"Feeling fine" doesn't mean you are • Cell Nutrition's far more than food • Not A Trivial "Health Coach" • No Gimmicks • 100% Trusted

Do you measure your health like bank statements? Get it measured here for free

Latest Article Posts

Accustomed To Sickness: How We Eventually Identify With the "Irreversible"

identifying with your illness is not normal

Dealing with a heart condition can significantly disrupt a person's life, as it often requires adherence to strict medication schedules, various treatments, and substantial lifestyle adjustments. The unpredictable and sometimes life-threatening aspects of such conditions can make it even more challenging for patients to manage their health and integrate their condition into daily life. Similarly, individuals facing "mental health" issues (no such thing because the brain is attached to the body), along with feelings of gender or sexual confusion, frequently seek help from medical professionals but may find their concerns dismissed or met with pharmaceutical solutions that come with severe side effects. These adverse effects can lead many to abandon their treatments, ultimately resulting in a sense of hopelessness where individuals begin to identify with their symptoms rather than seeking a path to recovery.

A significant amount of research exists regarding how individuals cope with their diseases or illnesses. A key factor in this discussion is the perspective and experience individuals have regarding their health challenges. Up until now, the majority of studies have concentrated on understanding illness perceptions. This well-explored concept relates to how patients view and conceptualize their conditions.

Research published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing has shown that these perceptions are linked to various outcomes, including quality of life, self-care practices, adherence to treatment, healthcare-seeking behaviors, overall healthcare utilization, and participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs. Consequently, it is essential for nurses and allied healthcare professionals to consider illness perceptions when caring for patients with both acute and chronic health issues.


Table Of Contents


One particularly compelling concept in this discussion is illness identity

This term refers to how deeply a chronic health condition, like heart disease, becomes woven into an individual's sense of self. Unlike illness perceptions, which focus on how a person views their illness and treatment, illness identity delves into the profound impact the disease has on their self-concept and personal identity. The framework of illness identity consists of four key constructs: engulfment, rejection, acceptance, and enrichment. Engulfment describes the extent to which individuals feel their illness overshadows their entire identity, leading them to define themselves solely through their condition.

In contrast, rejection signifies a strong denial of the disease as part of their identity, viewing it as a threat or something unacceptable. Those who experience high levels of rejection often struggle with managing their condition effectively. Acceptance represents a healthier approach, where individuals acknowledge their illness as a facet of their identity while still embracing other aspects of themselves, allowing them to live as normally as possible without denying their condition. Lastly, enrichment reflects a transformative perspective, where individuals believe their illness has reshaped their values and outlook on life, fostering personal growth and development.

Certain individuals may recognize themselves as having a mental illness and internalize the prevalent stigmas associated with it. Conversely, others might also identify with this condition but choose to embrace a more positive self-image by connecting with peers, viewing their mental illness as a unique strength or advantage and thus this fuels an entire industry.

  • Depression: Those experiencing depression frequently view themselves as lacking worth, feeling unlovable, and are often engulfed by a deep sense of sadness and despair.
  • Anxiety: Individuals suffering from anxiety tend to see themselves as perpetually anxious and fearful, often believing they are incapable of managing the stresses of everyday life.
  • Bipolar Disorder: People with bipolar disorder may feel as though they swing between phases of intense self-assurance and high energy during manic episodes, and periods of low self-worth during depressive episodes.
  • Borderline Personality Disorder: Those with BPD might perceive themselves as emotionally volatile, struggling with a distorted sense of identity and a profound fear of being abandoned.
  • Schizophrenia: Individuals with schizophrenia often grapple with a fragmented sense of self, where delusions and hallucinations significantly alter their perception of reality and self-identity.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Those affected by PTSD may frequently see themselves as damaged, hyper-aware, and haunted by intrusive memories and flashbacks.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): People dealing with OCD often feel besieged by irrational thoughts and feel compelled to engage in repetitive behaviors, leading to a sense of losing control.
  • Eating Disorders (e.g., Anorexia, Bulimia): Individuals with eating disorders may frequently perceive themselves as overweight or have a skewed body image, resulting in restrictive eating habits or compulsive behaviors.
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder: People with autism may commonly have a unique self-perception, often centered around differences in social interaction and communication skills.
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Individuals with ADHD may often perceive themselves as easily distracted, forgetful, and struggling to maintain focus.
  • Social Anxiety Disorder: Those with social anxiety often see themselves as constantly judged by others, leading to avoidance of social situations.
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder: People with GAD may commonly view themselves as chronic worriers, constantly expecting negative outcomes in various aspects of life.
  • Panic Disorder: Individuals with panic disorder may often perceive themselves as vulnerable to sudden and intense panic attacks, leading to avoidance behaviors.
  • Narcissistic Personality Disorder: People with NPD may commonly see themselves as superior to others, with an inflated sense of self-importance.
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder: Those with ASPD may often perceive themselves as indifferent to the rights and feelings of others, prioritizing their own interests.
  • Gender dysphoria and/or gender, sexual confusion.  This is where individuals experience confusion as to what gender or sexual orientation they and others around them perceive them to be.

