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Frequently Asked Questions – General

Frequently Asked Questions – General

Frequently Asked Questions

To clarify the most common questions about The Body Ecology Diet we’ve pulled together a sampling of helpful, time-saving answers. Print a copy for your quick reference. If you have a question for us, please contact us.

For Product FAQs, click here.

Q. Are your products okay for pregnant and/or nursing women?
A. None of our products are contraindicated for pregnant and nursing women, with the exception of our Dong Quai which affects hormones in women and could also have a hormonal affect on developing fetuses/babies. Although not expressly contraindicated, one should consult with a doctor before taking our LivAmend, our Ancient Earth Minerals, our Ocean Plant Extract, or our Digestive Care Multi while pregnant or nursing due to their detoxifying affects. We would also suggest consulting with a physician before taking any dietary supplement while pregnant or nursing.
Q. Why am I experiencing intestinal discomfort after consuming probiotic supplements and/or fermented foods/drinks?
A. Consuming probiotics can cause temporary intestinal distress/digestive issues due to rapid introduction of new friendly bacteria that the body is not used to. It can also cause issues due to the die-off of bad bacteria/yeast/candida/fungus as the beneficial bacteria establishes itself in the gut. Probiotics contained in fermented foods and probiotic supplements can also cause the body to detox, which can cause intestinal discomfort as well. This should only be a temporary issue. Probiotics should only improve intestinal and immune health once the beneficial bacteria has fully colonized the intestinal tract and eliminated non-beneficial bacteria/yeast/candida/fungus from the body. If you are experiencing temporary discomfort due to the introduction of probiotic supplements and/or fermented foods into your diet, you may want to lower your dosages/servings and gradually work your way up to larger amounts to minimize the short-term issues you may be experiencing.
Q. Do you sell fermented Spirulina?
A. We do not sell fermented Spirulina as a stand-alone product.

We do sell a product called Super Spirulina Plus, which is 50% fermented Spirulina. Fermented Spirulina is much more bio-available and digestible than standard non-fermented Spirulina.

If you would like to purchase fermented Spirulina by itself, please contact Grainfields Australia through their website www.GrainfieldsAustralia.com/US.

