Food and Disease

bardictiger · Joined: 17 Oct 2009 Posts: 37 Location: Fort Washington, MD

I recently finished reading The Secret of Shambala and there's something I'm having trouble understanding and accepting. In this book, James asserts that all disease is caused by poor diet. In a lot of cases, such as certain types of Diabetes, heart disease, joint disease, and some skin disorders (acne) I can understand. But what about other instances like congenital disorders, Cerebral Palsy, or Huntington's Disease? These clearly have other causes, HD being caused solely by genetic mutation and can only be inherited. I can understand how a "lively" diet can help sustain a person but I'm not sure that the opposite is true, that they are caused by a poor diet. I would greatly appreciate help understanding this.

THanks

Much love.
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Smiles and Sunshine 4ever,
Tiger

Carl Shinyama · Joined: 27 Jan 2010 Posts: 9

There's a website, called the doctorwithin.com, written by a chiropractor by the name of Tim O'shea, with many chapters, that describes the effect of malnutrition by killing off the body's cells, which brings on the diseases that you mentioned. James' assertion is a bit oversimplified though; there are other factors that cause disease, like the pollution in the air, the chlorine and fluoride in our water, sucralose or aspartame, etc.

You will see some striking similarities between what James wrote in Secret of Shambhala and thedoctorwithin.com.

Congenital disorders are usually because the mother was not optimally healthy to begin with.

Another great website to read is westonaprice.org
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Rten Brel

bardictiger · Joined: 17 Oct 2009 Posts: 37 Location: Fort Washington, MD

I think I might have mis-stated the question and I apologize. I understand how that principle of living and eating healthy, vital foods ties into a lot of health issues that people experience. But my question is: how does it tie into diseases and disorders with genetic and neurological causes? I also apologize if I seemed over-aggressive in my question, it wasn't meant as an attack, merely an inquiry related to a current situation.

I was born with congenital hypothyroidism and that caused some very mild developmental delays (cerebral palsy). I have a very active and vital life, though my diet leaves something to be desired. Along the same lines, my mother died 13 years ago of Huntington's Disease (HD), a neuro-degenerative disease that can only be passed on genetically. Recently, my older sister was diagnosed with very early stage HD. She was the one who raised me and two younger siblings from the time my mom took a turn for the worst. I'm done fretting over "problems" and now I just want answers. Her doctors advised lifestyle changes, including diet, staying active, and reducing stress. I'm intrigued by James' assertions but confused by how they apply here and what I can do to help myself and my sister. She was strong for us when we needed it, now I want to do the same for her.
_________________
Smiles and Sunshine 4ever,
Tiger

Carl Shinyama · Joined: 27 Jan 2010 Posts: 9

You misunderstand. The very inquisition that you desire answers to is also discussed in the aforementioned sites, especially thedoctorwithin.com.

Some of what you think are genetic diseases and neurological disorders are actually the result of chronic lifestyle habits via nutrition and other factors. Think diabetes is actually genetic? It's not. Diabetes is something that you do to yourself, particularly type 2. All genetics really determine is the likely outcome of what will happen when you do not nourish yourself as nature intended.

Very little disease, if any at all, is actually passed on genetically. Living a poor lifestyle in which you do not nourish yourself properly, will instigate your genetic tendency for whatever so-called disease.

You were likely born with a congenital effect because your mother wasn't properly nourishing herself, though she may have though that she was. This is not an attack on your mother, but what typically happens in westernized cultures.

It is also likely that some chronic factor, whether nutritional or otherwise caused your mother to come down with Huntington's disease.

Primitive cultures who are properly nourished, and many of them were, rarely have infants born with congenital, and the mothers have less painful, but much easier labor.

There's a book that I recommend which will put your questions in a certain light: It's called, "Native Nutrition," and it is written by Ron Schmid, ND.
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Rten Brel

bardictiger · Joined: 17 Oct 2009 Posts: 37 Location: Fort Washington, MD

Carl Shinyama · Joined: 27 Jan 2010 Posts: 9

I think you need to let go of the idea that genes cause diseases. Very rarely is that true.
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Rten Brel

sister goshe · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 103 Location: Kirtland, Ohio

bardictiger,

I used to work at Case Western Reserve University in a lab where we tested for rare genetically 'caused' diseases. I can't say that I am a geneticist, but I can't imagine many geneticists on this forum either... so here's my impression...

