Please Welcome Guest Blogger Dr. Linda Cheek!

“If you have a good diet, of what use is a doctor? And if you don’t have a good diet, of what use is a doctor?”
Hippocrates

Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. Our food should be our medicine. Our medicine should be our food.

One of the reasons we are so overweight in this country is that we are dehydrated. Food does contain some fluid, so if we don't drink water, we eat more. The beverages today are usually dehydrating. Everyone should drink water regularly, and reverse osmosis is the best.

Another reason for being overweight is our bodies are crying out for trace elements and nutrition needed to run the cell machinery. Since most of what we eat is empty calories, they don't fit the need, so we continue to be hungry. Also, did you know that fast food restaurants put hunger-increasing ingredients in their products, just so you'll want more?

The Standard American Diet (SAD) is extremely acidifying. This removes minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Acidification creates stress, silent inflammation and dysbiosis. These conditions are the precursors to all chronic diseases, including cancer. Yes, cancer can be prevented and even cured through the alkaline diet. And by feeding our children acidifying foods, we are setting them up for chronic diseases and cancer.


What should you not eat or drink?

Soft Drinks, Coffee, Tea, Juice (except unsweetened apple juice), Milk

The evils of milk are discussed in The China Study. In this book Mr. Campbell's research links milk consumption with osteoporosis and cancer. The acidity of the fats and protein acidify the body and the calcium is not absorbed.

Okay to drink:
Water
Teechino
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar--drink 1 teaspoon in 1 cup water before each meal.
Herbal teas (no caffeine)

Omega 3's
It is important to have Omega 3's in your diet every day. There are essential fatty acids used by your nervous system that we can only get from fish oil and a few seeds like pumpkin, sunflower, flax, borage.

Why are alkaline foods better?

In order to get rid of toxins, the body must be slightly alkaline. Acidification causes the retention of toxins which leads to disease.

Foods that alkalinize
Most vegetables and fruits.
Vegetables and fruits contain primarily carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. So when they are broken down, waste products are carbon dioxide (exhaled) and water (neutral). Even fruits that are themselves acidic, such as lemons, become alkalinizing in the body. The minerals they leave behind are magnesium, calcium and potassium which alkalinize.

Olive oil can be used as an oil because it alkalinizes.

For grains and pasta, use quinoa, amaranth, and buckwheat.

For protein, use beans, legumes and vegetables. Eggs are okay in moderation. For occasional meat use chicken, turkey or fish.

Food Groups to Avoid
Sugar
Avoid all sweeteners, even natural like honey and stevia. They cause dumping of insulin, creating hypoglycemia and then anxiety with increased appetite. Sugar is the #1 acidifier.
Especially avoid artificial sweeteners as they are toxic to the liver.
Grains--wheat, rice, oats, barley
Red Meats--beef and pork.
Dairy--milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt
Fats & Oils--Margarine, butter, vegetable oils or shortening.

Avoid all alcohols--beer, wine, liquor

The Importance of Enzymes
Eat something raw before each meal to provide natural enzymes from the food. This takes the strain off the pancreas. Enzymes can also be taken in pill form.

Juicing
Do a 24-hour juice fast one day per week. This provides micronutrients, rests the pancreas, and alkalinizes the body.


Dr. Cheek is an alternative medicine physician. Under attack by the government for providing nutritional counseling to her patients, she continues to teach through her website, www.lindacheekmd.com and her book, Target: Pain Doc. Please visit and support the rights of patients in the country to be healthy and pain-free.