| INTRODUCTION
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Life, health, disease, happiness, sadness, etc. are a function of body, mind and spirit (soul of God). |
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The body builds up and breaks down (cleanses) largely according to food, nutrients, to which, there are only two: building (hot, yang) and cleansing (cold, yin). The correct balance of building and cleansing foods produces the correct amount of blood, structure and function, where the body can thrive. Any amounts, greater or less, 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. |
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Simple diet and common herbs can prevent and or cure most physical disease, but not overcome aging, deterioration and death, nor intellectually or spiritually develop the mind to the extent that reading, study and practice of scripture, prayer, meditation, kindness, generosity and devotion to God can. The highest health, goal is spiritual development, communion with God. |
| The body builds up | and breaks down | |
| Building nutrientsBuild, fuel, thicken, heat | Cleansing nutrients Reduce, cleanse, cool, moisten | |
| Protein (amino acids) Fat (cholesterol, lipids) | Water Minerals, vitamins, etc | |
| Building foods | Cleansing foods | |
| Red meat, chicken, turkey Fish, eggs, hard cheese Less building Beans, nuts, seeds Milk, yogurt (any kind) | Salt, bitter herbs Sugar (any kind)Fruit (especially tropical)Vegetables (especially raw)Grains (fiber, sugar) |
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There are only two nutrients, foods: building and cleansing Every food, meal and diet is a combination of opposites: building and cleansing nutrients, with one opposite, nutrient always in excess. There are no neutral foods, meals, diets. |
| Building, hot | Less building, cold |
| Breakfast | Breakfast |
| High protein, high fatEggs, toast, jelly and teaVegetable omelet, fruit, teaHamburger, roll, vegetables, fruitChicken, rice, vegetables, fruit
Cheese, bread, vegetables, fruit |
Low protein, low fatMilk (any kind) Milk, cereal, nuts, fruitYogurt and fruitEgg whites, banana and bagel
Cottage cheese and fruit |
| Low protein, low fat Rice, beans, vegetables, fruit Oatmeal, raisins and walnutsBread and peanut butter | Cold, dampProtein shakesFruit, especially tropical Juices, shakes, smoothies |
| Lunch, dinner | Lunch, dinner |
| Hamburger, fries, salad, sodaChicken, noodles, vegetables, fruitTurkey, bread, vegetables, fruitPizza, cheese salad, fries, sodaFish, roll, salad, fruit, water | Tuna, bread, salad, coffeeSalad, cottage cheese, fruitYogurt, fruit, nuts, coffeeMilk and cerealProtein shakes, fruits |
| Building diets | Cleansing diets |
| American diet high protein, fat, starch, and low vegetables, fruit or low protein, low fat, high vegetables, fruitZone similar to middle diet Macrobiotic vegan + fishLacto ovo vegetarian dairy + eggs + vegan + spicesHot lacto vegetarian cooked | Fruitarian fruit onlySproutarian vegan + sprouts+ juices + raw, fermented foodsRaw foods uncooked foodsVegan no animal food, byproducts, just fruit, vegetables, beans, grains, etc.
Cold lacto vegetarian vegan + dairy + raw foods |
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The body digests food and transforms nutrients into blood, structure and function. Whatever food, nutrients and non-nutrients not digested, absorbed, become waste, and sent down to the large intestine for eventual elimination. All waste is toxic. |
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Low protein and fat diets, in the extreme, weaken reduce digestion, elimination, nutrient absorption and blood. |
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Too many cold, damp foods, drinks, in the extreme, tend to dilute and weaken digestion, elimination, nutrient absorption, blood, respiration, circulation, reproduction, etc. |
| Weak digestion | Deficient heat, chi | |
| Dietary tendencies | → | Symptoms |
| Cold, damp, sweet | → | Cold, damp, weak, slow |
| Low protein, low fatMilk (any kind), yogurt, soft cheese, ice cream High carbohydrate Bread, salads, tropical fruits, juices, smoothies, shakes, sodas, ice waterCold drinks drinking eight glasses of water per day
Eating late overeating |
→→→→ | Abdominal bloating, gas, nausea, heartburn, loose stools, diarrhea, fatigue, pallor, cold limbs, pain, mucous, phlegm, cysts, lumps, edema, cellulite, snoring, sleep apnea, white vaginal discharge, yeast infection, autoimmune illnesses, frigidity, depression, fear |
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The liver stores, cleanses (removes excess protein, fat cholesterol, uric acid, poisons, etc.) and releases the blood. |
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Too much protein and fat (thick, hard, sticky nutrients), especially animal, in the extreme, tends to clog, thicken and weaken the liver. Less fat, cholesterol and uric acid are cleansed, removed, more stays in the blood (high cholesterol, high uric acid), arteries (plaque, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure), joints (arthritis, gout), skin (warts, acne), etc. Overall circulation of blood, nutrients is also reduced, especially to the extremities. |
| Overbuilt liver | Excess heat, yang | |
| Dietary tendencies | → | Symptoms |
