Q & A
This page as an open thread for reader questions, especially questions about personal health concerns.
I am putting this page up as a way to share knowledge — my knowledge with questioners, but also so that others with similar concerns can read the conversation, and readers with relevant knowledge can chip in with their own thoughts.
Please keep in mind that I can’t research questions in any depth, so my answers should be considered tentative, incomplete, and subject to later correction. Also, I am not a doctor, and nothing I say should be construed as a substitute for medical diagnosis and treatment. I am only sharing opinions about disease origins and general therapeutic strategies which may or may not be applicable in any given case.
To get the page started, I’ll put up a few questions from recent emails. Here is an index by disease, with clickable links:
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
- Bloating, acid reflux, anxiety, depression, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, fatigue
- Lupus
- Depression
And here are my answers.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Paul,
Been following your work on the PHD before the publication of the book and commented on my CLL and the usefulness of Vitamin D once on your blog and you responded to keep an eye on my Vitamin K intake, which I do now.. Am fortunate in a way to have my form of CLL as it indolent which gives me the opportunity to experiment without the pressure of undergoing conventional treatment. The PHD, I think, is helpful in this regard.
Wonder if you could point anything out to me that may be useful. Anything at all. And I will be happy to share with you my results.
Surely you know of the helpfulness of green tea with CLL. You may not be familiar with research that points out that those with low levels of Vitamin D need treatment for CLL far sooner than those with elevated levels.
Feel strongly that your version of a ketogenic diet would be helpful but also feel I need some direction in this area. Do you have any suggestions?
Warmest Regards,
A
Hi A,
I remember your comment, thanks for writing back. I’m glad you’re enjoying our diet and wish you the best.
Thanks for the tips about green tea and vitamin D. Neither one surprises me.
Most likely CLL is caused by a viral infection. So enhancing viral immunity is probably a good idea. Good strategies may include: (1) low-protein dieting, which inhibits viral reproduction and can promote autophagy; (2) maintaining high vitamin D levels; and (3) intermittent fasting, which promotes autophagy.
Some food compounds have been reported to have antiviral effects. An example is green tea catechins, eg http://pmid.us/16137775, http://pmid.us/18313149, and http://pmid.us/18363746, and this could be why green tea is helpful against cancers, http://pmid.us/21595018, which are usually viral in origin.
I might search Pubmed for herbs and spices with antiviral effects, and use them abundantly in cooking, along with antiviral foods. Turmeric / curcumin is a good choice, this needs to be taken with black pepper to enter the body. See http://pmid.us/21299124, http://pmid.us/20434445, http://pmid.us/20026048.
Coconut oil / lauric acid also has some antiviral properties, so inducing ketosis with coconut oil could benefit you even aside from the ketosis. You could also try monolaurin supplements which may enter the body better and which some people have reported to help viral infections.
You might also try HDL-raising tactics as discussed in this series: HDL and Immunity, April 12; HDL: Higher is Good, But is Highest Best?, April 14; How to Raise HDL, April 20.
Another possible tactic is high-dose riboflavin with UV exposure on the eyes. This requires going outdoors at midday and not wearing glasses or contact lenses. Riboflavin+UV is toxic to blood-borne viruses, and the retina is a location where UV can reach circulating blood cells. Sun exposure will also help you optimize vitamin D.
That’s a few ideas, at some point I’ll do some research to come up with more and do a blog post. Do keep me posted on your results!
Best, Paul
Bloating, acid reflux, anxiety, depression, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, fatigue
Just came upon your website and had a question for you. I have had some health concerns for the last four years, bloating, acid reflux, anxiety, depression, hypoglycemia symptoms, female complaints (I am in my forties), thyroid antibodies at 333, weight gain around my middle and too tired to work out like I once did. I used to be fikiiled with energy and great health no depression or anxiety. My doctor thinks these symtoms are all from peri-menopause and wants to treat me with Zoloft.
Needless to say I have tried to avoid the Zoloft. I have tired every avenue out there to cure myself. Most recently the Primal type diet. When I eat no grains or dairy I get horrible hypoglycemia symptoms and don’t feel great like everyone else on a low carb diet. I feel weak and more anxious. Do you think your diet would be easier for me with the addition of rice and potatoes?
G
Hi G,
Yes, I do think our diet will be better for you. You should eat enough starches to avoid hypoglycemia.
The key thing for you is treating the infections which are consuming so much glucose and making you glucose-deficient if you don’t eat enough carbs. Whatever pathogen(s) this is, it seems to have infected your gut and caused the various gut problems; circulating pathogen-derived toxins and immune cytokines are probably responsible for the anxiety and depression. Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism may be either due to circulating toxins or a thyroid infection.
I would suspect some kind of protozoal or parasitic infection due to the hypoglycemia, but what I really recommend is getting your doctor to have a stool sample analyzed for pathogens. Metametrix has a good test. Once you know what pathogen to treat, and get on a better diet like ours, you should improve quickly.
Lupus
I am writing on behalf of my mother … We live in Dhaka Bangladesh …
Before her illness, my mom was 105 lbs, 5 feet tall and always 10ft tall in spirit…. When she was diagnosed with Lupus at the age of 30, we were all overwhelmed and out of our depths. My beautiful, athletic mother was in a wheelchair and given 6 months to live….
The doctors has advised her to eat literally nothing, minimum protein (1 small piece of chicken/fish, limited to 20g protein per day), only 2-3 types of vegetable and 2-3 fruits and of course lots of carbs to apparently compensate for her failing KIDNEY and LUPUS. She is on tons of medication, no food except the wrong foods (carbs) and in chronic pain. She currently weighs 139 lbs.
Please advise. — S
Hi S,
I believe lupus is a catch-all diagnosis for a variety of conditions which are probably caused by undiagnosed infections. In the US the infections are usually bacterial. I’ve known several people with diagnosed lupus who were cured by antibiotic treatments – in one case the problem was Lyme disease (Borrelia). I have no idea what the likely pathogens would be in Bangladesh. If she does better on low carb and coconut oil, that indicates bacteria; if she does better on high-carb, that indicates protozoa.
A healthy diet is very important. It is very bad advice to “eat literally nothing,” it is essential to be well nourished. Protein is necessary for healing and immune function, and 20 g/day is too little. Fasting is good, but it should be intermittent – not starvation! She needs healthy fats, more protein, and lots of micronutrients. Eggs, shellfish, seafood, bone broth soups, vegetable soups, and fermented vegetables may all be helpful. Coconut milk is probably good for her. You should basically follow the program in our book.
I would try to put her on a good diet, give her a little time for kidneys and other tissues to heal, and then try antimicrobial medicines. Usually, if they’re not working, then you don’t notice an effect. Any strong effect, good or bad, means they are working. Bad effects mean that pathogens are dying and releasing a lot of toxins as they disintegrate. If this occurs, detox aids (salt, water, and one of cholestyramine/charcoal/bentonite clay; also glutathione supports and vitamin C) will help.
Please stay in touch and let me know how things go.
Best, Paul
Depression
I’ve suffered from depression for decades. A few months ago, I decided to try the Dr. Kruse protocol for jumpstarting leptin sensitivity and 2 interesting things happened.
When I went very low carb – below 50 gm -. I had half-day periods where the depression suddenly lifted (something that has rarely happened otherwise). However, I also suffered from darker than normal periods.
I stopped the Dr. Kruse protocol after 6 weeks, and went back to regular paleo (approx. 200 – 300 gm. Carb/day). I’m now generally more depressed than usual, without the good periods.
These changes seem to indicate that I can have an influence on my depression with diet, but not sure what diet to try. Thoughts?
Hi Jersie,
I think your experience on very low carb is diagnostically telling.
I would interpret it this way:
- Your depression is caused by an interferon-gamma mediated immune response in the brain, probably caused by a viral or bacterial infection. This leads to tryptophan being directed away from serotonin and toward the kynurenine pathway. So you have a serotonin deficiency and kynurenine excess.
- A ketogenic diet is both therapeutic (promotes immunity against bacterial and viral infections) and mood-improving (clears kynurenine).
- However, you are at risk for hypoglycemia in the brain (especially if the infection is bacterial) and hypoglycemia causes irritability/anxiety and can aggravate depression.
So the very low-carb diet had mixed effects (ketosis, hypoglycemia).
What I would do is follow our ketogenic diet advice. Eat at least 50 g/day carbs from starches to get sufficient glucose, plus sufficient protein to reach 600 calories/day protein+carb, but add in large amounts of MCT oil or coconut oil. Also, do intermittent fasting – eat all the carbs within an 8-hour window; eat at least half the MCT oil in the 16-hour fasting window.
Once on a good diet, I might experiment with antibiotics to see if they relieve symptoms.
Please let me know how things go.
via this link:
Paul,
I am praying that you answer this email and actually have some help for my problem. I am relatively healthy (age 65) and eat very close to what you recommend (I do eat breads though). But I have “heberden nodes” in my fingers (a form of arthritis). The lower knuckles start with bumps and slowly become deformed. Eventually your hands are very crippled. My aunt has it and I NEVER see anything posted about it on any blogs. Do you know anything about it or can recommend anything or at the very least, point me in the right direction.
Elle,
If, when you say you do eat breads, you mean something made with flour from any of the grains, you need to give them up completely for several months. They are very often the culprit in conditions like yours
Certainly that is the case for both me and my husband. I gave up grains 15 years ago as an experiment to see if it helped my energy problems. After two weeks I noticed the pain in my hands was completely gone. What a wonderful surprise that was. When my husband tried it, he had the same result.
My index finger had started to turn in at the top joint, just like my grandmother’s. But it remained just a slight turn. One of my husband’s knuckles had gotten deformed to the point that he could not fully straighten that finger. That too is still the same.
But the pain has not returned unless we eat grains for any period of time. I am able to handle a slice of good French bread as an isolated treat. My husband seems to be able to have more than I before he will experience any twinges.
But basically we do not eat them at all and do not miss them.
Give it a try.
Oh and just to be perfectly clear, I was not saying that you should have any of those occasional treats during the initial period. You need to completely clear your system of those toxins for a good long time .
Hi Elle,
First key is to get adequate vitamin A (and partners vitamins D and K2) by eating liver every week. Try up to 1/2 pound duck/goose/chicken liver per week. Get sun when you can and supplement vitamin D when you don’t; eat fermented foods and supplement K2.
