Recently, I have been asked by several people who have purchased my book about the value of raw juices in healing from acid reflux and other digestive disorders. Here is a common thread from my correspondence:
“What are your thoughts on raw juices? I have recently bought an Oscar raw juicer and have been grinding up organic verges and apples once or twice a day as it’s easier on my swallowing to get something down, I thought simmering the juice may make it more digestible, or maybe I should just stick to broth and raw milk for now?”
My reply to this question relates to suggesting how one can make the most progress. I therefore explain that the foods that best heal the gut include easy-to-digest, nutrient-dense foods starting with bone broth. I am ok with raw juices–not cooked ones–as long as they are green. However, the sugar in fruits and high-sugar vegees (like carrots) will encourage candida.
It is also very important to add a traditional fat to the juice so you will absorb the nutrients. The cultures that Dr. Price studied that had incredible health, all consumed high amounts of traditional fats. In fact, Price found that without adequate traditional fat in the diet, such as raw butter, coconut oil or lard, one could not absorb the nutrients in the food no matter how good the diet.
In my own healing and the work I have done in the last 12 years helping others, I have found that when people stick with broth and bone broth soups first and then add raw milk kefir from grass-fed cows after the gut is healed, followed by adding other nutrient-dense foods, that the most progress is made. If they cannot tolerate the raw milk kefir, I recommend coconut kefir.
Green juices do have many nutrients and are easy-to-digest, but when compared to nutrients and healing properties of broth and kefir made from pastured animals, green juices don’t come close.
For more information on building health and healing with nutrient-dense foods see my book, Performance without Pain and my e-book on healing acid-reflux.
Best in health,
Kathryne Pirtle