posted
Out of boredom I watched a movie on netflix last night called fat, sick and nearly dead. It was about a guy who had a horrible auto-immune skin condition that went on a vegetable and fruit only juice fast for 60 days(i think)
He lost tons of weight, had abundant energy and looked amazing and his skin condition went away.
Im thinking of trying it, or at least a version of it... am I nuts? My theory is that flooding my body with all thos micronutrients will boost my immune system and decrease inflammation, and be better able to fight the lyme.
Wondering if anyone out there does juice fasts? Also wonder if I'll adjust to tolerating the antibiotics with only vegetable juice in my stomach. Of course I'd stay away from too much fruit.
-------------------- Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Posts: 292 | From Heaven | Registered: Jan 2011
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certain body constitutions can be ok with this kind of thing, but if you're already weak, starving your body is not always the best thing to do, even if you're putting juice in.
I'm 113 lbs, at 5'8", a juice fast for me (which i've done) is not so much a good idea.
I wouldn't do abx with just juice in your tummy, you're asking for problems if you do that. they are rough on the stomach lining.
keep in mind, doesn't matter what documentary you watch, they will all make what they are doing sound like the best thing in the world.
listen to your body and if you want to try it, go for it. but use caution and do your research.
posted
Yes I am overweight. Since my first symptom five years ago I've gained about 80 lbs!!!!! I know it's adding to the inflammation response in my body. My thyroid may be not functioning correctly either....but my labs are fine.
I eat healthy now and the scale doesnt budge, I think my body is in a metabolic syndrome state at this point. I've never been this heavy. Im only 5'3" and have a petite frame so this weight is so hard on my joints and knees.
Before this I ate pretty well, exercised every day and would fluctuate between a size 7/8 and size 9/10.
-------------------- Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Posts: 292 | From Heaven | Registered: Jan 2011
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scorpiogirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
I don't know what juice fast is but I juice for detox and to get nutrients that I otherwise cannot get.
It's hard for me to get going in the morning so a fresh juice is much easier to go down. So that is why I do it. Last year before I started my Lyme treatment I did 30 days of RAW diet w/ juicing to detox and I felt GREAT!! But I did it under the direction of my NP and with supplements! It is true my skin was flawless during that time too.
I don't think I can do that right now... I'm dripping so much IV and I can't imagine drinking 94oz of juice a day. I might go back to maybe 32 a day at some point. It was a very effective way to detox for me.
-------------------- Posts: 1391 | From Lyme Land | Registered: May 2011
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scorpiogirl
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posted
My favorite detox juice (make sure all organic!)
Cucumbers (1) Carrots (4) Beets (1 small) Cilantro (a few strands, I like the smell) Ginger (few slices of ginger roots, helps nausea and add a little spiciness)
If you like it sweeter add an apple or two.
I sometimes add Kale but that's hardcore so go slow. Dandelion leaves are also great for detox but very bitter so use in small quantity.
Tomatoes, bell peppers, Romain Lettuce, Celery, Swiss Chard, Papaya, pineapples (the last two are super high in enzymes) so I love using them! Try to avoid fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, etc.. that have a high sugar content. Other wise enjoy your juice!
-------------------- Posts: 1391 | From Lyme Land | Registered: May 2011
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posted
It would be safer to just add good vegetable juices to your regimen. Taking abx with only liquids could spell disaster.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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scorpiogirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31907
posted
quote:Originally posted by Lymetoo: It would be safer to just add good vegetable juices to your regimen. Taking abx with only liquids could spell disaster.
Agree! That's what I'm doing... juicing for breakfast since I don't like breakfast foods and I'm slow to get going in the morning. I also juice more on a hot day and depending on when I feel more toxic or not. But I can't imagine to going back on 94oz of juice and raw foods only right now. It would be very hard to do!
-------------------- Posts: 1391 | From Lyme Land | Registered: May 2011
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posted
What a fabulous documentary!!! I have thought about doing a green juice fast. But I think I need to get my bacteria load down first with antibiotics. I've also lost 20 lbs so a juice fast might not be the best idea right now.