I would also supplement vitamin C.
As Ellen says, giving up wheat and other likely food allergens/toxins is a good strategy. Often that alone can tremendously improve arthritis.
After that, work on immunity through intermittent fasting and circadian rhythm tactics. See chapter 42 of our book.
Best, Paul
Not veal liver?
Hi Tam,
Veal liver is great, but should be limited to 1/4 lb per week due to copper.
Paul, so its either 1/2 pound duck/goose/chicken or 1/2 lb beef liver?
Can we do chicken liver all the time?
1/4 pound beef/lamb liver or 1/2 pound duck/goose/chicken liver are limits for safe copper. 1/2 pound liver from any source is a limit for safe vitamin A. Iron has to be managed so you should donate blood if you are not menstruating or pregnant.
You can do chicken liver all the time if it does not exceed 1/2 lb per week.
Spar,
Paul recommends limiting beef, veal & lamb liver to 1/4 lb (115 grams) per week due to the copper content. Any more than that will exceed Paul’s copper intake recommendations.
Other animal livers such as duck/goose/chicken are not so rich in copper (compared to beef/veal/lamb).
here’s the search results for foods highest in copper (based on levels per 100-gram serving)
http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-000125000000000000000-w.html
How should you manage iron levels if you can’t donate blood? (Family history of vCJD.)
Hi Mike,
You can ask your doctor to prescribe a phlebotomy.
Paul,
After reading comments from you, Ellen and Lana (which by the way I appreciate), I am willing to try all suggestions. But I would really like to find what ends up helping me and if I try all suggestions, I will never know. What would you suggest I try first and for how long? Also is beef liver OK? I can’t get the others here. I also think it is a great suggestion to take a photo of my hands now.
Just to clarify how I eat. I eat all Real Food, most of it grown myself, grass fed meats, etc. Also Raw milk, butter, dairy. Liver once in a while, cod liver oil usually every other day, lacto fermented veggies, water kefir, Kombucha, etc. But yes, I do eat grains – bread, oatmeal. Very little sugar but I love fruit.
I am actually surprised that I got responses – I felt like I was the only one out there with heberden nodes.
Thanks for additional advice…
I also have Heberden’s nodes, despite having been on PHD for over two years now. They have recently been getting worse. I am going to try eliminating all but white rice. I have been using Udi’s gluten free bread for toast, as well as Tinkyada brown rice pastas occasionally. After reading about the brown crackers causing one lady pain, I thought perhaps these products are my problem. Solving this may take some time, but I will do ANYTHING. It is worth it. I did do without nightshades for 6 weeks and it did help. I introduced potatoes and had an immediate reaction. I do not thing tomatoes, peppers, etc. cause the same reaction fortunately. This may take some time. I would enjoy hearing about your progress in healing this scourge. Thank you also, Lana, for the hydrangea root and calcarea cabonica tip. I will definitely give that a whirl.
For Elle and Ellen,
Once, as an adult, my son sat down with me, looked me in the eye, and said, “Mom, I’m only going to tell you this once.” His voice of authority was amusing, but caught my attention, as I hadn’t recalled using that phrase during his childhood. But here I am, wanting to get your attention. So…Elle and Ellen, I’m going to tell you this only once.
Good for you that you found that wheat is the primary culprit in your joint pain/heberden’s nodes issue. For me it was also lactose, omega-6 oils, carrots, soy, lemons, chicken and pork (both omega-6 meats). I completely agree with Ellen — no cheating. No wedding cake, even if your niece is the bride; no birthday cake, even if your grandson hands it to you. No wheat, no wheat, no wheat. Twenty years ago I read a pamphlet that implicated wheat in five different ailments, including arthritis, schizophrenia, and MS, which we are hearing more these days. That pamphlet indicated that it can take up to 22 months to notice a reduction in symptoms. For me it was six weeks.
Having said that, I did eat the bread at the Wise Traditions conference in Dallas and experienced no pain. That bread was prepared according to “traditional” methods to dissipate the toxins. However, I have since learned other reasons that we need to NEVER eat cereal grains — preventing leaky gut and inflammation is the primary reason.
Now, once you have heberden’s nodes, can you do anything to get rid of them? You may be able to make them smaller, but they may not go away completely. But, if you don’t get rid of the wheat products first, you’re wasting your time and hope.
Get a few jars of hydrangea root in capsules (cheap on Amazon) and the homeopathic cell salt Calcarea carbonica, 6C. For 25 days take three caps of the hydrangea root per day (morning, noon, and night) and, everyday take one pellet of calcarea carbonica. After a 5 or 6 day break, repeat. No need to take a break with the cell salt.
Do take the time to photograph your hands before you start. I discovered this remedy when searching the net and found a facebook dialogue between Bob Huttinga and a chiropractor. They were discussing it as a remedy for bones spurs, and my heberden’s nodes had been described as bone spurs. I was diligent but less than hopeful, so it never occurred to me to photograph my hands. Then, one day, I went to push the off button on my monitor and my finger was obviously much improved. Wish I had the photos to prove it.
As I have recently indicated, I suspect that “cross-reactivity” may be an issue for me, so I will speak with my doc about the Cyrex test. That issue is that there are amino acid sequences identical to some in wheat in other foods, and our immune system can react to those foods the same way it reacts to wheat. Potatoes, rice, and eggs are the ones that concern me. How do I do PHD without potatoes and eggs??? Here is a post about the Cyrex cross-reactivity test: http://www.thepaleomom.com/tag/cyrex-labs
Good luck to you both. You can find Bob Huttinga at his website: http://www.thehealingcenteroflakeview.com/
Lana,
Is it yolks or the white or both that would be cross reactive? If only the white then no problem. If the yolks you can still have some liver, good quality butter and colorful vegs….for vit A and more butter, fermented veg and aged cheese for the K. And there are always supplements.
Without rice and potatoes there is still enough to eat for starch: sweet potatoes, yucca, plantain, tapioca starch, arrowroot starch. then if you ate sure to eat plenty of leafy greens, tomatoes, avocados, beets, carrots and some bananas and chocolate, you should get plenty of the minerals you would get from potatoes.
Thanks for the hydrangea protocol, I may give it a try for a bunion that seems to be starting if the posture and gait changes I am working on via the Gokhale method do not produce the desired result.
Elle,
I get the feeling you are really trying to avoid giving up the grains and hoping that one of the other suggestions Paul listed would do the trick : 😀
But what he listed are all integral the the diet. All factors work together. On these pages, over and over, Paul has patiently suggested to questioners that they just follow the basic diet for several months. Then if there are problems they should look at tweaks.
You cannot be doing the basic PHD diet and eating grains
Ellen,
No, I am not excited about giving up all grains. I am an advocate of Weston A Price and they recommend grains “if” they are properly prepared because many native societies at grains and were very healthy. I did try and give them up once but it was only for 3 weeks and I didn’t notice any difference in my hands but ended up “craving” food. I didn’t feel full and that doesn’t seem right to me. So on one hand, I don’t agree with eliminating any food group, but on the other hand, I need to find something that helps these herbeden nodes. It’s a dilemma….
You will be hungry without grains unless you are eating a few cups of root vegetables and rice and enough green vegetables. I had a tendency to not eat enough safe starch at first (a long instilled rice, potato, sweet potato phobia 🙂 and was hungry until I did. Also beets, squash, parsnip, carrots, green peas, etc; and recently some buckwheat.
I have been a Weston Price Chapter Leader almost from the time Sally started the organization, so I am fully aware of their stance that many healthy preindustrial populations ate grains and many of them thrived. But they also now realize that many individuals in the modern era cannot tolerate even “properly prepared” grains and present with a variety of ills when they eat them. They support the GAPS diet and offer grain free options at conference meals. So don’t hide behind WAPF.
It would probably be helpful for you to look into the addictive aspect of grains. That may be why your brain is going overtime trying to find reasonable sounding excuses for not giving this a few month trial.
But if you do ever give it a try make sure you follow Donna’s advice and eat lots of the safe starches. I would say don’t eat the buckwheat . Or at least until you achieve a pain free baseline.
If you are worried about what you will eat along with white and sweet potatoes, beets and carrots, And all the other good PHD food, here is a great all purpose dough recipe that I have recently found. It is well worth the few bucks she is asking for it. I am making pizza tonight!
http://www.primalgirl.com/2013/07/05/magicdough/
I apologize if I sound harsh. I just hate to see people suffer when there is a completely safe solution that has a very good chance of resolving their pain.
best wishes
ellen
Just to weigh in. When I tell people I don’t eat wheat they many times will say ” you can have my bread when you can pry it from my cold dead hands.” I never push those people. But I’ve learned that I have had to give up any food that I crave between meals. Food should be something that is delicious while you eat it and that you don’t think of when you are not eating it I have had to give up things that are technically ok on phd but that I found myself craving — apples, tapioca, rice syrup, coconut products, from time to time chocolate and coffee. If you are having a hard time mentally giving up a food then it’s a real warning sign. The benifits of the diet did not really kick in until I eliminated all of the toxic foods for me. If you have cravings for a particular food that is known to be toxic it’s a warning sign that you are not tolerating it.
Ellen what exact grains did you give up that helped both you and your husband’s hands?
Elle,
We gve up just what Paul recommends: all but white rice.
Actually since it was 15 years ago, I did not even add white rice until I read PHD. Also, during recent PHD times I have eaten some brown rice crackers as a treat or emergency food and “seemed” to be okay. that is to say no pain. But at one point when I was not very mobile following hip replacement, and couldn’t cook, I ate those crackers for my starch several meals in a row and had pain. So clearly silent damage was being done and now I won’t eat those crackers either. The occasional French bread that I mentioned may be one piece four times a year when we go to a certain restaurant. And more often than not these days I don’t even pick up that slice.
I have to tell you that at one point I did try ” properly prepared” grains again while trying to fix another problem, because they were part of the program of the endicrinologist whose advice I was experimenting with. I was okay for six months then my hands started hurting again. All was fine after I gave them up again. And eating those grains did not resolve that other issue. T hey are just not necessary.
Have you read the book? It really helps to clarify how you can get the complete nourishment you need by following the diet plan.