| Overbuilt, acidic diet | → | Thick, hard, hot, dry |
| Too much protein and fatRed meat, pork, wild game, veal, chicken, turkey, hard pizza, lasagna, fries, chips, oilToo muchAlcohol, coffee, smokingNot enough
Vegetables, fruit |
→ →
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→ |
High cholesterol, tumors, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, poor circulation, chest distention, bitter taste, constipation, dysmenorrhea, red face, red eyes, insomnia, sweaty hands, feet, psoriasis, gout, arthritis, tinnitus (loud) |
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The heart circulates the blood via the arteries, veins and capillaries. Blood carries nutrients and wastes. Too much protein and fat (includes cholesterol) tends to overbuild, thicken and stagnate the blood reducing circulation, blood flow, especially to the extremities: head, arms and legs. |
| Overbuilt heart | Excess heat, yang | |
| Dietary tendencies | → | Symptoms |
| Overbuilt, acidic diet | → | Thick, hard, hot, dry |
| Too much protein and fatRed meat, pork, wild game, veal, chicken, turkey, hard cheese, pizza, lasagna, fried foods, chips, oilAlcohol, coffee, smokingToo littleVegetables, fruit | → →
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High cholesterol, plaque, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, chest pain, red face, poor circulation, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Restless Leg, hair loss, insomnia, stroke, paralysis, tongue ulcers |
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Too little protein and fat under builds, thins and weakens the blood, which in turn, thins, weakens, dries, inflames, pains and cools all structure and function, including the heart, circulation. |
| Under built heart | Deficient heat, yang | |
| Dietary tendencies | → | Symptoms |
| Cold, damp vegetarian | → | Cold, deficient |
| Low protein, low fatMilk, yogurt, soft cheese, beans, nuts, seedsHigh carbohydrateSalads, tropical fruits, juices, shakes, smoothies, sugar | → → → | Poor circulation, cold hands, feet, pallor, fatigue, pain, dizziness, shaking, sweating, easily startled, insomnia, dream disturbed sleep, poor memory, pale tongue |
| Cold vegan, fruitarian | → | Cleansing, cooling diets |
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Poor diet, nutrition tends to cause most disease. 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. Despite the variety, there are only two dietary diseases: overbuilt (excess heat) and under built (deficient heat). |
| Overbuilt disease | Excess heat, yang | |
| Dietary tendencies | → | Symptoms |
| Overbuilt, acidic diet | → | Thick, hot, damp, dry |
| High protein, high fat Red meat, pork, veal, wild game, chicken, turkey, hard cheese, pizza, lasagna, fried foods, chips, oilHigh sugar Alcohol, tobaccoLow vegetables, fruit | → → →
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Liver congestion, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, poor circulation, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, RLS, dark complexion, purple lips, nails, dysmenorrhea, acne, tumors, psoriasis, cancer |
| Under built disease | Deficient heat | |
| Dietary tendencies | → | Symptoms |
| Cold damp vegetarian | → | Thin, weak, cold, dry |
| Low protein, low fatMilk, ice cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, beans, nuts, seeds, oils, protein powdersHigh carbohydrateBread, pastries, salads, tropical fruits, juices, shakes, smoothies, sodasCold drinks ice water
Desserts candy, sugar |
→ →
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Low cholesterol, low blood pressure, anemia, coldness, pallor, fatigue, pain, dizziness, shaking, rheumatoid arthritis, thin, dry or cracked, skin, hair, nails; amenorrhea, infertility, miscarriage, hair loss, neuralgia, depression, fear hysteria, forgetfulness, senility |
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I was a licensed Acupuncture Physician (FL 1992-2002) and owner, operator of a small health food store, Food and Thought, Hollywood, FL 1984-2001. For seventeen years, I questioned, listened, observed and counseled my customers (400+ per week), many of whom I saw regularly, week to week, month to month. I always asked, “What do you eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner?” |
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In the beginning, I was confused and overwhelmed by the variety of symptoms, diets, herbs, etc., but after a short while I got it. There were only two symptoms, diets, herbs, opposites: hot (yang) and cold (yin) Most people were eating diets that were too building or too cleansing, thereby developing symptoms, diseases that were too building (hot) or too cleansing (cold). They were also taking supplements, herbs, drugs, etc. that were too building or too cleansing, relative to their conditions. |
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I re-discovered, reconfigured the traditional diet, increasing and decreasing protein and fat, especially animal (West, America) while increasing eggs, cheese, beans, nuts, seeds, grains, vegetables, fruit, spices and Chinese herbs. This new “middle diet” in theory and practice could prevent and or cure most disease on a universal level, as there is only one body, therefore only one way to eat, exercise, etc. A woman may menstruate but she still has to rebuild her blood, body the exact same way that a man does, by eating the same blood-building foods. She also has to eat more during the day than at night, as digestion is stronger during the day. You are not only what you eat, but also what you digest. |