What do all of these "disorders" have in common?

None of them explain, on a biological level, why they cause the brain and body to present with these symptoms. 

We are also told that there's no solution or "cure" to especially disorders like schizophrenia that the popular media industry parrots as something for society to fear, and to shun those with those labels.  It's as if we haven't learned or evolved from thousands of years of experience and revert to a "witch hunt" mentality where those individuals are often literally pushed to suicide or be attacked physically by irrational mobs.

For instance, there is no one singular cause of depression or any of these disorders listed.  There are, however, major components to these disorders presenting themselves at Doctors offices.  Depresson can be caused largely by a low Vitamin B12 leve, as this vitamin has been shown to be necessary for proper nervous system function, along with B complex vitamins.  Nervous system deteriorating function is a very wide ranging term and can also be caused by an under or over-active adrenal gland function, but the thyroid also largely affects adrenal gland function. Why is this? you guessed it: all the body systems work together much like how the innards of a plant's inner functions work together.

What's the major reason for this singular, symptom management approach?  Usually endless confusion

no hate contradiction



This is the confusing propaganda that misleads us all

confusing medical propaganda that misleads us all

There's no such thing as a "balanced diet" & nutrition isn't merely food. Why is that? It's because we're all individuals. Orthomolecular nutrition is the individualized analysis application of the substances within the food which our bodies often do not obtain enough of and are often blocked by antagonists.

"Nutrition" is far more than merely the trivial concept of food.

Botanists analyze the terrain to help plants prevent and restore cell function. Why not for humans?

What are YOUR individual cell nutritional imbalances?


The basic end of it is -- and we've repeated this many times on this site -- the world is fundamentally divided into two major philosophies: reductionism and systems science, also known as holism. The Western medical model predominantly embraces reductionism, which emphasizes the idea that the body and mind consist of distinct parts. In contrast, holism of systems science, advocates for a comprehensive perspective, recognizing that all systems function in unison, highlighting the interconnectedness of the human experience.  Many people are aware of "holism" but this term has been perverted and distorted over the decades mainly by dishonest, exagerrated, and misleading definitions. 

It also doesn't help that it's been shown and proven that "holistic" practitioners along with the food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical sectors are increasingly employing "influencer" dieticians and various practitioners, even within the "conventional" medical framework, to alter public perceptions of healthcare. This strategy aligns seamlessly with what the pharmaceutical industry refers to as "illness shaping." By rebranding existing clusters of cellular dysfunction with ambiguous terms like "metabolic syndrome" and "mental illness," which often lack precise scientific definitions, they create a narrative that allows them to promote their latest medications as solutions.

The typical 10 minute "modern medicine," endless specialist maze doesn't help

How often do we hear stories like this?

I found myself in a state of utter confusion, unsure of which doctor to seek for assistance. In the end, I opted for a Western medical doctor and received prescriptions. However, after growing weary of the lack of real results and the emergence of new symptoms, I decided to stop the medication. Unfortunately, this led to a worsening of my condition years later. I was then referred to specialists, but they failed to communicate with my general practitioner, which only added to my frustration.

This a very common experience with many, especially those when branded with often meaningless, confusing, lack of definition diagnoses.  Many individuals try these so-called remedies and eventually with the frustration, adopt the labels and endless medical practitioner visits as merely a "normal" situation.

Rarely do they wonder how they came to the above often endless, fruitless, and life-degrading situation mainly because they never knew how to prevent them or what modality to seek assistance from. There are many modalities in the healthcare field with often endless practitioners, especially those parroting misleading information on the internet, which further leads to confusion and eventual trips to the "modern medical" system which views and treats the human condition like a mechanic does for a non-living car.  Rarely do they seek assistance from practitioners branding themselves as botanists for the human condition. Even if they do find such people, their methods are again often misleading and not based on systems biology as botanists are.

Addressing cellular nutritional and toxicity problems are the first step before anything else

As the average lifespan of human beings continues to increase, the importance of addressing mental disorders becomes even more apparent. To promote mental well-being, it is recommended to include certain nutritional components in our cellular nutritional protocols (most of the time called "diet" or what goes into the mouth).  This should be done long before any though about taking prescription medication or psychedelic medications mainly because only treating symptoms without understanding why you're experiencing them is key.

These include the analysis and tissue levels of  omega-3 fatty acids, phospholipids, cholesterol, niacin, folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. On the other hand, saturated fat and simple sugar are known to have negative effects on cognitive function. It is worth noting that individuals with mental disorders often largely experience deficiencies in omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, which are essential for the production of neurotransmitters.  However, this does not mean that simply guessing by taking increased amounts of these and many others is the correct approach -- because it isn't because this is like using a sledgehammer in the dark.

