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The Eight Strategies to Recovery |
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Legally we must tell you to seek the advice of a Health Care Practitioner. However a health care practitioner does not have to be an M.D. There are a great number of practitioners treating in a non medical way. We are here to offer information for educational purposes. It is up to the individual to seek a professional they feel will best suit their needs.
Have you been to every doctor in town only coming up empty. When parents come out of a pediatrician’s or a specialists office with the words "there is nothing you can do", it is heart wrenching. We have been brought up to believe the doctor knows it all. He or she has spent many years in medical school spending countless hours with their noses in medical journals, learning the latest technologies on combating the battlegrounds of disease. We have put doctors on pedestals and replaced God with our MD’s. Unfortunately many doctors themselves perpetuate this vision with large egos. Medical schools encourage their students, with perceptions of grandeur. Many physicians make you feel honored if they spend more then 15 minutes with you. Forget about talking to them on the phone. You have to get through nurse Jones first. . They are much too busy. Asking questions to a doctor makes some feel uneasy and nervous. Your doctor may even get annoyed at your foolish inquiries. After all, what do you know? You’re just a parent.
Finding a doctor that is right for you may take some time. Ask other parents about their experiences. With today’s insurance policies and HMO’s choices may be slim. You may have to look outside your plan to find someone that is right for you. It is disappointing to say most professionals that are really "healing" are not covered by insurance. You may have to pay some out of pocket expenses, but it will be worth it. Most insurance plans have co-pay, so either way you may be responsible for covering some costs. Some neurological disorders are not covered by insurance but your doctor may be able to do testing under gastrointestinal disorders, allergies etc. Also if you have a medical diagnosis and are having financial problems you may be able to apply for Social Security for the disabled. The amount given to a parent is based on income so it will vary. Also a child receiving Social Security will automatically be enrolled in Medicaid. Medicaid covers many lab bills and therapies. This applies only to the U.S.
When seeing the doctor or practitioner ask questions. Lots of questions. We suggest having a notebook and have questions prepared. You may go into the office and forget everything you wanted to ask so write them down. If you get resistance or answers you are not comfortable with, find another doctor. If you are already seeing a doctor ask to see your child’s charts. You may be surprised to see what he or she has jotted down--things that were never discussed with you. Research what your doctor is telling you. They may be wrong.
Testing has some advantages and disadvantages. What one needs to know is which tests are actually necessary. Some tests can be grueling to a child such as extensive blood tests. Know what these tests are going to cost you first hand then find out what the test will show. If the tests comes back positive is there a plan to proceed with treatment or is it just to give us an "idea’ of what is going on. In other words, if you are asked to do liver detoxification study, what does the doctor plan on doing with these results? It is pretty safe to say the child is overloaded and will show poor liver function. A doctor may suggest tests to check levels of amino acids or fat absorption. Are you willing to pay the price for a test only to find the doctor is stumped by the results. We are not saying do not test. Some like looking over lab numbers. You may feel more confident about a doctors suggestion if he has tests to back him up. However, when one begins to understand how to obtain health you will realize many tests are not important. Getting the body in a balanced state where it can begin its own healing process will quickly result in a physical change. Eating different foods and eliminating heavy metals alone will create a biologically different terrain. Some may want to do before and after tests to see if what they are doing is really working. However, how a person feels and acts are generally your true indicators.
A test we do strongly encourage is a food allergy test. Labs have really improved their methods of finding what is causing distress. An ELIZA ( enzyme-linked immuno-zorbent assay) blood test will give you a range of numbers showing which foods are more problematic. The results will tell you which foods and food families to avoid. You may only need to avoid for 4 to 6 months and then gradually add back into your diet without consequences.
Some foods however may cause severe reactions and should be avoided for years if not life.
Common food allergens are bananas, caffeine, chocolate, citrus, corn, dairy, eggs, gluten, nuts, processed foods, shellfish, strawberries, tomatoes, and wheat.
A food allergy might not be easily recognized. It may take 24 to 48 hours to get a reaction. Cerebral allergies are often dismissed because one may not know food can cause swelling of the brain lining. Indications of cerebral allergies include headache, schizophrenia, mental confusion and aggressive behaviors.
Other tests you may find beneficial are the heavy metal tests, Organic Acid tests, yeast cultures and immune deficiency panel. Great Plains Laboratory can run these tests for you with the approval of your practitioner.
