Sunday, February 8, 2009

The Hope of Humanity: Shifting to Wellness, Part 1

Have you ever wondered why so many people are sick today? Why so many people are fat and obese? Why so many diseases that once were reserved for adults are now showing up in our children? Why Americans spend nearly double on health care than any other country in the world and we are still sicker than over 30 other countries?
In contemplating these questions, I have come to recognize the problem and the solution. That is what this article is about. By the time you are finished reading this, you too will know the solution.
The Philosophy That's Killing America
Have you ever heard this? "If it's not broke, don't fix it." This has become the mantra of American health for the last century. Let's take a closer look at it...
Facts:
100 years ago, the life expectancy of Americans was under 50 years old. People expected to only live to 50 if they were lucky. People generally played hard up until they died. They never "fixed" their physical problems because they were going to die soon anyway.
A majority of these centenarians are now in rest homes living on an average of 16 medications a piece. Have you ever visited these "homes?" It is really sad to see what has happened to our seniors. What is even sadder is that they passed this "if it's not broke, don't fix it" attitude onto us, and it is killing our country.
"If it's not broke, don't fix it." What constitutes broke? How do you know when you are broken? This is where we get into trouble. Our body is so adaptable that by the time you realize that you are broken (by observing any number of symptoms), it is too late to become fully healthy. Does this mean that you should just give up? Absolutely not. I am just pointing out the flaw in this way of thinking.
The other problem with focusing on signs of being broke is that we can often be dead wrong. For instance...
Fact:
The most common, first indication that somebody under 40 has a heart condition is sudden death. This would be the worst way to find out that you are broken.

So, these are the main problems with the philosophy of "If it's not broke, don't fix it."
How do you know when you are broken?
By the time you know you are broken, often times your disease process is already advanced (or you're dead).
It creates a habit of reactivity.

To be Continued...

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