Dr. Sebi: Naturalist, Herbalist, Pathologist, & Biochemist - Research Paper

Introduction

Dr. Sebi was born in Honduras as Alfred Bowman. Born in 1933, he was renowned for his approach to disease, which may be termed as unorthodox. He was an herbalist, naturalist, pathologist, and biochemist. His approach to healing the human body attracted the attention of people due to its uniqueness. Dr. Sebi's methodology approached disease as a condition that exacerbates in the body due to various conditions. Specifically, he claimed that diseases thrive in an acidic environment (Bahreman, 2013). Therefore, it is necessary to create an alkali environment where illnesses will have no opportunity to develop.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Dr. Sebi questioned the premise on which western medicine is based that organisms such as bacteria and viruses are responsible for the disease. In an attempt to treat illnesses from this perspective, patients are administered substances that also harm them. These substances have properties such as being inorganic and carcinogenic (Bahreman, 2013). As such, the treatment process does not create a solution, but rather it creates an environment for more disease to spread. Dr. Sebi notes that despite several centuries of European medicine, many diseases have still not been cured.

The alternative to the European approach is an African approach that promises better results. Instead of examining diseases in terms of pathogens such as bacteria, Dr. Sebi purports that disease exists where the mucous membrane has been altered (Harvey & Avents, 2019). Most surfaces of internal organs are lined with mucus. When this mucosal layer is compromised, diseases are manifested. Dr. Sebi purports that diseases only exist in an acidic environment. Therefore, it is essential to employ compounds of natural plants that are alkaline (Harvey & Avents, 2019). Dr. Sebi's claim that his dietary recommendations can cure diseases such as cancer and HIV landed him in legal trouble when he was sued for practicing medicine without a license (Harvey & Avents, 2019).

Dr. Sebi's diet is vegan as it discourages the consumption of animal products. The dietary recommendations are not focused on weight loss. However, given the great deviance from conventional western diets, the diet may result in weight loss. The diet promotes the consumption of a plant-based diet made up of unprocessed foods (Harvey & Avents, 2019). Empirical studies have found that those who adhered to some or all of the diet recommendations of Dr. Sebi lost more weight than those who did not follow the diet plan (Harvey & Avents, 2019). Most of the foods in the diet are low in calories. They are also low in sugar, salt, as well as fat (Harvey & Avents, 2019). Even after following this diet plan, an individual may gain weight when they go back to conventional diets. Nevertheless, Dr. Sebi's diet plans do not specify the number of calories in servings.

Dr. Sebi's die offers various potential benefits. The diet emphasizes the consumption of large quantities of vegetables and fruits, which are high in vitamins, minerals, as well as fiber. Diets that are rich in plants can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which are proven to prevent certain diseases (Harvey & Avents, 2019). Some researchers have uncovered a link between a high plant diet and a lower incidence of common causes of mortality, such as cancer and heart disease (Harvey & Avents, 2019). More so, processed foods are associated with an increased likelihood of disease (Harvey & Avents, 2019). Processed foods have been altered to achieve some objectives, such as increased shelf-life, which often goes against nutritional requirements. Fiber-rich whole grain foods have been associated with a lower risk of diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Dr. Sebi's dietary recommendations also come with several potential downsides. The diet plans are highly restrictive. The plans are based on what our ancestors were used to before they discovered fire and tools (Harvey & Avents, 2019). Therefore, the diet is based on what could be obtained without much exertion of tools and technology (Harvey & Avents, 2019). This included wild plants, roots, fruits, and wild grains. Applying such a diet to the modern individual raises issues of efficiency, given it may be difficult to obtain such foods. The diet system restricts a wide variety of foods such as beans, lentils, animal proteins, and even some types of fruits and vegetables (Harvey & Avents, 2019). The dietary system may result in unhealthy relationships with foods that are vilified. The diet system restricts many foods that are vital sources of protein. Protein-deficiency may, therefore, develop in individuals who adhere to the dietary plans (Harvey & Avents, 2019). To meet the daily recommended intake of certain nutrients, individuals have to eat large portions of the allowed foods.

Dr. Sebi's dietary system has also been criticized for not following scientific principles in drawing its conclusions (Fortuyn, 2017). There is no established body of scientific studies to prove the claims made he made. For instance, the body regulates the acid-base balance to achieve a pH of slightly above seven making the body slightly alkaline (Fortuyn, 2017). It is also not well established that a diet changes the pH of the blood or in the organs.

Dr. Sebi had a significant following of people who adhered to his dietary recommendations. Although the diet he recommends offers certain health benefits, it raises issues of sustainability if it does not observe scientific principles. Dr. Sebi's approach to medicine may be based on pseudoscience (Fortuyn, 2017). Nevertheless, his work stirred the minds of many stakeholders who have embarked on a quest to establish the validity and soundness of his claims.

References

Bahreman, A. (2013). Early-age orthodontic treatment. Quintessence.

Fortuyn, P. (2017). 1.6 Assassination of Pim Fortuyn. Death Conspiracy Theories, 7(8), 25.

Harvey, K., & Avents, S. (2019). A Transitional Guide to Veganism For Brown Queens Searching for Health. Lulu. com.