Toxic & Healthy Nightshade Vegetables

I have a previous post about the effects of potatoes on inflammation in the body. I'd like to continue to explore the remaining nightshade vegetables. The Solanaceae family, or nightshade vegetables, are used for food, spice and medicine. They are often high in alkaloid chemicals which can be either desirable or toxic to humans and animals.  Atropine has a stimulant effect on the central nervous system and heart, whereas Scopolamine has a sedative effect. In very small controlled pharmaceutical doses they can halt many types of allergic reactions, control motion sickness, dilate pupils to examine the inner eye and subdue the effects of chemotherapy. In other circumstances ingested toxicity from this family of nightshade vegetables may produce a rash, itching, inflammation, increased pain, bloating, dry mouth, respiratory difficulty, gastrointestinal problems, urinary retention, convulsions, and various other central nervous system conditions. 

   
                      

Nicotine is another alkaloid found in the nightshade plant, tobacco. It is highly toxic and addictive to the human body. Glycoalkaloids are present in 'greening' potatoes and some rare species of berries and can be lethal at high levels. Capsaicin can be found in hot peppers and omits a strong burning sensation when sprayed or eaten.

If you suffer from chronic illness, the nightshade vegetables most recommended to avoid are:

• tomatoes
• tomatillo (or ground cherries)
• potatoes
• eggplant
• chile peppers
• sweet bell peppers
• chayote
• tobacco

I can tell you from first hand experience, eliminating these vegetables (minus the tobacco because I'm not a smoker) takes a concentrated effort. From ketchup to salsa, baked potatoes to french fries, and even ratatouille, I miss many of my favorite foods. But the suffering I endure when I eat them is so horrible, I now envision them as "poisonous foods". When looked at in this manner, it's no longer difficult to pass them up.

Some of you who have life threatening food allergies (i.e., peanuts, wheat, eggs, etc.) know the danger involved in ingesting poisonous foods. I encourage all who have inflammation in your joints and muscles, consider eliminating these foods from your diet. I believe you will see a noticeable difference in your pain levels. Another option in addition to eliminating nighshade vegetables, would be to follow the anti-inflammatory diet. Click on this link for further details about this healthy lifestyle choice.

It's made a huge difference in my life. Let me know your findings! Thanks for checking in on my blog. Hope you'll come back again soon to visit.

Complications of Physical Activity

We've all heard about the benefits of exercise. Some of us moan and groan a bit, thinking our excuses are truly valid. Now a days, I'm probably in the front of this line, as I get caught up in the complications of my day by day health, rather than the benefits of exercise for my health and well-being.

My health issues began over 35 years ago with an auto accident. I had my first total hip replacement at age 23 and 3 subsequent revisions (1 almost every 10 years) with the last one resulting in femoral nerve damage and temporary paralysis.  Swimming was my best option for exercise for the first couple of hip surgeries.  Water and physical therapy were the best for the last one.


After years of lap swimming, I got multiple ear infections. I also came down a vestibular disorder  which resulted in debilitating dizziness, nausea, imbalance, and neurological problems.  My world stopped for several years as I went to multiple specialists, progressed through treatments and learned several exercises to help me adapt to this disorder. I can no longer swim or turn my head quickly, but I do continue the daily stretching for my neck.


As a complication of the chronic pain and stress to my hips, pelvis, neck and shoulders, I have also developed arthritis,  fibromyalgia, cluster headaches and chronic fatigue syndrome. I've learned various 'tools' to help cope with the pain: healthy back exercises, deep breathing techniques, journaling, meditation, stretches, goal setting, pacing, etc. I was treated with chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, cranial sacral positioning, shiatzu massage, and electrical stimulation modalities from wonderfully trained professionals.  My physical activities through these years consisted of walking, water therapy, a fibromyalgia exercise group (through a research study), stretches, balance exercises and hand weights often using the exercise ball.


The years have gone by and more symptoms have resulted where lab tests show high cholesterol, diabetes, liver disease, gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD) and gastroparesis. At this point, my exercises consist of basic core isometrics, small hand weights and stretching. I'm frustrated to say the least. I can go for a short walks but definitely not brisk ones. I still 'play' with my grandchildren, but I tend to 'lead' them in activities more by talking rather than doing.


But as I read through various articles online, it's important for me to participate in exercise to help lower my blood sugar levels. Chronic inflammation from arthritis and fibromyalgia can be helped with specialized exercises consisting of minimal repetitions and varying muscle groups. Movement, whether aerobic or non-aerobic, is shown to lower levels of C-reactive protein (the test for inflammation in the body). Most articles refer to being consistent with your exercise plan, doing so for 20-30 minutes or more, 5-7 days a week, if possible. 


