This page documents health changes our readers have experienced after adopting the Perfect Health Diet. If you have improved your health on our diet, please leave your story in the comments. Sharing your results encourages others — it lets them know that healing is possible! — and encourages scientists to investigate natural healing methods. We also welcome any reports of difficulty, since we and our readers can help you troubleshoot; such questions may be posed on the Q & A page.
Our sincere thanks to everyone who has posted a success story!
Reader reports are arranged by condition:
- Obesity, weight loss, food cravings, binging
- High blood pressure
- Mood and cognitive function
- Mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, OCD, BPD, bipolar)
- Digestive disorders (acid reflux, Crohn’s, IBS, celiac, etc)
- Autoimmune disease
- Sleep quality
- Allergies, rhinitis, sinusitis
- Anemia
- Fatigue, low energy
- Dry eyes or skin
- Autism
- Constipation
- Fungal infections
- Hypothyroidism
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Arthritis, joint inflammation, crepitus
- Back pain
- Raynaud’s syndrome
- General health
- Chronic infections
- Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Acne
- Infertility, amenorrhea, PCOS
- Genetic disorders
- Migraines, headaches
- Kidney stones
- Diabetes & glycemic regulation
- Atherosclerosis
- Body composition, strength, athleticism
- Gout
- Dyslipidemia
- Oral & dental health
- Eczema
- Hair loss
- Heart palpitations
- Cramps, menstrual cramps
- Multiple sclerosis
- Body odor
Also, a few of our favorite reader success stories have appeared as blog posts:
- Jay Wright’s rapid and lasting weight loss: Jay Wright’s Weight Loss Journey, Dec 1, 2011.
- Kate’s cure of migraines, anxiety, and Raynaud’s syndrome: A Cure for Migraines?, March 29, 2011.
- Relief from pain and spasms for the NBIA kids, Zach and Mathias: Ketogenic Diet for NBIA (Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation), Feb 22, 2011.
Obesity, weight loss, food cravings, binging
Person |
Quote |
Health Issue |
Mary(more here) | There is a whole pan of dark chocolate gluten-free brownies in my kitchen, and I’ve had no desire for them all day. I’m crediting the supplements (I’m on all the PHD recommended supplements save kelp), and I’m particularly thinking copper has made a big difference (I’ve suspected a copper deficiency for some time as I started going gray young). Or perhaps also selenium. (I’m hypothyroid…hoping for some improvement there.)In any case, I feel great physically, I’ve not been binge-y or nearly as much as a sweet freak (and I’ve been known to eat an entire bag of caramels in less than an hour, and then head out to the store for more), and I’ve felt mentally stable and pretty happy. I feel great on this plan, and maybe more importantly, I’ve noticed that I have many more calm, good mood days than otherwise. I think it’s the combination of the Perfect Health eating plan and the recommended supplements. I’ve not lost more weight since my last check-in – I seem to be at a plateau – but I’m still seven pounds down since I started, so that’s good. |
Reduced cravings, improved mood, weight loss |
LizardFace | I’ve been doing PHD for 6 months after 45 years of eating the SAD. I wasn’t super overweight, but was gaining every year, 6′, 200 lbs. I craved sweets. Six months later I am down to 180. I eat rice and sweet potatoes but don’t crave them, never crave sweets, don’t think about food all the time like I used to. Try it yourself and see. |
Reduced cravings, weight loss |
erp (comment 1 and comment 2) |
I agree completely with Paul that when you’re well nourished, you’re never hungry. I’ve been following the PHD/cum supplements coming up on one year next month and can honestly say, I have no cravings and am never hungry. When I see one of my former nemeses like hazelnut biscotti, while walking the aisles of the grocery store, I need only remember that I have visible ribs now and have moved down from size 16 to size 6, to smile and move on. It took a while, but the trip is well worth it…. I’m 77 and over the years, I’ve tried to lose weight by going low carb. The weight losses were successful, but I didn’t stop craving high carb/sugary stuff and would always gradually go back to the bad old ways and gain the weight back. One year later strictly following the PHD, I lost almost 40 lbs and not only don’t I crave carbs and sugar, I am actually repelled by the smell of a bakery. Yeast and cinnamon are off putting. When grocery shopping, just knowing that I have a visible rib cage is enough to keep me moving out of the cookie aisle. Whether it’s self-hypnosis or balanced nutrition, I say thank you to Paul and Shou-Ching and all the people who comment here. |
Reduced cravings, weight loss |
Nancy | I am a 64 year old woman who has fought weight control all my adult life. January 2011 I started following Dr. Harris’ 12 steps, J Stanton’s “Eat Like a Predator” and the Jaminets PHD. I am maintaining my weight loss without cravings or white knuckling and feel great. Thank you! Thank you! I have printed out so much from each of your blogs and share with all who ask. My husband is also on board. I may even take up hunting this season! |
Reduced cravings, feel great |
Peter | After approximately six months of PHD I have zero craving for sweets and have easily resisted entire tables groaning with plates of cakes, doughnuts, cookies and so forth. Resisted is the wrong word though – it’s as if all desire for a (formerly craved) substance has left my body. I’m not sure if it’s related, but I have no desire to drink alcohol these days. |
Reduced cravings |
Stabby (also here) | I have been eating the PHD for a while, and it has really reduced any sort of cravings and tendency to mow down, even if the food is really yummy. My gut feels better, I have better digestion with less bloating from I have had other improvements in health since discovering books like the |
food cravings |
Katelyn | I was ZC but am no longer-I cycle carbs by using white potatoes. Leanness, satiaty, energy, bathroom habits, etc. have all improved! I owe thanks to you and to Kurt Harris, whom I respect a lot, in getting me to not fear adding them. I was scared to, but have had only positive results! Keep up the great work! |
weight loss, food cravings, low energy, digestion |
Sarah Atshan | I also had an mental adjustment period of accepting white rice. I had cut starch out of my diet for so long. I found including 400 calories of white rice &/or potatoes, reduced my cravings for something sweet. My calories naturally lowered without hunger. I was also able to start intermittent fasting, something that was impossible for me to do before the starch. |
food cravings, hunger |
Erik (comment 1 and comment 2) |
Your book and writings have totally changed the way I think about my diet, nutrition and health. So in the past year, I have minimized grains, cut out processed food, do not eat sweets and avoid omega-6 rich cooking oils like the plague. I have increased my intake of saturated fat by several fold and use butter and coconut oil as my cooking oils. I eat eggs for breakfast and add cream/coconut milk to my coffee. I eat sardines and salmon weekly. I get plenty of sunshine and exercise several times a week. I eat just as much fruits and vegetables as I did in the past. I do however consume more sweet potatoes and potatoes. I use to avoid the “evil” potato as well!… I basically do not calorie count and eat to what I feel. I have actually lost weight and my skin has become healthier as well. My lips do not become chapped like they use to in the past. I always had chapped lips for most of my life…. I have been well overall. The phd is working great for me. Also, my son’s gastrointestinal issues have been improving from the addition of probiotics and better nutrition. He is also starting to say a lot more words this summer. He is asking for things with words for the first time. I can’t say what helped him since there are so many variables interplaying but I am happy to see improvements in language. Our pediatrician was shocked and excited about his improvements. I think his probiotics, gluten free diet, vitamin supplements and intensive ABA therapy have helped a lot. My son’s autism has been a very good learning experience. I feel very lucky to have you as a fantastic resource of information. Many thanks again for your help and kindness! |
weight loss, chapped lips; his son: autism, GI issues |
jtl | When I began implementing PHD a few weeks ago I cut fruit back to about 80 calories/day and upped starch intake with sweet potatoes, potatoes, sourdough buckwheat pancakes, and white rice. Within a couple of weeks chronic health issues such as itchy, flaky scalp, tense painful neck and shoulder muscles, and cyclical vaginal itching had disappeared, my mood had improved noticeably, and I was able to do a little weight-lifting without it wiping me out physically and mentally. 2 weeks ago I cut out fruit entirely and began getting all my carbs in PHD proportions from white rice, sweet potatoes, sourdough buckwheat cakes, and potatoes and saw a dramatic improvement in mood and ability to work-out without negative effects, and the fuzzy-headeded/blurry-eyedness that I’ve felt intermittently throughout the day for as long as I can remember disappeared. For the first time in my life I felt happy, relaxed, patient, care-free, clear-headed/eyed, and not hungry (I’ve always noticed being hungry in my head, not my belly). |
