In the Elementary Organ Theory the goal is to achieve balance – both spiritual and physical. In this article I would like to focus on the outer – physical – balance.
Bodies of all organisms and animals are created from certain elements (e.g. magnesium, calcium, iron, vitamins etc.) and all these elements are present in the bodies of organisms in specific amounts which together create equilibrium. The human body is created from these elements as well, and as long as all these elements are in balance we are healthy and able to deal with everyday influences such as stress.
However, if this balance is disturbed and some element is present in our body in higher or lower amounts, we will fall sick as a result. The balance of every person is very individual and there are many factors which have an effect on this. The main ones are mentioned below.
- Sex
- Age
- Place where we live
- Life style (where we work and what we do, sports etc.)
- Individual personality
- What we eat
- Sleep
Majority of these influences change throughout our life, and because of that even the needs of our bodies change in order for us to stay healthy. With that said, when it comes to the question of which foods are healthy, the answer is that it is different for each one of us. Therefore it is not possible to generally say that some foods are good and healthy for everybody or the other way around.
A great example nowadays are foods that contain dairy and gluten. Some people drink milk and consume dairy products on a daily basis and it is not a problem for them and it can even be beneficial for their health. On the other hand, others might drink a glass of milk or eat yogurt and suffer with different problems like indigestion, acne or an allergic reaction.
It is very similar in the case of gluten. Some people don’t have any problems with it while for others gluten can be a nightmare. If we want to stay in balance then it is very important to learn to differentiate the beneficial from the harmful.
How to be in balance?
It is the task of our senses to help us stay balanced and healthy, to help us to differentiate the beneficial from the harmful. In practice this means that e.g. when we have a sweet tooth we are lacking energy, when we crave salty foods we are missing some minerals etc. It works the same way with foods we don’t like – our bodies are giving us a message that there is overabundance of some elements contained in that food.
A good example of this are pregnant women who very often have specific cravings – the baby is telling them in this way which elements are currently needed for it’s development.
Another example is from the animal kingdom as their bodies are made from the same elements as ours. This example is perfectly described in the Bahá’í Writings:
“The proof of this is that while other animals have never studied medical science, nor carried on researches into diseases or medicines, treatments or cures—even so, when one of them falleth a prey to sickness, nature leadeth it, in fields or desert places, to the very plant which, once eaten, will rid the animal of its disease. The explanation is that if, as an example, the sugar component in the animal’s body hath decreased, according to a natural law the animal hankereth after a herb that is rich in sugar. Then, by a natural urge, which is the appetite, among a thousand different varieties of plants across the field, the animal will discover and consume that herb which containeth a sugar component in large amounts. Thus the essential balance of the substances composing its body is re-established, and the animal is rid of its disease.“
However if our bodies are imbalanced, we are not always able to recognize these cues that tell us what is good or bad for us. In such case the doctor should prescribe such foods which contain the missing elements in sufficient amounts. When the body regains it’s natural equilibrium the disease and it’s symptoms will be cured.
Therefore one of the main focuses of my practice is to prescribe foods that will restore the balance of the patients which will ultimately lead to healing.
3 Comments
Dear Adolf,
This is really what all of us need at this time of “imbalance”, not only in what we eat but also on what we consume. The future of our Planet depends on moderation when it comes to production and consumption, as well as all other behavioral aspects. Well-said! Thank you!
Dear Adolf,
Since Gamal is suffering from diabetes, something that he is controlling through diet, exercise, and mild medication, could you write a special article on recommended nutrition for diabetic patients? Thanks in advance!
Dear Somaya,
the topic of diabetes is a very interesting one and I could look into it but even among diabetic patients the needs are individual and it’s hard (or even dangerous) to generalize. Thanks for the comment and suggestion 🙂