Disease Proof

Adapted from Dr. Fuhrman’s book Eat to Live:

Working with patients with autoimmune diseases such as connective tissue diseases, myositis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus is very rewarding. These patients had been convinced they could never get well and are usually eternally grateful to be healthy again and not require medication.

An aggressive nutritional approach to autoimmune illnesses should always be tried first when the disease is in its infancy. Logically, the more advanced the disease is, and the more damage that has been done by the disease, the less likely the patient will respond. My experience with inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis is that some patients are more dietary-sensitive than others and that some patients have very high levels of inflammation that are difficult to curtail with natural therapy. Nevertheless, the majority benefit—and since the conventional drugs used to treat these types of illnesses are so toxic and have so many risky side effects, the dietary method should be tried first. Modern drugs often contribute to the disability and misery of patients with an autoimmune illness and increase cancer risk. Studies show that the long-term outcome is poor after twenty years of taking such medication.1 A recent study in the British Journal of Rheumatology showed the major drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis, such as azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, and methotrexate, increase ethe likelihood that the person will die of cancer.2 

Patients who use drugs that suppress the immune system forgo some protection that the immune system offers against infection and cancer. These individuals need a superior diet, even if they can’t stop all medication.

So many of the patients I see, especially the ones who have made recoveries, are angry at their former physicians who did not even suggest nutrition before starting them on medication. These individuals are usually so “sick of being sick,” they will do anything to get well. They don’t find the diet restrictive and show enthusiasm and determination to recover their health. It is terrifically exciting to see such patients make recoveries and eliminate the need for medication.

1. Scott, D., D. Symmons, B.L. Coulton, and A.J. Popert. 1987. Long-term outcome of treating rheumatoid arthritis: results after 20 years. Lancet 1 (8542): 1108-11.

2. Jones, M., D. Symoons, J. Finn, and F. Wolfe. 1996. Does exposure to immunosuppressive therapy increase the 10-year malignancy and mortality risk? B.J. Rheum. 35 (8): 738-45.

I have lupus, but thankfully the symptoms have always been quite mild - and I put this down to a fairly healthy vegetarian diet. However, when my rheumatologist recently suggested some quite toxic drugs to treat an on-going problem with my hands I picked up 'Eat to Live' and have turned to a vegan diet. In just a week, I have noticed a difference!
I do have a question, though: I really don't need to lose weight (I participate in lots of sports and eat fairly lightly) but I'm wanting to eat for optimal nutrition; that being said, I'm a little unsure about the 90% suggestion: would something like 'oats' be considered part of the not-so-good 10%? I also eat some lovely oganic oat/flax pitas... again, is something like this considered part of the 10%. I'm unsure since these types of foods make it onto the 6-week EFL menu.

I should note that the majority of my diet revolves around mostly raw salad, and in particular raw leafy greens.

Thanks, Alex

Alex-

Check out this post (http://tinyurl.com/zev8z), it should clear up the 90% rule for you.

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