The Diet Explained.

It is important to remember that you should approach dietary change at your own speed. Take it one step at a time - even the longest journey begins with the first step (Chinese proverb).

Meat: Meat levels are usually reduced in a therapeutic diet and the types of meat restricted. Meat is relatively harder to digest and assimilate than other foods, making heavy demands on metabolic energy. Its consumption therefore reduces the body's reserves of energy that could be directed towards de-toxification. It is very suppressive to the vitality and works in opposition to a cleansing diet.

Meat encourages the growth of unfriendly, putrefactive bacteria in the colon thus causing toxin production. These toxins can be absorbed into the blood stream creating many problems.

Meat has a high percentage of saturated fat which raises blood cholesterol levels. It is associated with increased risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and arterial disease.

Meat is very prone to contamination by pathogenic organisms. It may also contain toxins resulting from chemicalised farming practices especially hormones, antibiotics and pesticides, all of which add to the toxic load in the body. All meat products contain additives, salt, preservatives. They are very unnatural foods.

Beef: very hard to digest and very liable to contamination from modern production methods. Usually, beef is totally excluded from therapeutic diets although it may be allowed once per month on a mild diet.

Pork:very acid forming in the body and difficult to digest. Inhibiting of detoxification. Bacon and ham are very salty and may contain other chemicals and carcinogenic substances as a result of the smoking process.

Poultry: easily digested and assimilated although intensive farming methods can also lead to chemical contamination. Try to find free- range foods.

Lamb: less likely to have chemical contamination. Easier to digest than beef.

Offal: especially concentrated forms of vitamins and minerals but are also quite hard to digest. Some is allowed although offal will also be excluded in more serious conditions.

Game: relatively easy to digest and relatively free of contamination.

Fish : This means true fish with backbones. Not molluscs, crabs or lobsters. Fish provides a good source of first class protein. It is lighter on the digestion than meat and is therefore used more in therapeutic diets. Deep sea fish is best as it less likely to suffer contamination i.e. haddock, halibut and cod. Shallow water fish such as prawns, may suffer contamination from industrial pollution and should be avoided. Shell fish may be used occasionally but they have a strong tendency to accumulate toxins from their environment.

Eggs: these can be used so long as there is not egg allergy present. They may be excluded if there is evidence of a very blocked or under-functioning liver.

Dairy produce: Dairy produce causes over production of mucus which clogs the body's organs and systems causing malfunction and reduced absorption of nutrients. Milk contains chemicals and antibiotics etc. It also contains growth hormone appropriate for young cows, not humans. Milk and dairy products are very suppressive and inhibit detoxification. It is often suggested that one requires to use dairy products to supply calcium in the diet. It is true that a lot of calcium is present in these foods but it is poorly absorbed and causes more problems in the body than it solves. Ask yourself the question - where does the cow get her calcium to enrich her milk? Answer - from eating greens!

Fried foods: heated oils undergo chemical changes and become toxic. Stir-frying at low temperatures is allowed. Once smoke is seen, the oil is overheated and should not be used. Fried foods may be excluded completely at times if stronger treatment is being applied in the treatment of the liver.

Fresh vegetables: Large quantities of vegetables are always used except in the case of specialised diets. Vegetables encourage de-toxification at cell level in a gentle way, they have a cleansing action and contribute significant quantities of vitamins and minerals to the diet. They also provide fibre. A wide variety of vegetables should be used. Some vegetables contain toxins which do not create problems unless one kind is used in isolation or in excess i.e. brassicas contain anti-thyroid substances and celery and parsley, both members of the umbelliferae family, contain toxins. Members of the deadly nightshade family such as potatoes, tomatoes, red and sweet peppers, aubergine, contain the toxin solanine. It is associated with dis-ordered energy patterns that are detrimental to human health. These foods are therefore used in strict moderation.

Mushrooms are fungi and are restricted, especially in cases where yeast and fungal problems have been identified.

Chick-peas, lentils and pulses:Very valuable source of protein especially if meat and fish are excluded for therapeutic reasons or if the client is vegetarian.

Seeds: useful for protein, added texture and flavour. Pumpkin seeds provide a good source of zinc. Sesame seeds contain good calcium levels.

Soya Milk and rice milk: use soya milk in moderation as it is relatively hard to digest and it is also quite mucus forming. Rice milk is preferred.

Nuts: another good protein source. Almonds are a good source of calcium. Nuts may be excluded if weight control is an issue as they are very calorific.

Wheat and rye: these items are very suppressive and acid forming. Wheat becomes very sticky and coats the sides of the intestines, inhibiting absorption of nutrients. The speed of transit for foodstuffs along the digestive tract is reduced leading to constipation and affecting the health of the bowel wall. The sticky residues provides an ideal environment for the proliferation of putrefactive bacteria.

Other grains: Rice and millet are very important in the therapeutic diet as they absorb the toxins released by the cells and remove them from the body. If these toxins are not efficiently eliminated, they circulate in the body causing headaches, joint pain and other unpleasant effects. It is vital that the toxins are removed from the body and large quantities of rice are employed for this purpose. Eat as much as you can - do not worry if you cannot eat the quantity given.

Beverages: Coffee and tea are both stimulants and specifically suppress liver function. Coffee has a diuretic action and therefore upsets the sodium/potassium balance of the body. Coffee inhibits iron absorption. Both tea and coffee demineralise the body. Coffee stresses the adrenal glands affecting blood sugar control. Tea contains dye as well as caffeine.

Fizzy drinks are full of sugar and chemical sweeteners, dyes etc. 'Sugar-free' juices contain sweeteners and are usually produced in aluminium-lined containers with the risk of contamination. Reduce your consumption of these drinks and use the recommended alternatives.

Alcohol is a social poison that suppresses the liver. It is advisable to avoid alcohol whilst undergoing treatment.

Drink 1 1/2 litres (6-8 tall glasses) of water every day.

Fats and oils: Edible linseed (flax) oil and Udo's Choice provide Omega 3 & 6 oils that are essential to the efficient functioning of body systems. They should always be used cold, as dressings or from a spoon.

Fats and oils may be excluded altogether for a period if intensive liver treatment is being carried out. Otherwise, fats may be limited if weight loss is a consideration.

All animal fats are excluded as saturated fat is implicated in arterial disease. Hydrogenated fats found in soft butters and margarines are detrimental to health.

Dried fruit: excluded if Candida is suspected as it is high in sugar.

Fresh fruit and fruit juice: these items have a strong eliminatory effect and will certainly have to be restricted initially to allow assessment of individual response to the diet. It is the aim of treatment to achieve de-toxification and improved health without causing increased or new symptoms which could cause discomfort. It may be necessary to exclude fruit altogether for a while, or it may be possible to re-introduce more, and other, varieties. This is very individual and care is needed.

Honey and molasses: can be use in moderation unless Candida is present when these items must be excluded.

Scottish Charity Number-SC 034122.