As far as people I know personally, not just on line, three have followed PHD recommendations and resolved pain issues. You may be making it harder for yourself by looking for remedies specific to Hberden’s nodes. As
Lana said, cereal grains can cause leaky gut and inflammation, how this presents in the individual will vary. amongst my personal friends it was foot pain in two of them and arm pain in the other.
Thank you, Ellen. Forgive the long delay. So busy with the new school year. I don’t know the answer to your question about the eggs. I am interested that Sean Croxton has recently mentioned that he cannot eat eggs because they create mucus in his throat, resulting in constant throat clearing. I am wondering if I have that problem, so will try to do a three month egg-free experiment. How I do not want to go without eggs, however. Still looking for a liver source. Allergies include sweet potatoes, avocado, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, carrots. Indeed, when I avoid every allergen I seem to be pain-free. I am drinking lots of bone broth these days and feeling quite good.
A few people remarked about a “pulling” sensation in their stomachs after treating H. pylori, and I experienced the same thing. I began drinking lots and lots of water kefir and the discomfort subsided, as did the back pain that seems to accompany HP. I stopped the water kefir for about a week and then took a standard HP antigen stool test and it came back negative. I wasn’t expecting that and have all the products for the Amy protocol, but don’t want to take them if I am truly clear. Time for a repeat of the Metametrix GI function.
For liver :
http://www.grasslandbeef.com/Detail.bok?no=534
Or contact your local chapter leader
http://www.westonaprice.org/local-chapters
Hi,
I was wondering if coconut oil works as a carrier for fat soluble vitmains as well as the common oils.
Hi Paul,
About 14 months ago I got herpes zoster ophthalmicus – Shingles in my face that affected my eye and the surrounding area. The initial infection healed, then I got a corneal infection a month later and was left with a scar in an area of my cornea, but one that did no damage.
Since then, I get recurring infections in the scar tissue. All my ophthalmologist has to offer is Pred Forte (steroid drops), but the infection keeps recurring and each time more and more of my pupil is obscured… at this rate I’ll lose sight in my eye over time.
I’ve looked for various natural cures, but many are topical and I can’t put them on my eye. Apple cider vinegar is supposed to help, but I already take that.
To make things worse, I generally heal very slowly, so between bouts of it getting worse, very little healing takes place.
Any ideas on either what can ward off new bouts of shingles or help with healing?
Thanks. I’m running out of ideas.
Hi Melissa,
Well, I’d take vitamin C to bowel tolerance, supplemental lysine, and make sure D status is optimal at all times, plus probably supplement some vitamin A, maybe 5000 IU/day.
Best, Paul
Speaking of the herpes virus – I have it in my spinal nerves (as well as lips, some joints) and I suspect stomach. When I reduce from 6 gm of acylovir a day to 2 gm, I get chronic nausea 24/7, weak breathing muscles, etc. A virologist said he didn’t think the virus could live in the stomach, but I’m not convinced. Your thoughts? lysine makes me super nauseous and I’m wondering if the virus is in the stomach mucosa/nerves, if it is a die off problem?
Hi Donna,
It does seem like that would be the logical explanation. I am sure the virus can live in stomach cells. Don’t know what the virologist was thinking. It may not be a common site for infection but any human cell can harbor the virus.
The virologist thought that anyone who cultures it in the stomach it is because of contamination of the scope from the mouth or esophagus. Yet PubMed has a few references of stomach HSV. Just reading about Lauricidin (like monolaurin I think) to “permanently inactivate the fat coated virus…leading to disintegration of viral particles”. Worth a try? Coconut oil irritates my throat ++, Lysine causes nausea++. Do you think these symptoms might be ‘die off’ and that it could be worthwhile to persist starting with very small amounts?
Monolaurin can work, as can lysine. These are both mild antivirals but every little bit helps. How much lysine did you take? You can buy monolaurin directly, coconut oil will not provide mono- and di-glycerides until the small intestine, monolaurin is the antiviral agent so you would need to get monolaurin for it to work in the stomach. I think if the nausea happens with modest amounts of lysine, then it could be evidence of effectiveness.
Hey Paul,
Love the book. There is so much valuable information in there. I try to get as many nutrients as I can in each day. I feel like it’s so hard to fit all the food in some days though. I know in the nutrient/supplement part of your book you say that most nutrients don’t have to be ingested every day. Is there any that do need to be ingested everyday or are you alright if you get the right amounts in 1 out of 2 or 1 out of 3 days? (i prefer to try and get my nutrients through food rather than supplements)
Also, a question from the cannibal diet. I know if you eat PHD macronutrient ratios you reduce muscle catabolism, but will you lose muscle if your liver glycogen is completely depleted and there is no glucose in the blood or digestion?
Thanks so much,
Kyle
Nursing, Hypothyroidism and PHD
Hi,
I am looking specifically for any information specific to PHD recommendations and nursing. I’ve searched the site and I cannot find any related info.
I am nursing my 4th child, who is 10 months old, she nurses very frequently and for long periods. She eats some solid foods but her intake is about 90% + breastmilk. I’m wondering in which ways it would be optimal to tweak the diet to provide the extra calories needed for nursing. I’m also concerned that I might be dealing with some hypothyroidism as well. I’m in a healthy weight range currently, although about 8 lbs more than my usual weight. I do usually have a loss of about 5 lbs when my periods resume, so I would certainly not be unhappy if I lost weight as I usually have lost my weight by this time.
Background:
I’ve followed a paleo diet with varying compliance for 8 yrs, starting w/ the SCD diet. I went 100% gf 4 yrs ago and have had long periods of being dairy free and soy free as well. I still avoid soy except small amounts of lecithin at times, my dairy intake is generally rare as I don’t feel it is best for me. I believe my son and I have Celiac’s. The only testing that we’ve done is Enterolab testing for my son though.
My diet was not nearly as clean this last pregnancy and was really wretched for me. My iron levels were great but my blood sugar was crashing and my blood pressure was low as well- averaging 90/60 even at the end of pregnancy. I would get dizzy at times getting up and had a couple of spells where I couldn’t get out of bed and nearly passed out. On the worst occasion the midwife came and my blood pressure was even lower than usual(76/50s), after a few hrs and some food I was able to get out of bed. I had insomnia the whole pregnancy and I literally felt like a different person in mood and energy. I had fungal infections throughout pregnancy and even off and on since then. My pregnancy ended with a very, very long labor but no complications during the birth.
My sleep and energy has been better and my brain is actually working, although I still don’t feel my normal self. Doing some research I’m now wondering if my problem during pregnancy was hypothyroidism and if perhaps that I’m still a bit out of balance. My body temperature is low as well and has been for as long as I’ve charted it, 10+ yrs, yesterday I was reading 96.4-96.8 mid afternoon. I have absolutely no sex drive and my hair has been very dry as well, which is very unusual for me. I know that can be partly related to breastfeeding but I know that not all of my issues are related to nursing.
I’ve went low carb after having the baby as that is how I lost my baby weight and felt great with my 3rd but my body is not tolerating it this time around. My sleep worsens and my energy lags after a few weeks and then I end up going through a re-feeding period.
Thanks in advance for any information you have. I have your book ordered and your recommended supplements that I do not already have.
Here’s one I found: http://perfecthealthdiet.com/2010/12/pumpkin-mousse-from-erp/comment-page-1/#comment-133411
Thank you Peter, your searching is better than mine 🙂
I see that there is no mention of what might be the optimal modification for nursing.
My plan is to of course listen to my own body but I was wondering if there might be any specific research in this area.
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
Once you read the book, you will see that PHD is partially based on the macronutrient levels from breast milk. So, PHD itself is the optimal nursing diet.
The main thing Paul recommends is eating 5 egg yolks a day instead of 3. He also recommended to me, when I asked how I was supposed to eat 5 yolks a day, that you could eat chicken livers. I am nursing (I have been pregnant or nursing for the past 6 years) and I find I simply can’t tolerate 5 egg yolks a day and I really hate liver but I feel fine eating the standard PHD recommended 3.
If you scroll up in the Q and A post, a few other commenters and I, in a few places, talk about nursing and pregnancy on PHD, and if you search the website for pregnancy, Paul did a post a little while back on the issue of malnutrition for pregnant woman.
The main issue in pregnancy, and in nursing, I gather, is that the body “triages” all the mother’s nutrients to give them to the infant so the main thing to worry about it malnutrition in the mother. The key issue for you is to be very well nourished and the best way to do that is to eat the basic PHD, make sure you are getting the supplemental foods and taking the vitamins Paul recommends. Frankly, I don’t take all the vitamin supplements. The supplemental foods have been the key to me for well-being. Egg yolks, bone broth, and daily dark leafy greens are the things that help me the most. And use potatoes or other root veg instead of rice as your main energy source as they are nutrient dense instead of just being pure glucose.
Just read the book, do the basic diet and increase your calorie intake and, as you say, listen to your body. As long as you are not eating toxic foods (which can cause cravings) following your cravings is a good way to go.
Hi Amanda,
Paul talks a lot on this website about how being too low-carb is a cause of hypothyroidism. So you might want to search for those posts, as well.
I also responded below to nursing and diet.
Elizabethe,
Thank you for your response. I’m sorry I missed the comments about nursing, I had just checked Paul’s posts.
I did read his posts on pregnancy and hypothyroidism posts as my search for natural help for hypothyroidism brought me here. It does make sense that if PHD is based on breastmilk it should optimally be ideal for breastmilk, although I didn’t think of it that way.
I’m trying to get back into the habit of making bone broth as I’ve had a hard time since my physical and mental energy have been drained w/ pregnancy and nursing.
I am a bit burnt out on eggs right now though trying to be lower carb I’ve ate them way too much and I haven’t had a good source since my mom stopped raising chickens, perhaps if I can find some higher quality eggs I won’t be so averse to the taste. I’m out of liver right now but I know I need to get some more as it always makes me feel good when I eat it but I prefer grassfed chicken liver so it will probably be a week or two before I can get some.
I had thought similarly to you about the rice vs potatoes. I do enjoy rice but I feel better w/ potatoes so I thought I would have them comprise the majority of my carbs.
It is such a vicious cycle, when you don’t feel well it is harder to feed yourself well. I know things like bone broth are not difficult to make, I’ve made it for years but sometimes your brain just cannot handle one more thing.
I’m really hoping that pulling away from the low-carb party line and getting in more nutrient dense food will get me back to feeling good. I’m tired of being dismissed about how I feel. When you have 4 small children it is just assumed that you should feel terrible and tired. I know my body though and I know I can and should feel better.
