Liver, Blood Cleansing and Traditional Chinese Medicine

          Ninety percent of most disease is curable via simple diet and herbs,  but it takes an education not a website, one article, 10 minutes of your time.

 The following is an excerpt from Hot and Cold Health (available on Amazon  by R. G. Heft (Acupuncture Physician FL 1992- 2002).

       The liver  (large, thick, blood rich organ) is located on the upper right side of the body, abdomen behind the lower right rib cage. All blood passes through the liver. The liver stores, cleanses (removes excess protein, fat, cholesterol, impurities) and releases the blood. It also produces bile (fat emulsifier, digestive agent, which is stored in the gall bladder (connected to liver) and later released via bile ducts into the small intestine. The liver, known as the general in traditional Chinese medicine commands the troops, blood.

            The liver filters, removes and transforms excess protein and fat (lipids) into cholesterol and lipoproteins: high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). Lipoproteins regulate cholesterol. LDL and VLDL carry and harden cholesterol in plaque that binds to the walls of the arteries. HDL removes and transports cholesterol from the bloodstream to the liver, where it is broken down, transformed into bile salts eventually eliminated through the bowels.

         Saturated fat, commonly found in meat, eggs, cheese, etc. increases the number of LDL and VLDL. Unsaturated fatty acids commonly found in beans, nuts and seeds, increase the number of HDL. The balance of health favors an excess, of HDL. A certain amount of saturated fat, LDL and VLDL are required. Life is a balance of opposites. You need both to exist. Too much fat, cholesterol in the liver tends to thicken, clog and overheat the liver producing various overbuilt, yang (heat) rising pathologies (TCM).

        Protein and fat (includes cholesterol) are thick, sticky, hard nutrients. In excess (stage 1), they tend to thicken, clog the blood (stage 4) before thickening, clogging and weakening the liver (stage 5). Less cholesterol, fat are removed more stays in the bloodstream (high cholesterol) and arteries (plaque, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure). More blood flows into the liver (clogged, swollen) than out, disrupting and reducing overall circulation, blood, especially to the extremities: head, arms and legs, producing a variety of chi (energy) and quasi blood deficiency symptoms (pain, dryness, inflammation, weakness, shaking, etc.)                                               

Overbuilt liver		Excess heat
Dietary tendencies	→	Symptoms, diseases
Overbuilt, acidic diet	→	Liver yang rising, pitta
High protein, high fatEggs, red meat, wild game, veal, chicken, turkey, fish, cheese, pizza, lasagna, French fries, potato chips, oilHigh starchBread, pastries Alcohol, coffee, smoking Low  fruit and vegetables	→ →   →	Swelling, congestion, high cholesterol,  high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, red face, eyes, chest, rib distention, dysmenorrhea, sweaty hands, feet, arthritis, insomnia, tinnitus (loud), psoriasis, migraine, anger, impatience,    violence

 

	Stage Five. Liver chi and blood stagnation
1.	Moodiness and irritability Too much protein and fat tends to overbuild, thicken and clog the liver, blood,  arteries, etc. stagnating and reducing the circulation of blood, drying, tensing and frustrating the body mind causing moodiness and irritability (excess, trapped energy).
2.	Sighing is the body, lung’s attempt to release trapped energy (chi) and blood within the liver. The lungs (right lung sits atop the liver) expand and contract, which in turn massages, moves blood in and out of the liver.
3.	Chest, rib and breast distention and plum pit (imaginary lump in throat, difficulty swallowing). Too much protein and fat tend to congest and swell the liver (located on the right side of the body, behind the rib cage beneath the lungs), causing it to press up against the ribs, abdomen, chest, breasts and throat (plum pit syndrome).
4.	Menstrual irregularities The liver stores, cleanses and releases the blood, into the body, uterus. Liver congestion via thick blood, high protein, high fat and or too much alcohol, thickens, distorts and reduces blood flow to the uterus causing PMS, dark, clotted menstrual blood, dysmenorrhea (painful or irregular periods), etc.

 

	Stage Six. Liver blood heat
5.	Red face and red eyes Liver blood nourishes the eyes. Mild to long-term liver congestion, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure tends to overheat the blood, body, Heat rises, reddening the head, face and eyes.
6.	Anger with outbursts, shouting Long-term liver congestion, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, etc. reduces circulation, while increasing internal, heat, energy, pressurize until some sort of release occurs. This release can come in the form of rapid breathing or perspiration via exercise or an emotional, angry outburst, explosion of excess, trapped energy. Smaller meals, fasting, open spaces, slow moving exercises (tai chi, chi gung, yoga, etc.) and meditation help dissipate excess energy, anger.   Anger, in general, is a reaction, judgment to an unfulfilled desire. Everyone chooses to react, differently.  Think and be positive.
7.	Dream disturbed sleep Long-term liver congestion, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, etc. tends to overheat the blood, body, heart, brain during the night, stimulating thinking, dreaming and in the extreme, wakefulness. Sleeping is a cooling, calming activity.
8.	Bitter taste in the mouth. The liver produces bile (bitter) and is stored in the gall bladder prior to its release into the small intestine. Overeating, too much protein and fat tends to over stimulate the liver, bile production in addition to clogging the stomach and small intestine, causing a backflow (rebellion) of stomach energy, food, bile, etc. that rises up into the throat causing burping, nausea, vomiting, acid regurgitation, bile, bitter taste.
9.	Tongue has red body (sides) and a dry yellow coating The sides represent the liver and gall bladder. Liver, gallbladder heat tends to dry, redden and or yellow the tongue’s coating.

 

	Stage 7. Extreme liver blood heat
10.	Epitasis (nosebleeds) Long-term liver congestion reduces blood flow to the extremities, head, damaging, drying, thinning, cracking or bleeding the vessels, capillaries in the nose.
11.	Tinnitus (loud ringing) Long-term liver congestion, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure increase pressure, loud ringing sound in the head, ears. Soft ringing indicates kidney yin deficiency.
12.	Severe insomnia Long-term liver congestion, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, etc. in addition to late or large dinners (protein and fat), caffeine, smoking, alcohol, etc. increase energy, heat and pressure, making it difficult to sleep. The mind and body cannot rest when the body is overheated. Eat more vegetables and fruits.
13.	Skin problems (acne, psoriasis, scratching, etc) Too much protein and fat, thicken, clog and heat the liver, blood, skin (thick, red, irritated and or oozing pus). Too little and or dampness weakens the skin (acne,  eczema).
14.	Hypertension (high blood pressure) Too much protein and fat tends to clog and weaken the liver increasing cholesterol, plaque (atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis), which in turn, increases pressure.
15.	Metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding between periods) and menorrhagia (abnormally long or heavy menses) tend to be caused by cervical cancer, uterine tumors, high protein, high fat diets.
16.	Aggression or domineering attitude Too much protein and fat, especially animal, tends to overbuild, over fuel, and overheat the liver, body producing aggression, domineering attitude, violence, derangement, etc. A healthy, flexible, unclogged liver, in general, produces strength, leadership, compassion and motivation.
17.	Pain beneath the right side of the rib cage Too much protein and fat not only swells the liver, but also increase bile production, which in turn, swells and inflames the gall bladder causing pain beneath the right rib cage (area of the liver and gall bladder).

            The liver removes poisons, toxins from the blood and transforms them into bile (digestive agent), cholesterol, lecithin and other substances. One pint of bile per day passes into the gall bladder (pear shaped 3-4″ organ connected to and lying beneath the liver) and is later released into small intestine (via cystic and bile ducts), eventually passing through the feces. Abnormal concentration of bile acids, cholesterol and phospholipids in the bile tend to create gallstones that can move into the bile ducts causing inflammation, nausea, vomiting, fever and or pain in the right upper abdomen or behind the breastbone.

       Gall bladder attacks (mimic pain of heart attack).tend to occur after fried or fatty meals. The urine may become tea or coffee colored. Seventy-five percent of gallstones are cholesterol stones. Cholesterol is a byproduct of protein and fat digestion. Too much protein, fat, especially animal, fried foods, etc. tends to produce gall bladder and kidneys stones.     

	Stage Eight. Excess heat in the gall bladder
18.	Jaundice (yellow pigmentation of the skin). Too much bile (yellow), cholesterol, phospholipids tend to create stones in the gall bladder, ducts, and in the extreme, cause leaking, overflow of bile into the skin, eyes, etc.
19.	Gall stones Radishes and or apple cider vinegar (one TB diluted in one glass of water, three times per day) may help dissolve gallstones, in addition to low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate diet.

      The colder middle diet, meal plan is recommended for all overbuilt (high protein, high fat) conditions. Small breakfast (vegetarian or toast and tea), big lunch (protein, fat) and or small dinner (vegetarian) is generally beneficial, as is fasting (on fruit juice) one day a week Avoid overeating. Drink water to retard appetite. Common supplements like fish liver oil may aggravate a swollen liver and cause headaches. Most liver problems require patience and discipline as it takes months, years (of good daily diet) to heal replace diseased tissue with new healthy tissues. Impatience and anger overheat, tighten and tense the liver. There are no quick cures                   

	Colder middle diet, meal plan
	For overbuilt, hard, thick liver
1/3	Decrease, avoid red meat, veal, pork, pizza, lasagna, French fries, potato chips, oily greasy foods, etcIncrease beans, nuts, dairy, eggs, chicken and or  turkey
1/3	Increase grains (whole, cracked).Decrease bread, pastries, etc.
1/3	Increase vegetables, cooked/ raw, cabbage, celery, etc.Increase fruit, juices
+/-	Spices fennel, cumin and coriander
+/-	Herbs: bitter: golden seal, gentian, aloe, etc. help dissolve fat and cholesterol.
+/-	Green supplements spirulina, wheat grass, etc.
+/-	Tea peppermint, green and chrysanthemum

            Blood, protein and fat deficiency can also attack and weaken the liver. Dry nails, eyes, tendons and ligaments, and amenorrhea (little or no period) are symptoms of liver blood deficiency. Liver blood nourishes the nails, eyes, tendons, ligaments and uterus. Blood, protein and fat deficiency is time consuming (120 days to rebuild blood) but generally easy to cure as the diet can easily be adjusted.

            Questions?   email: rgheft@netzero.com

            Learn biology, diet and nutrition unless you want someone else (doctors, insurance companies, politicians) taking care of your health. It is the reason why I wrote my book.  You have very little to lose ($20 or less) and everything to gain.

