A biology sculpted by the ocean
It is often said that we are what we eat, but it would be more accurate to say that we are the product of our environment. Having spent sixty years on the coasts of Chile, facing the immensity of the Pacific, my biology is not that of a man of the plains or the mountains. It was sculpted by iodine, salt and the sea wind. My digestion, in particular, is a direct reflection of this heritage. She adapted to a diet dominated by seafood, a 'clean' diet, direct and without frills. The Pacific is not just my backyard; he is the regulator of my stomach.
This proximity to the ocean has created an internal harmony that I could never have achieved otherwise. In a world where digestive disorders have become the norm, I realize how lucky I am to have grown up with foods that the body recognizes instantly. There is no struggle, no metabolic friction. Each bite of fish or seafood is a clear signal sent to my body. It's a fluid conversation that has lasted for six decades, and whose benefits are felt every day in my vitality and clarity of mind.
The effectiveness of marine protein
Eating fish daily is not a constraint for me, it's obvious. But beyond the taste pleasure, there is a physiological reality: marine protein is extremely effective for the human digestive system. Unlike terrestrial red meats which require considerable effort and prolonged transit time, fish breaks down with disconcerting ease. Its muscle fibers are shorter, its connective tissue is more fragile, which allows almost immediate assimilation of essential amino acids.
After sixty years of this diet, my stomach has become a precision instrument. He knows exactly how to process these proteins without generating fatigue or heaviness. This digestive efficiency is the key to stable energy. We don't feel 'knocked out' after the meal; on the contrary, we feel activated. This is the difference between digestion which consumes energy and digestion which produces it. By choosing fish as my central pillar, I offered my body the noblest and easiest to transform fuel there is.
The absence of metabolic friction
One of the greatest gifts of the Pacific is this lingering feeling of lightness. In my kitchen, the vegetables are always light, often crunchy or simply seared, to accompany the finesse of the fish. By eliminating grains, heavy legumes and complex starches, we remove the main source of swelling and post-prandial discomfort. The stomach remains flat, supple, silent. This is what I call 'digestive peace'. We almost forget that we have a stomach, the process is so fluid.
This lack of metabolic friction has repercussions throughout the body. Less gut inflammation means better nutrient absorption, a stronger immune system, and a more stable mood. We don't realize how laborious digestion can cloud our view of the world. When the stomach is light, so is the mind. We find a physical and mental agility that allows us to remain fully engaged in life, whatever our age. Lightness is not a lack of substance; it is the purest form of wholeness.
The catalysts for perfect assimilation
The sea doesn't just give us proteins and fats; it offers us a complete range of essential minerals which act as catalysts for our digestion. Iodine, omnipresent in marine products, is fuel for the thyroid, which regulates our entire metabolism. Selenium protects our cells against oxidative stress. Magnesium, abundant in algae and shellfish, helps relax the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, thus facilitating regular and pain-free transit.
At sixty, I see the difference. My digestion is better today than it would have been if I had grown up far from the ocean, fed on products from the land that are often depleted in minerals by intensive agriculture. The sea remains an inexhaustible reservoir of mineral life. By consuming its products, we recharge our biological batteries with each meal. It is a form of constant remineralization that supports all enzymatic functions in our body. The sea is our original pharmacy, and its prescription is simple: freshness, purity and diversity.
The instinct for rediscovered health
I deeply believe that the body has an intrinsic wisdom that we have too often stifled under complex nutritional theories. My body, having grown up on fish and light vegetables, has developed an unerring instinct for what makes it feel good. He doesn't ask for sugar, he doesn't seek comfort in heavy starchy foods. He prefers the clarity of ceviche, the depth of a sea broth or the simplicity of grilled fish. It's not a question of will, it's a question of recognition.
Respecting this wisdom of the body means stopping fighting against yourself. It is accepting that our biology has specific needs, dictated by our history and our environment. By remaining faithful to the Pacific diet, I am not just following a tradition; I respond to a deep cellular need. It is a form of self-honesty that brings lasting peace. The body knows; just give it the right ingredients and let it do its job. Health is not a fight, it is a return to the obvious.
The sea as a source of inner peace
Ultimately, my digestion is the most intimate connection I have with the ocean. It is the process by which I transform the strength of the Pacific into my own life force. This relationship is based on respect, simplicity and gratitude. The sea has given me everything, and my body honors it by functioning with a grace and efficiency that I never thought possible.
I invite you to seek your own 'Pacific'. Find the foods that bring you this lightness, this clarity and this digestive peace. Do not let passing fads dictate your conduct, but listen to the voice of your own belly. Turn to the purest sources of life, to minerals from the sea and proteins from the wild. You will discover that health begins with silent digestion, and that this digestion is the foundation on which a vibrant and fulfilling life is built. The ocean is within us; let it flow freely.
