Our Clearinghouse and Database
for Nutrition in Disease
This page is our
educational resource center. Here you will find medical conditions with their
nutritional healing and phyto-medicinal (plant-based)
therapy. Even though we have only touched on a few ailments, we feel that a
practice of proper eating and nutritional supplementation can help many
additional ailments, as well.
We would like to
thank such nutritional giants as Adelle Davis, May
Bethel, Jethro Kloss, Dr.
James Duke, and Paavo Airola
for their early insight into the connection between diet and disease. Many
nutritional therapies for disease and terminal illness have been used for
centuries in Europe, South America, and Asia, where nutritional and ‘phyto-medicinal’ remedies are accepted and quite
successful. We have, in addition, studied the fascinating world of
orthomolecular medicine and psychiatry, and our thanks go to medical giants
such as Julian Whitaker, M.D., Dr. Carl Pfeiffer, Drs. A. Hoffer
and H. Osmond, as well as a host of other experts in this field (we are
especially grateful to Rodale Press for granting A Perfect Healing, Inc.
permission to use their material).
And you will
discover that much of our advanced technological ‘breakthroughs’ in medicine in
the United States and much of the Western world are weak and virtually
ineffective in comparison to many tried and true ‘old-fashioned’ remedies. In
addition, scientific nutritional research has already proven that certain
elements in foods can greatly enhance the recovery from disease. Often, these
specific elements in foods (particularly organically grown foods) have been
shown to be able to target and cure what is now often an incurable illness.
But you will judge
for yourself. Nutrition and nutritional therapies in healing disease is a very
young science, and we do not expect to be able to win you over so fast. We will
give you as much information about successful nutritional and phyto-medicinal cures as is in our ability to do so. We are
committed to investigating any and all currently known food and plant based
alternatives to the current drug and surgical solutions in our midst. As
always, we will reference the scientific research and conclusions as part of our
claims.
At A Perfect
Healing, Inc., we believe that our Creator has already supplied this world with
all the cures for disease. In the coming months and years, G-d willing, A
Perfect Healing, Inc. will work towards researching, discovering, and
uncovering, these natural cures and reveal them to you.
So far, we are able
to recommend the following nutritional therapies. We also are offering a small
variety of nutritional supplements, intended to both help our viewers and
defray our costs.
The following are
the diseases and conditions that
we will address:
Aging Allergies
Alzheimer’s Disease Anorexia/Bulimarexia
Anxiety Arthritis Asthma Autism Bulimia Cancer Conjunctivitis Depression Diabetes Drug addiction/smoking
Eating disorders Epilepsy Heart Disease High Blood Pressure
Infection
Influenza Kidney disease Liver disease Mental Illness OCD Overweight/Obesity Pneumonia Post Natal Depression Schizophrenia Stroke Water Retention (Edema)
Aging
While aging is inevitable, there are certain foods and nutrients
in foods that can both lengthen life and slow down aging in many ways. There
are also foods that, when omitted from the diet, will additionally help
overcome many of the usual discomforts and deterioration associated with aging.
Of the foods to include, organic fruits and vegetables, mostly
raw but cooked if necessary for tolerance, are especially beneficial. Fruits and
most vegetables contain potassium, which is an essential nutrient both for the
body and the mind. Potassium rids the body of excess fluids and salt, and is
crucial in the healing of various age-related illnesses. According to May
Bethel, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease and all the cancers have
less of a chance at taking hold if the body has an abundance of potassium. In
addition to which, organic fruits embody hundreds of thousands of vital
micro-nutrients, which they receive not only from their organic soil, but from
the sub-levels of the earth. The exceptionally long tree roots, particularly of
fruit trees, receive nutrients that are virtually inaccessible to other plants
from the nutrient rich lower depths of the earth. Organic fruits and vegetables
are also not laced with chemicals, because conscientious organic farmers are
well versed in the ability to grow plants using materials from nature, like
leaves, compost, and mulch. The chemicals and pesticides used by non-organic
farmers are passed onto us in fruits and foods not grown with organic methods.
These toxins cause havoc in our bodies, disrupting the cellular structure and
creating all forms of age-related deterioration.
According to well documented reports, our research revealed an
overabundance of protein as being one of the main causes of age-related
deterioration. In his book How To Get Well
(Health Plus Publishers, 1974), Paavo Airola points out that the by-product of protein metabolism
is amyloid, a lethal substance to cell structure
and one of the main culprits in accelerated aging. The following are excerpts
from his book:
“..…The metabolism of proteins consumed in excess of the actual
need leaves toxic residues of metabolic wastes in tissues, causes auto toxemia,
over-acidity and nutritional deficiencies, accumulation of uric acid and purines in the tissues, intestinal putrefaction, and
contributes to the development of many of our most common and serious diseases,
such as arthritis, kidney damage, pyorrhea, schizophrenia, osteoporosis,
atherosclerosis, heart disease and cancer…Recently, Dr. Willard J. Visek, of Cornell University, implicated a high protein
diet in the development of cancer. Ammonia, which is produced in great
amounts as the by-product of meat metabolism, is highly carcinogenic and can
cause cancer development. A high protein diet also breaks down the pancreas and
lowers resistance to cancer, as well as contributes to the development of
diabetes…Dr. Ph. Schwarz, of Frankfort University, in Germany, and Dr. Ralph
Bircher, a famous biochemist from Zurich, Switzerland, report that the aging
process is triggered by amyloid, a by-product
of protein metabolism, which is deposited in all the connective tissues and
causes tissue and organ degeneration…”
Further research targets homocysteine,
an amino acid produced during protein digestion, as a specific danger.
According to a report in the February 14, 2002 issue of the New England Journal
of Medicine, very high levels of the amino acid homocysteine
were found in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and early
memory loss. Homocysteine is an amino acid produced
during the digestion of protein. Meat, fish, dairy, eggs, nuts, seeds, seed and
nut butters, beans and all legumes, and all soy contain high levels of protein.
All protein, complete and incomplete, from both plant and animal sources, will
create homocysteine during digestion.
It is well known that the greater part of the 20th
century has seen, among the developing countries, a tremendous increase in the
availability of protein foods, particularly all forms of meats, dairy, fish,
shellfish, and eggs, due to major advancements in technology, specifically
freezers and refrigeration. This has been directly paralleled by an epidemic of
major degenerative diseases. Is would be wise for anyone concerned with
premature aging, or suffering from any age related degenerative disease, to
take these studies seriously and limit protein in the diet.
If the small amount of protein you choose comes from animal
products, please remember that the way the animals were raised or cared for
will be included within the food. If you eat foods from animals that were
raised with drugs, antibiotics, hormones, unnatural food, neglect, stress, or
abuse, had illnesses themselves, and endured a severely painful slaughter, you
are increasing your chances of harming your body, which goes with the territory
of aging quickly. If you choose plant proteins, remember that the processes by
which they were grown, and further packaged, will go into your body as well.
All processed foods that list artificial colors and flavors, artificial
sweeteners, chemical agents to prolong shelf life, nitrates and nitrites, and
salt or sodium added to processing will all accelerate aging. These are
unnatural substances that will ultimately harm healthy cells and destroy the
body. None of these should ever be part of your food, and they should be
avoided at all cost. Keeping your plant proteins organic will prevent
additional poisons from being absorbed by the body, as well.
According to our research, the best anti-aging diet includes a
small amount of high protein eaten only once every two to three days. The other
days, cooked vegetables, raw and cooked fruits, whole grain cereals and breads,
vegetable soups and raw salads should be eaten in abundance. A meal of cooked
rice and vegetables, organically grown, is extremely beneficial in helping the
body rid itself of toxins, particularly the ammonia, amyloid,
and homocysteine derived from protein. Kasha
(roasted buckwheat) is particularly essential, and should also be eaten on a
daily basis. Buckwheat contains rutin, a nutrient
that has been shown to both lower blood sugar and improve capillary health.
Please see our favorite link for kasha at:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=11#healthbenefits
A meal of organic whole grain cooked rice or kasha with
vegetables, organically grown, is extremely beneficial in helping the body rid
itself of toxins, particularly the ammonia, amyloid,
and homocysteine derived from protein. Toasted
whole grain organic bread is also a nice addition to a salad. There are many
wonderful protein-free and low protein meals you can make. Allow organic
vegetables, vegetable soups, salads, whole grains, and fruits to become your
staple. The one protein meal every two to three days will keep your protein
reserves at optimum level and avoid a protein overload,
provided you don’t overeat at that meal. Toasted whole grain organic bread is
also a nice addition to a salad. There are many wonderful protein-free meals
you can make. Allow organic vegetables, vegetable soups, salads, whole grains,
and fruits to become your staple. The one protein meal every two to three days
will keep your protein reserves at optimum level and avoid a protein overload, provided you don’t overeat at that meal.
Additional vitamins to ward off aging are magnesium (800
mg. daily), vitamin C (1000-2000 mg. daily), vitamin A (15,000
IU. daily), Zinc (15 mg. daily) and vitamin E (800 I.U. daily).
Magnesium is essential for heart and brain health, vitamin C for capillary
strength, and vitamin A for eye, skin, and respiratory health. Zinc is
necessary for vitamin A assimilation and vitamin E is essential for capillary
health and blood circulation, as well as the assimilation of vitamin A. Also,
you will want to take a vegetarian vitamin B-Complex supplement (20-50
mg) once every other day. This will cover any threatening vitamin B-12
deficiency. The B-Complex vitamins include pantothenic
acid (calcium pantothenate) and vitamin B6,
two vitamins that are crucial for the detoxification of homocysteine.
A daily hour or two in the sun might also be essential for those
of you who live in cold climates or are not often outdoors. The Vitamin D you
get from sunshine is indispensable in helping remove toxins out of the body. We
don’t recommend you take any additional supplements or supplements at higher
doses, unless you are suffering from other. Chances are your body is already
overwhelmed with supplements and toxins. To slow down aging, getting out the
poisons is first priority. This diet might seem extreme, but the degenerative
diseases that will be avoided, or corrected, are well worth the
sacrifice.
One of the interesting things about allergies that we have found
in our research is that the symptoms of allergic reactions mimic many diseases.
Fever, runny noses, itchy eyes, skin rash, respiratory problems, respiratory
infections, breathing difficulties, muscle aches and pains, sore throat,
swollen tonsils, mental confusion, excitability, anger, disorientation….The
list goes on to include almost every ailment and every condition known to man.
Chances are that the disease or condition you or a loved one has been battling
for years is some form of allergic reaction to something in the diet or
environment. There is much research that needs to be done in this field. Many
theories exist regarding well-known diseases and medical conditions that may
one day surface as allergic reactions to yet to be discovered allergens.
From our research, we have discovered two types of allergic
reactions: First, the chronic and consistent reaction (allergy) to a continuous
food or substance that erodes the body, or brains, ability to function
properly. And second, the often life threatening reaction to
a food or substance that requires immediate medical attention and intervention
in order to save a life.
We will address both these types of allergies in this chapter.
First, the chronic allergic reaction:
Listed in the symptoms of chronic allergic reactions is every
condition that affects the body. According to our research, everything from
arthritis to asthma, sinusitis to hyperactivity has all been classified in
recent years as an allergy to something. Even autism and Alzheimer’s disease
are now suspected by some nutritionists to be an allergic reaction to some
unknown cause. Under this definition, it is very hard to identify a specific
allergen. Nonetheless, there are some well known nutritional provisions that
will help relieve the symptoms and possibly avoid an allergic reaction
altogether. Furthermore, specific changes in diet are known to greatly reduce
and alleviate allergies.
If someone suspects that they are allergic to a certain food or
substance, or if an infant or child has a bad reaction to something in the diet
or environment, allergy testing with a qualified professional would be
necessary to specifically determine the cause. Nonetheless, after a proper
assessment is made, much can be done to relieve the symptoms and prevent
further attacks.
The following vitamins and minerals will prove helpful. Please
be sure that you thoroughly crush all pills administered to infants and young
children and mix thoroughly with applesauce or any soft favorite food:
As a supplement, Vitamin C is well known to be a mild anti-histamine. Dosages up to 2,000 mg. daily for
adults (reduced to 100-500 mg. for infants and young children) are relatively
safe and will enable the body to break down allergens, whatever the cause.
Choose an allergy-free vegetarian vitamin (check labels). Vitamin A (5,000
I.U. per day for infants and children, 15-45,000 I.U. per day for adults) will
enable the skin and the respiratory passages to be better able to fight off
allergens. Vegetarian, allergy-free B-Complex (check label): 50 mg. for
adults, 20 mg. for infants and children daily is essential. Pantothenic
acid and vitamin B6, part of the vitamin B-Complex, are well known
to be indispensable in helping the body strengthen itself against allergens.
And the mineral Magnesium is now considered crucial with regards to
protecting the body from respiratory sensitivities that are known to trigger
off asthma and respiratory allergies. A minimum of 450 mg. for infants and
children, and 600-1000 for adults is recommended daily.
Soaking in a vinegar bath (3 cups to 1 quart apple cider vinegar
per bath) will reduce skin rash in the case of contact dermatitis. Calamine
lotion can further help relieve the rash. Submerging the head and face in a
vinegar bath will reduce eye swelling and irritation in the case of eye
allergies. Alcohol sprayed immediately on insect bites will reduce swelling.
Making sure that young children wash their hands in cool running water
throughout the day will minimize both germs and allergens remaining on their
fingers.
Most wheat and gluten products (wheat, oats, barley, rye, spelt)
are known to aggravate allergic reactions and should be avoided. Gluten can
cause histamine to be released during digestion. This histamine is one of the
causes of an allergic reaction. Breads and baked products made from rice flour
(all rice is gluten-free), either homemade or commercially prepared, are a
wonderful alternative. Organic kasha and millet are both gluten-free grains
with powerful nutrients.
Avoiding dairy might further reduce allergic reactions. Making
sure that the fruits and vegetables you eat are organic and washed thoroughly
in running water will be an additional benefit. Remember to wash all fruit
peels and skins, even if they are not edible (melon, banana, orange, etc.).
These can have dangerous chemicals applied to their skins and you don’t want
residues of these chemicals on your (or your child’s) fingers when eating the
fruit. A diet that relies on rice (organic brown regular, long grain, white basmati
or brown basmati) as a main staple food will reduce the risk of most allergies.
Thoroughly washed raw, steamed, or stir fried vegetables should complement the
rice at most meals.
Pesticides, chemicals, food additives, preservatives, and
coloring agents should immediately be suspect as causing allergic reactions.
The hormones routinely given to farm animals to increase weight and produce
more milk (for dairy cows) can not only cause allergic reactions, but can
deplete the body of essential nutrients needed for a healthy immune system. The
hormone estrogen, in particular, severely depletes the body of vitamin B6,
essential for the production of natural anti-histamines produced by our bodies.
