By Richard Heft

The following is based on Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines. Everything builds up and breaks down.

The body DIGESTS food and transforms nutrients into BLOOD, structure and function. There are only two kinds of foods, nutrients: BUILDING and CLEANSING. The correct balance produces the correct amount of blood, structure and function where the body, brain, nervous sytem can thrive (HEALTH) Any amounts, greater or less, in the extreme, tend to cause DISEASE, via TOO MUCH or TOO LITTLE blood, structure and function.

All disease is defined by its symptoms. Biological functions (digestion, respiration, elimination, etc.) produce symptoms, positive (healthy) and negative (unhealthy). Biological structures (spleen, stomach, pancreas, lungs, intestines, etc.) produce biological functions. Food, nutrients, blood produces, builds and cleanses all structures.

All disease progresses in stages. Stage 1 is poor diet. Poor diet tends to cause indigestion (Stage 2). Indigestion tends to cause poor elimination (Stage 3) and blood deficiency (Stage 4) and poor circulation (stage 5), and in the extreme, months, years later, autoimmune illnesses (Stage 6). Autoimmune illnesses are chronic in nature. All chronic (long-lasting diseases) take time (months, years) to develop and consequently, months, years to cure.

All disease is defined by its symptomns. AUTOIMMUNE ILLNESSES (Candida Albicans, Fibromyalgia, Epstein Barr Syndrome, Lupus, Crohn Disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc.) tend to SHARE SIMILAR SYMPTOMS: abdominal bloating, gas, loose stools, diarrhea, constipation, mucous, phlegm, swelling, edema, etc. They also tend to affect WOMEN, more so than men.

1. LUPUS has the following symptoms: abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.

2. CROHN DISEASE has the following symptoms: pain in abdomen, right lower quadrant, appendix, diarrhea, nausea, fever, fatigue and or weight loss.

3. FIBROMIALGIA has the following symptoms: chronic, achy muscular pain, dizziness, fatigue, Irritable Bowel syndrome (abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation and or anorexia), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, etc.

4. CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME has the following symptoms: extreme fatigue, aching muscles and joints, headaches, low blood pressure, fever, loss of appetite, upper respiratory infections, nasal congestion, mucous, phlegm, Candidiasis, intestinal problems, depression, anxiety, etc.

Most autoimmune illnesses progress in stages.

Poor diet (1) weakens and slows (2) digestion, movement of food (abdominal bloating, gas, burping, nausea, vomiting, sour, musty body odor), (3)elimination (loose stools, diarrhea, constipation)and (4) absorption of nutrients, decreasing, thinning the blood, including circulation (5) In the extreme, thin blood (blood, protein and fat deficiency) tends to cause: fatigue, pallor, pain, numbness, inflammation, weight loss, etc.

Weak digestion increases waste product, as all food, nutrients, non-nutrients, not digested, absorbed become waste, sent, moved down into the large intestine, for temporary storage and eventual elimination. All waste product, especially animal protein and fat, are poisonous, toxic (Ama). Daily elimination is necessary; otherwise, re-absorption of wastes, posions into the bloodstream and lymph system may occur.

Weak elimination (3) increases the amount and likelihood of toxins in the large intestine reabsorbing back into the blood and lymph. In the extreme, autointoxication, weakening of the immune system (6), producing antibodies that attack healthy tissues and other body materials. The large intestine tends to be the breeding ground for autoimmune illnesses.

Long-term low protein, low fat (milk, yogurt, soft cheese, ice cream) and high carbohydrate diets (salads, tropical fruits, juices, sugar) tends to thin and weaken the blood, which then thins and weakens all structure function, digestion, elimination, immunity, circulation, etc.

(4) Blood, protein and fat deficiency (thin blood and or reduced circulation), in the extreme, tends to cause fatigue, pallor, pain, numbness, inflammation, weight loss, indigestion, constipation, autoimmune illnesses, etc. High carbohydrate diets (bread, salads, tropical fruits, juices, smoothies, cold drinks, etc.), in the extreme, tend to dilute and weaken digestion, reducing nutrient absorption, blood, while increasing watery wastes.

