Rainer Seiffert's Blog

Health & Nutrition

**This article was written on 5 July 2011.**

**“Our highest good”**

Today I would like to share some thoughts and insights on the subject of health.

**Please note:** This is an informal account of my own experiences and personal opinions. No guarantee is given for any consequences. For concrete therapies, please consult a doctor you trust. I am an economist, not a physician.

Health (not only physical health) is regarded as our **highest good**. “Health is not everything, but without health everything is nothing.” For this reason I have been studying health questions autodidactically for about forty years.

I have come to the conclusion that by strengthening health awareness and sensible prevention, a large proportion of the illnesses that financially burden the German health system could be avoided.

As long as people feel no disadvantages, this fact is gladly repressed. “Health apostles” are laughed at. Who wants to be lectured about a healthier way of life?

Public perception does not suggest that much is wrong. Advertising shows us every day which products are supposed to be good for us. One becomes thoughtful, however, when friends or acquaintances suffer from serious illnesses or die.

It should also be mentioned that a not inconsiderable number of people injure themselves in dangerous sports.

Citizens should – as the ancient Greek philosophers already advocated – take responsibility for maintaining their own health. One cannot expect the state to protect us completely from illness and every danger. Nevertheless, it is alarming that those politically responsible do not manage to warn the population more comprehensively about the impending health risks.

Besides the decision and firm will, combined with the necessary discipline, knowledge and insight into the necessity of lifestyle changes must also be present.

#### Stress as a cause of illness

Over many years I have studied various religions, philosophies and psychological insights. They can lead to mental and spiritual calm, balance and a sense of security.

Every person should search for the meaning of his or her life. Everyone has unique abilities and can make valuable contributions to the community. The ideals of the Enlightenment – liberty, equality, fraternity, tolerance and humanity (love of one’s neighbour) – can serve as a guideline.

Many people find balance and security in a community. It is important to believe in one’s own lovability, to be open and to invest in one’s fellow human beings.

Our thoughts ultimately influence our destiny. It is therefore important to cultivate positive thoughts.

It is proven that a certain measure of leisure and security is important for our health. This is shown by the increasing number of cases of incapacity for work due to burnout. The necessary leisure and inner balance can also be regarded as prerequisites for a healthy life.

Burnout: Help is available here → [http://www.dbvb.org/](http://www.dbvb.org/)

Many people find upliftment through the services of various denominations. In my view it matters less which denomination one belongs to. What is important is to find a community of people who strive to broaden their mental horizons, work on themselves and serve their fellow human beings or the community.

One can also broaden one’s mental horizons through one’s own reading of uplifting books. The following books were particularly significant for me: the Bible, *The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying* (Sogyal Rinpoche), the Bhagavad Gita and *The Power of Now* (Eckhart Tolle).

During my business studies – in the context of personnel and marketing seminars – I also dealt intensively with this subject. Effective recovery phases, good leisure activities and an inner hold are important for maintaining the performance of employees.

In addition to my business studies I also studied some theology. A life in harmony with the principles of the Creator or the universe contributes – because of the interdependence of mind and body – not only to our mental well-being. Our physical health and energy are also improved.

Only positive, good or healthy thoughts and their translation into reality can ultimately lead to a positive, good or healthy life.

The positive quotations I have collected and regularly share on the internet platform X (formerly Twitter) under the account “SunnyRainer” (approx. 200,000 readers) are intended to contribute to “mental health” and joy.

When I was new on Twitter, I was able to dissuade a young American woman from suicide. From that moment it was clear to me that it is my task to provide more positive messages there. Through the daily reactions of readers to my posts I can recognise their positive effect.

#### Healthy nutrition as the foundation of a healthy life

In Germany, doctors are primarily responsible for health questions. Their training, however, usually includes no nutrition science. In my view this is very regrettable, because important foundations for better health awareness could be laid here in advance – especially with regard to rising costs in the health system.

At the very least, nutrition science should be given the status and attention it deserves. It is always better to tackle the causes than to wait until “the child has fallen into the well”. Preventing illness is easier and cheaper than curing existing ones.

I regard this approach as far more sensible than the introduction (or retention) of a planned economy in the health system. If it were possible, by sharpening health awareness, to **prevent illnesses**, good doctors would not have to emigrate because of budgeting and ceilings, since sufficient financial resources would be available through the savings.

Healthy nutrition, together with physical activity, can be regarded as the foundation of **health prevention**. This is in the interest of every citizen. Our life and our health are a gift that we should treat with corresponding care.

In general terms, a diet that is as natural as possible and sufficient physical movement can be described as the basis for improving health. In such a diet the vitamins, enzymes and vital substances have not been destroyed by heating. It is therefore living rather than dead food.

It is not a matter of suddenly changing one’s diet from zero to one hundred. One can and should also observe and try out how the body reacts to a higher proportion of natural foods. It is advisable to carry out a change in diet under the guidance of a doctor or nutritionist one trusts. A balanced diet is important.

Video: “You are what you eat!” → [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nwzvbs_gVA](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nwzvbs_gVA)

Dr. Warburg was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1931 for the insight that cancer cannot survive in an alkaline environment.

It is hard to believe that the harmful effect of over-acidification was already demonstrated at that time and that to this day it remains a significant cause of our illnesses. How many people might have been saved?

Over-acidification of the body can be ended by a consistently natural diet or, as an aid, by taking alkaline preparations.

Furthermore, the combination of foods is also important for our health. Carbohydrate-containing food should preferably not be eaten together with protein-containing food, because protein requires an acid for digestion while carbohydrates require an alkaline digestive juice. The result is that the body needs more energy and the duration of digestion is considerably prolonged.

Adhering to these rules is not always easy – due to the many tricks of the food industry (sugar, flavour enhancers etc.) – but even a partial success is better than nothing. According to the great American nutrition expert Dr. Shelton, the person who eats predominantly healthily is also predominantly blessed with health.

The negative role that hidden or obvious addictions can play in maintaining our health should not be underestimated.

#### Alternative medicine to avoid drug intolerances and antibiotic resistance

When we fall ill we go to our family doctor. Many doctors work exclusively with the methods of conventional medicine with all the associated side effects.

The findings of side-effect-free and inexpensive **homeopathy**, however, are becoming important for more and more people. One hears astonishing reports of success.

With this gentle medicine it is often possible to achieve the same or a better healing effect without aggressive chemical drugs. In our time of antibiotic intolerances this is a stroke of luck. Every year 58,000 people in Germany die from the side effects of medicines.

Homeopathy and conventional medicine work excellently together in the hands of an experienced physician. Conventional medicine where necessary, homeopathy where possible – and where conventional medicine can no longer help.

#### Financial worries

For more than thirty years, in my work as an external bank auditor, as head of internal bank auditing and as an independent financial adviser and auditor, I was responsible for the “health of finances”.

In the process I unfortunately saw how important it is not to spend more than one earns. Deviating from this principle can have consequences that considerably impair our health. A certain spending discipline is appropriate in every household. I have already learned of too many cases of existences and families that failed because of desolate finances.

Just as one should not overload one’s “account” too much with regard to physical health, excessive withdrawals or more expenditure than income are also unhealthy with regard to “real finances”.

Disordered financial circumstances and financial worries can also impair our physical health.

Ordered financial circumstances are a foundation for a materially secure life. For this, every person should discover where his or her inclinations and abilities lie. Doing work that one really enjoys is actually not work but leisure. Nowadays, however, continuous further training is required in most activities.

#### Closing remark

Success is useless if we become ill as a result. Exercise, natural food and leisure can extend our life.

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