fungal infections, impaired mood, fatigue, dry eyes, food cravings |
Gary | I’d be glad to offer testimony confirming that PHD is a weight-loss diet. My own loss isn’t dramatic, about 15 lbs. in the past year. My primary health problem is sleep apnea, which I’ve had for many years/decades. It has led to high blood pressure and weight gain. It is not caused by my weight but rather sleep apnea caused me to gain weight. I’ve been thoroughly tested and know the reasons for the apnea and am recovering primarily by using a cpap breathing machine at night. PHD got my attention because it was primarily about good health. I started following it a year ago and can say that it has significantly improved my health. In addition, I also began to lose weight, a welcome side benefit. I follow the basic diet recommendations and take all the supplements. I get enthusiastic about PHD and tell my friends about it, but the most frequent response I’d get was that it may be great, but it means home cooking everything. I’d counter that home cooking isn’t hard. So finally I set up a small website that shows how I’ve done my own interpretation of a PHD meal plan and the home cooking that make it possible to do it during the week, working 50-hour days and making 2 or 3 meals a day for me and my spouse. I call it “10 minute meal.” It might be of use to others: 10minutemeal.com |
weight loss, high blood pressure |
Jaybird | I have been shocked that unlike all previous diets for the first time in my adult life I consistently, not just choose, but desire the PHD foods over the crap foods. I feel full and more satisfied as well as crave PHD tastes. Even my craving for a pizza with its wheat crust has reduced greatly after the first 3 months on PHD. On past gov’t pyramid diet, vegetarian acid/alkaline diet, and even a strict paleo diet, they seem to require a herculian will power to choose to eat “healthy”. I had to definitely choose the less food reward. I came accept this was just the way it is in life…until PHD. You definitely can lose weight on the PHD! I don’t understand the Jaminets conceding PHD is not a weight loss book. Their section on weight loss is the best advice I’ve found in years of reading diet info. I went from 250 to now 182 in 6 months! It seems to me you need to get more clear exactly what PHD recommends for weight loss. You seemed confused in your description of PHD weight loss. 400 cals? I now eat 600 calories a day of safe starches and continued to lose weight at 2 lbs a week. Remember, total calories is king and the PHD foods will satisfy at a lower calorie intake like no other. Also, you can add lemon in your water throughout the day. |
weight loss, food cravings |
S, |
Two weeks ago my doctor diagnosed me with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. After chatting to me a little about nutrition and its effect on the body, he wrote down the title of your book “The Perfect Health Diet” and said that it could help me. I went home and immediately ordered the book online and received it a few days later (yippee!) Although I’m not even half way into the book (I decided to start again after discovering it’s not light bedtime reading!) I am certainly seeing sense in what the book says and am already feeling a lot better just in myself – more energy, happier, less hormone mood swings and not bloated at all. I’ve lost a bit of weight since I started two weeks ago (6lbs) and my skin is… well… the least spotty its been since I was about 11 years old! I’m certain that the diet is the reason for these changes. |
PCOS, weight loss |
gp2x | I can’t believe how much better I feel!… I had been eating (very) low-carb and high-protein for the better part of a decade – and I had gotten a lot of practice arrogantly dismissing suggestions (from any source) that I should change anything about my diet…. Results: (after 1.5 months or so.)
It |
food cravings, mood, alertness |
Robert | I started PHD a few weeks ago, after finding the blog, and then reading the book. I have only positive experiences to report. I had been overweight in the past, and lost weight by low-calorie dieting on processed foods, along with strength training. After a while I would revert to some degree of overeating, and have to diet again. I’m mildly overweight now but I have been losing 2 lbs. per week on the PHD. Keep in mind this is before any calorie counting. I keep telling myself I will plug things in to Fitday, but so far my hunger is autoregulating itself and the weight is coming off. Besides weight loss, I feel great. I haven’t wanted to eat any take-out or sweets, and that is unusual for me. |
weight loss |
Morris G (comment 1, comment 2, comment 3) |
A couple of months after starting PHD there was an obvious improvement in mood and cognitive function. Now 12 months later the mental improvements persist but do not seem to be growing. … I’ve had joint “noises” for about 20 years (I’m 72yo) but no direct discomfort from the noise effect. The frequency and magnitude has increased over time but only very slowly. I tend to think that the degree of crepitude correlates (weakly) with general joint health eg time to recover from episodes of tendonitis or discomfort caused by overuse. I have ignored this “crepitude” as being an unavoidable aging effect until recently, when my manageable back/neck aches spontaneously improved and that happened about 3 months after adopting the PHD diet (although I didn’t know at the time that the diet was PHD). For example I can sleep on my back for the first time in 8 years and turn my neck 90 deg without any discomfort. My exercise regime has not changed from pre-PHD and is not too strenuous, about 2-3 hrs total/week of which most is moderate effort cardio with some resistance. The odd thing is that pre-PHD, with the same exercise effort, if I increased calories my fat would easily but slowly increase, but not now…. I feel great … |
mood, cognitive function, joint function, weight |
Richard M, email of Oct 19, 2011 |
May I firstly congratulate you and Shou-Ching for writing such a wonderful book. After researching nutrition and health in my spare time for many years I have never come across a book that has been able to tie all of the major aspects of a healthy diet together in such a concise manner whilst being so extensively well referenced. The amount of improvements that I have seen since implementing this diet |
energy, food cravings, weight, illness |
Connie | As far as the PHD only being for healthy people, I wanted to share my experience. I’ve lost about 60+ pounds on the low carb (mostly back in 2000). My low carb methods evolved over time and eventually I avoided all fake sugars including diet sodas and almost all prepared foods (including low carb products) and had to be careful of dairy and nuts – trigger foods for me which caused me to overeat. I also thought that low fat would bring me more success, so tried to stay low fat. Whenever I would stop doing low carb, I’d gain some weight back. But it was very difficult for me to stay low carb because I was doing low fat and also not getting enough omega 3. And when I did cheat with sugary foods, I’d eat a lot of it. Then I discovered PHD this year. I was afraid of “safe starches” and fat, So, my problem of overeating isn’t totally gone, but my diet and weight |
weight loss |
David | I’m still very new to this diet, and I’ve been generally getting in shape and losing weight for a while now, but one thing I can comment on already is the effect it’s had on rhinitis. Simply put, my rhinitis has disappeared completely. I no longer wake up One other benefit: I’m never hungry on the PHD and I’m really enjoying all |
rhinitis, appetite |
L.B. | I have been following a “paleo” diet for the past seven months – a combination of the PHD book, Mark’s Daily Apple and Kurt Harris’ blog. I am a 47 year old male, 6’ 1” and 175lbs. My health and fitness improvements include the following:
This fitness plan has had a profoundly positive impact on my life. My wife |
weight loss, gout, creaky joints, IBS, heartburn / acid reflux, dyslipidemia, oral health, reduced cravings, blood pressure |
David Z. | My success story: I’ve been eating what was mostly a “health food” diet for twenty years. I followed the various trends and tried vegan, vegetarian, raw, and more at different time periods. I’ve done juice fasting and cleansing. At some times I followed it more religiously and other times less so, but nonetheless slowly gained weight over the years. This year I read Wheat Belly and started to think about cutting out wheat, I lost 25 points in the first two months on the diet, going from 215 lbs 190 is not a bad weight for me; I am 5’11″ and lift weights so while Thanks! |
weight loss, body recomposition |
