What Therapeutic Treatments Help Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a general term denoting disturbances in the normal functioning of the peripheral nerves. The causes of neuropathy are varied and so is the treatment. Many a times, the neuropathy is almost irreversible and the treatment is mainly focused on preventing further progression of the nerve damage and other supportive measures to prevent any complications due to neuropathy.

Neuropathies due to nutritional deficiencies are mainly treated with the replenishment of the deficient nutrient. Neuropathies due to deficiency of vitamins like cobalamin, thiamine, pyridoxine, niacin are treated by giving the vitamin supplementation orally or by intramuscular injection of the vitamin if deficiency is due to defective absorption of vitamins from the diet. Treatment may or may not completely reverse the neuropathy and alleviate the symptoms and in many cases there is some permanent damage to nerves and persistent symptoms despite therapy. Recently neuropathy due to copper deficiency has also been discovered. It too is treated with oral copper salts or intravenous injection of copper salts. Again the response is variable and may take many months.

Entrapment neuropathies like carpal tunnel syndrome, radial neuropathy, meralgia paraesthetica, etc are treated based on specific cause and the nerve involved. Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment varies from medical approaches like NSAID (like Ibuprofen), local injection of steroids in wrist, and avoiding aggravating factors like typing in wrong positions, use of hand tools etc. If symptoms not alleviated by this approach, then surgery is also an option and is most often curative if no permanent damage to nerve has already occurred. Again, each neuropathy is unique and treatment is variable.

The treatment of neuropathies secondary to other diseases is the treatment of the primary disease causing the neuropathy. If neuropathy is due to Myxedema, caused by lack of thyroid hormone, then treatment is replacing the thyroid hormone. Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy is mainly supportive. In diabetic neuropathies, some forms like Mononeuropathies are reversible but most are irreversible. Strict control of blood glucose levels to slow the further progression is of paramount importance. Other treatment is based on the symptoms, like pain is managed with NSAID and many other drugs. Similarly the neuropathy associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis often responds to the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis (with immunomodulators).

Treatment of neuropathy due to food allergy is avoiding the allergen food item causing neuropathy. Neuropathy may also be due to toxic effect of certain drugs like Chloroquine, Phenytoin, anti-Cancer drugs and numerous others. Treatment in this case is mainly discontinuation of the drug or dose reduction. There may be some specific treatment in certain cases, like neuropathy due to isoniazid can usually be prevented by giving pyridoxine along with it.

Rheumatism and Arthritis - What's the Difference?

Rheumatism and arthritis are two bone and muscle diseases that people refer to almost interchangeably. Generally speaking, most people do not really see the difference. After all, both diseases manifest the same symptoms of recurring pain in joints and muscles. While both conditions can sometimes be unbearably painful and afflict older men and women, they are in fact different.

Rheumatism does not refer to a single disease or condition, but to over a 100 conditions based on the location and characteristics of the symptoms. For many years, rheumatism was the generic term used to describe various painful medical conditions related to bones, muscles, joints and tendons, until doctors began to use the term arthritis to describe joint-related ailments.

By definition, arthritis is a disease of the bone joints, where two or more bones come together and connect. When joints begin to show signs of redness, tenderness, and sensitivity to pain, then you are likely to be experiencing arthritis. Rheumatism, on the other hand, affects not just joints, but also bones, ligaments and other vital organs of the body, including heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver. In this context, all arthritis types are forms of rheumatism, while rheumatism is not always arthritis.

The cure and treatment for different types of arthritis or rheumatism depends on certain conditions. Doctors underscore the need for specific treatment for specific cases of arthritis and rheumatism. After all, the different types of arthritis and rheumatism are triggered by many factors, including food, allergens, genetics, and obesity. Among the most common types of rheumatic diseases are ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia, lupus, scleroderma, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, polymyalgia rheumatica, bursitis, tendinitis, vasculitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and complex regional pain syndrome.

On the other hand, the most common cases of arthritis, an ailment characterized by joint related pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage, are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, infectious arthritis, gout and pseudogout. Just like rheumatism, each type of arthritis requires a separate and distinct treatment. Despite these distinctions, people continue to use the terms interchangeably. Such a lack of knowledge has potentially painful, if not dangerous, consequences for arthritic and rheumatic sufferers, whose best chances to stop the progression of both diseases are when they are just starting to manifest the painful symptoms.

