RUTA Homeopathic & Complementary Medicine

Dear friends of RUTA,

We are going to discuss an important subject - nutrition.

1) The purpose of nutrition;

2) Substances and forces involved in digestion;

3) Therapeutic nutrition.

Why do we eat?

This seems to be a question with an obvious answer: the purpose of nutrition is to replenish energy and substances used in the process of living. Yet we may approach this question from another perspective: what happens in our bodies as we consume and assimilate foods? What forces are involved in the digestive process? What substances are produced in human organisms out of various foods?

Modern science presents digestion as a sequence of biochemical events occurring in the gastrointestinal tract: many complex coordinated processes take place in the gut during the digestive process. Foodstuff is taken in, ingested and assimilated, and many various enzymes, hormones, digestive acids and other substances are employed in the course of digestion. However, modern natural science regards nutrition, digestion, and elimination as purely chemical and automatic processes, and this science doesn't recognize the role and activity of subtle energetic bodies in a human being. The process of nutrition is complex and multifaceted: nutritive substances are taken in and profoundly transformed, many intricate events occur during digestion that point to the fact of innate intelligence of the body. This subtle energetic configuration of a human being is not yet well understood. Yet this understanding is urgently needed for a deeper perspective and insight into subtleties of life.

We are not going to discuss complexities of the digestive process in detail at this time: this subject is too complex and extensive for a newsletter. Instead, we will look into basic features of threefold organization of a human organism and outline significance of proteins, fats, minerals, and carbohydrates in metabolism.

First of all, let's consider the threefold human organization. Below is a schematic depiction of the threefold human organization presented as a constant dynamic interaction between the head-nervous systems, metabolic-digestive system, and rhythmic system of the chest. The brain and nerves need mineral substances and energy as the basis for their healthy function. From the point of view of its main role - thinking, the head organization displays affinity to mineral substances. For proper thinking, a clear and cool head is required. The metabolic-digestive system is diametrically juxtaposed to the head-nervous system since there we find very intense, fiery energies required for breaking down, transformation and assimilation of the nutritive substances in the course of digestion. Metabolic-limb system is also a center of action, movement, and will.

The rhythmic system of breathing and blood circulation that is located in the chest is a connecting link and mediator between the opposite centers of thinking and will. Here the heart and lungs weave and direct the flow of air and blood in a very delicate process of receiving and giving.

An analogy between a threefold plant organization and threefold human organization has been offered by several researchers. We do not have to take these statements on faith, yet we can examine and relate them to our own experience. Plants and human beings are juxtaposed from the point of view of their organization and major metabolic characteristics. Animals and humans breathe in the air rich in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. A plant absorbs carbon dioxide and emits oxygen. Plants are as dependent on humans as we humans depend on plants for our survival and well-being. In nature, all processes are reciprocal: receiving and giving occur simultaneously. There are no one-directional processes, everything is interconnected and mutually dependent. In this depiction, a human being is an upside-down plant: the root in a plant corresponds to the head organization in a human, the plant's stem and leaves - to the rhythmic system of the chest, and plant's flowers and fruits - to the metabolic pole. The root of a plant is embedded into the soil that is rich in minerals. The root is constituted in such a way that it absorbs and accumulates mineral substances. The head organization of a human being needs mineral substances. Therefore, root vegetables like carrots, beets, and radishes are good for proper function of the head organization.

The flower and fruit of a plant correspond to the reproductive and metabolic pole of a human body. Therefore, the human digestive organs receive their best nourishment from ripe fruits that are indispensable for healthy metabolism. Apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, plums, strawberries, watermelons, and other ripe fruits are excellent foods specifically for organs of digestion. The stems and leaves of a plant correspond to main organs of the chest - heart and lungs. Therefore, leafy vegetables, grains (wheat, rye, barley, brown rice), asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, celery, i.e., vegetables that display a strong stem/leaf process in their structure, are excellent foods for a healthy heart and lungs. Now, let's consider nutrients such as minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. We consume mineral substances such as table salt that we habitually add to our foods and other minerals that we receive with our drinking water and foods. We can think of minerals as essential nutrients that are virtually unaltered when they are taken up by the body. Mineral substances are required for maintaining proper homeostasis, cellular metabolism, and electrolyte balance. They are indispensable for proper working of the entire organism, especially for the nerve-sense system. Carbohydrates are polysaccharides produced by most green plants. Main role of carbohydrates is to provide energy via bodily metabolic processes leading to formation of sugars. As such, carbohydrates are not uniquely individual substances pertaining to each species of plants, they are universally present in nature.

