Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism resulting from either the inadequate production or the inadequate utilization of insulin. It is characterized by hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and glycosuria (glucose in the urine). Symptoms may include excessive urination, excessive thirst, an increase in food intake, boils and carbuncles, vascular changes, and a sweet (acetone) odor of the breath. In Type I (insulin-dependent, juvenile onset) diabetes, the pancreas secretes little or no insulin. In Type II (non-insulin-dependent, adult onset) diabetes, the pancreas secretes insulin but the body does not utilize it efficiently. Type II occurs much more commonly than Type I.

Complications of diabetes include acidosis due to excess production of ketone bodies; low resistance to infections, especially those in the extremities; toxemia of pregnancy; cardiovascular and kidney disorders; disturbances in electrolyte balance. Diabetics are prone to develop retinopathy, glaucoma, and neuropathy. Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death in diabetics. In addition, peripheral vascular disease may lead to ischemia (reduced blood flow) and gangrene of the lower limbs.

The ideal diet for diabetes is one that is low in sugars, low in fat, and high in fiber and complex carbohydrates. Concentrated sugars and sweets of all kinds need to be eliminated (e.g., alcohol, brown sugar, cane juice, corn syrup, Demerara sugar, dextri-maltose, dextrose, dried fruits, fructose, fruit juices, glucose, lactose, levulose, malto-dextrin, raw sugar, sucrose, white sugar). A diet that is high in fats tends to obstruct the cell’s ability to receive glucose, but monounsaturated fats (in moderation) seem to have a protective and normalizing effect on cellular membranes. Thus it wise to consume two tablespoonfuls of olive oil daily and to restrict as much as possible all other fats in the diet. The diabetic diet should also provide abundant amounts of vegetables (especially green vegetables), 100% whole grains (especially oats), and legumes (peas, beans, lentils, garbanzos). Finely powdered psyllium hulls make an excellent fiber supplement.

There are a number of nutrients that help the body both to produce insulin and to utilize it more effectively – including niacin, thiamine, vitamin C, vitamin E, chromium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. Vitamins A, B-6 and B-12 levels may also be low in diabetes. Because diabetics are at such high risk for cardiovascular disorders, the most effective form of supplementation for this condition is provided by the Arterial Cleansing Formula. Not only does this formula nourish and protect the diabetic body from arterial damage, it also tends to reduce the amount of insulin required to keep blood sugar within normal range. When starting on nutritional arterial cleansing, it is important to monitor blood sugar levels daily, in order to be able to reduce external insulin as required. There can also be benefit from support the pancreas and the entire endocrine system by supplementing with multi-glandulars.

Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a condition whereby stools are liquid and movements are frequent. It can be caused by bacterial infection from food poisoning ("turista"), from deficiencies of disaccharidase enzymes, or from irritation of the colon. In acute diarrhea, especially in infants, there may be danger of dehydration and loss of salts. Diarrhea lasting more than a few days should not be taken lightly. Alternating constipation and diarrhea could be symptoms of a tumor or other blockage requiring immediate medical attention.

Diarrhea may be a symptom that the small intestine lacks the enzymes to break down disaccharide sugars (e.g., lactose, sucrose, maltose, isomaltose). Without sufficient quantities of these enzymes, undigested and unabsorbed sugars remain in the gut and osmotically attract large volumes of water, making the stools more liquid. The most common enzyme deficiency of this type is lactose intolerance. On a world-wide basis (differing from culture to culture), most adults lack the enzyme, lactase, needed to break down and absorb lactose, the sugar found in all milk products (with the exception of ghee and high-fat cheeses). For them, total avoidance of milk, cream, ice cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. is the only way to ensure relief from diarrhea and other gastro-intestinal disturbances caused by their lactose intolerance.

Stools that are loose and frothy (as opposed to watery) often indicate some form of intestinal malabsorption. Such stools may contain fats, shreds of mucus and/or bits of recognizable, undigested foods. Whenever absorption is poor, fats tend to pass through the gut, making the stools looser. Mucus is the body’s way of protecting delicate tissues from harm. Its presence in the stools indicates that there is irritation and possible damage to either the small or large intestine, or both. Malabsorption is found in such conditions as lactose intolerance, celiac disease/sprue, leaky gut syndrome, colitis, and irritable/spastic colon – all of which involve food allergies or intolerances of one kind or another.

Finely powdered psyllium hulls relieve the acute symptoms of diarrhea by slowing down stool transit time. If the diarrhea is caused by food sensitivities, however, then the only measure that can bring lasting relief is to track down and eliminate the offending foods – 100 per cent. The sensitive body responds to certain common foods as if they were poisons. And a little bit of a poison is still a poison.