Arthritis and rheumatism inflict the most pain on people who fail to recognize the cause of their affliction and, therefore, are unable to immediately follow the doctor's advice to control both diseases through a balanced, low-uric acid and high-fiber diet, regular exercise, and medication.

Hidden Health Problems For Gout Sufferers

Gout is well known for its effect on the joints. In particular the big toe joint is commonly the first affected area, but of course gout pain can be present in other joints including the wrists, elbows, fingers, knees and ankles. But often overlooked are the other potential health issues associated with gout pain, which can include reduced cardio-vascular health, unhealthy weight, and even depression.

There are two reasons why these health problems may also be occurring in the gout patient.

1) Gout is often the result of underlying poor health

Scientists have shown that there is a correlation between body weight and serum urate concentration, and some studies have indicated that in fact body weight is the most important determinant of the serum urate concentration. In plain English - the fatter you are the higher the concentration of urate in the body and the higher the likelihood of having issues with gout pain.

While uric acid and foods containing purines are often blamed for gout directly, the gout itself is more likely to be the manifestation of a whole lot of other underlying health issues that need to be corrected in the first place.

2) Ongoing joint issues directly impact on your ability to stay healthy

In some cases gout can become much more a part of your daily life than just the occasional attack now and then. Once the uric acid levels build up in the joints, ongoing pain and stiffness will become more and more problematic. This may not even be showing the symptoms of a standard "gout attack" but rather it can just present as ongoing nagging pain with the occasional flare-up.

If the joints affected are the weight-bearing joints (hips, knees, ankles, toes) then the gout sufferer's ability to move freely is compromised. Any time these joints are in pain, it becomes a significant effort to do things that should be simple. Such as walking, or playing with your children, or doing your favorite form of exercise.

So you are in a bind. Your health is not the best (otherwise the chances are that you wouldn't have gout in the first place), and your ability to exercise in order to improve your health is severely diminished or curtailed. You can finish up in an endless spiral where you can't exercise to improve your health, which leads to worsening issues with the gout pain, which lessens your ability to exercise... and so on and so on.

Eventually for some people this can lead to increased lethargy, and perhaps even giving up on every being 100% again. Depression can also become a factor, when there is no end in sight.
The best solution...

Many people with gout will only worry about it when they are actually having a gout attack. However the problem is much bigger than dealing with the occasional sore foot!

The only way to solve the problem is to break the gout cycle. If you are just experiencing the occasional gout problem and just living with it... be very wary. You may not realize it yet, but you are probably entering the cycle and well on your way to some pretty serious problems. If you are already in the grip of the cycle, you have to do something about it now. If exercise is out then change one of the other factors. Improve your diet, cut back on alcohol, something, anything to reverse the trend.

The best solution - the only solution - to your gout problems is to look after your overall health. Get that right, and your issues with gout will naturally diminish. Eat the right foods, avoid the wrong foods, lose the excess weight (the chief determinant of the serum urate concentration), exercise more often, and kiss the gout goodbye!

Animal Foods And Human Health

In as much as the animal foodstuffs which include meat, fish, eggs, milk and its preparations could be easy reservoirs for microorganisms which could cause infection, they could serve as very good food supplements not just for consumption but as well prophylaxis and treatment therapy to some medical ailments. Since, infection could be avoided by proper processing of the animal food; we then have a good choice in consuming the animal foods for good living. This piece of information will place more emphasis on Fish, Meat and Egg as we get to see their medical importance.

Meat

It consists of muscle fibers held together by connective tissues. The fibers of Meat contain muscle plasma of muscle juice. It contains 1-2% salts which are chiefly chlorides and phosphates of potash. The proteins of meat which are present to the tune of about 17-20% are myosin, muscle- albumin and hemoglobin. Fat (10-20%) is often embedded in the connective tissues of meat.

Bronchial lymphatic glands should be examined for evidence of tuberculosis. If the animal has suffered from jaundice, the flesh will have a yellow tinge. The flesh of animals killed by accident, lightening or those who happen to be suffering from diseases like anthrax, rabies, glanders, general Tuberculosis and so on, should be condemned. The diseased meat should be condemned and prevented from sending into the Market. The chief diseases of animals are:

Tuberculosis. It is practically common in Cattle and Pigs in the European Countries. It is rare in Sheep, goats and other Cattle in India. It is always present in lymphatic glands of the diseased animals. Muscles practically never get affected and it is extremely doubtful if eating meat, so affected, spreads tuberculosis. In tubercular animals when disease is generalized, the whole Carcass should be condemned as unfit for Human, consumption since that meat happens to be poor in quality and unwholesome even though it may not convey tuberculosis to consumers.

