Re: Vitamins vs medicine

[Guest guest]

I am not currently into Nutritional therapy, although I am interested in

this and have switched to eating Organic foods for this reason, I am sure

lots of others would be interested too - That's if I could find alternatives

for all my medicines.

One of the thoughts I have with this issue is that we have and need our medications. Yes, we'd all like to leave them behind, and fix ourself by diet and exercise.

What I'm learning is that yes, I need the "healthy, balanced diet." I need the low ( I do mean LOW) impact exercises, stretches, like arm raises, swimming the australian crawl (windmills) and simple leg raises, or marching in place, or a 6 minute walk at less than a half-mile per hour and working up on how long I can walk vs how fast or how far. Sitting on a stationary bike and pedalling at less than 1/2 mile per hour starting at 4-6 minutes, with no resistance- and then over 6 weeks, increasing to .7 mph and lasting 15 minutes.

Yes, those are extremely important.

We all learned to exercise by pushing ourself from the start. We were young! and healthy!

With sarcoidosis- systemic or neurosarcoidosis or pulmonary sarcoidosis- you start with baby steps. any movement is going to make you hurt- and if you overdo it, you'll end up quitting rather than being able to continue on.

We face sarcoid induced arthritis. If you've not moved your arms and limbs in a long while, then when you do, those toxins sitting in that fluid gets released, and you end up "in flare."

Icing (Ice packs) brings down inflammation, and heat soothes the muscles. Still works for us.

If you find you have to sleep on a heating pack- and blast it, the inflammation never seems to go away- then get off the heat-- you are literally bringing in more inflammation.

Dairy products seem to exacerbate inflammation. So if you can cut out that ice cream, that milk, the cheese-- it will help. RICE DREAM and other milk substitutes seem to be ok. Watch out for SOY products- it's hard to digest.

Refined sugars, candy bars, cookies, pie, etc- will add insult to injury for those of us with neuropathy. It turns on the nerve endings, and shorts them out.

Fruit, vegetables, nuts, honey instead of sugar or sweetners, seem to be ok. Wash the fruit and veges to remove any pesticide or chemical residues..

Get away from caffeine and sodas and sparkling waters. Between the soda (salt) in the bubbly drinks, and the dehydration of the caffeines-- you end up creating more pain from these drinks.

When making ANY diet changes-- do one thing at a time. When starting exercise programs-- if you can do so thru a regulated pulmonary rehab or cardiac rehab program-- do so. That way your heart rate and oxygen saturation levels can be monitored, and then the problem of saturation can be addressed, so that you manage to keep the oxygen in your blood stream up-- and the neuropathic pain and numbness sensations will lessen.

If you have diabetes, REALLY monitor your blood sugar-- for me, so much of my neuropathy was coming from poorly controlled blood sugar- and my diabetes is a secondary issue to the years I spent on Prednisone.

Will you be able to get off all the meds. I know I'd love to-- and if i had the finances to get myself into a GERSON THERAPY CLINIC- I'd look into it. It is raw fruits, veges, and juicing--- and is a very successful way to treat cancers. There is question as to how effective it could be with people like us who have been on a multitude of immunosuppresants.

You can find the book in used book stores-- or online-- and it's worth looking at.

I myself, have found that a good balanced diet and light exercise along with my medications are what is keeping me going. To exclude my meds (and I've tried) has been just short of bad news. Very bad news.

Hope this helps, and there is more on this issue in our ARCHIVES--

Blessings,

Tracie

NS CO-owner/moderator

[Guest guest]

Hi Tracie, High 5 on all those comments. I follow about everyone one of them almost to the letter. And about the exercise...I started with the baby steps of just a gentle raise of the arms...to the comfort level, do it slow and if there is increased pain back off a bit and go even slower. I have built up to adding a few more moves to my "Trigger Point Therapy" moves and believe me my shoulder pain is less and there is a slight bit more strength (I can feel it) in the arm it's self. What do you think of licorice root for shingles and sore muscles? I don't drink it as it raises my blood sugar and blood pressure but I rub it on my sore back and it releives the pain and I don't get the blisters anymore? Thanks for the wonderful articles; you write so well and informative too. Sincerely, Clare tiodaat@... wrote: In a message dated 11/8/06 7:31:45 PM Pacific Standard Time, becky.d (AT) hotmail (DOT) co.uk writes: I am not currently into Nutritional therapy, although I am interested in this and have switched to eating Organic foods for this reason, I am

sure lots of others would be interested too - That's if I could find alternatives for all my medicines.One of the thoughts I have with this issue is that we have and need our medications. Yes, we'd all like to leave them behind, and fix ourself by diet and exercise. What I'm learning is that yes, I need the "healthy, balanced diet." I need the low ( I do mean LOW) impact exercises, stretches, like arm raises, swimming the australian crawl (windmills) and simple leg raises, or marching in place, or a 6 minute walk at less than a half-mile per hour and working up on how long I can walk vs how fast or how far. Sitting on a stationary bike and pedalling at less than 1/2 mile per hour starting at 4-6 minutes, with no resistance- and then over 6 weeks, increasing to .7 mph and lasting

