The main cause for joint pains is faulty food habits. We forget this and go for the taste of the food rather than its nutrient content.
Acidity, Uric acid, Purine – all these cause pain in the joints. These chemicals are produced by the cooked, fried and boiled food we eat. Hence Persons afflicted with Arthritis, should switch over to un – cooked natural food, atleast once a day. The alkaline content of natural foods neutralizes the acid accumulation in the joints. Therefore Natural food acts as good as the medicine, in controlling joint pains. If the patient follows the nature – cure methods for a month to 3 months, complete cure of Arthritis and Rheumatism is possible.
Diet regimen:-
In naturopathy therapy, the levels of five elements – Wind, Sky, Fire Water and earth – are either enhanced and reduced to strike a balance so that the diseases can be cured. Cooked food does not provide these energies, completely. But just by adding 10% to 50% un – cooked raw food, there could be a positive improvement in the condition of the patient. With this kind of natural therapy, medicines taken for Arthritis and rheumatism, can be reduced. This is very much possible if the patient combines suitable mild exercises and yoga along with the natural food therapy.
? One day food plan:- When you wake up in the morning, drink one to 3 glasses of water on empty stomach.
? Between 5 and 7 A.M:- Simple ‘joint’ exercises and yogasanas prescribed by the doctor or therapist.
? Between 6 A.M and 8 A.M:- 100 to 200 ml quantity of juice from any one of the following – Ash gourd, Coriander, Amla, Durva grass (Cynodon dactylon – Arugampul in Tamil) and Ballonvine (winter cherry – Cardiospermum halicalabum – Mudakkattran in Tamil). In summer, Drumstick soup, Drumstick leaves soup, Coriander leaves soup, Cabbage soup, Garlic soup etc. can be consumed, in 200 ml measure.
? Between 9 A.M and 11A.M:-
1. Sprouted cereal 10 gm to 100 gm. Suggested cereals are – Horse gram, green gram, Pea – nuts, millet, Ragi, wheat – These could be added with a little grated Coconut, Coriander leaves, Curry leaves, Onion, Carrot, Cucumber etc.
2. Fruits 200 to 500 gm quantity from any one of the fruits – Papaya, Pine – apple, Pome – granate. Banana, Guava, Grapes.
3. If these are not sufficint, grated coconut or coconut milk can be taken extra.
4. If fruits can nto be taken for any reason, vegetables salad can be substituted. Salad can be prepared from, 250 to 500 gms of Tomoto, Carrot, Cucumber, Onion etc. Slice these vegetable is round shapes, squeeze a lemon over the salad and consume.
5. Lunch – between 1 PM. to 3 PM:- Let the food be divided between cooked and un – cooked food in the ratio of 50:50. The natural foods could be fruits (500 gm) or vegetables (200 gms). Instead of raw vegetables you can opt for 300 to 500 gm of cooked vegetables. The rice dish could be substituted by wheat, ragi, or millet. Flattened rice items made with vegetable, coconut or garlic, can be taken. Raita also should be included in the lunch diet.
6. After noon 4 PM. to 5 PM:- Any soup, herbal tea, drink prepared from nutrient cereals, could be taken.
7. Dinner:- Better finish your dinner before 7 PM. It could include.
a) Fruits – 300 gms, of any one of the following – dates, Guava, Grapes, Mango, Jack fruit, Banana, Papaya.
b) Coconut sections
c) Vegetables, sprouted cereals as required – or “Laddoos” prepared from all cereal energy powder or herbs, vegetable soup, herbal tea.
d) Instead of above or rice, ‘dosa’ or ‘roti’ made from millet, Ragi, Wheat batter, can be taken. ‘chuka’ roti / chapathi also could be taken.
e) Before retiring to bed, have a teaspoon of Thribala churanam, or vadanarayana powder, mixed with honey or 100 ml water.
Other tips
1. Arthritic patients should take atleast 3 litres of fluid every day. Milk/ dairy products should be used sparingly. But milk is alright because of it provides calcium. Use skimmed milk.
2. Avoid fried foods, soft drinks, red meat, egg yolk, chocolate hot spices and vinegar.
3. Foods high in purines, like organ meats, some fish and sea food, alcoholic drinks, vegetables like peas, lentils, spinach, mushrooms etc.
Purines are nitrogen containing compunds that form nucleotides of nucleic acids and uric acid. They produce uric acid and thus cause rise in the uric acid levels which can result in gouty arthrites.
4. Lemon Juice is good for patients with Gout. Juice of pineapple / musk melon is good for osteo – arthrites and rheumatism.