Our cells replicate DNA all the time during cell division. During the division of sex cells- eggs and sperm, DNA is replicated too. During the replication process mistakes can happen... corrections can also happen. Its not understood how the enzymes that replicate DNA work entirely... we understand some of it, but if we understood all of it, we'd be able to cut out bad genes and replace them with good ones...

Our cells- Eukaryotes, are though to have evolved when a smaller unicellular creature invaded and started reproducing inside a larger unicellular creature. It was a symbiotic relationship. Our mitochondria are thought to have evolved from the invading creature. So if mitochondria used to be independent creatures, who's to say they don't know what they're doing? Who's to say that we aren't a collection of like minded unicellular creatures working together as one body?

I guess what I'm saying is that someday it will make sense to us that we can heal ourselves, even our genes. Remember we only use a small percentage of our brains...

I've also heard that we as spirits before we came to each knew and even chose what hardships we would face knowing that our characters would be enriched by overcoming our obstacles... methinks you are a noble soul. Smile

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Sister Goshe

bardictiger · Joined: 17 Oct 2009 Posts: 37 Location: Fort Washington, MD

sister goshe · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 103 Location: Kirtland, Ohio

The benefits might include a greater understanding of the disease -symptoms and things that work and don't work to help it... and perhaps sometime we will be able to do some genetic engineering... There are still testing to figure out which genes cause what diseases - the Human Genome Project and mapping genes and stuff...

God inspires us for a reason... we just don't know it yet. Do what feels right. Many bear hugs back!
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Sister Goshe

bardictiger · Joined: 17 Oct 2009 Posts: 37 Location: Fort Washington, MD

sister goshe · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 103 Location: Kirtland, Ohio

Tiger,

I've heard that before from others- would I have chosen such hardships are these? I find it hard to understand myself, and I'm not so sure I completely subscribe to the idea... haven't pondered it enough myself.

Although I don't have what you do, and cannot relate- I grew up sickly, with asthma and bad allergies, lots of infections and antibiotics. I have a very minor genetic defect called Duane's Syndrome- one of the nerves that goes to my left eye never grew- It doesn't exist, so it won't turn left of center. I've learned to compensate over the years, but I still get weird looks... Also I am a single mother who was faced with a divorce I didn't want- he was a drug addict and alcoholic that wouldn't get help- I tried for years to help, hold on, stay... I've been alone now for over 11 years. Not exactly the life I had planned, but I couldn't imagine being without my son. And I'm healthier now that I was when I was younger.

I guess it helps me think that my soul is improved for being able to grow stronger while facing the challenges I face, and that those with greater challenges have achieved a greatness I have yet to understand.

With love,
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Sister Goshe

bardictiger · Joined: 17 Oct 2009 Posts: 37 Location: Fort Washington, MD

Sister Goshe,
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I am starting to feel there is good to come out of this. I have you to thank for that. I'm sticking by my original decision not to get tested and finally talked to my sister on Facebook earlier this evening about stuff. I also thought and felt a lot about your comment regarding the untapped power of our own mind. Another way of looking at dis-ease is that it's simply cells in our own body misbehaving. I remember a lecture by an old friend and Philosophy Professor here in Maryland who said that there was a lady who cured herself of cancer by visualising the way her cells SHOULD be. It took an immense amount of concentration and practice but it worked. Maybe this is something to explore more. More big hugs to you.
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Smiles and Sunshine 4ever,
Tiger

sister goshe · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 103 Location: Kirtland, Ohio

tiger,

faith to be healed grows stronger over time... it sounds like you are well on your way... don't give up - it will swell up inside of you, and then your faith will be tested...over and over again - faith... its the stuff miracles are made of. God's speed to you.

love,
sister goshe, a believer
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Sister Goshe