Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (213 page)

Drink nettle tea to replace lost minerals if bleeding is heavy.

AVOID

Coffee, tea, chocolate, dairy products, and nonorganic meat and eggs. These may all have an estrogenic effect.

HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Take agnus castus every morning to balance estrogen and progesterone.

Use castor oil packs to break down lumps and growths.

Take milk thistle tincture and drink dandelion-root coffee.

Take evening primrose oil, which can help to balance estrogen levels and can be anti-inflammatory.

Take magnesium, which is vital for female hormone balance.

EXTRA TIPS

Lose weight if you need to. More fat generally means more estrogen.

Have a series of colonics if bowel congestion is an underlying factor. After this, supplement with probiotics and make sure the bowels are moving at least twice a day.

Improve circulation to the area; hot and cold showers, dry skin brushing, massage, and exercise can all aid circulation and remove congestion.

FIBROMYALGIA

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition with a number of symptoms. Widespread muscular pain (with no obvious physical cause) and fatigue are the most common. The muscular pain is characterized by a number of tender points in specific muscles throughout the body and is often worst first thing in the morning. Aching and stiffness of the muscles of the back, neck, shoulders, chest, thighs, arms, and legs are common. There are usually certain points known as tender points. Other symptoms that sufferers often experience include headaches, poor sleep patterns, digestive problems, PMS, anxiety, palpitations, brain fog, food intolerances, depression, and dizzy spells. The condition is strongly linked with chronic fatigue syndrome (also known as CFS or ME) (see page
228
). It is a surprisingly common condition that is estimated to affect about 4 percent of the general population and affects 10 times as many women as men.

CAUSES

Fibromyalgia does not seem to have a specific cause. It is likely that there are several contributory factors for each individual with the syndrome. Candidiasis, parasites, leaky gut, food intolerances, viral infections, stress, compromised immune function, heavy metal toxicity, acidity, nutrient deficiencies, imbalances in brain chemistry, blood-sugar problems, and low thyroid function may all play a part.

The condition is most common in females in their 20s and 30s. It can be brought on and exacerbated by periods of stress, infections, trauma, and overexertion. It is generally chronic but may go into remission intermittently.