NEW AILMENTS ON THE BLOCK:
As the last days of summer disappear and autumn and winter approach, we may start to consider which end of year ailments might be ahead of us.
During this time we are more vulnerable, as we tend to spend more time indoors, and as a result can incubate and pass on colds and flu.
Traditionally, as a precautionary measure to guard against winter flu, we have been offered the `flu jab` , which targets a particular strain each year.
NHS also supply advice on how to manage winter ailments, as unfortunately there have been occasions when severe flu outbreaks claimed many casualties which included fatalities.
With this background, we hope to get through winter relatively unscathed.
Other ailment vaccinations and boosters are also offered to various age and health compromised groups throughout the year.
SHOULD WE BLAME COVID?
In recent times, there has been a worrying trend of flu like symptoms and respiratory problems striking all the year round.
The finger has been pointed at Covid, with links being suggested to post Covid weakness, and Covid vaccinations.
There seems little doubt that a great many people who had suffered from Covid are left with a long term debilitating condition which affects many parts of the body and is associated with extreme fatigue, and is known as Long Covid.
There also seems to be a never ending stream of people complaining of a variety of unpleasant ailments, almost always including fatigue, without an obvious trigger.
These complaints join a list of some other unexplained phenomena which are being increasingly reported.
LIMITED RESEARCH:
There is a rise in cases of Neurodiversity reporting, Gender Dysphoria, Gut Disorders, and Mental Health problems.
Research into some of these conditions is sparse, as the high numbers are relatively new.
One common denominator it is thought, may be a link to the immune system, which appears compromised in a great many instances.
In a changing world, there could be many reasons why this is happening, but perhaps as a society involved in planet protection, we should be taking a closer look at our lives which are dominated by chemicals.
Our day begins with using toiletries, cosmetics, processed food, household cleaners and continues with a polluted environment from transport, travelling, gatherings of people in airless work places, and many other sources in between until we go to bed.
Add to that the vast amount of chemical medication which is either prescribed or self administered.
Our bodies are finely tuned machines with efficient internal systems which constantly send signals and activate certain responses which come from the brain.
Historically, if these systems didn`t work properly, due to disease or malfunction, an individual would probably die as a result.
In modern times, research and the the pharmaceutical industry have provided answers to these problems in the form of medication, which has revolutionized our lives.
However, it begs the question, that perhaps we have created a monster which we keep feeding, as the barrage of not only medication, but chemicals of all sorts which are ingested, absorbed or inhaled on a daily basis must surely have an effect on the delicate balance of the internal workings of the body and ultimately the brain?
It is not impossible to think that the answer to many of the so called new disorders are linked by alteration of the pathways to and from the brain resulting in signal changes which we are not familiar with.
Unfortunately, the treatment of these disorders, whilst not yet fully understood, is to prescribe more drugs.
IS DIET THE WAY FORWARD?
An increasing number of people are looking at diet alteration as being an alternative to help reverse some of these ailments.
The western diet is largely a processed one, with high sugar and fat ratios, and is already known to be very unhealthy.
The increase in ready cooked meals to fit in with busy lifestyles and the popularity of take away meals and fast food, are examples.
Finding food that is not processed or sprayed with chemicals is not easy, but it may well be the path that leads to better health.
The well publicised Mediterranean diet which includes lots of vegetables, especially green leafed ones, fruit, olive oil and herbs, ticks lots of boxes.
It provides many of the important vitamins, fibre and antioxidants which our bodies require to fight infection and function as they are designed to do. The food should of course be free from pesticides and other chemicals.
We also need protein as a building block for new healthy tissue.
Depending what views are on eating meat, protein can come from a variety of meat, fish and other sources, bearing in mind their chemical backgrounds.
There are good and bad fats. The bad ones, (saturated, such as solid fats and processed meats,) and the good ones, (olive oil, nuts and fish).
The jury is also out on dairy products and breads as many people have gluten and lactose intolerance.
There are alternatives to dairy, and whole meal sourdough / gluten free breads are seen as acceptable alternatives to white yeast varieties. It is important to have some carbohydrate in the diet unless specifically contra indicated.
Most of us do not drink enough water which is essential for the efficient digestion in the gut, where all manner of problems start, and to flush out toxins within the blood, and keep the various fluids such as lymph healthy.
The gut where digestion takes place, is a complex system, now known as the second brain.
It has a specialized function and its lining is a complicated network of cells which all work together to break down and absorb food.
THE SECOND BRAIN:
Research has found that the gut and the brain are in constant communication with each other, although they can both work independently.
This important relationship shows the significance of looking after the gut in order for the other systems to work efficiently on the instruction of the brain.
It means that what goes into the gut will not only affect its efficiency, but will also alert the brain as to how healthy it is and the brain in turn will send out appropriate signals to the various systems depending on the quality of the gut health.
Obviously bombarding the gut with chemicals upsets its delicate balance and function, whereas it responds much more kindly to appropriate nutrition. This in turn sends good signals to the brain which then activate healthy systems in the body.
This may sound a bit simplistic, and it is.
Cooking and eating should be a simple enjoyable task of taking the right ingredients and putting them together in an interesting way, and not processing with sugar and fat.
The benefits could be huge. Only time will tell if altering diet will gain traction with the public if many of the chemicals are seen to be reduced.
The temptation of it being easier to swallow a pill rather than source chemical free ingredients, is always going to be the chosen option for many individuals.
WE SHOULD TAKE HEED!
As a world, we are very aware of protecting our environment, and countries have set targets to be reached by certain time frames.
Steps are constantly being taken through business and implementing political change, which should help slowdown the human damage which has been inflicted on the world and has affected all aspects of the natural world on which we depend.
Perhaps we should recognise that we have become victims of our own success, and should be taking steps in our personal lives to cut down on chemical use.
It should be a warning to us as humans, that in the natural world, there have been several important studies carried out which have shown that certain concentrated chemical pollutants are having an effect on the reproductive systems of some marine life and others.
Dr Francesca Ginley, Chemical pollution`s animal impacts.(Marine Conservation Society).www.mcsuk.org
If a similar thing should be discovered in humans, imagine the effect on the human race?
DISCLAIMER:
This blog mentions several ailments which have become more prevalent in recent times.
Research is ongoing, as to date it is quite limited in some areas.
No conclusion has been reached as to why there has been a steady rise in some of the conditions.
The blog simply recognises certain aspects of modern life, but does not suggest one cause in particular, although the high use of chemicals in daily life is noted.
A healthy diet is something we all should strive to have, but it is not always possible due to many reasons.
Since the establishment of the close relationship between the gut and the brain, and the relevance of which type of food is fed into the gut, many people are trying to reverse the effects of many of these disorders by altering their diet.
The blog does not specifically make any recommendations, as further information is widely available to read and online.
If the content of the blog has been of interest, please subscribe.
Thank you.
Opt In for for updates!