Pesticides are also derived from estrogen-based chemicals. High
levels of estrogens sterilize (even temporarily, as in the birth control pill)
which is the theory behind pesticide applications on plants grown for food.
While the intent of crop spraying is to sterilize the bugs that eat the plants,
residues from these chemicals become present in the fruits and vegetables we
eat. As a result, they not only play havoc with our own concerns about
fertility, but deplete nutrients necessary for our body’s natural defense
against allergens. The destruction of Vitamin B 6 is a particular problem once
again from the pesticides we receive on our plant foods. Choosing organic only
will cut our risk of absorbing additional estrogen-based chemicals and help our
bodies retain those nutrients necessary to furnish our anti-allergy reserves.
It is wise to become aware of this if you are suffering from
allergies. We need to be aware of not only the nutritional content of the food
we eat, but of what actually went into making that food, what actual methods of
production the farmers used on their crops and what they fed their animals. We
cannot take for granted the idea that everything we eat has only nutritional
components, or that all we need to concern ourselves with are the basic
nutritional food groups (as in the well known food pyramid posters, etc.).
There are a lot of unhealthy motives out there surrounding food production in
this day and age, as has been for the past century. We need to get past the
glossy advertisements and focus instead on what we are actually putting into our
bodies.
In the event of a very severe allergic reaction, regardless of
the cause, epinephrine should be administered immediately. Manufactured under
the name of Benedryl, or store brand and generic
like-sounding names (check ingredients for epinephrine as the main ingredient),
this product in liquid form is quite superior as a life-saving anti-histamine
by quickly reducing severe allergic reactions. Even if you don’t see
epinephrine as a main ingredient, if a product says anti-histamine, it should
have a chemical make-up similar to Benedryl and
should work the same. Precious time is often lost in an attempt to get a
patient to a hospital or clinic. When someone is going through severe allergic
reaction, anaphylactic shock is a real threat, and immediate action is
necessary. Sensitive persons should carry liquid Benedryl
or similar liquid anti-histamine medications with them at all times (pills take
too long to dissolve). People should familiarize themselves with the symptoms
of anaphylactic shock or severe allergic reactions and take the medicine if
they feel this happening to them (it might be wise to call a doctor or a poison
control center first, if possible, to confirm that it may, indeed, be an
allergic reaction). In the event an infant or young child has a severe swelling
and fever from an insect bite or food, or is having difficulty breathing, you
should immediately call the doctor or poison control and ask if you should
administer a liquid antihistamine as well.
According to a report in the February 14, 2002 issue of the New
England Journal of Medicine, very high levels of the amino acid homocysteine were found in patients suffering from
Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and early memory loss. Homocysteine
is an amino acid produced during the digestion of animal proteins. There is
additional research that has discovered that vitamin B6 can help break down homocysteine in the body and render it harmless.
Previous to this report was a chapter in Dr. Paavo
Airola’s book “How To Get
Well (Health Plus Publishers, l974) about the dangers of accumulated protein.
Dr. Airola writes:
“..…The metabolism of proteins consumed in excess of the actual
need leaves toxic residues of metabolic wastes in tissues, causes auto toxemia,
over-acidity and nutritional deficiencies, accumulation of uric acid and purines in the tissues, intestinal putrefaction, and
contributes to the development of many of our most common and serious diseases,
such as arthritis, kidney damage, pyorrhea, schizophrenia, osteoporosis,
arteriosclerosis, heart disease and cancer…Recently, Dr. Willard J. Visek, of Cornell University, implicated a high protein
diet in the development of cancer. Ammonia, which is produced in great amounts
as the by-product of meat metabolism, is highly carcinogenic and can cause
cancer development. A high protein diet also breaks down the pancreas and
lowers resistance to cancer, as well as contributes to the development of
diabetes…Dr. Ph. Schwarz, of Frankfort University, in Germany, and Dr. Ralph
Bircher, a famous biochemist from Zurich, Switzerland, report that the aging
process is triggered by amyloid, a by-product
of protein metabolism, which is deposited in all the connective tissues and
causes tissue and organ (including brain) degeneration…”
There is new and exciting evidence that the vitamin choline, which is a component of lecithin, is particularly
responsible for brain health. When choline is
generously supplied in the diet, it helps prevent a breakdown of acetylcholine,
a brain chemical neurotransmitter that is essential in cognition and reasoning.
People suffering from Alzheimer’s are known to have a deficiency in
acetylcholine. There are foods that both supply choline
and inhibit the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain. Both types of foods
are now seen as essential in the battle to both prevent and hopefully reverse
the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Foods that directly provide choline
are eggs and wheat germ. Including liberal amounts of both in the diet will be
a start in reclaiming health. Even though egg whites are high in protein, the choline content in egg yolk is essential for people who
enjoy eggs. Liberal inclusion of eggs in the diet of Alzheimer’s patients might
prove essential. Eating eggs with onions has been shown to be of no
danger to those concerned with heart or cardiovascular disease (please see our
segment on ‘Heart Disease‘). Wheat germ and foods baked with liberal amounts of wheat
germ will also supply adequate amounts of choline, provided
they are eaten on a daily basis. Patients sensitive to eggs, wheat, or having
gluten intolerance can rely on whole grain brown rice, legumes, and take
supplements in the form of choline or lecithin. These
supplements are often derived from soy.
Include liberal amounts of olive oil, which has been shown in
much research to create capillary health. Capillary health, particularly the
minute capillaries in the brain, is essential for mental health. Vitamin E is
also essential in brain capillary health.
According to James A. Duke, Ph.D. in his book ‘The Green
Pharmacy’ certain herbs are also valuable for the retention of acetylcholine.
Herbs such as horsebalm and rosemary not only help
preserve acetylcholine, but are also known to be absorbed through the skin.
Shampoos, soaps and creams that contain these herbs might prove to be as
effective as including them in the diet.
In her book ‘Let’s Eat Right To Keep
Fit’, Adelle Davis writes that inadequate niacin
(vitamin B3) in the diet will cause memory loss, extreme confusion and
disorientation, and personality changes resembling Alzheimer’s disease. A lack
of sufficient thiamin (vitamin B1) will also cause extreme personality changes,
mental disorientation and memory loss. A lack of any of the B vitamins in
particular will cause symptoms very similar to Alzheimer’s disease, and may
indeed by misdiagnosed for it. Including vitamin B complex in the diet of the
Alzheimer’s patient is essential to rule out the possibility of vitamin B
deficiencies as the real cause.
In treating the Alzheimer’s patient, or any person with signs of
dementia, as documented by the above research, emphasis should be on organic
whole grains, beans, vegetables, salads, and fruit. Liberal amounts of eggs,
onions, and foods made with wheat germ should be included daily. Limit all
animal foods other than eggs (this exception is made because of their lecithin
and choline content). This reduction in animal
protein will reduce the chance of additional ammonia, amyloid,
and homocysteine poisoning and possibly
accelerate the cleansing of these toxins from the system.
In the case of poor dental health (which frequently accompanies
this disease due to an inability to chew plant foods properly) soft and pureed
fruits and vegetables (fruits and vegetables blended in an electric blender are
pureed) should be given. Pureed organic vegetable soups are very beneficial.
Nut butters (almond butter, peanut butter) and tahina
(sesame seed butter) are soft and extremely valuable in a soft diet. Soft-boiled
eggs or softly fried scrambled eggs with onions are also very beneficial. White
potatoes, sweet potatoes, vegetables, beans, whole grain rice, oatmeal, breads,
pastries, etc. can all be cooked in a way as to include them in a soft diet.
Adding organic butter or olive oil will additionally soften them. Olive oil is
very beneficial for capillary health, which is essential for brain function.
Favorite soft foods, such as ice cream, yogurt, applesauce and
sherbet, will prove valuable in the administration of the following vegetarian
supplements, which are crucial for brain and capillary health:
Vegetarian B-Complex: 50 mg. Daily
Magnesium: 400 mg. twice a day
Vitamin A: 15,000 I.U. daily
Vitamin E: 800 daily
Vitamin C:1000 mg twice a day
Vegetarian Lecithin: 2-3 tbsp a day
Crush the vitamin pills as thoroughly as possible and mix them
into a favorite food, such as ice cream, ices, sherbet or applesauce. This way
they will be fairly undetectable and easier to give to your patient. We realize
it is not easy taking care of a loved one with advanced Alzheimer’s in this
way, but our research has revealed that diligent adherence to administering
these remarkable vitamins and minerals can only prove beneficial. One example
of this is vitamin B6 of the vitamin B-Complex, which is
indispensable for detoxifying homocysteine.
Diligently have the person suffering with Alzheimer’s avoid all
artificial sweeteners, preservatives, food dye colorings, salt and high sodium,
hydrogenated fats, margarine, sodium nitrites and nitrates, sulphur
dioxides and bleached flours. Elements in these additives can have a damaging
effect on the brain. Check all labels.
There is speculation that a build up of aluminum from aluminum
cooking ware and aluminum foils contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. Although a
diet high in magnesium (from legumes, nuts, and whole grains) can effectively
block aluminum from gaining access to the brain, and studies show that
magnesium can additionally flush aluminum out of the body as well, avoiding
aluminum cooking ware and foils would probably be wise. Supplementing the diet
with additional magnesium can afford additional protection. Make sure you
diligently supplement the diet with magnesium (800 mg daily) to ensure
protection from any aluminum toxicity. Magnesium also is essential for the
protection and health of brain neurons, which is indispensable in mental
health.
Have the Alzheimer patient eat only organic, preservative and
chemical free foods, if possible. Emphasize raw fruit purees, cooked organic
fruits and vegetables, organic vegetable juices, whole grain rice, oatmeal,
whole wheat, millet, eggs, onions, wheat germ, nuts and legumes. Emphasize
teas, such as peppermint, spearmint, dandelion, and rosemary, which are known
to be mentally stimulating and beneficial.
Anorexia/Bulimarexia
While true anorexia involves self-induced starvation, the
condition of anorexia combined with bulimia is more common. Bulimia is defined
as uncontrollable eating followed by vomiting or excessive laxative use. The
term bulimarexia has been coined to explain
alternating periods of self-induced starvation with this particular extreme
type of binging and purging. This disease often coincides with obesity during
different stages, as all these eating disorders are interrelated. Both anorexia
and bulimarexia are life threatening, (bulimarexia includes the threat of death by severe internal
injuries, as well) and gross nutritional deficiencies accompany both diseases.
Unfortunately, most medical practitioners are not well versed in
how certain essential vitamins, minerals, and phyto-medicinal
therapies can treat this disease. Most are unaware of the many toxins in foods
that might seriously contribute to this disease. And many anorexics/bulimarexics diligently avoid medical intervention, due to
the mandatory weight gain seen as proof of recovery.
Coupled with the difficulty in restoring health to anorexic/bulimarexics is the misconception that vitamins, minerals,
and nutritional supplements increase appetite and will encourage weight gain.
There are many nutrients that will not increase appetite. Among these are the
mineral zinc, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B-complex, vitamin C,
and vitamin E. These vitamins also have no calories, so their calorie content
will not contribute to weight gain, as well. Vegetarian, allergy free and
animal-derivative-free vitamins will neither develop an appetite nor add
calories to a diet. The only problem we can see is the possibility of feeling
nauseas from zinc, which should be taken thoroughly
crushed and mixed in a soft food. Zinc will cause nausea if not taken
correctly.
In addition, carbohydrates and sugars are essential for the body
to determine satiation, so the severe reduction in carbohydrates that often
accompany this disease might be one of the causes of anorexia/bulimarexia to begin with.
Very often, the anorexic/bulimarexic’s
excessive phobias about weight and the inability to control their appetite (as
in bulimia) can be attributed to both nutritional deficiencies and real
toxic elements in the diet that can artificially increase appetite and damage
the glands that monitor appetite and satiation in the body. The following
is an excerpt from our segment on Overweight/Obesity, which includes a link to a page describing how toxins in the
food chain can both increase appetite and decrease body metabolism:
There is much information coming to light now that might help
clarify why so many people in the past few decades have become overweight and
even severely obese. While classified as an eating disorder with emotional,
abuse, and self-destructive issues, as well as being genetic or glandular, new
research and information has an even more significant cause for concern.
Overweight and obesity, uncontrollable eating, eating less and weighing more,
slow metabolism speculations, and the unusual increase among young children and
adolescents having severe weight problems might actually be caused by certain
toxins in the food chain.
On a recent website, information surfaced tracing appetite
stimulants given to animals as seriously affecting people through these animal
foods. It also pointed out that chemicals/drugs that slow down metabolism
(metabolism suppressants being given to animals) were being passed on to
people, as well. We feel that if you are struggling with overweight/obesity (or
any eating disorder such as anorexia/bulimarexia),
you will want to visit this site. The link here is the following:
http://www.mindfully.org/Health/2003/Fattening-ToxinsApr03.htm
In addition to being aware of the toxins in the animal foods we
eat, we need to be additionally aware of certain elements in foods that can
both harm and heal. As opposed to the current low-carb
frenzy, protein has certain toxins that not only can become deadly if consumed
in excess of their daily need, but emit ammonia and homocystein,
two by-products of protein digestion that can destroy glandular signals (as in
hunger/satiation) and are a major cause of cellular destruction and organ
deterioration. The following is an excerpt from ‘How To
Get Well’ by Paavo Airola,
N.D., Ph.D.:
“The metabolism of proteins consumed in excess of the actual
need leaves toxic residues of metabolic wastes in tissues, causes auto toxemia,
over-acidity and nutritional deficiencies, accumulation of uric acid and purines in the tissues, intestinal putrefaction, and
contributes to the development of many of our most common and serious diseases,
such as arthritis, kidney damage, pyorrhea, schizophrenia, osteoporosis,
atherosclerosis, heart disease and cancer…Recently, Dr. Willard J. Visek, of Cornell University, implicated a high protein diet
in the development of cancer. Ammonia, which is produced in great
amounts as the by-product of meat metabolism, is highly carcinogenic and can
cause cancer development. A high protein diet also breaks down the pancreas and
lowers resistance to cancer, as well as contributes to the development of
diabetes…Dr. Ph. Schwarz, of Frankfort University, in Germany, and Dr. Ralph
Bircher, a famous biochemist from Zurich, Switzerland, report that the aging
process is triggered by amyloid, a by-product
of protein metabolism, which is deposited in all the connective tissues and
causes tissue and organ degeneration…”
The truth is that both simple and complex carbohydrates are
essential in controlling the appetite and determining satiation. Most people
who are overweight/obese have difficulty feeling
satiated. Our obsession with protein and omission of carbohydrates might be one
of the causes of their uncontrollable eating and inability to stop.
