Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, said, “Let your food be your medicine and let your medicine be your food.” It is amazing how far we have drifted from this sound advice. I remember in the mid-1980s reading the Sunday Seattle Times and noticing one of those “Ask the Doctor”–type columns. The doctor was asked, “Does cabbage offer any benefit in the treatment of peptic ulcers?” The doctor’s answer was an emphatic no, and he went on to say that in his opinion the promotion of folklore is quackery. His response is a typical knee-jerk reaction based on “opinion” rather than the facts.
First of all, as mentioned earlier, fresh cabbage juice has been well documented in the medical literature as having remarkable success in treating peptic ulcers. Dr. Garnett Cheney at Stanford University’s School of Medicine and other researchers in the 1940s and 1950s performed several studies on fresh cabbage juice.1 The results of these studies demonstrated that fresh cabbage juice is extremely effective in the treatment of peptic ulcers. In fact, the majority of patients experienced complete healing of their ulcers in as little as 7 days. Cabbage juice works by increasing the amount of protective substances that line the intestine. A breakdown in the integrity of this lining is what causes most ulcers. So cabbage juice is able to address the underlying cause of most ulcers.
Another part of the doctor’s response that I took exception to was his recommendation of an acid-blocking drug instead. These drugs are divided into two general groups. One group is the older histamine-receptor antagonist drugs like Zantac, Tagamet, and Pepcid AC. The other is the newer and more potent group of drugs called proton-pump inhibitors, including Nexium, Prilosec, Protonix, Prevacid, and Aciphex.
These drugs don’t produce a true cure, but they do tend to suppress symptoms. In short, when people start taking these drugs, they tend to become dependent on them. These drugs interfere with the body’s natural digestive processes to produce significant disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract, among other more long-term side effects, such as increased risk for osteoporosis, heart arrhythmias, intestinal infections, bacterial pneumonia, and multiple nutrient deficiencies. Most seriously, these drugs may increase the development of various gastrointestinal cancers. Because the body uses gastric acid to release many food nutrients, people taking these acid-blocking drugs run the risk of multiple nutrient deficiencies. In particular, critical nutrients like vitamin B12, magnesium, and iron are generally low in patients when they routinely take acid-blocking drugs.2
I recommend a naturopathic approach that eliminates all of these side effects. The first step in treatment is to identify and then eliminate or reduce all factors that can contribute to the development of peptic ulcers: food allergy, cigarette smoking, stress, and drugs such as aspirin and other nonsteroidal analgesics. Once the causative factors have been identified then controlled or eliminated, the focus is directed at healing the ulcers and promoting tissue resistance. This can be accomplished not only by drinking cabbage juice but also by eating a diet high in fiber and low in allergenic foods, avoiding those factors known to promote ulcer formation (such as smoking, alcohol, coffee, and aspirin), and incorporating an effective stress-reduction plan. A naturopath may also utilize a special licorice extract known as DGL (short for deglycyrrhizinated licorice), which promotes the healing of ulcers instead of blocking an important biological process. Like cabbage, DGL works by reestablishing a healthy intestinal lining.
Many foods and juices do indeed appear to have therapeutic effects, as noted throughout this book. But even though specific juices have been shown to benefit certain health conditions, juices in general should not be viewed as drugs. Instead of looking for a specific juice to cure a specific health condition, we should focus on adopting a diet and a lifestyle that will address the contributing factors of these diseases. You should juice a wide assortment of fruits and vegetables rather than rely on any one juice to remedy a specific medical complaint. This ensures that a broader range of beneficial substances is being delivered to the body.
For an example of how fresh juices can be of benefit in a serious health condition, let’s look at their use in arthritis. Many fresh juices contain anti-inflammatory compounds such as enzymes and flavonoids. People suffering with arthritis may get some relief from drinking fresh, raw juices containing these compounds, but if they ignore other important dietary aspects, they will probably not experience long-term results. Ultimately, juicing must be part of a comprehensive and holistic health program if long-term results are desired.
