Sugar, Bread products Elimination. "Augur"

[basscatcher]

Originally Posted by padameckla

I take suppliments everyday advised by the Herbalist.. I am suppose to eliminate refined sugar and all sources of any kind of sugar from my diet and no more bread or starch products. How am I suppose to do that when my whole life has been potato's, rice, sugar sugar and more sugar.

 

I eat like a midwestern northern minnesota girl. A mix of city and country. Fast food and Home cooked food.

 

Greetings Pad... ahh, if I may ask in regards to your

herbalists recommendations, for what reason are they

asking you to do this?

 

My SO (a sugar fiend and carnivore) was put on a

similar diet by a nutritionist for a short period of

time and as such I may have some recommendations

for you. Oh, and no bread – would that have to do with

the yeast or the wheat content in the bread?

 

hmmm – I actually have more questions that would most

likely drift this topic further off subject. How about a new

topic on this, Padameckla?

 

I went to a herbalist because I was diagnosed with Basal Cell Skin Cancer on my shoulder and I had a friend who suggested I do some research on a alernative therapy so I wouln't have a huge chunck cut out of my shoulder.

Lots of research was done by my friend so I set out to find this alternative treatment and that is where I ended up at a herbalist.

 

I decieded to make an appointment with him instead of just going in and buying the product. (I had seen a homeopathic doctor before about my fibromyalga and he helped me so I figured I would try a herbalist)

 

After a 4 hour consultation and a extrememly reduced office visit fee (because I don't have much of a income) he told me (which I kinda knew) that I am hypogylcimic and hyperglycimic. My pancreous has a difficult time regulating the sugar in my body. I get extreme rushes upward then I crash hard when I come down. He said I hae a lot of flemm build up in my body and that is why I feel so congested. He said my colon and intestinal tract is also plugged up because I eat alot of processed foods. The digestive tract has a hard time breaking down all the chemical that are in our foods. All Natural foods that are natural and not filled with additives, artifical sweetners, hormones, antibiotics etc are easier for the body to process.

He said my reproductive system is a mess from being on Birthcontrol for so many years and for using condoms with spermicide. I have to much testosterone in my body and not enough estrogen and progestrine and that is one of the major problems why I have endometriosis.

There are several other things I had wrong. My eye lids and legs spazzed a lot and I was low on magnesium, calcium and several other vitamins and minerals.

I lacked a lot of things my body needed and I poluted it with so much artifical junk and over indulge in refined foods. My body is in constant battle trying to process all this garbage and stay healthy..

 

thats the basics of it. Removing sugar to help my pancreous and the bread products to reduce the flem in my system along with suppliments and a gentle intenstinal cleanse will improve the quality of my life and provide me with more energy.

 

I don't sleep well, I have alot of cramps and aches, I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Endometrosis, Arthritis in my back, Fatigue, and borderline hypoglycimic..

 

I started to change my habits and I was feeling so much better and healthier then I have ever in my life. But life today is so fast paced and busy that its hard for me to do what is healthy. I don't have enough time to prepare the right foods. At work it is easier to run for fast food then to take 30 minutes at home to prepare something to bring with me.. ETC. etc.

 

Society doesnt support a healthy lifestyle... I can't even find a good variety of meats and produce that isn't infused with hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides.

[Art_Critic]

He said I hae a lot of flemm build up in my body and that is why I feel so congested. He said my colon and intestinal tract is also plugged up because I eat alot of processed foods. The digestive tract has a hard time breaking down all the chemical that are in our foods. All Natural foods that are natural and not filled with additives, artifical sweetners, hormones, antibiotics etc are easier for the body to process.

He said my reproductive system is a mess from being on Birthcontrol for so many years and for using condoms with spermicide. I have to much testosterone in my body and not enough estrogen and progestrine and that is one of the major problems why I have endometriosis.

There are several other things I had wrong. My eye lids and legs spazzed a lot and I was low on magnesium, calcium and several other vitamins and minerals.

