Medicinal Foods, Herbs, Spices & Household Items
"Food is the cause of the vast majority of
our health problems, and food is also the solution"
Dr. Victor Marchione
"Index of Diseases / Health Conditions"
Please refer to Disclaimer.
Did you know?
Red fruits and vegetables contain the important phytochemicals, lycopene and anthocyanins ...
Blue-purple vegetables and fruits contain the important phytochemicals, anthocyanins and phenolics ...
Yellow-green vegetables and fruits contain the important phytochemicals, lutein and indoles ...
White-green vegetables and fruits contain phytochemicals, allyl sulfides and allicin ...
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Listing of Diseases / Conditions:
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Anti-aging for Your Skin (Natural)
Arrhythmia
The popular arrhythmia drug sotalol works as it should for many men -- but it can raise a woman's risk for a potentially deadly arrhythmia. Ask your doctor for a safer alternative.
Asthma (Allergies)
Bipolar Disorder:
- Results from a Harvard Medical School - McLean Hospital study found that DHA / EPA supplements significantly reduced depression and mania in bipolar-disorder patients (200 mg to 2 grams daily - as recommended by your health practitioner).
Blood Glucose Levels (High or Low)
Bruising, Tissue-damage and Soreness.
Cavities:
- Cod Liver Oil
- Please also see: uses of hydrogen peroxide and important precautions
Cold Feet
Cold can trigger muscle spasms and constrict small arteries in your feet resulting in uncomfortable cold-feet sensations. Curing it for good could be as simple as getting enough vitamin B6 and magnesium. These 2 nutrients prevent that from happening, and promote better blood vessel health.
Deep-venous Thrombosis / Deep-vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Dental Health:
Depression
Hypoglycemia: High sugar content and starchy carbohydrates leads to hypoglycemia (falling blood sugar levels). The glutamate that causes this is identical to the flavor-enhancing monosodium glutamate (MSG) found in thousands of food products.
- Hypoglycemia causes the brain to secrete glutamate in levels that can cause agitation, depression, anger, anxiety, panic attacks and an increase in suicide risk.
- In children, hypoglycemia often leads to hyperactivity.
- In both children and adults, it can cause violent and aggressive behavior.
- In older people, there can be mental confusion.
- Repeated hypoglycemic episodes increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's and Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS ).
An anti-hypoglycemic diet would consist of lean meat and lots of fresh vegetables. Another key is limiting sugars and starches.
Folate & Men: A Japanese Study of more than 500 men and women has found that men with the highest levels of folate were 50% less likely to suffer from depression than those with the lowest levels. No link between folate and symptoms were found in women (Nutrition epub 12/3/07)
Bipolar-Disorder: Results from a Harvard Medical School - McLean Hospital study found that DHA / EPA supplements significantly reduced depression and mania in bipolar-disorder patients (200 mg to 2 grams daily - as recommended by your health practitioner).
Diabetic Retinopathy:
Diarrhea (see Digestion)
Eczema:
Fibroids:
Up until now, you had to choose between surgery or uterine artery embolization -- tying off arteries that feed the fibroid. Both are agonizing. There is now a new alternative that uses noninvasive ultrasound to erase fibroid tumors without cutting or prodding. For this procedure you simply lie down inside an MRI scanner, which generates images of the fibroid. Then a technician treats the fibroid with focused ultrasound. Side effects are very few and no hospital stay is required. You normally feel warmth in your abdomen. After treatment, the fibroid shrinks and gradually disappears.
Food Items |
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Most Allergenic |
Least Allergenic |
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Food Intolerances / Food Allergies / Food Intolerance:
Allergy / Food Hypersensitivity. Allergies may manifest itself in the skin, the intestines, the respiratory passages and the brain. If you are allergic to something, you may have get hives from eating a tomato; or you may experience respiratory distress after eating nuts.
Intolerance. Food intolerances are usually due to an enzyme deficiency, (such as lactase deficiency), which causes lactose intolerance. Or, the intestines may be oversensitive to certain foods, resulting in abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and bloating. You could be intolerant to any part of the food, including sugar and/or additives.