Thanks again,
Amanda
hi amanda,
no worries. there are 7,000 comments on the q and a, I wouldn’t expect anyone to go through them all.
I just wanted to say, I am totally with you about the “you’re expected to be tired” thing when you have little children. Just a reminder of something you already know — your health is the number 1 priority for your family. You can’t take care of those little children if you are not functioning healthily. Take the time to make yourself the food you need and don’t feel guilty about it.
Thanks for your kind comments elizabethe!
I do try to take care of myself but as I’m sure you know sometimes that is easier than others.
I did throw in my chicken carcass into the crockpot today, now hopefully I remember to turn it off when it is done and put it in the frig!
Amanda
Amanda,
I only have a minute, but wanted to respond that your description of your health/pregnancy/etc. is exactly what I went through. The two biggest factors that have helped me feel GREAT, which is a huge leap from how I was feeling, are the PHD with lots of starchy vegetables and white rice AND a bulk herbal tea that I make every couple days from a chinese medicine herbalist….the pills and granules will not do. You have to find someone who knows how to make bulk herbal tea formulas…way more potent than the pills. I am sleeping through the night (well, unless the baby wakes up) but I am now able to go back to sleep easily. The extreme dizziness, hunger and hypoglycemia is gone. The anxiety is almost gone. Eat lots of saturated fat and safe starches. I hope this helps you!
Paul,
I feel fairly certain that I’m not absorbing certain nutrients as well as I should. For instance, despite eating a good diet I need to supplement with 400mg of magnesium daily or I start having leg cramps at night. Also my skin is terrible – dry and wrinkly (kind of like snakeskin), with some eczema (though that improved a lot after stopping wheat a couple of years ago).
My question is, what would be the best test or set of tests to cover the gamut of possible gut issues? Would the Metramix GI Effects (full set) test show bacterial issues and leaky gut? Or is a separate test like one from Genova needed for that? Thanks.
The very first thing you should do is add Betaine HCL to stomach tolerance as that is protective against pathogens down through the gut as well as being required to absorb minerals.
I just noticed my question about the tests wasn’t clear. Stated differently, I know the Metramix tests will indicate bacterial issues, but will they also indicate leaky gut or would an additional test such as one from Genova be needed?
And thanks MachineGhost, I’ll check into the Betaine HCL.
Hi Paul,
Earlier in the year I started supplementing with iodine. Started off very small like you recommended and worked my way up to around the 1mg range.
From memory, it was around this time that I started to develop a lump in my throat that I can feel when I swallow.
After a month or two of supplementing iodine I stopped and just trusted I was getting enough from natural seafood sources. I just went and saw a local doctor and he thinks that I may have a little thyroid cyst (nodule) which he feels is probably just benign. He has ordered me to get an ultrasound.
I understand you can’t give medical advice so I’m wondering..
1. Do you have any thoughts on why this nodule may have appeared, especially when I started supplementing with Lugols iodine at what seems such a small level?
2. What do you recommend in terms of supplementing with iodine with this reaction that I’ve had.
3. I’ve read some articles on the dangers of ultrasounds. Do you have any thoughts about this or do you believe they’re safe?
FYI, I’m 28 and have had ‘symptoms’ of hypothyroidism (cold hands/feet/waist when the weather is cold) though I have never have had a range of thyroid tests done.
Thanks for taking the time to read and hopefully answer my queries.
Thankyou, John H
hi John H, out of interest,
i assume your Lugol’s is the liquid form, were you diluting it down?
the weakest Lugol’s i’ve seen is 2% (2% iodine/5% potassium iodide), where 1 vertical drop equals about 2.5 to 3 mg of iodine.
I think the original/first Lugol’s formula was 5% (5% iodine/10% potassium iodide), where 1 vertical drop equals about 6.25 mg of iodine.
& i think there may even be stronger Lugol’s solution out there…15% may be?
Hi Darrin!
Yes I was diluting it down to ensure I was getting the correct amount. e.g. 225mcg
I read of people who reduce or even eliminate their nodules with high levels of iodine (e.g 50mg) so I’m not sure what’s going on with my situation.
Maybe the intake of iodine and the nodule coming into my awareness is just a co-incidence… but my intuition says it is not.
Are beets ok? I read that they have “simple carbs,” but maybe that’s not so bad….
Paul, this study is still somewhat over my head but this seems to agree with your view on the beneficial use of starches.
http://freetheanimal.com/2013/09/resistant-starch-supplementation-improves-insulin-sensitivity.html
Full text here: http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/82/3/559.full
Hi paul
I have been treating h. Pylori for several weeks. I have been using natural antimcirobials and biofilm busters. Several of my symptoms including skin rash , and burping after eating have improved but have not gone away. . I am unclear as to what to do about glucose needs. I have been getting approx 120-150 grams of glucose via dextrose powder. Is the dextrose counter productive in the short term? Thank you?
Andy,
I can tell you from personal experience that Mastic Gum, or Gum Mastica, will kill seven different strains of h. pylori and it’s totally benign..just a tree resin. Nutricology and Allergy Research are good brands. You should get a strong resin smell when you open the bottle. I got one from Swanson’s once for 1/2 the going price and it was almost odorless…and worthless. By some accident, it has also been researched and there’s an article in the NEJM on it. Don’t remember which issue, but you should be able to find it doing a search.
Good luck,
Judy
Hi Paul,
I am currently in my 2nd year of my PhD and seem to have developed allergies to the species I work with. I also strongly suspect that I have a histamine intolerance which I think is exacerbating my allergic reaction. The allergy probably also makes me more sensitive to histamine. I saw a allergist and they recommended prescription antihistamines which I am very hesitant to take. Changing the course of my PhD is currently not a good option. Do you have any specific recommendation I can do to reduce the sneezing and itchy palette?
Hello,
I hope you don’t mind me writing while awaiting for Paul’s reply.
Lately I have been researching the topic of parasites and their affect on human health. I am surprised that there is no mention about this topic here. For years I have been dealing with candida, allergies, low thyroid issues, digestive problems, histamine intolerance, constipation and low energy – in spite of excellent, nourishing diet and holistic lifestyle. Finally, through my research I diagnosed myself with H.pylori which was just recently confirmed by the lab test. I decided against antibiotic treatment and designed a very intense herbal protocol. Once on it, I started passing various species of worms (sorry to be so explicit). Now, 25 days on the treatment and I am able to have some foods I was previously allergic to!
So, my problem aside, please investigate the root cause of your allergies. The symptomatic antihistamines will do nothing to solve the problem.
And just a word of warning: thinking that a chemical treatment might be more effective than herbs for the parasitic infestation, I visited a doctor. My mention of expelling worms was met with dismissal. I was told to come back if it ever happens again. Next time I saw a doctor, I had a few pictures of my “unwanted guests”.
Parasites are real not only in poor third world countries. I live in England! People suffer needlessly from a wide array of health issues which could be resolved with an anthelmintic treatment.
I hope that my rather long post will raise awareness about this difficult and underestimated problem.
Hi Dora,
Thanks for the input. I agree that I should get to the root cause and have also suspected H.pylori infection. I’ve been hoping that the issues would clear up with cleaner eating and the supplements Paul recommends – its helped but I still sneeze much too often.
Could you share your H.pylori protocol?
Dora,
I’m interested in the protocol that killed your parasites. I have four dogs. I have them.
As for h.pylori, mastic gum fixes that in short order, with no side effects:
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199812243392618
Judy
How much mastic gum / dose?
Donna, if I remember correctly, we used two pills twice a day. It cleared up my husband’s problem in about ten days. It would also stop my acid reflux on a dime. Since going on the PHD, though, I don’t have that problem anymore.
For many years, he’d get what he called the ‘grunge’…nausea and low-grade headache. Over the years, it escalated. Long story short, he had a brain scan and endoscopy. Turns out he had gastritis and was told that it WAS NOT caused by h.pylori. Doc put him on Prilosec which worked like a charm but he couldn’t stop taking it or symptoms would come back. I was talking with another doc who said, “I don’t know why he said that he doesn’t have h.pylori. You have to land right on top of it to find it.” SO…I just assumed that it WAS h.pylori and started looking for alternatives to antibiotics. Apparently, that was his problem because after taking mastica, his days of stomach upset and headaches are long gone.
I always comparison shop before buying because prices are always changing. Just don’t make my mistake and go with any product that is price much lower than the average…it’s probably useless. Stick with Nutricology or Allergy Research.
Good luck,
Judy
As a holistic health practitioner, now retired, I have always experimented with various diets and supplements. My protocol is the result of my many years of interest, folk medicine, science and art.
I am dealing both with H.pylori and intestinal parasites, so the protocol is very extensive.
First thing in the morning, and late in the evening – to cause physical damage to the parasites:
1 Tbs. diatomaceous earth mixed in 1 cup of water
To remove the biofilm:
1 capsule Serretia Serrapeptase 250.000 SPU
1 capsule Healthy Origin Nattokinase 2.000 FU
(I tried to use the Interfaase Plus from Klair Labs but had a very strong allergic reaction)
At this time I also take my thyroid meds.
30 min later:
for the H.pylori elimination
2 capsules Allergy Research Group Mastica 1000g
2 capsules Ecological Formulas Monolaurin 600mg
After this I usually have a bowl of grated carrots (2 lg. carrots) with the following additions:
1 Tbs. melted coconut butter, a small piece of fresh grated coconut, 1 Tbs. black seed oil, cinnamon, 1Tbs. pumpkin seeds. Grated carrot is a folk remedy to remove the eggs of parasites.
Afterwards, I take my first coffee enema. This is how I discovered I had worms.
I experimented with the Gerson’s diet (purely out of interest). Coffee enemas are a part of the Gerson’s protocol).
Afterwards, about once every hour I take ONE of the following: (to treat both the H.pylori and parasites):
40 drops Herbpharm Goldenseal in some water
Amazon Therapeutic Labs
15 drops Sangre de Grado in some water
Vitality Works
4 drops Oregano Oil under the tongue(with ½ tsp of Manuka Honey on the tongue!)
