctin g cellu la r m alf u nctio n, t h e c o m mon d en om in ato r o f a ll d is e ase . Modern m ed ic in e h as a p oor u nders ta n din g o f d is e ase a n d re lie s o n s u ppre ssin g th e s y m pto m s o f d is e ase r a th er t h an a d dre ssin g i ts t r u e c au se s. L ittle w onder m ost o f us d ie f ro m c h ro nic a n d d eg en era tiv e d is e ase s— su ch a s c an cer a n d h eart d is e ase — th at a re “ tr e ate d ” b ut s e ld om h eale d . A s a s o cie ty , o ur a p ply in g t h e p rin cip le s o f t h e six p ath w ay s o utlin ed i n t h is b ook i s c ru cia l. D oin g s o w ill i m pro ve t h e h ealth o f o ur popula tio n to w here m ost o f e x is tin g m ed ic al p ra ctic e c an b eco m e ir re le v an t. E ven now w hen w e r e co gniz e t h e e x is te n ce o f o nly o ne d is e ase , b re ak in g m ed ic in e u p i n to med ic al s p ecia ltie s b eco m es o bso le te a n d c o unte rp ro ductiv e. Ray m ond F ra n cis p ro vid es r e al a n sw ers f o r r e al l if e , r e g ard le ss o f w ho y ou a re o r your s ta te o f h ealth . B y p ro vid in g a p ow erfu l fra m ew ork fo r m ain ta in in g o ptim al health , th is book tie s all th e basic s to geth er in a w ay th at an yone can put to im med ia te a n d p ra ctic al u se . F ra n cis sim plif ie s th e h ealth e q uatio n to th e lo w est co m mon d en om in ato r— each in div id ual c ell. If y o u ta ke c a re o f e a ch c ell in y o ur body, d is e a se c a nnot h appen . An is la n d o f cla rity in a se a o f co nfu sio n, Never B e Sic k A gain is a o ne-s to p so lu tio n fo r h ealth p ro fe ssio nals a n d la y m en a lik e. T hin k o f th is b ook a s h ealth in one le sso n. E very one, e sp ecia lly o ur c h ild re n , s h ould le arn a b out th is c u ttin g-e d ge ap pro ach to h ealth a n d d is e ase . In th e p ast, h ealth a n d d is e ase h av e se em ed lik e myste rie s o ver w hic h w e h av e l ittle c o ntr o l, b ut n o l o nger. N ow , w e d o h av e c o ntr o l. Know in g o f j u st o ne d is e ase a n d o nly t w o c au se s o f d is e ase g iv es u s t h e p ow er t o g et well a n d s ta y w ell. F ra n cis ’s t itle s a y s i t a ll: Never B e S ic k A gain . Harv ey D ia m on d co au th or o f t h e # 1 New Y ork T im es bests e lle r, Fit f o r L ife A CK NO W LED G M EN TS N o o ne w ork s in is o la tio n; th e se v en te en -y ear jo urn ey th at le d u p to th is b ook atte sts to th at. I hav e m an y in div id uals to th an k, in ad ditio n to m y w onderfu l publis h er H ealth C om munic atio ns, I n c., f o r m ak in g Never B e S ic k A gain a r e ality . I wan t to e x pre ss m y g ra titu de to th e g re at th in kers w ho c am e b efo re m e a n d u pon whose w ork I h av e b uilt, p io neers su ch a s H ip pocra te s, C la u de B ern ard , A nto in e Bech am p, R en è D ubos, A le x is C arre l, H an s S ely e, W alte r C an non, L in us P au lin g, Roger W illia m s, E m an uel C hera sk in a n d m an y o th ers . I w an t t o t h an k m y p ro fe sso rs an d c o lle ag ues a t M .I .T ., w ho h elp ed t o s h arp en m y c ritic al t h in kin g s k ills . I w an t t o th an k D r. R usse ll J a ffe , w ho p oin te d m e i n t h e r ig ht d ir e ctio n a s I w as s e arc h in g f o r an sw ers t o m y q uestio ns a b out h ealth a n d d is e ase . Man y t h an ks t o m y m oth er a n d f a th er f o r t h eir l o ve a n d f o r h elp in g m e t o b eco m e who I a m . M an y t h an ks t o m y f a m ily a n d f rie n ds f o r t h eir e n co ura g em en t a n d f o r t h e man y h ours th ey sp en t re ad in g a n d c o m men tin g o n v ario us d ra fts o f c h ap te rs . In partic u la r, I w ould lik e to g ra te fu lly a ck now le d ge M ark B air d , D av id B utta ro , J o an Caro le , B r. C am illu s C hav ez, M ark C hoquet, K ath le en C otto n, Pete r D eT om i, Bern ard F rie se ck e, P asc al G ir a rd , D r. P ete r L itc h fie ld , K ath le en M artu za, R obert Men kem elle r, M ollie M ey ers , D r. D av id R ovno, B ra n don S oule , P am ela S tr o ng, Nan cy T alb ot, a n d A le c W ils o n, w ho h elp ed t o m ak e t h is b ook m ore u nders ta n dab le an d u se fu l to th e r e ad er. T han ks a ls o to m y tw o w onderfu l e d ito rs , L in da H all a n d Beatr ic e T ru m H unte r, w ho c o ntr ib ute d s o m uch t o m ak in g t h is a b ette r b ook. I a m a ls o g ra te fu l fo r th e h undre d s o f p eo ple I h av e w ork ed w ith a s a h ealth ad vis o r. E ach a n d e v ery o ne o f th em ta u ght m e s o m eth in g im porta n t a b out h ealth an d h elp ed to c em en t m y u nders ta n din g o f th e im porta n ce o f d ie t a n d lif e sty le in pre v en tin g a n d r e v ers in g d is e ase . Last, b ut f a r f ro m l e ast, I w ould l ik e t o t h an k m y c o w rite r K este r C otto n. W ith out your su pport, th ere w ould be no book to re ad . T han k you fo r your frie n dsh ip , en co ura g em en t, p atie n ce, fo rb eara n ce a n d y ears o f h ard w ork . T he d ay s w e h av e sp en t c re atin g Never B e S ic k A gain will a lw ay s b e c h eris h ed m em orie s. I NTR O DUCTIO N I w as t o o s ic k t o l e av e m y b ed . I n f a ct, I w as t o o w eak e v en t o l if t m y h ead f ro m t h e pillo w . A t a g e fo rty -e ig ht, a t th e p eak o f a n in te rn atio nal b usin ess c are er, I fo und myse lf o n th e b rin k o f d eath . I h ad lo st f o rty p ounds f ro m a n a lr e ad y th in f ra m e; I lo oked s k ele ta l. M y v ita l s ig ns w ere f a ilin g. M y d octo rs e x pecte d m e t o d ie . I c h ose to liv e. I s a y “ ch ose ” b ecau se o n m y o w n, re ly in g o n m y k now le d ge o f bio ch em is tr y a n d m y d ete rm in atio n n ot to d ie , I sa v ed m y o w n lif e . I to ok so m e fa ir ly s im ple s te p s, b ut I a ls o to ok o ne p ro fo und le ap . I m ad e a p ow erfu l d is c o very : Alm ost a ll d is e a se c a n b e p re ven te d o r r e verse d . A s a r e su lt, h ea lth is a c h oic e a nd no o ne h as t o b e s ic k. This book pre se n ts an en tir e ly new th eo ry of health an d dis e ase th at w ill ultim ate ly c h an ge th e w ay m ed ic in e is p ra ctic ed . T his b ook o ffe rs a re v olu tio nary way to p erc eiv e h ealth , a g uid eb ook f o r liv in g b ase d o n c u ttin g-e d ge s c ie n ce th at is sim ple t o u nders ta n d. T his g uid e g iv es y ou t h e p ow er t o c o ntr o l y our o w n h ealth i n a way t h at y ou p erh ap s n ev er i m ag in ed p ossib le . In re ality , hum an s ex perie n ce only one dis e ase . All dis e a se is th e re su lt of malfu nctio nin g c ells , no m atte r if th e d is e ase is a “ co m mon” c o ld , a m en ta l illn ess su ch a s d ep re ssio n o r a lif e -th re ate n in g c an cer. T his th eo ry o f m alf u nctio nin g c ells cu ts th ro ugh th e co nfu sio n of health an d dis e ase an d pro vid es a unif y in g unders ta n din g o f w hat k eep s p eo ple w ell o r m ak es t h em s ic k . The tw o c au se s o f d is e ase , th e tw o r e aso ns th at c ells m alf u nctio n, a re defic ie n cy (in su ffic ie n t nutr ie n ts ) an d to xic ity (e x cessiv e to xin s). T hese tw o cau se s w ork th ro ugh s ix a re as o f d aily l if e : t h e s ix p ath w ay s e ach p ers o n t r a v els t o w ard h ealth o r dis e ase . If y ou ta k e c are o f y our b ody’s n eed s a lo ng th ese s ix p ath w ay s, y ou g iv e your c ells w hat t h ey n eed a n d y ou a v oid w hat i s t o xic . Y ou w ill n ot b eco m e s ic k . The th eo ry p re se n te d in th is b ook— a u nif y in g th eo ry o f d is e ase — is th e m ost im porta n t h ealth d is c o very to e m erg e in th e la st f e w h undre d y ears . N o s u ch th eo ry ex is te d durin g th e ev olu tio n of w hat w e now call “m odern m ed ic in e,” w hic h ex pla in s w hy th e m ed ic al esta b lis h m en t can not cu re nor pre v en t dis e ase as effe ctiv ely a s it m ig ht. M y th eo ry o f h ealth o ffe rs p ow er, s im plic ity a n d c la rity in pla ce of pow erle ssn ess, w hic h is w hat m ost peo ple now fe el. M ost peo ple are overw helm ed a n d c o nfu se d b y th e c o nsta n t f lo od o f c o nflic tin g h ealth in fo rm atio n, th e th ousa n ds o f d if fe re n t d is e ase s th at p hysic ia n s “ tr e at” w ith d ru gs a n d s u rg ery . This s w ir l o f s p ecia lis ts , s y m pto m s a n d s id e e ffe cts le av es p eo ple w ith out c u re s f o r th eir dis e ase an d, to o ofte n , eith er gro w in g sic k er or fa cin g death . W e en d up pow erle ss b ecau se w e h av e n o id ea w hy w e a re s ic k o r h ow to m ak e o urs e lv es w ell ag ain . My n ew a p pro ach a sk s y ou t o m ak e p ro fo und s h if ts i n w hat h as b een c o nven tio nal th in kin g a b out illn ess a n d h ealth c are . B y p re v en tin g a n d r e v ers in g d is e ase th ro ugh th e s ix p ath w ay s, y ou p ut th e p ow er to g et b ette r a n d s ta y w ell in to yo ur han ds. If you a re s o s ic k t h at y ou h av e g iv en u p h ope, t h is a p pro ach i s t h e l ig ht o f c h oic e. H ad I th is le v el o f u nders ta n din g y ears a g o, I w ould n ev er h av e b eco m e s ic k in th e f ir s t pla ce. I h av e sh are d m y id eas w ith th ousa n ds o f p eo ple aro und th e w orld , in clu din g hundre d s o f m ed ic al d octo rs . I h av e s e en p eo ple w ho h av e b een s ic k f o r a d ecad e o r more a p ply t h is i n fo rm atio n a n d q uic k ly b eco m e w ell a g ain . I h av e s e en p eo ple w ho hav e fru itle ssly tr ie d en dle ss docto rs , hosp ita ls , clin ic s, m ed ic atio ns an d ev en gim mic k s. T hey b eco m e w ell a g ain b y a p ply in g l o gic al, s o und, s c ie n tif ic a p pro ach es to e n han cin g h ealth a t t h e c ellu la r l e v el. This b ook a sk s y ou to th in k o uts id e th e b ox o f tr a d itio nal m ed ic in e— a b ox th at may h av e y ou s tif le d b y m is in fo rm atio n a n d c u t o ff f ro m th e k in d o f u nders ta n din g th at w ill t r u ly m ak e y ou w ell. C onsid er h ow c o nven tio nal t h in kin g c an t r a p u s: W hy do w e e asily a ccep t th at s tr e ss c an m ak e u s s ic k , b ut w e h av e d if fic u lty e m bra cin g th e id ea th at lo ve, la u ghte r an d a b ala n ced lif e can m ak e u s w ell? W hy are w e willin g to in gest c h em ic als in th e fo rm o f p re sc rip tio n d ru gs th at a re a lie n to o ur body, b ut w e a re s k ep tic al th at n atu ra l s u bsta n ces— prim arily th e rig ht fo ods— can heal? W hy are w e w illin g to re co gniz e th e d am ag e o f an o bvio us p ois o nin g— a majo r c h em ic al s p ill, fo r in sta n ce— but w e ig nore th e d ev asta tin g e ffe cts o f s m all am ounts o f t o xic s u bsta n ces, w hic h a ccu m ula te i n o ur b odie s a n d m ak e u s a l ittle b it sic k er e v ery d ay ? Our b odie s h av e a n a m azin g c ap acity to h eal, b ut th ey a re m ore v uln era b le th an you m ay r e aliz e. T his b ook t e ach es y ou h ow t o t a p t h at c ap acity f o r h ealin g a n d h ow to a v oid t h e t o xin s a n d t h e s tr e sse s— in t h e e n vir o nm en t a n d i n sid e y our o w n b ody— th at m ak e y ou s ic k . M an y d an gers a ro und u s g o u nre co gniz ed , b ut th ey ta k e a to ll ev ery d ay . My t h eo ry o f w elln ess t a k es y ou t o t h e f ro nt l in es o f t h e b attle b etw een h ealth a n d dis e ase : t h e c ell. Y our b ody i s m ad e u p o f t r illio ns o f c ells . C ells h av e n eed s, w hic h I id en tif y , th at m ust b e m et if th ey a re to fu nctio n w ell. If y our c ells a re h ealth y, your b ody w ill n ot b eco m e s ic k . I f y our c ells d o n ot r e ceiv e w hat t h ey n eed o r i f t h ey are d am ag ed o r p ois o ned , th ey w ill s to p w ork in g rig ht a n d y ou w ill b eco m e s ic k . (Y ou m ay b e s u rp ris e d to d is c o ver w hat is to xic to y our c ells .) C ells th at re ceiv e what th ey n eed an d av oid h arm can fu nctio n w ell an d p ro vid e fo r h ealth y lif e , re g ard le ss o f y our a g e, th e g en es y ou h av e in herite d o r th e “ g erm s” to w hic h y ou hav e b een e x pose d . H ealth y c ells r e fu se d is e ase ; n o o ne w ith h ealth y c ells h as a n y re aso n to b eco m e s ic k , n ot e v en to c o ntr a ct a c o ld . P eo ple a liv e to day a re f a r s ic k er th an m ost o f u s r e co gniz e, a n d th ey d ie d ecad es s o oner th an th eir g en etic p ote n tia l. Health y l if e , w ell p ast o ne h undre d y ears o ld , s h ould b e o ur b ir th rig ht. We d o n ot u su ally th in k a b out h ealth in th is w ay. W e d on’t k now in gly c h oose dis e ase , b ut w e d o c h oose d ie ts a n d l if e sty le s t h at l e ad t o d is e ase . U nab le t o p re d ic t, pre v en t o r c o nquer d is e ase , m ost p eo ple a n d m ost p hysic ia n s p urs u e tr e atm en t— su ch as pre sc rip tio n or over-th e-c o unte r dru gs— once obvio us sy m pto m s hav e pre se n te d , afte r m assiv e cellu la r m alf u nctio n h as alr e ad y o ccu rre d . P atie n ts an d th eir p hysic ia n s tr e at b ody p arts o r b ody sy ste m s as u nre la te d . T he m ain str e am med ic al c o m munity h as n o u nif y in g t h eo ry o f d is e ase , n o u nif y in g t r e atm en t a n d n o pla n f o r p re v en tio n, a n d t h ere fo re t r u e a n d l a stin g h ealth i s a n i llu sio n. This book desc rib es how to keep your body— all your cells — tr u ly health y. Unders ta n din g th e six path w ay s to w ard health an d fo llo w in g th em in th e rig ht dir e ctio n w ill c h an ge y our lif e . Y ou w ill le arn th in gs a b out n utr itio n th at y ou h av e pro bab ly n ev er h eard b efo re , in clu din g h ow th e w ay y ou s h op, th e w ay y ou c o ok o r th e f o ods t h at y ou c o m bin e a t a m eal s p ell t h e d if fe re n ce b etw een h ealth a n d d is e ase . You w ill l e arn t o r e co gniz e h azard s i n y our h om e a n d h ow t o s to p t o xin s f ro m b ein g cre a te d with in y our o w n b ody. You’ll le arn s p ecif ic s, d ow n to th e k in d o f v ita m in s u pple m en ts y ou s h ould ta k e, th e to oth paste y ou s h ould u se a n d th e o liv e o il y ou s h ould b uy. I n am e n am es a n d id en tif y b ra n ds b ase d o n h ow th e p ro ducts a ffe ct c ells , b ecau se b uyin g th e w ro ng pro ducts d oes n oth in g to k eep y ou h ealth y. C erta in p ro ducts , in fa ct, m ak e y ou unhealth y. Consid er y our o w n l if e : D o y ou s u ffe r f ro m a h ealth c o nditio n t h at y ou h av e g iv en up t r y in g t o c u re a n d n ow a ccep t a s f a te ? D o y ou b ounce f ro m o ne m ed ic al s p ecia lis t to an oth er, diz zy w ith co nflic tin g dia g nose s an d dif fe re n t id eas ab out w hic h tr e atm en ts are b est? Is y our cab in et fu ll o f m ed ic atio ns th at y ou ta k e re g ula rly with out a n y se n se th at y ou a re h ealin g? A re y ou tir e d m ost o f th e tim e? D o y ou ex pect t o l iv e p ast y our e ig htie s? This b ook g uid es y ou o ut o f t h e m aze o f m ed ic al s p ecia lis ts a n d o n a p ath t o w ard welln ess. T his b ook te ach es y ou h ow to q uestio n y our d octo rs ’ a d vic e a n d h ow to ev alu ate , o n y our o w n, th e m ed ic in es y ou s h ould ta k e, if a n y. Y ou c an re g ain th e kin d o f e n erg y f o r l iv in g t h at y ou m ay h av e t h ought w as l o st f o re v er. W ith t h is b ook you c an l e arn h ow t o l iv e b ey ond o ne h undre d y ears o f a g e. By lo okin g a t h ealth a n d d is e ase in e n tir e ly n ew w ay s, a n d u nders ta n din g h ow to ch oose h ealth , y ou c an re ev alu ate illn esse s th at y ou m ay h av e c o m e to a ccep t a s unav oid ab le . Y ou m ay b e sh ock ed to d is c o ver h ow o fte n y ou ch oose n ot to b e health y. M y c o de f o r liv in g s h ow s y ou, in b ig w ay s a n d in s m all w ay s, h ow to s to p mak in g y ours e lf s ic k . I d esc rib e a p ote n tia l fo r h um an h ealth — an d lo ng lif e — th at you n ev er th ought p ossib le . H oriz o ns w ill o pen u p a s y ou c o nsid er th e p ossib ility th at y ou c an liv e, f u lly a n d v ig oro usly , d ecad es b ey ond w hat y ou n ow c o nsid er o ld ag e. Man y p eo ple k now m ore a b out h ow t h eir a u to m obile s w ork t h an a b out w hat t h eir bodie s n eed i n o rd er t o f u nctio n, a n d p eo ple o fte n p ay m ore a tte n tio n t o m ain ta in in g th eir cars th an th em se lv es. P eo ple fe el th ey ju st don’t hav e th e know le d ge or med ic al tr a in in g to f ig ure o ut w hat is w ro ng w ith th eir o w n b odie s o r h ow to h eal. The t r u th i s t h at k now le d ge a n d p ow er a re w ith in o ne’s r e ach . No th eo ry a b out h ealth is s o s im ple y et s o p ow erfu l. T his a p pro ach c le ars u p th e co nfu sio n su rro undin g th ousa n ds of so -c alle d “d is e ase s,” an d elim in ate s m ost modern m ed ic al tr e atm en ts — dru gs an d su rg ery — as to xic , in vasiv e an d ra re ly necessa ry . T he fo cu s, in ste ad , is o n th e c o m mon p ro ble m s o f d is e ase a n d h ow to so lv e th em . T his b ook b ypasse s th e c o m ple x a n d c o nfu sin g w orld o f illn ess a n d re m ed ie s a n d s im plif ie s o ur u nders ta n din g o f h ealth a n d d is e ase , e n ab lin g p eo ple t o pre v en t an d re v ers e d is e ase b y ad dre ssin g its cau se s. F ro m th e ta n gle o f all th e co m ple x ity e m erg es a s tr a ig htf o rw ard a p pro ach to b eco m in g w ell a n d s ta y in g w ell —an i s la n d o f c la rity i n a s e a o f c o nfu sio n. In i ts s im ple st t e rm s, h ow h ealth i s d ete rm in ed c an b e e x pre sse d a s a n e q uatio n: Hea lth = p ositiv e th in gs m in us n eg ativ e th in gs The q uality o f y our h ealth i s d ete rm in ed b y t h e p ositiv e t h in gs y ou d o fo r your b ody min us th e n eg ativ e th in gs y ou d o to your b ody. T his c o ncep t is n ot c o m plic ate d , se x y o r o rig in al; it is sim ply th e tr u th . T he p ro ble m is th at a ccu ra te in fo rm atio n ab out th e fa cto rs th at a ffe ct th is e q uatio n is h ard to o bta in . A ccu ra te in fo rm atio n ab out w hat is p ositiv e an d g ood fo r y ou an d w hat is n ot d oes n ot co m e easily . Contr a d ic to ry in fo rm atio n a n d m yth s c ir c u la te , a n d p eo ple d is se m in ate o pin io ns a s if th ey w ere f a cts . M an y h ealth w rite rs , u ntr a in ed in s c ie n ce, m is in te rp re t s c ie n tif ic in fo rm atio n o r p arro t e ach o th er. T he b lin d a re o fte n le ad in g th e b lin d. T o c h oose health , y ou m ust k now h ow to d is tin guis h b etw een g ood c h oic es a n d b ad c h oic es re g ard in g die t, to xic ex posu re , ex erc is e , pre sc rip tio n an d re cre atio nal dru g use , str e ss a n d o th er f a cto rs . T his b ook s h ow s y ou h ow t o m ak e t h ese d is tin ctio ns. You m ay alr e ad y re ad th e la b els o n th e fo ods y ou b uy, th e w arn in gs o n th e pre sc rip tio ns y ou ta k e a n d th e c o vera g e lim its o f y our h ealth p la n , b ut if y ou a re to ach ie v e h ealth a n d s ta y h ealth y, y ou m ust fir s t u nders ta n d w hat y our b ody n eed s. Man y h ealth b ooks p ro vid e re cip es, d ie t lis ts , ex erc is e re g im en s an d th e lik e— ro utin es to b e b lin dly fo llo w ed w ith n o re al u nders ta n din g o f th e ra tio nale b eh in d th em . T his b ook is d if fe re n t. T his b ook p ro vid es a p ow erfu l a n d lo gic al c o ncep tio n of h ealth , a fra m ew ork th at assis ts y ou in co m in g to y our o w n co nclu sio ns an d mak in g your ow n ch oic es. W ith th is fra m ew ork , you w ill hav e a basis fo r unders ta n din g w hic h c h oic es n eed t o b e m ad e, w hen y ou s h ould m ak e t h em a n d w hy. Your b ody i s m ad e o f c ells . W hen a l a rg e n um ber o f y our c ells m alf u nctio n, b ody sy ste m s b eco m e d is ru pte d , l e ad in g t o t h e one d is e a se : c ellu la r m alfu nctio n. Cellu la r malf u nctio n h as o nly tw o c a use s: d efic ie n cy, cells n ot g ettin g w hat th ey n eed , a n d to xic ity , cells p ois o ned b y s o m eth in g th ey d o n ot n eed . F in ally , six path w ays ex is t betw een h ealth a n d d is e ase th ro ugh w hic h th e h ealth o f o ur c ells c an c h an ge fo r bette r o r w ors e . W e c an b eco m e h ealth y o r s ic k ( i.e ., d efic ie n t a n d/o r t o xic ) t h ro ugh th e f o llo w in g p ath w ay s: • P ath w ay 1 — Nutr itio n Y ou a re w hat y ou e at. L earn h ow to s e le ct a n d p re p are th e t y pes o f f o ods t h at w ill e n ab le y our c ells t o f u nctio n a t t h eir b est. • P ath w ay 2 — Toxin A to xin is a s u bsta n ce th at in te rfe re s w ith n orm al c ellu la r fu nctio n, t h ere b y c au sin g m alf u nctio n, w hic h i s d is e ase . L earn w here t o xin s a re fo und a n d h ow y ou c an a v oid t h em . • P ath w ay 3 — Psy ch olo gic al T he b ody an d m in d are in se p ara b ly co nnecte d ; th ey a re o ne a n d t h e s a m e t h in g. T he w ay w e r e act t o l if e e v en ts a n d r e sp ond t o our t h oughts a n d e m otio ns d ir e ctly a ffe ct o ur c ells . • P ath w ay 4 — Physic al O ur c ells a n d b odie s n eed p hysic al m ain te n an ce, l ik e a n au to m obile . D o y ou h av e e n ough e x erc is e , r e st, s u nlig ht a n d f re sh a ir ? • P ath w ay 5 — Gen etic G en es a ffe ct o ur c ells , b ut n ot n early a s m uch a s m odern med ic in e w ould h av e u s b elie v e. L earn h ow to o ptim iz e y our g en etic p ote n tia l an d a v oid g en etic d am ag e. • P ath w ay 6 — Med ic al M odern m ed ic in e k ills a n d in ju re s m illio ns o f p eo ple ev ery y ear. L earn h ow m ed ic in e a ffe cts y our c ells , a n d m ak e e d ucate d d ecis io ns ab out w hic h t r e atm en ts y ou n eed a n d w hic h y ou d o n ot. All y ou n eed to k now a t a n y p oin t in tim e is in w hic h d ir e ctio n y ou a re g oin g alo ng e ach o f th e p ath w ay s— to w ard h ealth o r d is e ase — an d to m ak e c o rre ctio ns. You c an not m ak e g ood c h oic es a lo ng o nly o ne o r t w o o f t h e p ath w ay s a n d e x pect t o ach ie v e o ptim al h ealth ; th is a p pro ach lim its m an y h ealth p la n s a n d b ooks, u se fu l th ough t h ey m ay b e. M an y a p pro ach es a re o n t h e r ig ht t r a ck , b ut t h ey d o n ot l o ok a t th e w hole p ic tu re . M ak in g h ealth y c h oic es w ith r e sp ect to a ll s ix p ath w ay s is w hat em pow ers t h e b ody t o r e g ula te a n d r e p air i ts e lf . That sa id , e ach c h oic e y ou m ak e in a p ositiv e d ir e ctio n, to w ard h ealth , o n a n y path w ay a t a n y t im e w ill i m pro ve y our l if e . E ach s te p t o w ard h ealth p uts y ou c lo se r to y our tr u e p ote n tia l a n d fu rth er a w ay fro m th e ris k o f d is e ase o r illn ess. E ach co ntr ib utio n, n o m atte r h ow s m all, i s s till s ig nif ic an t. 1 I A LM OST D IE D “The n ext m ajo r a dva nce i n t h e h ea lth o f t h e A m eric a n p eo ple will b e d ete rm in ed b y w hat th e in div id ual is w illin g to d o fo r him se lf.” Jo hn K now le s fo rm er p re sid en t, T he R ock efe lle r F oundatio n N ot t o o m an y y ears a g o, n o o ne w ould h av e b een a b le t o c o nvin ce m e t h at I w ould be w ritin g a d efin itiv e b ook a b out h um an h ealth a n d p erfo rm an ce. I w as n o h ealth ex pert; i n f a ct, I g av e l ittle t h ought t o t h e s u bje ct. I a ssu m ed I w as h ealth y a n d t h at I co uld do little to im pro ve upon it. Y et, here I am to day, dev otin g m y lif e to re se arc h in g a n d i m pro vin g h ealth . Concern f o r o ur h ealth i s s o m eth in g w e a ll h av e i n c o m mon. W e a ll w ould l ik e t o liv e a h ig h-q uality , d is e ase -fre e lif e , n o m atte r h ow lo ng th at lif e m ay b e. B ut m ost of u s h av e n o i d ea t h at a d is e ase -fre e l if e i s p ossib le , s o o ur p rio ritie s b eco m e o ut o f whack , a n d w e f o rm h ab its t h at j e o pard iz e o ur h ealth . T hen w e i g nore t h e e arly s ig ns of ill h ealth a n d, w ith out k now in g it, w e la y th e g ro undw ork fo r d is a ste r. T hat is ex actly w hat I d id . At t h e h eig ht o f m y f o rm er c are er, I w as p re sid en t o f a n i n te rn atio nal m an ag em en t co nsu ltin g f ir m s p ecia liz in g in in te rn atio nal c o m petitiv en ess, in dustr ia l q uality a n d pro ductiv ity . I w as a c o nsu lta n t t o F ortu ne 5 00 c o m pan ie s, t h e S ta te D ep artm en t, t h e Unite d N atio ns a n d to th e p rim e m in is te rs o f s e v era l f o re ig n g overn m en ts . L if e h ad been g ood t o m e. Then th e e arly w arn in g s ig ns th at th in gs w ere c h an gin g c am e in 1 983. I b eg an to slo w d ow n, re q uir in g m ore sle ep an d tir in g m ore easily . I b eg an to ex perie n ce fre q uen t alle rg ic re actio ns, in clu din g ru nny nose , itc h y ey es, sn eezin g, heart palp ita tio ns a n d s k in r a sh es. I s u ffe re d m usc le a ch es a n d j o in t p ain . I f e lt a s t h ough I was lo sin g m y ed ge, lo sin g so m e o f th e m en ta l an d p hysic al cap acity th at h ad allo w ed m e to opera te at th e hig hest le v els of in te rn atio nal busin ess an d govern m en t. L if e w as b eco m in g l e ss f u n a n d m ore l ik e a c h ore . I b ro ught th ese co m pla in ts to th e atte n tio n o f m y p hysic ia n , a m an w ho th e med ic al c o m munity r a te d a s “ o ne o f t h e b est.” H e e x am in ed m e, d id m an y t e sts a n d pro nounced m e in “ ex celle n t h ealth .” W hen I p ro te ste d , s a y in g I d id n ot f e el lik e I was in e x celle n t h ealth , h e re p lie d , “ Y ou a re ju st g ettin g o ld er.” I p ro te ste d a g ain , sa y in g th at in m y w hole lif e I h ad n ev er f e lt th is w ay b efo re . H e c o ntin ued , “ W ell, you h av e n ev er b een t h is o ld b efo re .” I w as f o rty -s ix y ears o ld . I w ould l a te r d is c o ver t h at p hysic ia n s h av e n o p ro to co ls o r e sta b lis h ed p ro ced ure s fo r m easu rin g early d eclin e in h ealth . In ste ad th ey b la m e “g ettin g o ld er” fo r so man y f e elin gs o f i ll h ealth , e v en a t a g es w hen h um an b ein gs h av e t h e p ote n tia l t o b e in th eir prim e (re m em ber, I w as only fo rty -s ix w hen I beg an su ffe rin g fro m pro ble m s a ttr ib ute d to m y a g e). P hysic ia n s c o nsis te n tly a ssu m e th at th e p atie n t is “w ell” until his or her co nditio n dete rio ra te s in to sy m pto m s th at th e docto r re co gniz es a s a d ia g nosa b le d is e ase . Over th e n ex t y ear a n d a h alf , m y s y m pto m s w ors e n ed . M y f a tig ue b ecam e m ore pro nounced ; I r e q uir e d e v er-in cre asin g a m ounts o f s le ep , a n d e v en th en I f e lt tir e d . The f a tig ue m ad e it in cre asin gly d if fic u lt to tr a v el, a s m y jo b r e q uir e d . M y a lle rg ic re actio ns w ere b eco m in g m ore s e v ere . I w ould e x perie n ce s n eezin g f its s o d ra m atic th at I w ould h av e to r e st a fte r th em . M y h eart p alp ita tio ns w ere m ore f re q uen t a n d pro nounced . I w ould s e e c o lo re d r in gs a ro und l ig hts a n d m y v is io n w ould b lu r. I f in ally d ecid ed t o s e ek t h e a ssis ta n ce o f a n a lle rg y s p ecia lis t. L ittle d id I r e aliz e, as I e n te re d th e d octo r’s o ffic e th at f a te fu l m orn in g, th at it w ould b e th e la st d ay o f lif e as I had know n it. T he alle rg is t ad m in is te re d a dia g nostic te st calle d an in tr a d erm al te st, w here b y a n a lle rg en is in je cte d in to th e sk in w ith a h ypoderm ic need le . T he p ro ced ure is m uch m ore p ro vocativ e an d se n sitiv e th an th e ty pic al sc ra tc h te sts fa m ilia r to m ost p eo ple . In tr a d erm al te sts m ay id en tif y a lle rg ie s th at mig ht oth erw is e be m is se d . H ow ev er, if so m eo ne is esp ecia lly se n sitiv e to an alle rg en , t h is t y pe o f t e st c an p ro voke a s e rio us r e actio n. M y d octo r n eg le cte d t o t e ll me th at th e F D A r e g ula rly r e ceiv es r e p orts o f in ju rie s a n d d eath s f ro m th ese te sts . My c o nditio n a n d t h e f a ct t h at I w as e x perie n cin g s ig nif ic an t a lle rg ic r e actio ns a t t h e tim e s h ould h av e p ro m pte d t h is p hysic ia n t o b e m ore c au tio us a n d a n tic ip ate t h at a n in tr a d erm al t e st m ig ht p ro voke a s e rio us r e actio n. It d id . The r e actio n w as c ata str o phic , c au sin g m y im mune s y ste m to s p in o ut o f c o ntr o l. Durin g th e n ex t w eek I s le p t a lm ost c o nsta n tly a n d a p peare d to h av e a g ed a b out te n years . I s u ffe re d f a tig ue a n d d is a b ility u nlik e a n yth in g I h ad e v er e x perie n ced . P rio r to t h e t e st, a lth ough I h ad s o m e s e rio us a lle rg y p ro ble m s, I w as s till a b le t o f u nctio n re la tiv ely norm ally ; afte rw ard , I was se rio usly ill an d alm ost co m ple te ly dysfu nctio nal. Years la te r, an oth er p hysic ia n — one co nsid era b ly b ette r in fo rm ed — gav e m e a mean in gfu l d esc rip tio n o f w hat h ad h ap pen ed to m e. H e d esc rib ed m y sta te o f co m pro m is e d h ealth a s r a th er lik e s ta n din g o n th e e d ge o f a p re cip ic e. M y a lle rg is t did n ot re co gniz e m y v uln era b ility a n d th e n eed to w ork in itia lly w ith n utr itio nal su pport a n d c o nse rv ativ e t r e atm en ts t o b ack m e a w ay f ro m t h at e d ge. T he a lle rg is t’s decis io n to a d m in is te r a p ro vocativ e te st p ush ed m e o ff th e p re cip ic e a n d in to a n ab yss o f c ata str o phic h ealth d eclin e. Ten m onth s l a te r, I w as s till i n t h at a b yss o f i lln ess a n d a n xie ty , w ith m y h ealth i n a d ow nw ard s p ir a l. I n t h e p ast, w hen ev er I h ad b een s ic k , I h ad a lw ay s r e co vere d i n a matte r o f d ay s o r w eek s. T his tim e w as d if fe re n t in deed . I ex perie n ced ch ro nic fa tig ue, m ultip le c h em ic al s e n sitiv itie s a n d a lle rg ic r e actio ns t o a lm ost e v ery th in g. I als o dev elo ped se v era l au to im mune sy ndro m es, in clu din g Sjo gre n ’s sy ndro m e, Hash im oto ’s th yro id itis a n d lu pus. I n th ese s y ndro m es, th e im mune s y ste m a tta ck s th e b ody’s o w n tis su es, cau sin g a casc ad e o f se rio us p ro ble m s. In m y case , m y im mune s y ste m w as a tta ck in g m y s a liv ary g la n ds, la ch ry m al g la n ds, th yro id g la n d, kid ney s an d co nnectiv e tis su e. I h ad an ex te n siv e lis t o f d eb ilita tin g sy m pto m s in clu din g d iz zin ess, i m pair e d m em ory , d ep re ssio n, h eart p alp ita tio ns, b lu rre d v is io n, musc le a n d j o in t p ain , d ia rrh ea, b lo atin g, n au se a, n um bness a n d e v en s e iz u re s. I w as unab le to p erfo rm a n y m ean in gfu l a ctiv ity . M y h ealth w as g one, a n d lif e , a s I h ad know n i t, w as o ver. Durin g t h ose t e n n ig htm aris h m onth s, I v is ite d t h ir ty -s ix m ed ic al d octo rs . I h ad s o man y d if fe re n t s y m pto m s th at I w as re fe rre d to s p ecia lis ts fo r e ach o ne, in clu din g ophth alm olo gis ts , g astr o en te ro lo gis ts , n eu ro lo gis ts , e n docrin olo gis ts , c ard io lo gis ts , alle rg is ts , rh eu m ato lo gis ts , psy ch ia tr is ts , in te rn is ts an d im munolo gis ts . Bein g bounced f ro m o ne s p ecia lis t t o a n oth er, s o m etim es s e ein g t w o o r e v en t h re e i n a d ay, was v ery fru str a tin g. I c erta in ly h eard p le n ty o f s e co nd, th ir d a n d fo urth o pin io ns, ofte n c o nflic tin g, b ut n one p artic u la rly h elp fu l. M y m ultitu de o f s y m pto m s to ta lly baffle d th ose le arn ed sp ecia lis ts . (H ow m uch e asie r it w ould h av e b een h ad th ey know n w hat I k now n ow : th at th ere is o nly o ne d is e ase a n d th at s y m pto m s a re n ot im porta n t.) T hey p erfo rm ed m an y ex pen siv e d ia g nostic te sts , w hic h se rv ed little purp ose o th er t h an t o g iv e f a n cy n am es t o m y s y m pto m s, s u ch a s n eu ro path y, c o litis , arrh yth m ia , a rth ra lg ia , k era titis s ic ca, t h yro id itis a n d o th ers . They w ere m ere ly d esc rib in g m y sy m pto m s w ith a te ch nic al n am e, th e u su al dia g nosin g, a n d th en s e n din g a b ill. A fe w s u ggeste d th at I w as a h ypoch ondria c, im ag in in g i ll h ealth . M an y p hysic ia n s a ssu m e t h at i f t h ey d o n ot u nders ta n d w hat i s wro ng, th e p atie n t m ust b e im ag in in g h is illn ess. A t th e tim e, I th ought a ll o f m y docto rs w ere b affle d b ecau se m y c ase w as so c o m ple x . In th e e n d, h ow ev er, th e an sw ers p ro ved t o b e s im ple . T he a n sw ers h ad b een t h ere a ll a lo ng. O ne j u st n eed ed to k now w here t o l o ok. Fro m B ad t o W orse As s ic k a s I w as a fte r te n m onth s o f illn ess, th in gs w ere a b out to b eco m e m uch wors e . O ne o f t h e l a st p hysic ia n s I w en t t o s e e m ad e a d ecis io n t h at n early k ille d m e. He pre sc rib ed an an tip ara sitic dru g, m etr o nid azo le , w hic h tu rn ed out to be hep ta to xic (p ois o nous to th e liv er). I s u ffe re d a s e v ere re actio n to th e d ru g. In m y weak en ed a n d c h em ic ally s e n sitiv e c o nditio n I s h ould n ev er h av e b een g iv en th is dru g, a s I w ould l a te r l e arn f ro m t h e m ed ic al l ite ra tu re . P erh ap s I s h ould h av e k now n bette r, g iv en m y p rio r e x perie n ces w ith m ed ic al d octo rs , b ut tr u stin g th e d octo r a n d know in g o f n o o th er o ptio ns, I t o ok t h e d ru g. M etr o nid azo le i s k now n t o b e s tr e ssfu l to th e liv er, a n d m y liv er w as a lr e ad y u nder a lo t o f s tr e ss. I c o uld n ot h an dle th e ad ditio nal t o xic l o ad . M y l iv er f a ile d , a n d I w as a t d eath ’s d oor. As I la y in b ed , d eath ly ill w ith c h em ic al h ep atitis , m y w eig ht d ro pped fro m a n alr e ad y tr im 1 60 p ounds (a t 6 -fo ot- 2 ) to a p ositiv ely s k ele ta l 1 20. I w as to o w eak ev en to lif t m y h ead . M y v ita l s ig ns w ere f a ilin g, a n d m y p hysic ia n s d oubte d th at I would s u rv iv e. D eath a p peare d c erta in . Had I c o ntin ued t o r e ly o n c o nven tio nal m ed ic in e, I w ould n ot b e h ere t o day, a n d you w ould n ot b e r e ad in g m y s to ry . A s w eak a s I w as, s o m eth in g in sid e o f m e w as not r e ad y to le t g o— not w ith out a f ig ht. B ut I d id n ot k now w here to tu rn f o r h elp . As I lo ok b ack , I a m a m azed a t th e c h ain o f e v en ts th at s a v ed m y lif e a n d a llo w ed me t o r e g ain c o ntr o l o f m y h ealth . My b ro th er, b le ss h is h eart, s ta rte d th e p ro cess. D urin g m y illn ess, h e h ad f lo w n acro ss th e c o untr y to b e w ith m e. H e g av e m e a b ook th at p ro ved in str u m en ta l in sa v in g m y lif e : N orm an C ousin s’s bests e lle r, Anato m y of an Illn ess. In 1964, Norm an C ousin s, a la y m an w ith n o m ed ic al o r sc ie n tif ic tr a in in g, w as d ia g nose d with a n kylo sin g sp ondylitis , a c o nnectiv e tis su e d is e ase th at d ete rio ra te s c o lla g en (th e “ g lu e” t h at h old s o ur c ells t o geth er). C ousin s’s d is e ase w as l ite ra lly c au sin g h is body to fa ll ap art. H is illn ess, lik e m in e, w as deem ed by his physic ia n s to be in cu ra b le a n d f a ta l. U nw illin g to a ccep t s u ch a p ro gnosis , C ousin s s o ught w hate v er know le d ge h e c o uld to h elp h im se lf . H e s u cceed ed . N ot o nly d id h e fin d w ay s to sa v e h is o w n l if e ; h e l a te r b ecam e a p ro fe sso r o f m ed ic in e a t U CLA . Cousin s to ok a ctio n in fo ur a re as. F ir s t, lik e m yse lf , C ousin s re co gniz ed th at h e was bein g harm ed by his m ed ic al tr e atm en t. H e co nclu ded th at th e dru gs his physic ia n s w ere p re sc rib in g w ere s o t o xic t h at t h ey w ere a ccele ra tin g h is d eclin e. H e sto pped ta k in g th e d ru gs. S eco nd, h e d is c o vere d th e e n orm ous p ow er o f th e m in d over th e body. T he ex cru cia tin g pain he w as ex perie n cin g w as affe cte d by his attitu de t o w ard t h e p ain . B y l e arn in g t o c h an ge h is a ttitu de, h e c o uld r e d uce h is p ain . Thir d , h e f o und l a u ghte r t o b e h elp fu l; t e n m in ute s o f g en uin e, h earty l a u ghte r w ould cau se h is p ain t o g o a w ay f o r h ours . H e s ta rte d w atc h in g f u nny m ovie s, a n d w hen t h e effe ct w ould w ear o ff, h e w ould s w itc h o n th e p ro je cto r a n d la u gh s o m e m ore . T he la u ghte r h ad p ro fo und a n d b en efic ia l e ffe cts o n h is b ody c h em is tr y a n d c o ntr ib ute d to h is r e co very . F ourth , h e d is c o vere d th e p ow erfu l a n ti- in fla m mato ry p ro pertie s o f vita m in C . H e d ecid ed to ta k e tw en ty -fiv e g ra m s a d ay a d m in is te re d b y in tr a v en ous drip . T his actio n h ad a p ro fo undly b en efic ia l effe ct o n h is h ig hly in fla m mato ry co nditio n. B y a v oid in g to xic p re sc rip tio n d ru gs, c h an gin g h is a ttitu de, la u ghin g a n d ad m in is te rin g p le n ty o f v ita m in C , C ousin s m ad e a m ir a cu lo us r e co very . Lyin g o n w hat h ad b een p ro nounced m y d eath bed , I t h ought a b out C ousin s’s b ook in r e la tio n to m y g ra d uate s c h ool d ay s d oin g s c ie n tif ic r e se arc h a t M IT . I w ondere d how C ousin s m an ag ed t o f in d t h e p ertin en t i n fo rm atio n h e n eed ed t o s a v e h im se lf . I f Cousin s, a d yin g m an w ith n o sc ie n tif ic tr a in in g, c o uld o bta in su ch c ritic al, lif e - sa v in g k now le d ge, w hy c o uld n’t h is p hysic ia n s? A fte r a ll, th ese p ro fe ssio nals h ad dev ote d th eir e n tir e c are ers to m ed ic in e. K now in g th at C ousin s h ad f o und a w ay to sa v e h is o w n lif e e n co ura g ed m e; I h oped th at m y s c ie n tif ic tr a in in g a s a c h em is t mig ht e n ab le m e t o d o t h e s a m e. As I l a y t h ere w ith a p ois o ned l iv er, d yin g f ro m c h em ic al h ep atitis , I r e aliz ed t h at if I w an te d to liv e I m ust a ct q uic k ly . N ot m uch tim e w as le ft. T hin kin g a b out h ow in str u m en ta l v ita m in C w as in C ousin s’s r e co very , I r e m em bere d f ro m m y s tu dy o f bio ch em is tr y th at v ita m in C p la y s a n e sse n tia l r o le in liv er d eto xif ic atio n. B ecau se my liv er h ad b een p ois o ned b y a to xic d ru g, p erh ap s s o m e v ita m in C w ould h elp it deto xif y . I t s e em ed l ik e a n e x perim en t w orth d oin g, a n d b esid es, I k new o f n o o th er optio ns. It w ork ed . Tw en ty -fo ur h ours a fte r s ta rtin g o ra l d ose s o f v ita m in C ( a b out f o ur g ra m s a d ay ), my v ita l s ig ns b eg an to s ta b iliz e. I n f o rty -e ig ht h ours I w as a b le to s it u p in b ed . A fe w d ay s b efo re , d eath h ad b een a c erta in ty . N ow , I c o uld s it u p, w hic h w as t h e f ir s t tim e I h ad e x perie n ced a m easu ra b le im pro vem en t in a ll th ose m onth s. P ro gre ss, ev en in th e fo rm o f so m eth in g a s sim ple a s sittin g u p in b ed , c an b e in cre d ib ly in sp ir in g. A t th at p oin t, I k new I c o uld ta k e a ctio n th at w ould m ak e a d if fe re n ce. Mean w hile , m y p hysic ia n s c o uld n ot u nders ta n d w hy I n ot o nly s u rv iv ed b ut a ctu ally im pro ved . I w as s till f a r f ro m w ell, t h ough. I w as a f ra il s k ele to n. I h ad d if fic u lty p erfo rm in g th e sim ple st ta sk s, su ch a s d re ssin g, o r ty in g m y sh oela ces. I h ad n o e n erg y a n d becam e fa tig ued fro m th e s lig hte st e x ertio n. M y h an ds a n d fe et w ere n um b; I h ad dif fic u lty w alk in g an d m oved slo w ly . I w as lig hth ead ed an d te n ded to fa ll o ver easily . W ors e , m y b ra in h ad tr o uble f u nctio nin g; I f e lt lik e I w as in a m en ta l f o g. I had d if fic u lty w ith s h ort- te rm m em ory a n d s im ple c alc u la tio ns. E ven a s I im pro ved en ough to v en tu re o ut a g ain , I c o uld n ot m ak e c o rre ct c h an ge a t th e g ro cery s to re an d e asily f o rg ot w hat I i n te n ded t o d o. Perh ap s w ors t o f all w as th e h orrif ic ch em ic al se n sitiv ity th at I co ntin ued to su ffe r, c au sin g m e t o b eco m e w eak , d is o rie n te d a n d d eb ilita te d . T he t o xic a ssa u lt o n my b ody b y th e m etr o nid azo le h ad le ft m e w ith a cu te c h em ic al se n sitiv itie s. F or in sta n ce, w hen I t u rn ed o n a w ate r f a u cet t h e s u btle c h lo rin e f u m es c o m in g o ut w ith th e w ate r w ere e n ough to c au se m e to b eco m e w eak , lig hth ead ed a n d d is o rie n te d . I co uld n ot r e ad o r b e n ear p rin te d m ate ria ls b ecau se o f th e c h em ic al f u m es c o m in g fro m th e in k a n d p ap er. I u se d o nly a sp eak erp hone b ecau se I w ould re act to th e fu m es o ff-g assin g f ro m t h e p la stic t e le p hone r e ceiv er. M y g as w ate r h eate r h ad t o b e re p la ced w ith a n e le ctr ic u nit b ecau se I re acte d to th e c o m bustio n fu m es d if fu sin g in to th e su rro undin g liv in g sp ace. I h ad to w ear c lo th es m ad e o nly fro m n atu ra l fib ers , t o a v oid t h e t o xic f u m es f ro m s y nth etic s. I h ad t o p urc h ase s p ecia l w ate r a n d air f ilte rs . B ut e v en w ith th ese m an y p re cau tio ns, I w as d eb ilita te d b y m y r e le n tle ss re actio ns t o a m yria d o f e n vir o nm en ta l c h em ic als . Som eo ne w ho h as n ot p ers o nally e x perie n ced c h em ic al s e n sitiv ity h as a h ard t im e unders ta n din g h ow ju st a w hif f o f certa in ch em ic als can cre ate to ta l h av oc in a matte r o f s e co nds. I r e m em ber o nce t a k in g a p ie ce o f S co tc h t a p e o ff a r o ll a n d b ein g dev asta te d fo r th e re st o f th e d ay b y th e s e em in gly in co nse q uen tia l c h em ic al o dor fro m th e ta p e! W ith c h em ic al s e n sitiv ity , th e n erv ous s y ste m d ev elo ps a “ m em ory ” of past re actio ns. This effe ct is calle d cla ssic a l co nditio nin g (i.e ., bio lo gic al le arn in g) an d upon dete ctin g th ese re activ e ag en ts ag ain , ev en in in fin ite sim al quan titie s, a fu ll- s c ale re sp onse is p ro duced . O ur m odern w orld is p erm eate d w ith ch em ic als t h at c an p ro duce s u ch r e actio ns i n s u sc ep tib le p eo ple . In t h is h id eo us s ta te o f h ealth , I f e ll i n to a d eep d ep re ssio n. I t h ought a b out t a k in g my lif e . A lth ough I h ad m ad e s o m e p ro gre ss, I w as a lle rg ic to a lm ost e v ery th in g, an d I w as i n a c o nsta n t s ta te o f d eb ilita tin g r e actio ns. M y l if e w as r u in ed . N o d octo r co uld h elp m e. I w as u nab le to d o a n y m ean in gfu l a ctiv ity a n d h ad n oth in g to lo ok fo rw ard to . I c o uld n ot e v en w atc h te le v is io n b ecau se o f th e c h em ic al fu m es o ff- gassin g f ro m t h e T V s e t a s i t h eate d u p. Choosin g t o L iv e One beau tif u l afte rn oon, I w as sittin g out in th e su n an d co nte m pla tin g th e mean in g o f lif e . Illn ess h as a p ow erfu l w ay o f p ro vid in g p ers p ectiv e a n d tim e to th in k a b out th e re ally im porta n t th in gs. I a sk ed m yse lf w heth er o r n ot I w an te d to co ntin ue l iv in g. I d ecid ed t h at I d id n ot w an t t o d ie — I w an te d t o l iv e. H ow ev er, l if e was n ot w orth l iv in g i n s u ch a d eb ilita te d s ta te . M y o nly o ptio n w as t o f in d a w ay t o beco m e h ealth y a g ain . How c o uld I d o th is ? T he d octo rs c o uld n ot h elp . In la rg e m easu re , d octo rs h ad bro ught m e to m y fa ilin g co nditio n. I re call th in kin g ab out th e ex plo sio n of know le d ge in th e w orld — ab out a ll th e n ew sc ie n tif ic d ata b ein g p ublis h ed e v ery day. S ure ly so m ew here , so m e k ey b it o f in fo rm atio n w ould h elp m e. I b ecam e dete rm in ed to f in d o ut w hate v er I c o uld , b ut it w as n ot e asy . M y v is io n w as b lu rre d an d m y e y es h urt. G iv en t h at I w as u nab le t o b e n ear p rin te d m ate ria ls b ecau se o f t h e in k fu m es, h ow c o uld I stu dy? M y m in d d id n’t w ork rig ht, e ith er: C onte m pora ry lite ra tu re a b out c h em ic ally s e n sitiv e p eo ple d esc rib es t h is d eb ilita tin g t y pe o f “ b ra in fo g.” I n m y e arly q uests t o r e se arc h m y h ealth c o nditio n, I w ould f in d m yse lf l o st i n a m en ta l f o g, s p en din g h ours r e ad in g t h e s a m e m ate ria l r e p eate d ly w ith out r e aliz in g it. I ro nic ally , I w as r e actin g t o t h e v ery m ate ria ls I w as u sin g t o l e arn h ow t o r e sto re my h ealth . Still, I r e m ain ed d ete rm in ed . I p urc h ase d a r e sp ir a to r m ask t o p ro te ct m e f ro m t h e ch em ic als c o m in g f ro m t h e i n k i n m y s tu dy m ate ria ls . U nfo rtu nate ly , t h e r u bber p art of th e m ask g av e o ff to xic f u m es. I to ok th e m ask a p art, b oile d th e r u bber p ie ces in wate r fo r tw o d ay s a n d th en re asse m ble d it, w hic h m ad e th e m ask to le ra b le so I co uld w ear i t w hile I d id t h e n ecessa ry w ork . Nex t, I purc h ase d a porta b le ele ctr ic oven an d one hundre d fe et of outd oor ex te n sio n c o rd . I p la ced th e o ven d ow nw in d fro m m y h ouse a n d b ak ed a ll o f m y re ad in g m ate ria ls i n o rd er t o d riv e o ff t h e i n k c h em ic als . B iz arre , b ut i t w ork ed . N ow at le ast I co uld h an dle an d re ad m y ra p id ly accu m ula tin g p ile s o f m ed ic al an d sc ie n tif ic lite ra tu re . I b eg an to e d ucate m yse lf , lo okin g f o r c lu es th at m ig ht h elp to re sto re a n d i m pro ve m y h ealth . Thus b eg an a n ew p hase o f m y l if e , w hic h c o ntin ues t o t h is d ay . I cam e acro ss fa sc in atin g in fo rm atio n as I se arc h ed fo r th e an sw ers to m y questio ns. I re ad te ch nic al p ap ers w ritte n b y a b io ch em is t w ho, lik e m yse lf , h ad beco m e c h em ic ally h ypers e n sitiv e. N o p hysic ia n h ad b een a b le to h elp h im e ith er, an d h is s e n sitiv ity w as s o g re at t h at h e w as f o rc ed t o m ove t o a d is ta n t l o catio n t h at harb ore d n o m an -m ad e c h em ic als . H e m oved i n to a s m all w ooden s h ack o n a r e m ote beach . E ven tu ally , th ro ugh h is u nders ta n din g o f b io ch em is tr y , h e w as a b le to ta k e ste p s t o r e sto re h is h ealth . Know in g th at so m eo ne els e h ad b een ab le to h eal h im se lf o f th is h orre n dous co nditio n g av e m e t h e h ope I n eed ed s o m uch . H is e x am ple c o nvin ced m e t h at I , t o o, would b e a b le t o h elp m yse lf t o u nders ta n d t h e b io ch em is tr y o f m y i lln ess a n d a p ply so und s c ie n tif ic p rin cip le s to s o lv e m y p ro ble m s. I t to ok m e tw o y ears o f le arn in g an d e x perim en tin g to r a is e m yse lf f ro m th e d ep th s o f liv er f a ilu re , c h ro nic f a tig ue, au to im mune d is e ase s a n d c h em ic al h ypers e n sitiv ity . R eco very to ok a g re at d eal o f pers is te n ce, w illin gness t o t r y n ew t h in gs a n d a ccep ta n ce o f m an y s e tb ack s. In p artic u la r a t th e h eig ht o f m y c h em ic al se n sitiv itie s, I h ad to b e e x tr e m ely care fu l a b out t h e p ro ducts I s e le cte d . E ven m in ute a m ounts o f t o xin s w ere e n ough t o mak e m e ill. I e n ded u p w ith a k itc h en f u ll o f v ita m in s u pple m en ts th at I c o uld n ot ta k e b ecau se o f t o xic i m puritie s a n d m y l e v el o f s u sc ep tib ility . E ven h ealth y p eo ple are h arm ed b y t h ese i m puritie s, t h ough i t m ay n ot b e a s e v id en t t o t h em . I le arn ed th e h ard w ay h ow s u ffe rin g c an c o m e w hen h ealth is f a ilin g, a n d w hen you tr y re m ed ie s th at d o m ore h arm th an g ood. E ven w ith m y s c ie n tif ic tr a in in g, fin din g th e an sw ers w as dif fic u lt. Partic u la rly w ith vita m in su pple m en ts an d pers o nal care pro ducts , a gre at deal of co nflic tin g in fo rm atio n ab ounds, an d co nsu m ers re m ain c o nfu se d a b out h ow to m ak e th e b est c h oic es. A ccu ra te h ealth in fo rm atio n i s i n g re at d em an d, a n d t h at i s p re cis e ly w hat t h is b ook p ro vid es. I w an t to s h are w hat I h av e l e arn ed a b out g ettin g w ell a n d s ta y in g w ell. In 1 991, I re sig ned fro m a ll m y b usin ess a n d c o m munity a ctiv itie s a n d d ev ote d myse lf to te ach in g o th ers h ow to b e h ealth y. I sta rte d b y sp eak in g to g ro ups— at fir s t, th e sa m e su pport g ro ups to w hic h I h ad b elo nged d urin g th e d ep th s o f m y illn ess. T hen I b ra n ch ed o ut w ith a w id er a u die n ce, w hic h e v olv ed in to a re g ula r ev en in g w ork sh op s e rie s th at c o ntin ued f o r y ears . L ate r, a p ublis h er b ecam e a w are of m y w ork a n d i n vite d m e t o w rite a c o lu m n f o r h is n ew sp ap er. A fte r t h at, I s ta rte d a ra d io sh ow calle d An Ounce of Pre ven tio n an d beg an publis h in g m y ow n new sle tte r, Beyo nd H ea lth N ew s. This b ook i s t h e n ex t s te p . Rea ch in g O ur P ote n tia l One o f th e m ost p ro fo und c o nclu sio ns I h av e re ach ed is th at hea lth is a c h oic e; vir tu ally n o o ne e v er h as t o b e s ic k . T he p ote n tia l f o r h um an h ealth a n d l o ngev ity i s fa r g re ate r th an w e a re n ow a ch ie v in g. S cie n tif ic s tu die s d esc rib e p opula tio ns w ho liv ed lo nger a n d h ealth ie r liv es th an w e d o, sim ply b ecau se th eir so cie tie s m ad e die ta ry an d lif e sty le ch oic es th at su pporte d hum an health . W ith ju st a little know le d ge a n d e ffo rt, w e c an d o th e s a m e. W e c an c h oose h ealth , b ut f ir s t w e m ust ed ucate o urs e lv es. My o w n q uest fo r a n u nders ta n din g o f h ow th e b ody m ain ta in s a n d h eals its e lf co ntin ues to th is day. T hro ughout m y re se arc h , I co ntin ue to ask m yse lf basic questio ns, s u ch a s: • W hat i s h ealth ? • W hat i s d is e ase ? • W hy d o p eo ple g et s ic k ? • H ow c an d is e ase b e p re v en te d o r r e v ers e d ? • H ow lo ng c an p eo ple liv e in g ood h ealth , a n d w hat d oes it ta k e to a ch ie v e th is ? • W hat i s t h e p ote n tia l f o r h um an h ealth a n d l o ngev ity ? Ple ase allo w m e to p ass o n to y ou a tr u ly re v olu tio nary th eo ry o f h ealth an d dis e ase , o ne th at is s o s im ple a n d p ow erfu l th at it g iv es y ou th e c h oic e to n ev er b e sic k a g ain . 2 Y OUR P OTEN TIA L FO R H EA LTH “There is n o re a so n in th e w orld w hy o ver 7 5 p erc en t o f th e Am eric a n peo ple sh ould be su ffe rin g fr o m deg en era tiv e and defic ie n cy d is e a se s. D is e a se n ever c o m es w ith out a c a use . If a perso n is sic k and ailin g it is beca use he has been doin g so m eth in g w ro ng. H e n eed s a n e d uca tio n i n h ow t o l iv e a h ea lth y life .” Ja y M . H offm an , P h.D . Hunza M ost p eo ple e x pect t o b e s ic k a t l e ast o ne o r m ore t im es e ach y ear, t o c o pe w ith a t le ast o ne s e rio us illn ess b y m id lif e , a n d in a ll lik elih ood, to d ie o f o ne o r s e v era l dis e ase s b y t h eir e ig htie s, i f n ot s o oner. M ost p eo ple a ls o t h in k p oor h ealth i s m ain ly th e r e su lt o f b ad l u ck a n d t h at t h eir l o ngev ity i s a m atte r o f g ood f o rtu ne. Noth in g c o uld b e f u rth er f ro m th e tr u th . P oor h ealth is n ot a m atte r o f lu ck ; p oor health is a m atte r o f c h oic e. W e d o n ot “ g et” sic k . W e m ak e o urs e lv es sic k b y mak in g b ad c h oic es a n d, c o nvers e ly , w e g et h ealth y a n d sta y h ealth y b y m ak in g good ones. M ost peo ple fe el th at th ey are “h ealth y” as lo ng as th ey hav e no sy m pto m s o f d is e ase . F ew p eo ple r e aliz e w hat o ptim al h ealth r e ally f e els lik e— an d ev en f e w er a ccep t t h e n otio n t h at a v ig oro us a n d h ealth y l if e b ey ond 1 00 y ears o ld i s with in r e ach . I n r e ality , t h at k in d o f l o ng l if e i s w hat w e s h ould a ll r o utin ely e x pect. Meet t h e f a ce o f o ptim al h ealth . H is n am e i s J o se M aria R oa, a n d h e i s 1 31 y ears old . J o se liv es w ith h is fa m ily in a s m all v illa g e, h ig h in th e A ndes M ounta in s o f Ecu ad or. W hile h is f a ce is w eath erw orn , h is m in d is k een , h is h eart is h ealth y, h is te eth a re s tr o ng a n d th e lin es a ro und h is fa ce a re b orn o f s m ile s a n d th e jo y o f a lo vin g w if e a n d f a m ily . S till w ork in g o n h is s m all f a rm e v ery d ay a n d e n jo yin g a n activ e s e x l if e , J o se f a th ere d h is l a st c h ild a t t h e a g e o f 1 07. W hen a sk ed i f h e’d e v er been s ic k , h e re p lie d , “ Y es, I h av e b een .” J o se h ad a fe w c o ld s— th at’s it— in 1 31 years ! U ntil h is d eath a t 1 37, J o se r e m ain ed i n p erfe ct h ealth . Sure ly th is is n ot n orm al. Is n ’t J o se a m ed ic al m ir a cle , a n a b erra tio n o f n atu re ? Not so . In h is re m ote v illa g e, Jo se ’s h ealth an d lo ngev ity are fa r fro m u nusu al ex pla in s M orto n W alk er, D .P .M ., w hose 1 985 b ook Secre ts o f L ong L ife is b ase d o n his s tu dy o f t h ese h ard y p eo ple n ativ e t o t h e V ilc ab am ba V alle y. F or i n sta n ce, i n h is querie s to th e V ilc ab am ban s a b out th e m en ta l h ealth o f th eir s o cie ty , W alk er a sk ed if th e o ld er p eo ple s u ffe re d m em ory lo ss d ue to d em en tia . T hese lo ng-liv ed p eo ple had n ev er e x perie n ced a n yth in g lik e d em en tia . T hey d id n’t u nders ta n d th e q uestio n an d, in f a ct, d id n ot e v en h av e w ord s in th eir la n guag e to d esc rib e s u ch a c o nditio n. Mean w hile , w e a re to ld th at d em en tia is a d is e ase o f a g in g a n d th e p ric e w e m ust pay f o r o ur s o -c alle d “ lo ngev ity .” A s I s tu die d J o se — an d p eo ple lik e h im — I b eg an to u nders ta n d t h e p ote n tia l t h at a ll h um an s h av e t o b e h ealth y. In A m eric a to day, w e a re u su ally to ld — an d b elie v e— th at illn esse s lik e c an cer, arth ritis , d em en tia , o ste o poro sis , d ia b ete s a n d h eart d is e ase a re “ d is e ase s o f a g in g,” but th ese c h ro nic c o nditio ns a re n ot th e in ev ita b le re su lt o f g ro w in g o ld er. R ath er, th ey a re t h e i n ev ita b le r e su lt o f l iv in g l if e sty le s t h at c an not s u pport h um an h ealth . I n Am eric a to day, th ese c o nditio ns a re e p id em ic . H av in g a ch ie v ed e n orm ous a d van ces in s c ie n ce a n d m ed ic in e, w hy a re w e e x perie n cin g th e la rg est e p id em ic o f c h ro nic dis e ase i n h um an h is to ry ? As I s tu die d p atte rn s o f h ealth a n d d is e ase , I m ad e a p ro fo und d is c o very . I l e arn ed th at d is e ase d oes n ot ju st ra n dom ly h ap pen ; it o ccu rs fo r s p ecif ic re aso ns. W e a re not ty pic ally p erfe ctly h ealth y u ntil w e “ g et” sic k , n or d oes p erfe ct h ealth re tu rn once d is e ase h as ru n its c o urs e . A lth ough w e te n d to p erc eiv e lif e th is w ay, th e dis tin ctio ns b etw een h ealth a n d d is e ase a re f a r l e ss b la ck a n d w hite . R em em ber y our cells . O nly a fte r m assiv e n um bers o f c ells m alf u nctio n o r d ie d o y ou b eg in t o n otic e sy m pto m s o f d is e ase . In o th er w ord s, y ou a re a lr e ad y s ic k b efo re y ou “ g et s ic k .” Peo ple w ho a re t r u ly h ealth y d o n ot “ g et s ic k .” If y ou s to p to c o nsid er w hat it m ig ht b e lik e to liv e in g ood h ealth to a r ip e o ld ag e, e v ery th in g b eg in s to s e em d if fe re n t. T his p ote n tia l f o r h ealth c an b e d esc rib ed as optim al health , w here y our c ells a re f u nctio nin g a s w ell a s t h ey p ossib ly c an . T his le v el o f h ealth i s a lm ost g uara n te ed t o k eep d is e ase a t b ay . A P oor R eco rd Very fe w A m eric an s g ro w o ld in g ood h ealth a n d d ie n atu ra lly fro m th e a g in g pro cess. In ste ad , w e g et sic k an d d ie fro m en tir e ly p re v en ta b le d is e ase s su ch as can cer, heart dis e ase , str o ke an d dia b ete s. P re v en tin g th ese health pro ble m s is sim ple , an d I w ill te ach y ou h ow to d o it, b ut fir s t re aliz e h ow d ir e o ur h ealth pro ble m s r e ally a re . The U nite d S ta te s sp en ds fa r m ore o n h ealth , in to ta l a n d p er c ap ita , th an a n y oth er n atio n i n t h e w orld , b ut o ur o vera ll h ealth s till r a n ks q uite p oorly . A cco rd in g t o th e W orld H ealth O rg an iz atio n (W HO), th e U nite d S ta te s ra n ks th ir ty -s e v en th in overa ll h ealth q uality . It s h ould s e rv e a s a w ak e-u p c all fo r a ll A m eric an s w hen a th ir d -w orld c o untr y lik e O m an s p en ds o nly $ 334 p er p ers o n p er y ear o n h ealth a n d ra n ks e ig hth in th e w orld , w hile th e U nite d S ta te s s p en ds m ore th an te n tim es th at much an d w e are th ir ty -s e v en th . C onsid erin g w hat w e sp en d on health care , sh ould n’t w e b e t h e h ealth ie st n atio n o n E arth ? W e a re n ot. Peo ple in th eir te en s o r e arly tw en tie s s h ould b e a t p eak le v els o f h ealth , rig ht? Not i n o ur s o cie ty . A uto psie s p erfo rm ed o n a ccid en t v ic tim s o f t h is a g e g ro up i n L os Angele s r e v eale d t h at n early 8 0 p erc en t h ad e arly s ta g es o f h eart d is e ase ; 1 5 p erc en t had a rte rie s t h at w ere m ore t h an h alf b lo ck ed . H ad t h ese y oung p eo ple s u rv iv ed , t h ey would l ik ely h av e b een v ic tim s o f a s tr o ke o r h eart a tta ck . T hey m ay h av e a p peare d health y a n d l iv ed n orm al l iv es, b ut t h ey w ere d efin ite ly n ot h ealth y. It’s a m atte r o f p ers p ectiv e. Our o w n i ll h ea lth d oes n ot s ta nd o ut w hen c o m pare d to o ur u nhea lth y f r ie n ds a nd n eig hbors. T he a lle rg ie s, t h e c o ld s, t h e f lu , t h e a rth ritis , th e p re m atu re a g in g— all o f th ese s e em p erfe ctly n orm al. B ecau se it is s o c o m mon in our so cie ty , w e hav e co m e to belie v e th at dis e ase is an in ev ita b le , natu ra l, “n orm al” p art o f t h e a g in g p ro cess. We m is ta k e b ein g a b le t o f u nctio n f o r b ein g h ealth y. W e p erc eiv e “ sic k ” a s b ein g bed rid den or house b ound, an d “h ealth y” as bein g ab le to go ab out our norm al activ itie s. H ealth y d oes n ot m ere ly m ean b ein g am bula to ry an d fre e o f o bvio us dis e ase sy m pto m s. Hea lth y m ea ns fu nctio nin g at th e hig hest le vel th at gen etic ca pacity a llo w s. As in o th er a re as o f lif e , r e co gniz in g a n d a d m ittin g th e p ro ble m is half th e b attle . U nfo rtu nate ly , w e a re a s ic k p opula tio n, g ro w in g s ic k er b y th e d ay an d, w ors e y et, b lin d t o o ur s ic k ness. Acco rd in g to re cen t estim ate s in m ed ic al jo urn als , in clu din g th e A pril 1999 Effe ctiv e Clin ic a l Pra ctic e, th re e-fo urth s of th e A m eric an popula tio n has a dia g nosa b le c h ro nic d is e ase . W e s u ffe r f ro m m an y h ealth p ro ble m s, a n d m ost o f u s ta k e m ed ic atio ns to d eal w ith th ese p ro ble m s. A 1 997 n atio nal s u rv ey s p onso re d b y Para de mag azin e fo und th at a b out tw o-th ir d s o f u s re g ula rly ta k e p re sc rip tio n o r over-th e-c o unte r d ru gs. T his s u rv ey a ls o r e p orte d t h at a b out t w o-th ir d s o f A m eric an s belie v e t h em se lv es t o b e i n “ g ood” o r “ ex celle n t” h ealth . M y q uestio n t o y ou i s t h is : How is it possib le to be in good health if you are ta k in g m ed ic atio ns an d ex perie n cin g s y m pto m s o f s ic k ness? Even w hen s ta tis tic al e v id en ce is p re se n te d , m an y p eo ple fa il to re co gniz e th eir ow n sic k ness o n a p ers o nal le v el. F or e x am ple , m ost p eo ple w ith a lle rg ie s d on’t th in k o f th em se lv es a s h av in g a c h ro nic d is e ase . D id y ou k now th at c h ro nic a lle rg ic re actio ns ta x th e b ody a n d th e im mune s y ste m , m ak in g o ne m uch m ore s u sc ep tib le to in fe ctio ns an d oth er dis e ase s? A lle rg ie s are a se rio us im mune dysfu nctio n dis e ase , n ot ju st a b en ig n in co nven ie n ce. E very alle rg ic re actio n d oes lo ng-te rm dam ag e to th e b ody; a lle rg ie s re d uce o vera ll q uality o f lif e a n d u ltim ate ly re d uce lo ngev ity . H ealth y p eo ple d o n ot h av e a lle rg ie s. We t h in k w e’re h ealth y, b ut w e’re n ot. A t a s e m in ar I w as l e ad in g, a m an s to od u p an d ta lk ed a b out h ow h e jo gged e v ery d ay a n d h ow h ealth y h e w as. A f e w p oin te d questio ns la te r, it w as re v eale d th at th is m an h ad d ia b ete s— th e se v en th -le ad in g cau se o f d eath i n A m eric a! S om e g ro ups a sse rt t h at w e a re n ow h ealth ie r a n d l iv in g lo nger, b ut t h at c la im s e em s l ik e p ro pag an da t o m e. T he i n cid en ce o f v ir tu ally e v ery ch ro nic d is e ase c o ntin ues to in cre ase , a n d th e h ealth o f th e A m eric an p eo ple is in a lo ng-te rm d ow ntr e n d. In 1 996, th e Jo urn al o f th e A m eric a n M ed ic a l A sso cia tio n docu m en te d th at 25 perc en t of A m eric an s under ag e eig hte en had at le ast one ch ro nic d is e ase . T he d is e ase r a te i n cre ase s t o 4 5 p erc en t b etw een a g es f o rty -fiv e a n d six ty -fiv e, a n d t o 8 8 p erc en t o ver a g e s ix ty -fiv e. Tak e d ia b ete s, f o r e x am ple . I n A ugust 2 000, th e C en te rs f o r D is e ase C ontr o l a n d Pre v en tio n (C D C) a n nounced its m ost re cen t s ta tis tic s o n th e in cre ase s in ra te s o f dia b ete s. I n 1 980, 2 p erc en t o f n ew ly d ia g nose d c ase s o f a d ult- o nse t d ia b ete s w ere i n peo ple u nder a g e n in ete en . In 2 000, th at n um ber w as a p pro ach in g a s ta g gerin g 5 0 perc en t. S ep ara te ly , in ju st eig ht y ears fro m 1 990 to 1 998, d ia b ete s ju m ped 3 3 perc en t n atio nally a n d w en t u p a w hoppin g 7 0 p erc en t a m ong p eo ple a g es th ir ty to th ir ty -n in e. A cco rd in g to D r. F ra n k V in ic o r, th e d ir e cto r o f th e C D C, “ T his k in d o f an in cre ase in ju st eig ht years is alm ost unheard of.” T he ex perts at th e C D C cau tio ned th at e v en th ese n um bers u nders ta te th e p ro ble m , b ecau se a b out o ne-th ir d of A m eric an d ia b etic s d o n ot r e aliz e t h ey h av e t h e d is e ase . Asth m a i s a n oth er e x am ple o f h ow f a st w e a re b eco m in g s ic k er. T he C D C r e p orts th at th e n um ber o f A m eric an s w ith a sth m a in cre ase d 6 1 p erc en t b etw een 1 982 a n d 1994. M orta lity f ro m a sth m a in cre ase d 4 5 p erc en t b etw een 1 985 a n d 1 995. A sth m a is n ow th e le ad in g c au se o f s c h ool a b se n te eis m , a n d th e d eath ra te fro m a sth m a is in cre asin g a t a r a te o f 6 p erc en t p er y ear. Obesity is an oth er in cre asin g pro ble m th at w e m ust fa ce. C hild hood obesity double d fro m 1980 to 2000, an d m ost ch ild re n do not outg ro w th is pro ble m . Child hood a n d t e en ag e o besity a ffe cts l if e lo ng h ealth w ith a r is k s e v en t im es h ig her fo r d ev elo pin g c lo gged a rte rie s l a te r i n l if e . D id y ou k now t h at m ore t h an o ne i n f iv e te en ag ers are o verw eig ht an d th at alm ost tw o o f th re e ad ults are o verw eig ht o r obese ? O th er d is e ase s a re in cre asin g, to o, in clu din g a lle rg ie s, a u to im mune d is e ase , atte n tio n d efic it d is o rd ers , b ir th d efe cts a n d c h ro nic fa tig ue. C an cer is n ow , a fte r accid en ts , th e le ad in g c au se o f d eath fo r c h ild re n , a n d c an cer u se d to b e ra re in young p eo ple ! Would y ou b elie v e th at w e h av e c o m e to e x pect d is e ase ? T hat w e b elie v e in th e certa in ty o f s ic k ness m ore t h an w e b elie v e i n t h e c erta in ty o f w elln ess? T hat p eo ple ex pect t o g et s ic k t o s u ch a d eg re e t h at t h ey h old o n t o j o bs t h ey d is lik e, j u st t o k eep th eir h ealth b en efits ? T alk a b out m ix ed -u p p rio ritie s! W e a re a ccu sto m ed t o d is e ase , an d w e e x pect i t t o o ccu r. W hen w e d o g et s ic k , w e o fte n f e el v ic tim iz ed o r h elp le ss, as if s tr u ck b y a b olt o f lig htn in g. W e n ev er th in k th at w e h av e d one it to o urs e lv es or t h at w e m ig ht c h oose t o d o o th erw is e . Lea vin g t h e G ood L if e Our lif e sty le s h av e c h an ged a lo ng w ith th e e v olu tio n o f w hat is b ro ad ly c alle d “m odern c iv iliz atio n.” S in ce th e In dustr ia l R ev olu tio n, c h an ges h av e o ccu rre d in how w e g ro w o ur fo ods, w hat k in ds o f fo od w e c o nsu m e, w hat w e ta k e in to o ur bodie s, th e lif e sty le s w e liv e a n d w hat w e p ut in to th e e n vir o nm en t. M an y o f th ese ch an ges r o b u s o f t h e n utr ie n ts o ur c ells n eed i n o rd er t o b e h ealth y a n d e x pose u s t o to xin s th at in te rfe re w ith n orm al cell fu nctio n. A n ed ito ria l b y Jo se p h S ch erg er, M.D ., in th e J a n uary 2 000 Hip pocra te s sa id th at “ lif e sty le f a cto rs n ow lo om a s th e le ad in g c au se o f p re m atu re d eath .” As I b eg an to d is c o ver th e in cre d ib le h ealth an d lo ngev ity o f certa in h ealth y popula tio ns a ro und th e w orld a n d to lo ok a t h ow th ese p eo ple liv ed th eir liv es, I beg an to u nders ta n d th e p ote n tia l fo r h ealth . In c o ntr a st to th e h is to ric ally h ealth y popula tio ns I w ill te ll y ou a b out (s u ch a s th e H unzas in n orth easte rn P ak is ta n a n d oth er g ro ups, s u ch a s t h e V ilc ab am ban s a n d C uen ca I n dia n s i n E cu ad or), t h e a v era g e Am eric an is n ot d oin g w ell a t a ll. W e sig nif ic an tly c o m pro m is e o ur h ealth w ith nutr itio nally defic ie n t die ts , en vir o nm en ta l to xin s, se d en ta ry lif e sty le s, ch ro nic str e ss, b ad h ab its s u ch a s s m okin g a n d d ru g u se , a n d la ck o f p ositiv e e m otio ns a n d mean in gfu l re la tio nsh ip s, not to m en tio n th e dam ag in g outc o m es of sy m pto m man ag em en t b y m odern m ed ic in e. In te rm s o f d efic ie n cy an d to xic ity (th e tw o cau se s o f d is e ase ), h ere a re e x am ple s o f h ow l if e sty le f a cto rs m ak e u s s ic k : Nutr itio n F ailu re s • Fru it an d veg eta b le pla n ts are now gro w n w ith artif ic ia l fe rtiliz ers th at pro duce m ore f o od p er a cre , b ut t h ese f o ods a re n ot n early a s r ic h i n n utr itio nal co nte n t. U se o f a rtif ic ia l f e rtiliz ers h as le d to d ep le tio n o f m in era ls in th e s o il becau se th ey d o n ot a d d m in era ls to re p la ce th ose b ein g lo st w ith e ach n ew cro p. S oil d ep le tio n l e ad s t o n utr itio nal d efic ie n cy i n a ll o f u s. • S in ce fo ods are n ot eate n fre sh o ff o f th e p la n t, m an y m ust b e h arv este d befo re th ey are rip e in o rd er to p re v en t sp oila g e d urin g tr a n sp orta tio n an d dis tr ib utio n. T his p re m atu re h arv estin g d oes n ot a llo w fo od to re ach its fu ll nutr itio nal m atu rity , t h ere b y c o ntr ib utin g t o n utr itio nal d efic ie n cy . • T he n utr itio nal c o nte n t o f th e f o od th en f u rth er d ete rio ra te s a s th e f o od a g es durin g s to ra g e, t r a n sp orta tio n a n d d is tr ib utio n. • F ood is o fte n p ro cesse d , fu rth er d ep le tin g its n utr itio nal c o nte n t, in o rd er to mak e i t e asie r t o s to re a n d c o nsu m e. A m ong t h ese f o ods a re f lo ur, p asta , b re ad , su gar, a n d c an ned a n d p ack ag ed f o ods. • C ooked fo ods are als o n utr itio nally in fe rio r to ra w o nes, an d m ost o f th e Am eric an d ie t c o nsis ts o f b oth p ro cesse d a n d c o oked f o ods. Toxic A ssa u lts • T he fa rm in g o f la rg e s in gle c ro ps h as c re ate d n ew a n d s e rio us p ro ble m s o f in se ct in fe sta tio ns, n ecessita tin g th e u se o f in se ctic id es. T hese in se ctic id es, alo ng w ith th e u se o f h erb ic id es a n d fu ngic id es, h av e m ad e fo od p ro ductio n meth ods a s ig nif ic an t c o ntr ib uto r t o o ur t o xic e n vir o nm en t a n d f o od s u pply . • T he m odern p ro cesse d -fo od in dustr y a d ds m an -m ad e p re se rv ativ es, fla v ors , co lo rs an d oth er to xic ch em ic als to our fo ods. N o one know s w hat th e co m bin atio n o f a ll t h ese c h em ic als i s d oin g t o o ur b odie s. • E nerg y dem an ds, fir s t fo r co al an d now fo r gas an d oil, are co nsta n tly pollu tin g o ur e n vir o nm en t. • V ir tu ally a ll o f o ur in dustr ia l p ro cesse s— fro m p rin tin g o ur d aily n ew sp ap ers to pain tin g our hom es an d build in g cars an d co m pute rs — hav e le d to th e in tr o ductio n o f t e n s o f t h ousa n ds o f m an -m ad e c h em ic als i n to o ur e n vir o nm en t, all o f w hic h p ut t o xic l o ad s i n to o ur b odie s. Over th e p ast cen tu ry o r so , d ra m atic ch an ges in d ie t an d en vir o nm en t h av e cre ate d a so cie ty of nutr itio nally defic ie n t an d ch em ic ally to xic A m eric an s. Vir tu ally a ll o f t h e f o od w e c an b uy i n a m odern s u perm ark et i s n utr itio nally i n fe rio r to th e f o ods o ur a n cesto rs c o nsu m ed . T he p urity o f th e a ir a n d w ate r o ur a n cesto rs en jo yed n o lo nger e x is ts . B ut a ll is n ot lo st. S ourc es d o e x is t to day w here w e c an fin d quality fo ods w ith hig h nutr itio nal co nte n t. W e can lo w er our daily to xic ex posu re , b ut fir s t w e n eed to le arn w here to lo ok a n d h ow to ta k e c h arg e. W hat I fo und h elp fu l w as t o s tu dy t h ose p eo ple w ho h av e a lr e ad y s h ow n u s t h e w ay . Sm all p opula tio ns o f p eo ple i n r e m ote a re as a ro und t h e w orld h av e s h ow n u s h ow sim ply m eetin g th e body’s need s alo ng each of th e six path w ay s can re su lt in tr e m en dous e n erg y, s ta m in a a n d la ck o f d is e ase u ntil a g e 1 20, 1 30 o r e v en o ld er. I will te ll y ou m ore ab out th ese re m ark ab le p eo ple , an d I w ill als o te ll h ow th e in tr u sio ns o f “m odern civ iliz atio n” in to th ose p opula tio ns sin ce th e 1 970s h av e ro bbed t h em o f t h eir s tu nnin g h ealth a n d l o ngev ity . Reco gn iz in g O ur P ote n tia l While 7 5 i s c o nsid ere d a r ip e o ld a g e i n o ur m odern s o cie ty , t r a d itio nally h ealth y so cie tie s c o nsid ere d 7 5 m ore “ m id dle a g e.” P eo ple in th ese so cie tie s ra re ly d ie d befo re th eir 9 0s a n d c o m monly liv ed w ell in to th eir 1 00s, re ach in g 1 20, 1 30 a n d old er— fre e o f d is e ase . In M arc h 1 961, a n a rtic le in th e Jo urn al o f th e A m eric a n Med ic a l A sso cia tio n re p orte d o n e v id en ce th at m en in H unza liv ed to b e 1 20 a n d ev en 1 40 y ears o ld . H unza m en a n d w om en o ver 1 00 e x hib ite d ro bust e n erg y, in str ik in g c o ntr a st t o t h e e p id em ic o f f a tig ue i n o ur s o cie ty . T hese p eo ple l iv ed s im ply an d w ith out d octo rs o r h osp ita ls , w ith out n urs in g h om es. I n A m eric a t o day w e s p en d $1.5 tr illio n a y ear o n h ealth c are a n d te n s o f b illio ns o f d olla rs s tu dyin g d is e ase . What is it b uyin g u s? C erta in ly n ot a lo ng, d is e ase -fre e lif e . H ere ’s a n id ea: S tu dy health i n ste ad o f d is e ase ! So w hat is o ur p ote n tia l fo r h ealth ? In h is 1 968 b ook Hunza , J. M . H offm an , Ph.D ., w ho h ad s p en t y ears s tu dyin g th e p eo ple o f th e re m ote H unza V alle y in th e Him ala y as, q uote d p ro m in en t p hysic ia n s a n d s c ie n tis ts , in clu din g th e p re sid en ts o f th e A m eric an M ed ic al A sso cia tio n a n d t h e I n te rn atio nal A sso cia tio n o f G ero nto lo gy, as s a y in g th at h um an s s h ould liv e to b e 1 20 to 1 50 y ears o ld . R ecen t e stim ate s in bio lo gy jo urn als p ro je ct h um an lif e e x pecta n cy to e x ceed 1 35 y ears . E ven th e B ib le its e lf p ro phesiz es a lo ng lif e sp an : “ [M an ’s ] d ay s sh all b e a h undre d a n d tw en ty years ” ( G en . 6 :3 ). L ong lif e is o ur b ir th rig ht. W e s h ould liv e to b e a t le ast 1 20, in vig oro us h ealth , m ain ta in in g p hysic al a n d m en ta l a cu ity . In t h e s ta te o f C alif o rn ia , a ctu aria l c alc u la tio ns s h ow t h at a v era g e l if e e x pecta n cy fo r f e m ale s w ould b e 1 00 i f o nly o ne c erta in d is e ase w ere e lim in ate d — heart d is e ase , whic h is e n tir e ly p re v en ta b le th ro ugh d ie t a n d lif e sty le . C onsid er h ow m uch lo nger we m ig ht liv e b y e lim in atin g tw o o r m ore d is e ase s. P erh ap s w e h av e f o rg otte n th at health is o ur n atu ra l s ta te . W e b lin dly a ccep t o ur a v era g e lif e s p an o f s e v en ty -s ix years ; w e a ccep t t h at w e w ill s u ccu m b t o c h ro nic a n d d eg en era tiv e d is e ase s. Im ag in in g e n tir e p opula tio ns w ho h av e l iv ed f a r l o nger a n d h ealth ie r l iv es t h an w e do se em s in co nceiv ab le . P eo ple w ho ra re ly , if ev er, su ffe re d fro m an y d is e ase , in clu din g c o ld s, a lle rg ie s, flu o r e v en fa tig ue. H ow w ere th ese p eo ple a b le to d o th at? T heir n utr itio n w as o f h ig h q uality , th eir to xic e x posu re w as m in im al, th ey en jo yed psy ch olo gic al w ell- b ein g an d th ey w ere quite physic ally activ e. T heir ev ery day l if e sty le s, t o a l a rg e d eg re e, m et a ll t h e f a cto rs n ecessa ry t o s u pport t h e s ix path w ay s t o w ard h ealth . Let u s l e arn f ro m t h ese p eo ple . The R em ark ab le H unza s In a r e m ote v alle y o f t h e H im ala y as, i n w hat i s n ow n orth easte rn P ak is ta n , l iv e t h e peo ple o f H unza, w ho w ere r e n ow ned f o r t h eir n ear-p erfe ct h ealth , r o bust e n erg y a n d ex tr a o rd in ary l o ngev ity . T hough t h ey l iv ed u nder w hat w e w ould c o nsid er p rim itiv e co nditio ns, t h ey r e g ula rly l iv ed i n to t h eir h undre d s, a n d o fte n l iv ed t o b e 1 20 t o 1 40 years o ld . T heir c u ltu re w as n ot p la g ued w ith c an cer, h eart d is e ase , u lc ers , d ia b ete s, alle rg ie s, kid ney an d liv er dis e ase , arth ritis , asth m a, hypogly cem ia , m en ta l dis o rd ers , c o ld s, flu , to oth d ecay o r a n y o f th e o th er d is e ase s so c o m mon in o ur so cie ty . N or d id t h ey s u ffe r f ro m d ep re ssio n; s e v era l r e se arc h ers d esc rib ed t h em a s, “th e h ap pie st p eo ple in th e w orld .” T he H unzas h ad c le ar m in ds, h ig h in te llig en ce, ex celle n t m em orie s, a n d e n orm ous p hysic al s tr e n gth a n d s ta m in a. Man y re se arc h ers w en t to H unza in th e early tw en tie th cen tu ry — lo ng b efo re man y of th e ad van ces of m odern m ed ic in e— to stu dy an d w rite ab out th ese phen om en ally h ealth y p eo ple . S ir R obert M cC arris o n, M .D ., a p ro m in en t B ritis h physic ia n , s p en t s e v en y ears liv in g a n d d oin g re se arc h a m ong th e H unzas, a n d h e fir s t b ro ught th e h ealth o f th e H unza p eo ple to w orld a tte n tio n. I n N ovem ber 1 921, Dr. M cC arris o n p re se n te d th e r e su lts o f h is r e se arc h a t a m eetin g o f th e S ocie ty f o r Bio lo gic al R ese arc h h eld a t th e U niv ers ity o f P itts b urg h. H e d esc rib ed th e H unzas as, “ a ra ce u nsu rp asse d in p erfe ctio n o f p hysiq ue a n d in fre ed om fro m d is e ase s in gen era l . . .” H e f o und t h at c h ro nic d is e ase s, i n clu din g c an cer, w ere t o ta lly u nknow n. (C an cer w as u nknow n a m ong t h ese e x tr a o rd in arily l o ng-liv ed p eo ple , y et w e a re t o ld th at c an cer i s a d is e ase o f a g in g.) Anoth er re se arc h er, J . I. R odale , in h is b ook, The H ea lth y H unza s, re p orte d th at, “C old s a re n on-e x is te n t in H unza.” H e s a id it w as n ot u nusu al to s e e m en w alk in g th ro ugh sn ow drif ts in th e c o ld est w eath er, b are ch este d a n d b are fo ot. H e o bse rv ed one H unza m an tr a v el s ix ty m ile s in a s in gle d ay, b y fo ot in m ounta in ous te rra in , arriv in g b ack a s i f h e h ad r e tu rn ed f ro m a c asu al w alk . H unza w om en d id n ot s u ffe r men str u al p ain o r an y o f th e o th er fe m ale co m pla in ts o f o ur so cie ty . In H unza, peo ple ty pic ally d ie d o f o ld a g e in th eir sle ep , w ith out e x perie n cin g th e c h ro nic su ffe rin g th at u su ally p re ced es d eath in o ur o w n s o cie ty . T he s to ry o f th e H unzas sh ow s t h e p ote n tia l f o r h um an h ealth — how h ealth y h um an b ein gs c an p erfo rm . As p art o f th eir le is u re a ctiv itie s, th e m en o f H unza (fro m te en ag e to 1 20 y ears old ) p erfo rm ed v ig oro us, p hysic ally d em an din g fo lk d an ces. In h is b ook Hunza , Hoffm an d esc rib ed m en in th eir s e v en tie s a n d e ig htie s g lid in g th ro ugh th e a ir w ith th e s a m e g ra ce a n d e ase a s th ose in th eir te en s a n d tw en tie s. H offm an w ro te : “ T he sta m in a o f t h e p eo ple i s b ey ond w ord s. I n f a ct m en o ver a h undre d y ears o f a g e w ere obse rv ed g oin g u p th ese m ounta in sid es ju st a s th ough th ey w ere m en o f f if ty . I t is my b elie f t h at m an y A m eric an m en o f f if ty y ears o f a g e c o uld n ot k eep u p w ith t h ese Hunza m en .” What w as i t t h at a llo w ed t h e H unzas t o a ch ie v e t h is a m azin g l e v el o f h ealth ? Y ou pro bab ly a lr e ad y k now th e a n sw er: a c o m bin atio n o f a n utr itio us d ie t, to xin -fre e en vir o nm en t, e x erc is e , s le ep , s u nsh in e, f re sh a ir a n d l o w -s tr e ss l if e sty le . G iv en o nly tw o c au se s o f d is e ase — defic ie n cy a n d to xic ity — le t u s e x am in e h ow th e H unzas kep t th eir c ells a d eq uate ly s u pplie d w ith n utr ie n ts a n d f re e o f to xin s, th us r e aliz in g optim al h ealth a n d lo ngev ity . W hile w e c an not r e p lic ate th eir lif e sty le , w e c an s e e how f a r o ur o w n lif e sty le s f a ll s h ort o f th ese g oals , a n d w e c an b eg in to u nders ta n d how t o m ak e t h e k in ds o f c h an ges t h at w ill b rin g u s c lo se r t o o ur p ote n tia l. An O ptim al D ie t a n d L if e sty le The H unza die t w as hig hly nutr itio us, co nsis tin g m ain ly of veg eta ria n fo ods gro w n in n utr ie n t- ric h s o il. T hey ir rig ate d th eir fie ld s w ith m in era l- ric h w ate r a n d co m poste d a ll o f th eir o rg an ic m atte r ( le av es, s tr a w , m an ure , e tc .) , to p ro duce s o ils of th e h ig hest q uality . C ontr a st th eir m in era l- ric h so ils to U .S . so ils w hic h are dep le te d d ue to m odern c h em ic al fa rm in g. It d oesn ’t ta k e a d eg re e in a g ric u ltu ra l sc ie n ce t o k now t h at i f m in era ls a re n ot i n t h e s o il, t h ey d o n ot g et i n to t h e p la n t, a n d th en th ey d on’t g et in to y ou. I n a d ditio n to f re sh v eg eta b le s a n d f ru its , th e H unzas ate w hole g ra in s th at w ere e x cep tio nally h ig h in n utr ie n ts a s o ppose d to th e r e fin ed su gars a n d n utr ie n t- d ep le te d w hite f lo ur th at’s s o p re v ale n t in o ur d ie t. O nly a b out 10 p erc en t o f t h e H unza’s c alo rie s c am e f ro m f a t, a s o ppose d t o a b out 3 7 p erc en t i n th e A m eric an die t. E ig hty perc en t of th eir fo ods w ere eate n fre sh an d ra w . In ad ditio n to b ein g h ig h in n utr itio n, th eir d ie t w as lo w in to xin s, m ean in g th at th eir fo ods d id n’t c o nta in a n y c an cer-c au sin g c o m pounds th at c o m e fro m e x posu re s to pestic id es, herb ic id es, fu ngic id es an d oth er ag ric u ltu ra l ch em ic als . A lo ng w ith gettin g p le n ty o f e x erc is e b y w ork in g th e la n d a n d w alk in g e v ery w here , th e H unzas als o g ot a d eq uate s le ep . S in ce th ere w as n o a rtif ic ia l lig htin g in th eir v illa g e, th ey wen t t o b ed w hen i t g ot d ark a n d t h ey w oke u p a t d ay bre ak , r e g ard le ss o f t h e t im e o f th e y ear. So w hat a re w e to ta k e fro m th e H unza’s h ab its ? S hould w e q uit o ur s e d en ta ry jo bs a n d ta k e u p o rg an ic fa rm in g? S hould w e s h un a ll s u perm ark et fo ods a n d h id e our h ead u nder t h e c o vers a t s u nse t? W hile t h ese o ptio ns a re s u re ly n ot r e alis tic , y ou can m ak e s o m e p ra ctic al a n d p ositiv e c h an ges in y our lif e sty le a n d th is b ook w ill sh ow y ou h ow . W hile y ou d on’t h av e to a v oid su perm ark ets a lto geth er, y ou c an le arn h ow to a v oid f illin g y our c art w ith th e m ost to xic f o ods in th e g ro cery a is le s (s o m e o f w hic h y ou m ig ht w ro ngly a ssu m e a re “ h ealth y” f o r y ou!) a n d p ay in g g ood money f o r f o od t h at i s a ctu ally k illin g y ou. Y ou c an l e arn h ow t o p re p are y our f o ods in w ay s th at d on’t r o b th em o f th eir n utr ie n ts a n d h ow to a v oid c o okin g y our f o ods by m eth ods th at co m pro m is e y our h ealth . Y ou can b eco m e aw are o f w hat to xic ch em ic als a re l u rk in g i n y our e n vir o nm en t i n e v ery day p ro ducts a n d c h oose h ealth y alte rn ativ es i n ste ad . Y ou c an s e e h ow m ak in g a f e w s im ple c h an ges i n y our s le ep in g hab its w ill r e sto re y our b ody’s n atu ra l r h yth m s a n d a llo w y our b ody a m ple tim e to re ju ven ate . Y ou c an m ak e in fo rm ed d ecis io ns a b out w hic h m ed ic al tr e atm en ts y ou need , a n d w hic h a re a ctu ally h urtin g y our h ealth . S o, y ou se e, y ou d on’t h av e to move to th e A ndes M ounta in s to f in d h ealth ; y ou c an liv e a lo ng a n d h ealth y lif e in your o w n t o w n. And w hat, y ou m ay w onder, w ould h ap pen t o t h ese m ig hty H unzas i f t h ey l iv ed i n your to w n— with a fa st fo od re sta u ra n t on ev ery co rn er? T he re su lts sh ould n’t su rp ris e y ou. T he H unzas w ere g eo gra p hic ally is o la te d f ro m th e o uts id e w orld . T he one tr e ach ero us ro ad in to th e H unza V alle y w as c lo se d n in e m onth s o f th e y ear becau se o f th e w eath er, a n d th e r o ad w as n ot a ll th at in vitin g d urin g th e r e m ain in g th re e m onth s. This is o la tio n allo w ed th e H unzas to liv e in th eir tr a d itio nal, cu sto m ary , a n d c lo se -k nit fa m ilia l a n d so cia l g ro ups, a lm ost u p u ntil th e p re se n t day. H ad th e H unza V alle y been m ore accessib le , m odern cu ltu re w ould hav e in tr u ded a n d d am ag ed t h e h ealth o f t h is p opula tio n s o oner t h an i t d id , a n d w e w ould hav e lo st our opportu nity to le arn fro m th em . E ven tu ally , m odern fo ods w ere in tr o duced in to th e H unzas’ liv es w hen th e f ir s t a ll- w eath er r o ad w as b uilt th ro ugh th e m ounta in p asse s an d in to th eir v alle y in th e 1 970s, m ak in g th is are a m ore accessib le to “civ iliz atio n.” “C iv iliz ed fo ods,” su ch as w hite su gar, w hite flo ur, white ric e, c o la d rin ks, c o ffe e, p ro cesse d o ils a n d a lc o hol w ere in tr o duced . F re sh , hom eg ro w n, w hole fo ods w ere re p la ced w ith th e p ro cesse d an d to xic fo ods th at mak e up m uch of th e die t w e eat to day. T his ex posu re to m odern cu ltu re had tr e m en dously d etr im en ta l h ealth e ffe cts o n t h e H unza p opula tio n. What is esp ecia lly n ota b le is h ow ra p id ly a m odern d ie t w ill cau se h ealth to declin e. R ese arc h ers h av e n ote d th at h ealth b eg in s to d ete rio ra te w ith in s ix m onth s of i n tr o ducin g m odern d ie ts i n to p opula tio ns p re v io usly e atin g o nly t h eir t r a d itio nal fo ods. T he H unzas w ere a n in cre d ib ly h ealth y p opula tio n ju st a fe w d ecad es a g o. Today, th ey fa ce in cre asin g le v els of ch ro nic dis e ase — ju st lik e th e re st of th e “civ iliz ed ” w orld . H ow ev er, b ecau se o f th eir p rio r is o la tio n, th e H unzas p ro vid ed a perfe ct co ntr o l gro up— an id eal peo ple fo r th e stu dy an d m easu re m en t of th e pote n tia l f o r h um an h ealth . If th e H unzas h ad b een th e o nly e x tr a o rd in arily h ealth y p eo ple in th e w orld , w e mig ht d is m is s th eir h ealth a s a n a b erra tio n. H ow ev er, n um ero us o th er e x am ple s o f lo ng-liv ed an d health y popula tio ns are av aila b le , in clu din g peo ple liv in g in mounta in ous a re as o f B ulg aria a n d H ungary , th e is la n d o f C re te , th e la k e d is tr ic t o f Titic aca in P eru , th e V ilc ab am ba V alle y in E cu ad or, a n d th e C au casu s re g io n o f Russia . T hey a ll h av e a s im ila r s to ry . T hey e at h ig h-q uality , n utr itio us f o ods. T hey get a lo t o f e x erc is e a n d p le n ty o f f re sh a ir, s le ep a n d s u nsh in e. T hey liv e a lif e o f lo w str e ss in c o m munitie s th at e m phasiz e fa m ily a n d h um an re la tio nsh ip s. A s a re su lt, t h ey e n jo y a l e v el o f h ealth a n d q uality o f l if e t h at w e c an b are ly i m ag in e. Unsa n it a ry C on dit io n s, b ut H ea lt h y P eo p le In a n oth er re g io n o f E cu ad or, w e fin d a n oth er sto ry o f su perio r re silie n cy a n d lo ngev ity : th e In dia n s o f th e m ounta in ous re g io n o f C uen ca. In h is b ook, How to Surv iv e M odern T ech nolo gy, Charle s M cG ee, M .D ., r e p orts e x perie n ces h e h ad a s a Pro je ct H ope p hysic ia n i n t h is r e g io n, s ta rtin g i n 1 965. M cG ee h ad a w eso m e t a le s t o te ll a b out t h e r e silie n ce o f t h ese p eo ple , w ho a te e x celle n t d ie ts a n d l iv ed l o w -s tr e ss lif e sty le s. O th erw is e , h ow ev er, t h eir l iv in g c o nditio ns w ere w hat w e w ould c o nsid er prim itiv e. T hese I n dia n s u su ally w alk ed a ro und b are fo ot a n d l iv ed i n o ne-ro om , d ir t- flo ore d h ouse s th at h ad n o g la ss in th e w in dow s. T hey h ad e x tr e m ely p oor s a n ita ry co nditio ns, no ru nnin g w ate r, no to ile t fa cilitie s, an d th eir an im als w an dere d hap hazard ly in a n d o ut o f th eir liv in g s p aces. A s a r e su lt o f th ese f ilth y c o nditio ns an d a c o nta m in ate d w ate r s u pply , in fa n t m orta lity w as v ery h ig h f ro m b acte ria l a n d para sitic in fe ctio ns. (In fa n ts are m ore su sc ep tib le to in fe ctio ns becau se th eir im mune sy ste m s a re n ot y et fu lly d ev elo ped .) E xam in atio ns o f th e lo cal c h ild re n sh ow ed t h at 9 5 p erc en t h ad i n te stin al p ara site s. Giv en th e a b ove, o ne w ould c erta in ly e x pect th ese I n dia n s to b e s ic k ly a n d w eak . To t h e c o ntr a ry , M cG ee f o und t h em t o h av e p erfe ct t e eth , e x tr e m ely h ig h r e sis ta n ce to i n fe ctio ns a n d a m azin g r e sis ta n ce t o p hysic al t r a u m a r e su ltin g f ro m a ccid en ts . H e desc rib ed in cid en ts w here h e tr e ate d a m an w ith a ru ptu re d b la d der (fro m a b us accid en t) a n d a w om an w ith a ru ptu re d u te ru s (fro m c h ild bir th ). M cG ee s a id th at, co nsid erin g th e se v erity o f th e d am ag e a n d th e q uality o f th e m ed ic al fa cilitie s, neith er o f t h ese p eo ple “ sh ould h av e” s u rv iv ed . T hese p eo ple n ot o nly s u rv iv ed , t h ey walk ed h om e t o t h eir m ounta in v illa g es a fte r t r e atm en t a t M cG ee’s h osp ita l. Y es, b y our sta n dard s, th ey sh ould not hav e su rv iv ed ; how ev er, our sta n dard s are su bsta n dard . Our assu m ptio ns ab out th e cap ab ilitie s of th e hum an body are sig nif ic an tly undere stim ate d . T he g ood n utr itio n o f th ese p eo ple co ntr ib ute d to th eir cellu la r health , w hic h a llo w ed t h em t o r e co ver f ro m s e v ere i n ju rie s t h at w ould h av e p ro bab ly kille d th e ty pic al A m eric an . L ik ew is e , ab se n t in th ese In dia n s w ere th e ty pic al Am eric an d is e ase s, s u ch a s h eart d is e ase , c an cer, d ia b ete s, a lle rg ie s, a sth m a, s e n ility an d m en ta l i lln ess. A ls o c o m pellin g i s t h at i n o ne y ear o f d oin g s u rg ery , u nder v ery basic a n d u nsa n ita ry c o nditio ns, M cG ee o bse rv ed o nly o ne p osto pera tiv e in fe ctio n; in m odern , te ch nolo gic ally ad van ced hosp ita ls , in fe ctio ns are bew ild erin gly ra m pan t. In fa ct, m an y p eo ple in o ur s o cie ty a re a fra id o f h osp ita ls fo r th is e x act re aso n. T he re sis ta n ce to d is e ase o f th ese In dia n s, u nder e x cep tio nally c h alle n gin g co nditio ns, w as t r u ly a m azin g. Germ s an d p ara site s are ev ery w here , an d w e h av e b een liv in g w ith th em fo r mille n nia . D esp ite t h e p re se n ce o f i n te stin al p ara site s i n m ost o f t h e C uen ca, f e w o f th em e v er b ecam e s ic k f ro m t h em . O nly s in ce t h e g erm t h eo ry , a n d t h e d is c o very o f mic ro sc o pic o rg an is m s, h as m ed ic in e f o cu se d s o o bse ssiv ely o n i s o la tin g a n d k illin g germ s. M ed ic in e h as d ev elo ped fe w o r n o p ro to co ls fo r p ro m otin g b asic h um an health a n d i m munity , y et p ro m otin g h ealth i s t h e o nly t h in g t h at c o nsis te n tly w ork s, as w e c an s e e f ro m th ese h ealth y p opula tio ns. T he C uen ca h ad v ir tu ally n one o f th e dis e ase s th at a re so c o m mon a m ong u s. W hy? B ecau se th ey w ere fu ndam en ta lly health y— th at i s , t h ey h ad h ealth y c ells . McG ee c o ntr a ste d th eir s u perio r h ealth to th e p oor h ealth o f th e p opula tio n o f a nearb y c ity , w here to xic ju nk f o ods lik e s u gar, w hite f lo ur, s o da p op a n d w hite r ic e had b een a v aila b le fo r se v era l y ears . In th is c ity , n ot su rp ris in gly , h eart a tta ck s, dia b ete s a n d o th er c h ro nic d is e ase s h ad b eg un t o a p pear. Mod ern “ P ro gress” — Tow ard D ete rio ra tio n Hav in g s e en h ow h ealth y p eo ple a re c ap ab le o f p erfo rm in g, liv in g lo ng liv es f re e of d is e ase a n d e n jo yin g b oundle ss e n erg y, w hy, w ith a ll o f o ur te ch nolo gy, a re w e doin g s o p oorly b y c o m paris o n? T he m an y c h an ges w e h av e m ad e i n m odern s o cie ty hav e t a k en u s a w ay f ro m t h e f a cto rs t h at e n han ce h ealth a n d c re ate d n ew c o nditio ns th at d am ag e h ealth . N ev er b efo re , in a ll o f h um an h is to ry , h av e so m an y h ealth - re la te d fa cto rs ch an ged so ra p id ly an d so co m ple te ly . The basic nutr itio nal, en vir o nm en ta l an d b eh av io ra l d im en sio ns o f o ur so cie ty h av e b een se v ere ly an d ra p id ly alte re d . S in ce th e In dustr ia l R ev olu tio n, an d esp ecia lly durin g th e past cen tu ry , h um an ity h as: • C om ple te ly c h an ged i ts d ie t. • C re ate d a n ew e n vir o nm en t. • D ev elo ped n ew p atte rn s o f b eh av io r a n d l if e sty le . Gra n te d , in th is m ille n niu m , m ost o f u s s im ply c an not g ro w o ur o w n fo od a n d harv est i t w hen r ip e, w alk t o o ur d estin atio ns, o r t o ta lly a v oid t h e s tr e sse s o f m odern in dustr ia l so cie ty . H ow ev er, in re co gniz in g w hat co ntr ib ute d to th e health of tr a d itio nally health y peo ple , co m bin ed w ith an unders ta n din g of th e sig nif ic an t ch an ges w e h av e m ad e to o ur o w n e n vir o nm en ts a n d lif e sty le s, w e c an b eg in to s e e how w e m ust c o m pen sa te . W e n eed to le arn h ow to c re ate h ealth y h ab its f o r liv in g with in o ur m odern w ay s o f l if e . Our w ay o f l if e i s c o m ple te ly d if fe re n t f ro m t h e l iv es o f e v en a c en tu ry a g o. F ro m a p ers o nal s ta n dpoin t, t h ese c h an ges h av e b een m ad e t o o s lo w ly f o r u s t o n otic e, b ut fro m a n e v olu tio nary sta n dpoin t, th ey h av e c o m e ra p id ly — m uch to o ra p id ly fo r health y a d ap ta tio n b y o ur b odie s a n d m in ds. The W eb o f L if e Choosin g h ealth w ould b e e asy i f o nly o ne f a cto r w ere i n volv ed . H ow ev er, n o o ne fa cto r d ete rm in es o ur h ealth . R ath er, o ur s ta te o f h ealth i s t h e e n d r e su lt o f c o untle ss bio lo gic al a n d b eh av io ra l i n te rre la tio nsh ip s c alle d t h e “ w eb o f l if e .” U nw ittin gly , w e hav e b een b usy p ullin g th is w eb a p art, th ro ugh th e fu ndam en ta l c h an ges w e h av e mad e i n o ur d ie t, o ur e n vir o nm en t a n d o ur b eh av io r. E very th in g r e la te s t o e v ery th in g els e ; m ak in g a c h an ge i n o ne p art o f t h e w eb a ffe cts t h e r e st o f i t. We a re le arn in g th at lif e s u pport s y ste m s a re m ore in te rd ep en den t a n d d elic ate ly bala n ced t h an w e e v er r e aliz ed . N o o ne f u lly u nders ta n ds h ow i t a ll w ork s. T he w eb is a s b ig a n d c o m ple x a s th e p la n et its e lf , a n d a s s o m e s c ie n tis ts s u ggest, a s b ig a s th e u niv ers e . B ut th e fa ct th at w e d o n ot u nders ta n d it th oro ughly c erta in ly s h ould not p re v en t u s f ro m u sin g w hat w e d o k now f o r p ro te ctin g a n d s u pportin g o ur h ealth rig ht n ow . Actin g o n o ur k now le d ge o f th e fa cto rs d esc rib ed in th e c h ap te rs a b out th e s ix path w ay s c an ta k e u s b ey ond “ h ealth ” a s w e h av e c o m e to a ccep t it. W e h av e s e en tr a d itio nally h ealth y p eo ple s u ch a s t h e H unzas a ch ie v e a p ote n tia l f o r h um an h ealth th at is tr u ly a w eso m e, b ut to a ch ie v e a h ig h le v el o f h ealth in o ur s o cie ty re q uir e s know le d ge, c o m mitm en t a n d a w illin gness to tr y n ew th in gs. I t c an b e d one. W hile none o f u s c an o r p ro bab ly w an t t o r e v ert t o l iv in g a p rim itiv e l if e sty le , w e c an , w ith a f e w c h an ges i n d ie t a n d l if e sty le , i m pro ve o ur h ealth a n d q uality o f l if e . 