Confused about foods

There are only two things I think everyone can agree on, bar none — that food and water are vital to our health and life. But that seems to be where the commonality ends. This subject is fraught with confusion. Food, in particular is vital to the vibrancy of our health. With proper nutrients we can resolve most health issues, allowing us to have a good quality of life, rather than a life of suffering. How we get those nutrients is where the gap in commonality widens even more.

There are several areas of this question: food from the ground, manufactured foods and foods from supplements. In all of these sources there are subcategories as well.

I believe most people will agree that food from the ground is the best choice. Having limitations and advantages in both directions lends to interesting conversations. The debates include (but not limited to) the following:

Foods in the ground: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s), Genetically Engineered/Altered (GE), or hybridization vs. organic, heirloom, pesticides and herbicides are all hotly debated topics. What is the difference in nutrient density, nutrient loss due to alterations of nature’s perfect system, length of time for transport, and of use of man’s inventions to get the most from their buck spent? Not to mention the effect on a delicate ecosystem, locally grown foods and health food store foods.

Hydroponics and aquaponics: there are several pros and cons to these systems, in addition to farmed fish, which includes cost, nutrient content/availability, safety and accessibility.

The next controversy is what happens when we manufacture our foods. The process of taking fresh food and preserving it for the purpose of shelf life, transportation or cost generally results in the loss of nutrients and loss of life (enzymes). We, as a nation, also had false opinions on the damage fats were causing us, and went about trying to remedy the situation by making fake fats (margarine/hydrogenation, partial hydrogenation), artificial sweeteners (even refined sweeteners could almost be put here), and processed cheeses. We also started the use of vegetable and grain oils that in-of-themselves may or may not be bad, but the processing caused them to be bad. Most people are so confused, they no longer even know what to do.

Then there are vitamins, herbs, protein drinks and other supplements that have been the source of many arguments. Most are synthetically made and most people believe that it is just fine. Others believe they cause more problems than they help, and that we need to go back to supplements made from food, not chemicals. If you find yourself confused by these issues, want to confirm some suspicions, or just want quality in your life by providing life-sustaining nutrients that will support not just survival, but vitality in your life attend our upcoming health class, Take It or Eat It! Nutrients Vital to Your Health, 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 at Vital Health in Coeur d’Alene. Fee: $10. RSVP: (208) 765-1994.

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Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with nearly four decades of experience. Dr. Carling is a “Health Detective,” she looks beyond your symptom picture and investigates WHY you are experiencing your symptoms in the first place. Dr. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d’Alene clinic.

Visit Dr. Carling’s website at www.vitalhealthcda.com to learn more about Dr. Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Dr. Carling can be reached at (208) 765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.