Vegetable Juices
Those who possess an electric juicing machine will have at hand a valuable tool for producing a good alkaline - reacting food from almost any fruit or vegetable, or a mixture of fruits or vegetables, not the two together.
The fruits or vegetables are sliced into small pieces, then put through the machine with water added, and the resultant juice will contain all the minerals and vitamins of the fruits or vegetables with the roughage filtered out. However. this is strong stuff and to begin with only a few tablespoonsful daily should be taken, morning or night, gradually working up to a glassful. Yet food, as a general rule, should be eaten not drunk. Drinks are useful in illness or when fasting.
Comments (0) 08.01.2007. 16:29
Neutralizers and Alkaline Foods
Strangely enough, the so-called "acid" fruits, which include lemon and grapefruit, have a neutralizing effect on the body acids.
In addition, they aid in the removal or dispersion of minerals which have formed deposits in the cartilage of the joints. Most fresh fruits, green vegetables and dried fruits have an alkaline reaction. Spinach and rhubarb, though known to be high in oxalic acid, are rich in iron.
"Acid" fruits of all kinds, though gooseberries, strawberries and blackberries should not be eaten every day, even when in season; dried fruits, including dates are always good.
Such vegetables as celery, watercress, parsley, mint and horse radish, tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, carrots, preferably eaten raw in small quantities. Cooked green peas, brussels sprouts and broccoli are all good in rotation with one another. Spinach and rhubarb may be used occasionally.
Alfalfa in tablet form and molasses are both valuable foods.
A green leaf salad daily is most essential for arthritics, but those who have not accustomed themselves to eating raw foods should eat (literally) only a leaf or two to begin with. All raw food must be chewed thoroughly and slowly and this would be a problem for those with poor teeth.
One weed which has been found to be particularly useful in combating both arthritis and migraine and other headaches is feverfew. Only a leaf or two daily is required in salads or sandwiches, but the beneficial effects do not begin to appear for at least four months.
Dandelions (the smooth round-leafed kind is the least bitter), chickweed, chives, mint, borage, and many other "weeds" and herbs are also a pleasant and beneficial addition to most salads.
Comments (0) 08.01.2007. 16:24
Acid-forming Foods
Acid formation in the body can become excessive through the consuming of too great a proportion of the concentrated proteins in the diet.
These acid-forming proteins are contained in foods such as meats, fish, eggs, cheese (except cottage cheese), dried beans and peas, and nuts.
These should never be used in large quantities at a time and seldom more than once in any one day. For those with arthritis the bulk of the daily diet should consist of fruits and vegetables in one form or another, though occasional lapses should do no harm.
Comments (0) 08.01.2007. 16:23
Obesity
Obesity can be and often is a problem with arthritics and there seems little doubt that this can most often be the result of eating too many calories of "empty" and useless foods, mainly refined carbohydrates.
Comments (0) 08.01.2007. 16:16
Perseverance
The first few weeks or even months of this new way of life, along with a sensible amount of physical activity, the gradual elimination of drugs and the working out of a diet designed to promote and restore health, may in the beginning produce unpleasant symptoms, and will require much work and thought; but if persevered with, it can bring countless dividends in health and happiness and a general sense of well-being, to say nothing of greatly increased mobility and a complete freedom from pain without recourse to drugs.
Like most worthwhile things these benefits do not come of themselves. They are there waiting for those who are willing to make the effort and to persevere regardless of the inevitable lapses and setbacks.
The more obstinate and long-standing cases of osteo arthritis might take six months or more to show any noticeable improvement, but improvement there is bound to be, particularly in general health, for anyone who has the patience and fortitude to study and abide by this or a similar corrective diet. Those with rheumatoid arthritis might also benefit from this regimen.
This is something each individual has to work out for himself, different as we are in our needs and abilities to assimilate the foods we take in. Trial and error must enter into this. There is an abundant variety of suitable foods, and a little thought and imagination can make any of them appetizing and attractive.
Comments (0) 08.01.2007. 16:15