What are we doing to our children? Why is it that between 1990 and 1996, prescriptions for Ritalin, for children with ADHD, increased more that 60%? Why will 1 in 4 children, and 1 in 7 adolescents experience symptoms consistent with asthma, and why does asthma now rank among the 10 most common reasons for seeing a GP? Why is it that in the U.S. up to 26% of 5 year olds and 40 % of 10 year olds are now classified as overweight or obese, and the World Health Organization is predicting an epidemic of obesity over the next century?

POTTINGER’S CATS
To find part of the answer to this let us look at Pottinger’s Cat. In the 1940’s Dr Pottinger, a medical doctor conducted an experiment to see how processed foods affected our health. Dr Pottinger studied 900 cats over a period of several generations.
The cats were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 were fed raw meat and Group 2 were fed raw milk. In both of these groups, 2nd 3rd and 4th generation all remained healthy.

Group 3, Group 4 and Group 5 were fed pasteurized milk, evaporated milk and condensed milk respectively. In all these groups 1st generation developed illness and diseases near the END of their lives. Second generation developed illnesses and diseases in the MIDDLE of their lives, and the third generation developed illnesses and diseases at the BEGINNING of their lives. No fourth generations were produced because either 3rd generation parents were sterile, or 4th generation cats were aborted before birth.

This is clear evidence that amazingly has been known for over 60 years, that the body needs fresh natural foods for health and wellbeing.

GENETIC POTENTIAL
We don’t inherit a disease from our parents – a disease tendency is transferred by our genetic code. These tendencies are only a POTENTIAL to disease and only become a disease if we break nature’s laws, either by excessive stress, lack of exercise, or eating denatured foods.

FOOD PROCESSING
Food is processed to increase the shelf life and to control the growth of mould, yeast and bacteria. Drying is a traditional method of processing, however it does destroy most of the vitamins. Other traditional methods are salting, pickling and smoking. Modern methods include freezing, canning and pasteurization. All of these contribute to the denaturing process.

Modern food often lacks minerals because of the depleted soils. Chemicals are then added to preserve it, and also to make it taste good. Our body needs enzymes to digest food. Processed foods contain no live enzymes, because when food is heated over 112 degrees Fahrenheit, the live enzymes are destroyed. Consequently we are not properly digesting our food, leading to weakened immune systems, and then disease. Another hazard to our health is the amount of antibiotics that are given to our animals to promote growth. Not only do these make us resistant to antibiotics, but they change our hormonal balance, leading to ill health for us, and possibly worse for the next generation.

HEALTHY DIET
You need a source of essential fatty acids in your diet. Take fish oil capsules daily, and cook with coconut oil, a very healthy oil that does not change its composition when heated. Saturated fats like butter are fine when organically sourced. Do NOT eat any margarine or trans fats.

ORGANIC MEAT AND EGGS
Make sure your meat is from grass fed animals and that your eggs are organic and free range. Both of these are excellent sources of protein and Omega 3 oil. And eat fish at least twice a week to maximize your health..

WATER AND EXERCISE
Drink at least 8 glasses of pure water a day, (no soft drinks), and get plenty of exercise. Walking is great, and a swim in the ocean is excellent for your health.

HEALTHY DIET RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILDREN’S GOOD BEHAVIOUR
In 1997 a Wisconsin high school started a healthy lunch programme. All fast foods were removed. Instead the children were served fresh salads, meats, whole grain bread (I would use sprouted) and fruit. All vending machines serving soft drinks were removed and good drinking water added. Five years later, the school’s incidence of dropouts, expulsion, drug use, weapons and suicide are nil, and the students’ grades have improved remarkably.

REMEMBER POTTINGER’S CATS
Dr Luis Vietta, Swinbourne University, tells us that one third of cancers are food related. He cautions against processed meats, indeed all processed food. When asked what would be an acceptable level of consumption of processed food, he answered NONE.

If simply changing our eating habits and eschewing processed food can so dramatically change our behaviour and improve our health, not to mention the health of our children and grandchildren, can we afford not to make this change?

REMEMBER, WE ARE WHAT WE EAT.