Eczema

What Is It?

Eczema is an inflammatory condition of the skin due to excessive acidity of the lymph glands, characterised by flaking skin, preceded by fluid-filled blisters which are extremely itchy. Rhe skin is the body’s largest organ and has a surface area of about 1.5-2m² in adults which includes glands, hairs and nails. It’s comprised of two main layers, the epidermidis (the outer layer) and the dermis (the deeper layer) with the subcutaneous layer between the skin and underlying structures. The main functions of the skin are protection, regulation of body temperature, formation of vitamin D, cutaneous sensation, absorption and excretion. The skin can often be the first visual sign of underlying disease or imbalance in the body and a sign of disease in the gut. More than 10 per cent of people in the USA are thought to suffer with some form of eczema.

Cause and Effect

In eczema, the cycle of new skin forming and moving to the outside of the body and eventually sloughing off (a process which takes on average 28 days in normal skin) can be rapidly accelerated to 3-4 days, which means the skin being sloughed off is immature and raw, leaving extremely sore and sensitive patches. It is as if the skin shedding process has gone into overdrive. The resulting dry patches can crack and sometimes bleed. Sufferers must be discouraged from scratching as this can break and tear the tender and thinning skin, leading to secondary infections and bleeding. Sometimes with babies, this can mean putting cotton mittens on them to stop them scratching themselves badly.

Atopic eczema is often found in infants who have a reaction to cow’s milk and other allergies, and are therefore described as atopic and prone to hypersensitivity disorders. It can often occur in conjunction with asthma which is often linked to such allergies, and is another inflammatory disease.

Emotional upset can also play a part, with other triggers including changes in temperature, chemical and physical irritants, allergies, stress, infections and intestinal toxemia.

Dr J.F. Burgess, M.M.B, a lecturer on dermatology at McGill University and associate dermatologist at Montreal General Hospital, reported that after a study of 109 cases of eczema he found that: ‘Eczema is probably caused by intestinal toxemia… There is a strong association between a toxic state of the bowel and many types of skin manifestations and eczematous conditions.’

Juice Pharmacy Recommendations

What to Avoid

Exclusion diets can reveal the foods which exacerbate the condition and many people have found that excluding dairy products from the diet can greatly improve the condition. We have listed common things to avoid below but sufferers should also cut out alcohol, tobacco and processed orange juice.

Dairy products - As well as beef/red meat, dairy products have been widely accepted as making this condition worse and sometimes even giving rise to eczema.

Nightshades - Vegetables from the nightshade family, which contains tomatoes, peppers, aubergine (eggplant) and potatoes.

What to Include

In addition to those below, clinical studies have shown that vitamins A, C, E, zinc, omegas-3 and -6, chamomile and ginkgo biloba may be beneficial for those suffering with eczema.

Alkalines - It is vitally important to create an alkaline environment in the body when suffering from this unpleasant skin condition. To alkalise the body, enjoy juices containing some of the following ingredients: apples, celery, cucumber, spinach, avocado, asparagus, blueberry and elderberry. Vary the combinations of fruits and vegetables used from the list and take three times per day. Progress may be quite slow but steady, speeding up if dairy products are eliminated simultaneously.

Anti-inflammatories - Vitamin D, omega-3, probiotics, evening primrose oil, borage oil, vitamin C, bromelain (found in pineapples), flavonoids, antioxidants found in dark berries and some plants have anti-inflammatory properties, strengthen connective tissue, and may help reduce allergic reactions.  www.umm.edu

Juice Master Skin Deep supplement powder - Juice Master Jason Vale personally developed this supplement as he suffered extensively with several skin conditions: acne, psoriasis and eczema. Juice Master Skin Deep supplement powder contains zinc, lecithin, selenium, burdock root, flax seeds, essential fatty acids, red clover and friendly bacteria which contribute to glowing, healthy skin. Most of these ingredients are things that you cannot get through juicing alone and are a fantastic way to ‘boost’ your juice. For people with acne, this supplement should be added to a juice or smoothie daily (1tsp), until the skin improves, and then taken two or three times per week.

Pink Himalayan salt - Aim to drink two litres of mineral water with half a teaspoon of mineral-rich pink Himalayan salt every day. It may also be beneficial to add a cupful in your bath.

The Juice Recipes

Shot: The G & T
½ Apple
1 Inch of Ginger Root
1 Inch of Turmeric Root
1 tsp Juice Master Powergreens (optional)
2-3 Drops of Udo's Choice Ultimate Oil Omega 3-6-9 (optional)

Juice apple, ginger and turmeric together and pour into a shot glass. Add the Udo's oil or Juice Master Powergreens and stir in well. Down it in one!

Juice: Watermelon Mint Cooler - taken from Jason Vale's 5:2 Juice Diet
1 Pear
½ Cucumber
⅛ Watermelon (skin on)
1 Small Handful of Fresh Mint
Ice
Juice all the ingredients together and pour over ice - simple!

Blend
Ultimate Skin Cleanser - taken from Skin Deep Programme.
3 apples
½ cucumber
1 stick celery
½ cup spinach
½ ripe avocado (ripe)
1 tsp Juice Master Skin Deep supplement
Juice the apples, cucumber, celery and spinach and then blend with the avocado and Juice Master Skin Deep powder until smooth.

Disclaimer

Please note, it is impossible to give a definitive list as what supports one person can be a trigger food or allergen for another. You must stay your own juice detective at all times and listen to how your own body responds to certain foods and always consult with your healthcare provider when making changes to your diet which may affect your medication. Please be aware that we are not doctors, so it is important to consult with your GP or medical practitioner BEFORE making any changes to your diet. The suggestions above are not meant as an alternative to any current medical treatment so please DO NOT stop taking any medications you are on. They are also not an endorsement of their effectiveness, or a recommendation that they should be followed but instead, are provided for informational purposes. None of the information on the Natural Juice Therapy site is intended or implied to treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease.

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