Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why?
Most people assume this is a personality question. It’s not. It’s a survival question.
For years, my attention lived in the past—not because I was nostalgic, but because I was trying to understand what went wrong. Chronic illness, neurological instability, disability, and long stretches of uncertainty have a way of forcing you to replay life in reverse. You analyze decisions. You revisit moments. You look for the fork in the road where things might have turned out differently.
That kind of reflection can be useful—briefly. But if it becomes your permanent address, it quietly drains your strength.
The Trap of the Past
The past feels familiar. Even when it hurts, it’s known territory. When your body has betrayed you or your life has been reshaped by things outside your control, the past can feel safer than an unpredictable future. At least you know what already happened.
But here’s the hard truth: the past can explain things, but it cannot heal you. Understanding why something happened is not the same as moving forward from it. I learned that the long way.
The Illusion of the Future
On the other extreme, living in the future can be just as dangerous. When you’re managing health challenges or rebuilding life piece by piece, the future can become an obsession—When will I be better? What if this never changes? What’s next?
That kind of future-focused thinking isn’t hope. It’s anxiety wearing a motivational mask.
Where Real Stability Lives
What finally grounded me wasn’t choosing the past or the future. It was learning to live anchored in the present—while allowing the future to exist without trying to control it.
This is where faith quietly enters the picture. Not religious performance. Not spiritual jargon. Just a steady trust that you don’t need full visibility to take the next step. I didn’t arrive at that understanding overnight. It came slowly, through loss, limitation, and rebuilding life with fewer guarantees than most people expect.
Healing—physical, emotional, spiritual—doesn’t happen in yesterday or tomorrow. It happens in today’s decisions:
What you put in your body How you steward your energy What you give your attention to Whether you choose bitterness or discipline Whether you stay present instead of escaping backward or forward
So, Past or Future?
Today, I don’t live in either.
I let the past teach me without defining me.
I let the future guide me without consuming me.
And I do the real work in the present—where responsibility, faith, and healing actually meet.
If you’re always replaying what was, ask yourself what you’re avoiding now.
If you’re always chasing what’s next, ask yourself what you’re afraid to sit with today.
Clarity doesn’t come from time travel. It comes from attention.
This post reflects my personal perspective, shaped by lived experience, long-term research, and prayerful discernment. I am not a medical professional, and nothing here should be taken as medical advice. People are free to explore different dietary approaches, and that freedom matters. What I share here is simply the framework that has proven most effective and sustainable for my own health, values, and belief structure.
I do not follow the Medical Medium protocol in a rigid or absolutist way, nor do I adhere strictly to any single dietary label. Instead, I follow a modified Medical Medium–informed protocol combined with principles of a modified Mediterranean diet, guided by what I’ve found to be physiologically sound, historically grounded, and consistent with biblical teachings on stewardship of the body. This comparison is offered for education and clarity—not persuasion.
Introduction: Two Very Different Views of How the Body Heals
The Carnivore Diet and Medical Medium–influenced nutrition represent fundamentally different philosophies about energy, healing, and the long-term needs of the human body.
The Carnivore Diet centers exclusively on animal-based foods—meat, fish, eggs, and sometimes dairy—eliminating all plant foods. It is commonly promoted for short-term symptom relief, blood sugar control, and inflammation reduction through carbohydrate elimination.
Medical Medium–influenced nutrition, when applied thoughtfully and flexibly, emphasizes fruits, vegetables, herbs, mineral salts, hydration, and strategic fat moderation to support liver function, nervous system health, and detoxification. In my case, this is complemented by selected Mediterranean principles—such as olive oil, herbs, and clean protein—used with restraint and discernment.
While both approaches can appear to “work” on the surface, they do so through entirely different mechanisms. One prioritizes restriction and metabolic adaptation; the other focuses on restoration, replenishment, and long-term resilience. Understanding that difference matters.
1. Energy Production: Glucose vs. Ketosis
Aspect
MM-Informed / Mediterranean-Modified
Carnivore Diet
Primary Fuel
Glucose from fruit, vegetables, and clean starches
Ketones from fat and protein
Brain Fuel
Designed to run optimally on glucose
Relies on ketones when glucose is restricted
Cellular Energy
Supports ATP production with lower metabolic stress
Requires metabolic adaptation under carbohydrate deprivation
Long-Term Impact
Supports liver, thyroid, and nervous system health
May increase liver and adrenal strain over time
Why Glucose Matters
The brain and central nervous system are biologically designed to rely on glucose as their primary fuel source. Fruits, vegetables, and properly prepared carbohydrates provide clean energy that replenishes glycogen, stabilizes stress hormones, and supports neurological function.
Research consistently shows glucose is the brain’s preferred fuel under normal physiological conditions.
Ketosis is a backup survival mechanism, not an ideal long-term state. It becomes dominant during famine or carbohydrate deprivation.
Chronic low-carbohydrate intake can increase stress on the liver and adrenal system, particularly in individuals with neurological or metabolic vulnerabilities.
Verdict: Glucose is not the enemy. Metabolic dysfunction arises from liver overload, chronic stress, and excessive fat intake—not from whole-food carbohydrates.
2. Detoxification, Healing, and Chronic Illness
Aspect
MM-Informed / Mediterranean-Modified
Carnivore Diet
Detox Support
Provides antioxidants, minerals, and hydration
Minimal support for detox pathways
Liver Function
Supports cleansing and regeneration
Increased workload from high fat/protein
Pathogen Control
Limits viral and bacterial fuel sources
No direct antiviral or chelating support
Lymph & Waste
Improves hydration and waste movement
Can increase acidic metabolic byproducts
A Functional View of Detoxification
From a functional and biblical stewardship perspective, the body heals best when its elimination systems are supported rather than overburdened. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, and adequate hydration supply the micronutrients the liver requires to neutralize toxins and maintain balance.
Fiber and plant compounds help bind and remove waste.
Hydration is essential for lymphatic flow and neurological stability.
Symptom relief without detoxification is not the same as healing.
Verdict: Eliminating triggers can reduce symptoms, but restoration requires nourishment and clearance—not perpetual restriction.
3. Long-Term Sustainability
Aspect
MM-Informed / Mediterranean-Modified
Carnivore Diet
Liver & Thyroid
Supported through glucose and minerals
Often stressed long term
Heart Health
Low-to-moderate fat, plant-forward
High saturated fat intake
Gut Health
Feeds beneficial microbiota
Starves microbiome diversity
Longevity
Historically and culturally consistent
Lacks long-term population data
Historically, human diets that supported longevity and resilience were not zero-carb or plant-exclusive. They were balanced, seasonal, and rooted in whole foods—principles echoed both in Mediterranean cultures and biblical agrarian life.
Verdict: Sustainable health is built on nourishment, moderation, and wisdom—not extremes.
Final Thoughts: Why This Approach Works for Me
I don’t follow labels. I follow results, conscience, and stewardship. A modified Medical Medium–informed framework, paired with select Mediterranean principles and grounded in biblical values, has proven to be the most balanced, sustainable approach for my health.
✔ Focuses on restoration rather than suppression
✔ Respects the body’s design and energy needs
✔ Aligns with long-term stewardship, not short-term fixes
Others are free to choose differently. This is simply the path that has brought clarity, stability, and progress for me—and that alignment matters.
The content on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to diet, medication, or health practices.
David Julian, Natural Vitality Advocate, is not a licensed medical professional. Views expressed are personal and do not guarantee outcomes.
David Julian is not affiliated with Natural Vitality or NaturalVitality.com.
Natural Vitality Advocate 