“If you’re concerned about your health—if you have any sensitivities or conditions, if you’ve struggled with illness, or if you’re just concerned about prevention—then it’s critical to avoid as many triggers and instigators as possible, and this includes certain foods and ingredients. Your body needs every possible level of support so it can heal and then maintain optimal health.

By now, we’ve all heard of preservatives and artificial flavors—we know to avoid those, for very good reason. There are other problematic ingredients, though, which you should know to avoid. These ingredients can feed existing viral, bacterial, and fungal conditions, which can lead to inflammation—and can also wreak havoc with your digestive system, weaken and confuse your immune system, strain your glands and organs, hinder cells anywhere in your body, disrupt or destroy your brain’s neurons and neurotransmitters, make you anxious and/or depressed, set you up for strokes or heart attacks, and more. Health professionals are unlikely to warn you about most of these foods and additives, because it’s not common knowledge that they can substantially worsen already-existing illnesses, nor that they can trigger new health conditions. You deserve to have full knowledge of what you consume, and what effects it all has on your body.

Corn

Corn used to be one of the fundamental sources of nourishment on earth. Unfortunately, the technology of genetically modified organisms (GMO) has destroyed it as a viable food. Corn products and byproducts create substantial inflammation. It’s a food that can feed viruses, bacteria, mold, and fungus. Even if you see corn advertised as being non-GMO, the chances are high that it can still trigger any kind of health condition—and that it may still be GMO.

Try to avoid all corn and all products that have corn as an ingredient. These include foods such as corn chips, taco shells, popcorn, corn cereal, and anything that clearly incorporates corn syrup or corn oil. They also include less obvious products, such as soda, gum, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), toothpaste, gluten-free foods that use corn in place of wheat, and herbal tinctures that employ alcohol as a preservative. (It’s most likely corn grain alcohol. Buy the alcohol free versions of tinctures instead.) Try to read ingredient labels carefully and do the best you can. Staying away from corn products and byproducts can be a lot of work. For a treat in the summertime, it’s okay to enjoy a fresh, organic corn on the cob. For the sake of your health, it’s worth the effort of cutting out corn the rest of the time.

Soy

Soy has suffered a similar GMO fate as corn. Soy used to be a healthy food. However, you can now assume that any soy product you encounter could have some GMO contamination or contain added MSG. Be cautious when eating soybeans, edamame, miso, soymilk, soy nuts, soy sauce, textured vegetable protein (TVP), soy protein powder, artificial meat products made from soy, and much more. Try to stay away from soy the best you can. If you really enjoy soy and feel deprived without it, stick to the safest options: plain, organic tofu or tempeh, or the highest-quality nama shoyu.

Canola Oil

Canola oil is mostly GMO at this point in time. And regardless, canola oil creates a great deal of inflammation. It’s especially damaging to your digestive system, potentially scarring the linings of both your small and large intestines, and is a major cause of irritable bowel syndrome. Canola oil can feed viruses, bacteria, fungus, and mold. Beyond that, canola oil has an effect similar to battery acid on the inside of your arteries, creating significant vascular damage.

Canola oil is used in many restaurants and in thousands of products, often as a low-cost alternative to olive oil. Even reputable health food chains and restaurants use canola oil to keep prices down, sometimes advertising canola as a health food. Unfortunately, if canola oil is even a tiny part of an otherwise perfectly healthy dish of organic and all-natural ingredients, you should probably avoid that dish because of how destructive canola oil is. If you’re dealing with a mystery illness or a health condition, try to avoid canola oil at all costs.

Processed Beet Sugar

So far, GMO beets are mostly reserved for making processed beet sugar. You should therefore avoid products that contain processed beet sugar, which feeds cancers, viruses, and bacteria. This is different from grating fresh, organic beets over your salad, or juicing fresh beets. If you stick to organic, most whole beets that you buy in the produce section at your local natural market or at the farmers’ market are safe to consume.

Eggs

Humans have eaten eggs for thousands of years. They were once an amazing survival food for us to eat in areas of the planet where there were no other food options at certain times of year. That changed with the turn of the 20th century, though—when the autoimmune, viral, bacterial, and cancer epidemics began.