 

And do you believe his diagnose ?

 

By the way.. twitching eyelids or muscles can be fixed with zinc and magnesium

[basscatcher]

And do you believe his diagnose ?

 

By the way.. twitching eyelids or muscles can be fixed with zinc and magnesium

 

Whole-heartedly I believe his diagnoses. I took notes and did research and everything I could remember him saying to me and it all checked out. I also know the status of my health history and things Western Doctors told me.. He also is a reputed Herbalist, he has written several books, he teaches at a college here on it, he does seminars in the midwest and has been doing it for over 25 years.. He also scientific research on the herbs and minerals. So He is from what I see kind of if not a scientist as well.

 

The magnesium I take has zinc in it. they no longer twitch and my legs dont cramp when I sleep.

 

The combo of my Healthcare Doctor, my Gonstad Tech. Chiropractor, and the Herbalist have helped me greatly.. I do believe that if possible by all means go the natural way. If i don't have to get a persscription for something and I can use something all natural I will do it..

[JS17]

I used to think that Alternative Medicine was horses*** but I'm a big believer nowadays. I believe that if you put the right things into your body you will feel healthier. There's still a place for Western Medicine.

 

Padameckla - You may find acupuncture to work well for you. Cutting dairy out of your diet will help as well.

[augur]

Hey there,

 

To start thing out, I feel for you and hope that I can

help in regards to this path you have decided to take.

 

I must ask a couple of things first – what does your Western

doctor say in regards to this and does your herbalist

have any western medical training? My personal

views on western medicine aside, the herbalist seems

to be asking a lot of you all at once. I agree with the

base of what the individual is saying in regards to

moving towards this diet very well may help you,

but the shock to your system to do this all at once,

well – hmm...

 

Now, from what I read from you, you seem rather set

on attempting to follow the advise of your herbalist,

let me get a couple of other questions out of the way

as well.

 

When he says sugar – this includes all sugar (including

fruit), correct?

 

Also, bread – would this be in regards to yeast or

wheat, or something that I am missing?

[basscatcher]

There's still a place for Western Medicine.

 

Padameckla - You may find acupuncture to work well for you. Cutting dairy out of your diet will help as well.

 

yes Western Medicine has its place too. I don't reject it.

 

Acupuncture- I don't like the idea of having pins stuck into my flesh even if it doesnt hurt. It might help with the flow of my nerve energy but I'm not ready for that road. Maybe in the future. (Geeze I've never had a pedicure, manicure or a professional massage. I have to at least try these before acupuncture. ahah:lmao:

 

Yes, the Herbalist also told me to cut back or stop dairy. Its full of preservatives, hormones and antibiotics. Suppliments are better. Dairy isn't really dairy anymore.

[JS17]

There's dairy in places that you wouldn't even think there should be dairy. It's in most processed package foods that you see in regular supermarkets. When I went Vegan I felt like a whole different person. Everyone told me that would happen but I couldn't believe what an impact it had. Try doing your food shopping in a health food store. They make healthy meals that take just a few minutes to prepare.

 

I could write a dissertation on what's in our food. The hormones, antibiotics, and genetic modification are wreaking havoc with our bodies. But I'll save that for a rainy day.

[basscatcher]

I must ask a couple of things first – what does your Western doctor say in regards to this and does your herbalist

have any western medical training?

 

the herbalist said western medicine has its place too. he doesnt reject it. he believes they should work together for the health of the person. I wont say anything to my western doctor because I will meet animosity from him.

 

the herbalist seems to be asking a lot of you all at once. I agree with the base of what the individual is saying in regards to

moving towards this diet very well may help you,

but the shock to your system to do this all at once,

well – hmm...

 

No he didn't do everything at once, It was a slow process which I have not yet completed. I did well for the first two months. He said there are several things going on with my physicall but for starters he was going to just focus on my lympth system, and reproductive system and add some vitamins and minerals to help my hair, skin and nails as well as the twitching of my eyes and spasms in my legs when I slept at night.

