SC - Humoral theory is alive and well.

[RuddR at aol.com]

 Jenne Heise quotes and writes:

>  > I'm sitting here researching a company who's business we are looking to 
> solicit.
>  >  They sell vitamins and nutritional supplements.  There is a changing 
"Did 
> you
>  > know" banner on the top of their webpage.  One of the "facts" that it 
> proclaims
>  > is: "Improper food combinations can cause gas, belching, bloating, 
stomach 
> discomfort
>  > and mental dullness." 
>  > Ok, by reputation chili dogs and baked beans could cause the first 4, 
but 
> is
>  > that really the combination?  Wouldn't chili dogs or baked beans alone, 
in 
> suitable
>  > quantity, do it too?  And, mental dullness?  All I could think was, 
> Humoral
>  > Theory is alive and well in the Alternate Medicine subculture...
>  
>  They are kooks but they aren't all wrong. Nor are they using humoral
>  theory. Those who have cooked for people who add every food that
>  ever causes discomfort to them to the 'allergy' list, or who have had
>  gallbladder problems or IBS, can watch out for this...
  
(Snip)
 
>  However, that's not humoral theory. Humoral theory is an attempt to
>  explain and describe preventive action to avoid various symptoms. Unless
>  they are specifically talking about eating hot dry foods to counteract
>  cold moist foods or cold moist conditions, and/or talking about an
>  imbalance between yellow bile, black bile, blood, and phlegm, then it's
>  just the usual diet/allergy stuff.

I can vouch for efficacy of the Humoral Theory.  I was at a party some time 
ago and had been having a good time.  But then I noticed I was starting to 
feel sluggish and irritable, and it occured to me that I was phlegmatic and 
choleric.  So I went into the bathroom and voided phlegm and yellow bile. I 
felt better right away.  It works.  It's true.

Rudd Rayfield