15 minutes. Yes, those are extremely important. We all learned to exercise by pushing ourself from the start. We were young! and healthy! With sarcoidosis- systemic or neurosarcoidosis or pulmonary sarcoidosis- you start with baby steps. any movement is going to make you hurt- and if you overdo it, you'll end up quitting rather than being able to continue on. We face sarcoid induced arthritis. If you've not moved your arms and limbs in a long while, then when you do, those toxins sitting in that fluid gets released, and you end up "in flare." Icing (Ice packs) brings down inflammation, and heat soothes the muscles. Still works for us. If you find you have to sleep on a heating pack- and blast it, the inflammation never seems to go away- then get off the heat-- you are literally bringing in more inflammation. Dairy products seem to exacerbate inflammation. So if you can cut

out that ice cream, that milk, the cheese-- it will help. RICE DREAM and other milk substitutes seem to be ok. Watch out for SOY products- it's hard to digest. Refined sugars, candy bars, cookies, pie, etc- will add insult to injury for those of us with neuropathy. It turns on the nerve endings, and shorts them out. Fruit, vegetables, nuts, honey instead of sugar or sweetners, seem to be ok. Wash the fruit and veges to remove any pesticide or chemical residues.. Get away from caffeine and sodas and sparkling waters. Between the soda (salt) in the bubbly drinks, and the dehydration of the caffeines-- you end up creating more pain from these drinks. When making ANY diet changes-- do one thing at a time. When starting exercise programs-- if you can do so thru a regulated pulmonary rehab or cardiac rehab program-- do so. That way your heart rate and oxygen saturation levels can be

monitored, and then the problem of saturation can be addressed, so that you manage to keep the oxygen in your blood stream up-- and the neuropathic pain and numbness sensations will lessen. If you have diabetes, REALLY monitor your blood sugar-- for me, so much of my neuropathy was coming from poorly controlled blood sugar- and my diabetes is a secondary issue to the years I spent on Prednisone. Will you be able to get off all the meds. I know I'd love to-- and if i had the finances to get myself into a GERSON THERAPY CLINIC- I'd look into it. It is raw fruits, veges, and juicing--- and is a very successful way to treat cancers. There is question as to how effective it could be with people like us who have been on a multitude of immunosuppresants. You can find the book in used book stores-- or online-- and it's worth looking at. I myself, have found that a good balanced diet and light exercise along with my medications

are what is keeping me going. To exclude my meds (and I've tried) has been just short of bad news. Very bad news. Hope this helps, and there is more on this issue in our ARCHIVES-- Blessings,TracieNS CO-owner/moderator

Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.

[Guest guest]

Part of me agrees with you Tracie. But part of me want so much to find

an alternative, since the meds themselves are wreaking their own havoc

in my body. And what do you do when medical conditions require

opposing solutions? Take for example osteoporis. I have that as a

result of prednisone, so I need calcium. I take supplements and

fosomax but I am still supposed to get calcium from other sources.

Dairy is the easiest. Since mobility is now an issue as well, I choose

the easy solution. But I would like to find something less toxic for

pain relief and swelling. The tarsal tunnel problem in my ankle is

making walking extremely painful and difficult. Taking narcotics is

the only thing that helps right now, but in the long term? My neuro

doesn't think the problem is sarcoid related. How does one know? It's

hard to know which meds or alternatives will work for what if the

cause of the particular problems are unclear. And what about natural

solutions interfering with your medicine? I've wanted to try an

anti-inflammatory diet and supplement program but the makers of the

supplement do not recommend any of it if you are taking Imuran or

other immunosuppressants. Gets too confusing.

-

>

> In a message dated 11/8/06 7:31:45 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> becky.d@... writes:

>

>

> > I am not currently into Nutritional therapy, although I am

interested in

> > this and have switched to eating Organic foods for this reason, I

am sure

> > lots of others would be interested too - That's if I could find

alternatives

> >

> > for all my medicines.

> >

>

> One of the thoughts I have with this issue is that we have and need our

> medications. Yes, we'd all like to leave them behind, and fix

ourself by diet and

> exercise.

> What I'm learning is that yes, I need the " healthy, balanced diet. "

I need

> the low ( I do mean LOW) impact exercises, stretches, like arm

raises, swimming

> the australian crawl (windmills) and simple leg raises, or marching

in place,

> or a 6 minute walk at less than a half-mile per hour and working up

on how

> long I can walk vs how fast or how far. Sitting on a stationary

bike and

> pedalling at less than 1/2 mile per hour starting at 4-6 minutes,

with no resistance-

> and then over 6 weeks, increasing to .7 mph and lasting 15 minutes.

> Yes, those are extremely important.

> We all learned to exercise by pushing ourself from the start. We

were young!

> and healthy!

> With sarcoidosis- systemic or neurosarcoidosis or pulmonary

sarcoidosis- you

> start with baby steps. any movement is going to make you hurt- and

if you

> overdo it, you'll end up quitting rather than being able to continue

on.

> We face sarcoid induced arthritis. If you've not moved your arms

and limbs

> in a long while, then when you do, those toxins sitting in that

fluid gets

> released, and you end up " in flare. "

> Icing (Ice packs) brings down inflammation, and heat soothes the

muscles.