It may take a few minutes, a few hours, or a few days for a food to cause a reaction.
Up to three in four people are affected by food intolerance. The four main types of food intolerance are: Dairy, Fructose, Yeast and Gluten intolerance.
Over 90 percent of food allergies are caused by:
- dairy products
- soy
- corn syrup
- citrus fruits
- shellfish
- wheat
- tree nuts
- peanuts
- egg whites
- food additives
Diarrhea is a common symptom of all four main food intolerances. Chronic diarrhea leads to social embarrassment, dehydration, loss of precious vitamins and minerals and stress. If left untreated it can soon lead to anemia, osteoporosis and other conditions.
Common Symptoms of Food Sensitivities:
Skin: hives; red, sandpaper-like facial rash; dry, scaly, itchy skin (mostly on face); swelling in hands and feet; puffy eyelids; dark circles under eye; slip swelling; tongue soreness and cracks
Respiratory: sneezing; runny nose; stuffy nose; wheezing; watery eyes' rattling chest; persistent cough; congestion; bronchitis; recurring ear infections
Intestinal: burning rash around anus; abdominal discomfort; diarrhea (mucousy) or constipation; intestinal bleeding; weight loss; bloating / gassiness; excessive spitting up; vomiting
General Well-being: fatigue; migraine headaches; sore muscles and joints
Behavioral: hyperactivity; crying; irritability; night-waking; anxiety; crankiness
Steps to take:
- Eliminate suspect foods (beginning with the "main offenders" listed above) for at least a week to 10 days. Only eat the least allergenic foods, such as: fresh fruits (except berries and citrus), avocados, rice, barley, millet, poultry, and lamb. It's recommended that all food items be organic and free of additives / chemicals.
- Keep a record of any food you eat. Record what you eat and how you feel afterwards. Also note how you feel after eliminating the suspect food item.
- Reintroduce one new food each week to see if symptoms reappear.
Medical tests for food allergies:
- Skin test. A skin test is helpful in uncovering hidden food allergies, but it has a high incidence of false positives, meaning the skin test is likely to show that you or your child is allergic to a food when really you are not.
- Radio-Allergo-Sorbent Test (RAST) Blood test. Measures the antibodies in your blood to certain allergens. The RAST test has a high degree of false negatives, meaning it does not detect food allergies you may have.
- There really is no replacement for the food elimination test in detecting food sensitivities.
Foot Fungus:
- Hydrogen Peroxide: To cure a foot fungus, simply spray a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water on them (especially the
toes) every night and let dry.
- For more information on the uses of hydrogen peroxide and important precautions, please visit this website.
Frost Bites:
Fungal Infection:
Gallstones
Glucose Levels (High or Low)
Gum Disease:
Obesity & Diabetes Increasing Gum Disease: A study conducted by researchers at Boston University and published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found the following: "These data indicate that obesity interferes with the ability of the immune system to appropriately respond to P. gingivalis infection," the researchers wrote. They noted that the generalized immune system suppression seen in the obese mice might indicate that obese people are more vulnerable to bacterial infections in general than people of healthier weight. Periodontal disease is incredibly common, affecting approximately 40 percent of adults around the world. "The importance of the current findings is underscored by the facts that millions of people worldwide are affected by this infection every year," the researchers said, "and the universal prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions."
Another recent study may also link gum disease to obesity. Researchers at the School of Dental Sciences at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom have discovered a connection between Type 2 diabetes, which is often correlated with obesity, and severe forms of gum disease. "We found that periodontal disease was often of the more aggressive form in patients with diabetes," researcher John Taylor said. "It is possible that obesity may be compromising the immune response, leading to increased susceptibility to periodontal disease."
Hangovers:
Headaches:
Heartburn:
Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HH)
Iron overload in humans is a hereditary disorder. It is most prevalent in those Celtic ancestry (Irish, Scottish, etc.) and in African Americans, but not limited to those ethnic backgrounds. One in eight people are a carrier for HH and one in 200 has full blown iron overload and the many physical ailments that develop from it:
- liver disease which can lead to primary liver cancer
- heart disease
- diabetes (known as bronze diabetes as the skin takes on a "bronze" color)
- joint disease
- and many other problems caused by the storage of iron in the organs.