Diet has been strongly implicated in many forms of arthritis for several years, with regard to both cause and cure. Various practitioners have recommended all sorts of specific diets for arthritis, especially the most severe form, rheumatoid arthritis. For example, abstaining from allergenic foods has been shown to offer significant benefit to some individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Fasting or following a diet designed to eliminate food allergy followed by systematically reintroducing foods is often an effective method of isolating offending foods. Virtually any food can result in an aggravation of rheumatoid arthritis, but the most common offending foods are wheat, corn, milk and other dairy products, beef, and nightshade-family foods (tomato, potato, eggplants, peppers, and tobacco).3
A long-term study highlights the effectiveness of juicing (as part of a healthful diet and lifestyle) in the relief of rheumatoid arthritis. In the 13-month study, conducted in Norway at the Oslo Rheumatism Hospital, two groups of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis were compared to determine the effect of diet on their condition. One group (the treatment group) followed a therapeutic diet, and the others (the control group) were allowed to eat as they wished.4
The treatment group began the therapeutic diet by fasting for 7 to 10 days and then began following a special diet. Dietary intake during the fast consisted of herbal teas, garlic, vegetable broth, decoction of potatoes and parsley, and the juices of carrots, beets, and celery. No fruit juices were allowed.
After the fast, the patients reintroduced a “new” food item every second day. If they noticed an increase in pain, stiffness, or joint swelling within 2 to 48 hours, this item was omitted from the diet for at least 7 days before being reintroduced a second time. If the food caused worsening of symptoms after the second time, it was omitted permanently from the diet.
The study indicated that short-term fasting followed by a vegetarian diet led to a “substantial reduction in disease activity” in many patients. The results implied a therapeutic benefit beyond elimination of food allergies alone. The authors suggested that the additional improvements were due to changes in dietary fatty acids.
Fatty acids are important mediators of inflammation. Manipulation of dietary fat intake can significantly increase or decrease inflammation, depending on the type of fat or oil being manipulated. Arachidonic acid, a fatty acid derived almost entirely from animal sources (such as meat and dairy products), contributes greatly to the inflammatory process through its conversion to inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes. The benefit of a vegetarian diet to those suffering inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and asthma presumably results from the decrease in the availability of arachidonic acid for conversion to inflammatory compounds.5
Rheumatoid arthritis is a prime example of a very complex “multifactorial” disease. While fresh pineapple juice may be effective in the treatment of some people with rheumatoid arthritis—if we simply use foods or juices for their “druglike” effects—we may not be addressing many of the underlying causes of the disease. Instead of looking for a specific juice to cure a specific health condition, we should focus on adopting a diet and a lifestyle that will address the contributing factors of these diseases.
Supplementing your juices with fresh herbs and spices can provide additional health benefits. For example, as noted in chapter 6, garlic has many health-promoting properties—including antibiotic, immune-enhancing, anticancer, cholesterol-lowering, blood-pressure-reducing, and detoxification-enhancement activities.6 Fresh garlic is much more potent than cooked, dried, or prepared garlic and can be easily included in fresh juices.
Another popular addition to juice is fresh ginger. This is a great idea if a little zest is desired or if an individual is suffering from intestinal spasms, arthritis, or motion sickness. Although most scientific studies have used powdered ginger, fresh ginger at an equivalent dosage is believed to yield even better results because it contains active enzymes. Most studies utilized 1 g powdered ginger. This would be equivalent to approximately 10 g or ⅓ ounce fresh ginger. Fresh ginger is available at most grocery stores.
One of the most powerful spices to add healing effects to fresh juice is turmeric. Although most scientific studies have used curcumin (the yellow pigment of turmeric), juicing fresh turmeric may have some advantages. Normally curcumin is poorly absorbed because it is poorly soluble in water.7 It is possible that curcumin may be better absorbed in fresh turmeric juice. Newer forms of curcumin are now on the marketplace that have solved the problem of poor absorption. Based on detailed absorption studies, the best available form currently is Theracurmin.8
The additions of ginger, turmeric, and garlic are great examples of supplementing your juice with a medicinal herb or spice. Other examples include parsley, peppermint, capsicum (red pepper), onions, and dandelion greens or root.