Please visit www.greatplainslaboratory.com for more information.
If the thought of blood tests sets your nerves on end consider a muscle response test. This is when the body is subjected to certain substances in a vile and asked to hold. The individual will actually become weak if the substance is causing a reaction. It may seem "out there" to many but the technique has proved effective. We have tried tricking the practitioner on many occasions and always failed. The BODY KNOWS.
Another inevasive form of testing is EAV ( electro-acupuncture by Voll ).
EAV was developed in the 1950's by Reinhold Voll, a German medical doctor with a background in engineering. His studies showed that the acupuncture points were more electrically active than the tissue around them. By measuring the bioenergetic properties of the body's meridians at acupoints one can determine whether the meridian is stressed, weakened or balanced. EAV can be used to detect almost every disease, toxin, food allergy, and disregulation in organ and glandular systems. EAV screening can also be used to test various remedies such as herbs, vitamins, homeopathics, to determine which one will correct the problem.
We at The E.C.H.O. Foundation believe disease strikes on a cellular level. Clean the cells, provide them with proper nutrition and keep them electrically charged to vibrate and function. Proper nutrition entails clean water, oxygen and food. Keeping your cells energized means maintaining a flow of nerve impulses.
This is often overlooked in health care, yet we all know, if the brain stops these electrical impulses and discontinues to send messages to each and every cell, we would surely die. Here we will give suggestions on ways to obtain a healthier system. We are not into the treatment of the week but rather suggests age old therapies that have proven themselves time and time again. We once lived in a world where autism did not exist. Allergies and asthma were unheard of as well as Crohn’s, Fibromygalia, Lou Gehrigs Disease, and more. Heart disease and cancers were rare.. We must have been doing something right or are we now just doing something terribly wrong?
Detoxification simply means removing the poisons from your body. There are numerous techniques for doing this. Not everyone response the same way to similar treatment. It depends on the level of toxicity, dedication to the treatment and attitude towards treatment. If you think it is not going to work well it probably won’t. The mind is very powerful. So be open minded, confident and hopeful.
Detoxification or cleansing of the body can be achieved through diet. We focus on different diets later on because we feel this is essential to optimal health. Hippocrates said "let food be your medicine and let medicine be your food." Many foods are noted for there cleansing and healing abilities. One being Cilantro. This is a Chinese herb that is known for binding to heavy metals and then excreting them. We have heard many success stories on the use of this herb. It can be easily obtained from your local grocer. Fresh is best. So start adding to your sauces, salads etc. Make some homemade salsa or ceviche and enjoy.
Chlorella, which is a single cell alga, not only contains all of the B vitamins, Vitamins C, and E, amino acids and trace minerals but it also can speed up the cleansing of the blood. However, because of it’s strong cell wall, processing is required. Use only a highly reputable company to obtain Chlorella and use sparingly. It can have a strong effect on some. Because of it’s detoxing abilities some may become tired during usage. Start with a small amount and build up.
Garlic is an excellent food source. Not only is it a antifungal but a good detoxifier You can consume this in your diet or purchase it in supplement form. Other nutrients that aid in the detoxing of the body are Vitamins A C and E. Selenium, Apple Pectin and glutathione. We would prefer you obtain these through foods but supplementation may be required. Seeking the advice of a good nutritionist is advisable. Some nutritionist may recommend testing to see which nutrients you lack and would benefit from.
Fasting is a practice used by many. We do not suggest this for the very young and we do recommend that you fast under the supervision of a professional. Fasting gives the body a chance to recover. You are giving all the organs a rest especially the digestive system. You are allowing old toxins to be released and reducing the influx of new ones. Allergies, digestive disorders, respiratory illness and acute ailments are most responsive to fasting.
Fasting as well as herbal remedies have helped in the cleansing of the liver, kidneys and colon. Some suggested teas are milk thistle, dandelion, alfalfa, burdock and rose hips.
Using detoxification methods like these may not show great improvements if you are subsequently eating garbage foods. Remain on a healthy diet to optimize the methods you are using.
