Sue Visser
One diet cannot possibly suit everybody because we are not all the same. There are different gut biomes for different people. Some thrive on meat or wheat, while others can’t tolerate gluten or lactose. The gut is directly linked to the brain and affects your mood. Use Food as Medicine to make you healthy and happy!
Please note: These discussions are about our relationship with food and are not intended as medical advice. Should you prefer using natural alternatives to your prescribed medications, please consult your doctor, who can assist you and supervise a reviewed protocol. Certain foods, supplements, herbs and spices that are used therapeutically may compete with (or oppose) certain drugs – but do not have such harmful effects. A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down but using food as medicine does not require any sugar and does not deplete any micronutrients.
Evidence-based cures that encompass innovative dietary protocols combined with supplements are the key to unlocking the medicine chest that contains food as medicine. Apart from malnutrition, toxins, radiation, parasites as well as allergies, hormonal issues also affect our health and need to be individually addressed. There is no point in depending solely on inappropriate medications that don’t correct such underlying causes and can inadvertently inhibit one’s recovery. A gradual drug-tapering protocol requires the help of a qualified professional. Suddenly quitting them all at once can have serious consequences, especially if patients have developed a tolerance to habit-forming benzodiazepines and opioids.
Some people have the courage to stand up and be cured, others take no responsibility for their condition. Here are some inspiring stories from scientists and therapists as well as laymen who have succeeded in conquering “incurable” conditions. Remember that gratitude is one of the highest vibrations – way above fear, doubt, and apathy. Hippocrates recommended food as medicine, but he also said, “It is more important to know what sort of person has the disease than to know what sort of disease a person has”.
Cancer and Autoimmune Diseases That You Are “Stuck with for Life” Can Be Cured!
The Budwig protocol for cancer. In 1952 Dr Joanna Budwig started investigating the effects of different types of fat on cancerous tumors. She held a doctorate in physics, a PhD in natural science, and was a qualified pharmacologist and chemist. Being the chief consultant for drugs and fats at the Federal Institute for Fats Research enabled her to make important discoveries about ‘good fats’ and ‘bad fats’. People can get snooty about scientifically unproven cures, but one cannot argue with the science behind her knowledge of fats. She linked a sticky build-up of trans-fatty acids inside certain cancerous tumors to polymerized fats (heated at excessively high temperatures), especially marine and omega-6 plant oils that are similar to those used in margarine.
Dr Joanna developed her Budwig protocol that is based on modifying the intake of pro-inflammatory dietary fats to treat the affected tumors. She mixed omega-3 oil derived from flaxseeds with cottage cheese and gave it to her patients to consume with their meals. Their tumors began to shrink dramatically. Her patients were cured of cancer–thanks to the effects of her innovative food-based therapy. Little did she know that her sponsors had a vested interest in the margarine industry! Dr Budwig was discredited and dismissed from the institute forthwith. She subsequently opened a private healing center and saved many lives with her simple use of healthy fruit and vegetables, fish, dairy products and, of course, flaxseed oil and cottage cheese. Terminal cancer patients made dramatic recoveries and were able to return to a normal life. Even today, there are constant references to the Budwig protocol for successfully treating cancer–because it works!
We can enhance the cottage cheese’s protein/sulphur content by adding cruciferous vegetables, rocket (arugula), garlic, leeks, and onions to improve cellular oxidation as well as whey protein. Low-fat dairy products, eggs, oily fish such as salmon, herrings and sardines are of great benefit, providing they are not over heated. Fish oil supplements should be taken separately – preferably in capsule form if you don’t like the taste! Cod liver oil capsules are also rich in vitamins A and D. Making delicious smoothies with fermented milk products such as yoghurt with fruit juice and flaxseed oil have also become firm favorites in addition to the original flaxseed oil and cottage cheese paste. Dr Budwig recommended a daily outdoor sunbathing session to boost vitamin D as an essential part of the treatment. Today most cancer, psychiatric, and heart patients are critically short of vitamin D.
Remission from cancer: A few years ago, I received an email from Yusuf, a radio program listener who needed some help. His niece had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and was desperate for an alternative cancer treatment. I shared the Budwig protocol with his family and helped them to understand how and why it works. I also suggested Lugol’s iodine (2 – 3 drops in a little milk), vitamin D3 every day, parasite cleansing, a heavy metal detox and the exclusion of gluten and other trigger foods that cause inflammation. After five months, she was in remission–thanks to Joanna Budwig and a very positive mindset all round! I would like to share Yusuf’s letter with you.
Good day, Sue. Hope you are well.
I just wanted to share the good news with you. Last week, the doctors declared her “clear” of cancer. Praise be to God first! We want to THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for all the advice you have shared with us willingly and unselfishly. Ever since you shared the natural methods, like the Budwig protocol and Lugol’s Iodine, she has religiously consumed such amongst other changes in her diet. I guess now the next big test starts, i.e., further educating ourselves and eating the natural/proper way. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! (April 2019)
Here is the Budwig protocol I suggested:
Yield: 4 – 5 days’ supply. There is no upper limit to the dosage–the more the better!
