Autoimmune Disorders

These suggestions are not intended to replace appropriate professional advice. Please check labels and consult your pharmacist if you take medication.

These suggestions are for general management of symptoms common to many autoimmune disorders. They are based on customers’ personal experience and may not pertain to your unique situation.

A Balanced Alkaline / Acid Diet

7-10 glasses room temperature filter or spring water. Chlorine destroys gut flora.
Create a diet that is 75-80% alkaline forming. More about this later.
Organic foods are the safest way to nourish yourself – a wise investment!
Make fresh fruit, vegetables, raw seeds, nuts, legumes, beans, and gluten free whole grains your diet mainstays. Meat and grains are acidifying, consider them a side dish. Dairy products are mucous forming, move them to the occasional treat category!

Have complete protein no later than lunch for better digestion of amino acids.
1-2 tsp apple cider vinegar and manuka honey (opt) with meals improves digestion, corrects pH, balances blood sugar, and reduces fat storage.
Fermented vegetables and nondairy yoghurt improve digestion and correct pH.
1-3 tbsp ground flax seed for essential fatty acids, fiber, and hormone balance.
Avoid night shade vegetables (tomato, potato, eggplant, sweet peppers) – lectins can aggravate intestinal inflammation.
Cook gently. High heat generates acrylamides & advanced glycation end products.

Basic Supplements - Elevate nutrition from adequate to optimum

Bio-Strath – a fermented wholefood containing complete B vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, antioxidants and more. Relieves stress and fatigue, corrects pH.
Vitamin C – anti-inflammatory, regulates histamine.
Vitamin D 8,000 IU for one month then reduce to upper limit of 4,000. A deficiency is associated with autoimmune disorders.
Chlorophyll – (magnesium) to alkalize, heal digestive tract, improve elimination.
Essential fatty acids – double up on label dosages for one week then reduce - necessary to modulate inflammation.
Probiotics – correct pH, balance mood, improve digestion, reduce inflammation.
Astaxanthin – one of the most powerful antioxidants. Controls inflammation by stabilizing free radicals and protecting cell integrity. Helpful in AI disorders.

The diet and Basic Supplement recommendations are designed to maintain an optimum level of health once inflammation is under control. Here is some extra care to consider:

1. Heal Your Gut

Effective remedies for healing the digestive tract are Chlorophyll, Goldenseal, slippery elm, glutamine and Aloe Vera. Manuka honey is beneficial as long as candida is not an issue. Use them on their own or in combination if you have digestive problems.

2. Adjust Your Diet and Timing

Eat simply and in proper combination.

Fruits on an empty stomach 30 minutes before other foods or they cause fermentation.

Complex starches and heavy proteins do not combine. Starch needs a base environment to digest and heavy protein an acidic one. Combined they cause digestion to stall.

Have heavy proteins no later than lunchtime. According to natural health pioneer, Hanna Kroeger, it takes the liver up to 8 hours to break them into amino acids by which time the lymphatic system is at rest. The amino acids may be dropped off in vulnerable body tissue, increasing inflammation.

Cook gently. High heat generates acrylamides and advanced glycation end products that can exacerbate AI symptoms.

3. Overcome Deficiencies

All supplements listed under basic supplements are deficiencies we see every day. The most important are Bio-Strath, Vitamin C & D, and magnesium, but all are helpful.

4. Alkalize

The lymphatic system drains plaque from your brain and waste from every cell of your body. The lymph passes it to the bloodstream where it is carried to the kidneys for excretion. If there are insufficient alkaline molecules waste can’t be excreted. It gets carried back into the body and dropped where it’s most convenient – your weakest tissue.

Lack of activity, and consequently lack of oxygen, can result in a CO2 and lactic acid buildup which is acidifying. More physical activity, especially outside, and practicing slow rhythmic breathing will get you feeling more invigorated and increase alkalinity. Breathe deeply, exhale completely.

When you’re tight for time perform Zack Bush’s 4-Minute Workout. See online.

Stress causes chemical changes that acidify. Make your peace of mind your No. 1 priority.

You can monitor your pH with urine testing. When tests are consistently between 6.5-7.4 you’re gold! Once you’re consistently in range reduce testing to once a week.

Special Care to Consider

The lymphatic system delivers fats to cells for energy between meals. Fatigue can be a sign of sluggish lymph. Dry body brushing 2-3 times a week keeps lymphatic material moving, your energy high, and your immune system strong, but calm.
Serrapeptase is a proteolytic enzyme that digests and liquifies stored waste so it can be eliminated. For 2 weeks take one at bedtime and one upon rising on an empty stomach. It needs to get in your system to work. If you take it with food it will digest the food. After 2 weeks reduce to one on an empty stomach at bedtime.