The following recommendations are for nutritional support only. Again, juices should not be viewed as drug substitutes or proper medical treatment. Nonetheless, these recommendations may prove beneficial in many instances. For a more complete discussion of the natural approach to common health conditions, consult The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, which I coauthored with Dr. Joseph Pizzorno. For more information, go to my website, DoctorMurray.com.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Zinc supplementation can be very effective in the treatment of acne. Use a highly absorbable form such as zinc picolinate or citrate at a dosage of 30–45 mg per day for best results.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: In the treatment of nutrition-related anemias, it is critical to also supplement with the corresponding nutrient to address the deficiency. For example, supplementing with iron is the treatment for anemia owing to iron deficiency, and vitamin B12 is used in treating anemia owing to vitamin B12 deficiency. Calf liver is often recommended for anemia as it is rich not only in iron but also in all B vitamins. Some people may respond only to a type of iron known as heme-iron found in calf liver as well as fish and meat.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Try coenzyme Q10 (200 mg a day), a vitamin-like compound that has been shown to be quite useful in heart problems. Coenzyme Q10 acts like a spark plug in all cells of the body and is critically involved in energy and metabolism. Coenzyme Q10 levels are often low in patients with heart problems. Magnesium supplementation is also very much indicated in most cases of angina. Take magnesium citrate or another highly absorbable form at a dosage of 150 to 250 mg three times daily.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Regular exercise is the best prescription for relieving stress and anxiety. Also, regular deep breathing exercises are often helpful. Simply avoiding caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and food allergens, along with boosting B vitamins, calcium, and magnesium, can go a long way in relieving anxiety. Cutting out caffeine alone often results in complete elimination of symptoms. Supplementation with PharmaGABA—the natural form of the important brain chemical GABA or gamma-aminobutyric acid—can also be quite effective. Take 200 mg up to six times daily.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Reduce stress on joints by achieving ideal body weight. Try eliminating nightshade-family vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, tobacco), as these foods can often aggravate arthritis. For osteoarthritis, the most common form, glucosamine sulfate has been shown to be very effective at a dosage of 1,500 mg per day.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Food allergies often play a major role, especially in childhood asthma. The most common allergens are wheat, corn, milk and dairy products, citrus, and eggs. A vegetarian diet has been shown to be extremely effective in severe cases. For additional support, try natural products that contain N-acetylcysteine and ivy extract like Lung, Bronchial, and Sinus Health from Natural Factors.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Reducing premature death from heart disease and strokes involves reducing—and ideally—eliminating the following major risk factors: smoking, elevated blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes, physical inactivity, and obesity. There are many natural products that are important considerations in improving heart health. Chief among them is the use of a high-quality fish oil product. Take enough fish oil to provide 1,000 mg each day of EPA+DHA—the key omega-3 fatty acids.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Avoid refined carbohydrates and drink at least 48 ounces of liquids a day. The herb uva ursi has been effectively used to treat urinary tract infections.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Apply an Australian tea tree oil ointment topically to inflamed areas.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: For additional support, try natural products that contain N-acetylcysteine and ivy extract like Lung, Bronchial, and Sinus Health from Natural Factors.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Take vitamin C (1 to 3 g per day in incremental dosages) along with grape seed extract (100 to 300 mg per day).
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Allergies to milk and wheat often trigger ulcers and should be avoided. DGL (deglycerrhizinate) can help sooth recurrent inflammations.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Vitamin B6 has been shown to alleviate symptoms. Take 25 to 50 mg three times daily.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: High doses of vitamin C (1 to 3 g daily in divided dosages) and other antioxidants like selenium can prevent further damage in individuals with existing cataracts. Lutein, at a dosage of 15 to 30 mg daily, can also help.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Rest and drink plenty of liquids. The herb echinacea is often used to bolster the immune system during the height of infection. Also, 250–500 mg vitamin C every 2 hours and the use of zinc-containing lozenges can reduce the severity of symptoms and the duration of the cold.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Bulk-forming laxatives like powdered psyllium seed husks, guar, and oat bran may be quite helpful. Increase consumption of whole foods like whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Cow’s milk consumption was determined to be the cause of constipation in roughly two-thirds of children with constipation according to studies published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. Presumably, the same significance holds true for adults as well.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: These are serious disorders. Consult The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine as there is much that can be done from a natural perspective.
Shot of bitter melon juice
Jerusalem artichoke juice in vegetable-based juices
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: The key recommendation for type 2 diabetes is to achieve ideal body weight; being overweight leads to diabetes. Use the supplement PGX (see chapter 10) and follow a low-GL diet. Consult The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine for further information.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: If diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or is quite profuse, consult a physician. To help solidify stools, pectin-rich fruits and vegetables like pears, apples, grapefruit, carrots, potatoes, and beets may offer some benefit. Also, fresh blueberries have a long historical use in diarrhea.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Avoid common food allergens such as wheat, corn, milk and dairy products, citrus, and eggs. In extreme cases, a vegetarian diet can be effective.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Constipation is a contributing factor in many. Iodine, vitamin E, and eliminating caffeine have all been shown to be helpful.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: For prevention and treatment of gallstones, increase intake of vegetables, fruits, and dietary fiber, especially the gel-forming or mucilaginous fibers (flaxseed, oat bran, guar gum, pectin, etc.); reduce consumption of saturated fats, cholesterol, sugar, and animal proteins; avoid all fried foods; and drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of water each day to maintain the proper water content of the bile.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Taking a high-quality fish oil product can help. Take enough fish oil to provide 1,000 to 3,000 mg each day of EPA+DHA—the key omega-3 fatty acids.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Gout is easily controlled by diet. Eliminate alcohol and foods high in purines (organ meats, meats, shellfish), reduce fat and refined sugar intake, and increase the consumption of water and liquids to include four to six 8-ounce glasses of water and two 8-ounce glasses of fresh juice a day.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Food allergies often play a major role. The most common allergens are wheat, corn, milk and dairy products, citrus, and eggs. Low magnesium levels are common in headache sufferers. Take a highly absorbable form of magnesium, like magnesium citrate, at a dosage of 150 to 250 mg two to three times daily.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Silymarin, a compound from the herb milk thistle, has been shown to be extremely effective. Take 240 to 360 mg per day. For more recommendations, see The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine.