But I do agree with giving your body a break from digestion especially after taking antibiotics. I wouldn't do a juice fast while taking antibiotics.
I have the same Breville juicer that was used in the movie. I juice at least twice a day. My juice usually consists of 1 cumcumber 4-5 stalks of celery 8 kale leaves Juice from a lemon or lime
I also add parsley, cilantro, garlic, Ginger and other leafy greens.
I think juicing is a fabulous way to get nutrients and I always feel much better after a large green juice! Maybe just start adding in juices to your day and see hoe it goes? I juice first thing in the morning and again in the afternoon.
I think it is a great documentary and a green juice fast might be a great thing for some of us with a lyme during some point in treatment. What a great way to flush out all the junk in our bodies!
Posts: 132 | From Somewhere | Registered: Jan 2011
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posted
Even Buhner who wrote a book on fasting does not think that it is a good idea for lyme patients. You are most likely already deficient in way too many nutrients to make fasting or even juice fasting safe for any length of time.
The best strategy is to eat nutrient rich foods or as others have suggested add green juices and vegetable juices to your diet. But be careful with high carb veggies such as carrots -- can be too sweet and contribute to candida issues.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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TerryK
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Member # 8552
The requirements of protein & amino acid during acute & chronic infections
"In general, the amount of extra protein that would appear to be needed is of the order of 20-25 per cent of the recommended intake, for most infections."
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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When I read the topic "title" I thought it said "juice farts"!
-------------------- Down on her knees, she wept on the floor. This hopeless life, she wanted no more. Dead in the mind and cold to the bone, She opened her eyes and saw she was alone. ~Seether Posts: 427 | From Rhode Island | Registered: May 2011
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posted
ok thanks for your input everyone...I'm so intrigued by this, I want to do it...maybe I'll juice one meal a day or something instead until I am off the antibiotics.
I have really off taste buds right now, so veggies gross me out, so does chicken, any poultry for that matter, most meats really, i have few things that don't turn me off.
I was thinking juicing might be a great way to get in those micronutrients. Im sure it changes the taste of the juice if you add green apple or other fruit to give it a little sweetness.
I also vainly want to drop this weight, even if I feel sick inside I still wanna look hot on the outside! hahah.
Mom2kids that's so funny!
-------------------- Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Posts: 292 | From Heaven | Registered: Jan 2011
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scorpiogirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31907
posted
quote:Originally posted by mom2kids: Sorry, it's late, but had to tell you...
When I read the topic "title" I thought it said "juice farts"!
You and I both!! I know it's Lyme making me see things that are not there and then laugh hysterically for no apparent reasons! That's ok, I'll take laughing over crying any day!
And just b/c we are sick doesn't mean we want to look sick! You are not vain! It's that fighting attitude that will help you win the Lyme battle. I was upset over my Hickman scar on my chest. It was my best assets too! Now I got 3 scars on my chest.
-------------------- Posts: 1391 | From Lyme Land | Registered: May 2011
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sutherngrl
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posted
I use to juice for lunch everyday. I would eat a small breakfast, juice for lunch and eat a regular dinner. I did this for about 6 months. I was really sick at the time, but it seems that I began to get better right after this time.
I usually juiced tomatoes, celery, carrots, and an apple. I did not have yeast issues so I was able to use this combo. I liked the taste of the tomatoe juice. Other combos might be better, like throwing in some greens.
At first I didn't care for juicing, but within a week I loved it.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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lymeboy
Unregistered
posted
I did that stupid cleanse from blessed herbs. I made a mistake by doing the juice fast. I stopped antibiotics for the 5 days of fasting, and drank only organic apple juice and the powder. Since then I have backslid a ton. I felt noticeably sicker after finishing the entire 30 day cleanse. My best guess is that it stirred everything up, and got me sicker in the process. I do not have a weight issue. I was a little bit overweight years ago, but I have gotten quite skinny from following the Lyme diet. Personally, the cleanse was a huge mistake for me. I'm convinced that I should have doubled my antibiotics, and not bothered with cleansing.
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posted
I have thought about doing a juice fast also. I have read about some great benefits from them. Up until recently though I just felt like I was too sick to handle something like that. It just didn't feel like it would be a good idea for me.
