Foods and Health: The Ultimate Guide

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Human health depends on the total of the many “small” decisions we make daily, in other words, our lifestyle. Generally speaking, the choices that most affect our health depend on the foods we eat. There are so many alternatives available that we must continually decide which foods to select and how they are best prepared.

Information + Correct Choices = Health: The more comprehensive the information we have regarding available foods, the simpler it is to make the best selections for health.

Harmful Foods, Beneficial Foods

People need food during their lives. While all foods give nutrients and energy, some can cause disorders and diseases; others bring health and healing. Consequently, there are harmful foods and, of course, beneficial foods. It is vital to understand foods well to choose those that sustain our health, which is so vulnerable today, and those that treat numerous diseases. This website is designed to provide that understanding.

Foods and Health Sources

Humans can adapt to eating almost anything, whether mineral, vegetable, or animal. But simply because something can be eaten does not mean this may be done without risking good health.

From the mineral kingdom: Water and salt are two foods (in the broad sense of the word) of mineral origin. Unlike other food, water, and salt do not originate from living things.

From the vegetable kingdom: These foods are healthier and have the most healing potential. Different types of vegetables can be utilized as food:

• Seaweed – These are eaten whole, microscopic single-cell (such as spirulina) or multicellular such as the rest of the seaweed.
• Higher plants – Customarily, these foods are a part of the plant: fruit, seed, bulb, root, etc.
• Fungi – Although they are grouped with foods of vegetable origin, fungi belong to an independent kingdom with its characteristics. Those fungi used as food are:
  Certain microscopic fungi, such as brewer’s yeast, belong to the class Ascomycetes.
  – mushrooms are, in reality, only a part (fruity body) of higher fungi.

From the animal kingdom: Certain aquatic and land animals’ secretions, eggs, and meat can be used for food. However, not all of them are beneficial.

• The milk of various species of mammals and the dairy products made from it.
• Honey and other secretions of certain insects, such as bees.
• The eggs of some birds, especially those belonging to the family Galinaceae.
• The eggs of certain fish, such as the sturgeon (caviar).
• The meat of various fish, mollusks, amphibians, and crustaceans.
• The meat and other body tissues of aquatic (whale) or land (lamb) mammals.

Comparison of Foods of Vegetable and Animal Origin

	Vegetable	Animal Origin
Healing	Yes. In addition to their nutritional properties, they act pharmacologically like medicinal plants.	Only very few and only in particular cases.
Living	High. To gain one calorie of animal-based food, providing seven calories of vegetable-based feed to livestock or fowl is necessary.	Their cells are dead when eaten. Decay begins in these cells at the moment of the animal’s death.
Chemical contamination	Generally speaking, this is very small and external; as a result, peeling or thorough washing can eliminate it.	More significant than with vegetables since animals retain and concentrate contaminants they consume.
Harmful components	Generally, they contain few and are of low toxicity. Any that may be present are typically removed by soaking or cooking.	It may contain potent and dangerous toxins, particularly in seafood and some fish.
Depletion of natural resources	Production requires few natural resources. Some crops, such as legumes, do not even need fertilizer.	High. To gain one calorie of animal-based food, it is necessary to provide seven calories of vegetable-based feed to livestock or fowl.
Antioxidant action	Meat, seafood, and fish do not act as diuretics. On the contrary, they add waste material to the organism.	Contains only a trace of antioxidants.
Diuretic	It promotes the elimination of numerous prejudicial substances, such as uric acid and urea, that are the by-products of metabolism. It also purifies and detoxifies the blood and tissues.	It promotes the elimination of numerous prejudicial substances, such as uric acid and urea, that are the by-products of metabolism. It also purifies and detoxifies the blood and tissues.
Na/K quotient (sodium/potassium)	Low, since they contain much more potassium than sodium. This contributes to its diuretic and antihypertensive effects.	High. Dairy products, fish, seafood, and meats contain more sodium and less potassium than vegetables. Their regular consumption may lead to hypertension.
Ca/P quotient (calcium/phosphorous)	High, thus contributing to the fixation of minerals in the bones.	Low. Since they contain much more phosphorous than calcium, fish, seafood, and meat act as decalcifiers.
Cholesterol	No vegetable food contains cholesterol; not even those rich in fats such as nuts. Additionally, they help lower blood cholesterol levels.	Cholesterol is only observed in foods of animal origin. All animal secretions and tissues except honey and other beehive products contain cholesterol.
Heart	Heart health and helps avoid arteriosclerosis.	Milk products, eggs, and meat are associated with coronary disease.
Cancer	Contain substances that counteract the effect of carcinogens consumed as an ingredient of other foods or as a consequence of environmental pollution. Additionally, they stop the development of cancerous cells.	No vegetable food contains cholesterol, not even those rich in fats such as nuts. Additionally, they help lower blood cholesterol levels.