Karin | I have particularly severe, chronic, complicated, and often silent migraines. I have had these since childhood all day everyday. Because they were often silent (no pain) they would manifest in various other ways, thus leading to misdiagnoses of mood disorders and schizophrenia for many years. At one point I was also misdiagnosed with epilepsy as well. After one particularly smart neurologist saw and tested me, I was placed on blood pressure medications for migraines. This worked. The problem is that my body constantly fights to readjust to the medications. After a few months at one dose, it seems I start to get migraines again. So it would go up and the same thing would repeat again. I was looking for a different solution and I stumbled across this article. I’ve been on the keto diet for nearly a month and it is the best thing |
migraines, mood, sleep, energy, weight loss |
Jim, email of April 2, 2012 | . I am down from 341lbs to 272lbs doing mostly Paleo, but modified with some safe starches per your book. Just so you know this is not just about weight loss for me, I was a type 2 diabetic with full metabolic syndrome and most importantly, I had popping capillaries in my retinas that were leading to blindness. All is better now, no pills etc. |
diabetes, obesity, diabetic retinopathy |
Roxy Rocker | I am the smallest I have ever weighed as an Adult. I weigh 218. When I switched to Paleo/highfat I was 284 about 14 months. |
obesity |
Elyse | I’ve been adding starches to my diet for the past 6 months and find that I am more satisfied and eat far less “treats”– just 1-2 squares of 85% dark chocolate most days. Definitely agree that food just isn’t that big of a deal any more. |
food cravings |
Connie Warner | After doing very low carb for so long, I was worried too. I started with fruit and sweet potatoes and it was hard to stop eating them at first. But now that my diet is more balanced, I have it under control. I think there was an adjustment period. I’m now taking the recommended supplements as well as some of the suggested supplements and am following the PHD guidelines, which have helped. My Omega 6/Omega 3 ratio was way out of balance for a long time. Paul has said the cravings are due to missing nutrients. It’s great to have a balanced diet – carbs, protein & fat – with NO cravings – it’s an amazing feat for me! I feel better and happier and don’t feel deprived. I also do the Intermittent Fasting (16 hour fast with 1 Tbs coconut oil and an 8 hour feeding window) and this has helped me too. Food is less important to me, it really is a lot easier than it sounds (I’m not suffering!) and I choose my foods carefully to get all the nutrients I need in 2 meals with a snack in the 8 hour window. Sometimes I just have a spoonful of rice syrup to get some carbs. Or you could add it to a homemade salad dressing or drizzle it on some plain yogurt. |
food cravings |
Java Gal | Ok, have to comment – can’t contain myself anymore! I am a lurker of the worst sort, but here goes. As a 54 year old woman, I am more energetic, flexible (yoga three times a week), and healthier than I have been for, oh, decades. My doc, a wonderful, but dye-in-the-wool vegetarian, told me to keep doing what I was doing – cholesterol dropped, good TSH levels(I’m hypo), and down 5 sizes. Talk about replacing a wardrobe! My worry, of course, is gaining it all back, which, sorry to say, is an experience I have had already in days of yore. I was an avowed low-carber back then and I can attest that, while it was effective for losing weight, it was not a good long term strategy. So far, as long as I stick to basic PHD principles, things are going swimmingly. In general, PHD has been a huge success. Thank you Paul and Shou-Ching! |
obesity, energy, flexibility, dyslipidemia, hypothyroidism, general health |
Jennifer Fulwiler | As I look for something to wear this weekend, I’m reminded that I am in the middle of the wardrobe crisis that I’ve been waiting to have for ten years: all my clothes are too big. I don’t mean a little loose; I mean I perpetually look like I’m headed out to an M.C. Hammer costume contest. Over the past few months I’ve lost 25 pounds. That’s a good thing, mainly It’s too long of a story to explain in detail here, but the short-short |
weight loss, stamina & energy |
Meli | Hi Paul,
I just wanted to let you know that I was finally successful at adding back As a bonus, my eyes are no longer blurry, and my hair appears to have You have my deepest gratitude, and respect. ~ Meli |
Weight loss, dry eyes, hair loss |
Anonymous (also here) | I have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and am taking a very low dose of risperdal (same drug in higher doses used to treat schizophrenia). I had been doing very low carb for many years and do now wonder if it Better mood I have found that following the PHD diet (in particular, getting enough Very nutritious, no cravings This diet is super healthy and does allow plenty of choices: meat, fish, Intermittent fasting – easy This is optional, but I’m so happy I discovered this. Fasting sounds Raynaud’s Another benefit of the PHD is that my Raynaud’s is much better now and I’m So give PHD a try if you want to feel better and be healthy too. I highly Thank you so much, Paul and Shou-Ching, for all you do! 🙂 |
Borderline Personality Disorder, mood, energy, anxiety, food cravings, Raynaud’s |
Timothy J Hicks | Background: I was an Atkins dieter in the 1990’s. Lost a lot of weight, but staying on it was difficult. Last year I came off a bout of depression determined to beat it without I lost a total of seventy pounds. As a man at fifty-five years old and 195 What is even better is that the recommendations in the Perfect Health Diet To go back to the beginning, the Atkins diet had two flaws which 1) Atkins diet “phases” lead to the idea that somehow you lose 2) When Atkins wrote the Diet Revolution book, he didn’t have access to The Perfect Health Diet is written so that you can read to whatever depth This book is a good companion volume to “Why We Get Fat: And What to The only qualification that I would add is that the book recommends eating Again, as a person who has lost seventy pounds and now enjoy a life free |
depression, obesity |
Jon (email of Feb 7, 2012) | Dear Paul,
Following your PhD diet I have continued to lose weight at a rate of one Since I’m eating 1500 cal per day and 54% of that is fat, 26% is carbs, I must tell you, that being insulin resistant, I was a prime candidate to I’ve been gaining weight for years, and there has been no solution to the I’ve got about 50 pounds left to lose! I plan to lose it the slow way, I Thank you thank you thank you, Jon |
Weight loss |
hadrion | I decided to give Perfect Health Diet a go first and see where that takes me. What I’ve learned from asking question to the Jaminets and reading their answers is that a little sugar here and there in products and the sugar in fruit isn’t going to kill you. I can’t do a low carb Paleo diet as I never feel right on that kind of After 2 weeks on Perfect Health Diet I’ve seen some pretty impressive This leads me to a few things, chiefly, that gluten is not good for my While I’m not dismissing Peat’s philosophy of diet, so far I feel pretty What I would encourage any of you dealing with inflammation or who feel So far, following the plan set out in the PHD has led to some nice |
Skin redness, bloating, weight loss, eczema |
Ole | I have been on the PHD diet for over a year now. (I bought the draft version in September 2010). My health has improved a lot. I have lost about 25kg and I’m now about 87kg (i’m 185cm tall). I’m probably healthier than an average person on just about any performance metric. (Picture of me in summer of 2010 and 2011. http://blisunn.no/2011/07/min-brors-nye-livsstil/) |
weight loss |
Shelley | I’ve been reading paleo, WAPF, low-carb sites for over a year now and following your PHD as well. You can add me to the list of your success stories as I lost 15 pounds , have no “cravings” eliminated GERD, heart palpiations, panic attacts and other annoying pains. |
weight loss, food cravings, GERD / acid reflux, heart palpitations, panic attacks / anxiety |
P.wen | Paul & Shou-ching,
Just want to thank you guys for all that you do. I’ve been doing paleo for |
weight loss, binge eating, food cravings |
Els and here and here | I have been on PHD for almost 2 weeks now, doing IF 16/8 at the same time, and have started with the supplements you have recommended 4 days ago. Since I started PHD I do no longer crave for sweets. I used to eat chocolates almost everyday and haven’t had it for over 2 weeks now. 🙂 I am so happy I found your blog and got your book. Keep up the good works…. 5 weeks ago I found PHD website and ordered the book. I am now on my 4th Btw, I continue to shed off some more fat even after I’ve increased my |
food cravings, cramps / menstrual cramps, sleep, acne / pimples, body composition |