I havent gotten past this stage.

He gave me the basics for the first month of suppliments then when I went back for my 6 week followup he added a few more things to my diet.

Its a gradual process so as to not shock the body.

 

Now, from what I read from you, you seem rather set

on attempting to follow the advise of your herbalist,

 

I have attempted to follow his advise but it's expensive and hard to make a complete turn around of my eating habits. I have watched what I eat a little more closely. I eat more salads now then before and I chose healthier foods on the boards when I go through a drive through. I cut back on my intake of pop and have increased my water intake.

 

 

When he says sugar – this includes all sugar (including

fruit), correct?

 

When he said sugar he referred to all forms of sugar even from fruit. he told me that I should not totally cut out fruit but be careful about how much I eat because it still will make my body respond just as if it was refined sugar. he provided me with a sugar substitute that is ALL NATURAL it is called Stevia.

 

Also, bread – would this be in regards to yeast or

wheat, or something that I am missing?

 

Its the yeast and starch in the bread. It causes the body to create mucus which can feel like allergies. I wake up feeling congested frequently I feel like my chest is flemmy and there is nothing rattling or plugged up. Its kinda hard to explain. My sinus's sometimes feel clogged and there is nothing there and I am breathing fine but I feel the congestion. Its really hard to explain. He said I can eat very limited amounts of WHOLE ORGANIC WHEAT bread. He said the wheat germ is really good for me and there are things in it I need. So in order to get what my body needs I will have to suffer with some mucus buildup.

 

I dont' talk stuffed up and I dont cough and wheeze. I seem normal to other people when they interact with me. But I can feel the drain on me, I can feel the fatigue even if others can see it, I can feel the congested tightness in my body even though others cant see it.

 

I am not on that health set anymore as much as I was. I havent been able to purchase the suppliments and vitamins. I can't afford to by the organic foods that I can find because they are double to triple the price of normal products..

 

So I can well say our society is out to kill us all. Must be population control and greed to line their pockets with $$$.. that kinda sounds like our society in general.

[basscatcher]

There's dairy in places that you wouldn't even think there should be dairy. It's in most processed package foods that you see in regular supermarkets. When I went Vegan I felt like a whole different person. Everyone told me that would happen but I couldn't believe what an impact it had. Try doing your food shopping in a health food store. They make healthy meals that take just a few minutes to prepare.

 

I could write a dissertation on what's in our food. The hormones, antibiotics, and genetic modification are wreaking havoc with our bodies. But I'll save that for a rainy day.

 

Much agreed--but I love meat.... I was raised on it. We use to buy whole cows, chickens and even pork from local farmers or relatives and have it butchered and packaged for us. We didn't have to buy it in supermarkets.

I grew up on Venison and we even ate Moose and Bear. I'm a northern hick girl with modern influences. I love fruits and Vegies but they are so expensive and I get bored with food so easily. I definetly like a variety of foods. Especially things that are crunchy. I don't know if I could go vegan and anything in that area. I want the meat. I do like alot of fish. I take Omega -3 because I was depleted of it so badly. that has helped me greatly. I think that was one of the best things I did for myself was to add that to my diet.

[Outcast]

I eat dairy, bread, and sugar but I avoid fast food and real junk. And, touch wood, cross fingers, I'm in very good health.

 

My meal plan is simple:

breakfast: two pieces of whole-grain toast and chocolate milk

(sometimes oatmeal)

lunch: usually a home-made sandwich - cheese and tomato, sliced low-fat lunch meat, toasted nut butter, or 'flat' cheese (grilled cheese but done in the toaster oven to not be greasy) on whole grain bread and usually milk

dinner is a variety of things, usually includes some sort of salad, always includes veggies, a small amount of non-meat protein (tuna, cheese, lentils or beans, eggs, tofu) and again usually milk to drink. Sometimes I will have a nukeable frozen meal but it's usually a pasta meal or a healthier choice one (none of these Hungy Meal things). I make homemade pizza (use frozen crusts or pitas or bagels as crusts) and chilis - they're quite fast. I also do veggie frittatas fairly often.

