Hippocrates Prescribed Foods for Healthy Living

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Although the ancient Greek philosopher and physician Hippocrates did not believe food could replace medication entirely, he did prescribe changes in diet and lifestyle could help maintain, preserve, avoid, reverse and manage disease.

Hippocratic medicine taught physicians how to use vegetables as medicine to strengthen the immune system for the prevention and treatment of wounds and surgical injuries, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and ENT pathologies.

Historical figures like Hippocrates understood the value of using food as medicine. He prescribed willow bark tincture, a precursor to aspirin, for pain relief over two millennia ago. It is crucial to acknowledge Mother Nature’s contribution to wellness.

Various studies have shown that consuming colorful fruits and vegetables can help people avoid certain diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. This is due to their antioxidant content, which protects cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Fill Your Plate with Colorful Whole Foods

Include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your meals to ensure you are getting a range of essential vitamins and minerals. By limiting your consumption of highly processed and packaged foods that are high in sodium, added sugars, and unhealthy fats, can make huge difference in food quality. Still, be mindful of portion sizes to help control how much you eat. Discussed below are whole food choices recommended for good health and nutrition, such as:

Whole Grains – To make smarter food choices and support weight loss, opt for nutrient-rich whole grains over refined grains for long-term health benefits. Eating a balanced diet is crucial for maintaining optimal health and achieving a healthy weight. Whole grain options include quinoa, brown rice, oats, barley and popcorn.

Colorful Vegetables – Green vegetables offer a powerhouse of nutrients and are packed with folic acid, vitamin K, carotenoids, and omega-3 fatty acids. According to color psychologists, green symbolizes nature and growth which makes it an enduring favorite for good health. Leafy greens are rich in dietary fiber to boost bowel health.

Whole Fruits (not fruit juices) – Colorful foods like fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and antioxidants with minimal calories while safeguarding against various diseases including cancer, heart conditions, hypertension, and vision loss. According to obesity studies, increasing fruit intake can aid in weight reduction and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Nuts, Seeds, Beans, and Plant Proteins – Nuts and seeds are rich in vegetable oils. Research shows that dieters who ate foods containing monounsaturated fats from nuts and seeds lost more belly fat than those who ate the same number of calories with less of the fats. Legumes are edible seeds from a colorful spectrum of pods that you can split in half to access.

Plant Oils – Monounsaturated fats, found in oils like olive, canola, and peanut oil, can help improve heart health. Sources of animal fats, on the other hand, tend to contain lots of saturated fat and cholesterol, which can contribute to heart disease. Replacing saturated fats with monounsaturated fats can decrease LDL cholesterol.

Low-fat diets have been promoted for health and weight management, but evidence suggests otherwise. Studies show that the amount of fat in one's diet doesn't correlate with obesity rates. Instead, focusing on the quality of fats consumed is crucial for health and weight control.

Physical Activity Offers Numerous Psychological Benefits

Incorporating regular exercise into your daily routine can boost self-esteem, increase energy levels, and enhance overall quality of life. Always remember that a holistic approach to health involves not only physical fitness but also emotional happiness and social connections. By prioritizing self-care, you can make gradual improvements in different aspects of your life.

Additionally, engaging in daily physical activity and eating a balanced diet filled with whole foods has been linked to a lower risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. A holistic approach to lifestyle medicine focuses on whole-food diets, physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management and active social connections.

For decades at Metabolic Research Center, we’ve been helping men and women reach their goals for healthy living.