Brian P. | Many thanks for your book and blog as it has helped me lose 35 pounds and counting over the last 5 months, along with a general improvement in energy level and “evenness”. Extremely gratifying to find a way of eating which is sustainable, totally satisfying and results in natural weight loss. And, I have yet to add high intensity workouts to my normal morning and afternoon walks. I have been talking to anyone who has expressed interest as the potential of the diet is obviously tremendous!! P.s. I strongly suspect PHD played a pivotal part in my wife getting |
weight loss, energy, mood, infertility |
Peter | When I ate a VLC diet I found that hard liquor was extremely satisfying. As soon as I added back starches, my desire for alcohol diminished greatly. Like Cheeseslave’s experience when she IF’d, I wonder if a craving for |
craving for alcohol |
Clarissa | Just adding in my similar experience to Peter’s. When VLC Paleo I was sucking down 2-3 glasses of wine a night. I’ve bumped up my carbs to the PHD level, and have been able to stay off alcohol entirely for the last couple of months. I’ve also lost about 5 more lbs since upping my carbs and quitting alcohol. Now when I get a strong craving for alcohol, I can “satisfy” it by having a few starchy carbs. Since going off alcohol and upping carbs I’ve seen improvements in my mental function and sleep pattern. |
craving for alcohol |
elizabethe | I’ve struggled all my life with overweight, binge-like eating disorder symptoms, and fluctuating weight and (undiagnosed but quite obvious) volatile blood sugar. I’ve been roughly following PHD for some months now and it has seriously reduced all of my previous binge-eating, hunger craving symptoms, as well as vastly increasing the amount of time I can go between meals without feeling frantic or emotional. I haven’t lost much weight, but my weight has stabilized whereas before I was on a steady gaining trend. |
binge eating, weight gain, glycemic regulation |
High blood pressure
Gary | I’d be glad to offer testimony confirming that PHD is a weight-loss diet. My own loss isn’t dramatic, about 15 lbs. in the past year. My primary health problem is sleep apnea, which I’ve had for many years/decades. It has led to high blood pressure and weight gain. It is not caused by my weight but rather sleep apnea caused me to gain weight. I’ve been thoroughly tested and know the reasons for the apnea and am recovering primarily by using a cpap breathing machine at night. PHD got my attention because it was primarily about good health. I started following it a year ago and can say that it has significantly improved my health. In addition, I also began to lose weight, a welcome side benefit. I follow the basic diet recommendations and take all the supplements. I get enthusiastic about PHD and tell my friends about it, but the most frequent response I’d get was that it may be great, but it means home cooking everything. I’d counter that home cooking isn’t hard. So finally I set up a small website that shows how I’ve done my own interpretation of a PHD meal plan and the home cooking that make it possible to do it during the week, working 50-hour days and making 2 or 3 meals a day for me and my spouse. I call it “10 minute meal.” It might be of use to others: 10minutemeal.com |
weight loss, high blood pressure |
Advocatus Avocado | I’m a great proponent of the PH diet. I’m pleased to report that after dramatically increasing my saturated fat intake and following some of the proscriptive measures in the book that my blood pressure has decreased from 130/85 to 118/74. My resting heart rate has also decreased, and I now sleep much more soundly. |
blood pressure, sleep quality |
L.B. | I have been following a “paleo” diet for the past seven months – a combination of the PHD book, Mark’s Daily Apple and Kurt Harris’ blog. I am a 47 year old male, 6’ 1” and 175lbs. My health and fitness improvements include the following:
This fitness plan has had a profoundly positive impact on my life. My wife |
weight loss, gout, creaky joints, IBS, heartburn / acid reflux, dyslipidemia, oral health, reduced cravings, blood pressure |
Mood and cognitive function
Mary(more here) | There is a whole pan of dark chocolate gluten-free brownies in my kitchen, and I’ve had no desire for them all day. I’m crediting the supplements (I’m on all the PHD recommended supplements save kelp), and I’m particularly thinking copper has made a big difference (I’ve suspected a copper deficiency for some time as I started going gray young). Or perhaps also selenium. (I’m hypothyroid…hoping for some improvement there.)In any case, I feel great physically, I’ve not been binge-y or nearly as much as a sweet freak (and I’ve been known to eat an entire bag of caramels in less than an hour, and then head out to the store for more), and I’ve felt mentally stable and pretty happy. I feel great on this plan, and maybe more importantly, I’ve noticed that I have many more calm, good mood days than otherwise. I think it’s the combination of the Perfect Health eating plan and the recommended supplements. I’ve not lost more weight since my last check-in – I seem to be at a plateau – but I’m still seven pounds down since I started, so that’s good. |
Reduced cravings, improved mood, weight loss |
Bella | Perhaps this is as good a place on your site as any to share the improvements I experienced after switching from a gut healing diet that generally can be described as VLC Paleo to PHD. What’s even more remarkable than the improvements themselves is that they occurred *within 48 hours* of seriously increasing my safe starch consumption. I couldn’t have special ordered it any better. 1. Constipation is gone. 2. Fungal (?) rash is gone. 3. Powdery substance in urine is gone. (After reading here about how VLC diets can cause excess excretion of uric acid, I’m certain this was the problem.) 4. Energy and mood are way better. 5. I like what I’m eating now, I am sated, and my instincts are no longer telling me something’s missing. This intangible effect has made perhaps the biggest impact on my day-to-day quality of life. Thank you PJ and S-CJ! Your PHD came into my life at exactly the right time and produced exactly the changes I needed. Sweet relief! I am still working out some hormonal issues, and fighting fungi, but my glucose deficiency symptoms are gone, and I feel better than I have in a year, which is to say I feel normal, finally. My husband has virtually no symptoms of colitis now. We’re looking forward to his upcoming flex sig to prove that the disease process has been reversed, so that the GI doctor will stop telling us that there’s no way dietary changes alone could’ve cured the disease, that my husband must be in symptomatic remission with a still-flaming colon. Doc doesn’t know what to make of us. So indulge me in a bit of gushing when I tell you I’m utterly grateful for both your product (the book) and service (advice on your site). The one-on-one advice is a very powerful way to connect with your audience. It’s as if I can *feel* the sense of community and healing when I’m on your site. You’ve got a special thing going. |
fungal infections, low energy, impaired mood, constipation |
jtl | When I began implementing PHD a few weeks ago I cut fruit back to about 80 calories/day and upped starch intake with sweet potatoes, potatoes, sourdough buckwheat pancakes, and white rice. Within a couple of weeks chronic health issues such as itchy, flaky scalp, tense painful neck and shoulder muscles, and cyclical vaginal itching had disappeared, my mood had improved noticeably, and I was able to do a little weight-lifting without it wiping me out physically and mentally. 2 weeks ago I cut out fruit entirely and began getting all my carbs in PHD proportions from white rice, sweet potatoes, sourdough buckwheat cakes, and potatoes and saw a dramatic improvement in mood and ability to work-out without negative effects, and the fuzzy-headeded/blurry-eyedness that I’ve felt intermittently throughout the day for as long as I can remember disappeared. For the first time in my life I felt happy, relaxed, patient, care-free, clear-headed/eyed, and not hungry (I’ve always noticed being hungry in my head, not my belly). |
fungal infections, impaired mood, fatigue, dry eyes, food cravings |
Deacon Patrick | Thank you for the gift of better brain function you have given me! A few months ago I switched to ketogenic diet, and now a completely Paleo diet based in large part on your Perfect Health Diet — the differences I’ve experienced are amazing…. The more ketogenic my diet, the better my brain capacity, cognitive energy, energy stability, longevity, and the better I feel…. |
brain injury recovery |
Pia | I am struck by this from Paul’s post: “Good health, I believe, leads to good spirits.” Have been on PHD for only about 3 weeks and I am amazed by my new outlook on life. I was not ‘unhealthy’ before (by modern standards)– but I feel so much more able to see the positive now. Thanks a million. |
mood |
gp2x | I can’t believe how much better I feel!… I had been eating (very) low-carb and high-protein for the better part of a decade – and I had gotten a lot of practice arrogantly dismissing suggestions (from any source) that I should change anything about my diet…. Results: (after 1.5 months or so.)
