The following is based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). TCM is based on the theory, observation that everything, including the body is an ongoing balance of opposites, many of which we control through diet, herbs, exercise, thought, etc.
Learn the whole before attempting to diagnose and or treat the part (structure, function) as all the parts work together and many times share similar symptoms, diseases. Misdiagnosis and mistreatment are common in all medicines.
The body is not one structure and function but many that work together to produce greater structure and function. The immune system is not separate from digestion, absorption, blood, elimination, etc. Most autoimmune illnesses (Candida Albicans, Fibromyalgia, Epstein Barr Syndrome, Lupus, Crohn Disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc.) share similar symptoms: abdominal bloating, gas, loose stools, diarrhea, constipation, mucous, phlegm, swelling, edema, etc. They also tend to affect women, more so than men.
1. Lupus has the following symptoms: abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.
2. Crohn Disease has the following symptoms: pain in abdomen, right lower quadrant, appendix, diarrhea, nausea, fever, fatigue and or weight loss.
3. Fibromyalgia has the following symptoms: chronic, achy muscular pain, dizziness, fatigue, Irritable Bowel syndrome (abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation and or anorexia), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, etc.
4. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has the following symptoms: extreme fatigue, aching muscles and joints, headaches, low blood pressure, fever, loss of appetite, upper respiratory infections, nasal congestion, mucous, phlegm, Candidiasis, intestinal problems, depression, anxiety, etc.
Most autoimmune illnesses progress in stages. Stage 1 is poor diet. Poor diet tends to cause indigestion (Stage 2). Indigestion tends to cause poor elimination (Stage 3) and blood deficiency (Stage 4), and in the extreme, months, years later, autoimmune illnesses (Stage 5). Autoimmune illnesses are chronic in nature. All chronic (long-lasting diseases) take time (months, years) to develop and cure.
Poor diet (1) weakens digestion. Digestion transforms and transports food, nutrients into blood, structure and function. Weak digestion transforms and transports less, reducing nutrient absorption, blood causing fatigue, pallor, pain, numbness, inflammation, weight loss, etc., while also slowing the movement of food (abdominal bloating, pain, gas, nausea and or vomiting) and stools (loose stools, diarrhea, and or constipation). It also tends to create sour, musty body odor.
Weak digestion (2) also increases waste product, as all food, nutrients, non-nutrients, not digested, absorbed become waste, sent, moved down into the large intestine, for temporary storage and eventual elimination. All waste product, especially animal protein and fat, are poisonous, toxic (Ama). Daily elimination is necessary; otherwise, re-absorption of wastes, posions into the bloodstream and lymph system may occur.
Weak elimination (3) increases the likelihood of toxins in the large intestine reabsorbing back into the blood and lymph. In the extreme, autointoxication, weakening of the immune system (5), producing antibodies that attack healthy tissues and other body materials. The large intestine tends to be the breeding ground for autoimmune illnesses.
The body digests food and transforms nutrients into blood, structure and function. There are only two kinds of nutrients: building and cleansing. Protein and fat build, thicken, fuel, hold, heat, etc. Long-term low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate diets (fruit, vegetables, grains) tends to thin and weaken the blood, which then thins and weakens all structure function, digestion, elimination, immunity, circulation, etc. etc.
(4) Blood, protein and fat deficiency (thin blood and or reduced circulation), in the extreme, tends to cause fatigue, pallor, pain, numbness, inflammation, weight loss, indigestion, constipation, autoimmune illnesses, etc. High carbohydrate diets (bread, salads, tropical fruits, juices, smoothies, cold drinks, etc.), in the extreme, tend to dilute and weaken digestion, reducing nutrient absorption, blood, while increasing watery wastes.
Autoimmune illnesses in general tend to attack women more than men. Many women tend to eat low protein, low fat (milk, yogurt, soft cheese, etc.) and high carbohydrate (salads, tropical fruits, juices, smoothie, etc.) diets. They also menstruate lose blood regularly, three to seven days every month for thirty plus years, from the first menses to the last, menopause. The combination of diet and menstruation tends to make women more susceptible to blood deficiency, weak digestion, elimination, immunity, etc. Autoimmune illnesses (Stage 5) are generally cold, deficient (under-built, over-cleansed) in nature.
Drugs, surgery and chronic illness may also be a factor.
The middle diet, meal plan, adjusted accordingly is recommended. Reduce raw, eat more cooked (lightly, crunchy, not soft, except hard squashes) vegetables 3- 5 per meal, organic if possible, broccoli, kale, collard greens, carrots with tops, cabbage, celery, cauliflower, hard squashes, etc. Avoid tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant. Cook with spice (cumin, coriander, fennel, cardamon, turmeric, cayenne, ginger, cinnamon, etc.). Use several at a time (soups, stews, desserts, etc.). Reduce dairy, increase chicken, turkey, eggs and or hard cheese. Check with your doctor before making any changes in the way you eat.
Author Resource:-
Web: http://www.wordpress.com/richardheft, Acupuncture Physician (FL 1992- 2002), owner, operator, Food and Thought health food store, Hollywood, FL (1984- 2001), author, Hot and Cold Health (c) 2003
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