The Number 1 cause of disability in many countries is arthritis. This prevalent disease is literally all around us. It is estimated in the U.S alone, as much as 50 million Americans are afflicted with arthritis. That is more than the entire population of Spain.
9 Ways The Budwig Diet Alleviates Arthritis
1) Omega 3 Foods
Foods with high levels of omega 3 lower inflammation. And inflammation is an arthritis sufferer’s arch enemy. Arthritis and especially rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune-mediated inflammatory disease that causes an individual’s immune system to attack their own joint tissues. The staple of the Budwig Food Choices – the Budwig Mix of flaxseed oil and quark (cottage cheese) – provides incredible amounts of omega 3. Also, the Budwig protocol encourages the consumption of foods rich in omega 3 such as chia seeds and walnuts.
2) Antioxidant and Fiber-Rich Foods
Antioxidants are potent fighters that help to neutralize the unstable molecules that damage our cells. They are crucial not only for their anti-inflammatory effect but also in maintaining healthy joints. The Budwig approach includes plenty of high antioxidant foods, such as fruit, steamed vegetables, and green smoothies. These foods are also high fiber foods. Scientists have discovered that a high-fiber diet not only helps promote happy gut bacteria but is also linked to reduced inflammation and pain. The Budwig food choices favors legumes/beans and nuts and seeds.
3) Sulfur-Rich Foods
Sulfur is found naturally in every cell of the human body, and it has a particular affinity for our joints. Research shows that sulfur can help reduce arthritic pain. Many ask why kefir or yogurt cannot be used instead of the quark or cottage cheese with the flaxseed oil in the Budwig Mix. The main reason is that kefir and yogurt do not contain enough of the sulfuretted protein that quark and cottage cheese do to produce the health benefits. In addition to the Budwig Mix, at our clinic, we often recommend MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) supplementation. Sulfur food sources include onions, garlic, asparagus, and cabbage.
4) Gut Health
Some 70% of your immune system is in your stomach, so restoring gut health is essential. Over 2,000 years ago the man dubbed “the father of modern medicine”, Hippocrates, suggested that all disease begins in the gut. Harmful bacteria, food intolerances, antibiotics and fungus overgrowth such as Candida can all lead to what is knows as ‘leaky gut syndrome’; which according to Dr. Robynne Chutkan, assistant professor of medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center, “is likely to emerge as one of the most significant medical concepts of our time.”
Symptoms of leaky gut syndrome may include chronic diarrhea, constipation, gas or bloating, weak immune system, regular headaches, brain fog, memory loss, excessive fatigue, skin problems such as eczema, Arthritis or joint pain, depression, and anxiety.
Identifying any deficiencies of the small and large intestine as well as specific food intolerances via a Vega test and GSR scan is the first step taken in the Wellness Programs at the Budwig Clinic. Following the Budwig protocol as well as the personalized remedies recommended contributes to healing the digestive system.
5) Avoid Inflammatory Foods
The Budwig protocol completely removes foods that cause inflammation such as refined sugars, syrups, and artificial sweeteners. Stevia, fruit juices, and raw honey are favored. Refined oils (canola, corn, cottonseed, soybean, vegetable, etc.,) are replaced with only cold pressed oils. For at least 30 days or more if needed, all gluten (flour and wheat products especially), as well as nightshade vegetables, such as tomatoes, eggplant, and potatoes, should be avoided.
6) Natural Therapies
Combining natural therapies with the proper foods adds a dynamic element to your health plan. Treat yourself to massages, herbal treatments, acupuncture, and chiropractic adjustments. The body’s proper energy flow can be disrupted if a muscle is pressing on a nerve or if a disk is out of place.
7) Exercise
It may be somewhat painful to do exercises. However, if a person becomes inactive, in the long run, they will suffer from more pain and disability. Walking is a safe, low impact exercise, that can easily be adjusted to the desired level of difficulty by varying pace and terrain. The best part is, it costs nothing! Try and have a nice brisk 20 or 30 minute walk every day. To help combat stiffness in the joints stretches, aquatic exercises, bicycling and swimming are all encouraged.
