Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (288 page)
Read Gillian McKeith's Food Bible Online
Authors: Gillian McKeith
Make sure you are eating enough food. Lack of food can trigger nausea. Eat little and often.
Acupressure can help. There is a pressure point that can help to stave off nausea.
Extra tips for those suffering from travel sickness
Avoid strong smells such as engine oil, cleaning products, and perfumes. These can all contribute to nausea.
Look at a distant but stationary object such as the horizon. This prevents conflicting messages being sent from the eyes to the brain.
Increase oxygen levels. Open the window if you are in a car or go out on deck if you are on a ship.
Travel sickness is partly psychological, so try not to focus on it. Use distractions such as conversation or relaxing music. Reading is not recommended.
Alternate nostril breathing has helped many of my clients. Close the right nostril with your thumb, then inhale fully and slowly through your left nostril. Alternate 10 times.
OSTEOARTHRITIS
Sometimes called “wear-and-tear arthritis,” this tends to strike people in their 50s and above and affects more women than men. It refers to the erosion of cartilage that covers the ends of bones between joints. The usually smooth cartilage becomes rough, and this results in friction, pain, and inflammation. The changes in the cartilage stimulate the overgrowth of bone cells as the body tries to correct the imbalance. This overgrowth can lead to bony spurs that contribute to more pain.
Joints affected include those of the wrists, hands, knees, spine, and hips. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, deformity, and reduction in mobility of the affected joints. Cold, damp climates may aggravate symptoms with improvements being seen in warm, dry climates.
Conventional treatment usually involves the use of ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These reduce pain and inflammation but do nothing to address the underlying causes. They can have a negative impact on gut health.
Action plan
The focus is on removing triggers and including foods that reduce inflammation.
EAT/DRINK
Oily fish—salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, trout, and halibut. These contain the anti-inflammatory omega-3 essential fats EPA and DHA.
Nuts and seeds—especially walnuts, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, and their cold-pressed oils.
Fruits—these are high in anti-inflammatory nutrients and can help to alkalize the body. Arthritis is often a sign of acidity in the tissues. Eat two to three pieces of fruit a day between meals on an empty stomach.
Vegetables. These are also alkalizing and anti-inflammatory. Eat two to three portions of vegetables with lunch and dinner. Some should be eaten raw. If cooking them, try steaming, baking, roasting, or stir-frying rather than boiling.
Alfalfa sprouts—these are high in minerals needed for healthy bones.
Sulphur-rich foods. Sulphur is needed for the repair of cartilage and bone and aids in the absorption and utilization of calcium. Foods containing sulphur include asparagus, eggs, garlic, and onions.
Green vegetables, which contain vitamin K and folic acid, needed for healthy bone and cartilage formation.
Whole grains, such as brown rice, whole wheat, and rye, as these contain histidine, which can remove excess metals from the body. Those with arthritis often have high levels of copper and iron.
Fresh pineapple, which contains the enzyme bromelain that can help to reduce inflammation. Eat the core of the pineapple, as this is where most of the enzymes lie.