Even certain carriers are at risk and can become symptomatic. HH is the most overlooked genetic disorder out there yet among the most easily diagnosed and treated. Since it is hereditary, once diagnosed, all blood relatives and their descendants should be checked for it (DNA blood test or cheek swab).
Once diagnosed, the treatment is to de-iron as quickly as possible through phlebotomy (removal of blood) to force the body to draw on the stored iron to make new red blood cells. This can take anywhere from a few weeks/months up to a year or more, depending on how much iron is stored. Lifetime maintenance is regular blood donation through a blood bank to prevent storage of iron.
Herpes Simplex (Cold Sores)
HIV:
- Spirulina: The National Cancer Institute has announced that sulfolipids in spirulina are remarkably active against HIV.
Hyperglycemia (High Blood Glucose) / Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose)
Irritable Bowel Disease (IBS):
Up to three in four people are affected by IBS which is often caused by food intolerance. The four main types of food intolerance are: Dairy, Fructose, Yeast and Gluten intolerance. Many women are misdiagnosed with IBS. They actually have celiac disease (CD).
Diarrhea is a common symptom of all four main food intolerances. Chronic diarrhea leads to social embarrassment, dehydration, loss of precious vitamins and minerals and stress. If left untreated it can soon lead to anemia, osteoporosis, diabetes, and even cancer.
Joint Health - Also refer to Arthritis or Knee Health
Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Men's Health:
Mood:
Morning Sickness:
Mosquito Bites:
Muscle Cramps
- Mustard
Migraine:
- Food Triggers that can cause migraine: Alcohol, caffeine, beans, tobacco, cheese, nuts, aged cheese, chocolate, grapes, avocado, and fresh-from-the-oven bread all have caused migraine / headaches in some people.
- Helpful Supplements: Magnesium, Vitamin B2, Co-Q10..
Multiple Sclerosis:
Symptoms: muscle weakness, stiffness, fatigue and irritability.
Recent research links MS to deficiencies of vitamin B12
Nails: What do they say about your health?
Nerves:
Osteoarthritis:
Pain / Soreness:
- Avoid today's top "painkiller." For over 25 years, acetaminophen has been America's best-selling pain medicine, largely because people assume it's safe. Yet our experts report it may be the least effective pain pill for women -- and worse, it doubles a woman's risk of high blood pressure. Ibuprofen and naproxen relieve pain a bit better, but not as well as they do for men.
- Arnica - to relieve soreness and swelling following an injury or surgery.
- You're a giant step ahead of pancreatic cancer if you eat a lot of veggies every day. In fact, eat nine servings instead of five and you could cut your risk in half. You can even better your chances if you get a sampling of specific veggies from a recently researched list of key produce picks for pancreas health.
Vegetables that are high in vitamin C, carotenoids, folate and fiber are highly recommended, specifically:
- Beans like soybeans, lima beans, and lentils Alum veggies, specifically onions and garlic
- Cruciferous veggies like broccoli and brussels sprouts
- Dark, leafy greens like spinach, kale, mustard, and chard
- Fish, eggs and poultry
- Onions & arugula
- Orange-yellow veggies like corn, squash, sweet potatoes, and carrots
- Vitamin D
- AVOID: Processed Meats
- Cancer: Tumeric is often referred to as the No. 1 anticancer spice and it is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Add 1/4 teaspoon at the end of cooking to almost any food.
When researchers added Curcumin (which gives the bright yellow color to the Indian spice "turmeric" ) to cancerous pancreas cells, and found that production of cancerous cells practically shut down. This is attributed to a clampdown on cytokines - the chemicals linked to tumor growth and cell survival.
- Epsom salt delivers that stimulate the pancreas to generate digestive enzymes and help to detoxify the body's residue of medicines and environmental contaminants.