> Still works for us.

> If you find you have to sleep on a heating pack- and blast it, the

> inflammation never seems to go away- then get off the heat-- you are

literally bringing

> in more inflammation.

> Dairy products seem to exacerbate inflammation. So if you can cut

out that

> ice cream, that milk, the cheese-- it will help. RICE DREAM and

other milk

> substitutes seem to be ok. Watch out for SOY products- it's hard to

digest.

> Refined sugars, candy bars, cookies, pie, etc- will add insult to

injury for

> those of us with neuropathy. It turns on the nerve endings, and

shorts them

> out.

> Fruit, vegetables, nuts, honey instead of sugar or sweetners, seem

to be ok.

> Wash the fruit and veges to remove any pesticide or chemical

residues..

> Get away from caffeine and sodas and sparkling waters. Between the

soda

> (salt) in the bubbly drinks, and the dehydration of the caffeines--

you end up c

> reating more pain from these drinks.

> When making ANY diet changes-- do one thing at a time. When starting

> exercise programs-- if you can do so thru a regulated pulmonary

rehab or cardiac

> rehab program-- do so. That way your heart rate and oxygen

saturation levels can

> be monitored, and then the problem of saturation can be addressed,

so that you

> manage to keep the oxygen in your blood stream up-- and the

neuropathic pain

> and numbness sensations will lessen.

> If you have diabetes, REALLY monitor your blood sugar-- for me, so

much of my

> neuropathy was coming from poorly controlled blood sugar- and my

diabetes is

> a secondary issue to the years I spent on Prednisone.

> Will you be able to get off all the meds. I know I'd love to-- and

if i had

> the finances to get myself into a GERSON THERAPY CLINIC- I'd look

into it. It

> is raw fruits, veges, and juicing--- and is a very successful way to

treat

> cancers. There is question as to how effective it could be with

people like us

> who have been on a multitude of immunosuppresants.

> You can find the book in used book stores-- or online-- and it's worth

> looking at.

> I myself, have found that a good balanced diet and light exercise

along with

> my medications are what is keeping me going. To exclude my meds

(and I've

> tried) has been just short of bad news. Very bad news.

>

> Hope this helps, and there is more on this issue in our ARCHIVES--

> Blessings,

> Tracie

> NS CO-owner/moderator

>

[Guest guest]

I am in a naughty mood so i thought I'd add that I read in Oprah today that having orgasms can help with pain management. hehehe I'm not too sure about that though cuz it usually takes me a day or two just to get over 'doing it'...hehehe It also mentioned some stuff about herbs like taking gingko biloba but I would think that gb may irritate the nerves if you have sarc. It was a general article not specific to any one disease or ailment. I wish we could all hire someone to cook for us, monitor our blood sugars and do all the planning and figuring out cuz I can't keep up with all that crap and frankly am sick of the whole darn ball of wax. BUT I will keep 'trying' to work at it and do what I can. I certainly have a ways to go to get near where you are ,Tracie, but I will keep trying. hugs S.tiodaat@... wrote: In a message dated 11/8/06 7:31:45 PM Pacific Standard Time, becky.d (AT) hotmail (DOT) co.uk writes: I am not currently into Nutritional therapy, although I am interested in this and have switched to eating Organic foods for this reason, I am sure lots

of others would be interested too - That's if I could find alternatives for all my medicines.One of the thoughts I have with this issue is that we have and need our medications. Yes, we'd all like to leave them behind, and fix ourself by diet and exercise. What I'm learning is that yes, I need the "healthy, balanced diet." I need the low ( I do mean LOW) impact exercises, stretches, like arm raises, swimming the australian crawl (windmills) and simple leg raises, or marching in place, or a 6 minute walk at less than a half-mile per hour and working up on how long I can walk vs how fast or how far. Sitting on a stationary bike and pedalling at less than 1/2 mile per hour starting at 4-6 minutes, with no resistance- and then over 6 weeks, increasing to .7 mph and lasting 15

minutes. Yes, those are extremely important. We all learned to exercise by pushing ourself from the start. We were young! and healthy! With sarcoidosis- systemic or neurosarcoidosis or pulmonary sarcoidosis- you start with baby steps. any movement is going to make you hurt- and if you overdo it, you'll end up quitting rather than being able to continue on. We face sarcoid induced arthritis. If you've not moved your arms and limbs in a long while, then when you do, those toxins sitting in that fluid gets released, and you end up "in flare." Icing (Ice packs) brings down inflammation, and heat soothes the muscles. Still works for us. If you find you have to sleep on a heating pack- and blast it, the inflammation never seems to go away- then get off the heat-- you are literally bringing in more inflammation. Dairy products seem to exacerbate inflammation. So if you can cut out

