One of the more pleasant surprises of living in the Sarasota, Florida, area is the large Amish population that resides here. Especially during the winter.
I often see them riding their bicycles and bicycle-driven carriages along a major roadway that runs from the gulf coast eastward to the farmlands. Year-round I buy their fresh, organic foods of all kinds at farm stands, farmer’s markets, and a few regular, old-fashioned Amish grocery stores. The best dairy products you are likely to ever taste come from Big Olaf’s Creamery.
Many people may not realize that central Florida was cow country until about 100 years ago. In fact, you could find dairy herds as well as cattle almost everywhere in central Florida.
Of course, during the 20th century, this land gave way to real estate development. Developers continue to break up farms today to provide housing for a growing population. Somehow, though, the Amish continue the farming traditions in small areas of Florida.
Indeed, we can learn a great deal about good health from the Amish. Of course, researchers at Ohio State University worried the Amish would have higher chronic disease rates since they eat so much full-fat dairy and red meat as well as shun conventional health care.
Instead, what the OSU researchers found shocked them. According to their research, published in the journal Cancer Causes and Control, the Amish have virtually no cancer in their population. And many experts now consider them the healthiest people in America.
Amish in America still eat farm fresh eggs and meat
The Amish enjoy hearty meals made with whole milk, cheese, and meat — along with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Of course, they grow and produce their own crops using traditional, time-tested farming methods. (We now call these natural techniques “organic.”)
This approach ensures they have plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, and dairy — free from toxic artificial chemical fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, or genetically modified seeds. Clearly, Amish food is rich in natural nutrients, vitamins, enzymes and proteins. The diet is also rich in foods that contain cholesterol and saturated fats, as well as salt for preserving foods. But it does not contain food made with artificial ingredients, trans fats, sugar substitutes, or processed foods.
Fueled by this hearty fare, the Amish also undertake high amounts of physical activity and labor working in agriculture, construction and other production jobs that keep them moving outdoors in the sun.
While much of the U.S. workforce sits in artificially lit, hermetically sealed cubicles, the Amish work hard to produce crops, furniture, buildings, and other useful goods.
And they don’t avail themselves of modern technology.
No wonder they have virtually no cancer!
I imagine they also experience much emotional and mental satisfaction of the body, mind and spirit when they create, work and live off the land.
Some may say the Amish lead deprived, secluded, simple lives. I would call it simple, old-fashioned, “clean living.”
Yes, they shun “modern” medicine.
But they don’t need it.
And, truthfully, neither do we.
Maybe we should all “shun” modern medicine
Scientific evidence now shows millions of “cancers” found through routine screenings were never really cancerous at all. For example, many women remain convinced that mammography “saved” them from dying of breast cancer. But the evidence shows their lives were never at risk in the first place!
When it comes to screening for colon cancer, the overuse of costly and dangerous colonoscopies is also rampant. But you have several safe and effective alternatives to colonoscopy.
Last month, I launched a new citizen campaign called the Safe Colon Cancer Screenings Initiative to increase public awareness of the safe, effective alternatives to colonoscopies. And the first part of this initiative is a petition, which we intend to send to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Please consider supporting this important movement — and adding your name to this petition. You can read more about the Safe Colon Cancer Screenings Initiative and sign the petition here.