Hot and Cold Health and Disease (new name, available on Amazon, old title, cover is pictured. http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Cold-Health-Richard-Heft/dp/0974791709 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I PHILOSOPHY AND DIET

Chapter 1 The Way of Thinking Chapter 2 Energetics of Food Chapter 3 Digestion, Spices and Chinese Herbs Chapter 4 Cooking Class

SECTION II BIOLOGY, EAST AND WEST

Chapter 5 Three Treasures Chapter 6 Blood and Body Fluids Chapter 7 Spleen Chapter 8 Stomach Small Intestine Chapter 9 Large Intestine and Urinary Bladder Chapter 10 Heart Chapter 11 Liver & Gall Bladder Chapter 12 Lungs Chapter 13 Kidneys Chapter 14 Disease and Diagnosis

SECTION III DISEASES A- Z

Chap 15 A Diseases AIDS 141 Alzheimer s 143 Anal fissure 143 Anemia 144 Anger 145 Aging 146 Anxiety 147 Arthritis 148 Asthma 152 ADD 154 Auto-immune 154 Chap 16 B Diseases Blood 157 Blood Pressure 158 Body Odor 159 Bones 161 Breast lumps 162 Bronchitis 164 Chap 17  C DiseasesCandidiasis 167 Canker Sores 169 Cellulite 171 Cholesterol 173 Chronic Fatigue 175 Circulation 176 Cirrhosis 178 Cold hands, feet 178 Cold (lungs) Constipation 180 Coughing 182 Crohn s 182 Chap 18 D DiseasesDepression 185 Detoxification 188 Diabetes 191 Diarrhea 193 Diuretics 195 Dizziness 195 Dysmenorrhea 196 Chap 19 E-F DiseasesEar Infections 197 Eczema 197 Edema 200 Endometriosis 202 Eyes 202 Fear 204 Fever 204 Fibrocystic Breasts 204 Fibroids 205 Fibromyalgia 205 Forgetfulness 207 Frigidity 208 Chap 20 G-H DiseasesGall Stones 209 GERD, GIRD 210 Gout 212 Hair Loss 213 Hearing Loss 215 Hepatitis 218 Herpes 220 Hot Flashes 220 Hysteria 221 Chap 21 I-J Diseases Infertility 223 Inflammation 223 Insomnia 224 Irritable Bowel 226 Itching 227 Jaundice 227 Chap 22 K-O Diseases Kidney Stones 229 Miscarriage 230 Mucous 231 M. Sclerosis 231 Nails 233 Nausea 235 Numbness 236 Obesity 237 Osteoporosis 238 Chap 23 P-R Diseases Pediatric 241 Perspiration 244 Plantar F. 244 Pregnancy 248 PMS 250 Prostate 251 Psoriasis 252 Rashes 252 Restless Leg 252 Chap 24 S-Z Diseases Sex 255 Shaking, tremors 257 Sinusitis 258 Skin Diseases 259 Sleep Apnea 261 Snoring 262 Sweaty hands 263 Teeth 264 Tumors 266 Urinary T. I. 267 Varicose Veins 269 Weight loss 270 Yeast infection 274 Chap 25 Case Histories 275

SECTION IV DAILY PRACTICES

 Chapter 26 The Way of Breathing, Chap 27 Exercise, Chap 28 Meditation 303, Chap 29 Spiritual Practices 307 Appendix 313 Bibliography 315 About the Author 317

Spleen, Digestion and Traditional Chinese Medicine

         Ninety percent of most disease is curable via simple diet and herbs,  if you know what yiou are doing. It takes an education, book not a website, one article, 10 minutes of your time.

       The following is an excerpt from Hot and Cold Health (available on Amazon  by R. G. Heft (Acupuncture Physician FL 1992- 2002).

 Spleen, digestion

Food → Digestion→ Blood → Structure→ Function

         The spleen (includes stomach and pancreas) controls digestion according to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Digestion, digestive fire (Agni in Ayurveda) transforms food and transports nutrients into blood. Blood (nutrients) build, thicken, fuel, heat, cleanse, cool and moisten. Weak digestion transforms and transports less, decreasing nutrient absorption, blood, while increasing waste, as whatever food, nutrients, etc. not digested, absorbed becomes waste sent directly to the large intestine eventual elimination. Long-term low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate diets, in addition to drugs, surgery, chronic disease, etc. weaken, reduce digestion, blood, structure and function.

          The spleen provides the fire (chi, yang) that cooks food and fluids inside the stomach and small intestine, separating the pure essences (nutrients) from the impure (non-nutrients, including fiber). The pure essences, nutrients mist, rise up (spleen chi, yang rises) into the lungs, combine with the pure essences of air (oxygen) before moving down into the heart for the final transformation into blood. The impure essences, foods and fluids not digested absorbed are waste and moved down to the large intestine

         The first stage of digestion occurs in the stomach. The stomach produces hydrochloric acid (HCl) and other enzymes specifically designed to digest animal food, protein and fat. The second stage occurs in the small intestine, which receives enzymes and bile from the pancreas and liver via the pancreatic bile duct, which also connects to the bile duct. The bile duct carries bile from the gall bladder produced by the liver. The first stage of digestion in the stomach is more important, as protein and fat digestion is more difficult, requiring greater, stronger acid and enzymes.

        The spleen, pancreas, stomach, etc. are built fueled and cleansed by blood, nutrients. Building nutrients, protein and fat build and fuel. Too little, in the extreme, tends to weaken, cool digestion, while also reducing nutrient absorption, blood. Water, minerals, sugar, vegetables (raw, salads) and fruits (tropical, juices) reduce, cleanse, cool and moisten. Too much, in addition to soft dairy and cold drinks dilute, weaken and slow digestion (abdominal bloating, gas), and elimination (looses stools, diarrhea and or constipation).

              Building foods, hot soups, cooked foods stimulate digestion (spleen, pancreas and stomach function), and are eaten at the beginning of the meal.  Cleansing foods, vegetables and fruits cool, moisten and stop digestion, secretion of acid, enzymes while also cleaning up the waste products (undigested food) and are eaten at the end of the meal. The waste of building foods, nutrients, protein and fat is more poisonous, toxic (Ama in Ayurveda) than fruits, vegetables and grains.                                                                                                                                                 

              Digestion, three meals a day, produces excess energy, heat that is used to heat and dry (regulate water) the body. Weak digestion tends to cool and moisten the body with excess fluids (dampness, kapha). The best example is the cold temperatures of nighttime and winter that cool harden water in the air into the morning dew, rain, ice and snow. In the body, colder temperatures via weak digestion, too many cold, cleansing foods and or environmental extremes (winter cold) slow, harden water in the body, lungs, vagina, etc. into morning dew, mucous, phlegm, cysts, white vaginal discharges, etc.

          The lungs, nose, sinuses and throat are located above the digestive organs. Heat rises. Weak digestion fails to heat and dry, but instead cools and moistens the lungs with excess fluids, dampness: mucous, phlegm, causing coughing, shortness of breath, snoring, etc. In TCM, the spleen is the origin of dampness, and the lungs its receptacle. Weak digestion, dampness can also attack the ears (childhood inner ear infection, loss of hearing), breasts (lumps, cysts), reproductive organs (cysts, white vaginal discharges, leucorrhea, yeast infections), etc.

         Excess water weight (edema, cellulite, mucous, phlegm, cysts, etc.) is generally an advanced symptom of weak digestion, cold, damp diet and is more common in women than in men. Women, in general, tend to eat low protein, low fat (milk, yogurt) and high carbohydrate (salads, tropical fruits juices, smoothies) diets. Men are the opposite, have a higher metabolism, better digestion, due in large part to testosterone (hot, energetic, fiery hormone) and the tendency to eat high protein, high fat diets. Testosterone is the ultimate fat burner.                    

Water weight		Weak digestion
Cold, damp diet	→	Cold, damp symptoms
Low protein, low fatMilk, yogurt, beans, nutsHigh carbohydrate Salads, tropical fruits, juices, cold drinks, etc.	→  →	Loose stools, diarrhea,mucous, phlegm,edema in the arms, legs, ankles; cysts,  cellulite, white vaginal discharges, etc.

        Water weight, in general, reverses (drains, burns) with a change in diet, from cold to hotter middle diet, meal plan. Increase chicken, turkey or eggs. Decrease milk, yogurt and soft cheeses. Increase whole, cracked grains (white rice, noodles, etc.). Decrease bread, flour (cookies, pastries, pretzels). Increase cooked vegetables (3- 5 per meal). Decrease salads, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, tropical fruits, juices, cold drinks, sodas, etc Increase spices (use several) and herbs (Siberian ginseng)

         The following are the general stages, symptoms, mild to severe, of weak digestion (spleen chi, yang deficiency). The general causes (stage 1) are poor diet (long-term low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate, overeating), chronic illness, surgery and or drugs. 

	Stage Two. Spleen chi deficiency
1.	Abdominal distention The spleen, pancreas and stomach are one organ system. The stomach is the first digestive organ to receive food and fluids, which it mixes with digestive enzymes and acid, before passing it down into the small intestine (22 feet in length). Stomach chi, energy moves down. Weak digestion, spleen and stomach chi energy tends to slow the movement of food, causing it to collect and expand within the stomach and small intestine, causing the abdomen to distend, push out. Standing up, moving around, walking after a meal, helps moves food (down), relieving distention.
2.	Gas Too many fluids, sugar, etc. tend to disrupt the chemistry of digestion, creating gas. A certain amount of gas is normal. Spices (Chapter 3) aid digestion and generally help counter gas, flatulence, burping, abdominal bloating and loose stools.
3.	Loose stools Spleen yang (chi), digestive fire, enzymes and acids cook food and fluids in the stomach and small intestine. Weak spleen chi, digestive fire cooks, dries less fluid, increasing fluids in the stomach and small intestine that eventually pass into the large intestine, making the stools watery and loose.  Protein and fat thicken and form the stools. Fruits, vegetables, juices and water thin, loosen the stools. Too little protein and fat and or too much water, fruit, etc. thin and loosen the stools.

   

	Stage Three. Blood deficiency
4.	Tiredness The spleen transforms and transports food, nutrients, fuel into blood, structure and function (energy). Weak digestion transforms and transports fewer nutrients, causing blood, protein and fat deficiency, fatigue, tiredness, etc.
5.	Sallow complexion. Weak digestion, spleen chi, in the extreme, causes blood and chi (energy) deficiency, weakening all structure and function. Less blood is circulated to the head, as it is harder, takes more energy to move blood up, than down. The complexion becomes sallow, less bloody (blood is red) and more pale. Spleen chi ascends pushing blood up into the face, lips.
6.	Low appetite Blood, nutrients, protein and fat fuel all function, including digestion and appetite. Weak digestion, in the extreme, reduces, thins the blood, which in turn, reduces, thins the desire, energy to eat. “I am too weak to eat. I have no appetite.” Low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate diets naturally thin the blood, which in turn, thins, weakens all structure, function. Too many cleansing, cooling foods also weaken all function.
7.	Weak limbs Chronic weak, cold digestion (spleen chi, yang) and or long-term low protein, low fat diets, thin, reduce the blood, which in turn, thins, weakens all  structure, function, especially in the extremities: arms, legs, bones, muscles, tendons, nerves, etc.
8.	Pale tongue with cracked or swollen sides The tongue is blood rich. Blood is red and moistening. Chronic, weak digestion thins and reduces blood flow to the head, causing the tongue to become dry, weak, pale (blood deficiency) and swollen (chi deficiency, stagnation).

 

	Stage Four. Spleen chi, yang deficiency
9.	Cold limbs Chronic, long-term weak digestion tends to thin and weaken blood, weakening and reducing circulation, blood, nutrient flow (builds, fuels, warms), especially to the extremities: arms, legs, bones, ligaments, muscles, etc. producing coldness, weakness.
10.	Bright, white complexion Chronic, long-term weak digestion thins and reduces blood flow to the head, face producing a bright, white (color of cold) complexion.
11.	Loose stools with undigested food Digestive fire, acids and enzymes digests, reduces food to its smallest components: nutrients and non-nutrients. It also burns, consumes excess water. Chronic weak digestion burns, consumes less water, causing the stools to be loose with undigested foods.
12.	Vaginal discharges (leucorrhea) Digestive fire heats the body, sexual organs. Excess heat dries and dissipates excess body fluids Chronic, long-term, weak digestion fails to heat (and dry), but instead cool and moistens the body with excess fluids. More fluid accumulates and congeals (cold congeals), hardens in the vagina causing excess mucous, white discharges (leucorrhea). .
13.	Bearing down sensation in the abdomen Spleen chi, yang rises, ascends. Chronic indigestion, weak spleen yang digests weakens the organs (chi deficiency, sinking) while creating more waste product, heaviness in the intestines, producing a bearing down sensation.
14.	Depression It takes energy to be content and happy. Chronic indigestion decreases nutrient absorption, blood, structure and function (energy), which in turn, weakens, depresses and slows the body, which in turn, depresses the mind. Lack of faith in God also causes depression, as depression is a choice. Modern medicine normally treats depression (cold, weak condition) with amphetamines, stimulants. Stimulant drugs heat, move fluids, food, emotions, and thoughts as do hot soups, spices, protein, fat, sunshine and exercise.
15.	Tongue is pale, swollen and wet with a white coating. The tongue normally has a thin white coating produced by stomach fluids. Weak spleen yang, digestive fire increases fluids in the stomach that tend to overflow onto the tongue creating a moist, thick, clear or white coating, It also produces less blood and energy causing the tongue to be pale and swollen.