3 T HE N EW T HER O Y OF H EA LTH A ND D IS E A SE “The m ost b asic w ea pons in th e fig ht a gain st d is e a se a re th e most ig nore d b y m odern m ed ic in e: th e n um ero us n utr ie n ts th e cells o f o ur b odie s n eed . If o ur b ody c ells a re a ilin g— as th ey must b e in d is e a se — th e c h ances a re e xcelle n t th at it is b eca use th ey a re b ein g i n adeq uate ly p ro vis io ned .” Roger J . W illia m s, P h.D . Nutr itio n A gain st D is e a se M odern m ed ic in e b elie v es th at th ousa n ds o f d is e ase s e x is t, e ach w ith d if fe re n t cau se s a n d tr e atm en ts . T his b elie f h as le d to a s y ste m o f m ed ic in e s o c o m ple x a n d bafflin g th at physic ia n s re so rt to pro to co ls th at m ere ly su ppre ss sy m pto m s. B y su ppre ssin g sy m pto m s ra th er th an a d dre ssin g c au se s, d is e ase s re m ain c h ro nic . In th is c h ap te r, y ou w ill l e arn a n ew a p pro ach . T his n ew t h eo ry o f h ealth a n d d is e ase i s a m odel th at r e co gniz es n ot th ousa n ds o f d is e ase s b ut o nly o ne d is e ase , a lo ng w ith only tw o c au se s o f d is e ase . T his s im ple m odel o f d is e ase is s o p ow erfu l th at it c an en ab le y ou t o g o b ey ond h ealth a s y ou h av e e x perie n ced i t a n d n ev er b e s ic k a g ain . One D is e a se — Tw o C au se s— Six P ath w ays A re al u nders ta n din g o f th e re la tio nsh ip b etw een h ealth a n d d is e ase c an not b e ach ie v ed t h ro ugh k now le d ge o f g erm s, i n herite d g en es, m ed ic in es, s u rg ery , o r a n y o f th e m an y “d is e ase s” th at m ak e peo ple sic k . K eep in g up w ith th ese su bje cts is co m ple x a n d d oesn ’t re ally h elp p eo ple to ta k e c are o f th em se lv es. W hat w e n eed rig ht n ow a re s o lu tio ns fo r g ood h ealth . T he tim e is rip e to s im plif y : U nders ta n d what y our c ells n eed , h ow th ey w ork a n d w hat c au se s th em to m alf u nctio n. Y our cells a re w hat m ak e y our l if e p ossib le . There is o n ly o n e d is e a se : malf u nctio n in g c ells . When cells m alf u nctio n, th e b ody is n o lo nger ab le to m ain ta in h om eo sta sis (b ala n ce) b y r e g ula tin g a n d r e p air in g i ts e lf . T his i s t h e e sse n ce o f d is e ase , n o m atte r what y ou c all i t o r h ow i t h ap pen s. B ecau se o nly o ne d is e ase e x is ts , a ll w e n eed t o d o is p re v en t t h e c au se s o f t h at o ne d is e ase . There a re o n ly tw o c a u se s o f d is e a se : defic ie n cy an d to xic it y . All y ou h av e t o d o f o r h ealth i s t o g iv e y our c ells w hat t h ey n eed a n d p ro te ct t h em fro m w hat th ey d on’t n eed . C ells m alf u nctio n o nly if th ey su ffe r fro m a la ck o f nutr ie n ts ( d efic ie n cy ), to xic d am ag e ( to xic ity ) o r a c o m bin atio n o f b oth . P re v en tin g th ese tw o c au se s o f d is e ase is m ad e p ossib le b y o ur a b ility to c h oose h ow w e liv e our liv es. H ealth dep en ds on th e ch oic es w e m ak e. T hese ch oic es fa ll in to six cate g orie s, o r p ath w ay s. There a re s ix p ath w ays b etw een h ea lth a n d d is e a se : nutr it io n , t o xin , p sy ch olo gic a l, p hysic a l, gen etic an d med ic a l. The b ody k now s h ow t o t a k e c are o f i ts e lf , p ro vid ed i t h as w hat i t n eed s t o d o s o . Good c h oic es a lo ng th e six p ath w ay s p ro vid e fo r th e n eed s o f y our b ody ju st a s su nsh in e, w ate r a n d r ic h s o il p ro vid e f o r th e n eed s o f a h ouse p la n t. T hese c o ncep ts are n ot c o m plic ate d ; in f a ct th ey a re in cre d ib ly s im ple . W e ju st b eco m e lo st a lo ng th e w ay so m etim es b ecau se w e d on’t h av e a so und th eo ry o f h ealth a n d d is e ase . Well, n ow w e d o: o ne d is e ase , tw o c au se s, s ix p ath w ay s. A pply in g th is th eo ry c an re sto re b ala n ce to y our c ells a n d s u pport y our c ells ’ n atu ra l a b ility to s e lf -re g ula te an d r e p air d am ag e. A lo ng e ach o f th e s ix p ath w ay s, I te ach y ou in th is b ook h ow to pre v en t th e tw o c au se s o f d is e ase . U sin g th is k now le d ge, y ou c an r e sto re h ealth a n d pre v en t f u tu re s ic k ness. The N eed t o S im plif y At th e tim e o f m y illn ess, d esp ite m y sc ie n tif ic ed ucatio n an d b ack gro und, I pro bab ly k new a s m uch , o r a s little , a b out d is e ase a s m ost p eo ple . I th ought th at dis e ase w as so m eth in g th at c am e fro m g erm s a n d fro m g en etic p re d is p ositio n. I th ought d is e ase w as so m eth in g th at h ap pen ed to th e u nlu ck y, th e sta rv in g, o r to th ose w ho re ally ab use d th em se lv es, su ch as alc o holic s an d dru g ad dic ts . M y physic ia n s a id th at m y p ro ble m s w ere th e r e su lt o f a g in g, a s o ppose d to s o m eth in g th at I h ad u nknow in gly c h ose n a n d c o uld c h oose t o r e v ers e . Durin g m y r e co very p ro cess, I r e aliz ed t h at I w ould h av e b een a b le t o p re v en t m y illn ess if I h ad u nders to od th e c au se s o f d is e ase . I re aliz ed th at a s lo ng a s d is e ase re m ain ed s o m eth in g m yste rio us, c o m plic ate d a n d d if fic u lt to u nders ta n d, th en o nly th e h ig h p rie sts o f m ed ic in e— th e e d ucate d e x perts w e c all d octo rs — would b e a b le to d eal w ith it. W hat if w e c o uld a ll u nders ta n d w hat c au se s d is e ase ? W ould n’t w e be e m pow ere d to p re v en t d is e ase ? C an w e a ctu ally d o th at? C an w e d is till s im ple tr u th f ro m t h is c o m ple x m yste ry ? T hro ughout m an ’s h is to ry , g re at a d van cem en ts i n sc ie n ce h av e o fte n c o m e f ro m p eo ple w ho w ere a b le t o t a k e e x tr a o rd in arily c o m ple x su bje cts a n d s im plif y t h em . I n t h is c h ap te r w e a re t r y in g t o s im plif y t h e c o ncep ts o f health a n d d is e ase . Sim plif y in g D is e a se Consid er th is : R ath er th an th ousa n ds o f d is e ase s, th ere is o nly o ne d is e ase . D oes th is s o und rid ic u lo us? P ro bab ly , b ut th at is b ecau se w e a re c o nditio ned to th in k o f man y d if fe re n t d is e ase s, r a th er t h an r e co gniz in g w hat i s c o m mon t o a ll d is e ase . T he most d if fic u lt asp ect o f th is th eo ry is th at it re q uir e s y ou to lo ok at h ealth an d dis e ase i n a c o m ple te ly d if fe re n t w ay. U sin g t h e c o ncep t o f o ne d is e ase d ra m atic ally sim plif ie s h ow w e p erc eiv e d is e ase i n g en era l. To s im plif y d is e ase , w e m ust fir s t h av e a n u nders ta n din g o f w hat d is e ase is . In ord er to d o th at, w e n eed a b asic u nders ta n din g o f ce lls . Every p la n t a n d a n im al o n earth i s m ad e o f c ells — th e s m alle st u nit o f l if e . F ossil r e co rd s s h ow t h at t h e e arlie st fo rm s o f lif e w ere s in gle -c elle d o rg an is m s. L ik ew is e , e ach h um an b ein g s ta rte d a s one c ell— a s in gle c ell e n co ded w ith a ll o f th e in fo rm atio n n eed ed to d ev elo p in to th e v astly c o m ple x , m ultitr illio n-c elle d o rg an is m s t h at w e a re t o day . Each o f u s is m ad e o f a b out s e v en ty -fiv e tr illio n c ells . N ot a ll o f th ese c ells a re th e s a m e. H um an s h av e o ver 2 00 d if fe re n t ty pes o f c ells (n erv e c ells , b lo od c ells , musc le c ells , b one c ells , e tc .) , f o rm in g m an y d if fe re n t t y pes o f t is su es t h at e n ab le u s to e at, b re ath e, f e el, m ove, t h in k a n d r e p ro duce. T ogeth er, c ells c o m bin e t o f o rm t h e build in g b lo ck s o f b io lo gic al s tr u ctu re a n d f u nctio n. A ll o f t h ese c ells c o m munic ate with e ach o th er a n d r e ly o n t h ese c o m munic atio ns i n o rd er t o k eep u s a liv e a n d w ell. Health y cells m ak e health y tis su es, w hic h are hig hly re sis ta n t to dis e ase an d physic al i n ju ry . U nhealth y c ells c re ate u nhealth y t is su es, w hic h a re q uite s u sc ep tib le to b oth d is e ase a n d i n ju ry . What I s D is e a se ? Each cell m ust p erfo rm sp ecif ic ta sk s in o rd er to co lla b ora te effe ctiv ely w ith oth er c ells i n t h e b ody. I f a ll o f y our c ells a re h ealth y, t h ese t a sk s a re w ell e x ecu te d an d th e b ody f u nctio ns a t o ptim al le v els . If a ll o f y o ur c ells a re h ea lth y, y o u c a nnot be s ic k. If, f o r a n y r e aso n, a c ell s ta rts to m alf u nctio n, it is le ss a b le to p erfo rm its assig ned ta sk s, w hic h is w here p ro ble m s c an b eg in . W hen s u ch m alf u nctio n o ccu rs in a l a rg e e n ough n um ber o f c ells t o i m pair t h e b ody’s a b ility t o s e lf -re p air a n d s e lf - re g ula te , d is e ase o ccu rs . The s c ie n tif ic t e rm f o r a c ell t h at i s m alf u nctio nin g i s cyto path y ( cyto re fe rrin g to cell, a n d path y to s ic k ness o r d is e ase ). A s f a n ta stic ally c o m ple x a s w e h um an s a re , th e f u ndam en ta l c o ncep t o f d is e ase i s s im ple . Dis e a se i s t h e r e su lt o f a l a rg e n um ber of m alfu nctio nin g cells (w id esp re a d cyto path y). This defin itio n is not fa n cy or elo quen t; it m ay e v en s e em a b su rd ly s im ple . H ow ev er, it is a p ro fo und, p re cis e a n d ir re fu ta b le d efin itio n o f d is e ase . T his d efin itio n is s o s im ple th at n o o ne— sc ie n tis t, physic ia n o r l a y pers o n— can d en y i t. T his d efin itio n p ro vid es t h e u nif y in g t h eo ry o f health a n d d is e ase t h at t h e m odern m ed ic al e sta b lis h m en t l a ck s, w hic h i s t h e r e aso n th at m odern m ed ic in e i s u nab le t o a d dre ss t h e c u rre n t e p id em ic o f c h ro nic d is e ase . Perh ap s y ou a re th in kin g, “ B ut w ait! D is e ase is m uch m ore c o m ple x th an th at! What a b out g en etic p re d is p ositio n? W hat a b out b acte ria l a n d v ir a l in fe ctio n? W hat ab out can cer? W hat ab out A ID S? W hat ab out . . . ?” T ru e, m an y fa cto rs m ay co nsp ir e i n c o ntr ib utin g t o t h e m alf u nctio n o f o ur c ells a n d t h e m an y d if fe re n t w ay s in w hic h th ey c an m alf u nctio n. I n th e e n d, th ough, c ellu la r m alf u nctio n c re ate s th e measu ra b le ab norm alitie s th at w e call d is e ase . T here fo re , n o m atte r w hic h cells malf u nctio n, o r w hy t h ey m alf u nctio n, th e m alfu nctio n i s t h e o ne d is e a se . A p ers o n c an not b e s ic k u nle ss a la rg e n um ber o f c ells a re m alf u nctio nin g. T he fir s t s te p s o n th e p ath to d is e ase a re ta k en w hen , f o r w hate v er r e aso n, a s in gle c ell beg in s to m alf u nctio n, a n d th en a n oth er c ell a n d a n oth er. W hen th e n um ber g ro w s la rg e e n ough, w e m ay b eg in to n otic e. W e m ay “ fe el s ic k ” a lo ng th e w ay, p erh ap s ex perie n cin g a p ain h ere , a d is c o m fo rt th ere o r a la ck o f e n erg y. B y th e tim e y our health h as d ete rio ra te d in to a d ia g nosa b le c h ro nic d is e ase , n o c ell m ay b e le ft in your b ody th at is s till f u nctio nin g o ptim ally . I a m a sto unded w hen p eo ple d esc rib e th eir h ealth p ro ble m s a n d th en c la im th at, “ o th er th an th is ,” th ey a re in e x celle n t health ! Unfo rtu nate ly , m odern m ed ic in e f in ds i ts e lf m ir e d i n c o m ple x ity , c o nfro nte d w ith num ero us d is e ase s, d ia g nose s an d tr e atm en ts . L ost in th e m id st o f th ousa n ds o f dif fe re n t d is e ase s (e ach su ppose d ly w ith its o w n u niq ue cau se s), p hysic ia n s are unab le to e ffe ctiv ely d im in is h d is e ase in o ur s o cie ty . A s im ple r a n d m ore e ffe ctiv e so lu tio n is to fo cu s o n th e p ro cess— th e o ne d is e ase — an d to a sk w hat c au se s it. When y ou u nders ta n d d is e ase a s a p ro cess, ra th er th an a “ th in g” to b e c u t o ut o r su ppre sse d , th en y ou se e w hy su rg ery an d d ru gs, v ir tu ally th e o nly to ols o f th e physic ia n , a re l im ite d i n w hat t h ey c an d o. The T w o C au se s o f D is e a se Cellu la r m alf u nctio n i s t h e e sse n ce o f d is e ase . B ut w hy d oes i t h ap pen ? C ells c an malf u nctio n i n a m ultitu de o f w ay s, a n d t h e b io ch em is tr y o f t h ese m alf u nctio ns c an be e x ceed in gly c o m ple x . A ll m alf u nctio ns c an b e r e d uced to tw o c au se s: defic ie n cy an d to xic ity . D efic ie n cy mean s th at c ells a re la ck in g so m eth in g th at th ey n eed in ord er t o f u nctio n t h e w ay t h ey a re d esig ned t o f u nctio n. Toxic ity mean s t h at c ells a re pois o ned b y s o m eth in g th at in hib its p ro per fu nctio n. E ith er o ne o f th ese fa cto rs — an d u su ally a c o m bin atio n o f b oth — can a n d w ill c au se d is e ase . One o f th e g re at s c ie n tif ic m in ds o f th e tw en tie th c en tu ry , b io ch em is t D r. R oger Willia m s, w ro te , “ B ody c ells in g en era l d ie f o r tw o r e aso ns: F ir s t, b ecau se th ey d o not g et e v ery th in g th ey n eed ; s e co nd, b ecau se th ey g et p ois o ned b y s o m eth in g th ey decid ed ly d o n ot n eed .” H um an s c an l iv e l o ng a n d h ealth y l iv es i f w e d o t w o t h in gs rig ht: p ro vid e o ur c ells w ith a ll o f t h e n utr ie n ts t h ey n eed a n d p ro te ct o ur c ells f ro m to xin s. T o th e e x te n t th at w e c an a cco m plis h th ese ta sk s w ell, w e c an s ig nif ic an tly ex te n d th e le n gth a n d th e q uality o f o ur liv es. I n th e r e al w orld , th ese tw o ta sk s a re nev er a cco m plis h ed p erfe ctly . A s a r e su lt, c ells s u ffe r, w e a g e, th e q uality o f lif e is dim in is h ed a n d w e d ie . T he v aria b le in th is s e q uen ce is h ow fa st w e a llo w th is to hap pen . What a b out o th er c au se s o f d is e ase , s u ch a s g en etic in herita n ce a n d in fe ctio ns b y mic ro org an is m s? Y es, g en es a n d g erm s tr ig ger c ellu la r m alf u nctio n, b ut th ey d o s o by c au sin g d efic ie n cie s o r t o xic itie s, w hic h a re a lw ay s t h e c o m mon d en om in ato rs o f dis e ase . E lim in ate th ese fa cto rs a n d y ou e lim in ate d is e ase . F or e x am ple , c o nsid er dis e ase s w ith a g en etic b asis , su ch as A LD (a d re n ole u kodystr o phy), th e g en etic dis e ase fe atu re d in th e m ovie Lore n zo ’s O il. Peo ple w ith A LD d ev elo p a b norm ally hig h l e v els o f v ery l o ng-c h ain f a tty a cid s, w hic h a re m ole cu le s t h at a re n atu ra l t o t h e body. T hese f a tty a cid s c an b uild u p to le v els th at a re to xic to c ells . T his to xic ity is th e re su lt o f a g en etic ally c au se d defic ie n cy of s p ecia l p ro te in m ole cu le s th at k eep th ese f a tty a cid le v els w ith in n orm al lim its . L ore n zo ’s p are n ts c o m pen sa te d f o r th e gen etic d efic ie n cy b y s u pple m en tin g t h eir s o n’s d ie t w ith a c o m bin atio n o f o ils t h at help ed to lo w er th e le v el o f th e o ffe n din g fa tty a cid s, th ere b y re d ucin g th e to xic effe ct o n h is b ody. W hat c au se d L ore n zo ’s d is e ase ? W as i t g en etic s? Y es, b ut f o r h is dis e ase to m an if e st, h is c ells h ad to b e d efic ie n t a n d to xic . Defic ie n cy a nd to xic ity are a lw ays th e c o m mon d en om in ato rs o f a ll d is e a se . The s a m e is tr u e o f in fe ctio ns fro m m ic ro org an is m s. A nth ra x , f o r e x am ple , m ak es u s s ic k a n d k ills b y p ro ducin g to xin s. W ith out d efic ie n cy a n d to xic ity c au sin g c ells to m alf u nctio n, th ere is n o dis e ase . What a b out str e ss? H asn ’t th at b een p ro ven to c au se d is e ase ? T ru e, str e ss is a majo r fa cto r th at co ntr ib ute s to dis e ase . C hro nic str e ss re su lts in an ex cessiv e build up o f n atu ra l c h em ic als in th e b ody, w hic h a t h ig her le v els b eco m e to xic . In ad ditio n, s tr e ss d ep le te s t h e b ody o f c erta in n utr ie n ts , r e su ltin g i n d efic ie n cy. S tr e ss is a co ntr ib uto r to dis e ase , but only by ex pre ssin g its e lf th ro ugh th e co m mon den om in ato rs o f a ll d is e ase : d efic ie n cy a n d t o xic ity . Defic ie n cy a n d to xic ity , re g ard le ss o f th eir c au se , in cre asin gly c o m pro m is e th e fu nctio nin g o f cells , m ak in g a p ers o n ste ad ily m ore v uln era b le to d ev elo pin g a dia g nosa b le d is e ase . B y th e tim e y ou c o ntr a ct a d ia g nosa b le d is e ase ( w heth er w e’re ta lk in g ab out th e co m mon co ld , alle rg ie s, can cer or heart dis e ase ), you hav e pro bab ly b een “ sic k ” fo r a lo ng tim e. Y ou h av e su ffe re d e n ough c ellu la r d am ag e fro m d efic ie n cy a n d to xic ity th at c ells th ro ughout y our b ody a re m alf u nctio nin g. You are sic k lo ng b efo re y ou get sic k . B y th e tim e s y m pto m s a re p ro duced , c ellu la r malf u nctio n has beco m e wid esp re ad , cell- to -c ell co m munic atio ns hav e been dis ru pte d a n d t h e s y ste m ic m an if e sta tio ns a re t h e s y m pto m s. R em em ber t h at d is e ase does n ot ju st ra n dom ly h ap pen , lik e a m ete o rite fa llin g o ut o f th e s k y. H ealth , n ot dis e ase , is th e n atu ra l sta te o f h um an e x is te n ce, b ut fo rg ettin g th is p oin t is e asy when w e s e e a ll t h e d is e ase a ro und u s. Sym pto m s V ersu s t h e O ne D is e a se Our so cie ty ’s cu rre n t unders ta n din g of dis e ase is base d on th e co ncep t of sy m pto m olo gy. Sym pto m olo gy is ab out fo cu sin g on, id en tif y in g an d cate g oriz in g sy m pto m s— in o th er w ord s, t h e e ffe cts p ro duced b y d is e ase . I n t h is m an ner, d octo rs su ppose d ly can dif fe re n tia te one dis e ase fro m an oth er. B ecau se th e en tir e ty of modern m ed ic in e a n d e v ery th in g w e h av e e v er le arn ed a b out d is e ase is b ase d o n sy m pto m olo gy, th e c o ncep t o f o nly o ne d is e ase m ay s e em u naccep ta b ly s im plis tic . Actu ally t h e s y m pto m olo gy c o ncep t i s t h e f la w ed o ne. Sym pto m olo gy i s b ase d o n a f u ndam en ta l m is c o ncep tio n, o ne h eld b y v ir tu ally a ll med ic al e sta b lis h m en ts in W este rn s o cie ty . T he m is c o ncep tio n is th at th ousa n ds o f dif fe re n t d is e ase s e x is t, e ach w ith d if fe re n t s y m pto m s, c au se s a n d tr e atm en ts . T his mis c o ncep tio n s te m s f ro m th e m an y d if fe re n t w ay s th at c ells c an m alf u nctio n, a n d th ere fo re th e th ousa n ds o f d if fe re n t sy m pto m s th at c an b e p ro duced . T he m odern med ic al tr e atm en t of alm ost all dis e ase fo cu se s on th e m an ag em en t of th ese sy m pto m s (th e effe cts o f d is e ase ), ra th er th an elim in atin g th e cau se s, w hic h are defic ie n cy a n d to xic ity . P eo ple a re to ld to ta k e in su lin to m an ag e th eir b lo od s u gar ra th er t h an e lim in atin g t h eir d ia b ete s, o r t o t a k e d iu re tic s t o t r e at t h eir h yperte n sio n ra th er th an norm aliz in g th eir blo od pre ssu re . T hey are to ld to hav e a bypass opera tio n r a th er t h an r e v ers in g t h eir h eart d is e ase o r t o u nderg o c h em oth era p y r a th er th an h ealin g t h eir c an cer. Dia g nosis b y sy m pto m s is th e p ro cess b y w hic h m odern m ed ic in e g iv es each co lle ctio n o f s y m pto m s a p artic u la r n am e. M ed ic in e v ie w s s y m pto m s a s e n em ie s, an d physic ia n s are tr a in ed to elim in ate th em , ev en if th at m ean s ag gre ssiv ely assa u ltin g th e body with dan gero us to xin s, ra d ia tio n or in vasiv e su rg ery . Sym pto m olo gy le ad s th e m ed ic al pro fe ssio n to lo ok at sy m pto m s in div id ually , org an iz e t h em i n to t h ousa n ds o f c ate g orie s, l a b el t h em a s d if fe re n t d is e ase s a n d t h en pre sc rib e a c u rre n tly a ccep te d p ro to co l to s u ppre ss th ose s y m pto m s. T his a p pro ach ad ds n eed le ss c o m ple x ity , c re ate s m assiv e c o nfu sio n a n d re su lts in a n in ab ility to deal w ith d is e ase i n a m ean in gfu l w ay . In t r u th , e ach c o lle ctio n o f s y m pto m s— each s p ecif ic “ d is e ase ”— is j u st a d if fe re n t ex pre ssio n o f m alf u nctio nin g c ells . H ow ev er, w ith a ll o f o ur d if fe re n t t y pes o f c ells , an d a ll o f th e d if fe re n t w ay s in w hic h e ach c ell c an m alf u nctio n, th e n um ber o f possib le co m bin atio ns of sy m pto m s beco m es vast. In oth er w ord s, w hen cells malf u nctio n, w e m ay f e el s ic k i n m an y d if fe re n t w ay s. Cells th at a re m alf u nctio nin g b ecau se o f a v ita m in C d efic ie n cy e x hib it d if fe re n t sy m pto m s th an th ose malf u nctio nin g becau se of a zin c defic ie n cy. Cells malf u nctio nin g becau se of le ad to xic ity ex hib it dif fe re n t sy m pto m s fro m th ose malf u nctio nin g b ecau se o f m erc u ry to xic ity . V ario us c o m bin atio ns o f d efic ie n cie s an d t o xic itie s p ro duce a m yria d o f c o m ple x s y m pto m s ( th ousa n ds o f “ d is e ase s” ), b ut th e sy m pto m s are n ot re le v an t. T o so lv e an y p ro ble m , y ou h av e to ad dre ss th e cau se s, n ot t h e s y m pto m s. Modern m ed ic in e, b y p la cin g th e fo cu s o n sy m pto m s, h as y et to d ev elo p an y th eo ry re g ard in g th e re la tio nsh ip b etw een h ealth an d d is e ase . M ed ic in e lo oks at th ese a s i f t h ey a re t w o d if fe re n t s ta te s, w hile h ealth a n d d is e ase a re r e ally d if fe re n t sid es o f t h e s a m e c o in i n a c o nsta n tly s h if tin g c o ntin uum . L ack in g a p ra ctic al t h eo ry , physic ia n s h av e n o f ra m ew ork i n w hic h t o u nders ta n d h ealth o r h ow t o h elp p atie n ts ach ie v e it, lik e b ein g lo st in a v ast ju ngle w ith out a m ap o r c o m pass. N arro w ly tr a in ed , o ur p hysic ia n s a re ta u ght th e a rt o f s u rg ery a n d th e a d m in is tr a tio n o f d ru gs as to ols to m an ag e s y m pto m s. I f th e o nly to ol y ou h av e is a h am mer, s o th e s a y in g goes, th en e v ery p ro ble m lo oks lik e a n ail. If y ou g o to a c o nven tio nally tr a in ed physic ia n , th en m ed ic in e’s “ h am mers ” — su rg ery a n d d ru gs— are w hat y ou re ceiv e. Unfo rtu nate ly , th ese to ols a re d esig ned to m an ag e a n d s u ppre ss s y m pto m s, n ot to cu re d is e ase . For a m ore m ean in gfu l u nders ta n din g o f d is e ase ( c ellu la r m alf u nctio n), w e m ust co nsid er th e h ealth o f o ur c ells . R em em ber th at n otic eab le h ealth p ro ble m s b eg in when a la rg e num ber of cells m alf u nctio n. A s th is hap pen s, im porta n t cellu la r ch em ic als a re n ot p ro duced , c ell- to -c ell c o m munic atio ns b eco m e g arb le d a n d th e body c ease s to r e g ula te its e lf p ro perly . O ur tis su es s u ffe r a n d n otic eab le s y m pto m s ap pear, e.g ., alle rg ie s, fa tig ue, ach es an d pain s, co ld s, flu , dep re ssio n, an xie ty , can cer o r a n y o f t h ousa n ds o f o th er c o m pla in ts . Cate g oriz in g a n d s u ppre ssin g th e s y m pto m s o f m alf u nctio nin g c ells d oes n ot f ix th e p ro ble m . T his a p pro ach c an not e x pla in w hy th e p ro ble m o ccu rre d in th e fir s t pla ce, c an not p re v en t th e p ro ble m f ro m h ap pen in g a g ain a n d c an not p re v en t it f ro m ap pearin g e ls e w here in th e b ody. T he o nly “ cu re ” is to r e sto re o ur c ells a n d tis su es to h ealth . What I s H ea lt h ? Every body t h in ks t h ey k now w hat h ealth i s , b ut p eo ple a sk ed t o d efin e i t g iv e y ou man y d if fe re n t a n sw ers . In o rd er to d efin e h ealth , p erh ap s w e fir s t s h ould p ro vid e th e d efin itio n o f h ealth u se d i n m odern m ed ic in e: “ H ealth i s t h e a b se n ce o f d is e ase .” This m ed ic al s c h ool le sso n is n ot a v ery g ood d efin itio n. F or m ed ic in e to r e co gniz e dis e ase , it m ust b e d ia g nosa b le . Y ou a re n ot sic k u ntil th e d ay th e p hysic ia n c an dia g nose so m eth in g. T he ab se n ce o f d ia g nosa b le d is e ase is n ot a g ood w ork in g defin itio n of health . Modern m ed ic in e h as n o w ay o f re co gniz in g o r d ia gnosin g dis e a se w hen yo ur h ea lth is in its in itia l d eclin e. When I w as sic k an d alr e ad y ex perie n cin g d is tu rb in g s y m pto m s, m y p hysic ia n p ro nounced m e i n e x celle n t h ealth . He h ad n ev er b een t a u ght h ow t o n otic e a n d m easu re m y a lr e ad y e x te n siv e d eclin e i n health . W e a re c o nsid ere d s ic k o nly a fte r t h e p ro ble m h as b eco m e s e rio us e n ough t o pro duce sy m pto m s th at fit n eatly in to o ne o f m ed ic in e’s d is e ase c ate g orie s. T his way o f lo okin g a t h ealth is n ot h elp fu l, p ro ductiv e o r se lf -e m pow erin g. H ealth is much m ore t h an t h e a b se n ce o f a d ia g nosa b le d is e ase . When y our c ells a re f u nctio nin g a s t h ey s h ould , y ou h av e a m ple a d ap tiv e c ap acity to th riv e in o ur c o nsta n tly c h an gin g e n vir o nm en t w ith out ill e ffe cts . W ith p ro perly fu nctio nin g c ells , y ou h av e s tr o ng re silie n ce to v ario us k in ds o f s tr e ss— p hysic al, ch em ic al, b io lo gic al a n d e m otio nal. Y ou h av e th e a b ility to m ak e d aily re p air s to your c ells , t h e a b ility t o b uild h ealth y n ew o nes, a n d t h e a b ility t o e ffic ie n tly r e m ove path ogen ic m ic ro org an is m s a n d to xin s fro m y our b ody. Y ou b eco m e a n o ptim ally bala n ced o rg an is m , w ith in te g ra te d m en ta l a n d p hysic al e q uilib riu m . P erh ap s m ost im porta n t is th at ach ie v in g g ood cellu la r h ealth g iv es o ur so cie ty th e ab ility to pro duce h ealth y o ffs p rin g. While th e a b ove d esc rip tio ns e x pla in th e p ra ctic al e ffe cts o f h ealth , th ey s till d o not o ffe r a s in gle , c o ncre te d efin itio n o f h ealth . I n o rd er t o c le arly d efin e h ealth , a s a co ncep t co ncre te en ough to be unders to od an d dis c u sse d , le t us w ork w ith th e fo llo w in g d efin itio n: Hea lth is th e s ta te w here in a ll c ells are f u nctio n in g o ptim ally . Nev er a re a ll o f o ur c ells f u nctio nin g p erfe ctly , s o t h e c h alle n ge i s t o k eep c ellu la r malf u nctio n to a m in im um . E ven in health y peo ple , cells are co nsta n tly bein g dam ag ed , d yin g a n d b ein g r e p la ced . O ur b odie s p ro duce m ore th an 1 0 m illio n n ew cells e v ery s e co nd, a s w e c o nsta n tly re b uild o ur tis su es. H ow h ealth y a re e ach o f th ese n ew c ells ? I f w e r e p la ce s ic k c ells w ith s ic k c ells , w e w ill n ev er r e co ver. A s cells d ie o ff a re w e r e p la cin g t h em w ith h ealth y c ells o r s ic k c ells ? Who S uccu m bs t o D is e a se ? Only s ic k p eo ple b eco m e s ic k . O nce y ou s ta rt t o c o m pro m is e h ealth , a c asc ad e o f ev en ts fo llo w . O nce a critic al num ber of cells beg in to m alf u nctio n, in te rn al co m munic atio ns a n d se lf -re g ula tio n sy ste m s b eco m e d eb ilita te d a n d d esta b iliz ed . As th e n um ber o f c o m pro m is e d c ells in cre ase s, th e e ffe cts a re c o m pounded . B efo re an yone can ex hib it notic eab le sig ns of dis e ase , norm al cell fu nctio n has to be co m pro m is e d sig nif ic an tly th ro ughout th e body. V uln era b ility to in fe ctio ns, fo r ex am ple , is c re ate d b y w id esp re ad c ellu la r m alf u nctio n. A n in fe ctio n in dic ate s th at cellu la r m alf u nctio n a lr e ad y h as w eak en ed t h e i m mune s y ste m . H av in g a c o ld o r t h e flu is a n a la rm s c re am in g a t y ou th at a ll is n ot w ell, b ecau se h ealth y p eo ple re sis t in fe ctio ns in th e f ir s t p la ce. F ew o f u s p ay a tte n tio n to th ese a la rm s. W e th in k th at hav in g a c o ld o r t h e f lu i s n orm al, a n d t h at o nce t h e s y m pto m s a re g one w e a re w ell ag ain . N ot s o . The l e v el o f y our h ealth a n d i m munity d ete rm in es w heth er o r n ot t h e p re se n ce o f a m ic ro org an is m r e su lts i n a n i n fe ctio n. Yo u a re a lr e a dy s ic k b efo re y o u c o m e d ow n with an in fe ctio n. Oth erw is e ev ery body w ho is ex pose d to a g iv en “b ug” w ould beco m e s ic k , w hic h is n ot th e c ase . C ontr a ry to th e c o m mon n otio n th at w e “ catc h ” dis e ase s, p eo ple b eco m e s ic k o nly a fte r t h eir c ellu la r h ealth i s a lr e ad y c o m pro m is e d . Dis e ase (c ellu la r m alf u nctio n) c o m es fir s t; a ctiv e in fe ctio ns a n d c h ro nic p ro ble m s fo llo w . The s k ep tic s a y s, “ B ut h e w as b orn w ith a sth m a a n d s u ffe re d f ro m i t a s a n i n fa n t.” “S he w as in th e b est o f h ealth , to ok g re at c are o f h ers e lf , a n d th en su dden ly g ot bre ast c an cer.” A lth ough w e h ear th ese k in ds o f s ta te m en ts f re q uen tly , th e n otio n is fla w ed th at a p ers o n is a p ow erle ss v ic tim o f d is e ase . T his w ay o f lo okin g a t e v en ts co m es fro m liv in g in a so cie ty th at d oes n ot h av e an accu ra te u nders ta n din g o f dis e ase , o r o f w hat i s r e q uir e d t o c re ate a n d m ain ta in h ealth . Thin k o f th e h is to ric ally h ealth y so cie tie s, su ch as th e H unzas. T hese p eo ple im plic itly u nders to od w hat th ey n eed ed to m ain ta in th eir h ealth . T hey liv ed fa r lo nger th an w e d o, w ith out th e c h ro nic d eg en era tiv e d is e ase s f ro m w hic h w e s u ffe r. The p rin cip le s o f g ood h ealth w ere b uilt in to th eir b elie fs a n d lif e sty le s. T he k ey le sso n t o b e l e arn ed f ro m t h ese p eo ple i s t h is : Hea lth y p eo ple d o n ot g et s ic k . Most o f u s h av e n ot le arn ed to th in k th is w ay. W e g ro w u p in a s o cie ty w here alm ost e v ery one h as a c h ro nic d is e ase . W e h av e b een ta u ght, th ro ugh e x perie n ce, th at d is e ase is a “ n orm al” p art o f th e a g in g p ro cess. D is e ase d p eo ple a re ty pic ally se en a s th e h elp le ss v ic tim s o f a n in ev ita b le a n d “ n atu ra l” p ro cess. E sp ecia lly w hen th e sy m pto m s o f d is e ase d ev elo p su dden ly , p eo ple fe el su rp ris e d a n d v ic tim iz ed . Yet, th e tw o cau se s w ere th ere all th e tim e, gra d ually w earin g dow n cellu la r co m pete n ce a n d c re atin g a n o pportu nity f o r d is e ase t o “ str ik e.” As part of th e body’s norm al m ain te n an ce an d re p air pro cess, old cells are co nsta n tly b ein g r e p la ced w ith n ew o nes. I f n ew c ells a re n ot b uilt w ith p ro per r a w mate ria ls , th ey w ill b e u nhealth y a n d w eak . S uch c ells a re u nab le to p erfo rm th eir norm al ta sk s, in clu din g ro utin e re p air s , an d w ill be vuln era b le to sic k ness an d in ju ry . U ltim ate ly , th e b ody’s s e lf -re g ula tio n s y ste m s w ill b re ak d ow n. B ecau se o f th e p oor d ie ts a n d t h e t o xic e n vir o nm en t i n o ur s o cie ty , c ells a re o fte n d efic ie n t a n d to xic w hen f ir s t c re ate d , b eco m in g p ro gre ssiv ely m ore s o o ver t im e. T his s itu atio n i s pre cario us, w ith a la rg e n um ber o f c ells e ith er m alf u nctio nin g o r fu nctio nin g a t a bord erlin e le v el. S im ila r to w alk in g a tig htr o pe, f a llin g o ff is e asy . A ny n um ber o f str e ssfu l f a cto rs c an a ffe ct a p ers o n a d vers e ly w ho i s a lr e ad y d efic ie n t a n d t o xic , b e it a s tr e ssfu l e v en t, a p ath ogen ic o rg an is m , a n ig ht o ut o n t h e t o w n, a p hysic al i n ju ry or e v en a le n gth y a ir p la n e flig ht. A lm ost a n y c h alle n ge to a c o m pro m is e d s y ste m can b e t h e s tr a w t h at b re ak s t h e o verb urd en ed c am el’ s b ack . Though p ain fu l to ack now le d ge, d is e ase su ffe re rs in varia b ly (if u nknow in gly ) hav e m ad e p oor c h oic es le ad in g to illn ess. I n th e c ase o f s ic k c h ild re n , th e p are n ts hav e m ad e t h e p oor c h oic es. We a re n ot ta u ght th at w e h av e th e a b ility to a n d, in fa ct, n eed to c o nsis te n tly mak e m ean in gfu l c h oic es a b out o ur h ealth . I n ste ad , w hen w e b eco m e s ic k w e l o ok t o so m eth in g o uts id e o f o urs e lv es to ex pla in o ur “m is fo rtu ne.” W e lo ok fo r so m e obvio us c ir c u m sta n ce th at c an e x pla in w hy w e a re sic k . D o th ese e x cu se s so und fa m ilia r? “ I w alk ed o uts id e i n t h e c o ld a ir a n d . . .” o r “ S o a n d s o w as c o ughin g a n d sn eezin g n ear m e a t w ork a n d . . .” o r “ E very body a t l ittle R ic k y’s s c h ool i s s ic k , i t’s no w onder th at . . .” o r “ O besity r u ns in m y f a m ily . . .” W e a re a ccu sto m ed to ill health as so m eth in g th at m yste rio usly la n ds o n u s. W e fa il to se e o ur o w n ro le re g ard in g i ts d ev elo pm en t. W hen i n vite d t o c o nsid er i lln ess a s t h e r e su lt o f o ur p oor ch oic es, usu ally w e re je ct su ch a notio n. By pla cin g th e bla m e fo r sic kn ess on excu se s, w e r e lie ve o urse lv es o f r e sp onsib ility . How ev er, a ccep tin g r e sp onsib ility f o r o ur h ealth c an b e e n orm ously e m pow erin g. The o vera ll c o m pete n ce o f c ells — d ete rm in ed b y re la tiv e le v els o f d efic ie n cy a n d to xic ity — are th e so le d ete rm in an ts o f h ealth . L earn h ow to em bra ce h ealth an d av oid i lln ess b y e d ucatin g y ours e lf i n h ow t o m ak e h ealth fu l c h oic es t h at l o w er y our le v els o f d efic ie n cy a n d t o xic ity a n d p ro m ote y our c ellu la r h ealth . In W hic h D ir ectio n I s Y ou r H ea lt h M ovin g? Som e o f t h e t im e w e a re s ic k , a n d m ost o f t h e t im e w e a re w ell. T his v aria b ility i n our i n div id ual h ealth i s a lm ost e x clu siv ely t h e r e su lt o f t h e c h oic es w e m ak e. I n t h is flu ctu atio n, s ic k ness is n ot th e a b so lu te o pposite o f h ealth . H ealth a n d s ic k ness a re not fix ed c o ncep ts a n d th ey c an not b e d efin ed in b la ck -a n d-w hite te rm s. In ste ad , co nsid er your health as a co nsta n tly ch an gin g co ntin uum . C onsid er th e bala n ce betw een s ic k ness a n d h ealth a s a s c ale , w ith o ptim al h ealth a t o ne e n d, a n d d eath a t th e o th er. S om ew here in b etw een is a d ia g nosa b le d is e ase . A s lif e p ro gre sse s, y our positio n o n th e s c ale s h if ts , m ovin g b ack a n d fo rth a ll th e tim e. A t a n y tim e, it is worth w hile to a sk : W here a m I o n th is s c ale ? I n w hic h d ir e ctio n o n th is s c ale a m I movin g? The H ealth a n d P erfo rm an ce S cale s h ow n o n t h e n ex t p ag e i s s im ple b ut e ffe ctiv e, se rv in g t o i llu str a te t h e r e la tio nsh ip b etw een s ic k ness a n d h ealth . I n c o nsid erin g t h is dia g ra m , r e m em ber o ur d efin itio ns o f h ealth a n d d is e ase . O ptim al h ealth ( o n t h e f a r rig ht) is th at th eo re tic al s ta te in w hic h e v ery c ell is f u nctio nin g o ptim ally a n d y ou are a b so lu te ly a s h ealth y a s y our g en etic c ap acity a llo w s. T his c o nditio n is c alle d hom eo sta sis —when th e b ody is p erfe ctly in b ala n ce a n d c o ntin ually is fin e-tu nin g its e lf to m ain ta in th at b ala n ce. V ery f e w A m eric an s a re a t th is e n d o f th e s c ale , b ut we s h ould s tr iv e to w ard th is g oal. B etw een o ptim al h ealth a n d d eath is d ia g nosa b le dis e ase . I n t h is s ta te , c ellu la r m alf u nctio n i s o ccu rrin g o n s u ch a l a rg e s c ale t h at t h e sy m pto m s o f a m ed ic ally d efin ed d is e ase a re p ro duced . O n t h e f a r l e ft o f t h e s c ale i s death — where a ll c ells h av e c ease d t o f u nctio n. The H ea lt h a n d P erfo rm an ce S ca le ©2002 Beyo nd H ea lth Tra g ic ally , m ore th an th re e o ut o f fo ur A m eric an s h av e m ed ic ally sig nif ic an t cellu la r m alf u nctio n— a dia g nosa b le dis e ase of so m e kin d. The overw helm in g majo rity o f u s a re s o m ew here b etw een d ia g nosa b le d is e ase a n d d eath ! Thin k ab out your pers o nal health eq uatio n, your positio n on th is H ealth an d Perfo rm an ce S cale . D o you hav e a dia g nosa b le dis e ase ? If so , you are lo cate d betw een d is e ase a n d d eath . E ven w ith out h av in g a d ia g nosa b le d is e ase , y our h ealth may b e f a r f ro m o ptim al. F ortu nate ly , y our p ositio n o n th is c o ntin uum is n ot s ta tic ; it c an c h an ge d ep en din g o n y our c h oic es. No m atte r y our a g e o r y our c u rre n t s ta te o f h ealth , y ou h av e th e p ow er to c h an ge th e d ir e ctio n in w hic h y ou a re g oin g a n d h ow r a p id ly y ou m ove o n th e H ealth a n d Perfo rm an ce S cale . I le arn ed th is f ir s th an d, in m ak in g p ow erfu l lif e -s a v in g c h oic es, afte r it w as d ecla re d a m ed ic al c erta in ty th at I w ould d ie . I le arn ed it a g ain y ears la te r, a fte r w itn essin g t h e i lln ess a n d e x tr a o rd in ary r e co very o f a n e ld erly w om an . A f a m ily c alle d m e to a sk f o r h elp w ith th eir b ed rid den a n d s e n ile m oth er. T his wom an w as n in ety -fo ur y ears o ld an d u nab le to g et o ut o f b ed ; so m etim es sh e re co gniz ed h er fa m ily a n d k new w here sh e w as, a t o th er tim es sh e d id n ot. H er ch ild re n lo ved h er v ery m uch a n d d id n ot w an t to p la ce h er in a n urs in g h om e, y et th e b urd en o f h er c are h ad b eco m e to o m uch fo r th em . W ith n ow here e ls e to tu rn , th ey a sk ed i f t h ere w as a n yth in g I c o uld r e co m men d. M y r e p ly w as, “ P ro bab ly n ot.” Giv en t h e w om an ’s d eb ilita te d c o nditio n, I a ssu m ed t h at h er h ealth h ad d ete rio ra te d bey ond r e p air. A t a c erta in p oin t, e n ough c ellu la r m ach in ery h as b een d am ag ed th at su ffic ie n t re p air s can no lo nger be m ad e. T hough I w as pessim is tic ab out th e lik elih ood of an y im pro vem en t, th e fa m ily ask ed fo r m y ad vic e an yw ay. In re tr o sp ect, I f o und o ut th at I s till h ad a lo t to le arn a b out th e c ap acity o f th e h um an body t o h eal i ts e lf . I s ta rte d o ut b y r e co m men din g s o m e s p ecif ic v ita m in s u pple m en ts t o h elp s u pply certa in k ey n utr ie n ts to h er c ells . W hen I a sk ed w hat s h e w as e atin g, th e f ir s t ite m th ey m en tio ned w as m ilk . A fte r y ears o f s tu dy, I h ad c o m e t o r e aliz e t h at c o w ’s m ilk is n ot a n a p pro pria te f o od f o r a n y h um an b ein g. F or s o m eo ne i n h er c o nditio n, c o w ’s milk w as a lm ost c erta in ly p uttin g a to xic lo ad o n h er a lr e ad y str u gglin g b ody. I re co m men ded t h at t h ey s to p f e ed in g h er m ilk . A s I h ung u p t h e p hone, I d oubte d t h at th ese su ggestio ns w ould h av e m uch o f a n im pact o r th at I w ould e v er h ear fro m th em a g ain . T w o w eek s l a te r t h e p hone r a n g w ith g le efu l r e p orts o f h er “ m ir a cu lo us” im pro vem en t. S he w as g ettin g o ut o f b ed , g oin g t o t h e b ath ro om a n d g ettin g d re sse d —all by hers e lf . She was walk in g aro und th e house an d hav in g ra tio nal co nvers a tio ns w ith her fa m ily . A m ir a cle ? N o, ju st a m ovem en t of her health eq uatio n in th e rig ht d ir e ctio n. B y a d dre ssin g h er c ellu la r d efic ie n cy a n d to xic ity , th is w om an ’s b ody b eg an o nce a g ain to re p air a n d re g ula te its e lf . In deed , I h av e le arn ed th at alm ost an yone can alte r his or her health eq uatio n in a positiv e dir e ctio n. Sic k ness n ev er h ap pen s w ith out a c au se . T he c au se is u su ally o ur o w n ig nora n ce of o r d is re g ard f o r o ur p ers o nal h ealth e q uatio ns. S o h ow c an y ou a v oid g ettin g s ic k ? Sim ple . M ak e th e k in d o f h ealth -c o nsc io us lif e c h oic es th at o ptim iz e y our p ers o nal health e q uatio n. W e l iv e i n a f a st- p aced s o cie ty t h at h as c re ate d a n e n vir o nm en t a n d ad opte d d ie ts , l if e sty le s a n d b eh av io rs t h at d o n ot s u pport h um an h ealth . I f w e w an t to b e h ealth y, w e h av e to m ak e c h oic es th at s ig nif ic an tly d ev ia te f ro m th e d ie t a n d lif e sty le o f t h e a v era g e A m eric an . E atin g a “ n orm al” d ie t a n d l iv in g a “ n orm al” l if e are v ir tu ally g uara n te ed t o m ak e y ou s ic k . T o p re v en t t h is f ro m h ap pen in g, y ou m ust be p ro activ e. A s J o se p h D . B easle y, M .D ., s a id in The K ello gg R ep ort, “In th e lo ng ru n, in div id uals c an not b e b ette r th an th eir b io lo gy— as a ffe cte d b y th eir n utr itio n, eco lo gy, a n d l if e sty le .” The k ey to n ev er h av in g to b e sic k a g ain is th e a b ility to c h oose b etw een th e th in gs th at a re h ealth y a n d th e th in gs th at a re n ot. T his s o unds s im ple , b ut a ccu ra te in fo rm atio n a b out w hat i s h ealth y i s h ard t o c o m e b y. N ex t, l e t’s l o ok a t a d efin itio n an d a n o verv ie w o f e ach o f t h e s ix p ath w ay s b etw een h ealth a n d d is e ase a n d e x pla in how k now le d ge o f t h em c an l e ad t o b ette r d ecis io ns a b out h ealth . The S ix P ath w ays B etw een Hea lt h a n d D is e a se Hav in g r e ad t h is f a r, h as y our p ers p ectiv e o n h ealth a n d d is e ase c h an ged ? A re y ou beco m in g a ccu sto m ed t o t h e t h eo ry o f o ne d is e ase a n d t w o c au se s? Y ou h av e l e arn ed th at if y our c ells m alf u nctio n to th e d eg re e th at th ey in te rfe re w ith y our b ody’s ab ility t o b ala n ce a n d r e g ula te i ts e lf , y ou a re d is e ase d . Wheth er y ou a re s u ffe rin g f ro m t h e f lu , c an cer, d ia b ete s, d ep re ssio n o r s o m eth in g els e , c ellu la r m alf u nctio n i s a lw ay s t h e e sse n ce o f t h e p ro ble m . The to ol th at I d ev elo ped to h elp m yse lf m ak e b ette r c h oic es is th e s ix p ath w ay s. As d em onstr a te d , y our p ers o nal h ealth e q uatio n is a lw ay s in f lu x; d ep en din g o n th e ch oic es y ou m ak e, y ou w ill m ove e ith er in th e d ir e ctio n o f o ptim al h ealth o r in th e dir e ctio n o f d is e ase a n d d eath . T his m ovem en t o ccu rs a lo ng t h e s ix p ath w ay s. T hese six p ath w ay s a re l ik e s ix d if fe re n t r o ad s; e ach s p an s t h e d is ta n ce b etw een h ealth a n d dis e ase . D ep en din g o n t h e c h oic es m ad e a lo ng e ach p ath w ay, y ou a re m ovin g t o w ard one o r th e o th er. T he six p ath w ay s c o ncep t p ro vid es a fra m ew ork th ro ugh w hic h in fo rm ed , l o gic al, h ealth -e n han cin g c h oic es c an b e m ad e. The p ath w ay s a re : • N utr itio n • T oxin • P sy ch olo gic al • P hysic al • G en etic • M ed ic al A holis tic ap pro ach to health re q uir e s atte n tio n to all of th ese path w ay s. Consis te n t m ovem en t in th e w ro ng d ir e ctio n a lo ng a n y o f th em c an le ad to c ellu la r malf u nctio n, bre ak dow n of se lf -re g ula tio n an d dia g nosa b le dis e ase . C ontin uous movem en t i n t h e r ig ht d ir e ctio n l e ad s t o o ptim al h ealth a n d p erfo rm an ce. By le arn in g a b out th e six p ath w ay s, y ou c an h av e a c le ar u nders ta n din g o f th e dif fe re n t w ay s t h at h ealth c an b e i n flu en ced . Y ou w ill b e e m pow ere d t o m itig ate t h e neg ativ e e ffe cts o f m odern l iv in g, t h us t a k in g c h arg e o f y our p ers o nal h ealth . Path w ay N um ber O ne: N utr it io n What is A m eric a’s le ad in g c au se o f d is e ase ? Maln utr it io n. We th in k o f o urs e lv es as s o w ell fe d th at th e id ea th at w e a re s u ffe rin g fro m m aln utr itio n is d if fic u lt fo r most A m eric an s to gra sp . W hen w e hear th e w ord “m aln ouris h ed ,” w e re call te le v is io n im ag es of sta rv in g ch ild re n . Alth ough Am eric an s are ra re ly undern ouris h ed to th is e x te n t, w e a re m aln ouris h ed , a n d in fa ct it is o ur le ad in g cau se o f d is e ase . T he t y pic al d ie t, w hat m ost A m eric an s e at, s im ply d oes n ot s u pply su ffic ie n t n utr ie n ts . N o w onder th at w e s u ffe r fro m th e o ne d is e ase in its v ario us fo rm s. The n utr itio n p ath w ay is a b out th e r e la tio nsh ip b etw een th e n utr itio nal c o nte n t o f your d ie t a n d y our h ealth . O bta in in g p ro per n utr itio nal in ta k e o n a d aily b asis is im porta n t b ecau se n utr ie n ts act as a te am . A sh orta g e o f ev en o ne n utr ie n t w ill decre ase th e effe ctiv en ess o f all th e o th ers . N utr itio nal sta tu s affe cts o ur en tir e bein g, in clu din g m oods a n d e m otio ns, th e a b ility to le arn a n d re m em ber, p hysic al perfo rm an ce a n d r e sis ta n ce to d is e ase . C ells a n d tis su es th riv e w hen p ro vid ed w ith an e n vir o nm en t r ic h i n n utr ie n ts s u ch a s w ate r, o xygen , v ita m in s, m in era ls , p ro te in s, carb ohydra te s a n d e sse n tia l f a tty a cid s, w hile d efic ie n cy c au se s d is e ase a n d s h orte n s lif e . To s o m e d eg re e, a lm ost a ll A m eric an s a re o verfe d b ut u ndern ouris h ed . V ir tu ally ev ery th in g th at w e eat to day, unle ss w e m ak e sp ecia l ch oic es, is nutr itio nally in fe rio r to th e f o ods th at o ur a n cesto rs w ere e atin g a s r e cen tly a s a f e w g en era tio ns ag o. N ot o nly h av e w e fu ndam en ta lly c h an ged w hat w e e at; w e h av e c h an ged h ow our fo od is gro w n, pro cesse d , tr a n sp orte d , sto re d , tr e ate d an d pre p are d . T hese ch an ges cau se o ur fo ods to b e n utr itio nally d efic ie n t— th e p rim ary cau se o f o ur modern ep id em ic o f ch ro nic d is e ase . In ad ditio n, o ur cro ps u su ally re ta in to xic re sid ues f ro m p estic id es a n d o th er a g ric u ltu ra l c h em ic als , a n d s o m e a re e v en r ip en ed with artif ic ia l ch em ic als . B oth nutr itio nally defic ie n t an d ch em ic ally to xic , our modern f o od s u pply p ro m ote s d is e ase . Path w ay N um ber T w o: T oxin Toxin s in te rfe re w ith n orm al c ell fu nctio n, th ere b y c au sin g m alf u nctio ns. M ost peo ple k now th at to xin s are d an gero us, b ut w hat are to xin s, an d h ow d o to xin s dam ag e o ur c ells ? We a re e x pose d to to xin s in v ario us w ay s: in th e a ir w e b re ath e, th e w ate r w e drin k, t h e c lo th es w e w ear a n d t h e f o od w e e at. I n o ur m odern w orld , w e a re e x pose d to th ese e n vir o nm en ta l to xin s a ll d ay, e v ery d ay. T oxin s in o ur e n vir o nm en t c an im pose a n u ndue e x te rn al b urd en o n u s, w hile p oor d ig estio n, la ck o f e x erc is e , a n d neg ativ e t h oughts a n d e m otio ns c an i n cre ase o ur t o xic l o ad s i n te rn ally . Our b odie s d o h av e th e a b ility to d eto xif y , b ut o ur d eto xif ic atio n m ech an is m s re q uir e e sse n tia l n utr ie n ts to fu nctio n p ro perly . In ad eq uate n utr itio n d ep riv es th e body o f t h e r a w m ate ria ls n ecessa ry t o d eto xif y , s o t o xic l e v els b uild a n d n eg ativ ely affe ct c ellu la r h ealth . I n o ur s o cie ty , to xic o verlo ad is h av in g a b ig ger e ffe ct th an it sh ould , b ecau se o ur d efic ie n t d ie ts d o n ot s u pply th e n utr ie n ts n ecessa ry to o pera te an d m ain ta in o ur d eto xif ic atio n m ech an is m s. N ot o nly is o ur to xic lo ad th e h ig hest in h is to ry , b ut o ur a b ility t o p ro cess a n d e lim in ate t h ese t o xin s i s i m pair e d . Becau se w e k now t h at e x cessiv e t o xic e x posu re c au se s d is e ase , l e arn in g a b out t h e to xin p ath w ay c an te ach u s w hic h s u bsta n ces a re to xic , h ow to xic th ey a re , w here th ey a re , h ow th ey g et th ere a n d h ow w e c an m in im iz e o ur e x posu re s to th em . T he to xin p ath w ay p ro vid es i n sig ht i n to t h e t o xic a sp ects o f o ur d aily l iv es— in o ur f o od su pply , wate r su pply , hom es an d pers o nal pro ducts (in clu din g m an y so ap s, sh am poos a n d to oth paste s). F ortu nate ly , h ealth fu l a lte rn ativ es a re a v aila b le . T oxic ex posu re is a fa ct o f lif e , a n d th e b ody is d esig ned to d eal w ith it. O ur p ro ble m is to xic overlo ad , i.e ., w hen th e to xic in put ex ceed s our ab ility to pro cess it. Unders ta n din g th is p ath w ay c an h elp u s to re d uce to xic e x posu re to m an ag eab le le v els b y t e ach in g u s t o r e co gniz e a n d a v oid t o xin s i n o ur d aily l iv es. Path w ay N um ber T hree: P sy ch olo gic a l The p sy ch olo gic al p ath w ay m ay t u rn o ut t o b e t h e m ost i m porta n t p ath w ay o f a ll. Thro ugh stu dy o f th e p sy ch olo gic al p ath w ay, w e le arn ab out th e sig nif ic an ce o f th oughts , e m otio ns a n d b eh av io r, a n d h ow t h ese a ffe ct o ur h ealth . Man y p eo ple b elie v e t h at t h e m in d h as a n e n orm ous e ffe ct o n t h e b ody. T his i d ea, how ev er, is b ase d o n th e s u ppositio n th at th e m in d s o m eh ow is s e p ara te d f ro m th e body. I n t r u th , t h e e n tir e b ody, i n clu din g t h e b ra in , i s t h e m in d. W hen w e u nders ta n d th at th e m in d a n d b ody a re o ne, r e p orts o f p la ceb o e ffe cts a n d m ir a cu lo us h ealin gs sh ould n ot b e s u rp ris in g. I n f a ct, t h ey a re p art o f e v ery day l if e . Our th oughts a n d e m otio ns tr ig ger a c asc ad e o f b io ch em ic al r e actio ns th at e ith er en han ce o r d am ag e h ealth . H ow w e r e act to v ario us lif e e v en ts a n d h ow w e r e sp ond to o ur t h oughts a n d e m otio ns a re c h oic es t h at c an d am ag e o r e n han ce c ellu la r h ealth . What w e a llo w t o e n te r o ur m in ds o n a d aily b asis i s c ritic al. W hat w e t h in k a n d f e el over a lif e tim e p la y s a m ajo r ro le in o ur h ealth o r illn ess. T he sig nif ic an ce a n d im pact o f th e fa cto rs a sso cia te d w ith th is p ath w ay m ay in deed b e m ore im porta n t th an a ll t h e n utr ie n ts a n d t o xin s w e p ut i n to o ur b odie s, p erh ap s e v en m ore i m porta n t th an a ll th e o th er p ath w ay s p ut to geth er. T he p sy ch olo gic al p ath w ay e x plo re s th e su bje cts re le v an t to beh av io ra l an d psy ch olo gic al fa cto rs in health an d dis e ase , in clu din g m ed ita tio n, s tr e ss, t h oughts , e m otio ns a n d t h e p la ceb o e ffe ct. Path w ay N um ber F ou r: P hysic a l The p hysic al p ath w ay c o nta in s r e co m men datio ns o n h ow t o r e co gniz e a n d p ro vid e fo r th e body’s physic al need s. T his path w ay can be use d to en han ce physic al pote n tia l a n d t o m in im iz e p hysic al d am ag e. J u st a s n utr itio n a n d t o xic a v oid an ce a re im porta n t to h ealth , p hysic al m ain te n an ce a n d c are a re a ls o e sse n tia l to th e h ealth eq uatio n. Most A m eric an s do not get ad eq uate ex erc is e , sle ep or su nlig ht. A n in door, se d en ta ry lif e sty le m ean s little o r n o e x erc is e n or e x posu re to n atu ra l lig ht. O ur men ta l l if e sty le , m ean w hile , i s e x cessiv ely f a st p aced , a n d t h is , t o geth er w ith a h ig h in cid en ce o f sle ep d ep riv atio n, m ean s th at o fte n w e a re c h ro nic ally a n d se rio usly str e sse d . A ls o w e a re e x pose d t o s u btle p hysic al i n flu en ces, s u ch a s e le ctr o m ag netic fie ld s c au se d b y th e w ir in g in o ur h om es, h air d ry ers , h eate rs , e le ctr ic ra zo rs , c ell phones a n d t h e X r a y s w e r e ceiv e a s p art o f m ed ic al a n d d en ta l e v alu atio ns. Path w ay N um ber F iv e: G en etic Lim it g en etic d am ag e. O ptim iz e g en etic p ote n tia l. T hese a re th e g oals w e s tr iv e to w ard o n t h e g en etic p ath w ay . The gen etic path w ay fo cu se s on optim iz in g th e ex pre ssio n of our gen es to pro m ote h ealth a n d l im it a n y d am ag e t o t h e g en es. E ach h um an b ein g i s g en etic ally uniq ue; in here n t s tr e n gth s a n d w eak nesse s a re a p art o f o ur b asic g en etic m ak eu p. Gen es a re th e b lu ep rin t o f lif e . O ur g en es, h ow ev er, ra re ly h av e th e fin al s a y a n d th ey a re c erta in ly n ot t h e p rim ary c au se o f d is e ase t h at m odern m ed ic in e w ould h av e us b elie v e. G en es a re a p ote n tia l f o r e x pre ssio n, a n d t h ey e x pre ss t h em se lv es i n w ay s co m men su ra te w ith l if e ’s c ir c u m sta n ces. The g en etic p ath w ay e x plo re s t o pic s s u ch a s t h e g en etic c au se s f o r d is e ase a n d t h e effe cts o f g en etic ally en gin eere d fo ods. F urth er, th is p ath w ay id en tif ie s sp ecif ic hazard s t h at c an p ote n tia lly c au se g en etic d am ag e, s u ch a s e n vir o nm en ta l c h em ic als , pre sc rip tio n dru gs an d ra d ia tio n. M ost im porta n t is th e pers o nal re so lv e of in div id uals to co m mit th em se lv es se rio usly to optim iz in g health , ra th er th an accep tin g t h eir s o -c alle d g en etic p re d is p ositio n a s a f o re -d oom ed f a te . Path w ay N um ber S ix : M ed ic a l The m ed ic al p ath w ay is p erh ap s th e m ost s u rp ris in g a n d m ost m is u nders to od o f all th e p ath w ay s. A s w e h av e n ote d , m an y p eo ple r a v e a b out a n d s w ear b y th e n ear- mir a cu lo us fe ats acco m plis h ed by modern med ic in e. The te ch nolo gy th at co nte m pora ry m ed ic in e h as to o ffe r is b est u se d in c ris is in te rv en tio n a n d tr a u m a care . H ow ev er, su ch a p plic atio ns a re lim ite d . N o d oubt th at p hysic ia n s a re w ell- mean in g, b ut a b lin d tr u st in th em a n d in th e tr e atm en ts th ey o ffe r (s u rg ery a n d dru gs) to th e ex clu sio n o f o th er co nsid era tio ns can le ad to d estr u ctiv e an d ev en le th al c o nse q uen ces. The m ed ic al p ath w ay h elp s to e x pla in h ow m odern m ed ic in e c an c au se d is e ase . Wid esp re ad ig nora n ce a n d f a ilu re to c o m pre h en d th is f a ct a re r e aso ns th at m odern med ic in e h arm s th e h ealth o f o ur p opula tio n. B y stu dyin g th is p ath w ay w e can id en tif y a n d a v oid p ote n tia lly h arm fu l a sp ects o f m ed ic in e, w hile s till re ap in g th e ben efits o f m odern m ed ic al t e ch nolo gy. The m ed ic al p ath w ay i s u niq ue, e x pre ssin g i ts e lf t h ro ugh a ll o f t h e o th er p ath w ay s an d t h us, c o m pro m is in g h ealth a t m an y l e v els . I n w ork in g t o o ptim iz e y our p ers o nal health e q uatio n, y ou n eed to b e a w are o f th e w ay s in w hic h m odern m ed ic al “ care ” actu ally c an d am ag e y our h ealth a lo ng a n y o f th e o th er p ath w ay s. C hap te r 1 0 a b out th e m ed ic al p ath w ay d esc rib es m ore sp ecif ic ally m ed ic in e’s cap ab ilitie s an d its lim ita tio ns. A N ew T heo ry f o r a N ew M ille n niu m Durin g th e la st cen tu ry , m odern in dustr ia l so cie ty has bro ught fu ndam en ta l ch an ges t o h um an e x is te n ce; w e a re d ev elo pin g a n d c h an gin g t h e w orld m uch f a ste r th an o ur b io lo gy c an a d ap t. T oday, n utr itio nal in ta k e, to xic e x posu re s a n d str e ss le v els b ear little r e se m bla n ce to th ose o f e v en o ur m ost r e cen t b io lo gic al a n cesto rs . Every c ell in o ur b odie s is a d vers e ly a ffe cte d b y th ese p ro fo und c h an ges, w hic h is why our so cie ty has su ffe re d m ore an d m ore ch ro nic dis e ase . D is e ase is th e cata str o phic re su lt o f d ecad es o f in ad eq uate n utr itio n, to xic e x posu re s, se d en ta ry lif e sty le s, fa m ilia l a n d s o cia l d is ru ptio ns a n d a d ep en den ce o n d ru gs (p re sc rip tio n, over-th e-c o unte r a n d r e cre atio nal) . In th is c h ap te r, I h av e a tte m pte d to o utlin e th e c o m ple x ity a n d c o nfu sio n th at su rro und d is e ase in o ur s o cie ty . I o ffe r a n ew th eo ry o f h ealth a n d d is e ase , a n ew way to lo ok a t th ese c o ncep ts : T here is o nly o ne d is e ase , c ellu la r m alf u nctio n, a n d only tw o c au se s o f d is e ase , d efic ie n cy a n d to xic ity . S ix p ath w ay s c an le ad to h ealth or d is e ase . O ur c o nfu sio n a ris e s b ecau se c ells m alf u nctio n in m an y d if fe re n t w ay s. Modern m ed ic in e c ate g oriz es th e s y m pto m s c re ate d b y th ese v ario us m alf u nctio ns as d if fe re n t d is e ase s, e v en t h ough t h ey h av e c o m mon c au se s. A ch ie v in g v ic to ry o ver dis e ase re q uir e s re m ovin g th e c au se s. E lim in ate d efic ie n cy a n d to xic ity , a llo w th e body t o s e lf -re p air a n d s e lf -re g ula te , a n d d is e ase w ill g o a w ay . 4 C HOOSIN G H EW ALTH Y C HELLS “C ells — in th e sk in , th e m usc le s, th e lu ngs, th e liv er, th e in te stin es, th e k id neys, th e b lo od v esse ls , th e g la nds, th e h ea rt and, c ru cia lly , th e n erv es a nd b ra in — must b e w ell n ouris h ed if we a re to le a d lo ng a nd h ea lth y liv es. C ontr a rily , if th ese c ells are undern ouris h ed , dis a bilitie s and dis e a se s of every desc rip tio n w ill e n su e.” Roger J . W illia m s, P h.D . Nutr itio n A gain st D is e a se L et u s ta k e a tr ip to geth er to th e f ro nt lin es o f th e d aily b attle b etw een h ealth a n d dis e ase : y our c ells . C ells a re th e b uild in g b lo ck s o f y our b ody. T hey b uild y our tis su es, a n d th ese tis su es m ak e u p y our s y ste m s. B ecau se m alf u nctio nin g c ells a re th e o ne d is e ase , le arn in g to c are fo r c ells is fu ndam en ta l to h ealth y liv in g. C om e with m e o n a t o ur o f t h e s y ste m s t h at k eep y our b ody h ealth y o r t h at m ak e y ou s ic k . The s tr u ggle f o r l if e i ts e lf o ccu rs w ith in e v ery c ell. T he v ita lity o f a p ers o n c an o nly be a s s tr o ng a s t h e c ells o f w hic h t h ey a re m ad e. The b asic s o f c arin g f o r y our c ells a re a s f o llo w s: • S upply c ells w ith a ll t h e r a w m ate ria ls t h ey n eed . • A void t h e d am ag in g e ffe cts o f t o xic c h em ic als . • B uild h ealth y c ell m em bra n es, t h e c ell’ s f ir s t l in e o f d efe n se a g ain st d is e ase . • L earn h ow to p re v en t a n d re v ers e d is e ase b y u nders ta n din g h ow c ells w ork an d h ow t h ey m alf u nctio n. • C hoic es, r a th er t h an g en etic i n herita n ce, a re k ey . Lost A lo n g t h e W ay Befo re w e l e av e o ur h om es t o t r a v el— partic u la rly i f o ur d estin atio n i s u nfa m ilia r —we u su ally sp en d tim e re ad in g b ro ch ure s, stu dyin g m ap s, o r re se arc h in g lo cal cu sto m s, c u rre n cy, a n d, p erh ap s, h ealth p re cau tio ns. W e ra re ly g iv e th at k in d o f atte n tio n t o o ur o w n b odie s a n d t o o ur h ealth , y et w hat c o uld b e m ore i m porta n t? Most p eo ple e x pect th at th eir b odie s g en era lly ta k e c are o f th em se lv es, p ro vid ed th ey d on’t s m oke, d rin k to e x cess, o r fa ll p re y to s o m e u nsto ppab le v ir u s o r s o m e pre d ete rm in ed gen etic dis e ase . M ost peo ple belie v e th at as lo ng as th ey av oid “fa tte n in g” fo ods, th ey a re e atin g a h ealth fu l d ie t. O n a ll c o unts , th ese p eo ple a re wro ng. One of th e m ost im porta n t th in gs you need in ord er to fig ht dis e ase an d to en co ura g e y our o w n h ealth is k now le d ge. T his c h ap te r te ach es y ou h ow to p re p are an d w hat to p ack fo r a h ealth y jo urn ey th ro ugh th e re st o f y our lif e . T he sm all am ount o f tim e y ou w ill sp en d re ad in g th is c h ap te r w ill b e a n in vestm en t w orth mak in g: I t m ay s a v e y our l if e . K now le d ge i s p ow er, a n d y ou a re a b out t o p lu g i n to a tr e m en dous e n erg y s o urc e. A c ab in et s to ck ed w ith m ed ic in es, a lis t o f d octo rs to c all, a n d a h ead f ille d w ith co m merc ia l e n dors e m en ts , m ed ic al s tu die s a n d d ru g w arn in g la b els d oes n oth in g to giv e y ou w hat y ou r e ally n eed : a t r u e u nders ta n din g o f w hat m ak es y ou s ic k o r h ow to g et w ell. W ith out th at u nders ta n din g, y ou c an b e c au ght u p in a w hir lw in d o f med ic al pro ced ure s an d pharm aceu tic als th at su ppre ss or su rg ic ally re m ove th e sy m pto m s o f w hat a re la b ele d a s th ousa n ds o f d if fe re n t d is e ase s. In re ality , th ese dru gs a n d s u rg erie s d o n ot c u re d is e ase , a n d th ey m ay a ctu ally k ill y ou. D esp ite th e co nfu sio n o ut t h ere a b out h ow d is e ase o ccu rs a n d t h e d if fe re n t h ealth p la n s t h at s e ek to p ro m ote h ealth , r e al s u ccess c an o nly c o m e if y ou k eep y our c ells w ork in g r ig ht. This c h ap te r t e ach es y ou, s im ply a n d c le arly , h ow y our b ody w ork s a t i ts m ost b asic le v el: y our c ells . The C ell A c ell is m uch m ore th an a c o m bin atio n o f m ole cu le s a n d a to m s. A c ell is a mir a cu lo us r e ality — lif e i ts e lf . A s in gle c ell m ay b e a l if e f o rm , s u ch a s a b acte riu m . A h um an b ein g, o n t h e o th er h an d, i s m ad e o f a b out 7 5 t r illio n c ells , i n clu din g a b out tw o h undre d d if fe re n t k in ds o f s p ecia liz ed c ells w ith s p ecif ic fu nctio ns th ro ughout th e b ody, s u ch a s i n t h e b ra in , t h e b lo od, t h e m usc le s, t h e l iv er a n d t h e e y es. Cells a re c re ate d a n d m ain ta in ed b y e x tr e m ely c o m ple x a ctio ns a n d in te ra ctio ns, but n atu re t a k es c are o f t h at c o m ple x ity . Y our j o b i s r a th er s im ple : M ak e c erta in t h at your c ells o bta in w hat th ey n eed . C hoosin g h ealth m ean s le arn in g h ow to su pply your c ells w ith w hat th ey n eed w hile k eep in g th em fre e o f w hat th ey d on’t n eed . Cells h av e g re at p ow ers t o t a k e c are o f t h em se lv es a n d t o r e p air t h em se lv es— to s ta y health y— unle ss th ey are overw helm ed by poor die ts , unhealth y hab its or en vir o nm en ta l h azard s. Yo ur d aily c h oic es d ete rm in e w heth er y o ur c ells s ta y h ea lth y or g et s ic k. We a re r e ad y t o b eg in o ur j o urn ey t h ro ugh t h e c ells o f y our b ody. P ic tu re t h at w e hav e tr a v ele d to th e la rg est in dustr ia l p ark y ou c an im ag in e. A ro und th e p ark is a se cu rity w all desig ned to keep out in tr u ders , to pre v en t th e lo ss of esse n tia l mate ria ls , a n d to r e g ula te th e p assa g e o f m ate ria ls in a n d o ut o f th e p ark . I n sid e th e park are pow erh ouse s desig ned to m ak e th e en erg y necessa ry to keep th e park work in g. T hese p ow erh ouse s, in tu rn , r e q uir e f u el, o xygen a n d o th er e sse n tia ls o n a ro und-th e-c lo ck b asis i n o rd er t o d o t h eir j o bs. Als o i n sid e t h e p ark a re d if fe re n t f a cto rie s a n d m an ufa ctu rin g p la n ts t h at r e q uir e a co ntin uous s u pply o f e n erg y a n d r a w m ate ria ls in o rd er to m eet th eir d aily q uota o f fin is h ed p ro ducts . C oord in atin g a ll t h ese a ctiv itie s a re c o m pute r a n d c o m munic atio n sy ste m s th at re g ula te th e d eliv ery o f ra w m ate ria ls a n d th e re m oval o f w aste s, a s well a s th e p ro ductio n, sto ra g e a n d d is tr ib utio n o f fin is h ed p ro ducts . A ll o f th ese sy ste m s a re b ase d u pon a se t o f d esig n b lu ep rin ts c o nta in in g a ll th e in fo rm atio n necessa ry t o b uild a n ew p ark . You h av e ju st to ure d th e h um an c ell. E ach c ell h as a w all— th e m em bra n e— whose p urp ose is to k eep o ut to xin s, b acte ria , v ir u se s a n d o th er h arm fu l s u bsta n ces, while s till a llo w in g n utr ie n ts to r e ach in sid e w here th ey a re n eed ed . T he m em bra n e als o p re v en ts h ealth y a n d n ecessa ry s u bsta n ces fro m le ak in g o ut o f th e c ell, w hile still a llo w in g w aste p ro ducts to b e e x cre te d . P ow erh ouse s in th e c ell c re ate e n erg y an d m an ufa ctu rin g p la n ts m ak e th e fin is h ed p ro ducts y our b ody n eed s, su ch as neu ro tr a n sm itte rs , horm ones an d an tib odie s. Y our cells als o hav e ele ctr ic al an d co m munic atio n s y ste m s t h at h elp t o k eep e v ery th in g w ork in g i n b ala n ce. C ells h av e man y im porta n t jo bs to p erfo rm d urin g e v ery se co nd o f e v ery d ay ; a n yth in g th at in te rfe re s w ith t h ese t a sk s i s a t h re at t o h ealth . Every d ay h undre d s o f b illio ns o f c ells n eed to b e r e p la ced . B uild in g a n ew c ell re q uir e s a lo ng lis t o f r a w m ate ria ls , s im ila r to b uild in g a n ew c ar o r a c o m pute r. I f ev en one part is m is sin g, th e pro duct w ill be defe ctiv e, an d if m an y parts are mis sin g, m alf u nctio n is g uara n te ed . A s e ach n ew c ell is c re ate d , y ou a re c h oosin g eith er h ealth o r d is e ase , d ep en din g o n w heth er th e n ew c ells y ou a re b uild in g a re health y o r n ot. You m ak e th is c h oic e w hen y ou o rd er a t a f a st- fo od d riv e-u p w in dow , w hen y ou sta y u p t o o l a te , w hen y ou s p ra y c le an in g p ro ducts a ro und y our h ouse , w hen y ou t a k e your d aily v ita m in s u pple m en t o r w hen y ou c h oose t o t a k e n o s u pple m en ts . M ak in g a sin gle bad ch oic e here an d th ere is gen era lly not a pro ble m , but w hen you co nsis te n tly m ak e b ad c h oic es, d aily liv in g c an w ear d ow n y our tis su es f a ste r th an th ey c an b e r e p air e d o r r e p la ced . Build in g a n d O pera tin g H ea lt h y C ells To b e h ealth y, e ach d ay o ld c ells m ust b e r e p la ced w ith n ew o nes a n d e ach m ust perfo rm a ll o f its in te n ded f u nctio ns. D o y ou k now w hat r a w m ate ria ls y ou n eed to build h ealth y c ells ? A re y ou e atin g t h e r ig ht f o ods— fo ods w hose c alo rie s a re p ack ed with th e b uild in g b lo ck s re q uir e d to m ak e h ealth y n ew c ells ? D oes a n yone re ally belie v e it is p ossib le to b uild h ealth y c ells f ro m c o ffe e, d onuts , w hite b re ad , p asta , pota to c h ip s, f re n ch f rie s a n d ic e c re am ? H ow m an y o f th e r a w m ate ria ls n ecessa ry to b uild a n d o pera te h ealth y c ells d o th ese f o ods c o nta in ? T he a n sw er is n ot m an y, whic h i s o ne r e aso n t h at w e h av e s o m uch d is e ase . A c h ro nic s h orta g e o f v ita m in s, m in era ls , w ate r, o xygen o r o th er n utr ie n ts c au se s your cells to m alf u nctio n. Y ou m ay b e u naw are th is m alf u nctio n is h ap pen in g, partic u la rly at th e early sta g es, but a ch ro nic sh orta g e of ev en one nutr ie n t ev en tu ally m ak es y ou s ic k . W hen s h orta g es a re c h ro nic , t h e b ody s to ps r e p air in g a n d se lf -re g ula tin g; c ells t h en d ete rio ra te i n to a d is e ase d s ta te o r d ie . Build in g h ealth y c ells sta rts in a m oth er’s w om b. If a n e m bry o su ffe rs fro m a sh orta g e o f b uild in g m ate ria ls o r th e p re se n ce o f to xin s, a c h ild b orn w ith b ir th defe cts m ay b e th e re su lt. D urin g p re g nan cy, c erta in p arts o f th e fe tu s a re b ein g co nstr u cte d durin g sp ecif ic w eek s— su ch as th e bra in an d nerv ous sy ste m , th e cir c u la to ry sy ste m an d th e dig estiv e sy ste m . If esse n tia l ra w m ate ria ls are unav aila b le a t th at c ru cia l tim e o r to xin s a re p re se n t, a n y o f th ese s y ste m s c an b e affe cte d , perh ap s m an if e ste d as heart defe cts , dig estiv e pro ble m s, lo w er I.Q ., atte n tio n d efic it d is o rd ers a n d s o o n. W e’re n ot ta lk in g a b out g en etic d efe cts h ere , but d efe cts t h at r e su lt f ro m b uild in g a b ab y i n a n u nhealth y e n vir o nm en t. I n e x tr e m e situ atio ns, th e c o nstr u ctio n p ro cess sim ply sh uts d ow n a n d th e fe tu s is n atu ra lly ab orte d — an e v er-in cre asin g o ccu rre n ce i n o ur s o cie ty . A n ew born b ab y’s h ealth is th e p ro duct o f th e g en etic m ate ria l f ro m th e p are n ts and th e s u pply o f b uild in g m ate ria ls a n d p re se n ce o f t o xin s ( fro m t h e m oth er) d urin g gesta tio n. P eo ple w ro ngly assu m e th at gen etic s by its e lf ex pla in s th e health or dis e ase o f th eir c h ild . C ongen ita l d efe cts ( th ose p re se n t a t b ir th ) a re n ot n ecessa rily th e re su lt o f g en etic s. F or e x am ple , th e D ecem ber 2 001 is su e o f Lan cet re p orte d a stu dy re g ard in g su pple m en ta l v ita m in s ta k en d urin g p re g nan cy. M oth ers w ho h ad ta k en b oth f o lic a cid a n d ir o n s u pple m en ts d urin g p re g nan cy g av e b ir th to c h ild re n who w ere 6 0 p erc en t le ss lik ely to d ev elo p th e m ost c o m mon fo rm o f c h ild hood le u kem ia . E atin g r ig ht i s e sp ecia lly i m porta n t f o r e x pectin g m om s. L ik e a n y d is e ase , le u kem ia d oesn ’t “ ju st h ap pen .” T he q uality o f t h e c ells , t is su es a n d s y ste m s a b ab y is b orn w ith h as a l if e lo ng e ffe ct. Wheth er c au se d b y n utr itio nal d efic ie n cy o r to xic e x posu re , tr o uble c an b eg in when y our c ell fa cto rie s a re s u ppose d to b e m ak in g s o m eth in g b ut a re n ot m ak in g en ough o r h av e s h ut d ow n. I f c ell f a cto rie s a re u nab le t o m ak e s u ffic ie n t a n tib odie s, we b eco m e su sc ep tib le to in fe ctio ns. W hen c ell fa cto rie s c an not m ak e su ffic ie n t neu ro tr a n sm itte rs , men ta l fu nctio n su ffe rs . (N eu ro tr a n sm itte rs are ch em ic als gen era te d by nerv e cells th at se n d in fo rm atio n th ro ughout th e nerv ous sy ste m , allo w in g us to th in k, le arn an d re m em ber.) W hen unab le to m ak e su ffic ie n t horm ones, c o m munic atio ns a n d s e lf -re g ula tio n a re d is ru pte d . Horm ones are ch em ic als p ro duced b y sp ecia liz ed cells th at tr a v el th ro ugh th e blo od a n d ly m ph s y ste m s to b rin g m essa g es to o th er p arts o f th e b ody. B lo od s u gar le v el, fo r in sta n ce, is bala n ced prim arily by tw o horm ones, both pro duced by sp ecia liz ed c ells i n t h e p an cre as. Alth ough each cell is a liv in g en tity u nto its e lf , b odily sy ste m s can o nly b e re g ula te d a n d c o ntr o lle d w hen c ells a re a b le to c o m munic ate e ffe ctiv ely w ith e ach oth er. Im pair e d cellu la r co m munic a tio ns is one of th e most basic co m mon den om in ato rs o f d is e a se , n o m atte r h ow th e d is e a se h appen ed o r w hat it is c a lle d . Cellu la r co m munic atio n an d fe ed back sy ste m s re g ula te ev ery th in g fro m body te m pera tu re to im munity to m ovem en t. W hen th ese s y ste m s b re ak d ow n g ra d ually , as th ey o fte n d o in d is e ase , w e m ay n ot n otic e. W e a re m ore fa m ilia r w ith s u dden an d s e v ere b re ak dow ns in b odily c o m munic atio n, s u ch a s s p in al in ju rie s th at c au se para ly sis . W e fa il to re co gniz e h ow s u btle c o m munic atio n b re ak dow ns p re cip ita te ch ro nic a n d t e rm in al h ealth p ro ble m s. Each tim e y ou o rd er a t a re sta u ra n t, e ach tim e y ou re ach in to y our c ab in et fo r co okin g oils , each tim e you pla n your day ’s m eals , you are basic ally decid in g wheth er y ou w ill b uild s tr o ng c ells o r w eak o nes. I t r e ally i s t h at s im ple . T he c h oic e is y ours t o m ak e. A re y ou g oin g t o m ain ta in y our b ody o r l e t i t f a ll a p art? Toxin s S hut S yste m s D ow n A v arie ty o f to xic c h em ic als a n d m eta ls c an d am ag e c ells . L ik e g ra in s o f s a n d, to xin s can ja m cellu la r m ach in ery an d ev en cau se en tir e cell fa cto rie s or pow erh ouse s t o s h ut d ow n. Man y t o xin s d is a b le e n zy m es, w hic h a re n ecessa ry f o r t h e c h em ic al r e actio ns t h at mak e o ur liv es p ossib le . T he n um ber o f c h em ic al re actio ns re q uir e d to m ak e lif e possib le is a sto nis h in g; in a c ell, a n e stim ate d 6 tr illio n s u ch re actio ns ta k e p la ce ev ery s e co nd. E nzy m es m ak e th ese r e actio ns p ossib le . A bout tw o th ousa n d k in ds o f en zy m es h av e b een i d en tif ie d , a n d t h ey a re m an ufa ctu re d b y o ur c ells t o a cco m plis h a v arie ty o f ta sk s. E nzy m es a ct a s little m ach in es, p uttin g th in gs to geth er o r ta k in g th em a p art a t a m azin gly h ig h s p eed . W ith out f u nctio nin g e n zy m es, c ell f a cto rie s a n d asse m bly l in es s h ut d ow n. The k in d o f e n zy m es a p artic u la r c ell m an ufa ctu re s d is tin guis h es a n d d ete rm in es what k in d o f c ell it is ( fo r e x am ple , a n erv e c ell o r a m usc le c ell) . E nzy m es s e rv e a varie ty o f p urp ose s a n d m ust b e c o nstr u cte d w ith m an y d if fe re n t n utr ie n ts . E nzy m es co nta in e sse n tia l m in era l a to m s, s u ch a s z in c, m ag nesiu m , ir o n a n d c h ro m iu m . If th ese b uild in g m ate ria ls a re n ot p re se n t i n s u ffic ie n t q uan tity , e n zy m e f u nctio n ( a n d th ere fo re c ell fu nctio n) is im pair e d . T ak e z in c, fo r e x am ple . T he re tin a c o nta in s en zy m es c o nstr u cte d w ith z in c a n d is a z in c-ric h tis su e. I f y ou d o n ot h av e e n ough zin c i n y our d ie t, y our r e tin a a n d o th er z in c-ric h t is su es, s u ch a s t h e p ro sta te , w ill b e im pair e d b efo re o bvio us e ffe cts a re n otic ed e ls e w here in th e b ody. N ig ht b lin dness an d m alf u nctio nin g p ro sta te s a re c o m mon s y m pto m s o f z in c d efic ie n cy . How ev er, ev en if d ie ta ry zin c is ad eq uate , b ut th is n utr ie n t is re p la ced in th e en zy m e b y a t o xic m eta l— su ch a s m erc u ry , a rs e n ic , c ad m iu m o r l e ad — th e p re se n ce of t h is t o xin d is a b le s t h e e n zy m e a n d c au se s d is e ase . T oxic h eav y m eta ls a re a p rim e ex am ple of how to xin s can cau se cellu la r m alf u nctio n, an d our bodie s co nta in hundre d s o f tim es m ore to xic m eta ls th an th ey d id in o ur a n cesto rs a c en tu ry a g o. Merc u ry is a to xic h eav y m eta l th at w e a re c o m monly e x pose d to f ro m d en ta l w ork —am alg am f illin gs c o nta in m erc u ry . M unic ip al w ate r s u pplie s c o nta in to xin s s u ch as alu m in um , flu orid e an d ars e n ic . Even in tr a ce am ounts , th ese to xin s can deactiv ate e n zy m es a n d im pair v ita l b odily s y ste m s. T hey c an c au se o ur s y ste m s to sh ut d ow n. T hey m ust b e a v oid ed . Build in g an d usin g en zy m es pro perly is an esse n tia l part of good health , as en zy m e dysfu nctio n is a co m mon den om in ato r of dis e ase . M ain ta in in g pro per en zy m e b ala n ce i s o ne r e aso n t o e at f re sh o rg an ic f o ods. O rg an ic p ro duce i s r ic h er i n th e v ita m in s a n d m in era ls th at e n ab le u s to b uild e n zy m es a n d c o en zy m es, a n d it is le ss to xic , to o. E nzy m e fu nctio n can als o b e en han ced w ith h ig h-q uality d ie ta ry su pple m en ts . The F ir st L in e o f D efe n se A c ell’s fir s t lin e o f d efe n se a g ain st d is e ase is th e c ell m em bra n e, th e s e cu rity wall th at su rro unds th e cell an d carrie s out m an y im porta n t fu nctio ns. H ealth y mem bra n es, b uilt f ro m a p pro pria te m ate ria ls , p ro te ct c ells f ro m h arm fu l i n vad ers — in clu din g v ir u se s. M alf u nctio nin g m em bra n es allo w b acte ria , v ir u se s, to xin s an d oth er h arm fu l s u bsta n ces to d am ag e c ells . T he p re se n ce o f p oorly c o nstr u cte d c ell mem bra n es fo rm ed fro m p oor d ie ts is o ne o f th e b ig gest re aso ns th at a lm ost a ll Am eric an s g et s ic k . The c ell m em bra n e c o ntr o ls e v ery th in g th at g oes in to a n d o ut o f a c ell. M ak in g certa in th at o nly th e r ig ht th in gs g o in a n d o ut o f th e c ell is a c ritic al a n d c o m ple x ta sk t h at o nly c an b e a cco m plis h ed w hen t h e c ell m em bra n e i s c o nstr u cte d c o rre ctly . The m em bra n es th at s u rro und e ach o f th e tr illio ns o f c ells in y our b ody a re m ad e mostly o f f a ts a n d o ils . M em bra n es c o nstr u cte d o ut o f t h e w ro ng f a ts a n d o ils d o n ot fu nctio n p ro perly , w hic h is a p ro ble m f o r m ost A m eric an s. F or e x am ple , d ie ts w ith ex cessiv e am ounts o f sa tu ra te d fa ts , w hic h are rig id m ole cu le s, cre ate rig id cell mem bra n es th at la ck n ecessa ry ela stic ity . C ata str o phic fa ilu re s, su ch as ru ptu re d blo od v esse ls a n d to rn m usc le s a n d te n dons, c an o ccu r in tis su es m ad e fro m th ese rig id c ells . Cell m em bra n es are m ad e prim arily of fa tty m ole cu le s calle d phosp holip id s. Specia l k in ds o f o ils c alle d e sse n tia l f a tty a cid s ( E FA s)— om eg a-3 s a n d o m eg a-6 s— are u se d to c re ate th e p hosp holip id s in c ell m em bra n es. T hese o ils a re e sse n tia l becau se y our b ody is u nab le to p ro duce th em ; th ese o ils m ust b e o bta in ed th ro ugh die t. A n o verw helm in g m ajo rity — so m e e stim ate a s m uch a s 9 0 p erc en t— of th e U.S . p opula tio n m ay b e d efic ie n t in th e c o rre ct a sso rtm en t o f e sse n tia l fa tty a cid s. When th e c o rre ct r a w m ate ria ls a re la ck in g, th e b ody m ak es c ell m em bra n es o ut o f whate v er r a w m ate ria ls a re a v aila b le . T hese m ate ria ls i n clu de t h e h ydro gen ate d o ils fo und in m arg arin e, v eg eta b le sh orte n in g, b ak ed g oods a n d b re ak fa st c ere als ; th e sa tu ra te d fa ts fro m m eat an d d air y p ro ducts ; an d th e tr a n s-fa tty acid s fo und in pro cesse d sa la d a n d c o okin g o ils . C ell m em bra n es b uilt fro m th ese in ap pro pria te fa ts a n d o ils c au se t h e m em bra n e a n d t h e e n tir e c ell t o m alf u nctio n. For ex am ple , build in g a cell m em bra n e fro m hydro gen ate d oils im pair s th e passa g e o f o xygen i n to t h e c ell, a n d o xygen -d efic ie n t c ells b eco m e c an cero us. N one of u s w ould b uild a h ouse w ith c ard board w alls . W hy, th en , d o w e b uild o ur c ell mem bra n es— our fir s t lin e o f d efe n se a g ain st d is e ase — out o f ju nk m ate ria ls lik e marg arin e, v eg eta b le s h orte n in g a n d s u perm ark et o ils ? M odern d ie ts fa il to s u pply ad eq uate a m ounts o f t h e c o rre ct e sse n tia l f a tty a cid s. I r e co m men d s u pple m en ta tio n with h ig h-q uality e sse n tia l f a tty a cid s a n d f is h o ils ( s e e a p pen dix C ). Wea k a n d R usty To b e h ealth y, c ells m ust b e s u pplie d w ith a d eq uate a m ounts o f a n tio xid an ts . C ell mem bra n es a n d th e f a cto rie s a n d p ow erh ouse s in sid e o f c ells c an b e d am ag ed f ro m oxid atio n v ia fre e ra d ic als . P ic tu re h ow o xid ativ e d am ag e (ru st) w ould c au se th e Gold en G ate B rid ge t o d is in te g ra te w ere i t n ot p ain te d w ith a p ro te ctiv e c o atin g e ach year. C urre n tly , o ur b odie s a re im mers e d in a se a o f h ig hly re activ e c h em ic als — su ch a s o zo ne in u rb an a ir a n d c h lo rin e in ta p w ate r— th at c re ate o xid ativ e d am ag e to o ur b odie s. Y ou l ik ely h av e h eard r e p orts a b out a n tio xid an ts ( s u ch a s v ita m in s A , C a n d E ) a n d h ow t h ey p ro te ct u s a g ain st f re e r a d ic al d am ag e. Fre e ra d ic als d am ag e o ur c ells ju st lik e ru st c o rro des m eta l. F re e ra d ic als h av e unpair e d e le ctr o ns. E le ctr o ns, w hic h tr a v el in p air s , a re c h arg ed p artic le s o rb itin g aro und t h e n ucle u s o f a to m s. A n u npair e d e le ctr o n a g gre ssiv ely s e ek s a m ate , t r y in g to “ g ra b ” a n e le ctr o n f ro m s o m eth in g e ls e , p erh ap s a m ole cu le t h at i s p erfo rm in g a n im porta n t jo b in o ne o f y our c ell m em bra n es. O nce th e e le ctr o n is g ra b bed , th at mole cu le c an n o lo nger p erfo rm its jo b p ro perly ; fu rth erm ore , th e m ole cu le n ow beco m es a fre e ra d ic al its e lf , ag gre ssiv ely se ek in g its ow n ele ctr o n m ate . T he su bse q uen t ch ain re actio n can re su lt in se rio us cellu la r dam ag e co m monly asso cia te d with ag in g an d dis e ase , unle ss th e body’s tis su es are ric h with an tio xid an ts t h at c an s to p h azard ous c h ain r e actio ns a s s o on a s t h ey b eg in . Fre e r a d ic als a re n atu ra lly p ro duced a s w e m eta b oliz e o xygen . F re e-ra d ic al c h ain re actio ns a re c o nsta n tly b ein g p ro duced a n d s to pped in sid e y our b ody. C ells w ere desig ned t o c o pe w ith t h ese r e actio ns, b ut n ot o f t h e m ag nitu de t h at i s p re se n t t o day. For e x am ple , c h lo rin e, a h ig hly o xid iz in g g as p ut in m unic ip al ta p w ate r, c an e asily dam ag e o ur s k in a n d lu ngs. T ak in g a s h ow er in c h lo rin ate d w ate r is lik e s te p pin g in to a ch lo rin e g as ch am ber— a h ealth h azard o f w hic h m ost p eo ple are to ta lly unaw are . W e c an m ak e c h oic es to p ro te ct o ur c ells , b ut fir s t w e n eed to k now th e so urc e o f t h e d am ag e. Today, w e e x pose o urs e lv es to f re e-ra d ic al d am ag e f ro m c h em ic als to w hic h o ur bio lo gic al a n cesto rs w ere n ev er e x pose d . O ur m odern e n vir o nm en t is fille d w ith su bsta n ces th at cau se fre e ra d ic als to fo rm , su ch as o zo ne, ch lo rin e, p estic id es, to bacco s m oke, p etr o le u m b ypro ducts , s y nth etic p erfu m e a n d m an y o th ers . W e n eed more a n tio xid an t p ro te ctio n t h an e v er, b ecau se w e a re e x pose d t o s o m an y m ore f re e ra d ic als . T he p ro ble m i s t h at t h e n eed f o r a n tio xid an t n utr ie n ts i s u p w hile t h e s u pply in o ur d ie t i s d ow n. To a v oid t h e w eak a n d r u sty b ody— to s lo w t h e a g in g p ro cess a n d k eep d is e ase a t bay — th e se n sib le so lu tio n is to sto p th e fre e-ra d ic al d am ag e. T he n ecessitie s a re sim ple : a d ie t r ic h in a n tio xid an t n utr ie n ts a lo ng w ith a n tio xid an t s u pple m en ts , a n d cle an fo od, w ate r an d air. N one o f th ese id eas are n ew , b ut w hat p eo ple d on’t unders ta n d i s w hy t h ey a re i m porta n t. I f y ou a llo w f re e r a d ic als t o d am ag e y our c ells —to a llo w th em to b eco m e w eak a n d ru sty — your b ody a g es fa ste r a n d b eco m es vuln era b le t o d is e ase . Salt I s O fte n a t F au lt To b e h ealth y, th e n utr ie n ts in c ells m ust b e in p ro per b ala n ce. U pse ttin g th e natu ra l b ala n ce o f c h em ic als in sid e a c ell c au se s th e c ell to m alf u nctio n, w hic h is what i s h ap pen in g t o t h e b ala n ce o f s o diu m a n d p ota ssiu m i n o ur c ells . O ver t h e p ast one h undre d y ears , o ur d ie ts h av e c h an ged d ra m atic ally , in cre asin g th e a m ount o f so diu m an d d ecre asin g th e am ount o f p ota ssiu m in o ur d ie t, th us re v ers in g th e natu ra l b ala n ce. M odern fo od m an ufa ctu re rs a d d lo ts o f sa lt (s o diu m c h lo rid e) to th eir p ro ducts , w hile m odern d ie ts d o n ot i n clu de e n ough p ota ssiu m -ric h f o ods s u ch as fre sh fru its , veg eta b le s, w hole gra in s an d le g um es. W hen our gen es w ere ev olv in g, h um an d ie ts c o nta in ed little s o diu m a n d a lo t o f p ota ssiu m . F or e x am ple , eatin g a n a p ple p ro vid es o nly 1 m g o f s o diu m , b ut 3 10 m g o f p ota ssiu m . E atin g a pie ce o f m odern a p ple p ie p ro vid es 1 1 0 m g o f s o diu m a n d o nly 8 0 m g o f p ota ssiu m , a d ra stic c h an ge. Salt- ric h d ie ts fo rc e e x cess s o diu m in to c ells , d is tu rb in g th e n orm al a n d h ealth y so diu m /p ota ssiu m b ala n ce. A m ong o th er p ro ble m s, e x cess so diu m in te rfe re s w ith cellu la r e n erg y p ro ductio n, c au sin g f a tig ue. S odiu m a tta ch es i ts e lf s tr o ngly t o w ate r mole cu le s, so w hen m ore so diu m g oes in to th e c ells , so d oes m ore w ate r. W ate r re te n tio n e le v ate s b lo od p re ssu re a n d c au se s w eig ht g ain . D ie ta ry s a lt c o ntr ib ute s t o an in cre ase d in cid en ce o f can cer an d m eta sta sis , card ia c d is e ase , str o ke, k id ney dis e ase , b ro nch ia l p ro ble m s a n d k id ney s to nes. B y a v oid in g p ro cesse d a n d p ack ag ed fo ods, m ost o f o ur e x cess d ie ta ry s o diu m c an b e e lim in ate d . An I m porta n t L it m us T est Health y c ells m ust h av e t h e c o rre ct p H . I n a d ditio n t o t h e d an gero us i m bala n ce o f so diu m a n d p ota ssiu m , o ur m odern lif e sty le s a n d d ie ts h av e d etr im en ta l e ffe cts o n an oth er critic al b ala n ce: th e p H o f o ur cells . C om merc ia ls co m monly to ut “p H bala n ced ” s h am poos fo r o ur h air, a n d m ost o f u s re m em ber th e litm us p ap er te sts fro m o ur c h em is tr y se ts o r g ra d e-s c h ool e x perim en ts — th ose tin y sh eets o f p ap er th at tu rn p in k o r b lu e b ase d o n p H . C ells m ust m ain ta in p ro per p H b ala n ce, a n d o ur fo od c h oic es a ffe ct t h at b ala n ce. The p H is a m easu re m en t o f a cid ity o r a lk alin ity . O n th e p H s c ale , 7 is n eu tr a l; 0 to 7 is a cid ic , a n d 7 to 1 4 is a lk alin e. T he n orm al p H in sid e o f a c ell is a b out 7 .4 , whic h i s s lig htly a lk alin e. M ain ta in in g n orm al p H i n t h e f lu id i n sid e t h e c ell a s w ell as in o th er b ody flu id s is c ritic al fo r k eep in g b ody s y ste m s fu nctio nin g n orm ally . Most o f th e c h em ic al re actio ns in th e b ody, in clu din g th e p ro ductio n o f e n erg y, occu r m ost e ffic ie n tly in a n a lk alin e e n vir o nm en t. T he e n zy m es in volv ed in th ese re actio ns a re p H se n sitiv e a n d o nly fu nctio n w ith in a n arro w p H ra n ge; p H le v el affe cts oth er vita l opera tio ns, su ch as th e tr a n sp ort of su bsta n ces th ro ugh cell mem bra n es. Y ou can m onito r your acid /a lk alin e le v els by usin g pH pap er (s e e ap pen dix C ). Modern d ie ts o fte n c au se c ellu la r p H to d ro p b elo w 7 .0 , in to th e a cid ic ra n ge. (C ells a ls o c an b eco m e to o a lk alin e, b ut e x cessiv e a cid ity is m ost c o m mon.) A c ell th at b eco m es t o o a cid ic i s s a id t o h av e i n tr a cellu la r a cid osis . A cid osis , a n e x tr e m ely se rio us c o nditio n, is o ne o f th e c o m mon f a cto rs p re se n t in m an y m an if e sta tio ns o f dis e ase . T he m ore a cid ic a c ell b eco m es, th e m ore im pair e d its fu nctio n. A t v ery hig h a cid ic le v els , th e c ell w ill d ie . H erm an A ih ara , a u th or o f Acid a nd A lk a lin e, sa y s t h at “ o ne o f t h e i m porta n t c au se s o f c an cer— a n d o th er d eg en era tiv e d is e ase s— is t h e c u m ula tiv e e ffe ct o f t h e a cid ic c o nditio n o f b ody f lu id .” How d o c ells b eco m e t o o a cid ic ? D if fe re n t f o ods h av e d if fe re n t e ffe cts o n o ur p H . Id eally , w e s h ould c o nsu m e o nly f o ods t h at m ain ta in p ro per c ellu la r p H . I n ste ad , w e co nsu m e a d ie t h ig h in f o ods th at h av e a n a cid ic e ffe ct, s u ch a s s u gar, s o ft d rin ks, white flo ur (p asta an d b re ad ), ex cessiv e p ro te in an d sa lt. C onsu m ptio n o f th ese fo ods, w hic h d ep le te th e b ody o f a lk alin e m ate ria ls , h as s k yro ck ete d o ver th e p ast fe w g en era tio ns. Becau se a cid osis is s u ch a th re at, th e b ody tr ie s to p re v en t it b y u sin g its o w n alk alin e m in era ls (s u ch a s c alc iu m a n d m ag nesiu m ) le ach ed fro m th e b ones a n d te eth , le ad in g to den ta l pro ble m s an d oste o poro sis . By co ntr a st, fre sh an d unpro cesse d f o ods, r ic h i n a lk alin e m in era ls , h elp k eep p H w ith in n orm al l im its . F or th is r e aso n, a m ong o th ers , m ost o f o ur c alo rie s s h ould c o m e f ro m f re sh , u npro cesse d veg eta b le s, f ru its , b ean s a n d w hole g ra in s. Concern ed a b out y our p H ? M easu re th e p H o f y our fir s t m orn in g u rin e b efo re eatin g. T his te st o ffe rs a n in dic ato r o f y our c ellu la r p H a n d c an b e u se d to m onito r ch an ges a s y ou w ork to n orm aliz e y our p H . F ir s t m orn in g u rin e sh ould b e in th e ra n ge o f 6 .5 t o 7 .5 . I f r e ad in gs f a ll b elo w 6 .5 , y ou a re t o o a cid ic . O ccasio nal r e ad in gs ab ove 7 .5 a re n orm al, b ut c o nsis te n t re ad in gs a b ove 7 .5 a re a n in dic atio n o f tis su e bre ak dow n, a n d a p H o ver 8 .0 is a s e rio us m atte r. F atig ue is o fte n re fle cte d in a n acid ic p H . Why A m I S o T ir ed ? Fatig ue is o ne o f th e m ost c o m mon c o m pla in ts m ad e to p hysic ia n s to day. D urin g th e o nse t o f m y o w n illn ess, th e fir s t th in g I n otic ed w as fa tig ue. I s im ply d id n ot hav e th e en erg y I had been accu sto m ed to hav in g. S o m an y peo ple — ep id em ic pro portio ns, a ctu ally — are tir e d a n d la ck e n erg y, b ut th ey d o n ot k now w hat to d o ab out i t. I n deed , w hen I t o ld m y d octo r a b out m y f a tig ue, h e t o ld m e i t w as t h e r e su lt of a g in g. I n t r u th , t h e f a tig ue h ad n oth in g t o d o w ith g ro w in g o ld er a n d e v ery th in g t o do w ith b eco m in g s ic k er. All c ells re q uir e e n erg y to fu nctio n. Y our c ellu la r p ow erh ouse s u se e n zy m es to tu rn c arb ohydra te s, f a tty a cid s a n d a m in o a cid s in to e n erg y th e b ody is a b le to u se . Fatig ue o ccu rs b ecau se th e b ody’s e n erg y p ro ductio n s y ste m s h av e b een im pair e d . The pow erh ouse s (c alle d mito ch ondria ) m ay not be re ceiv in g su ffic ie n t fu el or oxygen , m ay h av e b een d am ag ed b y f re e r a d ic als , m ay h av e th e w ro ng p H , o r m ay hav e th eir e n zy m es d is a b le d b y to xic c h em ic als . T he h ig h-e n erg y c o m pounds m ad e by th e pow erh ouse s, su ch as A TP (a d en osin e tr ip hosp hate ), are m ad e in la rg e quan titie s w hen w e s le ep , w hic h is o ne r e aso n th at a n u nder-re ste d p ers o n f u nctio ns poorly a n d l a ck s e n erg y. Don ’t B la m e Y ou r P aren ts Gen es a re t h e b lu ep rin ts f o r t h e s tr u ctu re a n d f u nctio n o f e v ery c ell i n o ur b odie s. Alth ough w e i n herit g en es f ro m o ur p are n ts , h ow w e m ain ta in a n d c are f o r o ur g en es dete rm in es how w ell our cells w ork . O ver a lif e tim e, to so m e deg re e, gen es dete rio ra te a n d m uta te n atu ra lly , b ut w hat w e m ust fo cu s o n a re m an -m ad e fre e ra d ic als th at a ccele ra te o r d is to rt th is n atu ra l p ro cess. M in im iz in g th e d am ag e is cru cia l; im porta n t ste p s are to av oid : ra d ia tio n fro m m ed ic al X ra y s an d oth er so urc es, en vir o nm en ta l ch em ic als , pre sc rip tio n an d re cre atio nal dru gs, alc o hol, to bacco sm oke an d ev en ch ar-b ro ile d m eat. M in im iz in g th e d am ag e als o m ean s pro te ctin g gen es with good nutr itio n— partic u la rly fo ods co nta in in g am ple an tio xid an t n utr ie n ts s u ch a s v ita m in s A , C , E a n d t h e m in era l s e le n iu m . Man y p eo ple a ssu m e th at “ b ad g en es” o r a f a m ily h is to ry o f d is e ase p re d estin es th em to b e s ic k . In tr u th , w hile g en etic p re d is p ositio ns d o p ut a p ers o n a t ris k fo r dis e ase , w hat a p ers o n c h oose s to d o to p ro te ct th e h ealth o f th eir c ells a n d g en es pla y s a m ore i m porta n t r o le i n w heth er o r n ot d is e ase d ev elo ps. C hoic es, r a th er t h an gen etic in herita n ce, a re th e k ey. W e m ust f o cu s o n h ow w e p la y th e g am e, n ot th e card s w e w ere d ealt; w hat w e e at, w hat w e d o a n d w hat w e a re e x pose d t o d ete rm in es how h ealth y w e w ill b e. Lea rn in g a N ew W ay Unfo rtu nate ly , a c o m mon m ed ic al re sp onse to a d is e ase d o rg an is to re m ove it su rg ic ally . B efo re ta k in g s u ch a d ra stic a ctio n, w hy n ot g iv e th e c ells th at m ak e u p th at o rg an w hat th ey n eed , k eep th em f re e o f w hat th ey d o n ot n eed a n d r e sto re th e org an t o h ealth ? Modern l if e sty le s— die ts a n d t o xin s— cre ate t h e f o rm ula s f o r c ellu la r m alf u nctio n an d d is e ase , y et tr a d itio nal m ed ic al p ra ctic es ig nore th em . H ow o fte n h av e y ou, a frie n d o r a r e la tiv e c o nsu lte d a p hysic ia n a n d b een g iv en a d ia g nosis o r t r e atm en t b ut were n ot a sk ed e v en o ne q uestio n a b out h ow y ou c are f o r o r n eg le ct y our b ody? N ot ask ed e v en o ne q uestio n a b out w hat y ou e at, w hat h arm fu l s u bsta n ces in vad e y our en vir o nm en t o r h ow y ou liv e y our lif e in g en era l? M ore c o m monly y ou a re a sk ed ab out s y m pto m s a lo ne. T ra d itio nal m ed ic in e d oes n ot m ak e u s h ealth y a n d, w ors e yet, c an m ak e u s s ic k a n d p ro m ote o ur d eath . D ru gs, s u rg erie s a n d o th er m ed ic al pro ced ure s th at d is re g ard th e c au se s o f d is e ase — not f ix in g th e p ro ble m s in sid e th e cells a n d in ste ad a d dre ssin g s y m pto m s— c an n ev er c u re th e d is e ase . D is e ase is n ot ab out “ d is e ase s,” it is a b out c ells ; d ia g nose s a n d tr e atm en ts s h ould a lw ay s re fle ct th is a p pro ach . The b attle b etw een s ic k ness a n d h ealth t a k es p la ce w ith in e v ery c ell i n y our b ody. Choosin g h ealth y cells m ean s fo llo w in g each o f th e six p ath w ay s in a p ositiv e dir e ctio n; l e t u s m ove o n t o t h e f ir s t o f t h e s ix : t h e n utr itio n p ath w ay . 