The Energy Equation

In the last issue, I reviewed Sarah's magnum opus, Ecological Medicine, and here she and her mathematician co-author focus on ways of keeping the energy equation in our favour and avoiding the syndrome of being tired all the time. Despite the extraordinary progress in biomedicine, we face an epidemic of chronic conditions brought on mainly by poor nutrition and high levels of stress. Sarah discovered for herself that she had an allergy to dairy products that was being transmitted to her daughter Ruth through her breastmilk and resulting in howling, crying and sleeplessness. Cutting out dairy had a miraculous effect. Fatigue is now a very common condition and the authors create a 'knackerometer' before explaining the energy equation where supply has to exceed demand. They relate how the body generates energy for life but also inflammations resulting from allergy and autoimmunity that often have their source in addiction.

They describe metabolic syndrome as a background to more serious conditions with a further chart questionnaire and reasons given by patients not to change. The upper fermenting gut can be a serious issue and the role of mitochondria in energy generation is vital as well as in relation to the ageing process. Sleep and exercise are also crucial, as is the quality of our water, especially as featured in the work of Gerald Pollack. The next section explains energy expenditure and the immunological and emotional holes in the energy bucket, with advice on key interventions for good health – for her, this means the PK diet where energy comes mainly from fats rather than carbohydrates and sugars. The appendices contain more detailed advice divided into basic, acute and chronic. Another interesting note is the role of heat in detoxification – for instance baths with Epsom salts, but also saunas. Overall, the book provides a very readable account of the fundamentals of good health.