Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (289 page)

Fiber from whole grains, flax seeds, and pulses, as this removes wastes from the body.

Kombucha tea, which contains many important nutrients and enzymes that can improve connective tissue and mobility and reduce pain.

AVOID

White potatoes, peppers, chiles, eggplant, tomatoes, and tobacco. These members of the nightshade family contain solanine, which can promote inflammation in some people.

Wheat, dairy foods, eggs, and chocolate, to which you may be intolerant. Problem foods are often those eaten on a daily basis, so look at your diet and see what crops up most frequently. Have a food intolerance test if you are not sure what to eliminate, www.gillianmckeith.info.

Saturated fat from meat and dairy products, which can have an inflammatory effect. Especially avoid processed meats such as ham, bacon, salami, sausages, burgers, and pepperoni, etc.

Margarines and hydrogenated fats, which cause damage in the body and block the body’s use of the anti-inflammatory essential fats (see above).

Tea, coffee, wine, and spinach, which contain oxalic acid, which can increase acidity and worsen inflammation.

Salt, sugar, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods, which can all be detrimental to health and can increase weight and inflammation.

HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Cat’s claw can reduce the pain of arthritis.

White willow, black cohosh, and meadowsweet all contain salicylic acid, which is anti-inflammatory and can reduce pain.

Burdock root, celery seed, devil’s claw, horsetail, nettle, wild yam root, comfrey root, ginger, and parsley may all be useful in the treatment of arthritis.

GLA, EPA, and DHA essential fatty acids supplements, which can all be anti-inflammatory.