5 T HE N UTR IT IO N P ATH W AY “The w ell- n ouris h ed A m eric a n is a m yth . D esp ite th e hig h le vel o f e d uca tio n a nd th e a bundance o f a va ila ble fo od, m any peo ple m ake p oor fo od c h oic es a nd a re b adly n ouris h ed . . . . [T ]h e a vera ge h um an d ie t, n utr itio nally u nfit fo r ra ts , m ust b e eq ually u nsa tis fa cto ry o r e ven m ore s o i n m eetin g h um an n eed s.” Carl P fe if fe r, M .D ., P h.D . Men ta l a nd E le m en ta l N utr ie n ts M eet E liz ab eth . F or e ig ht y ears E liz ab eth h as w ag ed a l o sin g b attle a g ain st c h ro nic fa tig ue. She su ffe rs fro m pain fu l arth ritis (w ith m easu ra b le bone lo ss in one sh ould er), a n d s h e t a k es p ow erfu l p ain m ed ic atio ns d aily . O verw helm in g e x hau stio n, co uple d w ith th e p ain , p re v en t h er fro m w ork in g o r p artic ip atin g in m ean in gfu l activ ity . S he h as s e en n um ero us m ed ic al d octo rs a n d a lte rn ativ e p ra ctitio ners , b ut sh e i s n ot i m pro vin g. Afte r h earin g m e s p eak a t a c h ro nic f a tig ue s u pport g ro up, E liz ab eth r e ach ed o ut fo r m y h elp . W ith in a fe w m onth s E liz ab eth ’s p ain w as g one a n d h er e n erg y w as so arin g. A y ear la te r, s h e r e tu rn ed to w ork , a t a s ix -fig ure in co m e. “ R ay m ond g av e me b ack m y lif e ,” s h e te lls f rie n ds. I n r e ality , I s im ply ta u ght h er h ow to g iv e h er cells th e nutr ie n ts th ey w ere desp era te ly m is sin g. E ven m ore sim ply , I ta u ght Eliz ab eth how to sh op fo r fo od, pre p are m eals an d fin d hig h-q uality vita m in su pple m en ts . S im ple , e sse n tia l a n d l if e -s a v in g. To b eco m e h ealth ie r, E liz ab eth b eg an t o c o nsu m e m ore n utr itio us f o ods, e at m ore ra w fo ods a n d fe w er c o oked o nes. S he w as c are fu l a b out w hic h fo ods to c o m bin e to geth er. S he c u t b ack o n s u gar, w hite f lo ur, h ydro gen ate d o ils a n d m ilk p ro ducts , a s well a s c o ffe e. T hese c h oic es lite ra lly m ad e E liz ab eth a c h an ged w om an ; h er w hole lif e a n d h ealth w ere tu rn ed a ro und b y im pro vin g th e c h em is tr y in sid e h er c ells . H er fa tig ue a n d a rth ritis p ain g ra d ually d is a p peare d , a n d s h e a ctu ally re p air e d m uch o f th e d am ag ed b one t is su e i n h er a rth ritic s h ould er. In v ario us fo rm s, E liz ab eth ’s s to ry o f d eclin in g h ealth is p la y ed o ut m illio ns o f tim es e ach d ay in th is c o untr y . F ew A m eric an s g o to b ed h ungry , b ut a lm ost a ll Am eric an s g o t o b ed m aln ouris h ed , s o m e s e v ere ly s o . T his c o ncep t m ay b e d if fic u lt to accep t becau se w e ty pic ally en vis io n m aln ouris h ed th ir d -w orld peo ple w ith dis te n ded b ellie s a n d l is tle ss e y es. I n t r u th , “ w ell- fe d ” A m eric an s, i n clu din g t h ose — or p erh ap s e sp ecia lly th ose — who a re o verw eig ht, a re “ sta rv in g” fo r th e k in ds o f fo od n eed ed t o b eco m e a n d s ta y h ealth y. Most o f u s e at t h e w ro ng f o ods. I c all t h em “ m ak e-b elie v e” f o ods t h at d o n ot m eet th e n eed s o f o ur c ells . In fa ct, 9 0 p erc en t o f th e ty pic al A m eric an fo od b udget is sp en t o n m ak e-b elie v e fo ods. M ost o f u s sp en d lo ts o f m oney an d lo ts o f tim e sh oppin g f o r a n d p re p arin g m eals t h at a re , i n s m all a n d l a rg e w ay s, k illin g o ur c ells , cre atin g d is e ase a n d s h orte n in g o ur l iv es. We sh op in su perm ark ets fu ll o f e m pty -c alo rie fo ods. W e b uy fo ods th at h av e been s o m is h an dle d th at th ey n o lo nger o ffe r th e n utr itio n w e th in k w e a re b uyin g. We p re p are a n d c o ok o ur f o ods in w ay s th at d estr o y th eir n utr itio nal v alu e. N early all of us— fro m ju nk-fo od ju nkie s to “h ealth -c o nsc io us” co nsu m ers — are bein g mis le d in to belie v in g th at lo w -fa t pro ducts an d ty pic al su perm ark et m eat an d pro duce c an b uild a h ealth y d ie t. C onsid er: • T oo m uch o f o ur d ie t i s c re ate d f ro m a n o ffic ia lly a p pro ved “ B ig F our” l is t o f fo ods th at f a il to n urtu re o ur b odie s a n d a ls o c re ate to xin s th at s ic k en u s. T he Big F our? S ugar, w hite flo ur, p ro cesse d o ils a n d m ilk p ro ducts . E ven fo ods to ute d a s “ h ealth y,” s u ch a s m ulti- g ra in b re ad s, u su ally c o nta in im poveris h ed flo ur. • W e e at t h e c ells o f u nhealth y p la n ts a n d a n im als , w hic h c an not c re ate h ealth y cells in o ur b ody. P ig s a n d o th er liv esto ck a re f e d to xic d ie ts . C hem ic als u se d durin g gro w in g, harv estin g, pro cessin g, tr a n sp ortin g an d sto rin g dim in is h nutr ie n ts i n p ro duce. I n n o w ay c an s u ch f o od s u pport o ur c ell c h em is tr y . • T oo l ittle o f o ur f o od— vir tu ally n one f o r m an y p eo ple — is e ate n r a w . C ookin g dam ag es fo ods’ n utr itio nal v alu es. S om e c o okin g m eth ods, p artic u la rly th ose th at u se h ig h h eat o r t h at c h ar f o ods, c re ate p ow erfu l m uta g en s a n d c arc in ogen s. • H an dlin g an d pre p ara tio n m eth ods— fro m ex te n ded sto rin g of fo ods in a re frig era to r o r f re ezer to c h oppin g a n d m ash in g— ro b f o ods o f m an y n utr ie n ts su ch a s v ita m in s a n d m in era ls th at w e b elie v e w e a re c o nsu m in g. T he a v era g e pers o n p re p arin g a m eal d am ag es a n d d estr o ys t h e p ow er o f t h e f o od, e v en f o od th e i n div id ual c o nsid ers t o b e “ fre sh .” • C om merc ia l p ra ctic es u se d to su pply fo od fro m fa rm s to su perm ark ets a re overw helm in gly d estr u ctiv e. P ro duce i s o fte n h arv este d b efo re i t i s r ip e, s to re d fo r lo ng p erio ds o f tim e a n d s u bje cte d to h arm fu l m eth ods to r ip en o r c o lo r it artif ic ia lly fo r p re se n ta tio n in th e “ fre sh ” p ro duce s e ctio n o f th e s u perm ark et. Som e o f t h is p ro duce h as l o st n early a ll o f c erta in v ita m in s a n d m in era ls b y t h e tim e it r o lls d ow n th e s u perm ark et c h eck out lin es, le t a lo ne b y th e tim e w e e at it. • T he w ay w e eat o ur fo ods— ev en h ow w e ch ew — ofte n p re v en ts u s fro m re aliz in g th e best nutr itio n, ev en fro m good die ts . W e als o eat th e w ro ng co m bin atio ns o f f o ods, w hic h i n te rfe re w ith e ffe ctiv e d ig estio n. • M ost o f th e v ita m in a n d m in era l s u pple m en ts s o ld to day a re o f p oor q uality an d n ot w orth w hat y ou p ay f o r t h em . T hey d o n ot p ro vid e u s w ith t h e n utr ie n ts we t h in k w e a re b uyin g. Sta rv atio n o n a F ull S to m ach Acco rd in g to th e Sta te o f th e W orld 2 000 re p ort fro m th e W orld w atc h In stitu te , th e w orld i s i n t h e m id st o f a n utr itio n c ris is . I n t h e d ev elo ped c o untr ie s, 1 .2 b illio n peo ple , in clu din g m ost A m eric an s, a re n ow “ sta rv in g” a n d u ndern ouris h ed b ecau se th ey a re o verfe d w ith t o o m uch o f t h e w ro ng f o ods. T he a v era g e A m eric an d ie t d oes not s u pport th e b io lo gic al n eed s o f h um an c ells . W e tr y to a ch ie v e th e im possib le : We tr y to m ain ta in h ealth w hile e atin g a d ie t th at c an not p ro vid e h ealth . A lth ough our s to m ach s m ay b e f u ll ( a n d o ur b ellie s a re f a t) , m aln utr itio n i s o ur l e ad in g c au se of d is e ase . Ultim ate ly , a n y le v el o f m aln utr itio n c re ate s s u sc ep tib ility to d is e ase . H ow ev er, when w e su ffe r h ealth p ro ble m s a s a re su lt o f p oor n utr itio n, a lm ost a lw ay s w e bla m e o ur i lln esse s o n a g in g o r o n f a u lty g en es r a th er t h an o n i ts t r u e c au se . We a re , in deed , w hat w e e at. T hat c lic h é s h ould g uid e a ll c h oic es w e m ak e a b out th e fo ods w e co nsu m e. T he av era g e pers o n, how ev er, is poorly in fo rm ed an d co nfu se d a b out w hat to e at, h ow to e at a n d w hat to a v oid . M is in fo rm atio n to sse d ab out b y f o od m an ufa ctu re rs a n d e v en b y p hysic ia n s o verw helm s t h e c o nsu m er. F ew peo ple t r u ly u nders ta n d h ow f o od h elp s o r f a ils t o k eep t h em h ealth y. Food m an ufa ctu re rs nearly alw ay s fa v or qualitie s su ch as sh elf lif e , ta ste , ap peara n ce a n d m ark eta b ility o ver n utr itio n a n d h ealth . P hysic ia n s, w ho ty pic ally la ck n utr itio n e d ucatio n th em se lv es, u su ally te ll u s th at a s ta n dard d ie t g iv es u s a ll th e n utr itio n w e n eed . W ith su ch m is in fo rm atio n, w e te n d to m ak e ir ra tio nal a n d harm fu l d ecis io ns. A d ie t t h at f o cu se s o n a n yth in g o th er t h an m eetin g t h e n utr itio nal need s o f c ells a llo w s y our b ody t o g et s ic k . The f o ur w orst f o od c h oic es, c o m pris in g t h e b ulk o f t h e a vera ge A m eric a n d ie t a nd dis a str o us t o t h e h ea lth o f o ur p opula tio n a re : 1. s u gar 2. w hite f lo ur 3. p ro cesse d o ils 4. m ilk p ro ducts Consu m in g th ese fo ods, e sp ecia lly a s a la rg e p art o f th e d ie t a n d o ver tim e, is vir tu ally g uara n te ed to c au se d is e ase . T hey p ro vid e little n utr itio n a n d a re to xic a s well. I f e v ery A m eric an w ere to s to p e atin g th ese “ fo ods,” o ur e p id em ic o f c h ro nic dis e ase s w ould d eclin e d ra m atic ally . P ro ble m atic in th eir o w n rig ht, th e re al h arm cau se d b y th ese f o ur f o od f a ilu re s c o m es f ro m th e f a ct th at w e e at th em r e p eate d ly , day b y d ay , m eal b y m eal. As h ig hly a s w e m ig ht t h in k o f o urs e lv es, o n a p hysic al l e v el w e a re n oth in g m ore th an a n o rg an iz ed m ass o f a b out 7 5 t r illio n c ells , a ll c o nsta n tly d em an din g n utr ie n ts . If w e c o nsis te n tly c h oose th e B ig F our— su gar, w hite flo ur, p ro cesse d o ils , m ilk pro ducts o r f o ods c o nta in in g t h ese a s i n gre d ie n ts — we c an not h ope t o m eet t h e n eed s of o ur h ungry c ells . E very sin gle tim e y ou c h oose a n o rg an ic , fre sh , u npro cesse d fo od in ste ad o f o ne o f th e B ig F our, y ou a re d oin g y our c ells ( a n d y ours e lf ) a g re at se rv ic e. L et u s h av e a c lo se r l o ok a t t h e B ig F our. Sugar W rea k s H avoc If y ou m ak e o nly o ne c h an ge in y our d ie t, le t it b e to e lim in ate o r a t le ast r e d uce your i n ta k e o f s u gar. Peo ple in o ur s o cie ty e at a n e n orm ous a m ount o f s u gar— p ro bab ly f a r m ore th an you re aliz e. A s is o fte n th e c ase , o ur p ers p ectiv e is th e re al p ro ble m ; w e a re so fa m ilia r w ith s u gar t h at w e d o n ot t h in k o f i t a s a s e rio us h ealth t h re at. F urth erm ore , becau se in one fo rm or an oth er su gar is co nta in ed in an en orm ous num ber of pro cesse d f o ods, i t i s a lm ost i m possib le t o a v oid . Sugar e v en in s m all a m ounts is d etr im en ta l. J u st tw o te asp oons o f s u gar ( fa r le ss th an a t y pic al s o ft d rin k o r b ow l o f b re ak fa st c ere al) h as a s ig nif ic an t h orm onal a n d nutr itio nal im pact fo r se v era l h ours , th ro w in g th e b ody o ut o f b ala n ce a n d in to a sta te o f b io ch em ic al ch ao s. If y ou eat su gar m orn in g, n oon an d n ig ht (a s m an y peo ple d o), y our b ody r e m ain s i n c h ao s a ll d ay, e v ery d ay. I n t h is s ta te o f c h ao s y our body c o nsta n tly tr ie s to re sto re its b ala n ce b ut n ev er q uite su cceed s. S ugar is so dam ag in g to b ody c h em is tr y th at, in h is 2 000 b ook, Fit fo r L ife : A N ew B eg in nin g, Harv ey D ia m ond c alls r e fin ed s u gar “ a d ead ly , v ir u le n t p ois o n.” Durin g m an y th ousa n ds o f y ears o f h um an e v olu tio n, o ur a n cesto rs s u rv iv ed f in e with out a n y s u gar o th er th an s u gars n atu ra lly o ccu rrin g in w ild fru its a n d b errie s. Refin ed su gar is a c o m para tiv ely re cen t in ven tio n, a n d o nly v ery re cen tly h as it beco m e a d ie ta ry s ta p le . In 1 750, w hen it w as fir s t in tr o duced to N orth A m eric a, su gar w as a r a re a n d e x pen siv e c o m modity , a n d e v en i n 1 900 t h e a v era g e p ers o n a te only 1 0 p ounds o f su gar p er y ear. B y 1 985, su gar c o nsu m ptio n h ad ris e n to 1 24 pounds p er y ear, a n d b y th e y ear 2 000 th e a v era g e A m eric an a te a w hoppin g 1 60 pounds o f su gar p er y ear! M ost o f u s c an not c o m pre h en d e atin g th is m uch su gar becau se w e fa il to re aliz e th at it is in a lm ost e v ery ty pe o f p ro cesse d fo od. T he av era g e A m eric an n ow c o nsu m es a b out o ne q uarte r o f h is o r h er c alo rie s f ro m s u gar, an d m an y c h ild re n r e ceiv e a lm ost h alf o f t h eir c alo rie s f ro m s u gar. All th e c alo rie s fro m s u gar a re e m pty c alo rie s, c o nta in in g v ir tu ally n one o f th e nutr ie n ts th at y our c ells n eed s o d esp era te ly . F urth erm ore , s u gar is a n a n tin utr ie n t; ea tin g s u gar d ra in s n utr ie n ts f r o m y o ur b ody. Certa in n utr ie n ts ( w hic h a re p re se n t i n ra w s u garc an e b ut n ot in r e fin ed s u gar) a re n eed ed f o r y ou to m eta b oliz e th e s u gar. Your b ody m ust o bta in t h ese n utr ie n ts f ro m s o m ew here , a n d b ecau se t h ey a re n ot i n th e s u gar t h ey a re r o bbed f ro m y our o w n t is su es— th ere b y d ep le tin g y our h ealth . Sugar c o nsu m ptio n c o ntr ib ute s n ot o nly t o t h e m ore o bvio us h ealth p ro ble m s s u ch as d ia b ete s a n d to oth d ecay, b ut a ls o to h eart d is e ase , o ste o poro sis a n d im mune dysfu nctio n. If y ou w an t to a v oid c o ld s o r if s o m eo ne in y our fa m ily is “ co m in g dow n w ith a c o ld ,” e lim in ate s u gar. Our so cie ty c o nsta n tly w orrie s a b out th e re la tio nsh ip b etw een h ig h-c h ole ste ro l an im al p ro ducts a n d h eart d is e ase , y et s u gar is a m ore s e rio us c au se . A s tu dy b y A . M. C ohen , M .D ., p ublis h ed in a 1 961 is su e o f th e m ed ic al jo urn al Lancet, re p orts th at J e w s f ro m Y em en w ere n ote d to h av e v ery little h eart d is e ase , e v en th ough th e die t in Y em en is ty pic ally h ig h in a n im al fa t. W hen th ese Je w s m oved to Is ra el, where a lo t of su gar is co m mon in th e die t, ra te s of heart dis e ase in cre ase d dra m atic ally . Bein g a n a n tin utr ie n t, s u gar a ls o c au se s c alc iu m t o b e l o st i n t h e u rin e, f o rc in g t h e body to re m ove c alc iu m fro m th e b ones in o rd er to k eep th e b lo od c alc iu m le v els with in norm al lim its . B y ta k in g th e calc iu m out of your bones, eatin g su gar co ntr ib ute s to oste o poro sis . Peo ple co ncern ed ab out or alr e ad y su ffe rin g fro m oste o poro sis s h ould e lim in ate s u gar f ro m t h eir d ie t. Eatin g su gar cau se s d efic ie n cie s o f a n um ber o f m in era ls , in clu din g calc iu m , ch ro m iu m , m ag nesiu m a n d z in c. W hen y ou d o n ot h av e e n ough m in era ls , y our b ody has d if fic u lty p ro ducin g su ffic ie n t d ig estiv e en zy m es n eed ed fo r g ood d ig estio n. Undig este d fo od partic le s can en te r in to your blo odstr e am , cre atin g se rio us pro ble m s su ch as alle rg ie s an d im mune-d efic ie n cy dis e ase s. T his is w hy fo ods co nsu m ed w ith s u gar ( s u ch a s w heat, c o rn , m ilk a n d e g gs) b eco m e t h e m ost c o m mon alle rg en s. I f y ou e n jo y y our f o ods a n d d o n ot w an t t o b eco m e a lle rg ic t o t h em , l e arn to a v oid c o m bin in g t h em w ith s u gar. In th is m odern a g e o f A ID S, a u to im mune a n d o th er im mune sy ste m d is e ase s, su gar cre ate s sp ecia l p ro ble m s. S ugar d am ag es th e cells o f o ur im mune sy ste m , cre atin g s u sc ep tib ility to c o ld s, flu a n d o th er im mune-re la te d d is e ase s. S ugar a ls o pla y s a c ru cia l r o le i n t h e d ev elo pm en t o f d ia b ete s. T he m ech an is m s f o r c o ntr o llin g blo od s u gar b eco m e f a u lty w hen h ig h le v els o f s u gar a re p re se n t in th e d ie t. S ugar als o c au se s a c alc iu m /p hosp horo us i m bala n ce, w hic h m ak es t h e b ody l e ss c ap ab le o f bre ak in g p ro te in s d ow n i n to t h e a m in o a cid s t h at a re r e q uir e d t o m ak e e sse n tia l b ody ch em ic als . E ven tr a d itio nal docto rs ack now le d ge th at su gar cau se s to oth decay. His to ric ally , n ativ es w ho h ad l ittle e x posu re t o t h e c iv iliz ed w orld a n d r e fin ed s u gar had a lm ost n o t o oth d ecay . Sugar is b ad en ough b y its e lf , b ut als o it is a d an gero us p artn er. Y ou sh ould esp ecia lly a v oid c o m bin in g s u gar w ith p ro te in ( s u ch a s a s w eet d esse rt a fte r a s te ak din ner, o r o ra n ge ju ic e w ith e g gs in th e m orn in g). In c o m bin atio n, th ey re act a n d fo rm d am ag in g c o m pounds c alle d A GEs (a d van ced g ly catio n e n d p ro ducts ). A GEs may e v en fo rm w ith in y our fo ods b efo re y ou e at th em , if su gar a n d p ro te in a re co oked to geth er (s u ch a s b ak ed g oods c o nta in in g e g gs a n d s u gar, o r a h am b ak ed with b ro w n s u gar o n to p). T hese A GEs a re k now n to p ro m ote h eart d is e ase , h ig h blo od p re ssu re , c ata ra cts a n d a rth ritis . Eatin g re fin ed s u gar is d estr u ctiv e to h um an h ealth b ecau se it c au se s v ita m in s, min era ls an d horm ones to beco m e im bala n ced , w hic h th ro w s th e body in to bio ch em ic al ch ao s fo r se v era l h ours . T he b ody, d esp era te ly sc ra m blin g to rig ht its e lf , d ep le te s its e lf o f v ita l n utr ie n ts . T he m ost im porta n t a n d u niv ers a l d ie ta ry re co m men datio n I c an m ak e to e v ery one is to c u t a s m uch s u gar (a n d fo ods m ad e with s u gar) f ro m t h eir d ie t a s p ossib le . T hose c h ild re n w ho a re c o nsu m in g u p t o h alf th eir c alo rie s a s s u gar b eco m e s ittin g d uck s f o r i n fe ctio ns a n d f u tu re p ro ble m s s u ch as d ia b ete s, o ste o poro sis , c an cer, a rth ritis a n d h eart d is e ase . E atin g s u gar i s d eath b y in sta llm en t. Whit e F lo u r: Q uic k , I n ex p en siv e a n d D estr u ctiv e Alm ost a ll b re ad , p asta a n d b ak ed g oods a re m ad e o f w hite f lo ur— an e asy -to -u se , easy -to -s to re , h ig hly p ro cesse d d eriv ativ e o f w hat w as o nce a w heat g ra in . W heat i s a g ood a n d n utr itio us f o od, b ut b y t h e t im e w heat g ets g ro und u p a n d p ro cesse d i n to white f lo ur, it b ears little r e se m bla n ce ( p hysic ally o r n utr itio nally ) to w heat. W hite flo ur c o nta in s little n utr itio n, is to xic a n d is a n a n tin utr ie n t (lik e su gar). Y et th e av era g e A m eric an c o nsu m es m ore th an tw o h undre d p ounds o f w hite flo ur e v ery year. Alm ost a ll o f th e n utr ie n ts o nce c o nta in ed in w heat a re lo st in th e p ro cess o f cre atin g w hite flo ur (in clu din g 60 perc en t of th e calc iu m , 77 perc en t of th e mag nesiu m , 7 8 p erc en t o f th e zin c, 8 9 p erc en t o f th e co balt, 9 8 p erc en t o f th e vita m in E , 8 0 p erc en t o f v ita m in s B 1 an d B 3 , a n d 7 5 p erc en t o f th e f o lic a cid ). A ls o lo st a re t h e e sse n tia l f a tty a cid s a n d f ib er. W ors e s till, m an y n utr ie n ts a re n eed ed i n ord er fo r y our b ody to m eta b oliz e th e flo ur fo r e n erg y. B ecau se th e flo ur d oes n ot co nta in t h ose n utr ie n ts , y our b ody i s r o bbed o f t h e n utr ie n ts , s im ila r t o w hat h ap pen s when y ou e at s u gar. In 1 941, s e v ere n utr itio nal p ro ble m s p ro m pte d o ur g overn m en t t o p ass l e g is la tio n re q uir in g th at c erta in n utr ie n ts b e a d ded b ack to th e flo ur. “ E nric h ed flo ur” w as born . W hite flo ur h as lo st m ore th an tw en ty -fiv e k now n n utr ie n ts , a h an dfu l a re ad ded b ack , y et w e s till c all f lo ur “ en ric h ed ” ( in ste ad o f, p erh ap s, “ im poveris h ed ”). We d id n ot h av e n utr itio nal d efic ie n cy in m in d w hen w e sta rte d m ak in g w hite flo ur. W e m ad e it b ecau se it d oes n ot sp oil; it k eep s p ra ctic ally fo re v er, w hic h mak es w hite flo ur an id eal fo od to fe ed peo ple in big citie s. H ow ev er, th e maln utr itio n p ro ble m w ith flo ur is se rio us— our b ellie s a re fille d in th e fo rm o f “h earty ” p asta s a n d b re ad s, b ut a ll th ose e m pty c alo rie s d o n ot e v en c o m e c lo se to fu lf illin g o ur n eed s f o r n utr ie n ts , t h us c o ntr ib utin g t o d efic ie n cy . Wors e , f lo ur a ls o c o ntr ib ute s to th e o th er c au se o f d is e ase , to xic ity . W hite f lo ur co nta in s a lm ost n o f ib er, w hic h is e sse n tia l f o r p ro per b ow el m ovem en ts a n d to xin re m oval. Eatin g to o m uch flo ur (a n d not en ough fib er) is asso cia te d with co nstip atio n, h em orrh oid s, c o litis a n d r e cta l c an cer. Avoid in g w hite f lo ur i s n ot e asy b ecau se i t i s i n v ir tu ally a ll b re ad s, p asta s, c ak es, co okie s, c ra ck ers , b re ak fa st c ere als , p iz zas a n d p astr ie s. B ut w hen y ou re aliz e th at flo ur c au se s d is e ase , c u ttin g d ow n o n th e re fin ed flo ur p ro ducts y ou c o nsu m e is worth t h e e ffo rt. A p la te o f p asta w ith v eg eta b le s c an n o l o nger b e c o nsid ere d a g ood meal. T he v eg eta b le s a re g ood, b ut th e p asta is n ot; c h oose w hole g ra in s o r b ean s in ste ad . The re al h ealth th re at fro m w hite flo ur co m es n ot fro m an y sin gle m eal, b ut becau se w e e at s o m uch o f i t— one o r m ore m eals a d ay, e v ery d ay. W e a ls o n eed t o keep i n m in d t h at m an y o th er g ra in s f re q uen tly a re r e fin ed ( s u ch a s t h ose i n “ m ulti- gra in ” b re ad s a n d c ere als ) a n d a re re d uced to little m ore th an e m pty c alo rie s. A ny gra in th at is fin ely g ro und an d “str ip ped ” o f fib er an d o th er n utr ie n ts is a p oor nutr itio nal c h oic e b ecau se e sse n tia l n utr ie n ts h av e b een lo st, w hic h m ost p eo ple d o not r e aliz e. I c an not te ll y ou h ow m an y tim es I h av e ta lk ed to p eo ple w ho p ro udly desc rib e th eir “h ealth y, w hole -g ra in die ts ” — die ts m ad e of w hole -w heat bre ad , ro lle d o ats , g ra n ola , m ultig ra in c ere als . A ll o f th ese a re p ro cesse d , m ak e-b elie v e fo ods. Eatin g pro cesse d fo ods of any kin d is fu ndam en ta lly diffe re n t fr o m and nutr itio nally i n fe rio r t o e a tin g w hole , u npro cesse d f o ods. On th e su bje ct o f fo od p ro cessin g, o ne ty pe o f g ra in p ro cessin g is o f sp ecia l co ncern : p uffe d g ra in s. T he h ig h h eat a n d p re ssu re u se d i n t h e p uffin g p ro cess a lte rs th e m ole cu la r s tr u ctu re o f p ro te in s in th e g ra in s, m ak in g th em to xic e n ough to k ill la b ora to ry a n im als . A bso lu te ly a v oid p uffe d w heat, p uffe d m ille t a n d p uffe d ric e (in clu din g ric e c ak es), a n d a n y o th er p uffe d g ra in s. T his w arn in g d oes n ot in clu de popco rn , w hic h is n ot su bje cte d to su ch h ig h te m pera tu re s an d p re ssu re s. In h is book, Fig htin g t h e F ood G ia nts , Pau l S titt r e p orte d a n e x perim en t i n w hic h r a ts w ere fe d e ith er w hole w heat o r p uffe d w heat. T he r a ts e atin g t h e w hole w heat l iv ed o ver a year w hile t h e r a ts e atin g p uffe d w heat d ie d w ith in t w o w eek s. To a v oid h ealth p ro ble m s c re ate d b y p ro cesse d g ra in s, c h oose w hole g ra in s s u ch as m ille t, o ats , q uin oa, s p elt, b arle y, a m ara n th , te ff, k am ut a n d b ro w n ric e. M an y peo ple d o n ot r e aliz e th at w hite r ic e is a ls o a p ro cesse d g ra in a n d, th ere fo re , a p oor fo od ch oic e. B uck w heat, not str ic tly a gra in , can be co oked lik e w hole gra in s. Org an ic w hole g ra in s a re r e ad ily a v aila b le a t h ealth f o od s to re s. C ook g ra in s i n a p ot of w ate r a s y ou w ould c o ok ric e. A ric e-c o oker w ill a ls o w ork . In th e re al w orld , ofte n w e are fo rc ed to m ak e le ss th an id eal ch oic es. A t th e v ery le ast, ch oose min im ally p ro cesse d w hole g ra in s ( s u ch a s w hole -w heat f lo ur o r o atm eal) i n ste ad o f hig hly re fin ed a n d s tr ip ped g ra in s, s u ch a s w hite flo ur, w hite ric e a n d p asta m ad e fro m w hite f lo ur. Mis le a din g C hoic es When I to ld E liz ab eth , th e w om an I in tr o duced y ou to a t th e s ta rt o f th is c h ap te r, th at if s h e w an te d to g et w ell a n d s ta y w ell s h e w ould h av e to e lim in ate s u gar f ro m her d ie t, sh e re p lie d , “ I d on’t e at a n y su gar,” g oin g o n to e x pla in th at sh e ra re ly added su gar t o a n yth in g. W hat s h e m ean t w as, s h e r a re ly t o ok w hite s u gar o ut o f t h e su gar b ow l a n d a d ded it to h er fo ods a n d b ev era g es. S he w as n ot c o nsid erin g th e massiv e a m ounts o f su gar a lr e ad y p re se n t in h er d ie t fro m fo ods a s m undan e a s ketc h up, b re ak fa st c ere al, d in ner r o lls , s o up, s a la d d re ssin g, b ottle d f ru it ju ic es a n d so ft d rin ks, n ot to m en tio n c h oco la te s, ic e c re am , c o okie s, p ie s, c ak es, s n ack f o ods an d p an cak e s y ru p. E liz ab eth w as q uite s u rp ris e d w hen I a d ded u p a ll th e s u gar s h e was c o nsu m in g. Eliz ab eth a n d I a ls o ta lk ed a b out w hite f lo ur. S he d id n ot r e aliz e th at m ost o f th e sta rc h es s h e w as e atin g ( in clu din g p asta s, b re ad s a n d b re ak fa st c ere als ) w ere m ad e fro m w hite flo ur an d oth er pro cesse d gra in s. T hin kin g ab out w hat sh e sh ould perh ap s b e e atin g i n ste ad , s h e m ad e a n oth er m is ta k e: E liz ab eth p ro udly s h ow ed m e a pack ag e o f th e “ h ealth y” m ultig ra in b re ad s h e h ad p urc h ase d . I s h ook m y h ead a s I re ad th e in gre d ie n t lis t a n d e x pla in ed to h er th at su ch b re ad is n ot h ealth y. F ir s t, bre ad is a hig hly pro cesse d fo od, an d th is bre ad ’s num ber-o ne in gre d ie n t w as unble ach ed f lo ur, a h ig hly p ro cesse d f lo ur th at is o nly m arg in ally b ette r th an w hite flo ur ( it h as n ot u nderg one th e f in al b le ach in g p ro cess). T his s u ppose d ly “ h ealth y” bre ad a ls o c o nta in ed a h ealth -d am ag in g s u gar (c o rn s y ru p), h ydro gen ate d o ils a n d to xic p re se rv ativ es. Eliz ab eth h ad b een m is le d in to b elie v in g th is b re ad w as a h ealth y f o od— perh ap s becau se o f th e f a ls e a d vertis in g o n th e p ack ag e, c la im in g it to b e “ h ealth y,” a n d th e fa ct th at s h e h ad p urc h ase d it in a h ealth fo od s to re . M an y p eo ple h av e a d if fic u lt tim e l e arn in g h ow t o d is c ern g ood f o ods f ro m b ad o nes. T he s im ple st e x pla n atio n i s to th in k o f th e c o ncep ts o f re a l fo ods an d make-b elie ve fo ods. The m ore a fo od is ch an ged fro m th e w ay n atu re w ould n orm ally p ro vid e it, th e m ore m ak e-b elie v e it beco m es. Som e T ru th s a b ou t P ro cesse d F ats a n d O ils A w id esp re ad m is p erc ep tio n i n A m eric a t o day i s t h at t o b e h ealth y w e m ust e at a lo w -c h ole ste ro l, l o w -fa t o r n onfa t d ie t. R ath er, y ou n eed f a ts a n d o ils , b ut t h ey m ust be t h e r ig ht k in ds o f f a ts a n d o ils , n ot t h e p ro cesse d f a ts a n d o ils s o p re v ale n t i n o ur die ts t o day. D esp ite o ur s o cie ty ’s o bse ssio n w ith a n d f e ars a b out f a ts a n d o ils , t h ese nutr ie n ts a re a n i n cre d ib ly i m porta n t p art o f a h ealth y d ie t. Each o f th e tr illio ns o f cells in y our b ody is su rro unded b y a p erm eab le cell mem bra n e. F ats a n d o ils a re t h e p rim ary b uild in g m ate ria ls u se d t o c re ate t h ose c ell mem bra n es. C ell m em bra n es a re c ritic ally im porta n t b ecau se a ll th e n utr ie n ts y our cells n eed a n d a ll t h e t o xic w aste p ro ducts t h ey m ust e lim in ate n eed t o p ass t h ro ugh it. I f y ou e at th e r ig ht k in ds o f f a ts a n d o ils , y our c ell m em bra n es p ro perly r e g ula te th e p assa g e o f m ate ria ls ; e atin g th e w ro ng k in ds c au se s y our c ell m em bra n es to work a g ain st y ou. W hen y our c ell m em bra n es a re n ot w ork in g c o rre ctly , y our c ells will m alf u nctio n, w hic h c an m an if e st i n to j u st a b out a n y d is e ase y ou c an i m ag in e. Esse n tia l fa tty a cid s is th e te rm u se d to d esc rib e th e “ rig ht k in d” o f f a ts a n d o ils . They a re e sse n tia l b ecau se th e b ody n eed s th em b ut c an not m ak e th em , s o w e m ust obta in th em fro m fo od. T hese e sse n tia l fa tty a cid m ole cu le s h av e a s p ecif ic s h ap e th at i s c ritic al t o t h e w ay t h ey w ork i n f o rm in g c ell m em bra n es— lik e b ric k s t h at f it perfe ctly to geth er to b uild cell w alls . (C hem is ts u se th e te rm cis -fa tty acid s to desc rib e t h e n atu ra l, h ealth y s h ap e o f e sse n tia l f a tty a cid m ole cu le s.) When o ils a re h eate d a b ove 3 92°F (a s m ost s u perm ark et o ils a re ), th e c is -fa tty acid m ole cu le s ch an ge sh ap e, tu rn in g in to a d if fe re n t an d to xic cate g ory o f fa ts calle d tr a n s-fa ts . T he s h ap e o f tr a n s-fa ts d oes n ot w ork p ro perly fo r b uild in g c ell mem bra n es. T hese im pro perly s h ap ed “ b ric k s” b uild a c ell w all w ith h ole s it. C ell mem bra n es c o nstr u cte d fro m tr a n s-fa ts b eco m e le ak y (a llo w in g su bsta n ces in sid e cells t o l e ak o ut, a n d v ic e v ers a ) a n d b rittle ( lik e t h e s h ell o f a n e g g, r a th er t h an t h e ela stic ity o f a b allo on). I f c ells t h ro ughout y our b ody a re l e ak y a n d b rittle , y ou h av e a s e rio us p ro ble m . Becau se o f th e w ay o ils a re p ro cesse d , tr a n s-fa ts ( a n d o th er to xin s) a re f o und in vir tu ally a ll o ils s o ld i n s u perm ark ets a n d h ealth f o od s to re s, i n clu din g c an ola , c o rn , sa fflo w er, su nflo w er, co tto nse ed an d so ybean oils , alo ng w ith fo od pro ducts co nta in in g h ydro gen ate d o ils , lik e m arg arin e a n d v eg eta b le sh orte n in gs. C onsid er th e v ast n um bers o f p ro ducts m ad e w ith th ese to xic o ils , s u ch a s s a la d d re ssin gs, bre ak fa st c ere als , c ra ck ers , c h oco la te s, c an dy, p ota to c h ip s a n d frie d fo ods s u ch a s fre n ch frie s. T he so lu tio n? E at e sse n tia l (g ood) fa ts a n d a v oid h ydro gen ate d a n d oth er ( b ad ) t r a n s-fa ts . More c h em is tr y t h at i s v ita l t o y our h ealth : T he t w o m ost i m porta n t e sse n tia l f a tty acid s are lin ole ic acid (o m eg a-6 fa tty acid s) an d lin ole n ic acid (o m eg a-3 fa tty acid s). F or g ood h ealth , th ese fa tty a cid s m ust b e c o nsu m ed in s u ffic ie n t a m ounts an d in th e c o rre ct b ala n ce w ith e ach o th er. I t h as b een e stim ate d , h ow ev er, th at 6 0 perc en t o f o ur p opula tio n g ets t o o m uch o m eg a-6 s a n d t h at u p t o 9 5 p erc en t g ets t o o little o m eg a-3 s; th is im bala n ce c au se s d is e ase . A void p ro cesse d , s u perm ark et o ils an d fo od pro ducts co nta in in g th em , whic h perp etu ate th is im bala n ce, an d su pple m en t w ith o ils c o m bin in g a h ealth y b ala n ce. Pio neers in m ed ic al re se arc h a re c u rin g a n um ber o f c h ro nic p ro ble m s (s u ch a s dep re ssio n, h eart d is e ase a n d c an cer) b y g iv in g th eir p atie n ts th e r ig ht k in ds o f f a ts an d o ils . B ut m ost p eo ple h av e n o id ea th at th e b ad fa ts an d o ils d am ag e cell mem bra n es a n d th ere fo re c au se d is e ase , w hic h e x pla in s w hy s o cie ty a t la rg e is n ot dem an din g a lte rn ativ es. As w ith m an y of our m odern fo ods, w e cre ate d te ch nolo gie s th at are so le ly desig ned to p ro duce th e h ig hest a m ount o f o ils u sin g th e s m alle st a m ount o f ra w mate ria ls (s e ed s, b ean s a n d g ra in s) in th e sh orte st p erio d o f tim e w ith m ax im um sh elf lif e . T im e a n d m oney a re th e d riv in g fo rc es, n ot h ealth a n d n utr itio n. T oday, oils a re e x tr a cte d u sin g h uge, p ow erfu l p re sse s th at g en era te a lo t o f h eat, w hic h , in th e p re se n ce o f o xygen , o xid iz es o ils , m ak in g t h em r a n cid a n d t o xic . Y et t h ese n ow - to xic o ils c an s till b e l a b ele d a s “ co ld -p re sse d ” b ecau se n o h eat w as a d ded d urin g t h e pre ssin g p ro cess; th e h eat is a n u nin te n tio nal r e su lt o f th e h ig h-p re ssu re e x tr a ctio n pro cess . This is w hy c o ld -p re sse d is a m ea nin gle ss te rm a nd is n ot u se fu l fo r y o u in dete rm in in g w hat to e a t a nd w hat to a vo id . H ars h s o lv en ts a re u se d to e x tr a ct o ils , whic h r e m ain i n t h e o il a s a r e sid ue. T hese s o lv en ts a ls o d estr o y n utr ie n ts i n t h e o ils . In a d ditio n, p ro cesse d o ils a re t y pic ally b le ach ed a n d d eo doriz ed — d estr o yin g m ore nutr ie n ts a n d c re atin g t o xin s. To p ut h ealth fu l o ils i n y our d ie t, e at h ig h-q uality o liv e o il a n d f la x se ed o il. A ls o , ben efic ia l f a tty a cid s c an b e f o und in o rg an ic , f re sh , u npro cesse d f o od in its n atu ra l sta te , s u ch a s r a w s e ed s, r a w n uts a n d a v ocad os. H ig h-q uality e g gs, m eat a n d f is h a re als o g ood s o urc es o f f a tty a cid s. K eep i n m in d, t h ough, t h at e sse n tia l f a tty a cid s a re re ad ily d am ag ed b y h eat. U se th e m in im um h eat n ecessa ry to c o ok th ese fo ods. Supple m en t y our d ie t w ith a h ig h-q uality e sse n tia l f a tty a cid s u pple m en t. To a vo id ch ro nic dis e a se and slo w dow n th e agin g pro cess, die ta ry su pple m en ta tio n of esse n tia l fa tty a cid s ( fr o m fla xse ed o il, fo r e xa m ple ) is n ecessa ry ; d eriv in g e n ough of t h e r ig ht f a ts a nd o ils f r o m t h e f o ods t h at a re a va ila ble t o day i s d iffic u lt. Check your kitc h en an d re frig era to r sh elv es. D is c ard your pro cesse d oils , partic u la rly hydro gen ate d an d partia lly hydro gen ate d oils (m arg arin e, veg eta b le sh orte n in g, e tc .) , a n d p ro ducts m ad e w ith th ose o ils , in clu din g m an y b ak ed g oods, cra ck ers , c h ip s, p ean ut b utte r a n d n ondair y c re am er. In ste ad , u se p rim arily h ig h- quality o liv e o il, o rg an ic b utte r o r g hee, a n d e sse n tia l fa tty a cid s u pple m en ts (s e e ap pen dix C f o r s u ggestio ns). Myth s A bou t M ilk The fin al fa ilu re fo od on m y B ig F our lis t is one th at is usu ally to ute d as necessa ry t o g ood h ealth f o r a d ults a n d c h ild re n : m ilk p ro ducts . M ilk ’s r e p uta tio n a s a h ig hly n utr itio us f o od is u ndese rv ed ; in r e ality , m odern m ilk is a h ig hly to xic a n d alle rg en ic m ak e-b elie v e f o od. T he U nite d S ta te s m ay p ro duce a lo t o f m ilk , a n d th e dair y b oard s m ay tr y to c o nvin ce u s to d rin k lo ts o f m ilk , b ut m ilk d oes n ot d o a body g ood. Acco rd in g t o p ed ia tr ic ia n R usse ll B unai, M .D ., i n a 1 994 i s su e o f Natu ra l H ea lth , th e o ne s in gle c h an ge t o t h e U .S . d ie t t h at c o uld p ro vid e t h e g re ate st h ealth b en efits is t h e e lim in atio n o f m ilk p ro ducts . I n t h e 1 992 e d itio n o f h is b ook Don’t D rin k Y o ur Milk , Dr. F ra n k O sk i, fo rm er d ir e cto r o f th e D ep artm en t o f P ed ia tr ic s at Jo hns Hopkin s U niv ers ity S ch ool o f M ed ic in e, s a id , “ W e s h ould a ll s to p d rin kin g m ilk . . . . It w as d esig ned f o r c alv es, n ot f o r h um an s.” T his c la im i s n ot w hat y our m oth er t o ld you (b ecau se s h e h ers e lf w as m is le d ), a n d it is n ot w hat th e d air y in dustr y w ould hav e y ou b elie v e, b ut i t i s t r u e. T he i d ea t h at m ilk i s a n ecessa ry a n d h ealth y p art o f th e h um an d ie t is a m yth . A s I le ctu re a cro ss th e c o untr y , re co m men din g (a m ong oth er th in gs) th at p eo ple n ot d rin k m ilk , I a m a lw ay s a m azed a t h ow m an y tim es peo ple w ill c all m e m onth s l a te r t o s a y t h at t h ey t o ok m y a d vic e, s to pped c o nsu m in g dair y p ro ducts , a n d t h eir h ealth p ro ble m s d is a p peare d . Most o f t h e w orld ’s p opula tio n ( a b out 7 0 p erc en t) d oes n ot d rin k m ilk o r c o nsu m e oth er d air y p ro ducts ( in clu din g c h eese , y ogurt, ic e c re am a n d s o ur c re am ), f o r g ood re aso ns. M oth er’s m ilk is a p erfe ct fo od— fo r in fa n ts , n ot fo r a d ults . In n atu re , n o an im al d rin ks m ilk a fte r w ean in g, n or d oes a n y s p ecie s d rin k th e m ilk o f a n oth er sp ecie s. G ra n te d , w e h um an s h av e m an ag ed to d om estic ate o ur liv esto ck , b ut th is acco m plis h m en t does not ch an ge th e fa ct th at each sp ecie s (a n d th eir m ilk ) is uniq ue. F eed in g e le p han t m ilk t o c ats , m ouse m ilk t o g ir a ffe s o r c o w m ilk t o h um an s is n ot a g ood i d ea. Cow m ilk , e sp ecia lly in th e f o rm s f o und in y our s u perm ark et, is n ot a g ood f o od. Cow m ilk c o nta in s p ro te in s a n d f a ts t h at a re d if fic u lt f o r h um an s t o d ig est, a n d c o w milk d oes n ot s u pply n early t h e a m ount o f c alc iu m t h at i ts r e p uta tio n s u ggests . A ls o , sta tis tic s f ro m t h e W orld H ealth O rg an iz atio n s h ow t h at t h e c o untr ie s c o nsu m in g t h e most m ilk pro ducts als o hav e th e hig hest ra te s of oste o poro sis , bre ast can cer, alle rg ie s a n d d ia b ete s. Actu ally m ilk c an d ep le te n utr ie n ts fro m o ur b odie s— actin g a s a n a n tin utr ie n t, ju st lik e s u gar a n d w hite f lo ur. M eta b oliz in g s o m e o f th e f a ts in m ilk ( p artic u la rly when th e m ilk is p aste u riz ed , a n d v ir tu ally a ll o f it is ) u se s u p e sse n tia l f a tty a cid s, one of our m ost se rio us nutr itio nal defic ie n cie s. For all th ese re aso ns, fo ods co nta in in g p aste u riz ed m ilk fa ts a re a t th e to p o f th e lis t o f “ fo ods to b e a v oid ed .” Additio nally , if p aste u riz ed m ilk fa ts a re n ot p ro perly m eta b oliz ed (b ecau se o f a n esse n tia l fa tty a cid d efic ie n cy, w hic h m ost A m eric an s h av e), th en th e fa t m ay b e dep osite d i n a rte rie s, c o ntr ib utin g t o c ard io vasc u la r d is e ase s. A prim e fa cto r co ntr ib utin g to th e health pro ble m s cau se d by m ilk is paste u riz atio n (h eatin g), w hic h b oth d estr o ys n utr ie n ts a n d c re ate s to xin s, th ere b y co ntr ib utin g to e ach o f th e tw o c au se s o f d is e ase . A nim als fe d p aste u riz ed m ilk ex hib it p oor s k ele ta l d ev elo pm en t, w eak b ones, o ste o poro sis a n d t o oth d ecay. C alv es fe d ra w m ilk re m ain h ealth y, b ut c alv es fe d p aste u riz ed m ilk ty pic ally d ie w ith in eig ht w eek s! I f a c alf c an not b en efit f ro m p aste u riz ed m ilk , h ow c an a h um an ? The R est o f t h e S to ry Upon h earin g th at th ey s h ould n ot d rin k m ilk , p eo ple in varia b ly a sk , “ H ow w ill I be a b le t o g et e n ough c alc iu m i f I d on’t d rin k m ilk ?” M y r e sp onse i s , “ W here d oes a co w , a h ors e , o r a n e le p han t g et i ts c alc iu m ?” T hey g et i t f ro m p la n ts , w hic h a re r ic h in a ll k in ds o f m in era ls — in clu din g c alc iu m . D ark g re en v eg eta b le s s u ch a s b ro cco li, ch ard a n d k ale a re r ic h s o urc es o f a b so rb ab le c alc iu m . Cow m ilk i s a ls o r ic h i n c alc iu m , c o nta in in g a b out 1 ,2 00 m g o f c alc iu m p er q uart while h um an m ilk co nta in s ab out 3 00 m g. H ow ev er, an in fa n t ab so rb s fa r m ore calc iu m fro m a q uart o f h um an m ilk th an fro m a q uart o f c o w m ilk , e v en th ough hum an m ilk c o nta in s le ss c alc iu m . C ow m ilk c o nta in s a lo t o f p hosp horo us, w hic h pre v en ts c alc iu m a b so rp tio n. A ls o , c o w m ilk is lo w in m ag nesiu m , w hic h h um an s need in o rd er to u tiliz e c alc iu m . In sh ort, y our b ody is n ot a b le to u se th e la rg e am ount o f c alc iu m p re se n t i n c o w m ilk . Y ou d o n ot u se t h e c alc iu m , s o i n ste ad i t c an build u p a n d f o rm k id ney s to nes, b one s p urs , g out a n d a th ero sc le ro tic p la q ue. Milk ro bs c alc iu m fro m b ones. T he p ro te in in c o w m ilk m eta b oliz es to str o ng acid s, w hic h c an b e h arm fu l, s o i n ste ad t h e b ody u se s t h e c alc iu m t o n eu tr a liz e t h ose acid s— th ere b y ro bbin g y our b ones an d o th er tis su es in th e p ro cess. T he U nite d Sta te s, w ith o nly 4 p erc en t o f th e w orld ’s p opula tio n, c o nsu m es m ore d air y fo ods th an th e o th er 9 6 p erc en t c o m bin ed . If m ilk is re ally g ood fo r o ur b ones, th en w e sh ould h av e th e s tr o ngest b ones in th e w orld . In ste ad , w e h av e o ne o f th e h ig hest oste o poro sis r a te s i n t h e w orld . W e a re n ot a lo ne; a ll o th er c o untr ie s w ith h ig h d air y co nsu m ptio n a ls o h av e h ig h l e v els o f o ste o poro sis . A la rg e perc en ta g e of th e popula tio n is alle rg ic to m ilk an d dair y pro ducts , re g ard le ss o f w heth er th ey r e aliz e it. A lle rg ic r e actio ns ta x th e im mune s y ste m a n d lo w er r e sis ta n ce to in fe ctio ns a n d d is e ase s. M ilk a lle rg ie s a re th e p rim ary c au se o f ear in fe ctio ns in c h ild re n . G iv en th at c o nsta n t a lle rg ic re sp onse s s h orte n y our lif e (a n d c o nsta n t u se o f a lle rg y m ed ic atio ns w ill, t o o), t h e a n sw er i s t o a v oid t h in gs y ou are a lle rg ic t o i n t h e f ir s t p la ce. F or m ost p eo ple , t h is m ean s a v oid in g m ilk p ro ducts . Acco rd in g t o D r. O sk i, “ A t l e ast 5 0 p erc en t o f a ll c h ild re n a re a lle rg ic t o d air y .” Milk is h arm fu l to y oung c h ild re n fo r a n oth er re aso n: It m ay tr ig ger c h ild hood dia b ete s in g en etic ally s u sc ep tib le c h ild re n . M ore r e cen tly , m ilk h as b een lin ked to multip le s c le ro sis . M ilk a ls o c au se s l o caliz ed i n fla m matio ns i n a n i n fa n t’s i n te stin es an d can re su lt in lo w -le v el b le ed in g an d ir o n-d efic ie n cy an em ia . B ecau se o f th e pro ble m s w ith a lle rg ie s, a n em ia a n d d ia b ete s, in 1 992 th e A m eric an A cad em y o f Ped ia tr ic s r e co m men ded t h at c o w m ilk n ot b e g iv en t o b ab ie s d urin g t h eir f ir s t y ear of l if e b ecau se i t d am ag es h ealth . Y et m an y m oth ers a re n ot h eed in g t h is a d vic e a n d still fe ed th eir c h ild re n m ilk , th in kin g it is h ealth y. In S ep te m ber 1 992, B en ja m in Spock , M .D ., (th e fa m ous “b ab y docto r” ) le n t his voic e to th e gro w in g ch oru s warn in g ag ain st th e dan gers of co w ’s m ilk , urg in g pare n ts to use bre ast m ilk ex clu siv ely . B re ast m ilk , y es; c o w ’s m ilk , n o. In fa n ts sh ould b e b re ast- fe d fo r a t le ast o ne, an d p re fe ra b ly fo r tw o to th re e y ears . A fte r th at, n o m ilk sh ould b e co nsu m ed . Our h unte r-g ath ere r a n cesto rs n urs e d t h eir y oung f o r a n a v era g e o f t h re e y ears , a s co m pare d to m odern A m eric an s, w ho n urs e fo r a n a v era g e o f o nly th re e m onth s. In tr o ductio n o f in fa n t fe ed in g fo rm ula s h as h ad a n eg ativ e effe ct o n ch ild re n ’s health . B re ast- fe d in fa n ts are le ss lik ely to d ev elo p in fla m mato ry b ow el d is e ase when th ey b eco m e ad ults th an b ottle -fe d in fa n ts . A dults w ho w ere b re ast- fe d as in fa n ts d ev elo p fe w er a lle rg ie s th ro ughout lif e (e v en a m ong p eo ple w hose p are n ts had a h is to ry o f a lle rg ie s). Coffe e: A B oost w it h a B ig P ric e In a d ditio n to th e B ig F our f a ilu re s, o ne m ore d ie ta ry h ab it is w orth m en tio nin g becau se o f its h uge n eg ativ e im pact o n h ealth : d rin kin g c o ffe e. C offe e is p opula r becau se o ur so cie ty ch ro nic ally su ffe rs lo w en erg y an d fa tig ue. T he stim ula tin g effe cts o f c o ffe e a re u se d “ to g et t h ro ugh t h e d ay,” a n d t h ey c re ate d ep en den cy. T he caffe in e d oes n ot c re ate o r su sta in lo ng-te rm e n erg y; it ju st h ypes th e sy ste m b y overs tim ula tin g th e ad re n al gla n ds, w hic h ultim ate ly carrie s a lo ng-te rm pric e. Caffe in e in cre ase s th e a m ount o f s u gar in th e b lo od a n d p ro vid es a n e n erg y lif t, b ut it a ls o t h ro w s b ody c h em is tr y o ut o f b ala n ce. By doin g so , co ffe e dam ag es health in m an y w ay s. C offe e is acid ic an d co ntr ib ute s to o vera cid ity in th e A m eric an d ie t, c h an gin g th e p H o f o ur c ells (a n d re q uir in g c alc iu m to b e r o bbed f ro m tis su es to n eu tr a liz e th e a cid ity ). A n um ber o f stu die s hav e lin ked caffe in e to urin ary calc iu m lo ss, whic h co ntr ib ute s to oste o poro sis , h ip f ra ctu re s a n d d eath . One of th ose stu die s, prin te d in a Ja n uary 1994 is su e of th e Jo urn al of th e Am eric a n M ed ic a l A sso cia tio n, fo und t h at w om en w ho d ra n k t w o c u ps o f c o ffe e p er day i n cre ase d t h eir r is k o f h ip f ra ctu re b y 6 9 p erc en t. C offe e h as a ls o b een l in ked t o can cer. C offe e t h at i s r o aste d f o rm s a c o m pound c alle d 3 ,4 -b en zo pyre n e, a p ow erfu l carc in ogen ; an av era g e cu p of co ffe e co nta in s 500 m ic ro gra m s of know n carc in ogen s. In 1 981, p ro fe sso r B ria n M acM ah on o f th e H arv ard S ch ool o f P ublic Health c o nclu ded th at c o ffe e d rin kin g w as th e c au se o f 5 0 p erc en t o f a ll p an cre atic can cer, a n d th at d rin kin g th re e c u ps a d ay in cre ase d th e ris k o f p an cre atic c an cer th re efo ld . Why w e d rin k s o m uch c o ffe e is e asy to u nders ta n d. W e e at th e B ig F our a ll th e tim e, w hic h c au se s o ur c ells t o f u nctio n p oorly a n d p ro duce l o w e n erg y l e v els . T hen , we h av e d ead lin es to m eet a n d s c h ed ule s to k eep , a n d c o ffe e s e em s th e o nly m ean s to m ak e it h ap pen . E at re al fo od a n d e lim in ate “ m ak e-b elie v e” fo od, a n d y ou m ay fin d t h at y our “ n eed ” f o r c o ffe e d eclin es. Nutr it io n I s N ot i n t h e E yes of t h e B eh old er Mak e-b elie v e fo od la ck s su ffic ie n t nutr ie n ts becau se it is hig hly pro cesse d , heav ily c o oked o r c o m merc ia lly f a rm ed . Y et b ecau se w e g re w u p e atin g t h ese f o ods, we a re c o m ple te ly a ccu sto m ed t o t h em . With in m y lif e tim e, th e p ra ctic e o f e atin g m ore m ak e-b elie v e fo ods in ste ad o f org an ic , fre sh , u npro cesse d fo ods h as in cre ase d e n orm ously . F or m ost o f m y lif e I liv ed in are as n ev er m ore th an tw en ty m ile s fro m an ap ple fa rm w here , d urin g harv est se aso n, I co uld purc h ase fre sh ap ple s. Today, fin din g fre sh ap ple s is dif fic u lt, becau se m ost th at are fo r sa le hav e been in lo ng-te rm sto ra g e sin ce harv estin g. Pro duce su ch as ap ple s, cu cu m bers , bell pep pers an d to m ato es are w ax ed to pre v en t lo ss o f m ois tu re d urin g lo ng-te rm s to ra g e; th is w ax is n ot g ood f o r y ou a n d ofte n s e als i n t o xic p estic id e a n d f u ngic id e r e sid ues a s w ell. Modern e g gs a re a n oth er e x am ple o f m ak e-b elie v e fo od. A re al e g g c o nta in s a fa tty a cid c alle d D HA (d oco sa h ex an oic a cid ), a n utr ie n t th at is a c ritic al b uild in g co m ponen t f o r c ells i n b ra in a n d e y e t is su e. A r e al e g g s u pplie s a n a v era g e o f 2 00 t o 400 m illig ra m s o f D HA. M ak e-b elie v e s u perm ark et e g gs c o nta in a n a v era g e o f o nly 18 m illig ra m s. W ith out ad eq uate D HA, th e body use s w hate v er su bstitu te is av aila b le t o b uild t h ose c ells , c au sin g t h em t o m alf u nctio n. D HA i s s a d ly l a ck in g i n our m odern d ie ts , c au sin g a n e p id em ic o f b ra in d ysfu nctio n, in clu din g d ep re ssio n, mood d is o rd ers , a tte n tio n d efic it d is o rd er a n d a h ost o f o th er m ed ic al p ro ble m s. Sim ila rly , a r e al e g g c o nta in s t e n t im es t h e v ita m in E o f a s u perm ark et e g g. T o m ak e matte rs w ors e , m ak e-b elie v e e g gs a re lo ad ed w ith p estic id es, h orm ones, a n tib io tic s an d a h ost o f o th er t o xin s. We h av e f e w r e al e g gs b ecau se w e h av e f e w r e al c h ic k en s. R eal c h ic k en s m ust b e ra is e d o utd oors in th e fre sh air an d su nsh in e, eatin g th eir n atu ra l d ie t o f b ugs, worm s, p ig w eed , d an delio ns a n d o th er liv in g fo ods. M ost o f to day ’s c h ic k en s a re cag e r e are d , c o nfin ed in f a cto rie s w here th ey d o n ot o bta in th e b en efits o f e x erc is e or s u nlig ht a n d a re fe d n utr itio nally d efic ie n t, p ro cesse d c h ic k en fe ed . N eith er th e meat n or t h e e g gs o f t h ese u nhealth y a n im als s u pport h ealth y h um an l if e . Com merc ia l c h ic k en s a re fe d a n in cre d ib ly d efic ie n t a n d to xic d ie t. T hey a re s o maln ouris h ed a n d u nhealth y t h at t h ey m ust b e f e d a l if e tim e o f a n tib io tic s a n d o th er dru gs t o k eep t h em a liv e. N in ety p erc en t o f c o m merc ia l c h ic k en s h av e c an cer a t t h e tim e o f th eir s la u ghte r. I f th ese c h ic k en s’ c ells a re s o m aln ouris h ed a n d u nhealth y, how c an y ou e x pect y our c ells t o b e h ealth y w hen y ou e at t h eir m eat a n d e g gs? Pork is n o d if fe re n t. P ig s a re f e d a d ie t o f r e cy cle d w aste , f ille d w ith to xin s, a n d more t h an 8 0 p erc en t h av e p neu m onia a t t h eir t im e o f s la u ghte r. L ik ew is e w ith b eef, cattle f a tte n ed i n f e ed l o ts a re s o m aln ouris h ed a n d s ic k t h at t h ey r e q uir e a v arie ty o f dru gs ju st to k eep th em a liv e. In Die t fo r a N ew A m eric a , Jo hn R obbin s d esc rib ed th eir t y pic al d ie t: [S ]a w dust la ced w ith am monia an d fe ath ers , sh re d ded n ew sp ap er (c o m ple te with all th e co lo rs of to xic in k fro m th e Sunday co m ic s an d ad vertis in g cir c u la rs ), “ p la stic h ay,” p ro cesse d s e w ag e, in ed ib le ta llo w a n d g re ase , p oultr y litte r, cem en t dust, an d card board sc ra p s, not to m en tio n th e in se ctic id es, an tib io tic s a n d h orm ones. A rtif ic ia l fla v ors a n d a ro m as a re a d ded to tr ic k th e poor a n im als i n to e atin g t h is s tu ff. The a n im als a re n ot th e o nly o nes tr ic k ed . T he c o nsu m er is “ tr ic k ed ” in to b uyin g th ese m ak e-b elie v e f o ods a n d in to th in kin g th at th ey c o nta in th e n utr ie n ts r e q uir e d to su pport health y lif e . D r. Jo se p h B easle y in The Kello gg Rep ort wro te th at sh ortc h an gin g n utr ie n ts o ver a p erio d o f tim e “ is b ound to in volv e h um an illn ess, partic u la rly c h ro nic c o nditio ns s u ch a s t o day ’s h ig h-te ch nolo gy m ed ic in e c an ’t s e em to g et a h an dle o n.” A gain a n d a g ain , w ell- m ean in g p are n ts g o to th e s to re th in kin g th ey a re fe ed in g th eir fa m ilie s fre sh , w hole so m e fo ods, o nly to b e fo ole d b y th e multitu de o f o ffe rin gs o f d efic ie n t, m ak e-b elie v e f o od p ro ducts . Carl Pfe if fe r, Ph.D ., M .D ., re la te d in Men ta l and Ele m en ta l Nutr ie n ts an ex perim en t a t th e U niv ers ity o f C alif o rn ia , I rv in e. H ealth y r a ts w ere f e d f o ods th at an a v era g e A m eric an w ould p urc h ase in a su perm ark et: w hite b re ad , su gar, e g gs, milk , g ro und b eef, c ab bag e, p ota to es, t o m ato es, o ra n ges, a p ple s, b an an as a n d c o ffe e. The r a ts d ev elo ped a v arie ty o f d is e ase s. D r. P fe if fe r c o nclu ded th at if th e a v era g e hum an d ie t c o uld n ot s u pport t h e h ealth o f r a ts , t h en i t p ro bab ly w ould n ot d o m uch bette r f o r h um an s. In Die t fo r a P ois o ned P la net, Dav id S te in m an d esc rib es a n e x perim en t in w hic h fo ur s e ts o f ra ts w ere fe d d if fe re n t d ie ts . T he fir s t s e t a te n atu ra l fo ods a n d d ra n k cle an w ate r. T hro ughout t h e t h re e-m onth e x perim en t, t h ese r a ts r e m ain ed a le rt, c alm an d s o cia l. T he s e co nd s e t w as f e d t h e s a m e f o od a s t h e f ir s t, w ith t h e a d ditio n o f h ot dogs. T hese r a ts b ecam e v io le n t a n d f o ught e ach o th er a g gre ssiv ely . T he t h ir d s e t a te su gar-c o ate d b re ak fa st cere al an d d ra n k fru it p unch . T hese ra ts b ecam e n erv ous, hypera ctiv e a n d a im le ss. T he f o urth s e t w as f e d o nly s u gar d onuts a n d c o la . T hese ra ts h ad t r o uble s le ep in g, b ecam e e x tr e m ely f e arfu l a n d w ere u nab le t o f u nctio n a s a so cia l unit. T he poor nutr itio n of th ese fo ods (n ot to m en tio n th e to xic fo od ad ditiv es) h ad a p ro fo und e ffe ct o n th e b eh av io r o f th ese a n im als . M an y c h ild re n to day s tr u ggle w ith h ypera ctiv e, a n tis o cia l a n d e v en v io le n t b eh av io rs . T he t im e h as co m e t o c o nsid er h ow t h eir d ie t m ay b e c au sin g t h is b eh av io r. More U nrea l T han E ver As if o ur fo ods w ere n ot “ m ak e-b elie v e” e n ough, m odern te ch nolo gy h as ta k en an oth er u nhealth y l e ap . W e n ow h av e t o ta lly a rtif ic ia l, s y nth esiz ed p ro ducts t h at a re co nsu m ed as “fo od.” T he fo od in dustr y is cre atin g pro ducts su ch as artif ic ia l sw eete n ers (s a cch arin e an d asp arta m e) an d m an -m ad e fa ts , in clu din g m arg arin e, Ole str a a n d n ondair y c re am er. A s P au l S titt, a u th or o f Fig htin g th e F ood G ia nts , wro te , “ A n e v er in cre asin g p ro portio n o f th e f o od w e e at is n o lo nger e v en f o od b ut is n ow a c o nglo m era te o f h ig h-p ric ed c h em is tr y e x perim en ts d esig ned to s im ula te fo od.” M ore a n d m ore A m eric an s a re e atin g th ese fa b ric ate d , im ita tio n, p ro cesse d fo ods; i f y ou w an t t o e at a g ood d ie t, y ou c an not s u bsis t o n f o ods t h at a re n ot r e al— fo ods t h at a re c o m ple te ly f o re ig n t o t h e b ody. What a re t h e r e al f o ods t h at y our b ody n eed s i n o rd er t o b eco m e h ealth y a n d s ta y health y? Y our b ody n eed s n utr ie n ts : v ita m in s, m in era ls , a m in o a cid s, e sse n tia l o ils , oxygen , w ate r, su nlig ht a n d fu el (c alo rie s). W ith th e e x cep tio n o f w ate r, a ir a n d su nsh in e, th e n utr ie n ts n ecessa ry to k eep y our c ells h ealth y m ust c o m e p rim arily fro m th e h ealth y p la n t a n d a n im al c ells th at y ou e at. I f th e f ru its , v eg eta b le s, m eats an d o th er f o ods t h at y ou e at a re n ot h ealth y, t h ey c an not k eep y ou h ealth y. I f y ou a re hopin g f o r h ealth , b ut e atin g a d ie t t h at i s m ad e u p o f u nhealth y p la n ts a n d a n im als , or f o ods s o h ig hly p ro cesse d t h at t h ey n o l o nger r e se m ble p la n ts o r a n im als , y ou a re hopin g f o r t h e i m possib le . A p ro fe sso r o f c h em is tr y w an te d to d em onstr a te th e s u perio rity o f f re sh f o ods to his c la ss. H e p urc h ase d “ fre sh ” o ra n ges a t a lo cal s u perm ark et a n d m easu re d th eir vita m in C c o nte n t. There w as n one! Unple asa n tly s u rp ris e d , h e tr a ced th e o ra n ges back to th eir s o urc e. H e f o und th ey h ad b een h arv este d w hile s till g re en , s to re d f o r tw o y ears a n d th en a rtif ic ia lly c o lo re d p rio r to b ein g s o ld a s “ fre sh fru it.” T his is what th e c o nsu m er is u p a g ain st a n d w hy p urc h asin g fre sh , o rg an ic p ro duce is s o im porta n t. One S iz e D oes N ot F it A ll The a m ount o f n utr ie n ts re q uir e d fo r o ptim al n utr itio n d if fe rs fo r e v ery p ers o n an d c h an ges a s a p ers o n’s lif e p ro gre sse s. W e a re n ot g en etic c o okie -c u tte r r e p lic as of e ach o th er. I n a d ditio n, i n div id ual f a cto rs c an a ffe ct o ur n utr itio nal n eed s, s u ch a s ag e, p hysic al a ctiv ity , c lim ate , i lln ess, i n ju ry , p re g nan cy o r m en str u atio n. Y our n eed fo r c alc iu m m ay b e fa r h ig her th an y our n eig hbor’s ; y our n eig hbor’s re q uir e m en ts fo r v ita m in C m ay d if fe r w id ely f ro m y ours . In his book Nutr itio n Again st Dis e a se , bio ch em is t Roger W illia m s, Ph.D ., re p orte d on la b ora to ry an im als th at were bre d to hav e sim ila r gen es an d, th eo re tic ally , h av e s im ila r n utr itio nal n eed s. Y et, s o m e a n im als w ere f o und to n eed fo rty tim es a s m uch v ita m in A a s o th ers . S im ila rly , h um an n utr itio nal r e q uir e m en ts opera te a cro ss a w id e r a n ge. W illia m s d esc rib ed a n oth er s tu dy p erfo rm ed o n h ealth y young m en w hic h d em onstr a te d t h at t h eir n eed s f o r c alc iu m v arie d a lm ost s ix fo ld . Does so m eo ne in y our fa m ily c atc h c o ld s a n d flu s n otic eab ly m ore o fte n th an ev ery one e ls e ? H av e y ou c o nsid ere d th at h is o r h er n eed fo r v ita m in C (v ita l fo r im mune f u nctio n) m ig ht b e h ig her th an e v ery one e ls e ’s ? I s v ita m in C d efic ie n cy a pro ble m fo r th em , n ot b ecau se th ey g et le ss o f it, b ut b ecau se th ey n eed m ore ? Rese arc h er a n d N obel la u re ate L in us P au lin g w as p la g ued w ith fre q uen t c o ld s a n d flu a ll o f h is a d ult lif e u ntil h e s ta rte d ta k in g h ig h d ose s o f v ita m in C . L ik ew is e , wom en h av e s p ecia l n utr itio nal n eed s ( e sp ecia lly w hen p re g nan t o r m en str u atin g), a s do e ld erly p eo ple , a th le te s a n d a n yone w ho is f ig htin g o ff a n in fe ctio n o r s u ffe rin g fro m a c h ro nic d is e ase . W hen it c o m es to n utr itio nal n eed s, th e “ av era g e p ers o n” does n ot e x is t. Wom en a re m ore lik ely to b e n utr itio nally d efic ie n t th an m en . W hy? B ecau se wom en t y pic ally e at l e ss f o od b ut s till r e q uir e r o ughly t h e s a m e a m ount o f n utr ie n ts . That w om en are m ore su sc ep tib le to certa in dis e ase s— in clu din g oste o poro sis , ch ro nic f a tig ue s y ndro m e a n d a u to im mune d is e ase s— is n o c o in cid en ce. Becau se o f re d uced activ ity an d ap petite , o ld er p eo ple re q uir e fe w er calo rie s (fu el) , b ut th ey re ta in th e sa m e n eed fo r n utr ie n ts ; in fa ct, n utr itio nal n eed s m ay actu ally in cre ase w ith a g in g ( n ot to m en tio n th at d ig estio n o f f o od a n d a ssim ila tio n of n utr ie n ts is o fte n im pair e d in o ld er p eo ple ). U nfo rtu nate ly , e ld erly p eo ple o fte n are le ss a b le to b uy a n d p re p are fre sh fo ods, a n d th ey o fte n su bsis t o n p ack ag ed , pro cesse d o r fro zen fo ods, th us c o nsu m in g fe w er n utr ie n ts . T his d ie t m ak es a b ad situ atio n w ors e , c o ntr ib utin g to w id esp re ad d is e ase a n d d is a b ility a m ong o ur o ld er popula tio n. Alm ost c erta in ly , y ou h av e, fo r a t le ast a fe w n utr ie n ts , u niq ue n eed s th at a re su bsta n tia lly h ig her t h an a v era g e. M ore t h an a q uarte r c en tu ry a g o, m ed ic al p io neers lik e D r. C arl P fe if fe r w ere a b le t o u se t h is c o ncep t t o c u re m an y c ase s o f “ in cu ra b le ” sc h iz o phre n ia b y g iv in g p atie n ts e x tr a v ita m in s a n d m in era ls (a b ove a n d b ey ond what w as a v aila b le th ro ugh a r e g ula r d ie t) . W ith th eir n utr itio nal n eed s b ein g m et, Pfe if fe r’s sc h iz o phre n ic p atie n ts w ere a b le to re tu rn to a c o m ple te ly n orm al lif e . Such n utr ie n t d efic ie n cie s a re a m ajo r c au se o f th e m an y m en ta l a n d b eh av io ra l pro ble m s i n o ur s o cie ty . Arb it r a ry S ta n dard s Alth ough s c ie n ce h as p ro ved th at w e h av e in div id ual n utr itio nal n eed s, a t p re se n t we hav e no w ay of m easu rin g each pers o n’s need s. T he R eco m men ded D aily Allo w an ces (o r R D As) th at are lis te d on fo ods an d vita m in su pple m en ts are arb itr a ry . T hey d o n ot p ro vid e a ccu ra te i n fo rm atio n a b out w hat y ou n eed i n o rd er t o sta y health y. T hese sta n dard s are a m easu re m en t only of th e m in im um dosa g e necessa ry to p re v en t a d ia g nosa b le d efic ie n cy d is e ase , s u ch a s s c u rv y ( a v ita m in C defic ie n cy d is e ase c o m mon to sa ilo rs w ho w en t to o lo ng w ith out fre sh fru its a n d veg eta b le s). Y ou can easily m eet R D A sta n dard s an d still la ck th e nutr ie n ts necessa ry to p re v en t o th er d is e ase s n ot s p ecif ic ally k now n a s “ d efic ie n cy d is e ase s.” In f a ct, o ptim al h ealth u su ally r e q uir e s a t l e ast s e v era l t im es t h e R D A v alu es. In re ality , h ow ev er, m ost p eo ple d o n ot m eet e v en th ese m in im um s ta n dard s. A stu dy by P ro fe sso r S uzan ne M urp hy at th e U niv ers ity of C alif o rn ia , B erk ele y, publis h ed in th e N ovem ber 1992 is su e of th e Jo urn al o f th e A m eric a n D ie te tic Asso cia tio n, measu re d th e d ie ts o f 5 ,8 84 p eo ple fo r fif te en e sse n tia l n utr ie n ts . T he av era g e p ers o n c o nsis te n tly m easu re d b elo w t w o-th ir d s o f t h e R D As f o r t h re e t o s ix esse n tia l nutr ie n ts . A se p ara te stu dy, sp onso re d by th e U .S . D ep artm en t of Agric u ltu re , e x am in ed te n e sse n tia l n utr ie n ts in th e d ie ts o f 2 1,5 00 p eo ple . In th at stu dy, not a sin gle pers o n w as obta in in g 100 perc en t of th e R D As fo r all te n nutr ie n ts o n a d aily b asis — not o ne p ers o n o ut o f 2 1,5 00! Vir tu ally all A m eric an s are ch ro nic ally defic ie n t in at le ast one an d usu ally se v era l n utr ie n ts , e v en w hen m easu re d a g ain st th e a rtif ic ia lly lo w R D A s ta n dard s. When w e co nsid er th at good health re q uir e s se v era l tim es th e R D A, th e tr u e mag nitu de o f th e p ro ble m b eco m es a p pare n t. T hat p ro ble m is c o m pounded b y th e fa ct t h at n utr ie n ts m ust a ct a s a t e am i n o rd er t o k eep y ou h ealth y. Of th e m ore th an fif ty k now n e sse n tia l n utr ie n ts , e ach m ust b e a v aila b le to th e body o n a d aily b asis a n d i n t h e c o rre ct a m ounts a n d r a tio s t o e ach o th er. R ath er t h an actin g b y th em se lv es, n utr ie n ts a ct in c o m bin atio n w ith e ach o th er; a sh orta g e o f ev en o ne s ta rts a c h ain o f e v en ts t h at c an r e su lt i n e x te n siv e n utr itio nal d efic ie n cie s an d b ody s y ste m m alf u nctio ns. In The K ello gg R ep ort, Dr. Jo se p h B easle y e x am in es h ow o ne sp ecif ic n utr ie n t defic ie n cy (v ita m in B 3 ) h as fa r-re ach in g ra m if ic atio ns: A v ita m in B 3 defic ie n cy im pair s a b so rp tio n o f v ita m in C , w hic h im pair s a b so rp tio n o f ir o n, w hic h c au se s ex cessiv e co pper ab so rp tio n, w hic h in hib its nic k el m eta b olis m , w hic h in tu rn ad vers e ly a ffe cts i r o n m eta b olis m , a n d o n a n d o n. If a ll th ose c an o ccu r fro m a d efic ie n cy o f ju st o ne n utr ie n t (v ita m in B 3 in th is case ), ju st im ag in e w hat hap pen s in th e bodie s of m ost A m eric an s, w ho are ch ro nic ally d efic ie n t i n s e v era l n utr ie n ts . The m ost co m mon defic ie n cie s are calc iu m ; zin c; m ag nesiu m ; ch ro m iu m ; vita m in s A , E , C a n d B 6 ; a n d f o lic a cid . W hat y ou m ust r e co gniz e i s t h at y ou c an not mis s e v en o ne m em ber o f th e n utr itio n p ack ag e a n d h ope to b e h ealth y. T he w ay to assu re y ou a re g ettin g w hat y ou n eed i s t o e at a w id e r a n ge o f r e al f o ods t h at a re r ic h in n utr itio n, k eep t h e B ig F our a n d o th er “ m ak e-b elie v e” f o ods o ut o f y our d ie t, a n d ta k e h ig h-q uality n utr itio nal s u pple m en ts . A D ie t T hat R ea lly W ork s As a c h ild g ro w in g u p in a B osto n s u burb , I re m em ber fo od s h oppin g w ith m y moth er a t s e v era l f a rm s i n o ur t o w n. T he f a rm ers m ain ta in ed t h e m in era l c o nte n t o f th eir s o ils w ith t r a d itio nal m eth ods o f c ro p r o ta tio n, m ulc h a n d m an ure . A ll t h ro ugh th e su m mer an d ev en in to th e fa ll, th ose fa rm s su pplie d o ur to w n w ith fre sh ly harv este d , o rg an ic ally g ro w n, f u lly r ip en ed f ru its a n d v eg eta b le s. E very body i n t o w n co uld s h are in th e n utr itio n th ose s m all lo cal f a rm s p ro vid ed . B y th e la te 1 950s, a ll th e f a rm s h ad b een s o ld f o r h ousin g d ev elo pm en ts , a s h ap pen ed t o m an y s m all f a rm s acro ss t h e U nite d S ta te s. F ro m a r e al e sta te s ta n dpoin t, s u bdiv is io ns m ay b e t h e b est use o f th e la n d, b ut fro m a h ealth s ta n dpoin t, d ev elo pm en t is a d is a ste r. L ost w ith th ose lo cal fa rm s w as th e su perio r n utr itio n co nta in ed w ith in fre sh , o rg an ic ally pro duced fo ods. W hat has re p la ced th em are co m merc ia lly pro duced , to xic , nutr itio nally d efic ie n t s u perm ark et f o ods. Our b io lo gic al a n cesto rs a te liv in g fo od d ir e ctly a s n atu re p ro vid ed — ofte n w ith no a lte rn ativ e. I f y ou w ere h ungry a n d f o und a b erry b ush , f re sh b errie s w ere w hat you a te . L ik ew is e , a h unte r m ig ht e at a n a n im al rig ht a fte r th e k ill, its fle sh s till co nta in in g liv in g c ells fille d w ith v ita l n utr ie n ts . N atu re w ork s th at w ay. W ith in th ese h untin g an d g ath erin g p ara m ete rs w e ev olv ed b io lo gic ally ; ev en to day o ur nutr itio nal n eed s a re b est s e rv ed w ith l iv in g f o ods t h at a re a s u nch an ged a s p ossib le fro m t h e w ay n atu re p ro vid es t h em . I n ste ad , w e o fte n s e ttle f o r f o od i n v ery d if fe re n t fo rm s: co oked , deh ydra te d , gro und, can ned , fro zen , hydro ly zed , hydro gen ate d , ir ra d ia te d o r o th erw is e m odif ie d . B y e atin g a d ie t th at c o nsis ts p rim arily o f th ese “alte re d ” f o ods, w e r u n th e r is k o f b ein g d efic ie n t in f u ndam en ta l n utr ie n ts th at a re co nta in ed o nly w ith in t h e w hole , i n ta ct, l iv in g c ells o f o th er o rg an is m s. Your body need s to burn calo rie s ev ery day to pro vid e en erg y. A lth ough Am eric an s are se ld om d efic ie n t in calo rie s, alm ost alw ay s th ey are d efic ie n t in nutr ie n ts . We m ust le a rn to c o unt n utr ie n ts , n ot c a lo rie s. Your b ody b uild s m ore th an te n m illio n new cells ev ery se co nd. If th e fo ods you eat do not co nta in su ffic ie n t n utr ie n ts n eed ed t o b uild a n d m ain ta in t h ose c ells , a n “ eat m ore ” m essa g e is s e n t t o t h e b ra in . T his h ap pen s r e g ard le ss o f h ow m an y c alo rie s a re i n y our d ie t. A body th at is sta rv in g fo r n utr ie n ts se ek s o ut m ore fo od, an d w eig ht g ain lik ely re su lts . E atin g ju st o ne h undre d calo rie s m ore th an y ou b urn , o n a d aily b asis , tr a n sla te s to ro ughly tw elv e p ounds o f a d ded fa t p er y ear. T ry th at te n y ears in a ro w ! Man y A m eric an s a re b oth m aln ouris h ed a n d o verw eig ht. O besity i s a m ajo r h ealth pro ble m i n A m eric a t o day, r e g ard le ss o f a g e o r e co nom ic s ta tu s. A cco rd in g t o r e cen t govern m en t s ta tis tic s, 6 3 p erc en t o f A m eric an a d ults a re o verw eig ht. W hen y ou e at re al, n utr itio us f o ods ( ty pic ally l o w er i n c alo rie s), y our b ody o bta in s t h e n utr ie n ts i t need s a n d y ou l ik ely d o n ot h av e i n te n se f o od c ra v in gs. I f a l a rg e p art o f y our d ie t i s mad e u p o f r e al f o ods, b eco m in g o verw eig ht i s d if fic u lt. Unfo rtu nate ly , overw eig ht peo ple (o r th ose wis h in g to av oid beco m in g overw eig ht) o fte n c u t d ow n o n th eir o vera ll f o od ( c alo rie s) in ta k e, w ith out m ak in g ch an ges in w hat ty pes o f fo ods th ey e at. T his re su lts in m ore m aln ouris h m en t a n d str o nger f o od c ra v in gs. C onsu m in g 2 ,0 00 c alo rie s y et o bta in in g l ittle o r n o n utr itio n is f rig htf u lly e asy : a s m all c an dy b ar ( 2 80 c alo rie s a n d a lm ost n o n utr itio n), t w o s o ft drin ks (6 00 calo rie s an d n o n utr itio n), an d a h am burg er/f rie s/s h ak e m eal (1 ,1 80 calo rie s a n d o nly a little n utr itio n). T his in ta k e to ta ls 2 ,0 60 c alo rie s y et o ffe rs a se rio us c ase o f m aln utr itio n. T hat d ie t p ro vid es s o m e p ro te in , c arb ohydra te a n d f a t th at t h e b ody c an u se — but i s s e rio usly l a ck in g i n v ita m in s, m in era ls , p hyto nutr ie n ts , en zy m es, fib er, esse n tia l fa tty acid s an d oth er nutr ie n ts necessa ry to co nstr u ct health y cells an d m ain ta in g ood h ealth . L ack in g th ese n utr ie n ts , th e b ody m ust dep le te i ts n utr ie n t r e se rv es i n o rd er t o k eep f u nctio nin g. W hen t h e r e se rv es r u n o ut, cells s u ffe r f ro m d efic ie n cy, a n d th ey c ease to s e lf -re g ula te a n d s e lf -re p air. D is e ase fo llo w s. M ean w hile , y ou a re s till h ungry a n d a d din g m ore w eig ht b ecau se y our b ody is s h ort o f n utr ie n ts . Magic C ap su le s How d o r e al f o ods s u pport t h e h ealth a n d f u nctio n o f y our c ells w here as p ro cesse d fo ods d o n ot? H ere ’s o ne e x am ple : W hole g ra in s (s u ch a s w heat, o ats , m ille t a n d quin oa) a re s e ed s t h at c o nta in a ll t h e i n gre d ie n ts n ecessa ry t o c re ate a n ew p la n t— to cre ate a n ew lif e . T hey a re lik e m ag ic c ap su le s. T he n utr ie n ts in th ese c ap su le s th at are n ecessa ry t o c re ate l if e a re a ls o n ecessa ry t o s u sta in y our l if e . H ow ev er, a s s o on as th is lif e -c re atin g c ap su le h as b een o pen ed ( d ue to c u ttin g, m ash in g o r g rin din g), oxygen r e acts w ith t h e c h em ic als i n sid e, c au sin g t h e n utr ie n ts t o d ete rio ra te . A t t h is poin t, th e s e ed c an n o lo nger p ro duce a n ew lif e , n or c an it s u sta in y ours a s w ell a s befo re . O ur a n cesto rs d id n ot h av e s u ch n utr ie n t lo sse s in th eir g ra in s, w hic h w ere eate n w hole o r c o ars e ly g ro und, ra th er th an p ro cesse d in to n utr itio nally w orth le ss white flo ur. R em em ber th e H unzas? T hey c o ars e ly g ro und g ra in s a n d im med ia te ly mad e n utr itio us f la t b re ad s, m in im iz in g n utr ie n t l o ss. Foods t h at a re n utr itio us b ut n onto xic c o m e f ro m t h e f o llo w in g c ate g orie s: • Org anic fo ods pro duced n atu ra lly w ith out a n y m an -m ad e c h em ic als , s u ch a s pestic id es, herb ic id es, fe rtiliz ers , pre se rv ativ es, an tib io tic s, horm ones, pro cesse d a n im al fe ed , e tc . T hese fo ods a re g en era lly h ig her in n utr ie n ts a n d lo w er in to xin s th an n onorg an ic (c o m merc ia lly p ro duced ) fo ods o f th e sa m e ty pe. • Fre sh fo ods harv este d at th eir p eak o f n utr itio n (rip en ess) an d co nsu m ed sh ortly t h ere afte r. F ood t h at i s h arv este d d oes n ot g ain a n y m ore n utr itio n ( e v en th ough it m ay c o ntin ue to r ip en ), a n d in f a ct, n utr itio n b eg in s to d eclin e. S om e fo ods d ete rio ra te m ore q uic k ly t h an o th ers , b ut t h e p oin t i s t h at y ou w an t t o e at your fo od a s s o on a fte r h arv estin g a s p ossib le . T he m ore th e fo od s its a ro und (d urin g h arv estin g, s to ra g e, tr a n sp orta tio n a n d d is tr ib utio n), th e m ore n utr itio n it w ill l o se . • Unpro cesse d fo ods, min im ally alte re d fro m th e w ay th at n atu re p ro vid es. Avoid fo ods th at a re c o oked , p eele d , c u t, g ro und, d eh ydra te d , fro zen , c an ned , etc . U npro cesse d fo ods a re w hole , c o m ple te fo ods, ra th er th an ju st p art o f a fo od ( w hole g ra in s in ste ad o f f lo ur m ad e f ro m g ra in s, f o r e x am ple , o r p ota to es with t h e p eel s till o n). Becau se w e c an not a ll re v ert to h untin g, g ath erin g, g ro w in g o ur o w n fo od a n d eatin g it f re sh a n d r a w , w e m ust le arn to e v alu ate th e f o ods th at a re a v aila b le to u s an d m ak e c h oic es th at a re b oth h ealth y a n d r e alis tic . W e m ust ta k e th e “ b la ck a n d white ” n utr itio nal k now le d ge o utlin ed a b ove a n d a p ply it to o ur liv es in th e b est sh ad e o f g ra y t h at w e c an . Pois o n ed i n t h e N urse ry Much o f th e n utr itio n tr o uble w e fa ce b eg in s b efo re fo od le av es co m merc ia l fa rm s. M odern a g ric u ltu ra l p ra ctic es a n d c h em ic als (s u ch a s c h em ic al fe rtiliz ers , in se ctic id es, h erb ic id es a n d fu ngic id es) p ro duce e v er-in cre asin g q uan titie s o f fo od, but th e c h em ic als re d uce th e n utr itio nal q uality o f th e fo od a n d d ep le te th e s o il o f nutr ie n ts n eed ed t o p ro duce f u tu re q uality c ro ps. Chem ic al f e rtiliz ers , w hic h a re s u ppose d t o p ut n utr ie n ts i n to t h e s o il, a ctu ally e n d up cau sin g n utr ie n ts to b e re m oved fro m th e so il. T he m ost co m mon ch em ic al fe rtiliz ers , w hic h s u pport h ig h f o od p ro ductio n, a d d t h re e m ajo r n utr ie n ts t o t h e s o il: nitr o gen , p hosp horo us a n d p ota ssiu m . B ut th e p la n ts re q uir e m an y o th er n utr ie n ts ab so rb ed fro m th e so il, su ch a s z in c, c alc iu m , m ag nesiu m , se le n iu m , g erm an iu m , ch ro m iu m , m an gan ese , n ic k el a n d m oly bden um . C hem ic al f e rtiliz ers d o n ot s u pply th ese n utr ie n ts . B y n ot re p la cin g th ese n utr ie n ts a n d b y g ro w in g m ore fo od o n th e sa m e la n d y ear a fte r y ear a fte r y ear, c ritic al n utr ie n ts c o ntin ually a re lo st f ro m th e so il, le ad in g to n utr ie n t- d efic ie n t so il, n utr ie n t- d efic ie n t cro ps, n utr ie n t- d efic ie n t fa rm a n im als a n d n utr ie n t- d efic ie n t h um an b ein gs. In h er 1 976 b ook The L iv in g S oil, Lad y E ve B alf o ur d esc rib es a n e ig hte en -y ear ex perim en t o n t h re e f a rm s w ith s im ila r s o il p ro file s. O ne o f t h e f a rm s w as m an ag ed org an ic ally , one ch em ic ally , an d th e th ir d , a m ix tu re of th e tw o. D urin g th is eig hte en -y ear stu dy, th e so il o n th e o rg an ic fa rm w as fo und to h av e th e h ig hest min era l co nte n t. N ot co in cid en ta lly , th e dair y herd on th at fa rm w as health ie r, pro duced m ore m ilk a n d h ad h ig her r e p ro ductiv e c ap acity . The u se o f c h em ic al f e rtiliz ers tr ig gers a s e rie s o f p ro ble m s a s p la n ts s tr u ggle to co pe w ith d efic ie n t s o ils a n d to xic a tta ck s. P la n ts g ro w n in n utr ie n t- d efic ie n t s o ils are le ss h ealth y a n d m ore v uln era b le to in se cts , m old s, f u ngi, v ir u se s, b acte ria a n d weed s. T he s u sc ep tib ility le ad s to th e u se o f o th er a g ric u ltu ra l c h em ic als , s u ch a s pestic id es, h erb ic id es a n d fu ngic id es, to p ro te ct s ic k p la n ts . T hese to xic c h em ic als cre ate “ d ead s o ils ,” k illin g n ot o nly th e u ndesir a b le o rg an is m s b ut a ls o th e h elp fu l org an is m s (e arth w orm s, in se cts , b acte ria a n d fu ngi) th at a re re sp onsib le fo r ta k in g min era ls o ut o f th e s o il a n d c o nvertin g th em in to fo rm s th at p la n ts c an u se . W hen th ese b acte ria a n d f u ngi a re k ille d , t h e p la n ts n o l o nger r e ceiv e a d eq uate n utr itio n. In se ctic id es, fu ngic id es a n d h erb ic id es a ccu m ula te in th e so il to a le v el w here th ey in hib it pla n t gro w th . These poor gro w in g co nditio ns hav e sp urre d th e dev elo pm en t o f n ew k in ds o f p la n ts , s u ch a s h ybrid a n d g en etic ally m odif ie d c ro ps. In c re atin g g en etic ally m odif ie d p la n ts , w hic h h um an kin d h as n ev er e ate n b efo re , we m ay h av e (u nknow in gly ) a lte re d th e n utr itio nal v alu e o f th e p la n ts , a s w ell a s mad e th em m ore to xic o r a lle rg en ic . M ore a n d m ore g en etic ally m odif ie d f o ods a re co nta m in atin g t h e f o od s u pply w ith n ovel a n d u nnatu ra l v arie tie s o f o rg an is m s. ( S ee ch ap te r 9 f o r m ore i n fo rm atio n.) Shelv es S to ck ed w it h O ld F ood I c an r e m em ber, a s a c h ild o n m y u ncle ’s f a rm , p ic k in g r ip e a p ple s f ro m t h e t r e es an d e atin g th em th en a n d th ere . I c an r e m em ber h arv estin g f re sh p eas, s tr a w berrie s an d sw eet co rn fro m our ow n gard en an d eatin g th em ra w w ith in m in ute s of harv estin g. N ot o nly d o fre sh fo ods ta ste b ette r; th ey a re su bsta n tia lly b ette r fo r health . M uch of th e fo od purc h ase d in a sta n dard su perm ark et to day is old . Pre su m ab ly fre sh p ro duce su ch a s a p ple s, o ra n ges a n d c u cu m bers a re p ut in c o ld sto ra g e an d can be an yw here fro m m onth s to years old . S uperm ark et eg gs are co m monly a n yw here f ro m s ix w eek s t o s ix m onth s o ld , a n d t h ey s till c an b e l a b ele d as “ fre sh .” Food i s r e aso nab ly h ard y, b ut n utr ie n ts a re n ot. N utr ie n ts a re q uite f ra g ile a n d a re destr o yed b y h eat, lig ht, o xygen a n d o verly lo ng s to ra g e. T he m ost f ra g ile v ita m in s are C , B 1 an d B 5. U nle ss y ou g ro w f o od y ours e lf o r o bta in i t f re sh ly h arv este d f ro m a l o cal f a rm er, i t’ s l ik ely t h e f o od d oes n ot h av e t h e n utr itio n y ou t h in k i t h as. Irra d ia te d f o ods m ay b e y ears o ld b efo re y ou e at t h em a n d t h us c o m ple te ly d ev oid of v ita m in s. F ru its a n d v eg eta b le s u nderg o su bsta n tia l d estr u ctio n o f n utr ie n ts in modern c o ld s to ra g e. I n The K ello gg R ep ort, Dr. J o se p h B easle y o ffe re d e x am ple s o f th e n utr itio nal l o ss t h at o ccu rs a fte r h arv estin g: • S pin ach a n d a sp ara g us lo se 5 0 to 7 0 p erc en t o f th eir f o lic a cid w hen k ep t a t ro om t e m pera tu re f o r t h re e d ay s. • V eg eta b le s su ch as asp ara g us, b ro cco li an d g re en b ean s ty pic ally lo se 5 0 perc en t o f t h eir v ita m in C b efo re t h ey r e ach t h e p ro duce c o unte r. • P ota to es lo se as m uch as 7 8 p erc en t o f th eir v ita m in C d urin g lo ng-te rm sto ra g e a t 3 6°F . • B la n ch in g of veg eta b le s prio r to fre ezin g can destr o y up to half of th e vita m in s. • F re ezin g m eat c an d estr o y u p t o 7 0 p erc en t o f i ts v ita m in s. Com merc ia l, m ak e-b elie v e fo ods la ck n utr ie n ts n ot o nly b ecau se o f lo sse s a fte r harv est, b ut a ls o b ecau se f o od i s f re q uen tly h arv este d b efo re i t i s r ip e. T his p ra ctic e may b e n ecessa ry f o r o ur m odern d is tr ib utio n s y ste m ( to b rin g f o od t o t h e c o nsu m er befo re it ro ts ), b ut e arly h arv estin g a ls o re d uces n utr itio n. T he rip en in g p ro cess is critic al to d ev elo p th e fu ll v ita m in an d m in era l co nte n t o f a fo od; v ita m in an d min era l c o nte n t r is e n ear t h e p eak o f r ip en ess. A ls o , f la v or i m pro ves. The c arro ts y ou b uy in th e s u perm ark et m ay lo ok rip e, b ut th ey fre q uen tly tu rn th at b rig ht o ra n ge ( rip e) c o lo r d urin g t r a n sit t h ro ugh t h e d is tr ib utio n s y ste m . I f t h ey are n ot rip en ed w hile still in th e so il (a n d m ost a re n ot) , th ey w ill la ck e sse n tia l nutr ie n ts . V in e-rip en ed , fre sh ly harv este d to m ato es are lo ad ed w ith vita m in s, min era ls a n d p hyto nutr ie n ts (n atu ra l c h em ic als in p la n ts th at b en efit o ur h ealth )— unlik e co m merc ia l to m ato es th at are pic k ed gre en an d artif ic ia lly rip en ed w ith eth yle n e gas. N atu ra lly rip en ed to m ato es w ere fo und to co nta in one-th ir d m ore vita m in C t h an t h ose h arv este d g re en a n d i m matu re . F oods h arv este d b efo re t h ey a re rip e n ev er d ev elo p c erta in n utr ie n ts a t a ll. C erta in p hyto nutr ie n ts ( s u bsta n ces f o und in rip e to m ato es know n to help pre v en t dis e ase s su ch as cata ra cts , m acu la r deg en era tio n a n d e v en c an cer) a re l a ck in g i n t h e t y pic al s u perm ark et t o m ato b ecau se th ese s u bsta n ces d ev elo p i n t h e l a st s ta g es o f r ip en in g. While h av in g a ll k in ds o f f o od a v aila b le t o u s a ll y ear r o und i s w onderfu l, w e p ay th e p ric e w ith o ur h ealth b ecau se th e f o od m ust o fte n b e h arv este d b efo re it is r ip e, tr a n sp orte d lo ng d is ta n ces, sto re d fo r lo ng p erio ds an d artif ic ia lly rip en ed . E ven th ough su ch fo ods m ay lo ok a n d ta ste fin e, th ey a re su bsta n tia lly le ss n utr itio us. They a re “ m ak e-b elie v e” f o ods. Bew are o f F ood G uillo tin es Even f o ods t h at a re t r u ly f re sh a n d r ip e c an n ev erth ele ss b e n utr itio nally d estr o yed if y ou p re p are th em im pro perly . O ur b io lo gic al a n cesto rs u su ally d id n ot c o ok o r pro cess th eir fo ods. F oods w ere e ate n fre sh a n d ra w . T he h ealth y H unzas a te 8 0 perc en t o f th eir d ie t ra w . T heir fo ods n ot o nly h ad m ore n utr itio n to b eg in w ith (b ecau se o f t r a d itio nal f a rm in g t e ch niq ues a n d r ic h s o ils ), t h ey a ls o d id n ot t y pic ally dim in is h th at n utr itio n b y c o okin g. N obel la u re ate L in us P au lin g b elie v ed th at th e mostly r a w , m ostly v eg eta ria n , u npro cesse d d ie t o f o ur b io lo gic al a n cesto rs p ro vid ed a l e v el o f n utr itio nal q uality f a r s u perio r t o t h e f o od s u pply a v aila b le t o day . The b ulk o f t h e m odern A m eric an d ie t c o m es f ro m p ro cesse d f o ods t h at h av e b een delib era te ly a lte re d f ro m th e w ay n atu re p ro vid ed . T his a lte rin g in clu des tr im min g, peelin g, ch oppin g, ble n din g, m ash in g, co m merc ia l re fin in g an d co okin g. W hile so m e d eg re e o f p ro cessin g m ay b e n ecessa ry , t h ere a re m an y d eg re es o f p ro cessin g, fro m th e s im ple s lic in g o f a c arro t fo r y our s a la d a ll th e w ay to th e g rin din g a n d ble ach in g o f w heat in o rd er to m ak e w hite flo ur. T he m ost sig nif ic an t c au se s o f maln utr itio n, oth er th an co m merc ia l fa rm in g an d dis tr ib utio n te ch niq ues, are co okin g a n d p ro cessin g. In g en era l, p ro te in s in fo od a re th e m ost sta b le (le ss d am ag ed b y p ro cessin g), while v ita m in s are th e m ost easily d am ag ed . A cu cu m ber lo se s a q uarte r o f its vita m in C ju st b y s lic in g it to m ak e a s a la d . I f th e s a la d s ta n ds a ro und f o r a n h our, th e l o ss g oes u p t o a t h ir d , a n d i f i t s ta n ds f o r t h re e h ours , h alf i ts v ita m in C w ill b e gone. F re sh o ra n ge ju ic e lo se s a lm ost a fif th o f its v ita m in B 1 with in tw en ty -fo ur hours , e v en w hen r e frig era te d . C ookin g a n d m ash in g a p ota to w ill d im in is h v ita m in C b y 8 0 p erc en t. The h eat u se d i n c o okin g f o ods d am ag es n utr ie n ts a n d t y pic ally m ak es t h em m ore dif fic u lt to d ig est. C ookin g ev en d am ag es p ro te in (th e m ost h ard y o f n utr ie n ts ). Consid er oatm eal: In th e Food and N utr itio n Encyclo ped ia , Aubre y E nsm in ger re p orte d t h at d ry o atm eal c o nta in s 1 4 p erc en t p ro te in , b ut t h at f ig ure d ro ps t o o nly 2 perc en t a fte r it is c o oked — a lo ss o f 8 5 p erc en t. C ookin g c o m mon v eg eta b le s, s u ch as c arro ts , c an c au se l o sse s o f 7 5 p erc en t o f t h e v ita m in C , 7 0 p erc en t o f t h e v ita m in B 1 , 5 0 p erc en t o f th e v ita m in B 2 an d 6 0 p erc en t o f v ita m in B 3 . The h ig her th e h ea t and t h e l o nger t h e c o okin g t im e, t h e m ore n utr ie n ts y o ur f o od l o se s. Heatin g fo od d eactiv ate s its e n zy m es (th e c ellu la r m ach in ery th at m an ufa ctu re s all th e p ro ducts o ur c ells m ak e). A lth ough th e h um an b ody is c ap ab le o f m ak in g its ow n e n zy m es, w e a ls o re ceiv e e n zy m es d ir e ctly fro m o ur fo od. C ookin g d estr o ys th ese en zy m es. E atin g co oked fo ods str e sse s th e b ody, w hic h m ust m an ufa ctu re ex tr a e n zy m es in o rd er to d ig est fo od a n d c o m pen sa te fo r e n zy m es lo st in c o oked fo od. B y e atin g c o oked fo ods, y ou c an a ctu ally lo se m ore n utr ie n ts th an y ou g ain . Consu m in g s u ffic ie n t e n zy m es is o ne r e aso n th at e atin g r a w f o ods is s o im porta n t. Cooked f o ods c o ntr ib ute t o o ur e p id em ic o f c h ro nic d is e ase . Alth ough th e h ealth b en efits o f r a w f o ods n eed e m phasis , a f e w w ord s o f c au tio n are i m porta n t a b out r a w a n im al p ro ducts ( s u ch a s e g gs, m eat, f is h a n d p oultr y ). E ven th ough n atu re in te n ded u s to e at ra w fo ods— an im al p ro ducts in clu ded — to day ’s hazard s o f b acte ria l, v ir a l a n d p ara sitic i n fe ctio ns m ak e r a w a n im al f o ods d an gero us. Als o , r a w a n im al f o ods m ust n ot t o uch o th er f o ods i n te n ded t o b e e ate n r a w . Even ju st a f e w g en era tio ns a g o, p eo ple ty pic ally a te m ore r a w f o od th an th ey d o now , a n d th e tr e n d to w ard c o oked a n d p ro cesse d fo ods a p pears to b e w ors e n in g. Acco rd in g t o U .S . D ep artm en t o f A gric u ltu re s ta tis tic s, o ver t h e l a st c en tu ry a v era g e co nsu m ptio n o f f re sh a p ple s d eclin ed b y m ore th an th re e-fo urth s, f re sh c ab bag e b y more th an tw o-th ir d s an d fre sh fru it b y m ore th an o ne-th ir d . D urin g th at sa m e perio d, co nsu m ptio n of pro cesse d veg eta b le s w en t up hundre d s of perc en t an d co nsu m ptio n o f p ro cesse d fru its w en t u p b y a b out 1 ,0 00 p erc en t. Eatin g p ro cesse d fr u its a nd v eg eta ble s ( c a nned , d rie d , f r o ze n , e tc .) i s f u ndam en ta lly i n fe rio r t o e a tin g fr e sh f r u its a nd v eg eta ble s. Eat f o r Y ou r F utu re, T oo The n utr itio nally d ep riv ed , c o oked a nd p ro cesse d f o ods y o u e a t t o day w ill d am age yo ur hea lth to m orro w , as well as th e hea lth of yo ur unborn ch ild re n and gra ndch ild re n i n t h e y ea rs t o c o m e. This p ro fo und c o ncep t w as d em onstr a te d in th e 1 940s b y F ra n cis P otte n ger J r., M.D ., an d p ublis h ed in h is b ook Potte n ger’s C ats . More th an n in e h undre d c ats , so m e fe d a die t of ra w fo od an d so m e a co oked -fo od die t, sh ow ed str ik in g dif fe re n ces in th eir o w n h ealth a s w ell a s th e h ealth o f th eir o ffs p rin g. W ith in s ix month s, th e cats eatin g th e co oked fo od dev elo ped num ero us health pro ble m s. Subse q uen t g en era tio ns s u ffe re d in fe ctio ns, d en ta l p ro ble m s, v is io n p ro ble m s, s k in pro ble m s, alle rg ie s, arth ritis , m is c arria g es an d beh av io ra l ch an ges— in clu din g nerv ousn ess, v ic io usn ess a n d v io le n t b eh av io r. E ach n ew g en era tio n w as s ic k er t h an th e la st. B y th e th ir d g en era tio n, a lm ost a ll th e c ats s u ffe re d f ro m a lle rg ie s a n d h ad tr o uble r e p ro ducin g b ecau se o f m is c arria g es a n d s tillb ir th s. M ean w hile , th e c ats o n th e ra w -fo od d ie t re m ain ed h ealth y a n d w ell- b eh av ed , g en era tio n a fte r g en era tio n. We h av e m uch to le arn f ro m P otte n ger’s w ork ; th e m ost s ig nif ic an t ( a n d o m in ous) im plic atio n i s t h e i m pact o f p oor n utr itio n, s u pplie d b y c o oked f o od, o n t h e h ealth o f fu tu re g en era tio ns. Anoth er c ase d ra m atic ally p ro ves th e n eed fo r ra w , fre sh fo ods. D urin g W orld War I, s a ilo rs a b oard a G erm an c ru is e r, Kro nprin z W ilh elm , ate b eef, h am , b aco n, ch eese , p ota to es, c an ned v eg eta b le s, d rie d p eas/b ean s, w hite b re ad , m arg arin e, te a, co ffe e, s u gar, c o nden se d m ilk , c ak e, c h am pag ne a n d b eer. T heir e n tir e d ie t c o nsis te d of co oked an d pro cesse d fo ods. A fte r six m onth s on th is die t, th e cre w w as ex perie n cin g sh ortn ess of bre ath , para ly sis , atr o phie d m usc le s, en la rg ed hearts , co nstip atio n, a n em ia , a n d m usc le a n d jo in t p ain . F if ty m en c o uld n o lo nger s ta n d. Afte r e ig ht m onth s, 5 00 w ere s ic k , 1 1 0 w ere b ed rid den , a n d th ey w ere fa llin g a t a ra te o f f o ur p er d ay. N ew s y m pto m s in clu ded p le u ris y , r h eu m atis m , p neu m onia a n d oth er i n fe ctio ns, a n d f ra ctu re s a n d w ounds t h at w ould n ot h eal. An e m erg en cy s to p i n V ir g in ia b ro ught a n ew d ie t c o nta in in g s o m e r a w f ru its a n d veg eta b le s. A fte r te n day s, th e m en sto pped fa llin g sic k ; fo rty -s e v en had been dis c h arg ed . C onditio ns g ra d ually i m pro ved t h ere afte r. A ccess t o f re sh , r a w f o od w as all it to ok. N ota b ly , th e o nly p eo ple o n th e sh ip w ho d id n ot g et sic k w ere th e offic ers w ho h ad o ngoin g ( if l im ite d ) a ccess t o r a w f ru its a n d v eg eta b le s, a p pare n tly pro vid in g j u st e n ough n utr itio n t o m ak e t h e d if fe re n ce b etw een h ealth a n d d is e ase . Thin k o f a ll th e p eo ple th at y ou k now w ho su ffe r fro m a lle rg ie s, g um d is e ase , heart pro ble m s, vis io n pro ble m s, arth ritis , an tis o cia l beh av io r, m is c arria g es an d oth er h ealth p ro ble m s. C ould m aln utr itio n, p erh ap s e v en th e m aln utr itio n o f th eir pare n ts o r g ra n dpare n ts b efo re th em , b e co ntr ib utin g to th eir p ro ble m s? T alk to th ose p eo ple y ou k now w ho h av e l iv ed i n g ood h ealth i n to t h eir e ig htie s, n in etie s o r ev en o ld er. C han ces a re th ey g re w u p o n fa rm s a n d a te p le n ty o f ra w , re al fo od durin g th eir d ev elo pm en ta l y ears . B y c o ntr a st, c o nsid er th e d ete rio ra tin g h ealth o f man y p eo ple in th e b ab y b oom er g en era tio n— th e fir s t h um an s to d ev elo p e atin g pro cesse d , “ T V d in ner” d ie ts s ta rtin g i n t h e 1 950s. Fam ilie s to day o fte n h av e g ra n dpare n ts th at liv ed (o r a re s till liv in g) in to th eir nin etie s, w hile th e n ex t g en era tio n is g ettin g sic k a n d d yin g in th eir se v en tie s o r six tie s. T oday ’s y oung p eo ple a re p la g ued w ith p ro ble m s su ch a s c an cer, a sth m a, dia b ete s, alle rg ie s, obesity , poor ey esig ht, dysle x ia , bir th defe cts an d oth er pro ble m s, a n d a re l ik ely t o d ie a t e v en y ounger a g es. A n e p id em ic o f a lle rg ic d is e ase is o ccu rrin g in in dustr ia liz ed c o untr ie s, e sp ecia lly in p eo ple b orn a fte r 1 960. T he pre v ale n ce o f a sth m a h as q uad ru ple d o ver t h e l a st t w o d ecad es. C ould s o m eth in g a s sim ple as n utr itio nal d efic ie n cy b e a m ajo r co ntr ib uto r to v io le n t b eh av io r an d vic io us c rim es? M an y r e aso ns e x is t t o b elie v e s o . M an y o f o ur y oung p eo ple c an n o lo nger re p ro duce; s o m e e stim ate s a re a s h ig h a s o ne in fiv e. T hese p ro ble m s w ere ra re ju st a f e w g en era tio ns a g o w hen o ur g ra n dpare n ts a n d g re at- g ra n dpare n ts w ere eatin g m ore o rg an ic , f re sh , a n d u npro cesse d r a w f o ods. T hese p ro ble m s d id n ot e x is t am ong w ell- n ouris h ed p opula tio ns s u ch a s t h e H unzas. How Y ou E at M atte rs Millio ns o f A m eric an s a re p la g ued w ith h eartb urn , a b dom in al p ain , b lo atin g, g as, nau se a, bow el dif fic u ltie s an d oth er dig estiv e pro ble m s. M uch m ore th an in co nven ie n t, th ese a re te llta le s ig ns o f p oor d ig estio n— re su ltin g in d efic ie n cy a n d to xic ity , i.e ., d is e ase . T o e lim in ate th ese p ro ble m s, f o llo w a f e w s im ple g uid elin es, whic h w ill s u pport h ealth y d ig estio n. Y ou c an c h oose d ig estio n h ab its t h at w ill b rin g nutr ie n ts i n to y our c ells a n d l e t w aste s o ut o f y our b ody e ffic ie n tly . The b asic s te p s o f g ood d ig estio n a re a s f o llo w s: F ir s t, e at t h e r ig ht c o m bin atio ns of fo ods, b ecau se c erta in fo ods d ig est b ette r to geth er th an o th ers . N ex t, c h ew y our fo od w ell, to a ssis t in th e d ig estiv e p ro cess. N utr ie n ts m ust b e a b so rb ed p ro perly th ro ugh y our in te stin al w alls a n d tr a n sp orte d th ro ughout y our b ody to a ll th e c ells th at n eed th em . F in ally , w aste s m ust e x cre te f ro m th e b ody. A ny in te rfe re n ce w ith an y o f th ese s te p s o f th e d ig estiv e p ro cess c an c au se b oth d efic ie n cy a n d to xic ity . Defic ie n cy m ay o ccu r i f f o od i s n ot p ro perly d ig este d a n d a b so rb ed . T oxic ity o ccu rs when u ndig este d fo od “ sits ” to o lo ng, e ith er in th e sto m ach o r in th e in te stin es, where i t r o ts , f e rm en ts a n d p utr e fie s, c re atin g t o xin s. Alth ough e atin g a v arie ty o f f o ods is a g re at id ea, w e a re n ot d esig ned to d ig est th em a ll a t th e s a m e tim e. L earn in g w hic h fo ods g o w ell w ith e ach o th er is w hat “fo od c o m bin in g” i s a ll a b out. O ur d ig estiv e s y ste m s h av e a d ap te d a n d e v olv ed o ver man y th ousa n ds o f y ears ; u ntil r e cen tly h um an kin d d id n ot e at th e c o m bin atio ns o f fo ods th at a re n ow “ n orm al” to u s. O ur h unte r-g ath ere r a n cesto rs o fte n a te fo ods dir e ctly fro m th eir so urc e, u su ally o ne at a tim e b ecau se th ere w as n o w ay to pre se rv e o r s to re t h em . O ur a n cesto rs c erta in ly d id n ot c o ok u p t h re e- o r f o ur-c o urs e meals th at co m bin e all so rts of dif fe re n t pro te in s, sta rc h es, su gars , fru its an d veg eta b le s. When w e a re y oung, o ur d ig estiv e s y ste m s a re w ork in g a t p eak p erfo rm an ce a n d in dulg in g in d ig estiv e in dis c re tio ns m ay b e p ossib le . A s w e a g e, d ig estiv e c ap acity dim in is h es. F orc in g th e b ody to d ig est in co m patib le fo ods re su lts in im pro perly dig este d f o od th at p ro duces d an gero us to xin s. A ls o , u ndig este d f o od d ep riv es u s o f esse n tia l n utr ie n ts . Food c o m bin in g p rin cip le s a re i m porta n t b ecau se e ach f o od c ate g ory h as d if fe re n t dig estiv e re q uir e m en ts . T he re q uir e m en ts fo r p ro te in s an d sta rc h es are ra d ic ally dif fe re n t; if y ou e at th em b oth a t th e s a m e tim e y ou c an not d ig est e ith er o ne w ell. Pro te in s dig est in an acid en vir o nm en t, w here as sta rc h es dig est in an alk alin e en vir o nm en t. Y our d ig estiv e s y ste m h as t h e a b ility t o c re ate e ith er e n vir o nm en t, b ut can not cre ate b oth at th e sa m e tim e. In ste ad , co m bin e p ro te in s o r sta rc h es w ith veg eta b le s, w hic h a re h ig hly n utr itio us a n d c o m bin e w ell w ith e ith er o ne. Fru it h as s p ecia l d ig estiv e r e q uir e m en ts a n d s h ould b e e ate n a lo ne. F ru it i s e asy t o dig est a n d is m ean t to p ass th ro ugh th e d ig estiv e sy ste m q uic k ly . If n ot, su ch a s when c o m bin ed w ith p ro te in o r s ta rc h , t h e f ru it s u gar f e rm en ts i n t h e s to m ach , o fte n man if e ste d b y b lo atin g a n d g as. I f s w eet a n d a cid f ru its a re t o b e e ate n t o geth er, e at th e a cid fru its fir s t. M elo ns s h ould b e e ate n a lo ne o r c o m bin ed w ith o th er m elo ns becau se th ey ta k e e v en le ss tim e to d ig est th an o th er f ru its a n d s h ould p ass q uic k ly th ro ugh y our d ig estiv e s y ste m i n o rd er t o p re v en t s u gar f e rm en ta tio n. To le arn a b out f o od c o m bin atio ns th at w ork w ell to geth er a n d th ose th at d o n ot, co nsid er a f e w s im ple f o od c ate g orie s: p ro te in s, s ta rc h es, v eg eta b le s, a n d t h re e k in ds of f ru its ( s w eet, a cid a n d m elo ns). R em em ber t h ese s im ple r u le s: V eg eta b le s w ith p ro te in s, o kay . V eg eta b le s w ith s ta rc h es, o kay . N o p ro te in w ith s ta rc h (a v oid m eat a n d p ota to es, s p ag hetti a n d m eatb alls , fis h a n d r ic e, e tc .) . E at f ru it a lo ne. ( A cid f ru its w ith n uts a n d s e ed s, o kay . A cid f ru its w ith s w eet fru its , o kay, a lth ough a cid fru its s h ould b e c o nsu m ed fir s t. E at m elo ns a lo ne, ex cep t w ith o th er m elo ns.) Not certa in w hic h o f y our fa v orite fo ods fa ll in to w hic h cate g orie s? H ere are ex am ple s: Pro te in Eggs, m eat, f is h , f o w l, n uts , s e ed s, a v ocad o, co co nut, s p ro uts , m ilk p ro ducts . Sta rc h Corn , w heat, b arle y , r ic e, b uck w heat, m ille t, oats , d rie d p eas a n d b ean s, p ota to es, y am s, sq uash , f lo ur ( p asta /b re ad /p astr ie s), s u gar (c an dy/s o ft d rin ks/e tc .) . Veg eta b le s Asp ara g us, to m ato es, o kra , g re en b ean s, g re en peas, b ro cco li, b ell p ep pers , b ru sse ls s p ro uts , cab bag e, le ttu ce, c ele ry , c u cu m ber, b eets , e g g-p la n t, artic h oke, b eets , c arro ts , c au lif lo w er, c h iv es, gin ger, g arlic , le ek s, o nio n, s h allo ts , s c allio ns. Sw eet F ru its Ban an as, c u rra n ts , f ig s, d ate s, r a is in s, p ru nes, drie d f ru its , g ra p es. Lem ons, o ra n ges, g ra p efru its , o th er c itr u s Acid F ru its fru its , k iw i, p lu m , p in eap ple , m an go, p ap ay a, all b errie s, n ecta rin es, a p ple s, c h errie s, p ears , ap ric o ts , p each es. Melo ns Can ta lo upe, c asa b a, c re n sh aw , h oney dew , ban an a m elo n, w ate rm elo n. Man y o f o ur tr a d itio nal m eals a re c o m pris e d o f w ro ng c o m bin atio ns. W hat w e th in k o f a s a “ g ood m eal” i s t y pic ally a h arm fu l c o m bin atio n o f s ta rc h a n d p ro te in — meat a n d p ota to es, a b urg er a n d f rie s o r a c h eese p iz za. W e m ak e t h e p ro ble m w ors e by a cco m pan yin g m eals w ith s u gary d rin ks a n d d esse rts ; th ese c o m bin atio ns c au se th e fo od to fe rm en t an d putr e fy in th e dig estiv e sy ste m (a n d th e pro te in /s u gar co m bin atio n a ls o re su lts in th e fo rm atio n o f h arm fu l A GEs— as d esc rib ed in th e su gar s e ctio n o f t h e B ig F our). Learn in g h ow t o a p ply p ro per f o od c o m bin atio ns t o y our d ie t c an h elp y our h ealth , as it d id fo r A ndre a. H er h ig h-p ro file c are er w as in te rru pte d w hen c h ro nic fa tig ue an d a n a u to im mune s y ndro m e c alle d l u pus o verw helm ed h er. B efo re s h e c am e t o s e e me, A ndre a h ad b een sic k fo r fiv e y ears a n d h ad e x hau ste d a ll th e re m ed ie s th at modern m ed ic in e h ad t o o ffe r— with n o h elp . I e n co ura g ed A ndre a to k eep a fo od d ia ry s o th at w e c o uld tr a ck w hat s h e w as eatin g. T he d ia ry re v eale d th at A ndre a’s d ie t c o nsis te d o f a lo t o f p ro cesse d ju nk (“ m ak e-b elie v e” fo od). I ta u ght h er h ow to sh op fo r “re al” fo od an d su ggeste d sp ecia l vita m in su pple m en ts . W ith in one w eek th is w om an — w ho had been ch ro nic ally ill fo r fiv e y ears — was sta rtin g to fe el m uch b ette r. S he g ain ed m ore en erg y a n d m ore m en ta l c la rity , a n d s h e b eg an to h av e h ope. T hen s h e re ach ed a pla te au a n d s e em ed u nab le t o m ak e f u rth er i m pro vem en t. I su ggeste d th at A ndre a pre p are an oth er fo od dia ry , th is tim e lo okin g at th e co m bin atio ns o f fo ods sh e w as eatin g. W e fo und o ut w hy h er re co very p ro cess sta lle d . A ndre a’s m eal c h oic es w ere c au sin g m ald ig estio n a n d c re atin g to xin s th at were i n hib itin g h er r e co very . F or e x am ple , s h e h ad g one o ut t o a S unday b ru nch a n d ate a b re ak fa st c o nsis tin g o f a v eg eta b le o m ele t ( p ro te in a n d v eg eta b le s, o kay ), h ash - bro w n p ota to es (s ta rc h w ith p ro te in , n ot o kay ), to ast w ith je lly (s ta rc h a n d su gar with p ro te in , n ot o kay ), a n d a f ru it c u p ( fru it w ith o th er f o ods, n ot o kay ). C om bin in g eg g p ro te in w ith th e s ta rc h o f b re ad a n d p ota to es w as b ad e n ough; th e f e rm en ta tio n cau se d b y c o m bin in g t h at w ith s u gar f ro m f re sh f ru it a n d j e lly m ad e t h in gs w ors e . By m ald ig estin g h er f o od, th is m eal w as n ot s u pply in g A ndre a w ith th e n utr itio n sh e th ought s h e w as c o nsu m in g. A t th e s a m e tim e h er c h oic es w ere c re atin g to xin s th at w ere p ois o nin g e v ery c ell i n h er b ody— certa in ly n ot w hat s h e h ad i n m in d w hen sh e o rd ere d b ru nch . A t an oth er m eal, A ndre a h ad a sa n dw ic h m ad e o f o rg an ic , whole -w heat b re ad , o rg an ic tu rk ey a n d o rg an ic le ttu ce. W hile d efin ite ly b ette r th an th e b re ak fa st, c o m bin in g s ta rc h (b re ad ) w ith p ro te in (tu rk ey ) ju st d oes n ot w ork . I knew h ow im porta n t it w ould b e f o r h er h ealth if s h e h ad a g ood u nders ta n din g o f basic fo od-c o m bin in g ru le s. I ta u ght her th e sim ple ru le s of fo od co m bin in g: veg eta ble s w ith p ro te in , o ka y; v eg eta ble s w ith s ta rc h , o ka y; n o p ro te in w ith s ta rc h ; ea t f r u it a lo ne. Andre a p ut th ese s im ple r u le s to w ork . H er h ealth c o ntin ued to im pro ve, a n d s h e wen t in to c o m ple te re m is sio n o f a ll h er c h ro nic h ealth p ro ble m s— so m eth in g sh e had b een u nab le to d o e v en w ith g ood fo od a n d su pple m en ts a lo ne. P ro per fo od co m bin in g w as critic al to th is w om an ’s w elln ess p ro cess, w hic h is n o su rp ris e , becau se i m pro per f o od c o m bin in g c au se s d is e ase . It’s A ll i n t h e T ech niq ue When yo u ea t co oked fo ods, ea tin g so m eth in g ra w fir st is best. Cooked fo od ap pears t o b e s o a lie n t o t h e h um an s y ste m t h at i t c an p ro voke a n i m mune r e sp onse , as if y ou a re b ein g e x pose d to a v ir u s. S cie n tis t U do E ra sm us, a u th or o f Fats a nd Oils , wro te : [W ]h en c o oked ( o r d ead ) f o od is e ate n , a d efe n se r e actio n o ccu rs in th e tis su es of th e s to m ach a n d d ig estiv e tr a ct. T his re actio n is s im ila r to th e re actio n w e fin d in in fe ctio ns a n d a ro und tu m ors a n d in volv es th e a ccu m ula tio n o f w hite blo od c ells , s w ellin g, a n d a fe v er-lik e in cre ase in te m pera tu re o f th e s to m ach an d i n te stin al t is su es. [ A s a r e su lt, w e] e x perie n ce t ir e d ness a fte r t h e m eal. T he sa m e r e actio n t a k es p la ce w hen h alf t h e f o od i s e ate n r a w , b ut t h e c o oked p art i s eate n f ir s t. W hen th e r a w p art o f th e f o od is e ate n f ir s t, h ow ev er, th is r e actio n does n ot t a k e p la ce. Chew in g y our f o od a ls o is im porta n t. T he s ty le th at m an y p eo ple u se is “ ch om p, ch om p, g ulp — dow n t h e h atc h !” L ack o f p ro per c h ew in g c an c au se m ald ig estio n a n d co ntr ib ute to d is e ase . M an y o f o ur m odern fo ods a re e asy to g ulp d ow n, re q uir in g little h elp f ro m t h e t e eth ( b ecau se o f e x cessiv e c o okin g, p ro cessin g a n d f a t c o nte n t) . By c o ntr a st, re al fo ods (w hole fo ods a n d e sp ecia lly ra w fo ods) te n d to h av e m ore te x tu re a n d f ib er, a n d r e q uir e m ore c h ew in g. I f y ou w an t g ood n utr itio n to s u pport good h ealth , y ou n eed t o e at r e al f o od a n d y ou n eed t o c h ew i t w ell. Fir s t, y our te eth p hysic ally m ash fo od in to sm all p artic le s. T hen , y our sa liv a co m bin es e n zy m es w ith fo od a s it is b ein g c h ew ed a n d h elp s to b re ak d ow n a n d dig est it. T he p urp ose o f c h ew in g is n ot s im ply to b re ak th e f o od in to s m all e n ough ch unks t o s w allo w , a lth ough m an y p eo ple e at t h is w ay. T he p urp ose o f c h ew in g i s t o assis t th e d ig estiv e p ro cess b y g rin din g y our fo od in to s m all p artic le s a n d c o atin g th em t h oro ughly w ith t h e d ig estiv e e n zy m es i n y our s a liv a. There is a n o ld s a y in g: “ D rin k w hat y ou e at a n d e at w hat y ou d rin k.” S olid f o od sh ould b e c h ew ed th oro ughly e n ough th at it b eco m es liq uid b efo re y ou s w allo w it; liq uid f o ods ( s u ch a s ju ic es a n d s o ups) s h ould b e “ ch ew ed ” s o th at th e e n zy m es in your s a liv a h av e tim e to w ork o n th em . N utr itio n s ta rts in y our m in d a n d in y our mouth . E at y our f o od w ith t h e i n te n t t o n ouris h y our b ody, r a th er t h an m ere ly t o f ill th e v oid i n y our s to m ach . Reth in k “ A cid I n dig estio n ” Afte r le av in g th e m outh , th e c h ew ed , e n zy m e-c o ate d f o od m oves to th e s to m ach an d tr ig gers th e re le ase o f h ydro ch lo ric acid an d o th er d ig estiv e ch em ic als th at fu rth er b re ak d ow n th e fo od b efo re it m oves in to th e s m all in te stin e. In fa ct, u ntil su ffic ie n t h ydro ch lo ric a cid is p re se n t a n d fo od b re ak dow n ta k es p la ce, fo od d oes not le av e th e sto m ach . If u ndig este d fo od sits in th e sto m ach to o lo ng, it fo rm s to xin s an d pois o ns you. A deq uate hydro ch lo ric acid is critic al in th e dig estiv e pro cess. Peo ple o fte n th in k th at in dig estio n is cau se d b y “to o m uch acid ”— co m monly calle d “acid in dig estio n.” W hile in so m e ra re case s th is d ia g nosis is v alid , th e overw helm in g m ajo rity o f a cid s y m pto m s o rig in ate f ro m t h e o pposite p ro ble m — to o little h ydro ch lo ric a cid . A s a r e su lt, t h e f o od d oes n ot d ig est p ro perly a n d r e m ain s i n th e s to m ach t o o l o ng, w here u pon t h e f o od r o ts a n d b eco m es a cid ic . R ottin g f o od, n ot ex cessiv e d ig estiv e a cid s, c au se s a n a cid b urn fe elin g. Delib era te ly ta kin g a nta cid ta ble ts b efo re y o u e a t, t o p re ven t a cid i n dig estio n, i s n ot a g ood i d ea . It o nly m ak es a b ad s itu atio n w ors e . T he b est r e m ed ie s f o r a cid in dig estio n a re to p ay a tte n tio n to basic fo od c o m bin in g p rin cip le s a n d to c h ew y our fo od w ell. S upple m en tin g w ith dig estiv e e n zy m es a ls o c an b e h elp fu l. ( N ote : S upple m en tin g w ith h ydro ch lo ric a cid ta b le ts is a ls o p ossib le , b ut th is m uch m ore a g gre ssiv e m easu re re q uir e s e d ucatio n an d c are fu l m onito rin g.) Most a b so rp tio n o f n utr ie n ts ta k es p la ce in th e sm all in te stin e. B y th e tim e it re ach es th e s m all in te stin e, fo od m ust h av e u nderg one p ro per d ig estio n. T he s m all in te stin e e x tr a cts n utr ie n ts fro m th e fo od a n d th ey e n te r th e b lo odstr e am . W aste pro ducts m ove a lo ng t o t h e l a rg e i n te stin e w here t h ey a re e x cre te d f ro m t h e b ody. Food n ot p ro perly p ro cesse d b y th e tim e it re ach es th e s m all in te stin e c re ate s a host o f p ro ble m s. P oorly d ig este d , p utr e fy in g, f e rm en tin g a n d r o ttin g f o od p artic le s in th e in te stin es c re ate v ast a m ounts o f to xin s. U ndig este d f o od m ole cu le s c an p ass th ro ugh th e in te stin al w alls an d m ove dir e ctly in to th e blo odstr e am . In th e blo odstr e am th e b ody re co gniz es th ese fo od m ole cu le s as fo re ig n. T he im mune sy ste m m ay atta ck th em . T his re sp onse re se m ble s a cla ssic fo od alle rg y; poor dig estio n o f a fo od c an c au se y ou to b eco m e a lle rg ic to it. W ors e , e ach a lle rg ic re actio n d am ag es t h e i n te stin al t is su e a n d m ak es i t m ore p erm eab le , p erp etu atin g t h e pro ble m . A n in cre asin g num ber of fo od alle rg ie s an d num ero us oth er health pro ble m s m ay r e su lt. T hese o ngoin g a lle rg ic r e actio ns c an o verta x a n d e x hau st th e im mune sy ste m , m ak in g y ou v uln era b le to lo w -g ra d e, c h ro nic in fe ctio ns, su ch a s ch ro nic s in us i n fe ctio ns. Pro vid ed th e d ig estiv e p ro cess g oes w ell in th e in te stin es, a llo w in g th e p ro per nutr ie n ts to e n te r th e b lo odstr e am , th ose n utr ie n ts m ust s till g o to th e p ro per c ells an d th en in sid e th ose cells . This activ ity ofte n re q uir e s se p ara te “tr a n sp orte r nutr ie n ts ” ( c erta in a m in o a cid s, f o r e x am ple ) t h at a ls o c o m e f ro m y our d ie t. I n o th er word s, n utr ie n ts a re u se d fo r m an y p urp ose s, in clu din g d eliv ery o f o th er n utr ie n ts . This is o ne e x am ple o f h ow n utr ie n ts w ork to geth er in ta n dem , a n d w hy y ou c an not affo rd to m is s a s in gle o ne. O nce th e n ecessa ry n utr ie n ts h av e a rriv ed a t th e ta rg et cells , th ey s till n eed to p ass th ro ugh th e c ell m em bra n es. If th e m em bra n e is n ot co nstr u cte d p ro perly ( a s d esc rib ed in th e f a ts a n d o ils s e ctio n o f th e B ig F our), n ew pro ble m s a ris e . N utr ie n ts c an h av e a d if fic u lt tim e b ein g tr a n sp orte d th ro ugh c ell mem bra n es co nstr u cte d fro m “b ad ” fa ts an d oils (h ydro gen ate d oils , re fin ed su perm ark et o ils , d eep -frie d f o ods a n d e x cessiv e s a tu ra te d f a ts ). The f in al s te p i n p ro per d ig estio n i s t h e e lim in atio n o f w aste p ro ducts , w hic h m ust be e lim in ate d a s q uic k ly a n d e ffic ie n tly a s p ossib le . O th erw is e , t o xin s m ay r e ab so rb back in to th e b ody. T he b est w ay s to im pro ve b ow el fu nctio n a re to e at s u ffic ie n t fib er, f o llo w p ro per f o od c o m bin in g a n d c h ew f o od w ell. I f y ou s e le ct a f o od w ith good f ib er c o nte n t a n d th en c o ok it, h ow ev er, y ou m ay b e s h ort- c h an gin g y ours e lf . Som e o f th e f ib ro us s tr u ctu re o f f o od c an b e lo st in th e c o okin g p ro cess, s o b e s u re not t o o verc o ok. Man y p eo ple f in d i t u nco m fo rta b le , e v en e m barra ssin g, t o t a lk a b out t h eir b ody’s waste p ro ducts . B ein g c o m fo rta b le w ith t h ese n atu ra l p ro cesse s i s i m porta n t b ecau se one o f th e s im ple st w ay s to m easu re th e h ealth o f y our d ig estiv e s y ste m is to b e aw are o f y our b ow el m ovem en ts a n d to n ote th e q uality o f y our s to ols , in te rm s o f fre q uen cy , t e x tu re a n d o dor. Most A m eric an s a re c o nstip ate d ; m an y h av e a b ow el m ovem en t o nly e v ery o th er day o r th in k th at o ne m ovem en t p er d ay is id eal. N ot tr u e. If y ou d o n ot h av e fre q uen t, e ffic ie n t e lim in