Ninety percent of all disease can be attributed directly or indirectly to stress. About 13 million Americans have heart disease, the number one killer in our society. Mis-prescribed drugs are the fourth-leading cause of death in the U.S. and painkillers are the leading over-the-counter drug. These facts are all attributable to increased stress levels. The body reacts to stress by releasing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol that raise blood pressure and free radicals; plus, increased cortisol translates to belly fat. Emotional stress is the major factor in the breakdown of our health. Migraines and fibromyalgia are now common illnesses. Milk, bread, salt and sugar are all dangers that can be avoided.

Contrary to popular belief, pasteurized milk has little nutritional value. The irradiation process extending milk’s shelf life also destroys beneficial enzymes. Raw milk, considered a food by many, almond and/or rice milk, plus others, are good alternative options.

White flour is the waste from the whole wheat plant after it has been stripped from all that is good. Two slices of white bread will hold one pound of water weight in the body for up to a week, clogging the digestive tract and leaving it unable to absorb nutrients from other foods.

In the days of sailing ships, sailors were given bread and water for punishment because white bread swells in the colon, causing great pain and constipation. Better choices are natural grain breads; they are water-soluble and actually help the colon, like a broom sweeping away waste.

Our body needs salt, but we overload it with snack foods and diet meals that are heavily salted. Use natural salt instead.

Sugar, a parasitic food that robs the body of nutrients, is in everything, including medicine. Eating sugar kick-starts the adrenals to quickly neutralize the chemical response, thus the short burst of energy followed by a crash. Sugar, also known as “the white death”, is cancers’ favorite food. Fresh fruits and vegetables are much better.

For more information, call Dr. David A. Frederick, ND, at Journeys Holistic Health & Wellness Center, located at 2340 Eastern Blvd., in York, at 717-344-0075 or visit JourneysHolisticHealth.com.