that ice cream, that milk, the cheese-- it will help. RICE DREAM and other milk substitutes seem to be ok. Watch out for SOY products- it's hard to digest. Refined sugars, candy bars, cookies, pie, etc- will add insult to injury for those of us with neuropathy. It turns on the nerve endings, and shorts them out. Fruit, vegetables, nuts, honey instead of sugar or sweetners, seem to be ok. Wash the fruit and veges to remove any pesticide or chemical residues.. Get away from caffeine and sodas and sparkling waters. Between the soda (salt) in the bubbly drinks, and the dehydration of the caffeines-- you end up creating more pain from these drinks. When making ANY diet changes-- do one thing at a time. When starting exercise programs-- if you can do so thru a regulated pulmonary rehab or cardiac rehab program-- do so. That way your heart rate and oxygen saturation levels can be monitored,

and then the problem of saturation can be addressed, so that you manage to keep the oxygen in your blood stream up-- and the neuropathic pain and numbness sensations will lessen. If you have diabetes, REALLY monitor your blood sugar-- for me, so much of my neuropathy was coming from poorly controlled blood sugar- and my diabetes is a secondary issue to the years I spent on Prednisone. Will you be able to get off all the meds. I know I'd love to-- and if i had the finances to get myself into a GERSON THERAPY CLINIC- I'd look into it. It is raw fruits, veges, and juicing--- and is a very successful way to treat cancers. There is question as to how effective it could be with people like us who have been on a multitude of immunosuppresants. You can find the book in used book stores-- or online-- and it's worth looking at. I myself, have found that a good balanced diet and light exercise along with my medications are what is

keeping me going. To exclude my meds (and I've tried) has been just short of bad news. Very bad news. Hope this helps, and there is more on this issue in our ARCHIVES-- Blessings,TracieNS CO-owner/moderator

Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.

[Guest guest]

On the topic of how one with sarcoidosis might modify or augment their diet, here follows an excerpt of a reply from my sister who is a trained and registered homeopath (and keep in mind that many homeopathic educations have the prerequisite that the students have conventional medical educations beforehand):

Go for the old standard rules of eating a colourful diet with a variety of fruit and veg as the bulk of each meal (low-glycemic, so kinda on the Atkins wavelength without being dangerous, AND chock full of nutrients), some lean protein at each meal (again, to stabilize blood sugar levels, and to prevent muscle wasting, provide amino acids for neurotransmitter and hormone production, etc.), and good fats (cold-water fish oils, flax seeds, etc). If you do have grains make sure they are whole...that is avoid refined foods such as flour, sugar, processed oils (if they don't go rancid at room temp in a few weeks/months they are loaded with bad crap). As far as fish goes, I am assuming the concern is the heavy metals such as mercury and environmental toxins that are often present? Go for little fishies low on the food chain like sardines, anchovies, smelt, etc. They eat plankton which is low in heavy metals, so they are too. But the bigger, aggressive fishies up the food chain eat all the little, lightly metalled fish, accumulate WAY too much insoluble crap in their tissues in the process, which we then eat...so bye-bye tuna! I'm not a marine biologist, so googling fish will give you a better idea of which ones specifically score high for toxins...I just follow the small fish rule-of-thumb. And avoid farmed fish unless Sweden is better at it than Canada, US and UK (again, I'm not sure of all the ins and outs). Only avoid refined carbs...and remember that if it isn't fat or protein (both easily identifiable) then it's a carb (vinegar, alcohol, grains, veggies, fruit, milk (lactose...some protein in milk but don't forget the carbs!), yadda, yadda). Stick to carbs as close as posible to how nature made them...eat things that will go off quickly, but eat them before they do. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store and don't eat things that come in cardboard boxes! A slow cooker may be a good investment...shove in some veg and some good quality meat (fresh, not processed/breaded/smoked/pureed with flavours) and you are good to go. Practice sauces that make you happy (French, curry, Thai, mexican, whatever) adn pour it over steamed veg and brown rice! The meal is in the sauce in my world. You can avoid grains if you so wish (not necessary to in my mind as long as they are unprocessed), but don't cut out veg...make yams your treat. I'm all for dairy in moderation for everyone anyway...it's propaganda that says it's healthy but the benefits are marginal. Osteoporosis is highest in the countries that eat the most dairy...it was unheard of in Asia until the western diet took over. But it's tasty. Use as a condiment; a little to add flavour to your plate full of veg. Not a staple food. Supplements for you include: -a good quality blend of vit C, vit E, vit A/beta-carotene/both, selenium* -glutathione or N-acetylcysteine* -alpha-lipoic acid* -zinc -magnesium *antioxidants will help prevent the conversion of the vit D analogue being secreted by the granulomas in your lungs, thereby decreasing the clinical problems associated with too much vit D, calcium, etc. Get on a good antioxidant program (a blend...they work synergistically) and you don't have to worry QUITE as much about the calcium in your diet. Supplements for you to avoid: -vit D -Calcium

Hope this might be of interest/help to other people out there!