- 1 part cold pressed flaxseed oil (½ cup) to 2 parts fat-free cottage cheese (1 cup or tub)
- 1 – 2 cups water or low-fat milk, if you don’t like a sticky texture. Process this into an emulsion using a stick blender.
- Make a bulk supply to freeze as ice cubes. Then you can defrost and serve as a spread or a delicious salad or vegetable accompaniment. Add the ice cubes to smoothies and serve them instead of tea and coffee.
Here is the information on iodine that I shared with the family:
Iodine helps to prevent fibrous lymphatic lumps and keeps the lymph flowing. (We could also suspect an iodine deficiency in this case.) Using anti-perspirants can block lymph ducts in the armpits as well as the breasts where the toxins form into lumps. Iodine kills the bacteria that is responsible for body odor. Iodine is also important for preventing as well as treating all types of cancer.
Medications versus the Budwig protocol and supplements for a Parkinson’s patient. The Budwig protocol also helped my husband’s sister Anneke who was having trouble with her Parkinson’s medications. At my insistence, she was successfully weaned off Carbilev and Norflex – with the help of the Budwig protocol, vitamin B6, magnesium chloride, and the strict exclusion of gluten and sugar. Magnesium and vitamin B6 deficiencies had caused her trembling in the first place – but who was going to listen to me? Years of Levodopa drugs plus the later addition of Norflex resulted in violent dyskinesia, which caused her to shake and jerk uncontrollably. Other drugs had the opposite effect, leaving her semi-paralysed, until the jerking began again. Her bowels could not move properly, she was incontinent and had to be fed like a baby.
I imposed an alternative protocol that included tapering off all the drugs and replacing them with natural alternatives, to the horror of the family and medical staff. It took less than 6 months under the supervision of a doctor of functional medicine to wean her off the medications, including fentanyl (schedule 8). She loved her Budwig smoothies and asked for them throughout the day. Her 10 cm wide bedsore healed up, thanks to honey, propolis, and diatomaceous earth. Gradually Anneke’s warm, happy smile returned. Physiotherapy helped to improve the control of her muscles.
Lupus – The Angry Wolf Gets a Smack from Positive Protocols and Nutritional Innovations
Total remission from systemic lupus is possible. Lupus is a debilitating disease whereby the immune system attacks its own healthy cells. It can affect the skin, joints and muscles, kidneys, heart, brain, lungs, blood and blood vessels, intestines, hearing, and balance. Symptoms include fatigue, fever, anemia, rashes in sun-exposed areas, aching muscles, painful and stiff joints, confusion, seizures, inflammation around the heart or lungs, sores in the mouth, vasculitis and blood clots. Quite a sentence, but some people are not prepared to succumb to medical treatment that fails to address the underlying causes. Karen Quiros who was suffering from lupus was only given five or seven years at best, to live. Today, decades later, she is in full remission from this debilitating condition. Karen’s healing experiences led her on a personal journey to a remarkable recovery.
Karen began by studying natural medicine, nutrition, frequency healing, biofeedback, gemmotherapy, reiki, energy healing, craniosacral therapy, plant medicine, sound healing and other modalities to address these issues. “I was getting sicker,” she says “I decided to stop the medications and try to heal myself. I just had a determination. I say it was divinely given to me that I could heal my body and I should give it a try. What did I have to lose?” Karen is an Amazon best-selling author of She is Magic, Yes. Karen now helps others who have the same determination to free themselves from similar conditions. Karen offers helpful online resources and workshops, based on her practical knowledge and evidence-based experiences. She is the Happiness Compass© Mindset Coach and CEO of Balanced Wellness Consulting and has many inspiring stories to share.
Another triumph over lupus – until there was a backlash! The lupus rash on my husband Jim’s chest and face flared up from time to time and reddened his whole face. His skin burnt like hell and the bumpy red lesions spread along his arms and all over his torso. Cortisol, anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers are the drugs of choice, but they have their limitations. They could no longer pacify his inflamed skin or control the stinging, burning painful surges. For some reason the man-made silver bullets seemed to be making it worse. I tapered him off the drugs because I suspected that they were having a backlash effect. Was his signalling system producing more pain in reaction to painkillers?
Increasing his prednisone to suppress an immune-triggered reaction to a pathogen (a Covid-19 spike protein – even if they were shed by vaccinated people) is not a sustainable, long-term solution. He tried to avoid contact with infected people, but those spikes are all over the place. We developed natural, food-based protocols and managed the pain and rashes with the best supplements we could find. They included DLPA (phenylalanine) and omega-3 oil for pain as well as vitamin B5 (calcium D-pantothenate) as a substitute for cortisone. No gluten or cheese and lots of Budwig smoothies kept it under control for most of the time.
An unexpected flare up occurred a few months later, after the pandemic had officially ended and everybody was hugging each other and shaking hands again. Back to the strict protocol for Jim, every time he played bowls on Sunday or visited my mom. I was still waiting for diindolylmethane (DIM) capsules, hoping that they could resolve the cortisol/estrogen inflammatory cycle. DIM is a plant compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, and kale. It reduces inflammation, oxidative stress, and blocks pro-inflammatory estrogen–16 metabolites that cause cancer and exacerbate cortisol-based stress and inflammation. But the DIM shipment for our local health shops had been confiscated at customs due to yet another “health” regulation.