It |
food cravings, mood, alertness |
Lisa Weis | Yours is by far, the best Paleo / Ancestral diet that makes sense…. I was very strict Paleo for a good 8 months, and yes felt fantastic and lost 10ks etc. But then started feeling tired, moody. Enter some carbs (from the suggestion of your book) in the source of potato and rice and taro – and now I’m feeling a whole lot better. Did I put on weight. Of course not! Essentially now I eat what my body craves. I can listen to it now and it responds accordingly. It knows when it needs more carbs (eg., after exercise). And it knows how much as well. |
fatigue, mood |
Sarah | I eat circa 100g carbs from starch a day not including veg and this has been one of the best things I’ve ever done for my health along with including a vitamin C supplement. My low-level depression and anxiety have completely disappeared and the diet is considerably more varied and easier to stick to than VLC. |
depression, anxiety |
Morris G (comment 1, comment 2, comment 3) |
A couple of months after starting PHD there was an obvious improvement in mood and cognitive function. Now 12 months later the mental improvements persist but do not seem to be growing. … I’ve had joint “noises” for about 20 years (I’m 72yo) but no direct discomfort from the noise effect. The frequency and magnitude has increased over time but only very slowly. I tend to think that the degree of crepitude correlates (weakly) with general joint health eg time to recover from episodes of tendonitis or discomfort caused by overuse. I have ignored this “crepitude” as being an unavoidable aging effect until recently, when my manageable back/neck aches spontaneously improved and that happened about 3 months after adopting the PHD diet (although I didn’t know at the time that the diet was PHD). For example I can sleep on my back for the first time in 8 years and turn my neck 90 deg without any discomfort. My exercise regime has not changed from pre-PHD and is not too strenuous, about 2-3 hrs total/week of which most is moderate effort cardio with some resistance. The odd thing is that pre-PHD, with the same exercise effort, if I increased calories my fat would easily but slowly increase, but not now…. I feel great … |
mood, cognitive function, joint function, weight |
Peter | After eating a meat and vegetables diet for a 1.5 years I read PHD and added back starches. I had been craving them, so it wasn’t hard to do. The addition of starches warmed my body temperature (always an issue Of all the symptoms of glucose deficiency the most concerning was the flat Many thanks to Paul! |
hypothyroidism, bowel function, mood |
Karin | I have particularly severe, chronic, complicated, and often silent migraines. I have had these since childhood all day everyday. Because they were often silent (no pain) they would manifest in various other ways, thus leading to misdiagnoses of mood disorders and schizophrenia for many years. At one point I was also misdiagnosed with epilepsy as well. After one particularly smart neurologist saw and tested me, I was placed on blood pressure medications for migraines. This worked. The problem is that my body constantly fights to readjust to the medications. After a few months at one dose, it seems I start to get migraines again. So it would go up and the same thing would repeat again. I was looking for a different solution and I stumbled across this article. I’ve been on the keto diet for nearly a month and it is the best thing |
migraines, mood, sleep, energy, weight loss |
Michelle | IME, a comprehensive stool test proved helpful. I found a fungal infection which I treated with two bottles of ProEnt-2. I found bacterial overgrowths, which I treated with Natren probiotics. The stool test showed gluten intolerance as well, and seeing the results on paper helped me to take the leap & kiss gluten goodbye. I was also positive to toxoplasma, which I have not treated due to cost I had a sudden severe arthritis flare and have been on low dose pulsing My thyroid function has improved as I’ve gotten healthier. My guess is I’m no longer anemic. I used SAM-e successfully, for 2-3 years at 200-400 mg per day, upon I can’t tell you how empowering it felt to take steps, and to slowly see Good luck to you! There are often many pieces to the puzzle! You may find |
Infections, arthritis, hypothyroidism, anemia, mood |
Anonymous (also here) | I have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and am taking a very low dose of risperdal (same drug in higher doses used to treat schizophrenia). I had been doing very low carb for many years and do now wonder if it Better mood I have found that following the PHD diet (in particular, getting enough Very nutritious, no cravings This diet is super healthy and does allow plenty of choices: meat, fish, Intermittent fasting – easy This is optional, but I’m so happy I discovered this. Fasting sounds Raynaud’s Another benefit of the PHD is that my Raynaud’s is much better now and I’m So give PHD a try if you want to feel better and be healthy too. I highly Thank you so much, Paul and Shou-Ching, for all you do! 🙂 |
Borderline Personality Disorder, mood, energy, anxiety, food cravings, Raynaud’s |
KH | I’m type 1 diabetic …
Just this morning, I took my A1c home test (by Bayer) which includes two test 1- 5.2 test 2- 5.3 … I know the diet here is helping me a lot and I’ve been feeling more |
Type I diabetes, energy, mood |
Brian P. | Many thanks for your book and blog as it has helped me lose 35 pounds and counting over the last 5 months, along with a general improvement in energy level and “evenness”. Extremely gratifying to find a way of eating which is sustainable, totally satisfying and results in natural weight loss. And, I have yet to add high intensity workouts to my normal morning and afternoon walks. I have been talking to anyone who has expressed interest as the potential of the diet is obviously tremendous!! P.s. I strongly suspect PHD played a pivotal part in my wife getting |
weight loss, energy, mood, infertility |
Peter | After eating a meat and vegetables diet for a 1.5 years I read PHD and added back starches. I had been craving them, so it wasn’t hard to do. The addition of starches warmed my body temperature (always an issue Of all the symptoms of glucose deficiency the most concerning was the flat Many thanks to Paul! |
Hypothyroidism, energy, adrenal fatigue, bowel function, mood |
Mental health conditions
Sarah | I eat circa 100g carbs from starch a day not including veg and this has been one of the best things I’ve ever done for my health along with including a vitamin C supplement. My low-level depression and anxiety have completely disappeared and the diet is considerably more varied and easier to stick to than VLC. |
depression, anxiety |
Kate | I too have had Raynaud’s all my life … In the past two months, I have modified my diet in line with Paul’s suggestions for Migraine. I now eat 200 calories worth of safe starch, all the recommended supplements, and as much coconut oil as I can stomach. I am also doing the 16/8 fast. My Raynaud’s has further improved, as measured by the fact I sometimes forget to turn the heat up in the morning, and cold extremities don’t always alert me to my forgetfulness!… Thanks for asking about the Migraines. They are in fact vastly improved, which I attribute solely to your recommendations. I can say that, because I have tried virtually everything else in the past…. Clearly something remarkable is happening, thanks to your recommendations! A little history. I started getting these headaches in my late 30s. (I am now 52). In the beginning I thought I had the stomach flu, because in addition to the headache I would always throw up or have dry heaves. The worst headaches would keep me immobilized in bed for up to two days. My brother-in-law, a neurologist, convinced me they were migraines. I finally consulted a doctor, who put me on midrin, which did not help, and a few months later I started on imitrex, which did help, at least at first. Eventually, my headache pattern evolved, and I had at least a mild headache every day, punctuated by the occasional doozy. Apparently, this is a pretty common progression, especially with women my age. I always suspected there was something wrong with my lifestyle or diet, and over the years I have tried numerous experiments, but nothing ever worked. … In January, in my blog travels, I stumbled on your site. I ordered the book and was intrigued by your and Shou-Ching’s ideas about disease and chronic conditions. I was already familiar with the idea of a ketogenic diet for epilepsy, so I was immediately interested in trying a more ketogenic diet for myself. I ordered all your basic supplements, and immediately upped my kelp to two capsules. I had been using coconut oil for curries, so I started using it habitually. Started eating 200 calories of starches that you recommended—this was a little scary, after studiously avoiding them for four years! I was afraid I they might keep me awake at night, but I am sleeping like a log. Started fasting 16/8, which was easy once you absolved me for having cream in my morning coffee! Within a week of starting this regimen my chronic headache started to disappear! Some days I would only have a headache for part of the day, and occasionally I would have no headache at all! I read somewhere on your site that NAC is good on a ketogenic diet, so I ordered it too. I had never heard of this supplement before. It seems to have made a further positive difference. I have started taking it twice a day. Once before bed, and once in the late afternoon, when the headache sometimes starts coming back. Since I added NAC, I have been nearly headache free. Another amazing development concerns anxiety. Over the years I have become somewhat anxious when I drive on highways. I grip the steering wheel tightly, sit forward in the seat, and am generally hyper vigilant. I always chided myself for my lack of nerves, but that didn’t help. As mentioned above, this was magnified by the Topomax. I never had this issue when I was younger; indeed I used to fly helicopters in the army. Two weeks ago I drove up to New Jersey to pick up my daughter, a 3.5 hour trip from where I live in Northern Virginia. I stopped two hours into the trip to make a pit stop, and I suddenly realized I was totally relaxed, and had been for the entire trip! The PHD is strong brain medicine indeed! Thanks for all your research, insights, and ideas. I think the Perfect Health Diet is going to be a game changer for many people. Hopefully it is the start of a sea change at how we approach the chronic maladies of our times. |
Raynaud’s, migraines, anxiety |
