Many people, unknowingly, are sensitive or allergic to nightshade foods which contain dangerous chemicals that destroy white blood cells and which cause a laundry list of unpleasant symptoms: kidney stones, ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, breathing problems, unconsciousness, digestive problems, skin problems, trembling, weakness, nerve problems and paralysis, and energy problems. It's the alkaloids found in nightshade plants which cause adverse nerve-muscle function and digestive function in humans and animals (nightshades turn into a poison in the intestines thus causing the swelling and pain) and compromise bone and joint strength and function - a  reason for eliminating nightshade foods from the diet, especially for those with joint pain as they have adverse reactions when eaten. Adverse responses will usually manifest within 24-36 hours, so the next time your muscle aches and pains accelerate, become the health detective and go back to inventory everything you ate.

Cooking (steaming, boiling, and baking) all help reduce the alkaloid content of nightshades...but only by 40%, whereas eliminating them altogether will stop aches and pains and improve health within 6-8 weeks.

There are four basic types of alkaloids (ring-like structures with elements of nitrogen) found in nightshades which have a negative effect on human and animal health, for example:

• Steroid alkaloids in white potatoes block activity of an enzyme in nerve cells called cholintesterase.
• A second type of problem potentially related to potato alkaloids involves damage to the joints caused by inflammation and altered mineral status (notably calcium depletion).
• White potatoes contain solanine, a toxic glycoalkaloid in plants of solanum. Solanine is metabolized to the sugar solanose - other toxins in potatoes is scopolamine , atropine.

Now, recent findings suggest that even gogi berries are in the diverse group of nightshade foods! The following is a quick refernce to help you identify what we know accelerates an inflammatory condition.

Nightshade Family - Botanical Biography

Plants in the nighshade family bear flowers and are basically five-parted. The petals are fused into a tube, on the inside of which are borne the stamens - all in the scientific family name of Solanaceae. These toxic vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices and poisonous drugs contain glyco-alkaloids which is a natural defense against plant disease, insects and predators.

Nightshade "Quick Reference"

• Tomatoes (all varieties, including tomatillos)
• Potatoes (all varieties, NOT sweet potatoes or yams)
• Eggplant (aubergine)
• Okra
• Peppers (all varieties such as bell pepper, wax pepper, green & red peppers, chili peppers, cayenne, paprika, etc.) NOTE: Table black or white pepper is NOT a nightshade.
• Gogi berries
• Tomarillos (a plum-like fruit from Peru)
• Sorrel
• Garden Huckleberry & Blueberries (contain the alkaloids that induce inflammation)
• Gooseberries
• Pepinos
• The Homeopathic "Belladonna"
• Tobacco
• Soy sauce made in the U.S. is generally made with genetically modified (GMO) soy beans, which are cut with the nightshade plant Petunia. A healthier option is to purchase Braggs Amino Acids at your health food store. It is naturally-fermented soy sauce and the only other ingredient is spring water....it tastes exactly the same as other soy sauces only this one is pure. You can transfer a small amount into a one-ounce bottle for traveling and keep with you at all times.

Epidemiological studies link nightshades to the following diseases:

* Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Scleroderma (various other muscle pain disorders)
* Appendicitis
* Alzheimer’s
* Birth Defects and Miscarriages
* Cancer
* Chronic Fatigue
* Depression
* Endocrine System Dysfunctions
* Eczema, Gout and Allergies
* Food Poisoning
* Intestinal Disorders
* Liver Toxins
* Memory Loss
* Mental Dysfunctions
* Mental Development and Schizophrenia
* Migraine Headaches and/or blurred vision
* Overeating and Malnourishment
* Parkinson’s Disease
* Polio (remittent fever)
* Osteoporosis, Rickets, and Vitamin D
* Wheat and Dairy Allergies

First-hand Solutions to Second-hand Reactions, Naturally

The challenge with consuming this catagory of foods is that most people have the pre-existing conditon known as "Ostrich Syndrome"....they don't want to believe some of the foods they crave could be contributing to their discomfort and sabotaging their quality of life. They believe they can simply stick their head in the sand and profess ignorance, it won't matter if they have their French fries or salsa made with tomatoes. Let me assure you my friends, once you feel the improvement from avoiding inflammation-causing foods, consuming them again is NOT negotiable. I have been pain-free for ten years, yet let me have just a pinch of cayenne, paprika, nitrites or MSG, unknowingly, and within about 12 hours all the old fibromyalgia muscle pain is back...and back with avengence.