The average person eats over 350 eggs a year. That includes whole eggs and also all the foods with hidden egg ingredients. If you’re struggling with any illness, such as Lyme disease, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines, or fibromyalgia, avoiding eggs can give your body the support it needs to get better. The biggest issue with eggs is that they’re a prime food for cancer and other cysts, fibroids, tumors, and nodules. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), breast cancer, or other cysts and tumors should avoid eggs altogether. Also, if you’re trying to prevent cancer, fight an existing cancer, or avoid a cancer relapse, steer clear.

Removing eggs from your diet completely will give you a powerful fighting chance to reverse disease and heal. Eggs also cause inflammation and allergies; feed viruses, bacteria, yeast, mold, Candida and other fungus; and trigger edema in the lymphatic system. People who are diagnosed with Candida or mycotoxins are often told that eggs are a good, safe protein that will starve the Candida and mycotoxins. Nothing could be further from the truth. I know how popular eggs are. There’s a growing trend that promotes them as a major health food. Plus they’re delicious and fun to eat. If eggs were good for us in the current day and age, though, I’d be promoting them as such.

Dairy

Milk, cheese, butter, cream, yogurt, and other such products contain a substantial amount of fat, which is a strain for your digestive system—and especially your liver—to process. Dairy contains lactose, and the combination of fat and sugar has negative effects on health, especially if you’re diabetic. Further, dairy fat in your bloodstream helps to breed viruses and bacteria. Dairy is also mucus producing, and a major cause of inflammation and allergies. Those are the issues that have always held true for dairy, even when it’s organic and free-range. And now, conventional, mainstream practice has made a problematic food into a toxic one by creating farm industry pressure to give hormones, antibiotics, GMO corn and soy, and gluten to cows, goats, and sheep. If you want a smooth healing process, it’s best not to eat dairy at all.

Pork

Avoid all forms of pork, including ham, bacon, processed pork products, lard, and so on. It’s difficult to heal any chronic illness while consuming any kind of pig product, due to these foods’ high fat content.

Farmed Fish

Farmed fish are often raised in small, enclosed spaces. This breeds algae, parasites, and other diseases—so the breeders often give the fish antibiotics and treat the water with toxic chemicals. This makes consuming farmed fish risky. The safest fish you can eat are wild ones, such as salmon, halibut, and haddock. No matter what type you select, beware of mercury— especially with larger fish such as swordfish and tuna.

Gluten

Gluten is a protein found in many grains. The forms of gluten to which people are especially sensitive are in wheat, barley, rye, and spelt (a type of wheat). (When it comes to oats, be aware that growing and processing sometimes cross-contaminates them with grains that contain gluten. Oats can be a very good food for people who are less sensitive, though. Look for those that are labeled gluten-free.) Grains that contain gluten also contain multiple allergens and proteins that can trigger any condition. They create disruption and inflammation, especially in your intestinal tract and bowels. They also confuse your immune system—which is your primary defense against disease— and often trigger celiac disease, Crohn’s, and colitis. Eating these grains makes it very difficult for your body to heal. If you’d like to recover from your illness as quickly as possible, minimize grains of any kind.

MSG

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a food additive that’s used in tens of thousands of products and restaurant dishes. MSG is a salt that occurs naturally in glutamic acid (a non-essential amino acid). But there’s nothing natural about the extreme damage it can do to you. MSG typically builds up in your brain, going deep into your brain tissue. It can then cause inflammation and swelling, kill thousands of your brain cells, disrupt electrical impulses, weaken neurotransmitters, burn out neurons, make you feel confused and anxious, and even lead to micro-strokes. It also weakens and injures your central nervous system. MSG is especially harmful if you have an illness that involves your brain or central nervous system. However, there are no circumstances under which it’s good for you. As a result, this is an additive you should always avoid. Because MSG is included in countless products, it’s essential to read food labels carefully. It’s also important to know what to look for. MSG is often “hidden” on labels because of its deservedly bad reputation. The following terms usually mean that MSG is an ingredient: glutamate, hydrolyzed, autolyzed, protease, carrageenan, maltodextrin, sodium caseinate, balsamic vinegar, barley malt, malt extract, yeast extract, brewer’s yeast, corn starch, wheat starch, modified food starch, gelatin, textured protein, whey protein, soy protein, soy sauce, broth, bouillon, stock, and seasoning.