Some stronger methods to detox the body are chelation and chelating agents. Chelating means to go in, grab ahold and pull out. Chelation is often used in heavy metal poisoning. This can be done intravenously, orally or with topical lotions. There has been some controversy on chelating and we strongly suggest you use a professional who has experience in this area. Chelation has some risks and side effects. One problem is the metals may be pulled out too quickly. If the liver and kidneys are not prepared to handle the onslaught of these heavy metals then they may resettle into other tissues and organs. Some individuals have experienced horrible side effects from these treatments. Chelation may also strip the body of essential elements such as calcium. Supplementation is usually required during chelation as well as monitoring of the liver and kidneys. This type of chelating can be expensive. And unless you are using a topical lotion, getting the child to orally take a chelating agent like DMSA is often difficult. The taste and smell are nasty. On the other hand we have heard and seen great results from this treatment. Our only fear is what will be the long term effect on young children using this practice?
We like to suggest homeopathy. Homeopathy essentially stimulates the body to heal and treat itself.
There are clinical and classical homeopaths. See our Homeopathy page for information on classical homeopathy. . A classical homeopath recommends one remedy at a time and focuses on symptoms as opposed to diagnosis.
A clinical homeopath differs in that they would suggest a combination of remedies to heal a disorder. Both are good. They are based on the philosophy that," like cures like". A clinical homeopath will use remedies made primarily of herbs. In detoxing the body of heavy metals, a good clinical homeopath will first make sure your liver, kidneys and lymph nodes are clean and working at optimal levels before proceeding to remove metals. Metals are drawn out in a non -evasive fashion using liquid drops under the tongue. Something most children easily receive. We believe a child knows what is good for him and will easily accept if not ask for.
As it may appear to be common sense to keep the spine aligned to prevent nerve interference, many do not seek the care of a chiropractor. Unfortunately chiropractors have been given a bad name, especially in the United States. In other countries such as England using a chiropractor is a common practice. Western medicine would much rather prescribe a little white pill. The pharmaceutical industry is responsible for giving birth to chiropractic "quacks". For years it was frowned upon to seek this line of care. However, Chiropractors did survive due to the need for symptom relief. This type of chiropractor manipulates the spine to decompress joints, free fixations and reduce pain. The patient may feel relief temporarily but since the spine remains misaligned it silently results in degeneration.
Seeking a traditional wellness chiropractor will help with subluxations and structural correction. Subluxations is simply a misaligned vertebrae which interferes with nerve impulses. Restructuriing the spine and posture maximizes the function of the discs, joints and nerves. Remember the nerves talk to the cells, which make up tissues, which make up organs. Removing a subluxation can actually improve the health and function of your liver, and kidneys.
Testimonies and studies show Chiropractic care has improved many ailments. Parents are seeing tremendous results with their children’s allergies and asthma. Autistic and ADHD patients are calming down and able to concentrate better. Ear infections can also be fixed with adjustments. Many times if the spine is misaligned little knots may appear in the neck behind the ear. Removing the knot eliminates a breeding ground for the bacteria causing the infection. Antibiotics have been thrown in the garbage and replaced with a visit to the chiropractor.
For some case studies and chiropractic guidance please visit http://www.icpa4kids.com/chiropractic_pediatrics_research.htm
Because chiropractors believe the body has the innate intelligence to heal itself they do not encourage the use of pharmaceuticals. Healing happens within and not with what you "put in".
Many chiropractors have taken this philosophy to another level. You often will find a chiropractor also being licensed or certified in other areas. Some may take up allergy treatments, acupuncture, homeopathy, cranial sacral, and so on. Often you may find a chiropractor using a NEW technique based on an old philosophy. Always proceed with caution. Remember ASK QUESTIONS. If the practitioner does not have the time and patience for your questions find someone else.
What is CranioSacral Therapy?
CranioSacral Therapy is a light touch therapy that is done with the hands to address restrictions in the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Imbalances or restrictions in the cranial sacral system negatively impacts the nervous system and can cause a variety of disturbances in the body. CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle way to correct those restrictions so the body can release the effects of stress naturally and heal itself.
Even the most natural of births is stressful for the skull and spine of the baby being born. Research strongly suggests that the birth process is responsible for many brain dysfunctions and problems caused by central nervous system imbalances. Because CranioSacral Therapy is so gentle it can be performed at birth or within the first few days of life to potentially reduce a wide variety of newborn and childhood problems, many which are not apparent until your child is of school age. Problems of head shape, small fontenelles, and skull bone override can also be corrected with the application of CranioSacral Therapy.