 

	Stage Five. Severe blood & chi deficiency
16.	Bleeding (under the skin, in the urine, stools) Long-term, chronic indigestion thins and or blood, protein and fat deficiency, weakens the blood, which in turn, thins, weakens and easily bruises, bleeds the skin, capillaries, etc. Tumors and stones (kidney or bladder) can also cause bleeding in the stools and urine.
17.	Extreme chronic diarrhea Chronic indigestion via cold diet, parasites and or bacteria tends to cause chronic diarrhea.
18.	Prolapse Chronic blood, protein and fat deficiency and or weak digestion weakens, drains the organs (stomach, uterus, rectum, etc.) causing them to sink, prolapse. Blood, protein and fat build and fuel, hold the organs in their places, natural positions. Less blood creates less holding whether it is organs, blood, liquid, thoughts, etc. The spleen controls digestion, blood and holding.  Spleen chi ascends, holds organs, blood in place.
19.	Autoimmune illnesses The spleen transforms and transports food, nutrients into blood. Poor diet (stage 1) weakens and decreases digestion (stage 2), elimination (stage 3) nutrient absorption, blood (stage 4) and in the extreme, immunity, contributing to the development of autoimmune disease (fifth stage).  It is the first stage of disease you must treat, cure in order to cure the entire disease, symptoms.

        Too much protein and fat, especially animal, in the extreme, tends to over stimulate the spleen, stomach and pancreas causing heartburn, nausea, acid regurgitation, pain, inflammation, stomach ulcer, pancreatitis, tumors, etc. It also tends to adversely affect, overbuild the liver, which in turn overbuilds the blood, arteries, heart, etc.

         The spleen and brain have an intimate relationship as they both separate pure from impure. The spleen, digestion separates pure, food essences (nutrients) from impure food essences (non-nutrients, preservatives, colorings, etc.). The brain separates the pure, relevant thoughts, stimuli, from the impure, irrelevant. Both “organs” ability to separate, analyze, remember, etc. is a function of blood, nutrients, food, which in turn, are a function of digestion (spleen chi, yang). Strong digestion, separation strengthens the blood, which in turn, strengthens, increases the brain’s ability to separate, think, analyze, remember, etc. Chronic, weak digestion creates weak, thin and murky blood, which in turn, creates weak, thin, murky, cloudy thinking and memory (indecision forgetfulness, etc.). Weak digestion, blood, protein and fat deficiency weaken all function, mental and physical.

           In TCM, the pancreas is part of the spleen. It not only produces digestive enzymes but also regulates blood sugar via the production of insulin and glucagon. Insulin lowers the level of blood sugar (glucose) by converting it into glycogen (storage form of glucose) that is stored in the liver and muscles. When blood sugar gets too low, the pancreas secretes glucagon, which stimulates and converts glycogen in the liver back into glucose, which is then released back into the bloodstream, raising blood sugar.

         The pancreas and liver control the level of blood sugar. Any amounts greater or less, in the extreme, tend to cause too much (hyperglycemia) or too little blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which in turn, weakens, sickens the body mind through a variety of blood sugar related diseases, including diabetes. Adult onset diabetes, depending upon severity (operations, medication, etc.) is generally curable through diet, discipline, etc. Juvenile diabetes is more difficult to treat, cure, as it tends to be genetically predisposed.

           Sugar, protein and fat stimulate digestion, liver and pancreas function. Too much protein, fat and or sugar over stimulate the pancreas and liver, weakening, reducing all their functions: blood sugar, digestion, cholesterol, etc. Once an organ becomes weak, all of its functions weaken. Poor diet (high protein, high fat, alcohol sugar, overeating, or low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate) tend to cause most disease, including high and low blood sugar.

             Questions?   email: rgheft@netzero.com

            Learn biology, diet and nutrition unless you want someone else (doctors, insurance companies, politicians) taking care of your health. It is the reason why I wrote my book.  You have very little to lose ($20 or less) and everything to gain.

Hot and Cold Health and Disease (new name, available on Amazon, old title, cover is pictured.   http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Cold-Health-Richard-Heft/dp/0974791709 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I PHILOSOPHY AND DIET

Chapter 1 The Way of Thinking Chapter 2 Energetics of Food Chapter 3 Digestion, Spices and Chinese Herbs Chapter 4 Cooking Class

SECTION II BIOLOGY, EAST AND WEST

Chapter 5 Three Treasures Chapter 6 Blood and Body Fluids Chapter 7 Spleen Chapter 8 Stomach Small Intestine Chapter 9 Large Intestine and Urinary Bladder Chapter 10 Heart Chapter 11 Liver & Gall Bladder Chapter 12 Lungs Chapter 13 Kidneys Chapter 14 Disease and Diagnosis

SECTION III DISEASES A- Z

Chap 15 A Diseases AIDS 141 Alzheimer s 143 Anal fissure 143 Anemia 144 Anger 145 Aging 146 Anxiety 147 Arthritis 148 Asthma 152 ADD 154 Auto-immune 154 Chap 16 B Diseases Blood 157 Blood Pressure 158 Body Odor 159 Bones 161 Breast lumps 162 Bronchitis 164 Chap 17  C DiseasesCandidiasis 167 Canker Sores 169 Cellulite 171 Cholesterol 173 Chronic Fatigue 175 Circulation 176 Cirrhosis 178 Cold hands, feet 178 Cold (lungs) Constipation 180 Coughing 182 Crohn s 182 Chap 18 D DiseasesDepression 185 Detoxification 188 Diabetes 191 Diarrhea 193 Diuretics 195 Dizziness 195 Dysmenorrhea 196 Chap 19 E-F DiseasesEar Infections 197 Eczema 197 Edema 200 Endometriosis 202 Eyes 202 Fear 204 Fever 204 Fibrocystic Breasts 204 Fibroids 205 Fibromyalgia 205 Forgetfulness 207 Frigidity 208 Chap 20 G-H DiseasesGall Stones 209 GERD, GIRD 210 Gout 212 Hair Loss 213 Hearing Loss 215 Hepatitis 218 Herpes 220 Hot Flashes 220 Hysteria 221 Chap 21 I-J Diseases Infertility 223 Inflammation 223 Insomnia 224 Irritable Bowel 226 Itching 227 Jaundice 227 Chap 22 K-O Diseases Kidney Stones 229 Miscarriage 230 Mucous 231 M. Sclerosis 231 Nails 233 Nausea 235 Numbness 236 Obesity 237 Osteoporosis 238 Chap 23 P-R Diseases Pediatric 241 Perspiration 244 Plantar F. 244 Pregnancy 248 PMS 250 Prostate 251 Psoriasis 252 Rashes 252 Restless Leg 252 Chap 24 S-Z Diseases Sex 255 Shaking, tremors 257 Sinusitis 258 Skin Diseases 259 Sleep Apnea 261 Snoring 262 Sweaty hands 263 Teeth 264 Tumors 266 Urinary T. I. 267 Varicose Veins 269 Weight loss 270 Yeast infection 274 Chap 25 Case Histories 275

SECTION IV DAILY PRACTICES

 Chapter 26 The Way of Breathing, Chap 27 Exercise, Chap 28 Meditation 303, Chap 29 Spiritual Practices 307 Appendix 313 Bibliography 315 About the Author 317

Ask Richard

There is no diet, herb, condition, symptom, disease, etc. that I do not know. I have questioned and counseled thousands. 

There is only one body, planet, sun, etc.  therefore only one way to eat, exercise, sleep, etc.  Everyone has the same maintenance manual.  

One diet (central theme plus two variations and herbs) can prevent and or cure most disease.

The diet, food groups are simple. What is not so simple are the subtle adjustments or the knowledge to make those adjustments.

30+ years of experience (acupuncture school; licensed Acupuncture Physician Fl 1992- 2002; owner operator Food and Thought health food store, Hollywood, FL 1984- 2001); questioned and counseled thousands; squeezed into one book, 317 pages or less.  

Questions? rgheft@netzero.com

Learn biology, diet and nutrition unless you want someone else (doctors, insurance companies) taking care of your health. It is the reason why I wrote my book. If you are serious about your health you will take a chance, buy,  risk $20 or less and read my book (317 pages or less). You have very little to lose and everything to gain.

Hot and Cold Health and Disease  (available on Amazon, old cover is pictured)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I PHILOSOPHY AND DIET

Chapter 1 The Way of Thinking Chapter 2 Energetics of Food Chapter 3 Digestion, Spices and Chinese Herbs Chapter 4 Cooking Class

SECTION II BIOLOGY, EAST AND WEST

Chapter 5 Three Treasures Chapter 6 Blood and Body Fluids Chapter 7 Spleen Chapter 8 Stomach Small Intestine Chapter 9 Large Intestine and Urinary Bladder Chapter 10 Heart Chapter 11 Liver & Gall Bladder Chapter 12 Lungs Chapter 13 Kidneys Chapter 14 Disease and Diagnosis

SECTION III DISEASES A- Z

Chap 15 A Diseases AIDS 141 Alzheimer s 143 Anal fissure 143 Anemia 144 Anger 145 Aging 146 Anxiety 147 Arthritis 148 Asthma 152 ADD 154 Auto-immune 154 Chap 16 B Diseases Blood 157 Blood Pressure 158 Body Odor 159 Bones 161 Breast lumps 162 Bronchitis 164 Chap 17  C DiseasesCandidiasis 167 Canker Sores 169 Cellulite 171 Cholesterol 173 Chronic Fatigue 175 Circulation 176 Cirrhosis 178 Cold hands, feet 178 Cold (lungs) Constipation 180 Coughing 182 Crohn s 182 Chap 18 D DiseasesDepression 185 Detoxification 188 Diabetes 191 Diarrhea 193 Diuretics 195 Dizziness 195 Dysmenorrhea 196 Chap 19 E-F DiseasesEar Infections 197 Eczema 197 Edema 200 Endometriosis 202 Eyes 202 Fear 204 Fever 204 Fibrocystic Breasts 204 Fibroids 205 Fibromyalgia 205 Forgetfulness 207 Frigidity 208 Chap 20 G-H DiseasesGall Stones 209 GERD, GIRD 210 Gout 212 Hair Loss 213 Hearing Loss 215 Hepatitis 218 Herpes 220 Hot Flashes 220 Hysteria 221 Chap 21 I-J Diseases Infertility 223 Inflammation 223 Insomnia 224 Irritable Bowel 226 Itching 227 Jaundice 227 Chap 22 K-O Diseases Kidney Stones 229 Miscarriage 230 Mucous 231 M. Sclerosis 231 Nails 233 Nausea 235 Numbness 236 Obesity 237 Osteoporosis 238 Chap 23 P-R Diseases Pediatric 241 Perspiration 244 Plantar F. 244 Pregnancy 248 PMS 250 Prostate 251 Psoriasis 252 Rashes 252 Restless Leg 252 Chap 24 S-Z Diseases Sex 255 Shaking, tremors 257 Sinusitis 258 Skin Diseases 259 Sleep Apnea 261 Snoring 262 Sweaty hands 263 Teeth 264 Tumors 266 Urinary T. I. 267 Varicose Veins 269 Weight loss 270 Yeast infection 274 Chap 25 Case Histories 275

SECTION IV DAILY PRACTICES

 Chapter 26 The Way of Breathing, Chap 27 Exercise, Chap 28 Meditation 303, Chap 29 Spiritual Practices 307 Appendix 313 Bibliography 315 About the Author 317

Common Cold, Swine Flu, Immunity and Diet

You catch cold because you are cold. The body is naturally warm. It needs to maintain a certain temperature (98.6), energy production to stay healthy. Below that temperature, the body gets colder, making it environmentally attractive to cold natured diseases, including the common cold and flu. Correct diet maintains the correct temperature, the incorrect, worsens, causes disease via too much or too little energy. Too little energy cools and dampens. Too much overheats and dries.