How about rocket science? On one of my strolls, I spotted some rocket (arugula) plants growing next to the road. I am not fond of it, but picked a big bunch and made some pesto sauce, disguising the taste with basil. As a cheap substitute for pine nuts, I used pumpkin seeds and added homemade (glutathione-rich) parmesan cheese, MSG, lemon juice and olive oil. It was delicious. We added a spoon of the green goo to every plate of food that we ate. In less than two days, Jim’s face calmed down. No more pain. It was a very puzzling’ yet thrilling phenomenon. A rich, highly concentrated form of DIM in action. Was this an eyewitness account of food as medicine? It seemed to have taken a sublingual route for so little of the rocket (and possibly other) active components to have made such an impact. Rocket also contains extremely high levels of vitamin K.
For myself personally, the greatest “rocket effect” was to finally overcome five years of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Now the mosquitoes bite me again because they can sense my improved hemoglobin content! My cheeks are pinker and despite regular calcium and magnesium supplements, my fingernails are now longer and stronger than ever before. Extra vitamin K? Nutritionists are right in saying that we need to chew our food 32 times – or savour the pesto!
Adelle Davis and tiger milk! When my husband had rheumatic fever 30 years ago and it was affecting his heart, the doctor gave him three weeks to live and gave him some antibiotics. We spent a carefree morning windsurfing on the lakes. The following night he was lying in bed and suddenly stiffened and gasped. His hands and feet grew cold – symptoms of heart problems. That was when a friend of ours who was a fan of Adelle Davis pointed out that he needed calcium. We found some calcium lactate at the pharmacy. That was the turning point and I read Let’s Get Well by Adelle Davis. Good old tiger’s milk helped him to recover! I also studied homeopathy, reflexology, and nutrition. I scoured the local library for more information. There was no internet in those days, so one used to read a lot of books. I was on a thyroid medication because our doctor noticed that my hair and skin looked dry, and he saw that I looked very tired. After a few days on kelp plus Pep-up, Adele’s successor to tiger’s milk (made from brewer’s yeast, skim milk, fruit juice, lecithin and magnesium oxide), I began to feel marvelous. It made no sense to take a hormone that you should be making yourself. I therefore discarded the Eltroxin and have never taken hormone replacements of any kind – not even bio-identical ones even after the menopause. As a precursor for progesterone, I discovered that chewing a piece of raw sweet potato did the trick.
Trust your intuition: use evidence-based protocols rather than succumbing to a gloomy prognosis.
Practical Ways to Use Food as Medicine as Alternatives to Drugs and Surgery to Treat Obesity
We have a normal urge to eat for survival, triggered by ghrelin, the hunger hormone that keeps us adequately nourished. It is natural to eat whenever you get hungry in response to ghrelin signals. Leptin is a hormone with the opposite effect and promotes a feeling of satiety that silences those hunger pangs. It takes about twenty minutes to kick in after you start eating. However, due to constantly feeding on sugary, junky snack foods in between meals, we overstimulate insulin secretion and become leptin resistant. According to studies that focus on emotionally based eating disorders, boredom is the most common trigger for snacking. We also eat more in reaction to depression, anger, or being upset. Even feeling sad, lonely, frustrated, bored, or unable to focus can make one eat defensively, if not compulsively.
Sweet things – especially sugar and comforting carbs–are the worst culprits. Cortisol is a stress hormone that triggers the fight-or-flight response, which is an appetite stimulant. It boosts the production of a brain chemical known as neuropeptide Y, which increases cravings for carbohydrates–not celery sticks, cheese, or raw carrots! Simple carbohydrates upset insulin homeostasis, causing surges of insulin followed by a period of low blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia. This sets off the insulin rollercoaster causing more sugar that requires more insulin. Insulin lowers blood sugar, so the craving for carbs and sugar continues. All too soon, high sugar levels remain in the bloodstream as opposed to being converted into triglycerides (LDL cholesterol) and insulin resistance sets in. Even worse, cortisol slows down metabolism. Excessive stress causes fat to be stored in the abdominal area, where weight is harder to lose, but easier to see. We call it stress gut!
Counting the cost of antidepressant/anti-obesity drugs. A class of anti-obesity drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists like naltrexone can directly reduce insulin levels. Other drugs can sensitize your body to leptin. Leptin resistance leads to obesity because one constantly feels hungry. Leptin stimulants are an attractive option for weight loss. However, these drugs do not help one to overcome the psychological urge to eat and come at quite a cost to emotional wellbeing. That is why drugs like naltrexone are often combined with Bupropion, a psychiatric medication that controls the appetite as an off-label benefit. However, adverse effects include insomnia, neuropsychiatric adverse events, or seizures. It carries a black box warning because it may cause changes in behavior and increase the risk of suicidal tendencies. Strange that a drug with neuropsychiatric effects is so commonly prescribed for major depressive disorders, smoking cessation, seasonal affective disorder as well as off label for “ADHD, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, migraine prevention, panic disorder, persistent depressive disorder, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, SSRI and weight loss (Obesity/Overweight).” Is this why it is such a popular weight loss partner to naltrexone? There is now a combination of the terrible two called Contrave, selling for a mere 100 US$ a month. One shudders to think of the side effects!