Stephanie | When I went on the Perfect Health Diet plan, I hoped to clean up my eating habits and address some of my thyroid issues through food choices. As it happens, the PHD plan is not just about food; there is actually a pretty aggressive recommended supplement plan. (Aggressive, that is, for me, as I’ve traditionally been a “multi-plus-maybe-some-vitamin-D” person.) Since the supplement plan didn’t involve drastically cutting sugar or giving up the fresh, hot gluten-filled rolls I was habitually baking for my family (as the food plan does, sigh), I did the pills first. Because I was not expecting to get any bang for my vitamin and mineral Within a few days after I was on everything, I noticed a major change, not This was strange! And it took a little mental work for me to accept that Then, the real test: I had an upset in my personal life, the sort of thing With minimal research (laziness being central to my character), I learned I may in the near future try eliminating selenium for a bit to see if my If you grapple with OCD, you might want to give selenium a try. Note that |
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety |
Anonymous (also here) | I have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and am taking a very low dose of risperdal (same drug in higher doses used to treat schizophrenia). I had been doing very low carb for many years and do now wonder if it Better mood I have found that following the PHD diet (in particular, getting enough Very nutritious, no cravings This diet is super healthy and does allow plenty of choices: meat, fish, Intermittent fasting – easy This is optional, but I’m so happy I discovered this. Fasting sounds Raynaud’s Another benefit of the PHD is that my Raynaud’s is much better now and I’m So give PHD a try if you want to feel better and be healthy too. I highly Thank you so much, Paul and Shou-Ching, for all you do! 🙂 |
Borderline Personality Disorder, mood, energy, anxiety, food cravings, Raynaud’s |
Timothy J Hicks | Background: I was an Atkins dieter in the 1990’s. Lost a lot of weight, but staying on it was difficult. Last year I came off a bout of depression determined to beat it without I lost a total of seventy pounds. As a man at fifty-five years old and 195 What is even better is that the recommendations in the Perfect Health Diet To go back to the beginning, the Atkins diet had two flaws which 1) Atkins diet “phases” lead to the idea that somehow you lose 2) When Atkins wrote the Diet Revolution book, he didn’t have access to The Perfect Health Diet is written so that you can read to whatever depth This book is a good companion volume to “Why We Get Fat: And What to The only qualification that I would add is that the book recommends eating Again, as a person who has lost seventy pounds and now enjoy a life free |
depression, obesity |
Shelley | I’ve been reading paleo, WAPF, low-carb sites for over a year now and following your PHD as well. You can add me to the list of your success stories as I lost 15 pounds , have no “cravings” eliminated GERD, heart palpiations, panic attacts and other annoying pains. |
weight loss, food cravings, GERD / acid reflux, heart palpitations, panic attacks / anxiety |
Digestive disorders
Angie | It’s anecdotal, but all four people in my family experienced a variety of new symptoms (seasonal allergies, constipation, worsening of heartburn, bladder spasms, dry eyes, increasing tiredness and low energy) when we did GAPS. These problems didn’t resolve until we luckily stumbled upon PHD and added back safe starches. I think GAPS would be much improved by allowing more PHD safe starches and doing away with all the honey and nuts which are considerably harder on many people’s systems (they definitely are on mine!) than potatoes and white rice. |
Allergies, heartburn, dry eyes, low energy |
Dr. Jacs | In an effort to jazz up my nutrition and increase my energy availability, I’m doing the target=”_blank” title=”Perfect Health Diet”>Perfect Health Diet with a vengeance. I really love this way of eating, and feel well on it. It’s good for my gut and my sleep. |
digestion, sleep |
Erik (comment 1 and comment 2) |
Your book and writings have totally changed the way I think about my diet, nutrition and health. So in the past year, I have minimized grains, cut out processed food, do not eat sweets and avoid omega-6 rich cooking oils like the plague. I have increased my intake of saturated fat by several fold and use butter and coconut oil as my cooking oils. I eat eggs for breakfast and add cream/coconut milk to my coffee. I eat sardines and salmon weekly. I get plenty of sunshine and exercise several times a week. I eat just as much fruits and vegetables as I did in the past. I do however consume more sweet potatoes and potatoes. I use to avoid the “evil” potato as well!… I basically do not calorie count and eat to what I feel. I have actually lost weight and my skin has become healthier as well. My lips do not become chapped like they use to in the past. I always had chapped lips for most of my life…. I have been well overall. The phd is working great for me. Also, my son’s gastrointestinal issues have been improving from the addition of probiotics and better nutrition. He is also starting to say a lot more words this summer. He is asking for things with words for the first time. I can’t say what helped him since there are so many variables interplaying but I am happy to see improvements in language. Our pediatrician was shocked and excited about his improvements. I think his probiotics, gluten free diet, vitamin supplements and intensive ABA therapy have helped a lot. My son’s autism has been a very good learning experience. I feel very lucky to have you as a fantastic resource of information. Many thanks again for your help and kindness! |
weight loss, chapped lips; his son: autism, GI issues |
Jordan Reasoner | I have battled Celiac disease for some time and got about 80% better with a Paleo diet… but the Perfect Health Diet was the first book that could finally answer that last 20% with science based logic. |
Celiac disease |
Brussie | About 5 years ago, I started having horrible stomach problems (pain, bloating, etc.), extreme fatigue, weight gain of about 15 lbs, and anemia. After many useless visits to traditional doctors, I finally went to see a naturopath who put me on a restricted diet: no sugar (or fruit), no grains other than rice, no cow dairy, no legumes, no nuts. It was actually pretty much a PHD diet. Within 4 months on this diet I felt 80% better; the fatigue was gone, I lost the weight, and the anemia went away (with some help from iron supplements), and my stomach pain was intermittent and brief when it did occur. I went on like this for about 2 years. Then, about 2 years ago, I discovered the paleo diet. It was already similar to the way I was eating with some minor tweaks: upping the fat content of my diet, eliminating rice and sweet potatoes, adding back some moderate fruit. Within a year of eating this way, I began experiencing some additional stomach discomfort, more bloating and pain. I went to see a doctor for some help. Unfortunately, she just made the situation worse…. Well, I adopted the PHD in October 2010 and I am happy to say that my stomach issues are almost completely gone…. I would definitely recommend PHD to anyone looking for a healthy way of eating. I would also recommend it for anyone who is still experiencing stomach issues while on a paleo diet. |
digestive problems |
Peter | After eating a meat and vegetables diet for a 1.5 years I read PHD and added back starches. I had been craving them, so it wasn’t hard to do. The addition of starches warmed my body temperature (always an issue Of all the symptoms of glucose deficiency the most concerning was the flat Many thanks to Paul! |
hypothyroidism, bowel function, mood |
Alex | I recently had my carotid arteries evaluated via ultrasound for plaque and narrowing and was told there is no evidence of either. A year ago, just before adopting a PHD type diet, an MRI of my heart revealed “significant” plaque on one of my coronary arteries and less significant on another…. I’m in my mid 40s, lean, active, and have seen many health improvements since adopting the diet (less joint stiffness, no more chronic back pain, milder colds, fewer allergy symptoms, less gas, less bloating, need for less sleep. |
atherosclerosis, joint stiffness, back pain, allergies, bowel distress |
L.B. | I have been following a “paleo” diet for the past seven months – a combination of the PHD book, Mark’s Daily Apple and Kurt Harris’ blog. I am a 47 year old male, 6’ 1” and 175lbs. My health and fitness improvements include the following:
This fitness plan has had a profoundly positive impact on my life. My wife |
weight loss, gout, creaky joints, IBS, heartburn / acid reflux, dyslipidemia, oral health, reduced cravings, blood pressure |
Joan | Hi Paul
I haven’t posted for a while but continue to be an avid reader of your Quick background: Crohn’s for 16.5 years. Steroids for most of that time I’ve particularly concentrated on raising my Vit D levels All these things improved my general sense of well-being and energy levels I did a Metametrix GI Effects Stool test in March hoping to find something During this time, since coming off steroids, I was able to observe the So, re-reading you assertion that intra-cellular bacteria can only feed on It is very unlikely that anti-MAP antibiotics will be made available to Regards, Joan Footnote2: My sister continues to be free of eczema. Thanks so much, |
Crohn’s, hypothyroidism, general wellbeing; eczema |
Raham Robert Fodrek | Thank you so much for all the support you offer. I have been following your diet for a few months and in many ways feel much better. Last year at this time I could barely walk (29 years old). I was diagnosed with Crohns along with several other autoimmune diseases (including a lesion on the spinal cord). |
Crohn’s, autoimmune diseases, spinal cord lesion |
Nick | Hi Paul,
Thank you so much for the fantastic information! I am one of the new |
acid reflux |
hadrion | I decided to give Perfect Health Diet a go first and see where that takes me. What I’ve learned from asking question to the Jaminets and reading their answers is that a little sugar here and there in products and the sugar in fruit isn’t going to kill you. I can’t do a low carb Paleo diet as I never feel right on that kind of After 2 weeks on Perfect Health Diet I’ve seen some pretty impressive This leads me to a few things, chiefly, that gluten is not good for my While I’m not dismissing Peat’s philosophy of diet, so far I feel pretty What I would encourage any of you dealing with inflammation or who feel So far, following the plan set out in the PHD has led to some nice |
Skin redness, bloating, weight loss, eczema |
Brian | Paul, Many thanks for the excellent work and great book.
