Replied by Alexandra (Cheshire, Uk) on 05/11/2016

Every time a study says to take this or that, there is another to contradict it. It can get overwhelming and can cause stress in itself. We don t live in the Garden of Eden so we just have to make the best of what we have.

My suggestion is to eat as naturally as possible. Organic is good, but there is no use stressing if you cannot find or afford it. Eat what your grandmother would recognize. Cook your food from scratch rather than buying ready meals which may be over processed and contain too much salt, sugar etc. Try to eat what God made and not what man made.

Supplements; (I have tried many) but my basics are fish oil, vitamin D when I haven't seen the sun for months, B12 when I don't eat meat, a multi when away from home. Epsom salt baths for aches and pains. Some green powder is kept in the cupboard just in case I have not had my greens. Eat your greens if you cannot drink them. Vitamin C, lemons, garlic, sea salt, ginger, cayenne pepper, turmeric are all things I do not like to run out of.

Listen to your gut; avoid what doesn't agree with you, we are all different. I avoid milk, but occasionally have a little butter or goat's cheese. I avoid gluten, but have had birthday cake and sandwiches when there has been little choice (usually regret it).

Remember to live. If you want some unhealthy treat occasionally, at a festival or family gathering then have a little, but then make up for it later with extra vegetables.

Try to avoid sugar (this is the hardest for me). Use sea salt/Himalayan salt instead of table salt. No processed oils, virgin olive oil or coconut oil if you need some. Leave the sodas!

Enjoy your food, even if it was something you shouldn't have eaten - have a veg smoothie or extra veg tomorrow to make up for it.

Keep reading Earth Clinic, and keep us informed if you find any great cures.

Replied by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 05/11/2016

Replied by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 05/11/2016

What a great question!

And Alexandra - what a great answer!

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Timh (Ky) on 05/12/2016

Almost all naturalpaths recommend a high quality Multivitamin/Mineral supplement once or twice daily w/ meal. Eating properly can be a big job for many people especially very busy and on-the-go so supplementing the multi is a lifesaver.

As for the Fish Oil, I seem to prosper most by eating either Salmon, Mackerel, or Sardines regularly rather than Fish Oil softgels. As for EPA's & softgels, to complement the coldwater Fish I take one or two Flax Oil plus Milled Flax Seeds daily. MFS is a very gentle yet effective Colon cleaner so it would go on my list of "must do" foods.

Another area to cover is the metabolism of sugars. To prevent obesity and diabetes, take a supplement of Niacin & Chromium, and a capsule of Cinnamon daily.

This just covers the basics, so if one can afford more advanced nutritional supplements it would be a bonus for health and less cost for health care. In this category boosting antioxidant status with supplements is advised. A combination of Selenium (used moderately as it can accumulate and become toxic) Vit-E (broad spectrum), CoQ10, and 3 mg Melatonin ad bedtime. Rotating the above with a good broad spectrum Carotinoid Complex is great. I suggest these particularly as it is very difficult to achieve or maintain these by foods alone. As for the Sea Salt do use the brand with added Iodine. Himalayan Pink Salt is the best but not sure about Iodine levels so taking a supplement of Kelp would keep the Thyroid healthy and metabolism up.

Lastly I will add Pineapple to the suggested Turmeric and Ginger to keep digestion good and inflammation down.