The PH diet offers a natural treatment for arthritis. The theory of an acidic or alkaline balance in the body was first put forward by Dr William Hay who conceived the Hay Diet. In his book A New Health Era (Ponoco Haven, 1939). He conjectured that disease is caused by too much toxic overload in the body due to the accumulation of acidic deposits in the body. These deposits come from the foods we eat.
What is the pH Diet?
This is not the same as the Food-combining diet (or the Hay Diet), for the pH diet is more about achieving an alkaline state in the body. By careful eating, the pH Diet helps the body achieve a more alkaline balance. This does not mean avoiding foods such as lemons and limes, which are acidic in their nature before consumption, but the foods, which leave an acidic residue after consumption. Incidentally, lemons and limes are actually alkaline-forming.
How to Lower Inflammation in the Joints?
In orthodox medicine, inflammation of the joints is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs such as Diclofenac and ibuprofen. However, the inflammatory response of the body can be lowered naturally by a change in diet.
Which Foods Provoke Arthritis?
Acid-forming foods provoke inflammation in the joints because the acids they produce irritates the condition. The most obvious example of this is the uric acid produced by the consumption of too much red meat and alcohol and how this can aggravate gout.
Acid-forming food and drink include:
- Red meat
- Dairy produce such as cows milk and cheese
- Alcohol, coffee and fizzy drinks such as cola
- Too much chocolate
- Burned, barbecued, roasted and fried food, particularly those cooked in hot and burned fat
- Highly-processed food and junk food
Food and Drink that will Alleviate the Symptoms of Arthritis
Alkaline-forming food will gradually lower the inflammatory response of the body by leaving an alkaline residue in the body after being metabolised. These include:
- Mineral water, green tea and soya smoothies
- Most fruit and vegetables. Raw is more alkaline than cooked.
- Herbs and spices
- Soya produce
- Raw oils, such as flaxseed
- Almonds
- Wheat alternatives such as spelt and buckwheat
Which Acid-forming Foods are Healthy?
Notice that the pH diet entails cutting out most acid-forming food, not all, for the body cannot function properly on an entirely alkaline diet. Cutting out unhealthy acid-forming food and replacing them with a healthier substitute is a wise move and will not irritate the joints as much as the unhealthy option. Introduce slowly and monitor the body’s response if the condition is chronic. Healthy acid-forming foods include:
- Nuts (not roasted) and seeds
- Oats
- Chicken, turkey and fish
- Eggs
- Pulses and lentils
- Wheat-free bread and cereals
- Wild rice
How the pH Diet Combats Arthritis
Some foods produce acids after being metabolised by the body. Other foods will produce alkaline. A more alkaline diet will help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis. Of course, it is always wise to consult the GP before embarking upon any diet, and also to ensure there is not some other reason behind the symptoms.
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