The Healing Power of Vegetables

Discover the natural pharmacy in your pantry. The following presents some of the healing properties of vegetable foods.

1. Diuretics:

• Celery – increases urine production, aids kidney function, and reduces edema.
• Other diuretic foods – eggplant, melon, watermelon, leeks, and asparagus.

2. Astringents:

• Persimmon – Contains tannins that dry the intestinal mucosa and mucilage that softens it.
• Other astringent foods – quince, apple, caimito, pomegranate, and loquat.

3. Urinary antiseptics:

• Cranberry – Counters the effects of cystitis and other urinary infections without activating bacterial resistance.

4. Hepatic tonic:

• Artichoke – increases bile flow and detoxifies the liver.
• Other foods that act as hepatic tonics are loquats and cardoons.

5. Mineral restorers:

• Coconut – very rich in magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus.
• Other minerals-restoring foods – almonds, alfalfa, cabbage, oranges, and turnip greens.

6. Hypolipidemic:

• Avocado – is antianemic, protects the digestive lining, and acts as a tonic in addition to lowering blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Other hypolipidemic foods – beans, English walnuts, sunflower seeds, and yams.

7. Antioxidants:

• Oranges – contain four potent antioxidants: vitamin C, beta-carotene (provitamin A), flavonoids, and folic acid. They help avoid arteriosclerosis and thrombosis.
• Other antioxidant foods – strawberries, citrus fruits, and nuts.

8. Anticarcinogens:

• Broccoli – its phytochemicals retard or stop the growth of cancerous cells.
• Other carcinogenic foods are cauliflower, cabbage, oranges, lemons, plums, grapes, and tomatoes.

9. Digestives:

• Pineapples – aid digestion.
• Other digestive foods – papaya, zucchini, potatoes, and okra.

10. Laxatives:

• Plums – stimulate intestinal function.
• Other laxative foods – eggplant, chard, and whole grain cereals.

11. Antianemics:

• Pistachios – Consists of as much iron as lentils, copper, and other factors that stimulate blood production.
• Other antianemic foods – red beets, apricots, passion fruit, spinach, and lamb’s lettuce.

Healing Foods

Plant-based foods, like medicinal plants, contain substances that produce pharmacological effects similar to any other medications, but with these advantages:

• They prevent and correct the tendency toward disease and have curative properties.
• Generally speaking, they have no side effects.

DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.

REFERENCES

1. George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Foods and Their Healing Power.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Foods and Their Healing Power. Trans. Annette Melgosa. Vol. 1. Chai Wan: Editorial Safeliz, 2005. 25, 26, 27, 28, 29. Print. [foods and health]
2. The American Gut Project: An ongoing research project studying the human microbiome. http://americangut.org/
3. The Nutrition Source (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health): A wealth of information on nutrition and health. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource
4. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: The largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. https://www.eatright.org
5. World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR): Provides evidence-based recommendations for cancer prevention through diet and lifestyle. https://www.wcrf.org