COLUMN: Live long and prosper
Live long and prosper
By Randi Martin
health columnist
College life is full of exciting opportunities, expanding horizons, meeting new people and preparing ourselves for endless possibilities. It is also full of double fudge brownies, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, soda, stress headaches, late nights, hours of television and cramming for tests.
Although getting a college education prepares us for our professional future, we don’t often consider the toll it might be taking on our physical future.
Too often in our Western culture, we take our health for granted and assume that when we fall sick, we can go to the doctor and take a pill to get better. Especially at our age, we don’t feel or even consider the immediate effects of our daily diet and physical decisions. Our bodies are so good are healing themselves that we mistakenly believe we can use and abuse our bodies indefinitely and never pay a penalty.
Also, we mistakenly assume Western medicine has all the answers and can fix whatever ails us. Most people start treating heart disease when they find out they have heart disease. Sadly, by this point, it is too late to reverse the damage that has been done.
If there are certain illnesses that run in your family, start treating them now with a healthy diet and lifestyle. When we widen our perspective of ways to take care of ourselves, the results are incredible.
Our medicine is very good at treating injuries, illness and health crises, but not especially good at helping us understand that preventative medicine and long-term health are really our own responsibility.
Eastern medical philosophies such as India’s Ayurveda and Chinese medicine both emphasize the importance of our bodies being in balance, and each use diet or herbal remedies to help return us to a state of balance and natural health. We should have this same perspective with Western medicine.
Diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity are excellent examples of conditions that have become pandemic in the U.S., but both are very responsive to healthy lifestyles of good diet, exercise and a healthy weight.
Another example of the limitations of western medicine, from one of my family members, was a bladder infection that turned into a chronic prostate infection. This family member was on antibiotics for six months to keep the infection under control and whenever he went off antibiotics, the infection would immediately return.
Rather than resign himself to taking antibiotics, which take a huge toll on your immune system, for the rest of his life, he asked sought the help of an Ayurvedic doctor. He was prescribed a very strict diet of rice, lentils, and certain vegetables. He was not allowed meat, dairy, wheat, fruit, sweets, coffee, or many other “essential” western foods.
It was challenging, but after a month on this diet, he was able to go off antibiotics. In combination with some other natural treatments, he was able to stay healthy without continuing the strict diet.
Not all alternative treatments have to be this extreme. One of my favorites is taking a garlic supplement when I’m starting to feel a cold coming on. Garlic is a natural antibiotic that strengthens the immune system instead of tearing it down.
Another favorite is red raspberry leaf tea, also know as “a woman’s best friend.” I’m telling you ladies, it works wonders for cramps or any other female reproductive issue. It is also a natural hormone balancer. I have never had to take pain medications since I started drinking this tea. You can get it in the health food section of most grocery stores.
We have so many resources at Utah State to help us with a healthy lifestyle. The Wellness Center is great resource for nutrition guidance. I think every student should be required to take NFS 1020. It teaches you the basic science behind nutrition along with recipes and tips to be happy and healthy.
Take advantage of all the physical education classes offered each semester. It’s a very convenient and fun way to add activity into your life, and you get credit for it.
We also have beautiful canyons to play in that are so close and not at all crowded. Try trail running, rock climbing, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, skiing or snowboarding. The ORC on campus can rent you whatever you need for these activities.
Any lifestyle change can be difficult, but have fun with it and make sure you are choosing activities that fit well with who you are and what you like to do. Use your money wisely so that you can spend what you need to on quality food and activities.
I like to think of it as an investment – spending more money and time on a healthy diet and yoga classes are saving me hundreds of dollars in the future on medical bills. My quality of life is also better for it.
Taking good care of yourself will not only ensure you a healthier future, but it will also help you make the most out of life now. You’ll have more energy to write that paper and the mental alertness to ace that test. So grab an orange and get to it!
– randi.martin@aggiemail.usu.edu