Some of the conditions that can be helped by CranioSacral are: Autism, Dyslexia, Down Syndrome, Failure to thrive, Hearing problems, sleeping problems, Hyperactivity, Motor Problems, Behavioral problems, Erbs Palsey,Cerebral Palsey, Seizures. Colic. Vomiting, Aphasias, Sinus Problems, GERD, Breast feeding problems, Otis, Media and more...
CranioSacral Therapy uses light touch - no more than the weight of a nickel - to monitor the rhythm of the cranial sacral system to detect restrictions and imbalances. The therapist continues to use this light touch in order to release any problems areas and relieve undue pressure on the brain and spinal cord.
The founder of CranioSacral Therapy is John E. Upledger, an osteopathic physician, who witnessed the rhythmic movement of the craniosacral system in 1970, during spinal surgery. He theorized that there was a kind of hydraulic system functioning inside the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord and then set out to confirm his theories.
In 1985, Dr. Upledger went on to establish The Upledger Institute in order to educate the public and healthcare practitioners about the benefits of CranioSacral Therapy.
Go to www.upledger.com for more information.
Allergies are not always easily detected. The average person thinks of an allergy as something that causes a visible response such as hives, rashes, runny nose, watery eyes etc. But often an allergen can cause a reaction like moodiness, lethargy, headache, unusual or strange behavior. We generally call these symptoms a cerebral allergy. Often when a child is lashing out or acting bizarre it can be associated with an allergen. The allergen is not always food. It may be mold, yeast, chemicals in fabrics, furniture, paints,radiation. One can be sensitive to changes in the weather, medications and even certain emotions are capable of setting off an attack.
Allergies can be eliminated. Obviously avoiding a substance that causes a reaction is best. Sometimes just avoiding the substance for a brief period of time is enough to readjust the body but we know this is not always feasible. However, there is hope. A fairly new treatment that is based on age old techniques has been found to help many. It is called N.A.E.T., Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique. When first experiencing this method of treatment the average Westerner may think it is bizarre. However, N.A.E.T. is a combination of knowledge from allopathic, chiropractic, kinesiology, acupuncture and nutrition. It is easy to see why there are so many skeptics because much of western medicine (allopathic) do not take the laws of "energy" into consideration. But the stories and testimonies claiming N.A.E.T has helped are astounding. It is a safe and invasive method that can unblock energy pathways and restore health. We will however, tell you that if you try N.A.E.T. you must be dedicated. Some see results in as little as 5 treatments and some may need as many as 25. Treatment must be done individually so time is involved. Prices for one treatment can vary from $35 to $75. Please see www.naet.com for more information and to help find a practitioner. Again....ask lots of questions.
Great article on this subject: http://www.balancedlivingmag.com/2005/March%20-%20April%202005/Allergies%20Causes%20&%20Solutions.htmy
This is what we feel to be the most important when it comes to treatment. Remember the great physician, Hippocrates, himself used foods as medicine. Not only do certain foods have healing properties, but today’s foods have damaging effects as well. Many people are unaware of the relationship food has with chronic and degenerative illnesses. A common food can cause depression or hyperactivity. Sometimes it is hard to make the connection, because a reaction may not be immediate Often the offending foods are things we regularly eat. . Most dietary suggestions are general and all should follow. Other conditions may need further limitations and restrictions. This is not a one size fits all solution. Once again it will require time and patience and a true desire to make change. We understand dietary changes are often difficult. With proper education and support however your goals can be met. Often in the case of a child the parent does not want the kid to feel out of place or different. Packing a school lunch everyday or baking special cakes for holidays may be awkward for you and your child but the benefits will be worth it. Dietary changes can take place over a period of time. We strongly urge you to buy books, find new recipes and even support groups to help you through this process. Yahoo groups is a great place to go to find parents dealing with similar situations. Simply go to www.yahoogroups.com and under "find a group" type in what you are looking for. For example "Gluten free" or "bipolar and diets"
Here we discuss the various diets parents are having success with. Because the subject is so huge we will briefly describe some diets and their pros and cons. This is a subject that will need further investigation by YOU.
There is a brief description of each diet. Websites and/or books are listed with each diet in order for you to learn more.
Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)
These two diets are effective but work better on people who are less reactive to certain foods. If you are highly allergic to a food you can become very sick during testing. It is important that you stay away from foods that you know cause a severe reaction.
