Below are protocols, or plans of treatment, for many of the common diseases, disorders and health conditions that we face today. Using these protocols, the vast majority of patients have improved their health, whether suffering from allergies, eczema, irritable bowel syndrome, or far more serious conditions. Once again, taking care of your gastrointestinal health is key to your overall health—whether your battle is with heart disease, cancer, diabetes or any of the other myriad conditions detailed in this chapter.

Patients who have followed these healing protocols have dramatically improved their absorption and assimilation of foods and nutrients. They improved their elimination of toxins, clarity of mind, vitality and immune function. In short, they have dramatically improved their overall health.

Many patients have been able to overcome long-standing symptoms and remain free of disease by following these healing protocols. They have been able to reduce or discontinue medications (in consultation with their physician).

Under each disease description are specific instructions and practical techniques to help resolve the condition and alleviate the symptoms that are associated with it. All protocols refer to the foods and supplements mentioned throughout Patient Heal Thyself.

As part of each protocol, you will find recommendations in these categories:

• Diet: Which foods will promote optimal health and initiate your body’s healing response.

• Therapeutic Foods: These are specific foods that should be consumed as often as possible and can positively contribute to the health of the immune system and digestive tract.

• Supplements: The health supplements I recommend should help to alleviate symptoms and improve your overall health, as well as address specific health issues.

The focus of this book is to help you to enjoy super health and even regain your health if you have lost it, and I believe that the health of the gastrointestinal tract and immune system, both interlinked themselves, are fundamental to your overall well-being. If you follow these protocols diligently, you should see improvement in the first month of the program—perhaps even in the first few hours; your body is a wonderfully sensitive machine and it will respond to beneficial changes in your dietary and lifestyle habits almost immediately. What’s more, you might experience many other benefits. You will have more energy, attain and maintain proper weight for your body type, experience increased lean muscle mass and improved skin tone. Your memory and ability to concentrate will improve. However, if you are suffering from a severe illness, you may not notice any significant improvement for as long as 90 days. If after that period you see little or no results and you can honestly say that you followed the program diligently, this program may not be right for you. I would advise that you seek help elsewhere.

LIFESTYLE THERAPIES

Throughout this chapter, I explain therapeutic foods you can eat to improve your health. I will also list supplements you can take to supercharge your body’s healing response. However, changing your lifestyle is an important part of an optimal health program. Following are some lifestyle therapies that I recommend. Where a therapy requires obtaining a product of some kind, you will find sources for the product in Appendix C.

Squatting for elimination: Squatting aligns the colon properly for elimination and empties the colon more completely. Using an elimination bench to raise the legs during elimination can help to fully detoxify the colon. This is essential for those suffering from digestive problems including IBS, constipation and hemorrhoids.

Exercise: As well as toning and strengthening muscles, exercising encourages peristalsis, the wavelike expanding and contracting of the digestive system that eliminates waste. Exercise also enhances the health of the lymphatic system, which is important for proper detoxification and immune system function. If your condition allows it, I recommend taking some form of moderate daily exercise (something as simple as walking can be very healthy). In fact, for some conditions, as with weight problems, exercise has been shown to markedly synergize the benefits of your nutritional supplements.

Avoiding hormonal contraceptives (females): Evidence shows that hormonal contraceptives, whether taken orally, implanted or administered by injection, can lead to imbalanced intestinal flora and contribute to yeast overgrowth (candidiasis), as well as increase the risk for developing ulcerative colitis, breast and liver cancer.

Sunlight: Spend approximately 20 minutes each day in the sun. Most of the vitamin D you obtain comes from sunlight. Many people with chronic diseases including digestive disorders have less than optimal levels of vitamin D. Getting proper levels of vitamin D is crucial for proper calcium absorption and utilization.

Breathing properly: Performing 5 to 15 minutes of deep breathing exercises can be very beneficial. Inhale through your nose for three to seven seconds and exhale quickly through your mouth. Deep breathing can enhance oxygen utilization and improve the functioning of the immune system.

Sauna/steam detoxification: Spend at least 20 to 30 minutes daily in a sauna or steam bath, especially during periods of detoxification. Use adequate hydration and mineral replenishment (e.g., Springs of Life and/or Perfect Food mixed in purified water). Be sure to use low-heat saunas (temperatures ranging from 120 to 140 degrees F.). Raising the temperature of your body helps it to detoxify and expel foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses, as well as heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals.

Detoxification baths: Take baths with essential oils, clays, and other healing compounds. Doing so aids the body’s ability to detoxify harmful chemicals. To make a clay bath, fill the tub with hot water (as hot as you can tolerate) and add one-half to one cup of powdered clay (available in the cosmetic section of most health food stores). Stay in the bath for 5 to 30 minutes. These baths may cause a temporary feeling of weakness and other detoxification symptoms, so you may have to stay in the bath for short periods of time at first. After the bath, consume 16 ounces of structured water, vegetable juice, or water mixed with one to two tablespoons of Perfect Food.

Skin brushing: Skin brushing removes dead skin, improves circulation, and aids in the detoxification of harmful chemicals.