Is bariatric surgery a better option for obese people–especially teenagers? Surgical reduction of the size or function of the stomach or intestines may restrict food intake but will seriously alter digestion as well as your gut biome for life. It will not improve your nutritional status or correct any hormonal issues and bad eating habits that cause obesity in the first place. Some of the common side effects are bleeding, infection, diarrhea, low blood sugar, ulcers, vomiting, intestinal obstruction, vitamin deficiencies, dumping syndrome, and malnutrition. Some patients may no longer be able to eat certain foods. Others still gain weight or fail to lose any weight after the procedure.
First read the fine print. Are the so-called advantages of a compromised gut worth the risk, especially to the sensitive gut biome of a 13-year-old? Surgical intervention may significantly alter the composition and function of gut microbiota, upsetting the absorption of vitamins, especially of riboflavin, folate, B12 and vitamin K2. Changes in the metabolism of bile acids, gastric pH and hormones can also impair gut microbiota. If the stomach acid is too weak, parasites like Helicobacter pylori will cause acid reflux and further damage. This means that a lot of supplements, if not new medications will be required to get back to normal. Why not use food as medicine in the first place–what is your gut feeling?
Food alternatives have no suicidal effects unlike certain weight loss drugs! Simple carbohydrates–like sugar, white bread, and pasta–are said to be the leading causes of leptin resistance (according to a report published in AYRA Atherosclerosis in September 2014). This is why we feel hungry all the time. Rather replace them with low-glycemic, fiber-rich complex carbohydrates, protein, and fat to feel more satisfied and less inclined to eat compulsively.
Exercise can also reverse the effects of leptin and insulin resistance. Exercise increases the dopamine-reward effect, plus the release of feel-good endorphins–something we try to achieve by constantly snacking. Rather take a brisk walk or do a mini workout and then drink a glass of water! Rebound trampolines and exercise bikes should be standard office equipment! Unlike the naltrexone/bupropion drug combinations, exercise and healthy food-based alternatives are more affordable as well as gratifying, if not rewarding.
Protein, fiber, and omega-3 fats work like leptin agonists to turn off hunger signals, but without any adverse effects. We also have a built-in weight-loss hormone, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that triggers insulin secretion. It promotes the feeling of fullness after eating as it slows down the passage of food through the stomach. Glucagon also improves insulin sensitivity and lowers LDL cholesterol. Synthetic glucagon agonists (GLP-1) like Ozempic and Tripeptide, in particular, are proving to be successful in weight loss trials. This anti-diabetic drug is injected once a week. After a trial in 2022, resulted the weight of diabetic patients dropped from an average of 104 kg down to an 82 kg average (about 20%) within 72 weeks–without any imposed dietary restrictions.
Such a short-term trial, using doses above those recommended for diabetes, excludes more serious long-term side-effects that have recently been reported. Enlargement of the small intestine, especially, can cause obstructions that damage the gut. Symptoms include a loss of appetite and chronic constipation that does not respond to laxatives. Inflammation and poor circulation increase the risk of peritonitis, a potentially deadly infection within the abdomen. The greatest weight losses were of muscle tissue as opposed to fatty tissue. When the injections stopped, a lot of the weight returned. Low-income groups, especially victims of the obesity epidemic in South America, Africa, and undeveloped countries, need to address diabetes and obesity with food that are used as medicine and not as poisons. Education is the key.
The body already makes glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) so why inject it? The combination of protein with complex carbohydrates and plenty of fiber with flavonoids and other phytochemicals also increases our magic glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that will naturally trigger insulin. Another study revealed that the short chain fatty acids in the intestines also trigger GLP-1 secretion. So do quercetin, curcumin, cinnamon, and resveratrol. Proteins and amino acids, especially glutamate, whey protein, casein, eggs, and fish also trigger natural GLP-1. This makes one question the haste to inject it in the first place. Dietary genistein (from soy) improves glucose tolerance and blood insulin levels. It is the precursor to weak (good) estrogen metabolites that reduce inflammation, which is another fat factor. The anti-diabetic and antioxidative effects of flavonoids and their ability to modulate cellular signalling, provide further advantages over drugs, surgery, and injections to fight fat.
Green pee means more vitamin B. It is best to start every day of your new routine with a multivitamin/mineral supplement to guarantee a daily supply of all the necessary micronutrients. Look for a time-release formulation. This is more effective throughout the day. The most recent 3-year COSMOS multivitamin supplementation trial included 3500 participants aged 60 and older, focused on cognitive performance on a web-based memory test. The multivitamin group performed significantly better than the placebo group on memory tests and word recall. This improvement was sustained during the 3-year study. The greatest benefits from the multivitamins were evident in cardiovascular patients. The recommended dietary allowances were given as opposed to mega doses of singled out micronutrients to ensure their absorption and bioavailability within a balanced formulation. Vitamin B2 affects the color of urine. A bright luminous green to yellow tinge indicates that water-soluble vitamins like vitamin B complex and vitamin C are being excreted within an hour or two. Rather take half a tablet twice a day or switch to a slow-release version and you will then sustain their benefits.