I started PHD a few week before Christmas, and even with a few holiday I have no serious health issues as such, but a number of smaller/low level Gradually over a few shorts weeks the aforementioned issues have either I’ve recommended your book to family and work colleagues as a result. I think the main plus point of the diet is that it is ‘doable’. Being allowed to each ‘safe starches’ has been great, as I’ve found All in all I’m delighted, and so glad I found your website & book. Many thanks |
headaches, acid reflux, fatigue, bloating, weight gain |
Shelley | I’ve been reading paleo, WAPF, low-carb sites for over a year now and following your PHD as well. You can add me to the list of your success stories as I lost 15 pounds , have no “cravings” eliminated GERD, heart palpiations, panic attacts and other annoying pains. |
weight loss, food cravings, GERD / acid reflux, heart palpitations, panic attacks / anxiety |
Peter | After eating a meat and vegetables diet for a 1.5 years I read PHD and added back starches. I had been craving them, so it wasn’t hard to do. The addition of starches warmed my body temperature (always an issue Of all the symptoms of glucose deficiency the most concerning was the flat Many thanks to Paul! |
Hypothyroidism, energy, adrenal fatigue, bowel function, mood |
Autoimmune disease
Raham Robert Fodrek | Thank you so much for all the support you offer. I have been following your diet for a few months and in many ways feel much better. Last year at this time I could barely walk (29 years old). I was diagnosed with Crohns along with several other autoimmune diseases (including a lesion on the spinal cord). |
Crohn’s, autoimmune diseases, spinal cord lesion |
Sleep quality
Dr. Jacs | In an effort to jazz up my nutrition and increase my energy availability, I’m doing the target=”_blank” title=”Perfect Health Diet”>Perfect Health Diet with a vengeance. I really love this way of eating, and feel well on it. It’s good for my gut and my sleep. |
digestion, sleep |
Kathy | After cutting back on coconut oil and adding all the supplements suggested by PHD I am sleeping 6 hours straight and can dose the next two hours, a ginormous improvement. Oh, and I upped my carbs! Delightful! |
insomnia |
Advocatus Avocado | I’m a great proponent of the PH diet. I’m pleased to report that after dramatically increasing my saturated fat intake and following some of the proscriptive measures in the book that my blood pressure has decreased from 130/85 to 118/74. My resting heart rate has also decreased, and I now sleep much more soundly. |
blood pressure, sleep quality |
Karin | I have particularly severe, chronic, complicated, and often silent migraines. I have had these since childhood all day everyday. Because they were often silent (no pain) they would manifest in various other ways, thus leading to misdiagnoses of mood disorders and schizophrenia for many years. At one point I was also misdiagnosed with epilepsy as well. After one particularly smart neurologist saw and tested me, I was placed on blood pressure medications for migraines. This worked. The problem is that my body constantly fights to readjust to the medications. After a few months at one dose, it seems I start to get migraines again. So it would go up and the same thing would repeat again. I was looking for a different solution and I stumbled across this article. I’ve been on the keto diet for nearly a month and it is the best thing |
migraines, mood, sleep, energy, weight loss |
Janusz | I’ve been on the PHD for about 3 weeks. Beginning the first week I could feel the difference in terms of energy and better sleep. |
sleep, energy |
Els and here and here | I have been on PHD for almost 2 weeks now, doing IF 16/8 at the same time, and have started with the supplements you have recommended 4 days ago. Since I started PHD I do no longer crave for sweets. I used to eat chocolates almost everyday and haven’t had it for over 2 weeks now. 🙂 I am so happy I found your blog and got your book. Keep up the good works…. 5 weeks ago I found PHD website and ordered the book. I am now on my 4th Btw, I continue to shed off some more fat even after I’ve increased my |
food cravings, cramps / menstrual cramps, sleep, acne / pimples, body composition |
Allergies, rhinitis, sinusitis
Angie | It’s anecdotal, but all four people in my family experienced a variety of new symptoms (seasonal allergies, constipation, worsening of heartburn, bladder spasms, dry eyes, increasing tiredness and low energy) when we did GAPS. These problems didn’t resolve until we luckily stumbled upon PHD and added back safe starches. I think GAPS would be much improved by allowing more PHD safe starches and doing away with all the honey and nuts which are considerably harder on many people’s systems (they definitely are on mine!) than potatoes and white rice. |
Allergies, heartburn, dry eyes, low energy |
Alex | I recently had my carotid arteries evaluated via ultrasound for plaque and narrowing and was told there is no evidence of either. A year ago, just before adopting a PHD type diet, an MRI of my heart revealed “significant” plaque on one of my coronary arteries and less significant on another…. I’m in my mid 40s, lean, active, and have seen many health improvements since adopting the diet (less joint stiffness, no more chronic back pain, milder colds, fewer allergy symptoms, less gas, less bloating, need for less sleep. |
atherosclerosis, joint stiffness, back pain, allergies, bowel distress |
David | I’m still very new to this diet, and I’ve been generally getting in shape and losing weight for a while now, but one thing I can comment on already is the effect it’s had on rhinitis. Simply put, my rhinitis has disappeared completely. I no longer wake up One other benefit: I’m never hungry on the PHD and I’m really enjoying all |
rhinitis, appetite |
Anemia
Michelle | IME, a comprehensive stool test proved helpful. I found a fungal infection which I treated with two bottles of ProEnt-2. I found bacterial overgrowths, which I treated with Natren probiotics. The stool test showed gluten intolerance as well, and seeing the results on paper helped me to take the leap & kiss gluten goodbye. I was also positive to toxoplasma, which I have not treated due to cost I had a sudden severe arthritis flare and have been on low dose pulsing My thyroid function has improved as I’ve gotten healthier. My guess is I’m no longer anemic. I used SAM-e successfully, for 2-3 years at 200-400 mg per day, upon I can’t tell you how empowering it felt to take steps, and to slowly see Good luck to you! There are often many pieces to the puzzle! You may find |
Infections, arthritis, hypothyroidism, anemia, mood |
Fatigue, low energy
Angie | It’s anecdotal, but all four people in my family experienced a variety of new symptoms (seasonal allergies, constipation, worsening of heartburn, bladder spasms, dry eyes, increasing tiredness and low energy) when we did GAPS. These problems didn’t resolve until we luckily stumbled upon PHD and added back safe starches. I think GAPS would be much improved by allowing more PHD safe starches and doing away with all the honey and nuts which are considerably harder on many people’s systems (they definitely are on mine!) than potatoes and white rice. |
Allergies, heartburn, dry eyes, low energy |
Bella | Perhaps this is as good a place on your site as any to share the improvements I experienced after switching from a gut healing diet that generally can be described as VLC Paleo to PHD. What’s even more remarkable than the improvements themselves is that they occurred *within 48 hours* of seriously increasing my safe starch consumption. I couldn’t have special ordered it any better. 1. Constipation is gone. 2. Fungal (?) rash is gone. 3. Powdery substance in urine is gone. (After reading here about how VLC diets can cause excess excretion of uric acid, I’m certain this was the problem.) 4. Energy and mood are way better. 5. I like what I’m eating now, I am sated, and my instincts are no longer telling me something’s missing. This intangible effect has made perhaps the biggest impact on my day-to-day quality of life. Thank you PJ and S-CJ! Your PHD came into my life at exactly the right time and produced exactly the changes I needed. Sweet relief! I am still working out some hormonal issues, and fighting fungi, but my glucose deficiency symptoms are gone, and I feel better than I have in a year, which is to say I feel normal, finally. My husband has virtually no symptoms of colitis now. We’re looking forward to his upcoming flex sig to prove that the disease process has been reversed, so that the GI doctor will stop telling us that there’s no way dietary changes alone could’ve cured the disease, that my husband must be in symptomatic remission with a still-flaming colon. Doc doesn’t know what to make of us. So indulge me in a bit of gushing when I tell you I’m utterly grateful for both your product (the book) and service (advice on your site). The one-on-one advice is a very powerful way to connect with your audience. It’s as if I can *feel* the sense of community and healing when I’m on your site. You’ve got a special thing going. |
