Answering questions
- It answers the question, why some people fall ill and others don’t, even when exposed to the same germs.
- It goes a little way to explain WHY some of us have a stronger immune system than others and therefore a greater capacity to ‘fend off’ disease more easily.
- It works at allowing us to understand potential root cause, rather than symptom identification alone.
With terrain theory, responsibility for illness lies within the individual, NOT an external force, i.e. with the virus, the illness, bacteria OR the child with the cold. However, just like when germ theory was first discovered, this theory can be hard to accept, and hasn’t been popularised, but is gaining momentum.
Terrain theory is preventative medicine. When the terrain is healthy, we don’t succumb so heavily to illness. It means true health IS in our hands – nobody else’s.
And given all that we’re learning about the microbiome and virome- it makes sense.
It raises another question: why if both theories arose at similar times, did germ theory become so readily accepted over terrain theory?
I don’t know for sure. The cynic in me thinks of the neat fit of a hand in a glove…
Hand & Glove
There were a couple of other events that happened at around the same time these theories were discovered, that fit like a hand in a glove with germ theory:
- At a similar time, i.e. 1880s - 1920s, the split between allopathic and alternative medicine occurred.
- In the mid 1800s, the industrial production of medicine first occurred, producing patented medicine from 1842, and the world’s first factory for producing only medicines was in 1859.
In today’s world, just 150 years later, the pharmaceutical industry is one of the world’s most lucrative with alternative medicine being a poor, second-rate cousin.
It never used to be this way. My understanding is these two forms of treatment ran alongside each other for hundreds of years.
At the same time, today as a race we have never been sicker, especially our children. There are 1 million children in the USA alone with autism. Chronic illness, auto immunity and mental health issues are all on the rise. Why? Is it time for a fresh perspective on sickness?
Has ‘germ theory’ and the consequential eradication of germs come at an incalculably high price? Has it:
- Allowed us to unwittingly outsource our health?
- Meant it’s easier to take our health for granted knowing a quick fix awaits at the Doctors’ office or chemist?
- Given us a disregard (skepticism even) for food and lifestyle choices that help illness become preventable and less debilitating?
- Fuelled the belief that the remedy should be instant and found in a medication to treat the pathogen first and foremost, rather than nourishing a healthier terrain (mind and body) first and foremost?
Terrain theory might make sense but it doesn’t make cents.
A cynical view, yet maybe at the time of these discoveries in the mid 1800s, the lure of a potential ‘quick fix’ along with the financial and economic reward outweighed the idea of prescribing patients with some healthy lifestyle advice?
Food and lifestyle choices are powerful and cost effective, especially those that give us the most bang for buck. For example:
- Sunshine. Our best source of Vitamin D for strong immunity, (especially in regard to Covid), hormone health and mood.
- Movement. Imperative for strong oxygenation and blood flow, i.e. respiratory and circulatory health. Some research has shown those that are more active are also more resistant to Covid-19.
- Outdoors / fresh air. For resetting our biological and circadian rhythms and much more.
- High-quality water. Enabling the vital intercellular communication within our bodies and energy via ATP within every cell.
- Fresh, whole foods. Providing the essential nutrients necessary for development, maintenance and repair.
- Laughter and play, and so much more.
Things aren’t always what they seem
It’s our instinct to trust what we consider ‘normal’ or the science, to outsource responsibility, but as shown above, perhaps there’s another story worth exploring and that may in fact give us more control than we realise we ever had, and is better for our vitality, happiness and our bank account in the long term?
There are, no doubt, many explanations science is yet to consider in regard to why we get sick. This is my personal research and I hope in sharing it, it helps you discover which choices work best for your family’s vitality, health and happiness. I invite you to do your own research. Question everything, (even the above), because things aren’t always what they seem or what we’ve been led to believe.
P.S. Happy to say our son’s cold didn’t eventuate. He was a bit snuffly for a day and that was it. No runny nose or cough developed and no-one else ‘caught’ his cold! I share all about how I keep our family healthy and thriving in my next event, ‘Why kids get sick’. Click here for more details and join me LIVE or ONLINE.
Originally published here.
After working as an executive in professional services, Kate Barnes started her global business as a Certified Holistic Health Coach. She has a Bachelor of Science and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business. Kate runs an online program, ‘Our Happy Children‘, a leading education program for deeply nourishing families and building strong immunity, great energy and preventing illness. For more information visit Kate’s website, like her Facebook page for loads of daily inspiration, healthy tips and recipes and follow her on Instagram.
