You are what you eat

Are you overweight? Do you suffer from allergies, high blood pressure, headaches, rheumatism, have high cholesterol levels, a herniated disc, or diabetes? These are just some examples. The list could be a lot longer.

Doris Wroblewski spoke to Algarve123 about her new book. It’s title is: “Equilíbrio Ácido-Básico: Um Guia para a Auto-ajuda” (Basic Acidity level balance: A Self-Help Guide). To what point is what she writes recognised by the medical profession in general? The author maintains that a healthy organism can eliminate all acids through the kidneys, liver and intestines. In addition, during the night’s sleep, acids are neutralised and eliminated through the tissues of the skin and lungs. It is not a question of general medicine – more as to how much our lifestyle in 2010 is a healthy one? Do we really know the origins of the food we ingest, what artificial preservatives are used to guarantee their shelf-life during the (often long) time it takes before they reach the consumer?

Nowadays what is the real meaning of the word “fresh”? These are questions the naturopath asks, referring to healthy practices for a balanced diet. How many illnesses and disease result from the chemical enhancers we’ve allowed into our bodies? These days, the natural elimination of acids from the body is compromised by the predominance of proteins, by “fad” diets and lifestyles, by precarious work conditions, sedentary habits, medicines, additives in the mains water, environmental poisons – as well as by the bacterial imbalance of our intestinal flora. Shift-work and long hours in front of a computer provoke sleep problems – and thus, Doris Wroblewski is not in the least surprised that hyperacidity is one of the prime causes of many illnesses in modern society. Anyone who suffers high acidity levels is frequently under stress, nervous, easily irritated, tired, aggressive even, sensitive to light, noise, cold, heat – frequently suffers from numb hands, feet and legs – has weepy eyes, suffers from spots and perspiration attacks. Gastric acidity is also an indicator of high-acidity throughout the body – and this increases the susceptibility to infections and fatigue.

Wroblewski is a great defender of self-help – and it can start in the simple form of abstinence. Fasting is a tradition with religious origins that goes back many thousands of years. It has always acted as a balance to counter the excesses on offer when it comes to food. Her 300-plus page book gives detailed information on how illnesses begin, what their effects are on the body, mind and spiritual plane – as well as useful advice and techniques to learn to control these illnesses. Everything goes back to a base-wisdom: that of eating instinctively. There isn’t a “healthy diet” that applies to all of us at the same time. It has got to apply to the well-being and harmony of the individual body, mind and spirit – as well as to the acidity levels within that body. The author stresses that “from my point of view, our body can tell us what it needs in a determined situation. If it’s faced daily with a huge choice, it won’t feel the need to eat what is nearest”. What makes sense for some to eat – and will do them good – could be prejudicial for others. Aside from the story behind disease and illness, there is in each one of us the story behind our individual health. And this is what distinguishes naturopaths from doctors.

Only our own organism knows how to say what it wants, what it needs and what would be good for it. The advice she gives her readers is: “learn to listen to your inner voice. It’s always there – it’s just that we very often don’t hear it”.

Two questions, two answers. How can we tell if we’re suffering from too much acidity, or if we’re acid-balanced? And how can someone who has never fasted discover the answer to this? Those who suffer from acidity will be people whose pH levels are higher than the habitual pH basic state. Naturopath Wroblewski makes her diagnosis with the aid of a darkfield microscope. She analyses blood to see if there is a grouping of red blood cells (erythrocytes) on the “rouleaux formation”. She explains using a comparison: “During the day, we don’t see stars – but at night, in the dark, we see them without a shadow of a doubt”. Using a darkfield microscope, she can diagnose the levels that would point to the beginning of hyperacidity in the blood. “During partial fasting with base-acid balance” one can de-acidify the body. Everyday, weekly or even monthly, we can recognise and slowly correct the sins of our diet.

Partial fasting allows for the reorganisation of eating habits so that they can fit into the harmony of a reorganised lifestyle. When we ask her what she does to benefit her body, Doris Wroblewski says she swims, plays tennis and goes for long walks.

Slim and in her mid-60s, Doris drinks a lot of water and loves massages – which can also do a lot to help expell acids from the body. And she sleeps – a lot! A healthy place to sleep where one breaths correctly, keeping warm and at the same time being able to move freely, is another way of recovering balance.

Wroblewski advises her readers to buy only foods free from radiation and genetic manipulation. Fruit and vegetables should be fresh, grown naturally without chemicals, and bought from shops you can trust – or better still, direct from the grower: real food, in other words! Fresh chestnuts, virgin olive oil and dried figs help de-acidify the body – while dairy products impede the elimination of acids and detoxification. She also advises people to appreciate meals: take time to eat with their eyes. Delight can also satisfy! Doris Wroblewski: “During partial fasting you can eat just a piece of fruit – or a vegetable – and understand that your body doesn’t need anymore. It’s satisfied…”

So, what’s good for me, and how much? There are many answers to this introductory question. Anyone who eats in moderation, has various regular meals throughout the day, eats fruit and vegetables, drinks enough liquids and takes time to enjoy life, will certainly feel a lot more healthy.

Darkfield-Microscopy

In a drop of capillary blood taken from the fingertip, you can see the white and red blood cells and the many particles important for diagnosis by Darkfield Microscopy (DFM) according to Professor Gunther Enderlein.

You can see in the DFM, blood is not sterile. Depending on the state of health / disease changes in blood cells and / or symbionts, can be observed in the blood. Strains with uric acid crystals and / or bacteria/ parasites can also be detected in the blood in this way.

An important diagnostic option is to evaluate the red blood cells (erythrocytes). They provide for the removal of cell breakdown products whilst carrying necessary oxygen from the lungs to each single cell.

A “rouleaux formation” - the conglomeration of several erythrocytes, is a first indication of circulatory problems and Pathological Developments. Cold hands and feet, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, thrombosis leading to a heart attack or stroke can be possible consequences. It can also indicate a porous intestinal mucous membrane, “the leaky gut syndrome”.