Cysticercus. This is the embryos of tapeworms living in the muscles of animals, especially oxen and pigs, where they produce little grayish bladders or vesicles called cysts. In these tiny cysts are contained the hearts of tapeworms and when anybody happens to eat such a meat these cysts break into his stomach and let loose the heads which pass through the Intestines, get fixed to the intestinal wall and ultimately grow into grown tapeworms which may be several meters long. If meat is properly cooked, the tiny embryos are killed due to heat and in that case, they may not do much harm. All such infected meats should be condemned.

Trichinella Spiralis. It reaches man on account of eating insufficiently cooked flesh of a pig having worms in encysted form. In pork and ram, those may be seen as white spots, large enough to be visible to the naked eye. The Adult worm lives in crypts in mucosa of small intestines. It gives rise to embryos which enter circulation and are carried into the musculature of host, where they encyst. The muscles most often affected are those of the diaphragm, larynx, tongue and abdomen. Encysted larvae remain alive for years. When these cysts are found in the slaughtered animals, the whole carcass should be condemned. Serious illness may result from Trichinosis, whole symptoms are pain, nausea, rapid pulse, fever, irregularity of bowels and death occurring due to peritonitis.

Actinomycosis or Ray fungus. In this case, infectious agent is actinomyces Isrealii or A bovis. It is now recognized as parasite, which occurs in the meat of oxen. It may affect other cattle especially calves, pigs, horses and sheep. It occurs particularly in wet weather. The tongue, jaws and lungs are commonly affected. The post- mortem appearances closely resemble tuberculosis. In this case only the affected parts are condemned.

Distomum Hepaticum of Liver Flukes. They resemble flat fish, each of them being 2-4cm long and 1cm wide. They are brownish in color and are found covered with little bristles. They are very common in sheep in India. The parasites are found in the liver, bile ducts and give rise to a disease called the rot. As cooking always kills the flukes, only a few cases of disease from this parasite are known to occur in man.

Fish

It is easily digested. It has a high nutritive value, though not so stimulating as meat, but generally it is less rich in fats and contains more calcium than ordinary meat. It has all the vitamins except vitamin C. Fish liver is a rich source of Vitamin A and D. Sea fish is a rich source of Iodine. There are two kinds of fish; Lean fish. It consists of small fibers and contains fat below 2%. It is easily digested. Another is the Fat fish, which consists of medium or large fibers with fat content of 2.5% or more. It is somewhat difficult to digest.

Medical usage of Fish

Some fish extracts have been discovered to be very useful in either prophylaxis or treatment of some medical conditions.

1. Cod Oil Is one of the extracts of Fish which contains high levels of Vitamin D and used for the treatment of Osteoarthritis.
2. Fish Oil contains Vitamin A and hence used for the treatment of night blindness (eyes), skin and used for normal growth of a child.
3. Fish oil also contains omega-3 fatty acids which helps in cases of high blood pressure and strong scientific evidence from Human trials show that Omega-3 fatty acid significantly reduce blood triglyceride levels and inflammation.
4. Epidemiology studies show the association of Fish oil with reduced death rates of heart diseases, improved blood vessel functioning and decreased resting heart rate.
5. Research has indicated the great importance of Fish Oil supplementation from the twenty second week of pregnancy until delivery improves the living condition of fetus and the mother.
6. The Fish Oil also helps in Organ transplants. Immunity of Host body of transplanted Organ less readily rejects the transplanted organ when it is taken regularly.
7. It is highly recommended for rheumatoid arthritis.

Egg

Eggs contain cholesterol. And high cholesterol levels in our blood increases our risks of heart disease. However, the cholesterol we get from our food and this includes eggs, have less effect on the amount of cholesterol in our blood than the amount of saturated fat we eat. So, if you are eating a balanced diet, you only need to cut down on eggs if you have been told to do so by your dietitian or doctor. But if you are told to watch your cholesterol level alone, your priority should be cutting down on saturated fats.

An egg weighs approximately 56.7g. It consists of 10% Outer covering or shell, 60% white and 30% yolk. It is a food containing all the approximate principles of food, except Carbohydrates. It is necessary for the growth and development of the body. It is a protective food containing first class proteins with all the essential amino acids and had the highest nutritive value among dietary proteins. In view of the presence of sulfur in the white of egg, they are considered as acid forming foods and resemble meat in this respect.

