My goal is to lighten the load on my immune system, digestive system, glandular system, and all of my disease/drug stressed organs.
I feel that it is absolutely essential to reduce and preferably eliminate as many of these substances from your life as quickly as possible. This may be very stressful, as many of them are foods you may have eaten for your entire life, and you receive comfort from them, and quite realistically do not see the connection between eating them and your illness.
In this limited space, I have only been able to provide a few examples and a very limited statement as to why these substances are toxic to you. For additional information, please refer to the References Section.
If you are thinking that "I have been eating these foods and doing these things my entire life, and they have never harmed me", please consider the following.
"If you continue to do what you have always done, will you
not get the results you have always gotten?"
You are sick now. This is the result you have gotten. Something has caused your illness. Are you willing to consider that it is something within your control, that you can change and do something about?
Because:
Heating any oil over 212 F changes it's molecular structure, making it unstable and a source of 'free radicals.' In addition, most commercial frying is done in artificially saturated fats that are solid at room and body temperature. When these fats enter the body and bloodstream, they the blood to thicken with big fat molecules. This causes circulation to diminish, leading to a feeling of lethargy and sluggishness.
Because:
Our bodies have enough work to do without having to deal with the load of metabolizing and disposing of artificial chemicals. At best they are non-nutritional, and they may cause other ailments, such as high blood pressure. They are detrimental to kidney and liver function.
Because:
* Sugar decreases the secretion of digestive enzymes. Foods eaten with sugar often pass partially digested through the intestines and into the body. The immune system sees them as invaders and they become the source of inappropriate immunological reactions (allergies and auto-immune illnesses).
* Sugar leaches calcium from bones and is probably the number one contributor to osteoporosis, even more so than dairy. If you are taking Prednisone this is especially important, since Prednisone also demineralizes bone.
* Even one teaspoon of sugar depresses the immune system and interferes with white cell function.
* Stresses the glands, especially the pancreas and adrenals. Sugar causes them to work overtime and become exhausted.
* Sugar causes potassium depletion, as does Prednisone.
* Sugar weakens muscle tissue and contributes to fatigue.
* Sugar disturbs glucose metabolism
* Sugar depletes many other minerals, vitamin Bs, and vitamin C
* Sugar causes hyperactivity and irritability
*And of course, sugar causes tooth decay.
Because:
Carbonated beverages places a great deal of stress on my kidneys. Likewise, the brominated oils place stress on the liver and contribute to the creation of those notorious free radicals. They also contain traces of solvents I'd rather not have in my body, such as benzene. Most sodas contain sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Unless you are blood type A. If you are blood type A, then organic coffee is actually beneficial for you to drink.
Because:
* Caffeine is a drug that overstimulates the nerve and circulatory systems. Again, we are trying to lighten the load.
* Caffeine stresses the adrenal glands.
* Caffeine disturbs glucose metabolism and elevates blood sugar levels.
* Caffeine disrupts the function of the endocrine glands and the liver.
* Caffeine increases triglycerides, cholesterol and blood pressure.
* Caffeine demands extra minerals, especially potassium.
* It weakens muscles, induces fatigue and interferes with immune function.
* Is linked to peptic ulcers.
* Interferes with mineral absorption.
* Contributes to diabetes, hypoglycemia and allergies.
* It constricts blood vessels and causes cell degeneration.
Reducing/eliminating sugar at the same time as removing caffeine may help ease the transition. Caffeine causes a real chemical addiction, and removing it from your diet can cause withdrawal symptoms. Wean off caffeine slowly.
Because:
Dairy products are mucus forming, that is, they cause the immune system to react and produce excess mucus. This is an immune reaction, and I am seeking to lighten the load on my immune system.
Dairy consumption is one of the main causes of osteoporosis. Contrary to what the dairy industry espouses, the calcium in milk is not available to the body due to the high protein content of the milk. In addition, milk, including skim and non-fat, also contain sugars that suppress insulin production in the pancreas.
Dairy products often have emotional issues integrated with them. I was raised on cow's milk, and have come to associate it with parental love. I had emotional support to help me deal with the emotions removing dairy brought up.
Because:
Salt creates an imbalance in potassium metabolism and is linked to high blood pressure.
Because:
Both of these highly addictive products severely stress our organs and immune system. They deplete minerals, vitamins, increase blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. You've heard it all before. Enough said.
Because:
These foods have been extensively processed and usually have high amounts of sugar and artificial ingredients. The molecular structure of the fat reduced product is alien to my body, and should be considered artificial.
Because:
They have had their nutritional components removed. A few of them were then replaced with artificial replacements. These foods have had all of the nutritional material (vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, etc) removed from them in order to improve shelf life, taste and texture. In order for our body's to digest these foods, it must pull minerals from body tissues, causing depletion. In addition, these foods often have chemical residues and bleach left in them. They lack fiber. Enriched products contain artificial vitamins and minerals which my body may not recognize as nutrients.
Because:
All of these products contain artificial ingredients, traces of solvents, and chemicals that may be toxic, such as aluminum in anti-perspirant. As your diet gets cleaner, the need for these products will naturally diminish. Makeup and fingernail polish contain chemicals that may be damaging to sensitive skin or they may soak in and be absorbed, having a toxic reaction within my body.
Because:
Your stressors may not all be food related. (You may want to consult a practitioner familiar with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome to help you explore your environment to find toxic substances.)
OK, so what DO I eat?
Learn your blood type and choose from the wide variety of foods that are healthful to you. Learn how to prepare foods from scratch, in order that you have complete control over the ingredients. Use organic foods when ever possible. Steaming or sauteing in water is the preferred method of cooking. If you I can't chew, puree your food in a blender or food processor.
There are many books available at most bookstores and some libraries which can help you learn more about natural foods meal preparation.
For those times when you crave something sweet, try very small quantities of the herb Stevia (unless your blood type is B). It grows in China and Brazil, and an extract, Stevia rebaudiana (stevioside) is commercially available in many health food stores. Stevia tastes somewhat like licorice, and is several hundred times sweeter than sugar. This is a medicinal herb, and not a sweetener. Please do not treat it like a sweetener.