There are natural nutraceuticals to assist with the inflammation and pain, however, the best approach is to avoid nightshades and chemical additives when possible. I usually get sabotaged when eating out and having salad dressings or sauces because they're famous for having not only nightshades, but also MSG and nitrites, which have exactly the same reaction.

Oh, My Aching Arms!

I recently forgot my homemade lunch before boarding a flight that would take me several hours before reaching my destination. I don't usually eat in airports, everything is packaged or purchased from suppliers with added preservatives or loaded with MSG and nightshades hidden under aliases on their label.

I was hungary, so I decided if I was careful, I could order some chicken tacos with only sour cream, no lettace (usually has chemical to keep from browning), salsa, and no added seasonings to the shredded chicken. I was VERY specific when ordering and even handed the young lady a laminated card I carry that list all the nightshades and why I need to avoid them. She assured me she could accomodate my request.The tacos were tasty and I was happy to have been "re-fueled" and went on my way to my next flight.

That evening no problems arose. However, by 4:am I was in so much pain I could hardly tolerate it...and my pain tolerance is VERY high. I took my natural pain killing supplement and it took away the "edge" but the pain kept me awake. In the morning, I called the airport restaurant and talked with the head chef. I explained what had occurred and that I wasn't going to sue them, I simply needed information to share with my patients and readers. He confirmed that all their shredded chicken comes from a supplier and he read me the ingredients which contained the following suspect ingredients: modified corn starch, spices, seasonings, nitrites and BHA. He was so impressed that I asked that he further questioned me about the health affects and I directed him to my blog and website for more informaiton.

We KNOW that MSG can legally be hidden under such aliases as modified corn starch, spices, seasonings and flavorings...that's why it's a generic catagory and not identified so as to hide toxic health-depleting ingredients. 

BHA (butylated hydroxytolulene) is a presevative that blocks oxidization in fats and oils - preventing rancidiy. BHA is a chemical also known to induce inflammation and even anaphylatic reactions...dah!

Nitrites are chemicals used in combination with salt to impede the growth of bacterial spores that cause botulism. They are also used as preservatives and flavor and color enhancers. Nitrites have been considered cancer-causing my major scientific studies for over twenty years...double dah!

SO, my investigative work paid off again, both for my own malady as well as education for my patients and readers. I got such a toxic cocktail of chemicals in that chicken taco that I finally had to get a prescription topical anti-inflammatory gel to get rid of the excruciating muscle pain in my arms...should have stuck with my protein bar that is usually my salvation! I guess we each need to get over confident occasionally to again validate how toxic these chemicals are to our bodies.

People ask me constantly why these chemicals still induce responses if a person has "healed" their intestinal tract and they're doing everything else right. I believe that our bodies reach a state of decreased tolerance...the more we consume toxic chemicals the more we'll react. When once our body is healthy and the overall body burden (toxic load) is significantly reduced, the body makes us react to even the smallest amount in its effort to protect us so that we do not continue to consume those substances that are health-depleting. A good analagy is that of a drug addict or alcoholic. Once they are sober, even the smallest amount causes them not only a problem but makes them want more. Nightshades, for instance, are in the same family as tobacco...need I say more?

I share my personal experiences in the hope that I can avoid you having to experience the same. The next time you have acclerated pain without a known cause, become the health sleuth and go back 24 hours to everything you consumed...I guarantee you'll find the saboteur.

Sources: Reprinted with permission Dr. Gloria Gilbere