Greens for Homeostasis:
a chapter from Victoria’s book Green For Life.

Continued from the January 28, 2010 Newsletter

How can we take care of our homeostasis when it is out of our reach? The process of homeostasis in the human body is tightly connected to the endocrine system. Homeostatic balance depends on the performance of the endocrine glands. If the glands do not secrete the proper amount of hormones, the homeostatic balance in the body will shift and disease could start.

The glands of the endocrine system and the hormones they release influence almost every cell, organ, and function of our body. The endocrine system is instrumental in regulating mood, growth and development, tissue function, and metabolism, as well as sexual function, and reproductive processes. To make it really simple, the endocrine system in a human body acts like a factory combined with a supermarket that manufactures and supplies every substance requested by any gland or organ at any time, in any needed quantity. What would such factory need? An abundance of high quality supplies! Similarly, the endocrine system in our body absolutely needs all nutrients, including vitamins, amino acids, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, minerals and all trace elements. Supplying all of these nutrients to our body is critical for good health.

Greens match all of these purposes better than any other food! Once again, when blended, the nutrients from greens are absorbed more efficiently and provide many times more nutrients than other foods and even traditionally made salads. In other words, by drinking green smoothies we support our homeostatic balance in the most optimal way. I wish I knew this information ten years ago when my mother was still alive. She was only 66, a beautiful, adventurous woman, when she was diagnosed with cancer one year after she swam in the river near Chernobyl. I could have explained to her now very clearly how the body can heal. I am sure that Mom would have refused chemotherapy because those poisonous chemicals ruined her already weakened homeostasis. I would have nourished her to health instead. I understand now that only supporting (not destroying) the homeostasis gives a body the greatest chance to heal. She might still be with us. I have met many people who have survived cancers much more severe than what my mother had by incorporating more greens into their diet. I miss her. She knew how to share joy like no one else.

When older people come to my classes, I feel grateful that I have an opportunity to share my information with someone else’s parents. I feel so happy for their children. What a blessing to have open-minded parents! I am trying hard to be one myself.

1. Cannon, Walter B. The Wisdom of the Body. New York: Peter Smith Pub Inc, 1932