The Mucusless Diet Healing System, popularized by Arnold Ehret in the early 20th century, is a dietary approach centered on the idea that eliminating mucus-forming foods can lead to improved health and vitality. Ehret's teachings, further elaborated in Prof. Spira's annotated and revised edition of "Arnold Ehret's Mucusless Diet Healing System," offer a complete course for individuals seeking to take control of their health naturally. This system combines a specific diet with intermittent fasting, aiming to cleanse the body of accumulated waste and obstructions.
Core Principles of the Mucusless Diet
Ehret's core belief was that "Every disease, no matter what name it is known by Medical Science, is Constipation, a clogging up of the entire pipe system of the human body." This "constipation" isn't limited to the bowels; it affects individual cells throughout the body, leading to toxin buildup. The solution, according to Ehret, lies in adopting a diet of raw and cooked fruits and vegetables, coupled with strategic fasting.
Vitality Equals Power Minus Obstruction
A central tenet of Ehret's philosophy is the equation V=P-O, where Vitality equals Power minus Obstruction. He argued that vitality isn't derived from the quantity of food consumed, but rather from minimizing obstructions within the body. These obstructions primarily stem from mucus-forming foods.
The Role of Mucus
Ehret posited that mucus-forming and pus-forming foods are unnatural and harmful for human consumption. He believed that disease is the body's response to eliminate infectious wastes, with the colon playing a crucial role in this cleansing process.
Food as Cleansing Agent
Unlike the conventional view of food as a primary source of energy, Ehret emphasized its role in cleansing the body. He advocated for a diet that facilitates the removal of waste and toxins, rather than contributing to their accumulation.
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The Mucusless Diet: Permitted and Prohibited Foods
The mucusless diet emphasizes specific food groups while excluding others.
Foods to Emphasize:
- Fruits: Fruits are considered essential for cleansing and should ideally be the first food consumed each day.
- Green-Leafy Vegetables: These are another cornerstone of the diet, consumed after fruits.
- Non-Starchy Vegetables: A variety of non-starchy vegetables are incorporated.
Foods to Avoid:
- Meats and Dairy: Meats and dairy are strictly avoided due to their mucus-forming properties.
- Processed Foods: Heavily processed snacks, candies, and chips are discouraged due to additives.
- Histamine-Rich Foods: Certain foods, such as some fish, spinach, and fermented products, are limited, especially for those with histamine sensitivities.
- Alcohol: Alcohol is avoided due to its potential to weaken esophageal sphincters and cause dehydration.
- Carbonated Beverages: These drinks are discouraged due to their gas content, which can trigger reflux.
- Reflux-Inducing Foods: Fried foods, chili powder, tomatoes, citrus fruits, peppermint, and fatty meats are limited.
The Transition Process
Transitioning to a mucusless diet is a gradual process, typically taking about a year. Complete elimination of accumulated waste from previous unhealthy eating habits can take up to three years. This transition may involve a "healing crisis," where the body experiences pain and discomfort as it eliminates toxins.
Fasting
Fasting is a key component of the Mucusless Diet Healing System. Ehret experimented with fasting and found that it led to strength and vitality, rather than starvation. He believed that fasting helps the body discard infectious wastes.
Important Considerations for Fasting:
- Fasting should be approached gradually, starting with skipping breakfast for a few days.
- Breaking a fast requires careful consideration, with the first meal being laxative-effect. Fresh, sweet fruits like berries or grapes are recommended.
- The less water consumed during a fast, the more aggressive the healing process may become.
- Drugs taken at any point in a person's life can impact each fast differently.
Meal Frequency and Timing
Ehret recommended simplicity in eating habits.
- Meal Frequency: No more than two meals per day is ideal, with the quality of these meals being equivalent to three or four.
- Meal Timing: Lunch should ideally be eaten between 10 AM and 11 AM, with dinner no sooner than 5 PM or 6 PM.
- Fluid Intake: Fluids should be avoided alongside meals to prevent interference with digestion.
Lifestyle Recommendations
Beyond diet and fasting, Ehret emphasized the importance of lifestyle factors in achieving optimal health.
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- Breathing Regulation: Ehret stressed that breathing regulation and cleansing the body should be the focus of health, rather than hyper-focusing on nutrition.
- Exercise: Walking, dancing, and singing are considered pure forms of exercise, especially for beneficial breathing practices. Morning exercise is preferable.
- Sunbathing: Sunbaths are beneficial during the mucusless cleansing process, as sun rays directly on the naked body are energizing.
- Air Quality: High-quality and clean air is superior to high-quality and healthy food.
- Hair: It’s unnatural to cut one’s hair, and grow out hair has historically been a sign of health.
Addressing Common Concerns and Misconceptions
The "One Disease" Concept
Ehret aligned with the concept of "one disease," popularized by Louis Kuhne. This theory suggests that all diseases stem from a single cause: the accumulation of foreign substances or "morbid matter" in the body.
The Role of Fiber
Eating fiber-rich foods like fruits, veggies, legumes and whole grains may help keep your phlegm levels healthy. Not eating enough fiber can reduce your intestinal mucus, which can leave you susceptible to digestive issues and illness, according to November 2016 research in Cell.
A June 2018 article in Cell Host & Microbe also found eating more fiber actually stimulates healthy mucus production in the gut, and helps balance its production and secretion.
More research is needed, however, to support a link between fiber intake and reducing phlegmy cough and respiratory symptoms, in particular.
Spices
Spicy foods can help clear out mucus-clogged airways, but it's best to avoid spice if you have acid reflux.
Read also: Mucusless Diet Guide
The Myth of Milk
Some claim milk and other dairy products are mucus-forming foods even if you're not allergic to them. However, this likely isn't the case. Rather, dairy often has a slimy texture that can mimic the feeling of phlegm, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The Limitations of Calorie Counting
Counting calories is considered outdated and not particularly useful within the framework of the Mucusless Diet Healing System.
Scientific Scrutiny and Criticism
While the Mucusless Diet Healing System has garnered a dedicated following, it's important to acknowledge scientific criticisms. Some of Ehret's ideas, such as the belief that white blood cells are decayed mucus or that the lungs pump blood, are not supported by modern medical science. Critics argue that the diet's appeal lies in its simplicity, which can be attractive to those who lack a comprehensive understanding of human physiology.
Supplements
There aren't any vitamins known to reduce mucus, but some supplements may help. That said, research into these supplements is preliminary at best. The following supplements are safe to try, but may not deliver much in terms of relief
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC): If you deal with sinusitis - a condition that increases mucus production - this modified dietary amino acid may be able to help. NAC works as an antioxidant in the body, and helps thin mucus, per Mount Sinai.
- Sinupret: Sold over the counter, Sinupret is an herbal supplement made of European elder, cowslip and gentian that can help thin mucus, per Mount Sinai.
- Elecampane and Mullein: Both are herbs touted as nutritional treatment for excess mucus production. Typically, they are pressed into oils to reduce cough, symptoms of asthma and bronchitis, but there is minimal scientific evidence to support these claims, per Kaiser Permanente.