Best,

/Darian

[Guest guest]

Tracie,You have helped so much with your well written and thoroughly researched topics. I too would like to not have to take meds but it's just not possible. In 2000 when I was still working I bought the Nursing 2000 book on herbal/supplemental drugs, etc (can't remember the exact name). In it was interactions, uses, contraindications, etc...like a regular nurse's drug book but only herbal drugs. I was shocked to see how many herbal drugs couldn't be used in connection with meds my doctors had prescribed. When I saw it was going to be of no use to me (since couldn't mix with what I was taking) I gave it to another nurse who was into herbal stuff. In my next life I will try to remember to start off on the right foot and herbal remedies will be tops on my list:) You have mentioned hydration as a mainstay and I totally agree. Without good ole' H2O we would be in trouble. I can always feel when I'm in need of hydration (by then it's way past time!). I think clearer and

function better overall with adequate hydration. A simple thing to do yet it's often overlooked. Thanks again and blessings,Beckytiodaat@... wrote: In a message dated 11/8/06 7:31:45 PM Pacific Standard Time, becky.d (AT) hotmail (DOT) co.uk writes: I am not currently into Nutritional therapy, although I am interested in this and have switched to eating Organic foods for this reason, I am sure lots of others would be interested too - That's if I could find alternatives for all my medicines. One of the thoughts I have with this issue is that we have and need our medications. Yes, we'd all like to leave them behind, and fix ourself by diet and exercise. What I'm learning is that yes, I need the "healthy, balanced diet." I need the low ( I do mean LOW) impact exercises, stretches, like arm raises, swimming the australian crawl (windmills) and simple leg raises, or marching in place, or a 6 minute walk at less than a half-mile per hour and working up on how long I can walk vs how fast or how far. Sitting on a stationary bike and pedalling at less than 1/2 mile per hour starting at 4-6 minutes, with no resistance- and then over 6 weeks, increasing to .7 mph and lasting 15 minutes. Yes, those are extremely important. We all learned to exercise by pushing ourself from the start. We were young! and healthy! With sarcoidosis- systemic or neurosarcoidosis or pulmonary sarcoidosis- you start

with baby steps. any movement is going to make you hurt- and if you overdo it, you'll end up quitting rather than being able to continue on. We face sarcoid induced arthritis. If you've not moved your arms and limbs in a long while, then when you do, those toxins sitting in that fluid gets released, and you end up "in flare." Icing (Ice packs) brings down inflammation, and heat soothes the muscles. Still works for us. If you find you have to sleep on a heating pack- and blast it, the inflammation never seems to go away- then get off the heat-- you are literally bringing in more inflammation. Dairy products seem to exacerbate inflammation. So if you can cut out that ice cream, that milk, the cheese-- it will help. RICE DREAM and other milk substitutes seem to be ok. Watch out for SOY products- it's hard to digest. Refined sugars, candy bars, cookies, pie, etc- will add insult to

injury for those of us with neuropathy. It turns on the nerve endings, and shorts them out. Fruit, vegetables, nuts, honey instead of sugar or sweetners, seem to be ok. Wash the fruit and veges to remove any pesticide or chemical residues.. Get away from caffeine and sodas and sparkling waters. Between the soda (salt) in the bubbly drinks, and the dehydration of the caffeines-- you end up creating more pain from these drinks. When making ANY diet changes-- do one thing at a time. When starting exercise programs-- if you can do so thru a regulated pulmonary rehab or cardiac rehab program-- do so. That way your heart rate and oxygen saturation levels can be monitored, and then the problem of saturation can be addressed, so that you manage to keep the oxygen in your blood stream up-- and the neuropathic pain and numbness sensations will lessen. If you have diabetes, REALLY monitor your blood sugar-- for

me, so much of my neuropathy was coming from poorly controlled blood sugar- and my diabetes is a secondary issue to the years I spent on Prednisone. Will you be able to get off all the meds. I know I'd love to-- and if i had the finances to get myself into a GERSON THERAPY CLINIC- I'd look into it. It is raw fruits, veges, and juicing--- and is a very successful way to treat cancers. There is question as to how effective it could be with people like us who have been on a multitude of immunosuppresants. You can find the book in used book stores-- or online-- and it's worth looking at. I myself, have found that a good balanced diet and light exercise along with my medications are what is keeping me going. To exclude my meds (and I've tried) has been just short of bad news. Very bad news. Hope this helps, and there is more on this issue in our ARCHIVES-- Blessings, Tracie NS

CO-owner/moderator

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[Guest guest]

Hi darian, Thanks for the wonderful reminders about eating your way to health as it is always refreshing to read how foods can make such a difference in our life. I just got a bit of info from a dear friend (who worries about me not drinking milk) about Kale. I had written him that I ate dark veggies in place of drinking milk. He told me to switch to kale because my spinach takes 8 cups to replace kale's 1 cup health benefit for a milk replacer. I have never ate kale and have always viewed it as a decoration at the edge of the plate. I guess it is more useful and bright green too. Sincerely, Claredarian@... wrote: On the topic of how one with sarcoidosis might modify or augment their diet, here follows an excerpt of a reply from my sister who is a trained and registered homeopath (and keep in mind that many homeopathic educations have the prerequisite that the students have conventional medical educations beforehand): Go for the old standard rules of eating a colourful diet with a variety of fruit and veg as the bulk of each meal (low-glycemic, so kinda on the Atkins wavelength without being dangerous, AND chock full of nutrients), some lean protein at each meal

