It would be impossible to describe a specific diet that would be appropriate for everyone.

However, the diet most people consume today is so unhealthful virtually everyone could benefit from making some improvements.

Diet improvement is a major weapon against disease from the common cold to cancer. Whole food nutrition allows the body to use it's built in restorative and repairing abilities.

A healthy diet can interfere in the disease process at any stage, from its inception to its growth and spread. The modern western diet with its excesses of fat, meat, salt, sugar and artificial additives not only negatively impacts our physical health, but also our mental health, causing hyperactivity, mood swings, aggressiveness and depression.

The first beneficial change is to eat less fat via red meat, lunch meat, bacon, ham etc. Our ancestors ate much less meat than we do and the meat they consumed was better quality.

Due to the way in which modern animals are kept and fed, the fat content has increased from about five percent with only two-to-three percent saturated fat (cattle have slightly more) to the modern day level of five to six times that.

Also, much of today's meat contains harmful chemicals and antibiotics.

Especially avoid all cured meats such as bacon, ham, lunch meat and hot dogs because of their higher levels of fat, sodium and cancer causing chemicals such as nitrates. Chemical free turkey and soy franks are now available as substitutes.

Add more fish to the diet. Fish is very good quality protein and the type of fat it contains helps to lower blood cholesterol and protect us from hardening of the arteries.

Chicken contains less fat as well, especially when eaten without the skin; but try to buy free-range chickens which are not fed antibiotics and chemicalised food.

Consume less milk and dairy products. Dairy products are also loaded with fat.

In humans, milk digesting lactase levels are at their highest immediately after birth, decreasing after weaning. So dairy products become harder to digest as we age.

Milk products also contribute to mucus build up. Doctors who put children on dairy-free diets often report a marked reduction in colds, flu, sinus and ear infections.

Contrary to expensive advertising campaigns, milk products are not a good source of calcium for humans. We do not absorb calcium well from milk due to pasteurising and processing, high fat content and an unbalanced ratio with phosphorus. Even in cattle tests, cows given their mothers milk that had first been pasteurised didn't live six weeks.

Instead of dairy food, you can use soy milk and soy cheese, tofu and nut milk.

Kefir and yoghurt, although made from milk don't have the absorption problems of dairy foods and their friendly flora cultures help you deal with the downside of dairy.

Consume less hydrogenated oils and fried foods which can tax the liver and make you feel the heat even more in the summer. Steaming, stir frying, baking and broiling are better options.

Even the best quality oils become hard to digest when heated so if oils are desired put on after food is cooked. Many manufactures hydrogenate oils to make margarine and other spreads.

These hydrogenated products are consumed in large amounts in the modern diet and their is some question as to their carcinogenicity. Research on fats is showing hydrogenated oils to be the villains, while tropical oils such as coconut oil once thought to be bad are actually good for your health.

Eat less white sugar and simple sugars. Too much sugar contributes to a variety of health problems. Most people consume 150 pounds of sugar per year.

Sugar needs insulin for metabolism, taking a lot of sugar means some of those calories become fat instead of energy.

Excess metabolised sugar is transformed into fat globules and distributed over body storage areas like the stomach hips and chin. Excess sugar consumption contributes to high cholesterol, diabetes, anxiety and panic attacks, arthritis, eczema, chronic fatigue and tooth decay to name a few. Do not use equal or nutrasweet as there are numerous health risks related to these products.

Eat more whole foods. Avoid foods that have been stripped of their nutrient content and so heavily processed that they are more a product of the laboratory than nature.The average westerner eats 150 pounds of food additives per year, supporting a multi-billion-dollar food processing industry.

Do not purchase foods containing artificial colours (FD&C colours) as these can cause allergies, behavioural problems and even cancer. Also avoid foods containing nitrites and nitrates, BHT and saccharin. Minimise artificial flavours and sulfites.

A good rule to follow is if you can't pronounce it don't buy it. Eat whole grains such as brown rice, barley oats corn and millet, complex carbohydrates such as these are the most powerful fuel on the planet. Fresh vegetables and fruits are loaded with vitamins minerals and fibre. Try to buy organic when possible.

Eat less salt. In ancient times salt was so valuable that it was traded for it's weight in gold. Although salt is a crucial part of our diet today most people consume too much salt. Ten percent of sodium in the average diet occurs naturally in food, 15 percent comes from salt you actually add to you food and a whopping 75 percent of sodium is added during food processing -- junk and fast foods are the worst offenders.

Over-the-counter drugs like antacids, laxatives and sleeping pills also contain generous amounts of sodium. For example instant Metamucil has 250 milligrams of sodium per package. Also beware of fat-free foods usually contain more salt to compensate for the lack of flavour.

Most importantly, enjoy your food! Each mouthful should be chewed at least thirty-five times for good digestion.

Try not to watch TV or read while you eat as this will take energy away from your digestion. Finally do not eat late at night as this prevents deep sleep, leaving us feeling lethargic and grumpy the next morning -- and that's no way to start the day.