- What is Bechterew's disease and what causes it?
Bechterew's disease, or ankylosing spondylitis, is a chronic inflammatory disease that mainly affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. The inflammatory process gradually turns into complete ankylosis of the joints. In advanced stages, the spine acquires the appearance of a bamboo stick. At the heart of this anomaly is an autoimmune process. It has been established that genetic factors play a major role in the development of the disease. About 90% of those affected are carriers of the HLA-B27 antigen. It is believed that some infectious factors, such as the causative agents of intestinal infections of the genus Klebsiella, also play a role.
- How should people with Bechterew's disease eat in order to assist in their therapy?
The disease is chronic and requires care and attention in terms of lifestyle and diet.
Alcohol, coffee and cigarettes should not be used because they are triggers of inflammation - ie. can unlock it. The same applies to semi-finished, packaged foods. Natural, unprocessed foods are suitable. As much as possible to reduce the heat treatment of food. Avoid frying.
People with Bechterew's disease can eat bananas, apples, carrots, grapes, red beets, citrus fruits, legumes, meat, fish, dairy products, nuts and seeds, buckwheat, quinoa.
In summer, larger amounts of fresh, slightly salted coltsfoot leaves should be eaten because they contain anti-inflammatory substances that suppress the inflammatory reaction in the joints. By being slightly salted, they contribute to the increase of electrolytes in the body.
Due to the gluten content, starchy foods such as potatoes, starchy vegetables, rice, pasta and wheat should be excluded from the diet. In autoimmune diseases, we eliminate gluten, or at least try to reduce it to a minimum, because gluten can provoke the wrong response of the immune system, which begins to attack the body's own cells instead of external pathogens.
In Bechterew's disease, regular consumption of garlic and oregano tea, as well as onion-based preparations is recommended. They act antimicrobially against Klebsiella pneumonia - the pathogenic microorganism in the intestine, which is associated with the development of the autoimmune process.
- What does an example menu look like in Bechterew's disease?
Breakfast: 1/2 apple or other permitted fruit; 2 mixed with cottage cheese and spices protein; a cup of oregano tea.
Lunch: Large green salad with tuna, topped with 1 tbsp. olive or linseed oil and 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar; 1 glass of yeast juice. By the way, you should regularly drink yeast juices from: watermelon, birch, turnip, parsley roots, horseradish, raspberry, viburnum, rose hips, elderberry.
Dinner: Abundant amount of fish with vegetables (steamed or raw), a cup of green tea.
Between main meals: 170 g of plain yogurt without sugar; 1 banana.
- Are the so-called superfoods that boost immunity useful?
From the superfoods of these patients, chia seeds, hemp and aubergine seeds, einkorn, goji berry, inca berry work well. However, algae such as spirulina are prohibited in Bechterew's disease because they have a high immunogenic potential and are not suitable for people with autoimmune disease.
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It is very important with the help of nutrition to regulate the acidity of the body, to reduce its pH, because high acidity stimulates the inflammatory response. In autoimmune diseases, one of which is Bechterew's disease, we strive for a more alkaline environment in the body. And this is achieved by eating more alkaline foods.
- Are there any tests to control the pH of the body?
Yes, there are pH strips that can measure the acidity of saliva or urine.
- You recommend herbal teas and decoctions - why?
For example, bearberry has a strong anti-inflammatory and draining effect, ie. it removes excess salts and toxins from the body more easily. Procedures for one month are suitable for removing the accumulated sodium in the body with the help of alkaline decoctions of coltsfoot, marsh petal, sunflower roots, paint brooch, rose hip roots, patchouli, flat horsetail, as well as chicken and duck bile. .
It is good to take - again for a month - enzymes from bearberry, cranberries, owl, conifers.
I recommend these folk remedies because they do not have the side effects of corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs.