When my husband and I were raising our 5 children there was never any health insurance. We simply could not afford it. Looking back now I realize how fortunate we were to not have suffered from medical emergencies that so many families encounter.
One thing I did do for my family was provide them with nutritious food at every meal. We could not afford to go out, so the fast food restaurants so prevalent with families dining today, was not ever an option for us. I knew the importance of providing fresh vegetables and fruit and protein each day into our diet. We did have a moderate amount of sugar, but always in homemade desserts and I never purchased soft drinks.
In my own way I provided a nutritious foundation for our family. After the children left home, however, I began to experience health issues. I never imagined it was because I was “undernourished.” Fortunately I was introduced to a supplement program that turned my health around and I have never looked back. Dr. Frank Lipman, Integrative Physician, quotes: “The most effective ways of preventing and treating most chronic diseases are diet, supplements, exercise, stress management and other benign modalities. And herein lies the rub. Although guidance may be helpful, lifestyle changes can’t be imposed from above – they have to come from you. There is no greater reward than being the master of your own health.”
A recent book I have read, Total Renewal, 7 Steps to: Resilience, Vitality and Long Term Health by Dr. Frank Lipman, stresses taking Responsibility for our own health and well-being.as Step 1. This requires reconsidering your prescriptions; your relationships with your doctor; and asking difficult questions about how you are managing your own health. Sounds easy ~ but without this commitment, you will not be healthy. Step 2 is Removing toxins and decreasing your total load which includes removing household and food toxins. Step 3 is concerning Recognizing your own unique diet and identifying the foods that make you feel better. Step 4 is Replenishing nutrients and balancing your hormones. Step 5 is Releasing tension and Relieving stress. Step 6 is Revitalizing yourself with a detoxifying diet and lifeplan. Step 7 is Reconnecting to yourself, others and nature. I highly recommend this book and try to follow his advice.
I was shocked to read the following statistics on our current health crisis:
- 75% of all health care dollars are spent on patients with one or more chronic conditions, many of which can be prevented, including diabetes, obesity, heart disease, lung disease, high blood pressure, and cancer. Source: Health Affairs
- Half of health care spending is used to treat just 5% of the population. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, May 2012
- Since 2001, employer-sponsored health coverage for family premiums has increased by 113%. Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, May 2012
- More than 40 million adults stated that they needed but did not receive one or more of these health services (medical care, prescription medicines, mental health care, dental care, or eyeglasses) in 2005 because they could not afford it. Source: National Center for Health Statistics
- Life expectancy at birth in the United States is an estimated 78.49 years, which ranks 50th in highest total life expectancy compared to other countries. Source: CIA Factbook (2011)
- More than 80% of Americans have inadequate vitamin D blood levels, and for those over 50, almost 100% do not get the recommended amount of vitamin D from their diet. Vitamin D is needed for calcium absorption, and a results in osteomalacia (a softening of bones in adults). (Go to this link to find out how much Vitamin D you need)
I am very grateful for the choices I have made in my journey to heath and prevention has played a major role. Feel free to connect with me if you would like any information about my choices, particularly when it comes to supplementation.