Once a day I make this difficult to stomach concoction:
1 cup of water mixed with 1 Tbs Redmond Clay, 1 tsp. psyllium and 4 cloves of garlic
First, I blend the garlic with water then I add the powders and briefly blend again. It is the most difficult remedy to take as my stomach goes into spasms. I take a sip of the concoction and then lick some Manuka honey. I repeat until finished. I probably could use less garlic to make it easier to take, buy I need the results!
Throughout the day I drink Triphala tea (I buy off eBay – from India). I pour hot water over 2 tsp. of powder. I drink it when cool throughout the day. It is to help remove the biofilms.
Every few days I take a very high dose – ½ tsp. (200 billion /12 types of probiotics) Klair Labs Ther-biotic complete powder.
My lunch consists of a soup made with bone broth, onions, green vegetables (usually broccoli, kale, courgette (zucchini), cayenne and fresh herbs. I cook till soft and then blend with 4 garlic cloves. I top it up with pumpkins seeds or have a rice cake with pumpkin seed butter on the side. When available, I garnish with broccoli sprouts (home grown). Sometimes, when the appetite calls for, I add an egg yolk.
The only supplements I now take are:
5000 UI Thorne Vitamin D/K,
Liposomal Vit. C (I make it myself and take a large sip once a day),
4 capsules of curcumin (eBay from India)
Iodine – have been taking 12.5 mg but lately lowered to 6 mg
I have my second coffee enema in the early evening.
Evening meal is another bowl of grated carrots with the additions.
In the late evening I repeat the morning ritual with diatomaceous earth, enzymes, mastic gum and monolaurin.
I also chew plain mastic gum (eBay – from Greece)
As you can see, everything that I put into my mouth is in some way geared to deal with H.pylori or parasites.
I know that the food is very limited but I do not have much appetite since I started this. I used to have an excessive appetite that I controlled with sheer strength of will. I started the PHP diet about 2 month prior to this but continued to have digestive problems that were increasing in severity and manifested as low stomach acid, constipation, insomnia and fatigue. This made me think that I might be having H.pylori. I got tested in a regular med lab and was positive. At the same time I ordered a test from Genova Diagnostics and am still waiting for the results!
I am planning to get on PHP diet once I complete my treatment. Occasionally I am beginning to experience hunger which is welcomed after feeling constant nausea.
If you are interested in my experiences, read on.
The first 4 days after starting the protocol, I felt awful, nauseated, tired, and completely out of sorts. A horizontal position in my bedroom seemed the most appropriate. On the fifth day a miracle happened and the cloud was lifted: I started to feel much better. However, every day I was experiencing some pain in various placed that of my body that I used to experience in the past, sometimes many years ago. For a few hours I would have an intense back pain, then another day – knee pain, one day I had a chest pain (I used to have angina of unknown origin). I also went through something like a PMS (for a few hours). I imagined that my body was revisiting the old pains and hurts, and saying good bye to them. I actually think that perhaps the bacteria / viruses settled in my muscles were dying and causing pain.
I continued to pass worms (about 100 in total!!!). First I passed 2 hookworms, (5” each) then mostly roundworms, then flatworms. The longest 9”. On the 9th day I passed what looked like a long sausage casing, and then 2 very large flat worms. Last few days I pass only worm segments. Sorry, if this is too descriptive. I actually took some photos of the worms as I could not believe it and thought I was “seeing” things!
I felt very well until about day 12 when again I started to feel very tired and had muscular pain when walking. I felt like I was deficient in proteins. This passed after 3 days and once more I feel very well, both physically and mentally.
I had to lower my thyroid medication. I have had hypothyroid for about 19 years. I have been lowering the dose since I started to take iodine.
I am a female, 49 years old, of Polish origin, living in England.
I order all of my supplements from iherb as I found this to be less expensive than buying locally. If you decide to follow suit, please kindly use my reward code: RAZ649 for $10 discount on your first purchase and a small benefit to me. I am not trying to peddle anything and I sincerely hope that no one will be offended with this offer.
I chose the supplements with the least or non of the excipients and unnecessary additives.
I hope this will be helpful to some of you. I plan to have another Genova Diagnostics test in about 6 months to see if I am free of the unwanted “guests”.
Thanks for such a descriptive rundown of your protocol Dora!
Some of those biofilm-fighting supplements I had never heard of before!
Is a faecal stool analysis the best way to identify if one is infected with parasites/worms?
Thanks, John
Thanks, Dora. You put a lot of time and effort in your response and I appreciate it.
In response to John, I can say that an enema using one cup of lemon juice, preferably organic, will show you if you have parasites. It isn’t high tech or scientific, but if you can first do an enema with plain water to clean yourself out then do the cup of lemon juice and capture the results in a sieve, you’ll have an indication. I know I do but I just need to find a good, simple cleanse.
Good luck to you,
Judy
Thanks for the post Dora,
Any ideas on how (food,…?) and where (England, Poland,…?) you picked up your parasites and worms.
Thanks for the detailed protocol! I’m curious; how do you make your own lipisomal Vit C?
John,
I think faecal test from a good lab can be very helpful, especially for worms and other parasites. I used the Genova Diagnostincs’ Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis/Parasitology. http://www.gdx.net/product/10123?print=true
This test needs to be ordered through a practitioner.
I know that Metametrix Lab has an excellent test (GI Effects GI Function Profile – Stool) http://www.metametrix.com/test-menu/profiles/gastrointestinal-function/dna-stool-analysis-gi-effects but the parasite part of the test is not specific enough. In 70% of the tests, the results indicate the presence of parasites but do not give any specifics. More testing is then required.
For both labs the results come after 2 weeks (or longer)
The tests done by the medical doctors are useless – with estimated 50% false negative. ( I personally thins it is much more than 50% as theirs parasite recognition is very minimal.
For H.pylori, I was tested are the regular medical lab as I was eager to get the result fast.
Daz
I think that I have been exposed to parasites many many times through various foods and activities.
My father used to treat us with steak tartare made with raw beef. I continued this tradition. Also, I have always enjoyed raw sushi and have had it at least twice a month for many years.
I have had many pets. The consensus is the most of the pet’s owners have some sort of parasites.
I have always enjoyed raw foods and most of the time ordered raw salad when dining in restaurants.
Walking barefoot in my garden and gardening may be another source of parasitic infections. I have some visiting cats passing through my garden and on more than one occasion leaving behind their excrement.
I am almost reluctant to mention that I spent 4 years living and working in Egypt. People think one can only get parasites in Africa or Asia. Although it is true that there are plenty of parasites there, the America or Europe are just are affected.
The problem is that there is very little attention to this topic.
I strongly believe that people with vague, difficult to diagnose health concerns should be tested for parasites. Doctors do not know much about it, do not believe parasites are ubiquitous, and dismiss the problem all together.
From my own experience, when I requested the test for H.pylori, I also mentioned that I have been passing worms. The doctor look at me with glazed-over eyes and said to come back if I pass any other worms…
Not all health concerns are due to parasites, but many are. So, if your diet is good, your blood test is all negative, your lifestyle is descent, and you still do not feel right, please suspect parasites!
Donna,
I got the recipe from the internet: http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread915507/pg1
This all seems unnecessarily complicated vs Campbell-McBride’s anti-parasite protocol of garlic, oregano oil, olive leaf extract and grapefruit seed extract. There’s also wormwood and black walnut inner hull from traditional herbology. Have you tried the protocol or other ingredients?
What proof is there that serrapeptase and nattokinase are effective against biofilm? That’s “off label” and rather provocative given how notoriously difficult it is to attack biofilms.
MachineGhost,
Thank you for your comment.
The proof is in the pudding!
It is all an experiment for me, not based on any particular research. I am developing my own protocol that suits my needs.
From the remedies you mentioned, I have used garlic, oregano oil, wormwood and black walnut. I cycle them every few days with all the other remedies mentioned previously.
I have had a success eliminating what looks like a biofilm (so something IS working). Whether the enzymes, Triphala or both, it is impossible to say.
Campbell-McBride’s anti-parasite program is chemical (Mebendazol) and for now I want to avoid it(but I will use it should the natural treatment fail). I do now know what she recommends for the removal of the biofilms and H.pylori). The chemical treatment will take care of the parasites but not the H.pylori and the biofilm, so I decided to tackle all of them together and see what works.
This is my not-so-little, not-so-scientific experiment 🙂
…and I stand corrected: Natasha Campbell-McBride does talk about natural remedies, and very good ones. I can see her point of view with using both chemical and natural treatment. I have though about this but for now will only do the natural, albeit complicated procedure.
MachineGhost mentioned olive leaf extract…
here is a link to a pubmed study on the stuff, sounds promising,
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19135874
some text,
“In conclusion, olive leaf extract was not broad-spectrum in action, showing appreciable activity only against H. pylori, C. jejuni, S. aureus and MRSA.
Given this specific activity, olive leaf extract may have a role in regulating the composition of the gastric flora by selectively reducing levels of H. pylori and C. jejuni.”
By accident, I found some corroborating information about the ability of certain enzymes such as nattokinase to digest biofilm on this page:
http://www.inspirednutrition.com/3/3_Step_Natural_Answer_for_Lyme_Disease.html
If effective, a simple protocol of monolaurin and biofilm-digesting enzymes seems like a huge win-win for eradicating chronically persistent infections or suspicion of thus.
The CDC just recently reported publically that Lyme disease infections are 10x higher each year than previously thought. Oops, egg on face!
Hi Paul,
I am very interested in your diet but I don’t eat offal and am wondering if it still possible to follow ? I am also not a huge meat eater but eat fish, chicken, turkey and beef. I have ordered your book but am waiting for it to arrive! My health concern is a weird one. About a year ago I developed eye issues which were a nightmare to diagnose. Pinguecula in left eye and small pinguecula in right eye with chronic meibomian gland dysfunction. My right eye became very inflamed and painful with very prominent red veins. My left eye is not too bad even though it has the most prominent pinguecula. After countless hours research I feel that I have improved things considerably however not cured. I feel the pinguecula I’m stuck with but the red veins and inflammation I’m desperate to heal. Most days are pain free now but my eyes are still quite veiny and ugly! One year ago the sclera of my eyes were white and healthy. My vision and general eye health is fine (no underlying eye disease.) I have been sticking to a paleo diet with the exception of white rice for a few months now. I’m wondering if you could offer any advice for my eye issues? I also have TMJ disorder interestingly with it being worse on the side my eye is worse.
