By Marge Roberts, BSN MSHP DAHom
“Let Food Be Thy Medicine and Medicine Be Thy Food.”
Even though this popular quote is attributed to Hippocrates in many publications, Diana Cardenas, in a 2013 article in Science Direct, argues that this is a misquotation. She states “At least for the last 30 years this phrase has mistakenly helped scientists confirm the importance of food to health and highlight new ethical challenges in medicine and dietetics. We showed that at least one biomedical journal per year has cited the phrase.” She further states, “This literary creation has led to an essential misconception. For Hippocrates, even if food was closely linked to health and disease, the concept of food was not confused with that of medication.”
In researching for this article, I came across an organization, Dr. Goodfood, based in the Netherlands that focuses on diet. It reminded me of Dr. Luc, our founder. He was born in the neighboring country of Belgium and, like in the Netherlands, spoke Dutch, the official language of the Netherlands. Belgium borders the Netherlands on its northern boundary. So, the northern portion of Belgium speaks Dutch, while the southern regions speak French or German. Luc spoke all three, but his main language was Dutch. He preached the same advice; eat organic, eat lots of vegetables, and don’t overeat.
Regarding Hippocrates’s quote Dr. Goodfood notes, “There are good reasons for the quote to go round, though. Hippocrates considered nutrition one of the main tools that a doctor can use. More than that, dietary measures play a lead part in the original oath of Hippocrates.
In modern translations of the oath, the central importance of diet is often somewhat hidden. English Wikipedia for example turns it into: “I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but never with a view to injury and wrong-doing.” But the original Greek oath, literally translated, says: “I will apply dietetic and lifestyle measures to help the sick to my best ability and judgment; I will protect them from harm and injustice.”
The dietetic and lifestyle measures are just one word in Greek, διαιτήμασί (pronounced as “deaytimasy”). You may recognize the word “diet” in there. It means as much as a lifestyle regime, with a focus on diet. Exercise is also part of it. Sometimes it is just translated as: dietetic measures.” https://www.drgoodfood.org/en/news/let-food-be-thy-medicine-hippocrates
According to the CDC, “From 1999-2000 through 2017-March 2020, US obesity prevalence increased from 30.5% to 41.9%. During the same time, the prevalence of severe obesity increased from 4.7% to 9.2%.”
So διαιτήμασί, lifestyle measures – diet and exercise, are the keys to a healthy body. It is consequently then the way to address obesity. Encouraging weight loss in an obese person is not an assault on that person’s body image; it is not to shame or disenfranchise. It is about the person’s health, heart, and an increased incidence of cancer, stroke, and diabetes. We can accept our body as it is but continue to improve it through exercise, healthy organic eating, meditation, and various other activities. It is our responsibility as family members, friends, health educators, and providers to help those who wish to lose or gain weight and become healthier.
Even though the NEWTON homeopathics® Appetite~Craving Control complex is for diminished appetite as well as excess, this article will address those wishing to lose pounds, rather than gain weight, because that is the more common need.
Note that the remedy indications cited are according to traditional homeopathic practice and not based on double-blind randomized studies funded by pharmaceutical companies.
When addressing a desire to lose weight, don’t just look to the Appetite~Craving Control complex. Consider adding Detoxifier and Fatigue Fighter to the arsenal.
Appetite~Craving Control is formulated for symptoms associated with overeating, cravings, fatigue, diminished appetite, and emotional discomfort. It includes Argentum nitricum which is indicated for a desire for sweets that is worse from emotions, Berberis vulgaris and Graphites for excessive appetite, Nux vomica for the craving for stimulants, and Sepia for sudden cravings.
Most people in the United States do not overeat because they are hungry. They overeat because they are stressed, depressed, bored, or have an imbalance of some sort. Because eating has an emotional component, Chamomilla and Valeriana officinalis are included for those with a tendency to being temperamental and oversensitive, Natrum sulphuricum for sadness and inclination to weep, Scutellaria lateriflora for irritability, and Pulsatilla for mild, timid, emotional and tearful emotions.
