NUTRITION MEDICINE SECTION-3

Dear readers.

Before I begin this week’s column, I want to make an announcement. We received many emails this week from our valued life-affirming friends about the amazing food goji berries. Goji berries are a topic whose incredible health benefits will keep you excited as you read through pages and pages of information. Your requests and demands are more important than anything else. Therefore, I am changing the topic of next week’s column and focusing on this miraculous food.

Goji berries contain significantly more vitamins and minerals than pollen. I believe this food is a powerful option, especially for the mental, intellectual, and motivational development of school-aged children.

Living a healthy life, both mentally and physically, is like a three-legged stool in medical terms: medical examination, consultation, and treatment. To achieve lasting results, not just temporary ones, for ourselves, our families, our children, and our loved ones, I believe it’s crucial to pay attention to these terms. While we’re on the subject, I’d like to share an anecdote with you and introduce you to a couple.

I met Bahar Hanım, a primary school teacher, at an event. She and her husband, Mert Bey, a nutritionist and professional fitness trainer, were attending a psychopharmacology congress. In front of me was a positive, cheerful, and very happy couple. We shared a table at the gala dinner. I vividly remember Mert Bey starting to talk about the biological and chemical workings of metabolism and hormonal effects of every bite on my plate. Especially when talking about the dessert menu, he said:

“Professor, did you know that our family doesn’t consume artificial sweeteners except for fruits with a low glycemic index? Even low-GI fruits have specific consumption times. Because…”

That’s how we met. It was clear that Mr. Mert was a self-confident, sharing, and outgoing young man who had grown up in a happy family with high awareness and consciousness. As time passed, the conversation at the table deepened. I began to explain to this lovely couple and the other guests how all the food and drinks we consume affect our psychology, sharing my experiences. At one point, my name was announced. I went up to the podium and gave a short speech. It was difficult to get down from the podium as questions came one after another. When I returned to the table, I saw a profiterole sparkling brightly on Bahar’s plate. When Bahar saw that I had noticed it, she was delighted, as if she had found an accomplice:

“Teacher, would you like to have some profiteroles? They’re so fresh, you shouldn’t miss out on this delicious treat.”

A low-cut profiterole. Not only did it look delicious, but the glossy dark chocolate on top was slowly dripping into the cream. Mert, fully aware of his training and his humanitarian duty, sprang into action:

“Oh, Professor, please don’t. It’s not something you should eat at this hour, or even in your lifetime. Your organs will be working all night, you won’t be able to sleep well. You’ll wake up tired in the morning, Professor Uğur.” With a shy but sincere smile, Mrs. Bahar extended the ice cream bowl to me and said:

“Here you go, sir, it goes well with ice cream,” I replied. “Alright, Ms. Bahar. Let’s see how it goes then. Whatever happens, happens.”

Following these dialogues, a conversation began between me and Ms. Bahar concerning the concepts of reality and wholeness. Ms. Bahar criticized me, saying that given my identity and title, I should never have eaten that dessert at that hour. I want to share the continuation of this conversation with you in my first book.

Sometimes our ego plays tricks on us. Actually, this is a fun game, and it relates to the dimensions of our definition system in the process of making meaning. These dimensions are closely related to human psychology and behavior.

To live a healthy life, both mentally and physically, don’t neglect the three pillars of medical care, but don’t regret any of your choices.

Regret can, without you realizing it, lead you to the point of thinking, “This is my fate, what can I do? There’s nothing I can do.” Have faith and accept your fate. Because you are already doing your best.

Stay healthy and with love.

Uğur Uğural