Paul,
You say the diet works out to about 600 carb calories, 300 protein calories and fats supply 50-60% calories. Can you convert how many calories that would be like you did for carbs and proteins? Also how many calories-a-day are you talking aboutt? A am a woman 5’4″ tall, weigh 150# and want to weight 135#.
He’s basing it on the traditional 2000 calories used on food labels, so 30% carbs, 15% protein, rest as fat. The carbs don’t scale down well as the brain requires 120g of carbs a day according to the IOM.
Hi Elle,
Calorie intake depends on age, activity levels, gut flora, and other factors, so you should adjust any advice to your personal needs, but you would probably do well on about 1600-1700 calories, which would imply 700-800 fat calories.
Hi Paul,
Do you know anything about astaxanthin and it’s possible benefits for joint health?
Hi Cathryn,
It’s not known to have direct benefits for joint health. However, it does have anti-inflammatory effects (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=astaxanthin+inflammation), so it might ease inflammatory joint pain or arthritis symptoms.
Hi Shou-Ching and Paul,
Thank you so much for your wonderful book. I have been following Dr. Rosedale’s book diet for about two months, and have felt very tired. I am now going to add the safe starches and see if that helps.
My daughter, 42 years old, has a major iron deficiency. Every 3 to 4 months she has to have iron infusions. As a child (because of ear infections) she received quantities of antibiotics. Could you please suggest what could be causing this and what to do about it? The doctor wants her to have a 2nd colonoscopy. Thank you so much.
Hi Sylvia,
I don’t know what’s causing the anemia, but I would recommend eating liver regularly (it is iron rich and nutritious) and drinking water flavored with vitamin C powder daily. Vitamin C enhances iron absorption, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2507689. She might be vitamin C deficient.
Hi Paul,
I’ve been following PHD for about 1,5 years now, and I feel like it’s the best diet for me. I’m very grateful. I still have problems however, and I really hope that you can offer me advice.
After a few months of following PHD I realized that my eczema and fatigue/depression were probably caused by a fungal infection, after which I decided to follow your advice and follow an anti-fungal version of PHD by cutting out fruit, honey, and other sources of fructose, eating 600 carb calories daily, avoiding ketosis, eating lots of vegetables and anti-fungal herbs, etc. The results were good: My eczema more or less disappeared and fatigue/depression improved. However, in the past few months I’ve tried to reintroduce fructose in my diet, but unfortunately just a few carrots or a few teaspoons of honey make my eczema and fatigue/depression return very quickly. It’s a very obvious pattern which I’ve repeated quite a few times. This shows me that I’ve never really gotten rid of the underlying infection in my body (or whatever the root problem might be), and I have to say that despite the many health improvements I’ve made, I’ve never really felt as healthy as I should be at my age (22). I’m a bit desperate because I’m trying to my best to do everything right (optimizing circadian rhythms, taking all the recommended supplements, donating blood, liver and vitamin D), but seems like it’s not enough, and after more than a year I’m really starting to miss food like fruit, chocolate, honey, etc.
Other symptoms I suffer from (which may or may to be related to my fungal infection) are not being able to tolerate IF (makes me feel bad and extremely hungry), chronic nose congestion and bad recovery from exercise.
Do you think I’ve been on the right track and that I should just continue to attack my fungal infection harder/in different ways? Or should I try something different? Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I can’t thank you enough for all your help. Without the PHD I would have been much worse off.
Hi Erik,
It sounds like you have some sort of SIBO or bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine which is exacerbated by fructose.
I would start by supplementing vitamin A (the active kind from cod liver oil), 5000 to 10000 IU/day, vitamin D3 2500 to 5000 IU/day, vitamin K2 100 mcg, these will support mucosal immunity. Also continue the circadian rhythm therapies. Supplement zinc (100 mg/week) and drink vitamin C powder mixed in water to bowel tolerance — these will support immunity.
Thank you for your reply, Paul. I will definitely follow your recommendations!
If I eat beet liver once a week and chicken liver once a week, do I still need to supplement vitamin A from cod liver oil, or would that be too much vitamin A?
Also, what makes you think that the infection is bacterial and not fungal? Aren’t symptoms of eczema signs of a fungal infection?
Hi Paul- asking this question again in case you missed it (but you’re probably just super busy). I don’t recall reading anything in your book about diverticulitis. Is there research that it is genetic? Do you think grains and legumes can precipitate it? Do you have specific suggestions for diverticulitis?
Hi Paul,
I love your website. On a 7 day ketogenic fast, is it possible to replace some of the coconut oil with fresh avocado?
Many thanks,
SC
Hi Paul,
I love your website. On a ketogenic fast, is it possible to replace some of the coconut oil with fresh avocado?
Many thanks,
SC
Hi Paul —
After four TSH readings above 3 over the past two years (despite periods of both 12.5mg iodine supplementation — with selenium — and a return to 225mcg) I’ve seen an endocrinologist who’s given me a preemptive prescription for levothyroxine/Synthroid based on symptoms and TSH, pending one new round of tests to confirm.
I thought I’d seen you mention the relative benignness of T4, but can’t find those comments via search. In your opinion do you feel it’s relatively safe to experiment with T4, without doing any long-term damage?
I’m also planning to do an iodine/bromine test to see if perhaps the higher-dose iodine was on the right track, but not sure if that effort would compete with T4.
thanks as always.
I am confused about Omega 6 and prostaglandin formation. I thought the cascade for PG1 begins with Omega 6 (then to LA, GLA, DGLA) and completes with the PG1. Isn’t PG1 anti-inflammatory? In the book, it seems like omega 6 consumption is always inflammatory. My understanding is that Omega 6 pathway can become inflammatory if there is excess insulin in the body, then DGLA gets shunted into the PG2 (AA) pathway. Could you comment? Thanks.
Hi Paul, I don’t recall reading anything in your book about diverticulitis. Is there research that it is genetic? Do you think grains and legumes can precipitate it? Do you have specific suggestions for diverticulitis?
Thanks Elizabethe for sending me here 🙂
One issue has been concerning me lately. I’m getting dizzy and sleepy way too frequently after a meal which includes a starch, some veggies and meat. I have ibs which has greatly improved with the elimination of grains (i also have to avoid fruit and potato’s skin among other things)….
The thing is that if i only eat the starch (even 500-600 grams of potatoes) OR the meat (as much as i want) by themselves i don’t get this problem, however i don’t really like separating them as i can’t get satiated with only meat and i get hungry a couple of hours later of a serving of starch with no fat or protein added.
Anyone with this problem or knows what could be going on?
Thanks 🙂
Does the amount of calories you eat at a sitting affect these symptoms?
Hi Donna;
Not when eating them by themselves. For example i can eat 500 grams of potatoes or a big bowl of rice without any problems but as soon as i mix them with fat or protein i get this.
I haven’t paid too much attention but the symptoms seem to be less severe when the amount of fat/protein in the meal is reduced (not that i’m eating too much, i’m talking about an average meal composed of 200 grams starch, 80gr meat/fish, 200 grams veggies and a bit of fat for cooking)…. Also, not long ago i had a 2hrs GTT and the results came back as normal
Interesting. The reason I ask is that I used to have a problem with digesting more than 2-300 Cal at a sitting (no matter what the composition), until I started taking digestive enzymes and a large dose of probiotics. I don’t know if that might help you. I like Dr. Mercola’s brand for both.
Hi Paul,
If I cannot eat 3 egg yolks daily, would you recommend taking a choline supplement?
If yes, which form of choline?
Thanks so much for all the information and for your time.
Dear Paul,
I have been trying to incorporate PHD into my diet as much as possible over the last one year. My constipation problem is a lot better, i dont seem to get much viral illnesses nowadays and my energy level is pretty good. I have started supplementing with lysine for chronic g herpes but havent seen any improvement as yet. I think i have Hypermobility syndrome due to longstanding intermittent neck and leg pain (although my R leg pain flares up during g herpes outbreak), fatigue and digestion problems. Would you recommend anything else to help with Hypermobility syndrome as the pain can be really bad sometimes. Many thanks
Farah
Hi Farah,
I would eat lots of collagen by cooking joints, tendons, and bones in soup and stews, and take vitamin C daily at a level like 1/4 or 1/3 bowel tolerance – try mixing a powder in water. Vitamins D and K2 should also help.
Best, Paul
Dear Paul,
I already take most of your recommended supplement (trying to add on the new recommendations from your second book). Am also experimenting with bone broths from your own recipes. I read that taking L Carnitine and CoEQ10 may help with fatigue from hypermobility syndrome. It looks likes all the supplement for mitochondrial dysfuntion may be beneficial. Should i take them all including lysine for herpes? I am starting to wonder whether the inheritance of hypermobility is mitochondrial related because almost all the women in my family has it.
Many thanks
Farah
Hi Kamal or Paul:
Why do I develop loose stools from taking 1-2 tbsp of MCT oil and what are suggestions/thoughts to avoid loose stools?
I don’t know why, but any amount of concentrated coconut oil will go straight through me too. I can digest coconut cream and shredded coconut etc, but not the refined oils.
obv not Kamal or Paul,
if you take on empty stomach or just with other liquids, ie. 1st thing of the day…Don’t. Take after you have some food in your stomach, that may work for you.
also, have read about Steatorrhea, & see if there are any clues there,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steatorrhea
also if you take mct oil in the evening, keep an eye on your sleep.
some people find that mct oil disturbs their sleep…brain becomes too active to rest/sleep.
personally i do not take mct oil after 3 pm, as my sleep is already fragile.
this may also apply to coconut oil as well, tho to a lesser extent.
Interesting. Would you expect to see the same possible sleep disruption from monolaurin / Lauricidin (derived from lauric acid from coconut – to treat viral / herpes infections)?
i believe the reason behind the sleep/mct thing is due to mct’s stimulating the brain.
& i think this is due to the brain running more on ketones than glucose when taking mct oil (think ketogenic diet).
Now lauric acid is an mct (c12, 12 carbons), so one of the longer chain mct’s.
my bottle of mct is only 1% lauric acid.
I vaguely think that lauric is not that ketogenic (more anti viral).
The more ketogenic mct’s (i think) are the shorter chain mct’s; caprylic (c8) & capric (c10).
The amount you are taking should not have any significant ketogenic effect.
