Words Into Works #085 | The Five Simple Fixes

In his book SuperLife, Darin Olien shares the key to understanding and using five life forces— Nutrition, Hydration, Oxygenation, Alkalization, and Detoxification. These determine whether or not we will be healthy, fit, and free of illness.

Let’s look at each in turn.

1. Nutrition

Olien’s emphasizes a daily diet centered around fresh whole vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats. He suggests limiting meat intake to occasional meals from organically grown and humanely raised sources and prioritizing wild-caught fish. Olien also advocates for deriving essential nutrients primarily from whole foods rather than supplements, including minerals like calcium, magnesium, and vitamins.

Incorporating at least one raw vegetable or fruit meal daily, Olien underscores the significance of salads and smoothies and praises organic, locally sourced food as optimal nutrition. Embracing variety, he encourages trying new fruits, vegetables, and beans to ensure a diverse micronutrient intake and promotes sprouts as accessible nutrient sources. Lastly, Olien advises relying on senses to guide food choices, favoring real, appealing, and aromatic options.

2. Hydration

Next, Olien highlights the importance of staying hydrated and recommends starting each day with a glass of water to replenish nighttime losses. For optimal well-being, it’s crucial that children also consume ample water, which has been linked to improved test scores and academic performance.

Olien advises sticking to pure water and avoiding commercially bottled options containing unhealthy additives like sugars. Moreover, he suggests opting for filtered or distilled water enriched with essential unrefined salts.

While this might require effort, the benefits make it worthwhile. Lastly, Olien proposes drinking a generous glass of water when feeling fatigued, mentally foggy, or emotionally drained, as he believes hydration could often be the solution.

3. Oxygenation

Olien underscores the vital role of oxygen in our well-being. He advises acquiring oxygen not just through breathing but also from oxygen-rich foods like fresh produce, as insufficient cellular oxygen can lead to fatigue, immunity, and Alzheimer’s.

To optimize oxygen intake, Olien advocates conscious deep breathing, inhaling fully and exhaling completely. He adds that many people breathe shallowly, but deep nasal breathing is calming and a natural stress reliever. Spending time outdoors, amidst trees and grass, also boosts oxygen levels due to cleaner air.

Olien stresses that oxygen is akin to medicine, advocating proper nasal breathing to filter pollutants, and highlights regular exercise to promote controlled and deep breathing patterns, enhancing overall relaxation. He concludes that our breath profoundly influences our body’s state—shallow breaths induce stress, while deep breaths promote relaxation.

4. Alkalization

Next, Olien underscores maintaining a slightly alkaline internal environment by consuming mineral-rich plant foods while avoiding junk. Though our bodies naturally balance acidity, our diet can support this process. As such, Olien advises incorporating raw foods daily, as cooking can increase acidity.

He suggests addressing mental strife to prevent emotional stress, contributing to tissue acidification through cortisol release. Surrounding yourself with positive, uplifting individuals and honest communication also aids in this pursuit.

Beyond food labels, we should scrutinize shampoo, body wash, and toothpaste ingredients, as industrial chemicals and additives in food contribute to metabolic acidosis. Lastly, Olien’s approach focuses on holistic wellness, promoting alkalinity, and minimizing acid-forming influences for overall health.

5. Detoxification

The final life force emphasizes nurturing the four vital life forces—nutrition, hydration, oxygenation, and alkalization—to enhance your body’s detoxification system. Strengthening these elements is crucial for the body to combat disease and eliminate unintentional toxins.

While Olien advises against excessive alcohol and drug use, he acknowledges the pervasive impact of modern pollution and chemicals. He suggests guarding against air, water, food, and personal care products pollutants. (Prioritizing liver and kidney function is vital as these organs manage daily toxicity absorption.)

Olien recommends consuming iron, copper, zinc, folic acid, co-enzyme Q10, and key vitamins (A, B6, B12, C, and E) to support a functioning immune system, as antioxidant-rich, vibrant fruits and vegetables aid detoxification. Lastly, Olien advocates for instinctively choosing colorful options to guide our choices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Darin Olien’s SuperLife offers five simple fixes to enhance your well-being: nutrition, hydration, oxygenation, alkalization, and detoxification.

By prioritizing these elements, we can bolster your body’s detoxification system, combat disease, and eliminate unintentional toxins.