“Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease” – Hippocrates
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Nutritional Medicine bridges the gap in health care and takes a bespoke approach to health, healing, prevention and wellness, helping restore the body’s natural ability to heal.
The use of biosolids has become quite the normal practice in recent years. It is a way of reducing ‘waste’ and recycling to help the environment, through the partial processing of sewage…yep, sewage. POO, PEOPLE!!! Among anything else that goes down the drain or toilet and ends up in our sewage system.
It is used to ‘fertilise’ food crops, may be used in some household fertilizers, and for energy production. You may or may not be aware that a recent outbreak in certain pathogens has occurred causing people to become very ill with parasitic infections directly resulting from FOOD consumed fertilized with biosolids. This outbreak was reported by Dr Kerryn Phelps after she had seen several patients with stomach pain, changes in bowel habits and vomiting and had to test for uncommon pathogens found only in human poo. The labs testing the samples had also explained to Dr Phelps that it was not only her patients suffering from the infections, but there were many others. Following her thorough investigations, of which most doctors would not think of, it was reported in the media.
According to the EPA, who have set guidelines for sewage plants to follow for the processing of human waste for reuse, the risk of infection is virtually zero, and this is clearly not the case. Since MOST doctors would see patients with unusual health conditions relating to the gut, they have been ‘diagnosed’ with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, when it really is not that at all. It is caused by the parasites that have not been eliminated through the processing of sewage, and since most parasitic infections are spread via the ‘fecal oral route’ (the unintentional consumption of poo germs), a lot of people are unwell.
Biosolids are used in varying degrees in agriculture (human food crops), grazing (dairy and cattle grazing, fodder, poultry, sheep, horses, goats), and recreational facilties for the public (sporting grounds, landscaping of parks etc), as well as in forestry and land rehabilitation.
The crops biosolids are used on are wheat, corn and other grains, of which many are already genetically modified, lettuce, strawberries, and carrots – foods we often eat raw. There are many more agricultural uses too.
Bacteria found in biosolids includes
Viruses in biosolids include
You may add
With all this in mind, this is most often how things like ‘food-poisoning’ are diagnosed. If you present to your doctor with feelings of nausea, diarrhea, lethargy, stomach cramps, headaches, and worms, you will be diagnosed with food poisoning. If however, symptoms continue for more than a few days (which is about the life cycle of most infections) you should be aware that more thorough testing is available, and it is essential you request for such tests to be done. As in the recent cases of food poisoning in Europe, several people have died due to inadequate or no medical examination, and self diagnosis of food poisoning.
I will conclude by saying that since most forms of food poisoning occur via direct contact with pathogens, you have to look at the source…the food you eat. With such increased use of recycled poo (and other nasties), its safe to say that biosolid use for fertilizer on food crops needs a lot more research and development (I think it should be banned). And, until such time as treatment methods to eliminate the pathogens are found, it shouldn’t be used.
The poor carbohydrate has been a bone of contention of a long time, particularly for those who struggle with obesity, diabetes and other illnesses. Dieticians and nutritionists across the globe have praised and condemned this humble macronutrient for many years, and governments and their nutrition consultants, appear to be a little less than ‘clever’ with their recommendations on consumption.
To help people understand the difference between carbohydrate types is more important than advising to reduce or avoid them altogether, as is giving no guidance to what is actually really good or not so good.
Basically, there are 2 kinds
1. Simple carohydrates/sugars (monosaccharides and disaccharides)
2. Complex carbohydrates (oligosaccharides and polysaccharides)
Simple carbs come from foods with a high sugar content, while complex carbs are from foods with moderate to low sugar content.
It’s the simple carbs that are the problem. They are most often found in foods that are ‘convenient’ and not so good for you. Jams, desserts, candy, donuts, white bread, packaged foods. All of which are highly processed. With the busyness of life today, it’s no surprise that we in Australia have become the fattest nation per capita, in the whole world. It’s all about convenience and fast paced.
An excess of fast foods that are not exactly nutritionally sound, (in spite of their best efforts to convince you otherwise) are packed full of the not so good carbs, (and other things) and, unfortunately, seems to be ‘food’ of choice for many. Simply put…eating food that is ‘fast’ or in a box or a can, is not going to be giving you the energy and vitality you need. You will experience all kinds of symptoms, from inability to concentrate, moments of extreme highs and lows (emotionally, physically and physiologically), mood swings, sleeplessness, poor skin, nails, and hair, and fatigue.