Lifestyle - Living a Life of Balance and Choice

As your system gets stronger it is able to purge waste previously locked in. It can seem like things are going wrong but it’s the opposite. Ride it out and remember it’s only temporary! Think how great you’ll feel in just a few weeks!
Keeping a journal helps track your progress and honour your feelings.
Gradually replace personal care and cleaning products with natural alternatives.
Avoid hormone disruptors like BPA in single use plastics and canned vegetables.
The importance of fresh air, sunshine, and movement cannot be overstated. Nature touches us in subtle ways that promote a sense of well-being.
Have fun! The happy chemicals produced when we are at play go on long after!

Nutrition goes beyond just food, of course. How we feed our minds and how we feed our dreams – that’s all part of total nutrition. Many customers have enjoyed multiple benefits by implementing these suggestions. We hope you will too!

*Revised September 2024

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Kidney Care

By April Allen • March 24, 2025

This information is not intended to replace appropriate professional advice. Please check labels and consult your pharmacist if you take prescription medication. The kidneys are an amazing organ system! In Traditional Chinese Medicine they are considered, along with the adrenal glands, a master organ. They perform the critical functions of capturing and recycling nutrients and eliminating liquid acidic waste. When the kidneys fail to perform this detoxification, patients must have their blood filtered through renal dialysis. A Healing Diet - This mirrors recommendations from studies done on kidney function: Drink 7-10 glasses of filtered or spring water. Chloride is a potential carcinogen and potentially damaging to the kidneys as well as the entire body. Consume a diet that is 75-80% alkaline forming. A urine pH maintained in the range of 6.5-7.4 allows your kidneys to readily eliminate acid waste. Chemical free, organic foods are the safest for kidney health. Make vegetables, fruit, raw seeds, nuts, legumes, beans, and wholegrains the mainstays of your diet. Limit red meat and sweeteners. Studies show a whole food plant based diet and the Mediterranean diet can benefit patients with chronic kidney disease. Fermented foods improve digestion and have a positive effect on pH levels. Apple cider vinegar used as a condiment or mixed in water with meals aids in assimilating nutrients, corrects pH, and dissolves calcium and acid crystal deposits. Replace salt with Herbamare for full flavour but 1/3 the sodium. The combination of whole sea salt with other herbs provides a better sodium/potassium ratio. Cook gently. High heat causes acrylamides and advanced glycation end products, both risk factor in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Basic Supplements – to avoid common deficiencies Bio-Strath – 100% digestible whole food tonic, providing B vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and cofactors. Used by more staff at Jo Anne’s than any other supplement. Buffered vitamin C during fall and winter months. A powerful antioxidant that protects cells from damage and degeneration. Vitamin D 8,000 IU for one month then reduce to the upper limit of 4,000. A steroid hormone precursor that reduces inflammation and the risk of infection. Magnesium – has over 300 biochemical functions. Essential fatty acids – anti-inflammatory, help regulate blood pressure and a deficiency is associated with the development of type 2 diabetes. Probiotics – intermittent use to strengthen the immune system and correct pH Dietary Aids for Kidney Health - Special foods with science backed benefits: In studies ginger, garlic, and onions improved symptoms of kidney disease and increased renal function. Regular consumption could provide significant protection. Watermelon is 92% alkaline water which helps flush the urinary system of stored toxins. It supports the liver to process ammonia thus easing the strain on the kidneys. Finally, it can actually be used to dissolve kidney stones! Some people perform a watermelon fast one day a week, eating only melon wedges when hungry. Urine testing is a convenient way to monitor chemistry. The best time to check is in the morning prior to consuming food or drinks (other than water). If it’s initially difficult to achieve readings between 6.5-7.4 take 1-2 AlkaPure pH capsules upon rising. Once optimum readings are achieved, test periodically. Special Supplements for Kidneys - For an annual or biannual kidney cleanse: Astragalus – numerous studies show this herb has a protective effect on kidneys, liver, and spleen. It is also used in the treatment of cancer, diabetes, and immune disorders. It has been shown to slow tumor growth and significantly extend the lives of those who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation. Nettle is a wonderful cleansing herb for the kidneys. It also helps with all conditions related to inflammation, including arthritis and allergies. Burdock provides a whole body detox by increasing urine output and drawing out stored toxins. It is a natural option to use instead of prescription diuretics but consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are already on diuretics before making a change. Exercise, fresh air, deep breathing with complete exhalation all benefit the kidneys. For those days that you’re pressed for time perform the 4-minute workout by Dr Zack Bush. This easy routine performed 2-3 times boosts nitric oxide production and kidney function. See it online. Following the diet and basic supplement suggestions should have a beneficial effect on your kidneys and your overall health. One of the biggest changes you hopefully will notice is an increase in energy level. Keep a journal to track your progress. *Revised July 2023