Methyl donors are important. Seek out whole unprocessed foods, especially those that provide natural folate and B vitamins (including B6 and B12). These are methyl donors that are easier to absorb from food-based sources. Extreme deficiencies are best corrected with vitamin B12 injections plus trimethyl glycine (TMG) supplements. The tiny blood vessels within the mouth, especially those under the tongue, can absorb micronutrients and other particles that will immediately take effect. Vitamin B12, for instance, is given as a lozenge because the digestive system inhibits its uptake. We take biochemical tissue salts and homeopathic tinctures underneath the tongue for the same reason.
Methylation is a metabolic process that switches genes on and off and repairs DNA. It also affects enzymatic interactions between nutrients and target cells. This is critical for immune responses, cardiovascular health, hormone and neurotransmitter management, heavy metal detoxification, fat metabolism as well as immune and stress responses. For instance, it converts histamine (pro-inflammatory) into methionine, an amino acid that converts into sulphur-based compounds such as glutathione, taurine, and creatine. The methylation process converts pro-cancerous forms of estrogen that cause inflammation into weaker, more beneficial and less fattening forms.
Some Super Foods That Double Up as Medicines for Many Reasons
Use the selected foods in different ways to enhance their therapeutic attributes. Eat slowly–chewing, tasting, and appreciating their unique flavors and health benefits. The brain is directly connected to the stomach and intestines via the vagus nerve as a backup relay to confirm that we have a full tummy. This takes about 20 minutes, regardless of how much you eat. That is why we feel sleepy after a heavy meal! When you go shopping, make sure that you are not hungry. Satiety prevents impulse buying, so they say. Read up about the lesser known benefits of fruits, vegetables, condiments, spices and other ingredients to expand your medicinal repertoire. Here are a few examples.
Citrus fruit. Grapefruit, oranges, lemons, limes, and tangerines are often included in nature-based treatments for anorexia, infections, benign prostatic hypertrophy, cancers (breast, colon, prostate, lung, skin and throat), candidiasis, colds and flu, diabetes, dysuria, high cholesterol and even insomnia. The fruit, pith and rind, contain a lot of natural vitamin C. The rind contains naringin, a chemical that can improve glucose tolerance in people with type 2 diabetes. It also reduces atherosclerotic plaque formation.
Limonene is an oil that is present in the skins and has a lovely clean, fresh aroma. Furthermore, it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and cardio benefits. Only use organic fruit rind as then it will be free of pesticides. Limonene is used as an essential oil and an ingredient in household sanitisers. It helps to suppress the appetite. The white pith of citrus fruit contains a phytochemical called diosmin that helps to revive the flow of lymph in sluggish systems and eating it makes food linger longer in the stomach. All citrus flavonoids improve insulin sensitivity. They can inhibit starch digestion and lower hepatic gluconeogenesis.
Grapefruit is contra-indicated when taking some medications. Evidently this fruit intensifies and prolongs their effects, which is beneficial; but they amplify all the drugs’ adverse effects! That is why I now eat grapefruit with my supplements, especially after fish oils to enhance their efficacy!
Apples. All varieties and types of apples act as appetite suppressants, being rich in soluble fiber and pectin, to increase intestinal bulk. They help to make you to feel full. Apples also help to regulate glucose and boost energy if they are chewed very slowly, allow the leptin effect to kick in and promote satiety. Sour green apples contain more chromium and less sugar. Apples contain natural sugars that are released slowly due to their high fiber content which delays digestion. Chewing (not drinking) whole fruits like apples and bananas are associated with weight loss and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. Stay away from sweet apple juice, for good reason. Apples are naturally low in sodium and high in potassium. They are rich in the antioxidant quercetin as well as polyphenols and other anti-inflammatory compounds. Apples are a perfect snack. If you are still hungry, eat another apple!
Sweet potatoes are vitamin-rich vegetables that contain a special type of starch that resists digestive enzymes, causing food to stay in the stomach for longer. Don’t eat large amounts of raw sweet potatoes because they contain trypsin inhibitors. (We need the liver to release enough trypsin to prevent cancer, i.e., inappropriate cell division, so we don’t want to inhibit it.) However, one small cube of raw sweet potato (3 x 3 x 3 cm) serves as a medicine when it comes to increasing progesterone levels. Chew it slowly, so the active precursor is directly released via tiny blood vessels under the tongue into the bloodstream. This simple use of food as an alternative to HRT has been freely shared with women all over the world, thanks to the Editor of Townsend Letter. Wedges of cooked sweet potato on skewers can be frozen and enjoyed as an ice lolly. Frozen chunks of sweet potato are a great Chinese favorite, especially the orange and red fleshed varieties. For most meals, sweet potatoes can be enjoyed baked, steamed, roasted, or stir fried–cooked, in other words.
Avocado pears. Avocados are creamy, versatile when added to meals or enjoyed on their own. They contain fiber, healthy fats, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, and folate. The fullness factor of participants who ate a carbohydrate-based meal versus a meal that included a portion of avocado pear, reported that the avocado group felt fuller for longer. The study also tested leptin levels in the blood of participants after each meal and found that leptin was elevated after eating avocado. The fiber is essential for a healthy digestive system. It can benefit the health of the gut by improving bacterial diversity and by assisting the formation of short chain fatty acids such as butyrate. Mashed avocado can be enjoyed as dips or spreads instead of butter. It makes a good substitute for mayonnaise when blended with milk and a little lemon juice, salt and pepper. Also include its creamy flesh in cold soups and smoothies. Avocados can be sliced and frozen for all year-round availability.
Pineapples. Eating a few wedges of fresh pineapple or drinking the juice will unleash enough bromelain to help you better digest a rich meal and will clear excess protein from the bloodstream. This helps to control blood coagulation (clotting), cholesterol levels, tenacious mucus (heavy cough), and inflammation caused by an excess of fibrin. (Inflammation, pain, and the suffering associated with fibromyalgia, or any inflammatory disease is caused by an overgrowth of fibrin.) Pineapples also contain trace amounts of phosphorus, zinc, calcium, and vitamins A and K and also manganese. Vitamin C is essential for immune health and iron absorption for growth and development. Manganese has antioxidant properties and promotes growth and glucose metabolism. Pineapples also have traces of copper, thiamine, and vitamin B6.
Pieces of skin can be added to the juicer with water and other fruit and vegetable offcuts. Strain it and use the liquid for cold soups and smoothies. Bromelain is present in the leaves and can be extracted by juicing chopped leaves with water. Fermenting pineapple skins with sugar, yeast, water, and ginger produces a delicious fizzy ginger beer after a few days. Pineapples and especially bromelain compete with blood thinning medications. Like ginger, they are very potent anticoagulants–an alternative to drugs like warfarin, which was first used as a rat poison because it was considered to be unsafe for humans!
Eggs. Having an egg or two for breakfast can help you feel well satisfied for many hours as opposed to toast or a bagel with the same number of calories. Eggs contain highly digestible proteins, plus lecithin, a fat emulsifier that effectively balances cholesterol. One large egg contains 12 grams of protein. Egg protein is especially helpful in reducing the appetite. A hardboiled egg is good to add to any lunch box. Make a dip out of mashed avocado with MSG to provide glutamate and add cottage cheese which provides glycine and cysteine for a glutathione boost. Eggs have antibacterial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition and immunomodulatory effects. Raw egg white is an old-fashioned treatment for burns and eczema.
Egg shells are a good source of calcium when dissolved in citric acid. They provide hydroxyapatite crystals that mimic osteoblasts in human bones and teeth. We can extract the minerals from crushed eggshells that have been sterilized (boiled or baked) and are soaked in a citric acid solution. This not only provides the most assimilable form of calcium, but also doubles up as a treatment for kidney stones and other unwanted oxalic acid residues.
Lentils are filling and nutritious. One cup of cooked lentils contains nearly 18 grams of protein and 16 grams of fiber. Lentils can be soaked, cooked and mixed into soup or stew or blended as a dip. Trials have shown that lentils are a better appetite suppressant and resulted in less food intake than other pulses. Raw sprouted lentils make a delicious snack and can be added to pickles or salad ingredient. Sprouting increases their vitamin C content one hundred-fold, plus other vitamins and minerals. Soaking and sprouting them breaks down the phytic acid, which inhibits your body’s ability to absorb minerals such as magnesium and iron and it also eliminates lectins that are disruptive to certain blood types.
I soak half a packet at a time and add half a teaspoon of iodine, not only as a supplement, but also to prevent them from becoming iffy and rotten after a few days. Then there is no need to rinse them every day and within 4-5 days you have three times the volume. Lentil sprouts are very cheap and provide a quick bite, especially mixed with pumpkin and sunflower seeds or with chopped herbs, raisins, and onions. Adding a little vinegar makes a delicious pickle. Stir-fried lentils are a substantial low-calorie meal, and can be served with a medley of shredded leeks, cabbage, carrots, sweet peppers etc. Enjoy it with strips of grilled tofu, sesame seeds, flaxseed oil and soy sauce.
Leafy green vegetables. Foods that are high in thylakoids, like spinach, kale, broccoli and mustard greens are said to be particularly beneficial for reducing hunger. Cruciferous vegetables are also unique because they possess sulphur-containing compounds called glycosylates, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, cancer-fighting properties. The indole-3-carbinol they contain is a precursor to DIM which is used to modify (methylate) pro-cancerous estrogen metabolites. They have also been linked to a long list of health benefits, including improved heart health, increased weight loss, and reduced inflammation due to estrogen balancing. Fibrous greens when eaten raw or gently sautéed with a little olive oil are a delicious, calorie-restricted way to keep hunger at bay. Kale crisps are also popular and very satisfying. Tear out the soft parts of the leaves, place them on a side plate, sprinkle with salt and microwave them for about 2 minutes. They are a good substitute for dried seaweed as well as potato crisps.
An excess of oxalic acid, especially from ascorbic acid, blueberries and greens like spinach can cause painful oxalic acid deposits in soft tissue when one is deficient in calcium and magnesium. Kidney stones, for instance, can be a problem if we have a spinach and blueberry smoothie a few times a day. It is better to eat leafy greens as part of a balanced meal with cheese for extra calcium. Also take a good calcium and magnesium supplement at bedtime.