Beet juice
Celery juice
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Eliminate alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco use. Boost potassium levels and lower dietary sodium by avoiding prepared foods and table salt and using potassium chloride salt substitutes such as AlsoSalt, NoSalt, and Nu-Salt instead.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Dilute fruit juices with a 1:1 water ratio. Eat frequent, smaller meals, and take the supplement PGX (see chapter 10) with every meal.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Eat frequent, smaller meals in a relaxed atmosphere. Chew your food thoroughly. Digestive enzyme preparations can be very helpful.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Eliminate caffeine and alcohol, which disrupt normal sleep processes, and increase exercise. If additional support is needed, try melatonin (3 mg), 5-hydroxytryptophan (50 mg), and L-theanine (100 mg).
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Eliminate food allergens, increase fiber content by supplementing the diet with a gel-forming fiber like psyllium or oat bran. Try enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules for additional support.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: For prevention of kidney stones, increase fluid consumption to dilute urine concentration. A person with a history of kidney stones should consume enough fluids to produce a daily urinary volume of at least 2,000 ml (roughly 2 quarts). Additional amounts of vitamin B6 (100 mg) and magnesium (300 mg magnesium citrate) will also help prevent recurrences.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Lutein supplementation (15 to 30 mg daily) is strongly recommended owing to the serious nature of the condition. Consult The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine for additional information.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Herbal support is often helpful, especially for hot flashes. Formulas containing black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) are usually the most effective.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Low iron stores are a frequent cause of excessive menstrual blood flow. A simple blood test, serum ferritin, can determine iron stores. Low thyroid function can also be a contributing factor. Your doctor can order these tests.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Restrict intake of animal fats, with the exception of fish oils (take 1,000 to 3,000 mg EPA+DHA daily), and take 1 tablespoon flaxseed oil daily.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Frequent small meals are typically handled better during pregnancy. The liver is working hard dealing with the hormonal stress of pregnancy. Vitamin B6, 25 mg three times daily, has been shown to reduce nausea.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Cut down on refined sugars, soft drinks, and protein to decrease calcium excretion. Physical fitness is the major determinant of bone density, so stay active. The best bone-building supplement program is Healthy Bones Plus from Natural Factors. See HealthyBonesPlus.com for more information.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Practice proper dental hygiene (regular brushing, flossing, and cleaning). Eliminate refined sugars, especially sticky candies and chocolates.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Pumpkin seeds provide zinc and essential fatty acids that support prostate function, while the extract of saw palmetto berries (Serenoa repens) has been shown to reduce at a dose of 320 mg once or twice daily.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Restrict intake of animal products, except fish. Higher dosages of fish oils (3,000 mg EPA+DHA daily) have been shown to be effective. Many psoriasis patients also do well on a gluten-free diet.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Reduce or eliminate causative factors such as stress, smoking, and ulcer-causing drugs like aspirin and corticosteroids. Allergies to milk can be a triggering factor. Use DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice), available at health food stores.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: A high-fiber diet is critical in the treatment and prevention of varicose veins (and hemorrhoids) by preventing straining. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and grains promotes peristalsis—the rhythmic contractions that propel food through the gastrointestinal tract during bowel movements. Many fiber components attract water and form a gelatinous mass that keeps the feces soft, bulky, and easy to pass. Also, avoid standing in one place for prolonged periods of time, wear support hose, and get regular exercise. These measures all reduce blood pooling in varicose veins and improve symptoms such as heavy legs or pain.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Reduce sodium intake. Read food labels carefully and keep sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg daily.