Natural Health Symposium focuses on nourishing bodies, prevention

DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

MARBLE FALLS — If you’ve ever heard the term “natural health” and wondered what it meant, now’s your chance to find out.

The second annual Natural Health Symposium presented by Atkins Pharmacy is 1-5 p.m. March 28 at Lakeside Pavilion, 307 Buena Vista Drive. Admission is free.

“This isn’t a health fair where you’d get blood tests done or blood pressure measured — though there may be some opportunities for blood-pressure checks — but it’s really about helping people find ways to nourish their bodies so their bodies do what they’re supposed to do,” said Deedy Atkins, the event coordinator.

During the symposium, people can check out demonstrations and presentations on natural health or programs geared toward adopting a healthier lifestyle. Some of these include programs on making healthy meals and tackling weight control and stress management in natural ways.

Atkins said a big focus of natural health is on helping people prevent problems from arising. By developing a healthy lifestyle through natural methods, people can often head off issues that might require medical intervention.

But people often aren’t aware of the natural methods or natural practitioners available — even within the Highland Lakes community. That’s part of the reason for the symposium.

“One of the things we want to do through the symposium is just help the local community become aware of the number of resources that are out there and available to them,” Atkins said. “Though (Atkins Pharmacy) offers natural health products, it’s not about just what we offer. We’ve even included other businesses who offer some of the same products and services we do. But this is about serving the community. It’s a chance for people to come out and learn about natural health and functional health.”

While those terms might conjure up images of a long-haired, bearded man living in a hut in the woods and gathering berries and roots, the reality is natural health encompasses much more. It includes massage, acupuncture, healthy eating, stress management, exercise and proper nutrition.

“This symposium is very much an educational event,” Atkins added.

Much of it complements traditional medicine and is not meant to replace it. Atkins said many physicians point patients toward some of the functional and natural methods as a way to support other treatments and services. Atkins said the pharmacy handles traditional medications as well but sometimes these prescribed drugs deplete the body of nutrients.

“We can use natural products to help restore those things and make the body strong,” she said.

Much of natural health also focuses on preventive care as well, Atkins added.

Many local businesses and health care practitioners will be on hand at the symposium to explain their services and products (and even offer a few samples.)

Call (830) 693-2972 or (830) 693-3784 for more information.

daniel@thepicayune.com