Q. Can I be a vegetarian and practice the Body Ecology Diet?
A. Although the Body Ecology Diet does not prohibit the consumption of animal protein, one can certainly be a vegetarian and practice the Body Ecology Diet. The diet consists of 80% vegetables, 10% Body Ecology-approved carbohydrates, and 10% protein. You could easily get this protein from eggs, which are approved on the diet. You could also consume a good quality non-denatured whey protein such as the protein products sold by Well Wisdom, particularly if you are on stage II of the diet and are not sensitive to dairy. You can also get some of your protein on the diet from vegetables, as well as Body Ecology-approved seeds. You may also want to try our green superfood products for an extra protein boost, available here.
Q. Does Body Ecology recommend kombucha?
A. We do not recommend kombucha, as it may contain non-beneficial yeasts and bacteria. We have not sufficiently researched the organisms contained within kombucha to be sure that they benefit the human ecosystem, particularly of people who may have an imbalance in gut flora. Young coconut water or milk kefir made using our Kefir Starter will give you the same benefits and more but without the potential negatives, so we see no reason to consume kombucha considering there are alternatives we consider to be more definitively beneficial.
Q. Do you have an affiliate program?
A. Yes, we do. You can sign up for our affiliate program at www.bodyecologyaffiliates.com. Upon approval of your affiliate account, our affiliate manager will email you with all pertinent details regarding the program.
Q. Do you ship internationally?
A. Unfortunately, we do not ship internationally, but please see our international ordering page for info on how to obtain our products outside of the US:
https://bodyecology.com/international.asp
Q. Can I incorporate sweet fruits into my diet, and if so, when?
A. Although sweet fruits are not included on stage 1 of the Body Ecology Diet, some BE dieters may be able to incorporate them in moderation once stage 1 of the diet has balanced their intestinal flora.
Q. Do you offer wholesale/practitioner accounts?
A. Yes, we do. Please contact our customer service team at [email protected] or by phone at 1-800-511-2660, and we will provide you with a wholesale application, wholesale pricelist, and our wholesale policies. Your account should be set up within a maximum of 2-3 business days of us receiving your completed application and a copy of your business license.
Q. Can I purchase your products at a store in my area?
A. Our products are carried in some stores across the US. Please contact our customer service team at [email protected] or by phone at 1-800-511-2660, and we will attempt to locate a store in your area based on your city/zip code.
Q. Can I drink wheatgrass juice on your diet?
A. We have stated that wheatgrass may be best to avoid as tray-grown wheatgrass can have a tendency to be moldy, and wheatgrass juice in general has a fair amount of sugar. If you were to consume wheatgrass, wild-crafted would be your best option to circumvent the mold issue.
Q. How can I keep weight on or gain weight on the Body Ecology Diet?
A. Although initial weight loss on the diet is not unusual, the body will generally over time stabilize to its ideal weight once the intestinal flora is rebalanced. To avoid weight loss and/or gain weight while on the diet, you will want to make sure that you eat an adequate number of meals per day, and focus on high calorie foods as much as possible while staying within the limits of the diet. You may want to consume green smoothies or other liquid forms of nutrition to ensure that you are getting adequate calories and nutrition when eating a meal may not be feasible. A greens supplement, such as our Vitality SuperGreen™ may aid in weight gain. Excessive thinness as well as obesity are often a result of the body’s inability to properly assimilate nutrients. Digestive enzymes can be taken with meals to ensure that nutrients are properly assimilated. Consuming B.E.D.-approved unrefined oils and coconut oil is important for keeping weight on/gaining weight as well. Coconut oil in particular is important, as it helps regulate the thyroid, a gland often out of balance in people with hormone and weight problems.
Q. When I exercise I get leg cramps and miss the potassium I used to get from bananas. Is there another source of potassium that would be acceptable on the diet?
A. Our Vitality SuperGreen contains cereal grasses and algae and is an excellent source of proteins and minerals including potassium. Many people with Candidiasis and other immune disorders are, like you, allergic to grains but are able to tolerate the B.E.D. recommended grains. In truth, B.E.D.-approved grains (quinoa, amaranth, millet and buckwheat) are not true cereal grains. They are actually more seed-like. Some people cannot tolerate them at first, but can after the inner eco-system is reestablished. Don’t worry about not getting potassium from bananas. All you’ll be losing is the sugar, as there are other great foods you can eat on the B.E.D. that can provide you with adequate potassium. You’ll find potassium in buckwheat, millet, red skin potatoes, ocean vegetables, fish, lean meats, sunflower seeds, apple cider vinegar, and a wide variety of land vegetables, among other foods.
Q. After going on the diet, my husband and I have both experienced itchy skin. Why? Can it be relieved?
A. In Chinese medicine the liver controls the skin, eyes and joints. Since the Body Ecology Diet is a cleansing and healing diet, this itching indicates that your liver is cleansing and starting to heal. It would be very beneficial to begin a colon cleansing program (see Chapter 17 of The Body Ecology Diet, “How To Care For Your Colon”). You may also want to use flax seed oil and Essential Balance™ (with its 1:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3) to help with these skin issues. Use these oils only in salad dressings and sprinkle on veggies. The precious omega-3 essential fatty acids are destroyed by heat so we do not recommend cooking with these oils.
Q. I have a weak liver. Can I take the flax seed oil medicinally?
A. Yes, you absolutely can. Due to conventional eating habits in this country weak livers are the norm today. As a matter of fact, for over five generations we have consumed refined corn and other vegetable oils. Since these refined oils have no essential fatty acids (neither does olive oil), we have not been consuming the critical essential fatty acids needed to nourish our brains, nervous systems, hearts, and eyes. As you can see from the many serious hormone-related problems facing us today, we also haven’t had the raw material needed to make critical hormones. Flax seed oil, rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, DHA from marine algae (found in Vitality SuperGreen), and cold water fish such as salmon give us these essential fatty acids. It is interesting to note that they also aid the liver in cleansing non-beneficial fats and oils from our systems.
Q. Can I ever really become well and repair the damage done to my liver with drugs and bad oils?
A. There are many things you can do to heal the liver and we cover this subject thoroughly in Chapter 20 of The Body Ecology Diet, “Healing At A Deeper Level.” Briefly, here are the things we can do that are most essential to healing our livers.