To get the body back on track it is essential that organic whole
grains, raw, steamed, and baked vegetables, salads and fruits make up the
majority of the diet. Not only will these foods supply important carbohydrates
that will heal the glands that regulate the appetite, but you will be avoiding
the animal foods that have so severely contributed to both the higher calories
of meat/dairy/fat and the appetite stimulants/metabolism suppressants these
animal foods so regularly contain.
The following are foods and ingredients for the anorexic/bulimarexic to avoid:
All non-organic beef, sheep, veal, goat, lamb, pig, duck, bison, poultry,
chicken, turkey, capon, hens, liver, brains, kidneys, lard, etc., and
derivatives of these foods.
All non-organic milk, cheese, butter, and all dairy products and their
derivatives.
All eggs and egg derivatives (unless
labeled hormone free).
All non-organic farm-raised fish and seafood.
Note: farmers who raise animals organically generally do
not supplement the diets of their animals with appetite stimulants/metabolism
suppressants. Check with the particular organic company to be sure.
The following unnatural additives will play havoc with both your
glands and general functioning of the body:
All artificial sweeteners, preservatives, chemical additives, food
dye colorings, artificial flavorings, nitrites and nitrates, sulphur dioxides and bleached flours. Check all labels.
Omit all over the counter drugs, including laxatives, diuretics, diet pills,
all pain killers and aspirins (magnesium is a natural headache reliever and
pain-killer). Stay away from adding salt and high sodium foods. Sodium causes
headaches and retains fluids, causes bloating and can increase the appetite as
well. Keeping your whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and plant proteins organic
(grown without pesticides) will prevent additional poisons from being absorbed
by the body.
It is additionally essential that the foods that the anorexic or
bulimarexic choose consist of complex and natural carbohydrates,
which are contained in any fruit, vegetable, and whole grain. Particular
emphasis should be on sweet fruits and vegetables (such as sweet potatoes),
particularly when hungry. Little will be accomplished if the appestat in the
body (the glands that regulate appetite and satiation) is allowed to remain
deprived. Natural organic complex carbohydrates will allow these essential
glands to regain their health.
The following foods will help feelings of hunger and satiation
return without gaining weight. Please
make your recovery a combination food and vitamin/mineral therapy (see below).
All of these are essential in healing:
Peppermint or spearmint tea with a small amount of organic
granulated sugar (no artificial sweeteners) is very satisfying and
healing. Spearmint is also a diuretic and the mints will often control
appetite, so you can regain feelings of appetite without the additional fears
of overeating. Peppermint, spearmint, dandelion root, corn silk, and green tea,
with organic sugar if necessary, are all good choices. Try to train yourself to
drink beverages without sugar, or sweeten with organic sugar only. Avoid all
artificial sugars, as these are known to cause tremendous damage to the
glands that monitor the appetite.
Lots of organic fruits and sweet vegetables are necessary to
regain health. Organic sweet potatoes are very healing. Sautéed organic onions
are another sweet food that will bring about healing, particularly to the heart
and circulatory system. Every organ in the body has most likely been damaged in
the throws of this disease. Onions, in particular, can bring about healing to many internal organs. Hormone-free eggs provide choline, which is essential in liver, kidney, and heart
health (see our segment on Heart Disease, Liver Disease, or Kidney Disease). Anrexia/Bulimarexia
damages the entire body, and specific organs need designated nutrients that can
heal them as well. Foods such as organic onions, wheat germ, hormone-free eggs,
and others contain certain nutrients that can bring about positive results for
any internal damage when included in the diet.
In addition to organic fruits and vegetables, organic whole
grains should be included as often as possible. Organic brown rice, brown and
white Basmati rice, whole-wheat crackers and breads, oatmeal, kasha, etc. will
provide essential carbohydrates. Fats and oils such as sweet organic butter and
olive oil are additionally essential to aid feelings of satiation and help
restore natural appetite.
The following vegetarian vitamins, minerals, and phyto-medicinal therapies are essential for a successful
recovery. All of the following will neither add weight nor increase appetite.
They are for nutritional healing. These vitamins are essential to regain
nutritional balance for both anorexics and bulimarexics.
Vitamin B Complex: 20-50 mg. daily
Magnesium: 250 mg. three times daily
Vitamin A: 15,000 I.U. twice daily
Zinc: 15 mg. every other day
Vitamin C: 1000 mg. daily
Vitamin E: 800 I.U. daily
Vitamin B6: 50 mg. daily or every other day
In addition to the above the following link might be helpful: http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/dietcure.htm
The above vitamins and minerals will also help balance and clarify
your thoughts and will help in emotional healing, as well (see our segment on Depression above). If you are afraid you are going to use food as an
emotional response to something, just drink sweetened hot (caffeine-free) tea
until this feeling passes. It is better to avoid eating food altogether (as
opposed to drinking hot, sweet liquids) during a strong emotional time than to
binge/purge. Hot liquids take longer to consume, giving you more time to think
something through. During times of strong emotions, when you are refraining
from eating, try to imagine or work on a realistic solution to your problem.
Take one problem at a time. Very often, sufferers with this disease/condition
feel trapped in a bad situation and feel powerless to change it. Find ways to
emotionally empower yourself. There is a lot of help out there. Seek spiritual
counsel. Develop patience and forgiveness. Forgive those who hurt you and have
treated you badly. Forgive those who want to control you and those who don’t
understand you. Get away from abuse. Envision a healing future. Change your
life to allow for recovery.
Anorexic/Bulimarexics have a damaged
sense of hunger and satiation, as well as difficulties with emotional issues.
We need to determine for ourselves which kinds of foods (and what kind
of life) we really want. We need to learn how to feel our own hunger and food
cravings. We need to listen to our bodies. Our personal recoveries will come
from our own body signals. Even though many of us have been taught otherwise,
our own body knows what it needs. We need to pay attention to what our body
tells us.
We feel that anorexia and bulimarexia,
while generally classified as a disease with emotional and psychological
origins, might surprise us. Armed with the proper nutrients and knowledge about
damaging elements in our food supply, anorexics and bulimarexics
can begin to heal. They can regain control over their appetite, their bodies,
and their lives. They can create a life for themselves full of personal
accomplishments, inner strength, health, and genuine beauty.
The following website was a real find in our research for
natural and nutritional remedies for anxiety. It is called Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients and
we feel it should be very informative and helpful for anyone suffering from
anxiety:
Natural
remedies for anxiety
Townsend
Letter for Doctors and Patients, Oct, 2004 by Alan R. Gaby
It would seem that a little bit of anxiety is a normal reaction
to a world awash in terrorism, debt, declining moral values, and Reality TV.
Furthermore, a modest amount of anxiety is useful at times, stimulating people
to perform better and to achieve greater things. Excessive anxiety, on the
other hand, can interfere with one's life and often requires treatment.
Psychotherapy and aerobic exercise may each be beneficial for
people suffering from chronic anxiety. Pharmacological treatment for anxiety,
for those who need it, consists mainly of selective serotonin-reuptake
inhibitors and benzodiazepines. While these treatments may help control
symptoms, they often cause adverse side effects, and benzodiazepines tend to be
addictive. Fortunately, a number of safe and effective alternatives are
available to treat anxiety.
Dietary factors
Caffeine consumption is one of the most common causes of
anxiety. People who suffer from anxiety disorders tend to be unusually
sensitive to the effects of caffeine, so even small amounts may cause problems
for them. Withdrawing from caffeine can be difficult, as it usually results in
severe headaches, lethargy, and other symptoms. I have learned, from a small
series of cases, that caffeine-withdrawal headaches can be prevented by
supplementing with Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) three times a day, beginning on the day of or
the day before withdrawal, and continuing for a few days.
Reactive hypoglycemia also appears to be an important cause of
anxiety. (1) Hypoglycemia should be suspected in patients whose anxiety occurs
or becomes worse before mealtime and is relieved by eating. Reactive
hypoglycemia can be treated effectively by avoiding blood sugar-destabilizing
foods (e.g., refined sugar, caffeine, and alcohol); eating small, frequent
meals; and supplementing with chromium, B vitamins, magnesium, and other
micro-nutrients.
Food allergy may be a triggering factor for anxiety in some
cases. (2) Allergy should be suspected if symptoms occur after eating or
improve with fasting, or if a person has other manifestations of allergy, such
as migraines, asthma, rhinitis, or irritable bowel syndrome. An elimination
diet followed by individual food challenges can usually identify which foods
are causing symptoms.
Nutritional supplements
Magnesium deficiency
is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies. The typical Western diet
contains only about two-thirds of the RDA for this mineral. Other factors that
can promote magnesium deficiency include chronic stress, certain diseases
(e.g., inflammatory bowel disease and heart disease) and the use of diuretics
and some other medications. (3) Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include
anxiety, fatigue, depression, irritability, fear, restlessness, insomnia,
faintness, hyperventilation, muscle cramps and twitches, intestinal complaints,
tightness in the chest, poor attention, confusion, and memory loss. These
symptoms are remarkably similar to those of patients diagnosed with anxiety
disorder. A large proportion of patients report that taking a magnesium
supplement, with or without calcium, helps their anxiety to some extent, and
occasionally the results are dramatic.
Animal studies have shown that niacinamide
(vitamin B3) has actions that resemble those of benzodiazepines. (4) Anecdotal
reports suggest that niacinamide has an anxiolytic effect in humans, although no clinical trials
have been done. A typical therapeutic dose of niacinamide
is 500 to 1,000 mg three times a day. Liver enzymes should be monitored
periodically in people taking large doses of niacinamide,
as rare cases of hepatotoxicity have been reported.
Other micronutrients may also have anti-anxiety effects. In a
double-blind study of healthy male volunteers (aged 18-42 years), those who
received a daily vitamin B-Complex supplement containing thiamine (15 mg),
riboflavin (15 mg), niacin (50 mg), pantothenic acid
(23 mg), vitamin B6 (10 mg), biotin (150 mcg), folic acid (400 mcg), vitamin
B12 (10 mcg), vitamin C (500 mg), calcium (100 mg), magnesium (100 mg), and
zinc (10 mg) experienced statistically significant reductions in anxiety and
perceived stress, compared with those who received a placebo. (5)
Conclusion
Dietary modification and supplementation with nutrients is often
beneficial for patients suffering from chronic anxiety. Patients who follow the
"natural" approach frequently report substantial improvement, and
many are able to discontinue their prescription anti-anxiety medications.
References
1. Salzer
HM. Relative hypoglycemia as a cause of neuropsychiatric illness. J Natl Med Assoc 1966;58:12-17.
2. Alvarez WC. Puzzling "nervous
storms" due to food allergy. Gastroenterology 1946;7:241-242.
3. Gaby. Magnesium. Keats
Publishing. Inc., New Canaan, 1994.
4. Mohler H, et al. Nicotinamide is a brain constituent with
benzodiazepine-like actions. Nature 1979;278:563-565.
5. Carroll D, et al. The effects of an oral multivitamin
combination with calcium, magnesium, and zinc on psychological well-being in
healthy young male volunteers: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
Psychopharmacology 2000;150:220-225.
If you have been diagnosed with anxiety and have been given
anti-anxiety drugs, you will want to see our segment on drug addiction if you feel you are having trouble trying to stop your
medication. Some of these drugs are highly addictive, and the symptoms of
withdrawal can often resemble moderate to severe anxiety. Nutritional support
can directly benefit your attempts to withdraw from any drug given for anxiety.
There is a very interesting story about how one of the cures for
arthritis was discovered. We tried to remember where we came across it, but
couldn’t place it. Nonetheless, here it is:
During World War I, somewhere in Europe, bread was almost
non-existent for about three years. A well-known doctor in one of the war-torn
European countries noticed something remarkable. About three months into the
war, when all there was to eat was potatoes and eggs, his patients started
telling him that their aches, pains, and swellings (of arthritis) had started
to disappear. His patients, some of whom were, before the war, virtual cripples
imprisoned in painful and frozen bodies, started to regain movement and their
limbs came back to life. The doctor chronicled this in his medical journal. He
realized that people weren’t eating bread, or even grains. Bread, flour, and
grains were unavailable due to the agricultural wheat and grain fields being
off limits during the war. But for the duration of the war, oddly enough, the
arthritic patients were free from physical pain. Sadly, the doctor’s journal
noted that as soon as bread and grain products were again made available, so
did the arthritis in his patients.
The findings of this mysterious European doctor were later
expounded upon by Paavo Airola,
N.D., Ph.D. (There IS a Cure for Arthritis) and Giraud W. Campbell, D.O. (A
Doctor’s Proven New Home Cure for Arthritis). Both these men reiterated the
need for the arthritic person to diligently remove all bread and grains from
the diet if he wants to be free of the disease. The reason for this is an intolerance to gluten, an element inherent in wheat,
oats, barley, rye, and spelt. Persons sensitive to gluten can develop anything
from arthritis to schizophrenia. The culprit is histamine, a by-product of
gluten, which, in the case of arthritis, attacks the joints and muscular system
as if it were an enemy. The pain, swelling, and crippling of arthritis, as well
as the deterioration of cartilage and even dissolving of bone, is all due to
this histamine gone awry. The only thing we can recommend is that you try this.
According to our research, and from reading the information in both Dr. Airola’s and Dr. Campbell’s book, scores of people have
improved dramatically on this ‘wheat, grain, and gluten-free’ diet.
It must be said here, though, that this isolated approach does
not work for everyone. In recent weeks, our research has turned up some
surprising information about additional foods that cause inflammation and pain,
particularly in rheumatoid arthritis. Gluten may not be the most significant
cause. New research is revealing quite a number of foods and food groups that
can cause and exacerbate arthritic symptoms.
Recently, we discovered research that omega-6 fatty acids might
be particularly damaging in arthritis. Omega 6 fatty acids can cause serious
inflammation (swelling) and pain for some arthritics. Well known and often
recommended vegetable oils (including organic and first cold-pressed) contain
the highest levels of omega 6 fatty acids. Avoiding these oils can be
difficult, mainly because many of them are included in most processed foods,
and even the meat and milk of animals fed these oils can cause problems.
Omega-6 fatty acids are in safflower, sunflower, corn, soy, walnut, and
vegetable oil. Only canola and olive oils are not high in omega 6 fatty acids,
and need not be avoided. Flax seed oil is actually beneficial, due to it’s high omega 3 fatty acid content, and should be included
if possible in the diet.
On the other hand, the omega 3 fatty acids are particularly
beneficial, and should be included daily. Foods that contain omega 3 fatty
acids are mainly fish, with canned salmon and pickled herring as potent as
fresh. Eggs specifying the chickens were fed a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids
(check egg cartons) are also an excellent source. Ground flax seeds, as well as
flax seed oil, is a good source for people who don’t eat eggs or fish, or are
strict vegans and refrain from eating all animal products.
