Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (295 page)
Read Gillian McKeith's Food Bible Online
Authors: Gillian McKeith
If you are on antidepressants or
antacids, you must pay even more attention to your bones. Studies have found that the elderly who are on antidepressants and other drugs are more likely to break a hip than those who don’t take such drugs. So supplement with a good bone-building formula.
Get outside for at least 30 minutes every day. Vitamin D is formed by the action of daylight on the skin and is vital for the retention of calcium, as it stimulates calcium absorption from the gut.
Do weight-bearing exercises. Exercise is one of the most effective ways of building bones. Good bone-building exercises include weight lifting, aerobics, walking, jogging, skipping, Pilates, and yoga. Do not only do cardiovascular activity at the expense of lifting weights. But be very careful with weight-bearing exercises if you already have osteoporosis. Seek the guidance of your GP.
If you suffer from celiac disease (see page
224
), a condition in which gluten (a component of grains) reduces the small intestine’s ability to absorb essential nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium, then you will need to supplement, as you are at greater risk.
Natural progesterone cream from wild yam can help to slow down bone loss.
Presoak grains and legumes before cooking to minimize phytic acid content, which can bind to zinc, calcium, and magnesium.
PANCREATITIS
Pancreatitis literally means inflammation of the pancreas. It occurs when the pancreatic duct is blocked by gallstones, scarring, or tumors. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes that help to break down protein, fats, and carbohydrates from food as well as insulin and glucagon that control blood-sugar levels.
Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. Acute pancreatitis may only last a few days and may resolve completely. Some people suffer recurrences but others have just the one attack. Symptoms include sudden or gradual pain in the upper middle of the abdomen. The pain may radiate to the back of the body. The pain may come on after eating and last a few days. Nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, swollen, tender abdomen, low blood pressure, dehydration, jaundice, rapid heartbeat, blood-sugar problems, and lethargy may all result.
Chronic pancreatitis starts off as acute, but if the pancreas becomes damaged and scarred it may not recover and the damage can worsen. Often there is no pain in chronic pancreatitis; this may be a sign that the pancreas has stopped working altogether. Inability to digest food, weight loss, anemia, diabetes, osteoporosis, and liver problems may all occur in those with chronic pancreatitis.
CAUSES
A range of factors can contribute to pancreatitis, but the most common ones are alcohol abuse and gallstones.
Alcohol abuse.
Gallstones.
Medications.
Oxidative stress.
Antioxidant deficiencies.
Injury.
Genetics.
Surgery.
High blood-calcium levels.
Infections.
High blood fats.
Action plan
If alcohol is a problem for you, see the entry on Alcoholism, page
175
.
EAT/DRINK
Low-fat foods. People with pancreatitis do not digest fats well. However, make sure you eat some sources of essential fats daily, as these are anti-inflammatory and needed for health. Good sources are oily fish, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, avocados, and cold-pressed oils.