Some of our longest-held perceptions about the integrity and security of our country’s systems are currently being challenged and, at times, outright shattered. Every other day, it seems, another domino falls, leaving us confused as to how such events could have occurred, and asking the question: “How could ‘they’ have let this happen?”
Our collective perception that “they” are skillfully overseeing and managing our systems, ideally with the greater good of those they serve in mind, is in need of a serious adjustment. This could not be more evident than when we look at the state of mainstream health care in the United States. It’s ironic that the system established to promote health is so sick. This doesn’t exactly instill confidence in those who depend on it.
While it is clear that the country’s system of health care is in need of improvement, we would all – health professionals as well as patients – do well to reflect on what it is that keeps a human being truly healthy to begin with. Understanding this and applying its principles to daily living would unquestionably improve personal health, thereby easing much of the pressure within the health care system.
But this is where we run into another popular but misinformed perception: “If the purveyors of health (doctors, health professionals) thought I was acting in unhealthy ways, they would surely advise me what to do to turn my health around.” This perception also extends to food manufacturers and government food agencies: “They wouldn’t be able to market or approve it if it were bad for us and our children,” we say. While there are always exceptions, for the most part, helping us to prevent ill health and maintain good health is not the priority of most doctors, food manufacturers, or government agencies.
Most of us grew up equating health care with the idea of being or becoming healthy, but if you reflect on your own experiences and those of your friends and family, it is evident that it would be more accurate to call ours a “disease care” rather than a “health care” system. The reason for this is simple: treatment yields more profit than prevention. There is a great deal more money to be made in prescribing medication and endless tests for existing ailments than helping patients learn how to avoid getting sick in the first place. Additionally, going the treatment route – which focuses on symptoms instead of causes – is easier and less time-consuming. This is great for doctors and pharmaceutical companies, but not so great for patients.
The odds that current health care reform will address disease-care vs. health-care are slim to none. According to recent reports, reform measures are targeted specifically at the reorganization of a very messy system, but do little to reform what Americans are actually putting into their mouths. The days of thinking that someone else knows what’s best for our health are coming to an end as people are seeing that the status quo is not working. Making the choice to take greater responsibility for your own health is the most important step you can take to remove yourself from the “disease care” business, whose primary goal is to patch your problems so you’ll continue to be a patient for life (i.e., a continuous income stream).
Taking responsibility for your health starts with acknowledging that what you put into your body on a daily basis is what it will give back to you. If you consume foods and beverages that have been proven to be harmful to health, your body’s systems will gradually break down. Even if you aren’t feeling the ill effects of a poor diet now, they will likely show up down the road. The fact that children are acquiring diseases not formerly seen at such young ages is a testament to just how toxic most of our food choices have become.
If you are confused about what foods are best for overall health, look to a healthy and vibrant person in your life that you trust, and ask them what they do, what they eat, what they read, and who they look to for support and reliable information. Additionally, look for books written by doctors who specialize in science-based nutrition, such as John McDougall, Dean Ornish, Neal Bernard or T. Colin Campbell. Venturing onto the Internet can prove useful as well, but this can be tricky if you are not familiar with the information’s true source or agenda.
Medicine certainly has its place, but it’s generally not the best avenue for those seeking excellent long-term health and vitality. While most traditional doctors are well intentioned, they unfortunately receive scant training in nutrition and disease prevention compared to their training in how to treat existing disease and other conditions that represent a loss of health.
Remember, “they” can, and will, only do so much when it comes to your health. Feeling and looking good for the rest of your life only happens as a result of taking personal responsibility for your own health. May good health be yours!
Cathy Fisher is a Certified Nutrition Educator and coach with StraightUpFood.com. She resides in Glen Ellen. The Sun welcomes feedback from our readers. Please address comments and questions to feedback@sonomasun.com.