Now, with regard to individual qualities, proteins are very different from minerals and carbohydrates because they may not be taken in by the body as unaltered or minimally digested substances. Our digestive system must break down food's proteins completely and make our own proteins. If this doesn't happen, proteins are subjected to decay in the GI tract, and they become poisonous. Animal-derived proteins (pork, beef, eggs, poultry) consumed in large quantities for a long time may lead to deposits in blood vessels, i.e., atherosclerosis. The body becomes overloaded with products of animal protein metabolism and becomes sluggish. On the contrary, the plant-derived protein is far more beneficial as a source of protein for a human body, for it stimulates the body's inner forces and makes it more vigorous and resilient.

Similarly, when it comes to digestion of fats and oils, we have to produce our own fat from our foods. Fats have to be completely broken down and rebuild anew, otherwise they will pass as an undigested mass right through our gastrointestinal tract.

Now, let's consider what we often see on the labels applied to the food packaging. Among other types of information, we see the caloric value of a product. Nowadays, it is expected that foods' value needs to be assessed in physical and chemical terms only. Yet we, modern people, forget that the real value of foods is measured by the amount of subtle forces, or etheric forces, present in it. Food has to be alive in order for us to receive its goodness and benefit from it. The vitality of our food depends on healthy, robust soil which gives its nourishing forces to plants that grow in it. Industrial agricultural methods exploit and abuse soil. Modern materialistic thinking disregards soil as a living substance; science sees soil as a lifeless mineral-chemical compound. As long as we fail to perceive the subtle aspects of living nature, we will be blind and deaf to the important dimension of life.

Nutrition, when it is understood and organized intelligently, can become a potent force in maintaining and improving health. Deeper and more thorough understanding of the processes and forces involved in digestive process and metabolism is required to gain benefits of therapeutic nutrition.

Here at RUTA, we offer advice on right nutrition as part of our therapeutic consultation and evaluation. If you have concerns about your health, do not hesitate to reach out to us for help and advice.

Dear friends of RUTA,

In this post, we are going to address mood disorders such as anxiety, depression; we will also comment on lack of sleep, low energy, and chronic fatigue.
As rejuvenating forces of nature awaken after a long winter and vividly manifest during this season of spring, let us rejoice in the presence of natural abundance. The beauty of blooming flowers, budding trees, sprouting seeds, and joyful chirping of birds evoke uplifting feelings in our souls and revitalize our souls and bodies.
Yet not everyone is able to experience joy immediately and directly. Joyfulness is not automatic. Many people - children, adolescents and adults - are not able to rejoice spontaneously or share someone else’s happiness; for them, the world appears as a dark and somber place full of insurmountable obstacles and dangers. Sad people often feel lonely and misunderstood, they think that people and life are unfair to them and validate their reasoning by focusing attention on bed news, events, and experiences.
There are two basic ways to deal with anxiety and depression: conventional medical treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), counseling, and prescription medications; and active and sustained work with attention leading to intentional transformation of energies supported by natural remedies and supplements.
Modern evidence-based science attributes mood disorders such as anxiety and depression to an imbalance of brain chemicals: serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. While precise scientific facts are helpful, modern medical practice sets the stage for unequal relationships between patients and medical providers: the provider plays an active role, while the patient is given a rather passive, consumer-like part in this relationship.
If we assume that negative states of anxiety or depression are caused by imbalance of neurotransmitters only, then the goal of therapy would be restoring this imbalance and administering corresponding chemicals. The aim of CBT and counseling is to correct negative psychological states in a patient by way of reasoning: it is believed that negative behavioral patterns can be turned into positive ones as a result of careful cognitive behavioral analysis.
While the validity of evidence-based medical science cannot be completely dismissed, modern materialistic approach offers a rather limited, mechanical image of a human being. In accordance with the existing scientific paradigm, humans are no better than intricate biological machines that can be altered whenever they are broken or malfunctioning. In this limited physical view of a human being, there is no place for the inner reality of a human soul.
There is another, more promising and complex view of a human being that includes body, soul, and spirit. In this approach, good health - both physical and psychological - is a result of harmonious interconnectedness between these three domains in a human being: mind, emotions, and will.
Very frequently, depression is caused by lack of energy, and this lack of energy is a result of the incessant internal dialogue, persistent self-doubt, disorganized emotions and recurrent intrusive thought patterns that always hinge on self-importance. These unproductive states serve as perpetual “unplugged” energy drains; the result of energetic losses is always low mood and suboptimal state of health.
Anxiety is a chaotic condition of inner instability and disorganization, when a person cannot settle down into a stable, calm, and collected state of equilibrium. In persons with mood disorders, chronic fatigue and low energy are often companions of anxious or depressive states. Lack of sleep and unhealthy sleep patterns often result from disorganized rhythms of daily life in persons with mood disorders.
There is a good way to oppose various mood disorders by setting up a regular, sustained work with one’s attention in order to bring clarity, harmony, and order into unproductive chaotic states of anxiety and depression. This work takes time and effort, and the process requires active interest and participation on the part of a person. Homeopathic remedies and natural supplements may also play an important role in the healing process. So, there is hope for improvement.

May Faith, Hope, and Love always be with you!