Carbohydrates, Digestion and Chinese Medicine

What are carbohydrates? Are carbohydrates good for you? Do they help lose weight, gain weight generate energy, etc? Carbohydrates are plant foods: fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds and beans. Fruits and vegetables are high in water, minerals, sugar, vitamins and enzymes with little or no protein and fat (nutrients that build, fuel and heat the body). They cleanse and purify the body, help lose weight. Grains are Low protein, fat, B vitamins, minerals and fiber with little or no protein, fat. cooked, pprocessed grains (noodles, bread, cookies, chips, etc.) and poorly chewed, digested grains are mostly starch, paste that clogs, thickens and narrows the intestines decreasing nutrient absorption, blood, circulation and elimination. The energy found in grains is generally minimal. What is not so minimal is the paste that sticks to your small and large intestines, which in the extreme, pastes the intestines and stools (more toilet paper) stools while increasing weight. The only way to eliminate excess paste in the intestines is to (a) reduce or stop eating grains and (b) increase cooked and raw vegetables, depending on your hot or cold condition with the rest of your meal (protein, fat). Grains in essence are more paste than nutrition. They are not an essential part of the diet. Nor do they necessarily stimulate the metabolism as their low protein, low fat content is low fuel unlike meat, chicken, turkey, eggs and cheese which are high protein, high fat, which do increase metabolism. This is more information than you will get on Dr. Oz. R. G. Heft, Hot and Cold Health, East and West, A Simple Guide to Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda email me rgheft@netzero.com

Ear Infections, Diet, Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda

There are two types of ear infection, inflammation (otitis): external and internal. (1) External otitis, infection of the outer ear can be caused by cosmetics, piercing and or bacterial infection. (2) Internal otitis of the inner ear (vertigo, loss of balance) and otitis media (affects the middle ear, behind eardrum) common in infants and children tends to be caused by extreme cold, damp diet, climate (winter, air conditioning, etc.), bacterial and or upper respiratory infections. The Eustachian tube connects the naso-pharynx (nose, throat), middle ear and auditory tubes (connect the ear to the back of the nasal cavity). It regulates air pressure, temperature and moisture. Excess moisture, fluids can pass from the nose and throat into the ears (via the Eustachian tube), collect, stagnate, fester and infect with bacteria that inflame and pressurize the ear causing earache, sharp, dull or throbbing pain, feeling of fullness in the ear and or a high fever. Low pressure, colder temperatures (winter, air conditioning, sleeping in cold, damp basement, etc.) tend to increase moisture in the lungs, throat, nose, etc. Cold and damp travel in the air, wind and can easily penetrate the body (head, neck and shoulders), and cool, harden fluids in the throat, mouth and nose into excess mucous and or phlegm. High altitude and colder temperatures increase discomfort and infection. The cold temperatures of nature cool harden water in the air into the morning dew, rain, snow and ice. In the body, colder temperatures (via diet or climate) harden fluids in the lungs, throat, nose and sinuses into excess water, mucous, which can pass into the ears and stagnate. Bacteria, viruses thrive in stagnant, watery mediums (mucous, urine) before inflaming and infecting tissue. . Bacteria, virus→ excess fluid→ infection→ inflammation Middle ear infections are common in children. Children, by their nature (under developed) tend to be weak, cold and damp, especially when they eat cold, damp diets (milk and cereal) or live in cold, damp climates making them more susceptible to cold, damp diseases. Protein, fat, cooked foods and digestion (three meals per day) heats and dries (regulates moisture) the body. Long-term low protein, low fat (soft dairy, ice cream) diets tend to decrease, thin the blood (blood deficiency), which weakens, cools and dampen the body. Too many salads, tropical fruits, juices, smoothies, cold drinks (includes ice water), sodas, etc. dilute, cool and decrease digestion (abdominal bloating, gas), elimination (loose stools) and nutrient absorption, blood, energy, heat, body temperature. Do not drink juice with meals. Weak digestion, deficient, low protein, fat blood also weakens the immune system, increasing the tendency to catch colds. Blood fuels immunity. The hotter middle diet (spices, cooking) is recommended, in addition to medical consultation, evaluation. Spices increase digestion and dry dampness: mucous, phlegm, loose stools, edema, etc. Ginger or cinnamon can be used in cookies, desserts. Vegetables (carrots, yams) and fruits (apples) can be used as sweeteners (in cookies), to reduce sugar cravings. Cooked foods, soups, stews, protein, fat stimulate, warm the body. Hot cereals, nuts, seeds and spices are more warming, building than milk and cereal, which is cold and damp. Garlic or peppermint oil drops in the ear dry dampness while fighting infection. Ear cones, candles also dry excess fluids. The candles (different types) are placed in the ear and set on fire. As the cone, candle burns down, it absorbs water, dries the ear. Ear candles, made with wax may drip excess wax into the ears. Consult with a doctor first. The cure (correct diet, bitter herbs and mild spices) for most diease is fairly simply and you can find it in my book, for today's and tomorrow's diseases, Hot and Cold Health, A Simple Guide to Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda $12.77- 14.95)

