Part 6: The Challenge

If you are having problems with cavities, or your gums, or grinding your teeth, or your jaw joint and want an inexpensive test and possible cure - here's a challenge.  It's call the "Basic Diet Experiment".  Dentistry has arrived to the point where dental disease is OPTIONAL.  That is to say "You can have it, if you want it".  With what we now know, we can PREVENT dental disease.  One of the tools we are using is nutrition (the Substrate Circle).

A few precautions for those who take up the challenge.  What can you expect?  If diet is NOT part of your dental problem or a general health problem, you will only experience a brief interruption in your normal eating habits.  If, however diet IS a part of the problem, your body is initially not going to like what your going to make it do.

Similar to the person who is addicted to drugs, alcohol or tobacco - your body will go through two phases.
1.  The first of these is similar to withdrawl, but not as severe.  You will become irritable, have increased headaches, and crave that which you are sensitive to.  These symptoms will be relieved by eating the problem substance, but - NO CHEATING!
2.  The second phase will result in a weight loss.  Losing 10 pounds is not unusual.  You'll notice a gain, in terms of excess energy.  That's when you'll know you've kicked the habit!

 Take note:  As I mentioned before, it is extremely important not to cheat during the experimental period.  One weak moment will take you back to the starting point.  I know that in some cases, it's very hard not to cheat - but those are usually the cases where help is needed most.

After the experimental period, you are strongly recommended to maintain at least 80-90% reduction of the foods you've decreased.  I have some additional guidelines for that time.  When you start adding foods back into your diet - do so slowly.  If the symptoms return, drop back a few foods and try it again.  If the symptoms occur a second time, then you know THAT is the food which contains something you can no longer tolerate.

Next time: the Basic Diet Experiment.