atio n, th en fo od w aste s re m ain in y our in te stin es, w here th ey p utr e fy a n d p ois o n y ou. O ptim al i s t w o o r t h re e b ow el m ovem en ts a d ay — one, at t h e v ery l e ast. L oose s to ols o r e x cep tio nally d en se s to ols a re r e fle ctio ns o f s e rio us pro ble m s, esp ecia lly if th ey p ers is t. W ell- fo rm ed an d flo atin g is a g ood ru le o f th um b. E xcessiv e g ase s (s to m ach o r in te stin al) o r sto ol o dor als o m ay in dic ate dig estiv e tr o uble . B e a w are o f y our e lim in atio n p ro cess, a n d if y ou h av e a p ro ble m , ta k e s te p s t o r e m ed y i t b y f o llo w in g t h e g uid elin es i n t h is c h ap te r. Choosin g t h e R ig h t Die ta ry S upple m en ts Eatin g g ood fo ods a n d d ig estin g th em w ell m ay n ot b e s u ffic ie n t to m ak e s u re your c ells re ceiv e a ll th e n utr ie n ts th ey n eed e v ery d ay. S upple m en tin g y our d ie t with hig h-q uality vita m in , m in era l an d esse n tia l fa tty acid su pple m en ts is als o im porta n t. Supple m en ts h av e b eco m e a n ecessity in o ur s o cie ty fo r tw o re aso ns: F ir s t, th e su pply o f n utr ie n ts is d ow n. I n te n siv e c o m merc ia l f a rm in g, d ep le te d s o ils a n d f o od pro cessin g h av e r e d uced th e n utr itio nal c o nte n t o f o ur f o od s o d ra m atic ally th at o ur die ts n o lo nger c o nta in th e n utr ie n ts r e q uir e d b y o ur c ells to m ain ta in g ood h ealth . Seco nd, o ur n eed f o r c erta in n utr ie n ts is u p b ecau se o f th e e ffe cts o f e n vir o nm en ta l pollu tio n, w hic h p uts e x tr a str e ss o n th e b ody. R esp ondin g to th is str e ss u se s u p esse n tia l n utr ie n ts , i n p artic u la r a n tio xid an ts , s u ch a s v ita m in s A , C a n d E . W ith t h e su pply o f n utr ie n ts d ow n a n d th e n eed fo r n utr ie n ts u p, is it a n y w onder th at th re e out of fo ur A m eric an s hav e a dia g nosa b le ch ro nic dis e ase ? S upple m en ta tio n is necessa ry t o b rid ge t h e g ap b etw een w hat w e n eed a n d w hat c o m es f ro m o ur d ie t. Most p hysic ia n s ( w ho, o n a v era g e, r e ceiv e o nly t w o a n d a h alf h ours o f n utr itio nal tr a in in g d urin g f o ur y ears o f m ed ic al s c h ool) o fte n t e ll y ou t h at s u pple m en ts a re n ot necessa ry — th at th ey m ak e little m ore th an ex pen siv e u rin e. T he p ositio n o fte n ta k en b y p hysic ia n s is th at y ou c an g et a ll th e n utr itio n y ou n eed to m ain ta in h ealth by e atin g a b ala n ced d ie t o f c o m merc ia lly p ro duced fo ods. Y ou k now b y n ow th at th is c la im i s a b so lu te ly f a ls e . Num ero us s tu die s h av e s h ow n th at v ir tu ally a ll A m eric an s a re n ot re ceiv in g th e re co m men ded a m ounts o f n utr ie n ts o n a d aily b asis . M an y n utr itio nal re se arc h ers (m yse lf i n clu ded ) b elie v e t h at, i n o ur m odern w orld , o bta in in g t h e n utr ie n ts w e n eed fro m d ie t a lo ne, e v en if w e e at g ood fo ods, is im possib le . O ver th e la st q uarte r cen tu ry , r e se arc h h as e sta b lis h ed th at a h uge g ap e x is ts b etw een th e s m all a m ounts of n utr ie n ts re q uir e d fo r p re v en tin g o vert n utr itio nal- d efic ie n cy d is e ase s an d th e la rg e a m ounts o f n utr ie n ts r e q uir e d t o m ain ta in o ptim al h ealth a n d f o rtif y o ur b odie s ag ain st d is e ase in g en era l. D ie ta ry s u pple m en ts h elp f ill th e g ap s in y our n utr itio n, esp ecia lly i n t h ose n utr ie n ts f o r w hic h y ou, a s a n i n div id ual, m ay h av e a p artic u la rly hig h n eed . O ne f in al n ote : S upple m en ts a re n ot a n i n vita tio n t o e at a p oor d ie t; t h ey are t o b e u se d i n a d ditio n t o h ealth y f o ods. Countle ss p eo ple h av e b een c u re d o f c h ro nic h ealth p ro ble m s b y th e a d ditio n o f die ta ry s u pple m en ts . C onsid er A lb ert, a m an w ho s o ught m y a d vic e s e v era l y ears ag o. A lb ert h ad b een s u ffe rin g fro m s e rio us, “ u ntr e ata b le ” d ep re ssio n fo r a lm ost a decad e. H e h ad e x hau ste d h is re so urc es g oin g to h osp ita ls , c lin ic s a n d p hysic ia n s, but n oth in g h ad h elp ed . H is l if e w as a l iv in g h ell, a n d h e w as s u ic id al. At o ur f ir s t m eetin g I l e arn ed t h at h e s u bsis te d o n a m eag er d ie t c o nsis tin g m ostly of p ro cesse d f o ods a n d th at h e w as a d dic te d to s u gar. I s u ggeste d th at h e e lim in ate su gar a n d i n co rp ora te f re sh , r a w f ru its a n d v eg eta b le s i n to h is d ie t. I r e co m men ded a su pple m en t pro gra m of sp ecif ic vita m in s an d esse n tia l fa tty acid s. A lb ert w as sk ep tic al th at th ese s e em in gly s im ple s u ggestio ns w ould m ak e a n y re al d if fe re n ce, co nsid erin g h ow m an y “ ex pert d octo rs ” h e h ad a lr e ad y se en . In le ss th an a w eek afte r s ta rtin g t h e d ie t a n d s u pple m en t p ro gra m , A lb ert c alle d t o s a y t h at h e f e lt a s i f a g re at b urd en h ad b een l if te d f ro m h im . H e w as n o l o nger f e elin g s u ic id al. I n a ll o f his years of tr e atm en t fo r clin ic al dep re ssio n, I w as th e fir s t pers o n w ho had su ggeste d t h at p oor n utr itio n c o uld b e t h e c au se . I n f a ct, p oor n utr itio n i s t h e l e ad in g cau se o f d ep re ssio n ( a n d a lm ost e v ery o th er d is e ase ). Alth ough A lb ert h ad b een ta k in g n utr itio nal s u pple m en ts b efo re h e s a w m e, h e had b een ta k in g th e w ro ng k in ds o f s u pple m en ts ( th ose w ith lo w b io activ ity , w hic h mean s t h ey w ere i n a f o rm t h at t h e b ody c o uld n ot e asily a b so rb o r u se ). U ltim ate ly , bio activ ity is critic al to w heth er su pple m en ts w ill be effe ctiv e or not. W hen in stitu tio ns l ik e t h e C en te rs f o r D is e ase a n d C ontr o l a n d P re v en tio n a n d t h e N atio nal Acad em y o f S cie n ces h av e p erfo rm ed la rg e-s c ale p opula tio n s tu die s to m easu re th e ben efits o f ta k in g s u pple m en ts , th ey h av e fa ile d to fin d a n y b en efits b ecau se m ost peo ple a re t a k in g p oor-q uality s u pple m en ts . Quality is every th in g— in su pple m en ts , as w ell as fo od. For A lb ert, quality su pple m en ts (w ith h ig h b io activ ity a t th e c ellu la r le v el) m ad e a ll th e d if fe re n ce. Hav in g b een a te ch nic al c o nsu lta n t to v ita m in c o m pan ie s, I c an te ll y ou th at o f a ll th e v ita m in p ro ducts o n t h e m ark et t o day , f e w a ctu ally d o m uch g ood. An in vestig ativ e re p ort a ir e d o n N BC’s To day sh ow in 1 990 d ete rm in ed th at 3 6 perc en t of th e m ultiv ita m in bra n ds te ste d did not dis so lv e so on en ough to be ab so rb ed a n d b e o f u se to th e b ody. In fa ct, so m e n ev er d is so lv ed a t a ll! T hese fa ilu re s i n clu ded o nly t h e m ost p opula r b ra n ds. T he n um bers o f f a ilin g b ra n ds w ould hav e b een fa r h ig her h ad a ll th e m in or b ra n ds b een m easu re d . N BC’s te stin g a ls o allo w ed a g en ero us o ne-h our fo r th e p ills to d is so lv e. U sin g a m ore c o nse rv ativ e (a n d a p pro pria te ) t im e o f f o rty -fiv e m in ute s w ould h av e m ad e a lm ost h alf t h e t e ste d bra n ds fa il. Alm ost h alf o f a ll v ita m in b ra nds a re n ot g oin g to d o y o ur b ody a ny good, yet th ese are w hat m ost peo ple use . One re aso n th at th ese b ra n ds fa il is becau se t h ey a re f ille d w ith a d ditiv es, w hic h c an c o nstitu te u p t o h alf o f t h e v olu m e of th e pill. T hese ad ditiv es are use d as fille rs , bin ders , lu bric an ts , co lo rs an d pre se rv ativ es, b ut t h ey c an c au se r e al p ro ble m s— not o nly i n te rfe rin g w ith t h e p ills ’ ab ility to d is so lv e a n d w ith n utr ie n t a b so rp tio n, b ut a ls o in tr o ducin g m an y h arm fu l co nta m in an ts a n d a lle rg en s i n to y our b ody. Most v ita m in s m ark ete d t o day a re s y nth etic s a n d o fte n c o nta in p etr o le u m r e sid ues fro m th eir m an ufa ctu re . Som e of th ese sy nth etic m ole cu le s are fu ndam en ta lly dif fe re n t fro m n atu ra l v ita m in s, w hic h a ffe cts th e a b ility o f y our b ody to u tiliz e th em . F or e x am ple , s y nth etic v ita m in E i s f a r l e ss b io lo gic ally a ctiv e t h an v ita m in E deriv ed fro m natu ra l so urc es. Synth etic beta -c aro te n e actu ally can cau se a defic ie n cy o f o th er c aro te n es. Nutr itio nal su pple m en ts are av aila b le at dif fe re n t le v els of quality an d pric e becau se o f th e v arie ty o f m an ufa ctu rin g p ro cesse s u se d to c re ate th em . E ach b ra n d ex hib its d if fe re n t p ro pertie s a n d b io activ itie s. T ry in g to s e le ct a v ita m in b ra n d c an be a bew ild erin g ex perie n ce. I fo und th at co m parin g tw o dif fe re n t bra n ds w ith ex actly th e sa m e lis t of in gre d ie n ts w as not ev en possib le , becau se how th ese in gre d ie n ts a re m ad e i s j u st a s i m porta n t a s w hat i s p rin te d o n t h e l a b el. U nle ss y ou are a c h em is t o r y ou k now e x actly h ow t h e s u pple m en t w as m ad e ( a n d h ow t h e b ody meta b oliz es nutr ie n ts ), dis tin guis h in g th e dif fe re n ce betw een tw o se em in gly id en tic al p ro ducts is a lm ost im possib le . T he in itia l q uality , c h em ic al fo rm , a g e o f th e in gre d ie n ts , how th ey w ere han dle d (w heth er or not th ey w ere ex pose d to mois tu re , h eat, lig ht an d o xygen d urin g th eir sto ra g e o r m an ufa ctu re ), an d w hat oth er c h em ic als t h ey a re c o m bin ed w ith i n t h e f o rm ula h as e v ery th in g t o d o w ith t h e bio activ ity o f t h e f in al s u pple m en t. When I w as r e co verin g f ro m m y c h em ic al h ypers e n sitiv ity , I w as u nab le to ta k e most v ita m in s b ecau se o f th eir c h em ic al c o nta m in an ts . V ita m in s u pple m en ts w ere critic ally im porta n t in m y re co very p ro cess, b ut fir s t I h ad to fin d p ills th at w ere pure , b io lo gic ally a ctiv e a n d u nco nta m in ate d . T he c o nta m in an ts in m ost p ills (th at were m ak in g m e s ic k ) a ls o t a x t h e h ealth o f p eo ple w ho a re h ealth y, e v en i f t h ey a re not a w are o f i t. Seek in g man ufa ctu re rs who use quality in gre d ie n ts alo ng with good man ufa ctu rin g p ra ctic es i s v ita lly i m porta n t. M ost o f t h e s u pple m en ts o n t h e m ark et to day a re n ot w orth w hile , a s m an y d o n ot c o nta in w hat is p ro fe sse d o n th e la b els , an d m an y a re e v en t o xic — co nta m in ate d b y s u bsta n ces s u ch a s h eav y m eta ls , s o lv en t re sid ues, pestic id es, artif ic ia l co lo rs an d alle rg en s. The su pple m en t m ark et is unre g ula te d ; y ou s im ply c an not tr u st v ita m in p ills u nle ss y ou k now h ow th ey a re mad e. E ven th e b est- s e llin g b ra n ds o f v ita m in s are n ot so m eth in g I w ould ta k e myse lf o r r e co m men d t o o th ers . Alth ough y ou c an not a lw ay s tr u st la b els , I h av e d ev elo ped s o m e c o nven ie n t r u le s of t h um b t h at h elp m e t o q uic k ly e v alu ate t h e q uality o f v ita m in s u pple m en ts . F ir s t, ch eck to s e e if c h eap in gre d ie n ts c an b e r e co gniz ed o n th e la b el. C heap in gre d ie n ts usu ally s u ggest th at th e re m ain der o f th e p ro duct is n ot o f h ig h q uality . D oes c o st matte r? Y es, b ecau se i t c o sts m ore t o p urc h ase p ure i n gre d ie n ts t h at a re i n t h e m ore bio activ e fo rm s. F or ex am ple , calc iu m carb onate is an in gre d ie n t u se d in m an y min era l f o rm ula s, s u ppose d ly t o s u pply c alc iu m , a n d i t d oes t o a c erta in d eg re e, b ut very i n effic ie n tly . C om pounds s u ch a s c alc iu m c itr a te , c alc iu m f u m ara te , o r c alc iu m mala te a re f a r m ore b io lo gic ally a ctiv e a n d a re m uch b ette r c h oic es. H ow ev er, th ey are m uch m ore e x pen siv e. T he u ned ucate d c o nsu m er s e ek in g a c alc iu m s u pple m en t will u su ally c h oose a f o rm ula b ase d o n p ric e o r a p peara n ce o r h ow m uch c alc iu m i t co nta in s r a th er t h an c h em ic al c o m positio n a n d b io activ ity . Pay in g a tte n tio n to th e c h em ic al c o m positio n o f th e n utr ie n ts is m ore im porta n t. Som e c h em ic al f o rm s a re b ette r t h an o th ers b ecau se o f t h eir s u perio r b io av aila b ility . The p oor o nes sh ould b e av oid ed . B elo w are so m e g uid elin es fo r ch oosin g th e quality o f m in era l s u pple m en ts : Poor Accep ta ble Optim al Bio activ it y Bio activ it y Bio activ it y Carb onate Am in oate Asc o rb ate (e .g ., c alc iu m c arb onate ) Chela te Citr a te Oxid e Glu co nate Fum ara te (e .g ., m ag nesiu m o xid e) Mala te Sulf a te Pic o lin ate Phosp hate Succin ate Tartr a te Now l o ok a t t h e v ita m in s. T he e asie st w ay i s t o c h eck t h e B v ita m in s, s p ecif ic ally vita m in s B 2 an d B 6 . In a h ig h-q uality fo rm ula , v ita m in B 2 (rib ofla v in ) w ill a ls o b e acco m pan ie d b y its m ore ex pen siv e an d b io activ e fo rm : rib ofla v in 5 -p hosp hate . Sim ila rly , w ith v ita m in B 6 (p yrid oxin e h ydro ch lo rid e) a h ig h-q uality fo rm ula w ill als o c o nta in t h e m ore e x pen siv e a n d b io activ e f o rm : p yrid oxol 5 -p hosp hate . No f o olp ro of w ay e x is ts to c h eck o ut a v ita m in p ro duct w ith out k now in g e x actly what is g oin g in to th e p ro duct: h ow o ld th e in gre d ie n ts a re ; h ow th ey h av e b een sh ip ped , h an dle d a n d s to re d ; a n d h ow p ure th ey a re . B ut ta k in g th ose s te p s th at y ou can d o o n y our o w n w ill b rin g y ou c lo se r to b uyin g a n e ffe ctiv e p ro duct. ( V ita m in pro ducts I h av e s e le cte d f o r m y o w n u se c an b e f o und i n a p pen dix C .) Tasty C hoic es The c h oic es y ou f a ce a s y ou s e le ct a d ie t e ach d ay r e sts o n a c o m bin atio n o f th e nutr itio nal c o nte n t o f th e f o ods b ala n ced a g ain st y our o w n p ers o nal ta ste s. T aste is acq uir e d a n d is b ase d la rg ely o n w hat w e a re fa m ilia r w ith . A n ew ta ste c an b e acq uir e d s im ply b y e atin g s o m eth in g n ew fo r a fe w w eek s. I fo und th at I lo st m y ta ste f o r a l o t o f t h e l e ss d esir a b le f o ods I u se d t o e n jo y. W hile t a ste a n d p le asu re i n eatin g a re im porta n t ( a n d e v en p sy ch olo gic ally b en efic ia l) , p le n ty o f h ealth y f o ods are p le asu ra b le t o e at. Our pro ductiv e, fa st- p aced , m odern lif e sty le s, co m bin ed w ith m is in fo rm atio n ab out n utr itio n, can m ak e th e rig ht ch oic es d if fic u lt to id en tif y . T hese lif e sty le s cre ate a d em an d f o r p ro cesse d , p re p are d , s p eed y “ co nven ie n ce f o ods,” r e g ard le ss o f eco nom ic s ta tu s o r e d ucatio nal l e v el. M ore p are n ts t h an e v er a re w ork in g t o s u pport th eir f a m ilie s, w hile f e w er a n d f e w er a re s ta y in g a t h om e t o t e n d g ard en s o r p re p are whole so m e m eals . M an y o f u s n o lo nger e v en e at a t h om e. W e e at in c afe te ria s, re sta u ra n ts a n d f a st- fo od c h ain s w here p ro cesse d f o ods a re t h e n orm . The fo od w e a te y este rd ay is s till a ffe ctin g u s to day, a n d th e fo od w e e at a t o ur nex t m eal w ill affe ct our aw are n ess, en erg y le v el, ab ility to th in k, le arn an d re m em ber a s w ell a s o ur m ood a n d b eh av io r. W hat w e e at i n a w eek o r a m onth o r a year d ete rm in es o ur b io lo gic al m ak eu p a n d o ur h ealth , a s w ell a s th e h ealth o f o ur ch ild re n a n d g ra n dch ild re n . You m ust a lw ay s r e m em ber t h at t h e b io lo gic al r e aso n f o r e atin g i s t o s u pply y our cells w ith th e n utr ie n ts th ey n eed o n a d aily b asis . B eco m in g h ealth y a n d s ta y in g well w ith a die t of pro cesse d fo ods la ced w ith su gar an d pro cesse d oils is im possib le . Y ou a re w hat y ou e at; y our lif e a n d h ealth d ep en d o n th e fo ods y ou ch oose . Y ou fa ce th ese c h oic es a t e v ery m eal y ou e at fo r th e re st o f y our lif e , s o em bra ce it! Y ou n ow k now h ow to c h oose th e g ood fro m th e b ad . A void th e B ig Four, e at “ re al” l iv in g f o od a s n atu re p ro vid es a n d t a k e h ig h-q uality s u pple m en ts . T o move y ours e lf in th e rig ht d ir e ctio n o n th e n utr itio nal p ath w ay, s ta rt n ow to g iv e your c ells a ll t h e n utr ie n ts t h ey n eed , e v ery d ay, a n d t h ey w ill t h an k y ou w ith t h e g if t of g ood h ealth . 6 T HE T OXIN P ATH W AY “[O ]u r h ea lth is th re a te n ed n ot o nly b y in div id ual c h em ic a ls —dea dly o r to xic — but e ven m ore b y th e o vera ll c h em ic a l lo ad th at t h e h um an o rg anis m n ow h as t o s u sta in .” Jo se p h D . B easle y , M .D ., P h.D . The K ello gg R ep ort O ur b odie s a re u nder a tta ck e v ery d ay — fro m w ith out a n d fro m w ith in . W e fa ce more to xic c h em ic als a n d m an -m ad e p ois o ns in o ur liv es th an e v er b efo re . W e a re weak en ed b y c h ro nic s tr e ss, l a ck o f e x erc is e , a lle rg ie s a n d e atin g t h e w ro ng f o ods i n th e w ro ng w ay s. In th ese w ay s, w e o fte n sa b ota g e o ur o w n d efe n se sy ste m s a n d in vite th e to xic e n em y in sid e. If th e e n em y o verp ow ers u s, w e fa ll— ofte n w ith out re co gniz in g o ur a tta ck ers . Toxic ity — fro m to xin s ta k en in to o ur b odie s fro m th e o uts id e o r th ose c re ate d in sid e o ur b odie s— is o ne o f tw o r e aso ns th at c ells m alf u nctio n; r e m em ber, to xic ity is o ne o f th e tw o c au se s o f d is e ase . T o p re v en t o r to r e v ers e d is e ase , w e m ust lim it our e x posu re to to xin s a n d w e m ust g iv e o ur b odie s w hat th ey n eed to d eto xif y th em se lv es. F ortu nate ly , m ost o f th is p ro cess is w ith in o ur c o ntr o l. U nfo rtu nate ly , th e i n vad ers a re e v ery w here — esp ecia lly i n o ur o w n h om es— an d o fte n t h ey a re h ard to f in d. A L iv in g H ell By th e tim e I re ceiv ed th e te le p hone c all fro m a m an w ho id en tif ie d h im se lf a s Dav id , h is b ody w as l o sin g i ts b attle a g ain st a n e n em y h e c o uld n ot i d en tif y . “ I h av e no id ea w ho y ou a re o r w hy I a m c allin g y ou,” D av id s a id , “ b ut I a m g oin g to k ill myse lf .” My m in d ra cin g an d m y fe ar in te n sif y in g, I beg an th e lo ngest te le p hone co nvers a tio n of m y lif e — fo ur an d a half hours of D av id ’s lif e sto ry , now a nig htm are . B efo re t h e o nse t o f h is p ro ble m s, D av id h ad b een a p artn er i n a t o p N ew York C ity a d vertis in g fir m . H e e arn ed a s e v en -fig ure in co m e a n d liv ed in a p osh co m munity ; h is w if e w as a s o cia lite , a n d h is c h ild re n a tte n ded p riv ate s c h ools . L if e was g ood— until h e b eg an t o e x perie n ce w eak ness a n d f a tig ue. D av id w en t t o s e e h is physic ia n , w ho d id m an y th ousa n ds o f d olla rs w orth o f te stin g, o nly to p ro nounce Dav id to b e in p erfe ct h ealth . T he d octo r’s o nly su ggestio n w as th at D av id w as work in g t o o h ard a n d t h at h e s h ould t a k e a v acatio n. S o, D av id a n d h is w if e r e n te d a house i n H aw aii a n d s ta y ed t h ere f o r t w o m onth s. The v acatio n d id n ot h elp , a n d D av id g ra d ually f e lt w ors e . H e d ev elo ped s e rio us alle rg ie s a s w ell a s n eu ro lo gic al a n d p sy ch olo gic al p ro ble m s, s o h e c o nsu lte d m ore docto rs . A w ealth y m an , D av id w en t t o t h e b est d octo rs m oney c o uld b uy; t h ey, t o o, co uld fin d n oth in g w ro ng, s o th ey re fe rre d h im to a p sy ch ia tr is t. P hysic ia n s o fte n assu m e th at if th ey d o n ot u nders ta n d w hat is w ro ng, th eir ig nora n ce is n ot a t f a u lt, but ra th er th e p atie n t is im ag in in g th e p ro ble m . D av id ’s p sy ch ia tr is t w as e q ually baffle d , a n d h e r e fe rre d D av id b ack t o h is p hysic ia n s. All t h e w hile , D av id ’s f a tig ue a n d a lle rg ic s y m pto m s w ors e n ed ; h e b ecam e u nab le to c o ntin ue w ork in g a n d h ad t o r e sig n f ro m h is f ir m . F in ally , D av id w as r e fe rre d t o a clin ic al e co lo gis t, a p hysic ia n w ho s p ecia liz es in e n vir o nm en ta lly c au se d d is e ase s. This d octo r d ia g nose d D av id a s su ffe rin g fro m m ultip le a lle rg ie s, c h ro nic fa tig ue sy ndro m e an d ch em ic al hypers e n sitiv ity sy ndro m e. He sa id Dav id was to o ch em ic ally s e n sitiv e to c o ntin ue liv in g in th e h ig hly p ollu te d N ew Y ork a re a a n d su ggeste d h e m ove w here air q uality w as b ette r. D av id u pro ote d h is fa m ily an d moved t o a n i s o la te d r a n ch o uts id e o f S an ta F e, N ew M ex ic o . Dav id ’s p ro ble m s co ntin ued to w ors e n ; h e b ecam e d an gero usly d ep re sse d an d ir rita b le , an d he had fre q uen t outb urs ts of an ger. D av id had desc en ded in to an unen din g n ig htm are , a n d h e h ad t a k en h is f a m ily w ith h im . T he c o m bin ed i m pact o f th e m ove a n d t h e i s o la tio n, c o uple d w ith D av id ’s f re q uen t o utb urs ts o f a n ger a n d h is wors e n in g d ep re ssio n, w as t o o m uch f o r D av id ’s w if e . S he l e ft h im a n d s h e t o ok t h e ch ild re n w ith h er. Every th in g t h at D av id h ad e v er c are d a b out w as g one. H e w as d ep re sse d , i s o la te d an d a lo ne. H e b ecam e s u ic id al. A t t h at p oin t, a t t h e a d vic e o f a f rie n d, h e c alle d m e. Fro m th e m om en t D av id c alle d , I k new ( in a g en era l w ay ) w hat h is p ro ble m w as. Dia g nosin g a n y d is e ase i s s im ple , b ecau se t h ere i s o nly o ne d is e ase : m alf u nctio nin g cells . D av id ’s p ro ble m h ad t o b e a l a rg e n um ber o f m alf u nctio nin g c ells , t h at m uch I knew . T he critic al questio ns w ere : W hy w ere th ey m alf u nctio nin g, an d how to re sto re t h em t o n orm al f u nctio n? Four h ours in to o ur c o nvers a tio n, D av id p ro vid ed a k ey p ie ce o f in fo rm atio n th at gav e m e t h e a n sw er. D av id s a id h e l ik ed t u na f is h , l ik ed i t s o m uch t h at h e t y pic ally ate t w o c an s p er d ay . T his s ta te m en t s e t o ff a la rm b ells i n m y m in d b ecau se t u na f is h co nta in s a s ig nif ic an t a m ount o f m erc u ry — a h ig hly to xic h eav y m eta l th at p ois o ns cells a n d d eactiv ate s k ey e n zy m es, c au sin g n um ero us p hysic al a n d m en ta l p ro ble m s, in clu din g s u ic id al t e n den cie s. Merc u ry p ollu tio n in o ur o cean s b io accu m ula te s ( g ra d ually b uild s u p) in f is h a n d is e sp ecia lly c o ncen tr a te d i n l a rg e f is h s u ch a s t u na. I n f a ct, t h e a v era g e c an o f t u na fis h c o nta in s th e m ax im um a llo w ab le d aily d ose o f m erc u ry , a n d D av id w as e atin g tw o c an s o f t u na f is h a lm ost e v ery d ay. C onsta n t e x posu re l ik e t h is r e su lts i n a t o xic bio accu m ula tio n, s o I b eg an to s u sp ect th at m erc u ry p ois o nin g w as a t th e ro ot o f Dav id ’s p ro ble m s. His m erc u ry e x posu re d id n ot e n d w ith h is ta ste f o r tu na; D av id h ad m an y s ilv er am alg am d en ta l f illin gs, a n d t h ese a m alg am s c o nta in a b out 5 0 p erc en t m erc u ry . H is den ta l fillin gs (in ad ditio n to th e tu na fis h ) h ad b een ex posin g D av id to sm all am ounts o f m erc u ry fo r m ost o f h is lif e . F in ally , th e s tr a w th at b ro ke th e c am el’s back w as a d en ta l p ro ced ure . D av id h ad to re p la ce h is a g in g m erc u ry fillin gs a n d was e x pose d t o h ig h l e v els o f m erc u ry d urin g t h is p ro ced ure b ecau se o f t h e d en tis t’s poor r e m oval te ch niq ue. T his la rg e e x posu re , c o m bin ed w ith y ears o f c h ro nic , lo w - le v el e x posu re f ro m th e tu na f is h a n d th e d en ta l f illin gs, w as to o m uch f o r D av id ’s body to han dle . H e fe ll in to a sta te of to xic overlo ad an d his cells beg an to malf u nctio n s e rio usly . Dav id ’s f a ilin g h ealth , c h ro nic f a tig ue, e m otio nal d is tr e ss a n d s u ic id al t e n den cie s were all sy m pto m s of his to xic overlo ad . T he so lu tio n? I su ggeste d nutr itio nal su pple m en ts th at w ould su pport D av id ’s natu ra l ab ility to deto xif y , an d I als o se arc h ed fo r an d fo und a m ed ic al docto r who was an ex pert in m erc u ry deto xif ic atio n. S ubse q uen tly , D av id w as c u re d o f h is m erc u ry p ois o nin g ( th ro ugh a pro cess calle d ch ela tio n, w hic h use s a ch em ic al to re act w ith th e m erc u ry an d re m ove i t f ro m t h e b ody), a n d u ltim ate ly h e w as a b le t o r e tu rn t o h is l if e , h is c are er an d, m ost i m porta n tly , h is f a m ily . Killin g H im S lo w ly Dav id is a n e x celle n t e x am ple o f to xic o verlo ad in o ur m odern s o cie ty . H e w as ch ro nic ally ex pose d to a sp ecif ic to xin (m erc u ry ), whic h was slo w ly bio accu m ula tin g in h is c ells . A lr e ad y w eak en ed b y a n d s e n sitiv e to th is to xin , h e was s u dden ly e x pose d t o a l a rg e a m ount, w hic h p ush ed h im o ver t h e b rin k. A noth er fa cto r to b e c o nsid ere d is D av id ’s b io ch em ic al in div id uality ; h e m ig ht h av e b een born w ith a g re ate r s e n sitiv ity t o m erc u ry t h an t h e a v era g e p ers o n. Vir tu ally all A m eric an s are n ow in a sta te o f to xic o verlo ad . N o w onder o ur popula tio n is b eco m in g sic k er an d sic k er. Sm all to xic exp osu re s ea ch d ay (fr o m co m mon so urc es su ch as bre a kfa st cere a l, to oth paste , sh am poo, so ap, perfu m e, deo dora nt, h air d ye, n ew sp apers, m agazin es, e xh aust f u m es, c a rp ets , n ew m attr e sse s, dry cle a nin g or a new ly pain te d bed ro om ) w ill in cre a sin gly exceed and even in ca pacita te y o ur b ody’s a bility to d eto xify , c a usin g th ese c h em ic a ls to a ccu m ula te to a l e vel t h at w ill m ake y o u s ic k. Man -m ad e to xin s are so pre v ale n t to day th at th ey are im possib le to av oid , re g ard le ss o f w here y ou liv e o r w hat y ou d o. O ver th e la st o ne h undre d y ears , w e hav e in tr o duced te n s o f th ousa n ds o f m an -m ad e to xin s to o ur e n vir o nm en t, th us ch an gin g it d ra m atic ally . O ur b odie s a re n ot g en etic ally d esig ned to d eal w ith th ese le v els a n d ty pes o f p ois o ns th at a re a ccu m ula tin g in o ur tis su es f a ste r th an w e c an rid o urs e lv es o f t h em . Envir o nm en ta l t o xin s a re n ot o ur o nly p ro ble m . W e a ls o g en era te p ow erfu l t o xin s in sid e o ur b odie s. U nle ss w e c an m in im iz e o ur e x posu re a n d m ax im iz e o ur b odie s’ deto xif ic atio n s y ste m s, w e w ill b eco m e s ic k . A n e x tr e m e o verlo ad m ay e v en k ill u s: • O nly re cen tly h av e re se arc h ers a n d h ealth p ra ctitio ners b eg un to u nders ta n d th e lo ng-te rm e ffe cts o f th e th ousa n ds o f c h em ic als w e n ow e n co unte r in o ur daily liv es. A t th e tim e o f m y b ir th , th e m ajo rity o f th ese c h em ic als d id n ot ex is t. N ow t h ey a re a ll- p erv asiv e. • A gro w in g body of sc ie n tif ic ev id en ce lin ks to xin s to a w id e varie ty of sy m pto m s a n d sy ndro m es, su ch a s m en ta l a n d b eh av io ra l d is o rd ers , le arn in g dis a b ilitie s, f a tig ue, m ig ra in es, a lle rg ie s, r a sh es a n d g astr o in te stin al d is o rd ers . • Frig hte n in g new ev id en ce su ggests th at lo w -le v el ex posu re s to certa in en vir o nm en ta l c h em ic als a re c au sin g h orm one d is ru ptio ns, r e su ltin g in s e rio us pro ble m s t h at r a n ge f ro m b ir th d efe cts t o c an cer. • M an y o f th e d is e ase s th at b affle o ur p hysic ia n s (o fte n c alle d “ d is e ase s o f ag in g” o r “ d is e ase s o f c iv iliz atio n”) a re t h e r e su lts o f t h e t o xic o verlo ad c au se d by m odern in dustr ia liz ed s o cie ty . T hese d is e ase s a re d if fic u lt to d ia g nose a n d im possib le to cu re usin g co nven tio nal m ed ic al ap pro ach es th at ju st tr e at sy m pto m s, ra th er th an min im iz in g to xic ex posu re an d optim iz in g deto xif ic atio n. • C hem ic als posin g little can cer ris k can tr ig ger can cer w hen co m bin ed to geth er. • S om e c h em ic als a n d m eta ls a re to xic in a n y a m ount; o th ers a re b en efic ia l o r ev en esse n tia l in sm all am ounts — su ch as vita m in A — but to xic in la rg e am ounts . In th e n in ete en th c en tu ry , le ss th an 1 p erc en t o f a ll d eath s in th e U nite d S ta te s were c au se d b y c an cer, a n d e v en a t th e tu rn o f th e tw en tie th c en tu ry , o nly 3 p erc en t of th e p opula tio n w as a ffe cte d . To day, m ore th an fo ur in te n p eo ple w ill d evelo p ca ncer i n t h eir l ife tim e, a nd o ne i n f o ur w ill d ie f r o m c a ncer. The good new s? M an y of th e str o ngest can cer-c au sin g ch em ic als hav e been id en tif ie d , a n d w e c an a v oid th em . T he N atio nal A cad em y o f S cie n ces s u m s u p th e ch alle n ge: “ It is a b undan tly c le ar th at th e in cid en ce o f a ll th e c o m mon c an cers in hum an s i s b ein g d ete rm in ed b y . . . p ote n tia lly c o ntr o lla b le e x te rn al f a cto rs .” The P ois o n s W it h in Toxin s f ro m th e o uts id e w orld — in o ur f o od, w ate r, a ir, h om es a n d w ork pla ces— are k now n a s en vir o nm en ta l to xin s. O ur b odie s a ls o m an ufa ctu re a s e a o f in te rn al to xin s a s a r e su lt o f n orm al m eta b olis m , w hic h o ur b odie s m ust e lim in ate i n o rd er t o sta y h ealth y. F ew p eo ple r e aliz e th at th eir o w n b odie s c an b e a s o urc e o f d an gero us to xin s— mostly in th e d ig estiv e s y ste m , b ut a ls o f ro m a lle rg ic r e actio ns, s tr e ss a n d oth er s o urc es. I n te rn al to xin s a re b ein g g en era te d a t u npre ced en te d r a te s a s a r e su lt of m odern d ie ts , l if e sty le s a n d m ed ic al t r e atm en ts . J u st l ik e a n a u to m obile p ro duces ex hau st, y our b ody p ro duces th ese to xin s n atu ra lly a n d is d esig ned to h an dle th em ; how ev er, if a b norm al a m ounts o f to xin s a re p ro duced o r y our a b ility to d eal w ith th em i s i m pair e d , y ou b eco m e s ic k . Unders ta n din g t h e b ody’s n atu ra l a b ilitie s t o c le an se i ts e lf a n d h ow t h ese a b ilitie s can b e s u pporte d b y d ie t, e x erc is e a n d o th er m ean s i s i m porta n t. B y l e arn in g h ow t o su pport y our d eto xif ic atio n s y ste m s, y ou c an r e v ers e t h e e ffe cts o f t o xic o verlo ad ; a s to xic l o ad d ecre ase s, c ell f u nctio n i m pro ves a n d d is e ase o fte n d is a p pears . Not a ll to xin s, h ow ev er, a ffe ct a ll p eo ple in th e s a m e m an ner. J u st a s e ach o f u s has uniq ue need s fo r nutr ie n ts , each of us als o has uniq ue to le ra n ces an d su sc ep tib ilitie s to to xin s. T oxin le v els th at c an p ut o ne p ers o n in to o verlo ad m ig ht not be partic u la rly se rio us or ev en notic eab le fo r so m eo ne els e . Gen etic pre d is p ositio n, n utr itio nal s ta tu s, s tr e ss l e v els a n d l if e sty le a ll i n flu en ce t o xin l e v els . Becau se c u rre n tly w e h av e n o w ay to p re d ic t th e e ffe cts th at sp ecif ic to xin s (o r co m bin atio ns) h av e o n a n y in div id ual, th e s o lu tio n is to m in im iz e e x posu re to a ll to xin s a n d t o t a k e s te p s t o s u pport t h e b ody’s d eto xif ic atio n m ech an is m s. A B uild up o f E xte rn al T oxin s Chro nic ex posu re to sm all am ounts of se em in gly harm le ss to xin s pre se n ts a pro ble m m ore d an gero us th an p eo ple re aliz e. E ven in tr a ce am ounts , to xin s can build u p an d o verlo ad o ur cells , cau sin g m alf u nctio n. T he av era g e A m eric an is build in g u p ( b io accu m ula tin g) b etw een t h re e a n d f iv e h undre d m an m ad e c h em ic als , most o f w hic h d id n ot e x is t p rio r to W orld W ar II a n d h av e n ev er b efo re b een in hum an tis su e. There fo re , th e co m bin ed to xic effe cts of th ese ch em ic als are im possib le t o c alc u la te . Physic ia n s r a re ly c o nsid er to xic b uild up a s a p rim ary c au se o f d is e ase a n d r a re ly te st fo r to xic underly in g pro ble m s. In fa ct, ab out th e only tim e th e m ed ic al co m munity w ill c ite t o xic ity a s a p rim ary c au se o f d is e ase i s w hen s o m eb ody d ie s o r beco m es o bvio usly i ll f ro m m assiv e t o xic e x posu re , s u ch a s a c h em ic al s p ill. S ubtle an d g ra d ual to xic ex posu re s ty pic ally g o u ndete cte d , w hic h ex pla in s h ow p eo ple su ffe rin g f ro m to xic o verlo ad c an g o to th eir d octo rs r e p eate d ly ( w ith p ers is te n t, if vag ue, c o m pla in ts o f “ n ot f e elin g q uite r ig ht” ) a n d n ev er r e ceiv e a c o rre ct d ia g nosis . When p eo ple f in ally d o b eco m e s ic k f ro m t h eir b io accu m u-la te d t o xin s, f o llo w in g th e p ath o f th eir illn ess b ack to th e m yria d to xic so urc es is n early im possib le . If th ese to xin s w ere n ’t s o in sid io us a n d if th ey m ad e u s s ic k o r k ille d u s q uic k er a n d more s tr a ig htf o rw ard ly , w e w ould u nders ta n d m ore r e ad ily th e n eed to a v oid th em . In ste ad , w e e x pose o urs e lv es u nknow in gly a n d w e la y th e g ro undw ork f o r m assiv e cellu la r m alf u nctio n, little by little . C om bin e th ese ex te rn al to xin s w ith th ose gen era te d i n sid e t h e b ody, a n d t h e e v en tu al r e su lt i s t o xic o verlo ad . A ch illin g ex am ple : Envir o nm en ta l an d die ta ry to xin s bio accu m ula te in a moth er’s f a tty t is su es t h ro ughout h er l if e . W hen s h e s ta rts n urs in g, h er t o xin -lo ad ed fa tty tis su es p ro duce c an cer-c au sin g b re ast m ilk . In h is 1 987 b ook Die t fo r a N ew Am eric a , Jo hn R obbin s note s th at th e m ilk of m ost A m eric an m oth ers is so co nta m in ate d w ith c h em ic als ( P C Bs, d io xin s a n d v ario us p estic id es) th at “ it w ould be s u bje ct t o c o nfis c atio n a n d d estr u ctio n b y t h e F D A w ere i t t o b e s o ld a cro ss s ta te lin es.” R obbin s a ls o s a y s “ th e E PA h as c o nclu ded t h at t h e a v era g e A m eric an b re ast- fe d i n fa n t i n gests n in e t im es t h e p erm is sib le l e v el o f d ie ld rin , o ne o f t h e m ost p ote n t of a ll c an cer-c au sin g a g en ts k now n t o m odern s c ie n ce.” F ortu nate ly , d ie ld rin , w hic h was u se d o n c ro ps, h as n ow b een r e m oved f ro m t h e m ark et, b ut t h e a v era g e m oth er’s milk (w hile still fa r bette r th an in fa n t fo rm ula ) re m ain s co nta m in ate d w ith num ero us t o xic c h em ic als . No O ne I s S afe At pre se n t, to xic ch em ic als can be fo und in tr a ce am ounts in th e tis su es of vir tu ally ev ery one in A m eric a— in clu din g y ou. T hese ch em ic als in clu de: p la stic s su ch as sty re n e (d is p osa b le Sty ro fo am cu ps), 1,4 -d ic h lo ro ben zen e (m oth balls , deo doriz ers ), so diu m la u ry l su lf a te (s y nth etic dete rg en t fro m so ap s, sh am poos, to oth paste s), pestic id es, PC Bs, dio xin s, phth ala te s (p la stic s), fo rm ald eh yde (p ly w ood, p artic le b oard , p erm an en t- p re ss c lo th in g), p re sc rip tio n d ru gs a n d o rg an ic so lv en ts . N o p la ce o n e arth — an d n o m odern h om e— is fre e fro m m an -m ad e to xic co nta m in atio n. M ole cu le s o f th e p estic id e D DT, fo r ex am ple , b la n ket th e en tir e pla n et. Hen ry S ch ro ed er, M .D ., a fo rm er p ro fe sso r o f m ed ic in e a t D artm outh M ed ic al Sch ool a n d a u th or o f The P ois o ns A ro und U s, wro te th at “ fiv e to xic tr a ce m eta ls : an tim ony, b ery lliu m , c ad m iu m , le ad , a n d m erc u ry a re in volv ed in a t le ast h alf th e death s i n t h e U .S . a n d m uch o f t h e d is a b lin g d is e ase .” I n a ll, m ore t h an o ne h undre d th ousa n d c h em ic als a re n ow in c o m merc ia l u se , a t le ast 2 5 p erc en t o f w hic h a re know n t o b e h azard ous; m an y o th ers h av e n ev er b een t e ste d a t a ll! Even w hen c h em ic als a re t e ste d f o r s a fe ty , s tu die s a re v ir tu ally a lw ay s s h ort- te rm an d te ste d in div id ually ; fe w h av e e x am in ed th e lo ng-te rm e ffe cts o f c h em ic als , o r how th ey re act in th e b ody in c o m bin atio n w ith e ach o th er. Y et th ese lo ng-te rm , co m bin ed e ffe cts a re th e re ality o f liv in g in A m eric a to day. In o th er w ord s, th e te stin g p ro gra m s a re fla w ed . A dvers e e ffe cts a re n ot n ecessa rily o bse rv ed in s m all gro ups o f a n im als , n or d o e x perim en ta l a n im als n ecessa rily r e act t o t o xin s t h e s a m e as h um an s. U ltim ate ly , a n y c h em ic al th at is n ot n orm al a n d n atu ra l to o ur b odie s puts a l o ad o n o ur d eto xif ic atio n s y ste m s a n d m ay d am ag e c ell f u nctio n. Most peo ple m ak e little effo rt to av oid to xin s becau se offic ia lly esta b lis h ed to le ra n ces p re su m e t h at t o xin l e v els a re w ith in s a fe l im its . U nle ss y ou m ak e s p ecia l ch oic es, y ou c o nsta n tly e at f o ods w ith tr a ce to xin s, y ou c o nsta n tly d rin k w ate r w ith tr a ce to xin s, you co nsta n tly use pers o nal pro ducts w ith tr a ce to xin s, an d you co nsta n tly b re ath e to xic a ir. B y th e e n d o f e ach d ay, th ese to xic c o nta m in an ts o fte n re ach a su bsta n tia l cu m ula tiv e to ta l. EPA sc ie n tis ts fo und th at th e to ta l to xic re sid ues in our daily die t ca n exceed 500 perc en t of th e re co m men ded daily maxim um , e ven i f e a ch i n div id ual f o od i s w ith in “ sa fe ” l im its ! A P ois o n G as C ham ber o f H er V ery O wn Sev era l y ears a g o, a y oung m arrie d c o uple f ro m C hic ag o a sk ed m e to h elp th eir th re e-y ear-o ld dau ghte r, A nne, w ho w as ex perie n cin g se iz u re s. A nne had been ex am in ed b y a t l e ast a d ozen s p ecia lis ts , b ut t h eir o nly r e co m men datio ns w ere a n ti- se iz u re m ed ic atio ns th at m ad e A nne sic k , yet fa ile d to sto p th e se iz u re s. T he desp era te p are n ts c alle d m e, a c o m ple te str a n ger tw o th ousa n d m ile s a w ay. T hey beg ged m e f o r h elp , e v en t h ough I a m n ot a p hysic ia n . Becau se th ere is only one dis e ase , I knew th at Anne’s pro ble m was malf u nctio nin g c ells . B ut w hy w ere th ey m alf u nctio nin g? A lth ough I a sk ed m an y questio ns a b out A nne’s h is to ry , n oth in g s e em ed u nusu al a b out h er b ir th , b ack gro und or d ev elo pm en t. S he h ad b een b re ast- fe d ( a g ood th in g; e v en th ough b re ast m ilk is to xic , it is s till p re fe ra b le to th e a lte rn ativ es), a n d h er d ie t w as a ctu ally b ette r th an av era g e. In fa ct, sh e had been re m ark ab ly health y ev er sin ce bir th — until th e se iz u re s s ta rte d . I b eg an to a sk q uestio ns a b out h er e n vir o nm en t. A s it tu rn ed o ut, d urin g m ost o f her y oung l if e , A nne h ad b een s le ep in g i n a c rib i n h er p are n ts ’ b ed ro om . W hen s h e outg re w th e c rib , h er p are n ts d ecid ed s h e s h ould h av e h er o w n b ed ro om , a n d th ey re fu rb is h ed a r o om . K now in g th at b ra n d-n ew r o om f u rn is h in gs c an b e q uite to xic , I fo cu se d o n e n vir o nm en ta l t o xin s a s t h e p ro bab le c au se o f t h e l ittle g ir l’s p ro ble m s. I le arn ed th at b efo re th e o nse t o f th e s e iz u re s, A nne’s n ew b ed ro om h ad b een g iv en a fre sh co at of pain t an d w as fu rn is h ed w ith new w all- to -w all carp etin g, a new te le v is io n s e t a n d n ew f u rn itu re , i n clu din g a n ew b ed a n d m attr e ss. I n f a ct, t h at n ew bed ro om h ad ju st a b out e v ery a m en ity th at a n y s e t o f lo vin g p are n ts c o uld g iv e to th eir b elo ved d au ghte r, b ut i t w as a ls o a p ois o n g as c h am ber! T he n ew p ain t, c arp et, mattr e ss, te le v is io n an d fu rn itu re (c o nstr u cte d of partic le b oard , w hic h co nta in s fo rm ald eh yde) w ere a ll g iv in g o ff t o xic g ase s. Y ou r e co gniz e t h e t y pic al “ n ew p ain t sm ell,” th at “ n ew c arp et s m ell” a n d th at “ n ew f u rn itu re s m ell.” T hey a re a ll to xic , esp ecia lly w hen th ey a re b ra n d-n ew , a t w hic h tim e th ey e m it h ig her c o ncen tr a tio ns of c h em ic als . S hut a n ybody i n sid e a b ed ro om l ik e l ittle A nne’s f o r e ig ht o r t e n h ours a n ig ht, a n d t h e p ers o n i s e x pose d t o a l o t o f t o xin s. Anne w as i n t o xic o verlo ad , a n d h er s e iz u re s w ere t h e r e su lt. O fte n , i n a c ase l ik e th is , w hen y ou r e m ove t h e s o urc e o f t h e t o xin s, y ou c u re t h e d is e ase . I n ste ad , A nne’s physic ia n s had pre sc rib ed an tis e iz u re m ed ic atio ns, w hic h ad ded to her to xic overlo ad , m ak in g h er s ic k er. I s u ggeste d a n e x perim en t t o A nne’s p are n ts : C lo se o ff th e to xic b ed ro om a n d a llo w A nne to s le ep in a n oth er ro om fo r a fe w w eek s. T he re su lt: T he s e iz u re s s to pped , a n d A nne r e tu rn ed t o b ein g a n orm al a n d h ealth y c h ild . Fig h t B ack w it h F ood s Why is n ’t o ur s o cie ty ta k in g m ore a ctio n to p ro te ct u s fro m to xin s? W hy d on’t our p hysic ia n s r o utin ely w arn u s a b out to xin s a n d c h eck f o r th em ? O ne e x pla n atio n lie s in a 1 988 r e p ort is su ed b y th e N atio nal A cad em y o f S cie n ces title d , Role o f th e Prim ary C are P hysic ia n i n O ccu patio nal E nvir o nm en ta l M ed ic in e, whic h c o nclu ded th at w hile to xic en vir o nm en ta l ch em ic als p la y an in cre asin gly im porta n t ro le in modern ch ro nic d is e ase s, alm ost all p hysic ia n s are ig nora n t ab out th e d eg re e to whic h l o w -le v el t o xin s a ffe ct h ealth . One o f t h e m ost d ir e ct s o urc es o f o ur t o xic e x posu re s i s t h e f o ods w e e at. A m eal th at l o oks, s m ells a n d t a ste s g ood i s a w onderfu l t h in g, b ut y ou o w e y our b ody m ore . You n eed to m ak e su re y our fo od is fre e o f to xin s a n d fille d w ith n utr ie n ts th at su pport y our b ody’s n atu ra l a b ility to d eto xif y . Yo u n eed to fin d o ut w hat is in y o ur fo od, w here y o ur fo od c a m e fr o m a nd h ow y o ur fo od h as b een a lte re d fr o m th e w ay natu re p ro vid ed . One o f t h e b est w ay s t o m in im iz e t h e t o xin s i s t o b uy o rg an ic f o ods. O rg an ic i s a meth od o f g ro w in g a n d p ro ducin g f o od f re e f ro m c h em ic al f e rtiliz ers a n d p estic id es, artif ic ia l rip en in g ag en ts , pre se rv ativ es, gen etic m odif ic atio n an d ra d ia tio n. T he te rm “ o rg an ic ” a p plie s t o m ore t h an f ru its , v eg eta b le s a n d g ra in s; o rg an ic ally g ro w n an im als are fe d org an ic fe ed an d are pro duced w ith out th e cu sto m ary use of an tib io tic s, h orm ones o r o th er su pple m en ta l m ed ic atio ns. O rg an ic fo ods m ay b e more ex pen siv e an d so m ew hat m ore d if fic u lt to o bta in , b ut th ey alm ost alw ay s co nta in fe w er to xin s an d bette r nutr itio n. R ead la b els ; th e U .S . D ep artm en t of Agric u ltu re h as a p pro ved o rg an ic c ertif ic atio n a n d th e la b el s h ould b ear th e lo go. Unle ss a p ro duct c le arly s a y s t h at i t i s o rg an ic , i t a lm ost c erta in ly i s n ot. I f y ou l iv e in a n u rb an a re a, o rg an ic f o ods p urc h ase d a t lo cal f a rm ers ’ m ark ets a re m ost lik ely th e f re sh est, m ost n utr itio us, le ast to xic f o ods y ou c an o bta in . D esp ite th at, a lm ost 90 p erc en t o f th e f o od d olla rs s p en t in A m eric a to day a re s p en t o n to xic , p ro cesse d fo ods th at a re n ot o rg an ic . T o m ak e m atte rs w ors e , w e e at a lm ost n o fre sh fo od, lim itin g th e n utr ie n ts a v aila b le to h elp u s d eto xif y a ll th e b ad s tu ff w e c o nsta n tly ta k e i n . Feed in g in to B eh avio r P ro b le m s Sev era l years ag o, a gra n dm oth er cam e up to m e at a bre ak in one of m y work sh ops a n d a sk ed w hat t o d o a b out h er p sy ch otic f o ur-y ear-o ld g ra n dso n, G era ld . She d esc rib ed t h e b oy’s f its o f u nco ntr o lla b le a n ger a n d s a id t h at h e w ould s tr ik e o ut at ev ery one an d ev ery th in g in h is p ath . G era ld h ad b een ta k en to a n um ber o f med ic al c en te rs a n d e x am in ed b y n um ero us p hysic ia n s, w ho o nly o ffe re d p ow erfu l tr a n quiliz ers to c alm th e p sy ch otic b eh av io r. A s is o fte n th e c ase , th e p re sc rib ed dru gs d id n ot s o lv e th e p ro ble m ; th ey ju st c o m pounded it. T he d ru gs m ad e G era ld sic k a n d l e th arg ic , b ut d id n ot e lim in ate h is t e rrif y in g b eh av io r. The b oy fa ced a n u ncerta in fu tu re . T hat G era ld c o uld e v er b e a b le to a tte n d a re g ula r s c h ool o r h old a r e g ula r jo b s e em ed u nlik ely . I a sk ed G era ld ’s g ra n dm oth er man y q uestio ns b ut w as u nab le to fin d a n y o bvio us e x pla n atio n fo r h is p sy ch otic beh av io r. O ne t h in g I l e arn ed a b out G era ld w as t h at h e d ra n k a l o t o f m ilk a n d a p ple ju ic e. W alk in g back to th e podiu m to co ntin ue m y pre se n ta tio n, I to ld th e gra n dm oth er t h at w hile I h onestly d id n ot k now w hat w as w ro ng w ith h er g ra n dso n, I did k now th at b oth m ilk a n d a p ple ju ic e c o nta in a lo t o f to xic c h em ic al re sid ues. Reg ard le ss o f w hat w as w ro ng, fe ed in g h im to xin s w as c erta in ly n ot g oin g to h elp him im pro ve. I re co m men ded a s im ple e x perim en t: S to p fe ed in g G era ld m ilk a n d ap ple j u ic e. About s ix m onth s la te r, I w as s p eak in g a t a m eetin g a n d, o ut o f th e c o rn er o f m y ey e, I s p ie d G era ld ’s g ra n dm oth er r u nnin g t o w ard m e w ith a n e n th usia sm a n d a r a te of s p eed t h at w as a lm ost a la rm in g. S he b re ath le ssly e x cla im ed g re at n ew s a b out t h e health o f h er g ra n dso n. M ilk a n d a p ple ju ic e w ere c o m ple te ly e lim in ate d fro m th e boy’s d ie t, a n d h e m ad e a m ir a cu lo us r e co very . T he p sy ch otic b eh av io r d is a p peare d , an d G era ld h as b een w ell e v er s in ce. How t h e r e m oval o f m ilk a n d a p ple j u ic e ( tw o p re su m ab ly h ealth fu l f o ods) f ro m a boy’s d ie t co uld m ak e su ch a d if fe re n ce is h ard to im ag in e. W e h av e n o w ay, how ev er, t o k now e x actly h ow m uch d am ag e t h e t o xin s i n o ur f o od a re c au sin g. T oo man y f a cto rs a re in volv ed , a n d e ach p ers o n’s b io ch em is tr y is u niq ue. S om e p eo ple , lik e t h is l ittle b oy, c an b e m ore s e n sitiv e t o c erta in t o xin s, s u ch a s t h e a d e x ec D av id may h av e b een t o m erc u ry . T he s o lu tio n, r e g ard le ss o f i n div id ual b io ch em is tr y , i s t o ch oose a die t th at is lo w in to xin s. A die t sh ould co nsis t of org an ic , fre sh , whole /r a w /u npro cesse d fo ods, pure wate r an d av oid an ce of heav ily pro cesse d /c o oked f o ods. Cle a n U p a n U nreco gn iz ed T oxic S it e : You r P an tr y The h ard p art is to o bta in a ccu ra te in fo rm atio n a b out w hat is g ood fo r y ou a n d what is n ot. A w om an w ho h ad stu die d ex te n siv ely in th e fie ld s o f h ealth an d nutr itio n r e m in ded m e o f t h is f a ct i n a s ta rtlin g w ay. E ven w ith h er b ack gro und, s h e had l ittle u nders ta n din g o f h ow t o s e le ct a n onto xic d ie t. I m et C ynth ia a t o ne o f m y a ll- d ay se m in ars . B y th e e n d o f th e d ay sh e w as motiv ate d t o m ak e m ajo r c h an ges i n h er l if e a n d a sk ed i f s h e c o uld p urc h ase a d ay o f my t im e s o t h at I c o uld t e ach h er h ow t o s h op f o r h ealth fu l f o ods. D esp ite a ll o f h er pre v io us s tu dy, s h e fe lt o verw helm ed w ith in fo rm atio n a n d c o nfu se d a b out h ow to mak e h ealth y c h oic es. My d ay w ith C ynth ia a n d h er h usb an d, T om , s e rv es a s a g en era l g uid e f o r y ou to sta rt o n a p ath to w ard a lif e -s u sta in in g, n onto xic d ie t. T he f ir s t th in g I d id w ith th e co uple w as t o c le an o ut a ll t o xic f o ods f ro m t h eir r e frig era to r a n d p an tr y . W e e n ded up w ith s e v era l b oxes f ille d w ith f o ods to b e d is c ard ed ; a lo t o f it w as to xin -lo ad ed bre ak fa st c ere al t h at h er c h ild re n w ould h av e e ate n . Then w e h ead ed to th e lo cal h ealth fo od sto re . W e w en t d ow n e ach a is le a n d ex am in ed fo ods, re ad la b els an d dis c u sse d how to se le ct fo ods th at are eith er nonto xic o r a t le ast le ss to xic th an s u perm ark et a lte rn ativ es. F or e x am ple , a h ealth y su bstitu te fo r th e b oxed c ere als w as fo und in th e g ra in s e ctio n o f th e h ealth fo od sto re . W e p urc h ase d a v arie ty o f o rg an ic , w hole g ra in s t h at c o uld b e c o oked l ik e r ic e an d f e d t o t h e c h ild re n . ( B y t h e w ay , t h e k id s l o ved i t.) As C ynth ia , T om a n d I w alk ed t h ro ugh t h e s to re , I b eg an t o e x pla in p rin cip le s t h at would h elp t h em i n t h e f u tu re . A lm ost a n y t y pe o f f o od t h at h as b een p ack ag ed — in a box, ja r, c an o r b ottle — has b een p ro cesse d a n d is lik ely to c o nta in to xic c h em ic als . These t o xic c h em ic als e ith er c an b e d elib era te ly a d ded t o t h e f o ods ( fo od a d ditiv es), or t h ey c an r e su lt f ro m f o od p ro ductio n p ra ctic es ( c h em ic al r e sid ues). W hate v er t h e so urc e o f th ese c h em ic als , p ro cesse d f o ods ( s u ch a s b re ak fa st c ere al, b re ad , c an ned fo ods, f ro zen f o ods, o ils a n d v eg eta b le s h orte n in gs, s o ft d rin ks, ic e c re am , c o okie s, cak e a n d c an dy) a re l o ad ed w ith t h em . I n a d ditio n t o t h eir l a ck o f n utr itio n, t h e h ig h to xic c o nte n t i n p ro cesse d f o ods m ak es t h em a p oor c h oic e. A v arie ty o f f o od a d ditiv es a re u se d to e n han ce f la v or, c o lo r a n d te x tu re ; to h elp fo ods p ro cess b ette r; a n d to e x te n d th eir s h elf lif e . I n a ll, m ore th an th re e th ousa n d FD A-a p pro ved a d ditiv es a re in u se to day, a n d th e a v era g e A m eric an in gests m ore th an te n p ounds o f th em p er y ear. Im ag in in g s o m eo ne e atin g te n p ounds o f to xic , sy nth etic ch em ic als a y ear is d if fic u lt, b ut w e d o it— a little at a tim e, w ith out re aliz in g h ow it ad ds u p. A lth ough fo od ad ditiv es m ust b e ap pro ved fo r sa fe ty , fre q uen tly t h ey a re i n itia lly d ete rm in ed t o b e s a fe , o nly t o b e r e m oved l a te r f ro m t h e mark et d ue to u nan tic ip ate d h arm fu l e ffe cts . D o n ot a ssu m e th at f o od a d ditiv es a re sa fe j u st b ecau se t h e F D A h as a p pro ved t h em . Furth erm ore , r e se arc h ers u su ally te st o ne a d ditiv e a t a tim e, e v en th ough w e e at th em in co m bin atio n. A lm ost n o re se arc h g oes in to stu dyin g th e sa fe ty o f fo od ad ditiv e co m bin atio ns. O ur m odern ex posu re to m an y d if fe re n t co m bin atio ns o f fo od ad ditiv es is a g ig an tic an d d an gero us ch em is tr y ex perim en t. T he co m bin ed to xic e ffe cts o f f o od a d ditiv es w ere r e p orte d in a s tu dy c o nducte d b y B . H . E rs h off (p ublis h ed in a 1 976 Jo urn al o f F ood S cie n ce ) th at e x am in ed th re e d if fe re n t F D A- ap pro ved f o od a d ditiv es: a n a rtif ic ia l c o lo r, a n a rtif ic ia l s w eete n er a n d a n e m uls if ie r (a s u bsta n ce t h at k eep s o il a n d w ate r f ro m s e p ara tin g). W hen f e d o ne a t a t im e, t h ese fo od a d ditiv es c au se d n o re ad ily o bse rv ab le sid e e ffe cts in e x perim en ta l a n im als . But, w hen t w o o f t h e a d ditiv es w ere c o nsu m ed a t t h e s a m e t im e, t h e a n im als b ecam e sic k . W hen a ll th re e w ere c o m bin ed , th e te st a n im als d ie d in le ss th an tw o w eek s! Bearin g th is in m in d, p ic k u p a n a v era g e b ox o f b re ak fa st c ere al ( o r ju st a b out a n y oth er h ig hly p ro cesse d fo od) an d co unt h ow m an y ad ditiv es are in th e p ro duct. Obvio usly , y ou a re e atin g t h ese a d ditiv es i n c o m bin atio n. A fte r e x am in in g t h e l a b els on b oxes o f b re ak fa st c ere al in C ynth ia a n d T om ’s p an tr y , w e d is c ard ed a ll o f th em becau se t h e l a b els s h ow ed t h at t h ey c o nta in ed a rtif ic ia l c o lo rs , f la v ors , p re se rv ativ es an d hydro gen ate d oils . Rea d th e la bels o n th e fo ods th at yo u b uy.W hen a fo od co nta in s a rtific ia l c o lo rs, f la vo rs, p re se rv a tiv es o r o th er a dditiv es, d o n ot b uy i t. What w ould h ap pen i f w e e lim in ate d c erta in f o od a d ditiv es f ro m o ur d ie t? A s tu dy re p orte d in a 1986 is su e of th e In te rn atio nal Jo urn al of Bio so cia l Rese a rc h ad dre sse d th is q uestio n. B etw een 1 979 a n d 1 983, th e N ew Y ork C ity p ublic s c h ool sy ste m g ra d ually re m oved fo ods c o nta in in g a rtif ic ia l c o lo rs a n d fla v ors fro m th e sc h ool lu nch es s e rv ed to m ore th an o ne m illio n c h ild re n . D urin g th is s a m e p erio d, with out an y oth er ch an ges bein g in tr o duced , th e sc h oolc h ild re n ’s acad em ic perfo rm an ce s k yro ck ete d . N ew Y ork C ity s c h ools e x perie n ced th e la rg est f o ur-y ear gain in acad em ic p erfo rm an ce ev er m easu re d in an y city sc h ool d is tr ic t in U .S . his to ry . H ow w as s u ch i m pro vem en t p ossib le ? F ood a d ditiv es a re t o xic ; t h ey p ois o n cells . W hen y ou s to p p ois o nin g c ells , h ealth im pro ves. A s th e h ealth o f b ra in c ells im pro ves, s o d oes th e a b ility to th in k, le arn a n d r e m em ber. A c o ntr ib utin g f a cto r to to day ’s poor acad em ic perfo rm an ce is th e burd en of to xic ex posu re on th e dev elo pin g m in ds o f o ur y oung p eo ple . U nfo rtu nate ly , o nce th e ex perim en t w as over, b ecau se o f p olitic al p re ssu re f ro m c o nven tio nal f o od s u pplie rs , th e N ew Y ork City s c h ools r e v erte d t o “ n orm al” f o ods, a n d t h ese e x tr a o rd in ary g ain s w ere l o st. Anoth er ris k in p ro cesse d fo ods y ou d o n ot fin d o n th e la b el: to xic ch em ic al re sid ues. T he m an ufa ctu re r d oes n ot d elib era te ly a d d th ese c h em ic als , b ut th ey a re pre se n t i n a lm ost a ll o rd in ary c o m merc ia l f o ods. I f m an ufa ctu re rs d o n ot a d d i t, t h ey do n ot h av e to lis t it. ( R ecall D av id ’s e x posu re to m erc u ry in tu na f is h ; o bvio usly , merc u ry is n ot lis te d o n th e la b el b ut it is in th ere , b ecau se it w as in th e fis h .) Chem ic al r e sid ues c o m e f ro m m an y d if fe re n t s o urc es, i n clu din g i n dustr ia l c h em ic al an d p estic id e re sid ues, h erb ic id es, fu ngic id es, a rtif ic ia l rip en in g a g en ts , h orm ones an d o th er v ete rin ary d ru gs a n d p ack ag in g m ate ria ls . On o ur “ to ur” o f h id den t o xic r e sid ues, C ynth ia , T om a n d I t o ok a w alk d ow n t h e fro zen f o ods a is le . A cco rd in g t o t h e 1 982–1986 FD A T o ta l D ie t S tu dy, fro zen f re n ch frie s c o nta in ed 7 0 d if fe re n t p estic id e re sid ues. F ro zen p iz zas h ad 6 7 in dustr ia l a n d pestic id e re sid ues. F ro zen ch oco la te cak e co nta in ed 61 to xic re sid ues an d m ilk ch oco la te h ad 9 3. P ean ut b utte r h ad a w hoppin g 1 83, in clu din g h ig hly c arc in ogen ic afla to xin , w hic h i s p ro duced b y a m old t h at g ro w s o n p ean uts . Lurk in g i n a ll t h e a is le s w as a n oth er o verlo oked d an ger: p ack ag in g m ate ria ls . T he to xin s in p ack ag in g m ate ria ls ( s u ch a s p la stic w ra p , p la stic b ottle s, m ilk c o nta in ers , ju ic e b oxes, S ty ro fo am a n d e p oxy c an l in in gs) c an l e ach t o xin s i n to o ur f o ods b efo re we e at t h em . F oods c o m in g i n to c o nta ct w ith p ack ag in g m ate ria ls t h at c o nta in w ate r or o il- s o lu ble to xic c h em ic als c an a b so rb th ese c h em ic als , a n d th en th e c o nsu m er in gests th em . P ortio ns o f th e p oly m ers , p la stic iz ers , sta b iliz ers , fille rs an d ev en co lo ra n ts i n p la stic w ra p c an d is so lv e i n to t h e f o od. A void f o ods p ack ag ed i n p la stic . Choose f o ods p ack ag ed in m ore a p pro pria te m ate ria ls , s u ch a s p ap er a n d g la ss. I t’s ir o nic t h at p eo ple s o m etim es s p en d e x tr a m oney t o b uy o rg an ic f o ods, y et t h e f o ods may b e w ra p ped i n t o xic p ack ag in g. W hy p urc h ase o rg an ic m eat i n a S ty ro fo am t r a y to pped w ith p la stic sh rin k-w ra p , o r o rg an ic c an ned g oods in a n e p oxy-lin ed c an ? Unfo rtu nate ly , th ese co nven ie n ces co m e at a pric e, an d th at pric e is th e bio accu m ula tio n o f t o xic c h em ic als i n y our b ody a n d s u bse q uen t d is e ase . Choosin g Y ou r O ils : A S lip pery S lo p e We c o ntin ued o ur s h oppin g t r ip , l e arn in g h ow t o a v oid f o ods t h at i n vite s ic k ness. In th e o ils a n d s a la d d re ssin gs s e ctio n, I r e m in ded C ynth ia a n d T om th at a lm ost a ll oils o n s u perm ark et s h elv es a re p ro cesse d a n d to xic . T hese to xic o ils a ls o f in d th eir way in to a varie ty of pre p are d an d pro cesse d fo ods, in clu din g sa la d dre ssin gs, can ned a n d b ak ed g oods. Most o ils , e sp ecia lly p ean ut, c o tto nse ed a n d so ybean , a re h ig hly c o nta m in ate d with p estic id e r e sid ues t o xic t o t h e n erv ous s y ste m . M an y m odern o ils u se c h em ic al ex tr a ctio n m eth ods, w hic h le av e so lv en t re sid ues th at are lu ng ir rita n ts , nerv e dep re ssa n ts an d d etr im en ta l to h ealth in g en era l. E ven o ils th at h av e b een co ld - pre sse d ( ra th er t h an c h em ic ally e x tr a cte d ) o fte n a re r e fin ed w ith t o xic c h em ic als a n d ex pose d to h ig h te m pera tu re s in th eir b le ach in g a n d d eo doriz in g p ro cesse s, m ak in g th e o ils to xic . E xpose d to h ig h te m pera tu re s, n utr ie n ts in th ese o ils a re a lte re d a n d tu rn ed in to to xic , tr a n s-fa tty a cid s a n d a v arie ty o f o th er to xin s ( a ld eh ydes, k eto nes an d hydro pero xid es). A bout one-th ir d of all th e oil so ld — wheth er bottle d or co nta in ed in m arg arin e, veg eta b le sh orte n in gs, bak ed goods, bre ak fa st cere als , pean ut b utte r, e tc .— has b een h ydro gen ate d o r p artia lly h ydro gen ate d a n d c o nta in s to xic t r a n s-fa tty a cid s a n d n um ero us o th er t o xic c h em ic als . Sin ce th ese pro cesse d oils hav e co m e in to w id esp re ad use , th e in cid en ce of myocard ia l in fa rc tio n (a ty pe o f h eart a tta ck ) h as in cre ase d e ig hty fo ld , a n d h eart dis e ase , fo rm erly ra re , has beco m e a le ad in g cau se of death . Coin cid en ce? Acco rd in g to U do E ra sm us, a u th or o f Fats T hat H ea l, F ats T hat K ill, th e r e aso n f o r th ese b urg eo nin g h ealth p ro ble m s is th at p ro cesse d o ils p ro m ote a c o nditio n k now n as “ fa tty d eg en era tio n.” I n t h is b ook, E ra sm us w ro te : “ S ix ty -e ig ht p erc en t o f p eo ple die fro m ju st th re e co nditio ns th at in volv e fa tty deg en era tio n: card io vasc u la r dis e ase , c an cer a n d d ia b ete s.” O nly a h an dfu l o f h ealth fu l fa ts a n d o ils a re o n th e mark et: o rg an ic b utte r o r g hee, h ig h-q uality o liv e o il (d if fic u lt to fin d), a n d h ig h- quality e sse n tia l fa tty a cid p ro ducts su ch a s fla x se ed o il (s e e a p pen dix C fo r m y pers o nal c h oic es). Dan gers in D air y a n d M ea t Our l ittle g ro up a rriv ed a t t h e d air y s e ctio n. A s y ou r e call, m ilk a n d d air y p ro ducts are n ot ap pro pria te fo r h um an co nsu m ptio n an d sh ould b e av oid ed b y ev ery one, esp ecia lly i n fa n ts a n d y oung c h ild re n . T oxic b io accu m ula tio n i s a p ro ble m ; v ir tu ally all o f th e to xin s to w hic h a co w is ex pose d d urin g its lif e b io accu m ula te in its tis su es, a n d th ese to xin s a re th en p re se n t in its m ilk . Y ou s h ould re g ard m ilk a s a to xic so up fille d w ith pestic id es, an tib io tic s, dio xin s, horm ones, su lf a dru gs, tr a n quiliz ers a n d o th er c o nta m in an ts . W ors e , th e p ra ctic e o f p aste u riz atio n (a h eat tr e atm en t d one t o v ir tu ally a ll m ilk p ro ducts t o k ill b acte ria ) a lte rs t h e p hysic al a n d ch em ic al p ro pertie s o f th e m ilk . P aste u riz atio n n ot o nly re n ders th e n utr ie n ts le ss use fu l to y our b ody b ut c re ate s to xin s a s w ell. B etw een th e to xic b io accu m ula tio n, th e p aste u riz atio n a n d t h e f a ct t h at m ilk p ro ducts m ak e u p 2 5 t o 5 0 p erc en t o f m an y Am eric an s’ d ie ts , m ilk i s a m ajo r c o ntr ib utin g f a cto r t o o ur h ig h r a te s o f i n fe ctio us, alle rg ic a n d c h ro nic d is e ase . In fa ct, m ilk c o nsu m ptio n h as b een lin ked to m an y dis e ase s, in clu din g oste o poro sis , m ultip le sc le ro sis , dia b ete s, heart dis e ase an d can cer. M y r e co m men datio n to C ynth ia a n d T om w as th at th ey e lim in ate m ilk a n d milk p ro ducts f ro m th eir f a m ily d ie t; I r e co m men d th e s a m e to y ou. M ilk d oes n ot do y our b ody g ood. Anim al p ro ducts w ere o ur n ex t sto p. M eat a n d e g gs c an h av e se rio us to xic ity pro ble m s. Though an im al pro ducts co nta in esse n tia l nutr ie n ts (a n d I do not re co m men d a d ie t d ev oid o f th em ), y ou m ust c h oose y our so urc es c are fu lly . T he nutr itio nal v alu e o f a fo od so urc e sh ould a lw ay s b e w eig hed a g ain st th e to xin s it co nta in s o r i s l ik ely t o c o nta in . Com merc ia l liv esto ck c o nta in m an y to xin s, w hic h b eco m e c o ncen tr a te d in th eir tis su es. F oods fro m c o m merc ia l c attle (a n d th eir m ilk ), c h ic k en s (a n d th eir e g gs) an d m ost f a rm ed f is h a re a ll p oor f o od c h oic es. A ll t h eir l iv es, t h ese a n im als a re f e d fo ods t h at a re l a ck in g i n n utr itio n a n d t o xic ( c o nta m in ate d w ith p estic id es a n d o th er ag ric u ltu ra l c h em ic als ). P ound f o r p ound, liv esto ck f e ed is s u bsta n tia lly m ore to xic th an th e fo ods w e e at, n ot to m en tio n th at la rg e a n im als lik e c attle e at a lo t m ore fo od t h an w e d o. W hen y ou e at t h ese h ig hly t o xic a n im als , o r p ro ducts d eriv ed f ro m th em , th e to xin s e n te r y ou. I n 1 976, th e E PA s tu die d h um an b re ast m ilk a n d f o und th at t h e t o xic c o nta m in an ts i n t h e m ilk o f v eg eta ria n m oth ers w as o nly 1 t o 2 p erc en t of th e n atio nal a v era g e. T he so lu tio n is to m in im iz e to xic e x posu re b y se le ctin g org an ic ally p ro duced m eat, p oultr y , e g gs a n d w ild f is h f ro m r e la tiv ely n onpollu te d deep -w ate r o cean a re as ra th er th an th ose h arv este d fro m p ollu te d c o asta l a re as o r fa rm ed . Sele ctin g o rg an ic ally p ro duced a n im al p ro ducts a lm ost c erta in ly r e q uir e s a t r ip t o a w ell- s to ck ed , re p uta b le h ealth fo od s to re . T he fo ods a re m ore e x pen siv e, b ut th e ex tr a m oney b uys p ro te ctio n fro m to xin s, a s w ell a s c o ntr ib ute s to b ette r n utr itio n an d a m ore e n vir o nm en ta lly r e sp onsib le m eth od o f f a rm in g. Health is a c h oic e. Y ou c an p ay n ow f o r g ood f o od, o r p ay la te r f o r d octo rs a n d hosp ita ls . If you can not fin d id eal fo ods, how ev er, ofte n you can m ak e bette r ch oic es; if y ou c an not fin d h ig h-q uality (o rg an ic ) a n im al p ro ducts , th en m in im iz e your c o nsu m ptio n. R em em ber t h at t h e o verw helm in g m ajo rity o f o ur t o xic p estic id e ex posu re is f ro m n onorg an ic a n im al p ro ducts s u ch a s p oultr y , m eat, e g gs a n d m ilk pro ducts . I d o n ot r e co m men d a t o ta lly v eg eta ria n o r v eg an d ie t, b ecau se b oth l a ck e sse n tia l nutr ie n ts ; h ow ev er, a p rim arily v eg eta ria n d ie t is d esir a b le . A n o rg an ic v eg eta ria n die t is th e s im ple st a n d e asie st w ay to m in im iz e to xin s a n d m ax im iz e y our n utr ie n t in ta k e. W hen y ou e at a n im al p ro ducts , s e le ct f re e-ra n gin g, o rg an ic a n im al p ro ducts when ev er p ossib le . Antic ip atin g F ood I n vad ers Tow ard th e en d of our sh oppin g tr ip , I sh are d a fu ndam en ta l yet la rg ely unre co gniz ed f o od s h oppin g c o ncep t. Sele ctin g n onto xic f o ods m ea ns s e le ctin g f o ods th at a re n ot co nta m in ate d w ith b acte ria a nd m old s, whic h p ro duce to xin s. W hen bacte ria a n d m old s c o nta m in ate o ur f o ods, th ey d am ag e o ur h ealth . A s p art o f th eir norm al m eta b olis m , b acte ria p ro duce to xin s th at p la ce a b urd en o n th e im mune sy ste m a n d c o ntr ib ute to to xic o verlo ad , d is e ase a n d e v en d eath . T he m ost s e rio us case s o f b acte ria l f o od p ois o nin g c an r e su lt i n d eath , s u ch a s t h e t o xin s p ro duced b y th e Clo str id iu m botu lin um , th e botu lis m bacte ria (fo und m ain ly in im pro perly can ned fo ods), th e E. co li bacte riu m (fo und in im pro perly han dle d m eat an d a varie ty o f o th er f o ods) a n d o th ers , i n clu din g t h e m ost c o m mon c o nta m in atio ns f ro m sta p hylo co ccal a n d sa lm onella . D eath fro m th ese in fe ctiv e p ath ogen s is ra re , b ut quite c o m mon is th e e x posu re to lo w le v els o f b acte ria l to xin s p re se n t in fo ods, partic u la rly a n im al p ro ducts . A lw ay s s m ell m eat, f is h a n d p oultr y . A r a n k, f is h y o r ro tte n sc en t m ean s th at th e p ro duct is to o o ld o r h as n ot b een p ro perly sto re d ; bacte ria a re g ro w in g a n d p ro ducin g to xin s, a n d th e o ils a re r a n cid a n d to xic . N ev er eat s u ch f o ods. Com merc ia l milk pro ducts are co nta m in ate d with bacte ria . Govern m en t re g ula tio ns s ta te th at a fte r p aste u riz atio n m ilk s h ould c o nta in n o m ore th an 2 0,0 00 bacte ria per m illilite r. O ut of tw en ty -fiv e m ilk sa m ple s an aly zed by Consu m er Rep orts , se v en s a m ple s h ad in e x cess o f 1 30,0 00 b acte ria p er m illilite r; o ne s a m ple had a lm ost 3 ,0 00,0 00; a n d o th er s a m ple s h ad t o o m an y b acte ria t o c o unt! W hen y ou co nsid er th e to xin s p ro duced b y th ese b acte ria , c o m bin ed w ith th e to xin s a lr e ad y pre se n t f ro m a g ric u ltu ra l a n d i n dustr ia l s o urc es, w hy w ould a n yone s till b elie v e c o w milk i s g ood f o r i n fa n ts a n d c h ild re n ? Cynth ia a n d T om w ere f a m ilia r w ith t h e p ro ble m s o f b acte ria l c o nta m in atio n, b ut th ey, lik e m ost p eo ple , h ad a lm ost n o k now le d ge o f th e p ro ble m s w ith m old . N ot th at m old p ro ble m s a re n ew : S to rie s fro m th e M id dle A ges te ll o f w hole v illa g es ra cin g a ro und in h allu cin ogen ic m ad ness a fte r b ein g p ois o ned b y a ty pe o f m old , erg ot, th at g ro w s o n ry e. E rg ot p ro duces a n eu ro to xin th at p ois o ns th e b ra in a n d cen tr a l n erv ous s y ste m . T hese s ic k p eo ple w ould s o m etim es g o t o a l o cal m onaste ry where th e m onks w ould ta k e th em in a n d p ra y f o r th em — an d th ey w ould b e c u re d ! How ? T he m onaste rie s w ere b uilt o n b ette r la n d a t th e to ps o f h ills , w here as th e fa rm ers liv ed in th e lo w la n ds. W hen th e m onks h arv este d th eir g ra in o n th e h ills , it was d rie r th an th e f a rm ers ’ g ra in in th e w et lo w la n ds, h en ce le ss m old y. W hen th e sic k f a rm ers a te u nco nta m in ate d g ra in s, th ey b ecam e w ell. T he b iz arre b eh av io r o f ch ild re n in S ale m , th ought to b e w itc h cra ft, n ow is th ought to h av e b een c au se b y erg otis m . A lth ough w e d o n ot r u n a ro und in h allu cin ogen ic m ad ness to day, a t le ast not f ro m f o od m old , t h e p ro ble m o f m old i n t h e f o od s u pply p ers is ts . Mold s c an d ev elo p i f c ro ps a re m ois t w hen h arv este d o r s to re d . F ood o fte n s p en ds week s in th e d is tr ib utio n p ro cess a n d b eco m es m old y b y th e tim e it re ach es th e sto re , e v en if it w as n ot c o nta m in ate d w hen h arv este d . F ood h as f u rth er o pportu nity to m old in y our k itc h en . F re sh , liv in g p la n ts p ro te ct th em se lv es f ro m m old g ro w th (ju st a s w e h um an s h av e a n im mune s y ste m to p ro te ct o urs e lv es f ro m d is e ase ), b ut as f o od a g es a n d d ie s, m old s g ro w . P eo ple e at th ese m old y f o ods ( e sp ecia lly w hen th e m old i s n ot v is ib le ), u naw are o f t h e t o xic l o ad s t h ey p ut o n t h eir b odie s. W ors e , man y p eo ple h av e b eco m e a lle rg ic to m old s, c au sin g n ot o nly a to xic e x posu re b ut als o a to xic a lle rg ic re actio n. In fa ct, p eo ple a lle rg ic to m old s a re o fte n fin e w hen th ey e at a f re sh ly h arv este d b erry o r g ra p e b ut s u ffe r a n a lle rg ic r e actio n w hen e atin g th e s a m e f o ods p urc h ase d i n a g ro cery s to re . I f y ou b elie v e t h at a f o od i s m old y, d o not s m ell it. In hale d m old c au se s s e rio us h ealth p ro ble m s. W ra p th e s u sp ect fo od an d d is p ose o f i t c are fu lly . Myco to xin s (to xin s p ro duced b y m old s) c an in ju re a n d k ill c ells , a n d th ey a re know n c au se s o f c an cer, e sp ecia lly l iv er c an cer. B ecau se k now in g t h e l e v el o f m old co nta m in atio n in a p artic u la r fo od is d if fic u lt, th e b est ap pro ach is to av oid o r min im iz e co nsu m ptio n of fo ods pro ne to beco m in g m old y, su ch as co rn , nuts , gra p es, ra is in s an d all d rie d fru its , b errie s, b eer an d o th er fe rm en te d fo ods, an d ch eese s. B ottle d ap ple ju ic e fre q uen tly is m old y. A pple ju ic e drin kers are so accu sto m ed t o i ts t a ste t h at t h ey f a il t o r e co gniz e t h e p re se n ce o f t h is t o xin . If y ou b ite i n to a n ut a n d i t t a ste s b ad , s p it i t o ut. I t i s t o xic . I f t h ere i s a n y v is ib le mold o n a n y p art o f a f o od, t h ro w t h e e n tir e f o od a w ay. D on’t j u st c u t o ff t h e m old . When a m old i n fe ctio n t a k es p la ce, f o ods n atu ra lly p ro te ct t h em se lv es b y p ro ducin g an tim old t o xin s t h at a re a ls o t o xic t o y ou. A ntim old t o xin s a re p ro duced t h ro ughout th e f o od, n ot ju st th e p art y ou c u t o ff. I n g en era l, s u sc ep tib le p ro ducts s u ch a s f re sh berrie s m ust b e p urc h ase d i n s e aso n, f re sh ly h arv este d f ro m l o cal g ro w ers ; o th erw is e th ey a re t o o o ld a n d t o o m old y— ev en i f y ou c an not s e e t h e m old . I o bse rv e p eo ple i n my lo cal h ealth f o od s to re p urc h asin g a b ask et o f “ fre sh ” b errie s th at a lr e ad y h av e vis ib le m old . O bvio usly , t h ey h av e n o i d ea o f h ow p ois o nous t h at i s . One ty pe of m old th at gro w s on gra in s an d nuts (p artic u la rly co rn , pean uts , waln uts a n d p is ta ch io s) p ro duces a m yco to xin c alle d a fla to xin , w hic h is k now n to cau se can cer. A lth ough o ur g overn m en t tr ie s to re g ula te afla to xin le v els , h ig hly co nta m in ate d cro ps are co nsta n tly fin din g th eir w ay in to our fo od su pply . T he ch illin g r e ality is th at a fla to xin is m ost c o m monly f o und in s o m e o f th e f o ods th at we m ost f re q uen tly f e ed to o ur c h ild re n — co rn f la k es, o th er c o rn p ro ducts , p ean uts an d p ean ut b utte r. Som e C ook in g M eth od s C an C rea te T oxin s Once w e o bta in h ig h-q uality f o ods, w e s till m ust p re p are t h em p ro perly . T he f ir s t ste p in n onto xic fo od p re p ara tio n is to w ash o r p eel fo ods in o rd er to re m ove ag ric u ltu ra l c h em ic als , b acte ria a n d m old s. W ax ed f o ods ( s u ch a s m ost c u cu m bers , eg gpla n t, tu rn ip s a n d a p ple s) d efin ite ly s h ould b e p eele d , b ecau se th e w ax o fte n is co verin g su rfa ce re sid ues o f p estic id es a n d fu ngic id es th at a re a p plie d b efo re th e wax is a p plie d ; a ls o , q uestio ns a b ound a b out th e s a fe ty o f s o m e o f th e w ax es. F or fo ods t h at c an not b e p eele d , w ash in g u nder r u nnin g w ate r f o r a m in ute o r t w o d oes a re la tiv ely g ood c le an in g jo b; u sin g a p ure , liq uid c astile so ap (a m ild so ap m ad e fro m o liv e o il a n d so diu m h ydro xid e) c le an s e v en b ette r. F or fo ods lik e le ttu ce, dis c ard th e o ute r la y ers a n d w ash th e le av es s e p ara te ly . R in sin g b rie fly in a v in eg ar so lu tio n l o w ers b acte ria l e v els . Few p eo ple a re g oin g t o e at 1 00 p erc en t o f t h eir d ie t r a w ( I e at a b out 8 0 p erc en t o f min e r a w ), b ut w hen ev er y ou c h oose t o e at a r a w f o od i n p la ce o f a h ig hly c o oked o r pro cesse d one, you obta in bette r nutr itio n an d le ss to xic ex posu re . C ook fo ods lig htly . I d eally , f o od s h ould n ot b e c o oked a t t e m pera tu re s h ig her t h an b oilin g w ate r or s te am . F oods c h an ge f u ndam en ta lly w hen t h ey a re c o oked ; t h ey c an b eco m e m ore to xic , le ss n utr itio us a n d e v en m ore d if fic u lt to d ig est. Avo id b ro w ned o r c h arre d fo ods, w hic h are hig hly to xic . Unfo rtu nate ly , m an y A m eric an s h av e d ev elo ped a ta ste fo r ch arb ro ile d , to aste d or barb ecu ed fo ods, w hic h dev elo p m uta g en s th at co ntr ib ute t o c an cer. When fo od is heate d ab ove 375 deg re es (a s it usu ally is in to astin g, fry in g, grillin g, b ro ilin g a n d b arb ecu in g), a n um ber o f to xic c o m pounds c an b e p ro duced , in clu din g hete ro cy clic aro m atic am in es (H AAs). H AAs are am ong th e m ost pow erfu l carc in ogen s ev er dis c o vere d , an d ev en m in ute am ounts of th em can dam ag e y our D NA. The ru le o f th um b is th at th e h ig her th e te m pera tu re a n d th e lo nger th e c o okin g tim e, th e m ore H AAs a re fo rm ed . T hus, m ed iu m ra re is s a fe r th an w ell d one, a n d bla ck en ed f o ods a re a b so lu te ly n ot a ccep ta b le . I f e v er I a m s e rv ed f o od t h at i s b la ck , I c u t o ff th e b la ck en ed p arts . E ven to ast is d an gero us. E xperim en ts a t L aw re n ce Liv erm ore L ab ora to ry s h ow ed th at a w ell- to aste d p ie ce o f b re ad h ad 2 0 p erc en t o f th e c an cer-c au sin g a ctiv ity o f a w ell- d one h am burg er. D osa g e a n d f re q uen cy a re t h e pro ble m s; m an y p eo ple e at s e v era l s lic es o f to aste d b re ad o r b ag el e v ery m orn in g fo r b re ak fa st, w hic h i s l ik e l a y in g o ut a w elc o m e m at f o r c an cer. Mic ro w aves: A F ast T ra ck t o T ro u ble Cookin g f o od is n ot a g ood id ea, e sp ecia lly a t h ig h te m pera tu re s, b ut c o okin g in mic ro w av e o ven s m ay b e e v en w ors e . W hile n ot b ro w nin g o r b la ck en in g f o od lik e co nven tio nal c o okin g, m ic ro w av in g c h an ges th e c h em is tr y o f fo od fu ndam en ta lly , lo w erin g n utr itio nal c o nte n t a n d p ro ducin g u niq ue t o xin s. A l o t m ore g oes o n i n sid e a m ic ro w av e th an ju st m ak in g th in gs h ot. M ic ro w av es “ zap ” fo od w ith e n orm ous am ounts o f e n erg y— en ough t o b re ak a p art w ate r m ole cu le s a n d c au se t h em t o r e act with th e f o od in w ay s th ey w ould n ot d o o th erw is e . T hese r e actio ns c re ate a lo t o f str a n ge, n ew m ole cu le s t h at a re u nnatu ra l t o t h e h um an b ody; s o m e o f t h em a re t o xic an d c arc in ogen ic . R ese arc h in S w itz erla n d, th e f o rm er S ovie t U nio n a n d th e U nite d Sta te s all su ggest th at eatin g m ic ro w av ed fo od m ay pro m ote certa in ty pes of can cers , h orm one i m bala n ces, l y m phatic d is o rd ers , d ig estiv e d is o rd ers , i m mune a n d blo od a b norm alitie s, e m otio nal p ro ble m s, p erm an en t b ra in d am ag e, a n d e v en h eart dis e ase . In 1992, at th e Sw is s Fed era l In stitu te of Tech nolo gy, volu nte ers w ho ate mic ro w av ed fo od e x perie n ced d ecre ase d h em oglo bin c o nte n t o f th eir b lo od a n d a n in cre ase d w hite c ell c o unt. T hus, m ic ro w av ed f o od d ecre ase s th e a m ount o f o xygen av aila b le to o ur c ells a n d s tr e sse s th e im mune s y ste m . A ls o , m ic ro w av es h av e b een dem onstr a te d to d am ag e n utr ie n ts . R ese arc h a t th e I n stitu te o f R ad io T ech nolo gy a t Kin sk , in th e fo rm er S ovie t U nio n, fo und th at m ic ro w av es re d uce th e n utr itio nal co nte n t o f f o od b y 6 0 t o 9 0 p erc en t. W hen r e h eatin g f o od, u se t h e s to veto p o r o ven . Modern fo ods are alr e ad y n utr ie n t d efic ie n t. W hy m ak e th em w ors e b y u sin g a mic ro w av e? Use th e rig ht co okw are . T he best pots an d pan s are th ose m ad e of gla ss or cera m ic s s u ch a s C orn in g W are . O th er m ate ria ls in te ra ct w ith fo ods a n d in tr o duce so m e le v el o f to xin s in to th e f o od. S ta in le ss s te el c o nta in s n ic k el— both a n a lle rg en an d a c arc in ogen . A s tu dy i n t h e Jo urn al o f t h e A m eric a n D ie te tic A sso cia tio n fo und th at to xic c h em ic als f ro m s ta in le ss s te el p ots , in clu din g n ic k el, ir o n a n d c h ro m iu m , en te r fo od durin g co okin g. A lu m in um — fro m pots , pan s an d alu m in um fo il— is an oth er to xic co nta m in an t. T eflo n co atin gs on co okw are als o pre se n t pro ble m s, esp ecia lly w hen s u ch c o okw are i s h eate d t o h ig her t e m pera tu re s. Of c o urs e , n ot a ll m eals c o m e f ro m y our o w n k itc h en . A m eric an s e at a n e n orm ous perc en ta g e o f fo od at re sta u ra n ts . M ak in g o ptim al fo od ch oic es w hen eatin g at re sta u ra n ts is a lm ost im possib le . H ow ev er, w ith c are in m en u se le ctio n, y ou c an usu ally d o f a ir ly w ell. A s a r u le o f th um b, u psc ale r e sta u ra n ts u su ally h av e f re sh er an d b ette r p re p are d fo ods, w hile fa st- fo od re sta u ra n t o ffe rin gs a re m ore to xic a n d le ss n utr itio us. M an y re sta u ra n ts d o n ot e v en “ co ok” fo r y ou; th ey m ere ly se rv e pre p are d a n d p ro cesse d f o ods th at a re r e h eate d ( p erh ap s in a m ic ro w av e, s o b e s u re to a sk ). Very fe w re sta u ra n ts u se h ig h-q uality o rg an ic m eats . B ear th is in m in d th e n ex t tim e y ou p onder a m en u. D eep -w ate r o cean fis h is p ro bab ly y our b est c h oic e, b ut only if it is fre sh . F re sh -w ate r fis h is lik ely to b e c o nta m in ate d w ith to xin s, a n d fa rm ed fis h a re n eith er n utr itio us n or fre e o f to xin s. W hen o rd erin g o ut, I o fte n se le ct la rg e s a la d s o r fre sh ly h arv este d fis h , w ith v eg eta b le s. M an y re sta u ra n ts a re willin g to m ak e up a veg eta ria n en tr é e on re q uest. A void an yth in g th at is “b la ck en ed ,” a s w ell a s s e le ctio ns c o nta in in g m eat a n d, p artic u la rly , d air y p ro ducts . Mak e s im ple s e le ctio ns, a n d b e a b le t o i d en tif y a ll t h e i n gre d ie n ts . Cau tio n : T his W ate r I s Haza rd ou s t o Y ou r H ea lt h In ad ditio n to fo od, w ate r is an esse n tia l in gre d ie n t fo r lif e an d g ood h ealth . Adeq uate w ate r in ta k e h elp s r id y our b ody o f to xin s, b oth th ro ugh th e k id ney s a n d th ro ugh s w eat. S hock in gly , h ow ev er, i n a h ig hly d ev elo ped n atio n s u ch a s t h e U nite d Sta te s, a lm ost a ll o f th e w ate r is to xic ; it a d ds p ois o ns to y our b ody a n d is u nfit to drin k. Toxin s f ro m l a n dfill r u noff, s e w ag e p ollu ta n ts , i n dustr ia l c h em ic als s u ch a s P C Bs an d vin yl ch lo rid e, ag ric u ltu ra l ru noff (p artic u la rly pestic id es), le ak ag e fro m gaso lin e s to ra g e t a n ks, a n d o th er p ollu ta n ts c o nta m in ate o ur w ate r. S om e r e se arc h ers belie v e ch ro nic lo w -le v el ex posu re to th ese ch em ic als co ntr ib ute s to o ur can cer ep id em ic . E ven t h ose o f u s f o rtu nate e n ough t o l iv e n ear a h ig h-q uality w ate r s o urc e would p ro bab ly b e d is a p poin te d t o l e arn t h at o ur l o cal w ate r s u pplie r t a k es p erfe ctly good w ate r a n d c o nta m in ate s it w ith to xin s s u ch a s c h lo rin e, flu orid e, a rs e n ic a n d alu m in um . W ate r t h en t r a v els t h ro ugh m unic ip al a n d h ouse h old p ip elin es, w hic h c an ad d c o nta m in an ts s u ch a s l e ad , c ad m iu m , c o pper, a sb esto s, i r o n a n d n ic k el. Alth ough th ese to xin s ex is t in m in ute am ounts , w e d rin k w ate r (o r b ev era g es mad e w ith w ate r) d aily , s o w e a re e x pose d c h ro nic ally . T his e x posu re l e ad s t o t o xic bio accu m ula tio n, cellu la r malf u nctio n an d dis e ase . Min im iz e ta p -w ate r co nsu m ptio n; drin k hig h-q uality dis tille d or sp rin g w ate r (p re fe ra b ly in gla ss co nta in ers to av oid to xin s fro m pla stic s). P urc h ase fro m co m pan ie s w illin g to pro vid e y ou w ith a c h em ic al a n aly sis o f th eir w ate r. A noth er a lte rn ativ e is to d rin k ta p w ate r p urif ie d b y a f ilte r th at u se s r e v ers e o sm osis . R em em ber th at c o m merc ia l fru it j u ic es a n d o th er b ev era g e p ro ducts a re u su ally m ad e w ith t a p w ate r. P ure w ate r is w hat y our b ody n eed s; w hen y ou c an g et i t, c h oose i t. What I s in Y ou r D rin kin g W ate r? How d o s o m e o f th e to xin s c o m monly a d ded to m unic ip al w ate r s u pplie s h arm your health ? A bout 80 perc en t of th e drin kin g w ate r in th e U nite d Sta te s is ch lo rin ate d . C hlo rin e is a n e x tr e m ely to xic a n d v ola tile c h em ic al th at re acts w ith org an ic m atte r i n t a p w ate r t o f o rm c arc in ogen ic c o m pounds c alle d t r ih alo m eth an es. These c o m pounds b io accu m ula te in f a tty tis su es a n d a re c ap ab le o f c au sin g g en etic muta tio ns, s u ppre ssin g i m mune f u nctio n, a n d i n te rfe rin g w ith t h e n atu ra l c o ntr o ls o f cell g ro w th . L ong-te rm c o nsu m ers o f c h lo rin ate d w ate r h av e b een sh ow n to h av e hig her r is k s o f r e cta l, b la d der, k id ney, in te stin al, liv er, p an cre atic a n d u rin ary tr a ct can cers , a s w ell a s sp onta n eo us a b ortio ns. T he D ep artm en t o f H ealth S erv ic es in Calif o rn ia r e p orts t h at w om en w ho d rin k b ottle d o r f ilte re d w ate r h av e s u bsta n tia lly lo w er ra te s o f b ir th d efe cts a n d m is c arria g es c o m pare d to w om en w ho d rin k ta p wate r. J u st o pen in g th e ta p to w ash y our h an ds re le ase s to xic c h lo rin e fu m es th at, when b re ath ed , d am ag e y our h ealth ; ta k in g a s h ow er is m an y tim es w ors e . I u se a ch arc o al f ilte r i n m y s h ow er t o f ilte r o ut t h e c h lo rin e a n d o rg an ic p ollu ta n ts . Flu orid e is m ore to xic th an le ad a n d o nly s lig htly le ss to xic th an a rs e n ic , y et w e hav e b een c o nditio ned to b elie v e th at flu orid e is g ood fo r u s. P re su m ab ly , w e p ut flu orid e in our w ate r to pre v en t to oth decay. A lth ough to oth decay has in deed declin ed w orld w id e s in ce th e 1 970s— an e v en t fo r w hic h flu orid e is o fte n w ro ngly cre d ite d — th e r e al r e aso n f o r t h e d eclin e r e m ain s u nknow n, b ecau se t o oth d ecay h as declin ed a t th e sa m e ra te in c o untr ie s th at d o n ot u se flu orid e. M ost p eo ple a re unaw are t h at i n m ore t h an f if ty y ears o f t e stin g a n d w id esp re ad u se , n o o ne h as e v er been a b le t o p ro ve t h at f lu orid e i s e ith er s a fe o r e ffe ctiv e, w hic h i s w hy f lu orid e h as nev er b een a p pro ved b y t h e F D A. A fte r h alf a c en tu ry o f u se , t h e F D A s till c la ssif ie s flu orid e a s a n “ u nap pro ved n ew d ru g.” O nce a g ain , w e a re g uin ea p ig s in a v ast med ic al ex perim en t gone aw ry . T he tr u th is , flu orid atio n of drin kin g w ate r is mak in g u s s ic k , b ut n o o ne is re ad y to a d m it it b ecau se o f th e a lm ost u nth in kab le le g al lia b ility . D o y ou th in k it is a c o in cid en ce th at to oth paste s n ow h av e to xic ity warn in gs ab out th eir flu orid e co nte n t? M an y y oung ch ild re n sw allo w to oth paste , unle ss s u perv is e d b y a d ults . The tr u th ab out flu orid e is g ra d ually b ein g re v eale d ; a n um ber o f la rg e-s c ale stu die s s u ggest th at f lu orid e d oes n ot p re v en t a n d m ay e v en c au se d en ta l p ro ble m s. Flu orid e b io accu m ula te s in th e b ody a n d h as b een s h ow n to d am ag e te eth , b ones, kid ney s, m usc le s, n erv es, g en es a n d im mune fu nctio n. In fa ct, flu orid e to xic ity is cau sin g dis e ase s su ch as den ta l an d sk ele ta l flu oro sis . D en ta l flu oro sis is a malf o rm atio n of to oth en am el ch ara cte riz ed by brittle n ess an d dis c o lo ra tio n, ultim ate ly d am ag in g th e h ealth o f th e te eth . D en tis ts te ll p eo ple th at flu oro sis is “m ere ly ” a c o sm etic p ro ble m . In re ality , flu oro sis is a sig n o f sy ste m ic flu orid e pois o nin g. M ore th an o ne o ut o f f iv e U .S . s c h oolc h ild re n n ow h av e s o m e d eg re e o f den ta l flu oro sis , an d X ra y s of ch ild re n w ith den ta l flu oro sis ofte n sh ow bone ab norm alitie s ( s k ele ta l f lu oro sis ) e ls e w here in th e b ody. S kele ta l f lu oro sis w eak en s bones i n a m an ner s im ila r t o o ste o poro sis . E arly s ta g es u su ally a re m is d ia g nose d a s arth ritis , an d ad van ced sta g es usu ally are m is d ia g nose d as oste o poro sis . The min im um c rip plin g f lu orid e d osa g e ( th e d osa g e th at c an c au se s k ele ta l f lu oro sis ) is 5 m illig ra m s p er d ay f o r t w en ty t o f o rty y ears , a cco rd in g t o t h e N atio nal A cad em ie s fo r th e A dvan cem en t o f S cie n ce, y et A m eric an s liv in g in f lu orid ate d a re as a v era g e up t o 6 .6 m illig ra m s p er d ay ! Flu orid e is a p ow erfu l e n zy m e p ois o n th at f u ndam en ta lly d am ag es c ell f u nctio n, th ere b y cau sin g dis e ase an d death . M orta lity ra te s are hig her in flu orid ate d co m munitie s. A 1 978 stu dy in th e New E ngla nd Jo urn al o f M ed ic in e fo und th at: “T his patte rn of a hig her cru de death ra te in th e citie s w ith flu orid ate d w ate r su pplie s w as ap pare n t fo r all cate g orie s o f d eath ex cep t fo r th ose b y accid en ta l mean s a n d s u ic id e.” A cco rd in g t o D r. W illia m M arc u s, a s e n io r s c ie n tis t a t t h e E PA , flu orid e i s t h e o nly s u bsta n ce k now n t o c au se b one c an cer, a n d b one c an cer r a te s a re 80 to 6 00 p erc en t h ig her in co m munitie s w ith flu orid ate d w ate r. S im ila rly , n ew re se arc h c o nnects flu orid e in ta k e to A lz h eim er’s d is e ase b y im plic atin g a re actio n th at h ap pen s b etw een a lu m in um a n d lo w -d ose f lu orid e. M ost h om e w ate r f ilte rs d o not re m ove th is to xin . Y ou n eed to u se re v ers e o sm osis o r b uy b ottle d w ate r th at does n ot c o nta in f lu orid e. Anoth er to xin in o ur d rin kin g w ate r is ars e n ic . A rs e n ic , a co nta m in an t in th e ch em ic als u se d to flu orid ate w ate r, is k now n to c au se c an cer a n d to d am ag e th e dig estiv e, card io vasc u la r, neu ro lo gic al, re p ro ductiv e an d im mune sy ste m s. Alu m in um sa lt (a lu m ) is ad ded to w ate r to “p urif y ” it b y h elp in g to se ttle an d re m ove partic u la te an d org an ic m atte r. A stu dy in th e Jo urn al of E pid em io lo gy fo und th at th e r is k o f d ev elo pin g A lz h eim er’s is in cre ase d in in div id uals w ho d rin k wate r w ith h ig h a lu m in um c o ncen tr a tio ns. Food s T hat T am per w it h D estin y No d is c u ssio n o f f o od to xin s w ould b e c o m ple te w ith out m en tio n o f th e p ote n tia l fo r pois o nin g th e en tir e popula tio n w ith gen etic ally m odif ie d fo ods. G en etic en gin eerin g i s t h e p ro cess o f d is ru ptin g t h e g en etic b lu ep rin ts o f l iv in g o rg an is m s b y in se rtin g gen etic in fo rm atio n fro m oth er org an is m s to obta in so m e “d esir a b le ch ara cte ris tic ,” s u ch a s r e sis ta n ce t o h erb ic id es o r i n se cts . T hese f o ods a re n ovel a n d to ta lly u nnatu ra l, a n d w e h av e n o id ea w hat th e f u tu re h ealth c o nse q uen ces m ay b e, yet a v oid in g g en etic ally m odif ie d f o ods i s d if fic u lt. In se rtio n o f g en es in to g en etic m ate ria l is n ot a p re cis e p ro cess. I t is a ll to o e asy to o bta in u nin te n ded r e su lts th at lo w er n utr itio nal c o nte n t, c re ate h arm fu l a lle rg en s or l e ad t o t h e c re atio n o f u niq ue t o xin s. T he e ffe cts o f t h ese t o xin s m ay n ot b eco m e know n f o r y ears , w hile ir re p ara b le h arm is b ein g d one. T he b est w ay to a v oid th ese fo ods i s t o e at o rg an ic ally p ro duced f o ods. ( M ore o n t h is s u bje ct i n c h ap te r 9 , o n t h e gen etic p ath w ay .) Bew are o f t h e A ir i n Y ou r H om e We h av e a lr e ad y d is c u sse d h ow t o xic y our f o od p an tr y a n d c u pboard s m ay b e, b ut your h om e— while it m ay b e y our c astle — may b e m ore lik e a to xic w aste d um p. I n fa ct, our gre ate st ex posu re to vola tile org an ic co m pounds occu rs in th e hom e. Toxic ity fro m in door a ir p ollu tio n a ffe cts m ost A m eric an s’ h ealth to s o m e d eg re e an d p ro duces a w id e v arie ty o f sy m pto m s, in clu din g a n xie ty , d ep re ssio n, fa tig ue, head ach es, p oor c o ncen tr a tio n a n d m en ta l a cu ity , a n d b odily a ch es a n d p ain s. W hen peo ple c o m pla in o f th ese s y m pto m s to th eir d octo r, h ow ev er, in door p ollu ta n ts a re alm ost n ev er s u ggeste d a s a p ro bab le ( o r e v en p ossib le ) c au se . Learn to re co gniz e to xin s in y our h om e. Seem in gly b en ig n ite m s ca n p ro duce dangero us to xin s th at p ollu te y o ur in door a ir, su ch a s th e o ff-g asse s o f m attr e sse s, pillo w s, te le v is io ns, clo th es, fu rn itu re , carp ets an d ta p w ate r. T oxin s fro m th ese so urc es e x pose u s to e v en h ig her c o ncen tr a tio ns th an o utd oor a ir p ollu tio n. I n f a ct, th e le v el o f in door p ollu ta n ts in y our h om e m ay b e h undre d s o f tim es g re ate r th an outs id e a ir. B ecau se m ost A m eric an s s p en d a b out 9 0 p erc en t o f th eir tim e in doors , th is t o xic l o ad c an s u bsta n tia lly c o ntr ib ute t o t o xic o verlo ad , r e su ltin g i n d is e ase . As m en tio ned e arlie r, I u se d to s u ffe r f ro m a n e x tr e m e c ase o f m ultip le c h em ic al se n sitiv itie s, a n d I w as e asily i n cap acita te d b y e x posu re t o e v en m in ute q uan titie s o f to xin s in m y ow n hom e. I w as ab le to re sto re m y health only afte r years of min im iz in g to xin s a n d im pro vin g m y n utr itio n. O ne o f th e m ost p ro fo und th in gs I le arn ed f ro m m y i lln ess i s t h at a ll o f u s a re c h em ic ally s e n sitiv e i n v ary in g d eg re es. This ex perie n ce le d m e to re se arc h how th e fu m es fro m cle an sin g ag en ts , air fre sh en ers , fra g ra n ces an d body care pro ducts in ju re our delic ate deto xif ic atio n mech an is m s a n d u se u p th e b ody’s n utr ie n t re se rv es th at a re re q uir e d to o pera te th ese s y ste m s a n d p re v en t t o xic d am ag e. There a re m ultip le s o urc es o f i n door p ollu ta n ts : n ew c arp ets , n ew p ain t, h ouse h old cle an se rs , fu rn itu re , m attr e sse s, c o py m ach in es, p rin te rs , e le ctr o nic e q uip m en t, d ry cle an in g, n ew sp ap ers a n d m ag azin es. A nyth in g y ou c an s m ell th at is n ot a n atu ra l sm ell is p ro bab ly to xic . T he lo nger y ou b re ath e it, a n d th e m ore c o ncen tr a te d it is , th e m ore d am ag e it in flic ts . In door a ir is a h ealth ris k b ecau se o f th e c o m bin ed effe cts o f m ultip le t o xic s o urc es c o ncen tr a te d i n a c o nfin ed s p ace. Few p eo ple k now b ette r th e in cre d ib le a m ount o f d am ag e th at c an b e d one b y in door a ir p ollu tio n th an S ally , a y oung n ew ly w ed . S ally w as tr u ly “ b ro ught” to m y offic e. H er h usb an d h ad t o c arry h er f ro m t h eir c ar. S he d id n ot h av e e n ough e n erg y to w alk o r e v en to h old h er h ead u p s tr a ig ht w hile s e ate d . S ally w as s u ffe rin g f ro m acu te c h ro nic fa tig ue, a c o nditio n th at p hysic ia n s a re n ot tr a in ed to re co gniz e o r unders ta n d. S he a n d h er h usb an d h ad a lr e ad y s p en t m an y th ousa n ds o f d olla rs o n co nsu lta tio ns with physic ia n s an d dia g nostic te sts . Unab le to fin d an yth in g “p hysic ally w ro ng,” S ally ’s d octo rs r e fe rre d h er t o a p sy ch ia tr is t. Of co urs e , Sally w as not cra zy, but sh e w as very sic k . H er cells w ere malf u nctio nin g so bad ly th at sh e had beco m e to ta lly dis a b le d . The co uple ’s re sp onse s to m y questio ns, in ad ditio n to m y ow n ex perie n ce w ith ch em ic al se n sitiv ity , a llo w ed m e t o u nders ta n d w hat w as w ro ng. F ir s t ( lik e m ost o f u s), S ally had fre q uen tly been giv en an tib io tic s th ro ughout her lif e . (A ntib io tic s cau se fu ndam en ta l a n d d am ag in g c h an ges to h um an p hysio lo gy.) T his in ta k e r e su lte d in a heig hte n ed su sc ep tib ility to en vir o nm en ta l to xin s. I ask ed m an y q uestio ns ab out Sally ’s m ed ic al h is to ry , d ie t, l if e sty le a n d e n vir o nm en t b efo re f o cu sin g o n t h e t o xin path w ay a s t h e m ost i m porta n t f a cto r. Sally w as a w rite r, a n d h er h usb an d h ad c o nverte d th eir o vers iz e la u ndry ro om in to a n o ffic e fo r h er. A ls o in th at ro om w as a g as-fir e d w ate r h eate r. N atu ra l g as ap plia n ces re le ase to xic g ase s, in clu din g n itr o gen d io xid e, carb on m onoxid e an d sm all am ounts o f th e n atu ra l g as its e lf . W ith in su ffic ie n t v en tila tio n, th e g ase s becam e c o ncen tr a te d , a n d p oor S ally w as b re ath in g th em a ll d ay lo ng. S he b eg an to su ffe r fro m so re th ro ats , ey e ir rita tio ns, re sp ir a to ry pro ble m s, head ach es an d, ev en tu ally , c h ro nic f a tig ue. I r e co m men ded th ey in sta ll a n e le ctr ic h ot w ate r h eate r. S ally ’s w ors t s y m pto m s im med ia te ly w ere a lle v ia te d , a lth ough sig nif ic an t d am ag e h ad a lr e ad y b een d one (b oth b y th e g ase s a n d th e a n tib io tic s). H er h ealth w as r e sto re d e v en tu ally a fte r s h e work ed to re v ers e th e dam ag e th ro ugh im pro ved die t an d nutr itio nal su pple m en ta tio n. One o f t h e g re at j o ys i n m y l if e i s t o w atc h s o m eo ne l ik e S ally g o f ro m b ein g s ic k an d d is a b le d , w ith l ittle t o l o ok f o rw ard t o , t o s m ilin g o nce a g ain a n d e n jo yin g l if e . I am s a d den ed t o t h in k h ow m an y p eo ple r e m ain s ic k b ecau se t h eir p hysic ia n s d o n ot unders ta n d t h e t o xin p ath w ay a n d h av e n o i d ea h ow t o h elp t h em . I n f a ct, p hysic ia n s who p re sc rib e a n tib io tic s a n d o th er m ed ic atio ns o fte n c re ate s u sc ep tib ility to s u ch pro ble m s i n t h e f ir s t p la ce. Gas-fir e d ap plia n ces (h ot w ate r h eate rs , o ven s, sto ves, fu rn aces, fir e p la ces o r clo th es dry ers ) dif fu se to xic gase s in to th e su rro undin g air. If you hav e su ch ap plia n ces, t r y t o k eep t h em o ut o f y our l iv in g s p ace a n d p ut f u rn aces, c lo th es d ry ers an d w ate r h eate rs i n a g ara g e, s h ed o r b re ezew ay a lo ng w ith s to re d v ola tile s s u ch a s pain ts a n d c le an in g f lu id s. A g as s to ve, b ecau se it is in y our liv in g s p ace, s h ould b e re p la ced o r at le ast v ery w ell v en tila te d . In m y o w n re co very p ro cess, I h ad to co nvert f ro m a g as to a n e le ctr ic w ate r h eate r b ecau se I h ad b eco m e s o s e n sitiv e to th ese t o xin s. Giv in g o ff t o xic g asse s i s a n e sp ecia lly c o m mon p ro ble m w ith p ro ducts w hen t h ey are new . A t one of m y se m in ars , a w om an nam ed D ia n e ra is e d her han d an d ex pla in ed th at s h e w as s u ffe rin g fro m s p littin g h ead ach es. A fte r h earin g th e s to ry ab out S ally , D ia n e r e aliz ed t h at h er h ead ach es c o in cid ed w ith t h e p urc h ase o f a n ew car; s h e s u sp ecte d a c o nnectio n. H er n ew c ar w as o ff-g assin g to xin s, p ro ducin g th e “n ew c ar” s m ell. D ia n e’s f a m ily h ad t w o c ars , s o I s u ggeste d t h at s h e d riv e t h e o ld er car u ntil t h e o dor s u bsid ed . H er h ead ach es w en t a w ay. S om e h ig hly s e n sitiv e p eo ple re tr o fit t h eir c ars w ith s a fe r m ate ria ls . Consid er t h e r is k o f n ew p ro ducts : a n ew c arp et, a f re sh ly p ain te d r o om , a n ew T V se t, a n ew m attr e ss. N ew p ro ducts g iv e o ff h ig h le v els o f to xic c h em ic als . W ith th e passa g e o f t im e, t h e v olu m e o f t o xic c h em ic als b ein g o ff-g asse d d ro ps d ra m atic ally . Ofte n you can accele ra te th e off-g assin g pro cess sim ply by ap ply in g heat. F or ex am ple , th e ch em ic als co nta in ed in a n ew car’s p la stic s, ad hesiv es an d se atin g mate ria ls p ollu te t h e i n te rio r a ir o f t h e c ar. D urin g t h e f ir s t f e w m onth s, t r y t o l e av e a n ew c ar p ark ed i n t h e h ot s u n w ith t h e w in dow s u p t o b ak e o ut t h e t o xin s. A ir i t o ut re g ula rly , a n d b e s u re t o a ir i t o ut b efo re a n d w hile y ou d riv e. The r is k o f n ew p ain t is s o m eth in g m y f rie n d J im d is c o vere d w hen h e w en t f ro m bein g g en era lly i n g ood s p ir its t o s u ffe rin g t h e w ors t d ep re ssio n o f h is l if e . A ctu ally , he fe lt su ic id al. I im med ia te ly tr ie d to is o la te th e c au se o f Jim ’s m alf u nctio nin g cells . I d is c o vere d t h at J im j u st h ad t h e i n te rio r o f h is h ouse p ain te d ; p ain t o ff-g asse s neu ro to xin s t h at c an a ffe ct m oods a n d m en ta l f u nctio n. N ew p ain t t a k es a t l e ast t w o month s to re ach re aso nab le le v els of sa fe ty fo r m ost peo ple (d ep en din g on bio ch em ic al in div id uality ), w hic h is w hy it is b est to p ain t o nly