The term “food is the best medicine” was first coined by Dr. Henry Beiler when he expounded his theory of “toxemia.” His idea was that toxicity within the body caused most of the illnesses and ailments we suffer from in daily life.
He put forward the idea that if we lowered this toxicity, we lowered the chances of us suffering all sorts of problems, from migraine headaches to irritable bowel syndrome. He also linked toxicity to food allergies, fatigue and a number of skin conditions. Many of which were borne out in testing.
The theories that food is the best medicine have undergone over 30 years of testing in various countries around the world and the vast majority subscribe to them. The effect of our diet on the health of our body is undeniable. Forcing our bodies to process complex fats, processed food, drugs and alcohol has serious debilitating side effects that have been well documented.
As dentists, we know all too well the toll a bad diet takes on the mouth. Sugary foods contribute to tooth decay, halitosis and infections. Caffeine and smoking can cause staining and serious health problems and a lack of vitamins and minerals can generally degrade the body’s ability to heal and fight off infection.
Whether you subscribe to Dr. Beiler’s theory or not, there can be no doubt that a healthy diet is the best way to live a happy and fulfilling life. This is a message that is known, but rarely taken seriously. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have so many obese children and adults in our country!
Buying a years’ worth of vegetables is much cheaper than medication to manage skin complaints. Making your own meals is often cheaper than processed ready meals and look and taste better too. Lowering your caffeine intake or stopping smoking is also much cheaper than teeth whitening products.
In all aspects of medicine including dentistry, prevention is better than cure. If you want to live a happy, healthy and fulfilling life, you have to fuel your body in the right way. That’s where a healthy balanced diet comes in.
If you would like to know more about how diet affects your mouth, contact our holistic dental practice today!
