FARMACY TO THE RESCUE

For those of you new to my blog site, my name is Jonathan Colter. I am a 56 year old retired doctor that performs tasks slowly, methodically plans life’s events and recognizes the importance of patience in achieving and maintaining good health. I frequently remind readers about the story, “The Tortoise and the Hare,” when it comes to problem solving, changing human behavior and achieving results. I mention all these facts because I was recently introduced to another “Jonathan” who implemented my approach to better health with remarkable results.

Although Jonathan is a tad older than me (Jonathan is 183 years old) it appears his doctor chose to address his health problems using FARMaceutical intervention rather than PHARMaceutical intervention. Jonathan is a giant tortoise living in the British overseas territory known as St. Helena. These are the grounds of the Plantation House “the official residence of the island’s Governor.” Jonathan first arrived to this region when he was nearly 50 years old. Over the years, Jonathan suffered some health problems resulting in cataracts in both eyes, a loss of olfaction (sense of smell,) and damage to his keratin beak causing it to weaken and become brittle. Jonathan was losing weight and his health was beginning to deteriorate. The island’s veterinarian, (Joe Hollins) decided the best approach to deal with Jonathan’s declining health was to provide FARMaceutical intervention. He began to supply Jonathan with a mixture of “carrots for fiber, cucumber for moisture, bananas for calories, and a mixture of other items such as guava, lettuce, cabbage, loquat (a local fruit) and Brazilian guava.” By treating Jonathan using a NATURAL FARMaceutical approach,

“his beak developed a sharp edge, he put on weight, and  became more active.” “Too good to be true in an ancient gentleman of that age!” said Hollins. “I now wear welding gloves as his beak has become lethal, and on one occasion he seized one of my fingers and I lost a nail.”

“Logically what has really happened is I have supplemented him not just with calories, but with vitamins, minerals and trace elements, those unquantifiable items that we all need for healthy tissues,” Hollins added. “It’s a delight to see.”

Dr. Hollins provided Jonathan with the “tools” and nutritional “information” his body needed to Re-BALANCE his deficiencies allowing his body to return to a state of optimal health (remarkable for his age.) Pharmaceutical drugs could never have achieved these results. They are designed to stabilize acute emergencies or (commonly) used to maintain a state of diminished health (ex. high cholesterol, high blood pressure, stroke, heart conditions, etc…) They are NOT used to help the body restore itself to its natural state of GOOD HEALTH.

How come Veterinarians understand and VALUE the importance of nutrition for optimal living among their patients and family doctors dismiss the relevance for their patients? How much importance do YOU place on the VALUE of NUTRITION and its role in quality health? Do you think maybe its time to begin re-thinking your lifestyle and providing YOUR body the “tools” and “information” needed to optimize YOUR OWN HEALTH? We can’t expect family doctors to change their thinking unless we are willing to begin changing our own thinking. If we don’t truly understand the essential need for quality nutrition to experience optimal health, why should our doctors waste their time trying to “impose” this important concept on DEAF EARS? You see, it’s not entirely their fault! We, the patients, need to take greater responsibility!

My 183 year old mentor has provided great insight into the lifestyle I live today. I will continue to EAT WELL (80%-90% of the time permitting 10%-20% of calories to come from comfort foods. This provides a realistic eating style that ALL of us can follow,) EXERCISE (to maintain internal health as well as external capabilities for maximal flexibility and function for living an active lifestyle, REDUCE STRESS  (to minimize destructive biochemical activities that harm the body) HYDRATE (to filter the body of food and environmental toxins and sustain a hydrated state the body needs to run efficiently,) and ATTAIN QUALITY SLEEP ( to give the body a chance to recover and repair from the demands we place on it.)

Yes, Jonathan has reinforced my beliefs in LIFE AND HEALTH and taught me that slow and steady really does:

“WIN THE RACE!”

 

Tags: aging, diet, disease, lifestyle, nutrition, pharmaceutical, preventative health