 

In total I have about 4 glasses of milk per day and I also drink water and herbal teas (honey lemon ginseng green tea is a favourite). I almost never drink pop. I don't eat as much fruit as I should but I'm trying to fit it into my food patterns, mostly by putting it in salads.

 

And I have something sweet daily - a couple of cookies or a piece of chocolate bar.

 

It sounds sparse but I don't go hungry, I do have snacks (trying to keep snacks to yogurt or soy milk ) , and I've got tons of energy. I drink one cup of decaf coffee in the morning and once in a while will have one midafternoon with a cookie or two. And I enjoy every meal! Often dinner will be a nuked potato with grated cheese and two nuked vegies and they are just delicious - even with no other flavourings and dressings I find that fresh vegies nuked quickly turn out sweet and absolutely delicious so that I don't need to make fancier dishes.

 

I recently went through my cookbook selection to gather recipes for stews and soups to vary my diet more but I'm not bored with my meals at all. I think it's very cool that every time I eat a carrot, I can enjoy it anew

 

I've made the changes over time. First was whole-grain bread. Not long after, I dropped most meat. I still find eating a meat meal leaves me feeling sluggish. I have some every now and then for the sake of my iron levels but don't love it. I've always loved vegies but didn't eat so many salads so salads was next. The most recent changes were dropping down to 1% milk, eating tofu, and drinking soy milk. I finally found some delicious tofu and soy milk brands that I actually enjoy having.

 

So pretty much the last thing I need to do to be eating the way I should is to incorporate more fruit in my diet. Went for all my checkups recently and passed with flying colors

[basscatcher]

the guidelines for being healthy are different when recieving the checkup from a western doctor or from some kind of all natural care provider.

 

what western medicine accepts as healthy, a all natural care provider would say you are good but you could be better.. if you were in absolute perfect health western medicine wouldn't line there pockets as much with your $$. If our foods had the nutrients in them they had 40+ years ago we all would be healthier. So the western doctors make $$ off us and also the natural care providers are making money off us because they provide us with the suppliments our food doesn't contain anymore...

[Outcast]

Um. The western medicine people aren't making any $ from me because I'm not sick. Not buying medicine. No conditions.

 

I'm not saying that alternative medicines aren't good, but my preference is for holistic practitioners who incorporate the best of both types of medicine rather than condemning the entire body of knowledge of either.

[basscatcher]

Um. The western medicine people aren't making any $ from me because I'm not sick. Not buying medicine. No conditions.

 

I'm not saying that alternative medicines aren't good, but my preference is for holistic practitioners who incorporate the best of both types of medicine rather than condemning the entire body of knowledge of either.

 

I go to my western dr for my annual PAPs and if I think there maybe something really major.

 

Holistic practitioners fall in the all natural care providers.

I prefer to go natural when at all possible. I don't like all the chemicals in my body that prescriptions drugs have in them. I don't even get immunizations.

[Outcast]

Your body is actually a pile of 'chemicals'. What's left of us when you take the rest away is about ten bucks' worth of chemicals, minerals and other compounds you could go buy from any industrial supply shop. So to fear 'chemicals' is kinda pointless. It's also unwise to avoid immunizations. Many of these things have been proven to be safe.

[basscatcher]

when I went to the Homeopathic Doctor some years back he did a electro something kind of test on me and he asked me if I had in the past 10 years had the Hepatitis B Series Vac. I said NO I had that when I was a kid. He said I still have traces of it in my system and my body should have depleted it by now and it hadnt'. That was one sign my body wasnt cleaning itself out.

 

I also have read the ingredients in immunizations and I won't put that shyt in my body.. When I did get my shots I got sick. Since I stopped getting the routine ones in adult life I don't sick as much and I feel better. I eat a little better, get better exercise and am less stressed so the quality of my life is better then when I was a child.

