Does keto always work? Keto is a tool – a solution to a problem. But, what problem are you trying to solve? Let us say you want to use keto for weight loss.
There are various things that can cause someone to be overweight, including:
What kind of foods does our immune system require to be healthy and strong? There is no avoiding the fact that most of these foods are of animal origin: meat, animal fat, organ meats, fish, eggs and high-fat dairy (particularly fermented). These foods will provide protein, fats and fat-soluble vitamins; so necessary for your immune system to be healthy.49 Vegetables combine with all of these foods very well and will provide some extra nutrients and cleansing substances.
When we have a cold, we need to focus on hot soups and stews, made with homemade meat stock, fatty meats and well-cooked vegetables. Homemade sour cream, butter and ghee should be on the menu every day (unless dairy is not tolerated). Organ meats are very important to eat regularly, liver in particular. Liver is a powerhouse of nutrition; it provides all the nutrients necessary to have a strong and robust immune system. Other organ meats (kidney, heart, tongue, tripe, glands and brain) will provide their own mix of essential nutrients, such as large amounts of cholesterol.
Cholesterol is one of the most vital molecules necessary for our immune system! Animal experiments and human studies have demonstrated that immune cells rely on cholesterol in fighting infections and repairing themselves after the fight.50 On top of that, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol directly binds and inactivates dangerous bacterial toxins, preventing them from doing any damage in the body. One of the most lethal toxins is produced by a widely spread bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, which is the cause of MRSA, a common hospital infection. This toxin can literally dissolve red blood cells. However, it does not work in the presence of LDL cholesterol.50 People who fall prey to this toxin have low blood cholesterol. Considering that today almost all adult patients (and even some children) in our hospitals are prescribed statins to reduce their blood cholesterol, it is no wonder that MRSA has become such a problem as a hospital infection. In order to deal with it effectively we need to take steps to increase the cholesterol level in our hospital patients, and feeding them organ meats, animal fat and eggs with bacon daily will be a great help for their immune systems. It has been recorded that people with high levels of cholesterol are protected from infections: they are four times less likely to contract AIDS, they rarely get common colds, and they recover from infections more quickly than people with ‘normal’ or low blood cholesterol.51 On the other side of the spectrum, people with low blood cholesterol are prone to various infections, suffer from them longer and are more likely to die from an infection.52 A diet rich in cholesterol has been demonstrated to improve these people’s ability to recover from infections. So, any person suffering from an acute or chronic infection needs to eat high-cholesterol foods to recover. Cod liver oil, rich in cholesterol, has long been prized as a remedy for the immune system. Those familiar with old medical literature will tell you that, until the discovery of antibiotics, a common cure for tuberculosis was a daily mixture of raw egg yolks and fresh cream, very high in cholesterol.53
Fermented foods are a great help for our immune system.54 They provide active probiotic microbes and pre-digested, easy-to-absorb nutrients. Homemade yogurt, kefir, sour cream, cottage cheese and whey are soothing and healing for the digestive system and for the immune system, located in its walls.
Herbs and spices are good for immunity. Curcuma, ginger, garlic, onion, cloves, cumin, caraway, dill, coriander (cilantro) and other herbs and spices in small amounts should be a regular part of our diet. When we don’t have an infection, freshly pressed vegetable and fruit juices can also help to keep our immune system and the rest of the body healthy. But it is not a good idea to have them during an active infection!
There are foods, which alter the immune, balance in the body and make us vulnerable to viruses; they can activate our resident viruses (such as herpes family or papilloma) and they will make it easier for viruses from the outside to come in. These foods are chocolate, fruit and nuts.55 Many raw vegetables can do that as well, if eaten in excess. When we have a cold or another active infection, we need to avoid these foods. Vegetables need to be cooked in meat stock as a soup or stew, or roasted with a large amount of animal fat. Cooked vegetables have a different effect on the body; they are easier to digest and are more nourishing than raw vegetables. When you have an infection, eat your cooked vegetables hot, not cold, as part of soup, stew or a meal with fatty meat.
People who decide to avoid all animal foods are called vegans. A vegan regimen is not a diet; it is a form of fasting. Fasting is a powerful cleansing procedure, which can be beneficial for a body with a large toxic burden. But we cannot fast forever! Any fast has to be fairly short. When the body finished cleansing it will require feeding, and that is when animal foods must be introduced. Vegetarians who keep themselves healthy eat plenty of eggs and dairy products (animal foods, which sustain them) and, at least occasionally, they eat meat and fish. Misguided veganism has become an important cause of mental and physical illness in the Western world.56 In all the vegans, I have seen in my clinic, the immune system is in a state of collapse; it is unable to mount a response to the environment. Vegans often say that they never have colds. In reality they get all the viruses that we all get, but their immune system is in no fit state to respond to them, so there is no fever, coughing, sneezing or any other symptoms of a common cold. Please read more on this subject in my book Vegetarianism Explained. Making an Informed Decision.
