Recommendations: What to Do

by Michael B. Schachter, MD, CNS, FACAM

Dietary 

Eat whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible. Shop in the outer isles of the supermarket where fruits, vegetables and whole, unprocessed foods are found.

Eat organic. Eat organic foods as much as possible.

Eat a wide variety of foods with different colors. Rotating foods helps to prevent the development of food sensitivity and encourages the use of a wide variety of foods.

Eat raw foods. Try to eat a lot of raw foods, such as salads and fruit.

Emphasize fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and high quality protein.

Drink pure, non-chlorinated and non-fluoridated water.

Consider food allergies or sensitivities when developing an individual diet. Elimination of suspected foods followed by challenge is probably the way of determining food sensitivities. However, a variety of food allergy blood tests, kinesiology, trials of metabolic or blood type diets can also be used. The most common food sensitivities in the U.S. are foods containing gluten (wheat, rye, barley, and some oats), dairy products, corn and soy.

Chew very well before swallowing. Preferably, there should be at least 30 to 50 chews until  food in the mouth has become liquid (mixed with saliva).

Nutritional supplements should be used in most cases. 

Non-Dietary

Exercise. Combine stretching, weight training and cardiovascular exercise, at least 45 minutes, four times a week. Exercise programs should be started slowly when first introduced, preferably under competent supervision.

Sunlight. Weather permitting, try to expose yourself to sunlight during the day without sunglasses and without suntan lotion for at least 15 to 30 minutes (preferably more); but don't get sunburned.

Stress Management. Use any of various techniques, such as yoga, meditation, Qi Gong, Reiki, etc. to deal with stresses of life. Do psychotherapy if necessary.

Relationships.  Improve relationships, making them fruitful and fulfilling. To improve couples relationships, see the book Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix, PhD

Work.  Balance work with recreation, exercise, and nurturing relationships.

12-20-07