From the book “One Cause, Many Ailments. Leaky Gut Syndrome. What It Is and How It May Be Affecting Your Health” by Dr. John O.A. Pagano
From the very beginning of his 45 years of giving readings on health, Edgar Cayce emphasized what he called the acid/alkaline balance in the daily diet. By this he meant we should eat 20% acid-forming foods to 80% alkaline-formers.
Simone Gabbay, author of the books “Nourishing theBodyTemple” and “Visionary Medicine: Real Hope for Total Healing” writes: When the body becomes acidic, enzyme systems fail, lymphatic function decreases, and energy slumps to a low. Cellular metabolism is disrupted and toxins accumulate, making us less resistant to colds, infections and chronic illness. (Gabbay 1998)
70-80% of the Daly Diet – Alkaline formers:
Water: 6-8 glasses of pure water daily
Lecithin: (granular) 1Tbsp 3/day, 5/week
Fruit: (Fresh preferred, frozen is permitted, packed in water in glass jars on occasion). Stewed fruits are highly recommended whenever possible.
Allowed: apples (cooked), apricots, most berries, cherries, dates, figs (unsulphured), grapes, grapefruit, lemons, limes, mango, nectarines, oranges, papaya, peaches, pears, pineapple, prunes (small), raisings, kiwi.
Permitted in lesser quantities are: avocado, cranberries, currants, large prunes and plums.
Note: Raw apples, bananas, and melons are permitted, provided they are eaten alone and sparingly. In cases of Candida, celiac disease, and other yeast-related problems, fruit and fruit juices are to be avoided for the time being.
Vegetables: Vegetables should be consumed more than fruits. At 2 to 3 fruits per day, 5 to 6 vegetables should be eaten. (Daily intake should be three that grow above the ground to one that grows below the ground. Fresh preferred, frozen permitted, packed in glass jars on occasion).
Allowed: asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots*, celery*, cucumbers, garlic*, lettuce* (romaine in particular), onions*, olives, parsnips, scallions, soy beans, spinach*, sprouts*, string beans, squash, sweet potatoes, watercress*. Note: Those marked with * are particularly important.
Note: Carrots and beets should be avoided in any yeast problem.
Permitted in lesser quantities are: corn (white corn preferred), dried beans, peas, lentils, rhubarb. Almonds are the only nuts that are alkaline. Eating 5 to 10 raw almonds a day is suggested. Filberts are permitted occasionally.
Juices: vegetable and fruit juice daily (freshly made preferred) is highly recommended. A juicer and blender are the most valuable kitchen appliances a person should invest in.
20-30% of the Daily Diet – Acid formers:
Grains: All grains should be natural whole grain products such as: breads, bagels, muffins, cereals with very little, if any, preservatives or artificial sweeteners. Rice (brown and/or wild preferred). No white flour products.
Meats: never to be fried. No more that 4 to 6 oz. is permitted at a serving, once a day.
Fish: (not shellfish) salt or fresh water (fresh or frozen). If canned water or oil packed is permitted. Dark fleshed, oily fish is better (most Omega-3 fatty acids), wild is best!
Fowl: chicken, turkey. Cornish hen, non-fatty wild fowl. All skinless, white meat preferred.
Lamb: non fat, well done, once or twice a week.
Dairy: Low fat/low sodium. Skim or low fat milk, cheese, buttermilk, yogurt, etc. Do not have citrus fruits or citrus juices with dairy products or cereals at the same meal. Note: in cases of eczema goat’s milk is suggested.
Unsalted butted is permitted occasionally and in very sparing amounts.
Organic or free-range eggs are permitted, 2-4 per week, but not fried.
Oils: permitted: olive oil, canola, safflower, cottonseed, soy bean, sunflower, sesame and occasionally peanut. One teaspoon of olive oil three times per day is suggested for most patients unless there is a gallbladder problem.
It is important to adhere to the 70-80% / 20-30% food selection in order to maintain a proper acid/alkaline balance. However, if this is found to be too difficult, a person should at least try to consume as many items in as large a variety as possible from the 70-80% list.
AVOID:
- Almost all saturated fats, such as: red meats (except lamb): beef, pork, veal, sweetbreads, etc., processed mats: sausage, salami, bologna, frankfurters, hamburgers;, hydrogenated products: margarine.
- The nightshades: tomatoes (and tomato sauces and products), tobacco (smoking), eggplant, peppers (all types), white potatoes, paprika. Avoid hot spices of all kinds.
- Shellfish: lobster, shrimp, clams, crabs, etc., and sauces made with shellfish.
- Junk food: soda, sweets, candy, pastries, chocolate, potato ships, French fries, etc.
- Yeast or yeast laden foods: if there is an underlying yeast infection (Candidiasis).
- Miscellaneous: All fried foods, pizza, alcohol (including beer), sugary cereals, wine or grain vinegar, pickled and smoked foods, hot spices, gravies, palm oil, mushrooms, and too many starches.
Note: In every case of psoriatic arthritis, avoid citrus fruit, strawberries and adding salt to foods. Salt in particular should be avoided at all costs. The salt (sodium) found naturally in the daily diet is quite adequate.