Last Updated: 28 Oct 96
Spring '96
Volume 5.2

LIVING FOOD LIFESTYLE


THE PATHWAY TO RADIANT HEALTH
From the Founder

Why Suffer?

Dear Friend,

Nearly all human physical suffering is needless. May I repeat? Nearly all human physical suffering is needless! Illnesses and diseases are not necessary, and if they are already in process, most can be reversed.

Most human illnesses and diseases are due to a deficiency of vital nutrients. When you supply your body with the proper nutrients, in a form that your body can use, it knows how to repair itself!

When early humans started cooking food, thereby altering its nutritional content, they started a chain reaction of illness and disease that stretches down to the present moment.

Can you imagine what the world would be like without human illness and disease? How much suffering could be avoided? How much expense could be avoided? How much time and energy could be devoted to living a peaceful, serene and rewarding life? How much time and energy could be devoted to improving our environment, instead of staving off physical problems?

The underlying, common source of most physical illness and disease is the cooked food we eat several times a day. Cooking converts food into non-food: an artificial substance that looks like food, but is virtually devoid of usable nutrients. The life-giving, health-maintaining properties which repose in fresh food are lost when it is cooked.

Radically increase the amount of uncooked food in your lifestyle, and discover how quickly your body goes to work to clean house and restore health. Within minutes, your body starts to break fresh food down into its components, speeding the nutrients throughout the body wherever they are needed. Disease symptoms begin to disappear, and radiant health begins to appear. Try it!

In This Issue

  1. The Cancer Cell
  2. Food Obsession
  3. On The Juice!
  4. Diet and Arthritis
  5. Questions and Answers
  6. Recipe Corner
  7. Understanding Electric & Magnetic Fields
  8. How does cooked food relate to the growth of cancer cells?
  9. How can substituting juice for whole foods rob your body of essen- tial, immune-building nutrients?

The Cancer Cell

Many cooked-food eaters are inclined to believe that because we have fed on cooked food for centuries, we must be accustomed to it and may now suffer if we start eating raw food. In other words, if we have filled a motor car with dirty and inferior gasoline for a certain time, the engine may have become used to it and it may be damaged if the dirty gasoline is replaced by clean fuel. A period of a few thousand years is nothing compared with the millions of years during which we lived and developed on raw food.

That we have not adapted to cooked food is proved by the fact that diseases disappear, and the organism returns to its normal functions, once we have returned to raw nourishment.

It is true that by the laws of evolution our organism tries to adapt itself to the food it receives, but not in the way that some people imagine. The nutrients in food that are essential for the complicated processes and the specialized major functions of the cells are easily denatured under the influence of fire. Foods that are considered "nutritious" by cooked-food eaters lack essential nutrients in usable form. Instead, they contain an abundant supply of denatured proteins, fats and carbohydrates, several times in excess of the demands of the cells.

Being continually deprived of nutrients that are essential for the discharge of their higher functions, the cells either do not attain their full development and specialization or, having once attained them, they later lose the faculty of performing those functions. After many years there comes a day when one or more of the millions of cells in the body, deprived of their remaining capabilities, are finally freed from the mechanisms that limit the growth of cells. They separate themselves from communal life, become autonomous, and then avariciously devour the tissue-building materials which swim in the intercellular fluid in large quantities.

These materials have been rejected by the normal cells as being greatly in excess of their needs (including proteins, especially from animal sources, the fats, and all the nitrogenous substances). After that, these newly autonomous cells grow at an alarming speed, heedless and defiant, and multiply in such a manner as to form a terrible mass, a new living creature, which in the course of its growth subdues and destroys everything in its surroundings and at last brings down that wonderful edifice, the human body. The name of that new creature is cancer. It is the true offspring of cooked food, the living proof of how the cells try to adapt to the structure of the foods we consume.

Excerpts from Raw Food Anthology (American Living Foods Institute, 1995).

Food Obsession

It is never healthy to be obsessed with food. Food is to be enjoyed, and obsession is not enjoyment. Food should not be a source of stress or anxiety in our lives. It should be a source of pleasure.

We should be filled with excitement and anticipation as we approach our next meal, knowing that the food will not only nourish us, but also nurture us. Cooked food is nurturing, but not nourishing. To most people, plain raw food is nourishing, but not nurturing. If we ignore the need for nurturing, we will slowly but surely develop a sense of deprivation.

