It seems that everyone in Western civilisation has some kind of intolerance or allergy or is suffering from some kind of seemingly incurable ailment such as acne, eczema, constant fatigue or digestive trouble these days. So what is it? Have we all just turned into a society of hypochondriacs or is there seriously something going wrong here? According to Professor Jane Plant, author of a range of bestselling books that address the link between diet and common health problems, the cure to the majority of ailments, both everyday and serious can lie at the bottom of a good meal consisting of the right foods. Her new book co-written with dietician Gill Tidey, Jane Plant addresses the link between the typical modern day diet and numerous common ailments and illnesses. Read on to discover if your bad skin/bloated stomach/tiredness and any other medical problem could be cured, for good by simply changing the way you eat.
Read some of the delicious recipes from Eating For Better Health here
Anxiety and depression
Both anxiety and depression have been linked with problems with the brain's neurotransmitters and while conventional treatment through prescribed medication and therapy can help treat both conditions, for many it can takes years of trying different drugs and treatment combinations until a positive outcome is found. Jane, a sufferer of both anxiety and depression has found that eating foods high in tryptophan, the precursor of serotonin including meat (turkey is particularly good), soya protein, (tofu), barley, sweet potatoes and nuts (especially cashew nuts) can all help boost serotonin and thus help ward off feelings of depression. You should also avoid diet drinks, foods high in saturated fats such as crisps and fried food, refined foods, limit alcohol and caffeine eat plenty of unrefined carbohydrates which increase serotonin production in the brain and try having some porridge with soya milk before bed to promote feelings of calm and help with insomnia.
Supplements recommended
Kelp tables which help brain function and relieve feelings of nervousness
Brewer's yeast to ensure adequate levels of vitamin B
Omega 3, 6 and 9
Ginkgo biloba
St John's Wort
Skin problems
More and more men and women are suffering from acne and eczema and, while many topical and internal treatments can help, the results are often short-lived or can have some unpleasant and harmful side effects. Skin reactions are often the result of internal problems and are nearly always linked to the digestive system. Jane recommends avoiding dairy produce and meat, especially cheap minced beef commonly found in burgers. You should also avoid refined carbohydrates and too many eggs. Instead, stick to a high fibre diet, foods rich in zinc such as soya beans, whole grains, sunflower and pumpkin seeds as well as drink lots of water and fresh fruit juices.
Supplements recommended
Brewer's yeast which contains B vitamins and zinc both of which are needed for healthy skin
Kelp which contains minerals needed for skin healing
Foods high in vitamin C and E
Essential fatty acids including primrose and fish oils
Chamomile tea which can help reduce inflammation
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalopathy is associated with extreme physical and mental tiredness which seriously interferes with a person's daily life and has lasted for more than six months. Symptoms can include memory loss, confusion, difficulty concentrating, sleeplessness and/or flu-like symptoms. Treatments can vary from person to person with many sufferers persuaded to adapt and cope with the illness leading to months or even years of being undiagnosed. Blood tests should be carried out in order to gain the correct supplements but Jane also recommends eating a high alkaline diet to help neutralise the lactic acid that can be produced in large quantities with CFS sufferers. Foods containing tartaric acid should be avoided, these include anything with baker's yeast. It is also available as a food additive in baking powder, grape and lime flavoured beverages and poultry. Plus, it can also be found in grape and grape products such as wine. Jane recommends giving up foods containing antibiotic residues such as dairy produce and industrially produced meat.
Supplements recommended
Ultra pure cod liver oil
B-complex vitamin (including B12)
Magnesium gluconate is blood tests show a deficiency in magnesium
Digestive problems - constipation, haemorrhoids and varicose veins
All of the above problems are associated with the large intestine and are characterised by a difficulty in passing stools. Many people suffer from constipation from time to time generally caused by a lack of fibre and fluids. Piles are associated with constipation and the treatment usually consists of laxatives which can cause some serious side effects and lead to a dependency on them. Jane recommends following her Plant Programme which incorporates a healthy, balanced diet free of processed foods, The Plant Programme also cuts out foods such as dairy and the meat of factory-reared livestock and other foods high in saturated fat, hormones and growth factors. Jane believes that giving up cheese alone will immediately relieve constipation. Sufferers should also stick to using natural laxatives such as beans, figs, dried apricots, pears, prunes and linseed.
Allergies and intolerances
An allergy is a response by the body's immune system to a substance that is not normally harmful. In the case of food intolerances many people have flatulence or other unpleasant reactions to something they eat. This can be due to the lack of the enzyme needed to digest the food. Many foods contain preservatives, emulsifiers, colorants or other additives which may be the source of the allergy rather than the food itself. Over 170 foods have been identified as causing allergic reactions with many suffered affected by the ‘big eight'; dairy products, eggs, soya, wheat, peanuts, shellfish, fruit and tree nuts. Processed and refined foods can cause reactions due to the food colouring contained within them. Many people who have followed Jane's Plant Programme have noted that their symptoms have disappeared after following the regime.
Read some of the delicious recipes from Eating For Better Health here
Eating For Better Health, £7.49, amazon.co.uk
Don't miss...
Read about the new and improved Atkins diet
Banish all of your body woes with our fitness videos
