ASK
BONNIE for February 2003
Question #1:
My 90 year old Dad is suffering from gout. What can we do to minimize the
symptoms.
Answer #1:
Excess acid that the renal system cannot remove effectively is a major cause of gout. Medications and stress can exacerbate the situation. However, the addition of magnesium (300mg daily from Glycinate form) in supplement form (a natural acid buffer which also helps the heart), avoidance of shellfish, organ meats, sardines, lentils, whole wheat/wheat germ, orange juice, and tomato sauce/juice will help. Also, adding cherries and watermelon to his diet can help buffer acid and remove purines naturally through his urine.
Question #2:
My 12 year old son refuses to eat fruits and vegetables. Instead of
turning this into an "eating disorder" or something of the like by
forcing him to eat fruits and vegetables, we have been advised to ignore the
refusal while still offering the proper foods. Is there a supplement we
can give him that will provide some of the proper nutrients?
Answer #2:
No supplement will supply all the necessary nutrients, but a good multi would be of benefit. You may be shocked to hear this, but according to anthropological nutrition experts such as Sydney Baker, MD, "Protein is essential to life; carbohydrates (such as grains, fruits, and vegetables) are not." Thus, if your son eats a substantial amount of proteins from lean poultry, meat, eggs, and some fish with yogurt or lowfat cheese (or a fortified milk substitute such as soy or nut milk), good fats such as olive oil, nuts, and seeds, and enriched rice or enriched oat cereal, your son will have the variety of essential macro and micro nutrients necessary for optimal health.
If, on the other hand, your son is a fast-food, heavily processed, bread and sugar "junkie," his diet will have to change. At the age of 12, he's maturing at a rapid pace and needs more nutrients than probably at any other time of his life. You could make a deal that you will not push the fruits and vegetables if he'll clean up his diet to the previously mentioned nutritious foods. If he's already doing this, don't worry - he'll be fine.
Question #3:
My husband has Crohn's disease and we have found that a major trigger of his
stomach/intestinal cramping comes after he consumes anything with potassium
sorbate, msg, caffeine, and some milk products. The mystery to us is the
potassium sorbate. Most everything I've read considers this preservative SAFE.
Is it harmful and why?
Answer #3:
Potassium Sorbate is GRAS safe, not "food sensitivity safe." it is
a sulfiting agent which can cause major fluid retention and allergic reactions.
If he reacts allergically, it can also cause extreme inflammation.
Question #4:
If I know I have low progesterone - will the product Estroven help me to balance
out my hormone level, or will it simply give me more Estrogen?
Answer #4:
Have a happy, healthy day.
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