Most of us know that good health is more than just the "absence of disease." It comprises a sense of well-being and an improved quality of life. Organic health involves the use of organics to maintain health and wellness.
So how do we achieve it? Not surprisingly, our diet is one of the most important factors, along with heredity and environment. And we believe that when it comes to diet, organic is better. In Dr. Earl Mindell's book Food as Medicine, he notes the following; "many of the diseases that plague modern men and women may actually be a result of micronutrient deficiencies -- that is, a shortage of vitamins, minerals, and other biologically active substances -- most of which are available in food." He also notes that "25% of all Americans are actually eating the foods they should to fully protect themselves against cancer and heart disease and other common ailments." In other words, if we changed our eating habits, we could reduce the risk of developing cancer by about one-third. And the list goes on.
A healthy organic diet can also promote sound mental health. Chocolate can improve mood, tryptophan can induce sleep, shitake and reishi mushrooms can help alleviate stress. A study reported in the Organic Consumers Association website demonstrated that by improving the diets of young inmates, they were able to reduce anti-social behavior. To read the study,
go to the organicconsumers.org webpage.
Herbal remedies
Herbal remedies are all the rage in Europe, and are utilized there more often. In spite of the controversy, herbal remedies are becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. Many people swear by them; others find little effect. Add to that the fact that herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA (a fact that they are trying to change). Although we oppose FDA regulation, there are facts that consumers should be aware of before spending their hard-earned dollars on herbal remedies. Go to our
herbal remedies webpage
for more information.
More and more people are looking for more natural ways to maintain health, while saving money and the environment. With summer here, for example, instead of buying repellents containing DEET, why not try natural plant oils like eucalyptus oil, rosemary and peppermint oil, and even catnip essential oil, applied to the skin? Try taming frizz and adding shine by using a beer rinse. Try tea tree oil to soothe razor bumps.
Exercise
The benefits of exercise are well established and numerous. Anything that gets us moving benefits us physically and emotionally. We were made to move, and the sedentary lifestyle that many have adopted is very unhealthy. There are many ways that we can begin an exercise program. One of the simplest and most popular one involves a basic skill -- walking. See the results of a recent survey of the most walk-friendly cities in the world. Why not add your own vote?
Diet
"You are what you eat" is as true now as it ever was, given the myriad choices available to consumers today. Of course, alot of the choices are not healthful. As a result, U.S. residents are more overweight than ever. There are many schools of thought regarding which method is best for maintaining a healthy weight. For us at organic-nature-news.com, good health and thinness are not the same thing. In the future, we will be doing side-by-side comparisons of the most popular diets out there, to bring out some of the limitations and pitfalls of the plans. Ultimately, we feel that a lifestyle change which involves eating fresh, whole, organic food combined with exercise and disease prevention is the best way to go.
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