Pneumonia

If you suffer from pneumonia, you need to be screened for food allergies and sensitivities, and then avoid eating those foods that you are allergic or sensitive to. In addition, avoid all sugar and sugar products, including an excess of sweet fruits, wheat and wheat byproducts, soft drinks, commercially processed foods, and all foods containing artificial ingredients, such as additives, colorings, flavorings, and preservatives. Eliminate your intake of all milk and dairy products, as they contribute greatly to mucus in the body. In addition, avoid coffee and all other caffeinated products.

Drink plenty of pure, filtered water — at least eight ounces every two hours; and for best results, add fresh squeezed lemon juice and a dash of cayenne pepper. (Be sure to brush your teeth or rinse well after citrus foods.) Also enjoy fresh squeezed, organic vegetable juices throughout the day, as well as hot broths, especially miso and other soups. Take in lots of warm liquids. Vegetable juices are an important addition to the diet, and the very best option for providing extra nutritional support, especially while sick. They are best made using primarily green vegetables. Use just enough carrot to make your juices sweet enough to be palatable. Add ginger or garlic if desired for a nice warming effect. Diluted organic pear juice can also be helpful, in order to loosen up lung congestion.

At mealtime, emphasize organic, whole foods, especially plenty of fresh, raw organic vegetables, lightly steamed vegetables and veggie soups, miso soup, preferably soaked nuts and seeds, organic, free-range meats, poultry, and wild-caught fish. Eat small quantities of fresh sweet fruits — limit your selection to plums and pears, all berries, including Goji berries, and other less sweet exotic fruits you may find in the region where you live. Non sweet fruits such as avocado, pepper, tomato and cucumbers can be eaten freely. Garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper, chili peppers, and onions should be eaten regularly, due to their powerful health benefits for the lungs and overall respiratory system. Organic, extra virgin olive oil and raw virgin coconut butter/oil can and should be used liberally.

According to leading naturopathic physician and researcher Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D., President Emeritus of Bastyr University, a vegan diet can significantly improve symptoms of most respiratory conditions, including pneumonia. Such a diet involves eliminating all animal products, as well as fish, eggs, milk, and all other dairy products. Grains should be avoided as well, or eaten in minimal amounts. Dr. Pizzorno also advises limiting your fluid intake to pure, filtered water (avoid chlorinated, fluoridated tap water), and emphasize plenty of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, especially romaine lettuce, carrots, beets, onions, celery, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumber, radishes, Jerusalem artichokes, beans (except soy and green peas), blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cloudberries, black currants, gooseberries, plums, and pears. Apples and citrus fruits (except lemon) are not recommended, however.

Fasting: Fasting 14 to 48 hours under a doctor’s supervision can often help to speedily resolve any threat of pneumonia, if undertaken at the first sign of symptoms. Fasting is to be avoided however, if the patient is too weak or frail. Seek the help of your health care practitioner in this matter.

Supplements:

Useful nutrients for treating pneumonia include vitamin A, beta carotene, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pine tree bark, and zinc, all of which can help improve immune function and fight off infection. Proteolytic enzymes taken between meals, along with acidophilus supplements, can also be helpful, as can thymus gland extract. Other useful supplements include betaine HCL, bee pollen, quercetin, manganese, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and selenium.

If you need to take an antibiotic, which is frequently the case with pneumonia, be sure to supplement during the course of treatment, and also after treatment, with a steady course of probiotics, such as acidophilus. Probiotics should be taken for at least 3 weeks following a course of antibiotics as they will help replace the intestinal flora that is weakened when taking antibiotics.

Prescription and non-prescription medication:

What non-prescription and prescription drugs are you taking?  Your non-prescription and prescription are partially the reason that you have this illness or disease – you need to get off these medications but do so only under the guidance of a licensed health care practitioner.

Next section on natural remedies for pneumonia is your mind.