(again, to stabilize blood sugar levels, and to prevent muscle wasting, provide amino acids for neurotransmitter and hormone production, etc.), and good fats (cold-water fish oils, flax seeds, etc). If you do have grains make sure they are whole...that is avoid refined foods such as flour, sugar, processed oils (if they don't go rancid at room temp in a few weeks/months they are loaded with bad crap). As far as fish goes, I am assuming the concern is the heavy metals such as mercury and environmental toxins that are often present? Go for little fishies low on the food chain like sardines, anchovies, smelt, etc. They eat plankton which is low in heavy metals, so they are too. But the bigger, aggressive fishies up the food chain eat all the little, lightly metalled fish, accumulate WAY too much insoluble crap in their tissues in the process, which we then eat...so bye-bye tuna! I'm not a marine biologist, so googling fish will give you a

better idea of which ones specifically score high for toxins...I just follow the small fish rule-of-thumb. And avoid farmed fish unless Sweden is better at it than Canada, US and UK (again, I'm not sure of all the ins and outs). Only avoid refined carbs...and remember that if it isn't fat or protein (both easily identifiable) then it's a carb (vinegar, alcohol, grains, veggies, fruit, milk (lactose...some protein in milk but don't forget the carbs!), yadda, yadda). Stick to carbs as close as posible to how nature made them...eat things that will go off quickly, but eat them before they do. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store and don't eat things that come in cardboard boxes! A slow cooker may be a good investment...shove in some veg and some good quality meat (fresh, not processed/breaded/smoked/pureed with flavours) and you are good to go. Practice sauces that make you happy (French, curry, Thai, mexican, whatever) adn

pour it over steamed veg and brown rice! The meal is in the sauce in my world. You can avoid grains if you so wish (not necessary to in my mind as long as they are unprocessed), but don't cut out veg...make yams your treat. I'm all for dairy in moderation for everyone anyway...it's propaganda that says it's healthy but the benefits are marginal. Osteoporosis is highest in the countries that eat the most dairy...it was unheard of in Asia until the western diet took over. But it's tasty. Use as a condiment; a little to add flavour to your plate full of veg. Not a staple food. Supplements for you include: -a good quality blend of vit C, vit E, vit A/beta-carotene/both, selenium* -glutathione or N-acetylcysteine* -alpha-lipoic acid* -zinc -magnesium *antioxidants will help prevent the conversion of the vit D analogue being secreted by the granulomas in your lungs, thereby decreasing

the clinical problems associated with too much vit D, calcium, etc. Get on a good antioxidant program (a blend...they work synergistically) and you don't have to worry QUITE as much about the calcium in your diet. Supplements for you to avoid: -vit D -Calcium Hope this might be of interest/help to other people out there! Best, /Darian

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[Guest guest]

You have helped so much with your well written and thoroughly researched topics. I too would like to not have to take meds but it's just not possible. In 2000 when I was still working I bought the Nursing 2000 book on herbal/supplemental drugs, etc (can't remember the exact name). In it was interactions, uses, contraindications, etc...like a regular nurse's drug book but only herbal drugs

Thank you, I enjoy researching this stuff, and it generally gives me a bit of a "heads up" on what is happening to me also. One of those "win-wins." : ).

It is important that we research what will have interactions and what doesn't. The best way is to talk to a pharmacist that is into both prescription meds and herbals. They are a wealth of info, and can guide you to the right choices so as to not endanger yourself.

The info I share is gleaned from the web, my MD's, my alternative health providers and my pharmacist, as well as my chiropractor and acupuncurist.

It's so important to ask, and ask again-- get those second opinions and then do some research yourself. I consistently take in articles I've found to my MD, and she does take the time to read them, and discuss them when we have the time. I'm fortunate in that her Master's thesis was on Sarcoidosis-- but that was 25 yrs ago. So, needless to say, it's me bringing her up to speed, and she's not afraid to send me to Sacramento or to the medical schools to get the care I need.

Take care,

Tracie

NS Co-owner/moderator

[Guest guest]

Hi all,I know this may sound a bit ridiculous but my GI doctor told me (this was BEFORE the last spinach contamination thing) to stay away from all fresh veg and fruits. This was b/c I have been on steroids for so long and simple washing won't help get rid of any contaminants and my immune system is very commpromised (add the Cellcept into this and YIKES!). That really was a bummer b/c I love salads, etc. But I have been adhering to this. He isn't on steroids himself and HE doesn't eat this stuff either. I eat the canned stuff (we all know that's not as good) and boiled veg's. Anyway, this has been going on since June. Then all the spinach (now lettuce and tomato) scare came out in the news and it made me think. Too bad there's not some way to clean these wonderful nutrients b/c I sure do miss them. I have always said raw is best but no more for now for me.Blessings,BeckyClare Weeman wrote: Hi darian, Thanks for the wonderful reminders about eating your way to health as it is always refreshing to read how foods can make such a difference in our life. I just got a bit of info from a dear friend (who worries about me not drinking milk) about Kale. I had written him that I ate dark veggies in place of drinking milk. He told me to switch to kale because my spinach takes 8 cups to replace kale's 1 cup health benefit for a milk replacer. I have never ate kale and have always viewed it as a decoration at the edge of the plate. I

guess it is more useful and bright green too. Sincerely, Claredarian (AT) dajode (DOT) com wrote: On the topic of how one with sarcoidosis might modify or augment their diet, here follows an excerpt of a reply from my sister who is a trained and registered homeopath (and keep in mind that many homeopathic educations have the prerequisite that the students have conventional medical educations beforehand): Go for the old standard rules of eating a colourful diet with a variety of fruit and veg as the bulk of each meal