Sleep: Getting enough sleep is essential, especially if you have a digestive disorder. Nighttime is when the body detoxifies and regenerates. When you sleep matters as much as how much sleep you get. Try to get at least one to three hours of sleep before midnight. Groundbreaking research on health and regeneration has shown that sleep before midnight is up to four times more beneficial than sleep after midnight. It is important to note that in Biblical times and throughout ancient history people would rise and retire with the rising and setting of the sun. I believe this to be the healthiest way for us to function today, resulting in improved digestion, immune system health and mood. It is my experience that the amount and quality of your sleep, as well as the times you retire and rise, are as important to your health as diet, supplements, and exercise.

Chewing properly: Chew each bite of food 30 to 50 times to ensure proper digestion and absorption. Eating slowly and chewing properly greatly decreases indigestion.

Eating smaller meals: Eat small meals instead of overstuffing yourself. Many foods recommended in this program greatly enhance metabolism. When large portions are consumed, however, metabolism slows down, digestion is stressed, and feelings of weakness and lethargy ensue.

Avoiding ice-cold foods and beverages: Ice-cold foods and beverages may shock the digestive tract and shut down digestive function. The body must work very hard to raise the temperature of the food or beverage to body temperature. People in eastern cultures never consume ice cold foods because they “weaken digestive fire.” Even foods from the refrigerator can be left at room temperature for ten minutes or so to help dispel the cold. Our ancestors rarely consumed cold food due in part to the fact that refrigeration has only existed for the past hundred years or so.

A-Z GUIDE TO THE CONDITIONS

ACNE…see Skin Health
ADDICTION…see Mental Disorders
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE…see Brain Health
AGORAPHOBIA…see Mental Disorders
ANGINA…see Cardiovascular Health
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS…see Joint Disorders
ANXIETY…see Mental Disorders
ASTHMA…see Upper Respiratory Health
ATHEROSCLEROSIS/ARTERIOSCLEROSIS…see Cardiovascular Health
ATOPIC DERMATITIS (ECZEMA)…see Skin Health
ATTENTION DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER…see Children’s Health
AUTISM…see Children’s Health 

BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERTROPHY…see Male Health
BLOOD PRESSURE (ELEVATED)…see Cardiovascular Health
BURSITIS…see Inflammatory Conditions
 

CELIAC DISEASE…see Chronic Digestive Disease

CHOLESTEROL (ELEVATED)… see Cardiovascular Health
CHRONIC CONSTIPATION…see Functional Bowel Disorders
CHRONIC DIARRHEA…see Functional Bowel Disorders
COLD AND FLU see Viral Diease

CROHN’S DISEASE…see Chronic Digestive Disease

DEMENTIA…see Brain Health
DEPRESSION…see Mental Disorders
DERMATITIS…see Skin Health
DIABETES, TYPE I…see Autoimmune Disease
DIABETES, TYPE II…see Blood Sugar Imbalances
DIVERTICULITIS…see Chronic Digestive Disease
DYSPEPSIA…see Functional Bowel Disorders
 

ECZEMA…see Skin Health
ENDOMETRIOSIS…see Female Health
EPSTEIN BARR VIRUS…see Viral Diseases
ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION…see Male Health

FIBROCYSTIC BREAST DISEASE…see Female Health
FLU…see Cold and Flu, see also Viral Diseases
 

GOUT…see Joint Disorders
GRAVE’S DISEASE…see Autoimmune Disease
 

HEAVY METAL POISONING…see Detoxification

HEPATITIS…see Viral Diseases
HERPES…see Viral Diseases
HYPOGLYCEMIA…see Blood Sugar Imbalances

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME …see Functional Bowel Disorders
 

LACTOSE INTOLERANCE…see Functional Bowel Disorders
LEAKY GUT SYNDROME…see Functional Bowel Disorders
LOW BACK PAIN…see Inflammatory Conditions
LUPUS…see Autoimmune Disease

MEMORY LOSS…see Brain Health
MENOPAUSE…see Female Health
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS…see Autoimmune Disease
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS…see Autoimmune Disease

OSTEOARTHRITIS…see Joint Disorders
OSTEOPOROSIS…see Female Health
OVARIAN CYSTS…see Female Health 

PARKINSON’S DISEASE…see Brain Health
PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS…see Children’s Health
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION…see Mental Disorders
PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME…see Female Health
PROSTATITIS…see Male Health
PSORIASIS…see Skin Health

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS…see Joint Disorders and Autoimmune Disease

SCHIZOPHRENIA…see Mental Disorders
SCLERODERMA…see Autoimmune Disease

SEASONAL ALLERGIES…see Upper Respiratory Health
SHINGLES…see Viral Diseases
SINUSITIS…see Upper Respiratory Health
SPORTS INJURIES…see Inflammatory Conditions

SYNDROME X…see Blood Sugar Imbalances

TRIGLYCERIDES (ELEVATED)…see Cardiovascular Health

ULCERATIVE COLITIS…see Chronic Digestive Disease
ULCERS…see Chronic Digestive Disease

UTERINE FIBROIDS…see Female Health
VAGINITIS…see Female Health
VIOLENT, IMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR…see Mental Disorders