This section on food has been contributed by Dr. Jawaid
Food is a necessity of life. The food we eat determines how one looks and feels or in other words determines our wellbeing. The function of food is to supply us with the energy for the different activities of the body, the structural materials for every cell of the body, and the thousands of regulatory substances essential for all the body processes.
Energy is supplied by carbohydrates and fats. Minerals and vitamins are not sources of energy but are essential for many steps in the release of energy. Amino acids and mineral elements are constantly required for the growth and maintenance of body tissues.
Eating food should be a necessary function as breathing is, but most people regard it as a means of gratifying their desire for the nice things in life, which is a wrong thing to do and is very harmful. That is why it is said "eat to live" and not "live to eat".
Proper eating habit or proper diet is a must for good health. Proper diet can also cure most of the diseases for which we prefer modern day medicine not being concerned about the ill effects that comes with these medicines
Food is the fuel for the body, various types of food for various types of functions of the body. If someone is a robust individual without any constitutional disorders one may take any type of food, but in a morbid condition special food becomes a necessity.
Food contains every type of necessary vitamins and minerals for the maintenance of good health but a misunderstanding of the vital functions of food has led modern day man to ignore the facts and rely on modern medicines.
Hippocrates the renowned scholar had thousands of years ago emphasized on the importance of food. Also known as the father of medicine by historians he had said "let food be thy medicine".
From the times of Hippocrates, it has been known that certain foods have disease preventing and disease healing properties. However this knowledge is hardly in use as most people want immediate relief which is provided by modern day medicine rather than permanent cure from food only because it takes more time.
No therapy or drug known to modern medical science can rebuild tissue that has been damaged by disease or trauma. Food alone can achieve this feat. It is therefore that nutrition is an important and an indispensable weapon against disease. Food or nutrition is not only about cure but about wellbeing.
Foods that heal by rebuilding damaged tissue will enhance wellness by increasing the efficiency and energy levels of the under active endocrine glands and tissues.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
FOODS THAT HEAL - H. K BAKHRUApple | Protects your heart | prevents constipation | Blocks diarrhea | Improves lung capacity | Cushions joints |
apricots | Combats cancer | Controls blood pressure | Saves your eyesight | Shields against Alzheimer's | Slows aging process |
artichokes | Aids digestion | Lowers cholesterol | Protects your heart | Stabilizes blood sugar | Guards against liver disease |
avocados | Battles diabetes | Lowers cholesterol | Helps stops strokes | Controls blood pressure | Smoothes skin |
bananas | Protects your heart | Quiets a cough | Strengthens bones | Controls blood pressure | Blocks diarrhea |
beans | Prevents constipation | Helps hemorrhoids | Lowers cholesterol | Combats cancer | Stabilizes blood sugar |
beets | Controls blood pressure | Combats cancer | Strengthens bones | Protects your heart | Aids weight loss |
blueberries | Combats cancer | Protects your heart | Stabilizes blood sugar | Boosts memory | Prevents constipation |
broccoli | Strengthens bones | Saves eyesight | Combats cancer | Protects your heart | Controls blood pressure |
cabbage | Combats cancer | Prevents constipation | Promotes weight loss | Protects your heart | Helps hemorrhoids |
cantaloupe | Saves eyesight | Controls blood pressure | Lowers cholesterol | Combats cancer | Supports immune system |
carrots | Saves eyesight | Protects your heart | Prevents constipation | Combats cancer | Promotes weight loss |
cauliflower | Protects against Prostate Cancer | Combats Breast Cancer | Strengthens bones | Banishes bruises | Guards against heart disease |
cherries | Protects your heart | Combats Cancer | Ends insomnia | Slows aging process | Shields against Alzheimer's |
chestnuts | Promotes weight loss | Protects your heart | Lowers cholesterol | Combats Cancer | Controls blood pressure |
chili peppers | Aids digestion | Soothes sore throat | Clears sinuses | Combats Cancer | Boosts immune system |
figs | Promotes weight loss | Helps stops strokes | Lowers cholesterol | Combats Cancer | Controls blood pressure |
flax | Aids digestion | Battles diabetes | Protects your heart | Improves mental health | Boosts immune system |
garlic | Lowers cholesterol | Controls blood pressure | Combats cancer | kills bacteria | Fights fungus |
grapefruit | Protects against heart attacks | Promotes Weight loss | Helps stops strokes | Combats Prostate Cancer | Lowers cholesterol |
grapes | saves eyesight | Conquers kidney stones | Combats cancer | Enhances blood flow | Protects your heart |
green tea | Combats cancer | Protects your heart | Helps stops strokes | Promotes Weight loss | Kills bacteria |
honey | Heals wounds | Aids digestion | Guards against ulcers | Increases energy | Fights allergies |
lemons | Combats cancer | Protects your heart | Controls blood pressure | Smoothes skin | Stops scurvy |
limes | Combats cancer | Protects your heart | Controls blood pressure | Smoothes skin | Stops scurvy |
mangoes | Combats cancer | Boosts memory | Regulates thyroid | aids digestion | Shields against Alzheimer's |
mushrooms | Controls blood pressure | Lowers cholesterol | Kills bacteria | Combats cancer | Strengthens bones |
oats | Lowers cholesterol | Combats cancer | Battles diabetes | prevents constipation | Smoothes skin |
olive oil | Protects your heart | Promotes Weight loss | Combats cancer | Battles diabetes | Smoothes skin |
onions | Reduce risk of heart attack | Combats cancer | Kills bacteria | Lowers cholesterol | Fights fungus |
oranges | Supports immune systems | Combats cancer | Protects your heart | Straightens respiration | |
peaches | prevents constipation | Combats cancer | Helps stops strokes | aids digestion | Helps hemorrhoids |
peanuts | Protects against heart disease | Promotes Weight loss | Combats Prostate Cancer | Lowers cholesterol | Aggravates diverticulitis |
pineapple | Strengthens bones | Relieves colds | Aids digestion | Dissolves warts | Blocks diarrhea |
prunes | Slows aging process | prevents constipation | boosts memory | Lowers cholesterol | Protects against heart disease |
rice | Protects your heart | Battles diabetes | Conquers kidney stones | Combats cancer | Helps stops strokes |
strawberries | Combats cancer | Protects your heart | boosts memory | Calms stress | |
sweet potatoes | Saves your eyesight | Lifts mood | Combats cancer | Strengthens bones | |
tomatoes | Protects prostate | Combats cancer | Lowers cholesterol | Protects your heart | |
walnuts | Lowers cholesterol | Combats cancer | boosts memory | Lifts mood | Protects against heart disease |
water | Promotes Weight loss | Combats cancer | Conquers kidney stones | Smoothes skin | |
watermelon | Protects prostate | Promotes Weight loss | Lowers cholesterol | Helps stops strokes | Controls blood pressure |
wheat germ | Combats Colon Cancer | prevents constipation | Lowers cholesterol | Helps stops strokes | improves digestion |
wheat bran | Combats Colon Cancer | prevents constipation | Lowers cholesterol | Helps stops strokes | improves digestion |
yogurt | Guards against ulcers | Strengthens bones | Lowers cholesterol | Supports immune systems | Aids digestion |