Deprivation of something we want leads to unhealthy obsession. Living food can be both nourishing and nurturing. Leave obsession behind and enjoy!

Note from Publisher:

LIVING FOOD LIFESTYLE is published quarterly by the American Living Foods Institute, a non-profit organization, with mailing address at 1147 E. Broadway #188, Glendale, CA 91205. For further information about this or other Institute publications or programs, call toll-free 1-800-440-ALFI. You may also obtain information on the Internet by consulting our home page http://www.serve.com/alfi . Our E-mail address is livingfood@aol.com . Copyright 1996, American Living Foods Institute. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission of the publisher. Subscription: $9.00 per year. This publication is dedicated to providing critical information about the value of living food nutrition to human health. Its contents are not intended to provide medical guidance or advice, and we encourage our readers to seek health advice from recognized medical or naturopathic practitioners.

On The Juice

by Edwin S. Douglas,
Founder, American Living Foods Institute

In recent years many people have become interested in the use of fresh juices to improve health. This article will contrast the health benefits of using fresh juices with the use of fresh whole foods. It will also describe possible deleterious effects of overuse or over-reliance on juice as a source of nutrition. Importance of Whole Foods

The human body was designed to consume whole foods in their natural, uncooked state. Nature does not provide cooking appliances or juicing machines. These are artificial devices which have become available as a result of technological development.

Whole foods contain the proper ratio of liquid to solids, along with appropriate vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients in proper ratio to each other. If these ratios are disrupted by any means, the body may not be able to assimilate the nutrients properly.

The fiber in fresh, raw food is extremely important in facilitating digestion. Most juicing methods extract the juice in concentrated form and remove the fiber. Additionally, there are toxins in the cellulose fiber of certain vegetables, which, if taken in their whole form, would pass through the digestive system intact. However, some of these toxins may be released into the juice through the grinding process.

There is scientific evidence to support the fact that the pulp left over from juice extraction actually contains more vitamins and minerals than the juice itself. The fiber in the pulp is extremely important in reducing excess intake of calories, since it creates a feeling of fullness in the body.

An inadequate supply of fiber in the diet can precipitate poor digestion, constipation and hemorrhoids. Without adequate fiber, movement of food through the digestive process can slow significantly, resulting in fermentation and production of toxic byproducts. Fermentation can lead to the growth of digestive candidiasis, which appears to have reached almost epidemic proportions in our society.

It is extremely important to realize that the mere passage of food through the body does not mean it is digested. The word digestion, in its true sense, means that food taken into the body is properly broken down into usable nutrients so that the nutrients can be assimilated. When nutrients are not made available to the body in usable form, the body is malnourished. Some of the "best fed" people are suffering from invisible malnutrition which will lead, sooner or later, to serious degenerative diseases.

Phytochemicals

Phytochemicals are the powerful natural substances found in all plant foods that are particularly useful in preventing disease. They are the ingredients which render herbal remedies so effective. There are hundreds of thousands of phytochemicals, some of which are known to capture free radicals, which can damage the body's DNA. Others are proven to be anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and cancer-preventive. According to one source, there are approximately ten times more phytochemicals in whole foods than in extracted juice.

Excessive Use of Juices

Flooding the digestive system with highly concentrated juices can actually destabilize the blood sugar level as well as the metabolism; and overuse for an extended period of time can exhaust the pancreas and the adrenal glands.

One serving of extracted juice can contain several teaspoons of natural sugar. This concentrated sugar elevates the blood sugar level, producing a natural high which can lead to psychological and physiological addiction to juices. For some people it can also overstimulate the appetite, leaving one with a feeling of unsatisfied "hunger."

For others, as a result of this natural high, they may deprive themselves of essential nourishment on a daily basis by substituting juices for other basic plant foods that contain a wide variety of vital nutrients. Similar to coffee, you can get a "rush" of energy from the juice which then causes you to avoid or postpone eating whole foods needed by your body.

Overuse of natural sugar can negatively affect the immune system in the same way as refined sugar. In a time when we are confronted with a wide variety of unfriendly microbes, it is essential that our immune system be strengthened as much as possible. The best way to accomplish this is to feed our body with a wide variety of whole living foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds.

