WEEKLY ARTICLE How Food Heals
Sometimes it is so hard to connect all of the dots in life.
Like, for instance: How do the foods that we eat keep our bodies healthy?? What is it about particular foods that make them either support and heal our bodies, or cause them harm?
 Let's look at an edible plant. They are deeply rooted to the ground, in one unmovable place. They are stationary. They can't seek shelter from the elements as we can. They can't run away and hide if danger approaches. And danger can come in many forms: toxic chemicals, insect infestations, bacteria's, viruses, parasites, weather extremes, etc. The poor little plant. It is defenseless so it seems. So how in the world do they survive all of these dangers and manage to feed the masses of living beings on this planet, animal, insect, and human alike?
Well, the poor little defenseless plant is not so defenseless at all. Because: The multitudes of edible plants on this planet all possess their own unique and protective compounds: phyto-nutrients. And these phyto-nutrients enable the plants to ward off dangers that would potentially harm them.
The plants do this by pumping these protective compounds throughout their systems. They infuse themselves with protective phyto-nutrients that enable them to protect themselves from harm. When we eat these plants, our bloodstreams become infused with these same protective compounds, and in this way, our bodies are then able to ward off disease, reduce inflammation, boost our immune systems, resist infections and infestations, etc. via the strength gleaned from our valuable plant friends.
It is such a beautiful thing.
Human life depends on it, and animal life does as well. We don't get nearly as many of these types of compounds from animal foods even though the animals eat the plants. The animals get most of them. Animal's lives depend on plants for protective nutrients the same as ours do. If we depend on animal foods, we get used, second hand nutrients, because the animals use the nutrients first, passing their leftovers on to us.
Go right to the source, always. The source is the natural plant. In as unaltered a state as possible.
We have listed just a few "must have foods" and their healing properties for you below:
Ginger ~ One of Wholly Macro's personal favorites, ginger has long been used as a digestive aid and circulation enhancer. It is also an effective antibacterial making it an excellent remedy against the common cold. And a new study from the University of Miami shows that ginger is an effective pain reliever. "Ginger relieves pain by blocking an enzyme that is a key component of the inflammatory process" says a professor of kinesiology at Georgia State University. "Two to three teaspoons a day do the trick. You can easily add that to a stir-fry, soup, or dessert he says".
Wholly Macro loves adding it to such dishes as our Vegetable Spring Rolls or Roasted Spiced Pears in this weeks delivery men.
Soybeans ~ We know, so controversial to many of you. But remember, plants have an innate ability to manufacture protective compounds, and the soybean is notoriously and historically well known for possessing healing properties, so lets try not to confuse the real plants powerful properties with it's highly processed "quasi relatives"! Isoflavones, aka plant hormones, are abundant in soybeans, and these isoflavones are what are thought to possess the powerful anti-inflammatory / anti-cancer properties that make soybeans such revered healers.
Cherries ~ Especially sour cherries, contain high amounts of antioxidants called anthocyanins, which are noted in USDA and Johns Hopkins studies as pain calming and anti inflammatory compounds. Preliminary data from Baylor Research Institute in Dallas Texas shows that sour cherries reduced pain and improved function in more than 50% of osteoarthritis patients over an eight-week period. Historically, sour cherries have been used as an effective remedy for arthritis by many cultures. Anthocyanins are also found in blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries.
Celery ~ According to Sherry Rogers, MD, in her book The Blood Pressure Hoax, celery contains a powerful phyto-nutrient called luteolin, which can protect our bodies cells from dangerous destruction from toxic chemicals found in perfumes, plastics, industrial exhaust, and yes, in processed, chemicalized foods as well. Luteolin has the ability to melt away symptoms such as insulin resistance, hypoglycemia, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure (depending on all factors involved). Celery will not override an onslaught of toxic abuse to the body, but it will work in conjunction with other healthy diet and lifestyle practices.
Cranberries ~ Another Wholly Macro favorite, cranberries contain a powerful plant compound called resveratrol. Rush University Medical Center in Chicago's research shows that resveratrol blocks enzymes that contribute to tissue degeneration. It also protects against the type of cartilage wear and tear associated with back and knee pain. Translation: It is anti-aging!
Watercress ~ and other peppery flavored plants such as arugula and nasturtium may help suppress breast cancer by interfering with a protein function that spurs cancer cell development according to preliminary studies at the University of Southampton U.K. The plant compound (phenyl ethyl isothiocyanate) blocks the signal a tumor sends out to surrounding normal tissue to grow blood vessels to feed it, thus starving the tumor of it's oxygen and nutrients. While more research may be needed, it certainly can't hurt to include these foods in our diet!
Don't we all want to be eating foods that inhibit cancer growth rather than encourage it? That's always been our goal here at Wholly Macro.
Whole Grains ~ Eating whole grains regularly lowers your risk of obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol, while infusing your body with vitamin B, vitamin E, magnesium, and iron.
Almonds ~ Monounsaturated fats such as those found in almonds are associated with reduced risk of heart disease. Almonds are high in protein and calcium, rich in vitamin E, and rich in magnesium.
Miso ~ Yet another all time favorite here at Wholly Macro, miso is a fermented plant food made from grains, beans, and / or vegetables, in other words, miso is sourced from natural plant foods. According to research done at Hiroshima University in Japan, miso strengthens resistance to radiation poisoning, and reduces risk factors for breast cancer by up to 50%. Miso contains fermentation created enzymes and probiotics that facilitate digestion, strengthen the blood, and help protect against cancer, heart disease, and radiation sickness.
All naturally fermented / pickled foods contain these healing probiotic compounds, including our Shiso and Dulse Pickled Snap Pea and Cauliflower dish on this weeks Menu.
Beans ~ All of them. Strengthen immunity, support kidney function, provide essential minerals for bone growth, bone health, and strong blood, are full of protein, and support and repair the endocrine system. They help to keep us young, healthy, and sexy!
Omega-3 Fatty Acids ~ are brain builders and dementia defenders according to Dr. Oz (who is very cool BTW!). Omega -3 fatty acids are high in elusive vitamin D and vitamin B12, and have been proven to reduce inflammation. They are also well known for their ability to keep our tickers in top shape. Omega -3's can be found in cold-water fish, blue-green algae, walnuts, flax, chia, and hemp seeds, and dark leafy greens.
And last (on this "short list"), but far from least: Sea Vegetables ~ We really can't say enough about these very valuable plant foods. They contain essentially the same mineral balance as those necessary to maintain healthy human blood, thereby making them by far the most direct source, and most easily assimilated form of mineral supplementation available to the human body. Sea vegetables are revered in oriental medicine for their ability to create a flexible and pliable circulatory system (think: no hardened arteries!), and to calm and soothe the nerves (and who among us doesn't need their nerves calmed and soothed?).
The list goes on and on. Shiitake mushrooms, umeboshi plums, kuzu, shiso leaf...
It is so simple really: Eat plants. As many of them, and as much variety of them as possible. We don't even know as of yet all of what healing compounds they contain. New ones are being discovered daily. But why wait? Trust Mother Nature and just eat them. They contain the keys, via their protective compounds, to maintaining good health. And that our friends, is How Food Heals!
In Health As Always.
Gayle and Jaime / Wholly Macro
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