Soybeans. Tofu is a rich source of plant-based protein. Soy is the prime component of tofu. Calcium is used in the process, providing 680 mg of calcium per 100 g of firm tofu. Although soybeans also contain oxalic acid, the calcium that is present in tofu prevents kidney stones. Tofu is a complete source of dietary protein, as it provides all the essential amino acids we need. Soybeans are also high in healthy polyunsaturated fats, especially omega-3 and alpha-linolenic acid. They contain lecithin, a fat emulsifier that reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol. Lecithin provides choline and inositol. Choline helps the body to produce acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter for memory, mood, muscle control and other brain and nervous system functions. Inositol is also good for the brain and for treating polycystic ovarian syndrome. Genistein is an isoflavone that also improves glucose tolerance and blood insulin levels.
Consuming soy products may help to relieve symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, due to the phytoestrogens they contain. They provide 2-type (beneficial) estrogens that have opposing effects on cancer and feminization. We need to be wary of 16-type (harmful) forms of estrogen. DIM from cruciferous vegetables also blocks 16-estrogen. However, moderate consumption of soy-based products has been shown to be safe, especially as part of a diet that is rich in methyl donors, folates, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
Omega-3 oil is essential. To reduce inflammation, cut down on omega-6 and substitute with omega-3 oils. Oily fish like salmon, which also contains high levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, is a superfood. Each 3-ounce serving of fresh salmon contains nearly 17 grams of protein. Tuna and herring have similarly high levels of protein and omega-3. If you are not taking fish oil or getting one to two servings of fatty fish in your diet each week, flaxseed oil is the second-best source of omega-3 fatty acids for vegans and vegetarians. As an anti-inflammatory oil, flaxseed is a natural appetite suppressant and is combined with cottage cheese to make the Budwig protocol. It has surprising benefits when used as part of a natural treatment for cancer, inflammation and immune disorders. With soluble fiber and insoluble fiber and essential fatty acids, ground-up flax seeds are the perfect companion for yoghurt smoothies or salads. Flax meal soaked in a little water makes a good substitute for gluten as a dough enhancer. Cottage cheese, flaxseed meal, and Marmite with lecithin, MSG and whey powder make a potent super-spread for sourdough bread. This is good news for people who are intolerant to gluten! Yeast-fermented dough reduces the gluten.
Yoghurt, whey protein, and fermented dairy products. Consuming a whey protein supplement in shakes or smoothies was found to be good for suppressing hunger. It is also a precursor to glutathione, our primary antioxidant, being rich in the glycine and cysteine which we obtain from it. Add MSG to provide glutamate, the third glutathione precursor. Whey protein can be stirred into soups and mixed with cottage cheese or added to white sauces to increase the overall protein content. In addition to feeling more satisfied, other benefits of these dairy products include a healthy gut, strong bones and a well-boosted immune system. They combine well with sauerkraut, salads and other vegetables. Full cream buttermilk and Amasi (South African fermented milk) can be used in smoothies but are most delicious for making cheese. Pour 1 – 2 cups into a colander lined with a clean cloth. Set it over a bowl to collect the liquid. This is also rich in calcium and can be used for making soup afterwards. Sprinkle on a little salt plus MSG and stir it into the curds. Cover with a lid and after 2-3 days you will have cottage cheese. When this is mixed with whey protein, it becomes a very creamy home-made cheese spread. This is lovely with Marmite.
Bananas. Many athletes, especially tennis players, have a banana break as it is rich in potassium, fiber, and natural sugar for a pick me up. Bananas provide excellent nutrition before, during, and after exercise. Bananas support weight loss because they’re relatively low in calories, are nutrient dense and filling. They can be used for thickening as well as sweetening smoothies, making sauces for vegetables, especially when mixed with peanut butter. Unripe, firm bananas contain resistant starch, similar to that present in cold leftover rice or potatoes and in fibrous foods called prebiotics. This type of starch improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood sugar levels, and reduces the appetite. Bananas are also rich in a soluble, fermentable fiber that passes undigested through the stomach and small intestines. Within the colon it feeds the friendly gut bacteria that have a profound impact on your health. When the bacteria digest resistant starches, they form several compounds, including gases and short-chain fatty acids, especially butyrate. Butyrate helps to support the immune system and reduces inflammation associated with a leaky gut. Very ripe bananas have black marks on their skins. They contain more sugar and when mashed, are an excellent cure for an upset tummy.
The best nuts and seeds. Nuts are high in unsaturated fats which trigger the release of cholecystokinin and peptide YY. These hormones induce satiety by slowing down the movement of food in the gut, according to a 2017 scientific review. Nuts also contain fiber and protein, which further contribute to the feeling of fullness. They are rather compulsive and are high in calories, so only eat a few at a time and rather have an apple if you are getting the munchies. Walnuts are the best source of omega-3 oil. Shelled pumpkin seeds are called pepitas. They are rich in magnesium and zinc and are delicious when fried with salt as a snack or a salad sprinkle. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of beta-sitosterol that prevents dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from breaking down into disruptive forms of estrogen in men and women. Side effects of this (bad) testosterone include insulin resistance, inflammation, and weight gain. For the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) pumpkin seeds are scraped out of a pumpkin and blended into a pulp with water and strained. The resultant beta-sitosterol is used for my PCOS protocol for women and also to reduce DHT for men with prostate cancer.