By prioritizing a personalized and nutrient-rich intake along with various substances and changes to make-up for common short-falls, we can contribute to better mental health and overall well-being. (Source: national library of medicine below)

Let's not forget these tabled lists of common "physical" conditions that poorly funded doctors and psychiatrists rarely test for before prescribing medications:

Table 1 Physical diseases with increased frequency in severe mental illness (from 15)

Disease category Physical diseases with increased frequency
Bacterial infections and mycoses Tuberculosis (+)
Viral diseases HIV (++), hepatitis B/C (+)
Neoplasms Obesity-related cancer (+)
Musculoskeletal diseases Osteoporosis/decreased bone mineral density (+)
Stomatognathic diseases Poor dental status (+)
Respiratory tract diseases Impaired lung function (+)
Urological and male genital diseases Sexual dysfunction (+)
Female genital diseases and pregnancy complications Obstetric complications (++)
Cardiovascular diseases Stroke, myocardial infarction, hypertension, other cardiac and vascular diseases (++)
Nutritional and metabolic diseases Obesity (++), diabetes mellitus (+), metabolic syndrome (++),hyperlipidemia (++)
(++) very good evidence for increased risk, (+) good evidence for increased risk

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3048500/

The clinical reality is influenced by various factors. One of the main factors is the intricate and diverse nature of mental disorders. Individuals with mental illnesses display a wide array of symptoms that encompass their behavior, thoughts, emotions, and social interactions. To simplify the diagnostic process, mental disorders are classified into specific categories with a comprehensive list of symptoms provided in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-IV), or the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Edition (ICD-11). Consequently, patients with the same psychiatric condition may present with a broad range of clinical manifestations. Furthermore, the presence of overlapping symptoms among the very wide range of cellular root causes of symptoms further complicates the task of making an accurate diagnosis based on only symptoms.

Individuals often seek identity through a set of labels influenced by a reductionist view of science, which tends to compartmentalize the body and mind without offering a comprehensive understanding. A systems science perspective can help individuals realize that the labels they adopt lack solid, verifiable foundations. For some, the quest for identity leads them to embrace a mental health diagnosis as a means of self-definition.

For others, this can manifest as a “victim mentality,” where a mental health diagnosis serves as a justification for their struggles, allowing them to say, “Look at how difficult my life is” or to blame others for their circumstances.

Additionally, some may pursue these labels simply for the sake of attention, using their diagnosis as a way to draw focus to themselves. In contrast, many individuals who do not let their illness define them manage to incorporate it into their lives as just one aspect of their identity, rather than allowing it to overshadow their entire being. For them, it is merely one of many facets that make up who they are.

VIew & Treat The Human Body Lke A Botanist Does A Plant

The above "modern medicine" approaches, even when they involve "natural substances," fail to tackle the underlying causes of physical and mental health issues if we neglect the widespread deficiencies and toxicities that characterize modern life.  A relatively simple example of a "band-aid" solution, aside from the medications prescribed by healthcare professionals, includes:

  • Relying solely on B complex supplements from low-quality sources without understanding whether they provide the necessary dosage, formulation, and frequency for your daily needs, or how much is actually absorbed given the poor gut health that many experience in today's toxic environment.
  • Regularly visiting massage therapists who may create a placebo effect, leading you to believe that your body is improving without addressing the root problems.
  • Using heart medication for anxiety without clear evidence of its necessity, a practice that unfortunately occurs frequently in medical settings.
  • Those who advocate for these and other "band-aid" or complementary solutions without first addressing the naturally occurring substances in the body, along with organ function and toxicity, are doing a significant disservice to their clients.

Individuals who advocate for temporary or supplementary solutions without first considering the essential naturally-occurring substances in the body, as well as organ function and toxicity, are doing a significant disservice to their clients.

  • Key macro nutrients and minerals include fiber, essential fatty acids, and amino acids like methionine and phenylalanine, along with vital minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc, sulfur, and silicon.
  • Addressing digestive issues is crucial, including conditions like low or high stomach acid, liver and gallbladder function, intestinal malabsorption, and the presence of beneficial lactic bacteria.
  • It’s important to recognize and manage excesses in the diet, such as sugar, sodium, caffeine, chlorine, fluoride, and nicotine.
  • Micro minerals like iodine, chromium, and selenium also play a critical role in overall health.
  • Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, and E, are essential for various bodily functions.
  • Water-soluble vitamins, such as B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, biotin, B12, folic acid, and vitamin C, are equally important for maintaining health.
  • Other vital nutrients include choline and bio-flavonoids, which contribute to overall well-being.
  • The presence of toxic metals, such as aluminum, cadmium, excess copper, lead, and mercury, must be addressed to ensure health. 
  • Glandular imbalances, including those in the adrenals, gonads, kidneys, bladder, pancreas, thyroid, pituitary gland, and thymus, require careful attention.
  • Finally, metabolic and systemic imbalances, such as allergies, nervous system issues, circulation problems, hypoglycemia, intestinal parasites, premenstrual syndrome, and candidiasis, should not be overlooked.

By prioritizing these foundational elements, practitioners can provide more effective and lasting solutions for their clients and rid themselves of a "sickness identity."

References:

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1474515118811960#bibr4-1474515118811960

  • Hits: 971

"Nutrition" is far more than merely the trivial concept of food.

Botanists analyze the terrain to help plants prevent and restore cell function. Why not for humans?

What are YOUR individual cell nutritional imbalances?