The Elimination Diet, developed by Dr. Albert Rowe of California involves removing certain foods from diet. Like the name says foods are eliminated for a period of time to determine if they are responsible for creating an allergic symptom. For example if one was to suspect nuts or tested positive for nuts, all nuts would be removed from the diet for a specific period. It maybe for a few days, a few weeks or even months depending on the severity of the symptoms. When the patient has been free of symptoms for a period of time, nuts will slowly be added back into the diet, one at a time until a normal diet is obtained. This works, but as you can see it takes time and if there are many allergies to work with the diet may be very restricted in the beginning.
Rotation Diet----- This is a good way to test for allergies but again time consuming. With this method every day a different group of foods is eaten. Therefore you have seven different groups. The rotation starts again the following week. This way a reaction can be traced then eliminated.
Doris Rapp has written extensively on this subject in her book "Is This Your Child"
Her website is http://www.drrapp.com/
Removing all glutens has become acceptable in the medical community for those with Celiac disease. Celiac disease is often undiagnosed in children because the symptoms are not as severe as an adult. The gluten causes lesions in the small intestine causing improper and incomplete nutrient absorption. Symptoms may include fatty stools and slow growth but often the doctor dismisses this as something else. If Celiac goes untreated and the child continues to consume gluten the gut will progressively get worse. This is why Celiac is usually not diagnosed until later in life.
Another disease that is closely related is Dermatitis herpetiformes (DH). This is actually a skin rash that is caused by the gluten. The rash appears on the legs, arms and buttocks, is extremely itchy and burns. Again most doctors will dismiss it as eczema. Medication for the rash may temporarily relieve the symptoms but unless the gluten is removed the rash will reoccur.
Gluten free diets have become quite popular in the autism communities. Dr. Karl Reichelt found elevated peptides in the urine of autistic patients and Christopher Gillberg found high amounts of similar "endorphin like substances" in the cerebro-spinal fluid of those with autistm.
The two commonly known proteins capable of having this effect are gluten and casein.
Casein is the protein found in milk. Therefore it is in yogurt, cheese, ice cream etc.
Some parents may run allergy tests for these proteins and the results do not indicate a true allergy. Paul Shattock, the director, of the Autism Research Unit at the University of Sunderland, claims it is not an allergy but an intolerance. He states" The results are akin to poisoning rather than an extreme sensitivity such as occurs in Celiac disease or sensitivity to certain food colorings."
More about Gluten and Casein
Because casein is also a difficult food to remove many use "milk substitutes". There is a bit of controversy out there as to what to use. You may find in some of the cookbooks or websites parents are choosing items like rice milk, soy milk, almond milk etc. These may appear to be good choices and may be easily traded for cow’s milk but your child may be just as sensitive to these foods as well. Other diets like the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) believe all grains should be removed and rice is a grain. Many have allergies to nuts therefore almond milk would not be a good idea. Soy is under a lot of scrutiny. Although some soy may be safe in moderation, it is said that up to 50% of kids are soy intolerant as well. However, we are talking about being casein free right now and these choices are casein free.
If you are saying to yourself., "My goodness, there is gluten and casein in everything my child eats then you will have a difficult time feeding him/her at first. This is where a substitute may come in. It gives the parent other options in the beginning, until the household gets a better grip as to what is going on. Because gluten and casein give the child an opoid type high, they are actually addicted to them. Removing them cold turkey will not be a pleasant experience. They will crave them and do just about anything to get them. If you decide to do this diet you must be aware of this and not give in. This is actually a good sign and removing these items completely from the house will save you a lot of fighting. If you tell your child he can not have gluten and casein foods, do not enjoy a pizza in front of him. You may get a black eye.
In order to see results from this diet, you must be 100%. The slightest granule of food will effect the individual. It will take time and learning to figure out everything that contains these proteins. You may be doing your best to stay away from gluten and casein only to find the frozen french fries you buy are coated in flour to prevent stickiness. Read labels and learn what ingredients are. If you are not sure you can call or write to the company. These days because allergies are so common most products will say it contains some wheat, milk or soy byproducts.
Casein may be easier to avoid so if you are feeling overwhelmed by all this, start with just removing the casein. In the meantime, you can educate yourself better on gluten products. A good book on this subject is "Special Diets for Special Kids" by Lisa Lewis, PhD.
