COURSE IV: Our Nourishment

Course IV is framed by an understanding of metabolism – that fine balance of both building up (anabolism) and breaking down (catabolism). This approach helps us discern the nutritional needs of each individual. The essentiality of different macro and micronutrients and the influences of antinutrients and potentially problematic phytochemicals are explored. This is put in the historical context of the physiological and anatomical changes that took place as human species evolved and adapted to varying food ecologies. The diverse nourishing traditions of indigenous people who lived free of chronic diseases also offers profound insights into what might be considered healthy for the human frame. Focus is then shifted to modern dietetics, dietary guidelines, nutritional research and the challenge of assessing what is referred to as ‘evidence’. The practice of not eating – fasting, is explored. The course concludes by looking at ways to tailor all these diverse threads for each individual.