8) Natural Remedies
Natural supplements and essential oils are helpful additions to a healthy diet, especially where they target specific deficiencies. Proteolytic enzymes aid digestion and reduce inflammation. Ginger and Curcumin, when taken correctly, have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Frankincense oil massaged over the painful areas is a potent natural pain reliever.
To find out more about how the Budwig protocol can help you not only alleviate arthritis but overcome some other 50 common ailments, please download our Free Budwig Guide and subscribe to our Bi-Monthly Newsletter.
9) Drink Distilled Water
Dr. Paul Bragg says…“The greatest damage done by inorganic minerals (hard)—plus waxy cholesterol and salt—is to the small arteries and other blood vessels of the brain (75% water). Hardening of the arteries and calcification of blood vessels starts on the day you start taking inorganic chemicals (and minerals from tap water) into our bodies.” “When distilled water enters the body, it leaves no residue of any kind. It is free of salts and sodium. It is the most perfect water for the healthy functioning of the kidneys (83% water). It is the perfect liquid for the blood (83% water), the ideal liquid for the efficient functioning of the lungs (86% water), stomach, liver (85% water) and other vital organs. Why? Because it is free of all inorganic minerals. It is so pure that all liquid drug prescriptions are formulated with distilled water. Dr. Paul Bragg, N.D. Ph.T., from his book: “The Shocking Truth About Water”
Dr. James Balch says: “There is only one water, and that is clean, steam distilled water. No other substance on our planet does so much to keep us healthy and get us well as water does.” Dietary Wellness; 1993 Dr. James Balch, M.D.
Dr. Paul Conn says…“When one drinks impure, dirty water, the body acts as a filter, trapping a percentage of the solids suspended in the water. A filter eventually becomes clogged and useless – fit only to be thrown away. The human body might well face the same fate. But the basic point – that only distilled water avoids mineral buildups in the body – is an inarguable one. The deposits, which build up in a teakettle from repeated use, are traces of minerals left behind as the water evaporates. Distilled water leaves no such traces – in a teakettle or in the human body. It is true that in most hospitals distilled water is used for newborn infants; distilled water is prescribed for heart patients in many cardiac wards. And it is true that kidney stones and other mineral-like buildups in the body are much more common in the areas where the drinking water has high levels in inorganic minerals – and distilled water has none of those at all. It is without doubt the best water available to man- and the only truly pure water available in our waste-laden society.” —Dr. Paul Conn, from “Not A Drop To Drink”
Jack Bell, American Medical Association, says…“Many years ago, when I was doing research on distilled water, I discovered that contrary to all the stories out there, distilled water does not take a single thing out of the body that the body needs. It never takes anything out of a cell. Everything that is cellularly locked remains within the body, but it is the greatest tool in the world for cleaning out the bloodstream, which is the only function water really has…to wash out, cleanse and purify the bloodstream. Remember that the bloodstream is primarily an organ of transport. People think of it as a liquid rather than an organ, but it is an organ. It transports nutrients, oxygen and red blood cells throughout the body and carries away waste products and carbon dioxide.”
Distilled Water is magnetically attracted to all waste, debris, and inorganic substances inside you, which are then ejected. This is the ONLY type of water which will 100% perform this act, because it is the only water which is 100% free of garbage. Most people think spring water is awesome because it has “minerals” in it, but they generally never know that those are ALL inorganic minerals. Spring water, river water, lake water, well water, artesian water and so on, have been sitting in and flowing over rocks and sand and have picked up these dead minerals. These inorganic minerals will give you arthritis, cataracts, heart disease and so on, basically slowly turn you into stone over the years. You ONLY want organic minerals which come from live food. The inorganic calcium in spring water will get stuck in between your bones and give you arthritis, whereas the organic calcium in a live orange will REPAIR a spot in your bones. A human is ONLY made of and can ONLY use organic minerals. There is zero position and/or zero use for inorganic minerals in humans.
Dear Lore, thank you for sharing this experience with our readers. Nature has many solutions for our health and it is always encouraging to hear how others have used the resources in nature to help their bodies heal.