I do agree that it may not be the best thing for people that are too sick or weak to do that.
However, in recent months I have thought more about it again and think I may be able to handle it now. I haven't made huge strides with my treatment but I have had a little bit of improvement. I feel like with that improvement it may be possible for me to do one.
BUT I am not talking about a long term one like some people do. I would probably only do it over a weekend. 2 days if I could handle it.
Anyways...just wanted to say that I think it depends on where you are in treatment and if you feel like your body is strong enough for something like that.
Just go with your gut. If you decide to do it I would definitely start out by just adding juices into your current diet. When I first started juicing it made me feel crappy which I have heard can happen. I did just 4 ounces to start and then increased from there.
So I think it is best to go very slow. Maybe slowly replace each meal with juice and see how you feel. Eventually if you build up like that but still can't even handle one day than your body probably just can't handle it.
Anyhow...that is just my 2 cents. I am definitely no expert on juice fasting. Just be careful if you decide to try it.
Pam
-------------------- Sick since 10/2001. Tested CDC positive for Lyme 10/2008 through Quest and Igenex. Started treatment 1/2009 with LLMD. Lyme, Erichilosis, Chlamydophila Pneumoniae, Q Fever, Strep Syndrome and probably a few others I am forgetting. Posts: 451 | From Virginia | Registered: Feb 2009
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jackie51
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posted
I saw that movie recently too. It was interesting. We just bought a juicer but we are going to add a juicing drink to our routine. In the morning with our eggs or whatever protein, we will have a veggie drink. It's possible we'll do this once more later in the day, probably on weekends, depending on what foods are in the house.
Am hoping to get some nutrition into the kids with this too.
Fasting? No way. Maybe if I had cancer or what that guy had, but not with lyme and its assorted supplements and antibiotics.
A downside to fasting is that your stomach can get lazy and not like the reintroduction of solid foods. So, I think fasting can backfire on you if you want to resume a more normal eating plan, whatever that is.
Posts: 1374 | From Crazy Town | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
raw foods can be rough on your digestion track too. Raw foods and juices are definitely beneficial for obvious reasons, it's when people go on these 100% raw food/juice fasts for extended periods that can take a toll.
scorpiogirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
quote:Originally posted by FYRECRACKER: raw foods can be rough on your digestion track too. Raw foods and juices are definitely beneficial for obvious reasons, it's when people go on these 100% raw food/juice fasts for extended periods that can take a toll.
Everything in moderation.
Can you explain why raw food would be rough for your digestion track?? I was told raw food which is LIVE food and full of enzyme that we sick people are so lacking in. In fact, I have to take an enzyme pill before each meal so it can help me digest whatever else I'm about to eat. I don't see how RAW food would be harder for your body to digest than say a piece of steak or fried chicken! Or better yet processed fast food filled w/ chemicals.
-------------------- Posts: 1391 | From Lyme Land | Registered: May 2011
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Haley
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posted
Oh my gosh, I saw that on Netflix. That guy was so huge and he turned the entire town into juicers. I remember thinking.... it's a amazing what one person can do.
Since I turned off my TV and only watch stuff on my Roku, I've watched tons of documentaries. I liked the one on Ayervedic meds.
Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
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posted
The key is "moderation". The magic word is "moderation".
You said it.. (as did others)... "maybe I'll juice one meal a day or something instead until I am off the antibiotics."
Good idea!
I found with juicing I couldn't get the protein I needed. And I wouldn't do a "fast", just added the juice to the diet.
I do give hubby parsley to chew on and he does think it helps his brain function. Might have to try this recipe for him. He does drink V8 juice on a pretty regular basis -- I know it would be better if he were doing fresh juice.
I read somewhere recently that potassium helped improve cell membranes and made them less leaky. Since I have increased hubby's potassium supplements to 800 mg daily his sodium blood levels have been closer to normal rather than low -- I know it sounds backward. He has even decreased the amount of extra sodium he takes as well.
Veggies are of course the best source of potassium so there may be hidden benefits to juicing that help explain why it might help some people more than others.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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