Cure for Arthritis with Diet

According to the modern medical profession, there is no cure for arthritis and the Patient must learn to live with it.



Naturopathy, however, believes in dietetic Cure of the disease. Most chronic arthritis patients are heavy eaters and often take food furnishing 3,500 to 4,000 calories. As they cannot utilise all the starchy elements of this in¬take, toxins accumulate and an excessive acid waste results in the aggravation 0 f prevalent joint condition. A low caloric diet consisting of about 2,000 calories with a minimum carbohydrate content is advisable. The diet should, however, include an adequate amount of vitamins. Calcium, phosphorus and iron.

Diet for Arthritis:

The diet of the arthritis patient should be alkaline in nature and include fruits and vegetables for protection and proteins and carbohydrates for energy. It may consist of a couple of fresh raw vegetables in the form of salads and at least two Cooked vegetables. Cabbage. Carrot, Celery, cucumber, endive, lettuce, onion, radish, tomato and watercress may be used for raw salad.



The cooked vegetables may include asparagus, beets, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, celery, brinjal mushroom, onions, peas, beans, spinach, squash, tomatoes and turnips.

In severe cases, it will be advisable to put the patient on a vegetable juice therapy for about a week. Green juice extracted from any green leafy vegetable mixed with car¬rot, celery and red beet juice is specifically helpful for ar¬thritis. The alkaline action of raw juices dissolves the ac¬cumulation of deposits around the joints and in other tissue. Fresh pineapple is also valuable as the enzyme in fresh pineapple juice, bromelain, reduces swelling and in¬flammation in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Repeated juice fasts are recommended at intervals of every two months.

The raw potato juice therapy is considered one of the most successful biological treatments for rheumatic and arthritic conditions. It has been used in folk medicine for centuries. The old method of preparing potato juice was to cut the potato into thin slices without peeling the skin and place overnight in a large glass filled with cold water. The water should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach.



Fresh juice can also be extracted from potatoes and drunk diluted with water 50:50 first things in the morning.

Certain foods are harmful for arthritis patients and these must be excluded from the diet. These include aerated waters of any kind, all cheese except cottage cheese, bacon, ham, sausages and preserved meats, pastries, cakes, pies, sweet buns and white bread, all salad dressings, all soups made from meat stock, rice and white flour products. Candy, sweetmeats
Sugar, ice cream, condiments, tea and coffee should also be avoided. Fruits permitted in arthritis are apples, lemons, oranges, bananas, pears, the various berries, apricots, pineapples, plums and melons.

Vitamin A and D play an important role in warding off infections, thereby preventing arthritis. Oranges, papayas, carrots, whole milk and butter, all green leafy vegetables, tomatoes and raw bananas are rich in Vitamin A. Vitamin 0 is chiefly obtained from exposing the skin to sunshine. Sunlight is an important factor in the prevention of arthritis.

Constipation should be avoided as it poisons the system and adds to the irritation and inflammation of the joints. A light exercise such as walking is beneficial. Maintaining a normal body weight is also an important factor in preventing arthritis. Obesity places excess stress on weight-bearing joints and interferes with the smooth functioning of ten¬dons, ligaments and muscles.

The body should be kept warm at all times. Joints should not be bandaged tightly as this limits movement and interferes with the free circulation of blood. There should be plenty of ventilation in the bedroom. Rest is very important for those suffering from arthritis, which should not overdo their work, exercise or recreational activities.

Treatment Chart for Arthritis

A - DIET

I. Raw juice therapy for five days. Take green juice extracted from any green leafy vegetable, mixed with carrot and red beet juice. Use warm water enema daily during this period.

II. After the raw juice therapy, the following restricted diets should be adopted for at least three months :

1. Upon arising:

30 black rasins soaked overnight in water along with water in which they are soaked and water kept overnight in copper vessel.

2. Breakfast:

A glass of milk and carrot or orange juice.

3. Lunch:

Salad of raw vegetables steamed or boiled vegetables, one or two wheat tortilla, butter and buttermilk.

4. Evening:

Coconut water or sugarcane juice.

5. Dinner:

Fresh fruits and milk.

III. Thereafter, a well-balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits may be taken. This diet should be supplemented with special foods like milk, milk products, vegetable oils and honey.

RESTRICT:

Salt intake.

NOTE:

No meal should be taken in the evening once a week

B - OTHER MEASURES

1.



Neutral immersion bath for one hour daily before retiring at night.

2. Steam bath once a week.

3. Avoid cold baths.

4. Yogic asanas like bhujangasana, shalabhasana shavasana.

5. Ultrasonic diathermy and exposure of the affected parts to infrared rays