As readers of my blog know, a year and a half ago, my daughter convinced me to seek alternative medical therapy for my asthma and allergies. These life-long afflictions were modestly, but not severely, disabling. I thought of them as entry-level chronic diseases, not in the same league as big time disabilities, but enough to give me a peek at what being really crippled would be like.
In addition to the asthma and allergies, I also asked my alternative physician to help me with acid reflux disease and chronic stomach and intestinal discomfort.
In June of last year, I began a new medical regime, in which I:
- ceased treatment with two steroids for my asthma and allergies
- ceased taking antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays
- started taking homeopathic remedies and supplements
- started taking dietary support and supplements
My physician said that my asthma and some of my allergies were probably due to immune reaction to food sensitivities. He requested that I take the Al-Cat food sensitivity test. Sure enough, two dozen foods were identified as causing me problems. I began a four-day rotational diet that eliminated, among other foods:
- baked goods made with baker's yeast
- barley (eliminating most commercial flour products and beer)
- grape (eliminating wine--I had figured out that I have a sensitivity to grapes several decades ago and ceased drinking grape/wine products then)
- cane sugar
- white potato
My physician also asked me not to consume any cow milk dairy products or foods with cow's milk in them. I could, however, eat as much goat milk products products as I wanted. I began the new rotational diet in August (of last year).
At the recommendation of my wife, and my new alternative physician, I took up pilates to help me with physical exercise. I had been walking regularly. Now I began to do interval jogging and walking for 2.3 miles a day. The pilates has helped with all the physical issues associated with regular exercise.
What have been the results of the new diet and exercise regimes and my alternative medical therapy. Actually, pretty spectacular:
- Asthma is gone--No tightening of the chest, no breathing difficulties
- Allergies minimal--controlled without conventional medicines by alternative medical remedies
- My allergy to cats, which was truly life-threatening, has disappeared
- Stomach and intestinal disorders sufficiently gone for us to focus on a remaining issue
- Reflux disease--I've been going off prilosec generic for six weeks and should be off completely in two more weeks. This is my second attempt. So far, none of the problems that showed up last year when I tried unsuccessfully to go off prilosec have reoccurred
- Rheumatism--I thought I was developing rheumatism in my knees and ankles. These aches and pains disappeared two weeks after going on the rotational diet and starting pilates.
How do my health markers look?
- Total cholesterol has dropped from 240s to 130s (individual cholesterol indexes just as good)
- Blood pressure has dropped from 240s/90s to 90s/60s
- Weight has dropped from low 150s to 140
- Prostate test (PSI) has dropped from 560 to 390s (non-indicative and normal for my age)
- Tests for all kidney, liver, and thyroid functions are in normal range
What's up for the future? My goal is to put myself in sufficiently strong health and physical condition that I can take up the strenuous farm work that my wife and I are planning to do in a few years, when we retire to a farm. In pilates, I am focussing on upper body strength. My goal is to be able to lift repeatedly and carry 80 lbs of weight--a bale of hay, a heifer, a goat, etc.
Now, to keep this up into elderhood!
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