Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (339 page)

Salty foods. Salt increases blood pressure, depletes the adrenal glands, and causes emotional instability. Use a salt substitute that has potassium rather than sodium.

Fatty foods. Avoid the consumption of foods rich in saturated fats, such as animal foods, dairy products, fried foods, and common junk food. Margarine and other processed vegetable oils are high in trans-fatty acids, which can hinder the body’s assimilation of health-boosting essential fatty acids.

Cow’s milk and other dairy products may stress the body because they contain substances such as the protein casein, which are difficult and unsuitable for humans to digest and can also trigger allergic responses.

Too much red meat can overwork the kidneys and liver, deplete calcium, and stagnate digestion. This can lead to kidney stones and liver disease and colon and bowel disorders. High-protein red meat also elevates brain levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, both of which are associated with higher levels of anxiety and stress.

Refined, white processed bread, flour, and rice, which stress the body because they are low in nutrients and high in empty calories. In order to digest refined foods your body has to use its own vitamins and minerals, thereby depleting its stores.

Spicy foods. Spices contain volatile oils that are capable of physically irritating the lining of the stomach.

HERBS

The herbs astragalus and Siberian ginseng should be taken together to help the adrenal glands to adapt and cope better. Note: If you have high blood pressure, do not use extracts of panax (Chinese) or American ginseng. Siberian ginseng increases the tone and function of the adrenal glands, helping to balance the hormonal excretions. Ginseng has been shown in studies to protect against the effects of physical and mental stress. Astragalus helps the body to cope with stress.

Licorice root is most beneficial for correcting low cortisol output. The adrenal glands get a chance to rest and recover.

Avena sateeva from oats can help bring about a sense of calm.

Rhodiola is an adaptogenic herb that increases the body’s natural resistance to stressors. It increases beta-endorphins in the bloodstream, thus inhibiting stress-induced hormonal changes.

Evening primrose. When stressed, the body saps up huge quantities of vitamins, in particular pantothenic acid, vitamin B
₅
, and vitamins E and C. Your body also finds it difficult even to absorb the nutrients that you so desperately need. Evening primrose supports the adrenals by aiding in the assimilation of these vitamins, particularly pantothenic acid.