But that is not to say it will not effect your sleep. I ‘test’ all new supps against my sleep.
Paul,
I posted this a while back, but I know you have a lot of questions to sift through and probably missed it. So apologies for the repeat post, but hoping you can answer.
I feel fairly certain that I’m not absorbing certain nutrients as well as I should. For instance, despite eating a good diet I need to supplement with 400mg of magnesium daily or I start having leg cramps at night. Also my skin is terrible – dry and wrinkly (kind of like snakeskin), with some eczema (though that improved a lot after stopping wheat a couple of years ago).
My question is, what would be the best test or set of tests to cover the gamut of possible gut issues? I know the Metramix GI Effects (full set) test would show bacterial issues , but would it also detect leaky gut? Or is a separate test like one from Genova needed for that? Or is there another test altogether that you’d recommend? Thanks.
Hi Paul,
I have a question about ketones and fungal infections. I am battling a diagnosed fungal infection now that has taken many months to get under control. I have stopped with coconut oil because you mention in the book how it leads to the generation of ketones in the body, which candida will gladly feed on. Is this only a problem if you are low carb? Or should you avoid ketone producing foods like coconut oil if you have a fungal infection?
Thank you,
Mike
Hi Mike,
It is mainly a problem if you are too low carb. If you are eating PHD levels of carbs I think it’s fine to eat some coconut milk in food or a few tbsp of coconut oil a day. I wouldn’t go overboard on it.
Could butter be a problem too? I’ve heard Allison Siebecker call it ‘the original mct oil’.
Makes sense, thank you. Also, what exactly is the difference in the starch in a grain like buckwheat or quinoa VS the starch in a potato or white rice? I ask because i never get any flareups when i eat buckwheat, but will when I eat the carbs sources suggested on PHD. Any ideas?
Should it be possible to follow your diet while excluding coconut and dairy? I am unable to tolerate either, even butter and also possibly ghee cause me GI and skin problems. I just wonder if I can manage enough calories as fat.
What about tallow, lard, poultry fat, olive oil, egg yolks?
Yes, luckily I can tolerate those.
Looking at some of the recipes on this site, there seem to be a good selection of sauces where I can substitute in some tallow/dripping. Along with some avocado oil mayonnaise and olive oil dressings, I think I should be able to pull it off.
Also if you slow cook things like short ribs, chuck roasts, pork belly you will get lots of good fat. Or untrimmed steaks and chops if you prefer those. A few macadamias. And don’t forget three egg yolks per day.
Really it should be easy easy for you to do
Hello, Paul. In the chapter on circadian rhythms, you suggest having a breakfast of protein and fat and reserving the carb calories at dinner (p. 376). But I could swear I’ve also heard you suggest (maybe on a podcast interview about the book) that each meal should have consistent macronutrient ratios.
I usually eat breakfast and dinner about 10-11 hours apart, with no lunch. (For me, the 8-hour IF window hasn’t worked because if feels like I’m eating way too much food in too short a time, even with the macros at the low end of the suggested ranges).
If I’m aiming for 400 calories of protein and 500 calories from starch (with the rest of the day’s calories coming from fat, fruit, and vegetables), would there be any advantage to having 200 calories of protein at breakfast (with some fat), and then having 200 calories of protein and 500 calories of starch (with some fat) at dinner? Could this lengthy window between starch consumption provide any of the benefits of autophagy even if fat and protein calories are consumed at breakfast? And is there any potential harm to having the carb calories concentrated into one evening meal like that?
Or should I just have 200 calories of protein and 250 calories of starch at both meals?
Thanks. I appreciate your willingness to respond to questions from your readers, and this forum has helped me get more out of the PHD since I started following it in May 2013.
Hey Paul,
I read some of your articles about carbs and fructose. So if you ate fruit (usually 50/50 glucose fructose) – half would go to refill liver glycogen and half would go to refill muscle glycogen (until all muscle glycogen was full)? and do you think the liver holds 70 or 100 grams of fructose? Thanks a lot for all your help.
Hi Paul, I’m not sure if this question to you about diverticulitis keeps going missing? I see you are answering other questions so I suspect so. I’m trying again! Do you anticipate that the PHD would help diverticulitis? Prevent and / or reverse it? Do you have any specific suggestions for diverticulitis? Thanks, Donna
Hi Donna,
I think it would help. I developed diverticulosis on my very low-carb diet (when I also developed scurvy and fungal infections flared, that was probably the problem). It hasn’t gone away so far as I know but I haven’t had any problems either.
In general PHD should be excellent for the “itis” part. I don’t know if the “osis” can be reversed. Maybe.
Get extra vitamin A/liver and D/sun and C.
Interesting. I’m wondering if avoiding grains and legumes might be a (or the most) important factor, in terms of genetic expression of this disease, given the discussion in your book of the toxins they contain. Most people who have it do not have a history of avoiding carbs (probably the usual someone too high grain based carb diet). That would be interesting prospective data to collect. Thanks for the suggestions. My husband has diverticuli ++ that increase in #s each year; but no hx of the ‘itis’ so far (which runs in his family). We’re hoping the PHD will prevent that for him.
Is pork pepporni sausage (pizza) safe to consume? Does it use pork cassings?
Hi Paul:
Please help answer the below:
Is pork pepporni sausage (pizza) safe to consume? Does it use pork cassings?
Saw Lissa Rankin on PBS. She emphasizes destressing for health. Here’s one of her TED talks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tu9nJmr4Xs
Hi Paul,
I’ve been preaching PHD to my whole family and I finally got my brother to try it! But we’ve been having difficulty figuring out how much of our fat intake comes from animal protein. I mostly consume about 500 calories of butter, coconut milk and olive oil a day. But when I also eat things like beef, I’m afraid I’m overeating my fat intake. Please help!!!!
Hi Paul,
I peel my white potatoes because the skin is where most of the solanine is and I know not to eat green potatoes but I have some potatoes in the cupboard and when I cut them open they’re not green but they have sprouted quite a bit.
Are they still good to eat or does this mean they probably have high levels of solanine?
Thanks!
I put an apple in with my bag of potatoes which prevents the potatoes from sprouting. I keep them in the refrigerator too unless I’m going to eat them very quickly.
Good tip! I wonder if anyone could speak to how important peeling your potatoes really is? I always find it so difficult peeling those little fingerlings… Does it matter more for certain types of potatoes? Thanks!
I boil first; then peel. Much easier even with small potatoes. Then you can bake if you want to or sautee.
Hi Paul,
I have been on Armour Thyroid for the last half of year and my doc has now maintained a dose of 120 mg. I was looking over my most recent lab work and found something interesting that relates to the carb intake/thyroid connection you often speak about. While following a low carb diet, my TSH was at .61 mIu/L, and after one month of introducing carbs in the form of quinoa and buckwheat, my TSH dropped to .094 mIu/L. I should also mention that both my free T3 and Free T4 slightly increased once I added carbs back into my diet. On my next visit I might request to start lowering my dose. Please share any thoughts you might have on this.
Thank you,
Mike
Hi Paul.
I’ve been all over the Paleo Web World the last few months because I am a Podcast Junky but of course it causes lots of confusion. I always come back Home, though–right here to your site. During one Podcast, I found myself attracted to this concept of eating 6 meals a day suggested by a Paleo-woman weight lifter. But it was an awful inconvenience and didn’t really help me in any significant way. Before experimenting with these constant small meals, I was able to do Intermittent fasting quite well. But when I tried it the other day , I felt ravenous hunger and just plain terrible. I tried having some tea and coconut oil and felt nauseous. I had to finally eat a banana before I got any worse. Oh, but I loved the convenience and the feeling of power over food when I was doing IT. Now I’m wondering how I can return to doing IT again. You mentioned in your book that a person should eat if they feel hungry but couldn’t that be just a result of habit. Couldn’t the body adopt to fasting by perhaps forcing oneself to do IT although it may feel very uncomfortable at first or how else am I to get to that point without going through some discomfort at first. Thanks so much for all your help.
Hi Paul.
I’ve been all over the Paleo Web World the last few months because I am a Podcast Junky but of course it causes lots of confusion. I always come back Home, though–right here to your site. During one Podcast, I found myself attracted to this concept of eating 6 meals a day suggested by a Paleo-woman weight lifter. But it was an awful inconvenience and didn’t really help me in any significant way. Before experimenting with these constant small meals, I was able to do Intermittent fasting quite well. But when I tried it the other day , I felt ravenous hunger and just plain terrible. I tried having some tea and coconut oil and felt nauseous. I had to finally eat a banana before I got any worse. Oh, but I loved the convenience and the feeling of power over food when I was doing IT. Now I’m wondering how I can return to doing IT again. You mentioned in your book that a person should eat if they feel hungry but couldn’t that be just a result of habit. Couldn’t the body adopt to not eating by perhaps forcing oneself to do IT although it may feel very uncomfortable at first or how else am I to get to that point without going through some discomfort at first. Thanks so much for all your help.
Byron Richards would say you’ve turned down your fat burning gene expression by frequent snacking.
Dear Paul – I like long-distance hiking and quality nutrition is always a challenge since weight and volume is limited, and anything that needs refrigeration can’t be brought. The main problem is the fish, meat, and eggs. Jerky and other dried meats might work, but because of the additives, I’m reluctant to believe these are good food sources. What would you recommend as meat, fish, eggs substitute that does not spoil easily? Thanks!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pemmican
Epic bars! The bison with bacon and cranberries are hands-down my favorite, but they also come in beef and turkey flavors, which I don’t like but you might. Grass-fed, organic bison/beef, gluten/soy/dairy free, no added nitrates or nitrites, hormones, antibiotics, etc.
http://www.epicbar.com/
Also try the PaleoKits, PaleoJerky, PaleoStix etc. at Steve’s Paleo Goods
http://www.stevespaleogoods.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1516
You can get grass-fed beef jerky without all the additives you don’t want, and the kits come with other stuff added, like dried fruit and nuts, etc. if you want all that. Look around the site, it’s not all on one page, but he offers a lot of variations on the jerky theme.
I also usually bring bacon bits; they don’t spoil easily and you can sprinkle them on things or just eat them.
You can also get tuna in pouches instead of cans to help cut down on weight and make it more packable, although anything with much water content is obviously not going to be super efficient in terms of calories versus weight/volume. But you don’t need that much of it, if you only want to do fish once a week or so.
Hard cheese and summer sausage will last a couple days, sometimes a few days, depending on the weather, so I usually grab some of that when I’m passing through towns when backpacking. Even boiled eggs work. If I stay somewhere with a kitchen when I take a zero in town, I’ll boil a few and pack them out. Depends on the length of the trip whether I want to bother with stuff like this. More weight and it doesn’t last very long, but sometimes the variety is worth it.
If you’re hiking with a stove you can get powdered eggs. Powdered milk, too, if milk works for you. You don’t have to drink it–you can cook with it, use it for sauces or thickener.
Also, they don’t contain meat or added protein, but just thought I’d mention that Larabars are my favorite granola/energy bar type thing for hiking, since they contain very few, simple ingredients (typically nuts, fruit, maybe some brown rice syrup or dark chocolate, but not always) and they come in lots of different flavors. No gluten, etc.
Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!
Powdered milk and eggs contain oxidized
Cholesterol. Not good.
Oh, I didn’t know that about powdered milk and eggs (I always hike stoveless, so never eat them myself). Thanks for the info!
Oh, and Primal Pacs has stuff similar to the Paleo Kits, not sure which one is cheaper. Alas, hiking while paleo/PHD can get pretty expensive.
Goodnight nightshades!
My year ago allergy blood test showed highly allergic to the nightshades, but I resisted. I can’t any longer. Pain is terrible in my wrists, thumbs, and toes. I happened on this site today and am hopeful that I can make this work for that potato fix I need. http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/2013/09/paleo-hash-browns/
Fascinated by Dora’s H.P. protocol. Similar to mine and that suggested by Amy King. I don’t know if Hp has returned or not. I have back pain when I’m fatigued, and once I was on a treatment for a couple weeks I had none at all. Water kefir seems to help. I have a kit to do a stool test with local MD clinic. Not my doc, but the folks he sent me to for an endoscopy. They could not justify that procedure, as I did not have the requisite symptoms, so they gave me this kit.
Does anyone know if there are things I should not take before collecting the sample, besides those indicated in the directions?
Very eager to see if jicama is a good sub for potatoes. Will let you know.
Cauliflower mashed potatoes? You’ll still need your starch, of course. But you might get some of the mouth feel you crave, especially if you whip them up with cream and/or butter
Thanks for the thought, but mashed are rarely a quick option for me. I steam and saute as gently as I can. Potatoes supply an assortment of nutrients that are hard to find elsewhere, and, once in my belly, leave me feeling wonderfully satisfied. Taro root is not bad, but hard to find close by and they don’t seem to keep very long. Also, I really don’t know much about how to fix them. I appreciate your thoughts. 🙂
They are a cinch, just steam your cauliflower, then mash with butter and/ or cream and salt, either by a hand masher or in food processor
Have you ever tried the yellow, nutty tasting sweet potatoes? I find them very satisfying
Yes, I have used the light yellow sweet potatoes. Right now I’m afraid of anything that smacks of a potato. I did show an allergy to sweet potatoes but it was mild compared to the strong reaction to white potatoes. Beautiful weekend weather so I was in the yard but hand pain, foot pain, and hip pain took most of the joy out of it. I will try the mashed cauliflower, but mashed potatoes is not something on my “miss it so much” list.
Tonight I put together the jicama “hash browns” and my-oh-my was that good!!!! I’m a bit concerned about the paprika (nightshade) and the bacon (omega-6), each of which could give me a reaction. But my eggs and “pretend potatoes” were wonderful. Kind enjoyed the crunchy texture of the jicama. healthfulpursuit.com is her website.
Oh Lana,
I really feel for you. I love the challenge and satisfaction of finding new foods to replace ones that have to be avoided. But I know that sometimes the process is extremely frustrating.
I am glad to hear the jicama was a success. I bet that recipe would still be good without the paprika
And cayenne. You could experiment with all kinds of seasonings. turmeric might be a good one to try since it can help with some arthritic conditions. Maybe mixed with cumin.
Here’s another thought: roasted cubes of winter squash, carrots and beets.
Best wishes in getting to the bottom of this and ultimately being able to eat your potatoes
One more idea. This is quick and very satisfying the way potatoes are. at least for me.
1 cup tapioca flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 Tbsps melted ghee, butter or coconut oil
2 Tbsps water
2 eggs
Seasonings as desired
Cook as pancakes. You could even make little pizza types thingies : add some sautéed onions and dried tomatoes and you will get your potassium. If you find you like this you can cook up a bunch of onions in advance and have them ready in the fridge. the pancakes themselves take less than ten minutes.
Try mashed celeriac! Yum. 😛
Greetings, and thanks for the wonderful information here and in your books.I was wondering how you feel about a baby aspirin a day for people over 55.My doc seems to think it’s really important. I reason that non-PHD eaters have a higher level if inflammation than we do,so for us it may not be necessary. What do you think ❓
Hi Lloyd,
I’m open to the idea. I don’t think it’s necessary, it’s certainly going to be less beneficial for PHD eaters than non-PHD because one way it works is by suppressing negative effects of omega-6 excess / omega-3 deficit, but it may still have benefits and doesn’t do much harm. There is some evidence that low-dose aspirin extends maximum lifespan by reducing immune activity — there is a lot of futile immune activity among the elderly triggered by chronic infections.
I have recently been experiencing dry mouth at night. It is happening more often. I don’t think I am sleeping with my mouth open. I would appreciate thoughts on why or what to do.
Hello, I’ve been trying to follow your dietary guidelines and help friends with health issues find a way to heal with food. A friend, who is pregnant, is having severe pain and complications brought on by several fibroids on the womb. Do you have a specific advise to help combat these fibroids? She, unfortunately, consumes a standard American diet. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance and for all your revealing information.
Christina
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Hi Paul,
I suffer from Hashimotos, i wonder what your stance is on taking iodine for people with hashimotos. Would 225mcg be safe without flaring up my condition? I have had a iodine loading test and my levels are low.
Also are they any chronic infections that i should be tested for, having an autoimmune condition
Thanks so much,
Joel
Hi Joel,
Yes, I think 225 mcg/day is beneficial. It’s good to provide a steady dose of iodine, sufficient to make normal amounts of thyroid hormone, to the thyroid. If it has to upregulate iodine uptake from the blood due to a scarcity of iodine, that tends to exacerbate hypothyroidism.
The main thing in Hashimoto’s is to address gut issues. Vitamins A and D are crucial there.
Hello,
I’ve been following the PHD for about 2 months now. Previously, I was on the paleo diet but didn’t really monitor my macronutrient profile. Since switching, I’ve definitely added more fats as well as butter, white rice and white potatos.
About 2-3 after starting the PHD, hairs from my left eyebrow started to fall out. I basically now have three bare patches in my eyebrow. Any ideas on what this may be caused by? I’m pretty sure I’ll need to eliminate the potatos, butter and white rice to see if any of these are the culprits but just wanted your opinion.
Losing hair on the outer third of your eyebrows can indicate hypothyroidism.
Thanks Donna. I forgot to mention that I’m familiar with that symptoms but while one patch is on the outer third, the other two are in the inner third. So I don’t think it’s hypothyroidism unless my presentation can also occur.
Hi Paul,
I’ve been trying to figure the benefit of IF’ing with having your largest meal during the daytime as opposed to the evening. I couldn’t find any explanation other than the recommendation. Is it simply due to compounding all the zeitgebers together (sunlight, food, exercise, socialising) or are there other physiological reasoning? (insulin sensitivity etc)
Thanks.
I have suffered from depression for years and have used many anti-depressants that didn’t help. Recently I had Salmonella and diverticulitis concurrently and was treated with 2 antibiotics for 2 weeks. The improvement in my depression was dramatic. I exercised almost daily, was fixing healthy meals regulary,and felt wonderful. This lasted about 2-3 weeks before I was back to the same slump. Looking back I have experienced the same results from antibiotic therapy on at least 3 other occasions. I stumbled on your website today while looking for other people with similar response to antibiotic treatment. What a good feeling to know that I’m not alone. Question: Do you know of any like minded physicians in Seattle? Those willing to consider stealth infections and long term antibiotic therapy as well as your diet recommendations? Thank you!
Hello Paul!
First thanks for keeping up this very informative website and for writing the book. It was one of the most interesting books that i’ve read so far!
I would be glad if you had some recommendations regarding my health! My background: I follow the PHD for approximately 3 months now. What I don’t do is eating enough organ meats and I don’t take supplements (except of low dose Vitamin C (500 mg)). Also since I sometimes eat food that my parents cooked and they cook with canola-oil I don’t always get the best fats…
Since I had elevated cholesterol levels before adopting the diet I wanted to check how they chnaged after adopting. I got two differing result sheets from two different dates so I am a bit confused.
Sheet 1:
Total Cholesterol: 266 mg/dl
Triglicerides: 59 mg/dl
Free T3: 2.98 pg/ml
Free T4: 1.57 ng/dl
Sheet 2:
Total Cholesterol: 253 mg/dl
HDL: 57.3 mg/dl
LDL: 180 mg/dl
LDL/HDL: 3.1
Cholesterol/HDL: 4.4
HbA1c: 5.4 %
TSH: 3.68 µIU/ml
In comparison to the values I got 3 years ago they got a little worse. Back then HDL was 65.1 and LDL 172.
When I made the blood test recently I was relatively on low carb and didn’t eat safe starches every day. Maybe this could be a starting point? Another thing there is to be consicerind: My Lp(a) levels are chronically (genetically?!) very high. Instead of the upper norm of 30 mg/dl I have values of 60-70 mg/dl.
Another fact I recognize in _every_ blood test in the last years: My neutrophils are always low (around 35 %) and Lymphocytes are always high (around 52 %). Although in the most recent blood test it got a little better as in the test more in the past.
I also have a house dust mite allergy and often have cold symptoms. Especially I have the feeling that my bronchia are producing a little mucus all the time. This colds appear relatively frequent and very long time. So I don’t get rid of the feeling that this might be a chronic infection and has something to do with the Neutrophils?! Although the Thyroid seems to be okay. This also hinders me on doing sports on a very regular basis as i often get ill (although not very serious).
Anouther point: I seem to have Gilberts syndrome and don’t know whether it would be a problem for supplementing Vitamin K2. But I think it shouldnt and would be monitoring it.