Cleansing Programs

Fruit juices, for example, are delicious and act as wonderful body cleansers. However, they are not body builders. Vegetables contain certain key mineral salts which are essential to health.

There are innumerable reports of significant reversals of disease through the use of juice-based cleansing programs. The value of fresh fruit and vegetable juices in a focused, short-term cleansing program cannot be underestimated. By eliminating all cooked food from the diet for a period of time, the digestive system and key organs are given a much-needed rest. The addition of fresh juices can provide important nutrients, and the pure liquid can help facilitate the passage of toxins out of the body.

However, there are some toxins which cannot be successfully eliminated from the body without the presence of certain nutrients, such as protein, which are missing from juice. A water fast can actually retard detoxification, and juice fasts are generally deficient in the protein needed to properly eliminate toxins from the body.

Detoxification consists of two phases. Phase I involves a process whereby certain enzymes reduce, oxidize or hydrolyze the stored toxins. This phase can result in the production of intermediate metabolites which may be more harmful than the original toxins, as well as free radicals which are dangerous to health.

Phase II is the process of transforming the intermediate metabolites into non-toxic byproducts which can be excreted by the body. This method of transformation is called "conjugation." To be effective, however, Phase II must be in balance with Phase I. This balance requires the presence of usable protein, micronutrients and other co-factors not present in juices. Water and juice fasts can sometimes do more harm than good because they may not supply adequate levels of supporting nutrients so that Phase I and II can function effectively.

For example, certain liver enzymes require adequate dietary protein in order to conduct important detoxification activity, and free radicals produced in Phase I must be counterbalanced by an adequate level of antioxidants. A juice fast is better than a water fast in this respect, but may still be deficient in certain vitamins, minerals or amino acids essential for proper detoxification.

In addition, certain key enzymes needed for detoxification are optimized by proper dietary sources of both mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Water and juice fasts are unlikely to provide an adequate supply of fatty acids.

It has been found that cleansing programs which use a broad-based nutritional approach are advantageous for several reasons. They can prevent muscle tissue deterioration, help stabilize blood glucose levels, and protect against damage caused by free-radicals liberated as a result of detoxification

Conclusion

Fresh fruits and vegetable juices are delicious and wholesome. Taken in moderation, they can be an excellent source of additional nutrition. However, they are no substitute for fresh, whole food. Whole foods are natural - juices are unnatural. Juices are from a natural source, but not in a natural form. Whole foods contain an optimum ratio of solids to liquids, which facilitates human digestion and metabolism.

The best form of juice for human consumption is whole juice, not extracted juice. There are juice machines on the market which juice the whole fruit or vegetable, thereby providing the body with nutrients in the pulp which would otherwise be disposed of. Whole juices also contain a high level of fiber, which is vital for proper digestion, assimilation and elimination.

For individuals who may not have access to machines capable of producing whole juices, there are now whole juice concentrates available. Vegetables such as barley grass, beets and carrots are pulverized, and the water is evaporated at a low temperature, which preserves the living enzymes in the resulting concentrate. Needless to say, the vitality of such concentrates is not equivalent to freshly made whole juice. But where whole juice is not readily available, the value of whole concentrates should not be underestimated. In life, when perfect is not available, we may have to accept the next best thing!

If the decision is made to engage in a limited-term liquid fast to reverse disease symptoms, it is best to include both fruit and vegetable juices, preferably with the pulp included. The addition of a small quantity of digestible protein, such as sprouted seeds or sprouted seed products, will help the body to properly eliminate toxins as they are released from the cells.

Excessive use of juices in the general diet should be avoided. It can destabilize the blood sugar level and metabolism, overstimulate the appetite, depress the immune system, mask symptoms of malnutrition and develop as an addiction. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to take not more than eight ounces of juice per day. Fruit juices should be taken between meals. They are not compatible with vegetables, starches or proteins.

Diet and Arthritis

Arthritis is a common degenerative disease afflicting a large number of people as they grow older. Although there has been some speculation within the medical community as to possible dietary origins, no conclusive studies to date have established a clear link between diet and arthritis.