Natural Flavors

Any ingredient with a name like natural flavoring is hidden MSG. Natural cherry flavor, natural orange flavor, natural lemon flavor, natural fruit flavor…they’re not just fruit extracts, and they’re not your friends. The same goes for smoke flavor, turkey flavor, beef flavor, natural peppermint flavor, natural maple flavor, natural chocolate flavor, Medical natural vanilla flavor, and all their “natural” and “flavor”-ful cousins. (Although pure vanilla extract is safe to use.) Each type of natural flavor potentially contains multiple biohazards and chemical compounds. Natural flavoring has slipped under the radar and been allowed into thousands of health food store products that are advertised as good, safe, and healthy for you and your children. Moms, take heed. Natural flavors are one of the newest and stealthiest now-you-see-it-now-you-don’t tricks for hiding MSG. Take care reading labels so you and your family can avoid this hidden ingredient.

Artificial Flavors

Artificial flavors can represent any of thousands of chemicals that were birthed in a lab. Don’t take risks by consuming them. As much as possible, the best you can, stay away from chemical additives.

Artificial Sweeteners

Most artificial sweeteners act as neurotoxins because they contain aspartame. This can disrupt your neurons and your central nervous system. Long-term, artificial sweeteners can cause neurological breakdowns and strokes in your brain. If you crave sweets, eat as much fruit as you like. Fruit fights disease and has powerful healing properties.

Citric Acid

Compared to the other additives in this chapter, citric acid isn’t so bad. That said, it’s very irritating to the linings of the stomach and the intestinal tract, so it can create a lot of inflammation and discomfort if you’re sensitive to it. Citric acid (the additive) is not the same thing as naturally occurring acid in citrus. Try not to confuse the two. Citrus itself is a healing food. The isolated ingredient citric acid, however, is often corn derived. Especially if you’re experiencing any kind of stomach pain, keep an eye out for citric acid on ingredient labels and consider skipping foods that include it.”

Excerpt from Medical Medium: Secrets Behind Chronic and Mystery Illness and How to Finally Heal. For more information on foods to avoid and other troublemakers for your health, plus the healing foods to focus on, check out Medical Medium Liver Rescue: Answers to Eczema, Psoriasis, Diabetes, Strep, Acne, Gout, Bloating, Gallstones, Adrenal Stress, Fatigue, Fatty Liver, Weight Issues, SIBO & Autoimmune Disease.

Original blog post can be found here: https://www.medicalmedium.com/blog/foods-to-avoid-for-healing-chronic-illness

In the medical world, shingles seems like an open-and-shut case. You’ve got a patient with the textbook rash, nerve pain on the side or back, and that’s all, folks. The truth is that the shingles virus is responsible for millions of people’s mystery symptoms, from rashes that confound dermatologists to neurological symptoms like twitching, tingling, burning, spasms, chronic migraines, headaches, and much more. Varieties of shingles are responsible for Bell’s palsy, frozen shoulder, diabetic nerve pain, colitis, vaginal burning, burning in other areas, TMJ, Lyme disease, sciatic pain, and even misdiagnosed MS.

What doctors don’t yet know is that there isn’t merely one type of shingles virus, but over 30 varieties. This matters because different types of shingles cause different symptoms. It also matters because medical communities don’t even recognize the majority of shingles cases as being the result of a virus. For example, any of the more aggressive varieties of shingles can cause Lyme disease symptoms yet doctors currently believe Lyme disease is caused by bacteria. (For more on Lyme disease, see Medical Medium: Secrets Behind Chronic and Mystery Illness and How to Finally Heal.)

To understand how shingles works in the body, the different types of shingles viruses, and how to heal, check out the chapter on this virus also in Medical Medium.

Certain foods can greatly aid the body in healing from shingles varieties with and without rashes. They can help by, variously, attacking the different strains of the virus, supporting the body in recovery from neurotoxin flare-ups, boosting the immune system, healing nerves and stimulating nerve growth, soothing inflamed skin, and detoxifying the body. Below you will find 12 of the foods that help heal shingles. Include them daily or as often as possible. 

