Proven Home Cure For Arthritis

What if the key to alleviating arthritis wasn’t a prescription or a costly treatment, but something as simple as food? At age 78, chef Marguerite Patten faced crippling arthritis, and instead of succumbing to surgery, she turned to her lifelong passion: cooking. She discovered a revolutionary approach to reversing joint degeneration—not with pills or procedures, but by changing the way she ate. Her journey, fueled by a profound belief in the power of food, led her to a diet that not only restored her mobility but also inspired millions. The results were nothing short of miraculous—but is it possible for others to replicate her success?

Key Takeaways

• Dietary Changes Can Have a Profound Impact: Marguerite Patten's arthritis symptoms significantly improved through a diet focused on organic foods, meat, dairy, and the elimination of grains and caffeine.

• The Power of Detoxification: The seven-week plan includes a detox phase that starts with fasting and gradually reintroduces foods, allowing for the identification of sensitivities.

• A Modern Approach to an Old Cure: Building on Dr. Giraud W. Campbell’s work, Patten modernized a 1970s dietary regimen to make it more palatable and accessible to a broader audience.

The Hidden Link Between Food and Joint Health

“Sorry, I don’t have the time right now.”

That was Marguerite Patten’s response to her doctor after he told her that surgery on her painful and severely arthritic hip was the only solution.

Even at age 78 and badly disabled, she was determined not to go down the orthodox route. Instead, she turned to her passion and the focus of her professional life: food. She was a chef and, by George, she would find a culinary answer.

Before-and-After X-Rays Prove Joints Can Regenerate

Marguerite Patten is no longer with us, having died in 2015, a few months short of her 100th birthday.

Born in the UK, she was the first regular TV cook on the BBC. She wrote 170 books over her long life, selling more than 17 million copies worldwide.

Still leading a full professional life, she knew she could not continue her work until she found an answer to her arthritis.

To do so, she read everything she could lay her hands on. Eventually, she came across the book that was to change her life. It was called A Doctor’s Proven New Home Cure for Arthritis, by Giraud W. Campbell, D.O.

She found the book convincing for several reasons. First, because of the extraordinary success achieved by people who followed his advice. Second, because of proof in the form of X-rays showing how degenerative changes in arthritic joints were reversed on the diet.

Another important factor was that the solution fitted with her food preferences. She enjoyed meat and dairy, for instance. Dr. Campbell’s diet did not restrict these foods.

So, in 1993, she put his plan into action. Before long, the crippling pain subsided and she recovered full mobility. Her aches and pains never returned.

The Joint-Regeneration Diet

Dr. Campbell wrote his book in 1972. While it did the trick, it was unnecessarily restrictive in some ways, and she felt the recipes in the book were unappetizing.

The science of nutrition had also moved on, and more was understood about controlling illness through diet. Marguerite believed a more modern approach was required. This led to the publication of her book Eat to Beat Arthritis in 2001.

Marguerite Lays Out a Seven-Week Plan to Defeat Arthritis. . .

Week 0 – Listen to Your Body. The plan begins by keeping a food diary on your normal diet, together with a pain and discomfort rating to see if you can identify problem foods. Coffee, tea, and anything containing caffeine are not allowed.

Week 1 – Cleanse & Detox. This starts with a one-day water fast, followed by a restricted diet of raw fruits and vegetables, eggs, organ meats, and seafood to cleanse and detoxify the body. No alcohol is allowed. All foods containing wheat, rye, and oats are eliminated, as are any other gluten-containing foods. The plan calls for drinking whole milk with brewer’s yeast and molasses stirred in every day.

Week 2 – Stabilize. The routine that started after the fast is continued.

Weeks 3 to 6 – Elimination Diet. Different foods are gradually introduced to test their effect. The number of foods eaten expands greatly.

Week 7+ – Enjoy Life. By now, pain and inflammation will have either disappeared or diminished greatly. You will likely enjoy improved general health, fewer colds and infections, stronger hair and nails, and more youthful-looking skin. You might also lose some excess weight.

In essence, the diet focuses on organic fruits, vegetables, liver, meat, fowl, game, fish, dairy foods, nuts, and seeds. It eliminates grains, although Marguerite’s recipes do include several that use cornmeal, millet, and buckwheat flour for those who miss this food group.

While her plan takes some determination and discipline to see it through, and she does put a lot of emphasis on the value of liver and organ meats, which are not to everyone’s taste, some people find that just eliminating two dietary items will make all the difference.

As co-author Dr. Jeannette Ewin puts it, “Simply by avoiding all foods containing wheat and all drinks containing caffeine, many arthritis sufferers find their lives changed forever.”

Will This Work For Everyone?

I guess that Marguerite Patten’s approach will work for a great many people, but not all. A huge number of people have undiagnosed food allergies and sensitivities (and gluten is way high on the list of likely culprits.) These account for not only their arthritis but a host of other medical problems. I think her approach is worth a try.

If you read as much about food cures as I do, you start to see a family resemblance among the ones that work. Grains are often the culprit, especially wheat. Cut other carbs to a minimum while you’re at it. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and make sure they’re organic.

At the very least, be suspicious of alcohol and caffeine – eliminate them for a few weeks and see what happens. Meat is most likely not the villain many “experts” make it out to be, as long as it’s free of antibiotics and hormones.

One of the oddities of Ms. Patten’s diet is that she allows milk. Few other nutritionists would agree. However, since her diet works for many people, it seems acceptable, provided you’re not lactose intolerant.

Summary

At 78, renowned chef Marguerite Patten chose a culinary solution over surgery for her arthritis. By following a revolutionary diet outlined in Dr. Giraud W. Campbell’s book, she not only overcame pain but also regained her mobility. Marguerite updated the plan to reflect modern nutritional science, offering a practical, sustainable approach to arthritis relief. Her journey continues to inspire those seeking natural alternatives to medical treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the seven-week arthritis diet?

The diet involves detoxing, eliminating certain foods like grains and caffeine, and gradually reintroducing others to identify sensitivities and reduce inflammation.

Will this diet work for everyone with arthritis?

While it’s effective for many, it may not work for everyone. Factors like individual food sensitivities can affect the results.

Can I still eat meat on this diet?

Yes, the diet encourages the consumption of meat, particularly organic options, and avoids highly processed foods.

What role does dairy play in the diet?

Unlike many other diets, Patten’s plan includes dairy, which she found helpful for maintaining bone health and overall nutrition.

How long does it take to see results from the arthritis diet?

Many people begin to notice improvements after a few weeks, particularly in pain reduction and improved mobility.