Getting Well Naturally

Is traditional food the best medicine? Does it play a major role in health and longevity? The answer is yes. Seafood and vegetables are very good; they are the type of food used by our ancestors. Thus, Caribbean people should be among the healthiest people in the world, it is in our heritage.

Further, the human body has the ability to heal itself, through proper dieting and exercise. An intrinsic force is what mends broken bones and that same force heals arthritis. For nature to cure, one must understand what nature is – what is natural and live by it. Relentless and constant experimentation with one’s own diet is required to find our own balance. Other methods may be tried in an attempt to build health and alleviate diseases. For now, we shall concentrate on diet.

Healthy Foods

Keeping our heart healthy is a good way to start. Food plays a critical role in preventing and also managing heart disease. Disease fighting food are: onions high in compounds that lower cholesterol; fresh green salads that are rich in vitamins; salmon a source of heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids; and corn on the cob a healthy vegetable.

Heart disease kills thousands each year. In the past our ancestors knew nothing of this epidemic. Lately, it is one of the biggest dilemmas that ail our people in today’s world. Eating a diet low in unhealthy fats, rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and fiber are good protection for our hearts. Knowing what you can eat can lower your chances of developing heart disease and this is important.

Consuming too many saturated fats, for example, raises blood cholesterol level in some people, a high sodium intake can elevate blood pressure. Eating more calories than your body burns causes weight gain, which set the stage for diabetes and high blood pressure which leads to heart disease.

Reduce Heart Disease

You can dramatically reduce your chances of heart disease by taking the following steps:

• Don’t smoke
• Exercise regularly
• Eat heart –friendly foods such as vegetable, whole grains and good fats
• Stay at a healthy weight
• Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol at a healthy level
• Manage the stress in your life.

Writer Andie Sweeney