Build Health by Connecting with Nature

Connection to nature is a vital part of our health, both physical and psychological. An imbalance of the soil health leads to an imbalance in our bodies, secondary to eating foods grown in soils that lack vital nutrients and biodiversity.  Strengthening our connection to nature can be a solution for improving the health of our planet and, in turn, improving human health. 

There are many things that damage the health of our soil. One major harmful chemical is glyphosate, which is the major constituent of commonly-used broad-spectrum herbicides. Glyphosate has been shown to alter digestive health, and it is linked to an increased risk of celiac disease—among other harmful effects. Studies in carnivorous (meat-eating) fish show decreased protease, lipase, and amylase enzyme production in the esophagus, stomach and intestines, when exposed to glyphosate (Soil Association 2020), (Samsel and Seneff 2013). In addition, glyphosate damages the tight junctions in the intestinal lining, which is only one cell layer thick to begin with (Bush 2017), leading to leaky gut. 

There is a lot of evidence available on the connection between microbes in soil, in food, and in our bodies, and their connection with immune health, mental health, and digestive health.  A decline in the beneficial microbes and biodiversity has been linked to the rise of industrial disease since after the 2^nd world war.    

In better news, there are roughly 1,000 research articles showing the benefits that time in nature has on human health. One such study of 20,000 people found that those who spent two hours a week in green spaces were substantially more likely to report good health and psychological well-being than those who didn’t (Robbins 2020). 

Here are some examples of how to reconnect with nature to improve your physical and mental health, while simultaneously improving the health of our planet at the same time:

1. Start a small floral garden for pollinators.
2. Start composting your food scraps to put back into the soil of your garden next spring, to improve the nutrient density of the foods you grow. 
3. Hike your local state park in the fall, picking up any garbage or recyclables you see.  Some nearby options include Buffalo State Park (MN) and Maplewood State Park (MN).
4. REDUCE, REDUCE, REDUCE.
5. Learn about regenerative agriculture and get involved in the growing movement.
6. Cultivate and consume whole foods grown in healthy soil.

Everyone intrinsically understands that nature is healing.  We understand that to support our own health, we need to continue to support the health of the planet that provides us with vital components of life.  How will you get your Vitamin N (nature) in this week?

References

Bush, Zach. 2017. “Glyphosate: Modern Attack on the Gut.” Referenced 9.15.20 from https://zachbushmd.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Glyphosate-for-ProHeal....

Robbins, Jim. 2020. “Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health.” Yale Environment 360. https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-ben....

Samsel, Anthony, Stephanie Seneff. 2013. “Glyphosate, pathways to modern diseases II: Celiac sprue and gluten intolerance.” Interdisciplinary Toxicology. 6(4): 159–184. DOI: 10.2478/intox-2013-0026.

Soil Association, Scotland. “The impact of glyphosate on soil health: A summary of the evidence to date.” Referenced 9.15.20 from  https://www.soilassociation.org/media/7229/glyphosate-and-soil-health-a-....