We can boost the nutritional value and satiety of food, so it becomes our medicine – and it tastes better!
The gut biome can be restored by means of parasite removal, detoxification, probiotics and nutritional replenishment. The daily diet needs to supply essential foods combined with appropriate supplementation that is best suited to a patient’s individual needs. The elimination of starchy, fatty and sugary (anti-nutritious) foods from the diet will set the scene and help one to fully recover. Checking for specific allergies and gluten sensitivity is very important. Mindset and motivation are the ultimate underlying forces that can overthrow any dis-ease. This requires a commitment to visualizing the end result. Make this quest for food as medicine your own personal, hands-on healing experience. Daily reminders and positive affirmations also help to uplift, if not infect your fellow beings with enthusiasm for the love of food, glorious food.
Exercise, buddy support, and sunshine are the best ways to accompany food as medicine.
References
Section 1
https://www.drugs.com/drug-class/benzodiazepines.html
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johanna_Budwig
https://naturefresh.co.za/iodine-deficiency-not-affect-thyroid-gland/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johanna_Budwig
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-with-sulfur#what-sulfur-is
https://www.nature.com/articles/1210939
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/282769#benefits
https://www.science.gov/topicpages/c/cruciferous+vegetable-derived+indole-3-carbinol.html
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17618536/ Levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson’s disease: epidemiology, etiology, and treatment – PubMed (nih.gov)
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601068.html Sinemet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Warnings – Drugs.com
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/side-effects-parkinsons-drugs some things you think are symptoms of Parkinson’s may actually be side effects of your medication.
Section 2
https://rebuildingmyhealth.com/lupus-symptoms/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-with-sulfur#what-sulfur-is
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/282769#benefits
https://www.science.gov/topicpages/c/cruciferous+vegetable-derived+indole-3-carbinol.html l
https://www.lifetropics.com/blogs/articles/4-benefits-dim-diindolylmethane
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4016745/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/282769#benefits
https://www.science.gov/topicpages/c/cruciferous+vegetable-derived+indole-3-carbinol.html
https://www.adelledavis.org/adelle-davis/
https://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+Sweet+Potato+Story.-a0584328440
Section 3
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/resistant-starch-101
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8235588/
https://www.antiagingresourcecenter.com/Reducing-Inflammation.html
https://www.drugs.com/compae/buprenorphine-vs-wellbutrin
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2015/0415/p554.html Prescription Weight Loss Pills | CONTRAVE® (naltrexone HCI/bupropion HCI)
https://www.restartmed.com/leptin-resistance-medications/
Methylation Foods for Optimal Balance – WholisticMatters
https://www.livestrong.com/article/276188-how-to-raise-leptin-levels/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-pineapple#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/278340#benefits
https://www.livestrong.com/article/259379-what-are-the-benefits-of-the-vitamins-inositol-choline/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/avocado-nutrition
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4016745/
https://bmcchem.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13065-015-0145-9
https://www.verywellfit.com/apples-nutrition-facts-calories-and-their-health-benefits-4117992
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/methionine#lifespan
https://www.livestrong.com/article/259379-what-are-the-benefits-of-the-vitamins-inositol-choline/
https://wellnessmama.com/health/oxalates/ Are Oxalates a Problem with Leafy Greens? | Wellness Mama
https://naturefresh.co.za/pcos-protocol-now-can-help/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/resistant-starch-101
Helpful Resources
Balanced Wellness Consulting Lifestyle and Nutrition Coaching https://www.balwell.com/
Recovery stories – all types of conditions https://rebuildingmyhealth.com/blog/
Karen Quiros Butterfly Effect Workshops | Happiness Course https://butterflyeffectworkshops.com/
Good intro to holistic cancer treatment https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2022.1068778/full
Make your own progesterone https://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+Sweet+Potato+Story.-a0584328440
Treatment for PCOS and prostate cancer https://naturefresh.co.za/pcos-protocol-now-can-help/
All about iodine and why we need it https://naturefresh.co.za/iodine-deficiency-not-affect-thyroid-gland/
Blood type information and health protocols https://naturefresh.co.za/?s=budwig
Adele Davies website https://www.adelledavis.org/adelle-davis/
Published October 7, 2023
About the Author
Sue Visser is the health researcher and product developer for Nature Fresh Health Products. She has developed over 45 products, beginning with her unique Calcium Complex formulation in 1997. With over 25 years of experience in complementary and especially traditional medicine, Sue shares her articles freely with doctors (SA Medical Academic) and other publications. For many years, Sue has given free presentations, radio shows, workshops and has appeared in the two TV series on local herbs (Nature’s Health – 2007 and 2009). She is the author of two books and dozens of research papers and published articles.
Sue investigates current health trends, products and modalities on a constant basis and interacts with fellow South Africans at all levels to learn more about their health issues. Artemisia annua and other anti-malarial species, especially Olea Europa/Afra have now come to the fore as treatments for Covid-19. The new Nature Fresh prototypes are having very successful results with viral infections by using herbs that treat malaria. Contact: sue@naturefresh.co.za ; info@naturefresh.co.za