dr weil

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what do ya'll think of this from dr. andrew weil?

Lifestyle changes can moderate autoimmunity, and other strategies can help you

control

the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Here are my basic recommendations:

Follow a low-protein, high carbohydrate diet; minimize consumption of foods of

animal

origin.

Eliminate milk and milk products including commercial foods made with milk.

Avoid all polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, vegetable shortening and

products

made with partially hydrogenated oils of any kind.

Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating more cold water fish, walnuts

or fresh

ground flax seeds. You may also want to consider taking a fish oil supplement to

help

keep your protein intake low.

Get regular aerobic exercise (swimming is best for those with rheumatoid

arthritis).

Practice relaxation techniques. In addition, visualization can help moderate

autoimmune

responses; psychotherapy can help you change emotional states that keep the

immune

system off balance.

Try hypnotherapy or guided imagery Look for a therapist willing to take on an

autoimmune disease. Meditation and yoga can help, too.

Avoid health care practitioners who make you feel pessimistic about your

condition.

Eliminate or reduce intake of coffee and tobacco as both have been liked to an

increased

risk for rheumatoid arthritis.

Here are specific recommendations for rheumatoid arthritis management:

One at a time, eliminate the following categories of food for two months: (1)

all sugar

except natural fruits; (2) all citrus fruits; (3) wheat, corn and soy. At the

end of each trial

period, restore the eliminated items to your diet. You may find that one or more

has an

influence on your arthritis symptoms.

For symptomatic treatment use aspirin and other over-the-counter

anti-inflammatory

drugs.

Take feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) for its anti-inflammatory effect; one to

two

capsules twice a day

Use anti-inflammatory herbs Ginger and turmeric are particularly effective. I

recommend

Zyflamend, made by New Chapter Company, which includes both. You can continue to

take these herbs indefinitely.

Experiment with traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, homeopathy,

Native

American medicine, and healers.

Try long term fasting in a facility staffed by experienced health professionals.

For

additional information on fasting, check out www.dmoz.org.

Investigate apitherapy (bee-sting treatment); a local bee keeper should be able

to advise

you.