General Health Pointers

Some pointers that top alternative medical doctors have involve everyone’s diet and what can energize you (2 doctors agreed as to the “instant energizer,” p. 21 and 23, Women’s Health, 2009).  Andrew Weil, M.D. (drweil.com) states that ‘my diet is filled with a variety of fresh, unprocessed foods and an abundance of fruits and vegetables…I like wild salmon [“It gives you omega-3 fatty acids when wild….EXCELLENT for the brain, skin and hair!” –S.D.] and whitefish.  I also eat some cheese, nuts, whole grains, and soy foods.” (p. 20, Women’s Health, 2009)  Rather than adding the empty, water-weight-gaining spice of salt, use pepper, curry, garlic and other spices and seasonings to add flavor to your food!!

Go to :  http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/fruitsvegetables/howmany.html for a quick analysis of the amount of fruit and vegetables that you need, based on age, sex and activity level.

Alice Domar, Ph.D., executive director of the Domar Center for Mind/Body Health (among other titles) believes that:

“Instead of worrying about everything in your diet, make a few smart changes.  Switch from white to whole grain bread.  Switch from white rice to whole grain [“like quinoa, spelt, millet, bulgur wheat, etc. that you can buy in bulk from the local Whole Foods Market—they even have instructions on how you cook it, on the bulk bin; so take your time when you go shopping there!”—S. D.] or brown rice.  When you make a salad, be creative:  Throw in dried cranberrles, nuts, cheese….Those changes were so easy!” (p. 21, Women’s Health, 2009)

Christiane Northrup, M.D. (author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause) and Dr. Domar agree that an “instant energizer” is exercise; the latter, saying that “If I’m feeling down or tired, the one thing I know that’s going to get me going is exercise.  I’ve solved most of the world’s problems during my walks.” (p. 21 and 23, Women’s Health, 2009)  If you can’t afford private gym membership, check out your local YMCA/YWCA or recreation center for cheaper options.  But, if you pay for membership in any gym, you need to already be exercising at home for awhile.  Most gym memberships are a waste of good money because they rarely get used!

{DISCLAIMER:  I am not a licensed healthcare professional.  If you have any health concerns, please consult an M.D., integrative or functional medical doctor, naturopathic doctor/N.D., doctor of osteopathy/D.O. or nurse practitioner.}

Reference:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  (2012, June 28).  [Fruit and vegetable serving calculator].  Nutrition for everyone.  Retrieved July 30, 2012 from http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/fruitsvegetables/howmany.html

Women’s Health.  (2009).  Report #4:  Private healing secrets of the world’s best alternative doctors.  Women’s health:  12 reports (pp. 19-23).  Rodale Inc.