Eczema
Eczema is an acute or chronic skin inflammation with scales, crusts, scabs, redness, blisters or pustules, alone or in combination. It is commonly caused by hidden food sensitivities. Tracking down and eliminating the offending foods usually brings relief. Supplementation with flaxseed oil, vitamin E and vitamin A may also be beneficial.

Edema
Edema is a localized or generalized condition in which body tissues retain an excess amount of fluid. It can result from insufficient dietary protein, from hidden food sensitivities, from electrolyte imbalances, and/or from capillary fragility. Sometimes low thyroid function may be involved. Edema can also be a symptom of lymphatic obstruction, kidney disturbances, or heart failure.

The complete nutritional approach to edema is to ensure that the diet contains adequate protein, to reduce salt intake, to ensure a balanced intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium, to strengthen the capillaries with vitamin C and bioflavonoids, to support thyroid gland nutritionally (if required), and to track down and eliminate hidden food sensitivities. This latter measure can be most dramatic. Many people have been able to lose 20 or more pounds simply by eliminating the foods to which they are sensitive. The broad spectrum supplement that protects not only the capillaries but also the entire cardiovascular system is the Arterial Cleansing Formula. If other causative factors are involved (e.g., food sensitivities, thyroid) then this formula alone will not produce complete results.

Enteritis, Regional – see "Crohn’s Disease"

Epilepsy
Epilepsy involves recurrent brain dysfunction that takes the form of sudden, brief attacks of altered consciousness, motor activity or sensory phenomena. Convulsive seizures are the most common form of attacks. Narcolepsy is a variation of epilepsy in which the chronic attacks consist of drowsiness and spontaneously falling asleep during the daytime, while eating, standing or conversing.

There is some evidence that a ketogenic diet (low-carbohydrate, high fat) diet can be an effective treatment for epilepsy. This may be because on such a diet there are no surges or drops in glucose (blood sugar). The brain is highly dependent on glucose and in sensitive people can suffer impaired functioning if blood sugar suddenly falls below normal range. In other words, the ketogenic diet may help to moderate an underlying problem of hypoglycemia. A ketogenic diet should not be undertaken without professional supervision, as it increases the risk for protein deficiency, kidney stones, and may increase fats in the blood to unsafe levels. Better to treat any hypoglycemia directly. Hidden food sensitivities could also be involved in triggering hypoglycemic episodes that might cause epileptic attacks.

The safest diet for epilepsy and narcolepsy is the hypoglycemic diet, namely to eliminate all concentrated sugars and sweets, alcohol and caffeine. There is also evidence that particular nutrients can help to reduce epileptic attacks – including vitamin B-6, magnesium, zinc, folic acid, and thiamine. All of these are well provided in the Stress Formula.

Esophagitis, Reflux – see "Reflux Esophagitis"

Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia manifests as chronic pain in muscles and soft tissues surrounding the joints. It is believed to be an autoimmune disorder.

Flatulence
Belching and breaking wind are far more than social problems. They are symptoms of incomplete digestion and potentially toxic overload. Flatulence is caused by fermentation and rancidity in the gut. The gas itself contains hydrogen, methane, skatoles, indoles, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen. Putrefactive byproducts can be absorbed from the intestinal tract into the bloodstream. Blood carrying these toxic wastes circulates throughout the body, adding an extra burden to liver and kidneys. Flatulence is a symptom of low stomach acid, insufficient bile, improper food combining, and or candida overgrowth – and can be eliminated by paying attention to these factors. Supplementary digestive enzymes and L. acidophilus are important aids to normalizing the gastrointestinal imbalances that cause flatulence.

Flu – see "Viral Infections"

Fluid Retention – see "Edema"

Fungal Infections – see "Candidiasis"

Gallbladder Disease
There are two forms that gall bladder disease normally takes. One is gallstones (cholelithiasis) whereby bilestones or calculi form in the gallbladder or in the common duct. The other is inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), caused by chemical irritation due to the cystic duct preventing the outflow of bile. Not everyone with gallstones also experiences cholecystitis\, however Medical symptoms of gallbladder disease include pain in the upper abdomen, pain referred to the back or right shoulder, and perhaps mild jaundice. Nutritional symptoms of gallbladder disease include consistent gas and bloating from most foods eaten, nausea or headaches caused by fats or greasy foods, and bloating/gas caused by onions, cabbage, radishes, or cucumbers. The stools may also appear yellow, clay-colored or foul-odoured. Skin may be oily on nose and forehead. Constipation may be present and there may be bad breath, a bad taste in the mouth or excess body odor.