Another surprising outcome of our recent research has been that
sugar, including fruit sugar and all sweet foods, can have a damaging effect on
arthritis by causing inflammation and pain. This is due to the fact that most
arthritics, particularly those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, have faulty
digestion, and all sugars are susceptible to becoming lactic acid, which
increases levels of histamine. The following excerpt was taken from the
following very informative website (http://healthychristianliving.com/rheumatoid_arthritis.htm):
When aspirin and other commonly used pain relieving drugs are
taken, the intestinal wall becomes less effective in blocking harmful partly
digested nutrients and frequently a worsening of symptoms occurs in the longer
term. The same happens if fruit acids are ingested or sweet food is eaten. The
inefficient metabolism of these individuals converts sweet food only partly
into energy, the rest forms lactic acid. Acids liberate histamine, which in
turn causes swellings and strong inflammatory reactions. Therefore,
inflammatory conditions deteriorate if fruit acids or acid-forming foods are
ingested, while alkaline-forming foods, generally vegetables and those rich in minerals, are beneficial.
Additional research has revealed that a particular substance, quercetin, found in fruits, vegetables, and particularly in
red and yellow onions, red wine and grapes, is anti-inflammatory and very
beneficial. Quercetin inhibits the release of
histamine, whereby reducing inflammation and allergic reactions. Adding
sufficient amounts of red and yellow onions to the diet, as well as other foods
containing ample amounts of quercetin, can directly
benefit the arthritic patient, particularly individuals who suffer from
swelling and inflammation of joints.
Quercetin is one of the more recent discoveries in the natural arsenal available
in recovery from arthritis. The following websites are very informative about quercetin and it’s valuable
inclusion in the diet: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplements/Quercetincs.html
http://www.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/2002_archives/2002_09_10_OnCall.asp
In addition to the above information, the following vegetarian
supplements have been shown to greatly improve recovery:
Vitamin E: 800 I.U. daily / 200-400 I.U. daily for infants
and young children
Vitamin A: 15,000-I.U. daily / 10,000 I.U. daily for infants and
young children
B-Complex: 20-mg. daily
Magnesium: 600-1000 mg. daily / 300-450 mg. daily, infants and
young children
Vitamin B6: 50-mg. every other day / twice a week for
infants and children
Vitamin C: 500 mg. daily / 250 mg. daily, infants and young
children
Dehydration seems to be another factor in all forms of
arthritis. Hydration with spring water continuously throughout the day seems to
play an important role in reducing calcification of joints and increasing
synovial fluids. Please see the following website for more information: http://innovative-health.com/html/recoveringarthritis.php
Government findings and research with vitamin E reveal startling
information about the necessary role vitamin E plays in the prevention and
correction of what can be considered symptoms of arthritis. The following
excerpts are from a government report made in l930. A similar report can be
seen at: http://www.chclibrary.org/micromed/00070470.html
‘Vitamin E’
(Originally Published 1930’s): ‘…… Because Vitamin E has not had
the thorough clinical testing accorded other vitamins, it has not, here-to-fore received much attention. The original,
and, still primary use of vitamin E is to prevent abortion. The lack of vitamin
E permits the child, or animal, to be lost, or reabsorbed, instead of
completing birth maturity….
…..Now, however, two physicians have made the discovery that Tocophoral E, a product ten times the strength of ordinary
vitamin E capsules, is giving marvelous results as a muscle elasticity agent;
that it is very beneficial for coronary thrombosis, angina pectoris, and other
heart muscle constrictive diseases. Consult your physician about Tocophoral E…...
…..Biochemists have made tests in which a nutritional deficiency
of vitamin E was deliberately created. This deficiency produced a sort of
muscular weakness, resulting in a near paralysis of the muscles. When food, rich in vitamin E, was given to experimental animals,
they very quickly regained muscular strength, and the signs of paralysis
disappeared…..
…. Wheat germ oil is the richest source of vitamin E. However,
most seed oils contain vitamin E, and of course the seeds
from which oil is obtained. Lettuce and alfalfa also contain fair
amounts of vitamin E. The orange and banana contain smaller amounts….A more
recent claim for the use of vitamin E carries out the muscle benefit assertion.
Huge doses of vitamin E restore flexibility to knotted tendon muscles that draw
and stiffen the fingers and toes….
……Vitamin E deficiency in humans results in ataxia (poor muscle
coordination with shaky movements), decreased sensation to vibration, lack of
reflexes, and paralysis of eye muscles. One particularly severe symptom of
vitamin E deficiency is the inability to walk…..’
Additional reports cite a lack of raw animal fats as a direct
cause of stiffness in arthritis. The following was taken from the following
website (http://www.karlloren.com/diet/p67.htm) and is as follows:
….. The Wulzen Factor: Called the "antistiffness"
factor, this compound is present in raw animal fat. Researcher Rosalind Wulzen discovered that this substance protects humans and
animals from calcification of the joints—degenerative arthritis. It also
protects against hardening of the arteries, cataracts and calcification of the
pineal gland.63 Calves fed pasteurized milk or skim milk develop joint
stiffness and do not thrive. Their symptoms are reversed when raw butterfat is
added to the diet. Pasteurization destroys the Wulzen
factor—it is present only in raw butter, cream and whole milk…..
Additional nutritional information in healing arthritis can be
seen at: http://www.wholehealthmd.com/hk/remedies/disp/1,1459,567,00.html
According to James A Duke, Ph.D. in ‘The
Green Pharmacy” grapes and raisins have numerous chemicals that can alleviate
pain and help reduce swelling.
In his chapter on arthritis, Dr. Duke states ‘…..Grapes and raisins contain
many pain relieving, anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory chemicals……pain
relievers as ferulic acid, gentisic
acid, kaempferol-glucosides and aspirin-like
salicylic acid. Grapes and raisins also contain several anti-inflammatory
compounds: ascorbic acid, cinnamic acid, coumarin, myricetin, quercitin and quercitrin….(also) resveratrol, yet another
anti-inflammatory compound of which grapes are the best source. Ounce for
ounce, raisins contain more of all of these compounds
than grapes because they contain less water.”
In addition to loading up on grapes, raisins, and red and yellow
onions, and omitting the bread, wheat, grains and gluten, the following foods
and derivatives should be omitted as well:
Grain vinegar and foods that contain it (apple cider, Balsamic,
and wine vinegar are O.K. because they do not contain gluten), salad dressings,
mustard, salt, caffeine, hormones, non-organic animal products, and high oxalic
acid foods like spinach and rhubarb. Some arthritics might be additionally
sensitive to citrus fruits and juices, and foods from the nightshade family, which
include tomatoes, peppers (sweet and hot), paprika, eggplant, white (not sweet)
potatoes, and tobacco. Diligently avoid all foods that list preservatives,
artificial food colorings, artificial sweeteners, and chemicals of any form.
There is evidence that many of these artificial food additives metabolize in
ways that seriously harm the body, including cartilage, joints, and bones.
The following website is very informative and valuable for
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
http://www.andrews.edu/NUFS/arthritis.html
Additional sites of value can be found at: http://www.webterrace.com/arthritis/remedies.htm#USE%20HERBS
Make rice (organic brown, Basmati white and brown) and kasha
(both are gluten free), deep red, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables
(containing quercetin) your staple. According to May
Bethel, cooked celery in either a soup or steamed as a vegetable, and even raw
celery juice, is very helpful in alkalizing the body and relieving the pain of
arthritis. Add other permitted foods around these.
It is well known that the drugs necessary to control arthritis
have serious side effects and are virtually ineffective in halting or reversing
the disease. They can only sedate and temporarily relieve pain. This is
particularly dangerous for children, as well as both men and women of
childbearing age. Although the recommendations here might seem difficult, real
recovery is within reach. Using our knowledge of foods that both harm and heal,
proper nutritional healing can bring about real results that no drug or
sedative can ever hope to claim.
Our research has revealed asthma as a severe respiratory
reaction to an unknown allergen, either in food or the environment.
Furthermore, we have found that asthmatics are deficient in a number of key
nutrients that can enhance their chances of both prevention, and recovery, from
asthma attacks. While asthma is known to be potentially fatal, we advise that
these recommended vitamin, mineral, and phyto-medicinal
therapies coincide with your prescribed medication. If, in the event you have
stopped your medication due to personal decisions, or the medication made you
uncomfortable, we recommend you discuss the following nutritional
recommendations with a professional in concert with their advice.
There are a number of nutritional deficiencies that we found in
our research that can trigger off asthma or a severe respiratory reaction. The
mineral magnesium is essential for proper muscle contraction of the lungs.
Without this essential mineral, lungs do not have the elasticity and
flexibility necessary for proper breathing. This century has seen a tremendous
increase in the deficiency of magnesium. Magnesium is lost in the milling of
all grains, which is a standard practice in our modern ‘white flour’ culture.
It is additionally lost in the soil with the increase of chemical fertilizers
and the worldwide practice of liming the soil. Magnesium is found mainly in
plant foods, but the increasing availability and preference for animal foods
(meats, dairy, fish and shellfish, and eggs) as well as ‘junk’ foods have since
made adequate amounts of magnesium a mineral of the past. Furthermore, even
plant foods that contain adequate amounts of magnesium, like organic walnuts,
almonds, all nuts, seeds, legumes, and leafy greens like romaine lettuce and
spinach, are not eaten in abundance. And to make matters worse, magnesium
competes in the body with calcium and zinc, two other minerals that have gotten
a lot of publicity in recent years. A high intake of milk and dairy products
will further deplete magnesium reserves, due to their high calcium content. It
is a miracle that anyone has adequate magnesium at all, and the tremendous
increase in asthma during this past century, while devastating, is not
surprising.
In addition to a deficiency of magnesium, asthma is often an
allergic respiratory reaction to an unknown allergen. As an additional
precaution, known and suspected allergens in foods, food derivatives, and
allergy-prone ingredients should be avoided. Children and adult asthmatics
would definitely benefit from allergy testing by a certified nutritionist. The
following are excerpts from our chapter on “Allergies”:
“Most wheat and gluten products (wheat, oats, barley, rye,
spelt) are known to aggravate allergic reactions and should be avoided. Gluten
can cause histamine to be released during digestion. This histamine is one of
the causes of an allergic reaction….Breads and baked products made from rice
flour (all rice is gluten-free), either home-made or commercially prepared, are
a wonderful alternative. Organic whole grain kasha and millet are both
gluten-free grains with powerful nutrients….Avoiding dairy might further reduce
allergic reactions. Making sure that the fruits and vegetables you eat are
organic and washed thoroughly in running water will be an additional benefit.
Remember to wash all fruit peels and skins, even if they are not edible (melon,
banana, orange, etc.). These can have dangerous chemicals applied to their
skins and you don’t want residues of these chemicals on your (or your child’s)
fingers when eating the fruit. A diet that relies on rice (organic brown
regular, long grain, white basmati or brown basmati) as a main staple food will
reduce the risk of most allergies. Thoroughly washed raw, steamed, or stir
fried organic vegetables should complement the rice at most meals…..Pesticides,
chemicals, artificial food additives and sweeteners, preservatives, and
coloring agents should immediately be suspect as causing (respiratory) allergic
reactions. The hormones routinely given to farm animals to increase weight and
produce more milk (for dairy cows) can not only cause (respiratory) allergic
reactions, but can deplete the body of essential nutrients needed for a healthy
immune system. The hormone estrogen, in particular, severely depletes the body
of vitamin B6, essential for the production of natural
anti-histamines produced by our bodies…..Pesticides are also derived from
estrogen-based chemicals. High levels of estrogens sterilize (even temporarily,
as in the birth control pill) which is the theory behind pesticide applications
on plants grown for food. While the intent of crop spraying is to sterilize the
bugs that eat the plants, residues from these chemicals become present in the
fruits and vegetables we eat. As a result, they not only play havoc with our
own concerns about fertility, but deplete nutrients necessary for our body’s
natural defense against allergens. The destruction of Vitamin B 6 is a
particular problem once again from the pesticides we receive on our plant
foods. Choosing organic only will cut our risk of absorbing additional
estrogen-based chemicals and help our bodies retain those nutrients necessary
to furnish our anti-allergy reserves…..”
Environmental irritants can’t be overlooked as additional
culprits in the creation of an asthmatic condition. The following is a small
excerpt from our chapter on ‘Autism’, which sites environmental irritants as suspect in that
condition, as well:
“…... Substances that can cause (respiratory) allergic reactions
include household detergents, perfumes, soaps, cosmetics, animal dander, cat
litter, pesticides, insecticides, newspaper print, chemicals applied to
magazines and other glossy printed materials, paint, furniture varnish and
polish, carpet cleaners, ink, magic markers, as well as dirt and dust, dust
mites, mold, powder, deodorants, and anything and everything that has a
chemical component to it.”
Generally, caffeine and caffeine derivatives have been
recommended in recent years as a healing therapy in asthma attacks. While this
has proven definitely effective, we don’t recommend it for very young children,
and adults can have difficulties with caffeine use, as well. Organic foods, a
conscientious allergy-free diet, home, school, office, etc. and knowledge of
potential allergens would be a better route to take.
In addition, the following vitamins, minerals, and phyto-medicinal therapy, taken daily, could prove essential
for asthmatics. Please choose vitamins and minerals from a vegetarian,
allergy-free source only. Check labels:
Vitamin C: 500 mg for infants and children/1000 mg for adults. Acts as an anti-histamine.
Vitamin A: 5,000 I.U. per day for infants and children / 15-45,000 I.U. per
day for adults. Vitamin A is essential for lung, respiratory, and mucus membrane
health. (The inner linings of the lungs are considered mucus membranes.)
B-Complex: 50 mg. for adults / 20 mg. for infants and children is essential.
Pantothenic
acid: 50-100 mg. every other day, adults / 20 mg. every other day, children.
Vitamin B6: 50 mg. every other day, adults / 20 mg. every other day,
children. Part of the B-complex, well known to be necessary
in helping the body protect itself against allergens.
Magnesium: 450-600 mg.daily children / 800-1000
mg. daily for adults. Magnesium is
now considered crucial in the treatment and healing of asthma.
While it is currently necessary to medicate asthmatics, and the
severity of this disease most definitely makes that advisable, there is much we
can do in complementing the medication with nutritional therapies that are
known to help the lungs and the respiratory system heal and proceed to carry on
with their remarkable work.
Although many cases of autism are the result of cerebral
swelling and damage from early childhood vaccines, and other causes include
intrauterine and post-birth allergies, infections, and nutritional
deficiencies, there has been much investigative research into nutritional
healing that has had a great deal of success in restoring health to those
suffering from this disease. Nutritional supplementation and an understanding
of certain nutrients and how they affect the brain have made positive advances
in the field of cerebral health. There is a tremendous amount of research still
needed in both finding a specific cause, and cure, for autism. Yet to date,
even after cerebral injury has occurred, nutrition holds the greatest promise
as a cure.
