Health Ideas, Part II

by

John Stephen Mauldin, MLA (not AI assisted)

All right reserved, copyright © 2025

Apple Cider Vinegar

The medicinal powers of this natural elixir are extraordinary. And so, we refer to its health benefits often as we discuss our remedies and suggest that it become a staple in every home.

Arthritis

Nine years ago, I awoke with a painful stiffness in my hands and the ball of my right foot. Lasting approximately forty-five minutes, it caused difficulty in moving my hands, and the pain in my foot caused limping for about the same amount of time. These symptoms continued for several days and were bewildering to me for I had athletic heartbeats per minute and had been a vegetarian for over ten years. Yet, I was diagnosed with degenerative arthritis.

At this same time, I stopped eating wheat altogether to lose weight, and, as a by-product of doing so, in three weeks all the discomforts disappeared from my hands and feet, never returning since. Had I continued eating wheat, I may have been crippled with arthritis by now.

This is why: gluten, which is found in wheat, is valued for its viscosity, which gives elasticity to dough, helping it rise, maintaining its shape, and often giving bread, pizza, or the dough of other items a pleasingly chewy texture. Yet, this viscoelasticity has a tenacious quality that lines the digestive tract, inhibiting digestion and, in turn, causing weight gain, fatigue, arthritis, and other problems. Anyone who wishes to lose weight, enjoy robust energy, and avoid arthritis should also avoid gluten.

Another arthritic culprit is soda. This is neither a food nor a liquefier. It is so incomplete that it must take lipid acids from our joints to travel through our body, destroying hands, back, elbows, neck, hips, and knees on its rampaging journey. Coffee, it appears, is not much better and is possibly the most acidic consumable besides pure-grain alcohol.

Aspirin

For many decades, the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) recommended taking aspirin daily to lessen the risk of heart attack or stroke. Consequently, an estimated forty million Americans take aspirin daily for these reasons. This recommendation has now been withdrawn for those “who have not had a heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular problems.”

According to information published on their website, “FDA has concluded that the data do not support the use of aspirin as a preventive medication by people who have not had a heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular problems, a use called ‘primary prevention.’ In such people, the benefit has not been established but risks—such as dangerous bleeding into the brain or stomach—are still present.”

So, we see that the FDA says that taking aspirin is accompanied by the risk of “dangerous bleeding into the brain or stomach.” This is rather shocking. Expounding upon further dangers of aspirin, Neena Abraham, M.D., reported in The New York Times, “. . . it is important to remember that even small doses of daily aspirin—including ‘baby aspirin,’ at a dose of 81 milligrams daily—can increase your risk of ulcers and bleeding. It is important to remember that all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including over-the-counter aspirin, have the potential to damage the tissue of the gastrointestinal tract. Damage can occur anywhere, from mouth to anus.”

It seems that thinking men would be loath to expose themselves to this danger.

Pain, such as a headache, can be remedied by placing a package of frozen green peas on one’s forehead and another on the back of the neck while lying in bed. Relax, maybe even fall asleep, and chill out. Pain from inflammation can be reduced by eating celery, plain celery soup, or plain white onion soup. Be sure not to dilute the medicinal powers of these natural remedies by adding any ingredient other than purified water to the soup. Cayenne pepper and turmeric are also powerful anti-inflammatories.

Always remember RICE:

Rest: Don’t try to work an injury out, or work around your injury. It could be worse than you think, and not listening to your body could cause permanent damage. Be patient. Use a cane, if needed, to take the weight off your legs and feet even while getting around the house. For example, a tennis elbow takes time to heal, and an irritated rotator cuff takes even more time. Yet, your body will heal itself if you let it.

Ice: Applying ice to an affected area is one of the quickest ways to reduce swelling. If you have a package of green peas in your freezer, you have what might be a perfect ice pack. Place it on the injury, let the ice do its work, and be cool.

Compress: An array of compresses specifically designed to treat inflammation are available at many stores and pharmacies. They may also keep muscles, tendons, and ligaments aligned to some degree, as well, while you are healing.

Elevate: Rest the affected area so it is above the heart. This will lessen blood flow to the injury and, consequently, reduce inflammation.