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The rules of health, life are the same for everyone as everyone (heart, liver, kidneys, earth, sun, etc.) is the same. The middle diet, meal plan is based on the body’s nutritional composition, ratio of building to cleansing nutrients, which is approximately 1:2 (1/3 building and 2/3 cleansing). |
| Human | body |
| 1/3 Building 33% | 2/3 Cleansing 67% |
| Protein 19%Fat 14% | Water 63%
Minerals 4% Vitamins, enzymes <1% |
| Middle diet, meal plan | |
| Breakfast, lunch and dinner | |
| +/- +/-+/-+/-+/- | 1/3 Protein and fat1/3 Grains (whole, cracked, noodles, bread)1/3 Vegetables, cooked/ raw (3-5) and fruit (1)Spices (use several at a time, in cooking)Soup (in the beginning) and or tea (at the end) |
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Each food, herb group is adjustable. The order of eating, digestion is not. Eat from hot to cold. Eat soup +/- protein and fat first, then protein and fat, grain and vegetables. Finish with fruit and tea. Stimulate digestion (soup, protein, fat spices, cooked foods,) in the beginning, and cool and cleanse at the end. |
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Building foods, nutrients require greater digestion stronger acid, enzymes and bile. Vegetables and fruit require little or no digestion and tend to stop digestion, dilute and reduce digestion, acid, enzymes, nutrient absorption, blood, which is why the beginning foods are soup (hot) and or protein and fat. |
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The middle diet, meal plan has two variations to counter the two extremes of dietary disease. Variation #1 is the colder middle diet designed to counter overbuilt hot conditions. It is vegetarian in nature, more fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts, seeds, dairy and eggs (not considered animal) and less red meat, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, red fish and fried foods. Avoid red meat, especially pork. The less animal and fried foods, the more fruit and vegetables, the more fat, cholesterol, arterial plaque, tumors, uric acid, etc. are cleansed, eliminated. Fasting one day a week on fruit juice helps, as do cooking instructions and meal plans (Chapter 4, Cooking Class). |
| Colder middle diet, meal plan | |
| For overbuilt, hot, pitta conditions | |
| +/- | 1/3 Protein and fatIncrease beans, nuts, seeds (high in HDL) and dairySupplement with small amounts: eggs, chicken or turkeyDecrease, eliminate red meat, pork, pizza, fries, alcohol |
| +/- | 1/3 GrainIncrease whole, cracked (includes white rice)Decrease flour: cookies, pastries, pretzels, junk |
| +/- | 1/3 Vegetables (3- 5) and fruit (1)Increase raw (cabbage, celery), cooked broccoli, carrots with tops, cauliflower, hard squash, parsnips, etcIncrease fruit |
| +/- | Spices, herbs (bitter) and or tea (chrysanthemum) |
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Variation #2 is the hotter middle diet designed to counter under built, cold conditions. It is hotter, more building (animal protein, fat, cooked foods and spices) and less cold, damp (milk, yogurt, soft cheese, ice cream, salads, tropical fruits, juices, cold drinks and sugar). Do not avoid fruit. Fruit is an important part of the diet (at end to of the meal or between meals), especially when eating animal food (tends to be constipating). Fish is questionable due to possible mercury contamination and or unsanitary farming. |
| Hotter middle diet, meal plan | |
| For under built, cold, damp, vata, kapha | |
| +/- | 1/3 Protein and fatIncrease hard cheese, eggs, chicken, turkey or red meatDecrease milk, yogurt and soft cheeses |
| +/- | 1/3 GrainIncrease, whole and cracked grains (white rice).Decrease bread, flour (cookies, pastries, pretzels) |
| +/- | 1/3 Vegetables (3- 5) and fruit (1)Increase cooked vegetables: roots, round and leafy Decrease salads, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplantDecrease tropical fruits, juices, cold drinks |
| +/- | Spices (use several) and herbs (Siberian ginseng) |
| +/- | Condiments: soy sauce, vegetable oil, rice vinegar |
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Both variations are temporary once health, balance restore at which time the middle diet resumes. Asian and many American restaurants regularly serve this diet. Many will specially prepare your food, steamed with the sauce on the side if that is your wish. |
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Health and disease always determine the menu. Disease, suffering is often the best teacher, as it speaks loudly, painfully, clearly identifying not only offending, diseased structures and functions, but also their corresponding, diseased diets, herbs, lifestyles, etc. |
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All disease is defined by its collection of symptoms. Biological functions (digestion, respiration, circulation, etc.) produce biological symptoms. Biological structures (stomach, spleen, liver, lungs, heart, etc.) produce biological functions. Blood, nutrients, foods produce biological structures. Every structure is nutrient, food, herb, energy, exercise, etc. specific. |