Temperatures, energy production below 98.6, tend to cool, slow and dampen the body, in the same way, the cold temperatures of winter cool, slow and harden water in the air, into rain, snow and ice. Cold, in excess, via external (winter, air conditioning, living, sleeping in a cold, damp basement) or internal (cold, damp, low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate diet) sources tends to cool and harden water in the lungs (naturally moist), nose throat and sinuses into water, mucous and phlegm obstructing the breath causing coughing, sneezing, sore throat, etc.

Cold temperatures also drain blood from the extremities, head, arms and legs causing them to be cold, weak and shaky. Symptoms define all disease, cause and effect. Respiratory (runny nose, mucous, phlegm, coughing, snoring, sore throat), circulatory (headache, cold hands and feet, shaking, chattering), immune (fever) and or digestive (abdominal bloating, gas, loose stools) symptoms define the common cold and the flu, which is more or less a bad cold (in the extreme, the flu can be fatal). The extreme depends on the individual as colds and flu’s can only attack, infect the unhealthy.

Flu’s are acute, contagious virus caused infection. Viruses like bacteria require a medium to grow. In the lungs (includes throat, nose and sinuses), water is the medium. The lungs are naturally moist. Water facilitates the exchanges of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide), between the blood (lungs) and the environment. Oxygen is water-soluble.

Too much water (mucous, phlegm) in the lungs, tend to weaken and reduce the exchange causing oxygen deprivation (less oxygen is absorbed), fatigue (less oxygen), shortness of breath (mucous), coughing, hacking, sore throat, snoring, sleep apnea and in the extreme, viral and or bacterial infection, turning the common cold into the flu.

All flu’s vary in strength, as does the individual. Not everyone gets sick when “attacked” by a pathogenic virus, as some have better immune systems. The immune system is a function of diet, nutrition, exercise and circulation. Protein and fat build and fuel. Low protein, low fat foods (milk, yogurt, soft cheeses, beans, nuts and seeds) in the extreme, tend to thin, weaken and cool all structure and function, including the immune system. High carbohydrate, cold, damp foods and drinks (milk, yogurt, ice cream, salads, tropical fruits, juices, smoothies, cold drinks), in the extreme, tend to dilute and weaken digestion reducing nutrient absorption, blood, energy, while increasing cold and damp, especially in the lungs.

The lungs lie directly above the digestive organs. Digestion, three meals a day, produces excess energy, heat that naturally rises into the lungs, heating and drying. Weak digestion cools, dampens and weakens the body, lungs, nose throat, etc. in addition to abdominal bloating, gas, loose stools, etc. Digestive symptoms are the key factor in determining whether the cause is internal or external. An external attack initially does not produce any digestive disturbances.

Strong digestion acts a cold and flu preventative as it energizes heats and dries the body, lungs. It is fueled by protein and fat. Eggs, chicken, turkey, fish and hard cheese contain more protein and fat than soft dairy, beans, nuts and seeds. Spices (cardamom, cumin, coriander, fennel, cayenne, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, etc.) increase digestion, heat, dry dampness and are antibacterial and anti fungal. Women and children (under-developed) tend to be cold, damp, deficient.

 The body generally produces a fever when it overheats and or catches cold, becomes infected. Fever, extreme heat via a sudden increase in body temperature (via protein, fat, cooked foods, soups, spices, hot baths, exercise, etc.) heats, dries excess cold, damp in addition to killing certain bacteria and viruses. Athletes and the active in general, due to increased physical activity, circulation, better diet, etc. tend to catch fewer colds. They also heal faster.

Spices (use several at a time in cooking) heat the body, dry damp and are antibacterial and antiviral. Peppermint tea helps counter dry, sore throats, mucous, coughing and smoking. The treatment plan, in addition to seeing a doctor is heat: hot soups, spicy foods, protein, fat, extra clothing, hot baths, sweating, etc. while reducing all cold foods: dairy, cold drinks, tropical fruits, juices, raw vegetables, salads, bitter herbs, etc. Vitamin C, golden seal and echinacea are also effective in curing the common cold, when taken at the onset (day one or two).

The swine flu on average kills 33,000 people per year. That is 33,000 out of 333,000,000 (estimated population of America). One of every thousand people, young and old die every year from the flu.  I have not gotten a swine flu or any flu shot in the last thirty five years, but I also eat well, most of the time.

Hot and Cold Health and Disease

Do you really need a doctor?

Health and disease are simple. The body builds up  and breaks down largely according to food, nutrients, to which there are only two: building (hot, yang) and cleansing (cold, yin). The correct balance produces health, the incorrect, too much or too little building or cleansing, in the extreme, tends to cause disease via too much or too little, blood, structure and function. Simple diet and common herbs can prevent and or cure most disease.

“What do YOU eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner?” Richard G. Heft posed this question to his customers for more than a decade. Those who ate too many building foods, in the extreme, tended to develop thick, hard, hot symptoms: high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, insomnia, gout, tumors and cancer. Those who ate too little building and too much cleansing tended to develop weak, cold, damp symptoms: abdominal bloating, loose stools, fatigue, pallor, edema, cellulite, amenorrhea, infertility and autoimmune illnesses. Combining his discoveries with his knowledge of traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines, he developed a single diet helpful for all.

Hot and Cold Health and Disease presents a simple program for balanced eating and living, as well as the ancient principles underlying it. The book includes chapters on human biology, disease, diet, cooking (easy recipes), exercise, meditation and spiritual practice. Richard G. Heft is a Chinese medicine specialist, acupuncture physician (FL 1992- 2002). He has worked in the field of health and nutrition for over thirty years. The former owner and operator of Food and Thought health food store (Hollywood, FL 1984- 2001) he is presently based in Connecticut, offering instruction and guidance.

 

Hot and Cold Health and Disease is not for everyone, especially those who are firm believers in doctors, drugs, surgery, radiation, insurance and nursing homes. If you need more convincing, read the 15 case histories listed below. Education, simple diet and common herbs can prevent and or cure most disease not your doctors, naturopaths, chiropractors,  acupuncturists, drugs, herbs, etc. The best doctor you will ever have is you. I, Hot and Cold Health and Disease can give you the education, the rest is up to you.  

Is a one-time fee of $6.95  (ebook) or $16.95 (paperback)  too much money, too big of a risk?

The downside is extrememly limited, the upside, unlimited.

Ebook: $6.95 Click on www.paypal.com and deposit $6.95 into my account (richardheft or my email)  and I will send you the EBook, adobe file (1,046 KB).

Hot and Cold Health and Disease (new name, available on Amazon, old title, cover is pictured. http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Cold-Health-Richard-Heft/dp/0974791709 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I PHILOSOPHY AND DIET

Chapter 1 The Way of Thinking Chapter 2 Energetics of Food Chapter 3 Digestion, Spices and Chinese Herbs Chapter 4 Cooking Class

SECTION II BIOLOGY, EAST AND WEST

Chapter 5 Three Treasures Chapter 6 Blood and Body Fluids Chapter 7 Spleen Chapter 8 Stomach Small Intestine Chapter 9 Large Intestine and Urinary Bladder Chapter 10 Heart Chapter 11 Liver & Gall Bladder Chapter 12 Lungs Chapter 13 Kidneys Chapter 14 Disease and Diagnosis

SECTION III DISEASES A- Z

Chap 15 A Diseases AIDS 141 Alzheimer s 143 Anal fissure 143 Anemia 144 Anger 145 Aging 146 Anxiety 147 Arthritis 148 Asthma 152 ADD 154 Auto-immune 154 Chap 16 B Diseases Blood 157 Blood Pressure 158 Body Odor 159 Bones 161 Breast lumps 162 Bronchitis 164 Chap 17  C DiseasesCandidiasis 167 Canker Sores 169 Cellulite 171 Cholesterol 173 Chronic Fatigue 175 Circulation 176 Cirrhosis 178 Cold hands, feet 178 Cold (lungs) Constipation 180 Coughing 182 Crohn s 182 Chap 18 D DiseasesDepression 185 Detoxification 188 Diabetes 191 Diarrhea 193 Diuretics 195 Dizziness 195 Dysmenorrhea 196 Chap 19 E-F DiseasesEar Infections 197 Eczema 197 Edema 200 Endometriosis 202 Eyes 202 Fear 204 Fever 204 Fibrocystic Breasts 204 Fibroids 205 Fibromyalgia 205 Forgetfulness 207 Frigidity 208 Chap 20 G-H DiseasesGall Stones 209 GERD, GIRD 210 Gout 212 Hair Loss 213 Hearing Loss 215 Hepatitis 218 Herpes 220 Hot Flashes 220 Hysteria 221 Chap 21 I-J Diseases Infertility 223 Inflammation 223 Insomnia 224 Irritable Bowel 226 Itching 227 Jaundice 227 Chap 22 K-O Diseases Kidney Stones 229 Miscarriage 230 Mucous 231 M. Sclerosis 231 Nails 233 Nausea 235 Numbness 236 Obesity 237 Osteoporosis 238 Chap 23 P-R Diseases Pediatric 241 Perspiration 244 Plantar F. 244 Pregnancy 248 PMS 250 Prostate 251 Psoriasis 252 Rashes 252 Restless Leg 252 Chap 24 S-Z Diseases Sex 255 Shaking, tremors 257 Sinusitis 258 Skin Diseases 259 Sleep Apnea 261 Snoring 262 Sweaty hands 263 Teeth 264 Tumors 266 Urinary T. I. 267 Varicose Veins 269 Weight loss 270 Yeast infection 274 Chap 25 Case Histories 275

SECTION IV DAILY PRACTICES

 Chapter 26 The Way of Breathing, Chap 27 Exercise, Chap 28 Meditation 303, Chap 29 Spiritual Practices 307 Appendix 313 Bibliography 315 About the Author 317

 

Chapter 25

Case Histories

                   

 

The following case histories were treated with the middle diet, meal plan (Chapter 2) adjusted accordingly. One “disease” can have two different, opposite causes, cures.

Middle diet meal plan

+/- 1/3 Protein and fat +/- 1/3 Grains: whole, cracked, bread, noodles  +/- 1/3 Vegetables, cooked (3-5) and fruit (1)  +/- Spices (use several) +/- Soup (in the beginning) and or tea (at the end)

1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) One of my customers (health food store) was suffering from IBS. Her daily, weekly symptoms were abdominal bloating, gas, pain, headaches, loose stools, constipation, colitis (inflammation) and swelling in her arms and legs (swollen twice their size). I diagnosed her condition as a cold, damp spleen (controls digestion). Her long-term diet was cold, damp, low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate (salads, tropical fruits, juices). The coldness of her diet had weakened, dampened her digestion, elimination, etc. producing the aforementioned symptoms. I recommended the hotter middle diet, meal plan, including spices as well as reduction in cold foods and drinks. Week by week her condition got better, hotter, stronger. Nine months later, most of her symptoms had disappeared, including the swelling in her arms and legs. She was very happy. A year later, her symptoms started to reappear. She was worried about her health and had gone to see a nutritionist who had recommended golden seal (nine capsules a day) which is a bitter herb. All bitter herbs are energetically cold. I had originally diagnosed coldness as the cause of her condition, which she re-aggravated once she started taking golden seal. I refused to sell her any golden seal.

2.  Miscarriage A long-term customer of mine had suffered several miscarriages. She was eating a macrobiotic diet (low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate). I diagnosed her condition as blood, protein and fat deficiency. Her diet was anemic, too little building. She did not have enough blood in her womb to hold her baby. I recommended red meat (best blood builder) and chicken three to four times a week or more in addition to cooked vegetables, grains, Evening Primrose Oil (sexual organs) and Siberian ginseng (strengthens digestion). I also told her to wait four months before trying to conceive, in order to rebuild her blood. She now has two healthy boys.

