John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz

I thought for a change, we would look at what I do to maintain my health. Some readers know that I spent many years with a range of health issues, including CFS and chronic respiratory (bronchiectasis) problems and a range of inflammatory problems. I am now 56 and am probably in the best health of my life. What I have learned is the body has a remarkable ability to heal if you give it the nutrients that govern our complex healing processes. So what do I do?

The basics of health are of course the food we eat and the way we exercise our bodies. Food variety is very important and especially my lunches and evening meals include a wide variety of ingredients. I try to do some form of exercise each day and this could be anything from power walking, cycling, kayaking or chores; like my one-hour lawns.

My morning routine before breakfast is to take a unique Co Q10 formula plus a specific anti-inflammatory supplement, washed down with a vitamin C drink with about 1000mg combined ascorbates. For breakfast; perhaps yoghurt, followed by either poached eggs or good wholegrain toast or wholegrain oat porridge in winter. After breakfast, I take 3000mg of high grade Omega 3 Fish oil, then a combined multi-antioxidant, multi-mineral and multi vitamin. In winter, I take a total of 2000IU of vitamin D each day.

For morning tea I usually have raw almonds, some fruit and a psyllium and flax seed soluble fibre drink. For lunch; it can be anything from salmon and avocado salad to homemade soups or last evening's leftovers. My evening meals have a huge variety and are always based on fresh vegetables, mostly from my garden. My cooking and dressing oils are mostly good olive and avocado oil. Like most people, I do like treats and my favourite is dark chocolate – 60 plus per cent cocoa. After dinner, I repeat the morning Omega 3 Fish Oil and multi-nutritional product.

Few things we do have a neutral affect on our health. Our food, exercise and supplement choices will either tend to move us towards or away from disease. If you are unwell, it is important to ensure you are giving your body everything it needs to encourage the healing process.

John Arts is the founder of Abundant Health. For product information visit www.abundant.co.nz

If you have questions or would like a free health plan phone 07 578 9051 or 0800 423 559 or email [email protected]

You can join his newsletter at www.johnarts.co.nz .