***Note---Please see RAW DIET about raw milk options
Elaine Gottschall has designed the SCD for patients with gastrointestinal disorders like Celiac, Crohns, IBD, and more. Her diet is again based on the fact that foods are not being broken down properly causing malabsorption of nutrients. Her book "Breaking the Viscious Cycle" is an easy read that explains her findings and recipes and guidelines for implementing the SCD. Reading Gottschall’s book reconfirms the fact that diet is essential to intestinal healing and there truly is a brain/gut connection. She documents studies in which food has been connected to schizophrenia and other forms of neurological disorders.
The autism world has also embraced this diet because many children with autism are experiencing chronic diarrhea and or constipation. Removing specific carbohydrates reduces stress on the enzymatic production and promotes healing of the gut.
She stresses the importance of removing all grains. While many who use the gf/cf diet substitute with corn and rice, Ms Gottschall states they too are grains and should be removed. The grains feed the nasty little bugs and yeast that reside in the gut. Elaine suggests foods such as homemade yogurt, which is loaded with beneficial bacteria..
Some parents are claiming the GF/CF diet is not enough and finding results with the SCD. This is why it is so important to journal what you are doing. Write down everything the child eats and drinks, including vitamins etc. and take notes on any changes, physical and neurological. Many parents have become poop experts and can tell how the child is doing by observing each bowel movement. Please visit www.pecanbread.com for more information on The Specific Carbohydrate Diet.
Some parents may find this diet hard to follow but addressing some of the issues mentioned in the book, "The Power of Exile " have been beneficial. The Desorgher’s also suggest removing gluten and casein for some. Apparently these two proteins have proven over and over again to be problematic.
What we have seen with the lutein free diet is that citrus is a huge problem for many. These fruits have gone unnoticed for years in the allergy community but removing them is now more common. If you have a child throwing tantrums and violent fits try taking away his Orange Juice, you may see a big difference.
Lutein is primarily in your yellow, orange, and dark green fruits and vegetables. Some call Sara’s Diet the white diet because the fruits and vegetables recommended are generally of no color.. Suggestions are things like white grapes, peeled apples, pears, cucumbers, cabbage, mushrooms, and turnips to name a few. While learning and using the lutien free diet, you will buy and eat things you never heard of. . It is a great cultural experience.
The Desorghers, also suggest some essential supplements which will help with obtaining the proper nutrients. For more on this diet visit, www.saras-autism-diet.freeservers.com
Jordan Rubin first documented his story in a book called "Patient Heal Thyself". He was a young healthy vibrant man who found himself rapidly diminishing during his college years. Jordan’s dad was a naturopath and because of his upbringing Jordan lived a fairly healthy life. However, nothing was helping Jordan get better. He was becoming weaker and weaker, losing weight and unable to hold onto any foods. Jordan traveled the world trying every option he could. Everyone assumed Jordan would soon die, but not Jordan. One day he rose up from his hospital bed and asked his mom to take him home. He was determined to find an answer and live. Jordan‘s strength came from his strong spiritual beliefs. It was through his beliefs he was led to a diet based on the Bible In biblical times people ate differently. Guidelines on how to survive were outlined in books of the Old Testament. Jordan takes these teachings and uses them in today’s times. He also follows the beliefs of Sally Fallon, the president of the Weston A. Price Foundation.
Weston A Price was a dentist who traveled the world in the 1930’s observing population groups and tribes untouched by civilization. What he found was almost every member of the tribe or village was extremely healthy. There was no chronic illness, mental illness or tooth decay. They were strong, vibrant and produced healthy offspring with ease. While not every diet was the same they had many things in common. They valued animal fats, meats, seafood, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains in their unrefined state. These cultures did not have canned foods, refined grains, sugar and pasteurized milk. Dr. Price found cultures that had industrialized diets were prone to illnesses of every find, had crooked teeth, deformed jaws and bones. Could this be why almost every other child today is wearing braces?
The primitive cultures also shared food preparation techniques. They fermented or pickled their foods in a process called lacto-fermentation. They soaked their grains, fruits, vegetables, meats and milk products. Not only did this preserve the food for scarce times, but it supplied the intestinal tract with lactic acid and friendly bacteria.
Jordan Rubin has since written "The Maker’s Diet", which explains these food choices and outlines a 40 day health plan. Now we won’t lie here. This is a radical change for those who have never eaten anything other than the Standard American Diet (SAD). If you consider fruit snacks part of a healthy diet you are in for a big shock here. For those of you interested in a great story of recovery read "Patient Heal Thyself. " If you are interested in learning how to transform your life and health get The Maker’s Diet" If you feel it is overwhelming at least learn from it and perhaps you will make better food choices.
