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"The people need to learn that the natural condition of human beings is one of health, and that every instance of sickness and suffering, unless caused by accident, is caused by some wrong doing on the part of the sufferer."
Dr. Harriet Austin, 1850
Optimizing Health
Gregory W. Peterson, D.C., C.C.S.T., F.I.A.M.A.; N.D., Ph.D. Candidate
Congratulations on taking the first step in taking charge of your health and changing it for the better. Unlike many Americans that have given up hope you have made a decision to move forward on the path to abundant, vibrant, and radiant health. While complete health restoration may not be possible in some, I can assure you that the more closely you follow the dietary instructions here the more health benefits you will gain. You will enjoy better health no matter your present health status.
Many Americans have been convinced that their genes determine what disease they will get and when, so there isn’t much they can do to control their health. The truth is genes actually play a very small role in the development of disease and illness. The July 13, 2000 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine stated: "80 to 90 percent of human cancer is due to environmental factors." It is what we do to and how we care for our genes that cause disease.
Others rely on the early detection/treatment method of disease control to protect them. This is not much more than waiting for disease to happen. Still others make an effort to prevent disease by "eating right", exercise, and reducing their exposure to germs (a.k.a. the Fear of Germs disease) yet they still get sicknesses and diseases.
Illness and disease don’t just happen! Health is not a mystery! Sickness isn’t lurking around a corner waiting to attack some unsuspecting or some undeserving individual. It happens when you allow your body’s resistance or ability to fight disease to weaken and/or you expose yourself to too many stressors or negative things such that your body can no longer fight it.
In my 20 years of studying health I have seen what works and what doesn’t work. In this article is the information you need to effectively take control of your health, age gracefully, free of the diseases and illnesses considered inevitable. The instructions here will work if you follow them. Most people will lose weight following these directions, if they need to. We have programs designed for weight loss. This is a guideline for long-term eating and health improving habits.
There are numerous ideas, concepts and suggestions on the right type of diets, foods, vitamins, minerals, hormones, enzymes and combinations of the above to
help you be healthier. The bookshelves are replete with books promising the latest in "breakthrough" diets that will help you look younger, live longer and combat cancer or heart disease. There are diets that state you need 40 - 30 -30 carbohydrate - protein - fat, while another says 80 - 20 protein - carbohydrate, and another says vegetarian is best. Yet, if you put an Eskimo on a vegetarian diet he/she will get diarrhea, rotten teeth and an awful disposition. With this in mind I have attempted to put this guide together for my patients. Based upon a balance of "good" research and common sense, not only will you be healthier, most people will lose weight following these directions if they need to.
The KEY idea for abundant health is to eat fresh nutrient-dense whole foods as close to their natural state as possible and avoid the things in your life that are harmful or health robbing . The majority of our food supply has been refined, bleached, chemically preserved, sterilized, homogenized, artificially colored and flavored, hydrogenated, synthetically fortified and enriched, defibered, denatured, canned, frozen, and exposed to hundreds of harmful chemicals. It is difficult for me to imagine how anyone would consider these types of foods capable of providing all the minerals, vitamins, enzymes, phytochemicals, cofactors, electrolytes, and essential fatty acids necessary to support a healthy lifestyle. Just because you can put it in your mouth and chew it does not make it food.
The guidelines may seem long, restrictive, and hard to follow. Start slowly on this journey to health and try to involve your whole family. Some of the dietary suggestions may go against what you have heard or read in the past. An ant eats an elephant one bite at a time, so should you take one bite at a time. If we do not make the time and effort to improve our health and remain healthy now, then we had better make time later for disease and illness.
Remember, being healthy is a choice! Science has proven that you do have control of your health by controlling the things you put into your body, what you do to your body, and the toxins to which you expose it. By elimination and avoidance of the things that take away health, while increasing the health-improving things such as better nutrition, exercise, adequate sunlight exposure, fresh air, etc. we will enjoy abundant healthy rewards.
Good Luck and here’s to Good Health!
| Toxicity |
| Nerve Interference |
| Stress |
| Nutrition Deficiency |
| Dehydration |
| Religion & Health |
| Exercise |
| Sunshine |
| Rest |
| Natural Medicine |
| Electromagnetic Fields |
| Genetics |
| Acupuncture |
| Chiropractic |
| Herbology |
| Homeopathy |
| Naturopathy |
| Nutrition Therapy |
| Foods to Avoid |
| Health Promoting Dietary Habits |
| General Rules |