Freedom From Disease Through Improved Digestion
A Review of the Book, "Eating Alive" by Dr. John Matsen
Sep 14, 2008
Arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, migraine headaches, eczema, low energy levels, frequent ear infections. What do these conditions have in common? According to Dr. John Matsen’s book, Eating Alive, these conditions likely all have their origins in a poorly functioning digestive system.
Organs Involved in Digestion
In clear language that’s easy to understand, Dr. Matsen explains the roles of each of the organs involved in the digestive system. Supported with patients’ letters, and humorous illustrations, the book is extremely informative and easy to read.
The Mystery of Disease Revealed
According to Dr. Matsen, the body is capable of healing itself, given the right tools and conditions. Although disease is often seen to be a powerful but mysterious enemy, Eating Alive, provides the information required to face disease and disable it. “By the end of this book there will be little mystery left to disease. You will understand what disease is and how to activate your body’s suppressed desire to NOT have disease,” says Matsen in the Introduction.
Understanding Disease and Healing
This book is good news for anyone frustrated with frequent visits to doctors without finding solutions to their health problems, anyone interested in healing themselves, or anyone who wants to have a better understanding of the digestive system’s role in maintaining good health.
From Digestive Difficulties to Chronic Disease
Beginning with the function of the stomach, Dr. Matsen explains how wrong eating habits lead to progressive overload of each of the digestive organs until chronic disease results. “From one to two years of age virtually everyone’s stomach is in a state of ‘shock’”, says Matsen in Eating Alive.
Simple Steps Toward Improved Digestive Function
Eating Alive outlines a program to recover the efficient functioning of the digestive system in order to regain good health. The first step is to avoid foods that the body is sensitive to. The next step is to avoid eating certain combinations of foods that if eaten together would result in neutralization of digestive juices, thus lengthening digestive time. The goal of the program is to boost the digestive system in its ability to do what it was designed to do – clear the body of wastes efficiently and quickly. The premise is that when the digestive system is functioning at full capacity, disease conditions can be reversed or prevented.
The Body's Best Defense Against Disease
A digestive system that works quickly and efficiently is the body’s best defense against disease. A sluggish digestive system allows harmful intestinal flora to establish itself and produce toxins. “Their waste products (toxins) are what foul up the elimination organs and cause most disease.” (Eating Alive, p. 117)
Factors Involved in Efficient Digestion
In addition to charts outlining an eating program to regain efficient digestion, Eating Alive also explains the role of emotional, psychological, and spiritual states on health in general and digestion in particular. There are also suggested menus and a section devoted to recipes.
Hope for Healing
'Eating Alive will not solve all of your life problems,” says Matsen in the Introduction, “but if it leaves you with a little more understanding of the majesty of your body and a little less fear of disease, then it will have fulfilled its purpose.”
In a nutshell, Eating Alive may just be the book that provides hope to someone who has given up on finding a solution to their complicated health problems. Eating Alive takes the mystery out of disease and sheds some light on the components necessary for optimum health.