(low-glycemic, so kinda on the Atkins wavelength without being dangerous, AND chock full of nutrients), some lean protein at each meal (again, to stabilize blood sugar levels, and to prevent muscle wasting, provide amino acids for neurotransmitter and hormone production, etc.), and good fats (cold-water fish oils, flax seeds, etc). If you do have grains make sure they are whole...that is avoid refined foods such as flour, sugar, processed oils (if they don't go rancid at room temp in a few weeks/months they are loaded with bad crap). As far as fish goes, I am assuming the concern is the heavy metals such as mercury and environmental toxins that are often present? Go for little fishies low on the food chain like sardines, anchovies, smelt, etc. They eat plankton which is low in heavy metals, so they are too. But the bigger, aggressive fishies up the food chain eat all the little, lightly metalled fish, accumulate WAY too much insoluble crap in

their tissues in the process, which we then eat...so bye-bye tuna! I'm not a marine biologist, so googling fish will give you a better idea of which ones specifically score high for toxins...I just follow the small fish rule-of-thumb. And avoid farmed fish unless Sweden is better at it than Canada, US and UK (again, I'm not sure of all the ins and outs). Only avoid refined carbs...and remember that if it isn't fat or protein (both easily identifiable) then it's a carb (vinegar, alcohol, grains, veggies, fruit, milk (lactose...some protein in milk but don't forget the carbs!), yadda, yadda). Stick to carbs as close as posible to how nature made them...eat things that will go off quickly, but eat them before they do. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store and don't eat things that come in cardboard boxes! A slow cooker may be a good investment...shove in some veg and some good quality meat (fresh, not

processed/breaded/smoked/pureed with flavours) and you are good to go. Practice sauces that make you happy (French, curry, Thai, mexican, whatever) adn pour it over steamed veg and brown rice! The meal is in the sauce in my world. You can avoid grains if you so wish (not necessary to in my mind as long as they are unprocessed), but don't cut out veg...make yams your treat. I'm all for dairy in moderation for everyone anyway...it's propaganda that says it's healthy but the benefits are marginal. Osteoporosis is highest in the countries that eat the most dairy...it was unheard of in Asia until the western diet took over. But it's tasty. Use as a condiment; a little to add flavour to your plate full of veg. Not a staple food. Supplements for you include: -a good quality blend of vit C, vit E, vit A/beta-carotene/both, selenium* -glutathione or N-acetylcysteine* -alpha-lipoic acid*

-zinc -magnesium *antioxidants will help prevent the conversion of the vit D analogue being secreted by the granulomas in your lungs, thereby decreasing the clinical problems associated with too much vit D, calcium, etc. Get on a good antioxidant program (a blend...they work synergistically) and you don't have to worry QUITE as much about the calcium in your diet. Supplements for you to avoid: -vit D -Calcium Hope this might be of interest/help to other people out there! Best, /Darian

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[Guest guest]

Hi, I do eat spinach, but gently cooked because it don't agree with my stomach raw anyway. Most of my vegetables are home grown using no chemicals and I feel safe with them but not so safe with commercial fruits and vegetables. My Sister eats it raw and she has sarcoidosis (eyes, lungs, hylar lymph nodes, etc)Not on any meds currently as the doctor took her off of them in June. She told me he will not prescribe new ones for sarcoidosis until she gains back the weight she lost (about 80 lbs) When she was 250 lbs she was on one for her dry cough, as well as high BP meds. Now only BP meds. This is just a family doctor who don't know much about the business of sarcoidosis. She stopped eating spinach in her salad with the health scare too. Clare Mac Tosh wrote: Hi all,I know this may sound a bit ridiculous but my GI doctor told me (this was BEFORE the last spinach contamination thing) to stay away from all fresh veg and fruits. This was b/c I have been on steroids for so long and simple washing won't help get rid of any contaminants and my immune system is very commpromised (add the Cellcept into this and YIKES!). That really was a bummer b/c I love salads, etc. But I have been adhering to this. He isn't on steroids himself and HE doesn't eat this stuff either. I eat the canned stuff (we all know that's not as good)

and boiled veg's. Anyway, this has been going on since June. Then all the spinach (now lettuce and tomato) scare came out in the news and it made me think. Too bad there's not some way to clean these wonderful nutrients b/c I sure do miss them. I have always said raw is best but no more for now for me.Blessings,BeckyClare Weeman <cweeman (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote: Hi darian, Thanks for the wonderful reminders about eating your way to health as it is always refreshing to read how foods can make such a difference in our life. I just got a bit of info from a dear friend (who worries about me not drinking milk) about Kale. I had written him that I ate dark veggies in place of drinking milk. He told me to switch to kale because my spinach takes 8 cups to replace kale's 1 cup health benefit