| Symptoms ← function ← structure ← blood ← food |
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Many diseases, for example, Plantar Fasciitis, Restless Leg Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromialgia, Lupus and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome share similar symptoms: pain, inflammation, redness, weakness, coldness and or shaking in the extremities, arms, legs, hands and feet. They also tend to share similar diets. |
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Anemic, low protein, low fat (milk, yogurt, ice cream, beans, nuts, etc) and high carbohydrate (salads, tropical fruits, juices, smoothies, shakes, sodas and sugar) diets, in the extreme, tend to reduce, thin the blood (blood deficiency), which in turn, thins, dries, inflames, pains, weakens and shakes the bones, ligaments, muscles, nerves, especially in the extremities: head, arms and legs. Many women tend to suffer autoimmune illnesses due to the tendency to eat low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate diets. |
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High protein, high fat diets, (red meat, pork, chicken, fried foods, etc.) in the extreme (years, decades), tends to thicken and stagnate the liver (congestion), blood (high cholesterol) and arteries (plaque, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure) reducing circulation, blood flow, especially to the extremities, producing blood deficiency symptoms (pain, dryness, inflammation, weakness, etc.). It is a common pathology especially among men, as many tend to eat high protein, fat and starch, in addition to caffeine, alcohol and or tobacco. |
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All disease is defined by its collection of symptoms. All symptoms occur in stages. Stage 1 is cause: poor diet (too building, hot or too cleansing, cold). Poor diet tends to weaken digestion (stage 2), elimination (stage 3), blood (stage 4), circulation (stage 5) and organ function (stage 6). Most autoimmune illnesses are stage 6. |
| It is the initial beginning stages, symptoms, diseased organs, not the latter, that one must treat to fully cure eliminate all symptoms. Treating the latter stages, symptoms, organs without treating the beginning symptoms, organs never cures but only prolongs and worsens the disease, suffering. It is like cutting off the head, leaves and flowers of a dandelion weed without removing its roots. The dandelion leaves and flowers eventually grow back. |
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Most fifth stage or greater cures may weaken digestion, elimination and blood, further worsening already existing symptoms. Correct the diet first, which generally alleviates many of the latter symptoms, stages, thus narrowing the range and scope of additional therapies. |
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Complete biological knowledge (structure, function, disease, nutrition and diet) is necessary as all the parts (structures, functions) work together and many times share similar symptoms, diseases but not necessarily causes and treatments. Removing the cause is generally the first treatment. The second treatment is rebuilding, following the body’s design, plan, as every structure, function is food, nutrient, herb, energy, etc, specific. There is no guessing when it comes to treatment, only following. |
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Most disease is chronic in nature taking months, years, decades to develop, and consequently months, years to heal. There are no magic pills, herbs, drugs, surgery hat will cure chronic disease in a short amount of time. Additional therapies: herbsl supplements, acupuncture, pharmaceutical drugs, surgery, radiation, etc. may be required, depending on severity. You have to do what works, not what you think will work, as wrong ideas, actions, can have wrong, seriously painful consequences. Read the following personal story. |
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In my twenties, on a yearly basis, I used to get tonsillitis, strep throat. In 1979, I got it bad. I tried treating it with diet, herbs and acupuncture. Nothing worked. Around the fifth, sixth day, in addition to intense pain, I started hallucinating, seeing ghosts, especially during the night, early morning hours. By the eighth day, I could barely talk or swallow. My left tonsil, swollen twice its size, completely covered with white streptococcus, obstructing my throat. |
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I went, ran to the doctor. He was a very nice man. He yelled at me, telling me how foolish I was (he was right) that I was seriously ill. He gave me a shot of penicillin. Twenty minutes later, when I arrived home, the swelling and strep had completely disappeared. The next day when I saw the doctor, he was amazed that I had healed so quickly, that mine was the worst case of tonsillitis he had ever seen. He told me how lucky I was that I did not seriously hurt myself (burst tonsil, death). Everything, including natural therapies, personal philosophies, etc. has its limitations. Not seeing a doctor would have been a big mistake. “Pride cometh before the fall”. |