3. Indigestion, Gird (gastro-intestinal reflux disorder) A female customer of mine was having digestive problems. Every time she ate, she would experience abdominal bloating, gas, burping, pain and heartburn. Her diet was anemic, low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate (salad, fruit and grains). I suggested the hotter middle diet (more protein, fat, cooked foods) in addition to fennel seeds (one-quarter teaspoon after each meal). Three weeks later, she came back and hugged me. Her digestive problems and hot flashes had disappeared. I told her (43 years old) that her hot flashes were caused not by menopause but instead by indigestion and stagnation of energy, food in the intestines. Her doctor had diagnosed her as menopausal; which I thought was a little premature

4. Eczema In 1989, I developed a bad, hideous case of eczema. It first started as a pimple, blister on my left hand, index finger. Over the course of two months it spread so that my entire left hand (back and fingers) and lower part of the arm were completely infected (cracked skin, bleeding, pus, etc.). My other hand (couple of fingers) was also affected although not quite as bad. This happened while I was going to acupuncture school. It was gross. I tried every Chinese herbal remedy. Nothing worked. My skin kept getting worse and worse. Eventually, I turned to Ayurvedic Medicine (Ayurvedic Healing, and Yoga of Herbs by Dr. David Frawley, O.M.D.), which recommended the use of spices. My diet at the time was bland, sweet and cold, cleansing. I increased protein, fat, cooked foods and spices (fennel, cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger, etc.) while reducing juices, fruits, etc. I used a lot spice (five to seven at a time, per meal). Within three weeks, my eczema, in addition to abdominal bloating and gas cleared up. I did have eczema as a teenager, although not as serious.

5. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). One of my customers came to see me about her eleven-year-old daughter (very thin) who had been diagnosed with ADD. Her school wanted to put her daughter on Ritalin in addition to the drugs that she was already taking: four months of Adderall and Dexedrine. She did not know what to do. I told her to bring her daughter in and let me question her. I had never counseled a child before but I did not think it would be any different from an adult. She brought her daughter in. I sat and questioned her for an hour. There was nothing wrong with her except for poor diet and lack of attention, at home and in the school, overcrowded classrooms. I told her mother to start feeding her more protein, building foods (red meat, eggs, chicken, etc.) especially for breakfast. She was already eating grains and vegetables. I also advised fish liver oil in addition to greater personal attention. Six months later, her mother wrote me to thank me telling me how well her daughter was doing. On her recent report card, she had gotten all A’s and one B (math) without the use of Ritalin or any other drug.

6. Anal Fissure A friend had developed an anal fissure (tear in the intestines). He went to his doctor who told him that there was no cure. The best that he could do was operate, sew it back together; however the operation, procedure might make him temporarily incontinent (urine and bowels) and or impotent. I told him to skip the operation and just change, soften his diet (cooked vegetables, watery grains, etc.) which he did. His fissure eventually healed. His original diet was high protein, fat, starch and low vegetables.

7. Post Nasal Drip: One of my customers had postnasal drip. I told her that her diet was too cold (salads, fruits, cold drinks, etc.) causing excess condensation, water to occur, accumulate and leak out her nose. I advised her to increase cooked foods, spices, etc. while reducing cold, damp foods. Her postnasal drip disappeared within days.

8. Anemia, Blood Deficiency: Several of my female customers, employees were suffering from blood deficiency, anemia (pale skin, diminished periods, weak hair and nails, forgetfulness, etc.). All were vegetarians (low protein, low fat (soft dairy, beans, nuts, etc.) and high carbohydrate (salads, fruits). It took me more than a year to convince them that their diets were anemic that they desperately needed to eat red meat, chicken, eggs, etc. on a regular basis. Once they started eating meat, they immediately felt better

9. Sinusitis: One of my employees was suffering from sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses). She was vegetarian. Her diet was cold and damp which in turn weakened her spleen producing dampness, excess condensation (mucous, phlegm) in her lungs, throat, sinuses, etc. Excess fluids, mucous tend to obstruct the flow of air and fluids within the lungs, nose, sinuses, causing dryness and inflammation. I recommended the hot middle diet, including spices. Spices are hot and drying. They dry dampness, mucous, phlegm, while also stimulating, increasing blood flow.  Blood is moistening. Inflammation is caused by dryness. Fire (inflammation) burns dry wood not wet wood.

10. Impotence Over the years, many men have come to see me about their sexual difficulties (inability to achieve or maintain an erection). Almost every one of them was a long-term (20- 30 years) coffee drinker (2-3 cups per day). I advised them to give up coffee, as caffeine tends to drain the kidneys, jing. The few that gave up coffee saw their erections return. I also suffered from impotence. My condition however was caused by anemic diet, as I was a long-term vegetarian (fifteen years), who did not drink coffee. My erections came back once I started eating more protein and fat (red meat, eggs, chicken, turkey, etc.), cooked vegetables and less raw, sweet, sugary foods.

11. Cold I was visiting a good friend and his wife in Fort Meyers, Fl. where his parents (great people) lived. They had flown in from Seattle where they live. When I got there, he was coughing up a storm, non-stop. He said it was his allergies. I told him it was a cold (he also had a runny nose, stiff shoulders, etc.), and that he needed to eat more hot foods at which time he held up his beer. Alcohol is hot and dry, which made his cough, drier, worse. I went into his mother’s kitchen and made him a spicy hot vegetable soup. I threw in every hot spice that I could find. I made his soup dragon hot. He gobbled the soup down (two bowls) and within twenty minutes, his cough and runny nose had stopped. Before the soup, he had been coughing every ten minutes. Colds in general are very easy to cure if you can treat, heat them in the beginning, onset days one and two.

12. Anxiety One of my customers (60 years old, vegetarian) was having frequent anxiety attacks. When I counseled her, she was screaming and yelling from one anxiety attack to another. I had to teach her how to deep breathe in order to control her outbursts. I initially thought her condition was caused by excess heat. She had a plethora of heat symptoms and did not seem deficient in any way until I discovered she also had uncontrollable urination, which is a kidney yang, deficiency symptom. Kidney symptoms (Chapter 13) outweigh all other symptoms. Her condition was one of deficiency. Her long-term diet was vegetarian, anemic. She was not building, producing enough blood; therefore she became weak, dry and hot (blood, nutrients build, moisten, cool, etc.). I recommended the hot middle diet (red meat, eggs, cooked vegetables, spices, etc.) which was problem because she was a vegetarian. She would not eat red meat. I finally convinced her by asking her what she would do if it were a matter of life and death. She would not eat red meat but she would eat veal and eggs. Three days later, she called me back. I was a little nervous. I thought I might have given her the wrong diet, too hot as she was sixty years old and living in a very hot climate (FL).I picked up the phone, she asked if this was the genius. All her anxiety attacks had disappeared. She also slept better and had great bowel movements.

13. Sore lower back I occasionally develop lower back and or upper back pain whenever I eat or drink too many cold foods, drinks: ice cream, tropical fruits, juices, beer, etc. Every time I reduce or eliminate the source of coldness, in addition to increasing spicy foods, the pain goes away.

14. Neuralgia and other diseases of the foot I met this young woman (professional ice skater); age 26 who came to my store. She could not stay; stand for too long because her feet would hurt.  She had trouble walking and had to use a wheelchair to go through airports. Her condition had started several years prior. She had seen many doctors, orthopedic surgeons, chiropractors, acupuncturists, had blood work, x rays, MRI, etc. No one was able to diagnose or help. She was blood deficient (long-term low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate diet). I recommended the hotter middle diet, red meat everyday, etc. A year or so later she was able to walk, stand and skate without pain or fear.

Kidney yin, jing, blood and Traditional Chinese Medicine

The kidneys are located on the rear wall of the abdomen in the small of the back on either side of the vertebral column and have many different functions. The meridians (energetic pathways) of the kidneys pass into the ears.

The kidneys store jing (sexual essence, DNA). Jing is the fundamental, material substance of life governing birth, growth, development and reproduction It is stored in the left kidney as kidney yin and transformed by the right kidney (kidney yang, gate of fire) into the marrow, bones, brain, spinal chord, sex organs, head hair, teeth (excess of bones) and original chi (stimulus of all organ function). Jing also governs will power. The amount of jing is fixed at birth, and starts to decline after sexual maturity. It is the fountain of youth when full, and the harbinger of old age, disease when less, declining. Protein and fat build and fuel jing.

 The kidneys regulate electrolytes (positive and negative ions), pH, acid and alkaline balance. The pH scale ranges from 1 – 14. A pH of seven is neutral. Below seven is acid, above, alkaline. Normal body, blood pH is approximately 7.3. Anything above (alkalosis) or below (acidosis), in the extreme sickens.

The kidneys filter the blood removing and combining nitrogenous (protein and fat) wastes, urea with water into urine, sent down via ureters to the urinary bladder for temporary storage and eventual excretion via the urethra. The kidneys control the urinary bladder, urination and elimination.

The kidneys are a function of diet, lifestyle. Too much or too little protein and fat, excessive sex, caffeine, coldness, immobility, sedentary lifestyle, excessive sitting, lying down, and or chronic illness tend to weaken the kidneys, bones, sex organs, etc. Protein and fat build and fuel blood, jing kidneys, etc.

Low protein and low fat diets, in the extreme, tend to thin and weaken the blood, which in turn, thins and weakens jing, hair, teeth, bones, etc. Too much protein, fat, in addition to alcohol, smoking and caffeine also accelerates the consumption of jing.

Excessive sex, masturbation (daily), caffeine, alcohol, smoking, stimulant drugs, bulimia, overwork, heredity and or living in an excessively hot, dry climate increase, accelerate consumption, burning of jing. When jing declines, the aging, drying, thinning and weakening process begins. You can live fast, die young or slow down, conserve jing and live longer.

Excessive sex, masturbation is especially weakening for men. Orgasm, ejaculation produces a great loss of energy via a loss of essence, jing (contains large amounts of protein and fat) generally causing a loss of consciousness after orgasm. Eastern philosophies advise the man to start but not finish (ejaculate, orgasm) to not only conserves jing but also extend lovemaking. Give up the small (orgasm) for the greater (longer lovemaking, healthier life). The less you ejaculate the stronger and longer you live, which is why many spiritual disciplines advocate celibacy. Celibacy also allows one to direct energy inward, upward into the higher chakras, spiritual energy centers, instead of down and out the lower chakras. For more information please read Chapters 28 (Meditation) and 29 (Spiritual Practices).

Kidney pathologies are defined in terms of yin and yang. Kidney yin (jing) builds and moistens all yin (liver yin, heart yin, lung yin, etc), while also building and fueling kidney yang (fire). Kidney yang fuels all yang, function (digestion, respiration, circulation, reproduction, etc.) and automatically declines, becomes deficient when kidney yin, jing declines. Kidney yin and yang are never in excess, only deficient, as jing naturally declines with age, after sexual maturity (varies according to the individual). Kidney pathologies, in general are stage 6 or higher. The following are symptoms of kidney yin deficiency.

Kidney yin deficiency Stage One

1. Dry mouth at night Long-term kidney yin deficiency, blood, protein and fat deficiency and or excessive heat (too much protein, fat, alcohol, caffeine and smoking), tends to cause heat, dryness, especially in the extremities, head, arms and legs, during the evening and or periods of inactivity. Dry mouth and throat, during the night is a cardinal kidney yin deficiency symptom

2. Night sweats Deficient yin (jing, blood) fails to control0 cool and moisten yang, fire, causing the body to temporarily overheat, perspire during the night.

 3. Malar flush is partial facial flushing. Kidney yin, jing deficiency cannot fully control, contain energy, fire causing it occasionally rage, flash out of control producing partial (deficient) flushing as opposed to total flushing (entire face red). Excess heat (too much building) causes excess heat. Deficient heat causes deficient, temporary heat.

4. Insomnia (light and dreamy) The shen, spirit sleeps in the heart (blood rich organ anchors, holds the spirit). Kidney yin, blood, protein, fat, jing deficiency tends to weaken and dry the heart (in addition to everything else) while overheating the body, causing the spirit to rise up into the head, brain, stimulating thinking, dreaming.

