The human body is an extremely complex biochemical machine. To sustain life, air (oxygen) and water are essential, but they are far from sufficient. The body also requires balanced nutrition, as nutrients are the “building materials” for cells and tissues. Without adequate nutrition, metabolism becomes imbalanced, leading to health problems and eventually disease.

However, modern dietary habits have strayed far from the goal of balanced nutrition. People tend to pursue flavor and taste, with meals often dominated by high-fat or high-protein foods, while true variety and balance are neglected. As a result, many people develop so-called “lifestyle diseases” such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease at a relatively young age.

When facing these problems, the modern medical system still relies heavily on drug treatments. While it is undeniable that medications play an important role in relieving symptoms and controlling conditions, they are often only a “temporary fix.” For example, antihypertensive and antidiabetic drugs can quickly control medical indicators, but they do not eliminate the root causes of disease. Patients are often required to take these drugs long-term, sometimes for life, with their quality of life depending on medication rather than true recovery.

In reality, growing evidence shows that many chronic diseases are closely linked to diet and lifestyle. By addressing root causes—through healthier eating habits, regular exercise, and balanced routines—many conditions can not only be managed but even reversed. For example, patients in the pre-diabetic stage may significantly improve their condition, or even avoid developing diabetes altogether, if they reduce sugar and refined carbohydrate intake while incorporating moderate exercise.

This is why Western medicine must evolve. Healthcare should not be limited to prescribing drugs, but should also emphasize preventive and lifestyle-based medicine. Doctors should act not only as prescribers of medication but also as guides who help patients build healthier lifestyles.

A Japanese doctor once wrote a provocative book titled “Don’t Let Doctors Who Don’t Understand Nutrition Kill You.” While the title may sound extreme, it highlights a real issue: many doctors receive relatively little training in nutrition, which often restricts treatment to the level of drugs, while ignoring the foundational role of diet and lifestyle.

What humanity truly needs is a comprehensive healthcare philosophy that integrates:

1. Nutrition as the foundation — Balanced diets are the cornerstone of health.

2. Exercise as support — Physical activity strengthens the body and improves metabolism.

3. Medication as a necessary aid — Drugs should be used for emergencies and essential disease control, not as lifelong dependence.

4. Education as the core — Doctors and healthcare systems should guide the public in building proper health awareness.

In conclusion, drugs are necessary but should never be seen as the sole path to health. True well-being comes from “knowing how to live well”—through nutrition, exercise, and mindset—allowing the body to restore balance naturally.