A number of dietary factors help to reduce the incidence of gallstones. They include eliminating concentrated sugars/sweets, moderating alcohol consumption, reducing animal fat, eliminating caffeine and other methylxanthines (coffee, tea, chocolate, colas), and increasing dietary fiber (vegetables, whole grains, fruits). Finely powdered psyllium hulls make an excellent fiber supplement, if needed. Vitamin C, vitamin E and lecithin help both to prevent and dissolve the most common kind of gallstones, those that are formed by cholesterol precipitation. The incidence of gallstones is higher when dietary fats come from polyunsaturated oils than from monounsaturates (e.g., olive oil). Hidden food sensitivities may also contribute to gallbladder irritation and restricted flow of bile by causing spasms in the common duct. Low stomach acid may also contribute to gallbladder involvements because if hydrochloric acid levels are low, the gall bladder does not get the proper pH signals needed to trigger a sufficient release of bile when required.

Anyone who has had a gallbladder removed needs continuing digestive support. The gallbladder not only stores bile, it concentrates it. Without the gallbladder, there is no way that the bile released into the duodenum will be enough (either in quantity or strength) to do the job required. Constipation, poor mineral absorption, and a greater risk for colon cancer may be the result. The solution is to take supplementary bile salts (as provided in the Digestive Enzyme Formula) with each meal that contains fats or would otherwise cause discomfort.

There is a time-tested, safe way to release gallstones without having to resort to surgical removal of the gallbladder: For three days consume three to four liters/quarts of apple juice or soft apple cider and no other food or liquid (except water, if desired). Each day mix two tablespoonfuls of psyllium hulls into 10 ounces of the allotted apple juice (or water) and drink this down – once on the first day, twice on the second day, three times on the third day. On the evening of the first and second days, mix two ounces (60 ml.) of pure, extra virgin olive oil and two ounces (60 ml.) of freshly squeezed lemon juice thoroughly and drink this mixture down. On the evening of the third day, double the amounts of olive oil and lemon juice to four ounces (120 ml.) each.

Usually the stones will soften and being to pass after the third day of the above procedure. Single stones up to 0.75 inch in diameter (2 cm.) have been observed to pass in the stools in this manner (with discomfort); however, it is more usual to get a shower of 100 or more small tiny stones at a time. The stones can vary in color from a light emerald green, to a medium pea green, to a green so dark that it is almost black. Sometimes what is passed is a sludge. In a few cases the stones may dissolve before reaching the stools or are hidden undetected in the stools. The proof of the procedure is if after following it the gallbladder symptoms diminish.

There is a theoretical risk to the above gallbladder flush, although it has never been reported in practice. If a stone were to become wedged in the bile duct during the flush, it would have to be removed surgically – from the duct, not the gallbladder. To my knowledge, surgical intervention has never been required as a result of this procedure; however, it is a consideration to keep in mind. If it were to happen, one could come through the experience with one’s gallbladder still intact – to the extent that one can convince the surgeon not to remove the healthy gallbladder.

Gallstones – see "Gallbladder Disease"

Gangrene – see "Atherosclerosis"

Glaucoma
Glaucoma is characterized by increased fluid pressure inside the eyeball, resulting in atrophy of the optic nerve and possibly blindness. The increased pressure causes the eyeball to swell in size. Glaucoma occurs when the aqueous humors drains from the eye too slowly to keep up with its production in the anterior chamber.

Some forms of glaucoma may be symptom-free. Others may involve mild aching of the eyes, mild visual disturbances, mild headaches, loss of peripheral vision, impaired dark adaptation, seeing haloes around lights, moderately dilated pupil(s), and the frequent need to change eyeglass prescriptions. Acute glaucoma is accompanied by acute pain and is a medical emergency.

The most likely cause for glaucoma is spasm of the drainage canal for the aqueous humors. Allergies cause spasms. For those who are sensitive, exposure to specific food or environmental allergens can cause an immediate increase in intraocular pressure of up to 20 mm. Those who have glaucoma typically also have other allergic symptoms. Tracking down and eliminating the offending foods/substances is the single most important factor in helping the body to normalize pressure within the eyeball.

Massive amounts of vitamin C can also reduce intraocular pressure. Some glaucoma cases respond to as little as 2 grams of vitamin C per day, others require up to 35 grams per day. (Vitamin C above bowel tolerance needs to be taken intravenously.) The catch is that the reduction in intraocular pressure lasts only as long as the vitamin C is taken.

Gout
Gout is an acute form of arthritis caused by abnormally high levels of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia) – in those people who have a hereditary predisposition for this condition. Any joint may be affected by gout, but it usually starts in the knee or foot.

People with gout may need to avoid foods that are high in purines such as meats (especially organ meats), seafood, lentils, beans, peas, and soy – or – they may need to eat lots of cherries. Cherries have the ability to reduce hyperuricemia. It doesn’t matter if the cherries are fresh, frozen, canned or juiced. There is also evidence that supplementary folic acid, vitamin C and zinc may also help to decrease uric acid levels.

Copyright © David W. Rowland, 2001