5. Urinary difficulties Kidney yang heats the bladder, thinning its fluids making them easier to pass. When jing declines, kidney yang, fire also declines increasing and thickening water in the bladder making it more difficult and painful to pass. Yin fuels yang.

Stage Two. Chronic kidney yin deficiency

6. Dry skin, nails, hair, eyes, secretions, etc Long-term kidney yin (jing, blood) deficiency dries the skin, hair, nails, etc.

7. Mental problems (poor concentration, loss of memory, etc) Long-term jing, blood deficiency thins and weakens the marrow, brain. Dizziness, vertigo

8. Restlessness and or irritability Yin deficiency tends to cause deficient heat, over stimulation of the brain. Yang (fire, energy) no matter how weak is always moving. Energy moves. Its movement is temporary and not long lasting as the cause is deficiency. Excessive restlessness would require excessive energy, fuel, high protein, high fat, spices, coffee, smoking, etc.

9. Dizziness and vertigo Severe blood, jing deficiency, poor circulation and or sudden excess heat via diet (caffeine, alcohol, smoking, etc.) or climate (hot, dry) tends to dry and weaken the brain causing it and the body to become dizzy, lose consciousness, control temporarily, causing the body to sway, like fire. 10. Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) The kidneys open up into the ears. Kidney yin deficiency tends to create a soft ringing as opposed to a loud ringing, generally a symptom of excess heat in the liver.

11. Weak bones and teeth Jing is the material foundation of the bones, teeth and hair.

12. Nocturnal emissions The kidneys control the sexual organs.. Deficient kidney yin weakens, lessens kidney yang, holding power, causing leaking during the night (nocturnal emissions).

 Kidney yang heats, stimulates, supplements all function, yang: digestion (spleen), respiration (anchors the breath, inhalation), elimination (bladder, orifices of elimination), circulation (heart) and reproduction (transforms jing into ovum, sperm). Jing, blood deficiency, old age, poor diet, excessive sex, alcohol, caffeine, drugs and kidneys yin deficiency drains, weakens kidney yang. Kidney yin, jing fuels kidney yang.

Kidney yang deficiency Stage One

1. Coldness in the back and knees Kidney yang warms the bones, back, knees.

2. Sore, weak lower back The kidneys are located in the lower back. Kidney yang (chi) holds the bones in place. Deficient kidney yang causes pain, weakness and coldness in the lower back. Cardinal symptom

3. Abundant, clear urination Kidney yang heats the bladder, thins the urine. Weak kidney yang cools the bladder increasing water, urine and the need to urinate.0

Stage Two

4. Bright, white complexion Kidney yang supplements heart and lung yang. Chronic deficient kidney yang weakens the lungs, heart, reducing circulation, blood flow to the head, face producing a bright, white complexion (cold). Blood is red (hot).

5. Shortness of breath Kidney yang anchors (pulls in) the breath, Chronic kidney yang deficiency weakens, decreases the inhalation.

6. Weak legs The kidneys rule the bones, legs

7. Loose stools at daybreak Deficient kidney yang weakens digestion, spleen yang, fire.

8. Premature ejaculation Kidney yang (chi) holds. Deficient kidney yang tends to cause premature ejaculation (lack of holding).

9. Impotence Kidney yang moves and holds blood in the penis. Deficient kidney yang causes impotence.

10. Chronic vaginal discharge Kidney yang heats the body. Weak kidney yang cools, moistens and thickens fluids in the uterus, vagina into clear or white mucous discharges.

11. Edema in the legs and ankles Kidney yang controls water metabolism. Water increases, and tends to overflow into the legs and ankles when kidney yang is weak.

12. Prolapse of the uterus  Kidney yang supports spleen yang, holding. Chronic kidney yang deficiency weakens spleen yang, holding causing the uterus to sink, prolapse.

13. Infertility in women Kidney yang transforms jing into ovum, moves the egg (ovum) through the ovaries and fallopian tubes into the uterus. Kidney yin deficiency decreases transformation, movement of the egg, fertility.

14. Tongue is pale, swollen and wet. Kidney yang heats the body, dries excess fluids and supports heart yang, circulation. Deficient kidney yang burns less fluids and moves less blood causing the tongue to become pale (blood is red), cold, swollen and wet.

The kidneys, jing are nourished by blood, protein and fat (especially red meat), black foods (black beans, black fungus, black sesame seeds, black dates, rhemannia, etc.) and warmth (protein, fat, cooked foods, etc.). Cold temperatures (winter, air condition, swimming in cold water, etc.), cold drinks (juices, sodas, ice water) in excess, tends to chill, shock and weaken the kidneys. This is one reason why in some cultures women wrap, insulate their midsection, lower abdomen with an extra layer of clothing, to keep cold out, while heat, energy in. It is also the reason why most foods are cooked, to not only aid digestion, but also increase body heat. This does not mean that vegetables should be overcooked, soft, mushy just cooked, lightly steamed, boiled, crunchy.

There Are Only Two Diseases

        The following is an excerpt from Hot and Cold Health (available on Amazon by R. G. Heft (Acupuncture Physician FL 1992- 2002).

       The body digests, transforms food, nutrients into blood, structure and function. There are only two kinds of food, nutrients: building (hot, yang) and cleansing (cold, yin). The correct amount of building and cleansing produces the correct amount of blood, structure and function where the body mind can thrive. Any amounts, grater or less, in the extreme, tend to cause disease via too much or too little blood, structure and function.

     Protein and fat (red meat, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, cheese, and to a lesser extent beans, nuts, seeds, etc.) build, thicken, fuel and heat.  Too much protein and fat, especially red meat, pork, turkey, chicken, etc. tends to overbuild, thicken and heat the blood (high cholesterol, tumors, cancer), liver (congestion, cirrhosis), arteries (atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure), skin (warts, psoriasis), head (restlessness, insomnia), kidneys (stones), stomach (ulcer), body odor (putrid, offensive), large intestines (dry stools, constipation), etc. too much.  

      Too little protein and fat tends to thin, weaken, slow digestion (abdominal bloating), blood (thin, anemic), face, skin, nails, hair (pale, thin, cracked), bones (osteoporosis), immune system (weak immunity, catches colds, easily, autoimmune illnesses), ovaries, uterus (infertility, miscarriage, short-term pregnancy), testes (impotence, premature ejaculation), etc. too much.

     Water, minerals, sugar, vitamins, enzymes (fruit, vegetables, grains) reduce, cleanse, cool, moisten and sink. Too much water sugar, minerals reduce, cleanse, cool and moisten digestion (abdominal bloating, gas), stools (loose, diarrhea), body odor (sour, sweet, musty), respiration (mucous, phlegm, coughing, snoring, hacking, sleep apnea), reproduction (vaginal discharges, leukorrhea, yeast infections), breasts (cysts, lumps (movable), thighs, legs (edema, cellulite), body odor, (sour, sweet), etc. too much. Too little causes dryness (constipation, coughing).

      Too little building and too much cleansing tends to cause cold, under built, damp diseases. Too much building and too little cleansing tends to cause overbuilt diseases. Balance is the key. Eat more building and less cleansing food, herbs, etc. if your condition is cold, under built. Eat more cleansing and less building food, herbs, etc. if your condition is hot, overbuilt.

       There are only two symptoms, diseases despite the variety. While most people, including doctors see an endless list of symptoms, diseases:

      High cholesterol, tumors, cancer, liver congestion, cirrhosis, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, warts, psoriasis, restlessness, insomnia, kidney stones, stomach ulcer, body odor (putrid, offensive), dry stools, constipation, abdominal bloating, thin blood, anemia, pallor, thin, cracked skin, nails, and hair, osteoporosis, weak immunity, catches colds, easily, autoimmune illnesses, infertility, miscarriage, short-term pregnancy, impotence, premature ejaculation, gas, loose stools, diarrhea, body odor, mucous, phlegm, coughing, snoring, hacking, sleep apnea, vaginal discharges, leukorrhea, yeast infections, cysts, lumps (movable), edema, cellulite, constipation, coughing, etc.),

    I see only only: overbuilt and under built.

1. Overbuilt diseases, symptoms: high cholesterol, tumors, cancer, liver congestion, cirrhosis, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, warts, psoriasis, restlessness, insomnia, kidney stones, stomach ulcer, body odor (putrid, offensive), dry stools, constipation

2. Under built symptoms, diseases: abdominal bloating, thin blood, anemia, pallor, thin, cracked skin, nails, and hair, osteoporosis, weak immunity, catches colds, easily, autoimmune illnesses, infertility, miscarriage, short-term pregnancy, impotence, premature ejaculation, gas, loose stools, diarrhea, body odor, mucous, phlegm, coughing, snoring, hacking, sleep apnea, vaginal discharges, leukorrhea, yeast infections, cysts, lumps (movable), edema, cellulite, constipation, coughing, etc.

         I also only see two causes, cures, treatment plans.

         Questions?   email: rgheft@netzero.com

         Learn biology, diet and nutrition unless you want someone else (doctors, insurance companies, politicians) taking care of your health. It is the reason why I wrote my book.  You have very little to lose ($20 or less) and everything to gain.

Hot and Cold Health and Disease (new name, available on Amazon, old title, cover is pictured:    http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Cold-Health-Richard-Heft/dp/0974791709  on sale: $15.25

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I PHILOSOPHY AND DIET

Chapter 1 The Way of Thinking Chapter 2 Energetics of Food Chapter 3 Digestion, Spices and Chinese Herbs Chapter 4 Cooking Class

SECTION II BIOLOGY, EAST AND WEST

Chapter 5 Three Treasures Chapter 6 Blood and Body Fluids Chapter 7 Spleen Chapter 8 Stomach Small Intestine Chapter 9 Large Intestine and Urinary Bladder Chapter 10 Heart Chapter 11 Liver & Gall Bladder Chapter 12 Lungs Chapter 13 Kidneys Chapter 14 Disease and Diagnosis

SECTION III DISEASES A- Z

Chap 15 A Diseases AIDS 141 Alzheimer s 143 Anal fissure 143 Anemia 144 Anger 145 Aging 146 Anxiety 147 Arthritis 148 Asthma 152 ADD 154 Auto-immune 154 Chap 16 B Diseases Blood 157 Blood Pressure 158 Body Odor 159 Bones 161 Breast lumps 162 Bronchitis 164 Chap 17  C DiseasesCandidiasis 167 Canker Sores 169 Cellulite 171 Cholesterol 173 Chronic Fatigue 175 Circulation 176 Cirrhosis 178 Cold hands, feet 178 Cold (lungs) Constipation 180 Coughing 182 Crohn s 182 Chap 18 D DiseasesDepression 185 Detoxification 188 Diabetes 191 Diarrhea 193 Diuretics 195 Dizziness 195 Dysmenorrhea 196 Chap 19 E-F DiseasesEar Infections 197 Eczema 197 Edema 200 Endometriosis 202 Eyes 202 Fear 204 Fever 204 Fibrocystic Breasts 204 Fibroids 205 Fibromyalgia 205 Forgetfulness 207 Frigidity 208 Chap 20 G-H DiseasesGall Stones 209 GERD, GIRD 210 Gout 212 Hair Loss 213 Hearing Loss 215 Hepatitis 218 Herpes 220 Hot Flashes 220 Hysteria 221 Chap 21 I-J Diseases Infertility 223 Inflammation 223 Insomnia 224 Irritable Bowel 226 Itching 227 Jaundice 227 Chap 22 K-O Diseases Kidney Stones 229 Miscarriage 230 Mucous 231 M. Sclerosis 231 Nails 233 Nausea 235 Numbness 236 Obesity 237 Osteoporosis 238 Chap 23 P-R Diseases Pediatric 241 Perspiration 244 Plantar F. 244 Pregnancy 248 PMS 250 Prostate 251 Psoriasis 252 Rashes 252 Restless Leg 252 Chap 24 S-Z Diseases Sex 255 Shaking, tremors 257 Sinusitis 258 Skin Diseases 259 Sleep Apnea 261 Snoring 262 Sweaty hands 263 Teeth 264 Tumors 266 Urinary T. I. 267 Varicose Veins 269 Weight loss 270 Yeast infection 274 Chap 25 Case Histories 275

SECTION IV DAILY PRACTICES

 Chapter 26 The Way of Breathing, Chap 27 Exercise, Chap 28 Meditation 303, Chap 29 Spiritual Practices 307 Appendix 313 Bibliography 315 About the Author 317

 

Cellulite, diet, coldness and traditional Chinese medicine

The following is an excerpt from Hot and Cold Health (available on Amazon) by R. G. Heft (Acupuncture Physician FL 1992- 2002).