The shell consists of carbonate of lime, the white is made up wholly of proteins, the chief being egg, albumin and the yolk contains less proteins and a large amount of fat. Besides, it contains lecithin, vitamin and the organic compounds of phosphorus, lime, and Iron. It is rich in calcium salts, and vitamins. Yolk of egg is a valuable food for anemic patients, since it contains Iron which is very easily digested in the body. And since the fat present in the yolk of eggs is in emulsified form, just like Milk, it is easily digested and is almost completely absorbed in the Intestines; only 3% residue is left.

Freshness of eggs can be tested by;

Holding in the hand in front of a candle in the dark. Fresh ones being more transparent in the center and stale ones are transparent at their extremities. This process of testing the eggs is known as candling.
By putting them in 10% salt solution; fresh eggs will sink, whereas stale ones will float.

There is no recommended limit on how many eggs people should eat. Eggs are a good choice as part of a healthy balanced diet. But remember that it is a good idea to eat as varied a diet as possible. This means we should be trying to eat a variety of foods each week to get the wide range of nutrients we need. Eggs are a good source of; protein, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B2 and Iodine.

Eggs can make a really healthy meal. Why not try one of these for your breakfast, lunch or evening meal.

Spanish omelets with chinks of cooked potatoes (you could use leftover potatoes from last night's dinner) and onions served with steamed vegetable or a salad. All sorts of vegetable will work in the omelets- sweet potatoes, peppers, spring onions and mushrooms are all good choices.

Poached egg and baked beans (choose reduced salt and sugar versions. If you can) served on thick sliced toast makes a great bunch- you could serve it with grilled tomatoes or mushrooms.

Scrambled eggs on thick slices of brown toast, add some spring onions or mushrooms and serve with grilled tomatoes.

Boiled eggs chopped into a summer salad. If you include salad leaves, new potatoes, green beans, red onion, olives, boiled egg and some tuna. But remember that quiches and flans often contain cream and cheese, and sometimes bacon too. All of which add to the saturated fat and salt content. If you are making your own quiche or flan, go easy on the cream and cheese. If you use a strong flavored cheese you will only need to use a small amount. And some vegetables such as broccoli, peppers and tomatoes. Fried eggs are higher in fat than boiled, poached occasionally. If you do want a fried egg, use oil that is high in unsaturated fat such as sunflower oil. It's a good idea to drain off as much of the Oil as you can and it will also help to put the egg on some kitchen paper before putting it on your plate.

Some research have been done on the Quail egg and there are very positive developments about this egg. Here are lists of the medical importance of the Quail egg;

Continuous maintenance of the healthy body and supporting the efforts for athletes.
Enhancement of the immune system stimulates normal growth and regulates weight disturbance.
Neural cell protection, improves memory and intelligence coefficient.
Regulates gastric acidity and digestion in Lungs.
Enhances heart functioning, recovery after stress, exhaustion after surgical interventions, radiotherapy, and in cases of burns.

In view of the following aforementioned uses, the Quail Egg is very good for the following clinical ailments;

Sexual impotence, bronchi asthma, Tuberculosis, high level of cholesterol in blood, allergies, eczema, spasmophilia, migraines, neural asthenia, treatment of Kidney, treatment of Liver and Ophthalmologic.

Usage in rational nourishment (Meat)

1. Meat is source of protein of full value. Biological value and assimilation of meat depends on the kind, age and feeding of farm animals and poultry fowls and also on the content of fat and connective tissues. The less connective tissue, the better the assimilation of Meat (80-90%).
2. Source of Vitamin- thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6), Pantothenic acid and choline.
3. Source of main elements- Iron, copper, zinc, consuming of 200g of meat covers 20-25% of Iron daily, 40-45% of Zinc and 35-40% of copper.
4. Sausages and sausage products have less biological value than natural meat owing to structural destruction of protein, great content of full Lipid acid and destruction of Vitamins.