 

I don't want to argue about immunizations and such because everyone has their own views and opinions just like they do about western doctors vs all natural practitioners. I'm surprised Alphamale hasn't chimed in on this thread. He has some strong opinons about western medicine because of a family member if I recall in another thread..

 

Maybe because the Dakotas and Minnesota have such a strong indian influence in the culture and we are typically simple people in this region we accept things that are natural better.

[Outcast]

And I'm saying the name 'natural' is largely bogus. A bottle of pills is a bottle of pills whether it's gingko pills or vitamins. Or are you out in the forest picking vines and herbs and boiling them up?

[augur]

Speaking as a Vegan for almost 2 years and a veg

for 2 decades or so, I agree with JS17 in many ways,

but with all that you are looking at right now, I would

have to say now would not be the time to go there

if ever.

 

I am interested in regards to your progresion in regards to

your diet change, JS17. Did you just decide one day - ok,

this is it? or was it more of a slow-burn? What worked,

what did not work and that sort of thing.

[basscatcher]

The suppliments I buy are natural. I don't buy them at GNC or some other place. I go straight to the Herbalists office to get my products because he specially selects products that are made in the least evasive process so as to not ruin the quality and purity of the suppliment. Some of the brands he carries I can purchase at other places. Some drug stores carry the brands. I just pick them all up in one place which is his store. Some of the suppliments you either have to order them from the suppliers or from the practitioner. Because of life span, storage and care of the product. I have one suppliment I have to keep in the refridgerator. It has to be kept chilled until I take it. Warmth activates his properties and if not in the body it will expire its quality.

 

I know there are natural chemicals in everything but when I speak of chemicals I am talking about synthetically created chemicals that are not really naturally made and are not healthy for the body.

[JS17]

Oh I wasn't saying that anyone should become a Vegan. I was trying to say that I felt that giving up dairy really helped me to feel better physically. Now I have to make sure I take my vitamin Bs though which you probably don't need if you're eating meat, not sure on that one.

 

Augur - I was a veggie for a long time before I went Vegan. I was a teen when I went veggie. I've been V for about 3 or 4 years now. I just stopped altogether but it took a few months before I really understood about all of the different kinds of hidden dairies.

[basscatcher]

Now I have to make sure I take my vitamin Bs though which you probably don't need if you're eating meat, not sure on that one.

No matter who you are or what you eat everyone should have B complex and Omega-3 (especially in the USA) suppliments in their diets. The foods we eat don't have enough. Especially for woman. Our bodies burn up B's very fast. It is used to help handle stress of all kinds. Even if it stress from the sun being to bright for your eyes.

Omega-3 help your immune system and also helps with many functions of the body to run smoother. It is found mostly is fish but in order to get the amount we sould be getting we would have to consume so much fish and then we will over dose our bodies with other things we shouldn't.

 

So its best to eat the portions you are required to eat and then take suppliments to make up for what is depleated in our foods.

[augur]

Sorry I came off as gruff there, JS17 - long day for me

 

You and Pad both bring up good points in regards to understanding

ingredients. I always shake my head when I see pasta sauce

with sugar in it - but I am also thankful since I was forced to

work on creating my own pasta sauces that tends to be rather

delicious J.

 

Pad, when you initially tried this, did you go cold turkey or

ease into it? You mentioned that you felt better as you got

further along, but where the initial phases difficult for you

and in what ways where they? What worked for you, and

what did not work for you?

[goodnbad]

And I'm saying the name 'natural' is largely bogus. A bottle of pills is a bottle of pills whether it's gingko pills or vitamins.

 

My thoughts exactly! After all, even aspirin was derived from a natural substance, before it went into high production as a synthetic.

 

And before any 'naturalists' out there start bashing the $$$-making real doctors, let's not forget that the herbalists are also making money off you by plugging their natural remedies? While in a perfect world, all doctors would be looking out for the best and cheapest cure for what ails you, in this world, it's often a matter of "how can I convince you and how much can I soak you for before you wise up".