                Cellulite is excess water and fat weight that tends to accumulate in pockets around the abdomen and thighs, more so in women than men. Many women tend to eat cold, damp diets: low protein, low fat (milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc.) and high carbohydrate (raw vegetables, tropical fruits, juices, etc.). Women also menstruate lose blood on a regular basis, 3-7 days every month from onset, menarche to menopause, thirty plus years. Blood loss, hemorrhage weakens all function, including digestion. Digestion transforms food, nutrients into blood into structure into function. It also burns, dries excess fluids. Weak digestion transforms, burns less food, nutrients, fat, water, etc. More accumulates, is stored in the intestines, abdomen, thighs, etc.

         The body (organs, bones, skin, etc.) builds up (anabolism) and breaks down (catabolism) largely according to food, nutrients. There are only two kinds of foods, nutrients: building and cleansing. Protein and fat build fuel and heat. Too little protein and fat tends to weaken digestion, metabolism, burning less protein, fat, water, etc. while increasing waste product, solid and liquid, as whatever food, nutrients, not digested, absorbed becomes waste that is temporarily stored in the large intestines and later released, eliminated. Water, minerals, sugar, fruits, vegetables, juices, etc. reduce, cleanse, cool and moisten. Too many tends to dilute and weaken digestion, acid and enzymes, reducing nutrient absorption, blood, burning less, storing more fat and water: cysts, edema, cellulite, etc. 

         Cellulite while both watery and fatty is mostly water. It is generally a “cold” condition, caused by long-term cold, damp, low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate diet. The cure is simple but time consuming, requiring months, years of good diet and exercise to not only cure but also prevent. Cellulite is a cold, damp condition. Do the opposite: heat the body, increase metabolism via protein, fat (eggs, chicken, turkey, etc.), cooked foods, soups, spices (cardamom, cumin, fennel, ginger, cayenne, turmeric, etc.), etc. while reducing salads, tropical and citrus fruits, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, cold drinks, smoothies, sugar, etc.

        Spices are heating, drying and aromatic. They dry excess water, mucous, phlegm, open up the sinuses improving breathing, oxygen exchange), sleeping (sleep apnea) in combination with cooked foods and an overall reduction in cold, damp foods. If your digestion is strong and you are not too overweight then you can try bitter herbs (golden seal, gentian, aloe vera, Swedish Bitters, etc.). The bitter taste is very drying, cleansing and helps eliminate excess water, cellulite. It is also cold, weakening to digestion. If your digestion is already weak, cold (bloating, gas, loose stools, etc.) you may need to wait before trying the bitters; otherwise they may worsen your digestion. Exercise increases metabolism. You do not need to join a gym, club to walk.

             Questions?   email: rgheft@netzero.com

            Learn biology, diet and nutrition unless you want someone else (doctors, insurance companies, politicians) taking care of your health. It is the reason why I wrote my book.  You have very little to lose ($20 or less) and everything to gain.

Hot and Cold Health and Disease (new name, available on Amazon, old title, cover is pictured:    http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Cold-Health-Richard-Heft/dp/0974791709  on sale: $15.25

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I PHILOSOPHY AND DIET

Chapter 1 The Way of Thinking Chapter 2 Energetics of Food Chapter 3 Digestion, Spices and Chinese Herbs Chapter 4 Cooking Class

SECTION II BIOLOGY, EAST AND WEST

Chapter 5 Three Treasures Chapter 6 Blood and Body Fluids Chapter 7 Spleen Chapter 8 Stomach Small Intestine Chapter 9 Large Intestine and Urinary Bladder Chapter 10 Heart Chapter 11 Liver & Gall Bladder Chapter 12 Lungs Chapter 13 Kidneys Chapter 14 Disease and Diagnosis

SECTION III DISEASES A- Z

Chap 15 A Diseases AIDS 141 Alzheimer s 143 Anal fissure 143 Anemia 144 Anger 145 Aging 146 Anxiety 147 Arthritis 148 Asthma 152 ADD 154 Auto-immune 154 Chap 16 B Diseases Blood 157 Blood Pressure 158 Body Odor 159 Bones 161 Breast lumps 162 Bronchitis 164 Chap 17  C DiseasesCandidiasis 167 Canker Sores 169 Cellulite 171 Cholesterol 173 Chronic Fatigue 175 Circulation 176 Cirrhosis 178 Cold hands, feet 178 Cold (lungs) Constipation 180 Coughing 182 Crohn s 182 Chap 18 D DiseasesDepression 185 Detoxification 188 Diabetes 191 Diarrhea 193 Diuretics 195 Dizziness 195 Dysmenorrhea 196 Chap 19 E-F DiseasesEar Infections 197 Eczema 197 Edema 200 Endometriosis 202 Eyes 202 Fear 204 Fever 204 Fibrocystic Breasts 204 Fibroids 205 Fibromyalgia 205 Forgetfulness 207 Frigidity 208 Chap 20 G-H DiseasesGall Stones 209 GERD, GIRD 210 Gout 212 Hair Loss 213 Hearing Loss 215 Hepatitis 218 Herpes 220 Hot Flashes 220 Hysteria 221 Chap 21 I-J Diseases Infertility 223 Inflammation 223 Insomnia 224 Irritable Bowel 226 Itching 227 Jaundice 227 Chap 22 K-O Diseases Kidney Stones 229 Miscarriage 230 Mucous 231 M. Sclerosis 231 Nails 233 Nausea 235 Numbness 236 Obesity 237 Osteoporosis 238 Chap 23 P-R Diseases Pediatric 241 Perspiration 244 Plantar F. 244 Pregnancy 248 PMS 250 Prostate 251 Psoriasis 252 Rashes 252 Restless Leg 252 Chap 24 S-Z Diseases Sex 255 Shaking, tremors 257 Sinusitis 258 Skin Diseases 259 Sleep Apnea 261 Snoring 262 Sweaty hands 263 Teeth 264 Tumors 266 Urinary T. I. 267 Varicose Veins 269 Weight loss 270 Yeast infection 274 Chap 25 Case Histories 275

SECTION IV DAILY PRACTICES

 Chapter 26 The Way of Breathing, Chap 27 Exercise, Chap 28 Meditation 303, Chap 29 Spiritual Practices 307 Appendix 313 Bibliography 315 About the Author 317

Candidiasis, Yeast Infections, Cold, Damp Diets and Traditional Chinese Medicine

The following is an excerpt from Hot and Cold Health (available on Amazon) by R. G. Heft (Acupuncture Physician FL 1992- 2002).

      Candidiasis is a yeast-like infection caused by the proliferation of a normally occurring yeast-like fungus, Candida albicans. It is a cold, damp pathology with a variety of symptoms, primary and secondary. Poor diet, antibiotics, infection, chronic disease and or old age, infirmity are often the cause.

        Primary symptoms:  thrush (mouth), white spots on tongue or inside the mouth, cheeks; skin (rash, fungal infections and itching), toenail and fingernail fungus, and vagina (vaginitis, yeast infection, discharge);

        Secondary symptoms:   abdominal pain, heartburn, bad breath, loose stools, diarrhea, constipation, colitis, rectal itching, headaches, PMS, cough, sore throat, clogged nose and sinuses; extreme fatigue, muscle and joint pain, numbness, tingling in the extremities, arthritis, memory loss, mood swings, kidney & bladder infections, prostatitis                                     

         The primary symptoms define the energetic, cold, damp and deficient nature of Candidiasis. Candidiasis, fungal infections and bacteria require a host, medium, to grow, thrive. Many fungi and bacteria thrive in dampness, cold and hot. Thrush, diaper, groin rash, fungus, yeast infection are all damp, watery and gooey. The secondary symptoms indicate overall cause: dysfunctional, diseased organ systems. In TCM, five organ systems control all structure and function. Weak digestion, elimination, respiration and immunity via excessively cold, damp and deficient diets (long-term low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate diets) and or environmental cold, damp, tend to provide the breeding ground for cold, damp diseases, bacteria and fungi.

         The body digests food and transforms nutrients into blood, tissue and energy. There are only two kinds of nutrients: building and cleansing. Protein and fat (meat, eggs, chicken, cheese, etc.) build, fuel and heat. Water, minerals, sugar (fruit, vegetables and grains) reduce, cleanse cool and moisten.

         Long-term low protein, low fat (cottage cheese, milk, yogurt, beans, nuts and seeds) and high carbohydrate (raw vegetables, salads, fruits, juices, cold drinks, etc.) diets, in the extreme, tend to cool, weaken and dampen digestion and elimination producing abdominal pain, heartburn, bad breath, loose stools, diarrhea, constipation, colitis and or rectal itching. Weak digestion and or low protein, low fat diets, in the extreme, also thin and weaken the blood, which in turn produces extreme fatigue, muscle and joint pain, numbness, tingling in the extremities, arthritis and or headaches.

         Long-term low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate diets, in the extreme also tend to cool and dampen the body, especially the lungs, throat mouth, sinuses, nose, uterus and vagina with excess water, mucous, phlegm, cysts.

         Digestive energy, heat (three meals a day) naturally heats the body, just as a car engine heats a car. Digestive energy, heat naturally rises moves up and out into the chest, lungs, lower abdomen, vagina, uterus, etc. The lungs are naturally moist. Moisture facilitates the exchange of gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc.) between the body and the environment. Too much moisture (excess mucous, phlegm) tends to reduce the exchange while disrupting, shortening and irritating the lungs, throat, sinuses, breath (sore throat, cough, clogged nose, sinuses). Weak digestion, less energy, heat also tends to cool and moisten the uterus and, vagina (white discharges). .

         The body is naturally hot. Human beings are warm blooded. Normal body temperature (energy production) is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Any temperature, above or below 98.6, in the extreme, tends to weaken, cool and moisten the body.

         Cold condenses. The best example is nature, i.e. the cold temperatures of winter that cool harden and condense water in the air, into rain, snow and ice. In the body, colder temperatures increase the formation, thickening of fluids (mucous, phlegm) in the lungs, sinuses, mouth (coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, asthma, sinusitis, sleep apnea, etc.), uterus, vagina (white vaginal discharges, vaginitis, yeast infections) and toes and fingernail (fungus). Dampness (excess, stagnant water) is the breeding ground for Candidiasis, yeast infections, thrush (mouth), white spots on tongue or inside the mouth, cheeks; skin (rash, fungal infections and itching), toenail and fingernail fungus and vaginal (vaginitis, yeast infection, discharge etc.

         Women and children tend to be more susceptible to cold, damp, mucous, phlegm, Candidiasis, more so than men (high protein, high fat, spicy, etc.). Many women tend to eat low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate diets. Milk, yogurt and cottage cheese tend to be cold, damp. Women also menstruate, lose blood three to seven days every month, for thirty plus years, from the first menses to the last, menopause. Menstruation weakens and cools. Children are naturally cold as they are still developing.  

