Understanding Medicine
The term medicine comprises many different definitions worldwide focusing on the ancient healing approach, the spiritual principles, and the prevention and maintenance of health. These definitions are forged by different nations, cultures, beliefs, and continuous research and discoveries.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, medicine substance or preparation used in treating disease; is the science and art dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation, or cure of disease. It is also an object of belief to give control over natural or magical forces.
Medicine is a broad term that describes any external resources used to get the body into its healthiest state through direct or indirect interventions. Therefore, resources that affect healthy well-being are specific to different countries and groups based on availability, developments and accessibility; these factors determine the quality of medicine for most, while others are affected by their beliefs and preferences of ancient stability.
Medicine is debatable based on all the factors affecting beliefs, standards, practices, experiences, and expanding researched information. However, we can all agree that our body needs the required nutrients, appropriate lifestyle routines and soothing minds for optimal health.
The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity”.
Optimizing Health with Food as a Medicine
The definition emphasizes the total state of proper physical and mental operation of a being, including the active human resources of other people to provide social and emotional support. This description of health reminded us that it takes more to achieve optimal health than disease-free.
The way of life is the main factor in our overall health and well-being as a species. To maintain vitality within our body, we must obtain sufficient nutrients, but, seeking optimal health requires a proportional quality of individualized intake. Merriam-Webster also provides a detailed definition of food as “material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy”. This definition reminds us that consuming a balanced diet should enable growth, healing, and optimal function of a being resulting in optimal health.
The food we need is now scarce, resulting in a redefinition of optimal health for many people who need to maximize the best healthy state with available resources. We all try to distinguish the differences in the nature and quality of our food. We need to understand the changes that have occurred and the reasons. Join me as we explore our common food that modifies over time, understanding the reasons and impacts and finding common grounds to source originality or the most suitable classification.
References
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food
https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/major-themes/health-and-well-being
Food Hypocrites 