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Article

Book Review: Treating Arthritis Diet Book by Margaret Hills, SRN

Margaret Hills was a well-known author on treating arthritis the drug-free way. This book explains how she created a diet and treatments which kept her free from pain.

Margaret Hills was a believer in the benefits of a natural, acid-free diet which included apple cider vinegar. In her book Hills draws on her own painful experiences with both osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis over a 16-year period. Her first attack came at the age of only 21. Throughout her early married life, during which time she brought up eight children and worked as an industrial nurse, Margaret Hills struggled to find a cure for herself. After years of unsuccessful, conventional medical treatment Margaret Hills devised her own diet and treatments, using herself as the guinea pig. Within 12 months, she was completely free from pain.

'Treating Arthritis Diet Book' – Importance of Acid-Free Eating

Treating Arthritis Diet Book

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In Treating Arthritis Diet Book, Margaret Hills stresses the importance of an acid-free diet and her book is based on this important concept. Hills believed that it is the acid crystal build-up that causes osteo-arthritis. She maintains in her book that these acid crystals accumulate in the joints causing excruciating pain and, in some cases, deformity and decreased movement.

In addition to the recipes in her book, Margaret Hills recommends the use of apple cider vinegar to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. This form of arthritis, which is thought to be caused by a streptococcal infection can, Hills claims, be relieved by balancing the acid in the body through proper dietary adjustments and by the taking of apple cider vinegar.

You can read  my article about apple cider vinegar for arthritic pain relief  here.

Treating Arthritis Diet Book – Natural Acid-Free Recipes

The Treating Arthritis Diet Book consists of recipes that avoid any foods that are acidic. For example, fruits to be avoided by arthritics are citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits, rhubarb, tomatoes and strawberries. However, apples, peaches, pears, bananas, apricots and melons can be freely eaten. Similarly, she suggests substituting cottage cheese for hard cheese as the latter contains lactic acid.

Margaret Hills — Margaret Hills Clinic

Margaret Hills’ acid-free diet consists of natural, additive-free, fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrain bread, brown rice, poultry and fish. Beef and pork are to be avoided altogether because Hills believes that their old, fibrous tissues are full of uric acid – very bad for the arthritis sufferer.

The book consists of simple, easy, nourishing meals. It recognises that many people who suffer from arthritis are elderly, may live alone and may not want to cope with complicated menus and time-consuming recipes. The ingredients are cheap and readily available.

Treating Arthritis Diet Book – A Natural Way to Relieve Arthritis

Margaret Hills understood the importance of how food affects the human body. The whole ideology behind this useful book is contained in the words which she wrote in its opening chapter, "The Value of Food and its Sources:"

"The human body can be likened to a plant which, if given the correct food, will thrive and produce beautiful leaves and flowers but, if not, will wither and die."

Source:

Treating Arthritis Diet Book by Margaret Hills, SRN (Sheldon Press, 1986, ISBN: 0859699978)

 

 Disclaimer:

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.

Updated June 18, 2013

Comments

VeronicaJan 14, 2016

Marvellous and I am in full agreement. I do think our acid diet plays a huge part in today's health problems. My joints are always worse if I have red wine which is very acidic.

Generally though I eat half a plate of alkaline foods with my lunch and dinner and I am in good health.

frankbeswickJan 13, 2016

It is great to hear from you again, Kathleen. Question. Do you think that arthritis treatments can benefit anterior knee pain, which is a condition of yet unknown origin and is felt around the patella?

KathleenDuffyJan 13, 2016

Thank you! Glad you found it useful.

sandyspiderJan 7, 2016

Good information about treating arthritis.
KathleenDuffy
KathleenDuffy
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