         The hotter middle diet, meal plan is recommended. Cooked foods, stews, soups, etc. in addition to spices (cardamom, cumin, coriander, fennel, cayenne, ginger, cinnamon, etc.) not only warm the body but also help dry, eliminate excess damp, yeast. All sugar is cold, damp. Spices and bitter herbs are antibacterial, antifungal, etc. Bitter herbs are cold and used sparingly if digestion is weak. Black and white fungus, despite being fungi, dries, drains excess dampness in the lungs, vagina and intestines. They also help constipation and hypertension. Many Asian women eat fungi (includes mushrooms) regularly and do not develop yeast infections, unlike their American counterparts who eat little or no fungi but lots of dairy (milk, yogurt and cottage), raw vegetables (salads), tropical fruits, sugar and cold drinks (sodas, juices, smoothies, shakes, etc.). Check with your doctor before using, as eating fungus is thought to promote fungus. Pau d’arco tea is also effective in drying dampness (kapha). In Ayurveda, spices stimuate digestive fire (agni).  

        Candidiasis, yeast and fungal infections are chronic, long-lasting symptoms, diseases that take time, weeks, months and or years to develop, and consequently weeks, months and or years to cure, depending on severity.

            Questions?   email: rgheft@netzero.com

            Learn biology, diet and nutrition unless you want someone else (doctors, insurance companies, politicians) taking care of your health. It is the reason why I wrote my book.  You have very little to lose ($20 or less) and everything to gain.

Hot and Cold Health and Disease (new name, available on Amazon, old title, cover is pictured:    http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Cold-Health-Richard-Heft/dp/0974791709  on sale: $15.25

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I PHILOSOPHY AND DIET

Chapter 1 The Way of Thinking Chapter 2 Energetics of Food Chapter 3 Digestion, Spices and Chinese Herbs Chapter 4 Cooking Class

SECTION II BIOLOGY, EAST AND WEST

Chapter 5 Three Treasures Chapter 6 Blood and Body Fluids Chapter 7 Spleen Chapter 8 Stomach Small Intestine Chapter 9 Large Intestine and Urinary Bladder Chapter 10 Heart Chapter 11 Liver & Gall Bladder Chapter 12 Lungs Chapter 13 Kidneys Chapter 14 Disease and Diagnosis

SECTION III DISEASES A- Z

Chap 15 A Diseases AIDS 141 Alzheimer s 143 Anal fissure 143 Anemia 144 Anger 145 Aging 146 Anxiety 147 Arthritis 148 Asthma 152 ADD 154 Auto-immune 154 Chap 16 B Diseases Blood 157 Blood Pressure 158 Body Odor 159 Bones 161 Breast lumps 162 Bronchitis 164 Chap 17  C DiseasesCandidiasis 167 Canker Sores 169 Cellulite 171 Cholesterol 173 Chronic Fatigue 175 Circulation 176 Cirrhosis 178 Cold hands, feet 178 Cold (lungs) Constipation 180 Coughing 182 Crohn s 182 Chap 18 D DiseasesDepression 185 Detoxification 188 Diabetes 191 Diarrhea 193 Diuretics 195 Dizziness 195 Dysmenorrhea 196 Chap 19 E-F DiseasesEar Infections 197 Eczema 197 Edema 200 Endometriosis 202 Eyes 202 Fear 204 Fever 204 Fibrocystic Breasts 204 Fibroids 205 Fibromyalgia 205 Forgetfulness 207 Frigidity 208 Chap 20 G-H DiseasesGall Stones 209 GERD, GIRD 210 Gout 212 Hair Loss 213 Hearing Loss 215 Hepatitis 218 Herpes 220 Hot Flashes 220 Hysteria 221 Chap 21 I-J Diseases Infertility 223 Inflammation 223 Insomnia 224 Irritable Bowel 226 Itching 227 Jaundice 227 Chap 22 K-O Diseases Kidney Stones 229 Miscarriage 230 Mucous 231 M. Sclerosis 231 Nails 233 Nausea 235 Numbness 236 Obesity 237 Osteoporosis 238 Chap 23 P-R Diseases Pediatric 241 Perspiration 244 Plantar F. 244 Pregnancy 248 PMS 250 Prostate 251 Psoriasis 252 Rashes 252 Restless Leg 252 Chap 24 S-Z Diseases Sex 255 Shaking, tremors 257 Sinusitis 258 Skin Diseases 259 Sleep Apnea 261 Snoring 262 Sweaty hands 263 Teeth 264 Tumors 266 Urinary T. I. 267 Varicose Veins 269 Weight loss 270 Yeast infection 274 Chap 25 Case Histories 275

SECTION IV DAILY PRACTICES

 Chapter 26 The Way of Breathing, Chap 27 Exercise, Chap 28 Meditation 303, Chap 29 Spiritual Practices 307 Appendix 313 Bibliography 315 About the Author 317

5.0 out of 5 stars Stop, Don’t buy or read another nutritional book before reading this BOOK, July 11, 2009 By  D.L. (Texas) – See all my reviews This is a great book. Especially if you are female, and struggle with symptoms of cellulite, being over weight, sinusitis, and chronic fatique. Most female diets consist of diet cokes, energy bars, smoothies, and salads, not to mention ice cream, and other feel good foods.(at least mine did) Sooner or later,health problems with appear, and by switching to a hotter diet, one will begin to see the effects immediately. All of those symptoms were like connecting the dots, and I am now soooooooo relieved to have finally gotten a handle on what I should be eating, and getting rid of my chronic problems. This is a must read for anyone who wants to take responsibility for their own health!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! D.L.

Edema, coldness and traditional Chinese medicine

The following is an excerpt from Hot and Cold Health (available on Amazon) by R. G. Heft (Acupuncture Physician FL 1992- 2002).   

       Edema is the accumulation of fluid in the soft tissues and can occur anywhere in the body: head, arms, legs, etc. It is generally caused by poor diet and or weak digestion. Edema is more common in women than in men.

         The body digests, transforms food, nutrients into blood, into structure into function, into health or disease. There are only two kinds of nutrients: building and cleansing. Building nutrients (protein and fat) build, fuel, heat, etc. Cleansing nutrients (water, minerals, sugar, etc.) reduce, cleanse, cool and moisten.

          Digestion transforms (heats, burns. metabolizes) food and fluids. It is the ultimate fat burner and diuretic. Too little, low protein and fat, in the extreme tends to weaken digestion. Too many fruits, vegetables and juices, cold drinks, etc. in the extreme, tend to dilute and weaken digestion, acid and enzymes, reducing nutrient absorption, blood, while increasing waste product: liquid and solid. Whatever food, nutrients not digested, absorbed become waste (solid and liquid) that is stored and eventually eliminated.

           Weak digestion tends to cause excess water: urine, loose stools, edema, cellulite, etc. Digestive fire (acid, enzymes) burns and dries all excess fluids via urination and perspiration. Weak digestion burns, metabolizes less water, fat, sugar, etc. More accumulates.

           Low protein, low fat (milk, yogurt, beans, nuts and seeds) and high carbohydrate (pasta, bread, salads, tropical fruits, juices, cold drinks, etc.) diets, in the extreme, tend to weaken digestion and elimination while increasing water: mucous, edema, urination, etc.   

            Edema is generally a cold, damp disease. It tends to attack women more than men, as many women tend to eat low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate diets. Menstruation is also a temporary cause, as monthly blood loss tends to weaken all function, including digestion. Men are the opposite. They tend to eat high protein, high fat diets. They also have testosterone, a very hot, building hormone, giving them an extra metabolic, energy boost.

          The middle diet, meal plan, adjusted accordingly is recommended. Spices (cardamom, cumin, fennel, ginger, cayenne, etc.) used in cooking strengthen digestion helping drain excess dampness, moisture. Avoid, reduce potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, raw vegetables, salads;  tropical and semi tropical fruit, juices, smoothies, cold drinks, bitter herbs (laxatives), etc.

             Questions?   email: rgheft@netzero.com

            Learn biology, diet and nutrition unless you want someone else (doctors, insurance companies, politicians) taking care of your health. It is the reason why I wrote my book.  You have very little to lose ($20 or less) and everything to gain.

Hot and Cold Health and Disease (new name, available on Amazon, old title, cover is pictured:    http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Cold-Health-Richard-Heft/dp/0974791709  on sale: $15.25

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I PHILOSOPHY AND DIET

Chapter 1 The Way of Thinking Chapter 2 Energetics of Food Chapter 3 Digestion, Spices and Chinese Herbs Chapter 4 Cooking Class

SECTION II BIOLOGY, EAST AND WEST

Chapter 5 Three Treasures Chapter 6 Blood and Body Fluids Chapter 7 Spleen Chapter 8 Stomach Small Intestine Chapter 9 Large Intestine and Urinary Bladder Chapter 10 Heart Chapter 11 Liver & Gall Bladder Chapter 12 Lungs Chapter 13 Kidneys Chapter 14 Disease and Diagnosis

SECTION III DISEASES A- Z

Chap 15 A Diseases AIDS 141 Alzheimer s 143 Anal fissure 143 Anemia 144 Anger 145 Aging 146 Anxiety 147 Arthritis 148 Asthma 152 ADD 154 Auto-immune 154 Chap 16 B Diseases Blood 157 Blood Pressure 158 Body Odor 159 Bones 161 Breast lumps 162 Bronchitis 164 Chap 17  C DiseasesCandidiasis 167 Canker Sores 169 Cellulite 171 Cholesterol 173 Chronic Fatigue 175 Circulation 176 Cirrhosis 178 Cold hands, feet 178 Cold (lungs) Constipation 180 Coughing 182 Crohn s 182 Chap 18 D DiseasesDepression 185 Detoxification 188 Diabetes 191 Diarrhea 193 Diuretics 195 Dizziness 195 Dysmenorrhea 196 Chap 19 E-F DiseasesEar Infections 197 Eczema 197 Edema 200 Endometriosis 202 Eyes 202 Fear 204 Fever 204 Fibrocystic Breasts 204 Fibroids 205 Fibromyalgia 205 Forgetfulness 207 Frigidity 208 Chap 20 G-H DiseasesGall Stones 209 GERD, GIRD 210 Gout 212 Hair Loss 213 Hearing Loss 215 Hepatitis 218 Herpes 220 Hot Flashes 220 Hysteria 221 Chap 21 I-J Diseases Infertility 223 Inflammation 223 Insomnia 224 Irritable Bowel 226 Itching 227 Jaundice 227 Chap 22 K-O Diseases Kidney Stones 229 Miscarriage 230 Mucous 231 M. Sclerosis 231 Nails 233 Nausea 235 Numbness 236 Obesity 237 Osteoporosis 238 Chap 23 P-R Diseases Pediatric 241 Perspiration 244 Plantar F. 244 Pregnancy 248 PMS 250 Prostate 251 Psoriasis 252 Rashes 252 Restless Leg 252 Chap 24 S-Z Diseases Sex 255 Shaking, tremors 257 Sinusitis 258 Skin Diseases 259 Sleep Apnea 261 Snoring 262 Sweaty hands 263 Teeth 264 Tumors 266 Urinary T. I. 267 Varicose Veins 269 Weight loss 270 Yeast infection 274 Chap 25 Case Histories 275

SECTION IV DAILY PRACTICES

 Chapter 26 The Way of Breathing, Chap 27 Exercise, Chap 28 Meditation 303, Chap 29 Spiritual Practices 307 Appendix 313 Bibliography 315 About the Author 317

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Stop, Don’t buy or read another nutritional book before reading this BOOK, July 11, 2009 By  D.L. (Texas) – See all my reviews This is a great book. Especially if you are female, and struggle with symptoms of cellulite, being over weight, sinusitis, and chronic fatique. Most female diets consist of diet cokes, energy bars, smoothies, and salads, not to mention ice cream, and other feel good foods.(at least mine did) Sooner or later,health problems with appear, and by switching to a hotter diet, one will begin to see the effects immediately. All of those symptoms were like connecting the dots, and I am now soooooooo relieved to have finally gotten a handle on what I should be eating, and getting rid of my chronic problems. This is a must read for anyone who wants to take responsibility for their own health!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! D.L.