  • Substitute organic, unrefined oils for non-beneficial oils.
  • Eliminate drugs, alcohol, and sugar, as well as late-night eating.
  • Follow the Body Ecology 80%/20% rule to avoid overeating.
  • Use herbs (dandelion root, milk thistle), chlorophyll-rich green foods (Vitality SuperGreen), and healthy oils like flax seed oil.
  • Do not consume high amounts of any oils when your liver is weak. Your liver uses up its important energy reserves when it digests fats, though small amounts (2-3 tsp. daily) are necessary for rebuilding the liver.
  • Take digestive enzymes, particularly formulas that are high in lipase for fat digestion.
Q. Coconut Oil causes high cholesterol. Why is it included on the Body Ecology Diet?
A. Coconut oil does not cause a problem with high cholesterol as we have been misled to believe. In fact, it has wonderful therapeutic qualities and should be a part of any diet that restores and nourishes a healthy immune system. Coconut oil is great to use for cooking as the oil can withstand high levels of heat without oxidizing and becoming damaged as most plant-based oils do. Coconut oil, like palm kernel oil is a medium chain triglyceride and digests very quickly, so it should not cause cholesterol problems especially when the diet is balanced with other oils that are rich in essential fatty acids. Medium chain fats are easier to digest and they don’t tax the liver like other saturated fats from animal foods.
Q. I’m aware that animal proteins are not to be combined with oils or butter. I haven’t found too many recipes that don’t involve butter or oil in some way when cooking chicken. Does this mean I should never have stir-fried chicken again?
A. When we say not to eat fats and animal proteins together, we mean in foods such as tuna salad, egg salad, or chicken salad. This amount of oil combined with animal protein inhibits the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and prevents digestion of the animal food. Small amounts of animal protein can be combined with small amounts of the B.E.D. recommended oils.
Q. I just found out I’m pregnant. Can I stay on the diet? What foods do I need to emphasize or add?
A. You can absolutely stay on the Body Ecology Diet while pregnant. Pregnancy increases a woman’s protein needs. Since the algae provide an excellent source of concentrated, easily assimilated protein, Vitality SuperGreen would be an ideal food to consume during pregnancy. Women should also listen to their cravings for animal foods and eat them accordingly. Consuming plenty of ocean vegetables and taking liquid trace minerals will ensure that both baby and mother get enough minerals. Leafy greens provide calcium and should be eaten as much as possible. Essential fatty acids are crucial to the developing fetus; salmon and unrefined oils such as pumpkin and flax are wonderful sources. Aside from what she eats, the expectant mother should pay careful attention to colon health since the elevated levels of progesterone during pregnancy contribute to constipation. By doing occasional lower-bowel enemas if she becomes constipated, she will protect her baby from toxins. And don’t forget to take plenty of friendly bacteria to establish the baby’s ecosystem. Excellent sources include Lifestart by Natren (Bifidus Infantis) and Continental Liquid Acidophilus Culture. Kefir is an excellent source of protein, minerals, B vitamins, Vitamin K and beneficial flora. It is an excellent food to consume for a mother-to-be.
Q. When and how often should I do colonics and enemas?
A. You should only do colonics and enemas when your body truly needs them. If you are overdoing them, your kidneys (lower back) will ache and you may feel overly tired. Signs of cleansing such as swollen glands, sore throats, a tender abdomen, depression, bloating, and constipation are your body’s way of telling you that you need to cleanse the colon. A competent colon therapist will be able to help you determine how often you should schedule your colonics and home enemas. When first beginning the diet, we generally suggest a series of 10 colonics to facilitate the cleansing process. Adding Pro-Flora bovine whey to the water acidifies the colon and helps prevent mineral loss. Be sure to get plenty of rest, replenish electrolytes by adding crystalloid electrolyte trace minerals to the colonic water, drink apple cider vinegar, and take friendly bacteria after getting a colonic or doing an enema. Please remember that these procedures are used to help rid the body of toxins during a cleansing cycle, not to purge abuses such as bingeing on junk foods, drugs, alcohol, and the feelings of guilt and self-loathing associated with eating disorders. When these techniques are used for the wrong reasons and done excessively, they can be harmful.
Q. Can Candida be transmitted sexually?
A. Yes, although not systemically (throughout the entire body). It particularly lowers sex drive in women and for that reason can cause a lot of problems in a relationship. Sperm is alkaline and aggravates vaginal yeast while yeast in the vagina can pass into a man’s sexual organ system, causing discomfort and irritation. Women should take special care of the vaginal area by performing douches with tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, Pro-Seed Feminine Rinse and friendly probiotic bacteria such as Continental Liquid Acidophilus.
Q. My boyfriend thinks Candidiasis is a “woman’s disease.” How can I explain to him that Candidiasis also affects men?
A. Candidiasis definitely does affect men. Allergies, digestive problems, “jock itch”, athlete’s foot, and skin rashes are all common symptoms of the condition in men. In its most deadly stage, the Candida fungus can colonize around the heart, a phenomenon much more prevalent in men than in women. Candidiasis tends to be more systemic in men, making it potentially even more threatening to men than women.

Consultations

Q. How do I get more information on consultations with Donna Gates?
A. Please see this page for more information on scheduling a consultation with Donna Gates: https://bodyecology.com/consultations.html
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