PAIN - ARTHRITIS
Many alternative health practitioners believe that the nightshade family which includes tomatoes may cause arthritis pain to get worse. Evidence seems to support the theory that nightshades contain vitamins and other chemicals that intensify arthritis symptoms.

Norman Childers, Ph.D., a professor of horticulture at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Author of Arthritis: A Diet to Stop It (Horticultural Publications, 1995), began advocating a nightshade-free diet for arthritis sufferers in the 1970s after he reduced his own symptoms by cutting them out of his diet. He believes nightshades over supply the body with vitamin D, which causes "a gradual destruction of the bones and tendons,".

TOMATO-FREE DIET
Nightshade plants such as tomatoes, potatoes, aubergines, chili peppers and tobacco disagree with many people.
A macrobiotic lifestyle prohibits all nightshades.
It is recommended for people with arthritis, psoriasis or cystitis & those who want to give up smoking.

Nightshades, such as Tomatoes contain trace elements of nicotine which can re-trigger cigarette addiction.
Many nutritionists and complementary medicine advisors recommend reducing tomato consumption - or avoiding them completely.

Celebrities including Madonna, Joe Pesci, Sadie Frost, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin all follow The Macrobiotic Way.

The Way aims at achieving balance with nature and that includes a balance with our own bodies.

The plan came to the US in the 1960's, when it came from Japan with a man named George Ohsawa. The diet was then refined by Michio Kushi, and developed into the lifestyle as it is known today.The plan includes dietary and lifestyle changes.

The nutritional aspect of the macrobiotic diet holds to the principle that your body can live in harmony with nature and recover its natural good health. This is done by consuming a high percentage of grain and vegetables. It is important to note here that the diet should be based on foods native to your own climate, as this helps in achieving that "natural balance".

Tomatoes are not permitted as they originated in tropical regions and the fact that they are eaten in temperate climates is believed to contribute to the loss of natural immunity.