PHARMACY PHARM 

More beneficial ingredients hide on grocery shelves than are displayed on a pharmacy counter.

For decades now, ever since we went "modern", the medical profession has been advising on the beneficial aspects of "wonder" drugs. There is no doubt that many of them did eliminate numerous symptoms, ailments and diseases prevalent in bygone days. But now a growing number of experts in medical and other sciences, are returning to the slogan "You are what you eat".

A new Bantam book, "The Food Pharmacy" by Jean Carper, claims that "food is your best medicine". Many quotes shown below are from this publication. Grocery stores should be giving away this book with every $100 food basket.

The new theories argue that if foods can affect the body in such unhealthy ways, as increasing chloresterol etc., then other foods can vastly improve bodily health. Scientific studies, especially from Japan, "have shown that foods are also full of powerful antimutagens that can neutralize the cancer threat". Japanese screening found broccoli, green pepper, pineapple, shallot, apple, ginger, cabbage and eggplant 'remarkably effective' in blocking cancer-promoting cell mutations. Cauliflower, grapes, sweet potato and radishes were 'moderately effective'.

Some may refer to the latest trends as kooky, but increasingly the facts show that vegetarians "have lower rates of cancer, heart disease, stroke and a number of other chronic diseases than meat eaters". Certain foods soon "will be prescribed and designed to dramatically improve health". Dr. David Jenkins, University of Toronto professor and a leading expert on diet and blood sugar says (recombination therapy) "..we have not yet realized that that is exactly what some foods are doing already -- promoting a combination therapy of their own".

Others, like Dr. James Tillotson, head of research for Ocean Spray (cranberry juice) believe "that one day governments may insist on labeling not only nutrients in foods but also a food's total health effect based on solid studies of its pharmacological powers". As one who has seen native "witch doctors" sometimes produce faster and more effective solutions - taken right out of the jungle - than taught at our so-called "advanced institutions". You don't have to sell me. Food is a potent, unpackaged (so far) medicine.

Other "scientists' adventures chronicle the food pharmacy's variegated possibilities of performance as anticoagulants, blood-clot dissolvers, cholesterol reducers, expectorants, prostaglandininhibitors (like aspirin), cancer blockers, antioxidants, antibiotics, antiviral agents, immune-system boosters and antibody manipulators". "Old wives tales" are taking on more credability and "are being transformed into new scientific facts". This book contains a fascinating number of remedies, including a black mushroom called mok yhee (Cantonese) with the same bloodthinning qualities as aspirin; the magic of onions; the yin-yang therapy of chili peppers; why food from the sea is sometimes superior to food from the land; nuts and seeds that surprise; how carrots can help "cure" cancer; cranberries' hidden antibiotic; and what's in wine, tea and yogurt that can be so helpful to human health.

Did you know that in a year "a single chicken can provide up to 30 kilograms of immunoglobul": someday you may get your prescription in an eggnog? That "just smelling apples can lower some people's blood pressure"? And why it helps when taking an aspirin to eat a banana first! That 300 years ago coffee was a medicine and not a beverage. Find out why the French put milk in their coffee and why "tests found that garlic was more powerful than penicillin and tetracycline".

Not far into the future, the line that currently divides food from medicine may diffuse or totally vanish. Now that genetic manipulation can add, increase or modify beneficial agents in food and drinks, the way is open to add even more "health" to everything required for the human diet. You can get ready - this book contains its own "Food Pharmacopoeia".

A well-planned trip to the grocery store may be the healthiest move you'll make all week.

This book is thoroughly interesting and contains much fascinating material. Try out a fraction of what's in there and at the very least you'll have a healthy gastronomic experience. It may even save your life.

The book: The Food Pharmacy. Author: Jean Carper. Publisher: Bantam Books, Toronto 1989.

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