 

Obviously, if a person is cutting back on stuff like sugar and flour, they are going to feel better. Too many processed foods are not good for anyone's system. Whether supplements are helping too is debatable.

 

I think these days you just have to have the common sense to say, "Is this too far-fetched, am I too desperate for a cure?" Sometimes we want to believe so badly, it blinds us.

 

I recall my mother used to be hooked on these supplemental cures. The herbalist would come by and soak her for $20 or more each time. I never saw a change in her conditions, but she thought there was. I always get suspicious when herbalists start talking about "phlem" and "intestinal blockages" and the like. Huh, but then, I'm a skeptic to start with!

 

Not that there aren't some real useful remedies out there. Vitamins can make a difference IF you really need them. I would even attempt some herbal remedies, but only if I researched them fully. Just be careful not to overdo it.

 

padameckla, just curious, how did your herbalist come to the conclusion that you suffered from all those disorders? What tests did he give you? Were any of them blood tests? Or did he go just by a physical exam? What exactly did he prescribe for you, re: supplements?

 

gnb

[goodnbad]

The suppliments I buy are natural. I don't buy them at GNC or some other place. I go straight to the Herbalists office to get my products because he specially selects products that are made in the least evasive process so as to not ruin the quality and purity of the suppliment.

 

Ok, here's the skeptic in me again: if the herbalist recommends remedies that he just happens to have in stock, he makes money off those products. He is not selling them out of the goodness of his heart. Not that I am picking on you, padameckla, but that is how salesmen work.

 

And the more ailments a dishonest practictioner can find in you....ca-ching!

 

Man, I really AM a skeptic!

 

gnb

[Outcast]

I'm with you entirely, goodnbad. How can anyone possibly believe that 'Herbalists' are pure-hearted sweethearts whose only mission in life is to help others while regular physicians are evil money grubbers?

 

The 'natural remedy' market is a multi-billion dollar market - AND it's unregulated so there is much more scope for cheating and fraud.

 

I am not anti-supplement; I'm a huge believer in Omega-3, for instance, but I wait until scientists do proper studies and their results are reported in the high-end peer-review journals before I try them. A lot of people came to grief over kava supplements, for instance.

 

A blind faith that something some charlatan promotes as 'natural' is completely safe is a deadly belief to hold, as these articles demonstrate:

 

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1041/is_11_81/ai_109027111

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62671-2004Sep4.html

[augur]

Ok, I think that we have beat the hebalist into the

ground. I could easily beat Western Medicine into

the ground by use of gross generalization as well.

Take the whole “4 food groups” vs the “Food Pyramid”

debate as a simple example. Feel free to start another

topic and I very well may enter the debate.

 

I am big into the importance of personal research. I try

to remember that my research and what I have found

works for me will not work for everyone. I suggested

that Pad start this topic to try and help her find ways

to attempt a change in her diet that she has decided to

make. I have asked some questions to clarify, but not

preach on way or another. I am kind of waiting for things

to die down so the “hows” can be discussed.

 

I respect everyone’s opinion that have been stated in

this topic thus far and I am not saying any of this to stifle

conversation per say, just that the drift we have here tends

to take away from my intent of my suggestion to Pad in

regards to starting this topic.

 

I think all of us here have adjusted their diets in some

way, shape, or form. I am very much interested in

the details in this regard. I feel that this will give Pad

more data in regards to what works for others so that

she will have the opportunity to take a hopefully wide

range of data and work various parts of this into what she

has decided to accomplish.

 

However, this topic belongs to Pad, thus perhaps I am

overstepping my bounds. What I have seen from this

debate gives me a great deal of confidence in regards to

her decision to pursue this. I just wanted to jump in to

clarify a couple of things from my point of view.

 

And one final note, I know that everything that folks

have posted have the best of intentions. Please do not

think I do not see that . Sorry for the lengthy post...