Some nutritional supplements can be helpful for the immune system. Good quality cod liver oil is one of the traditional, time-proven remedies. It provides cholesterol and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D and K2 if the oil is fermented). Taking it on a regular basis is known to prevent common colds and other infections. An amino acid L-lysine can be very helpful when our resident viruses activate (for example, a herpes virus causing a cold sore). Taking a supplement of L-lysine for a few days right at the beginning of a cold sore developing can arrest the infection. An adult should take 3–6 grams per day; a child can take from 500 mg to 3 grams. Mushroom supplements, such as cordyceps, reishi, coriolus, maitake, shiitake and others have been demonstrated to boost our immunity and assist it in the fight against cancer and chronic infections.57 Raw bee pollen, dried green juices, colostrum, some herbs, natural vitamin C with zinc and many other natural substances have been shown to be beneficial for our immune system. Apart from L-lysine, most of these supplements need to be taken on a long-term basis, so it is a good idea to consult a health practitioner to get quality supplements.
This Post is from Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride’s book, page 60. Gut and Physiology Syndrome: Natural Treatment for Allergies, Autoimmune Illness, Arthritis, Gut Problems, Fatigue, Hormonal Problems, Neurological Disease and More Paperback – Nov. 3 2020 by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride M.D.
Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride graduated with Honours as a Medical Doctor in 1984 from Bashkir Medical University in Russia. In the following years she gained a Postgraduate MMedSci Degree in Neurology.
After practising for five years as a Neurologist and three years as a Neurosurgeon she started a family and moved to the UK. Fairly shortly after that her son was diagnosed autistic, which prompted an intensive study into causes and treatments of autism. It was during this time that Dr Campbell-McBride developed her theories on the relationship between neurological disorders and nutrition, and completed a second Postgraduate Degree in Human Nutrition at Sheffield University, UK. She practiced in the UK as a nutritionist and not as a medical doctor.
Dr Campbell-McBride used to run the Cambridge Nutrition Clinic. Having trained thousands of Certified GAPS Practitioners around the world, Dr Natasha has closed her clinic in order to focus on writing and teaching. As a nutritionist she has specialised in using nutritional approach as a treatment, and has become recognised as one of the world’s leading experts in treating children and adults with learning disabilities and other mental disorders, as well as children and adults with digestive and immune disorders.
Disclaimer: The content of this email or Post is not intended for the treatment or prevention of disease, nor as a substitute for medical treatment, nor as an alternative to medical advice. Use of recommendations is at the choice and risk of the reader.
There are various ways to keep up-to-date on my Posts.
My focus is to maximize my physical performance and mental clarity and most importantly overall health with a wholesome diet and exercise.
I will bring you compelling articles on Ketogenic and GAPS diets, the Super Slow High-Intensity Exercise Program and supplements.
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We will hear from Dr. Raymond Francis and Sam Tonkin For Mail online.
Raymond Francis, D.Sc., M.Sc., RNC has been called a “brilliant advanced thinker” and has been cited as “one of the few scientists who has achieved a breakthrough understanding of health and disease.”
Raymond is an internationally recognized leader in the field of optimal-health maintenance and a pioneer in transforming our failed disease-care system to a true health-care system. He is a chemist by training, a graduate of M.I.T., a bestselling author, and a world-class speaker.
He has written five breakthrough books, the international bestseller Never Be Sick Again, Never Be Fat Again, Never Fear Cancer Again, Never Feel Old Again, and The Great American Health Hoax.
Toxins and Lack of Nutrients Cause Weight Gain – Raymond Francis
We all have different heredity and constitution. If your predecessors were Vikings or Eskimos, then chances are that you will generally need to eat lots of fish, meat and fat. But if your predecessors came from a Mediterranean culture or some tropical area of the world, then you will probably need more carbohydrates in your diet. As a result, anyone of the popular diets suits some people and does not suit others.
Also, throughout our lives our bodies go through cycles of building itself up and cleansing itself. For building itself your body needs very different nutrients from those it uses for cleansing itself (animal foods are generally building, while plant foods are generally cleansing).
We all have an autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for your heart beating, for your digestive system feeding you, etc. The autonomic nervous system is made out of two branches: a sympathetic nervous system and a parasympathetic nervous system. These two systems generally work in opposition to each other providing a very complex balance in every function of the body.
Depending on an infinite number of factors (daily cycle of activity and sleep, season, weather, stress, infection, feeding / cleansing, your occupation at the time, etc.) you will shift from being ‘sympathetic dominant’ to ‘parasympathetic dominant’.
These two branches of our nervous system require very different sets of nutrients to be fed: one likes meat and fat, while the other needs more plant foods. Only your body knows what proportions of protein/fat/carbohydrate it needs at any given moment of your life.
How do we feed ourselves properly? The answer is: get back in touch with your body’s inner intelligence.
Mother Nature gave us senses of SMELL, TASTE, DESIRE for a particular food and a sense of SATISFACTION after eating it. So, when your body needs a particular mix of nutrients, it will give you a desire for a particular food, which contains just that right mix; this particular food will smell divine to you and taste wonderful, and you will feel satisfied after eating it.