According to Dr. Bernard Rimland, Ph.D.
of the Autism Research Institute, both children and adults with autism
experienced remarkable results with the vitamin B6/magnesium combination. In an
article that appeared in the Autism Research Review International, Vol. 1 (4),
l987, entitled ‘Vitamin B6 (and magnesium) in the treatment of autism’,
he writes:
“….at the end of the four-month trial it was clear that vitamin
B6 was the most important of the four vitamins we had investigated, and that in
some cases it brought about remarkable improvement. Between
30% and 40% of the children showed significant improvement when the vitamin B6
was given to them. A few of the children showed minor side effects
(irritability, sound sensitivity and bed-wetting), but these quickly cleared up
when additional magnesium was supplied, and the magnesium confirmed additional
benefits.” The article goes on to say: “…while no patient has been
(completely) cured with the vitamin B6 and magnesium treatment, there have been
many instances where remarkable improvement has been achieved. In one such case
an 18-year-old autistic patient was about to be evicted from the third mental
hospital in his city. Even massive amounts of drugs had no effect on him, and
he was considered too violent and assaultative to be
kept in the hospital. The psychiatrist tried the B6/magnesium approach as a
last resort. The young man calmed down very quickly. The psychiatrist reported
at a meeting that she had recently visited the family and had found the young
man to now be a pleasant and easy-going young autistic person who sang and
played his guitar for her….Another example was a frantic mother who phoned me
to ask for information on sheltered workshops in her city, since her
25-year-old autistic son was about to be expelled for unmanageable behavior. I
knew of no alternative placements for the son, but I suggested that the mother
try Super Nu-Thera, a supplement containing B6,
magnesium and other nutrients. Within a few weeks she called again to tell me
excitedly that her son was doing very well now and his piecework pay had risen
dramatically from the minimum pay of $1.50 per week to $25 per week.”
These are two examples as to the remarkable results of
nutritional therapy, in this case, vitamin B6 and the mineral magnesium, in the
treatment of this disease. The following link about nutrition in autism is
inspiring. You can view it at: http://www.healing-arts.org/children/nutritional.htm
Because an exact cause of autism has not yet been revealed, and
theories range from injuries received from early childhood vaccines,
intrauterine bacteria and viruses, allergies to food and environmental
substances, and vitamin/mineral and possibly other nutritional deficiencies, it
is wise to address autism as a result of any and all these. Good results and
improvement can be achieved by investigating and applying any therapy known to
benefit. There are no known drugs or pharmaceutical chemicals as of yet that
can correct this condition. Children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse
effects of the psychiatric drugs, which can cause permanent brain and liver
damage and are known to create additional disastrous disorders, such as Tardi-Diskenesia. Nutritional and phyto-medicinal
therapies are the most advantageous to date and the least harmful, especially
since the brain and the nervous system respond so favorably to both proper
nutrition and the omission of certain elements in the diet and environment that
cause harm.
In the event that autism is the result of cerebral allergies,
the following excerpt from our chapter on ‘Allergies’ will be helpful:
“Most wheat and gluten products (wheat, oats, barley,
rye, spelt) are well known to aggravate allergic reactions and should be
avoided. Gluten can cause histamine to be released during digestion. This
histamine is one of the causes of an allergic reaction…..Breads and baked
products made from rice flour (all rice is gluten-free), either
home-made or commercially prepared, are a wonderful alternative. Organic
whole grain kasha and millet are both gluten-free grains with powerful
nutrients….Avoiding dairy might further reduce allergic reactions. Making sure
that the fruits and vegetables you eat are organic and washed thoroughly
in running water will be an additional benefit. Remember to wash all fruit
peels and skins, even if they are not edible (melon, banana, orange, etc.).
These can have dangerous chemicals applied to their skins and you don’t want
residues of these chemicals on your (or your child’s) fingers when eating the
fruit. A diet that relies on rice (organic brown regular, long grain, white
basmati or brown basmati) as a main staple food will reduce the risk of most
allergies. Thoroughly washed raw, steamed, or stir fried organic vegetables
should complement the rice at most meals….. Pesticides, chemicals,
artificial food additives and sweeteners, preservatives, and coloring agents
should immediately be suspect as causing (cerebral) allergic reactions. The
hormones routinely given to farm animals to increase weight and produce more
milk (for dairy cows) can not only cause (cerebral) allergic reactions, but can
deplete the body of essential nutrients needed for a healthy immune system. The
hormone estrogen, in particular, severely depletes the body of vitamin B6,
essential for the production of natural anti-histamines produced by our bodies…..
Pesticides are also derived from estrogen-based chemicals. High levels of
estrogens sterilize (even temporarily, as in the birth control pill) which is
the theory behind pesticide applications on plants grown for food. While the
intent of crop spraying is to sterilize the bugs that eat the plants, residues
from these chemicals become present in the fruits and vegetables we eat. As a
result, they not only play havoc with our own concerns about fertility, but
deplete nutrients necessary for our body’s natural defense against allergens. The
destruction of Vitamin B 6 is a particular problem once again from the
pesticides we receive on our plant foods. Choosing organic only will cut
our risk of absorbing additional estrogen-based chemicals and help our bodies
retain those nutrients necessary to furnish our anti-allergy reserves…..”
To enhance the autistic child or adult’s ability to recover as
much as possible from this disabling, and often devastating, condition, the
following vitamins, minerals, and phyto-medicinal
therapies are crucial in brain health and are known to be lacking in many
autistics. (Please remember to thoroughly crush all pills given to children,
blending them in pureed fruit or ice cream. Please choose only vegetarian,
allergy-free sources):
Vitamin E: 800 I.U. daily for adults/400 I.U. daily
for children. Essential for blood circulation to brain.
Vitamin C: 500 mg. for infants and children/ 1000-2000 mg.
for adults. Essential for removal of toxins affecting the
brain.
Vitamin B6: 50 mg daily for adults/ 25 mg daily for
infants and children. Essential for brain health.
Magnesium: 450 mg for infants and children/600-1000
for adults. Essential for brain health.
Vitamin B-Complex: 50-100 mg. daily for adults/25
mg. daily for infants and children. Helps process information to brain.
Lecithin: 2-3 tablespoons daily. Lecithin helps with brain
health.
Vitamin A: 10,000 I.U. for infants and children/ 25,000 for
adults. Needed for brain health.
In addition to this, certain elements in the environment could
prove difficult for the sensitive autistic. Possibly environmental allergens
are causing difficulties for them. It is up to the non-autistic caretaker to
investigate whatever can be damaging and have the autistic person avoid this.
Have your autistic child/adult tested for allergies, both food and
environmental. Chances are that something in your environment is also causing a
cerebral-allergy in these sensitive individuals. Substances that can cause
(cerebral) allergic reactions include household detergents, perfumes, soaps,
cosmetics, animal dander, cat litter, pesticides, insecticides, newspaper
print, chemicals applied to magazines and other glossy printed materials,
paint, furniture varnish and polish, carpet cleaners, ink, magic markers, as
well as dirt and dust, dust mites, mold, powder, deodorants, and anything and
everything that has a chemical component to it. Autism might well be a
combination of nutritional deficiencies, cerebral injuries, and an extreme
sensitivity to chemicals in the environment.
While it is much easier to sedate, medicate, and eventually
hospitalize these unusually sensitive individuals, our research has revealed
that much can be done nutritionally, and environmentally, to help them succeed
in their potential and become the wonderful people they were intended to
be.
Please see our segment on Anorexia/Bulimarexia
above.
While the current held belief is that cancer is not the result of
anything in our diet, and that nutrition has nothing to do with recovery, we at
A Perfect Healing, Inc. wholeheartedly disagree. We believe that cancer can be
directly linked to toxins in the environment and specifically in modern food.
This is a very controversial topic, and we will try to be as sensitive as
possible, while stating the information we believe to be true.
To begin with, we believe cancer is the body’s reaction to being
poisoned. That might seem bold, but modern food embodies thousands of toxins
that our bodies can’t process, regardless of the permissiveness of current
standards in food regulations. The fact that food dyes, coloring agents,
hormones, chemical sweeteners, flavorings, and preservatives are permitted to
be in our foods doesn’t change the status of these ingredients being toxic.
We need to be aware of not only the nutritional content of the
food we eat, but of what actually went into making that food, what actual
methods of production the farmers used on their crops and what they fed their
animals. We cannot take for granted any more the idea that everything we eat
has only nutritional components, or that all we need to do is concern ourselves
with the basic nutritional food groups (as in the well known food pyramid
posters, etc.). There are a lot of unhealthy motives out there surrounding food
production in this day and age, as has been for the past century. We need to
get past the glossy advertisements and focus instead on what we are actually
putting into our bodies.
In his book How To Get Well
(Health Plus Publishers, 1974), Paavo Airola points out that the by-product of protein metabolism
is ammonia, a lethal substance to cell structure and one of the major
culprits in the creation of cancer. Understanding certain harmful elements in
everyday foods (particularly protein and its harmful metabolic toxins) will
further enhance our chances of recovering from cancer. It might be hard to
believe, but elements produced in the digestion and assimilation of proteins,
which include all meats, poultry, fish and shellfish, dairy, eggs, legumes,
nuts, nut butters, seeds, and especially soy, contain specific toxins that
can inhibit recovery:
“..…The metabolism of proteins consumed in excess of the actual
need leaves toxic residues of metabolic wastes in tissues, causes auto toxemia,
over-acidity and nutritional deficiencies, accumulation of uric acid and purines in the tissues, intestinal putrefaction, and
contributes to the development of many of our most common and serious diseases,
such as arthritis, kidney damage, pyorrhea, schizophrenia, osteoporosis,
arteriosclerosis, heart disease and cancer…Recently, Dr. Willard J. Visek, of Cornell University, implicated a high protein
diet in the development of cancer. Ammonia, which is produced in
great amounts as the by-product of meat metabolism, is highly carcinogenic and
can cause cancer development. A high protein diet also breaks down the
pancreas and lowers resistance to cancer, as well as contributes to the
development of diabetes…”
During the greater part of the 20th century there has
been a tremendous increase in the availability of animal protein foods such as
all kinds of meats, dairy, fish, shellfish, and eggs. This is due in large part
to major advancements in technology, specifically in transportation and
refrigeration. Additionally, the dairy industry has state of the art equipment
that allows for huge amounts of cows to be milked at one time. Modern meat
packing plants allow for record numbers of animals to be slaughtered, butchered
and processed as never before in history through automated equipment. All of
this modernization and technological progress in the meat and dairy industries
is directly equivalent to the current epidemic of major degenerative diseases
we now see, with cancer being one of the most prevalent. We agree that anyone
concerned with cancer should carefully limit their intake of protein.
According to our research, hormones such as estrogen are major
culprits in cancer growth and development. This hormone is present in most
animal foods. It is additionally liberally added in animal feed to cause weight
gain and stimulate the appetites of farm animals. In addition, many estrogens
occur naturally in nature and are in many plant foods. You might want to limit,
or omit entirely, the following foods that are known to contain estrogen. Check
all labels for hidden ingredients in mixes and prepared foods.
All non-organic beef, sheep, veal,
goat, lamb, pig, duck, bison, poultry, chicken, turkey, capon, hens, and derivatives
of these foods, including frozen dinners, soups, etc.
All non-organic dairy products and their derivatives, including
ice cream, cheese, milk, butter, cheesecakes, cookies, cereals, frozen dinners,
soups, etc.
All non-organic eggs and egg
derivatives.
All farm-raised fish.
The following plant foods are listed here because they naturally
contain phyto-estrogens:
All soy and soy products. All tofu. All beans
and legumes. All peanuts. Coconut
milk and coconut meat. Celery seed, dill, fennel,
ginger, horehound, hyssop, juniper, lavender, lemon balm, marjoram, motherwort,
pennyroyal, rosemary, rue, saffron, tansy, tarragon, thyme, wintergreen,
yarrow, figs, ginger, papaya, and pineapple. (The Green Pharmacy, by
James A. Duke, Ph.D., Rodale Press, 1997) The phyto-estrogens
in these plant foods are natural and most likely occur in small amounts. Soy
and the legumes have greater amounts of these hormones and could pose a
difficulty to recovery.
The following is an excerpt from our chapter above on Autism,
which describes the pesticides used on crops as another vehicle for toxic
levels of estrogen:
“…..….. Pesticides are also derived from estrogen-based
chemicals: High levels of estrogens sterilize (even temporarily, as in the
birth control pill) which is the theory behind pesticide applications on plants
grown for food. While the intent of crop spraying is to sterilize the bugs that
eat the plants, (thereby preventing future generations), residues from these
chemicals become present in the fruits and vegetables we eat…”
There is growing research and evidence that, even with the
threat of estrogen, certain elements in organic foods and specifically foods
containing omega-3 fatty acids show tremendous promise in disabling the growth
of tumors. Omega-3 fatty acids appear to limit the body’s production of
chemicals called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins can ‘speed up tumor growth,’
says Bandaru S. Reddy, Ph.D., chief of the division
of nutritional carcinogenesis at the American Health Foundation in Valhalla,
New York. All fruits and vegetables contain small amounts of omega-3 fatty
acids. Organic eggs or eggs from vegetarian fed chickens might prove to be a
very valuable source of omega-3 fatty acids, being that these chickens are
routinely fed foods and supplements containing omege-3 fatty acids. Oils from
coldwater ocean fish (salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel)
are good sources, but limit your intake to two to three times a week if you are
worried about mercury. Flaxseed is by far the richest source. You can buy
organically processed flaxseed at health food stores. Make sure it is
cracked or milled. Use it liberally in cooking or sprinkle it on food like a
spice or condiment.
The following foods should be included in the daily diet:
The foods to include are:
fruits and vegetables, preferably organic, raw but cooked if necessary, are
especially beneficial. Organic fruit juices and home-made fruit purees (raw
fruit pieces blended in the blender – no seeds or skins) are easily absorbed
and well tolerated. Fruits and most vegetables contain lots of potassium, which
rids the body of excess fluids and salt, and is crucial in the healing of
cancer. According to May Bethel, individuals with heart disease, high blood
pressure, diabetes, kidney disease and all the cancers have a better chance
at recovery if the body has an abundance of potassium.
Use lots of raw organic onions.
Organic onions are extremely healing in the treatment of cancer. Onions are
strongly diuretic and will cleanse toxins (and cancers) out of the body that are retained in fluids. Onions are also extremely
high in flavonoids and specifically quercetin. “The flavonoid quercetin has been shown to actually halt the progression
of tumors in the colons of animals” says Michael J. Wargovich,
Ph.D., professor of medicine at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the
University of Texas in Houston. The sulfur compounds in onions also fight
cancer and suppress tumor growth, making this food an excellent weapon in the
fight against cancer. For those who cannot tolerate raw onions, cooked or fried
organic onions (as in an organic egg omelet) are excellent foods as well.
