Why are we listening to just one side? Why not take the best of everything into consideration?
In the Western world, we are very focused on modern medicine. But why? Why not take the best from both, modern and alternative medicine, to preserve health and fight disease? Can’t we see that all the different approaches come with various tool kits that will be helpful for different health problems? Modern medicine surely has powerful tools for acute situations, while alternative medicine has many more tools for underlying chronic issues.
So, why are we so focused on believing only in the science and medicine that might have caused the problem in the first place?
Why don’t we pay more attention to holistic medicine practitioners such as nutritionists, naturopaths, or herbologists who could share valuable information about health optimization and disease prevention? They could definitely help decrease the workload of doctors and nurses.
Why aren’t we constantly reminded that what we eat makes up our gut flora, that over 70% of our immune system lies in our gut, and therefore what we eat really matters? Clean, organic, local fresh fruits and veggies have immune boosting effects and are loaded with crucial minerals and vitamins for proper cell function.
Why don’t we hear more about how packaged and processed junk foods are full of preservatives, artificial flavors, toxic food dies, excess amounts of sugar and other chemicals that destroy our health? Why are these junk “foods” still so readily available even though they were already causing so many health issues before the pandemic?
Why don’t we hear more that intermittent fasting for a few days can also boost the immune system? Why don’t we hear more about foods like equinacea, astragalus, elderberry in the news to boost our immune system? Or what about essential oils with antiviral properties and their benefits on the immune system? Similarly, what about the benefits of vitamin C and vitamin D, zinc, selenium, and magnesium? Quercetin, melatonin…
Why isn’t there more emphasis on physical activity and movement, their effects on endorphines, our ‘happy hormones” affecting our wellbeing and health? Or why aren’t we constantly reminded of the healing effects of nature walks?
Why don’t we hear about the benefits of a cold shower after a hot bath to increase T cell levels, the importance of good sleep and the anti-inflammatory effects of melatonin?
Why don’t we hear about the effects of company, friendship, and love that are far more beneficial than isolation and fear? Fear and loneliness have been shown to have immunosuppressive effects, which leads to more disease, weakness, anxiety and suffering. And why not talk about the effects of our thoughts and emotions on our physical health?
Integrative medicine is a holistic medical discipline which includes both, the modern Western and the traditional Eastern approach. It takes into account the lifestyle of a patient. The physician treats the whole person, each patient individually, rather than the disease with a one-size-fits-all approach.
In integrative medicine, the body, mind, and soul of a patient are taken into consideration to promote healing and well-being.
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