As we age, we need to consider movement and range of motion exercises as a lifestyle to keep our bodies healthy. When we least feel well, that's when we need to get up and move. Consider going outside and picking a couple of weeds or cutting some flowers. You might go over to a neighbor's and check in with them, getting out of 'yourself' and helping others. Before you know it, maybe you'll feel like doing more. I have a stationary bike on my covered porch that needs a little dusting off. There's a lovely honeysuckle plant just off the porch that will start blooming soon. The smell is luscious and a pleasure to enjoy while pedaling! 


Scientists aren't exactly sure how exercise diffuses inflammation. [One theory is that exercise goads the body into making more antioxidants, which then seek and destroy free radicals associated with prolonged inflammation. William Joel Meggs, MD, PhD, author of The Inflammation Cure (McGraw-Hill, 2004), believes exercise may fool the body into thinking it’s younger than it is. “If the body senses it has a biological need to stay healthy, it will produce more antioxidants to control inflammation and slow the aging process,” he says.]


Our bodies are extremely complex and resilient, but they need nurturing. Only we can make a difference in our physical health.  Get up and move . . . and make your body feel younger! If you are young, enjoy the abilities you have today, for tomorrow comes all too quickly.

Toxic Effects of Nightshade Vegetables on GI, Immune & Nervous Systems

I've heard for years that people with Arthritis should avoid nightshade vegetables. I knew the main culprits were potatoes and tomatoes, but did not understand what it was about them that effected inflammation. Eggplant and sweet and hot peppers are also considered nightshade vegetables.

Last night I chose to eat potatoes and unfortunately I experienced first hand multiple reactions all night and into today. My Fibromyalgia pain was worse, the tingling sensation in my feet from my diabetes was really horrible, I had the worst headache at the base of my head/neck (the occipital area), I was restless and could not sleep, etc. Hmm . . . What's all this about?

In researching nightshade vegetables, I decided to focus on potatoes for today. (I'll do another article(s) on what I find out about tomatoes, eggplant and peppers.)  Potatoes are one of my favorite foods from childhood. My claim to fame is: 'I've never met a potato I didn't like', until now.

A UC Davis review paper on Potato Glycoalkaloids, (glī-kō-ˈal-kə-ˌlȯids), defines one of the main glycoalkaloids in potatoes as solanine which can be very toxic even in small amounts.  The natural function of solanine is to serve as protection from insects, fungi, etc.  Improper storage conditions are the major reason for increased levels of solanine. Potatoes should be stored in a dark, dry (not the refrigerator), and cold place, 45* being the optimal temperature. When potatoes are subject to light, they begin the process of 'greening' in which the potato peel actually turns green.  I did notice some greening on the potatoes I cooked last night. I peeled off part of it, but not all of it - my bad, but I did not know any of this information until today. 


On food-info.net, it defines [Solanine poisoning as primarily displayed by gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, burning of the throat, headaches, dizziness (and increased pain). Hallucinations, loss of sensation, and paralysis, fever, jaundice, dilated pupils and hypothermia have been reported in more severe cases.] Symptoms can manifest themselves anywhere from 30 minutes to 12 hours after ingestion. The (diabetic) tingly loss of sensation in my feet started about 2 hours after eating the potatoes last night. My fibromyalgia pain shot up about 4 hours after eating. The headache lasted 10 hours and the stomach cramping and loose stools have continued 16+ hours later.


The link between solanine poisoning and chronic illnesses has not been fully researched. However, those suffering with primary immunodeficiencies or acquired immune deficiencies are encouraged to eliminate toxic foods from their diets.  The elimination or exclusion diet as it may be called, basically eliminates foods which are known to cause allergic or inflammatory reactions. The anti-inflammatory diet eliminates wheat and corn products, red meats, sugars, caffeine, processed foods and nightshade vegetables. After eating from the modified food list for a 2 month period, you can try to add back in certain foods, one at a time, to see if or how they effect you. Wait a period of 2 weeks before adding the next new food.


Due to my Gastroparesis (see post below), potatoes are a recommended food that is easily digested. But for me, it's just not worth the horrible side effects. Noodles are another recommended food. I have added them back into my modified diet, starting with rice noodles, which I tolerated very well. I have added (wheat) egg noodles, and they seem to be fine as well with no side effects that I can tell. Foods that are easily digested are often not recommended for the diabetic or low glycemic diet as they cause blood sugar levels to rise quickly. To counter this reaction, I am successfully adding homemade soups to my diet, made from fresh anti-inflammatory vegetables. The strained vegetable stock makes a nutritious base for adding other digestible foods. These soups are delicious and nutritious.


Perhaps you've learned a little something today. If you already knew some or all of this information, I'd appreciate your insights and input.  I really look forward to all comments. Til next time, take care of yourself.  See you soon - bye.