Our research and experience indicates, however, that diet often plays a major role in the development of arthritis, and that the painful symptoms can often be significantly reversed through improved nutrition.

A lifetime of eating large quantities of devitalized food can result in major nutritional deficiencies, as well a buildup of toxic byproducts. These toxic byproducts are sometimes stored by the body in the spaces between joints, resulting in painful inflammation. There is also evidence that arthritis can occur as a result of, or be exacerbated by, allergies to certain foods such as wheat, sugar or dairy products.

If you, or a loved one, are suffering from arthritis, you might like to experiment with the living food aproach. For a few weeks, eliminate wheat products and substitute non-wheat products. Also eliminate dairy products, red meat and food containing sugar. If you drink coffee or tea, radically reduce consumption during the experimental period.

Eat a large fruit compote for breakfast, and enjoy a mid-morning snack of raw nutmeats such as pecans, walnuts, pistachios or macadamias (a handful will be sufficient!).

For lunch, eat a large salad including plenty of leafy greens and juicy tomatoes along with your favorite fresh vegetables. Toss with a non-vinegar dressing from the health food store.

Dinner should be light, consisting of a small amount of non-red meat protein, one root vegetable and a small salad.

You may also benefit from supplementing your program with a natural multi-vitamin, as well as a high chlorophyll drink such as pleasant-tasting Barley Green.

Questions & Answers

Q

What is the specific benefit of a living food diet to me as a male heart patient?

A

According to a recent study involving 44,000 males, a diet high in fiber fights heart disease. Men reduced their risk of heart attack by 36% when they ate more than 25g of fiber daily from fruits, vegetables and grain. Once again, this proves that your body is your best doctor when you supply it with the raw materials it needs, in a form it can use!

Q

I cook our meals with fresh, organically grown produce. However, we're still having health problems. What could possibly be wrong?

A

Food is no longer fresh or organic once it has been cooked. The health-giving properties have been lost, and the once-fresh natural produce has been converted into an inorganic, artificial substance. Try eating more fresh food that has not been cooked, and observe the difference! Start with one entirely fresh meal each day (a large vegetable salad at lunch with some raw nuts or seeds). As you feel better, you'll naturally want to increase your intake.

Recipe Corner

Gourmet Mushroom Soup

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Melt butter in electric skillet or double boiler at 115°. Add minced onion and pressed garlic. Blend cashews and water to a creamy consistency and stir into butter mixture along with seasonings. Add mushrooms and gently warm to 115°. Serve in pre-warmed soup bowls.
*OK to substitute unrefined oil. (1991

Understanding EMF

Electric and Magnetic Fields

During recent years, questions have been raised about the possible health effects of 60-Hertz (power frequency) electric and magnetic fields (EMF), which are found wherever you have electricity. This article will help you understand the EMF issue, plus practical tips you can use if you want to reduce your exposure at home and at work.

Can EMF Harm Your Health?

Electric and Magnetic Fields are present wherever electricity flows-around appliances and power lines, and in offices, schools, and homes. Most, but not all, childhood studies have reported a weak association between estimates of residential magnetic field exposure and certain types of childhood cancer. Worker studies have shown mixed results. Given the uncertainty of the issue, the medical and scientific communities have been unable to determine that EMF causes health effects or to establish any standard or level of exposure that is known to be either safe or harmful.

Many researchers believe that if there is a risk of adverse health effects from EMF, it is probably low, but warrants further investigation. Recent concern focuses on exposure to magnetic fields rather than electric fields.

This information reproduced by permission of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

Research is Ongoing

A number of research studies are now underway to determine if magnetic fields do indeed pose any health risk and, if so, what aspect of the fields might be harmful. For example, at this time, no one knows whether the length of time in a field, the field strength, going "in and out" of a field, or combinations of these with other factors might be relevant.

What You Can Do

Studies of EMF have not shown that people need to change the way they use electric appliances or equipment. But if you feel reducing your EMF exposure would be beneficial, the following steps may be taken:

At Home

  1. Keep telephone answering machines and electric clocks away from the head of your bed
  2. Don't stay any closer than necessary to electric appliances
  3. Use personal appliances, such as hair dryers, less often or for less time
  4. If you use an electric blanker, turn it off before going to sleep

At Work

Reproduced by permission of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

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