Sally Fallon, who Jordan Rubin often refers to, has also written a life changing book. It is called "Nourishing Traditions" and is loaded with lots of recipes with fascinating side bars on nutritional studies and facts. We will hopefully be selling these books in the near future but if you cannot wait go to www.amazon.com or check your local health food store. Please read the Raw Diet below on more information pertaining to Jordan Rubin and Sally Fallon’s philosophies.
There are many websites and books on the subject of eating raw. Most of us think of raw as raw fruits and vegetables. This is only a portion of the raw diet spectrum. It goes without doubt that cooking fruits and vegetables reduces nutrient content. Juicing has become popular because drinking a vegetable juice is a whole lot easier then eating a pound of carrots and apples. Also one can be creative with juicing and add a variety of herbs, fruits and vegetables in one serving.
But raw can mean other food as well. Lately raw milk is making a comeback and we think it should. Raw milk means it is not pasteurized nor homogenized. Before you freak out, remember this is how we consumed milk for thousands of years. There are many reasons why the milk industry has changed and health is not the main issue. It is more about profits. Raw milk contains natural Vitamin A and D. The high heat processing of pasteurization destroys other vitamins like vitamin E and vitamin B’s. Natural enzymes are destroyed as well as beneficial bacteria. Milk allergies and gastrointestinal problems were literally unheard of before the pasteurization of milk. Jordan Rubin and Sally Fallon talk extensively on the benefits of raw milk and dairy, including butter, cheese, yogurt, cream etc. So many who have seen little or no effect from being casein free (protein found in milk products) have been highly successful implementing raw dairy into their diet. Not only does the milk sensitivity disappear, but the gut begins to heal. Again, there is a lot of information on this and we suggest you begin with The Weston A. Price Foundation. www.westonaprice.org
So far we have covered raw produce and dairy but what about raw meats? Well we know about sushi, which is raw fish. The Eastern cultures have always eaten this as well as other tribes like the Eskimos. Americans are familiar with raw oysters and clams and European cultures eat steak tartar. So raw meat is not so unusual.
However, recently we have been frightened by the food industries against eating our hamburger meat rare. The thought of raw chicken would repulse most, but there is a huge group of people swearing that eating meat in its raw state has saved their lives. The theory is that raw meat contains bacteria then when consumed will eat away the dead and decaying cells in the body. This fits what we have been saying. The problem here however, is your source of meat. You would not want to eat meat that is old or mishandled. Our oceans are polluted and our cattle are tainted. This is a diet that needs careful consideration. We will tell you this though, we have seen cancer victims and people inflicted with Chronic Fatigue make a huge comeback eating strictly raw foods.
If you are interested in learning more you may visit www.Primaldiet.com. Aajonus Vonderplanitz has written a few books on this matter and claims to have cured himself of numerous inflictions. It may simply be an issue of mind of matter but we think if one is chronically ill, they would want to investigate every option. Perhaps this is the answer.
There are a number of other diets not mentioned here. There is the macrobiotic diet, the B.E.D. Diet. There are individualized diets that may be recommended by a nutritionist or an ayurveda practioner. There are diets based on your blood type or even your heritage. Perhaps they will work better for you. Sometimes one has to play around with their foods. You may take some information from the Maker’s Diet and incorporate it into a Rotation diet. Finding what works for you or your child can take time. The best thing to do is observe carefully, anything that you are seeing. Make notes. A person’s general appearance is a great indicator. How is their complexion? What do their eyes tell you? Are their pupils restricted or dilated? Can the child look straight at you? What is their general mood? How are they behaving? Mild and easy mannered or nervous and hyper?
You will most often see changes in the beginning of diet change. Don’t let this throw you off. When the body is healing it goes through huge changes. One child may need to rest more, while another may appear agitated. These behaviors can be withdrawal or detoxification. Sometimes it is hard to tell. This is also why patience is important. Give it some time. Although dietary intervention is generally harmless, follow the advice of a practitioner, who has experience with these diets if you are unsure.
It may get more difficult as the child gets older, but try to observe bowel movements. This can also be a great indicator of what is going on. You should see change. If your child is backed up, it may be weeks before the colon is cleared and normal B.M.’s take place. Many parents have become poop experts. You too can be one!