for a milk replacer. I have never ate kale and have always viewed it as a decoration at the edge of the plate. I guess it is more useful and bright green too. Sincerely, Claredarian (AT) dajode (DOT) com wrote: On the topic of how one with sarcoidosis might modify or augment their diet, here follows an excerpt of a reply from my sister who is a trained and registered homeopath (and keep in mind that many homeopathic educations have the prerequisite that the students have conventional medical educations beforehand): Go for the old

standard rules of eating a colourful diet with a variety of fruit and veg as the bulk of each meal (low-glycemic, so kinda on the Atkins wavelength without being dangerous, AND chock full of nutrients), some lean protein at each meal (again, to stabilize blood sugar levels, and to prevent muscle wasting, provide amino acids for neurotransmitter and hormone production, etc.), and good fats (cold-water fish oils, flax seeds, etc). If you do have grains make sure they are whole...that is avoid refined foods such as flour, sugar, processed oils (if they don't go rancid at room temp in a few weeks/months they are loaded with bad crap). As far as fish goes, I am assuming the concern is the heavy metals such as mercury and environmental toxins that are often present? Go for little fishies low on the food chain like sardines, anchovies, smelt, etc. They eat plankton which is low in heavy metals, so they are too. But the bigger, aggressive fishies up

the food chain eat all the little, lightly metalled fish, accumulate WAY too much insoluble crap in their tissues in the process, which we then eat...so bye-bye tuna! I'm not a marine biologist, so googling fish will give you a better idea of which ones specifically score high for toxins...I just follow the small fish rule-of-thumb. And avoid farmed fish unless Sweden is better at it than Canada, US and UK (again, I'm not sure of all the ins and outs). Only avoid refined carbs...and remember that if it isn't fat or protein (both easily identifiable) then it's a carb (vinegar, alcohol, grains, veggies, fruit, milk (lactose...some protein in milk but don't forget the carbs!), yadda, yadda). Stick to carbs as close as posible to how nature made them...eat things that will go off quickly, but eat them before they do. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store and don't eat things that come in cardboard boxes! A slow cooker may be a good

investment...shove in some veg and some good quality meat (fresh, not processed/breaded/smoked/pureed with flavours) and you are good to go. Practice sauces that make you happy (French, curry, Thai, mexican, whatever) adn pour it over steamed veg and brown rice! The meal is in the sauce in my world. You can avoid grains if you so wish (not necessary to in my mind as long as they are unprocessed), but don't cut out veg...make yams your treat. I'm all for dairy in moderation for everyone anyway...it's propaganda that says it's healthy but the benefits are marginal. Osteoporosis is highest in the countries that eat the most dairy...it was unheard of in Asia until the western diet took over. But it's tasty. Use as a condiment; a little to add flavour to your plate full of veg. Not a staple food. Supplements for you include: -a good quality blend of vit C, vit E, vit A/beta-carotene/both,

selenium* -glutathione or N-acetylcysteine* -alpha-lipoic acid* -zinc -magnesium *antioxidants will help prevent the conversion of the vit D analogue being secreted by the granulomas in your lungs, thereby decreasing the clinical problems associated with too much vit D, calcium, etc. Get on a good antioxidant program (a blend...they work synergistically) and you don't have to worry QUITE as much about the calcium in your diet. Supplements for you to avoid: -vit D -Calcium Hope this might be of interest/help to other people out there! Best, /Darian Check out the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster. Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

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[Guest guest]

The challenge with the spinach scare was that the floods had pushed the bacteria that had accumulated in the cow field in a particular area straight into the ground water-- and hence the contamination.

I'm not sure that I would go to the extreme of eliminating all the raw foods from my diet, but, yes- I do wash them first. There is a product that Health food stores have that does wash the fertilizers and pesticides from the veges.

We do try to eat mostly organic veges and fruits. Fortunately, we have some of the best organic farms near us-- so I can pick up whatever is in season from the Saturday Farmer's Market. It's a wonderful way to people watch, and still get what we need.

My husband was a pest control technician, and I was the secretary at the same company some 18 yrs ago.

Most all of the pesticides and all the herbicides that are used on food crops have a life span of 10 days. They are created to kill the bugs, and possibly the larvae. This was a direct result of the DDT that they used in the 60's-- that lasted 30 yrs, and was killing not only all the bugs, but the birds and the eggs they produced.

Steaming veges is probably the best way to handle cooking them. The longer you boil them, the more you eliminate the vitamns and minerals.

You could parboil, where you wash them in the sink, then dip them in boiling water for a minute or so, before you put them in a steamer for 4-5 min.

I think the biggest problem is in the ground water--- and the fact that we now use human waste (granted, it's gone thru sterilazation at the facilities) for fertilizer.

For those of you that live in flood planes -- it could be a whole big issue. I know that the Ohio Valley has a problem with histoplasmosis from the floods last year. There was an article in Time Magazine about it. Interesting stuff.

Take care, and eat well,

Tracie