Organic and vegetarian-fed chicken egg yolks are loaded with choline and lecithin (as well as omega-3 fatty acids) so
you should include them liberally. Eggs also have a smaller amount of protein
than other animal foods, so egg omelets with lots of cooked onions are a
powerful addition to an anti-cancer diet.
In a study of more than 2,300 women, researchers from the
Harvard School of Public Health and the Athens School of Public Health in
Greece found that women who used olive oil more than once a day had 25 percent
lower risks of breast cancer compared to those who used it less often.
Certain teas, including green, peppermint, spearmint and
dandelion are also loaded with flavinoids, and are
diuretic as well. Dark red wine is also loaded with flavinoids,
but is not recommended due to additives. Don’t be afraid of sugar. Organic raw
sugar and honey (added to tea) is beneficial and will encourage toxins to move
out of the body. For headache, strong peppermint tea is very beneficial.
Peppermint tea is also helpful in nausea.
Emphasize onions, olive oil, crushed flaxseed, organic eggs and
eggs from vegetarian fed chickens, wheat germ, salads and raw, steamed, and stir-fried
vegetables, raw fruit purees, cooked organic fruits and vegetables, organic
vegetable juices, whole grain rice, kasha, oatmeal, whole wheat, millet, and
unsalted organic nuts and seeds. Organic brown, Basmati white and brown rice,
kasha (extremely beneficial), whole grain crackers and breads should be your
grains. Sprinkle liberal amounts of crushed flaxseed on these foods if
possible.
Blueberries, particularly, as well as all the berries, have very
powerful anti-viral properties. They should be included daily. There is new
research going on now investigating new theories that certain cancers may be
viruses. Many organic foods will kill viruses, the berries being the most
powerful. Berries contain the most powerful anti-viral properties currently
known, especially because anti-viral pharmaceuticals are having poor results.
Please include blueberries, and all the berries, in the diet. Whole fruit
blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry preserves (jams to not contain
the whole fruit) might be additionally essential in the diet. For those who
want to take a daily supplement instead of food, Sambucol,
a product derived from ripe elderberries, is a fine alternative. Please make
sure to take at least 5-7 tablespoons throughout the day.
In the case of poor dental health, a painful mouth or difficult swallowing, blended and pureed organic raw fruits and
vegetable soups (lots of onions, olive oil, and organic vegetables) are very
beneficial. Organic sweet potatoes and orange and yellow squash is naturally soft and well liked. Soft cooked organic eggs
are additionally beneficial. Soft favorite foods, such as organic hormone-free
ice cream (no tofu products or soy), Rice Dream, organic fruit ices and applesauce,
all of which have low protein content, will also prove valuable in a soft and
liquid diet.
The following vegetarian, Kosher
vitamins and minerals are essential. Please crush vitamin pills and mix with a
soft food. The dosages for infants and children are half the dosages for
adults. The following are for adults:
Vegetarian B-Complex: 20 mg. daily
Magnesium: 450 mg. twice a day
Vitamin A: 15,000 I.U. twice a day
Vitamin C: 1000-2000 mg. daily
Vitamin B6: 50 mg. daily
Vitamin E: 800 I.U. daily
Thoroughly crush the vitamin pills and mix them into a favorite
food, such as organic ice cream or applesauce. This way they will be fairly
undetectable and easier to give to your patient. If you have cancer yourself,
you might want someone else to give these supplements to you. Please ask for as
much assistance in this as necessary. Many people and family members probably
accompany you to the doctor and chemo or radiation sessions. Please include
them in your attempts for nutritional healing as well.
The following should be avoided:
All protein should be severely restricted: With the exception of eggs from organic or vegetarian fed
chickens, animal foods should be limited to twice or three meals per week
(an omission of animal foods with the exception of eggs is even better). This
drastic reduction in protein will reduce the chance of additional ammonia
poisoning and possibly accelerate the cleansing of these toxins out of the
system (see A Perfect Healing, Inc.’s Nutritional Healing from A to Z chapter
on ‘Aging’ above).
Diligently avoid all
multivitamins with added calcium and iron. Iron depletes the body of Vitamin E
and calcium competes with magnesium, necessary for potassium to be utilized in
the body. Don’t eat or drink anything with added calcium or iron. Omit all
artificial sweeteners, preservatives, chemical additives, food dye colorings,
artificial flavorings, nitrites and nitrates, sulphur
dioxides and bleached flours. Check all labels. Omit all over the
counter drugs, including laxatives, diuretics, diet pills, all pain killers and
aspirins (magnesium is a natural pain killer and headache relief). Omit all
salt and high sodium foods. Salt and sodium causes headaches, depletes
potassium, retains fluids, and can retain cancer in the body.
Our research has revealed that diligent adherence to this change
in diet, as well as the administration of these remarkable vitamins and minerals, can only prove beneficial. Organic fruits and
vegetables, whole grains, a marked reduction in protein, the liberal addition
of quercetin-rich onions, omega-3 fatty acids, flavinoids, and a general cleansing out of the toxins in
the body will greatly enhance your chances of recovery. These particular
vitamins and minerals will, in addition, improve the immune system and help
recover lost strength. In addition, the mineral magnesium is also a natural
painkiller.
While much of conventional modern medicine is aimed at attacking
the visible cancer, this nutritional therapy is geared at not only cleaning out
the cancers from the inside but reducing the body’s exposure to known toxins.
With this diligent omission of toxins in our foods, and the additional help
from healing elements in organic foods, vitamins, and minerals, the body can be
released from the continual stress of being poisoned and is free to heal. There
are many surprising and valuable properties in these organic foods and
supplements. One example of this is the vitamin B6 of the vitamin
B-Complex, which, in addition to quercetin, the flavonoids, and omega-3 fatty acids, has been found to be
indispensable for detoxifying the hormone estrogen.
The combined and concerted effort at healing and detoxification
from this significant nutritional research is now available to us, enabling
those suffering from cancer to educate themselves and
heal, designing for themselves the rewards of a true and long-lasting recovery.
Conjunctivitis is a very dangerous condition. If left untreated,
it can lead to retinal ulcers and possibly blindness. It is extremely
contagious. Yet it can be quickly relieved using a very old fashioned, and
successful, remedy. This remedy is also good for sties. Here it is:
In a clean stainless steel pot or bowl, put about 2 cups of
lukewarm water. In this water, put ½ cup apple cider vinegar. Take a clean
cotton ball or soft cloth and immerse in the apple cider vinegar/water solution
for about 1-2 minutes. Gently ring out, leaving an appreciable amount of liquid
still in the cotton ball or cloth.
Keeping your eyes closed, wash your
eyelids carefully with your wet cloth. Wash your eyebrows, and your entire
upper face (forehead, temples, nose and bridge of nose, eye sockets). Make sure
that your eyes are closed all the while you are doing this. Your eyes and even
your eyelids should begin to sting a bit, even though you have kept your eyes
closed. Conjunctivitis is a serious and aggressive virus. It not only attacks
the corners of the eyes, it also spreads onto the eyelids and onto the skin
around the eye near the nose. All these areas will start to sting from the
solution. When this happens, you know that the virus is being destroyed. Apple
cider vinegar is a very potent anti-viral phyto-medicinal.
This is easy, inexpensive, non-toxic, and one of the most successful cures for
this disease. Continue applying this solution to the eyes and the upper part of
the face throughout the day. Wash your hands if you touch your eyes at any
time.
For very stubborn cases of conjunctivitis, we suggest a bath in
apple cider vinegar. Fill the bath with water, whatever temperature you prefer,
and add to this 2-3 cups of apple cider vinegar. Soak
the entire body, submerging the head repeatedly. Open the eyes under water and
roll the eyes while under water. For babies and young children, splash and
dribble this bath water onto their faces, or wash their entire face with a
sopping wet washcloth from the bath (try to encourage them to ‘swim’ under the
water with their eyes closed. Because they are so young, they don’t need to
open their eyes in this bath). A full body bath will also remove any
conjunctivitis virus germs from the hair and other parts of the body. After the
bath, continue to wash the face every hour or so with an apple cider
vinegar/water soaked washcloth. Continue throughout the day until the disease
has gone (about 3-4 days at most).
Make sure to use freshly cleaned towels and dress in clean
clothes after the bath. Wash your hands if you touch clothes warn before the
bath. Wash all pillowslips, bed sheets, clothing, and bed covers in water and
vinegar (1-2 cups regular grain vinegar per washing machine load can be used
for the laundry. No need to use apple cider vinegar for laundry). Remember to
wash any eyeglasses and sun glasses in this vinegar and water solution. This
will help to kill any remaining virus germs. It is important to do this
thorough cleaning, because conjunctivitis germs can re-infect the eyes if
allowed to remain on clothes, bedding, and household items. In addition, wash all
baby and children’s toys with the vinegar solution as well.
With regards to the nutrients necessary to combat
conjunctivitis, the following is an excerpt from “The Complete Book Of Vitamins” (Rodale Press 1984):
“…A researcher from the Netherlands, O.P.van
Bijsterveld, M.D., Ph.D,
has found that vitamin B6 may be an important nutritional factor in
conjunctivitis, an infection of the delicate membrane which lines the eyelids
and covers the eyeballs. Dr. van Bijsterveld
discovered that organisms known to cause conjunctivitis survived from 30 to 37
percent longer on the conjunctiva of animals deficient in vitamin B6. His
research revealed that the B6-deficient animals had a reduced tear flow. Dr.
Van Bijsterveld said that the longer survival rate
for the infectious organisms was the result of a decreased tear flow. And the
reduction in tear flow was due to a deficiency of vitamin B6….”
The vitamins, minerals, and foods you will want to include daily
in the diet are the following:
Vitamin A (from a vegetarian
source): 15,000 I.U. for infants and children, 30,000 I.U. for adults.
Vitamin B Complex
(vegetarian): 5-10 mg. for infants and children, 20-50 mg. for adults.
Vitamin B6: 50 mg. for
adults, 20 mg. for infants and children
Vitamin C: 500 mg. for infants
and young children, 1,000 mg. for adults.
This is the most natural, non-toxic, least expensive, and most
successful way we know of to cure conjunctivitis. We think you will
agree.
As with other emotional conditions, depression is viewed by
contemporary psychiatry, as well as the general population, as having emotional
and psychological origin, requiring strong medication to keep frightening and
often dangerous symptoms at bay. Nonetheless, in the field of nutrition, many
orthomolecular and nutritionally minded doctors and psychiatrists feel that
depression, in many instances, is actually the result of nutritional
deficiencies, nutritional dependencies, and cerebral allergies to food. There
are many toxins nowadays in foods, and sensitivities to these and other elements
in the diet can definitely cause both depression and hostility, which often
coincide. Many of these foods are so thoroughly incorporated into the diet that
it is often impossible to think of a meal without them, but they are known to
cause havoc with both the emotions and the hormones. It is wise to educate
ourselves about them, and avoid them once we are aware of what they are.
According to Adelle Davis, in her book
“Let’s Eat Right To Keep Fit” (Signet Books, l970) the
mineral magnesium plays a major role in a person’s disposition. She writes:
“…Persons only slightly deficient in magnesium become irritable,
high-strung, sensitive to noise, hyperexcitable,
apprehensive, and belligerent. If the deficiency is more severe, or prolonged,
they may develop twitching tremors, irregular pulse, insomnia, muscle weakness,
jerkiness, and leg and foot cramps: their hands may shake so badly that their
writing becomes illegible. Electroencephalograms, electrocardiograms, and electromyograms, or the records of electrical waves in the
brain, heart, and muscles, all become abnormal. If magnesium is severely
deficient, the brain is particularly affected. Clouded thinking, confusion,
disorientation, marked depression, and even the terrifying
hallucinations of delirium tremens are largely brought on by a lack of this
nutrient and remedied when magnesium is given….Fortunately, improvement is
usually dramatic…..as shown by a medical report of a 68 year old man who
suffered from a magnesium deficiency brought on by diarrhea. For nine days [he]
had been irrational, disoriented, confused, noisy, combative, and wildly
restless…only hours after a half teaspoon of Epson salts, or magnesium sulfate,
had been given him, he was free from all symptoms and a delightful gentleman…”
A note of caution here: According to our research, the
mineral calcium competes with magnesium. So if someone is taking in too much
calcium by eating large amounts of milk/dairy products, fish with bones, juices
or cereals enriched with added calcium, or taking calcium supplements, they
need to be aware that high amounts of calcium will create a magnesium
deficiency. Our current obsession with calcium supplementation might be
creating an even more acute magnesium deficiency than most people already have.
It is very difficult to get adequate amounts of magnesium from
foods, due to the fact that foods rich in magnesium (which include nuts and
seeds, cooked beans and legumes) are not eaten very often. Leafy greens should
be an adequate source if they are grown in highly composted organic soil. But
because chemical fertilizers have become a worldwide practice, magnesium
deficiency has become an epidemic. Adelle Davis
further writes: “….whenever chemical fertilizers are used, especially if
the soil is limed, the moisture in the ground quickly becomes so saturated with
the readily soluble fertilizers that magnesium cannot be absorbed …”
In addition to magnesium, a lack in any one of the B vitamins
can cause depression, as well. In her book ‘Let’s Get Well’ (Signet Books,
1965, page 274) Adelle Davis goes on to
state, “…in dozens of experiments men and women volunteers remained on
diets lacking one or another of the B vitamins…... individuals undersupplied
with vitamin B1 quickly became fatigued, depressed, forgetful, irritable,
quarrelsome, apathetic, confused, restless, anxious, and uncooperative; they
neglected their work and appearance, became intolerant of details and noise,
and suffered from insomnia, nervousness, paranoid tendencies, and hypochondriasis, all of which were relieved soon after the
vitamin was given…..A lack of the B vitamin niacin amide results in such
confusion, disorientation, clouding of consciousness, and hallucinations that
it can cause total mental breakdown…..mild deficiencies, associated with
irritability, suspiciousness, imaginary unfairness, and mental depression,
usually described as “the blues,” are common and can prevent family life
from being happy….Induced pantothenic-acid
deficiencies have caused persons to become irritable, depressed, quarrelsome,
hot-tempered, easily upset over trivialities, and to want to be left alone.
Similarly, volunteers lacking vitamin B6, not only became highly nervous,
tense, irritable, depressed, and mentally confused, but developed halitosis and
hemorrhoids…..Fatigue, confusion, irritability, and mental depression have also
occurred when deficiencies of folic acid or biotin have been produced. The lack
of B vitamins is so commonplace as to affect almost every American family not
interested in nutrition. It can wreck a once-good marriage and leave parents
not only unable to be loving, kind, and patient toward each other but also
quick with harsh words, which cause permanent emotional scarring of their
children…..”.
