Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (129 page)

Food intolerances.

Calcium deposits.

Action plan

The following nutrition advice is to aid any conventional treatment you may need for your condition. It focuses on anti-inflammatory foods and plenty of antioxidants to help repair damaged tissue.

EAT/DRINK

Essential fats for their anti-inflammatory and healing effects. Good sources include oily fish, nuts, seeds, and cold-pressed oils.

Raw fruits and vegetables and juices for their antioxidant content. Antioxidants are needed by the immune system for repairing damaged tissue.

Fresh pineapple between meals. The core of pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain, which can help to reduce inflammation.

HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Horsetail tea, which contains silica, needed for tissue repair.

Other good teas to drink include nettle and celery seed, as they remove excess fluids, and pau d’arco for its anti-inflammatory effect.

Take devil’s claw extract for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-rheumatic properties.

Take magnesium citrate if there are calcium deposits. Magnesium is needed for the proper utilization of calcium in the body. Without sufficient magnesium relative to calcium, calcium can be deposited inappropriately.

Take sublingual (placed under the tongue for quick, maximum absorption) supplements of vitamin B
₁₂
. Magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D are important, too. You need more magnesium than calcium.

Use turmeric liberally in your cooking. It contains curcumin, which has powerful anti-inflammatory effects.

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