Usage in treatment and prophylactic nourishment

1. Owing to great content in meat of Nitrogen containing (amino acids, purine) and other contents (glycogen, glucose and lactic acid). Meat serve as a substance of strong bouillon used for intensity of appetite and stimulation of gastric secretion in patients with acute infectious diseases (pneumonia, influenza), chronic diseases (tuberculosis, alimentary cachexia) and in patients with period of recovering. Particularly useful in strong chicken bouillon.
2. Natural Meat products, especially fried or stewed, are not used in feeding of patients with Ulcer disease of stomach, gastritis with increased secretion, hepatitis, cirrhosis and Inflammation of the pancreas.
3. For prophylaxis of arteriosclerosis. Hyper-tonic crisis in Liver diseases, diseases of Pancreas, and accumulation of fatty tissues; we must recommend to use meat products which contain small number of Cholesterol and full Lipid acids (real rabbit meat, meat of chicken without skin).
4. In Podagra, we must make smaller protein value in ration, exclude from ration sources of purine (sub products) and eat meat with low content of purine.
5. In hypo-chromic anemia, we must include into ration dishes which contain meat and blood.
6. Connective tissues of meat are stimulants of motility of intestinal tract and promote secretion of exogenous chemical substances (collagen).

As much as we enjoy eating the animal foodstuffs, it is also important to know that you need not be a Medical practitioner or nutritionist to know their medical benefits. Do not let familiarity carry you away, what you see and squander in front of your dinning table could serve more and better purposes.

Curing Rheumatoid Arthritis - Simple Ways That Work

RA is one of the most common types of arthritis. Arthritis is inflammation of the joint characterized by joint pains and stiffness which get more severe as one gets older.

There are several ways in which to treat arthritis ranging from natural healing techniques to use of biological drugs. Both have shown relative success in treating the symptoms of arthritis.

Nonetheless, it is important for one to understand the habits that influence inflammatory processes that result in arthritis.

It is one of the autoimmune diseases that can occur at any age and is very challenging for the human body system to naturally handle.

The symptoms can sometimes be very debilitating and it important to talk to a qualified medical professional before starting a new treatment plan.

Natural Cures for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs primarily as a result of antibodies within the body attacking the body itself. It is not a simple disease and even when you choose to work with the natural methods it is still important to consult with a specialist on what you need to do.

Combination of hot and cold presses to reduce pain in muscle joint is one of the natural methods that can be used to cure rheumatoid arthritis. Most people with arthritis suffer swallow and pain in muscle joints.

To reduce the pain one can use a combination of cold and hot compresses for about 15 minutes each. Use ice cold water for 15 minutes then hot water for another 15 minutes and the pain will be reduced.

Acupuncture, Exercise and Diet plan

Acupuncture is a great natural choice in curing rheumatoid arthritis. This traditional Chinese method helps in boosting the immune system; with an excellent immune system the body gets the power to fight off the disease.

Doing proper exercises and having a good diet can also help reduce pain associated with RA. It is recommended that you consult your physician on what kind exercises and diet plan can help in improving the condition.

Drugs Used to Cure Rheumatoid Arthritis

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also known as NSAIDs are used in arthritis treatment strictly for pain relief and to reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids are also used to manage short term flare ups in reducing pain and inflammation.

They also help prevent joint damage. It is a rapid relief drug which is usually given to NSAID patients when NSAID is ineffective.

It is also one of the most effective treatments that were originally designed for illnesses such as cancer, though used in much less amounts to cure arthritis.

Biologics are the emerging new rheumatoid treatment. They are used when all medication cannot deliver relief. It is developed from human gene protein and works by inhibiting immune response to inflammation.

Focus on Body Immunity

In curing rheumatoid arthritis, there is one most important thing to focus on; building body immunity.

If the body immunity is weak then it becomes almost impossible to cure rheumatoid arthritis. It is advisable to build body immunity even as you try other treatments.

The Shocking Arthritis Statistics in America Today

According to the U.S. Government survey on arthritis statistics, one out of every four adults in America will have arthritis by 2030. Right now there are 46 million people that suffer from the disease and because our population is constantly aging, this is why there will be 67 million affected twenty one years from now.
These are quite shocking statistics but it goes further...

According to the Arthritis Foundation in 2007:

2/3rd of people who have been diagnosed with the disease are under 65.
As long ago as 2003 9,500 Americans DIED because of arthritis.
People with rheumatoid arthritis (also referred to as rheumatism) die up to 10 years earlier than those who do not have the disease.
Almost 19 million Americans have to stop working within 10 years of being diagnosed.
A shocking 294,000 children have been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis.
The cost of all this is $128 billion per year.

So what can we do if we are diagnosed with arthritis?

