"You must understand that humans are an animal species, a species of mammal with mammalian requirements for health."
Figuring out how to introduce this blog idea has been a challenge for me. I chose this particular quote because it takes us to as close to a beginning as I can get. Dr. Chestnut repeatedly reminds his readers in The Wellness and Prevention Paradigm, that humans are not governed outside the laws of nature and as animals, we need to eat, move and think in a way that is congruent with our genetic makeup. This was something our hunter-gatherer ancestors knew two million years ago. Starting today, I invite you to toss away the conventional fork and spoon, and dig right in, as we learn together about the paleolithic lifestyle.
I was fortunate enough to begin my life with athletic and health conscious parents. Soda was a very rare thing to find in our fridge and if there was a sugary cereal, it was not a breakfast option; it was a treat. I have only recently asked myself the question of whether these things should have been allowed at all.
I wish I could say that these habits carried right over into my adult life. I attribute this to a lack of understanding the reasons behind the motives. Was their idea of a healthy diet 100% correct? Of course not. There is simply too much information and new research surfacing continually. All we can do is learn as much as possible and use the information to the best of our ability.
I wish I could say that these habits carried right over into my adult life. I attribute this to a lack of understanding the reasons behind the motives. Was their idea of a healthy diet 100% correct? Of course not. There is simply too much information and new research surfacing continually. All we can do is learn as much as possible and use the information to the best of our ability.
It wasn't until many years later, when my dad was diagnosed with cancer, and I began to struggle with my own weight and anxiety issues, that I truly began to care about what I put into my body. Watching my athletic father waste away with pancreatic cancer is nearly impossible to explain. How could someone seemingly so healthy, become so sick? After his passing, I went a few rounds with doctors prescribing me various anti-depressants, trying to find one whose side effects would least affect my day-to-day life. In hindsight, this seems so completely absurd. My father had just died, of course I was depressed. My job was so stressful and my diet was so full of sugar and other various "comfort foods" that it was no wonder I was having anxiety attacks. After many miserable months of Rx popping, I began to wish for the anxiety attacks to come back. I can only give one tiny bit of credit to the little white pills; My head was just clear enough to realize that I did not want to live my life like this.
I took it upon myself to change my lifestyle, and began reading everything I could about natural anxiety relief, only to really discover that health and wellness simply boils down to what we put into our bodies. This applies not only to good quality, real food, but also providing your body with exercise and positive actions and thoughts.
I must give the first round of profound thanks to my friend and chiropractor, Dr. Steve Czys. After several months of regular appointments and discussions, I finally decided to heed his advice, and cut all forms of sugar from my diet. What took me so long to come to this decision was that sugar includes all forms of wheat and grains. He led me to a lifestyle that involves feeding your genetics, just as our ancestors did. Making this decision was one of the best things I have ever done for my health and wellbeing.
As I continued to learn about the health and wellness of the human species, my head became so packed with information and ideas. I wanted to shout the truth to the world, and most days, I feel like I might combust. I am also beginning to fear I may drive my family and friends insane before said combustion.
I must give the first round of profound thanks to my friend and chiropractor, Dr. Steve Czys. After several months of regular appointments and discussions, I finally decided to heed his advice, and cut all forms of sugar from my diet. What took me so long to come to this decision was that sugar includes all forms of wheat and grains. He led me to a lifestyle that involves feeding your genetics, just as our ancestors did. Making this decision was one of the best things I have ever done for my health and wellbeing.
As I continued to learn about the health and wellness of the human species, my head became so packed with information and ideas. I wanted to shout the truth to the world, and most days, I feel like I might combust. I am also beginning to fear I may drive my family and friends insane before said combustion.
The fact of the matter is, I can't unlearn things, nor would I ever want to. Dr. Chestnut tells us that humans have gone from being a super species to the sickest species, in less than a century. I have found that I almost have to close myself off in my own little world when I grocery shop, because it breaks my heart to see so many people committing slow suicide with their supermarket choices. Am I innocent of this? Of course not. It was a learning process; one that I hope never ends. I made the decision to seek my own information. Ignorance is not bliss, ignorance is literally killing us.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2010 that; "Chronic diseases – such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis – are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems in the U.S." More frightening still,the report goes on to tell us that these preventable illnesses are responsible for 7 out of every 10 deaths in America alone.
There is one word in all of this that gives me hope; "preventable." Humans get to choose how to live their lives, to learn about their own health and wellness. There will never be a "cure" for cancer, because the "cure" is taking steps to not develop it in the first place. In today's industrial world, it is nearly impossible to avoid exposure to toxins that may cause cancer, but I think it is even more frustrating if we don't try.
The fact that we can't even drink out of our own natural water supply tells us a lot. Think of it like this; we learn about our ancestors and our history from the planet itself, correct? The ground is like one giant blueprint or timeline. It records, and even fossilizes things that are left behind. Now think about what we dump into the ground today - such as the chemicals and pesticides we spray onto our plants that seep into the earth. Think of the laboratory made food-like substances that are marketed to make us think we getting complete nutrition. It seems crazy to me to that man thinks he can do this better that nature.
I can only hope, as this blog progresses, that I can inspire someone to take a look at their own life. If one person reads this and makes the decision to learn more and make changes to their lifestyle, then I will have accomplished what I set out to do; save a life.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2010 that; "Chronic diseases – such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis – are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems in the U.S." More frightening still,the report goes on to tell us that these preventable illnesses are responsible for 7 out of every 10 deaths in America alone.
There is one word in all of this that gives me hope; "preventable." Humans get to choose how to live their lives, to learn about their own health and wellness. There will never be a "cure" for cancer, because the "cure" is taking steps to not develop it in the first place. In today's industrial world, it is nearly impossible to avoid exposure to toxins that may cause cancer, but I think it is even more frustrating if we don't try.
The fact that we can't even drink out of our own natural water supply tells us a lot. Think of it like this; we learn about our ancestors and our history from the planet itself, correct? The ground is like one giant blueprint or timeline. It records, and even fossilizes things that are left behind. Now think about what we dump into the ground today - such as the chemicals and pesticides we spray onto our plants that seep into the earth. Think of the laboratory made food-like substances that are marketed to make us think we getting complete nutrition. It seems crazy to me to that man thinks he can do this better that nature.
I can only hope, as this blog progresses, that I can inspire someone to take a look at their own life. If one person reads this and makes the decision to learn more and make changes to their lifestyle, then I will have accomplished what I set out to do; save a life.
Way to go Linny! While not ready to accept the paleo lifestyle right now, I am working on making profound changes and getting rid of the "laboratory made food-like substances that are marketed to make us think we are getting complete nutrition." I love that part!
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