So, the only way for us to serve our bodies properly with the right food is to be in touch with our senses!
The DESIRE for a particular food is the main way your body tells you what it needs at any particular moment nutritionally. So, when you get hungry, stop and think: ” What is the most appealing food for me right now?” The answer will come immediately, and just the thought of that particular food will fill your mouth with saliva. Desire is your inner body intelligence talking to you, letting you know what it needs to keep you healthy, energetic and happy. If you listen to your desire every time you eat, you will be able to digest that food well and it will do you only good, because you have eaten it at the right time, just when your body asked for it.
TROUBLE is that in our modern commercial world people’s desires for food has been manipulated through the use of addictive and taste-altering chemicals in processed foods. Listening to your desire only applies to natural foods – foods that Mother Nature has designed. Stop eating processed foods and your normal sense of desire for food will return.
The sense of SMELL gives your body a lot of information about the food: is it safe to eat, has it been contaminated by chemicals or microbes, is it fresh, and most importantly, is it appropriate for your bodily needs at the moment? So, before putting anything into your mouth smell it: if it is the right food for you at the moment, it will smell very appealing. If it is not the right food, it will smell repulsive. Respect your sense of smell and listen to it.
TROUBLE is, that many people in our modern world have a damaged sense of smell due to use of manmade chemicals, such as laundry detergents, domestic cleaning chemicals, so called air fresheners and perfumes block the limited number of smell olfactory receptors in your nose. Once the receptors are blocked by a chemical, any new molecules of that chemical coming in have nothing to attach to, so you cannot smell it anymore.
To restore your sense of smell, remove all smelly/perfumed chemicals from your environment. In a few weeks time your olfactory receptors will clean themselves up and your sense of smell will return.
The sense of TASTE is one of the channels of communication between your body’s inner intelligence and your conscious mind. This the way your body tells you it needs a particular mix of nutrients, by giving you great pleasure from consuming them in the form of food.
The TROUBLE is that many people have an altered or dulled sense of taste due to regular consumption of processed foods. Many processed foods contain taste-altering chemicals, which are deliberately added to the ‘food’. These chemicals are not only toxic, but can alter your perception of taste for a long time, so it is essential to stop consuming processed foods in order to restore your normal sense of taste.
Working with a holistic dentist is very important, as many dental materials in the mouth can make it toxic and alter your sense of taste.
The sense of SATISFACTION after eating. If you have eaten a meal appropriate for your body’s nutritional needs at the time, you will feel fully satisfied.
It is important not to overeat, so you don’t feel ‘stuffed’. However, if you listen to your sense of pleasure from food, then you will not overeat because you would stop eating as soon as the food stops being pleasurable.
Cravings for sweet foods are common due to unstable blood sugar level. It takes time to normalize blood sugar and the most effective way to deal with it is to increase your fat consumption, particularly animal fats. So, consume plenty of animal fats with your meals.
The GAPS Diet is not set in stone; you have to adapt it for your unique body, for its unique daily needs. The GAPS diet gives you the list of foods to work with. When you eat these different foods and in what proportions is up to you. Listen to your body’s needs, communicated to you through the senses of desire, smell, taste and satisfaction. Your body will let you know what proportions of protein, fat and carbohydrate to have at every meal.
Use your senses of smell, taste, desire for food and satisfaction from eating it to guide you in your decisions: when to eat, what foods to eat and in what combinations. And remember: you are unique, so what suits your neighbour may not suite you at all.
For more information on GAPS please refer to her book
Gut and Psychology Syndrome: Natural Treatment for Autism, Dyspraxia, A.D.D., Dyslexia, A.D.H.D., Depression, Schizophrenia, 2nd Edition Paperback – Nov 15 2010
Disclaimer: The content of this email or Post is not intended for the treatment or prevention of disease, nor as a substitute for medical treatment, nor as an alternative to medical advice. Use of recommendations is at the choice and risk of the reader.
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Dr. Natasha McBride: GAPS was created by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, MD, MMedSci (neurology), MMedSci (human nutrition) in 2004 after working with hundreds of children and adults with neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Disclaimer: The content of this email or Post is not intended for the treatment or prevention of disease, nor as a substitute for medical treatment, nor as an alternative to medical advice. Use of recommendations is at the choice and risk of the reader.
There are various ways to keep up-to-date on my Posts.
My focus is to maximize my physical performance and mental clarity and most importantly overall health with a wholesome diet and exercise.
I will bring you compelling articles on Ketogenic and GAPS diets, the Super Slow High-Intensity Exercise Program and supplements.
I invite you to follow my Blog https://2healthyhabits.wordpress.com/Please click the Follow button. Hint: You may have to click the Accept and Close button before the follow button is available. Please Click Like when a Post interests you.
What is the relationship between your microbiome (friendly gut bacteria) and your immune system?
Seventy per cent of your immune system is this microbiome, your gut bacteria. You have trillions and trillions of microbes living in and around your body that are a constantly exchanging with you.