Autoimmune illnesses in general tend to attack women more than men. Many women tend to eat low protein, low fat (milk, yogurt, soft cheese, etc.) and high carbohydrate (salads, tropical fruits, juices, smoothie, etc.) diets. They also menstruate lose blood regularly, three to seven days every month for thirty plus years, from the first menses to the last, menopause. The combination of diet and menstruation tends to make women more susceptible to blood deficiency, weak digestion, elimination, immunity, etc. Autoimmune illnesses (Stage 5) are generally cold, deficient (under-built, over-cleansed) in nature. Drugs, surgery and chronic illness may also be a factor.

The middle diet, meal plan, adjusted accordingly is recommended.

1/3 PROTEIN and FAT (chicken, turkey, eggs, hard cheese, beans, nuts or seeds

1/3 GRAIN (whole, cracked, reduce bread, cookies, pastries)

1/3 VEGETABLES (3- 5 raw, cooked, cabbage, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collard greens, carrots with tops, hard squash, round vegetables, avoid tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant) and FRUIT (1) avoid, reduce tropical, juices, smmothies, shakes and sugar)

SPICES (cumin, coriander and fennel (cooling), cayenne pepper, turmeric, ginger, fresh and dried, cinnamon, etc.). Use several at a time (soups, stews, desserts, etc.).

SOUP and or TEA (avoid coffee, caffeine)

CONDIMENTS: Braggs Liquid Aminos, sesame, safflower, live oil, rice vinegar, ground seeds (sesame, pumpkin and sunflower) and nuts.

Reduce raw, eat more cooked (lightly, crunchy, not soft, except hard squashes) vegetables 3- 5 per meal, organic if possible. Reduce dairy, increase chicken, turkey, eggs and or hard cheese. Check with your doctor before making any changes in the way you eat.

About The Author

Web: http://www.wordpress.com/richardheft, Acupuncture Physician (FL 1992- 2002), author, Hot and Cold Health (c) 2003, revised 09/ 2009 available Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Cold-Health-Richard-Heft/dp/0974791709

By Gene Marcotte

I have heard it said of eczema that hell on earth would be a welcome alternative. Pretty strong words for rash! Then again calling eczema a rash is a gross understatement. Also known as Atopic Dermatitis, eczema is a persistent, chronic disorder of the skin characterised by dry, scaly, red or leathery skin accompanied by intense itching and sometimes blisters and crusting. Sounds like purgatory to me. Eczema is also quite common affecting approximately 1 in 10 people to varying degrees.

Eczema is usually first encountered during infancy with rashes found typically on the elbows, knees and cheeks. This generally clears up but can persist into adulthood particularly if the sufferer is stressed or exposed to irritants or allergens. The most commonly affected sites are the backs of the knees and inner elbows. Sadly the prevalence of eczema seems to be on the rise so ever more people are seeking relief from the symptoms of this modern day plague. Common conventional treatments include corticosteroids, immunomodulators, antibiotics and immunosuppresants. For those wanting to reduce or eliminate drug treatments there are several natural remedies that are effective in addressing the symptoms of eczema. These include:

Probiotics: These perennial cure alls are thought to assist in preventing or combating eczema particularly in babies and children. One of the more promising varieties is Lactobacillus GG although Lactobacillus fermentum VRI-033 PCC, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacteria lactis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus have also been used with success. Please note that babies and children with compromised immunity should only be given these Probiotics under a doctors direction.

Chamomile: Gels and creams containing chamomile have been found to reduce the irritation associated with eczema. Care should be taken with chamomile, however, as it has been found to cause skin irritations in some cases.

Liquorice and witch hazel: Creams containing these extracts have also been shown to offer relief from the effects of moderate eczema.

Gamma - linolenic Acid: GLAs such as borage and evening primrose oil contain essential fatty acids that have been found to be effective in addressing skin lipid deficiencies that trigger inflammation.

Wheat and Barley Grass juice: The beneficial effects of so called green juices are well known and they have been found to alleviate the symptoms of eczema. The chlorophyll in these juices is believed to work by depleting bad bacteria and rejuvenating the skins cell structure.

Glyconutrients: Glyconutrients or saccharides are effective in combating many bacterial and viral infections including the effects of eczema. Rich sources of glyconutrients are marine phytoplankton and Goji berries (Lycium).

Although all these natural remedies have been found to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of eczema, severe cases should be constantly monitored by a medical professional as serious side effects can be experienced if the condition is not correctly dealt with.

About The Author

Adhering to the proven precept that conventional medicine has a strong and relevant counterpart in naturally occurring remedies, we supply a wide range of related natural products. M.A.S.S. Enterprise.com Visit our website at .
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