There are many natural remedies and foods available to help us cure and prevent disease. Nearly every disease or illness can be cured and/or prevented using natural methods without side effects as opposed to drugs, which are much less effective and come with dangerous side effects. A diet of foods that are as close to the source as possible is essential for good health. There are many examples that go to show that this is true, but certain large industries, especially the drug industry, keep this information hidden from the general public in order to maximize their profit.

One example is that most fruits act as cleansing agents for the body due to their alkaline properties. Various fruits, especially citrus fruits, can eliminate apparent digestive disorders as well as kill germs of the common cold. It can also improve the functioning of the organs of elimination. Apples can be used to fight diseases such as asthma, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Strawberries and raspberries have also been shown to fight cancer because they contain a compound that kills cancer cells.

There are some foods that help to regulate cholesterol, most notably oatmeal and pears. These two foods raise the HDL cholesterol level and lower the LDL cholesterol level. Apples, oranges, beans, barley, and peas can also help to regulate cholesterol because they contain soluble fiber, which reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed into the bloodstream.

Flax seed is another food that is of high nutritional value and is a good natural remedy. It helps prevent constipation and gastrointestinal disorders by eliminating the build up of toxins in the colon. It is filled with dietary fibers that readily absorb water to bulk up stool, induce regular bowel movement, and improve the functioning of the organs of elimination. Flax seed oil contains certain compounds that act as antioxidants to prevent certain diseases such as diabetes, tumors, and cancer. It also contains Omega 3 fatty acids, which lower blood cholesterol levels and regulate certain physiological processes within the body.

Also, it is good to eat a balanced diet and not to completely eliminate the intake of certain substances that have been labeled as harmful. Trans fat is an example of a substance that should be completely eliminated from the diet because it has been artificially hydrogenated. However, naturally occurring saturated fat is beneficial and necessary in moderate amounts. It has been shown to improve the ratio of HDL cholesterol to LDL cholesterol. It actually raises the levels of both but the improvement in ratio outweighs the increase in levels. This does not mean that it is a good idea to start eating large amounts of foods high in saturated fat. The word "moderate" is an important keyword. However, saturated fat should not be completely excluded from the diet.

A few other foods must be noted as being beneficial to health and to the prevention of disease. Organic yogurt and other sour milk products are recommended. Olive oil is also a product that is recommended on a regular basis. Green leafy vegetables, raw cheese, raw milk, raw nuts, and seeds should be included. Fresh juices made from beets, carrots, green beans, green leafy vegetables, peas, red grapes, and seaweed are all sources of concentrated nutrients.

Fried foods, refined foods such as sugar, artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, and nicotine should be eliminated and alcohol should be used moderately if at all. Trans fats, refined vegetable oils, refined sugar, refined starches, and nicotine all create serious heart disease risks.

These are just a few examples that show that a diet of natural (and preferably organic) foods, along with the exclusion of unnatural chemicals found in processed foods, is one of the best ways to prevent disease. It has also been shown that certain foods can act as natural remedies to treat and cure diseases. Information about these topics can be readily found on the Internet and in books. This information however is not well known by the general public. Large industries, especially the drug industry, are controlling the way the information is presented to the public. This is why this information is rarely communicated by doctors or in the press.