Why Eat 'Whole Foods'?

Eating whole foods insures intake of the total amount of available nutrients in the proportion the food contains. A whole food diet has been suggested as good for our health and well-being, assuring that all nutrients available by nature in a natural way are consumed in their entirety.

Whole foods from vegetable sources include: fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.

Studies have revealed that it is possible to contract disease from refined foods with parts missing. Polished rice has been linked to beri-beri, and plain cornmeal has been linked to pellagra, both of which are vitamin B deficiencies.

Elements of nutrition are not all found spread throughout the foods. Juices and tofu generally considered healthful are all missing fiber. The typical separation of wheat grains removes vital nutrients, The germ contains fat and vitamin E, the endosperm contains proteins and carbohydrates, and the aleurone layer of the bran contains the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. When wheat is fragmented in processing, vital nutrients are removed. It is easy to see the reasoning behind the whole foods movement in nutritional health.

My family has moved to a diet the contains more whole foods, but that is difficult to do completely. We continue to work on different aspects of implementing whole foods. This weekend we intend to experiment with whole grain pizza crust, breads, dumplings and noodles, etc.

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Why Floss Your Teeth?

I just read in Natural Health Magazine that there is more impact on your health from flossing your teeth than just cleaning all the way around your teeth. It appears that the bacteria associated with gum disease also triggers an immune response of inflammation throughout the body. So, flossing your teeth at least once per day could protect against many illnesses including heart disease, some forms of arthritis and even cancer.

I have been very poor at flossing my teeth. Up until now, the only reason I had for flossing teeth was to prevent tooth decay on the post teeth of a bridge in my mouth. Now that I have more reasons to floss my teeth, I have less difficulty taking the time to do it. I read this article three days ago and I have flossed my teeth the last two mornings. It is my plan to continue my daily flossing routine as a multiple benefit task. It will keep that bridge in my mouth longer, it will prevent the decay of my other teeth as well and it will remove the bacteria that may cause serious inflammation problems throughout my body.

Article was in Natural Health, February 2009 issue, page 83, article title "Your Best Health", Subtitle " 3 healing habits.

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