Peptic Ulcer:
Physical Performance:
PMS:
Psoriasis:
Respiratory Diseases / Lung Diseases
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI):
Cranberry Juice: A study by the Worcester Polytechnic Institute - published in the a recent issue of Colloids and Surfaces - investigated how cranberry juice prevents urinary tract infections. They found that cranberry juice changes the thermodynamic properties of bacteria in the urinary tract to form an energy barrier that prevents infections from developing. The researchers found that when bacteria with hair-like projections known as fimbriae, which is present on virulent bacteria that cause urinary tract infections, is exposed to even low concentrations of cranberry juice that energy levels increased to levels that made it difficult for the bacteria attach to a cell. Terri Camesano, an associate professor of chemical engineering at WPI, stated: "Our results show that, at least for urinary tract infections, cranberry juice targets the right bacteria -- those that cause disease -- but has no effect on non-pathogenic organisms, suggesting that cranberry juice will not disrupt bacteria that are part of the normal flora in the gut ... We have also shown that this effect occurs at concentrations of cranberry juice that are comparable to levels we would expect to find in the urinary tract." She also advised that the study results suggested that in order to " realize the antibacterial benefits of cranberry, one must consume cranberry juice regularly, perhaps daily."
X-ray Protection:
In a recent study, researchers took cells in a test tube and cultured them with a mixture of vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and CoQ10, alpha lipoic acid, and N-acetyl cysteine. They then exposed those cells to a wide variety of radiation sources. The result: The cells were almost completely protected, even from highly damaging gamma radiation.
Source / Recommendation by "Second Opinion" Magazine (Special Edition, Winter, 2008): Take a high-quality multivitamin before an x-ray or airplane flight.
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
- Cod Liver Oil ... Herbal Anti-Inflammatories ... Bell Peppers ... Brussels Sprouts ... Cauliflower ... Kale ... Lemons & Limes ... Mustard Greens ... Oranges ... Papaya ... Parsley ... Sesame Seeds ... Strawberries (organic only) ... Turnip Greens
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
Seborrhea (a condition of red, scaly, oil eruptions on the eyelids, eyebrows, nose, ear, upper lip, chin, chest, and groin)
- Aloe (Aloe creams usually relieve symptoms of seborrhea in 4 to 8 weeks)
Sinus Infections:
- A tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide added to 1 cup of non-chlorinated water can be used as a nasal spray. Depending on the degree of sinus involvement, one will have to adjust the amount of peroxide used.
- For more information on the uses of hydrogen peroxide and important precautions, please visit this website.
Skin Conditions:
- Non-toxic Personal Care (cut out the toxins, save the money that you would spend on expensive chemical skin care products)
- Aloe Vera ... Brussels Sprouts ... Cucumber ... Green Beans ... Sweet Potatoes / Yams
Stress:
Researchers at Penn State University found that an ounce and a half of pistachios (nuts) reduces the body's response to stress by relaxing arteries and keeping blood pressure low.
- Bananas
- Stress Control (Herbal Formula)
Swelling / Sores:
- Arnica - to relieve soreness and swelling following an injury or surgery.
Ulcerative Colitis:
- Aloe creams usually relieve symptoms of seborrhea in 4 to 8 weeks. Aloe "juice" lowers blood sugars of diabetics and helps relieve ulcerative Colitis
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI):
- Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (Organic, Raw, Unpasteurized, Golden Variety). Boosts the immune system and fights bacteria. Aids in healing infections of the urinary tract and kidneys. Balances electrolytes and enzymes and adds minerals. Don't buy distilled, light amber, or white vinegar. These are fine for cleaning, but are of no nutritional value.
- Cranberries: The self-help recommendation of choice for both prevention and treatment for urinary tract infections are cranberries. However, regular cranberry juice is loaded with sugar, which can suppress your immune system. Instead, eliminate all sweetened drinks from your diet, and either add fresh cranberries to your diet (always best!) or try cranberry extracts instead. Cranberries can be purred and mixed in with a healthy milk shake.
Tissue Damage:
- Arnica - to relieve soreness and swelling following an injury or surgery.
Varicose Veins:
Warts:
Information contained on this website is provided as general advice only and does not replace the recommendation of a medical professional. Before beginning any treatment protocol, please consult with your doctor and/or vet.
In accordance with FDA regulation, we do not make any therapeutic claims for any Dietary Supplements in accordance with the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act.
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