I think first of all, don't panic. Although arthritis cannot be cured at this time, there are many, many ways to alleviate pain and muscle swelling. You doctor can advise you which medication is best for you. Unfortunately almost all drugs have side effect, especially if they are used consistently over a long period of time. In fact, many doctors then prescribe another drug to help with the side effects of the arthritis drugs. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, known as NSAIDs are most commonly prescribed.

However, there are also many natural remedies that can help and in fact many people turn to these. Glucosamine and MSN supplements are readily available and help to rebuild the worn-down cartilage. Remedies like honey and apple cider vinegar help with pain relief. A visit to your local health food store can be quite an eye opener as to what products there are for this condition.

Diet is also a consideration as many foods tend to trigger arthritis pain, such as tomatoes. Acid forming drinks like coffee and sodas should be avoided. You can find out more by doing research online.
If you are overweight, this can cause extra complications as the extra weight can negatively affect your joints and bodily movement in general. If you lose pounds, you help alleviate arthritis pain as well as the condition generally. This is even more important as exercise can be daunting when you have arthritis because it's hard to do as your joints are compromised. Therefore walking, climbing stairs, stooping or bending are often difficult.

In fact, arthritis is the number one cause of disability, so it's important to do what you can to help move those joints in a gentle way.

Although these arthritis statistics are horrifying, the truth is that much can be done to help people who have been diagnosed with the disease.

Beware of Fast Food Veggie Burgers

While I applaud the efforts of the fast food industry in attempting to provide vegetarian and more healthful alternatives to the crap they already sell on a daily basis, I have to point out shortcomings and defects in their attempts to provide vegetarian and healthy alternatives that sabotage or defeat the whole purpose of attempting to provide healthier and meat-less (vegetarian) products.

Is health or the wellbeing of the American people the main objective in selling vegetarian products or is it financial gain? Unfortunately for all the people who want to believe the fast food industry is coming around and becoming more health conscious, the fast food industry's objective in selling vegetarian items such as the veggie burger is strictly commercial, at least right now or presently.

Why? Because until the vegetarian items are completely lacking animal byproducts, the promoting and selling of vegetarian items is to deceive fast food consumers into believing that they have a choice in eating meatless or healthier items and products, which just isn't true

.
Take McDonald's, Burger King, and the Habit for example. They all sell a veggie burger. But that veggie burger patty (if the patty itself is not entirely vegetable based) is cooked in ANIMAL LARD number one, and number two, cooked on the same grill that meat (DEAD ANIMAL FLESH) is cooked on.

All meat contains parasites and worms, and the ugliest ones that you could ever see with the human eyes. I know this personally as I have done the personal research (and have been presented research from Doctah B, Bro. Tarik, and others in the Los Angeles area) and have the nauseating photographs to show you. TOTALLY GROSS!

Some people thought they were avoiding animal byproducts by only eating French fries from the fast food restaurant, not knowing that most fast food restaurants such as McDonald's were cooking their fries in vegetable oil mixed with beef juice. That's right! McDonald's add beef juice to its cooking oil for flavor, in addition to spraying the fires with a sugar solution, freezing them and shipping them off to McDonald's franchises, and after cooking the sugar sprayed fries in beef juice (oil), sodium chloride (salt) is added and you have one of the most addictive products in America - McDonald's French fries!

Take Subway for example, a place I used to eat at often in my early vegan days and while I was in the Corporate world. I had my places to eat at and menus to choose from. However, eating out was the exception to the rule and not the rule, as I normally prepared my own lunch. But Subway was right across the street from my place of employment and the food was much lighter than the stuff sold at the more general fast food establishments.

However, as I became more spiritual and health conscious, it started to bother me eating at establishments that served vegetarian products alongside with meat or flesh products. I used to order the Veggie Max sub sandwich from Subway. But the soy based Veggie Max patty was in a container or bin next to bacon (pig's back end). This was not a far distance for the microscopic parasites and worms to crawl from the bacon bin to the veggie patty bin. Also, the veggie patty was cut in two with the same knife used to cut meat with. You see, it really doesn't matter if you're health conscious or vegan or vegetarian and the person preparing your food (or product) is not. To the fast food employee, they're just preparing another product totally oblivious to strict food sanitary preparation ethics and principles.

