Arnold Ehret

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Arnold Ehret (29 July 1866 – 10 October 1922) was a German health educator and author of several books on diet and detoxification. He is best known for developing the Mucusless Diet Healing System and advocating for fasting and raw food diets as methods for achieving optimal health.

Early Life

Arnold Ehret was born in Freiburg, Germany. He was the son of a veterinarian and grew up in a family that valued education and science. Ehret studied to become a professor and later worked as a teacher.

Health Issues and Personal Transformation

In his early 30s, Ehret was diagnosed with Bright's disease, a condition affecting the kidneys. After conventional medicine failed to improve his condition, he began experimenting with diet and fasting. Ehret claimed to have cured himself through these methods, which led him to further explore and develop his theories on nutrition and health.

Mucusless Diet Healing System

Ehret's most famous work is the Mucusless Diet Healing System, which he described in his book "Rational Fasting" and other writings. The system is based on the idea that mucus-forming foods are the root cause of many diseases. According to Ehret, eliminating these foods and following a diet of fruits, vegetables, and fasting can lead to improved health and longevity.

Key Principles

• **Mucusless Foods**: Ehret classified foods into mucus-forming and mucusless categories. He recommended a diet primarily consisting of fruits and vegetables.
• **Fasting**: Ehret advocated for regular fasting as a way to detoxify the body and promote healing.
• **Transition Diet**: He suggested a gradual transition from a conventional diet to a mucusless diet to avoid detoxification symptoms.

Influence and Legacy

Arnold Ehret's ideas have influenced various natural health movements and raw food advocates. His work has been cited by numerous nutritionists and health educators. Despite the controversy surrounding some of his claims, Ehret remains a significant figure in the history of alternative medicine.

Death

Arnold Ehret died on 10 October 1922 in Los Angeles, California. The circumstances of his death are somewhat unclear, with some reports suggesting he slipped and fell, leading to a fatal head injury.

Publications

• "Rational Fasting"
• "The Mucusless Diet Healing System"
• "The Definite Cure of Chronic Constipation"
• "Thus Speaketh the Stomach"

See Also

• Fasting
• Raw foodism
• Detoxification
• Alternative medicine