Why the Ancient Paths?

Modern conveniences and our fast-paced lifestyles have come at a high cost. As a population, we are overworked, overstressed, overfed, and undernourished. We are bombarded with constant stimulation by screens, electromagnetic frequencies (EMF), 5G radiation, and artificial light. Our bodies are exposed to an overload of toxins through skincare products, air fresheners, cleaning products, air pollutants, and toxic chemicals in our food. Our bodies are overmedicated, sleep deprived, and chronically ill. Chronic disease, also called “lifestyle disease”, is illness that occurs due to daily behaviors such as an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and prolonged exposure to toxic substances. Obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, autoimmune conditions, and even cancer are examples. Today, chronic disease is on the rise, not only in America but around the world. Unfortunately, the solution our medical system provides is prescription drugs, leading to further side effects and more damage to the body. Shockingly, many are unaware that a change in lifestyle can reverse chronic disease and early death! Small changes can have considerable impact.

It is estimated that 61% of all deaths and 49% of disease are attributed to chronic disease1! By 2030, these numbers are expected to increase to 70% and 56%!2

  • 43% of children in the U.S. have a chronic illness – a percentage that rises to 52% when obesity is included as a disease. 3
  • 1 out of 2 children are expected to have autism by the year 2025.4
  • 1 in 2 people in the U.S. will get some type of cancer in their lifetime.5
  • The United States makes up only 5% of the world’s population and consumes 75% of the world’s prescription drugs. 6 What?! Read that again.

More than 100 years ago, none of these conditions were among the main health concerns affecting our nation.7

During the Industrial Revolution, the US food system underwent a massive transformation, shifting from local, seasonal food to mass-produced, processed food with extended shelf life and wide availability. Processes like canning, pasteurization, and mechanized farming greatly increased efficiency and production. But with these advances, we experienced a sacrifice in quality and nutrition. We also began using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which have increased over time, leading to food contamination and health concerns.

  • Every year U.S. farmers use about one billion pounds of chemicals on crops to control weeds, insects and other pests.8
  • More than 90% of Americans have pesticides or their byproducts in their bodies.9
  • Increased exposure to pesticides in adults may be linked to higher risk of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and several types of cancer.10
  • Exposure to high levels of pesticides in children is associated with cancer, ADHD, autism, neurological and behavioral development.11
  • Glyphosate is found in 75% of the foods we eat. It’s in the air we breathe, the water we drink, our soil, and even some organic foods due to cross contamination.12 It causes oxidative stress, neuro-inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, as well as behavioral and motor disorders.13 It is linked to leaky gut, autoimmune disease, autism, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

70% of US food is filled with preservatives and additives – fillers, dyes, artificial flavors, artificial colors, and highly processed ingredients. We’ve traded nutrient dense freshly milled wheat for nutritionally void commercial white flour. We’ve changed how we raise and process our beef, chicken, fish, eggs and dairy. Our dependance on prescription drugs and the massive increase in vaccines have also taken their toll.

You can probably now see why I am passionate about getting back to the ancient paths! Not that all modernization is bad – not at all, but shifts are needed. The pendulum has swung too far one way. Change is possible for us and our future generations. We are getting back to real food, clean air, less toxins, and active lifestyles! Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). It’s a wonder that they have withstood so much! Let’s take care of them with the honor and respect they deserve! When we look to the ancient paths, we are looking back to how God created us to live in spirit, soul, and body. The Bible has a lot to say about these things — even regarding nutrition!

Here at the Ancient Paths, we’re on a journey together toward healthy living! I hope to inspire and equip you to make small changes in your family’s lifestyle that lead to massive impact, not only for you, but future generations! We get one opportunity to live this life. Let’s do it with excellence!

  1. World Health Organization ↩︎
  2. World Health Organization ↩︎
  3. Michelle Pero, M.D. Top Five Childhood Diseases, 2015 ↩︎
  4. MA Institute of Technology ↩︎
  5. National Cancer Institute ↩︎
  6. National Institute on Drug Abuse ↩︎
  7. J. Elflein ↩︎
  8. usgs.gov ↩︎
  9. NCBI ↩︎
  10. Health Line ↩︎
  11. Health Line ↩︎
  12. The Toxin That Came to Dinner by David Sandoval ↩︎
  13. nih.gov ↩︎