Another thing to point out about the Subway Veggie Max sub or sandwich is that it was (1) cooked (actually, RADIATED) in a microwave oven, (2) cooked or radiated in the same microwave oven as meat or flesh products (pork worms can't be killed in heat because of a heat-resistant shell that forms around the worm in very high temperatures, and the only substance that can penetrate or break open that shell is the hydrochloric acid of the human body).

One day while out on the town with my children here in Glendale, California, my daughter wanted some noodles or Chow Mein and I think some vegetable-fried rice or egg rolls from Panda Express, I really can't remember exactly the items, but I do remember asking the Panda Express employee to prepare an exclusively vegetarian plate - NO MEAT OR MEAT-BYPRODUCTS WHATSOEVER, i.e. vegetable-fried rice, Chow Mein, steamed vegetables, and to my utter shock, the employee honestly told me that NOTHING at Panda Express was vegetarian. Absolutely nothing! I said, "Even the vegetable-fried rice, noodles, and steamed vegetables?" He said "That's right, Sir!" With a discombobulated look on my face, the employee then told me that Panda Express pours chicken juice on all of its items. So now I'm thinking about the time when time compelled me to get something on the go and I got what I thought was completely vegetarian from Panda Express.

And of course, I've heard similar accounts from my good Vegan comrades as well. So if you want to know a thing, ask. And by all means, don't presume.

If you think those vegetarian corn dogs at Hot Dog On-A-Stick are vegetarian, think again! They contain egg whites (in the bread batter).

I also used to eat the vegetarian burritos at Baha Fresh Mexican Grill. I started getting headaches. Why? White flour tortillas cooked on the same grill as the slaughtered flesh (meat). So what did I do to cure the problem? I Left those burritos alone and I have been fine ever since.

I remember my early vegan days of 1997 and 1998 and thinking I was not eating any animal parts or byproducts whatsoever only to discover that those black beans I was eating from El Pollo Loco contained chunks of chicken. One day while eating these black beans, I noticed a strange substance in them. When I picked the substance up and closely analyzed it, I was disgusted to be holding a piece of chicken in my hand. Boy did I feel nauseated at this revelation and discovery. I had to let those beans go no matter how good they tasted. I refuse to let taste disillusion me into a state of poor health and into an early grave.

Vegetarian does not mean vegan! Vegan means "completely animal free, including dairy products and eggs," whereas vegetarian means "meat-free but not dairy/eggs-free." A vegetarian burrito at a fast food restaurant may contain cheese and sour cream (congealed cow snot or mucus). Some veggie burger patties may also contain cheese. Cheese is from an animal so how can it be animal free? While many health conscious folks and would be vegans enjoy Boca Burgers, some brands contain egg whites and cheese, so start reading the ingredient list on the box.

So although McDonald's now has a veggie burger, just know that its veggie burger is cooked in beef oil, in addition to the fact that the veggie burger is centered between two white, refined grain buns, conventionally grown iceberg lettuce (the worst lettuce to eat and the most nutritionally deficient plant to eat) and genetically engineered tomatoes (if you want lettuce and tomatoes on your veggie burger). The same thing can be said of Burger King and the Habit's veggie burgers.

However, if you're on the road or out and about in society and must make a choice to eat something that is not so insalubrious, it would be a good idea to experience around with a major fast food chain's veggie burger rather than give in to the traditional crap that has been served over the years and that you always bought and ate. However, it is better (and wiser) to seek out vegan restaurants before you actually hit the town (if you're a health conscious individual or vegan).

I know how difficult it is to be vegan (at first) and to not have vegan eateries so easily and readily accessible, especially if you live in a small town. I'm thankful that the Greater Los Angeles area and Southern California in general is loaded with vegan spots around town to get something wholesome and nutritious to eat. The same is true for other big cities around the nation such as New York City, Atlanta, San Diego, San Francisco-Oakland Bay area, etc.

If you're having trouble locating vegan eateries around the nation, contact Friends of Animals at bill@friendsofanimals.org or (203)656-1522 for a possible listing of vegan restaurants.

If you're in the Greater Los Angeles area, you may contact us at http://www.DHERBS.com for a listing of vegan (and vegetarian) restaurants.

Eating healthy is a journey, discipline, and lifestyle and does not come without challenges in the early stages. However, as you become more health conscious, you'll discover more healthy places to eat at while out on the town.

Thank you for reading! PEACE, LOVE and LIGHT!

This article was compliments of www.dherbs.com and Djehuty Ma'at-Ra, The People's Herbalist