Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (85 page)

Do everything possible to strengthen your immune system because a poor immune response may cause an autoimmune reaction, resulting in widespread hair loss (see page
181
).

Lie on a slant board (head down) for 15 minutes each day, although check with your doctor before trying this. You can create a slant board by using any board that will take your body size and weight and propping it up against the sofa or a chair. Make sure it is really secure. Lie down and relax. You can also massage the scalp while in this position. The inverted postures in yoga are also helpful.

Massage the scalp with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 15 drops of rosemary essential oil. This helps to improve circulation to the scalp and nutrient flow to the hair follicles.

Treat your hair gently. Try not to use chemical hair dyes, use only natural
products and a soft brush, and do not towel dry or heat dry your hair. Rinse your hair two or three times a week with a combination of sage and rosemary tea.

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that attacks the brain function, affects memory, especially short term, and alters intellectual capacity to the point that simple daily tasks become impossible. It is heartbreaking to watch the deterioration of a person with Alzheimer’s, but there are steps you can take.

CAUSES

To date, no factor has been proven to be a specific cause of Alzheimer’s disease. A combination of factors, including age, genetic inheritance, environment, diet, and general health, is likely to be responsible.

Action plan

The key is to get a good supply of nutrients to the brain cells to produce the all-important neurotransmitters.

EAT/DRINK

Whole foods with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to keep blood-sugar levels stable and the brain nourished.

Foods plentiful in antioxidants, including berries.

Foods that contain cysteine, methionine, and sulphur, which naturally help to rid the body of heavy metals. So, fish, eggs, chives, horseradish, garlic and onions, asparagus, nuts, and seeds should be on the menu.

Good fats found in salmon, herring, mackerel, flax seeds, raw shelled hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, gold of pleasure seed oil, sunflower oil.

See page
156
for more information on foods that feed the brain.

AVOID

White stuff. That means white bread, white pasta, white rice, and sugar. For brain function, you need a good supply of nutrients, especially the B vitamins, and you won’t get enough living on the white stuff.