o ne r o om a t a tim e an d to clo se fre sh ly p ain te d ro om s o ff as m uch as p ossib le w hile th ey are o ff- gassin g. Abso lu te ly do not sle ep in a fr e sh ly pain te d ro om ! A good id ea is to sc h ed ule p ain tin g j u st b efo re l e av in g o n a v acatio n. J im s ta y ed a t h is s o n’s h ouse f o r se v era l w eek s, a n d h is p ro ble m w as s o lv ed . Anoth er e x am ple o f t o xic o ff-g assin g w as b ro ught t o m y a tte n tio n w hen a w om an su ffe rin g flu lik e s y m pto m s c am e to m e fo r h elp . E lle n M arie h ad “ cau ght th e flu ” aro und C hris tm as t im e t h e p re v io us y ear a n d s till w as n ot w ell. H er p hysic ia n s w ere dum bfo unded , a s a n yone w ould b e i f t h ey f o cu se d o nly o n m itig atin g h er s y m pto m s. I d is c o vere d th at E lle n M arie h ad m oved in to a n ew ly c o nstr u cte d lu xury h om e fo ur m onth s p rio r to c o m in g d ow n w ith “ th e flu .” H er n ew h om e w as c o nstr u cte d with p artic le b oard , w hic h o ff-g asse s f o rm ald eh yde— a h ig hly t o xic a n d c arc in ogen ic ch em ic al. P ly w ood a ls o w ill o ff-g as fo rm ald eh yde, b ut fa r le ss o f it. (S om e n ew man -m ad e b uild in g m ate ria ls n o lo nger c o nta in fo rm ald eh yde, b ut th e su bstitu te s use d , su ch a s is o -c y an ate s, a re a ls o to xic .) T his p oor w om an w as su ffe rin g fro m su btle an d co nsta n t fo rm ald eh yde pois o nin g. H er sy m pto m s in clu ded im mune su ppre ssio n, r e sp ir a to ry p ro ble m s, c o ughin g, th ro at ir rita tio n, h ead ach es, in so m nia , nau se a a n d f a tig ue. I s u ggeste d t o E lle n M arie t h at s h e s e ll h er n ew h om e a n d m ove to a s a fe r e n vir o nm en t. S he c h ose n ot to m ove a n d s h e re m ain ed ill. Alw ays s e le ct build in g m ate ria ls a nd fu rn itu re th at a re m ade fr o m r e a l w ood o r a t le a st p ly w ood, but n ot p artic le b oard . In ven to ry Y ou r H om e’s H aza rd s Do y ou h av e c arp ets in y our h om e a n d, if s o , f ro m w hat a re th ose c arp ets m ad e? Carp ets m ad e fro m sy nth etic fib ers (p la stic s su ch a s n ylo n, a cry lic o r p oly este r), esp ecia lly w hen n ew , o ff-g as la rg e a m ounts o f to xin s. C arp ets a re a m ong th e m ost sig nif ic an t c o ntr ib uto rs t o t h e t o xic ity o f i n door a ir. T he p la stic f ib ers u se d t o m ak e carp ets a re v ery t h in , t h us c re atin g a n e n orm ous a m ount o f s u rfa ce a re a f ro m w hic h off-g assin g c an o ccu r. C hem ic als u se d i n t h e a d hesiv e b ack in g a n d t h ose i n t h e f o am pad din g underla y er als o off-g as. C arp ets are tr e ate d w ith to xic so il an d sta in re p elle n ts , m ois tu re re p elle n ts , m oth pro ofin g a n d o th er fin is h es. T hese c h em ic als are e ffe ctiv e fo r th eir in te n ded p urp ose s, b ut to xic — an im porta n t c o nsid era tio n if you a re l o okin g f o r n ew f lo or c o verin gs o r c o nsid erin g a m ove i n to a n ew ly c arp ete d sp ace. That “ new c a rp et s m ell” i s t o xic , a nd t h e b est s o lu tio n i s t o u se c a rp ets m ade only o f n atu ra l f ib ers (w ool i s a g ood c h oic e, t h ough m ak e s u re i t i s n ot t r e ate d w ith to xic m oth pro ofin g c h em ic als ). H ard w ood o r tile f lo ors w ith n atu ra l- fib er a re a r u gs are g ood a lte rn ativ es. How a b out th e a ir q uality in y our b ed ro om , w hic h y ou ty pic ally b re ath e f o r e ig ht co nse cu tiv e h ours e v ery d ay ? W hat is th e c o m positio n o f y our m attr e ss? W e s p en d one-th ir d o f o ur liv es in b ed , a n d s p en din g m ost o f th at tim e im med ia te ly n ex t to ev en m ild ly t o xic c h em ic als c an t a k e a h uge t o ll. M ost m attr e sse s t o day a re m ad e o f sy nth etic m ate ria ls (p oly este r, p oly ure th an e, tr e ate d w ith d yes, fla m e re ta rd an ts , etc .) , w hic h can off-g as fo r years an d pois o n you w hile you are sle ep in g. Fortu nate ly , 100 perc en t natu ra l m attr e sse s are av aila b le . A ls o , w ith a docto r’s pre sc rip tio n y ou c an o bta in m attr e sse s m an ufa ctu re d w ith out to xic f la m e r e ta rd an ts th at o th erw is e a re re q uir e d b y la w . A t th e v ery le ast, if y ou p urc h ase a sta n dard mattr e ss, p ut i t i n t h e g ara g e a n d a llo w i t t o o ff-g as f o r a f e w m onth s b efo re s le ep in g on it. A ls o , e n clo se th e m attr e ss w ith a th in p oly eth yle n e d ro p c lo th o r a tig htly woven b arrie r-c lo th th at lim its th e a m ount o f to xin s y ou b re ath e n ig htly . A ls o , u se pillo w s m ad e f ro m n atu ra l m ate ria ls , s u ch a s d ow n. Nex t, lo ok in y our b ath ro om s. I t’s lik ely th at e n ough to xic c h em ic als a re th ere to mak e a n ybody s ic k . T he t o xic p ro ducts i n clu de n ot o nly t o ile t b ow l c le an ers a n d a ir fre sh en ers , b ut i te m s s u ch a s t o oth paste , m outh w ash , h air s p ra y, c o sm etic s, s h am poo an d s o ap ( n ot to m en tio n th e to xic c h lo rin ate d w ate r c o m in g o ut o f th e ta p ). A ll o f th ese p ro ducts c an b e re p la ced w ith sa fe r, sim ple r ite m s a v aila b le in h ealth fo od sto re s; t h ey w ill b e e q ually e ffe ctiv e w ith out h arm in g y our h ealth . The la u ndry ro om is a n oth er to xic site . D ete rg en ts , b le ach , sp ot re m overs a n d fa b ric s o fte n ers a ll c o nta in c h em ic als th at a re to xic to y ou a n d to th e e n vir o nm en t. Man ufa ctu re rs hav e lu lle d us in to co m pla cen cy w ith th e te rm “b io deg ra d ab le dete rg en ts .” T his fa ct h as little to d o w ith th e e v en tu al h ealth a n d e n vir o nm en ta l im pact o f th ese s y nth etic c h em ic als . B io deg ra d ab le m ean s o nly th at a t s o m e p oin t th e dete rg en t w ill lo se its fo am in g pro pertie s. Purc h ase unsc en te d pro ducts . Dete rg en ts c an b e r e p la ced w ith s o ap -b ase d p ro ducts , w hile b le ach c an b e r e p la ced with s a fe r s o diu m p erc arb onate o r h ydro gen p ero xid e. Furn itu re an yw here in th e house , but esp ecia lly in bed ro om s, can pre se n t sig nif ic an t ris k s. T oday, fu rn itu re ofte n is m ad e w ith to xic sy nth etic m ate ria ls (p oly este r, p oly ure th an e, p oly sty re n e a n d p oly vin yl c h lo rid e), w hic h o ff-g as to xic vap ors ; lik ew is e , so m e ty pes o f fu rn itu re are m ad e o f p artic le -b oard (w hic h , as alr e ad y m en tio ned , w ill o ff-g as fo rm ald eh yde) a n d th en c o vere d w ith a w ood o r pla stic ven eer. A la rm in gly , m ost ch ild re n ’s fu rn itu re is m ad e w ith to xic par- tic le b oard ! O ne s tu dy s h ow ed t h at i n tr o ducin g p artic le b oard f u rn itu re i n to a n e m pty house tr ip le d th e fo rm ald eh yde le v els in th e a ir. T his p ro ble m c an b e p artic u la rly acu te in m obile hom es, w here every th in g may b e m ad e fro m p artic le b oard . B uy fu rn itu re m ad e f ro m n atu ra l m ate ria ls , s u ch a s s o lid w ood o r m eta l f u rn itu re ; i f t h is optio n i s t o o e x pen siv e, c o nsid er u se d f u rn itu re m ad e o f t h ese m ate ria ls . Even th e c lo th es y ou w ear c an b e to xic . H av e y ou e v er g one in to a c lo th in g s to re an d n otic ed t h e c h em ic al- la d en a tm osp here ? M ost c lo th es t o day c o nta in o r a re m ad e of t o xic s y nth etic f ib ers ( s u ch a s n ylo n, p oly este r, a cry lic s a n d s p an dex ), w hic h w ill affe ct y ou ad vers e ly as y ou w ear th em an d als o co ntr ib ute to to xic in door air. Clo th es a re o fte n tr e ate d w ith d yes, fo rm ald eh yde fin is h es (p erm an en t p re ss), a n d moth pro ofin g p estic id es. D ry c le an in g c lo th in g b rin gs to xin s in to y our h ouse h old an d c lo se to y our b ody; c lo th es th at h av e b een d ry -c le an ed s h ould a lw ay s b e a ir e d out b efo re t h ey a re p ut i n to a c lo se t o r w orn . L au ndry d ete rg en ts a n d f a b ric s o fte n ers can als o be pro ble m atic ; in fa ct, m an y peo ple are quite se n sitiv e to dete rg en t re sid ues. H av e y ou e v er w alk ed d ow n t h e d ete rg en t a is le a t t h e g ro cery s to re a n d h ad your e y es, n ose o r t h ro at f e el i r rita te d ? T oxin s i n t h ose b oxes a re o ff-g assin g. W hen wash in g y our c lo th es, u se e n vir o nm en ta lly f rie n dly a n d u nsc en te d la u ndry p ro ducts av aila b le in h ealth f o od s to re s. D o n ot u se s c en te d f a b ric s o fte n ers . T hese p ro ducts mig ht m ak e y our c lo th es s m ell “ fre sh a n d c le an ,” b ut t h at s m ell i s t o xic . Buy c lo th es made of natu ra l m ate ria ls , su ch as w ool and co tto n, and use natu ra l cle a nin g pro ducts . Afte r y ou h av e ta k en s te p s to re d uce o r e lim in ate p ro ducts th at a re to xic , make su re to a ls o keep y our h om e o r o ffic e w ell v en tila te d . M odern h om es a n d o ffic e build in gs a re b uilt a lo t “ tig hte r” th an o ld er c o nstr u ctio n to s a v e o n e n erg y c o sts . While re d ucin g en erg y w aste is a good th in g, re d ucin g air cir c u la tio n allo w s pollu ta n ts to a ccu m ula te to h ig her c o ncen tr a tio ns. F or th is re aso n, h ig h-q uality a ir filte rs ( th at w ill f ilte r o ut b oth p artic u la te m atte r a n d g ase o us h ydro carb ons) c an b e help fu l. U se t h em i n r o om s w here y ou s p en d a g re at d eal o f t im e, s u ch a s y our o ffic e or b ed ro om . Obvio us a s i t s o unds, t h e m ost i m porta n t t h in g y ou c an d o t o k eep y our i n door a ir cle an is to sto p in tr o ducin g pollu ta n ts in th e fir s t pla ce. B efo re you purc h ase so m eth in g n ew , c o nsid er if th at p ro duct m ig ht c o ntr ib ute to y our in door p ollu tio n. As m en tio ned e arlie r, a fte r y ou b uy s o m eth in g, g iv e i t a c h an ce t o o ff-g as b efo re y ou put it in y our liv in g e n vir o nm en t. W hen I p urc h ase a n ew te le v is io n o r c o m pute r monito r, I p ut it in th e g ara g e, tu rn it o n a n d le av e it th ere u ntil I c an n o lo nger dete ct a n o dor. H an g y our d ry -c le an in g o utd oors o r in a w ell- v en tila te d a re a u ntil you c an n o lo nger d ete ct a n o dor. D o n ot u se p ro ducts th at h av e p ow erfu l c h em ic al odors , s u ch a s m oth balls o r a ir f re sh en ers . U se h eat o r s u nsh in e t o h elp e x ped ite t h e off-g assin g p ro cess, w hen ev er p ossib le . Hea lt h a n d B ea u ty P ro d ucts T hat F ail Your s k in p ro vid es e n orm ous p ro te ctio n f ro m m ic ro org an is m s, s u ch a s g erm s, b ut sk in a ls o is d esig ned to b e p erm eab le , a llo w in g c erta in m ole cu le s in a n d o ut, w hic h is g ood n ew s w hen th e sk in a llo w s a n tio xid an ts in to p ro te ct a g ain st th e su n a n d allo w s t o xin s o ut t h ro ugh t h e s w eat a n d o il g la n ds. H ow ev er, e asy a ccess a ls o a llo w s en vir o nm en ta l t o xin s t o p en etr a te . Pers o nal c are p ro ducts a re th e la rg est s o urc e o f to xic a b so rp tio n th ro ugh th e s k in an d m ucu s m em bra n es. O ne stu dy fo und th at 1 3 p erc en t o f th e co m monly u se d co sm etic p re se rv ativ e B H T (b uty la te d h ydro xyto lu en e) is a b so rb ed b y y our sk in . Chem ic als fo und in e v ery day p ers o nal p ro ducts s u ch a s p erfu m e, c o lo gne, s h av in g cre am , s k in l o tio ns, a fte rs h av e, t o oth paste , s o ap s, s h am poos, d eo dora n ts , n ail p olis h , all ty pes o f h ouse h old c le an se rs a n d s o f o rth , c an b e a b so rb ed q uic k ly a n d p ro duce effe cts th at a re to xic o r e v en c arc in ogen ic , e sp ecia lly w hen th ese to xic s u bsta n ces are c o m bin ed . When I w as su ffe rin g fro m se v ere c h em ic al se n sitiv itie s, I fo und, m uch to m y su rp ris e , t h at t h e b ra n ds o f t o oth paste , s h am poo, d eo dora n t a n d s k in l o tio n t h at I w as usin g w ere all quite to xic . P ro ducts su ch as lo tio ns, co nditio ners an d m ak eu p, esp ecia lly w hen le ft o n th e s k in f o r lo ng p erio ds o f tim e, e x pose y ou to s ig nif ic an t am ounts o f to xin s, w hic h c an b io accu m ula te , p ois o n y our c ells a n d c au se d is e ase . Most c o m mon p ro ducts s o ld t o p re se rv e a n d p ro te ct t h e s k in i n f a ct a ctu ally c o nta in ch em ic als c ap ab le o f d am ag in g t h e s k in . Vir tu ally all co m monly av aila b le co sm etic an d p ers o nal care p ro ducts co nta in in gre d ie n ts (s u ch a s p re se rv ativ es a n d c o lo rs ) th at a re k now n to p re se n t p ro ble m s. Man y p re se rv ativ es c o nta in o r r e le ase f o rm ald eh yde, a k now n t o xin a n d c arc in ogen . Vario us p ara b en s (a sp ecif ic c la ss o f p re se rv ativ es) h av e b een sh ow n to d am ag e deep la y ers o f th e sk in w ors e th an se v ere su nburn , w hic h c au se s th e sk in to a g e pre m atu re ly a n d e v en c an c au se c an cer. A rtif ic ia l c o lo rs h av e b een sh ow n to b e carc in ogen ic , n ot o nly w hen in geste d b ut a ls o w hen a p plie d to th e s k in . Y et p eo ple volu nta rily p ut th ese p ers o nal c are p ro ducts o n th eir s k in d aily , u naw are th at th ese pro ducts c o nta in to xic a n d p ote n tia lly c arc in ogen ic in gre d ie n ts . By u sin g p ro ducts su ch a s s u nsc re en a nd lo tio n, p eo ple a re p uttin g c a ncer-c a usin g c h em ic a ls o n th eir sk in , th en w onderin g w hy th ey d evelo ped s k in c a ncer o r w hy th eir s k in is a gin g s o fa st. Choosin g s a fe p ers o nal c are a n d c o sm etic p ro ducts m ean s r e ad in g l a b els c are fu lly an d l e arn in g a b out t h e h ealth c o nse q uen ces o f i n gre d ie n ts . E ffe ctiv e p ro ducts a re o n th e m ark et t h at a re h ig h i n q uality a n d s a fe ty . T he o verw helm in g m ajo rity , h ow ev er, co nta in a v arie ty o f to xin s th at s h ould b e a v oid ed . S om e o f th e c o m mon to xin s to lo ok fo r a n d a v oid in clu de a rtif ic ia l fra g ra n ces, c o lo rs a n d fla v ors , fo rm ald eh yde, phen ol, tr ic h lo re th yle n e, B H T/B H A, E D TA , cre so l, d ete rg en ts , g ly co ls , p ara b en s, so diu m l a u ry l s u lf a te a n d n itr a te s/ n itr o sa m in es. Perfu m es a n d o th er f ra g ra n ces a ls o c au se p ro ble m s. T ra d itio nally , th ese p ro ducts were m ad e fro m flo w ers a n d h erb s. B ut s in ce W orld W ar II, m ost fra g ra n ces a n d perfu m es hav e been m ad e fro m sy nth etic petr o ch em ic als , m an y of w hic h are offic ia lly d esig nate d a s h azard ous m ate ria ls . I n f a ct, a b out 9 5 p erc en t a re s y nth etic , an d m ore th an 8 0 p erc en t o f th e in gre d ie n ts u se d in fra g ra n ces h av e n ev er b een te ste d f o r h um an s a fe ty . W hen th ey h av e b een te ste d , m an y a re f o und to b e n eu ro - to xic a n d e v en c arc in ogen ic . ( M ean w hile , b ecau se o f “ tr a d e s e cre ts ,” m an ufa ctu re rs are n ot r e q uir e d t o l is t a n y o f t h ese t o xic i n gre d ie n ts o n t h eir p ro duct l a b els .) W ors e , th ese fra g ra n ces are n ot ju st in p erfu m es, b ut in ev ery th in g fro m k itty litte r to sh am poos, so ap s, lo tio ns, sh av in g c re am s, h ouse h old c le an ers , la u ndry d ete rg en ts an d num ero us oth er pro ducts . Fra g ra n ces now pollu te our hom es, sc h ools , work pla ces, sto re s, ch urc h es an d oth er public pla ces. P eo ple w ho re g ula rly use sy nth etic p erfu m es a re p uttin g a h eav y to xic b urd en o n th eir b odie s. T he s o lu tio n is to u se e sse n tia l o ils m ad e fro m n atu ra l in gre d ie n ts su ch a s flo w ers a n d h erb s, if to le ra b le , an d to av oid house h old an d pers o nal pro ducts m ad e w ith sy nth etic fra g ra n ces. I hav e sp en t years re se arc h in g th e to xic effe cts of ch em ic als use d to m ak e pro ducts th at p eo ple c o nsu m e o n a d aily b asis . I d is c o vere d th at r e g ula r to oth paste , fo r e x am ple , c o nta in s n um ero us to xin s, s u ch a s flu orid e, a rtif ic ia l c o lo rs , fla v ors , sw eete n ers a n d s y nth etic d ete rg en ts , a ll o f w hic h c an b io accu m ula te i n t h e b ody a n d le ad to to xic overlo ad . T ooth paste is esp ecia lly im porta n t becau se th e m uco us mem bra n es in y our m outh a re v ery p erm eab le , s o if y ou e x pose y ours e lf to to xic to oth paste s e v era l tim es a d ay, y ou s u bje ct y ours e lf to a lo t o f to xin s. I e v en tu ally se le cte d a to oth paste fo r m y p ers o nal u se th at w as b oth sa fe an d effe ctiv e (s e e ap pen dix C ), b ut i t t o ok e ig hte en m onth s o f r e se arc h t o f in d i t. Toxic c h em ic als , u se d f o r d ete rg en t a n d f o am -g en era tin g p ro pertie s, a re p re se n t i n most to oth paste s, a s w ell a s in m an y o th er p ers o nal c are a n d h ouse h old p ro ducts . When t h ese t o xin s— s o diu m l a u ry l s u lf a te , s o diu m c ety l s u lf a te a n d s o diu m l a u re th su lf a te — are p la ced o n th e s u rfa ce o f th e b ody, th ey c an c au se e y e ir rita tio ns, s k in ra sh es, h air lo ss, sc alp fla k in g sim ila r to d an dru ff an d alle rg ic re actio ns. T hese ch em ic als a re k now n to b e ir rita tin g to th e s k in a n d a re u se d to ir rita te th e s k in in la b ora to ry e x perim en ts ! T hin k a b out w hat h ap pen s w hen y our h ig hly s e n sitiv e g um tis su e c o m es in to c o nta ct w ith a k now n ir rita n t, lik e s o diu m la u ry l s u lf a te , in y our to oth paste . C ould t h is f a cto r b e c o ntr ib utin g t o o ur e p id em ic o f g um d is e ase ? These m an -m ad e d ete rg en ts p ass th ro ugh th e sk in a n d m uco us m em bra n es a n d bio accu m ula te in fa tty tis su e— ey e tis su e, fo r ex am ple . Is th ere a possib le co nnectio n b etw een th e s o diu m la u ry l s u lf a te f o und in to oth paste a n d o ur e p id em ic of m acu la r d eg en era tio n— a d is e ase in w hic h c ells in th e c en tr a l p art o f th e re tin a deg en era te , a n d t h e l e ad in g c au se o f b lin dness i n p eo ple o ver a g e f if ty -fiv e? The fo cu s of m an ufa ctu re rs is alw ay s on m ark eta b ility , so th ey ofte n tr y to dis g uis e th ese sy nth etic an d to xic in gre d ie n ts by m ak in g th em se em “n atu ra l.” Lab els w ill ofte n sta te so m eth in g lik e, “so diu m la u ry l su lf a te — deriv ed fro m co co nut.” R eg ard le ss o f d eriv atio n th ey a re to xic a n d c an a ccu m ula te e asily in y our tis su es t o l e v els t h at c au se c ellu la r m alf u nctio n a n d d is e ase . Peo ple c h oose a n tib acte ria l s o ap s t h in kin g t h ey w ill p ro te ct t h em f ro m g erm s, b ut th e g erm ic id e in th e s o ap g oes r ig ht th ro ugh th e s k in a n d b io accu m ula te s in tis su e. In f a ct, t h ese t o xic c h em ic als , d esig ned t o k ill c ells , a re n ow s h ow in g u p i n a la rm in g am ounts in h um an b re ast m ilk , a n d in fa n ts a re m uch m ore s u sc ep tib le to to xin s. A s alw ay s, th e s o lu tio n is to c h oose s a fe , n atu ra l p ro ducts , u su ally a v aila b le a t h ealth fo od a n d sp ecia lty sto re s. T here a re h ig h-q uality , c ertif ie d o rg an ic , h air a n d sk in care p ro ducts a v aila b le a n d I re co m men d y ou u se th em . (S ee a p pen dix C fo r m y pers o nal c h oic es.) Toxic C le a n in g P ro d ucts The h om e can b e a to xic p la ce alr e ad y— do n ot m ak e it m ore so w ith to xic cle an in g p ro ducts , s o lv en ts a n d w ork pla ce c h em ic als . H ouse h old c le an in g p ro ducts ra n k am ong th e m ost to xic ev ery day su bsta n ces to w hic h peo ple are ex pose d . Unfo rtu nate ly , th e m an ufa ctu re r o f h ouse h old p ro ducts is s e ld om th e b est s o urc e o f accu ra te in fo rm atio n a b out sa fe ty . A s a p ra ctic al m atte r, d o n ot le t a n y c h em ic al co m e in c o nta ct w ith y our s k in u nle ss y ou k now it is s a fe . M ost c o m merc ia l b ra n ds are n ot sa fe , alth ough sa fe h ouse h old p ro ducts are av aila b le at h ealth fo od an d sp ecia lty s to re s. ( S ee a p pen dix C f o r m y c h oic es.) Som e esp ecia lly to xic house h old cle an ers in clu de am monia , ch lo rin e ble ach , aero so l p ro pella n ts , d ete rg en ts , p etr o le u m d is tilla te s an d to lu en e. M an y o f th ese su bsta n ces n ot o nly h arm th e sk in ; th ey a ls o g iv e o ff to xic fu m es th at a ffe ct th e pers o n u sin g th e p ro duct a n d e v ery one e ls e in th e h ouse h old . If y ou c an not a v oid to xic h ouse h old p ro ducts , a t l e ast u se t h em s p arin gly a n d i n w ell- v en tila te d a re as. Sym pto m s f ro m “ th e f lu ” t o h ead ach es h av e b een a sso cia te d w ith p ro ducts w e u se to c le an o ur f u rn itu re , b ath ro om s a n d c lo th es, a s w ell a s a ir f re sh en ers to k eep o ur bath ro om s sm ellin g p le asa n t. D eb ra L ynn D ad d, in Nonto xic and N atu ra l, wro te ab out a f if te en -y ear s tu dy o f h ouse w iv es i n O re g on. Wom en w ho s ta yed h om e a ll d ay had a 5 4 p erc en t h ig her d ea th r a te f r o m c a ncer t h an w om en w ho w ork ed a w ay f r o m hom e. The s tu dy c o nclu ded t h at t h e h ig her r a te l ik ely w as a c o nse q uen ce o f e x posu re to th e ch em ic als in house h old pro ducts . D ad d’s book, alo ng w ith m an y oth ers , co nta in s f o rm ula s f o r m ak in g y our o w n e n vir o nm en ta lly s a fe h ouse h old p ro ducts . A P resc rip tio n f o r T oxic O verlo ad Ofte n , to xic ex posu re co m es fro m m ed ic al an d d en ta l o ffic es, fro m th e v ery pro fe ssio ns t h at y ou e x pect w ould k eep y ou h ealth y. W heth er i t i s a n tib io tic s i n y our fo od, th e dru g in your in hale r, ste ro id s on your sk in , m erc u ry in your m outh , med ic in es in your sto m ach or flu orid e in your w ate r, th e m ed ic al an d den ta l in dustr ie s a re sig nif ic an t so urc es o f to xin s. In fa ct, med ic a l jo urn als a ckn ow le d ge th at p re sc rip tio n d ru gs a re th e th ir d le a din g c a use o f d ea th in A m eric a ( a fte r h ea rt dis e a se a nd c a ncer). As y ou r e call, p re sc rip tio n a n d o ver-th e-c o unte r d ru gs “ w ork ” b y i n te rfe rin g w ith norm al c h em ic al p ro cesse s i n c ells . T hey a re d esig ned t o s u ppre ss s y m pto m s, b ut d o not c u re d is e ase . I n f a ct, b y i n te rfe rin g w ith n orm al c ell f u nctio n, p re sc rip tio n d ru gs can cau se cellu la r m alf u nctio n, w hic h is th e sa m e as cau sin g d is e ase . D ecis io ns ab out w hic h p ro ced ure s a n d m ed ic in es to c h oose s h ould b e b ase d o n k now le d ge o f th e to xic ity in volv ed . E very m ole cu le y ou p ut in to y our b ody is g oin g to h av e a n effe ct, fo r b ette r o r w ors e . A lm ost a lw ay s, p re sc rip tio n a n d o ver-th e-c o unte r d ru gs are f o r t h e w ors e . Furth erm ore , physic ia n s la b el m an y of to day ’s ch ro nic dis e ase s as bein g of “u nknow n etio lo gy,” a fa n cy w ay of sa y in g “w e are clu ele ss ab out th e cau se .” Actu ally , m an y new dis e ase co nditio ns can be tr a ced back (e ith er dir e ctly or in dir e ctly ) t o e n vir o nm en ta l t o xin s t h at b io accu m ula te i n t is su es, c o ntr ib ute t o t o xic overlo ad , d is ru pt c ell c h em is tr y a n d c au se d is e ase . The T oxic T ru th s I n sid e Y ou r B od y Alth ough w e a re a ccu sto m ed to th in kin g a b out to xin s in th e o uts id e w orld , o fte n we fo rg et a b out th e p ow erfu l to xin s p ro duced w ith in o ur b odie s. T he b ody m ust elim in ate i n te rn al t o xin s t o s ta y h ealth y. Under n orm al, h ealth y c o nditio ns, t h e b ody i s d esig ned t o c o ntr o l t h ose t o xin s a n d pro te ct u s a g ain st h arm . U nder o th er c ir c u m sta n ces, h ow ev er, th e to xin s p ro duced in te rn ally c an b e a se rio us p ro ble m , w ors e th an a n yth in g fro m th e o uts id e w orld . When th ese in te rn al to xin s are pro duced ex cessiv ely or can not be pro perly deto xif ie d , t h ey b uild u p i n t h e b ody a n d c au se d is e ase . I n a lm ost a n y c h ro nic ally i ll pers o n, i n te rn ally g en era te d t o xin s p la y a m ajo r r o le . When t o xin s a re g en era te d i n t h e d ig estiv e s y ste m ( in te stin al t o xem ia ), t h ey e n te r our b lo odstr e am , a n d if th ese to xin s a re p re se n t in e x cess o f th e liv er’s a b ility to deto xif y th em , th ey d am ag e c ells a ll o ver th e b ody. In te stin al to xem ia h as b een asso cia te d w ith A ID S, a lle rg ie s, a sth m a, c an cer, c ard ia c a rrh yth m ia s, a rth ritis , e y e pro ble m s, h ig h b lo od p re ssu re , m en ta l p ro ble m s, h ead ach es, v ario us g astr o in te stin al co nditio ns, s e n ility , s k in p ro ble m s a n d o th er d is e ase s. In m y o w n d is e ase p ro cess, th e in te rn al to xin s I w as p ro ducin g w ere , in deed , a m ajo r c o ntr ib uto r to m y o w n physic al a n d m en ta l d eb ilita tio n. In te stin al to xem ia w as th e “ m yste rio us” a ilm en t p la g uin g M ic h ael, w ho h ad ju st co m ple te d h is ju nio r y ear a t H arv ard a n d h ad g one o ff to E uro pe fo r th e s u m mer with f rie n ds. A s h e w as t r a v elin g a ro und, h e b eg an t o f e el i ll, d iz zy a n d f a tig ued . H e wen t to s e e a p hysic ia n in L ondon w ho p re sc rib ed a d ru g th at d id n ot h elp . M ic h ael sa w o th er p hysic ia n s in G erm an y a n d S w itz erla n d, b ut h e fin ally re tu rn ed h om e— to o s ic k t o r e m ain a b ro ad . A s tr a p pin g tw en ty -o ne-y ear-o ld c o lle g e s tu den t s h ould b e a t th e p eak o f h ealth . In ste ad , M ic h ael w as su ffe rin g fro m d eb ilita tin g fa tig ue, h e w as lig hth ead ed a n d diz zy, a n d h e h ad v is u al d is tu rb an ces, n ot t o m en tio n v ario us a ch es a n d p ain s. A fte r man y th ousa n ds o f d olla rs w orth o f te stin g (in clu din g a b ra in s c an to c h eck fo r a bra in tu m or), M ic h ael’s physic ia n s w ere at a lo ss to ex pla in his co nditio n an d re fe rre d h im t o a p sy ch ia tr is t. D esp era te ly c o ncern ed f o r h er s o n’s f u tu re a n d f u rio us with a m ed ic al s y ste m t h at w as o bvio usly n ot w ork in g, M ic h ael’s m oth er l o oked f o r oth er o ptio ns; a t t h at p oin t, s h e c alle d m e. As w ith a n y s ic k p ers o n, I k new e x actly w hat w as w ro ng w ith M ic h ael: h is c ells were m alf u nctio nin g becau se of a co m bin atio n of defic ie n cy an d to xic ity . T he questio n, a s a lw ay s: H ow to re sto re h is c ells to h ealth y fu nctio n? I u se d th e six path w ay s as a guid e an d ev en tu ally dis c o vere d th at dig estiv e to xin s— a critic al asp ect o f t h e t o xin p ath w ay — were t h e s o urc e o f M ic h ael’ s p ro ble m s. Dig estiv e t o xin s a re p ro duced i n a c o uple o f w ay s, n ota b ly b y a n a b norm al g ro w th of bacte ria or yeast in th e in te stin es an d by im pro perly dig este d fo od, w hic h putr e fie s i n t h e d ig estiv e s y ste m . I n te stin al t o xem ia c re ate s h ig hly p ois o nous t o xin s as w ell as n utr itio nal d efic ie n cy. W hen b ad b acte ria an d y easts o verg ro w , th ey dis p la ce th e frie n dly bacte ria necessa ry fo r pro ducin g nutr ie n ts su ch as th e B - co m ple x v ita m in s, v ita m in B 12 an d v ita m in K . F rie n dly b acte ria a ls o h elp to o bta in th e n utr ie n ts w e n eed f ro m t h e f o od w e e at. I n te stin al t o xem ia c au se s d efic ie n cy a n d to xic ity i n m ost o f u s, t o s o m e d eg re e, b ecau se o f d am ag e f ro m a n tib io tic s. Mic h ael h ad a cn e a s a te en ag er. H is d erm ato lo gis t h ad p re sc rib ed a n a n tib io tic (te tr a cy clin e), a n d M ic h ael h ad t a k en t h is d ru g e v ery d ay f o r y ears . A ntib io tic s w ere dev elo ped to k ill b acte ria . T he p ro ble m is th at h elp fu l b acte ria in y our in te stin es (n orm al in te stin al flo ra ) are n eed ed fo r g ood h ealth . Y ears o f ta k in g an tib io tic s destr o yed th ese h elp fu l b acte ria in M ic h ael’s d ig estiv e s y ste m . ( E ven o ne c o urs e o f an tib io tic s c an h av e th is e ffe ct.) T his s itu atio n a llo w ed th e o verg ro w th o f a b norm al in te stin al f lo ra a n d a y east c alle d Candid a a lb ic a ns. A y east in fe ctio n c an p ro duce to xic c h em ic als th at a b so rb in to th e b lo odstr e am ; als o , y east can p hysic ally in vad e an d d am ag e th e in te stin al tis su e in a w ay th at allo w s o th er in ap pro pria te m ate ria ls (u ndig este d fo od p artic le s, to xic w aste s an d yeast b ypro ducts ) to p ass d ir e ctly in to th e b lo odstr e am . T his c o nditio n flo ods th e body w ith d an gero us to xin s a n d a lle rg en s, c au sin g f o od a lle rg ie s a n d d is ru ptin g th e im mune s y ste m . S om e o f th ese to xin s a re n eu ro to xic ( c au sin g d am ag e to th e b ra in an d th e n erv ous sy ste m ) a n d m ay p ro duce sy m pto m s su ch a s fa tig ue, h ead ach es, ap ath y, dep re ssio n, an xie ty , m ood sw in gs an d m em ory la p se s. In te stin al yeast in fe ctio ns a ls o im pair th e a b so rp tio n o f n utr ie n ts , w hic h is a s e p ara te b ut e q ually se rio us p ro ble m . D is ru ptin g th e n orm al e co lo gy o f th e g ut a ls o in vite s in fe ctio n b y para site s, w hic h f u rth er d is ru pt g ut t is su e. In M ic h ael’s case , I su sp ecte d pro ble m s w ith in te rn ally gen era te d dig estiv e to xin s, b ut t o k now f o r c erta in o ne m ust m easu re . I s u ggeste d t o M ic h ael t h at h e a sk his p hysic ia n to b e te ste d f o r c an did a. ( C onvin cin g th e p hysic ia n to d o th e c an did a te st w as n ot easy . P hysic ia n s d o n ot g en era lly lo ok fo r su ch in fe ctio ns, an d h is moth er h ad to p ut co nsid era b le p re ssu re o n th e d octo r.) T he te st d id sh ow th at Mic h ael h ad a c an did a in fe ctio n, w hic h h e w as a b le to g et rid o f th ro ugh n atu ra l meth ods s u ch a s ta k in g h ig h-q uality p ro bio tic s a n d g ra p efru it s e ed e x tr a ct a n d b y re d ucin g d ie ta ry s u gar ( w hic h w as “ fe ed in g” th e y east p ro ble m ). M ic h ael, w ho h ad been c o m ple te ly d is a b le d b y h is d is e ase t h ro ughout t h e s u m mer, w as a b le t o g o b ack to H arv ard i n t h e f a ll, c o m ple te h is s e n io r y ear a n d g ra d uate . Pro ble m s su ch a s M ic h ael’s a re c o m mon in A m eric a b ecau se o f th e e x cessiv e an tib io tic s th at o ur p hysic ia n s p re sc rib e. W hile th e u se o f a n tib io tic s is p ru den t a n d necessa ry i n v ery s e le ct c ase s, f o r t h e m ost p art a n tib io tic s u nnecessa rily d am ag e t h e dig estiv e s y ste m a n d c o ntr ib ute t o i n te stin al t o xem ia . T his t o xem ia o fte n s u bje cts u s to f a r m ore t o xic ity t h an t h e o rig in al “ g erm ” t h at t h e a n tib io tic w as s u ppose d t o k ill. Unfo rtu nate ly , a lm ost e v ery body in A m eric a h as ta k en a n tib io tic s a t so m e p oin t; th ese d ru gs a re a m ajo r c au se o f h ealth p ro ble m s, in clu din g fa tig ue a n d a lle rg ie s. In te stin al to xem ia c an b e p ro voked in o th er w ay s, b y m ed ic al d ru gs s u ch a s n on- ste ro id al a n ti- in fla m mato ry d ru gs ( N SA ID s, in clu din g a sp ir in , ib upro fe n , n ap ro xen , keto pro fin , e tc .) a n d o ra l s te ro id s ( c o rtis o ne p ills , b ir th c o ntr o l p ills , e tc .) . Mald ig estio n of fo od (e x acerb ate d by m ed ic al dru gs or not) pro duces to xin s in sid e y our b ody. A m ostly c o oked a n d p ro cesse d f o od d ie t l a ck in g c ritic al e n zy m es is a co m mon co ntr ib uto r, as is p oor ch ew in g o f fo od. L ow -fib er d ie ts are als o pro ble m atic . W hate v er t h e c au se , u ndig este d f o od c an r o t a n d p ois o n y ou w hile s till in sid e y ou. C arb ohydra te s fe rm en t, fa ts tu rn ra n cid a n d p ro te in s p utr e fy . T he m ost co m mon sy m pto m s are blo atin g, co nstip atio n, gas, halito sis , heartb urn , ey e pro ble m s, n eu ro lo gic al p ro ble m s a n d h ead ach es. Keep p ro te in c o nsu m ptio n m odera te ; d ie ts h ig h i n p ro te in , e sp ecia lly c o oked m eat an d p aste u riz ed d air y , o verlo ad o ur d ig estiv e s y ste m s. W e n eed o nly 3 5 t o 4 0 g ra m s of pro te in per day (m ore fo r ath le te s or th ose w ith la rg e body fra m es), but Am eric an s e at a n a v era g e o f 9 0 g ra m s o f g ut- p utr e fy in g p ro te in p er d ay. A o ne- pound s la b o f r o ast b eef c o nta in s m ore th an 1 00 g ra m s o f p ro te in . L arg e q uan titie s of co oked an d den atu re d pro te in s, w hic h are hard er to dig est, can cau se an overg ro w th o f a ty pe o f p utr e fa ctiv e b acte ria th at th riv e w hen f o od is r o ttin g in th e gut. T hese b acte ria p ro duce to xic ch em ic als su ch as in dole , sk ato le , p hen ol an d hydro gen s u lf id e. I n a d ditio n, th ese p utr e fa ctiv e b acte ria d is p la ce f rie n dly b acte ria , whic h a re e sse n tia l t o g ood d ig estio n a n d h ealth , a n d t h e r e su lt i s i n te stin al t o xem ia . To p re v en t o r e lim in ate t h e p ro ble m s a sso cia te d w ith i n te stin al t o xem ia : • A void t h e u se o f a n tib io tic s, a n ti- in fla m mato rie s a n d s te ro id s ( in clu din g b ir th co ntr o l p ills ). • A void e x cessiv e a m ounts o f p ro te in . • M in im iz e o r e lim in ate p ro cesse d f o ods. E at t h e r ig ht k in ds o f f a ts . • A void su gar, w hite flo ur, c o ffe e, e x cessiv e a lc o hol a n d frie d fo ods. T hese su bsta n ces a re h ard o n t h e d ig estiv e s y ste m . • A dhere to p ro per fo od c o m bin in g a n d c h ew in g; th e d ig estio n p ro cess m ust beg in i n t h e m outh a n d i n t h e s to m ach f o r t h e i n te stin es t o f u nctio n p ro perly . Do y ou s u ffe r f ro m i n dig estio n, b lo atin g, g as, c ra m pin g, l o ose s to ols , c o nstip atio n or g astr o in te stin al r e flu x? A ny o f t h ese c an i n dic ate i n te stin al t o xem ia a n d s h ould b e ad dre sse d b efo re t h ey l e ad t o s e rio us d is e ase . You c an a ls o c o nsid er o th er s tr a te g ie s i f y ou a re s u ffe rin g f ro m s y m pto m s o f p oor dig estio n: fa stin g, ex erc is in g, d rin kin g la rg e am ounts o f w ate r, an d ta k in g h ig h- quality su pple m en ts , in clu din g pro bio tic s, dig estiv e en zy m es, an d vita m in s an d min era ls . A ll of th ese help to deto xif y , re p air an d re b uild health y tis su e— in partic u la r b y h elp in g to c re ate a n e n vir o nm en t in th e d ig estiv e s y ste m c o nduciv e to th e g ro w th a n d m ain te n an ce o f f rie n dly b acte ria . Alle rg ie s S hou ld S ig n al A la rm Alle rg ie s are a co m mon so urc e o f in te rn ally g en era te d to xin s. E very alle rg ic re actio n p ro duces m eta b olic d eb ris th at h as a to xic effe ct. W e te n d to th in k o f alle rg ie s a s “ n orm al,” a b en ig n in co nven ie n ce, b ecau se s o m an y p eo ple h av e th em . Not so . H ealth y p eo ple d o n ot h av e a lle rg ie s. A lle rg ie s a re a n a b norm al im mune re sp onse to fo ods a n d s u bsta n ces in y our e n vir o nm en t. M ost fo od a lle rg ie s a re th e re su lt o f a n a b norm ally f u nctio nin g d ig estiv e s y ste m , a s a lr e ad y m en tio ned , w here b y undig este d f o od m ole cu le s a re a llo w ed t o e n te r t h e b lo odstr e am t h ough d am ag ed g ut tis su e. T he i m mune s y ste m r e co gniz es t h ese f o od p artic le s a s f o re ig n, a n d y ou h av e an im mune re sp onse c alle d a n a lle rg y. T he b ody re m em bers th is re sp onse ; e v ery tim e y ou e at t h e o ffe n din g f o od, a n a lle rg ic r e actio n— an d t h e t o xin s c re ate d b y t h at re actio n— i s p ro duced . When an offe n din g su bsta n ce, calle d an alle rg en , re acts w ith an an tib ody pro duced by th e im mune sy ste m , la rg e am ounts of alle rg en /a n tib ody (im mune) co m ple x es c an b e fo rm ed . If im mune c o m ple x es a re fo rm ed in g re ate r q uan titie s th an th e b ody c an h an dle , th ey c an b e d ep osite d in tis su es (s u ch a s b ra in a rte rie s, bra in m em bra n es, sm all blo od vesse ls , th e liv er, th e ute ru s, th e lu ngs an d th e kid ney s), w here t h ey a re c ap ab le o f c lo ggin g b lo od v esse ls a n d j o in ts a n d a re k now n to r e le ase c h em ic als t h at c au se a c asc ad e o f h ealth -d am ag in g r e actio ns. T hro ugh t h is mech an is m , im mune co m ple x es m ay b e re sp onsib le fo r u p to 9 0 p erc en t o f all kid ney d is e ase . Alle rg ie s a re a n i n dic a tio n o f s y ste m ic i lln ess a nd s h ould b e c o nsid ere d a s e rio us im mune d ysfu nctio n d is e a se . If y ou a re a lle rg ic ( a n d m ost A m eric an s h av e a lle rg ie s an d i n to le ra n ces, a lth ough t h ey m ay b e u naw are o f i t) , d ete rm in e t h e s u bsta n ces y ou re act t o a n d a v oid t h em . M ore i m porta n tly , s tr e n gth en y our i m mune s y ste m , t h ro ugh die t a n d s u pple m en ts , s o th ese re actio ns w ill n ot o ccu r in th e fir s t p la ce; o ptim iz e your b ody’s a b ility to d eto xif y so th at y ou c an m in im iz e d am ag e c au se d b y th e alle rg ic r e actio ns y ou d o s u ffe r. Str ess P ois o n s i n M an y W ays Str e ss c an b e lo ose ly d efin ed a s a n y d em an d w e p la ce u pon th e b ody; th e b ody’s re actio n to th ese d em an ds c au se s u s to “ fe el s tr e sse d .” E very body k now s th at s tr e ss is h ard o n u s, b ut fe w p eo ple u nders ta n d w hy, o n a p hysic al le v el. C hro nic s tr e ss lite ra lly p ois o ns y ou. The b ody’s r e sp onse t o s tr e ss— ofte n c alle d t h e “ fig ht- o r-flig ht r e sp onse ”— re fe rs to fe elin gs o f a n ger o r fe ar th at g en era te th e re le ase o f c h em ic als in y our b ody, desig ned t o g iv e y ou m ore s tr e n gth i n a n e m erg en cy . In a n e m erg en cy situ atio n th at p asse s q uic k ly — fo r e x am ple , y ou ru sh to c atc h so m eo ne w ho is fa llin g— th e b ody is a b le to d eto xif y th e s tr e ss c h em ic als th at a re pro duced . H ow ev er, w hen str e ss is ch ro nic , an d w e co nsta n tly liv e o ur liv es in str e ssfu l w ay s, th ese c h em ic als b uild u p a n d in flic t d am ag e to o ur c ells . C om mon str e ss s y m pto m s i n clu de m usc le w astin g, f a tig ue, o ste o poro sis , h ig h b lo od p re ssu re , fra g ile b lo od v esse ls , s u ppre sse d im munity , im pair e d m en ta l f u nctio n a n d a h ost o f oth er p ro ble m s. W hat s tr e ss is , h ow it a ffe cts y ou ( p hysic ally a n d p sy ch olo gic ally ) an d w hat y ou c an d o a b out i t w ill b e e x plo re d m ore i n c h ap te r 7 , w hic h e x plo re s t h e psy ch olo gic al p ath w ay . As w e h av e d is c u sse d , th e c ells in y our b ody n atu ra lly p ro duce to xic b ypro ducts th at a h ealth y b ody is d esig ned to h an dle . If th e b ody b eco m es o verlo ad ed w ith to xin s, f o r w hate v er r e aso n, e v en n orm al m eta b olic to xin s c an a d d to th e to ta l to xic lo ad an d d am ag e cells . C hro nic , in te rn ally g en era te d str e ss ch em ic als can o fte n move u s i n to t o xic o verlo ad . Illn esse s als o str e ss us w ith m assiv e am ounts of in te rn ally gen era te d to xin s, whic h i s w hy w e m ust c h oose h ealth i n t h e f ir s t p la ce. W hen s y m pto m s o f i lln ess d o man if e st, c ells a re m alf u nctio nin g a n d th e b ody is s tr u gglin g d esp era te ly to m ak e its e lf w ell ag ain . U nder th ese ex tr a str e ss lo ad s, to m in im iz e th e d am ag e d one, ta k in g s te p s t o o ptim iz e c ellu la r f u nctio n b eco m es e v en m ore i m porta n t. You r P rim ary T oxic D efe n se : T he L iv er Vario us o rg an s i n t h e b ody— kid ney s, b ow els , l u ngs, l y m ph s y ste m a n d t h e s k in — are d esig ned t o e lim in ate m eta b olic w aste . F ib er h elp s “ carry o ut t h e g arb ag e” i n t h e dig estiv e s y ste m , a n d e x erc is e h elp s u s d eto xif y v ia s w eatin g a n d m ovem en t o f th e ly m phatic sy ste m . W ate r p ro m ote s d eto xif ic atio n th ro ugh th e k id ney s an d sw eat gla n ds, a n d s a u nas a ssis t i n r e m oval o f b oth w ate r a n d o il- s o lu ble t o xin s. At a n y g iv en t im e, a b out 2 5 p erc en t o f a ll t h e b lo od i n y our b ody i s i n y our l iv er, aw aitin g d eto xif ic atio n. T his p ro cess b eg in s w ith a so phis tic ate d filte rin g sy ste m th at cap tu re s an d dig ests fo re ig n deb ris . N ex t, en zy m es, pro duced by th e liv er, deactiv ate an d elim in ate to xin s. If th ese en zy m es are in te rfe re d w ith — eith er deactiv ate d by en vir o nm en ta l to xin s su ch as le ad an d merc u ry or nev er man ufa ctu re d in th e fir s t p la ce b ecau se o f n utr ie n t d efic ie n cy — to xic o verlo ad is certa in t o r e su lt. L iv er e n zy m e d eto xif ic atio n h as t w o p hase s: I n p hase o ne, t h e l iv er pro duces e n zy m es th at ta k e h arm fu l to xin s s u ch a s a lc o hol, p estic id es, h erb ic id es an d p re sc rip tio n d ru gs, a n d o xid iz es th em (b urn s th em ) in p re p ara tio n fo r re m oval fro m th e b ody. T his p ro cess c re ate s p ote n tia lly h arm fu l fre e ra d ic als th at m ust b e neu tr a liz ed w ith d ie ta ry a n tio xid an t n utr ie n ts . I n p hase tw o, m ore e n zy m es a re u se d to c o m bin e t h e o xid iz ed c h em ic als f ro m p hase o ne w ith o th er m ole cu le s, w hic h t h en can b e e x cre te d h arm le ssly in th e b ile o r u rin e. In b oth p hase s, th e fo od w e e at su pplie s th e ra w m ate ria ls need ed to pro duce all of th ese en zy m es an d oth er ch em ic als th at are re q uir e d . T hese ele g an t deto xif ic atio n sy ste m s dep en d on a co nsta n t s u pply o f n utr ie n ts , w hic h w e m ust o bta in f ro m o ur d ie t, b ut w e f re q uen tly do n ot. Help your liv er’s phase -o ne deto xif ic atio n pro cess w ith an tio xid an t nutr ie n ts : vita m in s C , E an d A , alo ng w ith co en zy m e Q 10, caro te n oid s, bio fla v onoid s, se le n iu m , m an gan ese , co pper an d zin c. S om e of th ese nutr ie n ts neu tr a liz e fre e ra d ic als d ir e ctly ; o th ers activ ate en zy m es th at n eu tr a liz e th em . R ed , y ello w an d gre en v eg eta b le s are lo ad ed w ith th ese an tio xid an t n utr ie n ts . A ssis t y our liv er’s phase -tw o d eto xif ic atio n w ith cru cif e ro us v eg eta b le s, su ch as cab bag e, b ro cco li, cau lif lo w er, g re en o nio ns, k ale a n d b ru sse ls sp ro uts . T hese v eg eta b le s e n ab le th e liv er to e lim in ate p ow erfu l c arc in ogen s, h elp in g to p ro te ct u s a g ain st c an cer. T hese die ta ry s u ggestio ns, c o m bin ed w ith h ig h-q uality s u pple m en ts , c an k eep y our liv er’s to xic d efe n se s a t p eak f u nctio n. Much o f o ur b ody is m ad e o f w ate r; th e k id ney s n eed it to e x cre te w ate r-s o lu ble to xin s. W ate r co nsta n tly m oves th ro ughout your body an d m ust be ch an ged fre q uen tly to k eep it p ure . A m in im um o f e ig ht g la sse s o f p ure w ate r sh ould b e co nsu m ed e v ery d ay, a n d m ore i s b ette r. Y our w ate r s u pply m ust b e p ure s o a s n ot t o ad d t o y our t o xic l o ad . W ate r s h ould b e c o nsu m ed a s w ate r, n ot a s b ev era g es s u ch a s co ffe e, t e a o r a lc o hol ( th ese s u bsta n ces m ay c au se t h e b ody t o l o se w ate r). W ate r i s a sim ple ch oic e, ofte n overlo oked . D eh ydra tio n is a co m mon pro ble m , esp ecia lly am ong o ur e ld erly p opula tio n. A to xic lif e sty le is o fte n c re ate d u nw ittin gly . W e fa il to a p pre cia te th at m an y sm all t o xic e x posu re s o ver t im e, t o a w id e v arie ty o f t o xin s, l e ad t o a n a ccu m ula tio n, cau sin g o ur c ells t o m alf u nctio n. E ven s m all a m ounts o f t o xin s c an p erfo rm a m azin g fe ats o f c h em is tr y b y i n hib itin g h orm ones, d eactiv atin g e n zy m es, c o m pro m is in g o ur deto xif ic atio n sy ste m s an d usin g up pre cio us nutr ie n ts . Toxic ity is se ld om re co gniz ed a s a p rim ary c au se o f o ur h ealth p ro ble m s. T he to xic in vad ers in o ur liv es— wheth er th ey are b ro ught in to o ur h om es o r th ey are cre ate d in o ur o w n bodie s— are a ls o n ot e asily d ete cte d b y ty pic al “ ra d ar.” T he to xin s th at h arm u s se ld om a re l a b ele d h azard ous, a n d t h ey a re d if fic u lt t o i d en tif y . Once w e unders ta n d th e ro le to xin s pla y in cellu la r m alf u nctio n, w e can unders ta n d t h e i m porta n ce o f m in im iz in g t o xic e x posu re a n d m ax im iz in g t h e b ody’s ab ility t o d eto xif y . I n o rd er t o p ro te ct y ours e lf a n d y our f a m ily , y ou m ust l e arn h ow to sp ot th ese sile n t a n d h id den d an gers , a n d h ow to k eep y our d efe n se s str o ng in ord er to a v oid to xic o verlo ad . N ev er b efo re h as th e h um an b ody b een fa ced w ith su ch c h alle n ges o f p ers o nal a n d g lo bal p ollu tio n. T o r e sp ond t o t h ese c h alle n ges a n d to m ove y ours e lf i n t h e r ig ht d ir e ctio n o n t h e t o xin p ath w ay, l e arn t o m ak e t h e d aily ch oic es th at w ill re d uce your to xic ex posu re an d su pport your deto xif ic atio n sy ste m s. 7 T HE P SY CH OLO GIA C P ATH W AY “The sim ple tr u th is , h appy p eo ple g en era lly d on’t g et sic k. One’s a ttitu de t o w ard o nese lf i s t h e s in gle m ost i m porta nt f a cto r in hea lin g or sta yin g well. Those who are at pea ce with th em se lv es and th eir im med ia te su rro undin gs have fa r fe w er se rio us i lln esse s t h an t h ose w ho a re n ot.” Bern ie S ie g el, M .D . Love, M ed ic in e & M ir a cle s E ven w hen n utr ie n ts a re s c arc e a n d to xin s a b undan t, o ne’s p ote n tia l fo r h ealth is nearly l im itle ss, a n d i t r e lie s a lm ost e n tir e ly o n o urs e lv es a n d t h e p ow er o f t h e m in d. Thoughts an d em otio ns h av e a tr e m en dous effe ct o n o ur cells an d th ere fo re o ur health . W hat w e p ut in to o ur m in ds m ay b e m ore im porta n t th an w hat w e p ut in to our b odie s. T he p ow er o f t h e m in d i s y our b est a lly i n c h oosin g t o g et w ell a n d s ta y well. You a re w hat y o u t h in k. “H ow c an it b e,” y ou m ig ht a sk , “ th at th e m in d h as so m uch c o ntr o l o ver th e body?” T his q uestio n a ssu m es th at o ne is s e p ara te f ro m th e o th er; in f a ct, th ey a re in se p ara b le . A ll th e c ells in o ur b ody c o ntr ib ute to w hat w e c all th e m in d, a n d w hat goes o n i n o ur m in d a ffe cts w hat h ap pen s i n a ll o ur c ells . Chem ic al r e actio ns a re p ro duced th ro ughout th e b ody b y o ur th oughts , e m otio ns an d in te ra ctio ns w ith o th ers . F ear m ak es u s tu rn p ale ; em barra ssm en t m ak es u s blu sh . M odern sc ie n ce h as p ro ven th at th ese “th ought ch em ic als ” eith er can b e ben efic ia l o r d etr im en ta l to h ealth . We c a n c h oose w hat w e p ut in to o ur m in ds, a nd in d oin g s o , w e c a n c h oose b etw een h ea lth a nd d is e a se . This co ncep t is so m etim es dif fic u lt fo r peo ple to em bra ce becau se th ought ch em ic als a re a b str a ct. T heir e ffe ct, t h ough, i s r e fle cte d i n D r. B ern ie S ie g el’s 1 986 book, Love, M ed ic in e & M ir a cle s : “ If I to ld p atie n ts to ra is e th eir b lo od le v els o f im mune g lo bulin s o r k ille r T -c ells , n o o ne w ould k now h ow . B ut i f I c an t e ach t h em to l o ve t h em se lv es a n d o th ers f u lly , t h e s a m e c h an ge h ap pen s a u to m atic ally .” Consid er h ow t h ought c h em ic als c an i m pro ve o r d am ag e h ealth : • A 1 991 s tu dy i n t h e New E ngla nd J o urn al o f M ed ic in e fo und t h at s tr e ssfu l l if e situ atio ns ( s u ch a s lo sin g a jo b, b re ak in g o ff a n e n gag em en t o r s im ply f e elin g overw helm ed b y l if e ’s p ro ble m s) n early d ouble s t h e r is k o f c atc h in g a c o ld . • A t h ir ty -fiv e-y ear s tu dy ( 1 946–1981) o f H arv ard g ra d uate s s h ow ed t h at p eo ple who h ad a p essim is tic o utlo ok o n lif e s u ffe re d s ig nif ic an tly m ore d is e ase a fte r ag e f o rty -fiv e t h an p eo ple w ith a p ositiv e o utlo ok. • A 2 001 s tu dy i n Psy ch oso m atic M ed ic in e fo und t h at o ptim is m p ro te cts a g ain st heart d is e ase . P eo ple w ho a re p essim is tic a n d b la m e th em se lv es f o r e v ery th in g were m uch m ore lik ely to die of a heart atta ck th an th eir optim is tic co unte rp arts . • D r. O . C arl S im onto n, in h is 1 978 b ook, Gettin g W ell A gain , ta lk s a b out h ow vis u al im ag ery w ith p ositiv e m en ta l im ag es h ad a b en efic ia l e ffe ct o n p atie n ts with a d van ced c an cer. S im onto n f o und t h at p eo ple w ho u se d t h eir m in ds t o h eal had d ouble t h e s u rv iv al r a te o f t h ose w ho d id n ot. • A stu dy in a 2 000 is su e o f Lancet co nclu ded th at w om en w ho ex perie n ce se v ere e m otio nal s tr e ss d urin g th e fir s t tr im este r o f p re g nan cy a re 8 0 p erc en t more l ik ely t o h av e a c h ild w ith b ir th d efe cts . Bod y, H ea l T hyse lf You m ust b elie v e i n y our h ealth i f y ou a re t o m ain ta in o r r e g ain h ealth . Y ou m ust activ ely c are f o r y our h ealth w hen y ou a re w ell, a n d a ctiv ely p urs u e w elln ess w hen you a re i ll. When m y o w n b ody w as in p ro gre ssiv e d ete rio ra tio n d urin g th e d ep th s o f m y illn ess, I b eg an to r e aliz e th at, f o r s u rv iv al, I n eed ed to e m plo y m y m in d a s w ell a s my b ody. I b eg an to re p eat a v ers io n o f a n o ld a ffir m atio n to m yse lf , a g ain a n d ag ain , a m an tr a o f s o rts : Every d ay, in e very w ay, I g et s tr o nger a nd s tr o nger a nd bette r a nd b ette r. At fir s t, w hen I w ould sa y th is to m yse lf , m y m in d w ould fig ht b ack , sa y in g so m eth in g lik e, Wow , a re y o u a lia r! Y o u fe el w orse to day th an y o u d id y este rd ay. I re aliz ed th at m y positiv e m en ta l affir m atio ns w ere bein g neg ate d by m y ow n th in kin g a b out m y s itu atio n. I b eg an to re p ly to m y m in d’s o bje ctio ns b y s a y in g, I kn ow I a m w orse t o day, b ut I a m g iv in g y o u a n i n str u ctio n. Once I b ecam e co m fo rta b le g iv in g m y b ody in str u ctio ns, m y o w n o bje ctio ns beg an to d is a p pear a n d m y b ody b eg an to re sp ond. I w ould sa y m y a ffir m atio n, so m etim es o ut lo ud, w ith p assio n a n d e x pecta n cy, m an y tim es d aily , re p eate d ly , until I c o uld fe el str e n gth c o m in g in to m y b ody a s I sa id th e w ord s. A fte r a fe w week s, m y s u bco nsc io us m in d b eg an t o i m ple m en t t h e i n str u ctio ns a n d i n te n t o f m y co nsc io us m in d. O ne d ay, a fte r s a y in g th ese a ffir m atio ns, I fe lt th e b est th at I h ad fe lt s in ce t h e o nse t o f m y i lln ess. T he f e elin g l a ste d o nly f iv e o r t e n m in ute s, b ut t h e fa ct th at it h ap pen ed p ro ved th at I w as o n th e rig ht p ath . S oon, th e fe elin gs o f str e n gth c am e m ore o fte n a n d la ste d lo nger. L ate r in m y s tu die s, I le arn ed o f th e clo se c o nnectio n b etw een th e m in d a n d th e im mune sy ste m . M y b ad ly d am ag ed im mune s y ste m w as r e sp ondin g! These a ffir m atio ns h ad a p ro fo und e ffe ct o n m e. I b eg an t o u nders ta n d t h at h ealth an d d is e ase c an b e th e re actio ns o f th e su bco nsc io us m in d to th e th oughts o f th e co nsc io us m in d; th e su bco nsc io us ta k es ord ers fro m th e co nsc io us m in d an d im ple m en ts th em . M in ds d o w hat th ey a re p ro gra m med to d o, e v en th ough m uch o f th at p ro gra m min g i s u nin te n ded . I b eg an t o r e aliz e m y p ow er t o i n flu en ce m y h ealth sim ply b y c h oosin g th e d aily th oughts I w as p uttin g in to m y m in d. B y f o cu sin g o n my illn ess, I h ad b een p uttin g th oughts o f d is e ase in to m y m in d, th ere b y c re atin g more d is e ase . T he m in d i s a lw ay s w ork in g, s o w hy n ot m ak e i t w ork f o r r a th er t h an ag ain st you? K eep your im ag es an d su ggestio ns as positiv e, sim ple , cle ar an d co ncis e a s p ossib le . T hen r e p eat th em a s o fte n a s p ossib le . A llo w th e s u bco nsc io us to a ccep t t h em a s a c o m man d a n d i m ple m en t t h em . Over t h e p ast s ix te en y ears , o f a ll o f t h e p eo ple I h av e k now n w ith “ in cu ra b le ” a n d “fa ta l” d is e ase s, t h e t h riv ers a n d s u rv iv ors h av e b een t h ose i n div id uals w ho u se d t h e pow er o f th eir m in ds to h eal th eir b odie s co nsc io usly . T ak e th e case o f K arl, a co ncert v io lin is t w ho b ecam e p ara ly zed b y a str o ke. H is p hysic ia n s to ld h im th e para ly sis w as p erm an en t. C onfin ed to a w heelc h air, K arl w as u nw illin g to a ccep t su ch a f a te . H e d ecid ed t o u se t h e p ow er o f h is m in d t o e sta b lis h n ew c o nnectio ns i n his b ra in . H e s ta rte d b y f o cu sin g in te n se ly o n ju st o ne f in ger. H e c o m man ded it to move, a n d e v en tu ally it d id ! N ow a m ed ic al c u rio sity , in 2 001 K arl w as in vite d to giv e a c o ncert a t a n i n te rn atio nal m ed ic al c o nfe re n ce w here h is d octo r p re se n te d h is sto ry . B ra in s c an s s h ow t h at K arl’s m ir a cu lo us r e co very r e su lte d f ro m u sin g e n tir e ly new a re as o f h is b ra in a n d b ypassin g th e d am ag ed a re as. M usic c ritic s c la im h e is pla y in g b ette r t h an e v er! H ow ’s t h at f o r t h e p ow er o f t h e m in d? Choosin g t o S ta y S ic k In c o ntr a st to K arl, o th er p eo ple in m y e x perie n ce h av e f a ile d to s tr e n gth en th eir psy ch olo gic al p ath w ay a n d l o st t h e h ealth b en efits o f p ositiv e e ffo rts . L is a w as o ne. She h ad s u ffe re d f ro m e x tr e m e c h em ic al s e n sitiv ity f o r tw elv e y ears b efo re c o m in g to m e fo r h elp . I w as c o nfid en t I c o uld h elp h er, b ase d o n m y o w n e x perie n ces. I ta u ght Lis a how to im pro ve her health , m ostly th ro ugh die ta ry an d vita m in su pple m en t s u ggestio ns, a n d s h e m ad e s o m e s tr ik in g in itia l im pro vem en ts . A fte r a fe w m onth s, L is a w as liv in g h er lif e in w ay s th at s h e h ad n ot b een a b le to f o r m an y years ; sh e h ad sta rte d d atin g, g oin g o ut d an cin g a n d e v en g oin g o n sa ilin g tr ip s. Lis a ’s f rie n ds c o m men te d a b out h ow w ell s h e lo oked a n d h er g ood p ro gre ss. A fte r tw elv e y ears o f s ic k ness, L is a s e em ed t o b e o n a p ath t o a m ore m ean in gfu l l if e . S he le arn ed w hat w as n ecessa ry to ch oose h ealth an d se em ed to h av e d ev elo ped th e psy ch olo gic al w illin gness t o s tic k w ith i t. One day, I re ceiv ed a fra n tic call fro m L is a . H er dis a b ility case w ork er had co nta cte d h er a n d i n fo rm ed L is a t h at i t w as t im e f o r a n a n nual r e v ie w . L is a h ad b een re ceiv in g d is a b ility f u nds f ro m s o cia l s e cu rity a n d s ta te w elf a re , a n d s h e w as liv in g in s u bsid iz ed h ousin g. F or m an y y ears , L is a h ad b een to o s ic k to w ork a n d n eed ed th is fin an cia l s u pport. N ow , h er h ealth h av in g ta k en a d ra m atic tu rn fo r th e b ette r, Lis a f e are d th at h er c ase w ork er w ould n otic e th e im pro vem en t a n d r e v oke f in an cia l assis ta n ce. L is a p an ic k ed . She h ad b een u nab le t o w ork f o r s o m an y y ears t h at s h e h ad n ot a c lu e a b out h ow sh e co uld su pport h ers e lf w ith out th ose b en efits . P erh ap s h er d esir e to g et w ell sim ply c o uld n ot c o m pete w ith h er fe ar o f lo sin g s u pport. P erh ap s tw elv e y ears o f “sic k ness p ro gra m min g” d ep riv ed L is a o f th e s e lf -c o nfid en ce s h e n eed ed to th riv e. Sad ly , th e la st tim e I h eard ab out h er, L is a h ad sto pped ap ply in g w hat sh e h ad le arn ed a b out d efic ie n cy a n d t o xic ity , a n d h er h ealth h ad r e g re sse d . T he p ote n tia l t o get w ell ( th at is , h er n ew d ie t, s u pple m en ts a n d w ork out p ro gra m ) w as lo st b ecau se sh e c o uld n ot u nle arn h er p ro gra m min g t o b e d ep en den t a n d d is a b le d . Will Y ou C are f o r M e I f I A m W ell? Unhealth y p sy ch olo gic al p ro gra m min g d era ile d t h e h ealth e ffo rts o f a n oth er c lie n t nam ed R uth , w ho s u ffe re d fro m c h ro nic fa tig ue s y ndro m e. A lth ough s h e fo llo w ed my re co m men datio ns re g ard in g d ie t an d n utr itio nal su pple m en ts , sh e m ad e o nly modest im pro vem en t, an d I re aliz ed th at R uth w as g oin g to b e a to ugh case . I su sp ecte d th at sh e need ed a gre at deal of assis ta n ce alo ng her psy ch olo gic al path w ay . I l e arn ed t h at w hen R uth w as a s m all c h ild , t h e o nly t im e h er f a th er p aid a tte n tio n to h er w as w hen s h e w as s ic k . T hen , h e w ould b uy h er to ys, s it b y h er b ed a n d r e ad her s to rie s. M ost o th er tim es, h e e ith er ig nore d h er o r re la te d to h er s u perfic ia lly . Subco nsc io usly , R uth le arn ed , “ If I w an t a tte n tio n, I n eed to b e s ic k .” N o d oubt s h e did n ot in te n d th is , b ut h er b eh av io r w as p ro gra m med n ev erth ele ss. Y ears la te r, when h er m arria g e w as fa llin g a p art a n d h er h usb an d w as g iv in g h is a tte n tio n to so m eo ne e ls e , R uth ’s p ro gra m med re sp onse w as to g et s ic k — th is tim e in o rd er to re g ain t h e a tte n tio n a n d a ffe ctio n o f h er h usb an d. I n t h e l o ng r u n, o f c o urs e , t h is k in d of beh av io ra l patte rn in ev ita b ly fa ils ; R uth ’s husb an d ev en tu ally div orc ed her, le av in g h er a lo ne a n d s ic k . For L is a a n d R uth , c erta in “ re w ard s” f o r b ein g s ic k s u pers e d ed t h eir d esir e s t o g et well or sta y well. This way of lif e is not unco m mon; peo ple ofte n hav e psy ch olo gic al re aso ns to g et sic k o r sta y sic k — usu ally n ot o n a c o nsc io us le v el. Peo ple o fte n l e arn h opele ssn ess i n ste ad o f h opefu ln ess. If y ou a re s ic k , b e s u re to a sk y ours e lf , What is m y r e w ard fo r b ein g s ic k? A m I willin g to g iv e u p m y re w ard ? D o I tr u ly w ant to b e w ell? These q uestio ns c an b e fo llo w ed w ith affir m atio ns or m an tr a s, su ch as I am w ell. I am gettin g bette r, hea lth ie r a nd s tr o nger e very d ay. Rep ro gra m min g y our m in d-s e t o r a p pro ach is th e key, w heth er y ou a re ta lk in g a b out th e th oughts y ou th in k o r th e fo ods y ou e at. Health is a c h oic e, a n d th e b est c h an ce to re aliz e it c o m es fro m m ak in g y our to p prio rity t o g et w ell a n d s ta y w ell. The P la ceb o E ffe ct One o f th e m ost fa m ilia r d esc rip tio ns o f th e p ow er o f th e m in d o ver th e b ody’s re sp onse s is th e p la ceb o effe ct. T his co ncep t is b ase d o n re se arc h b y H en ry K . Beech er, p ublis h ed in a 1 955 p ap er, “ T he P ow erfu l P la ceb o,” w hic h c o nclu ded th at ro ughly o ne-th ir d o f p eo ple w ho r e ceiv e m ed ic al tr e atm en t w ill s h ow im pro vem en t sim ply becau se th ey belie v e th e tr e atm en t will work , re g ard le ss of how pharm aco lo gic ally e ffe ctiv e t h e t r e atm en t i s . P eo ple ’s t h oughts a ffe ct t h eir h ealth — not e x actly a n ew s fla sh , b ut a s c ie n tif ic fa ct n ev erth ele ss. W hen th e re se arc h w as publis h ed , B eech er’s p ap er m ad e a h uge im pact o n th e s c ie n tif ic c o m munity , a n d sin ce t h en , t h ousa n ds o f p ublis h ed s tu die s o n t h e s a m e t o pic d em onstr a te c le arly t h at what y ou t h in k a ffe cts h ow y our b ody f u nctio ns. The t e rm p la ceb o r e fe rs t o a s u bsta n ce, p ro ced ure o r t r e atm en t t h at, w hen g iv en t o a p atie n t, p ro duces a b en efic ia l e ffe ct o n th e b ody th at is n ot a d ir e ct re su lt o f th e pla ceb o’s ch em is tr y . Now , m ed ic al sc ie n tis ts use pla ceb os to m easu re th e effe ctiv en ess o f a c erta in tr e atm en t— ofte n a m ed ic atio n— v ers u s “ n o tr e atm en t” a t all. I n a t y pic al s tu dy, f o r i n sta n ce, o ne g ro up o f p atie n ts i s g iv en a d ru g a n d a n oth er gro up o f p atie n ts , u nknow n t o t h em , r e ceiv e p ills t h at c o nta in e sse n tia lly n oth in g— a pla ceb o. This a p pro ach a n d th e re su lts b ase d o n th is a p pro ach , h ow ev er, a re m is g uid ed becau se t h e p la ceb o— by v ir tu e o f p ositiv e t h in kin g— does h av e e ffe cts . D octo rs a n d sc ie n tis ts p ortr a y th eir d is re sp ect f o r th e p atie n t’s p ow er b y th in kin g o f th e p la ceb o as so m eth in g to b e “fa cto re d o ut o f th e eq uatio n,” as an u nw an te d , o r at b est, unin te re stin g effe ct. M ore m ed ic al su pport fo r th is p ow er co uld g o a lo ng w ay to w ard h elp in g a ll b eco m e a n d s ta y w ell. Scie n tif ic w ork w ith th e pla ceb o pro ves w hat w e alr e ad y know in stin ctiv ely : Belie fs , a ttitu des a n d p atte rn s o f b eh av io r p la y a m ajo r ro le in h ealth a n d d is e ase . Our s ta te o f m in d is a s m uch a p art o f o ur lif e sty le a s o ur d ie t, a m ount o f s le ep o r ex erc is e . L et u s h arn ess t h e p rin cip le s o f t h e p la ceb o e ffe ct a n d u se t h at p ow er. I n a sin cere , d ir e ct a n d i n fo rm ed m an ner, w e c an u se i t m ore p ro fo undly . The B est H ea lt h C overa ge The s u pport, e n co ura g em en t a n d g ood b ed sid e m an ner o f a h ealth p ra ctitio ner ( b e it a m odern p ra ctitio ner o r a n a n cie n t w itc h d octo r) c an h elp a p atie n t r e co ver, e v en if t h is “ h elp ” e x is ts o nly t h ro ugh t h e “ effe ct o f t h e m in d.” Dow n th ro ugh h is to ry , m an y o r p erh ap s m ost o f th e su ccesse s o f h ealth -c are tr e atm en ts h av e b een a n d a re d ue to b eh av io ra l a n d p sy ch olo gic al fa cto rs . A 1 993 stu dy i n Card io lo gy ra is e d t h e p ossib ility t h at a l a rg e s h are o f t h e p re su m ed b en efits of p re sc rip tio n d ru gs a ctu ally r e su lts f ro m p eo ple b elie v in g t h ey a re b ein g h elp ed . New Y o rk T im es co lu m nis t M arg are t T alb ot s u m med u p t h is i d ea, n otin g t h at “ th e tr u th is th at th e p la ceb o e ffe ct is h uge.” I n s tu die s o f n ew d ru gs, s h e s a y s, b etw een 35 an d 7 5 p erc en t o f p atie n ts b en efit fro m ta k in g a d um my p ill. T his “p la ceb o effe ct,” sh e w rite s, “ sh ould p ro bab ly b e p ut to c o nsc io us u se in c lin ic al p ra ctic e, ev en i f w e d o n ot e n tir e ly u nders ta n d h ow i t w ork s.” Talb ot c o ntin ues: For c en tu rie s, W este rn m ed ic in e c o nsis te d o f a lm ost n oth in g b ut th e p la ceb o effe ct. T he p atie n t w ho g ot b ette r a fte r a b le ed in g— or a d ose o f f o x l u ng, w ood lic e, ta rta r em etic o r an y o f th e o th er ch arm in g sta p le s o f th e 1 9th -c en tu ry pharm aco poeia — got b ette r e ith er i n s p ite o f t h em o r b ecau se o f t h eir s y m bolic valu e. S uch p atie n ts b elie v ed in th e c u re a n d in th e a u th ority o f th e b ew ig ged gen tle m en a d m in is te rin g i t, a n d t h e b elie f g av e t h em h ope a n d t h e h ope h elp ed mak e th em w ell. T here w ere e x cep tio ns— re m ed ie s, lik e q uin in e fo r m ala ria , th e v accin e f o r s m allp ox a n d m orp hin e f o r p ain r e lie f, w hic h a ctu ally w ork ed . But g en era lly s p eak in g, i f a ll t h e d ru gs o f t h e d ay “ co uld b e s u nk t o t h e b otto m of th e s e a,” a s O liv er W en dell H olm es o bse rv ed in 1 860, “ it w ould b e a ll th e bette r f o r m an kin d— an d a ll t h e w ors e f o r t h e f is h es.” We n eed to u se th e p rin cip le s o f th e p la ceb o e ffe ct d elib era te ly — w ith out tr y in g to d eceiv e th e p atie n t— to b en efit h ealth a n d p erfo rm an ce. Im ag in e th e p ote n tia l gain s if m odern h ealth c are in clu ded a n e d ucatio nal a n d “ co ach in g” d im en sio n a s part o f a m ore c o m pre h en siv e a p pro ach to h ealin g. T his ra re ly h ap pen s. M odern health c are f o cu se s a lm ost e x clu siv ely o n d ia g nosin g a n d t r e atin g t h e p hysic al b ody, usu ally w ith dru gs or su rg ery , an d ty pic ally fa ils to co nsid er th e beh av io ra l, em otio nal, p erc ep tu al, l e arn in g, c o gnitiv e a n d s p ir itu al f a cto rs t h at m ay b e p la y in g a sig nif ic an t r o le i n b eco m in g s ic k o r w ell. Belie v in g th at y ou “ h av e” a d is e ase a n d p la y in g th e r o le o f a “ sic k p ers o n” is th e way to s ta y s ic k . B y c o ntr a st, b ein g h ealth y m ean s b elie v in g th at y ou a re g ettin g well a n d sta y in g w ell; it m ean s “ p la y in g th e ro le ” o f h ealth . Every th ought h as a physic a l effe ct on yo ur cells . Neg ativ e th oughts , partic u la rly ab out dis e ase an d death , c an l ite ra lly k ill y ou. An I n fe ctio n o f N eg ativ e T hou gh ts Alth ough w e u se d t o t h in k o f m in d a n d b ody a s e n tir e ly s e p ara te , t h e l a st t w en ty - fiv e y ears o f s c ie n tif ic r e se arc h h av e ta u ght u s a g re at d eal a b out th e d im en sio ns o f min d an d body an d how , to geth er, th ey esta b lis h body-w id e co m munic atio n netw ork s. O ur b odie s c re ate c h em ic al m esse n gers ( n eu ro pep -tid es, n eu ro tr a n sm itte rs an d h orm ones) th at a llo w th e b ody to c o m munic ate w ith its e lf , to s e lf -re g ula te , to ad ap t. T hro ugh th ese c h em ic al m esse n gers th e c ells k now w hen a n d w hat to d o. Cells t h ro ughout t h e b ody ( n ot j u st i n t h e b ra in ) b oth c re ate a n d a re a ffe cte d b y t h ese ch em ic al m esse n gers . A ll c ells a re in c o nsta n t c o nta ct w ith o ne a n oth er, w heth er th ey a re b ra in c ells , m usc le c ells , n erv e c ells o r a n y o th er k in d. Every th ought an d em otio n tr ig gers th e re le ase of ch em ic al m esse n gers th ro ughout t h e b ody; i n o th er w ord s, t h ere i s n o s u ch t h in g a s “ ju st a t h ought.” E very th ought h as a p hysic al c o nse q uen ce, f o r b ette r o r w ors e . F eelin gs o f a n ger, a p ath y, glo om an d re se n tm en t w eak en th e im mune sy ste m an d d am ag e h ealth . P ositiv e th oughts o f l o ve, c o m passio n, j o y, h um or a n d t h e l ik e s u pport g ood p hysic al h ealth . It t a k es s o m e e ffo rt a n d d is c ip lin e, e sp ecia lly o n t h e b ad d ay s, t o k eep a n o pen a n d positiv e m in dse t, b ut th e h ealth b en efits d efin ite ly m ak e it w orth w hile . T he g oal o f th is c h ap te r is to e x pla in h ow p sy ch olo gy a ffe cts h ealth a t th e c ellu la r le v el a n d to id en tif y s o m e o f th e m ost im porta n t p sy ch olo gic al c o ncep ts , a s w ell a s s o m e o f th e most c o m mon ( a n d s e lf -d estr u ctiv e) m is ta k es. T he g oal i s t o h elp y ou i m pro ve y our psy ch olo gic al p ath w ay — one o f t h e m ajo r a v en ues b etw een h ealth a n d d is e ase . Min ds N eed R ep ro gra m min g Our m in ds a re ra th er lik e c o m pute rs : W heth er in te n ded o r u nin te n ded , th ey d o what th ey h av e b een p ro gra m med to d o. A b ig p art o f u sin g th e p sy ch olo gic al path w ay t o s ta y h ealth y i s t h e a b ility t o r e co gniz e y our c u rre n t p ro gra m min g a n d t o le arn n ew p ro gra m s— new t h oughts , a ttitu des a n d b eh av io r p atte rn s. As d em onstr a te d b y m y c lie n ts L is a a n d R uth , s o m e p eo ple f in d i t h ard t o d ev elo p th e w ill t o c h an ge o ld p atte rn s. F or t h ese t w o w om en , h ab itu al t h in kin g a n d i m ag ery cre ate d th eir d estin y. T hey w ere in r e ach o f h ealth , b ut le t it g o. W hy? N ot b ecau se th ey la ck ed th e n ecessa ry in fo rm atio n, th e p ro ble m m ost p eo ple fa ce, b ut b ecau se th eir str a te g ie s fo r a ch ie v in g sh ort- te rm se cu rity h ad b een tr ie d a n d p ro ven , a n d were t o o d if fic u lt t o u nle arn . Neg ativ e h ealth p ro gra m min g c an c o m e f ro m a v is it t o t h e d octo r. E ven t h e s ig ht of a p hysic ia n can cau se b lo od p re ssu re to ris e ; th e effe ct is calle d “w hite -c o at hyperte n sio n.” T he str e ss re su ltin g fro m th e d ia g nosis o f a g ra v e d is e ase c an d o se rio us d am ag e, p re cis e ly l ik e v oodoo o r a w itc h ’s h ex . A 1 991 s tu dy i n t h e Med ic a l Jo urn al of Austr a lia co nclu ded th at neg ativ e su ggestio ns fro m physic ia n s an d care g iv ers w ere sig nif ic an t n eg ativ e fa cto rs in can cer re co very . D eep ak C hopra , M.D ., m ad e a s im ila r o bse rv atio n in h is b ook, Cre a tin g H ea lth : “I h av e fre q uen tly obse rv ed t h at a r a p id p ro gre ssio n o f s y m pto m s a n d t h en d eath f ro m c an cer o ccu rre d afte r th e d ia g nosis o f c an cer w as m ad e. I t i s a lm ost a s i f t h e p atie n t w as d yin g f ro m th e d ia g nosis a n d n ot f ro m t h e d is e ase .” Physic ia n s m ust e x erc is e g re at c are n ot to c re ate n eg ativ e e x pecta tio ns. W e n eed su pport an d re assu ra n ce fro m our physic ia n s an d care g iv ers . W e need th em to belie v e i n u s a n d t o h elp u s t h ro ugh o ur p ro cesse s o f h ealin g a n d r e co very . C erta in ly , we ex pect honesty fro m th em , but w e do not need dis c o ura g in g re m ark s an d om in ous s ta tis tic s a b out o ur s lim c h an ces fo r s u rv iv al (a s I w as to ld th at n oth in g more c o uld b e d one f o r m e, b efo re I s a v ed m y o w n l if e ). Reg ard le ss o f w hat y our h ealth p ra ctitio ner s a y s o r d oes, g ettin g w ell a n d s ta y in g well is your re sp onsib ility . T ak in g th at re sp onsib ility actu ally help s m ak e you health ie r. U nfo rtu nate ly , m ost p atie n ts r e lin quis h th is r e sp onsib ility to th eir d octo r. They pla y a passiv e ro le of bysta n der or vic tim ; th ey th in k of th e health -c are pro vid er a s t h eir p ro ble m s o lv er. Patie n ts ’ p ositiv e a ttitu des to w ard th eir h ealth o r d is e ase h elp to m ak e th em n ot only i n fo rm ed b ut a ls o e m pow ere d . A ppro ach in g h ealth c are w ith t h e b elie f t h at y ou, as th e p atie n t, a re in c h arg e c an v ita liz e y our e ffo rts . Y ou a sk m ore q uestio ns. Y ou fe el m ore c o ntr o l o ver th e o utc o m e. A s B ern ie S ie g el, M .D ., re m in ds u s in Love, Med ic in e & Mir a cle s, th e patie n t m ust be th e prim ary so urc e of healin g. “E xcep tio nal p atie n ts ,” h e w ro te , “ re fu se t o b e v ic tim s. T hey e d ucate t h em se lv es a n d beco m e s p ecia lis ts i n t h eir o w n c are . T hey q uestio n t h e d octo r b ecau se t h ey w an t t o unders ta n d th eir tr e atm en t a n d p artic ip ate in it. T hey d em an d d ig nity , p ers o nhood, an d c o ntr o l, n o m atte r w hat t h e c o urs e o f d is e ase .” There i s n oth in g w ro ng w ith g oin g t o t h e d octo r— so l o ng a s y ou r e aliz e t h at y our health is y our re sp onsib ility , n ot y our d octo r’s o r a n yone e ls e ’s . B ecau se b elie f in your o w n h ealth m ak es a c ritic al d if fe re n ce, y ou n eed to w ork w ith p ro fe ssio nals who a ck now le d ge h ow e sse n tia l th is o utlo ok is . Y ou n eed c are g iv ers to s u pport y ou in your effo rts to partic ip ate , an d w ho can assis t you in ed ucatin g yours e lf pro ductiv ely , r a th er t h an h in der y ou, w hic h i s o fte n t h e c ase . Ofte n , p sy ch olo gic al h ealin g i s t h ought t o b e u nim porta n t t o t r e atm en t i n m odern health care , but th e m ir a cle is pre cis e ly th e opposite . U nfo rtu nate ly , m odern med ic in e o verlo oks th e w hole p ers o n. “ F ix in g” o nly th e p hysic al b ody, a s if it w ere a s e p ara te e n tity , is to o verlo ok th e c o m ple x w eav e o f p hysio lo gic al, p sy ch olo gic al an d s p ir itu al d im en sio ns t h at d efin e h um an b ein gs— in clu din g y ou, y our t is su es a n d all o f y our c ells . T he s ta n dard a p pro ach i s n ot g ood e n ough. Hea lt h y M in d, H ea lt h y I m mune S yste m Neg ativ e beh av io rs , th oughts , em otio ns an d str e ss can ad vers e ly affe ct th e fu nctio nin g o f y our i m mune s y ste m ; t h ey c an l o w er y our r e sis ta n ce t o i n fe ctio ns a n d mak e y ou m ore su sc ep tib le to b acte ria , fu ngi, v ir u se s a n d o th er m ic ro org an is m s. Yet, y ou c an e x erc is e c o ntr o l. Y ou c an b eg in i m med ia te ly , a ctiv ely a n d c o nsc io usly to i m pro ve y our a b ility t o f ig ht d is e ase a n d m ain ta in o ptim al h ealth . Speak in g a b out t h e p sy ch olo gic al d im en sio n o f t h e i m mune s y ste m , D av id F elto n, M.D ., p ro fe sso r o f n eu ro bio lo gy a n d a n ato m y a t t h e U niv ers ity S ch ool o f R och este r, sa id , “ N ow t h ere ’s o verw helm in g e v id en ce t h at h orm ones a n d n eu ro tr a n sm itte rs c an in flu en ce th e activ itie s o f th e im mune sy ste m an d th at p ro ducts o f th e im mune sy ste m i n flu en ce t h e b ra in .” In o rd er t o p ro te ct y ou f ro m i n fe ctio ns, y our b ra in a n d y our i m mune s y ste m m ust be in co nsta n t d ia lo gue. T he b ra in se n ds in fo rm atio n to th e im mune sy ste m b y pro ducin g c erta in t y pes o f c h em ic al m esse n gers ( n eu ro pep tid es). T hat i n fo rm atio n i s deliv ere d to im mune c ells th ro ugh re cep to r site s o n c ell m em bra n es. R ath er lik e plu ggin g a n e le ctr ic al a p plia n ce in to a w all o utle t, c h em ic al m esse n gers f ro m y our bra in “ p lu g in ” to th e re cep to r s ite s o n th e im mune c ells . T his m essa g in g p ro cess hap pen s o n a v ery la rg e s c ale , a llo w in g th e b ra in to d eliv er in fo rm atio n to im mune cells th ro ughout th e b ody. L ik ew is e , th e b ody’s im mune c ells re sp ond b y c re atin g new ch em ic al m esse n gers , se n din g in fo rm atio n back to th e bra in . T his pro cess cre ate s a c o nsta n t l in k o r f e ed back l o op b etw een t h e b ra in a n d t h e i m mune s y ste m . The r o le o f t h e p sy ch olo gic al p ath w ay i n i m mune s y ste m f u nctio n i s i llu str a te d b y a s tu dy o f tw en ty -s ix b ere av ed s p ouse s. T he s tu dy d em onstr a te d th at th e p ain a n d str e ss of bere av em en t sig nif ic an tly dep re sse d th e effe ctiv en ess of th e im mune sy ste m . I n o th er s tu die s, d ep re sse d i m munity i n s tu den ts , d ete rm in ed b y t h e n um ber an d a ctiv ity o f T -c ells , h as b een s h ow n to re su lt fro m th e p sy ch olo gic al s tr e ss o f ta k in g e x am s. P sy ch olo gic ally d ep re sse d im munity c an e v en le ad to c an cer. A s f a r back a s t h e s e co nd-c en tu ry A .D ., t h e p hysic ia n a n d p hilo so pher G ale n o bse rv ed t h at mela n ch oly d is p ositio ns d is p ose d w om en to w ard d ev elo pin g b re ast c an cer. A 1 998 stu dy in th e Jo urn al o f th e N atio nal C ancer In stitu te cam e to th e s a m e c o nclu sio n. In t h at s tu dy, w om en w ho e x perie n ced l o ng-te rm d ep re ssio n w ere a lm ost 9 0 p erc en t more l ik ely t o d ev elo p c an cer t h an t h eir u pbeat c o unte rp arts . The J ek yll a n d H yd e o f S tr ess Str e ss has an upsid e an d a dow nsid e. S tr e ss can in duce positiv e em otio ns— ex cite m en t, p assio n a n d p ositiv e a ro usa l. A lte rn ativ ely , s tr e ss c an b rin g o n n eg ativ e em otio ns s u ch a s f e ar, a n xie ty a n d a n ger. I n b oth c ase s, th e s a m e b ody s y ste m s a re in volv ed ; b oth “ g ood” e x cite m en t a n d “ b ad ” f e ar c an in cre ase h eart r a te a n d b lo od pre ssu re . W ith dif fe re n t m en ta l outlo oks, how ev er, dif fe re n t re su lts occu r. In a positiv e m en ta l outlo ok, health im pro ves; w ith a neg ativ e m in dse t, cells are dam ag ed a n d h ealth is im pair e d . M eetin g th e s tr e ssfu l c h alle n ges th at a p pear in o ur liv es— th e c h an ce fo r a p ro m otio n a t w ork , fo r in sta n ce— can h elp u s to g ro w a n d dev elo p. W hen c h ro nic a n d n eg ativ e, h ow ev er, s tr e ss d am ag es o ur c ells a n d i m pair s our h ealth . Any p erc eiv ed th re at, s u ch a s a n a tta ck in g p re d ato r, a c ra zy d riv er o r a n u rg en t dead lin e, c au se s y our n erv ous s y ste m t o s tim ula te b oth t h e p itu ita ry a n d t h e a d re n al gla n ds, re le asin g str e ss h orm ones su ch as ad re n alin e. T hese h orm ones p ro vid e a “ru sh ” n ecessa ry to p re p are th e b ody fo r s u dden a ctio n— by in cre asin g h eart ra te , bre ath in g r a te , b lo od f lo w to th e m usc le s, b lo od p re ssu re a n d o th er v ita l f u nctio ns. This str e ss re actio n w as h is to ric ally im porta n t fo r su rv iv al— part o f th e “ fig ht o r flig ht” re sp onse , w hic h e n ab le s u s to e n han ce p erfo rm an ce th ro ugh a n in cre ase in our p hysic al a n d m en ta l c ap acitie s f o r a n i m med ia te s h if t i n to “ em erg en cy m ode.” Pro ductio n o f t h ese c h em ic als , h ow ev er, w as m ean t t o b e e p is o dic ; a n e m erg en cy would co m e, an d it w ould pass. U nfo rtu nate ly fo r m an y peo ple , str e ss is now ch ro nic . P eo ple a re w ork in g m ore a n d s le ep in g le ss, a n d th e p ace o f d aily liv in g is accele ra tin g. W hen c h ro nic ally m obiliz ed , s tr e ss c h em ic als b uild u p in o ur s y ste m an d d am ag e o ur c ells a n d tis su es. S tr e ss c h em ic als c an le ad to d am ag ed im munity , in cre ase d s u sc ep tib ility to in fe ctio us d is e ase , d am ag ed b lo od v esse ls , m ald ig estio n, sle ep d is tu rb an ce, w ate r r e te n tio n, f a t d ep osits , h ypogly cem ia , u lc ers , a n xie ty , h ig h blo od pre ssu re , card ia c ir re g ula ritie s, lo w er pain th re sh old , lo w er sp erm co unt, re d uced s e x ual p erfo rm an ce, a n xie ty a n d d ep re ssio n. • A cco rd in g to th e O ccu patio nal S afe ty a n d H ealth A dm in is tr a tio n (O SH A), str e ss i s a m ong t h e t o p-te n r e aso ns A m eric an s m is s w ork . • T he A m eric an M ed ic al A sso cia tio n (A M A) has estim ate d th at up to 70 perc en t of all patie n ts se en by gen era l- p ra ctic e physic ia n s sh ow sy m pto m s dir e ctly r e la te d t o s tr e ss. • J o b s tr e ss c an c h ro nic ally r a is e b lo od p re ssu re , a n d s tr e ss f ro m l a ck o f c o ntr o l on th e jo b c an e v en in cre ase th e r is k o f h eart d is e ase ( s u ch a s, f o r e x am ple , b y ch an gin g t h e p ara m ete rs o f b lo od c lo ttin g f a cto rs ). • O n a p ositiv e n ote , a 1 997 s tu dy a t D uke U niv ers ity s h ow ed th at h eart a tta ck vic tim s w ho le arn ed to m an ag e th eir str e ss le v els c o uld re d uce th e ris k o f a re p eate d h eart a tta ck b y 7 4 p erc en t. Unfo rtu nate ly , m an y o f u s n ow sp en d m uch tim e d urin g th e d ay in e m erg en cy mode a s a re su lt o f a ll k in ds o f w hat s h ould b e n onem erg en cy a ctiv itie s, s u ch a s catc h in g b use s, d riv in g c ars , a tte n din g m eetin gs a n d d oin g d aily w ork . A s a r e su lt, we f lo od o ur s y ste m s w ith s tr e ss c h em ic als u nnecessa rily , a n d w e d o s o o n a c h ro nic basis . To m in im iz e d am ag e f ro m c h ro nic s tr e ss, w e m ust f in d h ealth fu l w ay s to a d ap t. Adap ta tio n is w hat s tr e ss m an ag em en t is a ll a b out. O ur a b ility to a d ap t is p art o f what h as a llo w ed h um an kin d to s u rv iv e s o w ell in d iv ers e e n vir o nm en ts . W e m ust le arn h ow t o c h oose a n d i n te rp re t t o day ’s c h alle n ges i n w ay s t h at c o nvert p ote n tia lly dis -s tr e ssfu l situ atio ns to ex citin g, ch alle n gin g o nes, as w ell as le arn p ro ductiv e co pin g s tr a te g ie s w hen d is -s tr e ss i s u nav oid ab le . If y ou k now o f a c erta in p ers o n, s itu atio n o r lo catio n th at s tr e sse s y ou, c h oose to av oid p uttin g th at s tr e ss o n y ours e lf b y a v oid in g th at p ers o n, s itu atio n o r lo catio n. Do n ot p ut p re ssu re ( s tr e ss) o n y ours e lf w hen d oin g s o w ill lik ely h av e n o e ffe ct o n th e o utc o m e o f a situ atio n. Y ou h av e th e p ow er to c h oose . If y ou a re stu ck in a tr a ffic ja m , y ou c an e ith er s tr e ss o ut, o r y ou c an s e iz e th e o pportu nity to b re ath e deep ly a n d re la x . N eith er a ctio n m ak es th e tr a ffic m ove fa ste r, b ut o ne a p pro ach mak es y ou h ealth ie r a n d t h e o th er m ak es y ou s ic k er. I f y ou b eco m e v is ib ly i r rita te d when s ta n din g in lin es o r fo llo w in g s lo w d riv ers , a t th ose tim es y ou m ay w an t to ev alu ate t h e d eg re e t o w hic h y ou a llo w l if e ’s l ittle i r rita tio ns t o i m pact n eg ativ ely o n your h ealth a n d w ell- b ein g. Man y d is -s tr e ssfu l s itu atio ns a re im possib le to a v oid . I n f a ct, w e w ould n ot w an t to a v oid a ll o f th em . A s R obert O rn ste in , M .D ., a n d D av id S obel, P h.D ., e x pla in in th eir b ook The H ea lin g B ra in , “If w e . . . tr ie d to a v oid [ a ll] s tr e sso rs n o o ne w ould ev er m arry , h av e c h ild re n , ta k e a jo b, g et d iv orc ed , o r in ven t a n yth in g a t a ll.” “ T he way w e re act to str e ss,” th ey sa y, “ ap pears to b e m ore im porta n t th an th e str e ss its e lf . . . . [ T ]h e o nse t a n d c o urs e o f d is e ase a re s tr o ngly l in ked t o a p ers o n’s a b ility an d w illin gness t o c o pe w ith s tr e ss. . . . H elp le ssn ess i s w ors e t h an s tr e ss i ts e lf .” Man y e ffe ctiv e te ch niq ues e x is t fo r re d ucin g th e str e ss in o ur liv es, in clu din g co unse lin g, pra y er, m ed ita tio n, th era p y, ex erc is e , yoga, se lf -h ypnosis , keep in g a jo urn al, so cia l su pport an d oth er alte rn ativ es. Fin d w hat w ork s fo r you an d unders ta n d th at y our h ealth is c o nsta n tly a ffe cte d b y th e w ay y ou re sp ond to a n d in te rp re t t h e s tr e ssfu l s itu atio ns i n y our l if e ; y our l e v els o f d is -s tr e ss a re d ete rm in ed by y our c h oic es, n ot s im ply b y t h e r a n dom h ap pen in gs i n y our b usy l if e . Love L ea d s t h e W ay The “ g ood” e m otio ns— lo ve, c o m passio n, sp ir itu al a w are n ess— h av e e x tr e m ely pow erfu l im plic atio ns fo r h ealth , b ut th ey a re o fte n d if fic u lt to d efin e, e x pla in o r measu re . T hese c o m ple x a n d n onta n gib le c o ncep ts re m ain p erh ap s th e m ost “ re al” co nsid era tio ns in o ur liv es. U nders ta n din g th eir p ow er o ver h ealth a n d d is e ase is critic al t o u nders ta n din g a n d p ra ctic in g e ffe ctiv e h ealth c are . Str o ng s o cia l s u pport— in clu din g fa m ily re la tio nsh ip s, frie n dsh ip s, re la tio nsh ip s with h ealth p ra ctitio ners , ro m an tic re la tio nsh ip s, an d re la tio nsh ip s w ith sp ir itu al le ad ers a n d fig ure s— is a c ritic al c o m ponen t o f h ealth c are . P eo ple a re ty pic ally health ie r a n d re co ver fro m d is e ase s m ore e ffe ctiv ely w hen th ey h av e s tr o ng s o cia l tie s. W hy? P erh ap s p eo ple s im ply f e el c are d f o r a n d h opefu l a b out th eir f u tu re . O r perh ap s t h e b onds t h at p eo ple f o rm t r a n sc en d o ur t r a d itio nal s c ie n tif ic u nders ta n din g of h ealth — ev en in to re alm s o f sp ir it a n d e n erg y. H ow ev er it w ork s, p eo ple w ho re la te w ith o th ers d o h elp e ach o th er t h ro ugh a d vers itie s, a llo w in g f o r g re ate r h ealth an d w elln ess t h an p eo ple w ho a re i s o la te d a n d a lo ne. Alth ough re la tio nsh ip s can not be put onto a slid e an d ex am in ed under a mic ro sc o pe, m an y stu die s h av e c ite d th e e ffe cts o f re la tio nsh ip s— or th e la ck o f re la tio nsh ip s— on h ealth a n d d is e ase : • P eo ple w ho a re s in gle , s e p ara te d , d iv orc ed o r w id ow ed a re m ore t h an t w ic e a s lik ely to d ie th an th eir m arrie d p eers , a n d fiv e to te n tim es m ore lik ely to b e hosp ita liz ed f o r m en ta l d is o rd ers . • S ocia l i s o la tio n i s a s b ig a r is k f a cto r f o r d is e ase a s s m okin g. • P eo ple w ith m in im al so cia l c o nnectio ns, su ch a s th ose w ith fe w frie n ds o r fa m ily a n d p eo ple w ho te n d n ot to p artic ip ate in th eir c o m munitie s, a re tw o to fiv e t im es m ore l ik ely t o d ie p re m atu re ly t h an t h ose w ith m ore e x te n siv e s o cia l tie s. T hese dif fe re n ces are in dep en den t of ag e, se x , an d eth nic or cu ltu ra l back gro und. • S tu die s o f m ed ic al stu den ts d urin g str e ssfu l ex am p erio ds fo und th at th e big gest d ro p i n i m munity o ccu rre d i n s tu den ts w ho r e p orte d b ein g l o nely . • W hen e x perim en ta l s u bje cts w ere i n je cte d w ith c o ld v ir u se s, i n div id uals w ith fe w er s o cia l tie s w ere fo ur to s ix tim es m ore lik ely to d ev elo p c o ld s a s th ose who h ad m ore s o cia l t ie s. • T he d eath r a te a m ong R ussia n m en in cre ase d b y n early 4 0 p erc en t f o llo w in g th e f a ll o f c o m munis m , a ttr ib ute d t o s o cia l i n sta b ility . Love i s a d eep a n d v ita l p art o f o urs e lv es a n d a c ritic al a sp ect o f t h e p sy ch olo gic al path w ay. T here is lo ve fo r o nese lf , fo r o th er p eo ple , fo r p ets , lo ve in sp ir itu al pra ctic e a n d m uch m ore . T ru e lo ve, o f c o urs e , is u nco nditio nal, e x is tin g f o r its o w n sa k e b ecau se y ou c h oose i t a n d w an t i t i n y our l if e . Fin din g a n d fe elin g lo ve, h ow ev er, c an b e a c h alle n ge. A nger, fru str a tio n, fe ar, je alo usy , a p ath y— all c an in te rfe re w ith o ur a b ility to lo ve o urs e lv es a n d th ose d ear to u s. P art o f b ein g a b le to lo ve is b ein g a b le to h av e c o m passio n b oth f o r y ours e lf an d f o r t h e p eo ple a ro und y ou. U nders ta n din g t h e o bsta cle s t h at y ou f a ce i n y our l if e mak es it p ossib le a n d e asie r to u nders ta n d th e o bsta cle s o th ers fa ce. W ith in th is pers p ectiv e, y ou c an h av e c o m passio n f o r a n yone, e v en s o m eo ne w ho m is tr e ats y ou. Lik ew is e , hav in g co m passio n fo r yours e lf is not only possib le but esse n tia l! Som etim es w e s u cceed a n d s o m etim es w e f a il; f a cin g l if e ’s o bsta cle s i s c h alle n gin g, as we all know , but with out co m passio n an d lo ve, obsta cle s may se em in su rm ounta b le . If w e d o n ot f ill o ur l iv es w ith l o ve a n d c o m passio n, t h en w e m ak e r o om f o r t h eir opposite s, s u ch a s a n ger a n d h ostility , w hic h a re i n cre d ib ly h arm fu l t o o ur h ealth a n d hap pin ess. A s R ed fo rd W illia m s, M .D ., au th or of th e book Anger Kills , wro te : “G ettin g a n gry is lik e ta k in g a s m all d ose o f s o m e s lo w -a ctin g p ois o n e v ery d ay o f your lif e .” A t th e B eh av io ra l M ed ic in e R ese arc h C en te r at D uke U niv ers ity , Willia m s h as re se arc h ed th e effe cts o f an ger, p artic u la rly h ow str e ss ch em ic als cau se h eart d is e ase . H e f o und t h at c h em ic als r e le ase d b y t h e b ody d urin g p erio ds o f an ger a n d h ostility d am ag e th e lin in g o f a rte rie s. A noth er s tu dy r e p orte d in a 1 980 is su e of Psy ch oso m atic M ed ic in e fo und th at peo ple w ho are cy nic al, w ho hav e hostile attitu des an d w ho hav e su ppre sse d an ger hav e m ore ath ero sc le ro sis an d blo ck ag e o f c o ro nary a rte rie s a n d a re m ore l ik ely t o h av e h eart a tta ck s. The P ow er o f P ra yer Perh ap s th e best w ay to m ain ta in lo ve an d co m passio n in your lif e is to co nsc io usly s e ek a n d p ra ctic e it. E nlig hte n ed le ad ers a n d g lo bal s p ir itu al tr a d itio ns ad vocate s p ir itu al p ra ctic e a s th e e sse n tia l f o undatio n o f c o m pre h en siv e h ealth a n d vita lity , i n clu din g a ll a sp ects o f a s o und m in d a n d b ody. T his b ook d oes n ot a d vocate an y sp ecif ic re lig io n or sp ir itu al pra ctic e, but does re co m men d so m e ty pe of pra ctic e. W hy? B ecau se b ein g s e lf -in volv ed , s e lf -c en te re d a n d “ stu ck in y our o w n head ” i s s o e asy . O nly w hen b ody, m in d a n d s p ir it a re f u lly i n te g ra te d c an y ou t r u ly optim iz e y our h ealth . Spir itu al p ra ctic e b rin gs a b out m easu ra b le c h an ges in th e b ra in a n d in o vera ll health . L arry D osse y, M .D ., in h is b ook Hea lin g W ord s, desc rib ed “ o ne o f th e b est kep t se cre ts in m ed ic al sc ie n ce”: th e ben efits of pra y er. D r. D osse y defin es pra y erfu ln ess a s “ a fe elin g o f lo ve, c o m passio n a n d e m path y to w ard a n oth er,” a n d he e x pla in s t h at p ra y er i s “ a p ow erfu l a n d l e g itim ate ( if o fte n o verlo oked ) m eth od o f healin g.” D osse y u se s a n im pre ssiv e a rra y o f e v id en ce to s h ow th at p ra y er c an h av e a p ositiv e e ffe ct o n h ealth . A 1 988 s tu dy c o nducte d i n S an F ra n cis c o i n vestig ate d t h e effe cts of pra y er on th e card io vasc u la r health of 393 co ro nary -c are patie n ts . Unknow n to th e p atie n ts in volv ed , o ne g ro up w as p ra y ed f o r a n d th e o th er w as n ot. At t h e e n d o f t h e t e n -m onth s tu dy, t h e p ra y ed -fo r g ro up w as f iv e t im es l e ss l ik ely t o re q uir e a n tib io tic s a n d th re e tim es le ss lik ely to d ev elo p a c o nditio n in w hic h th e lu ngs f ill w ith f lu id . D r. D osse y ’s r e se arc h a ls o f o und t h at p ra y er c an h av e b en efic ia l effe cts o n v ario us liv in g c ells a n d o rg an is m s, in clu din g m ic e, c h ic k s, fu ngi, y east, bacte ria an d en zy m es. In th e O cto ber 2 001 is su e o f th e Jo urn al o f R ep ro ductiv e Hea lth , re se arc h ers a t C olu m bia U niv ers ity — ex pre ssin g g re at s u rp ris e a t th eir o w n pro fo und f in din gs— an nounced t h at w hen c o m ple te s tr a n gers p ra y ed f o r w om en w ho wen t to a fe rtility c lin ic , th e w om en h ad tw ic e th e p re g nan cy ra te a s w om en fo r whom p ra y ers w ere n ot g iv en . How d oes s p ir itu ality in flu en ce h ealth a n d p erfo rm an ce, a n d h ow d o w e in te g ra te it in to h ealth -c are p ro m otio n a n d p ra ctic e a s p ro fe ssio nals a n d a s in div id uals ? N o one sc ie n tif ic ally unders ta n ds th e m ech an is m s. N oneth ele ss, th e sc ie n tif ic data pro ve th at s p ir itu ality d oes w ork . S uch d ata p ose p ro fo und q uestio ns. P erh ap s th ese pre cis e q uestio ns a re th e o nes w e n eed to b e a sk in g in o rd er to d ev elo p a m ore co m ple te u nders ta n din g o f h ealth . E ven i f w e d on’t h av e a ll t h e a n sw ers , w e c an s till ben efit f ro m t h e p ow er o f s p ir itu al p ra ctic e. A G rea t O pportu nit y While h ealth g en era lly is m easu re d a n d u nders to od a t th e p hysic al le v el, a s w e hav e d is c u sse d , p sy ch olo gic al h ealth a n d p hysic al h ealth a re i n div is ib ly o ne a n d t h e sa m e. W hat g oes o n in y our m in d is a ls o g oin g o n in y our b ody, a n d th e g ood n ew s is t h at y ou h av e a w id e m en u o f p ra ctic al, p ro ductiv e, s e lf -e m pow erin g a n d e x citin g optio ns t o p ro m ote p sy ch olo gic al— a n d, t h ere fo re , p hysic al— well- b ein g. Too m an y p eo ple fa ll in to s e lf -d efe atin g lif e sty le p atte rn s. If y ou w an t to m ove yours e lf i n t h e r ig ht d ir e ctio n o n t h e p sy ch olo gic al p ath w ay a n d i m pro ve y our h ealth fo r th e b ette r, y ou c an not c o ntin ue to d o th e sa m e n eg ativ e th in gs a n d e x pect to obta in d if fe re n t a n d p ositiv e re su lts . C han gin g o ne’s p atte rn s o f b eh av io r, b elie f, th in kin g, f e elin g, p erc ep tio n a n d p hysic al r e sp onse is th e g oal o f th e p sy ch olo gic al path w ay . S uch c h an ges t a k e p ra ctic e a n d c o m mitm en t. The f ir s t s te p is to n otic e a n d id en tif y th e f e elin gs a sso cia te d w ith s tr e ss, th en to im ple m en t s tr a te g ie s c o nsc io usly t o t a k e c are o f y ours e lf . B ey ond m en ta l t e ch niq ues —su ch as p ra y er, b io fe ed back , th era p y, m ed ita tio n an d n um ero us se lf -re g ula tio n te ch niq ues— physic al activ itie s als o can b e h elp fu l, in clu din g ex erc is e , b re ath in g te ch niq ues, yoga, m assa g e, sa u nas an d hot bath s. U nders ta n din g how th e m in d affe cts th e fu nctio n (o r m alf u nctio n) o f o ur c ells e n ab le s u s to m ak e th e p ositiv e ch oic es t h at e n ab le u s t o m ain ta in o r i m pro ve h ealth . Keep in g a h ealth y o utlo ok is b oth o ne o f lif e ’s g re at c h alle n ges a n d o ne o f lif e ’s gre at o pportu nitie s. H av in g a p urp ose , a h ig her m ean in g to y our lif e th an m ere ex is te n ce, i s a c ritic al p art o f t h e w hole p ic tu re o f h ealth . 