Preventing disease by promoting nutritional health has always been a strategy of practitioners of natural medicine. The reason for this strategy is the recognition that in order to effectively treat a disease, we must treat the cause of the disease. As we investigate the true cause of disease, any disease, we are led to see that there is one common thread running through all patterns of disease. This common thread, the cause of disease, is the nutritional health of the cell. By adopting a strategy to improve the nutritional health and function of the cell, disease can be arrested and health restored.
In other words, disease can be prevented at the cellular level. In fact it is arguably the most effective place to promote health. But what are the underlying causes of cellular dysfunction? Simply put cellular dysfunction most often is the result of nutritional deficiency, a heavy toxic load, or overwhelming stress on the cell. While all are important areas to address, nutritional deficiencies are the easiest to understand and the easiest to correct.
It is becoming clear that our food supply no longer contains the nutrition that it once did and we are no longer able to get the nutrition we need through a meal. Through excessive processing of our food, the food industry has given us food nearly devoid of nutrients. It is no surprise then that we have seen such a huge jump in supplement sales in the last decade. Up until recently nutritional researchers have been focusing on isolated nutrients and extracts to replace what is missing from typical diets. Isolation of nutrients fails however to address the many important cofactors and other essential components of whole and complete foods.
Today we are seeing leading edge research into the role of whole food concentrates and superfoods. In this discussion, superfoods are foods that contain extremely high and readily available amounts of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids. That is to say, they are foods that are packed full of nutrition. They are not considered herbs in that they are not typically used as medicines to treat illnesses. Instead superfoods are regularly supplemented to the diet as a way to complete the nutrition picture of an individual. Do they need more antioxidants? What about amino acids or trace minerals? A superfood will provide whatever is needed and it will provide it on the cellular level.
Keep in mind however that not all superfoods are equal. In the unregulated supplement industry it is important to find a company and product that you can trust. Investigate the company, owners, research available, etc to find a quality product. Also consider using a qualified healthcare practitioner for support in making any decisions regarding your health. Medical supervision may be helpful while you adjust to proper cellular function and take on a nutritional strategy for your health.