Tuesday 16 February 2010

HEALTHY EATING

During my extensive reading about Lyme Disease and ME/CFS I have often heard mention of Dr Sarah Myhill and have occasionally looked at her site but only briefly.

I am well aware that attention to diet is important particularly when suffering with Lyme Disease and or ME/CFS and have read Dr J J Burrascano Guidelines many times although I have not been good at following his advice about diet. My LLMD tries very hard to encourage me to follow a better diet particularly low on carbohydrate and sugar two of my worst weaknesses. My third weakness dairy may well be the reason for my many years of sinus problems which are currently improving since reducing my dairy intake.

I came across a link into Dr Myhill’s website today thanks to Hedge http://www.tiredofme.com/
The first thing I read was about allergies and colicky babies, how I wish I had read this 30 years ago when I desperately tried to calm my colicky daughter. Food for thought as she spent her childhood with sinus problems which caused sleeping problems up to the age of 8 and now as an adult constant allergies.
http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/
There is much wisdom, we can all benefit from looking at Sarah Myhill’s website.

Below are extracts from Burrascano Guidelines http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/B_guidelines_12_17_08.pdf
found through www.ilads.org

‘If treatment can be continued long term, then a remarkable degree of recovery is possible. However, attention
must be paid to all treatment modalities for such a recovery- not only antibiotics, but rehab and exercise
programs, nutritional supplements, enforced rest, low carbohydrate, high fiber diets, attention to food
sensitivities, avoidance of stress, abstinence from caffeine and alcohol, and absolutely no
immunosuppressants, even local doses of steroids (intra-articular injections, for example)’.
‘INTESTINAL TRACT: An overgrowth of yeast here will ferment dietary sugars and starches, forming acids, gas,
alcohols and a variety of organic chemicals. Symptoms include gas, bloat, heartburn and/or pain in the
stomach area, and because of the organic chemicals, there can be headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness,
wooziness and post-meal fatigue. To clear intestinal yeast, first the tongue and mouth must be cleansed so
yeast does not reenter the system with every swallow. Next, since yeast germs feed on sugars and starches,
follow the low carbohydrate diet outlined below. Finally, to replenish the normal, beneficial microbes, eat PLAIN
yogurt daily, drink Kefir, 4 ounces daily, and/or take acidophilus, 2 capsules three times daily after meals.
YEAST CONTROL DIET- restricted carbohydrate regimen
UNRESTRICTED FOODS
All protein foods, such as meat, fish, fowl, cheese, eggs, dairy, tofu
RESTRICTED FOODS
FRUITS
Fruits may be a problem because they contain a large amount of sugars. However, if the fruit contains a lot of
fiber, this may make up for the sugars to some degree. Thus:
· Fruits are only allowed at the end of a meal, and never on an empty stomach
· Only high fiber fruits are allowed
· Only very small amounts!
EXAMPLES:
ALLOWED IN GENEROUS AMOUNTS
Grapefruit, lemons, limes, tomatoes, avocado
ALLOWED IN SMALL AMOUNTS ONLY! (The high fiber content in these hard, crunchy fruits partially
makes up for the carbohydrates)
Pears, apples, strawberries, cantaloupe, etc.
NOT ALLOWED (These soft fruits do not have enough fiber)
Oranges, watermelons, bananas, grapes, etc.
No fruit juices either!
VEGETABLES
Green vegetables and salads are O.K. Avoid or limit starchy vegetables (potato, rice, beans, etc.) and avoid
pasta.
STARCHES
None!! If it is made from flour- any kind of flour- it is not allowed. (No breads, cereals, cake, etc.)
SWEETENERS
NOT ALLOWED
No sugars at all, and no fructose or corn syrup
ALLOWED (if tolerated)
Stevia (safest), honey, and Splenda,
Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal) may not be tolerated by some patients
Saccharin products are not recommended
DRINKS
ALLOWED
Water, seltzer, caffeine-free diet sodas, coffee and tea without sugar or caffeine, vegetable juices
NOT ALLOWED
Fruit juices, regular sodas, and any drinks sweetened with sugars or syrups
No Alcohol at all
OTHERS
Do not skip any meals. At least three regular meals daily are needed; a better option is to eat very small
portions but have between meal snacks to maintain blood sugar and insulin levels. Bedtime snacks, if taken,
must be totally carbohydrate free!’

Now I have recovered so well from my ME/CFS which turned out to be Lyme Disease I should really start to take my diet in hand and follow the advice of these two excellent doctors.

Below is a link into Rachel’s blog Raising awareness for ME/CFS in May 2010
http://meaware.wordpress.com/2010/02/15/blogging-for-mecfs-awareness-2010/

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for visiting my blog.

    I will follow your blog by RSS.

    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hege
    Hi Nice of you to join me.

    ReplyDelete