The best carbohydrates come from so many foods, and will give you more energy to get through each day, as well as help to alleviate cravings for junk food.
Good carbs are essential for peak brain function (the brain’s favourite energy source is glucose, which comes from carbs), prevent or lessen mood swings, help keep your gut healthy (by feeding the good bacteria), assist with keeping you ‘regular’ (helping you poo, as many good carbs are full of fibre), and maintain energy levels. Where do you find these ‘good’ carbohydrates? Well, the list is ultra long so here’s a few to get you started.
Legumes…
Beans, peas, chick peas, lentils, kidney beans, broad beans, beans, beans, beans (I am in love with legumes!)
Vegetables…
Potatoes, yep, POTATOES. Eat your spuds. Broccoli, spinach, carrots, corn, capsicum, pumpkin, tomatoes, lettuce, kale, mustard greens (green is my favourite colour when it comes to vegies), cauliflower, zucchini, squash…there’s lots of vegetables so just eat them…ALL OF THEM!
Fruit…
Apples, bananas, berries, pears, peaches, grapes, watermelon, avocado, figs, whatever you can get your hands on. Apples are the best. It’s best to limit fruit to 2 pieces a day though.
Misc…
Barley, amaranth, quinoa (also massive protein here), spelt, oats, millet, brown rice, wheat, linseed, flax, nuts, seeds…all of these also contain good protein and fibre, as well as heart healthy goodness.
A simple guideline to eating them…AT EVERY MEAL…
Start with breakfast, it’s the most important meal of the day. It kickstarts your metabolism for the day. Try some oats with cinnamon, honey and a banana. Oats for the carb, fibre, and healthy heart stuff, cinnamon to help burn fat, honey for its antibacterial properties, and a banana for good brain function. All combined will nourish your body and your brain to no end.
Have a snack or 2 per day, morning and afternoon tea. Maybe an apple and a handful of nuts (almonds, walnuts, macadamias).
Lunch should include a protein, a carb and a fat. Maybe a chicken salad (not the Subway kind). Cook up some chicken the night before and put it in the fridge. Make a salad full of greens and some capsicum, a bit of cheese, and dress with balsamic and olive oil. Simple. Delicious. Nutritious.
Dinner should be the same as lunch. Protein, carb, fat.
A good rule of thumb for proteins and carbs is a handful. YOUR HANDFUL…what fits in the palm of your hand. Fats should be ‘good’ ones too. Avocado, nuts, olive oil…they give you some amazing omega 3,6, and 9’s and contribute to awesome brain power, healthy skin, hair and nails, help regulate hormones and lots of other things too.
Keep things simple, you don’t have to be a celebrity chef to cook stuff. The more simple and closest to nature foods are, the better they are for you.
Get healthy and EAT YOUR CARBS!!!
OK, so I’m not an expert on the market but I do know the reason for this ridiculous ’mix up’.
As some of us are aware, the use of pesticides, herbicides and the ‘acceptance’ of the monoculture (which most monocultures are owned by pharmaceutical companies), has devastated what was once beautiful, nourishing and pristine land. For the most part we are now stuck with trying to undo what these pharmaceutical companies have done to not only the planet, but to the food that most people still eat. Organic farmers have to work so very hard to get the land back to what it used to be for starters. This takes YEARS and a whole lot of money.
They plant lots of different foods in this new dirt and let hard work, sunshine and rain take over. Tilling the soil, planting according to season, and hand picking their bounties. At least that’s what happens where I buy my produce from, and from discussions with them, most other organic farmers in the area do the same.
Now…seriously think about what you buy from your local supermarket chain. The apples are probably a couple years old at best, sprayed and bred with numerous toxic chemicals and then sold to you at an obscene price. I have noticed an increase on the grocery store shelves of organic produce and meats, scattered randomly about these stores with some prices almost double that of the ‘conventional’ foods.
As consumers, YOU alone drive the ‘market’ here. If folks started choosing organic over conventional, the price will come down, more things will become available and we can all start seeing amazing health benefits. We will feel healthy, and proud that our purchases are supporting these old school farmers, making a real contribution to sustainability, and, after many years of punishment, nourishing ourselves with nutritionally dense food.
I buy my produce and meat from local farmers directly and have NEVER spent any more than I would have at the grocery store. In fact, I spend less. And, I’m feeding my family and my dog the health they deserve.
It’s up to you. Nourishment, simplicity, good health. Support your local organic farmers so they can continue to support us, our health and the planet.
