Beyond the usual protocol of getting sunlight exposure, moving our bodies adequately, sleeping well, and getting enough vitamins and minerals, is there something we can add to our regimen that could potentially benefit our overall health and resistance to disease and viruses?
The organic, clean, whole food, pesticide-free, non-GMO movement has in many ways been relegated to the camp of diet culture. Often we hear these terms being thrown around in the spheres of weight maintenance and body building, simply as an alternative to the cheaper, more commercially available fast food options abundantly made available to us.
Apart from the aesthetically-inclined approach to consuming food that is free from chemical farming, we would argue for other, possibly lesser known benefits of going for this more sustainable approach to health, such as healing
- The degeneration of our gut-brain barrier
- Our gluten intolerance
- Autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s Disease
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Type 2 Diabetes
These being referred to mostly as lifestyle diseases—it means that it was our lifestyle choices that led to our degenerative health. Cited as being the underlying conditions that spelled the mortality of a significant population that perished under the virus, it may be wise to consider the relevance these diseases may have on the degeneration of our overall immune health. The good news is, that means it may also be our lifestyle choices that will get us out.
One only needs to do a simple search, this author recommends looking up Dr. Zach Bush, MD and his body of work, in order to find enough compelling evidence for our entire generation to advocate for the switch to regeneratively agriculture, and turn towards the powerful natural healing properties of Nature’s gifts.
Chemicals liberally used in agriculture, particularly glyphosate—commonly referred to as Roundup—is a water soluble antibiotic that acts as a weed-killer. As we discussed on previous posts, antibiotics are a powerful biocide that kills good bacteria along with the bad. Having said this, when it comes to internal consumption, meticulously monitoring with the help of a licensed physician is required in order to prevent irreparable damage to our bacterial flora that is necessary for the proper functioning of our gut lining. The question must be asked then: Who monitors the application of this antibiotic on our crops?
When biocides and fungicides are generously sprayed on to the ground that our food is grown, and that we are meant to consume, shouldn't the same care be exercised?
Much of the resistance to going for organically-grown, pesticide-, and GMO-free food has often come in the form of price barriers—a common complaint being that these commodities are often priced far higher than the same goods that have been chemically farmed. But recognize that we as consumers always have the power in our hands. The supply will always bend to the demand. And if we collectively advocate for health, longevity, and vitality by choosing safer, more nutrient-rich food as opposed to chemically-grown, nutrient-poor produce, the market will have no choice but to comply.
Our health should be our priority, wouldn't you think so? However, many are at a loss with how to go about it. How do we do so? How do we take back the power that was always in our hands?
Some simple steps we would suggest that are usually more affordable (as proceeds go directly to the farmer, eliminating the middlemen’s fees, as well as provides farmers with direct incentives to continue with their work), would be
- Patronize local farmers markets and wet markets.
- Organize local markets within small village communities and support small farms
- Grow your own mini garden
- Go for crops being sold directly by the farmers themselves. In the Philippines, there are many of these to choose from, such as:
- Good Food Community (https://www.goodfoodcommunity.com/)
- Igorot Fresh Produce (@igorotfreshproduce on IG)
- Down To Earth PH (downtoearth.ph)
- Home Grown Fresh Foods (homegrownfreshfoods.com)
- Joyful Organic Farm (on Facebook)
This list is by no means comprehensive, and a personal search would definitely yield more compelling options. The web contains a wealth of resources, should we choose to use it for the betterment of our species, and these methods of conscious consumption is but one way to help sustain, dare we say IMPROVE, the quality of life our own—and the generations after us.
Disclaimer: Always consult with your medical provider before embarking on any sort of dietary change, in order to take into consideration your unique dietary requirements. What is written in this post is not a substitute for your health care providers expert advice on your unique needs.