Psoriatic Arthritis, Diet, Chinese medicine and Ayurveda

Psoriatic arthritis, according to modern medicine is a disease of the immune system that causes raised, red patches, often with a silvery scale (psoriatic skin lesions), to appear on the skin, as well as pain, stiffness, or swelling in joints. In traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda , this disease is caused by poor circulation via poor diet (high protein, fat and starch) , and generally correctable via proper diet and herbs. Here's the pathology step by step for those who care to know not only the cause but also the cure. Stage 1. Too much protein and fat tends to thicken the blood, which in turn, thickens, clogs and weakens the liver. All blood passes in and out the liver. The liver stores, cleanses (filters, removes excess protein, fat, cholesterol, impurities, etc.) and releases the blood. High protein and high fat (especially animal, fried) diets in excess tend to thicken the blood, which in turn, thickens, clogs, swells and weakens the liver. Less cholesterol, fat, impurities, etc. are removed, cleansed, more stays in the blood (high cholesterol, clots, uric acid), thickening, clogging, narrowing and hardening the arteries (plaque, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure), reducing overall circulation, supply of blood and energy especially to the extremities: head, arms, legs, hands, feet, joints, bones, muscles, etc. causing swelling, pain, inflammation, etc. Less blood builds, fuels, moves, cools and moistens less. Dry tissues inflame. Stage 2. Excess protein and fat in the bloodstream eventually overflows into the skin causing raised, red patches, often with a silvery scale (psoriatic skin lesions), The cure (correct diet, bitter herbs and mild spices) for most diease is fairly simply and you can find it in my book, Nutritional and Spiritual Healing, East and West ($14.95), unless you are happy spending 100'S, 1,000's of dollars on doctors. drugs, surgery, insurance, etc, instead of reading a really great book, with proven results that does require you change diet and take herbs and spices. Psoriatic arthritis is two diseases: psoriasis and arthritis. Here's one case history for psoriasis which will not only cure psoriasis but also arthritis, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, tumors, etc. depending on severity. Psoriasis case history I counseled a young man, age 38 with severe psoriasis: dry, scaly, flaky and inflamed skin on his head, face, back, etc. He was also overweight and constantly scratching. His original diet was high protein, high fat (red meat, pork, fried foods, etc.). I advised the colder middle diet, especially raw vegetables and fruits: carrots, celery, apples, etc. In seven months, his face, head and back completely cleared up. He also lost 60#.. He also cured his two daughters: one born with psoriasis and the other via acne. Richard G. Heft. Acupuncture Physician (FL 1992- 2002); owner, operator Food and Thought health food store, Hollywood, FL (1984- 2001); author ; Hot and Cold Health, A Simple Guide to Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda ($12.77- 14.95) EMAIL rgheft@netzero.com