It is easy to see how the current national epidemic of
depression and the corresponding epidemic of psychiatric and anti-depressant
pharmaceuticals (please see our section on Mental Illness) might have its origin in poor nutrition. Nutritionally
correcting this disease should be priority.
The following Kosher vegetarian vitamins and minerals are
essential. They are easily obtainable. The following dosages are for adults.
Children’s dosages are half those of adults:
Vegetarian
B-Complex: 20 mg. up to 2X daily
Magnesium:
450 mg. 2X daily
Vitamin A:
15,000 I.U. 2X daily
Vitamin E: 800
I.U. daily
Vitamin C: 1000-2000 mg
daily
Vitamin B6: 50 mg. once
every other day
In addition to the above, the following link might be helpful:
Foods to include for
depression are the following:
Peppermint, spearmint, dandelion root, corn silk, and green tea
with sugar are soothing and good choices. Avoid caffeine, as it can overstimulate the nervous system and cause depression.
Don’t be afraid of sugar. Studies have shown that natural sugar with no
additives or preservatives, or coloring agents, can help lessen depression.
Sweeten with organic raw sugar. Avoid all artificial sugars, as these
have been known to interfere with cellular function and can damage the nervous
system.
Organic whole grain breads, toast, crackers, whole grain
basmati, brown, and white rice, oatmeal, kasha, whole wheat products, salad
greens, and raw, steamed, or stir fried vegetables should become your staple.
Studies have shown that organic onions are a natural diuretic and will keep
blood sugar stable, which is necessary for emotional health. Organic cold-pressed
oil, lemons, and vinegars are valuable as dressings. Avoid added salt and high
sodium foods. Sodium will also increase the appetite and create water retention
and headaches.
Organic whole fruits, whole fruit preserves (no artificial
sweeteners added) whole fruit purees, ices, slurpees,
frozen whole fruits, etc. Whole fruits have lots of sugar and will help your
body feel satiated.
If you desire, include a very small amount of protein in the
form of organic dairy, eggs, meats, nuts, seeds, and legumes combined with
greens or a salad every day or every other day. Excess protein (see our segment
on Aging) creates toxins that can interfere with emotional health.
In addition, it is wise to omit the following foods and food
derivatives if you are suffering from depression. Many of these substances are
artificial in nature and can interfere with your own hormone and glandular
balance. Many are toxic and can impede healthy brain and emotional function.
They are mostly unnatural additives and will play havoc with both your glands
and general functioning of the body:
Diligently avoid all
artificial sweeteners, preservatives, chemical additives, food dye colorings,
artificial flavorings, nitrites and nitrates, sulphur
dioxides and bleached flours. Check all labels. Omit all over the counter
drugs, including laxatives, diuretics, diet pills, all pain killers and
aspirins. Stay away from adding salt and high sodium foods. Sodium causes
headaches and retains fluids, and can often increase the appetite and
contribute to depression, as well. None of these should ever be part of your
diet, and they should be avoided at all cost. Keeping your whole grains, fruits,
vegetables, and plant proteins organic (grown without pesticides) will prevent
additional poisons from being absorbed by the body, as well.
Appetite stimulants in meats can be additional problems. Much depression
is brought on by overweight or overeating, as physical attractiveness plays a
large role in our self-esteem (see our additional segment on Overweight/Obesity above). The following information might be valuable if
overweight and overeating are contributing to your depression:
One of the things we have discovered in our research is that hormones
and drugs that increase appetite and weight are routinely given to farm
animals. And that we are eating these same appetite stimulants in the food
chain. That means that if farm-raised animals are being given hormones and
drugs to increase their weight/size so the farmer has a bigger profit, we are
also consuming these same weight/appetite stimulants when we eat these animal
foods or derivatives.
The following farm animals are those generally raised with
appetite stimulants:
All non-organically farm raised cows (beef), calves (veal),
sheep (mutton), goat, lamb, pig, duck, bison, chicken, turkey, capon, hens.
Avoid non-organic ingredients and derivatives of these foods.
All non-organically raised dairy cows,
goats, and sheep. Don’t
consume non-organic milk, cheese, butter, dairy products and their derivatives.
All non-organically raised poultry
(chickens, quail, etc.) for eggs.
Avoid non-organic eggs, egg derivatives and foods made with non-organic eggs.
All farm-raised fish and seafood.
There are additional natural estrogens in plant foods you should
be aware of:
All soy and soy products. All tofu. All beans
and legumes. All peanuts. Coconut
milk and coconut meat. These plant foods have natural phyto-estrogens that are found in nature. The reason they
are listed here is that estrogen in general is an appetite stimulant and can
contribute to problems with control over appetite and weight gain.
Depression is a serious medical condition. It can wreck havoc
with family and friends, education and career. It can go on to create broken
family relations, social isolation, poverty, and even homelessness. While
psychologists and psychiatrists seek to treat patients with medication, which
often proves inadequate, we at A Perfect Healing, Inc. believe that nutritional
healing and education using food, vitamins, minerals, and phyto-medicinal
therapy holds the most genuine possibility for a complete and rewarding
recovery.
Diabetes is a virtual epidemic in the United States. While the
disease has almost no history in cultures where native, earth-based (primitive)
diets are maintained, practices such as the milling of grains, excessive
protein and baked products in the diet, additives, preservatives, and the
bleaching of flour and sugar have all made diabetes one of the most tragic
diseases of modern times. Diabetes is a major cause of kidney (renal) failure
(please see our section on Kidney Disease), whole limb amputations,
diabetic retinopathy (blindness), cardiovascular and heart disease. This is
truly a tragedy, because our research has confirmed that diabetes is both
relatively easy to prevent, and knowing what foods to include and avoid, is
also relatively easy to cure.
Because recovery depends on diet, and because the foods that
cause diabetes are so abundant and available in modern society, we believe that
real health for most diabetics is somewhat remote. But the true seeker of
recovery and health will be willing to take this research seriously and
sacrifice the foods contributing to the illness. If applied diligently, we
believe this information can be instrumental in a true restoration of healing
and health.
To begin with, our research has revealed that a great many foods
contain natural insulin and even have restorative powers for the pancreas to
heal. These are the foods you will need to include, sometimes many times daily.
Other foods and toxins in the diet have been found to seriously damage the
pancreas, release toxins and poisons in the body during digestion. These are
the foods you will need to avoid. And you will need to educate yourself about farming
practices in much of the world, which have added many toxins that continue to
damage our bodies. But you will realize that healing is not only probable, it
is possible, armed with this information and a desire to heal.
In his book How To Get Well (Health
Plus Publishers, 1974), Paavo Airola
points out that the current overabundance of protein in the diet is one of the
major causes of diabetes. Contrary to the popular belief that protein is
necessary to inhibit hyperglycemia, the high blood sugar that the diabetic must
avoid, protein is one of the major causes of this disease. Ammonia, a lethal
substance to cell structure and one of the major causes of tissue destruction
and deterioration, is a by-product of protein metabolism. Once the pancreas is weakened
and diseased by this ammonia it loses the ability to patrol and redirect blood
sugar into the cells. Sugar remains in the blood where it is useless, denying
the cells their essential nourishment. Nutrients and antibodies can’t nourish
the body, leaving extremities, injuries, and infections without the ability to
heal. The following is an excerpt from his book:
“…. The metabolism of proteins consumed in excess of the
actual need leaves toxic residues of metabolic wastes in tissues, causes auto toxemia,
over-acidity and nutritional deficiencies, accumulation of uric acid and purines in the tissues, intestinal putrefaction, and
contributes to the development of many of our most common and serious diseases,
such as arthritis, kidney damage, pyorrhea, schizophrenia, osteoporosis,
arteriosclerosis, heart disease and cancer…Recently, Dr. Willard J. Visek, of Cornell University, implicated a high protein
diet in the development of cancer. Ammonia, which is produced in great
amounts as the by-product of meat metabolism, is highly carcinogenic and can
cause cancer development. A high protein diet also breaks down the pancreas
and lowers resistance to cancer, as well as contributes to the development of
diabetes…”…Dr. Ph. Schwarz, of Frankfort University, in Germany, and Dr.
Ralph Bircher, a famous biochemist from Zurich, Switzerland, report that the
aging process is triggered by amyloid, a
by-product of protein metabolism, which is deposited in all the connective
tissues and causes tissue and organ degeneration….”
It is well known that the greater part of the 20th
century has seen, among the developing countries, a tremendous increase in the
availability of protein foods, particularly dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish and
meat, due to major advancements in technology, particularly freezers and
refrigeration. This has been directly paralleled by an epidemic of major
degenerative diseases, diabetes being one of the most prevalent. Is would be
wise to take these studies seriously, and rethink our obsession with protein.
In addition to this, there are currently so many toxins and weight
gain/appetite stimulants added to animal feed that you will want to avoid most
foods derived from animals due to these unnatural and shocking farming
practices (see Overweight/Obesity in Diseases and Conditions above).
The following is from Adelle Davis in
her ‘Let’s Get Well’ (1965):
“…. Diabetic patients have improved remarkably and many have
been taken entirely off insulin when 300 to 600 units of natural
(d-Alpha tocopherol) vitamin E have been given daily.
Furthermore, this vitamin has been particularly helpful to persons with
diabetic gangrene and other complications arising from arteriosclerosis.
Results have been especially striking when 3 tablespoons or more of lecithin
were taken daily with vitamin E. Natural insulin production has been increased
by giving patients vitamin B1, vitamin C, unusually large amounts of protein, pantothenic acid, and small, frequent meals each containing
some carbohydrate….Immediately after diabetes has been diagnosed, the diet
should be made so completely adequate that no possible deficiency can exist. As
long as any pancreatic cells are able to produce insulin, the emphasis should
be on keeping the cells healthy and on helping them to increase insulin
production. The conclusion that diabetes is permanent is justified only when
the insulin producing cells have been largely or completely destroyed…. which
is often not accurately seen…”
According to our research, particular emphasis should be on
onions, green beans, cucumbers and Kirby’s, all foods containing natural
insulin. These particular vegetables should accompany every meal. Kasha
(roasted buckwheat) is particularly essential, and should also be eaten on a
daily basis. Buckwheat contains rutin, a nutrient
that has been shown to both lower blood sugar and improve capillary health.
Please see our favorite link for kasha at:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=11#healthbenefits
The following vegetarian supplements should be included daily in
your recovery from diabetes:
Magnesium: 800-mg. daily, adults/450 mg. daily, children
and infants
Vitamin E: 600 I.U. daily, aduls/400
I.U. daily, children. Make sure it says ‘Natural Vitamin E’ on label (d-Alpha,
not dl-Alpha)
Lecithin: 3-5 Tablespoons daily, adults/2-3 Tablespoons
daily, children
Vitamin/Mineral Supplement: we recommend Solgar
V/M75 (green band on bottom of front label)
Vitamin C: 1000 mg. daily, adults / 500 mg. daily, children
A healing diet for diabetes should consist of whole grains
(whole grain kasha/buckwheat, organic brown, brown basmati and white basmati
rice, whole wheat, oatmeal, millet, etc.); raw, steamed, or cooked vegetables;
salads in abundance (with emphasis on raw and cooked onions, string beans,
cucumbers, Kirby’s, red and green peppers, and celery); eggs, legumes, seeds,
and nuts. Limit meat, fish and dairy to once or twice weekly.
We have also discovered first-cold pressed olive oil to be beneficial
and stimulating to the pancreas. The vinegars (apple cider, Balsamic, grain,
etc) are also a beneficial addition in the diet, having the ability to break
down and lower the glycemic index of sugars eaten at
the same meal. Both olive oil and vinegar of your choice should also accompany
every meal. Make your own salad and grain dressings using olive oil, vinegar,
and lemon. Avoid prepared, store bought dressings, which often contain high
sodium, preservatives, colors, and other toxins.
Foods and additives to avoid include all artificial sweeteners,
preservatives, chemical additives, food dye colorings, artificial flavorings,
nitrites and nitrates, sulphur dioxides and bleached
flours. Check all labels. Omit all over the counter drugs, including laxatives,
diuretics, diet pills, all pain killers and aspirins (magnesium is a natural
headache reliever and pain-killer). Stay away from adding salt and high sodium
foods. Sodium causes headaches and retains fluids, and can often increase the
appetite, as well.
Keeping your whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and proteins
organic (grown without pesticides or hormones) will prevent additional poisons
from being absorbed by the body.
Avoid all foods containing added iron. Additional iron depletes the
body of Vitamin E. Vitamin E is essential for capillary health, particularly
the minute capillaries that nourish the pancreas and other vital organs.
While real recovery in diabetes might involve a major life
change by adapting to a diet not currently popular with modern medicine, you
will see healing by your own hands. By being in charge of our own bodies, and
ultimately our own recoveries, we can create the ordinary out of what now seems
miraculous. Diseases now deemed incurable and chronic can be reversed and
damaged bodies healed. Armed with the proper education and information about
nutrition, we can determine for ourselves the outcome of our own disease.
Contrary to popular belief, there are natural vitamins,
minerals, and foods that can definitely lessen and possibly even alleviate
completely the discomfort of withdrawal from drugs, cigarettes, and even food
addiction. One of the more interesting websites we discovered in our research
on drug addiction was from a group who believes in natural treatments of mental
illness. Their website is www.alternativementalhealth.com Even though much drug addiction is caused by the drug itself
from certain addictive properties within the drugs, reasons for using drugs,
cigarettes, and foods as comforting agents may stem from symptoms resembling
mental disorders. This website addresses all these things. The following is
what they say about themselves:
“….www.alternativementalhealth.com is the largest website devoted exclusively to alternative
mental health treatments. It includes a directory of 200 physicians,
nutritionists, experts, organizations, and facilities around the U.S. that
offer or promote safe, alternative treatments for severe mental symptoms. Many
of the physicians listed do in-depth examinations to find the physical causes
behind mental problems.
Also included on the site is an array of articles on topics
ranging from the medical causes of schizophrenia to the effects of toxic metals
on mental health.
A bookstore page lists top books that cover many areas of
alternative treatments with titles like Natural Healing for Schizophrenia and
Other Common Mental Disorders and No More Ritalin.
www.alternativementalhealth.com has been created to educate the public, practitioners, and
government officials on the medical conditions that create "mental
illness" and the many safe resources available for addressing and often
curing severe mental symptoms…”
On this website, you will be able to find nutritional and
natural alternatives to drugs for everything from anxiety to severe emotional
phobias. They address the nutritional issues of people attempting withdrawal
from both pharmaceutically prescribed and street drugs. It is a wonderful
website and we recommend it.
If you are suffering from anxiety, you might want to visit our
section on Anxiety for additional tips.
In addition, the following nutritional supplements are known to
lessen the severity of withdrawal:
Vitamin C is essential in cleansing toxins from the body. It
will remove the drugs and residues of drugs in a fraction of the time than
would be possible by regular detoxing. We recommend
1000 mg. 3 times a day.
