The consequences of unhealthy habits | Lifestyle.INQ

OCTOBER 27, 2022

Is it possible to avoid, say, a gallbladder operation or, on a lesser scale, a simple hangover? All health experts agree that reinvention is possible, on one condition—that you live with moderation.

Easier said than done? Here are some real-life stories.

Excruciating pain

At 65, Andrew is a successful realtor who enjoyed wining and dining his investors. The star of the menu was steak of the finest quality. Topped with gravy, it was his favorite meal.

One day, his stomach began to bloat and hurt on one side. Rushed to the emergency room of a hospital, he went straight to surgery for gallbladder removal.

It was only during post-surgery that he regretted gorging on steak. The pain was excruciating, he said.

Suddenly, memories of rich-food-laden banquets flashed through his guilty mind.

Wellness RX: Gallstones, composed of cholesterol, minerals/pigments and calcium bilirubinate, are mixed with bile salts. They are caused by rich, greasy, oily foods.

If you are lucky enough to “pass” a gallstone successfully, then good for you. But if it’s too large to pass through the bile duct, then the result is severe pain.

What to do:

1) Let your bladder rest. Avoid fatty foods.

2) Do not eat any solid food when having a gallstone attack.

3) Drink apple juice daily for good bowel movement and softening of gallbladder stones.

4) Drink apple cider vinegar tonic—1 tbsp of vinegar in a cup of warm water six times daily.

Preventive measure:
½ tsp sage, ¼ tsp cinnamon mixed with 1 tsp olive oil in a cup of warm water. Drink two to three times daily.

Parsley tea: In a quart of hot water, mix ½ cup of fresh parsley leaves. Simmer for five minutes. Strain and drink.

Warning: Don’t overdose on parsley tea, as it may cause liver problems, nerve damage and bleeding in the gut. Don’t take it if you are pregnant.

Swollen toe

Full-time homemaker Angela, 50, was nursing a swollen big toe. After being admonished by a doctor for overeating, she pleaded innocent to the supposed crime.

It was discovered that gout, or the inflammation of the joints and tendons, could have also been caused by wearing tight, ill-fitting shoes.

The victim of gout feels throbbing pain in the joints, especially at night. The major reason is the buildup of uric acid. The culprit: alcohol and rich foods.

What to do:

1) Go on a vegetable juice fast.

2) Drink water every hour.

3) Remove all red/organ meats, pork and shellfish from your diet.

4) Say no to alcohol.

5) Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet.

6) Herbal teas: sage, apple cider vinegar, parsley (heed the warning about parsley)

7) Castor/olive oil: Rub on the affected area to break up urate crystals.

8) Avoid neutralizer: Celery stalks blendered or juiced with carrots.

9) Raw potato: Juice one whole raw and peeled potato. Mix in warm water to remove toxins.

10) Soak bath: In a tub of warm water, mix one cup fresh, peeled aloe vera, apple cider vinegar or baking soda. This detoxifies the body.

Alcohol addiction

At 45, Henry still parties hard. In fact, he had a reputation for being able to down half a bottle of brandy in one sitting.

The very next day came the usual hangover—headaches, nausea, dizziness and weakness.

His habit nearly became an addiction—until he decided to stop altogether.

Excessive drinking leads to higher tolerance levels, until too much isn’t enough. Alcoholism is a serious addiction which requires immediate medical supervision.

To detox your body from alcohol:

Drink ½ glass of water every 30 minutes for the first two hours, then hourly after this.

Cranberry juice cleanses the body. Drink one glass two to three times daily.

Sage: Mix 1 tsp, then add a pinch of cinnamon, cayenne or ginger in a cup of warm water. Drink one cup every two hours until you sober up.

Stop drinking alcohol for as long as you can.

If you must drink, then eat a full meal first. Never drink on an empty stomach. You can develop ulcers one day.

This week’s affirmation: “Moderation is my new best friend.”

Love and light!

Reference: “A Treasury of Natural First-Aid Remedies” by James Kusick

E-mail the columnist at [email protected]

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