Help Me Out Here! (to lose)

[ReiNijs]

Hi, I have a couple of questions that I would love to have clarified regarding this card.

The card specifically says "Take one item from any other player. At the moment you take it, that item must make the difference between you winning and losing that combat."

It does not say that the item must help me WIN. Can I also take an item that will help me lose? You might ask what kind of item that would be.. well the next part on the card says "You may discard something of your own before taking the item, if you wish."

So can I discard a let's say 1 Hand with +5 bonus to take a 1 Hand with +1 bonus in it's place and thus lose the fight?

Also can you please clarify that "You may discard something of your own before taking the item, if you wish." - can I discard 2x 1 Hand to take 1x 2 Hand? Can I discard all my items and take Rat on a Stick (for whatever reason)? Does the discard means I donate it to the lowest level player or do I actually discard it?

Thank you