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The following is my story, so far. At age three, I knew I was going to be a “doctor” despite disliking doctors (needles). At age ten (1962) and lasting the next seventeen years was another awakening, my mother’s breast cancer, treatment and subsequent side effects: radical mastectomy (removal of entire breast and surrounding tissue), extensive radiation and mega-chemotherapy. I accompanied her on her weekend trips into the city, sat in the hospital, radiation ward watching her and others, wheeled in and out, the out always devastatingly worse. She suffered greatly. Her original wound, surgery, radiation burn, wound never healed. It always bled. She suffered severe edema (elephant arms), insomnia, depression and more. |
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I took my dream, ambition to the University of Pittsburgh (1971-1974). Midway through the second year. I became disenchanted with the program, required sciences, as I could not understand their relationship to health. I felt I was going in the wrong direction; so, I went in the opposite direction, political science, for a while. |
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In 1973, I read Be Here Now by Ram Dass (Dr. Richard Alpert). It changed my life. The book told the story of his transformation from Western Psychologist to Hindu (Eastern religion) mystic. I cannot say that I understood most of what I read, but what I did understand were the sections on diet and yoga. I changed my diet to vegetarian and started practicing Hatha (postural) yoga including deep abdominal breathing, daily for the next five years. The changes were immediate and positive. My skin became clearer. I had greater energy and was more relaxed. |
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I started reading more books on: diet, nutrition, herbs, etc. Most were anti cancer, heart disease, high protein, high fat, animal foods, and pro vegetarian. I grew up on high protein, high fat, in addition to bread, noodles, vegetables, fruit, etc. The change, transition to low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate diets: lacto ovo vegetarian, lacto vegetarian, vegan, raw foods, fruitarian, sproutarian and macrobiotic (10 years), was not too difficult. I ate less meat, eggs, cheese, milk and more fruit, vegetables, sprouts, beans, grains, etc. |
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I made these changes over a fifteen year period (1973- 1988). For the first five years, I felt great as I eliminated all my excess fat, cholesterol, water, etc. Then I got worse over the next several years suffering severe weight loss, impotence, tonsillitis, hair loss, insomnia and eczema. Despite my “vast” knowledge, I had gone from one extreme (overbuilt, high protein, high fat) to the other (under built, low protein, low fat). I had no control of my health. I did nit know what I was doing. I needed professional help, medical guidance, which was why I chose traditional Chinese medicine as it was not only ancient but also placed more emphasis on diet, exercise, sex, etc. unlike relatively new Western allopathic medicine (more drugs, surgery, radiation, etc.). All medicine has its place, the center, director of which is the patient (chooses the treatment). |
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Health is common sense. The body is made from food. The correct diet produces health, the incorrect, disease. Exercise and drugs do not cure high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, etc. Less animal protein, fat and more vegetables and fruit do. Exercise, herbs, drugs and good thoughts do not build blood, cure anemia, thin skin, hair, infertility, etc. Red meat, eggs, chicken, turkey, cheese, etc. do. |
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I once counseled a man, early thirties, pale, low energy who had come to my store to buy iron. His Chinese acupuncturist (also an M.D., well known, respected) had diagnosed him as blood deficient, anemic and recommended iron. I told him I was also an acupuncturist, more recent, would he mind answering a few questions? How long had he been seeing the doctor? (6 months) What happened six months ago? (new girlfriend: vegetarian). He had stopped eating meat, chicken, eggs, etc. and had become weak, tired, pale and anemic. |
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I told him that his diet was anemic: extremely low protein, fat; that he needed to resume eating meat, eggs, chicken, etc. to build blood, energy, not iron supplements (65% of my business was supplements). He thanked me for the advice, bought the iron and asked me what I thought of his doctor, acupuncturist. I told him I would have been more impressed if his doctor had told him to stop at Burger King first before coming to the store; as needles, herbs, supplements do not build blood (TCM). Even the best make simple mistakes, which is why you always (a) get a second opinion and most importantly (b) educate yourself, be your own expert, which is why I wrote the book. on sale Amazon $15.25 click on link below http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Cold-Health-Richard-Heft/dp/0974791709 |