Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (82 page)

Chew food really well until it becomes liquid to aid digestion.

If you eat a variety of foods, you are less likely to develop food sensitivities.

Learn to manage stress. Consider relaxation techniques such as meditation, tai chi, yoga, or breathing exercises.

Get to bed early. You will be more reactive when tired and you need proper sleep to allow the gallbladder and liver to detoxify properly.

Get tested for parasites, as they can often be a root cause of a food allergy. Home-testing kits are available on www.gillianmckeith.info. It’s worth going on a course of black walnut tincture to clear out parasites.

ALOPECIA

Alopecia basically means hair loss. There are different degrees of hair loss, including alopecia areata, which refers to patches of hair loss; alopecia totalis, which refers to the loss of all hair on the head (baldness); and alopecia universalis, which refers to the loss of all body hair.

Alopecia can often lead to bouts of depression and anxiety due to changed physical appearance. And that’s why I applaud TV personality Gail Porter, who has managed to take the stigma out of alopecia by appearing in public without a wig. This brave step has made it easier for sufferers everywhere to ask for help and to get a grip on dealing with the condition.

CAUSES

There are many possible underlying causes behind alopecia, with some sort of stress nearly always being implicated. Other contributory factors include:

Female hormone deficiency.

Androgens (male hormones).

Low stomach acid or digestive enzyme insufficiency.

Imbalance in gut bacteria.

Rapid weight loss; yo-yo diets and years of constant dieting.

Diabetes or high insulin levels.

Nutrient deficiencies, particularly iron, protein, biotin, and other B vitamins.

Underactive thyroid.