Magnesium is essential for heart health and to decrease pain and
anxiety. It is also crucial during detox. The stress
of detox can cause cardiac arrest in susceptible
people. Any individual going through withdrawal needs 600-800 mg. magnesium
daily.
The B complex vitamins are also necessary for heart health and
to relieve pain and anxiety. They can reduce cravings and can alleviate the
severe depression that usually accompanies withdrawal from any drug or
addictive substance. We recommend 50 mg. of vegetarian vitamin B-complex
twice a day during the first few days of withdrawal. Continue with 25 mg. daily
for as long as cravings last (you can take 25 mg. of vitamin B complex daily
indefinitely.)
All these nutritional supplements should be taken daily for at
least 1 year to prevent recurring cravings. We recommend them daily as a
lifelong therapy.
Please see either Anorexia/Bulimarexia
or Overweight/Obesity in A Perfect Healing, Inc.’s Diseases and Conditions
above.
Most people don’t realize that epilepsy is an extremely serious
disease. Years ago, epileptics were forbidden to marry or drive a car. Many
were hospitalized indefinitely due to the seizures being considered a form of
mental illness (which it is not). During an epileptic seizure, there is a
serious danger of trauma to the head. Many fatalities have occurred simply from
severe head injury while falling without assistance during a seizure. To make
matters worse, the medications given to stop these seizures have so many
uncomfortable side effects that many epileptics avoid these drugs altogether,
making them even more susceptible to both recurrent seizures and
life-threatening accidents.
According to Rodale’s ‘The Complete Book of Minerals for Health’
(Sharon Faelten, 1981) deficiencies in the mineral
manganese and the B vitamin choline may play pivotal
roles in causing a nutritional imbalance that causes epilepsy. The following is
an excerpt from this book:
Manganese’s special power to modulate neurotransmitter activity
holds forth hope for control of certain nerve-muscle disorders. Low manganese
may trigger epilepsy, according to Yukio Tanaka, Ph.D., at St. Mary’s Hospital
in Montreal, and Claire DuPont, M.D., PhD., of the
department of biochemistry at Montreal Children’s Hospital in Quebec, Canada.
Epilepsy is characterized by episodes of uncontrollable muscular convulsions or
lapses in mental function or both. Nerve-muscle communication is not quite
right. Both manganese and choline (a B vitamin)
deficiencies are believed to interfere with nerve cell membrane stability, and
that could be responsible to setting off seizures in some people. Raising blood
manganese to normal could possibly control the seizures, suggest Drs. Tanaka
and DuPont. Their work with epilepsy in people stems from the observation that
manganese deficiency results in loss of muscle control in animals, and seizures
in rats born to manganese-deficient mothers.
In addition to this, research has revealed that magnesium, also
essential in nerve-muscle health, is often seriously undersupplied and
deficient in the general population. This deficiency is particularly dangerous
to persons susceptible to epilepsy. According to Paavo
Airola, N.D., Ph.D. (How To Get Well, 1974) “the diet
must be adequate in magnesium-rich foods, supplemented with magnesium
supplements, as magnesium deficiency has been shown to be involved in
epilepsy”. With this in mind, epileptics should become conscientious about the
current obsession with calcium, as calcium competes and interferes directly
with magnesium absorption. Foods supplemented with calcium, as well as high
calcium vitamins and so on, can make it harder for the epileptic to retain
magnesium, even if he or she begins to supplement the diet with this essential
mineral.
Further studies by Adelle Davis (Let’s
Get Well, 1965) revealed a serious and complicated B-6 deficiency in epilepsy,
as she states in her research:
Convulsions apparently identical to epilepsy have been produced
in many species of animals and in infants and adults by a lack of vitamin B-6. Almost
25 years ago, the late Dr. Tom Spies gave vitamin B-6 to persons subject to
epilepsy and achieved excellent results. More recently a well-known proprietary
baby formula contained so little vitamin B-6 that more than 300 infants given
it developed severe convulsions, an inexcusable tragedy which could have been
prevented had the formula been tested on animals before being marketed or had
physicians who gave it checked its vitamin B-6 content……Streptomycin, which
appears to destroy vitamin B-6 or perhaps increases the need for it, has also
caused epileptic-like convulsions in children.
In addition to vitamin B-6, Ms. Davis reiterates the fundamental
need for the essential mineral magnesium:
The results to giving persons with epilepsy adequate magnesium
have been more than consistently favorable. Thirty epileptic children, all
previously on anticonvulsant drugs, were given 450 milligrams of magnesium
daily by mouth, and the drugs were discontinued. A 13-year old boy who had had
epilepsy for ten years was extremely depressed, showed signs of mental
retardation, and his seizures could not be prevented by drugs. After receiving
magnesium, his epilepsy disappeared and he became mentally alert. Muscle
biopsies of babies who developed convulsions resulting from magnesium losses
through diarrhea showed only half of the normal magnesium content. These
infants also had intermittent foot and wrist spasms, rigidity of the back and
neck, and tremors of the arms and legs, all of which became worse when water,
given to overcome dehydration, diluted their magnesium supply. As soon as 500
milligrams of this nutrient was given them, all symptoms promptly disappeared.
Because of a high calcium intake, infants are especially subject to a magnesium
deficiency.
Because both diseases affect brain health, our segment on Alzheimer’s
Disease is important
reading for anyone suffering from epilepsy. Choline
has been discovered to be essential to brain health, and the following segment
might be very helpful:
There is new and exciting evidence that the vitamin choline, which is a component of lecithin, is particularly
responsible for brain health. When choline is
generously supplied in the diet, it helps prevent a breakdown of acetylcholine,
a brain chemical neurotransmitter that is essential in cognition and reasoning.
People suffering from (epilepsy and) Alzheimer’s are known to have a deficiency
in acetylcholine. There are foods that both supply choline
and inhibit the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain. Both types of foods
are now seen as essential in the battle to both prevent and hopefully reverse
the symptoms of epilepsy and other brain disorders, such as autism and
Alzheimer’s disease.
Foods that directly provide choline
are eggs and wheat germ. Including liberal amounts of both in the diet will be
a start in reclaiming health. Even though egg whites are high in protein, the choline content in egg yolk is essential for people who
enjoy eggs. Liberal inclusion of eggs in the diet of (epileptic and)
Alzheimer’s patients might prove essential. Eating eggs with onions has
been shown to be of no danger to those concerned with heart or cardiovascular
disease (please see our segment on ‘Heart Disease‘). Wheat germ and foods baked with liberal amounts of wheat
germ will also supply adequate amounts of choline,
provided they are eaten on a daily basis. Patients sensitive to eggs, wheat, or
having gluten intolerance can rely on whole grain brown rice, legumes, and take
supplements in the form of choline or lecithin. These
supplements are often derived from soy.
Include liberal amounts of olive oil, which has been shown in
much research to improve capillary health. Capillary health, particularly
healing within the minute capillaries of the brain, is essential in recovery
from brain disorders such as epilepsy. Vitamin E and magnesium are also
necessary for brain capillary health.
According to James A. Duke, Ph.D. in his book ‘The Green
Pharmacy’ certain herbs are also valuable for the retention of acetylcholine.
Herbs such as horsebalm and rosemary not only help
preserve acetylcholine, but are also known to be absorbed through the skin.
Shampoos, soaps and creams that contain these herbs might prove to be as
effective as including them in the diet.
Recommendations for nutritional healing in epilepsy include the
following daily vegetarian supplements:
Magnesium: 800 mg. per day for adolescents and adults, 500 mg.
per day for children
Vitamin B-Complex: 50 mg. per day for adolescents and adults,
20 mg. per day for children
Lecithin: 2-3 tablespoons, twice-daily adults, once daily
children
Vitamin E: 800 I.U. daily, adults/ 400 I.U. daily, children
Manganese: 20 mg. per day for adolescents and adults, 10 mg. per
day for children
In addition to these supplements, it is always wise to avoid all
foods with artificial colors, artificial sweeteners (particularly Nutrasweet), preservatives, animal products grown in
factory farms with hormones and antibiotics, and non-organic fruits and
vegetables. Eat lots of high magnesium, high manganese, and high vitamin B-6
foods, which include whole (organic) oatmeal, whole wheat and grains, roasted
buckwheat (Kasha), brown rice, legumes, nuts, seeds, blueberries, oranges,
bananas, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens. Avoid all air-born allergens, as in
pesticides and toxic fumes, as these might be responsible for triggering off a
seizure. Avoid carpet-cleaning detergents and insecticides, as these are a
particular indoor hazard. Avoid all multi-vitamins or any supplements
containing added iron. Iron depletes vitamin E in the body. Vitamin E is
essential for brain and cardiovascular capillary health.
Gluten intolerance might yet prove to be an issue in epilepsy. New
studies are showing that gluten intolerance is responsible for faulty nerve
interaction and brain activity (see Gluten
Intolerance). In addition to the
above suggestions, try a gluten-free diet as an additional preventative and
dietary aid. Gluten is an inherent component of most grains, such as wheat,
oats, rye, barley, and spelt. Avoid all foods, food products, and prepared
foods containing these ingredients. Supplement your diet with the gluten-free
grains that contain high levels of manganese, vitamin B-6, and magnesium, such
as (organic) whole grain rice, and especially kasha (roasted buckwheat). These
are nutritionally powerful and excellent choices.
According to all our research, the first thing an individual
with heart disease should do is to include lots of onions in the diet. In study
after study, onions and other members of the allium
family, such as leeks, shallots, and scallions, contain hundreds of compounds
that provide serious protection and recovery from heart disease.
Onions are loaded with the flavonoid quercetin, a life saving ingredient that prevents
cholesterol from sticking to artery walls. Quercetin
helps prevent platelets in blood from sticking together and forming harmful
clots. Either raw or cooked, onions act as an anticoagulant, helping prevent
the blood from forming into life-threatening clots within the arteries. And a
diet rich in onions will actually help dissolve clots that have already formed.
In a remarkable study in India, volunteers were fed fat-rich
meals heavy in butter, cream and eggs, exactly the kind of diet that quickly
raises cholesterol levels and increases the danger of blood clotting. Shortly
after the meal, the participants were given a mere two to three ounces of raw
onions. The cholesterol that had been raised by the fats before the onions were
given was quickly brought under control and the clotting tendency reversed.
Both raw and cooked onions performed a similar remarkable transformation on the
blood. Additional studies revealed that including onions during a high fat meal
has a profound effect on blood cholesterol by raising the beneficial
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol while lowering the harmful low-density
lipoprotein cholesterol, the kind that blocks arteries and raises the risk of
heart disease.
Olive oil is another essential weapon in the war against heart
disease. Studies have shown that countries with the lowest rates of
cardiovascular disease use lots of olive oil. In the United States and Finland
– two countries that have the highest rates of deaths from heart attacks -
saturated fats and hydrogenated cooking fats like margarine predominate. These
fats are extremely toxic to the heart and are the major culprits in the soaring
heart attack and cardiovascular disease rate in these countries.
Olive oil has been shown, like onions, to raise the beneficial
HDL in the blood while lowering the harmful LDL. Physicians in Spain give heart
surgery patients four to five tablespoons of olive oil per day as part of their
recovery.
There is a serious problem with the current trend to omit eggs
for heart disease patients. The egg, and specifically the egg yolk, is one of
the best and most readily absorbable sources of lecithin. Lecithin is crucial
in the breakdown and assimilation of cholesterol, preventing it from
accumulating in the veins and arteries and instead being distributed properly
throughout the cells where it is necessary and beneficial. It keeps cholesterol
in tiny particles, which can readily pass into the tissues to be beneficially
utilized. Egg yolk is the most reliable source of choline,
one of the major components of lecithin. A deficiency of choline
allows cholesterol to clog arteries throughout the body.
The following is an excerpt from Adelle
Davis’ “Let’s Eat Right To Keep Fit” p. 74 (Signet,
l988) about the effects of a choline deficiency on
high blood pressure, one of the most dangerous complications of heart disease:
Because high blood pressure is produced in animals by a choline-deficient diet, a study was made of 158 persons
whose blood pressure was so dangerously high that several had suffered strokes
and/or hemorrhages in the eyes: others had nephritis. Each of these individuals
had long been on various medications without improvement; therefore all drugs
were stopped and choline was given, though otherwise
the diet was unchanged. Headaches, dizziness, ear noises, awareness of
heartbeat, and constipation improved or completely disappeared within five to
ten days. By the end of three weeks the blood pressure had dropped in every
case, in many to a normal level. Other improvements followed gradually:
patients reported sleeping better, water retention, when it had been present,
no longer occurred, visual disturbances were relieved, blood vessels dilated
and the work of the heart was greatly decreased. If choline
was discontinued, however, the blood pressure again soared to above normal and
all the other symptoms recurred.
Food sources of this essential nutrient, along with lecithin,
have been either severely restricted or entirely omitted in heart disease
diets. The most abundant food sources for lecithin, choline,
and inositol (both essential components of lecithin)
are in eggs and wheat germ. Organic eggs, or eggs from vegetarian raised chickens,
three to four a day, would adequately supply the life saving lecithin needed to
assimilate the cholesterol in the body. One-half to one full cup wheat germ
daily would supply a similar amount of lecithin and particularly choline. These two food sources are so essential that the
lack of them in the diet may well be the reason we are having such a hard time
with our national epidemic of heart disease, soaring high blood pressure and
high cholesterol rates. And, as stated above, other food sources like onions
and olive oil that are now known to help decrease the damaging LDL in the blood
could beneficially complement high fat foods like eggs. It is our guess that
liberal amounts of eggs, and wheat germ, could and should be re-evaluated and
included back into a heart-healthy diet.
Other studies site a lack of potassium, magnesium, the B-complex
vitamins, vitamin E and vitamin A as all conducive to both heart disease and
deaths from both heart attack and stroke. Potassium in particular has been
shown to be severely deficient in heart attack victims, most probably due to
the national saturation of sodium and high salt/sodium additives in the daily
diet. Magnesium is essential for proper heart muscle contraction, yet foods
with adequate amounts of magnesium are severely lacking in the national diet.
Unsalted whole grains, seeds, nuts, unprocessed organic vegetables and fruits,
wheat germ, unprocessed and organic whole grain cereals will provide these two
essential nutrients (potassium and magnesium), yet these foods are usually not
preferred by and large by heart disease patients.
The following vegetarian vitamins, minerals and food supplements
are crucial in healing the heart:
Vitamin A: 15,000 I.U. daily, adults/10,000 I.U.
children
Vitamin E: 600-800 I.U. daily, adults/200-400 I.U. children
Magnesium: 600 mg. daily, adults/400 mg. daily, children
Lecithin: 2-3 Tablespoons, adults/1-2 tablespoons,
children
B-complex: 50 mg. daily, adults/20 mg. daily, children