Food as medicine

For a diet to be truly healthy it  is only possible in the context of a healthy planet, so that means the food we choose to eat must nurture the whole earth community; from bacteria in the soil to mighty trees in the forest, from a bee to a sea turtle; from indigenous communities to farmers and growers.

To create health and wellbeing for plants, animals, humans and landscapes its not just what we eat its how it is grown. And it starts with soil - which is why anyone who cares about health needs to care about soil. Soil affects the quality of the food we eat, the water we drink,  the air that we breathe and is part of the solution to climate change.

Farming systems that work in harmony with nature  are based on practices that cultivate a healthy soil biology packed full of microbes. Amongst their many functions these soil microorganisms,  particularly bacteria and fungi, release nutrients in a plant available form maximising the nutrition in the plants and crops we eat. Foods from different growing and processing systems have a different impact on our health.

Components of food are information these compounds and their breakdown products can turn off or on or dial up and down, genetic switches inside cells. Depending on the type of nutritional information, the genetic controls activated and the cell that receives them, the different biological instructions influence health and wellbeing.

Medical education rarely, if ever, takes students back to the soil and minimal time is given to  food and nutrition. Yet all those interested in health outcomes need to think about food and its potential to heal and sustain health.  Greencuisine Trust workshop Whole Food medicine is an holistic view of food  inviting all health professionals including GPs, nurses, student medics, health visitors and complementary practitioners to deepen their understanding of the power of food to heal and sustain well being.

Multiple factors influence food choice including cost, availability, convenience and education, in addition to  social and cultural aspects,  however armed with more food knowledge  health professionals are well placed to inform & help reshape individual choice and healthy communities, to know food as medicine.

Find out more about Whole Food Medicine here