Celery juice’s subgroup of sodium that I call “sodium cluster salts” inhibit the growth of shingles (and other pathogens). The sodium cluster salts also attach themselves to the viral neurotoxins that are responsible for so many neurological health issuesand carry them out of the body safely so that nerves are less exposed to shingles damaging neurotoxins. The unique form of vitamin C in celery juice fuels the immune system so it can seek out and destroy shingles. These are just a few of the ways celery juice helps. For more on it’s incredible healing properties check out Medical Medium Celery Juice: The Most Powerful Medicine of Our Time Healing Millions Worldwide.

Wild blueberries help restore the central nervous system and flush shingles neurotoxins out of the liver. They also help remove toxic heavy metals from the brain and liver, which shingles virus feeds on and then produces neurotoxins which cause many symptoms and conditions. Wild blueberries are a critical part of the Medical Medium Heavy Metal Detox. Wild blueberries smaller than their larger, cultivated cousins and can be found in the freezer section of many grocery stores.

Papaya’s amino acids and enzymes combined create undiscovered subcompound phytochemicals that repel viruses. Its vitamin C content is an antiviral secret weapon and also helps cleanse and rebuild the liver where the shingles virus camps out. Papayas also restore the central nervous system from viral neurotoxin damage, which is critical for shingles-caused symptoms or conditions. Look for the Mexican and Central American papaya variety known as Maradol. These medium-to-large papayas are preferable to Hawaiian varieties, which have suffered GMO contamination.

Apples starve out viruses from the intestinal tract and liver. As the pectin from an apple moves through your gut, it collects and rids your body of viruses and other microbes such as bacteria, yeast, and mold. Choose red-skinned apples for the most nutrients. 

Pears revitalize and feed the liver while cleansing and purging the organ of shingles virus waste matter. Pears restore linings in the gut that have become damaged from the shingles virus. The shingles virus feeds off of milk, cheese, butter, and eggs and then excretes toxic waste that breaks down the intestinal linings over time. 

Artichokes help cleanse the liver of neurotoxins and dermatoxins produced by viruses such as the shingles virus. The edible portion of artichoke leaves (technically, bracts) contains alkaloid compounds that send messages to specific parts of your immune system to guard you from invaders such as shingles.

Bananas are a powerful antiviral food with incredible anti-inflammatory properties due to their ability to lower viral load. They provide amino acids and the right kind of potassium to rebuild neurotransmitters after they’ve been burnt out by shingles’ neurotoxins. Bananas are a secret weapon in reversing colitis, which is caused by the shingles virus–a truth still unknown to medical research and science. 

Sweet potato helps cleanse and detox the liver of shingles virus toxic byproduct that builds up over the years and makes the liver stagnant and sluggish. They also help to feed the nerves, which are greatly affected by the shingles virus because shingles virus neurotoxins are highly inflammatory to nerves. 

Spinach creates an alkaline environment in the body and provides highly absorbable micronutrients to the nervous system, which is critical because EBV targets the nervous system when it gets to stage four (read all about the stages of EBV in Thyroid Healing). Spinach binds onto and removes the jelly-like EBV waste matter in the liver that can contribute to mystery weight gain, mystery heart flutters and more. Spinach is best eaten raw to receive its benefits.

Asparagus has phytochemicals in the skin and tips of its spears that push back shingles and help stop it from reproducing. Asparagus is also an incredible alkalizer, meaning it helps anyone who has become acidic with a load of troublemakers like shingles and its byproducts return to a healthy state. Asparagus has blood-, lymph-, and liver-purifying properties that make it an ideal food for helping to detoxify viral byproduct sludge.

Lettuces (varieties that are leafy and deep green or red) are antiviral. They help cleanse shingles from the liver and lymphatic system and are alkalizing to the body. Lettuces such as romaine contain sedative compounds that relax the nerves and calm the body, which is helpful for anyone with a viral symptom or condition that inflames the nerves. 

Green beans contain anti-inflammatory chlorophyll-based compounds that are beneficial for any symptom or condition caused by shingles. 

For more information on shingles and how you can heal, check out Medical Medium: Secrets Behind Chronic and Mystery Illness and How to Finally Heal.

Original post can be found here: https://www.medicalmedium.com/blog/12-foods-that-help-heal-shingles-virus