In the natural health care world, some believe certain body types make fat cells to store toxins. This may be the body’s way to protect vital organs from assault by toxins by storing them in a less harmful way. So, theoretically, the more toxins you ingest, inhale, and absorb, the more fat cells need to be made to store them.
There is research, past and ongoing, that points toward the release of toxins from fat cells as a person loses weight. An article published by the National Library of Medicine states “Generally, the existing in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate that heavy metal(loid)s affect adipose tissue mass and function through modulation of adipogenesis (via C/EBPα and PPARγ), indicating the “adipotropic” effects of heavy metals.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8103910/.
Another article published by the NIH, “Adipose Tissue as a Site of Toxin Accumulation”, concluded that, “It is clear that POPs have physical characteristics that enable their bioaccumulation in adipose tissue, resulting in greater body burdens of a wide array of environmental toxicants with distinct mechanisms of action in the setting of expanded AT mass. It is also clear that accumulating evidence supports the role of various POPs in the development of obesity and obesity-associated conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Association of POPs with obesity and/or diabetes has indicated that low-level exposures, as would be experienced by the majority of US citizens, may influence not only the development of diabetes in adults but also exert gestational influences that influence the health of offspring.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6101675/
Based on traditional homeopathic practice, NEWTON homeopathics® Detoxifier contains homeopathic remedies to address liver, kidneys, and symptoms associated with stored toxins. According to traditional homeopathic practice, Bryonia (Wild hops) is indicated for the liver, and Berberis vulgaris (Barberry) and Cantharis (Spanish fly) are indicated for the kidneys. Ptelea (Water ash) is specific for the liver and stomach.
Many persons on the path of weight reduction tend to quit not because they are hungry but because they are fatigued, worn out, and exhausted. S/he may have given up her/his afternoon sugar fix or the morning coffee loaded with 3 packets of sugar.
Accordingly, in traditional homeopathic practice, Echinacea is included as indicated for general weakness, Chelidonium for sleepiness without being able to sleep, Ginkgo for a sensation of mental fatigue, Bryonia for physical weakness on slightest exertion, Pulsatilla for irresistible sleepiness in the afternoon, Rhus toxicodendron for awakening tired, stiff and sore, and Kali iodatum for the tendency to weep from a slight cause, sadness, or anxiety. Arnica, best known for its use in injuries, is included for severe fatigue which causes restlessness and sleeplessness.
Fatigue Fighter also contains homeopathic Thyroidinum and Adrenalinum (also called epinephrine), to address excessive fatigue. Thyroidinum is also indicated for an insatiable appetite and desire for sweets. Adrenalinum is additionally indicated for an increased appetite and ravenous hunger.
You or your practitioner may implement a different protocol but consider the following suggestion for dosing.
Take Appetite~Craving Control first thing in the morning and then throughout the day whenever there is a craving. Instead of reaching for a candy bar or soda, take a dose of Appetite~Craving Control instead. It’s ok if you need to take it several times a day for the first couple of days. Maintain the 6-drop dosage and then gradually decrease the frequency as the frequency of the cravings decreases. I also suggest continuing the complex, once a day for a couple of weeks. I believe in energetics and want it gone on the energetic level, not just the physical level that I can see, feel, and touch.
Take Detoxifier, as usual, 6 drops at bedtime. If it keeps you awake, take it in the morning.
Take Fatigue Fighter 2-4 times a day, its frequency is guided by how you feel. Tune into your body; frequency may vary from day to day.
Depending on your unique situation, other NEWTON homeopathics® complexes may be appropriate. Complexes such as Heavy Metal Detox, Blues-Moods-Emotions, Menstrual-PMS, Nervousness-Anxiety, Bowel-Digestive Care, and Stress-Tension may be helpful. I hope I have given you some guidance, incentive, and encouragement, to work towards a healthier and happier you for years to come.