8 T HE P HYSIC AL P ATH W AY “M any of th e th in gs w e ca ll bio m ark ers of agin g m ig ht actu ally b e b io m ark ers o f i n activ ity .” Willia m E van s, P h.D . The H um an N utr itio n R ese arc h C en te r o n A gin g Y ou’v e h eard th e a d vic e b efo re : I f y ou w an t to s ta y p hysic ally f it a n d h ealth y, g et ple n ty o f e x erc is e a n d s le ep , a n d s ta y a w ay fro m d ru gs, to bacco a n d a lc o hol. Y ou may h av e h eard it s o o fte n , in fa ct, th at y ou n o lo nger a re p ay in g a tte n tio n. A ls o becau se t h is a d vic e i s c o m mon— th e k in d o f t h in g “ y our m oth er t o ld y ou”— you m ay th in k t h at y ou k now a ll t h at y ou r e ally n eed t o k now . Thin k a g ain ! T here is m ore to th e sto ry . W ith out u nders ta n din g h ow e v ery day ch oic es a ffe ct y our h ealth a t th e c ellu la r le v el, y ou m ay n ot re co gniz e th e ris k s to av oid , n or th e b en efits y ou c an re ap . F or e x am ple , m is sin g to o m uch sle ep m ay cre ate m ore th an d ark c ir c le s; it m ay c au se b ra in d am ag e. B re ath in g th e rig ht w ay may h elp y ou f e el b ette r a n d l iv e l o nger. E xerc is in g y our e y es, i n s im ple w ay s, m ay help y ou to a v oid n eed in g e y eg la sse s, o r to d is c ard e y eg la sse s y ou a lr e ad y w ear. Usin g h air d ry ers , ele ctr ic ra zo rs , cellp hones an d o th er ele ctr ic al ap plia n ces m ay in cre ase y our ris k fo r c an cer, a s d oes e x posu re to m ed ic al X ra y s. S im ple c h oic es can m ak e th e d if fe re n ce— tu rn o n th e d is h w ash er o nly w hen y ou p la n to le av e th e kitc h en . • M uch o f t h e d is a b ility i n o ur e ld erly p opula tio n a ttr ib ute d t o a g in g a ctu ally i s th e r e su lt o f d ecad es o f i n activ ity . • A stu dy re p orte d in th e O cto ber 1 999 is su e o f Lancet fo und th at a fte r o ne week o f o nly a f e w h ours s le ep p er n ig ht, h orm one le v els c h an ge a n d th e b ody ev en h as t r o uble m eta b oliz in g c arb ohydra te s. • A s tu dy r e p orte d i n t h e F eb ru ary 2 001 i s su e o f Occu patio nal M ed ic in e sh ow ed th at fa cto ry w ork ers , c h ro nic ally e x pose d to lo ud n ois e , s u ffe re d c alc iu m a n d mag nesiu m l o sse s. • M ed ic al X r a y s m ay b e t h e l e ad in g c au se o f c an cer. If you do not su pport your body’s need s fo r sle ep an d ex erc is e an d pro te ct yours e lf f ro m p hysic al h arm — ev ery th in g f ro m n ois e t o m ic ro w av es t o X r a y s— you can not be health y. A ls o you can not be overw eig ht an d health y; you can not be ex hau ste d a n d w ell. T erm s lik e “ o verw eig ht” a n d “ ex hau ste d ” a re d efin itio ns o f ill health a n d, i n t h e l o ng-te rm , i n vita tio ns t o d is a ste r. Thin k o f a ll th e p eo ple y ou k now : th ose w ho w ear th eir a g e w ell a n d th ose w ho “b re ak d ow n.” T hin k o f a ll th e c ars o n th e str e ets : b eau tif u lly m ain ta in ed c la ssic cars as w ell as ru sty o ld “clu nkers .” If y ou w an t lo ng-la stin g h ealth , y ou m ust main ta in y our b ody p ro perly a n d “ d riv e” i t w ith c are . Main ta in in g yours e lf on th e physic al path w ay is not only ab out pre v en tiv e main te n an ce b ut a ls o a b out p ro te ctin g y our b ody fro m th e p hysic al d am ag e th at re su lts fro m physic al ev en ts (a ccid en ts , sp ort in ju rie s), th e en vir o nm en t (n ois e , su nburn , e le ctr o m ag netic r a d ia tio n) a n d m ed ic al t r e atm en ts ( X r a y s, d ru gs, s u rg ery ). Giv en th e lif e sty le s o f m an y A m eric an s w ho s p en d m ost o f th eir d ay s s ittin g o r driv in g, w ho h av e h ectic sc h ed ule s a n d in te rru pte d sle ep a n d w hose d ay s m ay b e bom bard ed b y u nre co gniz ed e n vir o nm en ta l a ssa u lts , t h e t im e h as c o m e t o b e s e rio us ab out p re v en tin g w ear a n d t e ar. The J oy o f M ovem en t Thro ughout h um an e v olu tio n, o ur b io lo gic al a n cesto rs w ere v ery a ctiv e, e n gag in g in h ours o f v ig oro us p hysic al a ctiv ity e v ery d ay. T hey w alk ed o r ra n e v ery w here th ey w en t, an d th ey n eed ed to w ork h ard , p hysic ally , to m eet th eir b asic n eed s. Becau se o f th is ev olu tio nary h is to ry , h um an b odie s re q uir e p hysic al activ ity fo r good health . His to ric ally , health y popula tio ns su ch as th e Hunzas an d th e Vilc ab am bas m et th ose b io lo gic al n eed s b y d efa u lt. T hey liv ed th eir e n tir e liv es in mounta in ous fa rm in g co m munitie s w here th ey had vig oro us ex erc is e th ro ugh re g ula r daily activ itie s. A s you re call, old er H unza m en — ofte n w ell in to th eir hundre d s— work ed in th e f ie ld s a n d p artic ip ate d in s tr e n uous f o lk d an cin g. Exerc is e is l ik e a n e sse n tia l n utr ie n t; w ith out i t, y o ur b ody m alfu nctio ns. Unlik e o ur h unte r-g ath ere r a n cesto rs , m ost o f u s n ow e n gag e in little p hysic al activ ity . T he In dustr ia l R ev olu tio n ra d ic ally c h an ged h um an e x is te n ce. M ach in es an d t e ch nolo gy p erfo rm w ork f o rm erly d one b y h an d. N o l o nger d o w e h unt o r f a rm ; our w ork is d one s ittin g a t a d esk o r s ta n din g b eh in d a c o unte r, a n d w e m eet o ur daily n eed s w ith a q uic k tr ip to a s to re . E ven o ur re cre atio n is s e d en ta ry : W e re ad books, p la y v id eo g am es, a n d w atc h m ovie s a n d te le v is io n (th e a v era g e A m eric an watc h es th re e h ours a d ay ). W e s e ld om w alk o r ru n; in ste ad , w e u se a u to m obile s, tr a in s, t a x is a n d b use s. Six ty p erc en t o f o ur a d ult p opula tio n is se d en ta ry , a n d o ne o ut o f fo ur p eo ple en gag es in a b so lu te ly n o e x erc is e w hats o ev er. L ack o f a ctiv ity c o ntr ib ute s to o ur ep id em ic o f p hysic al p ro ble m s s u ch a s lo w -b ack p ain a n d s p in e p ro ble m s, fa tig ue, arth ritis , o ste o poro sis , o besity a n d a h ost o f c h ro nic d is e ase s. A lm ost e v ery one h as th e n ag gin g s e n se t h at t h ey “ sh ould ” e x erc is e , b ut f e w u nders ta n d w hy e x erc is e i s s o im porta n t. Exerc is e is g ood b eca use ( lik e a nyth in g e ls e th at is “ good fo r y o u” ), it p ro m ote s th e h ea lth o f c ells . Exerc is e p re v en ts b oth o f th e tw o c au se s o f d is e ase — defic ie n cy an d to xic ity — b y p ro m otin g e ffic ie n t n utr ie n t d eliv ery to c ells a n d s tim ula tin g th e ly m phatic s y ste m ( th e b ody’s s e w ag e s y ste m ), v ita l f o r r e m ovin g t o xin s f ro m c ells . Exerc is e i s g re at f o r b ody a n d m in d; i t s lo w s t h e e ffe cts o f a g in g, r e d uces p ain a n d help s t o i m pro ve m ood, c la rity o f m in d, b ala n ce, c o ord in atio n a n d s p atia l a w are n ess —not t o m en tio n t h e c o nfid en ce b oost t h at c o m es f ro m “ g ettin g p hysic al.” T he b ody has a lm ost s e v en h undre d d if fe re n t m usc le s; w ith out p hysic al a ctiv ity , t h ese m usc le s quic k ly w aste a w ay a n d lo se th eir s tr e n gth . W hen c erta in m usc le s a re w eak , o th ers will c o m pen sa te to d o th e w ork , w hic h c an c au se p ain fu l p hysic al d am ag e to th e body w ith lo ng-te rm w ear a n d te ar. W hat h ap pen s th en ? C an es, w alk ers a n d p ain med ic atio ns a re th e f re q uen tly p re sc rib ed tr e atm en ts , b ut th e p ro ble m is in activ ity . A s tu dy r e p orte d in th e Jo urn al o f th e A m eric a n M ed ic a l A sso cia tio n in 1 996 f o und th at p hysic ally in activ e p eo ple a re u p to tw ic e a s lik ely to d ie p re m atu re ly a s th ose who a re p hysic ally f it. Lack o f e xerc is e a ctu ally m ay b e a g re a te r h ea lth r is k th an s m okin g. Peo ple w ho ex erc is e re g ula rly an d als o sm oke ty pic ally liv e lo nger an d h ealth ie r liv es th an peo ple w ho do not sm oke but als o do not ex erc is e . C onsid er w hat hap pen s to bed rid den p eo ple — bodie s th at d o n ot m ove o r e x erc is e a t a ll. T heir c ells b eco m e in cre asin gly m ore d efic ie n t a n d to xic , w astin g a w ay d aily . U nuse d m usc le s lo se 1 0 to 1 5 p erc en t o f th eir s tr e n gth p er w eek a n d h alf th eir s tr e n gth in ju st th re e to f iv e week s. M ean w hile , th e b ones a n d jo in ts b eco m e w eak , b rittle a n d su sc ep tib le to fra ctu re o r b re ak ag e. Exercis e f o r Y ou r M in d’s S ak e Exerc is e is im porta n t f o r m en ta l f u nctio n, h elp in g to e n gag e a n d c le ar th e m in d. Lack o f e x erc is e m ak es a p ers o n m ore s u sc ep tib le to m en ta l illn ess. E xerc is e is a n ex celle n t s tr e ss-m an ag em en t t e ch niq ue. O ld er p eo ple w ho e x erc is e a re 3 .5 t im es l e ss lik ely t o d ev elo p A lz h eim er’s d is e ase t h an t h ose w ho l e ad s e d en ta ry l iv es. E ngag e i n so m e k in d o f p hysic al a ctiv ity e v ery d ay. L ettin g d ay s o r w eek s g o b y w ith out a n y ex erc is e h as a n eg ativ e im pact o n th e h ealth o f y our b ra in c ells a s w ell a s a ll y our oth er c ells . T he k now n b en efits o f e x erc is e i n clu de t h e f o llo w in g: • R ele ase s b ra in c h em ic als th at a lle v ia te fe elin gs o f a n xie ty , d ep re ssio n a n d men ta l s tr e ss. • E nhan ces th e im mune s y ste m (b y in cre asin g n atu ra l k ille r-c ell a ctiv ity ) a n d im pro ves t h e b ody’s a b ility t o f ig ht i n fe ctio ns. • S lo w s th e o nse t o f a g in g e ffe cts , su ch a s slo w ed n erv e im puls e s a n d b one dem in era liz atio n ( in clu din g o ste o poro sis ). • R ed uces th e ris k o f d ev elo pin g T ype II d ia b ete s b y ab out 2 5 p erc en t an d decre ase s i n su lin r e sis ta n ce. • H elp s l o w er b lo od p re ssu re . R eg ula r e x erc is e c an l o w er b lo od p re ssu re b y t e n poin ts o r m ore . • H elp s p re v en t c ard io vasc u la r d is e ase b y b lo ck in g t h e b uild up o f p la q ue i n t h e arte rie s. • D is so lv es b lo od c lo ts a n d r e d uces t h e r is k o f s tr o ke. • R ed uces c an cer r is k ; ju st f o ur h ours o f e x erc is e p er w eek lo w ers a w om an ’s ris k o f b re ast c an cer b y a lm ost 6 0 p erc en t. • T ones a n d c o nditio ns t h e e n tir e b ody a n d h elp s p re v en t o besity . Die t F ad s a n d F acts Die tin g to lo se w eig ht is a r e cu rrin g th em e in A m eric an lif e . N ew d ie t p la n s a re an nounced re p eate d ly . W eig ht- re d ucin g p ro ducts flo od th e m ark et, o fte n p ro m ote d by fa m ous o r o rd in ary p eo ple w ith “ re m ark ab le ” s to rie s. F or la stin g re su lts in a n y weig ht- lo ss p ro gra m , h ow ev er, e x erc is e i s e sse n tia l. D ecre asin g c alo rie s ( d ie tin g) a s a w eig ht- lo ss m eth od can actu ally cau se th e b ody to slo w its m eta b olic ra te to co nse rv e en erg y. B y sta rv in g, one has le ss en erg y an d burn s le ss fa t, an d th e unw an te d p ounds a re lik ely to s ta y rig ht w here th ey a re . R eg ula r e x erc is e c h an ges how your body pro duces en erg y (lik e sto kin g a fir e or heatin g up a fu rn ace), in cre asin g o ne’s a b ility t o b urn s to re d f a t a n d l o se w eig ht. Am eric a h as a s e rio us o besity e p id em ic t h at w ors e n s y early a n d b eg in s a t y ounger an d younger ag es. C onsid er our ch ild re n , w ho are sp en din g m ore tim e w ith co m pute rs , t e le v is io n a n d v id eo g am es, a n d l e ss t im e a t p hysic al p la y. F ro m 1 960 t o 2000, obesity am ong U .S . ch ild re n ag ed six to te n years in cre ase d 54 perc en t. Pare n ts , do not kid yours e lv es: Few ch ild re n outg ro w w eig ht pro ble m s. Eig hty perc en t o f o bese c h ild re n a nd a dole sc en ts b eco m e o bese a dults . These h ig h o besity le v els in ch ild re n alr e ad y are co ntr ib utin g to w id esp re ad dis e ase s, in clu din g card io vasc u la r dis e ase , dia b ete s an d can cer. These co nditio ns fre q uen tly are asso cia te d w ith o besity a n d u se d t o b e r a re i n c h ild re n . The o nly w ay to sto p th is cy cle is to sta rt w ith th e k id s! A t le ast ad ults can unders ta n d t h at b odie s a re m ad e o f c ells t h at m ust b e m ain ta in ed . Y oung c h ild re n d o not, y et t h ey s u ffe r t h e r e p erc u ssio ns. A dults n eed t o i n str u ct c h ild re n . W e o nly h urt th em w hen w e a llo w th em to d ev elo p s e d en ta ry a n d u nhealth y lif e sty le s— when w e allo w th em to s it in f ro nt o f e le ctr o nic s c re en s a s a w ay o f lif e , r a re ly e x erc is in g o r se ein g t h e l ig ht o f d ay . Gain — Wit h ou t t h e P ain In gen era l, ev ery body need s so m e kin d of physic al m ovem en t ev ery day. Esta b lis h in g a n d a d herin g t o a r o utin e m ay b e d if fic u lt. R ealis tic ally , h ow d o y ou f it a w ork out i n to a n a lr e ad y b usy l if e ? B y d oin g w hat y ou l ik e t o d o. I f y ou d o n ot l ik e a p artic u la r ty pe o f e x erc is e (a n d y ou d o it m ore fo r th e “ m ed ic in e” th an fo r th e en jo ym en t) , y ou a re f a r le ss lik ely to c o ntin ue it. E xperim en t u ntil y ou d is c o ver th e activ ity o r r o utin e t h at i s r ig ht f o r y ou, o ne t h at g en uin ely e n gag es y ou. A vig oro us an d ch alle n gin g ex erc is e ro utin e is id eal, but m ost im porta n tly , esta b lis h a ro utin e th at y ou c an p ra ctic e c o nsis te n tly . O ccasio nal, e rra tic w ork outs pro vid e little b en efit. F urth erm ore , in te n se p hysic al a ctiv ity w ith a n o ut- o f-s h ap e body i n cre ase s r is k o f i n ju ry . I f y ou d o n ot e x erc is e e v ery d ay, a b so lu te ly a v oid l o ng perio ds o f tim e ( a w eek o r m ore ) o f b ein g s e d en ta ry ; liv in g a s e d en ta ry life sty le is th e s a m e a s i n vitin g d is e a se a nd i n ju ry i n to y o ur b ody. Esta b lis h in g a h ealth y e x erc is e ro utin e re q uir e s e v alu atin g y our b ody’s c o m fo rt le v el a n d l im its . E xerc is e s s h ould b e c h alle n gin g, b ut n ot p ain fu l. P ain i s a w arn in g. Mild d is c o m fo rt i s n orm al, b ut o nce t h e b ody i s w arm ed u p, p ain s h ould g o a w ay. I f not, p erh ap s th e e x erc is e is to o in te n se , o r p erh ap s m ore th oro ugh str e tc h in g a n d warm up a re n eed ed . How m uch e x erc is e d o w e n eed ? In 1 995, th e C en te rs fo r D is e ase C ontr o l a n d Pre v en tio n an d th e A m eric an Colle g e of Sports M ed ic in e su rv ey ed ex is tin g ev id en ce. B oth o rg an iz atio ns re co m men d th at e v ery A m eric an g et a m in im um o f th ir ty m in ute s o f p hysic al a ctiv ity e v ery d ay. W ith in re aso n, th e m ore in te n se th e ex erc is e , th e g re ate r th e h ealth b en efits . F or e x am ple , m en b urn in g tw o th ousa n d to th re e t h ousa n d c alo rie s p er w eek i n t h eir e x erc is e p ro gra m a re 4 6 p erc en t l e ss l ik ely to e x perie n ce a s tr o ke t h an m en w ho b urn l e ss t h an o ne t h ousa n d. An E xercis e P la n T hat R ea lly W ork s Thre e b asic p arts o f a h ealth y e x erc is e r o utin e f o r e v ery one s h ould i n clu de: • Aero bic ex erc is e . I t g ets t h e b ody w arm ed u p, t h e h eart p um pin g a n d t h e b lo od cir c u la tin g. A ero bic s in clu de jo ggin g, sp eed w alk in g, bic y clin g an d fitn ess cla sse s. A ero bic e x erc is e b urn s fa t a n d c alo rie s, m ain ta in s fitn ess in th e h eart an d lu ngs, h elp s cir c u la te th e ly m ph (th us g ettin g rid o f to xin s) an d h elp s in cre ase th e o xygen s u pplie d to b odily tis su es (c an cer th riv es in lo w -o xygen , unex erc is e d t is su es). B ecau se i t h elp s p re v en t b oth c an cer a n d h eart d is e ase , t h e tw o b ig gest k ille rs i n A m eric a, a ero bic e x erc is e i s p ro bab ly t h e m ost i m porta n t ty pe o f e x erc is e . • Weig ht- b ea rin g ex erc is e . O nce t h e b ody i s w arm ed u p ( a n d y ou’v e t a k en t im e to s tr e tc h o ut a n d d rin k flu id ), w eig ht o r re sis ta n ce tr a in in g (w eig htlif tin g o r yoga, f o r i n sta n ce) i s u se fu l t o i n cre ase m usc le s tr e n gth a n d e n dura n ce, a s w ell as to p ro m ote h ealth y b ones, jo in ts a n d c o nnectiv e tis su es. S uch e x erc is e is im porta n t in p re v en tin g o ste o poro sis a n d a rth ritis . B ecau se o f th e a d ded f o rc es in volv ed in w eig ht- b earin g e x erc is e , u se o f p ro per te ch niq ue is e sse n tia l. P oor te ch niq ue, alo ng w ith ex cessiv e w eig ht or re p etitio n, can cau se physic al dam ag e. S m ooth , c o ntr o lle d m ovem en ts a re n ecessa ry , a s is s te ad y b re ath in g (w hic h h elp s w ith s tr e n gth a n d c o ntr o l) . T he b asic w eig htlif tin g g uid elin e: t h re e se ts o f w eig htlif tin g e x erc is e s p er m usc le g ro up, re stin g b rie fly b etw een s e ts , an d lif tin g te n to tw en ty tim es per se t. B e care fu l not to “je rk ” or fo rc e ex erc is e s, e sp ecia lly if y ou a re tir e d ; o th erw is e y ou b en efit little a n d a re a t gre ate r r is k f o r i n ju ry . • Str e tc h in g and fle xib ility . Befo re , durin g an d partic u la rly afte r ex erc is e , str e tc h in g is im porta n t. R ig id , tig ht tis su es te n d b e m ore s u sc ep tib le to in ju ry , an d s u ch tig htn ess a ls o in te rfe re s w ith s m ooth a n d e ffic ie n t jo in t m ovem en ts . For th ese re aso ns, s tr e tc h in g c an h elp m ak e o th er a sp ects o f a w ork out e asie r an d m ore co m fo rta b le . If part of your ex erc is e ro utin e se em s unusu ally ch alle n gin g o r p ain fu l, tr y a b rie f s tr e tc h , w hic h m ay h elp y ou to m ove w ith more fre ed om an d co m fo rt. S tr e tc h in g (a g ain , u sin g ste ad y m ovem en ts an d co ntr o lle d b re ath in g) m ak es tis su es s tr o nger, h ealth ie r a n d m ore m obile . T his critic al a sp ect o f e v ery w ork out s h ould n ot b e r u sh ed o r o verlo oked . Dete rm in e t h e s p ecif ic s o f y our e x erc is e p la n b y t a ilo rin g i t t o y our o w n b ody, a n d do w hat y ou e n jo y. E ven i f y ou g et n o o th er e x erc is e , a t l e ast g o f o r a w alk e ach d ay. Goin g f o r a w alk ( o r a h ik e) c an b e v ery p le asu ra b le , a n d i t i s g ood f o r y ou. W alk in g can e v en p ro vid e a g ood a ero bic w ork out, j u st b y w alk in g f a ste r. T he a v era g e p ers o n str o lls a lo ng a t a b out t h re e m ile s p er h our. I n cre asin g y our w alk in g s p eed t o a b ris k str id e (a b out fo ur m ile s p er h our) d oes a g ood jo b w ork in g y our h eart a n d lu ngs. Bette r s till, s p eed w alk in g ( a b out f iv e m ile s p er h our) w arm s u p t h e b ody, e x erc is e s majo r m usc le g ro ups a n d a ctu ally b urn s m ore c alo rie s th an a s lo w r u n o f th e s a m e sp eed . F or a m ore c o m ple te b ody w ork out, c o nsid er y oga. C erta in ty pes o f y oga co m bin e aero bic , weig ht- b earin g an d str e tc h in g ex erc is e s in to one co m ple te work out. M an y e x celle n t b ooks o n y oga a re a v aila b le , a n d t h ere m ay b e i n str u ctio nal cla sse s a v aila b le i n y our l o cal a re a. Rem em ber th at e xerc is e is s u ppose d to m ake th e b ody fe el b ette r, n ot w orse . T he goal i s t o p ro m ote t h e h ea lth o f y o ur c ells , n ot t o p la ce u ndue s tr e ss o n y o ur b ody. The i n te n sity o f a ll t y pes o f e x erc is e m ust b e m odera te d . I n w arm up a n d a ero bic s, an e x te n ded w ork out o f m odera te in te n sity is p re fe ra b le to a b rie f, h eart- p oundin g, sw eat- p ourin g o ne. J u st a s a f ry in g p an n eed s to b e w arm to c o ok f o od, y our b ody need s to b e w arm fo r g ood p erfo rm an ce— warm en ough to d o th e jo b, w ith out “b urn in g.” D urin g w eig ht- b earin g ex erc is e , b uild str e n gth an d en dura n ce w ith out ex cessiv e re sis ta n ce or re p etitio n. T ry hold in g a w eig ht- b earin g pose until th e musc le s b eg in to f a tig ue, th en p erfo rm th e w eig ht- lif tin g r e p etitio ns. H old in g p rio r to r e p etitio ns m ax im iz es s tr e n gth a n d e n dura n ce w hile m in im iz in g w ear a n d t e ar. Your e x erc is e r o utin e s h ould b e c h alle n gin g, b ut r e aso nab le f o r in div id ual lim its . Avoid a p pro ach es s u ch a s, “ I h ad b ette r m ak e th is a g ood w ork out, s in ce I h av en ’t been e x erc is in g la te ly ,” o r “ th e m ore s tr e n uously I e x erc is e , th e b ette r it w ill b e.” Durin g y our w ork out, m odera te y our i n te n sity b y k eep in g i n m in d h ow y ou w ill f e el afte rw ard . Y ou w an t to f e el lik e y ou a cco m plis h ed a g ood w ork out b ut d id n ot b eat yours e lf u p. C onsis te n cy, ra th er th an ex tr e m e in te n sity , p ro duces th e b en efits o f ex erc is e . C halle n ge y ours e lf , b ut b e r e alis tic . Even fo r p eo ple w ho h ate e x erc is e o r th in k th ey d on’t h av e tim e to e x erc is e , a sim ple so lu tio n, w hic h I use , is re b oundin g. Bouncin g up an d dow n on a min itr a m polin e h as a lm ost m ag ic al e ffe cts . T he a ctiv ity i s s im ple , s u rp ris in gly e asy to d o, a lo t o f fu n, sa fe a n d c an b e d one b y a lm ost a n yone re g ard le ss o f a g e o r physic al co nditio n. Reb oundin g so unds lik e a pan acea, w hic h is w hat it is ! Reb oundin g to nes, c o nditio ns, s tr e n gth en s a n d h eals th e e n tir e b ody, in a s little a s fif te en m in ute s p er d ay . Reb oundin g is s o g ood f o r y ou b ecau se it e x erc is e s a n d m oves e v ery c ell in y our en tir e b ody. W e h av e a lw ay s k now n th at e x erc is e is g ood f o r h ealth b ut h av e n ev er unders to od w hy u ntil n ow : R ese arc h p re se n te d in 2 000 a t th e a n nual m eetin g o f th e Am eric an T hora cic S ocie ty fo und th at p hysic ally str e tc h in g c ells h as a p ro fo und im pact on th eir bio ch em is tr y an d beh av io r. M ovin g an d str e tc h in g a cell— as re b oundin g d oes— help s to s u pply e sse n tia l n utr ie n ts a n d to e lim in ate to xic w aste pro ducts . W hen y ou b ounce o n a r e b ounder, y our e n tir e b ody ( in te rn al o rg an s, b ones, co nnectiv e tis su e an d sk in ) b eco m es str o nger, m ore fle x ib le an d h ealth ie r. B oth blo od c ir c u la tio n a n d l y m phatic d ra in ag e a re v astly i m pro ved . Ja m es W hite , M .D ., of th e U niv ers ity of C alif o rn ia , San D ie g o, sa y s th at re b oundin g e x erc is e is “ th e c lo se st th in g to th e F ounta in o f Y outh th at s c ie n ce h as dis c o vere d .” Vis u aliz e a b allo on fille d w ith w ate r. H old th e b allo on b y its s te m a n d o bse rv e how g ra v ity p ulls o n t h e w ate r, s lig htly s tr e tc h in g t h e b allo on. N ow , m ove y our h an d ra p id ly up an d dow n an d obse rv e how th e ex tr a gra v ita tio nal fo rc e cau se s th e ballo on to s tr e tc h a n d d is to rt. W hen y ou b ounce u p a n d d ow n o n a re b ounder, th is effe ct h ap pen s to e v ery c ell in y our b ody. R eb oundin g a lte rn ate ly p uts p re ssu re o n an d ta k es pre ssu re off body cells , lik e sq ueezin g a sp onge. T his m ovin g an d str e tc h in g of th e cells fa cilita te s nutr ie n t deliv ery an d to xin re m oval, w hic h is ex actly w hat y ou n eed to b e h ealth y— with out h av in g to g o to th e g ym , w ork u p a sw eat, o r e n d u p w ith s o re m usc le s a n d p ossib le i n ju rie s. R eb oundin g i s s o e ffic ie n t becau se it a p plie s w eig ht a n d m ovem en t to e v ery c ell. T he e x tr a fo rc e o f g ra v ity cau se d b y th e b ouncin g str e n gth en s b ones a n d jo in ts , y et w ith out th e ja rrin g a n d pote n tia l dam ag e of m ost im pact activ itie s. (F or m ore in fo rm atio n on w hat I se le cte d f o r m y o w n u se , s e e a p pen dix C .) Anoth er p hysic al te ch niq ue is sk in b ru sh in g. S im ply ta k e a n atu ra l- b ris tle b ath bru sh a n d m ove i t a lo ng y our s k in , u p t h e a rm s a n d l e g s a n d t o w ard t h e c h est. D oin g th is activ ity fo r a fe w m in ute s befo re ta k in g a bath or sh ow er help s cir c u la te ly m phatic f lu id a n d i s e sp ecia lly i m porta n t f o r p eo ple w ho d o n ot g et e n ough r e g ula r ex erc is e . Good p hysic al f itn ess i s m uch m ore t h an a f a sh io n s ta te m en t a n d m uch m ore t h an a w ay to b urn c alo rie s a n d s c u lp t m usc le s. E xerc is e is a f u ndam en ta l p hysic al n eed , an d y ou n eed it e v ery d ay. W hat if y our jo b re q uir e s s ittin g a t a d esk ? S ittin g fo r ex te n ded p erio ds c au se s p hysic al h ealth to d ete rio ra te . W hen sittin g fo r e x te n ded perio ds, ta k e tim e to s ta n d u p a n d s tr e tc h th e b ody ( a lo ng w ith r e la x in g y our e y es). Even sta n din g up fo r a m in ute or tw o each hour can m ak e a big dif fe re n ce. Rem em ber, your body is a liv in g, bre ath in g, m ovin g org an is m ; w hen you sit motio nle ss f o r h ours o n e n d, m eta p horic ally s p eak in g, y ou b eg in t o d ie . Sle ep : T he A ntid ru g Adeq uate s le ep is a ls o a d eep p hysic al n eed a n d a b io lo gic al n ecessity . A deq uate sle ep is c ritic al fo r b uild in g n ew c ells , re p air in g d am ag ed o nes a n d re p le n is h in g cellu la r e n erg y l e v els . O ur l iv es h av e b eco m e s o b usy t h at s o m etim es w e f o rg et w hat it f e els l ik e t o b e f u lly r e ste d a n d a w ak e. W e h av e f o rg otte n w hat a g ood n ig ht’s r e st re ally is . B usy w ith th e c o nsta n t c all o f lif e ’s d utie s, s le ep is o fte n p ush ed a sid e f o r more “ p re ssin g” n eed s. A stu dy b y th e N atio nal S le ep F oundatio n fo und th at 6 4 perc en t o f th e a d ult p opula tio n d oes n ot sle ep th e re co m men ded e ig ht h ours p er nig ht, a n d 3 2 p erc en t s le ep le ss th an s ix h ours . T o c o m pen sa te , p eo ple u se c o ffe e, su gar a n d o th er s tim ula n ts , w hic h w ors e n s a b ad s itu atio n. F or s o m e p eo ple , b ette r health c an b e a ch ie v ed s im ply b y s le ep in g m ore . N eed s a re d if fe re n t f o r e ach p ers o n, so m e r e q uir in g l e ss s le ep t h an o th ers , a n d m uch d ep en ds o n t h e q uality o f t h e s le ep : wheth er t h e s le ep i s d eep a n d r e fre sh in g o r f itf u l a n d n onen erg iz in g. For o ur b io lo gic al a n cesto rs , s le ep in g e n ough w as m uch le ss o f a c h alle n ge. T he su n’s ris in g an d se ttin g d ete rm in ed sle ep h ab its . In cen tu rie s p ast, sle ep in g w as ab out a ll y ou c o uld d o o nce th e s u n w en t d ow n. O nly in r e cen t y ears h as th e s im ple flic k o f a s w itc h g iv en u s l ig ht w hen ev er w e w an te d i t. Now , w e l iv e i n c itie s t h at n ev er s le ep . M odern t e ch nolo gy e x cite s a n d s tim ula te s our liv es, a n d o fte n w e f in d o urs e lv es a w ak e a t a ll h ours o f th e n ig ht. O ne h undre d years ag o, p eo ple in d ev elo ped co untr ie s sle p t n in e h ours each n ig ht. N ow , th e av era g e A m eric an sle ep s ab out se v en , w hic h is in su ffic ie n t fo r m ost peo ple . Som etim es, p eo ple th in k th ey c an “ acco m plis h m ore ” if th ey sle ep le ss. N ot so . Bein g dep riv ed of sle ep actu ally m ak es peo ple le ss pro ductiv e. Furth erm ore , becau se th e b ody re p air s a n d re ju ven ate s its e lf d urin g s le ep , la ck o f s le ep in vite s sic k ness a n d i n ju ry . Bein g d ep riv ed o f a d eq uate sle ep fo r e v en a fe w n ig hts d ulls th e b ra in , lo w ers en erg y l e v els , i n cre ase s i r rita b ility a n d d ep re ssio n, a n d m ak es p eo ple m ore a ccid en t- pro ne. A L ouis H arris a n d A sso cia te s p oll fo und th at p eo ple w ho sle ep le ss th an eig ht h ours e ach n ig ht o fte n e x perie n ce p ro ble m s o n th e jo b. S le ep d ep riv atio n is a majo r f a cto r i n a n e stim ate d o ne h undre d t h ousa n d a u to m obile a ccid en ts p er y ear. I n th e sh ort te rm , sle ep d ep riv atio n p ro duces u nple asa n t sid e effe cts ; lo ng-te rm , it co ntr ib ute s t o c ellu la r m alf u nctio n a n d d is e ase . Lack o f a d eq uate s le ep a ls o c au se s h orm one im bala n ces a n d in te rfe re s w ith o th er body f u nctio ns. A s tu dy r e p orte d i n t h e O cto ber 1 999 i s su e o f Lancet fo und th at ju st one w eek o f g ettin g to o f e w h ours o f s le ep p er n ig ht s ig nif ic an tly a lte re d h orm one le v els a n d c o m pro m is e d th e b ody’s a b ility to m eta b oliz e c arb ohydra te s p ro perly . Chro nic d is ru ptio n o f th e b ody’s h orm one b ala n ce in vite s d is e ase . F or e x am ple , a pote n tia lly h arm fu l h orm one c alle d c o rtis o l i n cre ase s i n t h e b ra in o f a n u nder-re ste d pers o n. H ig h c o rtis o l le v els c an d am ag e c ells in th e b ra in th at c o ntr o l le arn in g a n d mem ory . I f y ou a re o vertir e d , t a k e t h at “ sp aced -o ut,” f o rg etf u l f e elin g s e rio usly ; y ou may b e s u ffe rin g b ra in d am ag e. T w o o th er h orm ones ( b en efic ia l o nes) n orm ally a re pro duced d urin g s le ep a n d d ecre ase if y ou a re u nder-re ste d . O ne is h um an g ro w th horm one o r H GH, w hic h h elp s to r e b uild tis su e. L ack o f H GH a ccele ra te s th e a g in g pro cess. T he o th er b en efic ia l h orm one p ro duced d urin g sle ep is p ro la ctin , w hic h govern s th e im mune sy ste m . A la ck o f p ro la ctin can im pair im munity . Sle ep in g en ough a nd n orm aliz in g y o ur sle ep p atte rn s h elp to k eep th ese c ritic a l h orm ones bala nced p ro perly . Sle ep als o se rv es to re p le n is h en erg y. W hile asle ep , th e body cre ate s la rg e am ounts o f A TP (a d en osin e tr ip hosp hate ), a h ig h-e n erg y c o m pound th at o ur c ells need , m uch lik e a c ar n eed s g aso lin e. If y ou a re tir e d a n d c an not s le ep e n ough a t nig ht, ta k e a n ap — perh ap s rig ht afte r lu nch o r w hen y ou g et h om e fro m w ork . Som etim es p eo ple a v oid n ap pin g, b ecau se t h ey f e el l ik e t h ey a re “ b ein g l a zy .” I f y ou la ck t h e e n erg y n ecessa ry t o d o t h e t a sk a t h an d, g et s o m e r e st. If y ou h av e b oundle ss n atu ra l e n erg y, c o nsid er i t a v ery g ood s ig n. H ow e n erg etic or t ir e d w e f e el i s a g ood g en era l i n dic ato r o f h ow w ell o ur b odie s a re f u nctio nin g. I f you a re t ir e d a ll t h e t im e, l is te n t o y our b ody’s c ry f o r h elp . R estin g i s i m porta n t, b ut so is c o nsid erin g h ow d ie t, to xic e x posu re , la ck o f e x erc is e a n d o th er f a cto rs a ffe ct your overa ll en erg y le v els . Fatig ue is ofte n a sy m pto m of dis e ase — physic al, psy ch olo gic al o r b oth . A s h ealth i m pro ves, f a tig ue g oes a w ay . Consu m in g c o ffe e a n d o th er s tim ula n ts to c o m pen sa te f o r f a tig ue in te rfe re s w ith health a n d p ro ductiv ity . E ven if y ou d o fu nctio n w ell o n “ m in im um sle ep ” (a n d pro bab ly m ax im um c affe in e), lo ng-te rm d am ag e is still b ein g in flic te d , th e a g in g pro cess is b ein g accele ra te d an d p ro bab ly y ou are n ot ach ie v in g y our o ptim um pote n tia l. Als o , be su re to norm aliz e your sle ep patte rn . G o to bed an d w ak e up at ap pro xim ate ly th e sa m e tim e each day, ev en on w eek en ds. T he body pre fe rs re g ula rity . B efo re g oin g to b ed , av oid caffe in e, alc o hol an d an y d ru gs th at m ay in te rfe re w ith (o r in duce) sle ep . T his p ra ctic e e n ab le s y ou to sle ep n atu ra lly a n d health ily — giv in g y our b ody th e a b ility to b uild a n d r e p air c ells , r e g ula te h orm onal bala n ces, a n d p ro duce t h e e n erg y y ou n eed t o d o t h e t h in gs y ou w an t t o d o. Brea th in g t h e R ig h t W ay Do not ta k e th e bre ath in g pro cess fo r gra n te d . T he body can su rv iv e w eek s with out fo od a n d d ay s w ith out w ate r, b ut o nly m in ute s w ith out o xygen . O xygen is our m ost v ita l n utr ie n t, a n d w e o bta in i t w ith e v ery b re ath . T he w ay y ou b re ath e c an su bsta n tia lly a ffe ct h ow y ou l o ok a n d f e el, y our r e sis ta n ce t o d is e ase , a n d e v en h ow lo ng y ou liv e. W e h av e c o ntr o l o ver o ur b re ath in g; p ro per b re ath in g te ch niq ue is a n im porta n t p art o f o ptim iz in g t h e p hysic al p ath w ay . In o ur s o cie ty , m an y p eo ple b re ath e i n co rre ctly — eith er b re ath in g t o o m uch o r n ot en ough. Eith er way, oxygen sh orta g es are pro duced at th e cellu la r le v el. Underb re ath in g ( o ne d oes n ot b re ath e i n e n ough a ir ) i s u nco m mon a n d u su ally i s t h e re su lt o f s e rio us p hysic al c o m pro m is e — su ch a s w hen th e lu ngs a re fa ilin g. M uch more c o m mon is o verb re ath in g, c alle d h yperv en tila tio n (o ne b re ath es to o m uch ), whic h a ls o r e su lts in a n o xygen s h orta g e a t th e c ellu la r le v el. H ow m an y p eo ple a re affe cte d b y o verb re ath in g? A lm ost e v ery one o n o ccasio n, a n d m an y p eo ple b re ath e th is w ay c h ro nic ally . Overb re ath in g o fte n is th e re su lt o f a s tr e ssfu l s itu atio n; th e s tr e ss c au se s u s to bre ath e t o o d eep ly o r t o o q uic k ly , a n a u to m atic r e sp onse p re p arin g u s f o r e m erg en cy actio n. Y ou m ay re co gniz e th is as “p an ic bre ath in g”— gasp in g, ch est bre ath in g, sh allo w b re ath in g (p an tin g), ir re g ula r b re ath in g, ra p id b re ath in g o r h old in g o f th e bre ath . O n o ccasio n, o verb re ath in g is n ot a p ro ble m , y et th e str e ss o f lif e c au se s man y of us to over-b re ath e ch ro nic ally . N um ero us sid e effe cts are pro duced , in clu din g h eart p alp ita tio ns, ir re g ula r h eart b eat, d iz zin ess, m usc le s p asm s, m usc le fa tig ue, hig h blo od pre ssu re , poor m em ory , asth m a atta ck s, poor co ncen tr a tio n, an xie ty , a m ong o th er s y m pto m s. O verb re ath in g a ls o c au se s c o nstr ic tio n o f t h e b lo od vesse ls to th e b ra in (a n d h eart an d els e w here ), re su ltin g in u p to a 5 0 p erc en t re d uctio n o f o xygen a n d g lu co se t o t h e b ra in — im med ia te ly a ffe ctin g o ne’s a b ility t o le arn , th in k, re m em ber an d perfo rm physic ally . L ittle w onder w e fe el diz zy or lig hth ead ed w hen s tr e sse d . Bre ath in g to o ra p id ly o r to o d eep ly cau se s th e b ody to lo se to o m uch carb on dio xid e. N orm ally , o xygen is tr a n sp orte d to tis su es b y b ondin g w ith h em oglo bin in re d b lo od c ells ; c arb on d io xid e h elp s th e o xygen to “ b re ak o ff” th e h em oglo bin s o th at i t c an b e u se d . W ith out s u ffic ie n t c arb on d io xid e, t h e o xygen d oes n ot b re ak o ff, tis su es b eco m e o xygen -d efic ie n t, a n d th e r e su lt is c ellu la r m alf u nctio n a n d d is e ase . Oxygen defic ie n cy is know n to cau se can cer. A se p ara te pro ble m , cau se d by in su ffic ie n t blo od le v els of carb on dio xid e, is th at blo od pH can beco m e to o alk alin e. T he b ody w ill c o m pen sa te b y d um pin g o ut a lk alin e m in era ls th ro ugh th e urin e, i n o rd er t o r e b ala n ce b lo od p H . T he r e su lt i s a d efic ie n cy o f a lk alin e m in era ls , su ch a s c alc iu m a n d m ag nesiu m , w hic h c o ntr ib ute s t o d is e ase s s u ch a s o ste o poro sis . To b re ath e c o rre ctly , th e im porta n t s te p is to b rin g in a ir d ow n in to th e lu ngs, b y usin g th e d ia p hra g m , a d eep a b dom in al m usc le th at n atu re in te n ded fo r b re ath in g. Bre ath in g d ow nw ard w ith t h e d ia p hra g m ( b elly b re ath in g i n ste ad o f c h est b re ath in g) is a n e ffo rtle ss a n d e ffic ie n t w ay to b re ath e. U nfo rtu nate ly , p eo ple o fte n u se th eir ch est a n d u pper b ack to b re ath e; c h est b re ath in g ta k es m ore e ffo rt, is le ss e ffic ie n t an d in te rfe re s w ith norm al bre ath in g patte rn s. B re ath in g dow nw ard s w ith th e dia p hra g m (a s o ppose d to o utw ard s w ith th e c h est) m oves th e v is c era (g uts ) d ow n an d a w ay , m ak in g m ore r o om f o r t h e l u ngs. T his a ctio n c re ate s t h e c ap acity f o r m ore air in y our lu ngs a n d m ore o xygen f o r y our tis su es, th us e n han cin g th e f u nctio n o f your e n tir e re sp ir a to ry s y ste m , w heth er y ou a re e x erc is in g o r a t re st. E ach b re ath sh ould b eg in d ow nw ard s i n t h e b elly , o nly m ovin g u p i n to t h e c h est w hen n ecessa ry . Corre ct b re ath in g s h ould b e e ffo rtle ss, th ro ugh th e n ose ra th er th an m outh , a n d re la tiv ely s lo w — at a r e stin g r a te o f le ss th an f if te en b re ath s p er m in ute , p re fe ra b ly eig ht to te n . H ere is a s im ple te st to c h eck h ow y ou a re d oin g: L ie o n y our b ack o n th e f lo or, p ut a b ook o n y our a b dom en , b re ath e th ro ugh y our n ose , a n d w atc h to s e e if t h e b ook g oes u p a n d d ow n w ith e ach b re ath . C oncen tr a te o n b elly b re ath in g u ntil th e b ook m oves u p an d d ow n. N ex t, co unt th e n um ber o f b re ath s y ou ta k e p er min ute . T ry to k eep b re ath s p er m in ute a t le ss th an f if te en a n d p re fe ra b ly le ss th an te n . B e c are fu l n ot to o verb re ath e. T he k ey w ord is e ffo rtle ss. L et y our b ody d o th e bre ath in g f o r y ou, a s i t w as d esig ned t o d o. D urin g a ero bic e x erc is e , k eep t h e b re ath dow n in th e b elly an d o ut o f th e ch est as m uch as p ossib le , an d I can alm ost guara n te e t h at y our a th le tic p erfo rm an ce a n d r e sp ir a to ry h ealth w ill i m pro ve. Bre ath in g h as su ch p ro fo und e ffe cts , b oth p hysic ally a n d p sy ch olo gic ally , th at man y a n cie n t tr a d itio ns— su ch a s m ed ita tio n, y oga a n d m artia l a rts — re ly fir s t a n d fo re m ost o n b re ath in g t e ch niq ue. Dam age C on tr o l Main ta in in g th e b ody is o ne a sp ect o f th e p hysic al p ath w ay ; p re v en tin g p hysic al dam ag e is th e o th er. M odern lif e e x pose s u s to m an y d if fe re n t ty pes o f p hysic al dam ag e— fro m su nburn s to car accid en ts , fro m kitc h en cu ts an d burn s to ele ctr o m ag netic f ie ld s. S om e p hysic al h azard s o f m odern lif e c an b e a v oid ed , w hile oth ers can not. A ny tim e th e body su ffe rs dam ag e, th ough, valu ab le re so urc es (n utr ie n ts ) a re u se d t o p erfo rm r e p air s . O ver t im e t h e l o ss o f t h ese n utr ie n ts i m pair s cellu la r h ealth , o pen in g th e d oor fo r fu rth er in ju ry o r d is e ase . S om etim es re p air is not p ossib le . P hysic al d am ag e can le ad to lif e lo ng im pair m en t o r d is a b ility . T o pre v en t dam ag e befo re it occu rs , re co gniz e physic al hazard s an d ta k e se n sib le pre cau tio ns. H ere a re s o m e w ay s t o p ro te ct y ours e lf . Sunbath in g I sn ’t A lw ays a B ad T hin g The b ody n eed s s u nsh in e j u st a s i t n eed s f o od, a lth ough o ne m ust a v oid t o o m uch of eith er. Sunlig ht (fu ll- s p ectr u m lig ht) is necessa ry fo r good health an d an im porta n t p art o f th e p hysic al p ath w ay. T hose w arm in g s u n r a y s f e el g ood b ecau se th ey a re g ood; th ey h elp y our b ody p ro duce v ita m in D , a n e sse n tia l n utr ie n t fo r build in g str o ng an d health y bones. T he co m mon belie f th at you sh ould pro te ct yours e lf fro m th e s u n w ith to xic s u nsc re en is d is to rte d a n d m is g uid ed . S unlig ht is not t h e p ro ble m ; t h e p ro ble m i s s u nburn . Sunburn s o nly h ap pen f ro m e x cessiv e a n d in co nsis te n t e x posu re to s u nlig ht, s u ch as w hen y ou s ta y in th e s u n to o lo ng o r w hen y our b ody is n ot u se d to it. R eg ula r, co ntr o lle d e x posu re to s u nlig ht h elp s th e b ody p ro duce v ita m in D a n d a d ap t to th e su n. I f y our b ody is n ot u se d to it ( a n d e sp ecia lly if y our s k in is f a ir ), d o n ot s p en d all d ay u nder th e h ot su n. S ta rt o ut w ith te n o r fif te en m in ute s o f su n p er d ay, gra d ually in cre asin g y our e x posu re a s y our b ody a d ap ts to it. A ls o , b ew are o f th e in te n sity o f th e s u nlig ht, w hen th e s u n is m ost d ir e ctly o verh ead ( a p pro xim ate ly 1 0 A.M . t o 2 P .M .) . If y ou w an t to p ro te ct y our s k in , u sin g c o at a fte r c o at o f to xic s u nsc re en is a b ad id ea. S om e o f t h e c h em ic als i n s u nsc re en c an b re ak d ow n w hen e x pose d t o s u nlig ht, fo rm in g c arc in ogen ic c o m pounds. I n o th er w ord s, s u nsc re en m ay c au se s k in c an cer, ra th er th an p re v en tin g it. P erh ap s it is n ot a c o in cid en ce th at a s s u nsc re en u se h as in cre ase d , s o h av e s k in c an cer r a te s. Safe r a lte rn ativ es a re a v aila b le to s u nburn a n d to xic s u nsc re en : G et re g ula r s u n ex posu re , so th at your sk in can ad ap t. D ie ta ry nutr ie n ts are help fu l, in clu din g mag nesiu m , an tio xid an ts (v ita m in s A C , E , se le n iu m ), an d esp ecia lly caro te n es, whic h s o m etim es a re re fe rre d to a s “ n atu re ’s s u n u m bre lla .” C aro te n es p ro te ct th e sk in f ro m s u nlig ht; th ese n utr ie n ts a re f o und in c o lo rfu l v eg eta b le s a n d f ru its , s u ch as c arro ts , s w eet p ota to es, b ell p ep pers ( re d , y ello w a n d p urp le ), s q uash a n d o th ers . Als o , tr y th e a n cie n t c u sto m o f r u bbin g o liv e o il o n th e s k in to h elp p ro te ct it f ro m su nburn , p ro vid ed th e o il is o f h ig h q uality a n d s till c o nta in s its n atu ra l a n tio xid an t ch em ic als . (O liv e oil als o is good if your sk in is alr e ad y burn ed .) Peo ple in Med ite rra n ean c o untr ie s s till u se o liv e o il f o r s u n p ro te ctio n t o day. I f y ou m ust h av e a s u nsc re en , c o nsid er o ne o f t h e t o xin -fre e s u nsc re en s ( s e e a p pen dix C ). Lou d N ois e T ak es a T oll Ever n otic e a rin gin g in y our e ars a fte r lis te n in g to lo ud m usic o r b ein g a ro und lo ud n ois e s? T hat is p hysic al d am ag e, b oth p erm an en t a n d c u m ula tiv e. A s tu dy in th e Ja n uary 2 001 Audio lo gy fo und th at p eo ple w ho e n gag ed in n ois y le is u re -tim e activ itie s, ra n gin g fro m ro ck co ncerts to dis c o dan cin g to w oodw ork in g, hav e in cre ase d ris k o f h earin g lo ss fo r e ach fiv e-y ear p erio d o f p artic ip atio n. C hoose to sp en d y our tim e in le ss n ois y p la ces o r w ear h earin g p ro te ctio n s u ch a s e arp lu gs. Hearin g lo ss is n ow e p id em ic in A m eric a. T he h earin g a id b usin ess g ro w s e v ery year, w hic h i s n ot j u st a r e su lt o f t h e p opula tio n g ro w in g o ld er. Nois e c au se s o th er p ro ble m s, to o. D o y ou e v er “ ju m p” w hen s o m eb ody r in gs th e doorb ell, w hen a c ar a la rm g oes o ff, o r w hen t h e m usic s u dden ly i s t u rn ed l o uder? I n man y w ay s, nois e can be str e ssfu l, cau sin g both physic al an d psy ch olo gic al pro ble m s. A s tu dy in th e M arc h 2 001 Jo urn al o f th e A co ustic a l S ocie ty o f A m eric a fo und th at c h ild re n c h ro nic ally e x pose d to tr a n sp orta tio n n ois e fro m ro ad , ra il a n d air tr a ffic h ad e le v ate d b lo od p re ssu re a n d e le v ate d le v els o f str e ss c h em ic als . A sim ila r stu dy in th e Feb ru ary 2001 Psy ch olo gic a l M ed ic in e fo und th at ch ild re n ex pose d to c h ro nic a ir c ra ft n ois e h av e im pair e d r e ad in g c o m pre h en sio n. N ois e a ls o cau se s n utr itio nal d efic ie n cy ; a s tu dy in th e F eb ru ary 2 001 Occu patio nal M ed ic in e measu re d sig nif ic an t lo sse s of calc iu m an d m ag nesiu m in th e urin e of fa cto ry work ers c h ro nic ally e x pose d t o l o ud n ois e . N ois e s tu die s o n l a b ora to ry a n im als h av e sh ow n oth er dam ag in g effe cts , ra n gin g fro m im pair e d ly m phatic dra in ag e to in cre ase d in te stin al p erm eab ility . A stu dy p ublis h ed in th e M ay 2 001 Beh avio ra l Physio lo gy co nclu ded th at ev en w hat w e w ould co nsid er m ild ch ro nic n ois e can cau se c h an ges i n t h e l in in g o f t h e i n te stin es, m ak in g t h em l e ak ie r, w hic h c an l e ad t o alle rg ie s a n d m an y o th er c h ro nic h ealth p ro ble m s. While m usic an d oth er so unds are good fo r th e sp ir its , av oid liv in g in an en vir o nm en t of nev er-e n din g nois e . Peace an d quie t are gre at fo r th e psy ch e. Consid er h ow n ois e a ffe cts y ou a n d m ak e y our c h oic es a cco rd in gly . I f y ou k now y ou are g oin g t o b e e x pose d t o l o ud n ois e , w ear e ar p ro te ctio n. D ie t a ls o h elp s t o p re v en t hearin g lo ss. E sp ecia lly if y ou a re g en etic ally p re d is p ose d to h earin g lo ss, p ro per nutr itio n c an h av e a s ig nif ic an t e ffe ct o n w heth er s u ch l o ss w ill h ap pen o r n ot. Eye M usc le E xercis e s H elp S ave S ig h t Most p eo ple d o n ot r e aliz e t h e a m ount o f i n flu en ce t h ey h av e o ver t h eir e y esig ht. Ability t o s e e i s g re atly d ep en den t o n h ow o ne u se s a n d e x erc is e s t h eir e y es. L ik e a ll th e m usc le s i n t h e b ody, t h e o nes t h at c o ntr o l e y esig ht m ust b e e x erc is e d i n o rd er t o keep th em su pple a n d str o ng. C all it “ v is io n m ain te n an ce.” M odern lif e re q uir e s usin g th e e y es in w ay s v ery d if fe re n t f ro m th ose u nder w hic h w e e v olv ed . N ow w e must m ak e s p ecia l c h oic es i n o rd er t o p ro te ct a n d m ain ta in o ur n atu ra l v is io n. The m ain re aso n w e lo se o ur v is io n, b elie v e it o r n ot, is lite ra cy. R ead in g a n d writin g are n ew sk ills in th e sc o pe o f h um an ev olu tio n. D urin g m ost o f h um an ev olu tio n, o ur e y es w ere p rim arily u se d to g aze a fa r— to lo cate fo od, sh elte r a n d th re ats t o s a fe ty . W hen f o cu sin g o ff a t a d is ta n ce, t h e m usc le s t h at c o ntr o l t h e s h ap e of th e e y e a n d th e s h ap e o f th e le n s r e m ain in a r e la tiv ely n atu ra l a n d r e la x ed s ta te . How ev er, i n o rd er t o f o cu s o n s o m eth in g c lo se , s u ch a s a b ook o r a c o m pute r s c re en , th e m usc le s th at c o ntr o l th e s h ap e o f th e le n s a n d th e e y e m ust c o ntr a ct. F or b rie f perio ds o f t im e, t h is r e sh ap in g o f t h e e y e t is su es d oes n ot p ose a p ro ble m . H ow ev er, we n ow s p en d m ost o f o ur tim e fo cu sin g o n n earb y o bje cts s u ch a s b ooks, p ap ers , te le v is io ns a n d c o m pute r s c re en s. W e p la ce o ur e y e m usc le s u nder c o nsta n t te n sio n fo r h ours e v ery d ay, c au sin g a p erm an en t d is to rtio n o f t h e l e n s a n d t h e e y eb all i ts e lf . Thus, v is io n d ete rio ra te s. To m ain ta in o r im pro ve y our n atu ra l v is io n, c o rre ctiv e le n se s a re n ot th e a n sw er. Corre ctiv e le n se s c au se d am ag e to e y e tis su es, fo rc in g th em to w ork in u nnatu ra l way s. This “fix ” cre ate s a vic io us cy cle ; as vis io n dete rio ra te s, str o nger pre sc rip tio ns a re n eed ed . C orre ctiv e le n se s a d dre ss th e sy m pto m s o f v is io n lo ss, doin g n oth in g t o s o lv e t h e u nderly in g p ro ble m s. By co ntr a st, vis io n im pro vem en t te ch niq ues ad dre ss th e cau se s of vis io n pro ble m s. L osin g y our v is io n a n d w earin g c o rre ctiv e le n se s c an o fte n b e a v oid ed . You c an l e arn e y e e x erc is e s t h at p re v en t v is io n l o ss, a n d i m pro vin g v is io n a fte r i t i s im pair e d a ls o is p ossib le . V is io n m ain te n an ce te ch niq ues e n han ce th e s tr e n gth a n d fle x ib ility o f th e m usc le s a n d tis su es o f th e e y e, im pro vin g fo cu s a n d c la rity o f vis io n a t a n y d is ta n ce: • W hen re ad in g o r w ork in g a t a c o m pute r, o ccasio nally ta k e a m in ute to lo ok out th e w in dow a t a d is ta n t o bje ct, stu dyin g th e d eta ils o f th at o bje ct. T his activ ity a llo w s th e e y e m usc le s to r e la x . ( B la n kly g azin g o ut th e w in dow d oes not m ak e e y e tis su es r e tu rn to th eir n atu ra l s h ap e, w here as f o cu sin g o n d is ta n t deta ils d oes.) D o th is o nce e v ery th ir ty m in ute s o r s o fo r a b out a m in ute a t a tim e. T he e x erc is e t a k es v ery l ittle e ffo rt a n d h elp s t o p re se rv e y our v is io n. • I f y ou w ear c o rre ctiv e le n se s, b e s u re to ta k e th em o ff w hen ev er th ey a re n ot need ed , t h us g iv in g y our e y es a n o pportu nity t o w ork n atu ra lly , e sp ecia lly w hen you a re o utd oors w here t h e e y es c an a ls o r e ceiv e f u ll- s p ectr u m l ig ht. • F or m ore t ip s o n e y esig ht, s e e a p pen dix E . Read in g, w ritin g o r s ittin g a t a c o m pute r a ll d ay d am ag es y our e y esig ht, u nle ss you ta k e th e tim e to re st an d ex erc is e your ey es— an oth er im porta n t asp ect of dam ag e c o ntr o l o n t h e p hysic al p ath w ay . Hea t T rea tm en ts G et R id o f T oxin s Not o nly d o s a u nas fe el g ood, th ey a re g ood! S au nas g et y our h eart b eatin g a n d your b lo od c ir c u la tin g, h elp in g th e b ody to d eto xif y in u niq ue a n d im porta n t w ay s. Toxin s d o th e d am ag e, a n d s a u nas h elp w ith d am ag e c o ntr o l. S au nas o r o th er h eat tr e atm en ts h elp t o a cco m plis h d eto xif ic atio n i n t h e f o llo w in g m an ner: A l a y er o f f a t an d o il e x is ts ju st b elo w th e s u rfa ce o f th e s k in . H eat f ro m th e s a u na in cre ase s s k in te m pera tu re , c au sin g th ose fa ts a n d o ils to “ m elt” a n d o oze o ut o f th e sk in ’s o il gla n ds. A s s w eat a n d o il a re s e cre te d , th e to xin s d is so lv ed in th em a re s e cre te d a s well. B y e x cre tin g t h ese t o xin s a n d t h en w ash in g t h em o ff y our b ody, y our t o xic l o ad is l o w ere d a n d c ellu la r h ealth i m pro ves. Anyth in g t h at r a is e s t h e t e m pera tu re o f y our s k in f o r a n e x te n ded p erio d o f t im e i s help fu l, in clu din g sw eat w ra p s, ste am ro om s, hot bath s an d sp as. C hoose a te m pera tu re th at c an b e to le ra te d f o r a n e x te n ded p erio d o f tim e— th ir ty m in ute s to an h our o r m ore . T he p oin t i s n ot t o s w eat o ut a l o t o f w ate r, b ut t o r id y our b ody o f oil- s o lu ble t o xin s. O ur s k in c o nta in s s w eat g la n ds a n d o il g la n ds, b oth o f w hic h h elp us d eto xif y . S w eat g ets r id o f w ate r-s o lu ble t o xin s, a n d e v en h elp s t o e lim in ate t o xic heav y m eta ls s u ch a s m erc u ry a n d c ad m iu m . Oil g la n ds h elp re m ove o il- s o lu ble to xin s th at th e b ody w ould o th erw is e h av e a dif fic u lt tim e e lim in atin g. W e h av e c re ate d a w orld fille d w ith o il- s o lu ble to xin s su ch a s g aso lin e, s o lv en ts , p estic id es a n d i n gre d ie n ts i n t o oth paste a n d p ers o nal c are pro ducts , a n d t h e b ody i s n ot a b le t o d is p ose o f t h em e ffic ie n tly . T he l o nger t h e s k in is h eate d , t h e m ore o il- s o lu ble t o xin s a re e lim in ate d . Be c are fu l n ot to o verh eat! T he c h alle n ge is fin din g a n e n vir o nm en t w here y ou can keep your sk in te m pera tu re up fo r an ex te n ded perio d of tim e w ith out overh eatin g o r d eh ydra tin g. O verh eatin g a n d p erh ap s f e elin g d iz zy c an h ap pen e asily if y ou sta y in a ste am ro om , a h ot tu b o r th e to p b en ch o f a h ot sa u na to o lo ng. Choose a “ lo w te m pera tu re ” sa u na (1 1 0–120 d eg re es), a n d u se it fo r a n e x te n ded perio d o f tim e— an h our o r m ore is b est— th ough y ou m ay h av e to w ork u p to th is dura tio n g ra d ually . I n a c o m merc ia l s a u na ( w hic h is u su ally to o h ot) , tr y ly in g f la t on t h e l o w est b en ch . R em em ber: D rin kin g a d eq uate a m ounts o f w ate r b efo re , d urin g an d a fte r y our s a u na i s e sse n tia l i n o rd er t o p re v en t d eh ydra tio n. Every t im e I g o t o t h e g ym t o e x erc is e , I s p en d a n h our o r m ore i n t h e s a u na, l y in g pro ne o n th e lo w est b en ch to k eep th e te m pera tu re m odera te . S ittin g o n th e to p ben ch i n a h ig h t e m pera tu re f o r a s h ort p erio d o f t im e d oes n ot a id i n t h e e lim in atio n of oil- s o lu ble to xin s; effe ctiv e elim in atio n of th ese to xin s ta k es tim e. A good su pple m en t p ro gra m , c o nta in in g fa t- m obiliz in g v ita m in s a n d e sse n tia l fa tty a cid s mak es th e sa u na e v en m ore e ffe ctiv e (s e e a p pen dix B a n d C ). B e su re to sh ow er afte rw ard s; p re v en t th ose to xin s f ro m r e ab so rb in g b ack in to y our b ody b y w ash in g with a nonto xic C astile so ap (s e e ap pen dix C ). Tak in g sa u nas or oth er “h eat tr e atm en ts ” is n ot a lu xury , b ut lik e e x erc is e , is a p hysic al re sp onsib ility a n d a n im porta n t e le m en t o f th e p hysic al p ath w ay. In co rp ora tin g sa u nas a fte r e x erc is e is ev en b ette r. E xerc is e b eg in s t o m obiliz e t o xin s a n d s a u nas c o ntin ue t h e p ro cess. Y ou may n eed to m ak e a fe w s a u na v is its b efo re y ou c an to le ra te e x te n ded p erio ds o f tim e, b ut th e b en efits o f th ese h eat tr e atm en ts a re in cre d ib le . T hese tr e atm en ts f e el good f o r v ery g ood r e aso ns; t h ey p ro vid e b en efic ia l p hysic al s tim ula tio n— in clu din g in cre ase d l y m phatic a n d c ard io vasc u la r c ir c u la tio n, a s w ell a s t h e r e m oval o f t o xin s — a ll o f w hic h a re g ood f o r t h e h ealth a n d f u nctio n o f y our c ells . EM Fs: E nvir o n m en ta l A ssa u lt a n d B atte ry Som e f o rm s o f p hysic al d am ag e a re o bvio us; o th ers a re i n vis ib le t o t h e n ak ed e y e, su ch a s e le ctr o m ag netic r a d ia tio n f ro m s o urc es s u ch a s m ed ic al X r a y s, m ic ro w av es, cell phones, TV s, pow er lin es, bro ad cast an te n nae an d oth er ele ctr ic al ite m s. Ele ctr o m ag netic ra d ia tio n c an a ffe ct a n d d am ag e o ur c ells , le ad in g to a v arie ty o f dis e ase s i n clu din g c an cer. The tw o kin ds of ele ctr o m ag netic ra d ia tio n are io niz in g an d non-io niz in g. Io niz in g r a d ia tio n ( a to m b om bs, m ed ic al r a d ia tio n, X r a y s) i s t h e h orrif y in g k in d o f ra d ia tio n th at we alr e ad y know can in ju re an d kill. Non-io niz in g ra d ia tio n (m ic ro w av es an d ele ctr o m ag netic fie ld s) is easily overlo oked an d ofte n la b ele d “b en ig n.” N on-io niz in g ra d ia tio n h as m easu ra b le e ffe cts o n c ells a n d is th ere fo re im porta n t to co nsid er. S om e sc ie n tis ts h av e m ad e o m in ous sta te m en ts ab out th e effe cts o n h um an h ealth . T he in tr o ductio n o f m an -m ad e e le ctr o m ag netic p ollu tio n may in deed b e th e sin gle m ost im porta n t en vir o nm en ta l ch an ge w e h av e m ad e. When ev er p ossib le , a v oid e x posin g y ours e lf t o a n yth in g u nnatu ra l a n d f o re ig n t o t h e body, i n clu din g a ll t y pes o f m an -m ad e e le ctr o m ag netic e n erg y. Any ele ctr ic al d ev ic e— a h air d ry er, T V se t, ele ctr ic b la n ket o r d is h w ash er— pro duces a n on-io niz in g e le ctr o m ag netic f ie ld ( E M F) th at a ffe cts th e w ay o ur c ells fu nctio n. C ell m em bra n es (o r re cep to r m ole cu le s in th em ) act as am plif ie rs fo r se n din g s ig nals in to c ells . E M Fs c an in te rru pt a n d c h an ge th ese s ig nals , a ffe ctin g certa in c ell f u nctio ns a n d c ell- to -c ell c o m munic atio ns. F or e x am ple , E M Fs c an a lte r th e r a te a t w hic h c ells m ak e h orm ones, e n zy m es a n d o th er p ro te in s. E M Fs c an a ls o in duce c h an ges in th e r a te a t w hic h g en etic m ate ria l ( D NA) is m ad e a n d in th e r a te of e rro rs w hen R N A i s c o pie d f ro m i t. Rese arc h ers belie v e th at day tim e ex posu re to EM Fs lim its th e re le ase of mela to nin , a c an cer-p ro te ctiv e a n d s le ep -re g ula tin g h orm one. B y l im itin g r e le ase o f mela to nin , E M Fs can co ntr ib ute to can cer. O ne p ro m in en t can cer th eo ry is th at can cer c ell g ro w th r e su lts f ro m a b re ak dow n i n c ell- to -c ell c o m munic atio n, w hic h i s pre cis e ly w hat h ap pen s w hen m ela to nin p ro ductio n is lim ite d . In fa ct, a n y p ro cess th at r e d uces th e a v era g e le v el o f m ela to nin is lik ely to p ro m ote e str o gen -d ep en den t can cers , su ch as bre ast, sk in an d pro sta te can cers . C onsid er so m e ex am ple s of om in ous E M F re se arc h : In 1998, a tw en ty -n in e-m em ber pan el of th e N atio nal In stitu te o f E nvir o nm en ta l H ealth S cie n ces c o nclu ded t h at t h ere i s a “ p ossib ility t h at ele ctr o m ag netic fie ld s are carc in ogen ic .” The co m mitte e fo und a sta tis tic ally sig nif ic an t c o rre la tio n b etw een E M F e x posu re a n d le u kem ia in b oth c h ild re n a n d ad ults w hose e x posu re w as s ig nif ic an tly h ig her th an a v era g e. L ik ew is e , s tu die s in Epid em io lo gy an d th e Am eric a n Jo urn al o f E pid em io lo gy hav e fo und sta tis tic ally sig nif ic an t co rre la tio ns betw een EM Fs an d bre ast can cer, bra in can cer an d Alz h eim er’s d is e ase . All o f th ese h ealth re p erc u ssio ns c an o ccu r sim ply fro m b ein g n ear a n e le ctr ic ap plia n ce? C onsid er a n e x perim en t r e p orte d i n s c ie n tis t J o hn O tt’ s 1 976 b ook Hea lth and L ig ht: Tw o g ro ups o f m ic e w ere p la ced t h e s a m e d is ta n ce f ro m a t e le v is io n s e t; one g ro up w as s e p ara te d fro m th e s e t b y le ad s h ie ld in g, th e o th er b y b la ck p ap er. The p ap er-s h ie ld ed g ro up b ecam e h ypera ctiv e, a g gre ssiv e a n d w ild , w hile th e le ad - sh ie ld ed g ro up re m ain ed n orm al. A uto psie s o f th e p ap er-s h ie ld ed g ro up sh ow ed bra in a b norm alitie s. W ith s tu die s l ik e t h ese , o ne w onders w hat m ay b e h ap pen in g t o peo ple w ho sp en d a lo t of tim e in fro nt of T V se ts an d co m pute r m onito rs , partic u la rly c h ild re n w hose b ra in s a re s till d ev elo pin g a n d w ho a re m ore s e n sitiv e t o su ch d am ag e. I s o ur c h ild re n ’s b eh av io r b ein g a ffe cte d n ot o nly b y t h e m essa g es o n TV b ut a ls o b y r a d ia tio n d am ag e t h at w e a re n ot y et m easu rin g? L ess t h an a c en tu ry ag o, w e d id n ot s it i n f ro nt o f e le ctr o nic s c re en s a t a ll; n ow w e u se t h em c o nsta n tly , both a t w ork a n d p la y . The best polic y fo r peo ple co ncern ed ab out health , esp ecia lly can cer, is to min im iz e ex posu re to E M Fs. R em em ber, E M Fs are gen era te d aro und ele ctr ic al ap plia n ces, p ow er lin es a n d tr a n sfo rm ers ; th ey c an b e f o und ju st a b out e v ery w here , in clu din g y our h om e, o ffic e o r sc h ool. E M Fs b eco m e le ss d an gero us a s d is ta n ce fro m th e s o urc e in cre ase s, s o c h oose to k eep a s a fe d is ta n ce b etw een y our b ody a n d ele ctr o m ag netic f ie ld s. How m uch e x posu re is to o m uch ? S cie n tis ts m easu re th e p ow er o f th ese f ie ld s in milig au ss ( m G); e x perts a ro und t h e w orld h av e p ro pose d l im itin g c h ro nic i n div id ual ex posu re s to a le v el o f 2 m G, w ith o ccasio nal p eak ex posu re s to ab out 1 0 m G. Unfo rtu nate ly , w e o fte n ex perie n ce m uch h ig her ex posu re s. A h air d ry er, w hic h dev elo ps a p ow erfu l fie ld n ex t to y our h ead , c an d is h o ut 2 0,0 00 m G. A n e le ctr ic ra zo r ( n ot a b atte ry -p ow ere d r a zo r) c an g en era te 1 ,6 00 m G a n d i s m ere i n ch es a w ay fro m y our p in eal g la n d, w hic h p ro duces t h e c an cer-p ro te ctiv e h orm one m ela to nin . A stu dy d one a t B atte l M em oria l I n stitu te ’s r e se arc h c en te r in S eattle f o und th at m en who u se d e le ctr ic r a zo rs h ad t w ic e t h e o dds a s n onuse rs o f d ev elo pin g l e u kem ia . T he co rre la tio n b etw een E M Fs a n d c an cer i s p ositiv ely a la rm in g; w e n eed t o b e c are fu l! A r u nnin g d is h w ash er o r c lo th es w ash er p ro duces 3 0 t o 5 0 m G a t a d is ta n ce o f o ne fo ot, s o b e s u re t o k eep a c o uple o f f e et a w ay w hile i t i s r u nnin g. A m ic ro w av e o ven can m easu re 8 0 m G a t a d is ta n ce o f o ne f o ot, b ut q uic k ly d ro ps o ff t o b etw een 3 a n d 8 m G ju st th ir ty -n in e in ch es a w ay. A flu ore sc en t la m p d ev elo ps a s m uch a s 4 ,0 00 mG a n in ch a w ay, b ut m easu re s o nly 0 .1 to 3 m G w hen th ir ty -n in e in ch es a w ay. A hig h v olta g e t r a n sm is sio n l in e c an m easu re u p t o 3 00 m G a t t h e e d ge o f t h e r ig ht- o f- way ; a re g ula r d is tr ib utio n lin e can m easu re 8 0 m G rig ht u nder th e lin e. W hen buyin g a hom e or ch oosin g an ap artm en t, ch oose one th at is not im med ia te ly ad ja cen t t o h ig h-v olta g e d is tr ib utio n a n d t r a n sm is sio n l in es o r t r a n sfo rm ers . We n eed to b e p ru den t in th e u se o f a p plia n ces. W hen p ossib le , u se r e ch arg eab le batte ry -p ow ere d a p plia n ces ra th er th an p lu g-in m odels . D o n ot s ta n d im med ia te ly nex t t o a n e le ctr ic al a p plia n ce w hen i t i s t u rn ed o n, e sp ecia lly f o r a n e x te n ded p erio d of t im e. F ollo w t h ese o th er r e co m men datio ns a ls o : • T urn o n th e d is h w ash er w hen fin is h ed in th e k itc h en a n d y ou a re re ad y to le av e t h e r o om . • A void e le ctr ic b la n kets , o r u se t h em o nly t o w arm u p t h e b ed b efo re y ou g et i n it. • K eep t e le p hone a n sw erin g m ach in es a n d e le ctr ic c lo ck s a w ay f ro m y our h ead while y ou a re s le ep in g. • I n cre ase d is ta n ce f ro m t e le v is io ns ( a t l e ast s ix f e et a w ay ), c o m pute r m onito rs an d a p plia n ces, e sp ecia lly th ose th at c o m e in to c lo se c o nta ct w ith y our b ody, su ch a s h air d ry ers a n d e le ctr ic r a zo rs . • A void u sin g a c ell p hone. I f y ou m ust u se a c ell p hone, lim it th e n um ber a n d le n gth o f y our c alls a s m uch a s p ossib le . • A void g azin g in to y our m ic ro w av e w hile y our f o od w arm s u p. E ven b ette r is to av oid th e use of m ic ro w av es— fo r sa fe ty as w ell as nutr itio nal an d to xic o lo gic al r e aso ns— b ut a t l e ast s ta y a s a fe d is ta n ce a w ay i f y ou d o u se o ne. • B e care fu l of batte ry -p ow ere d w ris tw atc h es, a su btle but co nsta n t E M F ex posu re . • R ep la ce y our c o m pute r m onito r a n d t e le v is io n w ith f la t p an el d is p la y u nits , s o as to e lim in ate th e e le ctr o m ag netic r a d ia tio n e m itte d b y th e c ath ode r a y tu bes in r e g ula r T V s a n d m onito rs . Of c o urs e , s o m e p eo ple a re m ore s u sc ep tib le to E M Fs th an o th ers (b io ch em ic al in div id uality a t w ork ). F or e x am ple , p eo ple w ho a re u nder s tr e ss s e em to b e m ore su sc ep tib le to d am ag e b y E M Fs. I n g en era l, d o w hate v er is p ossib le to r e d uce E M F ex posu re — sta rtin g w ith th e sim ple know le d ge th at th ese fie ld s ex is t, re aliz in g where t h ey a re a n d w hy t h ey s h ould b e a v oid ed . Mic ro w aves Z ap M ore T han F ood Mobile p hones p ro duce a s p ecia l k in d o f r a d ia tio n c alle d m ic ro w av es. M illio ns o f us e x pose o urs e lv es t o a s tr e am o f m ic ro w av es e v ery t im e w e u se o ur m obile p hone fo r h ow ev er lo ng w e ta lk . C ell p hone m ic ro w av es a re c ap ab le o f d am ag in g c ellu la r DNA, th us co ntr ib utin g to can cer an d o th er d is e ase s. T his d am ag e can ev en b e passe d on to fu tu re gen era tio ns. R ese arc h cle arly sh ow s th at th e m ic ro w av es pro duced b y c ell p hones a lte r c ell c h em is tr y a n d f u nctio n. A S w ed is h stu dy co m ple te d in 2 001 b y P ro fe sso rs L en nart H ard ell an d K je ll Han sso n f o und t h at p eo ple w ho u se d c ell p hones f o r u p t o t e n y ears h ad a 2 6 p erc en t hig her ris k o f b ra in can cer th an a co ntr o l sa m ple w ho d id n ot u se cell p hones. Mobile phone fre q uen cie s can cau se a dra m atic re d uctio n in certa in bra in cell pro te in s a n d p erm an en tly d am ag e b ra in c ells ; t h e c ell p hone a n te n na i s r ig ht n ex t t o your b ra in . Mast c ells ( c ells in volv ed w ith in fla m mato ry r e sp onse s s u ch a s th ose in a sth m a) were s h ow n to b e ir re v ers ib ly d am ag ed b y e x posu re to m obile p hone fre q uen cie s, with j u st t e n m in ute s o f e x posu re p er d ay f o r s e v en d ay s. M an y p eo ple u se t h eir c ell phones f a r m ore th an th at! T o m ak e m atte rs w ors e , d ig ita l p hones e m it a s e rie s o f puls e s, a n d p uls e d m ic ro w av es a re k now n to b e m ore b io lo gic ally a ctiv e th an th e co ntin uous-w av e ra d ia tio n (a n alo g phones) use d in th e ex perim en ts ab ove. C ell phones can als o in te rfe re w ith m ela to nin p ro ductio n, th us in te rfe rin g w ith sle ep patte rn s an d possib ly pro m otin g can cer. S in ce little re se arc h on th e lo ng-te rm effe cts o f lo w -le v el m ic ro w av e e x posu re h as b een d one, th e b est c o urs e o f a ctio n is to av oid cell p hone u se . W hen u se is n ecessa ry , at le ast lim it th e n um ber an d dura tio n o f y our c alls . The T hrea t o f I o n iz in g R ad ia tio n Io niz in g r a d ia tio n, a s I h av e m en tio ned , i s a s e rio us k in d o f r a d ia tio n t h at i s f a ir ly well k now n. T his t y pe o f r a d ia tio n, w hic h i n clu des g am ma r a y s a n d X r a y s, i s k now n to h av e h arm fu l e ffe cts o n h um an tis su e. W e c all th is ty pe o f ra d ia tio n “ io niz in g” becau se it re su lts in th e fo rm atio n o f c h em ic ally re activ e e le m en ts o r m ole cu le s calle d io ns, w hic h a lte r th e e le ctr ic al c h arg e in a to m s a n d m ole cu le s w ith in o ur cells . Io niz in g ra d ia tio n cau se s dam ag e to D NA, cells , tis su es an d als o cau se s can cer. T here fo re , n o l e v el o f e x posu re t o r a d ia tio n c an b e c o nsid ere d s a fe . Rese arc h o n io niz in g r a d ia tio n h as u nco vere d m an y p ro ble m s, f ro m b oth n atu ra l an d m an -m ad e so urc es. In 1983, re sid en ts of M ontc la ir, N ew Je rs e y, beg an co m pla in in g o f h ead ach es an d alle rg ie s. T heir h om es h ad b een co nstr u cte d o n a la n dfill f ro m a U .S . r a d iu m p la n t th at c lo se d in th e 1 930s. T heir h om es w ere f o und to b e c o nta m in ate d b y “ d an gero usly h ig h” le v els o f ra d ia tio n, w hic h s e em ed to b e re la te d to th e re p orte d health pro ble m s. Sim ila rly , in Kere la , In dia , whic h ex perie n ces t h e h ig hest l e v els o f n atu ra l e n vir o nm en ta l r a d ia tio n i n t h e w orld , a h ig h pre v ale n ce o f D ow n’s sy ndro m e a n d o th er fo rm s o f m en ta l re ta rd atio n a re fo und am ong re sid en ts . R ad ia tio n dam ag e is als o ev id en t in Ja p an ’s H ir o sh im a an d Nag asa k i v ic tim s an d in th e h ealth re co rd s o f fo rm er em plo yees o f g overn m en t ato m ic f a cilitie s. We h av e n o c o ntr o l o ver a b out h alf o f t h e i o niz in g r a d ia tio n w e a re e x pose d t o i n our l iv es, b ecau se i t c o m es f ro m n atu ra l s o urc es s u ch a s r a d io activ e e le m en ts i n o ur so il, w ate r a n d a tm osp here . R ese arc h th e le v el o f r a d ia tio n in th e g ro und a n d w ate r where y ou liv e. I f y our lo cal a m bie n t r a d ia tio n is p artic u la rly h ig h, y ou m ig ht w an t to c o nsid er a d if fe re n t h om e. A t le ast a v oid d rin kin g c o nta m in ate d w ate r a n d u se ven tila tio n t o r e m ove r a d io activ e g as f ro m y our b ase m en t. We d o h av e c o ntr o l o ver t h e o th er h alf o f t h e i o niz in g r a d ia tio n w e a re e x pose d t o —th at w hic h c o m es fro m m an m ad e s o urc es, p rim arily m ed ic al X ra y s. S eem in gly “b en ig n” d en ta l X r a y s, m am mogra m s a n d o th er r a d io lo gic al p ro ced ure s c an s u bje ct th e b ody to sig nif ic an t p hysic al h arm . G iv en th at th e o verw helm in g m ajo rity o f dia g nostic X r a y s a re n ot m ed ic ally n ecessa ry , w e s h ould c o nsid er th em a s a h ealth ris k a n d c are fu lly e v alu ate t h eir v alu e ( ris k s v ers u s b en efits ). W heth er o r n ot t o h av e an X r a y i s y our c h oic e, n ot y our d octo r’s , a n d t h e d ecis io n s h ould b e m ad e b y y ou. As n ote d , th is d ecis io n s h ould n ot b e ta k en lig htly b ecau se io niz in g r a d ia tio n f ro m med ic al X r a y s a n d r a d ia tio n tr e atm en t c an c au se c an cer, g en etic d efe cts a n d tis su e in ju ry . In th e m ed ic al a n d s c ie n tif ic c o m munitie s, m uch d is a g re em en t e x is ts a b out th e health e ffe cts o f lo w -le v el e x posu re to io niz in g ra d ia tio n in d ia g nostic p ro ced ure s. Man y h av e assu m ed th at lo w -le v el ex posu re is n ot a h ealth th re at, b ut m odern re se arc h is b eg in nin g to c ast d oubts . A stu dy o f th e h ealth re co rd s o f th ir ty -fiv e th ousa n d w ork ers a t a g overn m en t b om b p la n t in W ash in gto n s ta te c o nclu ded th at ev en s m all d ose s o f io niz in g r a d ia tio n a re f o ur to e ig ht tim es m ore lik ely to c au se can cer th an p re v io usly b elie v ed . T his stu dy, fin an ced b y th e T hre e M ile Is la n d Public H ealth F und a n d c arrie d o ut b y A lic e S te w art, M .D ., c o nclu ded t h at ra dia tio n deliv ere d in sm all d ose s o ver tim e (a s w e a re e xp ose d to to day th ro ugh c o m mon med ic a l X ra ys) m ay c a rry a h ig her ris k o f c a ncer th an th e sa m e to ta l ra dia tio n deliv ere d i n a s in gle d ose . Edw ard R ad fo rd , p ast c h air m an o f th e N atio nal A cad em y o f S cie n ces c o m mitte e on io niz in g ra d ia tio n, s a y s th e c an cer ris k o f lo w -le v el ra d ia tio n m ay b e te n tim es wors e t h an i s g en era lly a ccep te d . H ig her r a d ia tio n d ose s m ay k ill o ff d am ag ed c ells , th us p re v en tin g th eir p ro lif e ra tio n, w here as w eak e x posu re s d am ag e c ellu la r D NA but still allo w d am ag ed cells to re p lic ate ; th us, cells are ab le to re p ro duce an d pro lif e ra te c an cero us m uta tio ns. T his c o nclu sio n i s t h e o pposite o f w hat o ur d en tis ts an d p hysic ia n s te ach u s; th e m ed ic al c o m munity h as a lw ay s m ain ta in ed th at X r a y s are s a fe b ecau se s m all d ose s o ver tim e g iv e th e b ody tim e to re p air its e lf a n d a re th ere fo re le ss d am ag in g. H ow ev er, in ste ad o f re p air in g, th e b ody’s c ells a p pear to su ffe r d am ag e a n d t h en r e p lic ate t h at d am ag e, e n ab lin g t h e p ro ble m t o s p re ad . The botto m lin e: A void ra d ia tio n w hen ev er possib le . B ecau se so m e ra d ia tio n ex is ts i n t h e n atu ra l w orld , w e m ust f o cu s o n r e d ucin g o ur e x posu re t o t h e r a d ia tio n we c re ate , e sp ecia lly f ro m m ed ic al X r a y s. Optim iz in g Y ou r P hysic a l P ath w ay This c h ap te r b eg an w ith a c o m paris o n b etw een y our b ody a n d y our c ar. Y our c ar will p ro vid e b ette r s e rv ic e a n d la st lo nger if y ou ta k e g ood c are o f it. E ven a n o ld , beat- u p c ar c an b e re sto re d to g ood fu nctio n w ith te n der lo vin g c are . T he s a m e is tr u e o f y our b ody. T o m ove y ours e lf in th e r ig ht d ir e ctio n o n th e p hysic al p ath w ay, main ta in your body— with good nutr itio n, ex erc is e , sle ep , pro per bre ath in g an d natu ra l s u nlig ht— a n d p ro te ct y our b ody f ro m p hysic al h arm , i n clu din g l o ud n ois e s, su nburn a n d r a d ia tio n. M ak in g e v en m in or a d ju stm en ts t o y our p hysic al p ath w ay c an mak e a b ig d if fe re n ce. A s a lw ay s, t h e c h oic e i s y ours . 9 T HE F EN ETIC P ATH W AY “G en etic s m ay lo ad th e gun, but en vir o nm en t pulls th e tr ig ger.” Pam ela P eek e, M .D ., M .P .H . Fig ht F at A fte r F orty O ne o f th e m ost m an ip ula te d te rm s in co nvers a tio ns ab out h ealth is th e w ord “g en etic .” Alm ost week ly in th e new s, gen etic dis c o verie s are an nounced , pro cla im in g th e gen etic orig in s of a m yria d of pro ble m s— fro m can cer to co m puls iv e s h oppin g. S cie n tis ts u su ally d esc rib e a g en e a s b ein g a sso cia te d w ith a partic u la r d is e ase ( ra th er th an d ir e ctly c au sin g it) , b ut th e d eta ils b eco m e d is to rte d an d m is in te rp re te d . M an y a re c o nfu se d a b out w hat g en es a re a n d h ow t h ey w ork . We en d u p b ein g m is le d in to b elie vin g th at g en es c o ntr o l h ea lth d ir e ctly — whic h is n ot accu ra te , b eca use t h e e n vir o nm en t w e c re a te f o r o ur c ells c o ntr o ls t h e e xp re ssio n o f our g en es. While tr u e gen etic dis e ase s do ex is t, th ey affe ct le ss th an 5 perc en t of th e popula tio n. H ere d ity i s t r u m ped b y e n vir o nm en t, a n d y ou c o ntr o l y our e n vir o nm en t. You h av e c o ntr o l o ver th e r a te a t w hic h y ou a g e a n d th e d is e ase s th at y ou w ill ( o r will n ot) d ev elo p. T urn th e r ig ht g en es o n, a n d k eep th e w ro ng g en es o ff. H ealth is not a b out g en es; i t i s a b out c ells . O nce a g ain , w e a re i n c h arg e. U se t h e s ix p ath w ay s to o ptim iz e t h e h ealth o f y our c ells , a n d y ou c o ntr o l t h e e x pre ssio n o f y our g en es. Will t h e W ea k est L in k F ail? What a b out th e g en etic p re d is p ositio n to d is e ase w e h ear s o m uch a b out? W hat ab out h ealth p ro ble m s t h at “ ru n i n t h e f a m ily ”? Thin k o f a g en etic p re d is p ositio n t o d is e ase a s a w eak l in k i n a c h ain — a w eak l in k with t h e p ote n tia l t o b re ak , b ut o nly i f e x cessiv ely s tr e sse d . I n t h e r ig ht e n vir o nm en t, th e w eak l in k w ill f u nctio n j u st f in e. I f t h e c h ain d oes b re ak ( if s ic k ness d oes o ccu r), it i s n ot a ccu ra te t o s a y t h at t h e w eak l in k ( th e “ b ad ” g en e) i s t h e s o le t r ig ger o f t h e pro ble m . E xcess b io lo gic al s tr e ss i s t h e t r ig ger, a n d t h is w e c an c o ntr o l. By e n han cin g th e fu nctio n o f c ells , g en etic p re d is p ositio ns c an re m ain p ote n tia l pro ble m s, ra th er th an beco m in g re al pro ble m s, re g ard le ss of w hat “ru ns in th e fa m ily .” U nfo rtu nate ly , peo ple ofte n giv e up to th eir gen etic pre d is p ositio ns, re lie v in g th em se lv es— at le ast in th eir ow n m in ds— of re sp onsib ility fo r th eir actio ns. T he gen etic ally pre d is p ose d pers o n m ig ht sa y nonch ala n tly , “T here is noth in g I c an d o; w eig ht p ro ble m s r u n in m y f a m ily ” ( a s th ey g ulp d ow n a b urg er, frie s a n d la rg e s h ak e). T he th in kin g th at g en es a n d g erm s a re th e p rim ary fa cto rs dete rm in in g o ur sta te o f h ealth is o utd ate d an d fa ta lis tic . G en es an d g erm s are fa cto rs w orth c o nsid erin g, b ut th ey a re n ot th e c au se s o f d is e ase th at w e ty pic ally unders ta n d t h em t o b e. Let u s c o nsid er g en es, w hat t h ey a re , h ow t h ey w ork , a n d w hat w e a ll c an d o t o p ut th e p ote n tia l f o r h ealth b ack i n to o ur o w n h an ds, r e g ard le ss o f w hic h g en es w e h av e in herite d . Natu re V ersu s N urtu re Gen es a re th e b lu ep rin ts o r “ p la n s” f o r lif e ; th ey a re th e in str u ctio ns th at te ll o ur bodie s h ow to d ev elo p fro m o ne s in gle c ell in to a n e n tir e h um an b ein g. H ow ev er, only a b out o ne-q uarte r o f o ur g en es e x pre ss ( “ tu rn o n”) a u to m atic ally , d ete rm in in g, fo r e x am ple , w heth er o ur e y es a re b lu e o r o ur h air is c u rly . Im ag in e m ost o th er gen es a s a s e t o f c o ded i n str u ctio ns t h at, m uch l ik e a c o m pute r p ro gra m , s it d orm an t, esse n tia lly d oin g n oth in g, u ntil y ou a ctiv ate t h em . Most g en es r e q uir e s o m e s o rt o f t r ig ger ( e n vir o nm en ta l o r p sy ch olo gic al) i n o rd er fo r t h em t o e x pre ss. J u st b ecau se a c erta in t r a it, “ b ad ” o r “ g ood,” r u ns i n t h e f a m ily does n ot m ean th at e v ery p ers o n in th e f a m ily p osse sse s th at tr a it o r w ill e x pre ss it ev en if th ey p osse ss it. W e o fte n w orry fa r m ore th an w e n eed to a b out g en etic in herita n ce. Most im porta nt is th e e n vir o nm en t y o u c re a te fo r y o ur c ells b ase d o n what y o u e a t a nd h ow y o u liv e y o ur life . You c an not c o ntr o l y our h ere d ity ; y ou c an co ntr o l t h e e n vir o nm en t y ou c re ate f o r y our c ells . Rath er th an th in kin g o f g en es a s a n a b so lu te a n d u nch an gin g s e t o f in str u ctio ns, one m ig ht t h in k o f t h em a s a v arie ty o f p ossib ilitie s— a s e t o f “ w hat i f ” i n str u ctio ns. If c erta in c ir c u m sta n ces a re p re se n t, th en a p ers o n’s g en es e x pre ss in a p artic u la r way ; i f o th er c ir c u m sta n ces a re p re se n t, t h ose s a m e g en es e x pre ss i n a d if fe re n t w ay. Bio ch em is t R oger W illia m s m ain ta in ed t h at g en es a lo ne a re e n tir e ly u se le ss t h re ad s of c h em ic als . G en es a lo ne d o n ot d ete rm in e o ur s ic k ness o r h ealth . If g en es, in th e fo rm o f c ellu la r D NA, w ere th e p rim ary c o ntr o l o f th e c ell— if th ey w ere th e “ b ra in ” o f a c ell, s o to s p eak — th en th e c ell w ould d ie w ith out th em , but th is does not hap pen . S cie n tis ts co m monly perfo rm a pro cess calle d den u- cle atio n, a p ro cess w here b y t h e n ucle u s o f a c ell a n d i ts D NA a re r e m oved . A fte r t h is pro cess, c ells c o ntin ue t o p erfo rm n orm al f u nctio ns f o r m onth s. Consid er h ow c h an ges i n d ie t, l if e sty le a n d e n vir o nm en t o ver t h e p ast o ne h undre d years hav e co in cid ed w ith m assiv e in cre ase s in ra te s of ch ro nic dis e ase . For ex am ple , in 1 900 c an cer a ffe cte d o nly 3 p erc en t o f th e U .S . p opula tio n; n ow a b out 50 p erc en t o f a ll m en a n d 4 0 p erc en t o f a ll w om en d ev elo p c an cer in th eir lif e tim e. Our e n vir o nm en t h as c h an ged s o r a d ic ally th at b la m in g d is e ase in cre ase s s o le ly o n in herite d g en es i s i llo gic al. Consid er h ow e n vir o nm en ta l f a cto rs c an a ffe ct g en etic e x pre ssio n. E nvir o nm en ta l te m pera tu re , f o r e x am ple , a ffe cts t h e e x pre ssio n o f g en es t h at c o ntr o l t h e c o lo ra tio n of H im ala y an r a b bits . T hese r a b bits , a ccu sto m ed to c o ld te m pera tu re s, u su ally h av e bla ck e ars , fo re p aw s, n ose s a n d ta ils , b ut w hen ra is e d in w arm te m pera tu re s th ey hav e n o b la ck m ark in gs a t a ll. S am e r a b bits , s a m e g en es, b ut d if fe re n t e n vir o nm en ts an d, th ere fo re , d if fe re n t ex pre ssio ns o f g en es. S im ila rly , p la n ts w ith th e g en etic cap acity to flo w er an d fru it only do so w hen a pre cis e se t of en vir o nm en ta l re q uir e m en ts (s u ch a s te m pera tu re , s u nlig ht a n d m ois tu re ) “ tu rn o n” th e n ecessa ry gen es. “ D is e ase g en es” f u nctio n t h e s a m e w ay. W hen p eo ple m ove f ro m o ne p art o f th e w orld t o a n oth er— a d optin g t h e d ie t a n d l if e sty le h ab its o f t h e n ew e n vir o nm en t — th ey a ls o d ev elo p th e d is e ase c o nditio ns c o m mon to th at n ew e n vir o nm en t. F or ex am ple , p eo ple f ro m c o untr ie s w ith lo w r a te s o f h eart d is e ase a n d c an cer, s u ch a s Ja p an , s u ffe r l ik e t h e r e st o f o ur p opula tio n o nce t h ey m ove h ere . A c o m pellin g q uestio n in th e d is c u ssio n o f h ere d ity is h ow lo ng y ou w ill liv e— your lif e s p an . A lo w -c alo rie d ie t is th e o nly th in g th at c o nsis te n tly h as b een s h ow n to in cre ase lif e sp an . G en etic ex pre ssio n cau se s th is to h ap pen . A stu dy in th e Sep te m ber 2 001 Pro ceed in gs o f t h e N atio nal A ca dem y o f S cie n ces fo und t h at a h ig h- calo rie d ie t (th e ty pic al A m eric an d ie t) c au se d c h an ges in g en es th at re d uced th e ex pre ssio n o f d is e ase -p ro te ctiv e g en es a n d t u rn ed o n g en es t h at a ccele ra te t h e a g in g pro cess. B ut t h e g ood n ew s i s t h at t h e s tu dy a ls o s h ow ed t h at b y t a k in g o ld er a n im als an d p uttin g t h em o n c alo rie -re str ic te d d ie ts f o r m ere ly f o ur w eek s, a b out h alf o f t h e gen e ex pre ssio ns th at w ere co ntr ib utin g to th e ag in g p ro cess re v ers e d . Changin g in te rn al c ellu la r e n vir o nm en t (b y re d ucin g c a lo rie s) n ot o nly h elp s to p re ven t th e exp re ssio n o f a gin g g en es in th e y o ung, it c a n a ls o s lo w a nd e ven r e verse th e a gin g pro cess i n t h e o ld . As b io lo gis t S te v en R ose p oin te d o ut in h is 1 997 b ook, Life lin es, much o f w hat goes o n in a c ell is a t le ast a s m uch a p ro duct o f th e e n vir o nm en t in a n d a ro und th e cell as its D NA. T his en vir o nm en t is so m eth in g w e cre ate w ith o ur d ie t, to xic ex posu re s, lif e sty le , an d ev en with our th oughts , belie fs an d perc ep tio ns. “O rg an is m s,” R ose w ro te , “ are a ctiv e p la y ers i n t h eir o w n f a te .” In deed , e v en m en ta l c lim ate a ffe cts th e e n vir o nm en t w e c re ate fo r o ur c ells a n d gen es. C ells d ep en d o n t h e b ra in t o i n te rp re t t h e e n vir o nm en t a n d t o u se t h e n erv ous sy ste m to re la y th at in fo rm atio n, te llin g th e c ells w hat to d o. D ep en din g o n o ne’s perc ep tio ns o f t h e e n vir o nm en t, t h e e x pre ssio n o f g en es c an b e g re atly a ffe cte d . F or ex am ple , th e m orta lity ra te g oes u p d urin g th e fir s t y ear o r tw o a fte r re tir e m en t. Why? D oes th e b ra in p erc eiv e th at “lif e ” is o ver, cau sin g th e g en es to ex pre ss acco rd in gly ? D eep ak C hopra , M .D ., a u th or o f m an y b ooks a n d a p io neer a n d le ad er in m in d/b ody m ed ic in e, o fte n s a y s in h is le ctu re s, “ A gin g is a m is ta k e.” H e m ean s th at w e o bse rv e o th ers a ro und u s a g in g, so w e b elie v e th at w e to o w ill a g e. W e lite ra lly in str u ct our gen es to ag e us. C ould th is be one of th e re aso ns th at tr a d itio nally h ealth y p eo ple lik e th e H unzas liv ed s o lo ng? B y b elie v in g th at th ey would liv e lo ng, h ealth y liv es, d id th ey a ctu ally in str u ct th eir g en es a cco rd in gly ? Much e v id en ce in dic ate s th at w hat w e b elie v e d oes a ffe ct th e f u nctio n o f o ur c ells an d t h e e x pre ssio n o f o ur g en es. In te n tio n al D am age t o Y ou r D NA Modern d ie t a n d l if e sty le c an c au se d am ag e t o g en es— d if fe re n t f ro m g en etic ally in herite d p re d is p ositio ns. R ath er th an cau sin g th e ex pre ssio n o f ex is tin g g en etic co din g, g en etic d am ag e in volv es c h an ges in th e c o din g. A c h an ge in g en etic c o din g is k now n as a m uta tio n, w hic h can o ccu r b oth th ro ugh n atu ra l cau se s an d m an - cre ate d d am ag e. O ne th eo ry o f a g in g is th at g en e m uta tio ns o ver a lif e tim e c au se gra d ual lo ss o f fu nctio n a n d re silie n ce. T he a b ility o f g en es to m uta te is n ot a ll “b ad ,” b ut ra th er is a n e sse n tia l p art o f e v olu tio n a n d o f a d ap ta tio n to c h an gin g co nditio ns. The m uta tio ns to b e co ncern ed ab out are cau se d b y ch em ic als an d ra d ia tio n, whic h c an le ad to d ra m atic a n d u npre d ic ta b le c h an ges in g en etic c o din g. G en es a re cru cia l pla n s fo r cre atin g, re p air in g an d re p ro ducin g an org an is m ; ra n dom ly ch an gin g th ese pla n s is a bad id ea. W hat w ould hap pen if you sta rte d m ak in g ra n dom c h an ges to th e b lu ep rin ts o f y our h ouse ? D oors , w in dow s, w alls a n d e v en whole r o om s w ould a p pear i n s tr a n ge p la ces. S o i t i s w ith g en etic d am ag e. What c au se s g en etic m uta tio n? • Io niz in g ra dia tio n: Alm ost h alf o f th e a v era g e p ers o n’s e x posu re to io niz in g ra d ia tio n c o m es f ro m m ed ic al X r a y s a n d m ed ic al r a d ia tio n tr e atm en ts . A void th is k in d o f ra d ia tio n u nle ss v ita lly n ecessa ry . It’s b iz arre th at p hysic ia n s p ut much s to ck i n t h e g en etic o rig in s o f d is e ase y et a ls o i n flic t m assiv e a m ounts o f gen etic d am ag e w ith p harm aceu tic al c h em ic als a n d X r a y s. • Non-io niz in g r a dia tio n: This i s c re ate d b y t h e f lo w o f e le ctr ic ity a n d m ay a ls o hav e g en etic re p erc u ssio ns— th ough th e e v id en ce is le ss c le ar. A s a g en era l ru le , av oid clo se pro xim ity or pro lo nged ex posu re to all ty pes of ele ctr ic dev ic es. • To xin s: These in clu de m an -m ad e in dustr ia l ch em ic als , p re sc rip tio n d ru gs, to bacco , a lc o hol a n d c h em ic al re sid ues in m eat a n d d air y p ro ducts , su ch a s PC Bs a n d d io xin s. I n p artic u la r, f o ods th at a re h eate d to h ig h te m pera tu re s o r bla ck en ed (s u ch a s in b arb ecu in g) c o nta in c h em ic als c ap ab le o f c au sin g g en e muta tio ns a n d c an cer. When a c ell i s e x pose d t o t o xin s o r r a d ia tio n, t h e c ell m ay d ie o r t h e g en es m ay b e dam ag ed . A m uta te d g en e m ay p erm an en tly alte r th e w ay th e cell w ork s, o fte n co ntr ib utin g to d efic ie n cy, to xic ity an d d is e ase . F urth erm ore , alte re d cells (w ith muta te d g en es) c an re p lic ate , a llo w in g th e m uta tio n to p ro pag ate th ro ughout m ore an d m ore c ells . T he e ffe cts o f th is r e p lic atio n c an r a n ge f ro m m in or to d ev asta tin g; re p lic atio n is a c la ssic w ay f o r c an cer to d ev elo p. W ors e , if g en etic m uta tio ns ta k e pla ce in a r e p ro ductiv e c ell, a 5 0/5 0 c h an ce e x is ts o f p assin g th ese o n to a n u nborn ch ild . D estr o yed o r d am ag ed c ells a n d g en es c an le ad to p re m atu re a g in g a n d a varie ty of dis e ase s, in clu din g can cer, fa tig ue, poor re sis ta n ce to in fe ctio ns, psy ch olo gic al s tr e ss a n d e v en s o cia l m ala d ju stm en t. Gen es a re n ot c au sin g a g in g a n d d is e ase . W e a re . W e e x pose o ur c ells to th e to xin s a n d r a d ia tio n t h at m ak e t h e g en es m uta te i n t h e f ir s t p la ce. L if e i n t h e t w en ty - fir s t cen tu ry is now cau sin g dam ag e to our gen es an d cre atin g m uta tio ns in unpre ced en te d w ay s a n d a t a n a la rm in g r a te . A s s c ie n tis t R ic h ard L ew ontin s a id in his 1 982 b ook, Hum an D iv ersity : “B ecau se o f te ch nolo gy’s v en tu re s in to io niz in g ra d ia tio n a n d s y nth etic c h em is tr y , th e h um an b ein gs o f o ur a g e, a s w ell a s th e f o od ch ain o n w hic h w e l iv e, a re t h ought t o b e u nderg oin g a f a r h ig her m uta tio n r a te t h an bio lo gy h as b een a ccu sto m ed t o .” Fortu nate ly , u nder th e rig ht c ir c u m sta n ces, g en etic d am ag e c an b e re p air e d . N ot only m ust w e a v oid d am ag in g o ur g en es i n t h e f ir s t p la ce, w e a ls o m ust p ro vid e o ur gen es w ith t h e m ate ria ls ( n utr ie n ts ) t h ey n eed i n o rd er t o r e p air t h em se lv es. Gen etic a lly M od if ie d F ood s: R is k y B usin ess No co nte m pora ry dis c u ssio n on gen etic s is co m ple te w ith out dis c u ssin g th e pow erfu l gen etic te ch nolo gie s in use to day, partic u la rly w ith our fo ods. W ith modern g en etic te ch nolo gy, w hat w ould h av e s e em ed m ir a cu lo us ju st a g en era tio n ag o i s n ow p ossib le . H ow ev er, w heth er o r n ot t h ese t e ch nolo gie s p ose a t h re at t o o ur health i s a h uge d eb ate . S cie n tis ts o n b oth s id es c o nsta n tly a rg ue t h eir p oin ts . T hese te ch nolo gie s p re se n t th e p ote n tia l b oth fo r g re at a ch ie v em en t a n d fo r c ata str o phe. Not e n ough re se arc h is a v aila b le to k now w hat w ill h ap pen , a lth ough th e re se arc h th at is a v aila b le p re se n ts c au se fo r se rio us c o ncern o r e v en a la rm . I re co m men d ag ain st c o nsu m in g g en etic ally m odif ie d f o ods b ecau se I b elie v e t h ese f o ods m ay b e lo w er i n n utr ie n ts , h ig her i n t o xin s a n d p re se n t o th er p ote n tia l r is k s a s w ell. Nev er b efo re in h um an e v olu tio n h as h um an kin d e ate n a g en etic ally m odif ie d fo od. O nly i n r e cen t y ears h av e w e d ev elo ped t h e t e ch nolo gie s t h at a llo w u s t o c re ate th ese fo ods. N ow g en etic te ch nolo gie s a re b ein g d ev elo ped a n d d ep lo yed ra p id ly , with f e w c o ntr o ls a n d a lm ost n o c o nsid era tio n f o r lo ng-te rm c o nse q uen ces. M ost o f th e f o od i n y our s u perm ark et a lr e ad y c o nta in s g en etic ally m odif ie d c o m ponen ts . Y et th ere i s i n su ffic ie n t r e se arc h , p artic u la rly l o ng-te rm r e se arc h , t o e sta b lis h t h e s a fe ty of g en etic ally m odif ie d f o ods a n d, in deed , a m ple r e aso n to b elie v e th ey m ay n ot b e sa fe . If w e k eep p ro ducin g an d co nsu m in g g en etic ally m odif ie d fo ods, w e w ill b e unab le to p re v en t g en etic c o nta m in atio n fro m b eco m in g p re v ale n t th ro ughout o ur en tir e fo od s u pply . If e v er th ese fo ods a re d ete rm in ed u nsa fe , th e d am ag e w ill b e ir re v ers ib le . U nex pecte d re su lts fro m th ese fo ods m ig ht n ot b eco m e o bvio us u ntil years afte r th ey are in tr o duced , at w hic h poin t ta k in g it back is to o la te . O ur sc ie n tis ts d o th eir b est, b ut w hen ex perim en tin g w ith g en etic s, th e p ote n tia l fo r unan tic ip ate d s id e e ffe cts is a lm ost in calc u la b le . H ere is o ne s c en ario : O ver tim e, gen etic ally m odif ie d o rg an is m s in te ra ct w ith th eir e n vir o nm en t, m uta te a n d e v olv e, an d p ass o n th eir m uta n t c h ara cte ris tic s to o th er re la te d a n d u nre la te d o rg an is m s, in clu din g us. T his se ts off a ch ain of ev en ts th ro ughout th e en tir e eco sy ste m , je o pard iz in g lif e o n e arth a s w e k now it. I k now th is s c en ario s o unds d ra m atic , b ut messin g w ith g en es a n d t h e c o urs e o f e v olu tio n i s r is k y b usin ess. Is T hat a J elly fis h in Y ou r P ota to ? Pro ducin g n ew f o ods w ith m odern g en etic e n gin eerin g i s n o m in or e v en t. G en etic en gin eers c u t, s p lic e a n d t r a n sfe r g en es b etw een t o ta lly u nre la te d s p ecie s t o p ro duce co m bin atio ns th at co uld nev er occu r in natu re . S cie n tis ts are in se rtin g je lly fis h gen es in to p ota to es, s c o rp io n g en es in to v eg eta b le s, h um an g en es in to p ig s a n d f is h gen es in to to m ato es. P erfe ct accu ra cy usin g th ese gen e-s p lic in g te ch niq ues an d know in g e x actly w hat w ill b e p ro duced is a lm ost im possib le . R ese arc h ers a t th e pre stig io us R ow ett In stitu te in S co tla n d stu die d dif fe re n t batc h es of gen etic ally modif ie d p ota to es a n d fo und s u bsta n tia l d if fe re n ces fro m th e s a m e g en e in se rtio n. Tw o lin es o f p ota to es g ro w n fro m th e s a m e g en e in se rtio n a n d th e s a m e g ro w in g co nditio ns had a 20 perc en t dif fe re n ce in pro te in co nte n t, dem onstr a tin g th e unpre d ic ta b ility i n here n t i n g en etic m odif ic atio n. Gen etic ally m odif ie d f o ods m ay b e o f a lte re d n utr itio nal v alu e, a n d t h ey a ls o m ay co nta in a lle rg en s o r to xin s th ey w ould n ot n atu ra lly c o nta in — in clu din g o nes n ot norm ally a sso cia te d w ith th at ty pe o f fo od. F or e x am ple , g en es fro m B ra zil n uts were u se d to e n gin eer a n ew s o ybean ; b ut p eo ple a lle rg ic to B ra zil n uts w ere n ow hig hly re activ e to th ese so ybean s. F ortu nate ly th e p ro ble m w as d is c o vere d b efo re an yone w as h arm ed . O th er g en etic ally m odif ie d f o ods m ay p re se n t s im ila r r is k s. A 1999 stu dy p rin te d in th e B ritis h m ed ic al jo urn al Lancet sh ow ed th at g en etic ally modif ie d p ota to es d am ag ed th e sto m ach a n d in te stin al lin in gs o f ra ts . P eo ple a re als o e atin g g en etic ally m odif ie d p ota to es, b ut s im ila r te sts a re n ot b ein g p erfo rm ed on h um an s. Do y ou re call o ne o f th e h ealth “ sc an dals ” o f th e la te 1 980s? M an y p eo ple w ho to ok a n e sse n tia l a m in o a cid c alle d t r y pto phan ( w hic h i s u se d f o r t r e atin g d ep re ssio n an d o th er e m otio nal p ro ble m s) h ad d ev asta tin g r e actio ns. T hir ty -s e v en p eo ple d ie d , fif te en h undre d w ere p erm an en tly d is a b le d , a n d f iv e t h ousa n d b ecam e e x tr e m ely i ll. As i t t u rn ed o ut, o ne p artic u la r m an ufa ctu re r i n J a p an h ad p ro duced t r y pto phan u sin g a gen etic ally m odif ie d bacte riu m , w hic h did pro duce co m merc ia l quan titie s of tr y pto phan , b ut w hic h a ls o p ro duced a p ow erfu l n erv e p ois o n. O f c o urs e th is p ois o n did n ot e x is t u ntil w e c re ate d i t w ith g en etic e n gin eerin g, s o i t c o uld n ot b e d ete cte d by e x is tin g s a fe ty t e sts . W e c an not t e st f o r t o xin s w e d on’t k now a b out, w hic h i s t h e pro ble m w ith gen etic ally en gin eere d fo ods. T hey are cap ab le of pro ducin g th e unex pecte d . Superm ark ets F ull o f G en etic E xp erim en ts Food in dustr y jo urn als e stim ate th at a b out 7 0 p erc en t o f th e p ro cesse d fo ods in our su perm ark ets w ould te st p ositiv e fo r g en etic ally m odif ie d in gre d ie n ts . M ost co m mon are g en etic ally en gin eere d co rn , so ybean s, to m ato es, y ello w cro okneck sq uash , can ola , pap ay a an d Russe t Burb an k pota to es. O th er fo ods are bein g dev elo ped , su ch as ap ple s, ric e, w heat, b ro cco li, cu cu m bers , carro ts , m elo ns an d gra p es; g en etic ally m odif ie d v ers io ns o f th ese fo ods a re e ith er in s to re s a lr e ad y o r th ey s o on w ill b e. A 1 999 stu dy b y Consu m er R ep orts fo und th at o nly o ne-th ir d o f U .S . sh oppers re aliz e th ey a re e atin g g en etic ally m odif ie d f o ods. T he F D A d oes n ot r e q uir e th ese fo ods to b e la b ele d “ g en etic ally m odif ie d ,” a n d c o nsu m ers d o n ot r e aliz e w hat th ey are b uyin g. P eo ple b uy s o -c alle d “ fre sh ” p ro duce, u naw are th at th ese f o ods d id n ot ev olv e t h ro ugh a n atu ra l p ro cess. A s a lw ay s, y our b est b et i s t o p urc h ase o nly f re sh , org an ic f o ods. I f y ou a re u nab le to b uy o rg an ic , s ta y a w ay f ro m c o m merc ia l f o ods most lik ely to b e g en etic ally m odif ie d , p artic u la rly c o rn a n d s o y (in clu din g to fu ). Avoid co m merc ia lly p ro cesse d an d p re p are d fo ods, 7 0 p erc en t o f w hic h co nta in gen etic ally m odif ie d c o m ponen ts , o fte n i n clu din g s o y a s a h id den i n gre d ie n t. Even org an ic fo ods are not guara n te ed to be fre e fro m gen etic ally m odif ie d co m ponen ts . S eg re g atin g o rg an ic c ro ps c o m ple te ly f ro m g en etic ally m odif ie d c ro ps durin g h arv est, h an dlin g, tr a n sp ort a n d m illin g is n ot p ossib le . S im ila rly , in se cts , bir d s a n d w in d c arry s e ed s a n d p olle n f ro m g en etic ally m odif ie d p la n ts i n to o rg an ic fie ld s an d cro ss-p ollin ate . A m eric a’s cro ps are so co nta m in ate d by gen etic modif ic atio n th at th e O rg an ic F ed era tio n o f A ustr a lia an nounced in 2 001 th at it co uld n o lo nger v erif y th e p urity o f o rg an ic c ro ps im porte d f ro m th e U nite d S ta te s. Clo se r to h om e, F arm V erif ie d O rg an ic , a n o rg an ic c ertif ic atio n a g en cy, h as s ta te d , “th e G M [g en etic ally m odif ie d ] pollu tio n of A m eric an co m moditie s is now so perv asiv e, w e b elie v e i t i s n ot p ossib le f o r f a rm ers i n N orth A m eric a t o s o urc e s e ed fre e f ro m i t.” O ur s u ppose d ly u nco nta m in ate d o rg an ic c ro ps o f c o rn , s o y a n d c an ola are n ow t e stin g p ositiv e f o r t h e p re se n ce o f f o re ig n g en etic m ate ria l. As y ou k now , c o m merc ia l f a rm in g p ro duces s ic k p la n ts , w hic h a re s p ra y ed w ith ch em ic al f e rtiliz ers a n d p estic id es t o k eep t h em a liv e. T o c u t d ow n o n p estic id e u se , so m e g en etic ally m odif ie d c ro ps ( s u ch a s c o rn a n d p ota to es) h av e b een e n gin eere d to pro duce to xic pestic id es in te rn ally . T hese pla n ts actu ally beco m e th eir ow n pestic id e fa cto rie s. T he lo ng-te rm h ealth e ffe cts o f th ese p estic id es a re u nknow n. With s u ch c ro ps, t h e p ote n tia l c erta in ly e x is ts f o r l o ng-te rm n utr itio nal d efic ie n cie s, to xic itie s a n d e v en g en etic m uta tio ns in h um an s. A D ecem ber 1 999 is su e o f Natu re re p orte d th at g en etic ally m odif ie d c ro ps e n gin eere d to p ro duce th eir o w n p estic id es actu ally w ere p ois o nin g th e so il. P estic id es le ach in g fro m th e p la n t’s ro ots w ere killin g b en efic ia l b acte ria in th e s o il, d is ru ptin g th e s o il fo od w eb a n d th re ate n in g so il e co lo gy. T his p ro ble m is s e v ere . T he q uality o f th e s o il h as e v ery th in g to d o with t h e h ealth a n d n utr itio nal c o nte n t o f t h e c ro ps i t p ro duces. Gen etic ally m odif ie d o rg an is m s a re p ro ble m atic b ecau se th ey a re e x tr e m ely h ard to co ntr o l. G en es d o n ot ex is t b y th em se lv es. T hey ex is t as p art o f in te ra ctiv e netw ork s. T he s p lic in g o f g en es re su lts in n ot o nly th e d esir e d c h ara cte ris tic s b ut als o in o th er u npre d ic ta b le effe cts . G iv en th at th e sp ecie s d ev elo ped b y M oth er Natu re w ork j u st f in e, w hy t a k e t h ese u nnecessa ry r is k s? “P ro gress? ” A t W hat P ric e? The c o m pan ie s th at su pply g en etic ally m odif ie d se ed s, su ch a s A rc h er D an ie ls Mid la n d a n d M onsa n to , b elie v e th ey a re p io neers in a te ch nolo gy th at c an se rv e hum an kin d a n d o ffe r m yria d b en efits n ow a n d in th e f u tu re . S cie n tis ts in th is f ie ld arg ue th at g en etic ally m odif ie d f o ods in cre ase y ie ld s a n d a re n ecessa ry to f e ed th is hungry w orld . T hey a rg ue th at c ro ps c an b e e n gin eere d to re d uce e n vir o nm en ta l pestic id e p ollu tio n, b ecau se p estic id es a re p ro duced in te rn ally b y th e p la n ts . T hey arg ue th at th e p la n ts c an b e e n gin eere d to re sis t c h em ic al w eed k ille rs , s o fa rm ers can u se th ese c h em ic als w ith out f e ar o f h arm in g c ro ps. F utu re p ossib ilitie s in clu de en gin eerin g p la n ts th at a re b ette r a b le to w ith sta n d h ars h e n vir o nm en ta l c o nditio ns, perm ittin g fa rm in g in are as not pre se n tly su ita b le . A noth er possib ility is th e en gin eerin g of cro ps with in cre ase d nutr itio nal co nte n t. Cle arly , gen etic ally modif ie d fo ods p re se n t g re at p ro m is e , b ut a s a lw ay s, w e m ust c o nsid er th e w hole pic tu re . These fo ods als o pre se n t en orm ous ris k s fo r w hic h th ere is little fin an cia l in cen tiv e to in vestig ate a n d p le n ty o f in cen tiv e to o verlo ok. S afe ty te sts fo r th ese new ly c re ate d s p ecie s s h ould b e a t l e ast a s r ig oro us a s t h ose f o r n ew f o od a d ditiv es, but th ey a re n ot. N o s in gle re g ula to ry a g en cy is in c h arg e o f g en etic ally m odif ie d fo ods. E ig ht g overn m en t a g en cie s a re in volv ed u nder tw elv e d if fe re n t la w s, n one o f whic h d eal s p ecif ic ally w ith g en etic ally m odif ie d fo ods. B io te ch nolo gy c o m pan ie s do th eir o w n te stin g an d are n ot re q uir e d to in fo rm th e F D A if th ey su sp ect a pro ble m . H uge c o rp ora tio ns a n d la rg e s u m s o f m oney a re in volv ed , y et w e r e ly o n th e h onor s y ste m a lo ne. A t t h e v ery l e ast, p eo ple h av e a r ig ht t o k now w hat t h ey a re eatin g. W e sh ould in sis t th at g en etic ally e n gin eere d fo ods b e la b ele d a s su ch . In ord er to m ak e o ur v oic es h eard , c o nta ct y our e le cte d re p re se n ta tiv es a n d te ll th em what y ou t h in k. Mis le a d in g T hou gh ts Abou t B ir th D efe cts One of th e cen tr a l poin ts of co nfu sio n re g ard in g gen etic s an d dis e ase is th e co m mon m is u nders ta n din g b etw een g en etic an d co ngen ita l d efe cts . M ost p eo ple assu m e th at a co nditio n p re se n t at b ir th is g en etic ally d ete rm in ed . N ot so . In a new born b ab y, th e e n vir o nm en ta l c o nditio ns in th e w om b c o ntr ib ute d to e v ery s te p of its d ev elo pm en t. D efe cts cau se d b y p ro ble m atic co nditio ns in th e w om b are co ngen ita l, n ot g en etic . Build in g a b ab y p uts a h uge d em an d o n t h e m oth er, w hic h c an b e m et o nly w ith a much h ig her th an n orm al in ta k e o f n utr ie n ts . G ra v e c o nse q uen ces o fte n a ffe ct th e dev elo pin g fe tu s if a m oth er fa ils to o bta in p ro per n utr itio n. Congen ita l d efe cts — bio ch em ic a l a nd p hysic a l d efe cts p re se n t a t b ir th — a re n ot d ete rm in ed b y g en es, b ut by t h e s a m e t w o c a use s r e sp onsib le f o r a ll d is e a se : d efic ie n cy a nd t o xic ity . If th e m oth er’s cells are n eith er d efic ie n t n or to xic , h er b ab y’s ch an ces fo r a health y lif e in cre ase d ra m atic ally . A s a f e tu s p asse s th ro ugh v ario us d ev elo pm en ta l sta g es, tis su es a n d c ells g ro w v ery q uic k ly . R ap id ly d iv id in g c ells a re a t a g re ate r ris k o f s u ffe rin g fro m in su ffic ie n t n utr ie n ts , to o m uch o f c erta in h orm ones o r th e pre se n ce o f c erta in t o xin s. T hese c o nditio ns c an a lte r t h e d ev elo pm en t o f t h e b ab y’s tis su es, p erm an en tly a ffe ctin g t h e p hysic al a n d m en ta l f u nctio n o f t h e c h ild . An u nfa v ora b le en vir o nm en t in th e w om b cau se s a d ev elo pin g fe tu s to m ak e co m pro m is e s in ord er to co m pen sa te fo r defic ie n cy or to xic ity . These co m pen sa tio ns co m e at a very hig h pric e, a pric e th at ofte n is in vis ib le an d im possib le to m easu re . P erh ap s th e n ew born ’s n erv ous s y ste m is c o m pro m is e d a n d th e c h ild ’s I Q w ill b e l o w er t h an i t m ig ht o th erw is e b e. P erh ap s t h e b ab y’s d ig estiv e sy ste m is n ot f u lly d ev elo ped , le ad in g to d ig estiv e p ro ble m s, d is e ase a n d s h orte n ed lif e sp an . Perh ap s th e cir c u la to ry sy ste m is not fu lly dev elo ped , m ak in g it im possib le fo r o ptim al a m ounts o f n utr ie n ts a n d o xygen to re ach th e tis su es, th us guara n te ein g p re m atu re a g in g a n d d is e ase . P erh ap s th e b ab y is b orn w ith a c le ft pala te , a c lu bfo ot o r a h eart d efe ct. Som e o f th ese p ro ble m s a re o bvio us a t b ir th , b ut m ost a re n ot. W hen th ey a re obvio us, w e u su ally b la m e th em o n g en etic s, b ut th ey a re m ostly c o ngen ita l. T o av oid t h ese p ro ble m s, p are n ts , e sp ecia lly p rio r t o a n d d urin g p re g nan cy, m ust f o llo w th e six p ath w ay s clo se ly , o ptim iz in g th eir cellu la r fu nctio n an d m in im iz in g th e ch an ces o f c o ngen ita l p ro ble m s i n t h eir c h ild re n . Choosin g Y ou r D estin y Alth ough p erfe ct n utr itio n, p erfe ct g en es, a p ure e n vir o nm en t a n d id eal b eh av io r do n ot e x is t, th ese f a cto rs w rite th e s to ry o f y our lif e , in clu din g h ow m an y c h ap te rs you w ill fin is h . The in te ra ctio n betw een in herite d gen es, nutr itio nal in ta ke, th e en vir o nm en t a nd o ur b elie fs a t a ny p oin t i n t im e a re t h e t r ig gers t h at d ete rm in e o ur cu rre n t s ta te o f h ea lth o r d is e a se , i n clu din g h ow l o ng w e l iv e. By c h an gin g t h e c o nditio ns i n sid e y our b ody, y ou c an s ig nal y our g en es t o e x pre ss in d if fe re n t w ay s. O ur s o cie ty te n ds to th in k th at d is e ase is th e r e su lt o f a g in g. N ot tr u e. T he H unzas a n d o th er h is to ric ally h ealth y p opula tio ns liv ed to v ery o ld a g es with out d is e ase . D is e ase is a r e su lt o f th e r a te a t w hic h w e a g e, n ot th e n um ber o f years w e h av e in hab ite d th e E arth . T he r a te is a ffe cte d b y “ ag in g g en es,” w hic h w e can c h oose t o k eep t u rn ed o ff. You c an c re ate a y ounger a n d h ealth ie r y ou, a s w as s u ggeste d b y A rth ur V an der, M.D ., in his 1981 book, Nutr itio n, S tr e ss, & To xic C hem ic a ls : A n A ppro ach to Envir o nm en ta l- H ea lth C ontr o versie s. Dr. V an der s a id , “ D if fe re n t e n vir o nm en ts , b y alte rin g g en e e x pre ssio n, c an p ro duce . . . a n i n cre d ib le v arie ty o f ‘ y ous.’ ” By a ssu m in g th at in herite d g en es c au se d is e ase , o ne a ssu m es th at d is e ase o ccu rs re g ard le ss o f d ie ta ry an d lif e sty le fa cto rs — in o th er w ord s, en vir o nm en t. N ot so , whic h is w hy w e c an h av e s u ch a p ow erfu l in flu en ce o n th e b ala n ce b etw een h ealth an d d is e ase . G en es a re i m porta n t, b ut t h ey a re o nly o ne s m all p ie ce o f a m uch l a rg er puzzle . F undam en ta lly , th ere is o nly o ne d is e ase (m alf u nctio nin g c ells ), a n d it h as only t w o c au se s ( d efic ie n cy a n d t o xic ity ). Reg ard le ss o f th e r e cip e y ou s ta rt w ith , a d is h is o nly a s g ood a s th e in gre d ie n ts put in to it. T he sa m e g oes fo r a cell. W hen a cell is p ro vid ed w ith th e p ro per nutr ie n ts , k ep t fre e fro m to xin s an d p la ced in a su pportiv e en vir o nm en t, h ealth - su pportin g g en es a re a ctiv ate d , a g in g a n d d is e ase -c au sin g g en es re m ain d orm an t, an d b oth y our c ells a n d y ou a re h ealth y. T o m ove y ours e lf in th e r ig ht d ir e ctio n o n th e g en etic p ath w ay, c re ate a h ealth y e n vir o nm en t f o r y our g en es a n d p ro te ct th em fro m d am ag e. 10 T HE M ED IC AL P ATH W AY “[T ]h e gre a te st danger to yo ur hea lth is th e docto r w ho pra ctic es M odern M ed ic in e.” Robert M en dels o hn, M .D . Confe ssio ns o f a M ed ic a l H ere tic O ne sp rin g m orn in g, m ore th an tw en ty years ag o, I re ceiv ed a call fro m m y fa th er’s p hysic ia n t e llin g m e t h at m y f a th er, h osp ita liz ed f o r e m physe m a, w as d yin g of k id ney f a ilu re . I r a ced t o t h e h osp ita l a lm ost t w o h undre d m ile s a w ay. M y b ro th er an d I f o und o ur f a th er i n a d eep c o m a. H e l o oked a s i f h e w ere d ead . The d octo rs a d vis e d u s to d is c o nnect h is lif e -s u pport s y ste m s a n d a llo w h im to slip aw ay peacefu lly . W e knew our fa th er w ould not ch oose to liv e hooked to mach in es i n a v eg eta tiv e s ta te . W e k new h is o w n d ecis io n w ould b e t o p ull t h e p lu g. We c o nse n te d . A ll l if e -s u pport m easu re s w ere t e rm in ate d . Late th at e v en in g, o ur f a th er w as s till a liv e b ut in a d eep c o m a. I n th e m orn in g, my b ro th er a n d I r e tu rn ed t o t h e h osp ita l w ith a n xie ty a n d g rie f. W e t h ought t h at h e mig ht h av e d ie d d urin g t h e n ig ht. I n ste ad , w e f o und o ur f a th er s ittin g u p a n d t e llin g jo kes t o t h e n urs e ! A m ir a cle ? N o. T he d octo rs h ad b een g iv in g o ur f a th er “ lif e -s a v in g” p re sc rip tio n dru gs th at p ut a le th al lo ad o f to xin s o n h is k id ney s. W hen th e d ru gs w ere s to pped , his b ody w as a b le to r e b ala n ce a n d b eg in to r e p air its e lf . A n ig ht w ith out th e d ru gs was s u ffic ie n t. O ur d ecis io n t o “ le t h im d ie ” s a v ed h im . Had h e d ie d , h is d eath w ould h av e b een attr ib ute d to k id ney fa ilu re , n ot th e pre sc rip tio n d ru gs t h at w ere c au sin g h is k id ney s t o f a il. My f a th er’s s to ry is e x tr e m e, y et a ll to o c o m mon. T he v ast n um ber o f m ed ic ally cau se d death s is underre p orte d an d undere stim ate d . P re sc rip tio n erro rs , su rg ic al mis ta k es an d m is se d d ia g nose s d o n ot ev en b eg in to d esc rib e th e sc o pe o f th e pro ble m . T he tr u th is lo st in p re sc rip tio n p ad s, h ealth c h arts a n d d eath c ertif ic ate s, whic h d o n ot r e fle ct t h e t r u e c au se s o f d eath a n d d is e ase . W e p rid e o urs e lv es o n t h e acco m plis h m en ts o f m odern m ed ic in e w ith out a ck now le d gin g its f a ilu re s. A ctu ally , med ic a l i n te rv en tio n m ay b e t h e l e a din g c a use o f d ea th i n t h e U nite d S ta te s. Conven tio nal m ed ic al tr e atm en ts can be both a ble ssin g or a cu rs e . T hese tr e atm en ts a re g ood, e v en e x celle n t, in c ris is in te rv en tio n a n d tr e atm en t o f in ju rie s. But c o nven tio nal m ed ic in e d oes n ot p re v en t n or c u re d is e ase ; i t m an ag es s y m pto m s. We w ait f o r d is e ase t o h ap pen , w ait f o r t h e d am ag e t o b e d one a n d t h en t r y t o c o ntr o l th e pro ble m s by “tr e atin g,” usin g asse m bly -lin e te ch niq ues th at are cu rre n tly fa sh io nab le , ex pen siv e an d usu ally dan gero us. T hese te ch niq ues cau se cellu la r malf u nctio n— ofte n cav alie rly calle d “sid e effe cts ” — w hic h le ad to u nnecessa ry su ffe rin g, d is e ase an d d eath . E ven so -c alle d p re v en tiv e m ed ic in e u su ally is o nly early d is e ase d ete ctio n, r a th er t h an r e al p re v en tio n. The p re se n t s y ste m s u ffe rs f ro m a d is e ase -c are b ia s. V ery f e w m ed ic al r e so urc es are d ev ote d to d is e ase p re v en tio n b y h elp in g p eo ple to m ain ta in cellu la r h ealth th ro ugh die t, nutr itio nal su pple m en ts , deto xif ic atio n, ex erc is e , health fu l en vir o nm en t, sta te of m in d an d lif e sty le . In ste ad , re so urc es are dev ote d to w ard tr e atin g th e e ffe cts o f d is e ase . O ur m odern m ed ic al s y ste m fa ils to fin d c u re s fo r ch ro nic d is e ase s d esp ite v ast s u m s o f m oney s p en t o n r e se arc h e v ery y ear. T he la te Em an uel C hera sk in , M .D ., D .M .D ., a t th e U niv ers ity o f A la b am a M ed ic al C en te r, sa id , “A m eric an m ed ic al care is th e fa ste st- g ro w in g fa ilin g b usin ess in W este rn Civ iliz atio n.” The T ru th a n d t h e C on se q uen ces Man y p eo ple m ain ta in t o ta l a n d u nquestio nin g t r u st i n m odern m ed ic in e. T hey g et ad vic e a n d t r e atm en ts f ro m o nly o ne s c h ool o f t h ought a n d w illin gly s u rre n der t h eir pers o nal h ealth re sp onsib ilitie s to th e h an ds o f th eir d octo r. T his a p pro ach is n ot se n sib le . Educa te y o urse lf b efo re y o u fo llo w a nyo ne e ls e ’s a dvic e, in clu din g y o ur physic ia n’s . Health i s t h e r e sp onsib ility o f t h e i n div id ual. Rare ly d o m ost p eo ple r e aliz e th at c erta in a sp ects o f m ed ic in e m ig ht h arm th eir health , o r th at b ette r a lte rn ativ es m ig ht e x is t. I n ste ad , th ey d o w hat is f a m ilia r a n d co nven tio nal. C onfro nte d w ith a h ealth p ro ble m , t h ey g o t o t h e d octo r e ith er b ecau se th ey d o n ot k now h ow to s o lv e th e p ro ble m o r th ey a re in tim id ate d b y a lte rn ativ es. This w as c erta in ly m y e x perie n ce. The m ed ic al p ath w ay t e ach es y ou h ow a ll k in ds o f m ed ic al t r e atm en ts a ffe ct y our body a t t h e c ellu la r l e v el, t h e b en efits a n d t h e d an gers . W ith t h is u nders ta n din g, a n d if y ou a re n ot b lin ded b y u nquestio nin g tr u st in m odern m ed ic in e, y ou c an e v alu ate th e e v id en ce a n d m ak e t h e b est c h oic es a b out m ed ic al c are f o r y ours e lf a n d f o r y our fa m ily . W ith th e rig ht h ealth c h oic es, y ou s h ould n ot b eco m e s ic k . B ut if y ou d o, you m ust ta k e a n a ctiv e p art in y our c are w hic h m ean s m ore th an b lin dly f o llo w in g so m eo ne e ls e ’s a d vic e. Y ou n eed to le arn h ow to ta k e c h arg e— re ly in g o n m ed ic in e alo ne i s n ot a s e n sib le l o ng-te rm s o lu tio n. Lik e m ost peo ple in our so cie ty , I gre w up w hole h earte d ly tr u stin g m odern med ic in e. W hen I b ecam e s ic k I to ok m y p hysic ia n s’ a d vic e w ith out q uestio n a n d belie v ed t h at I w as b en efitin g f ro m t h e m ost a d van ced m ed ic al s c ie n ce a n d t h e m ost effe ctiv e t r e atm en ts . I u nw ittin gly w aite d i n l in e a t t h e p harm acy f o r m y t o xic d ru gs. Not u ntil I a lm ost d ie d a s a d ir e ct r e su lt o f m y m ed ic al t r e atm en ts d id I q uestio n t h e valid ity o f th is ap pro ach , an d th en it w as alm ost to o la te . B efo re ch oosin g an y med ic al tr e atm en t, c o nsid er b oth b en efits a n d ris k s. U nders ta n d y our c h oic es a n d how t h ey a re s u ppose d t o b en efit y ou, a n d f in d o ut t h e r is k s. What I s N ot o n t h e D ea th C ertif ic a te A physic ia n m ay actu ally guid e your m ovem en t alo ng th e path w ay s to w ard dis e ase r a th er th an a w ay f ro m it. T hat h ap pen ed to H arry , a d elig htf u l s e v en ty -tw o- year-o ld m an an d a d ear frie n d. I w as sh ock ed to h ear th at H arry h ad d ie d o f pneu m onia . H is s to ry i s i m porta n t t o r e la te . Alth ough H arry ’s p neu m onia w as c au se d b y a b acte ria l in fe ctio n, h ealth y p eo ple ra re ly d ev elo p in fe ctio ns, esp ecia lly se rio us o nes. G en era lly , in fe ctio ns o ccu r in peo ple w ho are alr e ad y unhealth y, w hose cells are m alf u nctio nin g an d w hose im munity is a lr e ad y c o m pro m is e d . H arry h ad a lw ay s b een a s tr o ng, h ealth y p ers o n who ra re ly su ccu m bed to c o ld s o r flu . T hat p neu m onia c au se d h is d eath se em ed su sp ic io us. S om eth in g m ust h av e h ap pen ed t o m ak e h im s u sc ep tib le t o t h e i n fe ctio n th at k ille d h im . I s a d ly s u rm is e d t h at, m ost l ik ely , m odern m ed ic in e k ille d H arry . Harry h ad b een s u ffe rin g p ain in h is h ip fro m a c o ngen ita l p ro ble m . H is d octo r pre sc rib ed a ste ro id horm one, co rtis o ne. This dru g help s alle v ia te pain an d in fla m matio n, b ut it h as n asty s id e e ffe cts . C ortis o ne d am ag es th e im mune s y ste m by in hib itin g th e p ro ductio n o f an tib odie s an d “k ille r” T -c ells . In ad ditio n, th is dam ag e m ak es lo caliz in g in fe ctio ns d if fic u lt if th ey d ev elo p. T he c o rtis o ne m ad e Harry vuln era b le to in fe ctio n. H e dev elo ped pneu m onia in one lu ng an d w as hosp ita liz ed , w here h e w as g iv en la rg e d ose s o f a n tib io tic s— pre su m ab ly to k ill th e “g erm s” cau sin g th e pneu m onia . Pneu m onia , lik e an y in fe ctio n, is cau se d by malf u nctio nin g c ells a n d d ep re sse d i m munity , n ot b y g erm s a lo ne. N orm aliz in g c ell fu nctio n a n d re b uild in g im munity , ra th er th an tr y in g to k ill g erm s, is n eed ed fo r re co very . B ut th at is not w hat hap pen ed in H arry ’s case : A fte r a fe w day s on an tib io tic s, h e w as d is c h arg ed , s u ppose d ly “ cu re d .” In re ality , th e a n tib io tic s h ad in cre ase d H arry ’s p ro ble m s b ecau se th ey fu rth er co m pro m is e d h is im munity . H is alr e ad y d ep re sse d im mune sy ste m w as n ow in wors e sh ap e th an b efo re . S hortly afte r re tu rn in g h om e H arry d ev elo ped an oth er in fe ctio n. T his tim e th e p neu m onia a ffe cte d b oth lu ngs, a n d sh ortly th ere afte r h e die d . D urin g h is f ir s t h osp ita liz atio n, H arry b ecam e in fe cte d w ith a “ su perb ug,” a n an tib io tic -re sis ta n t g erm th at is n ow c o m mon in h osp ita ls . A ntib io tic s w ere u se le ss ag ain st t h is i n fe ctio n, a s w as H arry ’s d am ag ed i m mune s y ste m . I n a ll l ik elih ood, t h e sta te -o f-th e-a rt m ed ic al e sta b lis h m en t b oth d estr o yed H arry ’s im mune s y ste m a n d su bje cte d h im to th e u ntr e ata b le in fe ctio n th at k ille d h im . Y et, th e d eath c ertif ic ate sta te d t h e o ffic ia l c au se o f d eath a s p neu m onia . At m y s ic k est, I w as d yin g f ro m l iv er f a ilu re t h at r e su lte d f ro m t h e t o xic e ffe cts o f a p re sc rip tio n d ru g. If I h ad d ie d , g uess w hat c au se w ould h av e b een lis te d o n m y death c ertif ic ate ? L iv er d is e ase . P erio d. N o m en tio n o f th e d ru g th at m ad e m e s ic k would h av e b een r e co rd ed . Only i n t h e m ost b la ta n t a n d o bvio us c ase s d oes m odern m ed ic in e c o nsid er o r t a k e re sp onsib ility f o r t h e d am ag e i t c au se s. F ears o f m alp ra ctic e c la im s o nly e n han ce t h e re so lv e o f th e m ed ic al c o m munity to k eep lis tin g c au se s o f d eath a s r e su ltin g f ro m th e sic k ness o f th e p atie n t, ra th er th an th e tr e atm en ts o f th e d octo r. P hysic ia n s usu ally a ssu m e th at th e h ealth p ro ble m s th ey c au se w ould h av e h ap pen ed a n yw ay. The g en era l b elie f i s t h at t h e n eg ativ e e ffe cts o f d ru gs a n d p ro ced ure s a re w orth t h e ris k . L ittle w onder th at th e c au se o f d eath o n d eath c ertif ic ate s o fte n h as to d o w ith th e s p ecia lty o f t h e d octo r t r e atin g t h e d is e ase . Presc rip tio n s f o r T ro u ble To u nders ta n d th e e x te n t o f th e d am ag e c au se d b y th e m ed ic al e sta b lis h m en t, co nsid er h ow t h e p atie n t c an b e s e n t t o w ard d is e ase a lo ng t h e s ix p ath w ay s: • M ed ic al tr e atm en ts can cau se nutr itio nal defic ie n cie s. A ntib io tic s, an ti- in fla m mato rie s an d ste ro id pre sc rip tio n dru gs se rio usly dam ag e th e hum an dig estiv e sy ste m , im pair in g th e ab ility to d ig est fo od an d ab so rb n utr ie n ts . Diu re tic s str ip nutr ie n ts su ch as m ag nesiu m , calc iu m , pota ssiu m , zin c an d io din e. • D ru gs w ork b ecau se t h ey a re t o xic ; t h ey i n te rfe re w ith n orm al c ell f u nctio n, i n ord er to su ppre ss d is e ase sy m pto m s. B oth p re sc rip tio n an d o ver-th e-c o unte r dru gs p ro duce a v ast v arie ty o f d is e ase s y m pto m s r e fe rre d t o a s sid e e ffe cts . • O fte n p hysic ia n s i n flic t p sy ch olo gic al d am ag e o n t h eir p atie n ts . W hen d octo rs estim ate h ow l o ng a p atie n t w ill l iv e, o r p re d ic t t h at t h e p atie n t w ill n ev er w alk or s e e a g ain , th ey c an c re ate a s e lf -fu lf illin g p ro phecy. O fte n p hysic ia n s d on’t ev en lis te n to th eir p atie n ts ’ th oughts a n d o pin io ns, in te rru ptin g th em le ss th an a m in ute a fte r th e p atie n ts s ta rt d esc rib in g s y m pto m s. S uch p ra ctic es s a b ota g e one o f t h e p hysic ia n ’s p rim ary g oals : t o h elp a n d s u pport t h e p atie n t t h ro ughout th e e n tir e h ealin g p ro cess. • M an y m ed ic al p ro ced ure s, in clu din g s u rg ery , m ed ic al X ra y s a n d ra d ia tio n, physic ally d am ag e t h e b ody a n d u ltim ate ly c au se m alf u nctio n a n d d is e ase . T his physic al d am ag e can le ad to g en etic d am ag e. G en etic m uta tio ns can cau se can cer a n d o th er d is e ase s, a n d m ay b e p asse d t o f u tu re g en era tio ns. Man agin g S ym pto m s In ste a d o f C urin g D is e a se If y ou s e ek m ed ic al tr e atm en t, y our p hysic ia n a sk s y ou a s e rie s o f q uestio ns a n d, perh ap s, ru ns a se rie s o f te sts to d ete rm in e y our sy m pto m s. T he p urp ose o f th is activ ity is to dia g nose — to m atc h your se t of sy m pto m s w ith sp ecif ic nam ed cate g orie s, a ls o k now n a s d is e ase s. D ia g nose d in th is m an ner, a d is e ase is n oth in g more th an a se t o f sy m pto m s. A fte r d ia g nosis , m odern m ed ic in e (a ls o k now n a s “allo path ic ” m ed ic in e; “ allo ” = a g ain st, a n d “ p ath ic ” = d is e ase ) l ite ra lly s e ek s t o “ g o ag ain st” t h e s y m pto m s o f d is e ase . Sym pto m s are sig nif ic an t only becau se th ey attr a ct your atte n tio n; th ey are unple asa n t a n d in te rfe re w ith y our a b ility to fu nctio n, b ut th ey h av e n oth in g to d o with th e e sse n ce o f h ealth a n d d is e ase . D is e ase e n su es w hen c ells m alf u nctio n. T he sy m pto m s m ay vary , th e so lu tio n is alw ay s th e sa m e: N orm aliz e cell fu nctio n th ro ugh t h e s ix p ath w ay s. Perc ep tio n is ev ery th in g. Perc eiv ed sy m pto m s beco m e th e “p ro ble m ” th at med ic in e se ek s to sto p. For ex am ple , if th e perc eiv ed pro ble m is hig h blo od pre ssu re , m ed ic in e aim s to lo w er p re ssu re w ith a v arie ty o f to xic d ru gs. If th e perc eiv ed p ro ble m is a g erm , m ed ic in e a im s to k ill th e g erm w ith to xic a n tib io tic s. Mean w hile , b oth o f th ese p ro ble m s a re m ere ly s y m pto m s o f m alf u nctio nin g c ells . Usin g d ru gs t o l o w er t h e b lo od p re ssu re , t h ere fo re , d oes n ot s o lv e t h e p ro ble m t h at i s cau sin g th e e le v ate d p re ssu re . A nd lik ew is e w ith d ru gs u se d to k ill g erm s. G erm s can co ntr ib ute to cellu la r m alf u nctio n, but germ s are pre se n t co nsta n tly an d ev ery w here i n o ur e n vir o nm en t. K illin g t h e g erm s t h at a re c au sin g a n i n fe ctio n d oes not m ak e th e pers o n health y, nor does it m ak e th e pers o n m ore re sis ta n t to su bse q uen t in fe ctio ns. I n f a ct, th ey b eco m e le ss r e sis ta n t b ecau se th e d ru gs th at k ill th e g erm s a ls o d am ag e a n d w eak en t h e b ody. When o ne h as a n in fe ctio n, m ask in g th e s y m pto m s o f th e s ic k ness (fe v er, e tc .) se rv es little purp ose oth er th an m ak in g th e sic k pers o n m ore co m fo rta b le . F or ex am ple , t r e atin g f e v er w ith o ver-th e-c o unte r d ru gs i s a c o m mon p ra ctic e. Y et, f e v er is n atu ra l a n d b en efic ia l; th ere is n o r e aso n to u se d ru gs f o r th is p urp ose , e sp ecia lly becau se t h e d ru gs i n flic t h arm . By fo cu sin g o n s y m pto m s a n d ta k in g d ru gs, w e d o n ot c u re d is e ase ; w e m ere ly in ven t w ay s to a llo w s ic k p eo ple to c o ntin ue liv in g th eir liv es m ore c o m fo rta b ly . Short- te rm re lie f has its pla ce but is not a lo ng-te rm so lu tio n. For ex am ple , an gio pla sty m ay p re v en t th e im med ia te d eath o f a p atie n t b y in cre asin g b lo od f lo w to th e h eart; h ow ev er, o nly b y elim in atin g d efic ie n cy an d to xic ity can th e h eart dis e ase b e r e v ers e d , a n d th is w ill n ot h ap pen u nder th e g uid an ce o f a c o nven tio nal physic ia n . More T han a S um o f O ur P arts Modern m ed ic in e, p um ped u p w ith h uge a m ounts o f t a le n t a n d m oney , i s a s tr a n ge dic h oto m y— te ch nolo gic ally ad van ced an d cu ttin g-e d ge, yet obso le te an d in effe ctiv e. M ed ic in e d oes a s u perb jo b m an ag in g m ed ic al e m erg en cie s a n d d is e ase sy m pto m s, b ut is w oefu lly in cap ab le o f c u rin g d is e ase o r p ro m otin g a lif e tim e o f welln ess. In m ed ic al s c h ools , p hysic ia n s s tu dy o ne o rg an o r s y ste m a t a tim e a n d th en sp ecia liz e, w ith out d ev elo pin g an u nders ta n din g o f h ealth o r th e b ody as a whole . A la ck o f h olis tic u nders ta n din g an d ap pre cia tio n tr a n sfe rs to m ed ic in e’s fo cu s o n d is e ase r a th er t h an h ealth . Actu ally , o ur m odern h ealth -c are s y ste m i s a d is e ase -c are s y ste m . O ur h ealth -c are pro vid ers a re p aid fo r tr e atin g d is e ase , n ot fo r p re v en tin g d is e ase . T re atm en ts c an co ntin ue f o r t h e e n tir e l if e o f t h e p atie n t. O ur c u rre n t s y ste m d oes n ot o ffe r f in an cia l in cen tiv es f o r h ealth , b ut p ro vid es a l o t o f m oney f o r t r e atm en ts o f d is e ase . We need to ex am in e th e ro ots of m odern co nven tio nal m ed ic in e. “M odern med ic in e” is b ase d o n a s e v en te en th -c en tu ry u nders ta n din g o f th e h um an b ody, a n d it h as f a ile d t o i n co rp ora te t h e m ost i m porta n t s c ie n tif ic d is c o verie s o f t h e t w en tie th cen tu ry . W ra p ped i n t h e c lo ak o f m odern s c ie n ce, a t i ts c o re , co nven tio nal m ed ic in e is b ase d o n a rc h aic c o ncep ts th at p re se n tly a re s c ie n tific a lly o bso le te a nd in va lid . Allo w m e t o e x pla in w hat I m ean . Beg in nin g w ith I s a ac N ew to n’s d is c o very o f th e la w s o f m otio n, th e h um an b ody an d th e univ ers e both becam e re g ard ed as a clo ck w ork m ech an is m . F ro m th is pers p ectiv e, an yth in g can be dis se cte d in to parts , stu die d sc ie n tif ic ally an d unders to od. M ed ic in e of th e tim e fo llo w ed th is m ech an is tic co ncep t: T ak e th e mach in e a p art, s tu dy t h e p arts , u nders ta n d h ow t h ey w ork a n d u se t h at u nders ta n din g in m ed ic al care . P eo ple beg an to belie v e th ey co uld co ntr o l health sim ply by unders ta n din g th e m ech an ic al w ork in gs o f th e p hysic al b ody. M an y p eo ple still belie v e th is , a lth ough it is n ’t tr u e. T oday th e m ed ic al e sta b lis h m en t c o ntin ues to re g ard th e b ody a s a c o m ple x , g lo rif ie d m ach in e; th e f o cu s is o n th e p arts , n ot th e whole . Dis e ase i s s e en a s c o nfin ed t o s p ecif ic l o catio ns o r o rg an s, r a th er t h an a s a ffe ctin g th e w hole pers o n. Tre atm en ts re g ula rly re m ove or re p la ce body parts w ith out ad dre ssin g th e re aso ns th at so m eth in g w en t aw ry . B y assu m in g th e body is a mach in e th at c an not h eal its e lf , th e o nly e ffe ctiv e th era p ie s a re th ought to b e th ose th at c o m e fro m th e o uts id e, s u ch a s m ech an ic al te ch niq ues, s u rg ic al in vasio n a n d pow erfu l d ru gs. T he p harm aceu tic al d ru g i n dustr y “ fix es” h ealth p ro ble m s b y a d din g mole cu le s t o t h e b ody t h at a re d esig ned t o c o ntr o l t h e f u nctio n o f c erta in b ody p arts , with out se ek in g to unders ta n d or re m ed y th e re aso ns fo r th e m alf u nctio n. A dysfu nctio n in th e b ody’s se lf -re g ula tin g a n d b ala n cin g m ech an is m s is c au se d b y cellu la r m alf u nctio n, an d it affe cts th e w hole b ody, n ot ju st a p art o f it. W ith mach in es, th e fu nctio n o f th e w hole c an b e p re d ic te d b y th e s u m o f th e p arts , b ut hum an s a re n ot m ach in es. A liv in g o rg an is m is m uch g re ate r th an th e s u m o f its parts . W e a re a liv e, a n d o ur m in ds i n flu en ce o ur b odie s. In t h e e arly t w en tie th c en tu ry , A lb ert E in ste in c h alle n ged e x is tin g p erc ep tio ns a n d fu ndam en ta lly c h an ged th e w ay p eo ple v ie w th e w orld . B y p ro vin g th at m atte r a n d en erg y are o ne, E in ste in b ro ught fo rth a n ew fie ld fo r stu dyin g th e la w s o f th e univ ers e , q uan tu m p hysic s, in w hic h h um an b ein gs are re g ard ed as n etw ork s o f co m ple x e n erg y s y ste m s t h at i n te ra ct w ith p hysic al a n d c ellu la r s y ste m s. We h um an b ein gs a re n ot N ew to nia n i n n atu re , b ut r a th er E in ste in ia n . H um an s a re matte r, b ut w e a re a ls o m ultid im en sio nal e n erg y s y ste m s, a n d o ur th oughts , b elie fs an d attitu des cre ate en erg y fie ld s th at in flu en ce o ur b io ch em is tr y an d affe ct o ur health . Y et o ur p hysic ia n s c o ntin ue t o u se t h e m ech an ic al N ew to nia n m odel. No G ro u nd t o S ta n d O n We a re b ro ught u p to th in k o f m ed ic in e a s s c ie n tif ic a n d th at th e te ch niq ues a n d pro ced ure s u se d b y o ur p hysic ia n s a re t h e r e su lt o f e x te n siv e s c ie n tif ic s tu dy. N ot s o . Sev era l stu die s, in clu din g a 1978 re p ort by th e U .S . O ffic e of Tech nolo gy Asse ssm en t, h av e e stim ate d t h at n o s c ie n tif ic b asis e x is ts f o r 8 0 t o 9 0 p erc en t o f a ll pro ced ure s u se d i n m ed ic al p ra ctic e. In f a ct, tr a d itio nal o r a llo path ic m ed ic in e h as n o g en era l th eo ry o f th e o rg an is m , health o r d is e ase — no u nif y in g f ra m ew ork t o t ie i t a ll t o geth er. W ith out a t h eo ry a n d a fra m ew ork , th ere is no unders ta n din g of w hat th e pro ble m s are , how th ey dev elo ped o r h ow t o s o lv e t h em , a n d e v ery th in g b eco m es a n a d h oc e x perie n ce. T he mech an is tic m an ner in w hic h m ed ic in e is p ra ctic ed to day h as n ev er b een p ro ven b y sc ie n tif ic m eth od. A s L ynne M cT ag gart, au th or o f th e 1 996 b ook, What D octo rs Don’t T ell Y o u, wro te : “ F or a ll t h e a tte m pts t o c lo ak m ed ic in e i n t h e w eig hty m an tle of sc ie n ce— a good deal of w hat w e re g ard as sta n dard m ed ic al pra ctic e to day am ounts t o l ittle m ore t h an 2 0th -c en tu ry v oodoo.” Docto rs u su ally h av e little id ea w hat is w ro ng w ith th eir p atie n ts o r h ow to m ak e th em w ell. A nd h ow c an o ne b la m e t h em ? T hey s p en t m an y y ears i n m ed ic al s c h ool, le arn in g te ch nic alitie s, p ro ced ure s a n d p ro to co ls , a n d w ere ta u ght th at “ cu re s” m ust co m e fro m o uts id e th e b ody. T hat is w hy p hysic ia n s h av e n o fa ith o r in str u ctio n ab out t h e n atu ra l c ap acity o f t h e h um an b ody t o h eal i ts e lf . I n f a ct, m an y a rg ue t h at alm ost a ll c o nditio ns p re se n te d to p hysic ia n s a re se lf -lim itin g a n d sp onta n eo usly re so lv e b y th e n atu ra l h ealin g p ro cess, r e g ard le ss o f w hat th e p hysic ia n h ap pen s to pre sc rib e. This n atu ra l h ealin g p ro cess m ust b eco m e o ur fo cu s, b ecau se th e m ag nitu de o f sic k ness in th is c o untr y is a sto nis h in g. M ore th an th re e o ut o f f o ur A m eric an s n ow su ffe r fro m a d ia g nosa b le ch ro nic d is e ase , a d ile m ma th at th e m odern m ed ic al esta b lis h m en t not only fa ils to so lv e, but actu ally co ntr ib ute s to . T hin gs m ust ch an ge. In M arc h 2 001, T he In stitu te o f M ed ic in e o f th e N atio nal A cad em y o f Scie n ces is su ed a re p ort title d , Cro ssin g th e Q uality C hasm : A N ew H ea lth S yste m fo r th e 2 1st C en tu ry. Acco rd in g to th is r e p ort: “ . . . b etw een th e h ealth c are w e n ow hav e a n d t h e h ealth c are w e c o uld h av e l ie s n ot j u st a g ap , b ut a c h asm .” T he r e p ort als o s a id : “ H ealth c are h arm s p atie n ts t o o f re q uen tly a n d r o utin ely f a ils t o d eliv er i ts pote n tia l b en efits .” The U nite d S ta te s h as th e m ost e x pen siv e, y et o ne o f th e m ost in ad eq uate h ealth care s y ste m s i n t h e w orld . O ur i n fa n t m orta lity r a te i s w ors e t h an C uba’s . A cco rd in g to th e W orld H ealth O rg an iz atio n, o ur o vera ll h ealth is w ors e th an th at o f a lm ost ev ery E uro pean c o untr y , a s w ell a s A ustr a lia , C an ad a, a n d I s ra el. A cco rd in g to th e ab ove In stitu te o f M ed ic in e re p ort, “ . . . a fu ndam en ta l, s w eep in g re d esig n o f th e en tir e h ealth c are s y ste m is r e q uir e d .” T he r e p ort c ite d th at “ . . . th e n atio n’s h ealth care deliv ery sy ste m has fa lle n sh ort in its ab ility to tr a n sla te know le d ge in to pra ctic e a n d t o a p ply n ew t e ch nolo gy s a fe ly a n d a p pro pria te ly .” I t w en t o n t o s a y, “ . . . i f t h e s y ste m c an not c o nsis te n tly d eliv er t o day ’s s c ie n ce a n d t e ch nolo gy, i t i s e v en le ss pre p are d to re sp ond to th e ex tr a o rd in ary ad van ces th at su re ly w ill em erg e durin g t h e c o m in g d ecad es.” We’v e sp en t hundre d s of billio ns of m ed ic al re se arc h dolla rs on outm oded sc ie n ce, w hic h e x pla in s w hy w e h av e n ot fo und th e c au se o r th e c u re fo r a s in gle ch ro nic d is e ase . D ecad es a fte r P re sid en t R ic h ard N ix on d ecla re d “ w ar o n c an cer” an d afte r co untle ss billio ns of dolla rs sp en t, m alig nan cy su rv iv al ra te s are not notic eab ly im pro ved . W e h av e y et to p ro duce a tr u ly e ffe ctiv e c an cer tr e atm en t; ev ery m in ute a n oth er A m eric an d ie s o f c an cer. T he s itu atio n is s im ila r w ith h eart dis e ase . W e c an im pla n t a n ew a rtif ic ia l h eart s u rg ic ally , b ut w e c an not p re v en t o r cu re h eart d is e ase . W hy? B ecau se so fe w re so urc es are d ev ote d to stu dy o f th e body’s h ealin g s y ste m s o r to h elp p atie n ts u nders ta n d a n d s u pport th eir o w n h ealth at th e cellu la r le v el. R eallo catin g re so urc es w ith th ese p rio ritie s in m in d is th e dir e ctio n m ed ic in e m ust t a k e i f i t i s e v er t o b e e ffe ctiv e i n r e v ers in g o ur e p id em ic o f ch ro nic d is e ase . Every on e I s U niq ue In te re ste d o nly i n i d en tif y in g s y m pto m s, p hysic ia n s d o n ot l is te n t o t h eir p atie n ts . Patie n ts a re r e g ard ed a s m ach in es, s im ila r to e v ery o th er m ach in e; d octo rs n eed n ot le arn a n yth in g u niq ue a b out in div id ual p eo ple . A stu dy re p orte d in th e D ecem ber 1993 is su e of In te rn al M ed ic in e New s fo und th at 70 perc en t of patie n ts w ere in te rru pte d by th eir docto r w ith in eig hte en se co nds afte r th e patie n t beg an to desc rib e t h eir s y m pto m s. A s s o on a s t h e d octo r h as m atc h ed s y m pto m s t o a d is e ase , tr e atm en ts f o llo w e sta b lis h ed p ro to co ls . E very one w ith th e s a m e “ d is e ase ” r e ceiv es th e s a m e t r e atm en t. Such p ro ced ure s c o m ple te ly i g nore o ne o f t h e g re ate st s c ie n tif ic d is c o verie s o f t h e tw en tie th c en tu ry : b io ch em ic al in div id uality . T w o p eo ple w ith th e sa m e so -c alle d dis e ase m ay need dif fe re n t tr e atm en ts becau se no tw o peo ple ’s cells are malf u nctio nin g fo r ex actly th e sa m e re aso ns. M odern m ed ic in e does not te ach physic ia n s h ow t o r e co gniz e o r w ork w ith e ach p atie n t’ s u niq ue b io ch em is tr y . Even w hen p re se n te d w ith sc ie n tif ic e v id en ce th at a n a lte rn ativ e sy ste m w ork s best, m ost p hysic ia n s re sis t c h an ge a n d fa il to a p ply th ese fin din gs. T heir d is e ase - base d fo cu s in te rfe re s w ith th e esse n ce of w hat health care sh ould be: th e optim iz atio n o f h ealth a t th e c ellu la r le v el b ase d o n a p ers o n’s u niq ue b io ch em is tr y an d l if e c ir c u m sta n ces. Resis ta n t t o C han ge Adoptin g a m ore ra tio nal sy ste m of m ed ic in e w ould re su lt in an en orm ous re d uctio n in h ealth -c are c o sts b y e lim in atin g h undre d s o f th ousa n ds o f p hysic ia n s an d c lo sin g th ousa n ds o f h osp ita ls (n ot to m en tio n th e p ote n tia l fin an cia l ru in o f dru g c o m pan ie s). O bvio usly , th e e co nom ic in cen tiv e to m ain ta in th e s ta tu s q uo a n d not c h an ge i s e n orm ous. C urre n tly , c an cer i s a b illio n-d olla r-a -d ay “ in dustr y ” i n t h e Unite d S ta te s, a n d m ore p eo ple a re e m plo yed in th e A ID S in dustr y th an th ere a re su ffe re rs o f A ID S. Modern m ed ic in e’s e ffo rts to p ro te ct m oney a n d jo bs w ere v iv id ly d esc rib ed a n d docu m en te d in th e 2 000 b ook b y f o rm er N ew Y ork S ta te L eg is la to r, D an ie l H ale y, Politic s in H ea lin g: T he Suppre ssio n and M anip ula tio n of A m eric a n M ed ic in e. Hale y poin ts out th at in th e tw en tie th cen tu ry se v era l in ex pen siv e an d hig hly effe ctiv e c u re s f o r c an cer w ere i n tr o duced i n A m eric an m ed ic in e. T he d ev elo pers o f th ese c u re s, w ell- m ean in g p eo ple , w ere n aiv e a n d b elie v ed th at th e w orld w ould welc o m e a c an cer c u re . W hat th ese p eo ple — am ong o th ers , H arry H oxey, W illia m Fre d eric k K och , R oyal R ay m ond R if e a n d D r. A ndre w I v y— all f a ile d to u nders ta n d is th at so m eo ne w ho th re ate n s th e su rv iv al o f a p ro sp erin g a n d g ro w in g in dustr y with a n in ex pen siv e c u re w ill n ot b e w elc o m ed . P ro ven a n d e ffe ctiv e c an cer c u re s were re p udia te d a n d s u ppre sse d b y th e A m eric an M ed ic al A sso cia tio n (A M A) a n d th e U .S . F ood an d D ru g A dm in is tr a tio n (F D A). D is c o vere rs o f th ese cu re s w ere is o la te d , hara sse d , pers e cu te d , pro se cu te d , fin an cia lly ru in ed an d destr o yed , an d th eir tr e atm en ts e sse n tia lly h av e b een lo st. S om e e v en ts d esc rib ed in H ale y ’s b ook are b iz arre a n d a re h ard t o b elie v e, y et t h ey a re d ocu m en te d b y e v id en ce p re se n te d a t ju ry tr ia ls an d re co rd ed in co urt re co rd s. T he F D A, A M A, th e N atio nal C an cer In stitu te , a n d th e A m eric an C an cer S ocie ty s till c o ntin ue to s u ppre ss c an cer c u re s, su ch a s th at d ev elo ped b y D r. S ta n is la w B urz y nsk i; h is o ffic e h as b een ra id ed b y FD A a g en ts a n d U .S . M ars h als , h e h as b een p ers e cu te d r e le n tle ssly , a n d h is m ed ic al lic en se is o n a te n -y ear p ro batio n d urin g w hic h tim e h e is n ot a llo w ed to s e e n ew patie n ts . T hese actio ns p re v en t p ublic access to tr e atm en ts an d in tim id ate o th er unorth odox p hysic ia n s. Physic ia n s w ho h av e w ork ed a ll th eir liv es w ith in th e e x is tin g s y ste m o fte n f e el th re ate n ed b y c h an ge. T he m ajo rity o f p hysic ia n s s u pport e ffo rts b y s ta te m ed ic al board s a n d g overn m en t r e g ula to ry b oard s to s u ppre ss a lte rn ativ e a p pro ach es. A le ss ex pen siv e, m ore e ffe ctiv e w ay o f p ra ctic in g m ed ic in e t h re ate n s t h eir e co nom ic w ell- bein g, as w ell as philo so phic ally questio ns th e valid ity of th eir lif e tim e w ork . Physic ia n s w ho hav e dare d to in tr o duce alte rn ativ e tr e atm en ts hav e had th eir lic en se s r e v oked , b een f in an cia lly r u in ed , a n d o str a ciz ed b ecau se th ey w ere w illin g to h elp p atie n ts w ith t r e atm en ts t h at w ere n ot t h e “ accep te d s ta n dard o f c are .” A c h illin g e x am ple o f h ow n onco nfo rm in g d octo rs a re k ep t in lin e is th e c ase o f Jo nath an W rig ht, M .D . O n M ay 6 , 1 992, a s m all a rm y o f F D A a g en ts p lu s t e n p olic e offic ers , w ith d ra w n g uns a n d f la k j a ck ets , a tta ck ed D r. W rig ht’s o ffic e. R ath er t h an sim ply o pen in g th e o ffic e d oor a n d w alk in g in , th ey b ro ke it d ow n, te rrif y in g h is sta ff a n d p atie n ts i n t h e w aitin g r o om . W hy? W as W rig ht o n t h e F B I’s l is t o f k now n te rro ris ts ? N o. W rig ht w as m ere ly a n o uts p oken c ritic o f m odern m ed ic in e a n d th e FD A, a n d h e re g ula rly u se d v ita m in s a n d n atu ra l su bsta n ces in h is p ra ctic e. T his ap pro ach t o h ealin g m ad e h im a t a rg et. Durin g th e fo urte en -h our ra id , all of W rig ht’s re co rd s, eq uip m en t, m an uals , vita m in s, m in era ls a n d h erb s w ere c o nfis c ate d . T hey e v en to ok h is p osta g e s ta m ps. None of W rig ht’s patie n ts ev er had co m pla in ed ab out him . W rig ht w as nev er ch arg ed w ith a n yth in g, n or e v er p ro se cu te d f o r a n yth in g. Y et, b oth h is p ra ctic e a n d his r e p uta tio n w ere d am ag ed . I t to ok y ears a n d h undre d s o f th ousa n ds o f d olla rs in le g al f e es to h av e h is p atie n t r e co rd s r e tu rn ed a n d h is p ra ctic e r e sto re d . E ven ts lik e th is a re n ot s u ppose d t o h ap pen i n A m eric a, b ut t h ey d o h ap pen t o d octo rs w ho s te p out o f l in e. A s a r e su lt, w e a re d en ie d t h e r ig ht t o c h oose c erta in t r e atm en ts b ecau se our d octo rs c an not o ffe r t h em . Most p eo ple a re u naw are t h at a p hysic ia n c an l o se h is o r h er l ic en se t o p ra ctic e b y fa ilin g t o a d here t o “ p re v ailin g s ta n dard s o f p ra ctic e i n t h eir c o m munity .” A l o ss o f lic en se c an o ccu r e v en if n o p atie n t is h arm ed , n o p atie n t h as c o m pla in ed a n d th e co nditio n of th e patie n ts in volv ed actu ally im pro ved . Physic ia n s can le arn so m eth in g n ew a t a m ed ic al c o nfe re n ce o r f ro m a m ed ic al jo urn al, b ut th ey c an not use it in th eir p ra ctic e. T he o nly tr e atm en ts a llo w ed a re th e o nes a lr e ad y in u se , whic h m ak es i n novatio n a n d p ro gre ss s lo w t o a lm ost i m possib le . P hysic ia n s m ust b e very c o ura g eo us to d ep art fro m tr a d itio nal p ra ctic es, e v en if th ey b elie v e d oin g s o can b e h elp fu l. Money is a t sta k e, a n d c o m petitio n fro m le ss e x pen siv e, n atu ra l tr e atm en ts is dis c o ura g ed . T he F D A i s s u ppose d t o r e g ula te d ru gs t o a ssu re t h at t h ey a re s a fe a n d effe ctiv e. In pra ctic e, F D A-a p pro ved , pro perly pre sc rib ed dru gs kill ab out fo ur hundre d p eo ple e v ery d ay. W hy? B ecau se t h e F D A h as b eco m e a n i n str u m en t o f t h e pharm aceu tic al c o m pan ie s. T he d ru g in dustr y is a m ong th e m ost p ro fita b le in th e world , a n d A m eric an s p ay m ore f o r th e s a m e d ru gs th an p eo ple in o th er c o untr ie s. To h elp p ro te ct t h ese e co nom ic i n te re sts , a b out o ne-h alf o f t h e s e n io r o ffic ia ls a t t h e FD A f o rm erly w ere e m plo yed a s k ey e x ecu tiv es in th e d ru g in dustr y . A fte r le av in g th e F D A, a b out h alf e v en tu ally r e tu rn t o e x ecu tiv e p ositio ns i n d ru g c o m pan ie s. T his pra ctic e is te rm ed “ th e r e v olv in g d oor.” T he F D A is v ery b ia se d in f a v or o f d ru gs, an d p eo ple a re d en ie d fre e a ccess to th e d ocu m en te d h ealth b en efits o f n utr itio nal su pple m en ts . N eed le ss t o s a y, t h ese p eo ple a re n ot i n f a v or o f t r e atin g d is e ase s w ith vita m in s. B oth m an ufa ctu re rs a n d re ta ile rs o f s u pple m en ts h av e b een s u bje cte d to FD A s e iz u re s a n d h ara ssm en t. One of th e su ppose d ju stif ic atio ns fo r m odern m ed ic in e’s su ppre ssio n of alte rn ativ e ap pro ach es is th at th ey h av e n ot b een p ro perly te ste d fo r sa fe ty an d effe ctiv en ess. In tr u th , m an y alte rn ativ e ap pro ach es (s u ch as th e u se o f v ita m in su pple m en ts ) a re s u pporte d b y t h ousa n ds o f s o und s tu die s, w hile , i r o nic ally , u p t o 9 0 perc en t o f t h e t e ch niq ues a n d p ro ced ure s u se d b y m odern m ed ic in e h av e n ev er b een pro ven t o b e s a fe o r e ffe ctiv e. Med ic a l M alp ra ctic e Acco rd in g to a 1 995 is su e o f th e Jo urn al o f th e A m eric a n M ed ic a l A sso cia tio n, more th an 1 m illio n p eo ple p er y ear a re in ju re d in h osp ita ls , a n d 1 80,0 00 d ie f ro m th ose i n ju rie s. I lln esse s c au se d b y p re sc rip tio n d ru gs a re e stim ate d t o c o st m ore t h an $136 b illio n a y ear. A 1 981 s tu dy p ublis h ed i n t h e New E ngla nd J o urn al o f M ed ic in e co nclu ded th at a t le ast o ne-th ir d o f h osp ita l p atie n ts s u ffe re d s o m e ill e ffe ct d urin g th eir s ta y, a n d th at 9 p erc en t s u ffe re d m ajo r in ju ry . C onsid er w hat th e la te R obert Men dels o hn, M .D ., au th or of th e 1979 book Confe ssio ns of a M ed ic a l H ere tic , wro te : “ I b elie v e t h at m ore t h an n in ety p erc en t o f M odern M ed ic in e c o uld d is a p pear fro m th e f a ce o f th e e arth — docto rs , h osp ita l, d ru gs, a n d e q uip m en t— an d th e e ffe ct on o ur h ealth w ould b e i m med ia te a n d b en efic ia l.” Norm ally , o ne m ig ht th in k th at if d octo rs w en t o n s tr ik e th e p ublic w ould s u ffe r se rio us h ealth p ro ble m s. Y et, M en dels o hn n ote d c ase s w hen d octo rs w en t o n s tr ik e an d t h e d eath r a te d eclin ed . I n 1 973, d octo rs w ere o n s tr ik e i n I s ra el f o r a m onth , a n d th is c o in cid ed w ith a d eclin e o f 5 5 p erc en t i n t h e d eath r a te . I n 1 976, a f if ty -tw o-d ay docto r str ik e in B ógota , C olo m bia , co in cid ed w ith a d eclin e in m orta lity o f 3 5 perc en t. T he s a m e y ear, in L os A ngele s, d octo rs s ta g ed a s lo w dow n, a n d th e d eath ra te d ro pped b y 1 8 p erc en t. In e ach c ase , w hen th e d octo rs ’ la b or a ctio ns e n ded , morta lity r a te s s h ot b ack u p t o p rio r l e v els . In r e cen t y ears , a n um ber o f m ed ic al jo urn als , s u ch a s Ped ia tr ic s, L ancet, A nnual Revie w o f P ublic H ea lth , an d p artic u la rly t h e J u ly 2 6, 2 000, Jo urn al o f t h e A m eric a n Med ic a l A sso cia tio n, hav e b een fille d w ith s ta tis tic s o n in ju rie s a n d d eath s c au se d by m odern m ed ic al p ra ctic e. T he m ost re cen t a n nual e stim ate o f h osp ita l- c au se d death s i s : • 1 06,0 00 d eath s f ro m “ p ro perly ” p re sc rib ed d ru gs. • 8 0,0 00 d eath s f ro m h osp ita l- c au se d i n fe ctio ns. • 1 2,0 00 d eath s f ro m u nnecessa ry s u rg ery . • 7 ,0 00 d eath s f ro m m ed ic atio n e rro rs . • 2 0,0 00 d eath s f ro m o th er e rro rs . These n um bers to ta l 2 25,0 00 d eath s p er y ear, b ut th e re al to ta l is fa r g re ate r. These num bers do not in clu de unre p orte d m ed ic ally cau se d death s. W hy ta k e re sp onsib ility fo r a d eath if a n oth er p la u sib le e x pla n atio n c an b e g iv en ? E ven in good h osp ita ls , o nly o ne “ ad vers e e v en t” o ut o f f o ur is r e p orte d ; s o m e s tu die s h av e pla ced th e re p ortin g as lo w as one out of tw en ty . M ed ic in e-c au se d death s in outp atie n t se ttin gs h av e b een e stim ate d a s a n a d ditio nal 2 00,0 00 p er y ear. A gain , th is f ig ure i s c o nse rv ativ e. P erh ap s o ne o f t h e b ig gest p ro ble m s, t h ough, i s X r a y s. The T hrea t o f X R ays One o f th e m ost se rio us th re ats to o ur h ealth m ay b e cau se d b y o ne ty pe o f med ic al te stin g: m ed ic al a n d d en ta l X ra y s. T here is n o sa fe ra d ia tio n le v el; a n y am ount o f ra d ia tio n c an c au se o ur c ells to m alf u nctio n. T he ra d ia tio n le v els fro m med ic al a n d d en ta l X ra y s (th ough su ppose d ly w ith in “ sa fe lim its ” ) c o ntr ib ute to both c an cer a n d c o ro nary h eart d is e ase . E vid en ce w as p ublis h ed in 1 999 b y Jo hn Gofm an , a m ed ic al d octo r a n d a P h.D . n ucle ar p hysic is t, w ho is o ne o f th e w orld ’s le ad in g au th oritie s on ra d ia tio n dam ag e. D r. G ofm an ’s book, Radia tio n fr o m Med ic a l P ro ced ure s in th e P ath ogen esis o f C ancer a nd Is c h em ic H ea rt D is e a se , pre se n ts a c o m pellin g a rg um en t fo r re co nsid erin g h ow w e u nders ta n d d is e ase a n d death r a te s i n o ur s o cie ty a n d m odern m ed ic in e’s r e sp onsib ility f o r t h em . G ofm an ’s re se arc h cau se d h im to co nclu de th at m ed ic al ra d ia tio n w as p ro bab ly th e sin gle la rg est c au se o f c an cer m orta lity i n t h e t w en tie th c en tu ry . Gofm an ’s ev id en ce su ggests th at m ed ic al X ra y s are a necessa ry co fa cto r, mean in g t h at w hile o th er f a cto rs a re i n volv ed , t h e X r a y i s n ecessa ry f o r b oth c an cer an d h eart d is e ase t o d ev elo p. D r. G ofm an f o und t h at m ore t h an 6 0 p erc en t o f d eath s fro m can cer an d m ore th an 70 perc en t of death s fro m co ro nary heart dis e ase in volv ed X ra y s. T o c ite ju st o ne e x am ple , G ofm an fo und th at in 1 990, m ed ic al X ra y s w ere a n ecessa ry c au sa l f a cto r i n 8 3 p erc en t o f a ll b re ast c an cer. I n o th er w ord s, ch est X r a y s a n d m am mogra m s a re t h e l e ad in g c au se o f b re ast c an cer. Fortu nate ly , th erm ogra p hy is a sa fe a n d e ffe ctiv e a lte rn ativ e to m am mogra m s. Therm ogra p hy m easu re s te m pera tu re a n d a p pears to b e a f a r m ore a ccu ra te w ay o f dete ctin g tu m ors a t a m uch e arlie r s ta g e. A c an cero us tu m or, a s it b eg in s to r e ceiv e its o w n b lo od s u pply , is w arm er th an th e s u rro undin g tis su e a n d c an b e d is c ern ed when t h e t e m pera tu re o f t h e b re ast i s m easu re d . Modern m ed ic in e is re sp onsib le fo r a b out 9 0 p erc en t o f o ur e x posu re to m an - mad e r a d ia tio n, a n d a b out 9 0 p erc en t o f th at e x posu re is th e r e su lt o f d ia g nostic X ra y s. A le v el o f r a d ia tio n le ss th an th at p ro duced b y te n b ite w in g d en ta l X r a y s c an pro duce th yro id c an cer, a n d n ot s u rp ris in gly , a n e p id em ic o f th yro id c an cer is n ow bein g f o und i n p eo ple w ho h ad u pper c h est, n eck a n d h ead X r a y s d ecad es a g o. Nev erth ele ss, X ra y s a re p erfo rm ed w ith a la rm in g fre q uen cy. G ofm an e stim ate s th at m ore th an h alf a re n ot n ecessa ry . O th er r e se arc h ers h av e p la ced th e p erc en ta g e of X r a y s o f “ little t o n o m ed ic al v alu e” a s h ig h a s 9 0 p erc en t. E ven l o w -le v el X r a y s are c ap ab le o f in flic tin g g en etic d am ag e, p re se n tin g a h azard to b oth e x is tin g a n d fu tu re g en era tio ns. F or e x am ple , c o rre la tio ns h av e b een f o und b etw een th e n um ber of a b dom in al X r a y s a m oth er h ad r e ceiv ed in h er lif e tim e a n d th e b ir th o f a b ab y with D ow n’s s y ndro m e. The p ublic w orrie s a b out r a d ia tio n f ro m n ucle ar p ow er p la n ts , y et a m ore c o m mon hazard is r a d ia tio n f ro m m ed ic al X r a y s. D eclin e X r a y s u nle ss th ey a re a b so lu te ly necessa ry , w hic h is n ot o fte n . C hild re n a re e sp ecia lly v uln era b le to ra d ia tio n a n d need t o b e p ro te cte d b y t h eir p are n ts . Apply in g D r. G ofm an ’s d ata o n m ed ic al X r a y s to 6 0 p erc en t o f th e d eath s f ro m can cer a n d 7 0 p erc en t o f th e d eath s fro m is c h em ic h eart d is e ase in th is c o untr y , I calc u la te d th at X ra y s cau se ab out 6 50,0 00 d eath s ev ery y ear. C om bin in g th ese death s w ith t h e a ck now le d ged n um ber o f m ed ic in e-c au se d d eath s ( 2 50,0 00 i n patie n t an d 2 00,0 00 o utp atie n t p er y ear) re v eals a n e stim ate d to ta l o f m ore th an 1 m illio n death s p er y ear c au se d b y m odern m ed ic al p ra ctic e. T his fig ure a m ounts to a b out half o f a ll d eath s i n A m eric a, m ak in g m odern m ed ic in e o ur l e ad in g c au se o f d eath . Shou ld Y ou H ave M ed ic a l T estin g? Am ong th e tr e atm en ts th at c au se p atie n ts h arm a re d ia g nostic te sts , e v ery th in g fro m u ltr a so und to X r a y s, f ro m b lo od te sts to b ariu m e n em as. M an y o f th ese te sts are in accu ra te , p re se n t m ore ris k th an b en efit a n d a lte rn ativ es o fte n a re s a fe r a n d more e ffe ctiv e. T he o nly tim e th ese te sts a re ju stif ie d a re w hen s a fe ty is c le arly in questio n a n d o nly w hen th e r e su lts o f th e te st w ould r e q uir e a ctio n. A void te sts th at sim ply pro vid e in fo rm atio n. For ex am ple , av oid ultr a so unds durin g pre g nan cy, whic h d o l ittle m ore t h an i n fo rm p are n ts a b out t h eir c h ild ’s d ev elo pm en t a n d r a re ly le ad t o a n y m ean in gfu l a ctio n. A lw ay s q uestio n y our d octo r c are fu lly a b out w heth er a p artic u la r m ed ic al t e st i s n ecessa ry , e sp ecia lly i f t h e t e st i s i n vasiv e. A ll t e sts n eed not b e a v oid ed , b ut a sk a b out p ote n tia l r is k s a s w ell a s b en efits . B e a w are t h at m ost docto rs d ow npla y ris k s. R em em ber, a d ia g nostic te st p re cip ita te d m y o w n h ealth cris is . Most o fte n d octo rs o rd er t e sts t o m easu re s y m pto m s i n o rd er t o m ak e a d ia g nosis . Such t e stin g i s n ot e sp ecia lly u se fu l b ecau se i t i s n ot d esig ned t o m easu re t h e c au se s of d is e ase : d efic ie n cy a n d to xic ity . D octo rs s h ould b e o rd erin g te sts th at m easu re , dir e ctly o r in dir e ctly , le v els o f d efic ie n cy a n d to xic ity a n d w hat is c au sin g th em . I f th e t e sts a re n ot f o r t h ese p urp ose s, t h ey m ay b e u nnecessa ry . M an y d ia g nostic t e sts are ord ere d so le ly fo r defe n siv e purp ose s, so th at physic ia n s can pro ve th ey co nsid ere d e v ery p ossib ility i n t h e e v en t o f l e g al a ctio n. D eclin e t e sts i f t h e d octo r i s unab le to e x pla in h ow it w ill h elp to m easu re a n d c o rre ct y our c ellu la r d efic ie n cy an d t o xic ity . Every i n vasiv e t e st p ose s s o m e r is k . E ven a s im ple b lo od t e st p ose s t h e d an ger o f an i n fe ctio n d ev elo pin g a t t h e p unctu re s ite . P unctu re s f o r r e m oval o f f lu id f ro m t h e jo in ts , b one, sp in al co lu m n an d w om b p ose g re ate r ris k s. B e esp ecia lly w ary o f sig nin g a n in fo rm ed c o nse n t fo r a d ia g nostic te st, tip -o ff a b out th e d eg re e o f ris k in volv ed . If th e accu ra cy o f te st re su lts se em s q uestio nab le , se ek a se co nd o pin io n. B e sk ep tic al o f a n y d ia g nosis b ase d s o le ly o n a t e st. I f s o m eth in g i s f o und a b norm al a n d th e docto r w an ts to pre sc rib e, re q uest to hav e th e te st re p eate d befo re doin g so m eth in g th at c o uld c au se d am ag e, b e it n eed le ss s u rg ery , b io psie s, m ed ic atio ns, an xie ty or fin an cia l co st. S uppose th at a partic u la r m ed ic al te st is 95 perc en t accu ra te . F or e v ery tw en ty te sts g iv en , o ne fa ls e re su lt w ill o ccu r, u su ally a fa ls e positiv e. I f a p ers o n h as t h is t e st t w en ty t im es i n a l if e tim e, t h e o dds a re i n f a v or o f at l e ast o ne f a ls e r e su lt. I n f a ct, m an y d is e ase s c an b e “ cu re d ” s im ply b y r e d oin g t h e te st. In 1 975, th e C en te rs fo r D is e ase C ontr o l an d P re v en tio n su rv ey ed m ed ic al te stin g la b s n atio nally a n d c o nclu ded th at m ore th an 2 5 p erc en t o f a ll te st re su lts were w ro ng; f o r c erta in c lin ic al c h em is tr y t e sts , t h e e rro r r a te w as 5 0 p erc en t. N ot a lo t h as c h an ged s in ce t h en . A s tu dy in th e M ay 1 997 is su e o f Hip pocra te s ex am in ed 1 69 d if fe re n t k in ds o f med ic al d ia g nostic te sts a n d c o nclu ded th at o nly n in e o f th em a ctu ally d id a n yth in g fo r th e p atie n t f o r r e d ucin g th e in cid en ce o f d is e ase . A cco rd in g to th e a rtic le , m an y of th ese te sts r e g ula rly le d to f a u lty d ia g nose s, r e su ltin g in u nnecessa ry tr e atm en ts th e p atie n ts d id n ot n eed , a n d p eo ple w ith p assin g c h est o r b ack p ain w ere “ b ein g marc h ed o ff t o s u rg ery t o g et t h eir h earts r e p air e d o r s p in es f ix ed .” About 70 perc en t of all pre g nan t Am eric an wom en underg o ultr a so und ev alu atio ns, yet stu die s publis h ed in m ed ic al jo urn als in clu din g Lancet an d th e Canadia n M ed ic a l Asso cia tio n Jo urn al sh ow th at ultr a so und m ay affe ct fe ta l gro w th , r e su ltin g i n b ab ie s w ith l o w er b ir th w eig ht. I n a d ditio n, c h ild re n a re t w ic e a s lik ely t o h av e d ela y ed s p eech d ev elo pm en t i f t h ey w ere e x am in ed v ia u ltr a so und a s a fe tu s. A 1 995 s tu dy d one a t th e M assa ch use tts I n stitu te o f T ech nolo gy a n d r e p orte d in Scie n ce fo und t h at l o w -fre q uen cy u ltr a so und i n cre ase s t h e p erm eab ility o f h um an sk in , a llo w in g p ro te in s t o p ass t h ro ugh m ore e asily . U ltr a so und d efin ite ly a ffe cts t h e body’s tis su es, y et it is p re se n te d to p atie n ts a s a p ro ced ure fre e o f ris k s a n d s id e effe cts . Shou ld Y ou H ave S urg ery ? Modern su rg ery certa in ly is one of th e cro w nin g ach ie v em en ts in m odern med ic in e. S urg ery w ork s v ery w ell to co rre ct p hysic al p ro ble m s, su ch as th ose su sta in ed in a ccid en ts , s p orts in ju rie s a n d fro m b ir th d efe cts , b ut s u rg ery d oes n ot so lv e d is e ase p ro ble m s. U nfo rtu nate ly , m ost s u rg ery i s p erfo rm ed t o a d dre ss d is e ase pro ble m s, w astin g re so urc es a n d p erm an en tly d am ag in g th e p atie n t. E very p art o f th e hum an body is im porta n t to th e fu nctio nin g of th e whole ; re m ovin g malf u nctio nin g b ody p arts d oes n ot s o lv e th e re al p ro ble m . S urg ery s h ould n ot b e perfo rm ed u nle ss th ere is a b so lu te ly n o a lte rn ativ e, a n d th ere is a lm ost a lw ay s a n alte rn ativ e. Most c o nven tio nal c an cer tr e atm en ts — esp ecia lly su rg ery — a re d ir e cte d b y th e mech an is tic belie f sy ste m desc rib ed earlie r. C an cer is re g ard ed as affe ctin g a sp ecif ic lo catio n or body part th at sh ould be re m oved physic ally or oth erw is e pois o ned an d kille d . C om ple te ly fo rg otte n is th at can cer is a sy ste m ic dis e ase affe ctin g t h e e n tir e b ody, a n d t h at a s o under a p pro ach i s t o r e sto re c an cero us c ells t o norm al b y a d dre ssin g t h eir d efic ie n cy a n d t o xic ity . Can cer patie n ts who pro perly ad dre ss th eir defic ie n cy an d to xic ity m ay ex perie n ce w hat i s t e rm ed “ sp onta n eo us r e m is sio n.” A s tu dy b y D r. H aro ld F oste r a t th e U niv ers ity o f B ritis h C olu m bia in 1 988 fo und th at v ir tu ally e v ery o ne o f tw o hundre d c an cer p atie n ts w ho h ad e x perie n ced a s p onta n eo us c an cer re m is sio n h ad actu ally d one s o m eth in g to im pro ve th eir c ell c h em is tr y . E ig hty -s e v en p erc en t h ad mad e m ajo r c h an ges t o t h eir d ie t, w hile o th ers h ad u se d n utr itio nal s u pple m en ts a n d deto xif ic atio n p ro gra m s. C urre n tly , n um ero us a lte rn ativ e tr e atm en ts fo r c an cer a re av aila b le ( s e e a p pen dix D ). A h eart b ypass o pera tio n is a n oth er e x am ple o f u nnecessa ry su rg ery . In 1 992, Nortin H ad le r, M .D ., a p ro fe sso r o f m ed ic in e a t th e U niv ers ity o f N orth C aro lin a Med ic al S ch ool, c o nclu ded th at 9 5 to 9 7 p erc en t o f th e c o ro nary b ypass s u rg erie s done t h at y ear w ere u nnecessa ry — ev en t h ough p atie n ts u su ally a re t o ld t h at w ith out th e s u rg ery th ey w ill d ie . In tr u th , a lm ost a ll c o ro nary d is e ase is p re v en ta b le w ith die t, s u pple m en ts a n d e x erc is e . L ik ew is e , c o ro nary d is e ase i s r e v ers ib le , a s p io neers lik e N ath an P ritik in , m ore r e cen tly D ean O rn is h , M .D ., a n d o th ers , h av e p ro ven . How m uch su rg ery is n ecessa ry ? D r. R obert M en dels o hn, in Confe ssio ns o f a Med ic a l Here tic , sa id , “M y fe elin g is th at so m ew here aro und n in ety p erc en t o f su rg ery is a w aste o f tim e, m oney, en erg y, an d lif e .” D r. M en dels o hn cite s an in dep en den t r e v ie w o f p eo ple r e co m men ded f o r s u rg ery . T he s tu dy f o und th at m ost of t h ese p atie n ts d id n ot n eed s u rg ery a n d h alf o f t h em n eed ed n o m ed ic al t r e atm en t at a ll. I n a n oth er c ase , a h osp ita l o vers ig ht c o m mitte e r e v ie w ed s u rg ic ally r e m oved tis su es. I n th e y ear p rio r to th e f o rm atio n o f th e c o m mitte e, th e h osp ita l p erfo rm ed 262 a p pen decto m ie s— afte r th e c o m mitte e w as fo rm ed , th e n um ber d ro pped to 6 2. The c o m mitte e f o und t h at m ost o f t h e t is su es b ein g r e m oved w ere h ealth y! I n M arc h 1997, th e P hysic ia n s C om mitte e fo r R esp onsib le M ed ic in e p ublis h ed a sta te m en t sa y in g th at o nly 1 0 p erc en t o f h yste re cto m ie s are ju stif ie d . In ad ditio n to b ein g alm ost e n tir e ly u nnecessa ry , s u rg ery is ris k y; p ossib ilitie s e x is t fo r s u rg ic al e rro r, co m plic atio ns fro m a n esth esia a n d in fe ctio n, n ot to m en tio n th e p hysic al, m en ta l an d e m otio nal s h ock t o t h e b ody. Shou ld Y ou T ak e M ed ic in e? All d ru gs h av e p ote n tia lly d am ag in g “ sid e e ffe cts .” B ecau se a m alf u nctio nin g c ell is th e d efin itio n o f d is e ase , a n d d ru gs d elib era te ly c au se c ells to m alf u nctio n, d ru gs cau se d is e ase . D ru gs a re f o re ig n t o t h e b ody; t h e m ech an is m b y w hic h d ru gs w ork i s to a lte r th e b ody’s b io ch em is tr y in o rd er to s u ppre ss s y m pto m s. S id e e ffe cts o fte n are w ors e th an th e d is e ase s th e d ru gs a re u se d to tr e at. P erh ap s th ese h azard s w ould be ju stif ie d if dru gs cu re d dis e ase , but th ey do not, th ey co ntr o l an d su ppre ss sy m pto m s. E ven w ith s y m pto m s s u ppre sse d , th e tr u e c au se o f th e p ro ble m m ay b e gro w in g w ors e w hile t h e b ody’s n atu ra l h ealin g m ech an is m s a re b ein g c o m pro m is e d by t h e d ru gs. Billio ns o f d olla rs a re sp en t in th e w ar a g ain st str e et d ru gs, b ut th e n um ber o f peo ple k ille d a n d in ju re d b y s tr e et d ru gs is m in or c o m pare d to p re sc rip tio n d ru gs. Pre sc rip tio n d ru gs k ill a c o uple o f h undre d th ousa n d p eo ple e v ery y ear a n d a re a le ad in g c au se o f d is e ase a n d d eath . I f y our d octo r p re sc rib es a d ru g, c o nsid er th at it may c au se y our c ells to m alf u nctio n, a n d th at a lte rn ativ es e x is t th at a re b oth s a fe an d e ffe ctiv e. Even a sp ir in a n d o th er c o m mon o ver-th e-c o unte r d ru gs a re d an gero us, so fin d alte rn ativ es th at w ork fo r y ou. B ooks s u ch a s Alte rn ativ e M ed ic in e: T he D efin itiv e Guid e, ed ite d b y th e B urto n G old berg G ro up, a n d Fin din g th e R ig ht T re a tm en t, by Ja cq uelin e K ro hn, M .D ., a n d F ra n cis T ay lo r, M .A ., a re e x celle n t r e so urc es f o r t h ose wis h in g t o f in d n atu ra l a lte rn ativ es t o t o xic p re sc rip tio n d ru gs. Unfo rtu nate ly , w hen d ru gs c au se d is e ase , w e h av e a ll b een tr a in ed n ot to c all it dis e ase . I n ste ad , w e u se t h e d ecep tiv e t e rm “ sid e e ffe cts .” I n 1 984, t h e d ru g i n dustr y atte m pte d to o bta in a le g al e x em ptio n f ro m th e lia b ility la w s th at a p ply to v ir tu ally all m an ufa ctu re rs . W hy? B ecau se e v en t h e p eo ple w ho m ak e t h e d ru gs k now t h ey a re not s a fe ; “ all p re sc rip tio n d ru gs a re u nav oid ab ly u nsa fe ” a rg ued th e P harm aceu tic al Man ufa ctu re rs Asso cia tio n. Of co urs e , th is word in g is not use d in dru g ad vertis e m en ts a im ed a t t h e p ublic . A h osp ita l p atie n t r e ceiv es, o n a v era g e, t w elv e d if fe re n t d ru gs. Y et, o fte n w hen a s fe w as th re e are pre sc rib ed , ab so lu te ly no one unders ta n ds all th e dan gero us in te ra ctio ns b etw een th e d ru gs. B ad e n ough ta k en o ne a t a tim e, c o m bin atio ns o f dru gs c an b e p artic u la rly to xic . P re sc rip tio n d ru gs a re n oto rio us fo r c au sin g m an y ad vers e effe cts in th e eld erly , in clu din g m em ory lo ss, dep re ssio n, co nfu sio n, co nstip atio n, P ark in so n’s d is e ase , fa lls a n d u rin ary in co ntin en ce. A ll to o o fte n , a se co nd d ru g i s p re sc rib ed t o s u ppre ss t h e s y m pto m s c au se d b y t h e f ir s t, t h en a n oth er to s u ppre ss t h e s y m pto m s o f t h e f ir s t t w o, a n d s o f o rth . M an y i lln esse s o f t h e e ld erly re ally a re m an if e sta tio ns o f a d vers e d ru g r e actio ns. A 1 991 s tu dy in th e Jo urn al o f th e A m eric a n M ed ic a l A sso cia tio n sh ow ed th at 1 4 p erc en t o f in -h osp ita l card ia c arre sts fo llo w ed a co m plic atio n, usu ally becau se of a m ed ic atio n. W ell- k now n co m bin atio ns o f c o m monly p re sc rib ed d ru gs c an k ill, a n d a le rt p harm acis ts h av e sa v ed m an y l iv es. Up to 2 9 p erc en t o f a ll h osp ita l a d m is sio ns a re c au se d b y a d vers e re actio ns to dru gs, acco rd in g to a 1995 stu dy in th e Arc h iv es of In te rn al M ed ic in e. Man y re actio ns r e su lt in liv er d am ag e, lo ng h osp ita l s ta y s, p erm an en t d is a b ility a n d e v en death . In 1 990, a n e stim ate d 6 59,0 00 A m eric an s a g ed six ty y ears a n d o ld er w ere hosp ita liz ed d ue to a d vers e d ru g re actio ns. In a d ditio n to to xic ity , d ru gs a ls o c an cau se defic ie n cy by dep le tin g th e body of esse n tia l nutr ie n ts . D iu re tic s cau se ex cessiv e l o ss o f p ota ssiu m a n d o th er e sse n tia l m in era ls . A ntic o nvuls a n ts c au se l o ss of vita m in D . A ntib io tic s, non-s te ro id al an ti- in fla m mato ry dru gs an d ste ro id horm ones can in dir e ctly cau se num ero us vita m in an d m in era l defic ie n cie s by cau sin g dig estiv e dam ag e. B ecau se of th e co m ple x ity of th e hum an org an is m , pre d ic tin g th e e ffe cts o f d ru gs in e ach in div id ual, e sp ecia lly w ith c o m bin atio ns o f dru gs, i s i m possib le . O th er f a cts : • A Ja n uary 1 997 stu dy in th e Jo urn al o f th e A m eric a n M ed ic a l A sso cia tio n sta te d th at d ru g-re la te d m orb id ity a n d m orta lity c o sts m ore th an $ 136 b illio n a year— more t h an t h e c o st o f c ard io vasc u la r d is e ase , o ur l e ad in g c au se o f d eath . • I n 1 995, D uke U niv ers ity r e se arc h ers s h ow ed t h at d ru gs c o m monly p re sc rib ed fo r s tr o ke p atie n ts a ctu ally h am pere d th eir r e co very . E ven a fte r a s in gle d ose , th e n eg ativ e e ffe cts c o uld b e l o ng-la stin g. • A 1 994 s tu dy in th e Jo urn al o f th e A m eric a n M ed ic a l A sso cia tio n co nclu ded th at in ap pro pria te a n d p ote n tia lly d an gero us d ru gs a re p re sc rib ed fo r o ne in fo ur o ld er A m eric an s e v ery y ear. • A 1 994 s tu dy p ublis h ed in th e Jo urn al o f th e N atio nal C ancer In stitu te an d The J o urn al o f th e F ed era tio n o f A m eric a n S ocie tie s fo r E xp erim en ta l B io lo gy warn ed th at a n tih is ta m in e a n d a n tid ep re ssa n t d ru gs ( in clu din g P ro zac) c o nta in ch em ic als k now n to a ccele ra te tu m or g ro w th . W hile th ese d ru gs d o n ot c au se can cer d ir e ctly , t h ey c an s p eed i ts g ro w th . Three C la sse s o f C om mon D ru gs A re o f S pecia l C on cern Nonste ro id al anti- in fla m mato ry dru gs (N SA ID s): NSA ID s in clu de over-th e- co unte r d ru gs s u ch a s a sp ir in , ib upro fe n a n d a ceta m in ophen , a n d p re sc rip tio n d ru gs su ch as In docin , F eld en e, N ap ro sy n an d o th ers . U se o f N SA ID s is a sig nif ic an t natio nal h ealth p ro ble m , cau sin g lo ng-te rm d am ag e to la rg e n um bers o f p eo ple , partic u la rly th e e ld erly , w ho a re th e la rg est u se rs o f th ese d ru gs. A cco rd in g to d ata publis h ed in Hosp ita l Pra ctic e in D ecem ber 1996, up to tw o hundre d th ousa n d Am eric an s a re h osp ita liz ed e v ery y ear f o r p ro ble m s c au se d b y N SA ID s, a n d a s m an y as t w en ty t h ousa n d p eo ple a y ear d ie f ro m t h e d am ag e. NSA ID s u su ally a re p re sc rib ed f o r a n oble p urp ose , to r e lie v e p ain , a n d th ey a re am ong th e m ost co m monly p re s-c rib ed p harm aceu tic als in th e w orld . A bout 6 0 millio n N SA ID p re sc rip tio ns a re w ritte n e v ery y ear i n A m eric a, a n d a n e stim ate d 1 4 millio n p eo ple ta k e th ese d ru gs fo r sy m pto m atic re lie f o f arth ritis alo ne. T hese dru gs r e lie v e p ain , b ut a t a c o st. A bout o ne t h ir d o f c h ro nic N SA ID u se rs e x perie n ce notic eab le gastr o in te stin al dis c o m fo rt, w hic h is only th e tip of th e ic eb erg , in dic atin g th at dig estiv e dam ag e is occu rrin g. In m ost peo ple , N SA ID -in flic te d dam ag e to th e d ig estiv e s y ste m is a sy m pto m atic ( n o o bvio us s y m pto m s to w arn o f th e d am ag e b ein g d one). B y th e tim e th e s to m ach o r g ut is in p ain fro m N SA ID s, massiv e d am ag e h as a lr e ad y o ccu rre d . Most p hysic ia n s th in k it is a ccep ta b le f o r p eo ple to ta k e N SA ID s, b elie v in g th at th ey cau se m in im al an d accep ta b le d am ag e. V ir tu ally ev ery one w ho ta k es th ese dan gero us d ru gs h as t h eir h ealth d am ag ed , a n d t h e l o nger t h ey a re t a k en , t h e w ors e i t beco m es. P eo ple w ho ta k e N SA ID s f o r a rth ritis f o r y ears s u ffe r w ors e jo in t d am ag e th an th ose w ho ta k e n oth in g. N SA ID s h av e b een lin ked to k id ney f a ilu re , c o gnitiv e dysfu nctio n, h earin g lo ss, rin gin g in th e e ars , m acu la r d eg en era tio n a n d h orm one dis ru ptio n. E xam ple s i n clu de: • I n a 1 992 s tu dy p ublis h ed i n t h e Sca ndin avia n J o urn al o f R heu m ato lo gy, lo ng- te rm N SA ID use rs w ere hosp ita liz ed six tim es m ore ofte n th an nonuse rs . Death s fro m g astr o in te stin al cau se s o ccu rre d tw ic e as o fte n , an d h alf o f all patie n ts w ho d ie d o f u lc er-re la te d co m plic atio ns h ad re p orte d re cen t u se o f NSA ID s. • A 1 996 s tu dy in th e Arc h iv es o f In te rn al M ed ic in e fo und th at p atie n ts ta k in g NSA ID s w ere f o ur t o s e v en te en t im es m ore l ik ely t o s u ffe r a cu te k id ney f a ilu re . • A 1996 stu dy in Physio lo gic a l Beh avio r sh ow ed N SA ID s in te rfe re w ith mela to nin pro ductio n, w ith a 75 perc en t nig httim e re d uctio n. D ecre ase d mela to nin pro ductio n has been asso cia te d w ith sle ep dis o rd ers as w ell as pro m otio n o f c an cer. • A 1 996 s tu dy in Lancet sh ow ed th at a sp ir in , in a n y f o rm , s u ch a s b uffe re d o r co ate d , cau se s gastr o in te stin al ble ed in g. A s fe w as one asp ir in can cau se ble ed in g. NSA ID s cau se in te stin al b le ed in g b y b lo ck in g actio n o f m esse n ger m ole cu le s calle d pro sta g la n din s. Som e pro sta -g la n din s cau se in fla m matio n an d pain , an d oth ers s tim ula te h ealin g a n d r e p air. N SA ID s b lo ck b oth t y pes. B ecau se t h e i n te stin al lin in g is r e n ew ed v ery r a p id ly ( a b out e v ery th re e d ay s), b lo ck in g th e r e p air p ro cess re su lts i n a g ut t h at i s w eak , i n fla m ed a n d l e ak y. What sh ould you do fo r a head ach e? Sim ple acu pre ssu re te ch niq ues an d hom eo path ic re m ed ie s work quite well. W hat sh ould you do fo r pain or in fla m matio n? E at a w hole -fo ods d ie t, a t le ast 7 5 p erc en t ra w . A void s u gar, w hite flo ur, h ydro gen ate d o ils , j u nk f o ods a n d c o la s, a n d d rin k p le n ty o f p ure w ate r. A void meat a n d d air y , b ut c h oose o ily fis h s u ch a s s a lm on (o cean h arv este d , ra th er th an fa rm ed ). T ak e v ita m in C u p t o b ow el t o le ra n ce, 2 t o 4 g ra m s o f q uerc itin p er d ay, 3 0 to 6 0 m g o f z in c d aily , 1 00,0 00 u nits o f b eta -c aro te n e fo r se v era l d ay s, a n d th en 25,0 00 fo r se v era l w eek s, plu s vita m in A an d vita m in E . E sse n tia l fa tty acid su pple m en ts a ls o a re c ritic al. D ig estiv e e n zy m es h elp , a n d e sp ecia lly ta k e 1 to 3 gra m s o f b ro m ela in o r p ap ain p er d ay. A n um ber o f h erb s a s w ell a s h om eo path ic re m ed ie s a re a n ti- in fla m mato ry . T hese a re e x celle n t a lte rn ativ es t o N SA ID s. Antib io tic s: Most o f u s h av e b een g iv en a n a n tib io tic a t o ne tim e o r a n oth er, a n d th is c o ntr ib ute s to o ne o f o ur la rg est s o urc es o f to xin s— th ose g en era te d w ith in o ur ow n d ig estiv e s y ste m s. A ntib io tic s a re d esig ned t o k ill d is e ase -c au sin g b acte ria , b ut th ey a ls o k ill th e frie n dly b acte ria in o ur d ig estiv e sy ste m s. If th ese b acte ria a re ab se n t or out of bala n ce, a ch ain of unhealth y ev en ts is in itia te d , in clu din g undig este d or m al- a b so rb ed fo od. B en efic ia l in te stin al bacte ria pro duce need ed vita m in s, s u ch a s B -c o m ple x v ita m in s, v ita m in B 12 an d v ita m in K . T hese e sse n tia l nutr ie n ts are no lo nger pro duced w hen th e frie n dly bacte ria are dis p la ced , an d vita m in d efic ie n cy c an r e su lt. In ad ditio n, frie n dly b acte ria p re v en t u ndesir a b le y easts fro m p ro lif e ra tin g b y co m petin g fo r fo od a n d p ro ducin g b io tin to in hib it y east g ro w th . W hen a n tib io tic s kill ben efic ia l bacte ria l, undesir a b le yeasts an d bacte ria th riv e an d ta k e over, esta b lis h in g th eir ow n eco sy ste m . This in hib its th e ben efic ia l bacte ria fro m re esta b lis h in g th em se lv es. Yeasts als o pro duce num ero us im mune-re activ e su bsta n ces th at f o rc e th e im mune s y ste m to f o rm a n tib odie s c o nsta n tly . T his s tr e ss may le ad to im pair e d fu nctio nin g o f th e im mune sy ste m to th e p oin t o f im mune su ppre ssio n o r e v en b re ak dow n. A ls o , y easts in hib it m ag nesiu m a b so rp tio n (w hic h can le ad to n um ero us n eu ro lo gic al p ro ble m s), d am ag e g ut tis su e a n d c au se le ak in g gut s y ndro m e. A v arie ty o f h ealth p ro ble m s c an r e su lt, r a n gin g f ro m c h ro nic f a tig ue to a lle rg ie s, a rth ritis a n d o th er i m mune d ysfu nctio n d is e ase s. A Ja n uary 1 996 artic le in In te rn al M ed ic in e W orld R ep ort sta te d th at in 1 991, more th an 4 0 m illio n p re sc rip tio ns w ere w ritte n in A m eric a f o r a n tib io tic s to tr e at peo ple f o r t h e c o m mon c o ld . T his u se i s i n ap pro pria te ; a n tib io tic s h av e n o e ffe ct o n th e co m mon co ld . V ast o verp re sc rib in g o f th is ty pe fo ste rs th e d ev elo pm en t o f an tib io tic -re sis ta n t b acte ria . In M ay 1 996, t h e W orld H ealth O rg an iz atio n ( W HO) i s su ed a r e p ort w arn in g t h at “in cu ra b le ” str a in s of bacte ria are bein g dis c o vere d . M an y in fe ctio us dis e ase s, fo rm erly c o ntr o lla b le w ith a n tib io tic s, a re re ap pearin g in fo rm s d if fic u lt o r e v en im possib le to tr e at. “ W e a re s ta n din g o n th e b rin k o f a g lo bal c ris is in in fe ctio us dis e ase s,” s a id H ir o sh i N ak ajim a, M .D ., W HO’s d ir e cto r g en era l. T he r e p ort w arn s th at th e sp re ad of untr e ata b le in fe ctio ns is th re ate n in g to underm in e m odern ad van ces in health care . In m an y hosp ita ls , an tib io tic -re sis ta n t sta p hylo co ccu s in fe ctio ns are ep id em ic . M ore an d m ore p eo ple d ie ev ery y ear fro m an tib io tic - re sis ta n t in fe ctio ns, acq uir e d in hosp ita ls . The W HO re p ort note d th at th e “in ap pro pria te u se o f a n tib io tic s” is to b la m e b oth f o r th e in cre ase in d ru g-re sis ta n t mic ro bes a n d f o r t h e w eak en ed i m mune s y ste m s o f p atie n ts . E ith er f a cto r i s s e rio us; co m bin ed , th ey a re c ata str o phic . W eak en ed im mune s y ste m s p la y a c ru cia l ro le in th e d ev elo pm en t o f A ID S, a u to im mune d is e ase s, a sth m a, a lle rg ie s a n d a l o ng l is t o f oth er h ealth p ro ble m s. Antib io tic s re p re se n t w hat m ay b e th e s in gle m ost d am ag in g c ate g ory o f d ru gs em plo yed b y a llo path ic m ed ic in e, a n d, lik e m ost d ru gs, a re u nnecessa ry . O nly s ic k peo ple g et s ic k ; p re v en t in fe ctio ns b y e atin g a g ood d ie t a n d a v oid in g to xin s. S ta y aw ay fro m im mune-d am ag in g fo ods lik e su gar, ta k e hig h-q uality su pple m en ts , re d uce s tr e ss a n d g et re g ula r e x erc is e . If a n in fe ctio n d oes o ccu r, n atu ra l re m ed ie s sh ould be co nsid ere d befo re defa u ltin g to th e an tib io tic s th at physic ia n s w ill undoubte d ly p re sc rib e. T ak e lo ts o f v ita m in s A , C ( u p to th e p oin t w here y ou b eg in gettin g e x cessiv e g as o r d ia rrh ea, t h en d ecre ase ), a n d E , g arlic , h erb s l ik e e ch in acea, or h om eo path ic r e m ed ie s. N atu ra l a n tib io tic s l ik e o liv e l e af e x tr a ct a re a ls o h elp fu l. Horm ones: Horm ones a re c ritic al to h ealth b ecau se th ey a re p art o f th e b ody’s se lf -re g ula tin g s y ste m . T hey c o ntr o l g en e e x pre ssio n, a n d, a s p art o f t h e b ody’s v ita l co m munic atio n sy ste m s, th ey help bala n ce th e body. H orm one ch em is tr y is aw eso m ely c o m ple x a n d w hen y ou b eg in t a m perin g w ith i t, t h e e ffe cts o n t h e b ody’s sy ste m of ch eck s an d bala n ces are unknow n an d pote n tia lly cata str o phic . E ven min ute h orm one q uan titie s c an h av e a p ro fo und e ffe ct o n t h e b ody. T he h um an b ody man ufa ctu re s o nly 5 0 to 1 00 m illio nth s o f a g ra m p er d ay o f th yro id h orm one, re su ltin g in a blo od co ncen tr a tio n of only one part per te n billio n (1 in 10,0 00,0 00,0 00). Yet th is min ute am ount has a majo r re g ula to ry effe ct. Supple m en ta l h orm ones a re d an gero us m ed dlin g in th e u nknow n b ecau se it is so easy to in te rfe re w ith th e body’s sy ste m of horm onal ch eck s an d bala n ces. Pre sc rip tio n horm ones— bir th co ntr o l pills , horm one re p la cem en t th era p y an d ste ro id h orm ones— a re th e m ost c o m mon th re ats , a s a re s te ro id s f o und in o verth e- co unte r p ro ducts s u ch a s c o rtis o ne o in tm en ts a n d D HEA ( d eh ydro ep ia n dro ste ro ne). Horm ones a re p art o f th e b ody’s c ell- to -c ell c o m munic atio ns s y ste m , h elp in g th e body to re g ula te . F or in sta n ce, h orm ones a re u se d to re g ula te b lo od su gar, w hic h norm ally sta y s w ith in n arro w lim its to k eep th e b ody, an d esp ecia lly th e b ra in , su pplie d w ith th e c o rre ct a m ount. If b lo od s u gar is to o h ig h, th e p an cre as s e cre te s in su lin , w hic h s ig nals th e c ells to ta k e u p g lu co se , th us lo w erin g b lo od s u gar a n d re tu rn in g to n orm al. If b lo od s u gar d ro ps to o lo w , th e p an cre as s e cre te s g lu cag on, whic h s ig nals t h e l iv er t o b re ak d ow n g ly co gen i n to g lu co se t o r a is e b lo od s u gar. I n th is w ay, d if fe re n t h orm ones a ct in p air s lik e a th erm osta t, tu rn in g s y ste m s o n a n d off. T his c h em is tr y p re se n ts a d elic ate b ala n cin g a ct. A ll t h e h orm ones i n te ra ct w ith each o th er in w ay s m odern s c ie n ce is o nly b eg in nin g to u nders ta n d. I n b lo od-s u gar re g ula tio n a lo ne, a t l e ast s ix h orm ones a re i n volv ed . Ste ro id h orm ones are b ein g p re sc rib ed alm ost as fre q uen tly as an tib io tic s, fo r alle rg ic re actio ns, a sth m a, e czem a, a rth ritis , u lc era tiv e c o litis , a n d fo r a ll ty pes o f in fla m mato ry an d au to im mune dis e ase s. O fte n ste ro id s are giv en to bab ie s an d ch ild re n to a lle v ia te in fla m matio ns o f a ll k in ds. S te ro id s c an c au se p erm an en t a n d dev asta tin g d am ag e, e v en a fte r a sin gle d ose ; o nce th e b ody is th ro w n o ut o f its natu ra l s e lf -re g ula to ry m ode, it s o m etim es n ev er “ g ets b ack .” S te ro id s’ b en efic ia l effe cts a p pear to d eclin e in tim e, le av in g p atie n ts in w ors e c o nditio n th an b efo re th ey s ta rte d . Ste ro id s ap pear to b e a “m ir a cle cu re ” fo r asth m a o r arth ritis ; h ow ev er, th ey mere ly su ppre ss th e sy m pto m s o f th ese co nditio ns. T hey m ay m ak e p eo ple fe el bette r, b ut th is fe elin g c o m es a t a h ig h p ric e. T he m ed ic al jo urn als a re fille d w ith ste ro id -in flic te d horro r sto rie s, su ch as oste o poro sis , re ta rd ed ch ild gro w th an d vis io n l o ss: • T he Annals o f In te rn al M ed ic in e in N ovem ber 1 993 re p orte d th at a fte r ju st fo ur m onth s o f u se , o ra l ste ro id s can cau se o ste o poro sis , w ith an 8 p erc en t re d uctio n i n b one m ass. • The Britis h M ed ic a l Jo urn al in A ugust 1994 re p orte d th at ex te n siv e ey e dam ag e an d v is u al lo ss can b e cau se d b y u sin g to pic al, o ver-th e-c o unte r, 1 perc en t h ydro co rtis o ne o in tm en t f o r t w o w eek s. • Lan cet has re p orte d th at afte r only six w eek s of use , in hale d ste ro id s pre sc rib ed f o r a sth m a r e ta rd g ro w th i n c h ild re n . Alte rn ativ e a p pro ach es to s te ro id s in clu de, f o r e x am ple , v ita m in C a n d q uerc itin . These tw o n atu ra l a n ti- in fla m mato rie s a cco m plis h s im ila r re su lts , b ut w ith out th e sid e e ffe cts . W heth er o ne t a k es s te ro id s o ra lly , i n hale s t h em o r r u bs t h em o n t h e s k in doesn ’t m atte r; d am ag e can b e cau se d q uic k ly an d ir re v ers ib ly . R ubbin g a little co rtis o ne o in tm en t o n th e sk in a ffe cts th e c h em is tr y o f th e e n tir e b ody. S te ro id s ta k en durin g pre g nan cy can cau se a ch ild to su ffe r fro m au tis m an d im pair e d co gnitiv e perfo rm an ce. Topic al an d in hale d ste ro id s can cau se gla u co m a an d cata ra cts . O th er r e p orte d p ro ble m s i n clu de f lu id r e te n tio n, t h in nin g s k in , s lo w ness i n healin g, h ead ach es, m usc le w eak ness, im mune su ppre ssio n, a n gin a, h air lo ss a n d dep re ssio n. Over-th e-c o unte r h orm ones s u ch a s m ela to nin a n d D HEA a re s p ecia l p ro ble m s, partly b ecau se th ey a re s o e asy to o bta in . D aily d ose s o f 5 0 m illig ra m s o f D HEA hav e b een l in ked t o a cn e, o ily s k in , e x cessiv e f a cia l h air g ro w th i n w om en a n d m ood ch an ges s u ch a s ir rita b ility a n d a g gre ssiv en ess. D HEA is a s te ro id h orm one w ith a mole cu la r s tr u ctu re q uite s im ila r to c o rtis o ne. ( C ortis o ne, to o, w as o nce th ought to be a w onder d ru g, u ntil w e fo und it w as m aim in g a n d k illin g p eo ple .) In a 1 997 stu dy c o nducte d a t N orth w este rn U niv ers ity , six te en ra ts fe d D HEA fo r e ig hte en month s ex perie n ced co lo r ch an ges in th eir liv ers fro m p in k to b ro w n. F ourte en dev elo ped l iv er c an cer. Neu ro lo gis ts an d o th er sle ep sp ecia lis ts h av e w arn ed ag ain st ta k in g m ela to nin su pple m en ts . In S ep te m ber 1996, th e N atio nal In stitu te s of H ealth sp onso re d a meetin g in B eth esd a, M ary la n d, w here re se arc h ers re p orte d th at w e d o n ot h av e su ffic ie n t k now le d ge a b out h ow m ela to nin w ork s to p re d ic t a ll its p ote n tia l a d vers e effe cts , esp ecia lly at th e hig h dose s in over-th e-c o unte r pre p ara tio ns. T he data sh ow ed m ela to nin c o uld c au se n au se a, h ead ach es, n ig htm are s, w ors e n in g o f e x is tin g dep re ssio n o r a d ro p in b ody te m pera tu re , w hic h in cre ase s th e ris k o f d ev elo pin g vir a l in fe ctio ns. R ic h ard J . W urtm an , M .D ., p ro fe sso r o f n eu ro sc ie n ce a n d d ir e cto r of th e clin ic al re se arc h cen te r at th e M assa ch use tts In stitu te of Tech nolo gy, desc rib ed w id esp re ad u se o f o ver-th e-c o unte r m ela to nin a s “ sc ary .” The o rig in al ex perim en ts w ith m ic e, su ggestin g th at m ela to nin p ro lo nged lif e , use d g en etic ally s e le cte d m ic e th at w ere u nab le to p ro duce m ela to nin . W hen g iv en so m e m ela to nin , th ey d id m easu ra b ly b ette r th an h av in g n one. H ow ev er, re p eate d ex perim en ts w ith norm al m ic e re su lte d in sh orte n ed lif e sp an , becau se th ey dev elo ped tu m ors o f th e r e p ro ductiv e tr a ct. ( O f c o urs e , th e p ublic h ears o nly o f th e “b en efits .” ) Tak in g h orm ones o n a r e g ula r b asis , s u ch a s t h e n um ero us w om en o n b ir th c o ntr o l pills a n d o th ers o n h orm one re p la cem en t th era p y (H RT), im bala n ces th e h orm one sy ste m . M illio ns o f w om en a re p ut o n H RT, p re su m ab ly t o h elp p re v en t h eart a tta ck an d o ste o poro sis . L ittle re lia b le e v id en ce e x is ts th at H RT p re v en ts e ith er; in fa ct ev id en ce s h ow s t h at i t p ro m ote s t h ese c o nditio ns. Wan t to p re v en t h orm one d is ru ptio n in y our b ody? A void in g c erta in to xin s is critic al. M ore th an fif ty dif fe re n t ch em ic als are know n to dis ru pt th e norm al co m munic atio n jo bs of horm ones, in clu din g pestic id es, PC Bs an d dio xin s, phth ala te s le ach ed fro m PV C an d oth er pla stic s, an d bis p hen ol- A (fro m poly carb onate w ate r b ottle s a n d t h e p la stic s u se d t o c o at t h e i n te rio r o f c an s u se d t o co nta in f o od). D ie ta ry c o nsid era tio ns a re i m porta n t, b ecau se m ost o f o ur e x posu re t o th ese h orm one-d is ru ptin g c h em ic als c o m es fro m e atin g m eat a n d d air y p ro ducts . Sugar a n d w hite f lo ur d is ru pt h orm one b ala n ces, s o m in im iz e c o nsu m ptio n. R est a n d ex erc is e h elp b ala n ce h orm one l e v els ; m odera te e x erc is e d ouble s o r e v en q uad ru ple s ben efic ia l gro w th horm one le v els . M ost critic ally , our so cie ty m ust sto p su ch co nsta n t an d w id esp re ad use of horm one dru gs. A s Jo hn M ills , M .D ., ch ie f of in fe ctio us d is e ase s a t S an F ra n cis c o G en era l H osp ita l sa id , ste ro id h orm ones a re “p ro bab ly t h e m ost s le azy o f m odern -d ay m ed ic atio ns.” Dig estiv e D estr u ctio n As y ou k now , o ne w ay in w hic h d ru gs c au se d is e ase is b y in te rfe rin g w ith th e dig estio n o f fo od a n d a b so rp tio n o f n utr ie n ts . B y d am ag in g g ut tis su e, k illin g o ff ben efic ia l b acte ria , a n d c re atin g a n e n vir o nm en t th at in hib its th e g ro w th o f n orm al, ben efic ia l gut bacte ria , w e lo se our ab ility to dig est fo od an d ab so rb nutr ie n ts pro perly . T his co nditio n cre ate s b oth d efic ie n cy an d to xic ity , th e tw o cau se s o f cellu la r m alf u nctio n a n d d is e ase . Thre e cla sse s of dru gs are re sp onsib le fo r m uch of th is dam ag e: N SA ID s, an tib io tic s a n d h orm ones. N SA ID s p hysic ally d am ag e g ut tis su e a n d d esta b iliz e th e norm al co m positio n of bacte ria liv in g in th e gut, esp ecia lly if co m bin ed w ith an tib io tic s. A ntib io tic s kill frie n dly bacte ria esse n tia l to health an d re su lt in a varie ty of in te stin al in fe ctio ns. H orm ones, su ch as bir th co ntr o l pills , cre ate ch em ic al im bala n ces in th e g ut, th us p ro m otin g y east in fe ctio ns su ch a s c an did a. Once y easts c h an ge th e e n vir o nm en t in th e d ig estiv e s y ste m , a lo ng c h ain o f e v en ts dam ag e h ealth a n d c au se d is e ase . Gut t is su e t h at i s d am ag ed b eco m es m ore p erm eab le ( “ le ak y”) t o l a rg e m ole cu le s of u ndig este d f o od a n d to m ic ro org an is m s th at e n te r th e b lo odstr e am a n d c ir c u la te th ro ughout th e body. This occu rre n ce pro vokes ch ro nic im mune re sp onse s man if e ste d as fo od alle rg ie s an d oth er in fla m mato ry co nditio ns, an d su ch in fla m mato ry c o nditio ns m ay b e t h e b asis o f a ll c h ro nic d is e ase . These im mune re sp onse s so m etim es c re ate a n tib odie s th at m atc h c erta in b ody tis su es a n d a tta ck t h em , r e su ltin g i n a u to im mune d is e ase s s u ch a s l u pus o r a rth ritis . A pers o n w ho has a dam ag ed gut m ay eat an ex celle n t die t but still su ffe r maln utr itio n b ecau se o f n utr ie n t m ala b so rp tio n. Addin g m ala b so rp tio n to a n a lr e ad y d efic ie n t d ie t is c ata str o phic to lo ng-te rm health . Excessiv e im mune re actio ns pro duce much deb ris , calle d im mune co m ple x es, w hic h c an o verb urd en th e k id ney s a n d c au se k id ney d is e ase . In fa ct, alle rg ic r e actio ns m ay b e t h e l e ad in g c au se o f k id ney d is e ase . M ajo r a n d u nco rre cte d mald ig estio n can le ad to ex tr e m e weig ht lo ss an d gre ate r su sc ep tib ility to opportu nis tic i n fe ctio ns, c o m monly e x perie n ced i n p eo ple w ith A ID S. Vaccin atio n s Popula r opin io n re g ard s vaccin atio ns as one of m odern m ed ic in e’s gre ate st ach ie v em en ts , pre v en tin g m ore su ffe rin g an d sa v in g m ore liv es th an an y oth er med ic al p ro ced ure . N oth in g co uld b e fu rth er fro m th e tr u th . A ny ris k s o r “sid e effe cts ” f ro m v accin atio ns s u ppose d ly f a r o utw eig h th e in here n t b en efits . H ow ev er, fin din g b en efits i s d if fic u lt a n d f in din g r is k s i s e asy . You h av e a b ette r c h an ce o f b ein g h ealth y if y our c ells a re h ealth y; v accin atio ns dam ag e y our c ells . I n f a ct, m odern m ed ic in e’s p ra ctic e o f m ass v accin atio ns m ay b e a b lu nder th at ra n ks w ith X ra y s an d an tib io tic s fo r d am ag e d one to h ealth . N o re lia b le s a fe ty s tu dy h as e v er b een p erfo rm ed o n a n y v accin e, a n d e v id en ce s u ggests th at th ey are b oth in effe ctiv e an d h arm fu l. Y et, in div id uals are fo rc ed , w ith out co nse n t, t o r is k i n ju ry o r e v en d eath . In O cto ber 2 000, a t t h e a n nual m eetin g o f t h e A sso cia tio n o f A m eric an P hysic ia n s an d S urg eo ns (A APS), a re so lu tio n c alle d fo r a n e n d to a ll g overn m en t- m an date d vaccin atio ns. Even m ore asto undin g, th e re so lu tio n passe d with out a sin gle dis se n tin g vote . Ja n e O rie n t, M .D ., ex ecu tiv e dir e cto r of th e A APS, sa id , “O ur ch ild re n fa ce th e p ossib ility o f d eath o r se rio us lo ng-te rm ad vers e effe cts fro m man date d v accin es t h at a re n ’t n ecessa ry o r t h at h av e l im ite d b en efits .” T he A APS’s re so lu tio n r e ad th at “ m ass v accin atio n is e q uiv ale n t to h um an e x perim en ta tio n a n d su bje ct to th e N ure m berg C ode, w hic h re -q uir e s v olu nta ry in fo rm ed c o nse n t.” B y fa ilin g t o i n fo rm u s o f t h e d an gers , a n d t a k in g a w ay o ur p ow er t o c h oose o th erw is e , man date d v accin atio ns b eco m e a c rim e a g ain st h um an ity . The d ra m atic d eclin e o f in fe ctio us d is e ase s, su ch as sm allp ox, d ip hth eria an d polio , ofte n is cite d (in accu ra te ly ) as pro of of vaccin atio ns’ effe ctiv en ess. T he in cid en ce o f in fe ctio us d is e ase d ra m atic ally d ecre ase d befo re th e in tr o ductio n o f vaccin es; i n o th er w ord s, v accin es g et c re d it f o r s o m eth in g t h ey d id n ot d o. I n 1 950, th e p olio e p id em ic w as a t its h eig ht in G re at B rita in . B y th e tim e p olio v accin e w as in tr o duced i n 1 956, p olio h ad a lr e ad y d eclin ed b y 8 2 p erc en t. S im ila rly , t u berc u lo sis was a p ers is te n t k ille r t h ro ughout t h e 1 800s a n d b y 1 945 h ad a lr e ad y d eclin ed b y 9 7 perc en t. Oth er in fe ctio us dis e ase s th at alr e ad y were in declin e befo re th e in tr o ductio n o f th eir v accin es in clu de p neu m onia , in flu en za, w hoopin g c o ugh a n d measle s. C ontin uin g d eclin e m ere ly fo llo w ed th e e x is tin g tr e n d. Countr ie s th at d id not v a ccin ate a gain st sp ecific d is e a se s e xp erie n ced sim ila r d eclin es a s c o untr ie s th at d id . A s tr o ng a rg um en t f o r t h e d eclin e o f i n fe ctio us d is e ase s c an b e m ad e f o r a v arie ty of fa cto rs , in clu din g bette r sa n ita tio n, le ss cro w ded liv in g co nditio ns an d th e ab se n ce o f h unger. I n a d ditio n, d is e ase s te n d to h av e th eir o w n e v olu tio nary c y cle s; th ey g o a w ay a s t h e p opula tio n g ain s “ h erd ” i m munity . D is e ase s l ik e b ubonic p la g ue an d sc arle t fe v er ex perie n ced d eclin es sim ila r to o th er in fe ctio us d is e ase s; th ey dis a p peare d w ith out a n y i m muniz atio n p ro gra m s. Fin din g an y stu die s th at pro ve vaccin es’ effe ctiv en ess is dif fic u lt. T o pro ve effic acy, w e m ust a n aly ze s tu die s o f v accin ate d g ro ups v ers u s u nvaccin ate d o nes. Very f e w o f s u ch s tu die s e v er h av e b een c o nducte d ; th e f e w th at h av e b een in dic ate th at th e v accin es a re in effe ctiv e. R ecen t w orld w id e o utb re ak s o f v ir u le n t fo rm s o f TB h av e d em onstr a te d th at a lle g ed “ p ro te ctio n” b y T B v accin e h as little to d o w ith wheth er o r n ot a n yone c o ntr a cts t h e d is e ase . Not o nly in effe ctiv e, v accin es can als o b e h arm fu l. V ie ra S ch eib ner, P h.D ., a world a u th ority o n im muniz atio ns a n d a u th or o f th e 1 993 b ook Vaccin atio n, wro te : “Im muniz atio ns . . . n ot o nly d id n ot p re v en t a n y in fe ctio us d is e ase s, th ey c au se d more s u ffe rin g a n d m ore d eath s th an a n y o th er h um an a ctiv ity in th e e n tir e h is to ry of m ed ic al in te rv en tio n.” H av in g asse m ble d an d re se arc h ed th e w orld ’s la rg est co lle ctio n of data on im muniz atio ns, D r. S ch eib ner co nclu des th at “th ere is no ev id en ce w hats o ev er th at vaccin es of an y kin d— but esp ecia lly th ose ag ain st ch ild hood dis e ase s— are effe ctiv e in pre v en tin g th e in fe ctio us dis e ase s th ey are su ppose d to pre v en t. . . . O ne hundre d years of orth odox re se arc h sh ow s th at vaccin es r e p re se n t a m ed ic al a ssa u lt o n t h e i m mune s y ste m .” Each g en era tio n i s s u bje cte d t o m ore v accin atio ns a n d, a s a r e su lt, i s e x perie n cin g more im mune d ysfu nctio n d is e ase s. M an y ch ild re n h av e as m an y as tw en ty -tw o vaccin atio ns befo re th ey go to th e fir s t gra d e, an d as m ore vaccin es beco m e av aila b le , th e n um ber k eep s in cre asin g. A t an in te rn atio nal co nfe re n ce in 1 997, Terry P hillip s, P h.D ., D .S c., p ro fe sso r o f m ed ic in e a t G eo rg e W ash in gto n U niv ers ity Med ic al C en te r, re p orte d th at th e fo re ig n p ro te in s in v ir tu ally a ll v accin es w re ak hav oc on th e hum an im mune sy ste m . V accin es are to xic m ix tu re s lo ad ed w ith vario us su bsta n ces th at n ev er sh ould b e in je cte d in to a h um an b ody— in clu din g fo re ig n pro te in s an d dan gero us vir u se s fro m ch ic k en s, guin ea pig s, calv es an d monkey s. S om e re se arc h ers b elie v e th ese v ir u se s p ut a p erm an en t b urd en o n o ur im mune sy ste m s an d do co ntin uous dam ag e both to th e im mune an d nerv ous sy ste m s. Vaccin es als o co nta in to xic ch em ic als , lik e m erc u ry (a neu ro to xin ), eth yle n e g ly co l ( a n tif re eze), f o rm ald eh yde ( a c arc in ogen ), a lu m in um ( a c arc in ogen an d a ls o a sso cia te d w ith A lz h eim er’s ), p lu s a n tib io tic s l ik e S tr e p to m ycin ( w hic h c an cau se alle rg ic re actio ns). E ven th e F D A h as calle d fo r cessa tio n o f m erc u ry in vaccin es b ecau se o ur c h ild re n a re b ein g e x pose d t o u nsa fe a m ounts o f i t. Dr. H arris C oulte r, in h is v ario us w ritin gs o n v accin atio ns, s a y s th at th e a lle rg ic re sp onse in itia te d w ith a n in je cte d v accin e is c ap ab le o f c au sin g e n cep halitis (a n in fla m matio n o f t h e b ra in ). E ncep halitis c an c au se p erm an en t b ra in d am ag e a n d l e ad to lif e lo ng p ro ble m s o f a u tis m , d ysle x ia , le arn in g d is a b ilitie s, b eh av io ra l d is o rd ers an d a n tis o cia l s y ndro m es. D r. C oulte r e stim ate s th at 5 0 p erc en t o f th e c h ild re n w ho ex perie n ce a fe v er afte r v accin atio n actu ally are su ffe rin g fro m en cep halitis ; h e bla m es v accin es fo r th e “n ew m orb id ity ” o f le arn in g d is a b ilitie s an d b eh av io ra l dis o rd ers . Decis io ns a b out w heth er to b e v accin ate d b efo re a tr ip to a fo re ig n c o untr y , o r wheth er to vaccin ate your ch ild re n , sh ould be base d on accu ra te in fo rm atio n. Unfo rtu nate ly , t h e p ublic h as h ad l ittle a ccess t o r e se arc h q uestio nin g t h e s a fe ty a n d effe ctiv en ess o f v accin atio ns. Com puls o ry vaccin atio n la w s ex is t in ev ery sta te . H ow ev er, th ere are le g al ex em ptio ns. L earn w hat th e e x em ptio ns a re in y our s ta te a n d o bta in a n a p pro pria te one. A ll s ta te s h av e a m ed ic al e x em ptio n th at a d octo r c an s ig n, a n d m an y s ta te s hav e re lig io us ex em ptio ns, w hic h do not re q uir e affilia tio n w ith an y sp ecif ic re lig io n. Reg ard in g th e co m mon flu sh ot, co nsid er th is stu dy publis h ed in Lancet: Abse n te eis m o f m ore th an o ne h undre d th ousa n d e m plo yees w as n ote d e ach w in te r fo r th re e y ears , a n d th e c o nclu sio n w as th at f lu s h ots d id n ot c o nfe r a n y p ro te ctio n. What a b out t e ta n us? P ro bab ly t h e s in gle m ost i m porta n t f a cto r i n p re v en tin g t e ta n us is th oro ugh c le an sin g o f th e w ound b y r e m ovin g a ll f o re ig n b odie s a n d d ead tis su e. On r a re o ccasio n, “ te ta n us-p ro ne” w ounds m ig ht ju stif y a b ooste r v accin e f o r th ose in div id uals a lr e ad y im muniz ed , a n d im mune g lo bulin in th ose w ho n ev er h av e b een vaccin ate d . To a v oid a n in fe ctio us d is e ase , y ou d on’t n eed to h av e v accin atio ns; y ou n eed to keep your im munity str o ng. F ro m th e beg in nin g, bre astf e ed in g pro te cts ag ain st man y in fe ctio ns. A void alle rg en ic fo ods lik e m ilk an d w heat. A lle rg ie s lo w er im munity an d p re d is p ose th e b ody to in fe ctio ns. N utr itio nal sta tu s is critic al to im mune c o m pete n ce. R efin ed s u gars a re w ell k now n to d ep re ss im munity . R eg ula r ex erc is e , a g ood d ie t, an d av oid an ce o f alle rg en s an d to xin s h elp to m ain ta in a health y i m mune s y ste m . M ore o ver, a h ig h-q uality s u pple m en t p ro gra m i s e sse n tia l. Giv e C red it W here I t I s D ue While a d ra m atic d eclin e h as o ccu rre d in m orta lity d urin g th e la st c en tu ry , th is declin e has little to do w ith th e “ad van cem en t” of our health -c are sy ste m . Rese arc h ers at H arv ard U niv ers ity an d B osto n U niv ers ity hav e dete rm in ed th at dru gs, v accin es a n d o th er m ed ic al m easu re s c o ntr ib ute d a m ere 1 to 3 .5 p erc en t to th e d eclin e in U .S . m orta lity s in ce th e tu rn o f th e c en tu ry . T his d ata a p peare d in a 1977 artic le (p ublis h ed in th e su m mer ed itio n of th e Milb ank M em oria l F und Quarte rly ), whic h co nclu ded th at in cre ase d lif e ex pecta n cy was due to im pro vem en ts in s a n ita tio n a n d liv in g c o nditio ns r a th er th an a d van ces in m ed ic in e. That v ie w w as su pporte d in a stu dy re p orte d in th e S ep te m ber 1 977 is su e o f th e Jo urn al o f th e A m eric a n M ed ic a l A sso cia tio n, co nclu din g th at “ th e m ost d ra m atic im pro vem en ts i n t h e h ealth o f o ur p eo ple a s a g ro up h av e b een f ro m c le an in g u p t h e wate r su pply : sa n ita tio n, n ot m ed ic al c are .” T he d eclin e in m orta lity is p rim arily attr ib uta b le to th e d eclin e in k ille r e p id em ic s su ch a s tu berc u lo sis , sc arle t fe v er, sm allp ox, d ip hth eria an d o th ers . T he d ev elo pm en t o f city se w er sy ste m s, w ate r purif ic atio n sy ste m s, p aste u riz atio n, re frig era tio n a n d fo od h ygie n e h av e d one fa r more t o p re v en t i n fe ctio us d is e ase t h an a ll m odern m ed ic al t r e atm en ts c o m bin ed . Watc h O ut f o r Y ou r D en tis t, T oo Den tis ts c o ntr ib ute to to xic lo ad s a n d c h ro nic d is e ase ju st lik e p hysic ia n s d o— prim arily th ro ugh th e u se o f lo cal a n esth etic s a n d to xic m eta ls ( m erc u ry a m alg am s an d m eta l c ro w ns). M erc u ry a m alg am s h av e b een in u se f o r m ore th an o ne h undre d years , a n d w e h av e a lw ay s b een t o ld t h ey a re s a fe . A “ silv er” a m alg am i s a ctu ally 5 0 perc en t m erc u ry , a n d t h is m erc u ry d oes n ot s ta y o nly i n y our m outh ; t h e m erc u ry i s ab so rb ed b y th e b ody a n d p ois o ns c ells . A lm ost e v ery one k now s th at le ad is to xic , an d le ad -b ase d p ain ts h av e b een o utla w ed s in ce th e 1 970s. N o o ne w ould th in k o f puttin g l e ad i n t h eir m outh a n d s u ck in g o n i t t w en ty -fo ur h ours a d ay, y et m erc u ry i s fiv e th ousa n d tim es m ore to xic th an le ad , a n d d en tis ts u se it in a m alg am s a s if it were h arm le ss. Sin ce 1988, th e E nvir o nm en ta l P ro te ctio n A gen cy has cla ssif ie d sc ra p den ta l am alg am s a s a h azard ous w aste . P uttin g a m alg am s d ow n t h e d ra in o r i n t h e t r a sh , o r bury in g th em in a la n dfill, is ille g al— but th e F D A s till s a y s th ey c an b e p ut in o ur mouth s! F ortu nate ly , th in gs a re c h an gin g. I n 1 992, th e G erm an g overn m en t b an ned th e s a le a n d m an ufa ctu re o f d en ta l a m alg am s. M eta l c ro w ns a re a n oth er p ro ble m , an d e v en “ p orc ela in ” c ro w ns a re u su ally m ad e w ith n ic k el— a to xic m eta l a n d a know n c arc in ogen . If y ou a lr e ad y h av e th ese to xic m eta ls im bed ded in to oth tis su e, c o nsid er h av in g th em r e m oved b ut o nly b y s o m eo ne h ig hly s k ille d i n s u ch r e m ovals . G old i s a h ig h- quality m eta l, a n d t h e o nly o ne a ccep ta b le f o r t h e m outh , b ut e v en g old i s n ot p erfe ct becau se it is m ix ed w ith o th er m eta ls to m ak e it h ard er. W hile n o p erfe ct d en ta l mate ria l is a v aila b le , n ew p la stic m ate ria ls , w hen p ro perly in sta lle d in f illin gs o r a s cro w ns, a p pear t o b e t h e m ost a ccep ta b le c h oic es f o r n ow . A s w ith a ll h ealth -re la te d pro ble m s, p re v en tio n is b est. E at a g ood d ie t, fre e o f re fin ed s u gar, a n d b e s u re to bru sh a n d f lo ss. B e p artic u la r a b out w hat t y pe o f t o oth paste , t o o ( s e e a p pen dix C ). In a d ditio n t o b ein g t o xic , p uttin g d if fe re n t m eta ls i n t h e m outh i n t h e p re se n ce o f sa liv a, w hic h is ele ctr ic ally co nductiv e, gen era te s su btle ele ctr ic al cu rre n ts th at co rro de th e m eta ls in th e m outh . O nce m eta ls b eg in to c o rro de a n d d eg ra d e, th ey beco m e bio lo gic ally activ e an d beg in cir c u la tin g aro und vario us bodily tis su es, le ad in g to to xic a ccu m ula tio n. In a d ditio n, th e su btle e le ctr ic al c u rre n ts c an a ls o affe ct o th er b ody fu nctio ns a n d c au se n um ero us p ro ble m s, in clu din g h earin g lo ss, in so m nia , a n d d if fic u ltie s w ith m em ory a n d c o ncen tr a tio n. Local a n esth etic s ( in clu din g l id ocain e) a re c o m monly u se d b y d en tis ts a n d m ay b e su bsta n tia l c o ntr ib uto rs t o o ur c an cer e p id em ic . T hese a n esth etic s b re ak d ow n i n t h e body in to c an cer-c au sin g c o m pounds c alle d a n ilin es. In 1 993, th e F D A fo und th at lid ocain e, w hen e x pose d to h um an tis su e, b re ak s d ow n in to 2 , 6 -d im eth yla n ilin e, a co m pound th at is k now n to c au se v ir tu ally e v ery k in d o f c an cer in a n im als , a n d it does s o m ore th an 9 9 p erc en t o f th e tim e. In S ep te m ber 1 996, a s a re su lt o f th ese fin din gs, th e FD A re m oved fro m th e m ark et all over-th e-c o unte r pain kille rs co nta in in g th ese lo cal a n esth etic s a n d r e q uir e d th at a w arn in g b e p la ced o n a ll n ew pre sc rip tio n p harm aceu tic als c o nta in in g th em . U nfo rtu nate ly , e x is tin g p re sc rip tio n an esth etic s w ere n ot r e q uir e d t o c arry t h e w arn in g, a n d m ost h ealth p ro fe ssio nals a re still u naw are o f t h is p ro ble m . Work w ith y our d en tis ts a n d d octo rs to m in im iz e e x posu re to lo cal a n esth etic s. Local an esth etic s are g iv en m ore o fte n th an n ecessa ry — usu ally fo r th e d en tis t’s co nven ie n ce. U se th ese pro ducts only w hen ab so lu te ly necessa ry , an d use th e min im um d ose n ecessa ry . D o n ot k eep re q uestin g m ore a n esth etic b ecau se o f th e fe ar o f “ n ot q uite b ein g n um b.” A lte rn ativ es i n clu de: a cu punctu re , h ypnosis , r u bbin g oil o f c lo ves o n t h e g um . The H ea le r W it h in Y ou rse lf Reg ard le ss of whic h m ed ic al tr e atm en ts you ch oose , unders ta n d how th e tr e atm en ts a ctu ally w ork a n d h ow th ey a ffe ct y our c ells . T re atm en ts d esig ned to optim iz e o r b ala n ce t h e f u nctio n o f y our c ells g en era lly a re s a fe r a n d m ore e ffe ctiv e th an tr e atm en ts d esig ned to m ask s y m pto m s. T ak e m ed ic in e o nly w hen y ou n eed it (y ou d efin ite ly w an t to q uestio n ta k in g d ru gs e v ery d ay a s a p art o f lif e ), a n d o nly afte r y ou h av e c o m pare d (a n d a tta in ed se co nd o pin io ns o n) b en efits a n d p ossib le sid e e ffe cts . R em em ber th at y ou a re in c h arg e a n d y ou m ust ta k e r e sp onsib ility f o r your o w n h ealth b y s u pportin g y our b ody’s n atu ra l a b ilitie s to re p air a n d re g ula te its e lf . Jo hn L ee, M .D ., w ro te i n h is 1 993 b ook, Optim al H ea lth G uid elin es: “G oin g t o t h e docto r th ese d ay s can b e ris k y b usin ess. In g en era tio ns p ast, th e b asic te n et o f med ic al c are w as ‘ P rim um n on n ocere ’ ( a b ove a ll, d o n o h arm ). T oday th at d ic tu m has b een m odif ie d to ‘d o a s little h arm a s p ossib le .’ E ven th at . . . is b eco m in g opera tio nally i m possib le . T he p atie n t m ust n ow l e arn t o l o ok o ut f o r h im se lf .” Physic ia n s d o h av e th eir p la ce, b ut o ne h as to k now w hat th at p la ce is . F or ex am ple , a n yone w ith a cu te h ealth p ro ble m s, s u ch a s a s tr o ke, a b le ed in g u lc er o r ch est p ain s, sh ould se ek im med ia te m ed ic al atte n tio n. H ow ev er, p eo ple w ho are su ffe rin g fro m c h ro nic d is e ase p ro ble m s (c an cer, h eart d is e ase , d ia b ete s, a rth ritis , hig h b lo od p re ssu re , d ep re ssio n an d so fo rth ) are b est ad vis e d to av oid m odern co nven tio nal m ed ic in e a n d to s e ek c o m pete n t a lte rn ativ e c are . T ra d itio nal h eale rs ty pic ally w ork ed to b ala n ce th e b ody, b oth p hysic ally an d en erg etic ally , th ere b y pro m otin g health . That re m ain s th e underly in g ap pro ach of m an y alte rn ativ e pra ctitio ners a n d a lte rn ativ e tr e atm en ts , in clu din g a g ro w in g n um ber o f e n lig hte n ed M.D .s , natu ro path s, hom eo path s, acu punctu ris ts , ch ir o pra cto rs , en erg y heale rs , massa g e t h era p is ts a n d o th ers . Conven tio nal m ed ic in e i s a p ow erfu l m oney m ak in g b ure au cra cy t h at i s i n cre d ib ly re sis ta n t to c h an ge, b ut th ere is a ls o a g ro w in g m ovem en t in th is c o untr y to p ass med ic al fre ed om la w s th at w ould b rin g m ore c o m petitio n a n d c re ativ ity in to th e med ic al m ark etp la ce. (P hysic ia n s w ould th en b e fre e to p urs u e tr e atm en ts th at a re not only sa fe , but m ore effe ctiv e, su ch as tr e atin g heart dis e ase w ith die t an d su pple m en ts ra th er th an s u rg ery ; tr e atin g c an cer w ith n utr itio n, d eto xif ic atio n a n d herb s; a n d tr e atin g str o ke w ith h yperb aric o xygen .) A bout h alf o f a ll p atie n ts in Am eric a n ow s e ek a t l e ast s o m e f o rm o f a lte rn ativ e t r e atm en t; p eo ple a re p uttin g t h e pow er of health in to th eir ow n han ds. This sta te m en t sh ould n’t su ggest th at alte rn ativ e t r e atm en ts a re a lw ay s s a fe a n d e ffe ctiv e— in deed , m an y a re n ot— but t h e gro w in g d is c o nte n t w ith o ur c o nven tio nal h ealth -c are s y ste m i s a r e ality t h at w e c an no lo nger ig nore . O ptim iz in g y our p ositio n o n th e med ic a l p ath w ay re q uir e s b ein g aw are o f th e h azard s o f m odern m ed ic in e a s w ell a s its m ir a cle s. Y ou, n ot y our docto r, a re r e sp onsib le f o r y our h ealth . 11 A S HIF T I N P ER SP E C TIV E “This patte rn of hig h re sis ta nce and fr e ed om fr o m deg en era tiv e d is e a se is se en w here ver p eo ple liv e b eyo nd th e re a ch o f m odern c iv iliz a tio n a nd a re n ot s u ffe rin g f r o m f a m in e.” Charle s M cG ee, M .D . How t o S urv iv e M odern T ech nolo gy P ers p ectiv e is ev ery th in g. B y re sh ap in g our unders ta n din g of dis e ase , w e are em pow ere d to cre ate health . A re you re ad y to ta k e ch arg e of your health an d ex perie n ce a s ta te o f w ell- b ein g t h at e v en y our d octo rs m ay d oubt i s p ossib le ? As y ou h av e r e ad t h is b ook, y ou h av e d is c o vere d w ay s i n w hic h y ou m ust c h an ge your lif e in o rd er to g et b ette r a n d in o rd er to s ta y w ell. P erh ap s y ou a re f ig htin g a dis e ase w ith little s u ccess, a n d n ow y ou s e e h ope. O r p erh ap s y ou h av e c o nsid ere d yours e lf “h ealth y,” only to re co gniz e th at your body alr e ad y is sh ow in g early warn in g s ig ns o f d is e ase . Do y ou h av e a g en era l fe elin g th at y our b ody is s tr u gglin g to k eep u p? A re y ou co nfu se d o r fru str a te d b y y our m ed ic al d octo rs o r th eir re co m men ded tr e atm en ts ? Are you dis tr e sse d by th e num ber of pre sc rip tio n dru gs or over-th e-c o unte r med ic in es y ou t a k e i n o rd er t o k eep g oin g, e v en i f y ou h av e n o s e n se y ou a re g ettin g bette r? A re y ou s u ffe rin g a v arie ty o f s y m pto m s t h at n o d octo r h as b een a b le t o h elp you w ith ? A re y ou m ak in g u nhealth fu l c h oic es in th e fo ods th at y ou e at, in th e pro ducts t h at y ou u se o n y ours e lf o r i n y our h om e, a n d i n o th er a sp ects o f y our l if e ? Befo re I g ot s o s ic k a n d a lm ost d ie d i n 1 985, I l iv ed a d if fe re n t l if e f ro m t h e l if e I liv e to day. I th ought I w as h ealth y a n d th at I w as liv in g a h ealth fu l lif e sty le ; in re ality I w as e n co ura g in g s ic k ness. I s u ffe re d f ro m a n um ber o f d is e ase s— a lle rg ie s, co ld s, f lu , to oth d ecay, jo in t p ain , a b dom in al p ain a n d f a tig ue. I w en t to p hysic ia n s an d d en tis ts . I to ok a n tib io tic s fo r in fe ctio ns, N SA ID s fo r p ain a n d a n tih is ta m in es fo r m y a lle rg ie s. I o ccasio nally to ok v ita m in s, b ut I d id so w him sic ally , w ith out co m mitm en t a n d c o nsis te n cy, a n d c erta in ly w ith out a sc ie n tif ic u nders ta n din g o f whic h v ita m in s I sh ould b e ta k in g a n d w hy. I a te m ost o f m y m eals in u psc ale re sta u ra n ts a n d s p are d n o e x pen se . M y f o od c h oic es, h ow ev er, w ere b ase d m ostly o n ta ste a n d e n jo ym en t. I n eith er k new m uch n or t h ought m uch a b out n utr itio n. When I d id d ev elo p d ig estiv e p ro ble m s a n d a lle rg ie s, I w as u naw are t h at m y f o od was c au sin g th e p ro ble m s o r th at it w ould b e p ossib le to a v oid th em if I p aid c lo se r atte n tio n t o w hat I a te . I a m n ow a w are o f m y a lle rg y t o d air y , b ut b ack t h en I a te i c e cre am , m ilk a n d o th er d air y p ro ducts a lm ost d aily . I d ev elo ped itc h y e y es, m ucu s an d s n eezin g f its a fte r I a te th em , b ut s till I d id n ot r e co gniz e th e c o nnectio n. I h ad gro w n a ccu sto m ed to th ese “ m in or n uis a n ces” a n d n ev er im ag in ed lif e c o uld b e s o much b ette r w ith out t h em . I u se d to e at fa r to o m uch m eat a n d d air y — at o ne o r tw o m eals e v ery d ay — unaw are th at m ost o f th e p estic id es w e a re e x pose d to h av e b io accu m ula te d in th e an im al pro ducts w e co nsu m e. A lth ough I don’t re co m men d a m eat- fre e die t, I re co m men d e atin g m eat o nly a fe w tim es a w eek a n d o nly th at w hic h h as b een org an ic ally p ro duced . T he a n im al p ro ducts I c o nsu m ed b ack th en c o ntr ib ute d to m y to xic lo ad , a s d id th e v olu m es o f s u gar, w hite flo ur a n d p ro cesse d o ils th at w ere a re g ula r p art o f m y d ie t. I n a d ditio n, b oth a s a g ra d uate r e se arc h a ssis ta n t a t M IT a n d in m y fir s t jo b as a ch em is t, I w as ex pose d to ex tr a o rd in ary am ounts o f to xic ch em ic als . C hem ic als t h at a re u se d t o day o nly i n s m all a m ounts a n d w ith p ro te ctiv e eq uip m en t w e u se d to s lo sh a ro und in th e la b a s if th ey w ere w ate r. B ack th en , w e were u naw are o f th e f u ll e x te n t o f th eir to xic ity , a n d th e m an ufa ctu re rs w ere in n o ru sh t o s tu dy t h e t o xic itie s. My d is c o verie s a b out h ealth a n d d is e ase sa v ed m y lif e a n d c h an ged m y lif e — fo re v er. I le arn ed to re co gniz e w hic h fo ods h arm ed m y h ealth . I le arn ed to lis te n to m y body’s o w n w arn in g s ig ns. I l e arn ed h ow t o a v oid g ettin g s ic k a n d h ow t o a ccele ra te re co very . I l e arn ed h ow t o g et w ell a n d s ta y w ell. Sin ce m y r e co very i n 1 987, I h av e r a re ly b een s ic k . A t a g e s ix ty -fiv e, I h av e m ore en erg y, v ita lity a n d h ealth th an I d id tw en ty y ears a g o. I h av e ta k en n o m ed ic atio ns —neith er a p re sc rip tio n d ru g n or a n o ver-th e-c o unte r p ro duct— in t h e p ast s e v en te en years . N eith er h av e I r e q uir e d t h e s e rv ic es o f a p hysic ia n i n t h at t im e. I a m n o l o nger deb ilita te d b y m y a lle rg ie s. If I d o g et s ic k , I k now w hat I c an d o to im pro ve m y situ atio n. O n th e ra re o ccasio n th at I d o c o m e d ow n w ith a c o ld , I ta k e p le n ty o f hig h-q uality v ita m in C , a n d th e c o ld v an is h es in a m atte r o f hours ra th er th an a fte r day s o r w eek s o f m is e ry . The l ig htn in g b olt t h at s p ark ed t h ese m assiv e c h an ges i n m y l if e a n d w hic h g uid es my lif e to day w as a r a d ic al c h an ge in m y p ers p ectiv e. I n ow s e e h ealth a s a c h oic e, en tir e ly w ith in m y c o ntr o l. I o ptim iz e m y c h oic es a lo ng a ll s ix p ath w ay s a n d I a v oid dis e ase . I sh un “m odern m ed ic in e,” pre sc rip tio n dru gs an d oth er tr a d itio nal tr e atm en ts b ecau se I re co gniz e th at th ey tr e at th e s y m pto m s a n d n ot th e c au se s o f dis e ase . F urth er - m ore , m odern m ed ic al t r e atm en ts d o h arm . Becau se I a m a b le to k eep m y h ealth in b ala n ce, I d o n ot n eed d ru gs, m ed ic al tr e atm en ts or docto rs . I eat a w id e varie ty of fre sh org an ic fo ods, eith er fro m fa rm ers ’ m ark ets o r h ealth fo od s to re s. M y fa v orite s in clu de a p ple s, ra w n uts a n d fre sh v eg eta b le s u se d to m ak e s a la d s. I e at a n im al p ro te in a fe w tim es p er w eek , usu ally d eep -w ate r o cean fis h (n ot fa rm ed ), o rg an ic ally p ro duced p oultr y (w ith out an tib io tic s a n d h orm ones) a n d o rg an ic e g gs. I d rin k b ottle d w ate r d eliv ere d in g la ss bottle s. I su pple m en t m y d ie t w ith e sse n tia l fa tty a cid s a n d I a v oid h ydro gen ate d oils . O n r a re o ccasio ns I d o h av e d esse rts , b ut e v en th en I a v oid c o m mon a lle rg en s lik e dair y . I defin ite ly do not su ccu m b to th e daily afte r-d in ner “sw eet to oth .” Refin ed s u gar h as b een a lm ost c o m ple te ly c u t o ut o f m y lif e b ecau se it is s o v ery dan gero us. I av oid all co rn an d co rn pro ducts becau se co rn is now gen etic ally co nta m in ate d a s w ell a s o fte n b ein g m old y. I m in im iz e w hite p ota to es a n d h av e co m ple te ly e lim in ate d f re n ch f rie s b ecau se th ey a re o ne o f th e m ost to xic f o ods w e eat. I ta k e a v arie ty o f h ig h-q uality su pple m en ts , in clu din g a m in o a cid s (p rio r to meals ), multiv ita m in s, ex tr a calc iu m /m ag nesiu m , vita m in E, querc itin an d co en zy m e Q 10. I a ls o t a k e d ig estiv e e n zy m es w ith m y m eals . In m y h om e I h av e n atu ra l- fib er c arp ets , I h av e a f ilte r o n m y s h ow er to r e m ove th e c h lo rin e, a n d I r e p la ced m y g as-fir e d w ate r h eate r w ith a n e le ctr ic u nit. O n m y body I u se o nly to oth paste , s h am poo a n d s o ap th at d o n ot h av e s y nth etic fo am in g ag en ts , sta b iliz ers , pre se rv ativ es, co lo rs or fra g ra n ces. For ex erc is e I do daily re b oundin g, w alk in g or hik in g. D urin g w eek ly vis its to th e gym , I do gen tle weig htlif tin g, tr e ad m ill, b ic y clin g, a n d a b so lu te ly a s a u na a fte rw ard to d eto xif y . I keep m y sp ir its u p b y h av in g p urp ose in m y lif e , b ein g e x cite d a b out w hat I a m doin g a n d h av in g p eo ple i n m y l if e t h at I c are a b out. I t e ach a s m an y a s I c an h ow t o be h ealth y. A ll o f th e f a cto rs b rin g a s e n se o f p urp ose a n d e n co ura g em en t. I liv e in th e p re se n t a n d i n t h e f u tu re , a n d I d o n ot d w ell o n t h e p ast. I f I h ad o nly o ne d ay l e ft to l iv e, I w ould w an t t o b e e x cite d a b out l iv in g t h at d ay . Gettin g S ic k I s H ard er T han S ta yin g W ell You m ay w onder i f y ou h av e t h e a b ility , t h e e n erg y a n d t h e r e so lv e t o m ak e t h ese kin ds o f lif e c h an ges y ours e lf . Y ou d o. B ut c h an ge is d if fic u lt, e sp ecia lly in th e beg in nin g. A s I w as r e fo rm in g m y lif e , I h ad to m ak e a lo t o f a d ju stm en ts . W hat I know fo r c erta in is th at h ealth p ro ble m s a re m uch h ard er to liv e w ith th an th ese so lu tio ns. W hen I re co gniz e th at so m eth in g I e at, so m eth in g I d o o r so m eth in g I ex pose m yse lf to w ill m ak e m e sic k , I sim ply d o n ot w an t it an ym ore . It tr u ly beco m es t h at e asy . Y ou n eed t o b eco m e a l e ad er, h ow ev er, a s t h ose a ro und y ou m ay ad d p re ssu re o r d is tr a ctio n. If th e p eo ple y ou liv e w ith o r w ork w ith are eatin g unhealth fu l d ie ts , y ou m ust b e t h e o ne t o s e t a d if fe re n t e x am ple . Peo ple o fte n a sk m e i f I m is s s o m e o f t h e “ b ad ” t h in gs. N o, I d on’t. T aste s c h an ge. New ta ste s c an b e a cq uir e d in a f e w w eek s, a n d o ld o nes c an b e lo st. I u se d to lo ve file t m ig non, b ut a fte r n ot e atin g it fo r te n y ears , I lo st m y ta ste fo r it. I h ad a fa n ta stic f ile t m ig non a c o uple o f y ears a g o, a n d I d id n’t l ik e i t. Peo ple a ls o o fte n a sk m e w heth er t h is h ealth y l if e sty le c o sts m ore t h an s o m e m ay be a b le to a ffo rd . I h av e fo und, a ctu ally , th at e atin g a h ealth y d ie t c o sts le ss th an eatin g a p oor d ie t. I t c o sts a l o t m ore t o m ak e y ours e lf s ic k . P eo ple r e g ula rly t e ll m e th at th ey c u t th eir fo od b udgets in h alf b y im pro vin g th eir d ie ts . O rg an ic fru its , veg eta b le s, b ean s, g ra in s a n d u npro cesse d o ils m ay b e m ore e x pen siv e th an th eir nonorg an ic c o unte rp arts , b ut i n t h e e n d a d ie t m ad e u p o f h ealth fu l f o ods i s c h eap er. Consid er w hat y ou p ay f o r o rg an ic w hole g ra in s p er p ound v ers u s w hat y ou p ay f o r pack ag ed b re ak fa st c ere al p er p ound, a n d y ou w ill re aliz e q uic k ly th at u nhealth fu l pro cesse d fo ods are m uch m ore ex pen siv e. D ead ly , m ak e-b elie v e fo ods lik e ic e cre am , co la drin ks an d pota to ch ip s are ex pen siv e, pro vid e little nutr itio n an d dam ag e y our c ells . N ot p urc h asin g th em s a v es y our m oney a n d y our h ealth . E ven when a h ealth fu l c h oic e d oes c o st m ore , th e p urc h ase is w ell w orth th e in vestm en t becau se b ein g sic k is very ex pen siv e. T he sa m e h old s tr u e fo r su pple m en ts . T he most e x pen siv e s u pple m en t o f a ll i s o ne t h at d oesn ’t w ork , n o m atte r h ow l ittle y ou pay f o r i t. H ig h-q uality s u pple m en ts c o st m ore , b ut t h ey d eliv er t h e m ost n utr ie n ts t o your c ells . M ost c h eap v ita m in s d o n oth in g, o r a lm ost n oth in g, a n d m an y c o nta in to xin s; m an y v ita m in p ro ducts c au se b oth d efic ie n cy a n d t o xic ity . Anoth er im porta n t in vestm en t in h ealth is to s p en d a little m ore o n p ers o nal c are an d hom e-c are pro ducts th at do not harm your body. In m ak in g se le ctio ns of to oth paste , sh am poo, d eo dora n ts , sk in c re am s a n d c o sm etic s, th e m ost im porta n t crite rio n is th at y our b ody n ot b e h arm ed . S ele ctin g o rg an ic fo ods is n ot g ood en ough; y ou m ust a ls o s e le ct s a fe p ro ducts . If a p ro duct c a nnot b e in geste d w ith out p ois o nin g y o u, th en it is n ot s a fe e n ough to p ut o n y o ur s k in o r y o ur h air o r y o ur t e eth . Look a t t h e s w allo w in g w arn in gs o n a ty pic al tu be o f to oth paste . (C onsu lt a p pen dix C fo r sa fe b ra n ds o f to oth paste a n d oth er p ro ducts .) T he s a d tr u th is th at m ost p ers o nal- c are p ro ducts a re to xic ; th ose to xin s b io accu m ula te i n y our b ody a n d c au se d is e ase . Look a t Y ou r H ea lt h i n a N ew W ay The p ers p ectiv e w e h av e to c h an ge is th e w ay w e lo ok a t a n d e v alu ate o ur o w n health . If you are goin g to so lv e your ow n health pro ble m s, you m ust fir s t ack now le d ge t h ey e x is t. W e a ll g ro w u p t h in kin g t h at h ealth i s a g iv en , u ntil w e “ g et sic k .” Rath er th an b ein g s ta tic , h ow ev er, h ealth is a s lid in g s c ale , a n d o ur p ositio n a n d dir e ctio n o n t h at s c ale c an c h an ge o n a d aily b asis . T his i s w hy w e n eed t o l e arn h ow to e v alu ate o ur o w n h ealth , in a m ean in gfu l a n d o ngoin g w ay, s o a s to a v oid le ttin g ours e lv es d ete rio ra te t o t h e p oin t w here w e b eco m e s ic k . As I w as g ra d ually l o sin g m y h ealth , n o o ne t o ld m e I w as s ic k . I n f a ct, I w as t o ld th e opposite . A t m y perio dic physic al ex am s m y physic ia n s pro nounced m e in perfe ct h ealth , e v en th ough I h ad r e q uir e d m an y f illin gs in m y te eth a n d I s u ffe re d fro m a s e rio us im mune d efic ie n cy d is e ase , n am ely fro m a s e aso nal a lle rg y c alle d “h ay fe v er.” E ach y ear I s u ffe re d fro m o ne o r m ore c o ld s a n d e v ery s e v era l y ears fro m a b out o f flu . I w as le d to b elie v e, h ow ev er, th at to oth d ecay, c o ld s, flu a n d alle rg ie s a re a ll n orm al a n d t h at I w as h ealth y. The fa ct is n o o ne sh ould h av e to oth d ecay, co ld s, flu , alle rg ie s o r an y o th er dis e ase . If y ou d o h av e an y o f th ese p ro ble m s, y ou are ex perie n cin g su bsta n tia l am ounts o f c ellu la r m alf u nctio n a n d y ou a re s ic k . L iv in g w ith e v en th at a m ount o f cellu la r m alf u nctio n s h orte n s y our lif e a n d m ak es y ou s u sc ep tib le to a h ost o f o th er dis e ase p ro ble m s. U nle ss y ou d o so m eth in g d if fe re n t, y our h ealth w ill o nly g et wors e w ith t im e, n ot b ette r. Hea lth c a nnot b e i m pro ved b y c o ntin uin g t o d o t h e s a m e th in gs t h at m ade y o u s ic k. Now i s t h e t im e t o m ak e h ealth y our r e sp onsib ility . How t o R ea d t h e W arn in g S ig n s We a ll n eed to le arn h ow to r e ad th e b ody’s s ig nals s o th at w e c an e v alu ate o ur ow n h ealth an d h ealth d eclin e. Our b ody te lls u s w hen it is h avin g tr o uble ; o ur pro ble m i s t h at w e d on’t l is te n . Subtle s ig nals a re i g nore d u ntil t h e p ro ble m b eco m es se rio us e n ough t o d em an d a tte n tio n. How h ealth y a re y ou? O fte n th e w arn in g sig ns a re e v id en t in y our a p peara n ce; sim ply p ut, y ou d on’t lo ok w ell. In a d ditio n, y ou s h ould a sk y ours e lf w heth er y ou are e x perie n cin g • F atig ue • A ch es a n d p ain s • S kin p ro ble m s • A lle rg ie s • D ig estio n t r o uble s • S le ep d if fic u ltie s • S usc ep tib ility t o i n fe ctio ns • W eig ht i s su es • M ood, t h ought o r b eh av io r p ro ble m s These w arn in g s ig ns a p pear in w ay s th at a re u su ally e asily r e co gniz ed . C onsid er in div id ually t h e s ig ns l is te d . Appea ra n ce The b ody g iv es o ff v is u al s ig nals , a n d w e c an l e arn t o r e co gniz e t h em . I r e m em ber once s e ein g a f rie n d a n d th in kin g, He d oesn ’t lo ok w ell. Not lo ng th ere afte r, h e w as dia g nose d w ith b ra in c an cer. H ow m an y t im es h av e w e l o oked a t o th ers a n d r e aliz ed th at t h ey d id n’t l o ok w ell? B efo re I t o ok s ic k , m y f a m ily t h ought I l o oked p ale . A re you p ale ? A re th ere d ark c ir c le s u nder y our e y es? A re th ere w rin kle s o n y our f a ce? Is y our h air g ra y in g? H ow w ell d o y ou m ove? A re y ou w ell- c o ord in ate d ? A re y our ey es d ull? A ppeara n ce m atte rs , it is e asy to c h eck , a n d it s h ould b e c h eck ed o n a re g ula r b asis . Energ y L ev el Fatig ue is p ro bab ly th e m ost c o m mon c o m pla in t m ad e to d octo rs in o ur s o cie ty becau se e n erg y p ro ductio n a t th e c ellu la r le v el is o ne o f th e f ir s t th in gs a ffe cte d a s our c ells m alf u nctio n a n d b eco m e d is e ase d . I f y ou d o n ot h av e th e e n erg y y ou u se d to h av e, a g in g i s n ot t h e p ro ble m . Y ou a re g ettin g s ic k er. Rem em ber th e b oundle ss e n erg y th at h ealth y p eo ple lik e th e H unzas h ad ? T hey perfo rm ed physic al fe ats su ch as tr a v elin g six ty m ile s in one day on fo ot, in mounta in ous te rra in , a n d re tu rn in g lo okin g a s th ough th ey h ad g one fo r a c asu al walk . C ontr a st t h is t o t h e f a tig ue s o m an y o f u s f e el d urin g t h e d ay, p erh ap s n eed in g se v era l c u ps o f c o ffe e ju st to k eep g oin g. E ven m an y o f o ur te en ag ers s tr u ggle w ith fa tig ue. Skin P ro b le m s Our sk in is a b aro m ete r o f o vera ll h ealth , b ut w e a re ta u ght to th in k o f a sk in pro ble m as ju st th at, a sk in p ro ble m . T his is o utm oded . L ik e an y d is e ase , sk in pro ble m s a re th e re su lt o f s y ste m ic c ellu la r m alf u nctio n. W e m ay n otic e it in th e sk in , b ut t h e p ro ble m i s l ik ely a ffe ctin g e v ery c ell i n t h e b ody. T he p ro per s o lu tio n i s not t o u se p ro ducts l ik e a c o rtis o ne o in tm en t, b ut t o r e sto re t h e c ells t o g ood h ealth . If y our sk in is d ry , fla k y, ir rita te d , itc h y, th in , h as lo st its ela stic ity , o r if y ou dev elo p s k in l e sio ns o f a n y k in d, y ou a re n ot h ealth y. Alle rg ie s Alle rg ie s a re n ot n orm al, a n d t h ey d o l o ng-la stin g d am ag e t o t h e b ody. E nhan cin g th e h ealth o f y our c ells c an e lim in ate a lle rg ie s. M illio ns o f A m eric an s s u ffe r f ro m ru nny n ose s, sn eezin g, itc h in g o f th e e y es, sin us p ro ble m s, h ead ach es, a b dom in al pain , d ia rrh ea, s k in r a sh es a n d n um ero us o th er p ro ble m s a s a r e su lt o f a lle rg ie s a n d se n sitiv itie s to fo ods, p olle n s, c h em ic als a n d o th er s u bsta n ces in o ur e n vir o nm en t. We te n d to lo ok u pon th ese re actio ns a s “ b en ig n” in co nven ie n ces ra th er th an th e sy m pto m s o f a b ody o ut o f b ala n ce. A lle rg ie s s h ould b e lo oked u pon a s a s e rio us acq uir e d im mune d ysfu nctio n sy ndro m e a n d tr e ate d b y im pro vin g c ellu la r h ealth an d s tr e n gth en in g t h e i m mune s y ste m . Do y ou s n eeze, d ev elo p a r u nny n ose o r h av e itc h y e y es a fte r e atin g a m eal? A re your f in gers s o m etim es s w olle n s o t h at i t i s d if fic u lt t o t a k e o ff o r p ut o n a r in g? D o you get lo ose sto ols afte r eatin g certa in fo ods? A ll of th ese an d m ore can be sy m pto m s o f a lle rg ic r e actio ns. A b ody w ith a lle rg ie s i s n ot c ry in g o ut f o r o ver-th e- co unte r or pre sc rip tio n an tih is ta m in es, but fo r so lv in g th e pro ble m s of cellu la r malf u nctio n. L ik e a n y o th er “ d is e ase ,” a lle rg ie s c an b e b oth p re v en te d a n d r e v ers e d by re sto rin g n orm al fu nctio n to th e c ells in y our im mune sy ste m . B y w ork in g to min im iz e th e d efic ie n cy an d to xic ity o f m y cells , I w en t fro m b ein g alle rg ic to vir tu ally e v ery th in g— c alle d a “ u niv ers a l r e acto r” — to l iv in g a n orm al l if e . Dig estio n T ro u ble s Do y ou h av e p ro ble m s s u ch a s i n dig estio n, i n ab ility t o e at a w id e v arie ty o f f o ods, in te stin al cra m ps, ab dom in al blo atin g, ex cess gas, dia rrh ea, co nstip atio n, acid re flu x, lo w e n erg y, slo w w ound h ealin g, o r d if fic u lty c o ncen tr a tin g a n d th in kin g quic k ly a n d c le arly ? G ood d ig estio n i s a f o undatio n f o r a ch ie v in g p eak p erfo rm an ce an d o ptim al h ealth . Y et d ig estiv e p ro ble m s a re e p id em ic in o ur so cie ty a n d th ey pre v en t m illio ns o f p eo ple f ro m l iv in g t h e h ealth y, p ro ductiv e l iv es t h ey w ould l ik e. Most o f o ur d ig estiv e p ro ble m s a re th e d ir e ct re su lt o f p oor d ie ts , to xic e x posu re , la ck o f ex erc is e , u nre so lv ed str e ss, an d o ver-th e-c o unte r an d p re sc rip tio n d ru gs. Dig estiv e p ro ble m s a re m ore s e rio us t h an p eo ple i m ag in e, f o r if y o u a re n ot p ro perly dig estin g y o ur fo od a nd a ssim ila tin g its n utr ie n ts , y o u w ill g et sic k, g uara nte ed . Poor d ig estio n i s a p erfe ct p re sc rip tio n f o r d efic ie n cy a n d t o xic ity , t h e t w o c au se s o f dis e ase . Heartb urn , b lo atin g, g as a n d o th er d ig estiv e p ro ble m s s h ould n ot j u st b e t r e ate d b y an ta cid s a n d o th er m ed ic atio ns, a n d th en fo rg otte n . T hese p ro ble m s a re a w ak e-u p call th at o ne o f o ur m ajo r b ody s y ste m s is n ot w ork in g r ig ht. A b ette r s o lu tio n is to ch ew y our fo od w ell, d o p ro per fo od co m bin in g, sta y aw ay fro m fo ods y ou are alle rg ic to , ta k e pro bio tic s an d dig estiv e en zy m es, an d ex erc is e re g ula rly . Antib io tic s m ay b e th e le ad in g c au se o f d ig estiv e p ro ble m s, a n d th ese d an gero us dru gs s h ould b e a v oid ed f o r t h at r e aso n a lo ne. Sle ep D if fic u lt ie s Sle ep i s c ritic al t o h ealth , b ut f e w o f u s s le ep a n a d eq uate a m ount, a n d a g ro w in g num ber of peo ple su ffe r fro m vario us sle ep dis o rd ers , su ch as dis tu rb ed sle ep patte rn s an d in so m nia . M uch o f th e tim e sle ep p ro ble m s are sy m pto m s th at th e horm ones a n d c h em ic als th e b ody u se s to c o pe w ith s tr e ss a re b ein g d ep le te d . T he physic al co nse q uen ces o f in ad eq uate sle ep h av e a n eg ativ e effe ct o n h ealth an d perfo rm an ce. Health y p eo ple l ik e t h e H unzas w en t t o b ed w hen i t g ot d ark a n d w oke u p w ith t h e su n. T ry to g o to b ed a t th e s a m e tim e e v ery n ig ht a n d w ak e u p a t th e s a m e tim e ev ery m orn in g, e v en o n w eek en ds. G iv in g th e b ody a d eq uate a n d re g ula r re st is im porta n t t o m ain ta in in g g ood h ealth . Susc ep tib ilit y t o I n fe ctio n Cold s a n d f lu a re n ot j u st i n co nven ie n ces; t h ey a re a la rm b ells t e llin g u s t h at a ll i s not w ell. W hile s e en a s a m in or illn ess, e ach c o ld d oes p erm an en t d am ag e to th e body, c au sin g u s to a g e p re m atu re ly . Y et m illio ns o f A m eric an s s u ffe r fo ur to s ix co ld s per year, so m etim es ta k in g w eek s to re so lv e. H ealth y peo ple do not get in fe ctio ns, a n d, i f t h ey d o, t h ey r e co ver f ro m t h em v ery q uic k ly . Y ou m ay r e call t h at th e h ealth y H unzas n ev er su ffe re d fro m c o ld s, a n d th at th e 1 33-y ear-o ld m an in Vilc ab am ba h ad s u ffe re d o nly s e v era l c o ld s in 1 33 y ears , n ot s e v era l in o ne y ear a s man y o f u s d o. A c o ld o r flu th at lin gers is fu rth er p ro of o f w id esp re ad c ellu la r malf u nctio n. If p eo ple a ro und y o u a re sic k, w orry a bout str e n gth en in g y o ur o w n im munity , n ot a bout h id in g fr o m g erm s. Build in g im munity is a lo ng-te rm p ro je ct; re actin g in a n e m erg en cy s itu atio n w hen y ou f e el s ic k ness c o m in g o n is s o m eth in g els e . H ere a re i d eas o f h ow t o a cco m plis h b oth : To p re v en t c o ld s, t a k e p le n ty o f v ita m in C ( 4 ,0 00 t o 6 ,0 00 m g/d ay ). I f y ou a re s ic k alr e ad y, ta k e v ita m in C to b ow el to le ra n ce, w hic h m ean s ta k in g it u p to th e p oin t where y ou b eg in g ettin g ex cessiv e g as o r d ia rrh ea an d th en b ack in g o ff. B ow el to le ra n ce w ill d if fe r d ep en din g o n w ho y ou a re a n d w hat y our s ta te o f h ealth is . I f I fe el a c o ld c o m in g o n, I p ut 3 ,0 00 m g o f v ita m in C in a g la ss o f w ate r a n d d rin k it dow n e v ery th ir ty to s ix ty m in ute s. I n a m atte r o f h ours , th e c o ld w ill b e g one. B - vita m in s a re im porta n t, a s a re z in c a n d h ig h-q uality c o d liv er o il. O liv e le af e x tr a ct can als o be help fu l; it is a pow erfu l natu ra l an tib io tic . A nd, of co urs e , av oid dam ag in g y our im munity w ith s u gar, w hite f lo ur, p oor d ig estio n, p re sc rip tio n d ru gs or a n yth in g t h at y ou a re a lle rg ic t o . Weig h t P ro b le m s Som e p eo ple th in k b ein g o verw eig ht is m ore o f a f a sh io n c o ncern th an a s e rio us dis e ase . M an y peo ple attr ib ute w eig ht pro ble m s to “g en etic s,” sa y in g th at su ch pro ble m s r u n in th eir f a m ily . T he tr u th is th at b ein g o verw eig ht is a s ig n th at c ells are m alf u nctio nin g. O fte n , a n a d dic tio n to su gar is p art o f th e p ro ble m , a n d th is pro ble m need s to be tr e ate d lik e an y oth er ad dic tio n. P ro per die t an d lif e sty le ch an ges th at im pro ve cellu la r health are vir tu ally guara n te ed to so lv e w eig ht pro ble m s. O verw eig ht p atie n ts n eed to h eal th eir c ells , ju st lik e c an cer p atie n ts a n d heart d is e ase p atie n ts . W ors e , w eig ht p ro ble m s a re fre q uen tly th e p re lu de to m ore se rio us c h ro nic d is e ase s. Mood , T hou gh t o r B eh avio ra l P ro b le m s The a b ility t o t h in k q uic k ly a n d c le arly — to c o ncen tr a te , l e arn a n d r e m em ber— are th e b en efits o f h ealth y cells an d a h ealth y b ody. A p ro ble m w ith an y o f th ese in dic ate s defic ie n cy an d to xic ity at th e cellu la r le v el, usu ally th e re su lt of in ap pro pria te d ie ts , e n vir o nm en ta l to xin s, la ck o f e x erc is e a n d u nre so lv ed str e ss. Bra in c ells f u nctio n n orm ally w hen th ey h av e a ll th e n utr itio n th ey n eed a n d d o n ot hav e t o xin s t h at i n te rfe re w ith t h em . The p ers o n w ho f lie s o ff t h e h an dle w ith l ittle p ro vocatio n i s o fte n s e en a s h av in g a p artic u la r p ers o nality ty pe. T he s a m e f o r th ose w ho h av e p ro ble m s g ettin g a lo ng with o th ers o r w ork in g o ut c o nflic ts i n a c alm a n d r a tio nal m an ner. M ost o f t h e t im e, how ev er, th ese p ro ble m s p oin t b ack to th e s a m e tw o c au se s o f d is e ase : d efic ie n cy an d to xic ity . W e are cu rre n tly ex perie n cin g an unpre ced en te d ep id em ic of dep re ssio n, l e arn in g d is a b ilitie s, v io le n t b eh av io r a n d o th er t y pes o f m en ta l d is e ase . Man y o f th ese “ m en ta l” p ro ble m s a ctu ally r e su lt f ro m th e f a ct th at th e f u nctio n o f our bra in s an d nerv ous sy ste m s has nev er been m ore co m pro m is e d . W ors e , physic ia n s u su ally tr y to “so lv e” th ese p ro ble m s b y g iv in g th ose afflic te d to xic , min d-a lte rin g c h em ic als . Build in g a B ette r Y ou Now th at y ou h av e a se n se o f y our sta te o f h ealth a n d h av e p erh ap s id en tif ie d so m e e arly w arn in g s ig ns o f d is e ase , s ta rt t o b uild t h e f o undatio n o f a n ew l if e sty le : • K eep a f o od d ia ry f o r a w eek , w ritin g d ow n e v ery th in g y ou e at a n d d rin k. H ow much o f y our d ie t i s e ate n r a w ? D o y ou b uy t r u ly f re sh , o rg an ic v eg eta b le s a n d fru its ? Is th e m eat y ou e at tr e ate d w ith a n tib io tic s a n d h orm ones? D o su gar, white flo ur, d air y p ro ducts a n d p ro cesse d o ils b og d ow n y our d ie t? D o y ou co m bin e th e w ro ng fo ods to geth er a t a m eal? Is th e fo od y ou b uy g en etic ally modif ie d ? • K eep tr a ck o f th e a m ount a n d k in d o f e x erc is e , m ovem en t, o r o th er p hysic al stim ula tio n ( s a u nas, e tc .) y ou p artic ip ate i n d urin g t h e w eek . • C onsid er th e p ro ducts y ou u se o n y our b ody: A re th e in gre d ie n ts in y our deo dora n t, t o oth paste , s h am poo, m ak eu p a n d s k in c re am n atu ra l a n d n onto xic ? • T ak e a lo ok a t th e p ro ducts y ou u se to c le an y our h ouse . C onsid er, to o, th e fu rn is h in gs, in clu din g y our ru gs. L is t th e so urc es o f em is sio ns w ith in y our house , i n clu din g y our c arp ets , f u rn ace, h ot- w ate r h eate r a n d s to ve. • C onsid er th e w ay s in w hic h so cia l co nnectio ns, w ork an d co m munity in volv em en t n urtu re y ou, o r f a il t o d o s o . • T ak e s to ck o f t h e s tr e ss i n y our l if e . • T hin k a b out t h e d octo rs y ou v is it, t h e t r e atm en ts o r t e sts t h at y ou a p pro ve o f, th e m ed ic in es th at y ou ta k e. A re th ey d oin g y ou m ore h arm th an g ood? A re your docto rs an d your m ed ic al tr e atm en ts ad dre ssin g all your path w ay s to health , o r i s t h eir f o cu s n arro w a n d i n co m ple te ? • D o y ou ta k e v ita m in s o r o th er s u pple m en ts c o nsis te n tly , a n d a re th ey o f h ig h quality ? D o th ey c o nta in c h eap , in effe ctiv e in gre d ie n ts s u ch a s c arb onate s a n d oxid es, o r t o xin s s u ch a s a rtif ic ia l c o lo rs ? Each of th ese ch oic es is part of an ongoin g pro cess of pro m otin g— or an ta g oniz in g— your h ealth . K eep tr a ck o f a ll s ix p ath w ay s a n d d o y our b est a lo ng each o f t h em , a ll t h e t im e. D oin g a g re at j o b f o r a w eek a n d t h en f o rg ettin g a b out i t is p oin tle ss. T ra ck t h e p ro cess— th ere i s n o e n dgam e, n o c h eck m ate t o s e ek — th ere i s only pro cess. Eith er y o u a re g oin g a bout th e p ro cess o f g ettin g w ell a nd sta yin g well, o r y o u a re g oin g a bout th e p ro cess o f g ettin g s ic ker. Keep tr y in g n ew th in gs until y ou d is c o ver w hat w ork s f o r y ou. Afte r y ou h av e id en tif ie d s o m e o f th e p ro ble m s in y our lif e sty le — way s in w hic h your b ody i s b eco m in g d efic ie n t o r w ay s i n w hic h t o xin s t h re ate n y ou— beg in t o day to m ak e c h an ges. • M ak e s u re a t l e ast s o m e a n d p re fe ra b ly m ost o f y our d ie t i s e ate n r a w . B uy a t le ast s o m e o rg an ic f re sh f ru its a n d v eg eta b le s, a s w ell a s o rg an ic ally p ro duced meat. C ut d ow n o r e lim in ate th e B ig F our: s u gar, w hite flo ur, d air y p ro ducts an d p ro cesse d o ils . • Pra ctic e tip s fo r pro per fo od co m bin in g an d effe ctiv e fo od pre p ara tio n meth ods t o e n su re y ou a re g ettin g t h e b est n utr itio n f ro m t h e f o od t h at y ou b uy. • B eg in t a k in g h ig h-q uality n utr itio nal s u pple m en ts . • M ak e e x erc is e a n d m ovem en t a p art o f e v ery d ay . • N urtu re y our so cia l a n d fa m ily c o nnectio ns. M ak e a p la n a n d th en m ak e a co ncerte d e ffo rt t o m ak e i t h ap pen . • Id en tif y th e d ru gs y ou ta k e (m ed ic al o r re cre atio nal) , a n d b eg in to im ag in e how w ell y ou m ig ht f u nctio n w ith out t h em . A R ad ic a l S hif t i n P ersp ectiv e As y ou c o nsid er y our lif e sty le a n d id en tif y th e a re as th at m ust c h an ge, ta k e a clo se l o ok a t y our o vera ll p ers p ectiv e o n h ealth a n d d is e ase . H ealth i s s o m eth in g w e all w an t, y et s o fe w o f u s g iv e it s e rio us th ought u ntil w e g et s ic k . T hat a p pro ach does n ot w ork . T he p ra ctic al n ew s y ste m f o r c h oosin g h ealth p re se n te d in th is b ook is d if fe re n t f ro m t y pic al a p pro ach es. T his n ew w ay t o “ se e” h ealth a n d d is e ase i s s o sim ple it e m pow ers th e in div id ual to ta k e c h arg e. T hat e m pow erm en t c an h elp to en d our cu rre n t ep id em ic of ch ro nic an d deg en era tiv e dis e ase , dra m atic ally im pro vin g t h e h ealth o f o ur p eo ple . As I h av e t o ld y ou, o ne o f t h e f ir s t p eo ple w hose p ers p ectiv e I h elp ed c h an ge w as my b ro th er, d ia g nose d in 1 991 w ith a d van ced p ro sta te c an cer. T he s p ecia lis t w ho mad e t h e d ia g nosis i n fo rm ed h im t h at t h e t u m or w as s o l a rg e a n d s o w id esp re ad t h at su rg ery w as not an optio n. M y bro th er w as to ld th at th ere w ere no tr a d itio nal med ic al tr e atm en t optio ns av aila b le fo r his ad van ced sta g e of tu m or. “M odern med ic in e” h ad n oth in g to o ffe r, a n d m y b ro th er f e lt h e w as d oom ed . H e e v en tu ally fo und a c arin g p hysic ia n w ho w as w illin g to o pera te , d esp ite th e p oor o dds. T he su rg ery w as a s u ccess, w ith lim ita tio ns, a s th e s u rg eo n w as u nab le to r e m ove a ll o f th e c an cer, a n d b io psie s in dic ate d c an cer h ad s p re ad th ro ughout m y b ro th er’s b ody. His l if e e x pecta n cy w as e stim ate d b etw een s ix m onth s a n d t h re e y ears , a n d n o o ne i n his c o nditio n h ad b een k now n t o l iv e b ey ond f iv e y ears . As I a m w ritin g t h is c h ap te r, e le v en y ears h av e p asse d s in ce m y b ro th er’s s u rg ery . He is liv in g a h ig h-q uality lif e . H ow d id h e d o it? F ir s t, h e h ad to ch an ge h is pers p ectiv e. T he e x is tin g b elie f s y ste m s a id h e s h ould h av e d ie d a lo ng tim e a g o. Rath er th an a ccep t h is c an cer a s a d eath s e n te n ce, m y b ro th er to ok o n th e c h alle n ge of r e sto rin g n orm al f u nctio n t o h is c ells . T he n ew u nders ta n din g o f o ne d is e ase s a y s dis e ase h as o nly tw o c au se s— defic ie n cy a n d to xic ity — an d th at a d dre ssin g th ose cau se s a lo ng t h e s ix p ath w ay s c an h eal v ir tu ally a ll d is e ase . My b ro th er’s re co very cam e as th e re su lt o f ra d ic al ch an ges in d ie t an d th e ad ditio n o f v ita m in s u pple m en ts , e sse n tia l fa tty a cid s a n d fro zen s h ark c artila g e— not ch em oth era p y an d ra d ia tio n. C onven tio nal can cer tr e atm en ts do noth in g to re v ers e th e u nderly in g cau se s o f can cer (a b norm al cell ch em is tr y ), an d th ey d o dev asta tin g d am ag e t o t h e b ody. The m ost im porta n t s te p s y ou c an ta k e to c h an ge y our p ers p ectiv e a b out h ealth , an d th ere b y r e d uce m orb id ity a n d m orta lity , is to s h if t y our v ie w f ro m o ne s id e o f th ese e q uatio ns t o t h e o th er. T hat i s , r e co nsid er t h e d if fe re n ces b etw een • D is e ase c are v ers u s h ealth c are • D ia g nosin g s y m pto m s v ers u s p re v en tin g d is e ase • T re atin g s y m pto m s v ers u s r e sto rin g h ealth • R ely in g o n d octo rs v ers u s r e ly in g o n y ours e lf • E atin g m ak e-b elie v e f o od v ers u s e atin g r e al f o od • G erm s c au sin g i n fe ctio n v ers u s c o m pro m is e d i m mune s y ste m s • T oxic v ers u s n onto xic l iv in g • A n a ctiv e l if e v ers u s s e d en ta ry s ic k ness Let u s t a k e a c lo se r l o ok a t e ach o f t h ese s h if ts i n p ers p ectiv e. Dis e a se C are V ersu s H ea lt h C are Exis tin g m ed ic al p ra ctic e i s n ot a b out h ealth c are ; i t i s a b out d is e ase c are . M odern med ic in e is b ase d o n th e b elie f th at y ou a re h ealth y u ntil y ou h av e a d ia g nosa b le dis e ase , afte r w hic h th e ta sk is to g iv e th e d is e ase a n am e (d ia g nose ) an d th en su ppre ss ( tr e at) its s y m pto m s. T his p ers p ectiv e w aits f o r d is e ase to h ap pen ; m ak es no a tte m pt to m easu re h ealth in its in itia l d eclin e; ig nore s th e e ffe cts o f n utr itio n, to xin s a n d b eh av io r; a n d g iv es little o r n o re co gnitio n to th e b ody’s se lf -h ealin g ab ilitie s. T he p atie n t is n ot e m pow ere d , a n d th e p ers o nal a n d m oneta ry c o sts a re en orm ous. M odern m ed ic in e e x cels a t t r e atin g e m erg en cie s a n d t r a u m a, a n d i n d oin g su rg ery , b ut d oes p oorly a t p re v en tin g o r h ealin g d is e ase b ecau se i t i s a lm ost t o ta lly uneq uip ped t o d ia g nose a n d t r e at t h e t w o c au se s. The n ew p ers p ectiv e o n h ealth p re se n te d in th is b ook is b ase d n ot o n w aitin g f o r dis e ase to h ap pen , b ut, ra th er, a ctiv ely w ork in g to p re v en t d is e ase . If d is e ase d oes occu r, t h en w e m ust l o ok f o r t h e t r u e c au se a n d r e sto re h ealth b y a d dre ssin g t h at r o ot cau se . T his a p pro ach re co gniz es th e b ody a s se lf -re g ula tin g a n d se lf -h ealin g, a n d se ek s t o o ptim iz e h ealth b y h elp in g t h e b ody t o f u nctio n a s i t i s d esig ned t o d o. T his ap pro ach i n co rp ora te s a ll w e h av e l e arn ed a b out t h e e ffe cts o f n utr itio n, t o xic ity a n d beh av io r. T he u nderly in g in sp ir a tio n is th at h ealth is a c h oic e a n d th at a lm ost a ll dis e ase i s p re v en ta b le . Dia gn osin g S ym pto m s V ersu s P rev en tin g D is e a se The p ro cess o f d ia g nosin g a p atie n t r e sts o n w aitin g f o r illn ess to s tr ik e a n d th en matc h in g t h e s y m pto m s t o a s o -c alle d d is e ase , t h us g iv in g t h at g ro up o f s y m pto m s a cate g ory a n d a n am e. T his a ctiv ity c an b e v ery e x pen siv e a n d t im e c o nsu m in g, a n d i s ofte n h azard ous to th e p atie n t. Y et, w hat d oes it a ch ie v e? D oes th is te ll u s w hat cau se d t h e p ro ble m o r h ow t o f ix i t? N ot v ery o fte n . B ecau se o nly o ne d is e ase e x is ts , sp en din g a l o t o f t im e, m oney a n d r e so urc es t o g iv e a g ro up o f s y m pto m s a n y o ne o f th ousa n ds o f m ean in gle ss n am es i s n ot a p ro ductiv e a ctiv ity . Becau se o f its fo cu s o n d ia g nosin g a n d tr e atin g d is e ase a fte r it o ccu rs , m odern med ic in e has para ly zed its e lf , w hic h is w hy it can not re v ers e our ep id em ic of ch ro nic d is e ase . W e c an not c o ntin ue to p erc eiv e d is e ase a s s o m eth in g th at s tr ik es lik e a b olt o f lig htn in g; p eo ple in g ood h ealth d o n ot b eco m e ill. T he o nly w ay to re d uce d is e ase i s t o p ro m ote h ealth a n d t h ere b y p re v en t d is e ase i n t h e f ir s t p la ce. Trea tin g S ym pto m s V ersu s R esto rin g H ea lt h The b est w ay to d eal w ith a n y p ro ble m — in b usin ess, p ers o nal liv es, e n gin eerin g, etc .— is to id en tif y th e cau se , ad dre ss th e cau se an d so lv e th e pro ble m . Unfo rtu nate ly , m odern m ed ic in e d oes n ot f o cu s o n i d en tif y in g t h e c au se . Tra d itio nal m ed ic in e su ppre sse s sy m pto m s, u su ally b y p ois o nin g p atie n ts w ith to xic d ru gs, r e m ovin g e sse n tia l b ody p arts o r e x posin g t h e p atie n t t o c an cer-c au sin g ra d ia tio n— s o m etim es, a ll th re e ta ctic s. M ean w hile , d is e ase s re m ain c h ro nic , a n d dis e ase -c are c o sts c o ntin ue to e sc ala te to u nsu sta in ab le le v els . Dis e a se s a re h ea le d with n utr ie n ts a nd t h e r e m ova l o f t o xin s, n ot w ith d ru gs a nd s u rg ic a l s c a lp els . Rely in g o n D octo rs V ersu s R ely in g o n Y ou rse lf Most p eo ple w ait u ntil t h ey g et s ic k , t h en g o t o a d octo r a n d h ope t o g et w ell. I d id th is w hen I w as i ll, o nly t o d is c o ver t h at m y p hysic ia n s h ad n o i d ea h ow t o m ak e m e well. T his p ra ctic e n eg ate s o ur o w n r e sp onsib ility f o r h ealth . D o w e r e ally th in k w e can e at a n u nhealth fu l d ie t a n d liv e a n u nhealth fu l lif e sty le a n d th at o ur d octo r w ill mak e u s w ell a fte r w e h av e w ork ed s o h ard t o m ak e o urs e lv es s ic k ? Health a n d d is e ase a re c h oic es. W e, a s a s o cie ty a n d a s in div id uals , a re th e o nes mak in g th ose c h oic es. T oday, h ealth is c o m pro m is e d a t s o m an y le v els . I f w e w an t to im pro ve o ur h ealth , p re v en t o r r e v ers e d is e ase , a n d e x te n d lif e , w e h av e to m ak e sp ecia l c h oic es in o rd er to c o m pen sa te . W e c an not re ly o n p hysic ia n s to “ fix ” u s afte r w e h av e s p en t d ecad es m ak in g o urs e lv es s ic k — alm ost a ll p hysic ia n s a re s tu ck in t h e o ld d is e ase -c are p ara d ig m a n d h av e n o i d ea h ow t o r e sto re c ells t o h ealth . The re sp onsib ility fo r h ealth is o urs , a n d w e m ust te ach th is to o ur c h ild re n s o th ey a n d th eir c h ild re n c an c la im th eir b ir th rig ht to lif e lo ng g ood h ealth . W e m ust als o a sk o ur g overn m en ts a n d s o cie ty a t la rg e to m ak e c h an ges. W hy d o w e a llo w so ft d rin k a n d c an dy v en din g m ach in es in to o ur sc h ools ? W hy is it th at m ed ic al in su ra n ce co vers fa ile d tr a d itio nal tr e atm en ts but does not co ver alte rn ativ e tr e atm en ts th at a re s a fe r a n d m ore e ffe ctiv e? W hy d o w e a llo w o ur g overn m en t to su bsid iz e th e d air y a n d su gar in dustr ie s? W hy d o w e a llo w g en etic ally m odif ie d fo ods to b e s o ld w ith out la b elin g a n d w ith out a d eq uate te stin g fo r s a fe ty ? W hy d o we c o ntin ue t o a llo w t h e u se o f f lu orid e i n o ur d rin kin g w ate r? W hy d o w e c o ntin ue to a llo w d en tis ts t o p ut m erc u ry i n p eo ple ’s m outh s? A ll o f u s n eed t o a d dre ss t h ese questio ns a n d m an y o th ers . Eatin g M ak e-B elie v e F ood V ersu s E atin g R ea l F ood Until I e d ucate d m yse lf , I u se d to th in k th at w hat I p urc h ase d a t th e s u perm ark et was re al fo od. W hat a su rp ris e to fin d little o r n o re al fo od in a su perm ark et. Im ag in e th e p ublic o utc ry if s o m eo ne h ad a n nounced to u s th at th ey w ere g oin g to dra stic ally lo w er th e n utr itio nal c o nte n t o f o ur fo od. Y et, th is is e x actly w hat h as hap pen ed . W here is th e o utc ry ? W e are all eatin g n utr itio nally d ep riv ed , to xic , mak e-b elie v e fo ods th at h av e b een p ro ven in cap ab le o f su pportin g h ealth y lif e in eith er a n im als o r h um an s. Thro ughout th is book w e hav e lo oked at th e his to ry of th e hum an die t an d en vir o nm en t an d how dra m atic ally th ese hav e ch an ged , esp ecia lly in th e la st cen tu ry . O ur c ells a re d esig ned w ith sp ecif ic n utr itio nal n eed s th at a re n o lo nger sa tis fie d b y ty pic al m odern d ie ts a n d lif e sty le s. T o a ch ie v e o ptim al h ealth , w e m ust acq uir e d aily a ll th e n utr ie n ts fo r w hic h w e h av e g en etic re q uir e m en ts . S cie n tis t Lin us P au lin g, a N obel la u re ate , w ro te th at m odern d ie ts a re in cap ab le o f s u pply in g optim al nutr ie n t quan titie s, ev en if w e m ak e good fo od ch oic es. A cco rd in g to em in en t s c ie n tis t E m an uel C hera sk in , M .D ., D .M .D ., u p to 8 0 p erc en t o f th e U .S . popula tio n su ffe rs fro m m aln utr itio n. M ost of us now su ffe r fro m “afflu en t maln utr itio n,” c au se d b y a n e x pen siv e d ie t ric h in c alo rie s (fro m s u gar a n d w hite flo ur) a n d p oor i n n utr ie n ts . B ecau se t h e f o od s u pply i s u nhealth fu l, a n d h as b een f o r se v era l g en era tio ns, w e a re n ow s e ein g e n tir e p opula tio ns w here n o r e al p ers p ectiv e of “ h ealth ” e x is ts . D is e ase h as b eco m e t h e n orm , s o w e v ie w o urs e lv es a s h ealth y. Entir e p opula tio ns a re n ow s u ffe rin g f ro m d is e ase s t h at a re u nquestio nab ly r e la te d to n utr itio nal d efic ie n cy, y et w e d o n ot la b el th em as su ch . T his is b ecau se w e se ld om e n co unte r o bvio us d efic ie n cy d is e ase s s u ch a s s c u rv y, p ella g ra o r b erib eri, so m aln utr itio n i s n ot p erc eiv ed a s a m ajo r c o ntr ib uto r t o d is e ase — b ut i t i s ! Defic ie n cy in m odern d ie ts cre ate s a h ost o f p ro ble m s in clu din g: d im in is h ed overa ll c o m pete n ce a n d r e sis ta n ce t o i n fe ctio n, p re m atu re a g in g, c o ld s a n d f lu , a cn e, to oth d ecay, m en ta l i lln ess, h eart d is e ase , c an cer, o ste o poro sis , k id ney d is e ase , l u ng dis e ase , a u to im mune d is e ase , a n em ia , d ia b ete s, a lle rg ie s, b ir th d efe cts , a lc o holis m , le arn in g dis a b ilitie s, vio le n t beh av io r an d m ore . A lth ough th ese pro ble m s carry dif fe re n t d is e ase la b els , th ey a re a ll th e re su lt o f s ic k c ells . W hic h b ody p arts g et sic k d oes n ot m atte r, b ecau se th e w ay to p re v en t d is e ase o r r e sto re h ealth is a lw ay s th e s a m e. G iv e y our c ells w hat t h ey n eed , p ro te ct t h em f ro m w hat t h ey d on’t n eed . Nearly a ll s u perm ark et fru its a n d v eg eta b le s h av e b een g ro w n in d ep le te d s o ils an d a re d efic ie n t in n utr ie n ts a n d h ig h in to xic c o nta m in an ts . T hese su bsta n dard fo ods a re o fte n h arv este d b efo re r ip en in g s o th ey c an b e s h ip ped a n d s to re d w ith out sp oila g e. F oods a re o fte n c h em ic ally e n han ced to in cre ase s h elf lif e . A h uge p art o f our die t has been pro cesse d an d pack ag ed , re m ovin g w hat little nutr itio n ev er ex is te d . Does a n yone r e ally t h in k t h at a d onut m ad e o f w hite f lo ur a n d s u gar a n d s o ak ed i n ra n cid o ils is re al fo od? R eal fo od is o rg an ic , fre sh , ra w , u npro cesse d a n d m ain ly pla n t- b ase d . W hite flo ur, s u gar, m ilk , ic e c re am a n d c o ffe e a re n ot re al fo ods, n or are c o nven tio nally g ro w n a n d p re m atu re ly h arv este d t o m ato es, o ra n ges a n d b an an as, not to m en tio n o ld , w ax ed a p ple s a n d c u cu m bers . T o p re v en t d is e ase o r to re sto re health , w e m ust sto p eatin g th e m ak e-b elie v e an d g o b ack to w hat o ur h ealth y an cesto rs a te : r e al f o od. Germ s V ersu s t h e T ru e C au se o f D is e a se The p opula r m is c o ncep tio n is th at m ic ro org an is m s ( g erm s) c au se in fe ctio ns. B ut to b e a t r u e c au se , t h e m ic ro org an is m s w ould h av e t o p ro duce t h e s a m e e ffe ct a ll t h e tim e, w hic h is n ot th e c ase . N ot e v ery one w ho is e x pose d to a p artic u la r o rg an is m gets sic k , a n d n ot e v ery one w ho g ets sic k d oes so to th e sa m e d eg re e. In tr u th , wheth er o r n ot so m eo ne d ev elo ps an in fe ctio n d ep en ds o n th e b ala n ce b etw een se v era l fa cto rs , n am ely th e v ir u le n ce o f th e o rg an is m s, th e n um ber o f o rg an is m s an d, m ost i m porta n tly , t h eir s ta te o f i m munity . W e l iv e i n a s e a o f m ic ro org an is m s, but t h ey d o n ot m ak e u s s ic k u ntil w e a lte r t h e n atu ra l b ala n ce b etw een t h em a n d u s. Our n orm al c o ex is te n ce w ith g erm s r a th er t h an a g erm -fre e e n vir o nm en t e n su re s o ur health . When w e e at s u gar a n d n utr ie n t- d efic ie n t d ie ts , e x pose o urs e lv es to to xin s, lo se sle ep , fa il to e x erc is e a n d fa il to a d ap t to s tr e ss, o ur im munity b eco m es d ep re sse d an d w e o pen th e d oor to in fe ctio n. T hen w e b la m e th e g erm , w hen r e ally w e a re to bla m e. R ath er th an bein g obse sse d w ith germ s an d ru sh in g fo r flu sh ots an d an tib acte ria l s o ap s, o ptim iz in g o ur im munity w ould b e a fa r b ette r a p pro ach . T he pers p ectiv e th at g erm s c au se d is e ase is so in gra in ed in u s, m an y h av e d if fic u lty mak in g th e sh if t to th e n ew w ay o f th in kin g; b ut to a v oid in fe ctio n, w e m ust d o ex actly t h at. P eo ple s u ch a s t h e H unzas l iv ed i n to t h eir h undre d s w ith out e v er h av in g as m uch a s a c o ld , n ot b ecau se t h ey t o ok f lu s h ots b ut b ecau se t h ey w ere h ealth y a n d th eir im mune s y ste m s w ere s tr o ng. I n tr u th , o nly s ic k p eo ple g et s ic k . T he p ro ble m is w e s p en d d ecad es m ak in g o urs e lv es s ic k , a ll t h e w hile t h in kin g w e a re h ealth y. Toxic V ersu s N on to xic L iv in g Im ag in e w hat w ould h ap pen if so m eo ne a n nounced th at th ey w ere p la n nin g to pois o n o ur f o od, o ur h om es, o ur w ork pla ces o r, f o r t h at m atte r, t h e e n tir e p la n et? W e would b e o utr a g ed . Y et th at h as h ap pen ed a n d f e w a re o utr a g ed . W e a re c o nsta n tly to ld th at s m all a m ounts o f to xin s a re s a fe . Y et c h ro nic d is e ase is ra m pan t b ecau se th ese s m all a m ounts o f t o xin s, w hen a d ded t o geth er, a re d is a b lin g o ur d eto xif ic atio n sy ste m s, ex ceed in g our cap acity to deto xif y th em , an d bio ac-c u m ula tin g in our tis su es t o d is e ase -c au sin g l e v els . Som e to xin s, su ch a s e str o gen ic c h em ic als fro m p estic id es, p la stic b ottle s a n d can ned f o ods, a re n ot s a fe e v en i n a m ounts s o s m all t h ey c an not b e m easu re d b y t h e usu al te ch niq ues. E very d ay w e e at fo od, b re ath e a ir a n d u se p ro ducts c o nta in in g th ese a n d o th er h arm fu l to xin s. S om e e x posu re is v ir tu ally u nav oid ab le , b ut m ost ex posu re i s a c h oic e. W e h av e t o s ta rt m ak in g d if fe re n t e v ery day c h oic es a b out w hat we p ut o n a n d i n o ur b odie s a n d w hat w e e x pose o urs e lv es t o i n t h e w ork pla ce. W hat we e at, w ear a n d b rin g in to o ur h om es— an d th e p ers o nal c are p ro ducts th at w e u se —are under our dir e ct co ntr o l. W e need to ch an ge our pers p ectiv e th at sm all am ounts o f to xin s a re s a fe ; w e n eed to r e co gniz e th at s m all a m ounts o f to xin s c an build u p i n o ur b odie s o ver t im e. M ost A m eric an s a re n ow a ccu m ula tin g h undre d s o f man -m ad e c h em ic als i n t h eir b odie s, a n d y et w e w onder w hy w e g et s ic k . An A ctiv e L if e V ersu s S ed en ta ry S ic k ness Hum an g en es e v olv ed a t a tim e w hen a h ig h le v el o f p hysic al a ctiv ity w as th e norm . A ll th ro ugh th e c o urs e o f e v olu tio n, m an h ad to b e p hysic ally a ctiv e in o rd er to s u rv iv e. O ur h unte r-g ath ere r a n cesto rs w ere n om ad ic p eo ple s w ho w ere a lw ay s o n th e m ove, a lw ay s fo ra g in g fo r fo od o r d rin k. B ecau se o f th e w ay w e e v olv ed , th e hum an b ody a ctu ally re q uir e s a h ig h le v el o f p hysic al a ctiv ity in o rd er to fu nctio n norm ally . U ntil f a ir ly r e cen tly t h is a ctiv ity r e q uir e m en t w as m et b y l e ad in g a n orm al lif e sty le a n d p ro ducin g lif e ’s n ecessitie s. F ro m p re h is to ric tim es u p u ntil th e la st cen tu ry , p eo ple s p en t t h e v ast m ajo rity o f t h eir p hysic al e n erg y— hard , d aily l a b or— ju st tr y in g to p ro duce fo od, s h elte r a n d c lo th in g. T oday w e a re th e m ost s e d en ta ry peo ple i n h is to ry . T o a ch ie v e h ealth , w e m ust c h an ge o ur p ers p ectiv e t h at w e c an b e both se d en ta ry an d h ealth y. F ortu nate ly , fo r all y ou co uch p ota to es o ut th ere , a sim ple w ay is a v aila b le to a d dre ss th is p ro ble m : re b oundin g. S ee a p pen dix C fo r more i n fo rm atio n. The F utu re I s N ow Afte r b rin gin g m yse lf b ack f ro m th e b rin k o f d eath a n d r e sto rin g m y h ealth , a n d afte r m ore th an s ix te en y ears o f s tu dy a n d e x perim en ta tio n, I h av e c o nclu ded th at th e o nly w ay o ur s o cie ty w ill s to p its s lid e in to d eclin in g h ealth is to c h an ge o ur belie fs ab out h ealth an d d is e ase . T he n ex t m ajo r ad van ce in h ealth care w ill b e driv en b y th ose p eo ple w ho a ccep t p ers o nal re sp onsib ility fo r th eir h ealth , e d ucate th em se lv es a n d m ak e c h oic es th at m ove th eir p ers o nal h ealth e q uatio ns a w ay f ro m dis e ase a n d t o w ard h ealth . When a la rg e n um ber o f p eo ple lo ok a t s o m eth in g in th e s a m e w ay, w e c all th at sy ste m o f b elie f a p ara d ig m . P ara d ig m s b eco m e a ccep te d w is d om , a n d w e in te rp re t our liv es a n d m ak e o ur d ecis io ns a cco rd in g to th at c o nven tio nal th in kin g. I a sk y ou to r e co nsid er a ccep te d w is d om a n d c o nven tio nal th in kin g a b out h ealth , d is e ase a n d med ic in e. R eco nsid er w heth er t h e b elie fs t h at g uid e y our l if e a re e ffe ctiv e i n s o lv in g your p ro ble m s. R eco nsid er w heth er t h e d ecis io ns y ou m ak e a b out y our h ealth — fro m fo ods to d ru gs to d octo rs — brin g y ou h ealth a n d h ap pin ess. R eco nsid er w heth er y ou are m is sin g o ut o n tr e m en dous o pportu nitie s to b e w ell a n d to liv e a lo nger, m ore vig oro us l if e t h an y ou e v er i m ag in ed . Today, m ost o f u s, an d alm ost all o f o ur p hysic ia n s, are liv in g in a cav e o f co nfu sio n a n d m is u nders ta n din g. T he m ed ic al e sta b lis h m en t w in s h onors , p ra is e a n d priz es f o r i ts d esc rip tio ns o f d is e ase s a n d h ow t o m an ag e s y m pto m s. Y et t h is h ealth para d ig m — th is d is to rte d w ay o f v ie w in g h ealth — i s n ot s o lv in g o ur p ro ble m s. If w e a re ta u ght th at th ousa n ds o f d is e ase s e x is t, th en o f c o urs e w e m ust g o to docto rs f o r a ll o ur h ealth p ro ble m s; o nly t h e d octo r h as t h e e d ucatio n t o d eal w ith a ll th e d if fe re n t d is e ase s a n d th eir tr e atm en ts . T he n ew p ers p ectiv e I o ffe r y ou is th at th ere is o nly o ne d is e ase ; h ealth is th en e asie r to u nders ta n d, a n d th e p ow er to g et health y a n d to s ta y h ealth y lie s w ith in y ours e lf . A sid e fro m m ed ic al e m erg en cie s, whic h are in deed m atte rs fo r tr a in ed p ro fe ssio nals , m ain ta in in g y our h ealth is a matte r of pre v en tin g defic ie n cy an d to xic ity an d re q uir e s little or no outs id e assis ta n ce. We lik e to th in k of ours e lv es as so te ch nolo gic ally ad van ced , so sm art, so so phis tic ate d . . . ab le to in ven t co m pute rs , la n d o n th e m oon an d b uild sp ace sta tio ns. Y et p eo ple w e c o nsid er p rim itiv e l iv ed m uch l o nger a n d h ealth ie r l iv es t h an we d o. B y o ptim iz in g th eir s ix p ath w ay s a n d m in im iz in g th e tw o c au se s o f d is e ase , th ese p opula tio ns sh ow ed u s th at th e p ote n tia l fo r h um an h ealth is e x tr a o rd in ary . These p eo ple d id n ot s u ffe r f ro m th e c h ro nic a n d d eg en era tiv e d is e ase s th at a re th e norm i n o ur s o cie ty ; i n f a ct t h ey r a re ly , i f e v er, s u ffe re d f ro m t h e c o m mon c o ld . A m assiv e m is c o ncep tio n in A m eric a is th at m ost o f u s a re h ealth y. In re ality , most o f u s a re s ic k . Y ou d on’t h av e t o l o ok s ic k t o b e s ic k . W e a re l iv in g p ro of t h at it i s e n tir e ly p ossib le t o a ch ie v e n orm al g ro w th r a te s a n d h av e a h ealth y a p peara n ce while bein g undern ouris h ed an d in a sta te of co m pro m is e d health . Our unpre ced en te d e p id em ic o f c h ro nic a n d d eg en era tiv e d is e ase is c le arly th e r e su lt o f eatin g a d ie t c o nsis tin g o f a d ulte ra te d a n d d ev ita liz ed f o ods; e x posu re to th e le th al effe cts o f p ollu te d a ir, w ate r a n d fo od; a n d e x posu re to m an m ad e e le ctr o m ag netic ra d ia tio n. Y et, as a so cie ty , w e hav e fa ile d to co m e to grip s w ith th is re ality , partia lly b ecau se w e a re s till s tu ck in th e o bso le te m ed ic al p ara d ig m o f th e “ g erm s an d g en es th eo ry ” o f d is e ase , a n d p artia lly b ecau se p ow erfu l e co nom ic in cen tiv es ex is t t o m ain ta in t h e s ta tu s q uo. Do w e th in k w e can co ntin ue to eat n utr itio nally d efic ie n t d ie ts , d ie ts ric h in mak e-b elie v e f o ods m ad e f ro m s u gar, w hite f lo ur a n d p ro cesse d o ils , d ie ts th at w ill not e v en s u sta in h ealth y lif e in ra ts , a n d s till b e h ealth y? C an w e c o ntin ue to liv e se d en ta ry lif e sty le s w hen w e k now th at p hysic al a ctiv ity is a b so lu te ly e sse n tia l to health ? Can we co ntin ue to use pro ducts th at pois o n us with to xin s th at bio accu m ula te in our tis su es an d cau se cellu la r m alf u nctio n? C an w e su pport welln ess w ith out le arn in g s tr e ss-m an ag em en t te ch niq ues? C an w e c o ntin ue to liv e an d w ork i n w ay s t h at d ep riv e u s o f h ealth y, f u ll- s p ectr u m l ig ht a n d a d eq uate s le ep ? Chro nic d is e ase s s u ch a s c an cer, h eart d is e ase , h yperte n sio n, d ia b ete s, a rth ritis , asth m a, alle rg ie s an d oste o poro sis are en tir e ly pre v en ta b le . By le arn in g an d univ ers a lly a p ply in g th e c o ncep ts o f o ne d is e ase , tw o c au se s a n d s ix p ath w ay s, o ur so cie ty co uld elim in ate to day ’s ep id em ic of ch ro nic dis e ase . W e m ust te ach ev ery one, in clu din g our sc h oolc h ild re n , how to unders ta n d an d ta k e pers o nal re sp onsib ility f o r t h e t w o c au se s o f d is e ase a n d h ow t o f o rm t h e p ositiv e h ab its t h at will r e su lt in lif e lo ng g ood h ealth . H ealth is a c h oic e. D is e ase is th e r e su lt o f p oor ch oic es, a n d a lm ost a ll d is e ase s a re p re v en ta b le . Thro ughout th is b ook, y ou h av e le arn ed th e k ey s to a lo ng an d h ealth y lif e : pers p ectiv e, p ow er a n d p ers e v era n ce. U nders ta n din g m y t h eo ry o f d is e ase b rin gs y ou a n ew p ers p ectiv e o n h ealth a n d m odern m ed ic in e. U sin g t h at k now le d ge c re ate s t h e pow er to ch oose your destin y. Pers e v ere w ith th e rig ht ch oic es alo ng all six path w ay s t o w ard h ealth , a n d y ou w ill n ev er b e s ic k a g ain ! R EFE R EN CES Apple to n, N an cy. Kic k T he S ugar H abit. 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(N ew Y ork : B an ta m B ooks), 1 971. Willia m s, Roger J. The W onderfu l W orld W ith in Yo u. (W ic h ita , K an sa s: B io - Com munic atio ns P re ss), 1 977. Yudkin , J . Pure , W hite a nd D ea dly . T he P ro ble m o f S ugar. Dav is -P oynte r, 1 974. A UTH OR'S N OTE : G OIN G B EY O ND H ELA TH Y A fte r d ecid in g, in 1 991, to d ev ote th e re m ain der o f m y lif e to h elp in g o th ers ach ie v e h ealth , I k new I n eed ed to d ev elo p a n a p pro ach th at w ould e lim in ate a ll th e co nfu sio n an d m is in fo rm atio n. I n eed ed to sim plif y h ealth an d d is e ase . N ex t, I need ed a m odel e asily u nders to od a n d a p plie d b y a d ults a n d c h ild re n a lik e. M y n ew th eo ry o f h ealth a n d d is e ase w as b orn — One D is e ase , T w o C au se s a n d S ix P ath w ay s. The n ex t n eed w as to id en tif y s a fe a n d e ffe ctiv e p ro ducts o f a ll k in ds, w hic h w ould su pport h ealth a s i n dic ate d b y t h e m odel. In ord er fo r m y w ork to ben efit th e public , I need ed effe ctiv e m eth ods of pre se n tin g b oth m y h ealth m odel a n d m y r e se arc h . I n eed ed p eo ple t o u nders ta n d t h e in effe ctiv en ess of our so cie ty ’s cu rre n t health m odel (m ed ic al su ppre ssio n of dis e ase s y m pto m s). I a ls o n eed ed to d em onstr a te th e s ig nif ic an ce o f th e d am ag e w e co m monly s u ffe r f ro m s e em in gly b en ig n s o urc es ( s m all a m ounts o f to xin s c ap ab le of b io accu m ula tin g to d an gero us le v els in o ur b odie s). P erh ap s m ost im porta n t, I wan te d to sh are w hat I h ad le arn ed ab out th e b en efits o f g ood n utr itio n an d a health fu l l if e sty le . My a n sw er to th ese n eed s w as to c re ate a n ew e n tity c alle d B ey ond H ealth . M y goal in c re atin g B ey ond H ealth w as to h elp p eo ple a ch ie v e a le v el o f v ita lity a n d perfo rm an ce su rp assin g an yth in g th ey h ad ex perie n ced b efo re — to h elp th em g o “b ey ond h ealth .” T oday, B ey ond H ealth is a u niq ue re so urc e fo r p eo ple w ho c are ab out th eir h ealth , p ro vid in g tw o m ajo r s e rv ic es to th e p ublic : I t s u pplie s a ccu ra te , cu ttin g-e d ge health in fo rm atio n an d m ak es av aila b le th e w orld ’s best health - su pportin g p ro ducts . Unfo rtu nate ly , th ere is a g re at d eal o f c o nflic tin g in fo rm atio n, p artic u la rly w ith vita m in su pple m en ts a n d p ers o nal c are p ro ducts , a n d c o nsu m ers re m ain c o nfu se d ab out h ow to m ak e th e b est c h oic es. I t is v ery d if fic u lt to k now , m ere ly b y r e ad in g th e l a b el, i f p ro ducts a re h ealth fu l a n d/o r t o xic . I n m y o w n r e co very p ro cess, I h ad t o be e x tr e m ely c are fu l a b out t h e p ro ducts I s e le cte d . E ven s m all a m ounts o f i m puritie s an d t o xin s w ere e n ough t o m ak e m e i ll. I e n ded u p w ith a r e frig era to r f u ll o f v ita m in su pple m en ts th at I c o uld n ot ta k e b ecau se o f to xic c o nta m in atio n. I la te r re aliz ed th at e v en h ealth y p eo ple w ere b ein g in ju re d b y th ese s a m e im puritie s a n d to xin s, ev en t h ough i t m ay n ot b e o bvio us t o t h em . B ey ond H ealth r e se arc h es a n d a p pro ves only th e sa fe st an d m ost effe ctiv e ch oic es in su pple m en ts , fo ods an d pers o nal pro ducts — d is c ern in g b etw een th ose th at c la im to b e th e b est a n d th ose fo r w hic h th ere is c re d ib le e v id en ce th at th ey re ally a re th e b est. T his is a d if fic u lt, tim e- co nsu m in g a n d u niq ue s e rv ic e. Cuttin g th ro ugh th e co ntr a d ic tio ns an d co nfu sio n, B ey ond H ealth tr a n sla te s a ch ao tic m ounta in o f m ed ic al an d sc ie n tif ic d ata in to th e critic al k now le d ge th at peo ple m ust h av e in o rd er to m ain ta in h ealth y b odie s. T his in fo rm atio n is m ad e av aila b le in se v era l dif fe re n t way s, in clu din g public ap peara n ces at health co nfe re n ces aro und th e w orld , th ro ugh m y n ew sle tte r, Beyo nd H ea lth N ew s, an d th ro ugh m y r a d io t a lk s h ow , An O unce o f P re ven tio n . My la te st ven tu re is a nonpro fit fo undatio n, H ealth -e -A m eric a Foundatio n (H eA F). H eA F’s p urp ose is to e n d th e e p id em ic o f c h ro nic d is e ase in A m eric a b y ed ucatin g o ur s c h oolc h ild re n a b out t h e b asic s o f g ood h ealth u sin g t h e O ne D is e ase , Tw o C au se s, Six Path w ay s m odel. For m ore in fo rm atio n on H ealth -e -A m eric a Foundatio n s e e a p pen dix F . F or m ore i n fo rm atio n o n t h e r a d io s h ow a n d n ew sle tte r, se e a p pen dix A . Fin din g t h e N eed le i n a H aysta ck Perh ap s a f e w e x am ple s w ill b est i llu str a te t h e d if fic u lty i n d is c ern in g a m ong t h e most health fu l pro ducts an d in fo rm atio n. It to ok eig hte en m onth s of stu dy an d an aly sis to fin d a s in gle b ra n d o f to oth paste th at d id n ot c o nta in to xic in gre d ie n ts (c o lo rs , f la v ors , f lu orid e o r t o xic f o am in g a g en ts ) b ut s till c le an ed t e eth w ell. I t t o ok tw o y ears to f in d a s a fe a n d e ffe ctiv e d eo dora n t. I t to ok e ig ht m onth s to f in d a p ure an d h ealth fu l b ra n d o f o liv e o il th at c o nta in ed o nly fre sh , h ig h-q uality o liv es a n d was e x tr a cte d in a m an ner th at w ould n eith er d am ag e th e n utr ie n ts in n or c re ate to xin s in th e o il. R eco m men datio ns fo r to oth paste , d eo dora n t, o liv e o il, a n d o th er pro ducts c an b e f o und i n a p pen dix C . Vita m in su pple m en ts w ere th e big gest ch alle n ge. A lm ost half of all vita m in bra n ds d o n ot d is so lv e q uic k ly e n ough t o b e o f a n y u se t o t h e h um an b ody, a n d m an y do not co nta in all th e nutr ie n ts lis te d on th e la b el. M ost bra n ds co nta in ch eap in gre d ie n ts th at h av e o nly m arg in al b io lo gic al a ctiv ity . In fa ct, th e v a st m ajo rity o f vita m in b ra nds o n th e m ark et a re n ot w orth w hat y o u p ay fo r th em — th ey a re o nly marg in ally u se fu l, a nd m any c o nta in to xin s s u ch a s s o lv en t re sid ues a nd a rtific ia l co lo rs. It to ok m e o ver a y ear o f r e se arc h to f in d a s u perio r m ultiv ita m in b ra n d a n d se v era l a d ditio nal y ears to fin d a s u perio r b ra n d o f v ita m in E (s e e a p pen dix B fo r what I u se a n d r e co m men d i n v ita m in s u pple m en ts ). It is a m azin g h ow m an y d if fic u ltie s th e a v era g e p ers o n fa ces in tr y in g to m ak e health fu l c h oic es. I f in d it a f u ll- tim e jo b to k eep u p, b ut it is a jo b w orth d oin g. I le arn ed th e h ard w ay h ow s u ffe rin g c an c o m e w hen h ealth is f a ilin g; th e c h alle n ge an d s u ccess o f re co verin g fro m a te rm in al illn ess h as g iv en m e a n o pportu nity to arriv e a t u niq ue i n sig hts t h at I a m n ow s h arin g w ith y ou. Perh ap s th e m ost p ro fo und c o nclu sio ns I re ach ed in m y s tu dy o f h ealth a re th at hea lth is a c h oic e an d th at vir tu ally n o o ne e ver h as to b e s ic k. But fir s t, w e m ust ed ucate o urs e lv es; w e m ust k now n ot o nly w hat to lo ok fo r, b ut h ow to lo ok. T o ch oose h ealth , w e m ust le arn h ow to m ak e b ette r c h oic es in th e fo ods w e e at, th e su pple m en ts w e t a k e a n d t h e p ro ducts w e u se . While m ost o f t h e p ro ducts I s e le cte d f o r m y o w n u se a re a v aila b le i n h ealth f o od sto re s, s o m e a re n ot in e v ery s to re o r e v ery s ta te . T o m ak e lif e e asy f o r th ose w ho care ab out th eir health , B ey ond H ealth m ak es m ost of th e pro ducts I use an d re co m men d a v aila b le t o t h e p ublic . Bey ond Health can be re ach ed by callin g 800-2 50-3 063 or by accessin g www.b eyo ndhea lth .c o m . A PE N DIX A H EA LTH I NFO RM ATIO N An O unce o f P rev en tio n A n O unce o f P re ven tio n has b een c alle d th e b est h ealth s h ow in A m eric a. O n th e fro ntie r o f h ealth i n fo rm atio n, t h is r a d io t a lk s h ow w ill g iv e y ou a r e g ula r s u pply o f critic al h ealth k now le d ge. F or i n fo rm atio n o n h ow t o a ccess t h e Ounce o f P re ven tio n sh ow o n t h e a ir o r t h e I n te rn et, g o t o www.b eyo ndhea lth .c o m . Bey on d H ea lt h N ew s This bi- m onth ly , cu ttin g-e d ge new sle tte r fe atu re s th e la te st sc ie n tif ic bre ak th ro ughs a n d c ritic al in fo rm atio n e sse n tia l to y our h ealth . W e o fte n b rin g y ou in fo rm atio n t h at i s y ears , s o m etim es d ecad es, a h ead o f m ain str e am m ed ia a n d o th er health n ew sle tte rs : • T he f ir s t i n t h e w orld t o w arn t h e p ublic o f t h e c an cer-c au sin g d an ger o f l o cal an esth etic s. • T he f ir s t, o uts id e o f I ta ly a n d S w itz erla n d, to e x pose th e s c an dal in th e o liv e oil i n dustr y , a n d i ts n eg ativ e h ealth e ffe cts . • M ed ic al d octo rs s u pply r e p rin ts o f o ur o ste o poro sis a rtic le t o t h eir p atie n ts . • G ro undbre ak in g artic le s on th e health hazard s of vaccin atio ns, horm one re p la cem en t t h era p y, X r a y s, m ic ro - w av ed f o ods, a n d m ilk . Tap e A lb um Never B e S ic k A gain —a d ouble c asse tte a lb um f o r th ose w ho w an t th e p rin cip le s of Never B e S ic k A gain th e b ook o n t a p e. For m ore i n fo rm atio n g o t o www.b eyo ndhea lth .c o m o r c all 8 00-2 50-3 063. A PE N DIX B V IT A M IN S UPPL EM EN TS M illio ns o f A m eric an s t a k e v ita m in s u pple m en ts o n a d aily b asis . D oes i t i m pro ve th eir h ealth ? F or th e m ost p art, n o. L arg e-s c ale e p id em io lo gic al s tu die s h av e b een unab le to fin d h ealth b en efits in th ose w ho ta k e v ita m in s. C onfu se d ? T here is a sim ple e x pla n atio n. M ost v ita m in p ro ducts a re in effe ctiv e a n d e v en th e b est- s e llin g bra n ds c o nta in to xin s. I n deed , ta k in g s u pple m en ts w ill b en efit y our h ealth , b ut o nly if y ou t a k e t h e c o rre ct s u pple m en ts . Afte r y ears o f r e se arc h a n d t e stin g v ita m in p ro ducts , I s e le cte d t h e B ey ond H ealth bra n d f o r m y o w n u se . D urin g m y r e co very f ro m t e rm in al i lln ess, I k new I n eed ed a nutr itio nal su pple m en t su pply of th e hig hest quality . Even sm all am ounts of im puritie s a n d to xin s w ere s u ffic ie n t to m ak e m e v ery s ic k , th us pu rity was o ne o f my m ost im porta n t crite ria in ch oosin g v ita m in s. A s it tu rn s o ut, fille rs an d/o r ch em ic al a d ditiv es c o nstitu te a b out h alf o f m ost v ita m in b ra n ds. T hese fille rs c an in tr o duce to xin s an d alle rg en s, in te rfe re w ith so lu bility an d/o r ab so rp tio n an d ultim ate ly r e d uce th e b io lo gic al a ctiv ity a t th e c ellu la r le v el. W hy b oth er to ta k e a su pple m en t if it’s g oin g to c o ntr ib ute to y our to xic lo ad , o r if th e im puritie s w ill pre v en t t h e n utr ie n ts f ro m r e ach in g a n d b ein g m eta b oliz ed i n sid e t h e c ells ? Alm ost h alf o f a ll v ita m in b ra n ds d o n ot d is so lv e s o on e n ough to b e a ssim ila te d by th e b ody. E ven a m ong b ra n ds th at d is so lv e s o on e n ough, m ost o f th em p ro vid e only t h e R D A o f t h e n utr ie n ts t h ey c o nta in , y et i t t a k es m uch m ore t h an t h e R D A t o be bio lo gic ally sig nif ic an t in pre v en tin g or re v ers in g dis e ase . F urth erm ore , ju st becau se a v ita m in p ill c o nta in s a n utr ie n t d oes n ot m ean th at th e n utr ie n t w ill b e use fu l to y our b ody. C heap a n d in ap pro pria te ra w m ate ria ls (w ith lo w b io lo gic al activ ity ) a re u se d m ost o fte n i n t h e m ajo r v ita m in b ra n ds. S om e m an ufa ctu re rs e v en mak e a h ab it o f p urc h asin g — at t r e m en dous d is c o unts — outd ate d r a w m ate ria ls t h at hav e lo st th eir p ote n cy. The m ost e xp en siv e v ita m in p ill in th e w orld is o ne th at doesn ’t w ork . It is n eith er easy n or ch eap to m ak e a q uality v ita m in p ro duct. C onsid er th e questio n o f s y nth etic v ers u s n atu ra lly d eriv ed v ita m in s. N atu ra l in gre d ie n ts te n d to be m ore b io lo gic ally av aila b le an d m ore ex pen siv e, w hic h is w hy m ost v ita m in bra n ds u se s y nth etic s. T he m ole cu le s o f th ese s y nth etic s o fte n d if fe r in s h ap e f ro m th e n atu ra l m ole cu le s, w hic h is im porta n t in h ow th ey r e act, a n d th us h ow th e b ody use s t h em . F or e x am ple , s y nth etic v ita m in E a n d b eta -c aro te n e a re w ell k now n t o b e le ss b io lo gic ally a ctiv e th an th eir n atu ra l f o rm s. T ak in g s y nth etic b eta -c aro te n e c an ev en c au se a d efic ie n cy o f o th er c aro te n es. In a d ditio n to th e p ro ble m s p ose d b y sy nth etic s, o th er c o nsid era tio ns in clu de th e a g e a n d p urity o f th e r a w m ate ria ls a n d how th ey a re sh ip ped , sto re d , h an dle d , c o m pounded a n d p ack ag ed . A ll th ese c an hav e a b ig e ffe ct o n t h e q uality o f t h e f in is h ed p ro duct. Base d o n t h e c rite ria I s e t f o r s a fe ty , q uality a n d e ffe ctiv en ess, t h e o ne b ra n d t h at sto od o ut fro m th e cro w d w as B ey ond H ealth . In m y w eak en ed an d ch em ic ally hypers e n sitiv e c o nditio n, B ey ond H ealth w as t h e f ir s t b ra n d o f s u pple m en t m y b ody was a b le t o t o le ra te , e sp ecia lly a t t h era p eu tic d ose s. O nly a fte r t a k in g B ey ond H ealth did m y h ealth b eg in to im pro ve. T hese su pple m en ts a re e x tr a o rd in arily p ure a n d hav e e x cep tio nally h ig h b io lo gic al a ctiv ity . T he v ita m in E b ra n d I s e le cte d fo r m y ow n u se i s c alle d U niq ue E . Unfo rtu nate ly , becau se of th e m an y su btle tie s an d co m ple x itie s, it is alm ost im possib le fo r th e c o nsu m er to m ak e a n in fo rm ed ju dgm en t a b out th e q uality o f a vita m in su pple m en t. T here is a g re at d eal o f in fo rm atio n y ou n eed to k now th at sim ply c an not b e fo und o n th e la b el. T here a re , h ow ev er, so m e c lu es a n yone c an lo ok fo r su ch as th e ch em is tr y o f th e m in era ls . If y ou fin d carb onate s, o xid es, su lf a te s, p hosp hate s a n d c h ela te s, y ou a re m ost l ik ely l o okin g a t a n i n fe rio r f o rm ula . Sav e your m oney, becau se your cells w ill se e little , if an y, ben efit. A ls o , a multiv ita m in c o nta in in g ir o n, io din e o r c o pper is n ot w ell d esig ned b ecau se th ese can c au se lo ss o f a n tio xid an t n utr ie n ts in th e fo rm ula . A fo rm ula th at lis ts b eta - caro te n e w ith out lis tin g th e so urc e is m ost lik ely th e in fe rio r sy nth etic v arie ty . Vita m in E w ith a “ d l” in f ro nt o f it is th e le ss d esir a b le s y nth etic v ers io n. T he b est so lu tio n is to r e se arc h a n d u nders ta n d th e c h em is tr y o f th e s u pple m en ts th oro ughly or e ls e p urc h ase f ro m a t r u ste d s o urc e. Base d o n w hat y our b ody a ctu ally g ets fo r w hat y ou p ay, B ey ond H ealth is th e le ast e x pen siv e b ra n d a n d t h e b est v alu e o n t h e m ark et, w hic h i s w hy I r e co m men d i t an d u se it m yse lf . F or m ore in fo rm atio n a b out B ey ond H ealth a n d U niq ue E g o to www.b eyo ndhea lth .c o m o r c all 8 00-2 50-3 063. APE N DIX C F OODS A ND P ER SO NAL P RO DUCTS M ost o f th e c o untle ss th ousa n ds o f p ro ducts o n th e m ark et to day d o n ot m eet m y crite ria f o r b oth s a fe ty a n d e ffe ctiv en ess. M an y a re e ffe ctiv e, b ut f a il o n th e s a fe ty is su e. A f e w b ra n ds a re i n t h e a ccep ta b le c ate g ory f o r u se b y m ost p eo ple . H ow ev er, esp ecia lly fo r th ose w ho h av e h ealth p ro ble m s an d are str u gglin g to g et w ell, I re co m men d o nly th ose p ro ducts th at h av e m et m y s ta n dard s fo r b oth e ffe ctiv en ess an d s a fe ty . F ollo w in g is a lis t o f p ro ducts I h av e c h ose n fo r m y o w n u se . M ost o f th ese a re a v aila b le a t www.b eyo ndhea lth .c o m o r b y c allin g 8 00-2 50-3 063. Cle a n in g C lo th Most h ouse h old g la ss, b ath ro om , a n d k itc h en c le an se rs c o nta in to xic c h em ic als th at a re d am ag in g to c ells . T he n onto xic a n sw er is O ne C lo th . O ne C lo th c le an s alm ost a n yth in g w ith j u st w ate r, e v en g re asy s to ves a n d c ar w in dsh ie ld s. U se a s p ra y bottle w ith w ate r i n ste ad o f t o xic c h em ic als . W hen a O ne C lo th g ets d ir ty , j u st t h ro w it i n t h e r e g ula r w ash ( d o n ot u se c h lo rin e b le ach a n d t h ey w ill l a st t h ro ugh h undre d s of w ash in gs). Deo d ora n t Most p eo ple u se d eo dora n ts d aily a n d a re u naw are th at th ey a re p la cin g to xic ch em ic als o n a s e n sitiv e s k in a re a w here t h ey c an b e a b so rb ed i n to t h e b ody. A lm ost all d eo dora n ts c o nta in t o xic c h em ic als s u ch a s a lu m in um c o m pounds, t r ic lo sa n , a n d artif ic ia l f ra g ra n ces, c o lo rs a n d p re se rv ativ es. E ven th e “ ro ck ” d eo dora n ts a re m ad e of alu m in um sa lts . A fte r tw o years of re se arc h , m y ch oic e is In diu M ag ic . In diu M ag ic is a c o lo rle ss, o dorle ss liq uid s p ra y th at is n on-s ta in in g, n on-a lle rg en ic , sa fe , i n ex pen siv e a n d e ffe ctiv e. Fats a n d O ils Certa in f a ts a n d o ils a re e sse n tia l n utr ie n ts . T he b ody r e q uir e s t h em e v ery d ay f o r good h ealth . T he p ro ble m is th at m ost o f th e g ood f a ts a n d o ils h av e b een r e m oved fro m o ur m odern d ie ts a n d u nhealth fu l f a ts a n d o ils h av e r e p la ced t h em . T he f a ts a n d oils I c h oose t o u se f o llo w . Baria n i O liv e O il Most c o m merc ia l o liv e o il is p ro cesse d in a m an ner th at d am ag es its n utr itio nal co nte n t. M ost o f th e tim e p eo ple a re not gettin g w hat th ey th in k th ey a re b uyin g when th ey p urc h ase a b ottle o f o liv e o il ( h en ce th e s c an dal in th e o liv e o il in dustr y whic h w as f ir s t i n tr o duced t o t h e p ublic b y m y n ew sle tte r, Beyo nd H ea lth N ew s, an d was u ltim ate ly in clu ded in a w orld w id e b ro ad cast b y th e B BC a n d b y A BC n ew s). Alm ost all o liv e o il is p ro cesse d an d d ilu te d in w ay s th at re su lt in th e lo ss o f vita m in s, e sse n tia l f a tty a cid s, a n tio xid an ts , a n d o th er n utr ie n ts , n ot to m en tio n th e ad ditio n/c re atio n o f to xin s. I n m y s e arc h f o r a h ealth fu l o liv e o il, I f o und o nly o ne U.S . p ro ducer th at’s d oin g e v ery th in g rig ht. N ot s u rp ris in gly , th is o il a ls o h as th e best f la v or; t h e b ra n d i s B aria n i. Barle a n s F la xse ed O il Every body n eed s e sse n tia l fa ts . F la x se ed o il c o nta in s e sse n tia l o m eg a-3 a n d -6 fa tty a cid s th at a re r e q uir e d f o r g ood h ealth . I n c h oosin g a n o il, lo ok f o r o ne th at is as fre sh as p ossib le an d u nfilte re d , so as to re ta in all its p re cio us n utr ie n ts an d goodness. B arle an s i s m y c h oic e. I t i s a h ig h-q uality o il t h at i s p re sse d d aily , g iv en a fo ur-m onth sh elf lif e d ate sta m p a n d e x pre sse d d ir e ctly to y our lo cal h ealth fo od sto re . Carls o n C od L iv er O il Carls o n C od L iv er O il c o m es f ro m th e liv ers o f f re sh c o d f is h f o und in th e p ure North A tla n tic w ate rs n ear N orw ay. It is a ric h s o urc e o f v ita m in s A a n d D a lo ng with D HA a n d E PA ( fis h o ils b en efic ia l t o h um an h ealth ). Org an ic G hee o r B utte r Org an ic b utte r is a ccep ta b le w hen a fa t is re q uir e d , su ch a s fo r fry in g. D o n ot allo w th e b utte r to s m oke, a s it b eco m es to xic . O rg an ic g hee ( c la rif ie d b utte r) m ay be a b ette r c h oic e s in ce it la ck s th e m ilk p ro te in s a n d is le ss a lle rg en ic th an b utte r. Ghee is m ad e b y re m ovin g a ll th e m ilk s o lid s a n d w ate r fro m b utte r, le av in g o nly th e f a t. G hee w ith sta n ds h ig her te m pera tu re s w ell, m ak in g it id eal f o r c o okin g. M y ch oic e i s P urity F arm s O rg an ic G hee. Udo’s C hoic e P erfe cte d O il B le n d Udo’s C hoic e is a b le n d o f o rg an ic , u nre fin ed o ils a n d n utr itio nal c o -fa cto rs th at bala n ces th e o m eg a-3 a n d o m eg a-6 f a tty a cid s to c o in cid e w ith th ose o bta in ed f ro m tr a d itio nal d ie ts . Pestic id es Pestic id es a re a m ong th e m ost d an gero us o f a ll m an -m ad e c h em ic als . W hen w e are e x pose d to p estic id es, n ot o nly d o th ey h arm u s a n d o ur c h ild re n ; th ey h arm a ll lif e o n t h e p la n et. Y et, t h ere a re t im es w hen i t s u re w ould b e n ic e t o h av e s o m eth in g th at e ffe ctiv ely k ills a n d r e p els b ugs w ith out d oin g h arm t o y ou, y our c h ild re n , y our pets , o r t h e e n vir o nm en t. I f o und s u ch a p ro duct; i t i s c alle d O ra n ge G uard . pH p ap er pH b ala n ce i s a c ritic al p art o f c ellu la r h ealth . F or m onito rin g t h e p H o f u rin e a n d sa liv a, p H p ap er i n t h e r a n ge o f 5 .5 t o 8 .0 i s i d eal. p H p ap er i n t h is r a n ge i s a v aila b le at B ey ond H ealth , a lo ng w ith g uid elin es o n h ow t o m easu re a n d c o ntr o l y our p H . Reb ou ndin g Health is dete rm in ed by m an y fa cto rs , in clu din g die t, to xin s, gen es, str e ss, th oughts an d em otio ns an d th e a m ount o f p hysic a l a ctiv ity w e g et. Rese arc h h as pro ven th at th e b en efits o f ex erc is e are cu m ula tiv e an d th at p hysic al activ ity is esse n tia l fo r h ealth . R eb oundin g is a s im ple , e asy , a n d in ex pen siv e w ay to a d dre ss th is p ro ble m w ith out l e av in g y our h om e. If y ou c o nsid er b uyin g a r e b ounder, d o n ot p urc h ase a c h eap $ 50 m in i- tr a m polin e at y our l o cal s p ortin g g oods s to re . T his t y pe o f r e b ounder a ctu ally c an d o m ore h arm th an good. In ex pen siv e re b ounders te n d to hav e bad sp rin gs; th ese ch eap tu be sp rin gs d o n ot a b so rb a n d c u sh io n y our w eig ht p ro perly , c au sin g a b ounce th at is ab ru pt a n d ja rrin g. P eo ple h av e s u ffe re d p erm an en t n erv e d am ag e f ro m u sin g s u ch units . S ele ct a r e b ounder w ith f a t, b arre l s p rin g t h at a llo w s f o r s m ooth d ecele ra tio n, brin gin g y ou to a g en tle sto p. A noth er p ro ble m w ith ch eap re b ounders is p oor- quality m attin g m ate ria l. C heap m ats str e tc h to o m uch , d o n ot su pport y our fe et pro perly a n d th us p la ce u ndue s tr e ss o n y our a n kle s, k nees a n d b ack . B y c o ntr a st, good r e b ounders h av e h ig h-q uality m ats t h at h old t h eir s h ap e a n d d o n ot o vers tr e tc h . Oth er c o nsid era tio ns fo r a re b ounder in clu de th e s tr e n gth o f th e fra m e, th e h eig ht an d n um ber o f le g s, th e q uality o f th e s e w in g th at a tta ch es th e w eb bin g to th e m at an d th e ease w ith w hic h th e u nit can b e fo ld ed , sto re d o ut o f th e w ay o r m ad e porta b le . T he r e b ounder I s e le cte d f o r m y p ers o nal u se is a v aila b le th ro ugh B ey ond Health . Sham poo All s h am poos w ill r e m ove o il a n d d ir t f ro m y our h air, b ut t h e c h alle n ge i s f in din g one w ith out to xin s. C om mon to xin s in clu de so diu m la u ry l su lf a te an d artif ic ia l co lo rs , f ra g ra n ces a n d p re se rv ativ es. D ep en din g o n t h e f o rm ula , o th er i n gre d ie n ts i n sh am poo a re c ap ab le o f re actin g w ith s o diu m la u ry l s u lf a te to fo rm n itr o sa m in es, whic h a re p ow erfu l c arc in ogen s. T he b ra n d I c h ose fo r m y p ers o nal u se is A ubre y Org an ic s. A ubre y m ak es a v arie ty o f s h am poo p ro ducts , s o th ere is b ound to b e o ne th at i s j u st r ig ht f o r y ou. Skin C rea m Lik e s h am poos, m ost s k in c re am s c o nta in a lo ng lis t o f h ig hly to xic c h em ic als in clu din g a rtif ic ia l c o lo rs , f ra g ra n ces, a n d p re se rv ativ es s u ch a s p ara b en s ( c ap ab le o f dam ag in g s u b-la y ers o f s k in e v en m ore s e v ere ly th an a b ad s u nburn — d am ag e th at goes e sse n tia lly u nnotic ed — until a c an cer d ia g nosis ). M y s e arc h fo r a s k in c re am th at c o nta in ed n o to xin s a n d o nly h ig h-q uality n atu ra l in gre d ie n ts le d m e a g ain to Aubre y O rg an ic s, w hic h m ak es a v arie ty o f sa fe an d effe ctiv e sk in cre am s. M y fa v orite is th eir G re en T ea & G in kgo M ois tu riz er, w hic h is av aila b le at q uality health a n d s p ecia lty s to re s o r a t B ey ond H ealth . Soap Soap s g en era lly co m e in eith er b ar o r liq uid fo rm an d are m ad e fro m eith er veg eta b le o r a n im al f a ts o r s y nth etic d ete rg en ts . T here a re e n orm ous d if fe re n ces in th e a m ount o f s k in ir rita tio n c au se d b y d if fe re n t b ra n ds o f s o ap . G en era lly , s o ap s mad e fro m g ly cerin are am ong th e m ild est. S oap s can als o co nta in a v arie ty o f to xin s i n clu din g a rtif ic ia l c o lo rs a n d f ra g ra n ces a s w ell a s a n tib acte ria l c h em ic als . I lo ok fo r s o ap s th at m in im iz e b oth s k in ir rita tio n a n d to xic ity w hile s till d oin g th e jo b. M y f a v orite s a re s o ap s m ad e b y W ele d a a n d A ubre y O rg an ic s. I a ls o l ik e K ir k ’s Castile bar so ap an d D r. B ro nner’s liq uid so ap s; both are effe ctiv e, sa fe an d re la tiv ely i n ex pen siv e. Sunsc reen This is a p ers p ectiv e is su e m ore th an a re co m men datio n. S unlig ht is a h ealth pro m otin g, re q uir e d n utr ie n t. S unburn , h ow ev er, d am ag es h ealth . T he a n sw er is to get s u n i n f re q uen t m odera te d ose s a n d b uild a t a n . U nle ss y ou d o s o m eth in g f o olis h , th e su n w ill n ot cau se d is e ase in h ealth y p eo ple w ho h av e ad eq uate am ounts o f nutr ie n ts lik e c aro te n es, ly co pen e, e sse n tia l fa tty a cid s, a n d v ita m in s A , C , E , a n d zin c an d se le n iu m . O ur n eed fo r th e su n is ex em plif ie d b y th e fa ct th at n atu re in te n ded u s to g et m ost o f o ur v ita m in D f ro m th e s u n. V ita m in D is a lm ost to ta lly ab se n t in v eg eta b le f o ods. I f y ou m ust h av e a s u nsc re en s k in p ro duct, I r e co m men d lo okin g fo r th ose th at d o n ot c o nta in a n y to xic , s y nth etic c h em ic als . M y p ers o nal ch oic es a re a n y o f th e s e v era l s u nsc re en p ro ducts b y A ubre y O rg an ic s, o r m ere ly stic k in g t o t h e a n cie n t M ed ite rra n ean c u sto m o f r u bbin g h ig h q uality o liv e o il ( s u ch as B aria n i) o n t h e s k in . Synth etic c h em ic al s u nsc re en s m ay i n deed h elp p re v en t a s u nburn , b ut t h ey d o n ot pre v en t sk in c an cer— in fa ct, th ey m ay e v en p ro m ote it. R ese arc h ers a t th e M .D . Anders o n C an cer C en te r in H ousto n cite : “T here is n o su bsta n tia l ev id en ce th at su nsc re en p ro te cts a g ain st a n y o f th e th re e fo rm s o f sk in c an cer.” R obin M ark s, M.B ., M .P .H ., a d erm ato lo gis t a n d a p ro fe sso r a t th e U niv ers ity o f M elb ourn e s a id : “R ely in g o n s y nth etic c h em ic als to p re v en t c an cer is la u ghab le .” A rth ur R hodes, a Univ ers ity o f P itts b urg h d erm ato lo gis t, t o ld a 1 994 m eetin g o f t h e A m eric an C an cer Socie ty t h at s u nsc re en s “ ap pear w eak ly e ffe ctiv e o r i n effe ctiv e.” Tooth paste Becau se a lm ost a ll to oth paste is to xic , I lo oked f o r a to oth paste th at w ould c le an te eth w ith out a d din g to to xic o verlo ad . T he m ucu s m em bra n es in th e m outh a re hig hly p erm eab le a n d c h em ic als i n t o oth paste p ass r ig ht t h ro ugh t h e m em bra n es i n to th e b lo od s tr e am w here th ey c an b io accu m ula te in th e b ody to to xic le v els . T oxin s su ch a s so diu m la u ry l su lf a te , flu orid e, a rtif ic ia l sw eete n ers , a rtif ic ia l c o lo rs , a n d artif ic ia l f la v ors a re c o m mon c o nta m in an ts in to oth paste . T he b ra n d I s e le cte d a fte r eig hte en m onth s o f r e se arc h i s W ele d a. W hile t h ere m ay b e o th er a ccep ta b le b ra n ds, I d id n ot f in d a n y in m y s e arc h th at w ere s u perio r to W ele d a. I f y ou d ecid e to lo ok fo r o ne o n y our o w n, th e o bje ctiv e is to f in d a b ra n d th at is m ad e f ro m o nly n atu ra l an d e x cep tio nally p ure r a w m ate ria ls . For a d ditio nal in fo rm atio n a b out th ese p ro ducts , g o to www.b eyo ndhea lth .c o m o r call 8 00-2 50-3 063. A PE N DIX D A LTER NATIV E C ANCER T REA TM EN TS C an cer m ay b e th e m ost f e are d o f a ll d is e ase s, b ut lik e a ll s o -c alle d d is e ase s, it is noth in g m ore th an m alf u nctio nin g c ells . R esto re th ose c ells to n orm al f u nctio n a n d th e c an cer w ill d is a p pear. M odern m ed ic in e’s d an gero us tr e atm en ts h av e fa ile d to put a den t in our can cer ep id em ic . M ean w hile , alte rn ativ e m eth ods hav e been clin ic ally p ro ven t o r e v ers e c an cer. Good r e so urc es i n clu de t h e Defin itiv e G uid e t o C ancer by D ia m ond, C ow den , a n d Gold berg , p ublis h ed b y F utu re M ed ic in e P ublis h in g. A noth er re so urc e is Bea tin g Cancer with Nutr itio n by Patr ic k Q uillin . For sp ecif ic su ggestio ns re g ard in g alte rn ativ e tr e atm en t o ptio ns, c o nsu lt w ith P eo ple A gain st C an cer. B y b eco m in g a paid m em ber, th ey w ill p ro vid e in fo rm atio n ab out tr e atm en t o ptio ns th ro ugh an In te rn atio nal P hysic ia n s N etw ork th at re v ie w s y our m ed ic al re co rd s a n d p ro vid es sp ecif ic r e co m men datio ns. I n a d ditio n, P eo ple A gain st C an cer p ro vid es a w id e r a n ge of e d ucatio nal m ate ria ls o f i n te re st t o p eo ple w ith c an cer. For m ore i n fo rm atio n g o t o www.b eyo ndhea lth .c o m a n d c lic k o n t h e l in ks p ag e o r call 8 00-2 50-3 063. A PPE N DIX E: I MPR O VIN G V IS IO N E yesig ht can be im pro ved usin g natu ra l vis io n im pro vem en t ex erc is e s. By re g ula rly perfo rm in g a se rie s of sim ple ex erc is e s, m ost peo ple can th ro w th eir ey eg la sse s a w ay. M eir S ch neid er’s Yo ga fo r Y o ur E yes offe rs a c o m ple te p ro gra m in clu din g a 62-p ag e bookle t, ey e ex erc is e ch art, an d an 82-m in ute vid eo ta p e te ach in g you how to im pro ve your vis io n natu ra lly . M eir Sch neid er w as born with out s ig ht. H e d ev elo ped h is o w n to ta l a p pro ach to s e lf -h ealin g a n d u se d it to re v ers e h is o w n b lin dness. Yo ga f o r Y o ur E yes is a v aila b le t h ro ugh B ey ond H ealth a t www.b eyo ndhea lth .c o m o r 8 00-2 50-3 063. A PPE N DIX F: H EA LTH -E - A MER IC A F OUNDATIO N D ra m atic in cre a se s in d is e a se -c a re c o sts a nd r a te s o f d is e a se a re th re a te n in g to overw helm th e eco nom ic and so cia l str u ctu re s of th e U nite d Sta te s. An ag in g popula tio n a n d a n u npre ced en te d e p id em ic o f c h ro nic a n d d eg en era tiv e d is e ase a re mak in g c o sts s p in o ut o f c o ntr o l. W ith t h e p erc en ta g e o f y oung t a x pay ers s h rin kin g, pro vid in g h ealth b en efits to th e e ld erly w ill o verw helm th e n atio nal b udget w ith in th ir ty y ears . T he U nite d S ta te s s p en ds m ore o n h ealth c are t h an a n y o th er n atio n. Y et th e i n cid en ce o f a lm ost e v ery c h ro nic d is e ase c o ntin ues t o i n cre ase , t h e h ealth o f o ur peo ple co ntin ues to dete rio ra te , an d co sts are so arin g to unsu sta in ab le le v els . Acco rd in g to th e M ed ic are B oard o f T ru ste es, M ed ic are s p en din g w ill d ouble o ver th e n ex t t e n y ears . M ed ic are c o sts w ill e x ceed t h ose o f S ocia l S ecu rity , a n d b y 2 030, 75 p erc en t o f t h e f e d era l b udget w ill b e a llo cate d t o M ed ic are , M ed ic aid , a n d s o cia l se cu rity . T he p ro m is e d b en efits u nder M ed ic are a n d s o cia l s e cu rity a re p ro je cte d to ex ceed sc h ed ule d in co m e b y $ 465 tr illio n o ver th e n ex t 7 5 y ears . T he c o m bin ed eco nom ic a n d s o cia l d is ru ptio n fro m s u pportin g s u ch a la rg e, d is e ase d p opula tio n co uld be cata str o phic . A p ro gra m to p re ven t th is cris is m ust b eco m e a n atio nal prio rity . The s o lu tio n to th is c ris is is to a rre st a n d r e v ers e th e e p id em ic , th ere b y lo w erin g health c o sts t o a f ra ctio n o f t o day ’s e x pen ditu re s. A gin g i s i n ev ita b le , b ut h ealth i s a ch oic e. T he v aria b le o ver w hic h w e h av e c o ntr o l i s w heth er p eo ple r e m ain h ealth y a s th ey a g e. W e m ust t e ach t h em h ow t o d o t h is . S in ce t h is e p id em ic i s m an -m ad e, w e can c h oose t o u nm ak e i t t h ro ugh a d ra m atic al a n d n ew s c ie n tif ic ally b ase d e d ucatio n model. The m is sio n o f H ealth -e -A m eric a F oundatio n ( H eA F) is to a rre st a n d r e v ers e o ur ch ro nic -d is e ase e p id em ic th ro ugh e d ucatio n— by te ach in g s c h oolc h ild re n a n d th eir fa m ilie s th e basic s of good health an d em pow erin g th em to ach ie v e it. W ith ch ild hood d is e ase ra te s in cre asin g, te ach in g ch ild re n h ow to im pro ve h ealth an d av oid d is e ase w ill p ro duce a n a lm ost i m med ia te r e d uctio n i n c o sts , w ith t h e s a v in gs co m pounded e ach y ear. Health -e -A m eric a F oundatio n w ill p ro vid e h ealth e d ucatio n u sin g a n ew m odel o f health a n d d is e ase b ase d o n t h e r e v olu tio nary c o ncep t o f m ain ta in in g a n d i m pro vin g cellu la r h ealth . In e sse n ce, th ere is o nly o ne d is e ase — malf u nctio nin g c ells . It is malf u nctio nin g c ells th at b eco m e su sc ep tib le to in fe ctio n a n d w hic h m an if e st a s can cer o r o th er so -c alle d d is e ase s. T each in g ch ild re n h ow to p re v en t an d re p air cellu la r m alf u nctio n w ill b eg in t o i m med ia te ly a rre st a n d r e v ers e A m eric a’s c h ro nic dis e ase e p id em ic . T his e p id em ic to ok g en era tio ns to c re ate , b ut w e m ust r e v ers e it much fa ste r. T his c an o nly b e a cco m plis h ed b y te ach in g a n e n tir e g en era tio n o f ch ild re n . Exis tin g h ealth e d ucatio n i s d is jo in te d a n d i n co m ple te . I t h as n ot b een e ffe ctiv e i n cu rta ilin g th is ep id em ic b ecau se it fa ils to p ro vid e a co here n t u nders ta n din g o f health . W ors e , m ost o f th e e x is tin g e d ucatio nal m ate ria ls h av e b een su pplie d b y in dustr ie s p ro m otin g u nhealth fu l o r o utm oded s o lu tio ns. T he one-d is e a se c o ncep t is a v astly m ore e ffe ctiv e w ay t o t e ach h ealth . T his c o ncep t i s e asy t o u nders ta n d a n d i t is a c o m pre h en siv e s y ste m in co rp ora tin g a ll a sp ects o f h ealth . U sin g a d van ced E - le arn in g te ch nolo gy, H eA F w ill p ro vid e, fr e e o f c h arg e an d in C D R O M fo rm at o r onlin e, ed ucatio nal m ate ria ls th at are stim ula tin g to stu den ts an d av aila b le to te ach ers in gra d es kin derg arte n th ro ugh hig h sc h ool. H eA F w ill pro duce th ese uniq ue e d ucatio nal m ate ria ls a s w ell a s la u nch a n atio nal e d ucatio nal c am paig n f o r pare n ts , te ach ers , a n d s c h ool a d m in is tr a to rs to f a cilita te th e in tr o ductio n a n d u se o f th ese m ate ria ls i n t h e s c h ools . T his p ro gra m w ill b en efit t h e e x is tin g g en era tio n, b ut most im porta n t, it w ill im pro ve th e h ealth o f e ach s u cceed in g g en era tio n, w hic h w e all h av e a r e sp onsib ility t o e n su re — to e n su re t h e f u tu re o f A m eric a. For m ore in fo rm atio n o n H eA F g o to www.h ea lth ea m eric a .o rg . To su pport th is im porta n t w ork , t a x -d ed uctib le d onatio ns c an b e s e n t t o : Health -e -A m eric a F oundatio n P.O . B ox 1 50578 San R afa el, C A 9 4915 “N ever d oubt th e p ow er o f s m all g ro ups to c h ange th e w orld ; in deed , it is th e only t h in g t h at e ver h as.” Marg are t M ead , Anth ro polo gis t 1 901–1978 Tab le o f C on te n ts CO VER P A GE TIT LE P A GE CO PY RIG HT P A GE CO NTEN TS FO REW ORD ACK NOW LED GM EN TS IN TR O DUCTIO N 1. I A LM OST D IE D 2. Y OUR P O TEN TIA L F O R H EA LTH 3. T H E N EW T H EO RY O F H EA LTH A ND D IS E A SE 4. C H OOSIN G H EA LTH Y C ELLS 5. T H E N UTR IT IO N P A TH W AY 6. T H E T O XIN P A TH W AY 7. T H E P SY CH OLO GIC A L P A TH W AY 8. T H E P H YSIC A L P A TH W AY 9. T H E G EN ETIC P A TH W AY 10. T H E M ED IC A L P A TH W AY 11. A S H IF T I N P E R SPE C TIV E REFE R EN CES AUTH OR’S N OTE: G OIN G B EY OND H EA LTH APPE N DIX A : H EA LTH I N FO RM ATIO N APPE N DIX B : V IT A M IN S U PPL EM EN TS APPE N DIX C : F O ODS A ND P E R SO NAL P R O DUCTS APPE N DIX D : A LTER N ATIV E C A NCER T R EA TM EN TS APPE N DIX E : I M PR O VIN G V IS IO N APPE N DIX F : H EA LTH -E -A M ER IC A F O UNDATIO N