fungal infections, low energy, impaired mood, constipation |
jtl | When I began implementing PHD a few weeks ago I cut fruit back to about 80 calories/day and upped starch intake with sweet potatoes, potatoes, sourdough buckwheat pancakes, and white rice. Within a couple of weeks chronic health issues such as itchy, flaky scalp, tense painful neck and shoulder muscles, and cyclical vaginal itching had disappeared, my mood had improved noticeably, and I was able to do a little weight-lifting without it wiping me out physically and mentally. 2 weeks ago I cut out fruit entirely and began getting all my carbs in PHD proportions from white rice, sweet potatoes, sourdough buckwheat cakes, and potatoes and saw a dramatic improvement in mood and ability to work-out without negative effects, and the fuzzy-headeded/blurry-eyedness that I’ve felt intermittently throughout the day for as long as I can remember disappeared. For the first time in my life I felt happy, relaxed, patient, care-free, clear-headed/eyed, and not hungry (I’ve always noticed being hungry in my head, not my belly). |
fungal infections, impaired mood, fatigue, dry eyes, food cravings |
Hunter‘s wife | My wife and I have been VLC for a couple years now, myself probably a little longer than her and I tend to eat more saturated fat too. She recently stopped taking birth control and her menstrual cycle just stopped. Also for years and years, maybe as long as the past decade, she’s been chronically constipated, depressed, and always tired and wanting to sleep 10+ hours. She’s been thru tons of tests and no doctor can find anything wrong with her. I started doing some research on her results from multiple blood tests and found her TSH has been slowly increasing and was at 3.13. We started checking her basal body temperature in the mornings and she’s usually around 96…. Both of us have also avoided salt for most of our lives as well as most packaged/processed foods that might contain salt. So we started supplementing Iodine, starting about a month ago and slowly increasing the dosage each week, as well as eating about 200-400 carb calories a day from white rice, taro, and cassava (all covered in pastured butter). Some mornings now her temperature has reached as high as 98.2 and her constipation has suddenly improved a lot. |
hypothyroidism, fatigue, constipation, amenorrhea |
Lisa Weis | Yours is by far, the best Paleo / Ancestral diet that makes sense…. I was very strict Paleo for a good 8 months, and yes felt fantastic and lost 10ks etc. But then started feeling tired, moody. Enter some carbs (from the suggestion of your book) in the source of potato and rice and taro – and now I’m feeling a whole lot better. Did I put on weight. Of course not! Essentially now I eat what my body craves. I can listen to it now and it responds accordingly. It knows when it needs more carbs (eg., after exercise). And it knows how much as well. |
fatigue, mood |
Richard M, email of Oct 19, 2011 |
May I firstly congratulate you and Shou-Ching for writing such a wonderful book. After researching nutrition and health in my spare time for many years I have never come across a book that has been able to tie all of the major aspects of a healthy diet together in such a concise manner whilst being so extensively well referenced. The amount of improvements that I have seen since implementing this diet |
energy, food cravings, weight, illness |
Karin | I have particularly severe, chronic, complicated, and often silent migraines. I have had these since childhood all day everyday. Because they were often silent (no pain) they would manifest in various other ways, thus leading to misdiagnoses of mood disorders and schizophrenia for many years. At one point I was also misdiagnosed with epilepsy as well. After one particularly smart neurologist saw and tested me, I was placed on blood pressure medications for migraines. This worked. The problem is that my body constantly fights to readjust to the medications. After a few months at one dose, it seems I start to get migraines again. So it would go up and the same thing would repeat again. I was looking for a different solution and I stumbled across this article. I’ve been on the keto diet for nearly a month and it is the best thing |
migraines, mood, sleep, energy, weight loss |
Java Gal | Ok, have to comment – can’t contain myself anymore! I am a lurker of the worst sort, but here goes. As a 54 year old woman, I am more energetic, flexible (yoga three times a week), and healthier than I have been for, oh, decades. My doc, a wonderful, but dye-in-the-wool vegetarian, told me to keep doing what I was doing – cholesterol dropped, good TSH levels(I’m hypo), and down 5 sizes. Talk about replacing a wardrobe! My worry, of course, is gaining it all back, which, sorry to say, is an experience I have had already in days of yore. I was an avowed low-carber back then and I can attest that, while it was effective for losing weight, it was not a good long term strategy. So far, as long as I stick to basic PHD principles, things are going swimmingly. In general, PHD has been a huge success. Thank you Paul and Shou-Ching! |
obesity, energy, flexibility, dyslipidemia, hypothyroidism, general health |
Jennifer Fulwiler | As I look for something to wear this weekend, I’m reminded that I am in the middle of the wardrobe crisis that I’ve been waiting to have for ten years: all my clothes are too big. I don’t mean a little loose; I mean I perpetually look like I’m headed out to an M.C. Hammer costume contest. Over the past few months I’ve lost 25 pounds. That’s a good thing, mainly It’s too long of a story to explain in detail here, but the short-short |
weight loss, stamina & energy |
Janusz | I’ve been on the PHD for about 3 weeks. Beginning the first week I could feel the difference in terms of energy and better sleep. |
sleep, energy |
Anonymous (also here) | I have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and am taking a very low dose of risperdal (same drug in higher doses used to treat schizophrenia). I had been doing very low carb for many years and do now wonder if it Better mood I have found that following the PHD diet (in particular, getting enough Very nutritious, no cravings This diet is super healthy and does allow plenty of choices: meat, fish, Intermittent fasting – easy This is optional, but I’m so happy I discovered this. Fasting sounds Raynaud’s Another benefit of the PHD is that my Raynaud’s is much better now and I’m So give PHD a try if you want to feel better and be healthy too. I highly Thank you so much, Paul and Shou-Ching, for all you do! 🙂 |
Borderline Personality Disorder, mood, energy, anxiety, food cravings, Raynaud’s |
KH | I’m type 1 diabetic …
Just this morning, I took my A1c home test (by Bayer) which includes two test 1- 5.2 test 2- 5.3 … I know the diet here is helping me a lot and I’ve been feeling more |
Type I diabetes, energy, mood |
Joan’s sister | Hi Paul
You will remember 12 days ago I asked you about my sister who has CFS and You wrote: My guess is that there is a high level of oxidative stress Your advice was spot on and the results have been miraculous. She started Not only that, but some of her CFS symptoms have improved. Her constant I’ve ordered a couple of copies of your book and I’m sure she will be more Any interesting note: prior to starting the anti-oxidants she craved the In searching the net I found this paper that seems to support your advice: And this letter in the Nutritional Neuroscience discussing the paper’s Thank you once again, Paul, for your generosity in sharing your knowledge Kind Regards Joan |
chronic fatigue syndrome, eczema |
Brian | Paul, Many thanks for the excellent work and great book.
I started PHD a few week before Christmas, and even with a few holiday I have no serious health issues as such, but a number of smaller/low level Gradually over a few shorts weeks the aforementioned issues have either I’ve recommended your book to family and work colleagues as a result. I think the main plus point of the diet is that it is ‘doable’. Being allowed to each ‘safe starches’ has been great, as I’ve found All in all I’m delighted, and so glad I found your website & book. Many thanks |
headaches, acid reflux, fatigue, bloating, weight gain |
Brian P. | Many thanks for your book and blog as it has helped me lose 35 pounds and counting over the last 5 months, along with a general improvement in energy level and “evenness”. Extremely gratifying to find a way of eating which is sustainable, totally satisfying and results in natural weight loss. And, I have yet to add high intensity workouts to my normal morning and afternoon walks. I have been talking to anyone who has expressed interest as the potential of the diet is obviously tremendous!! P.s. I strongly suspect PHD played a pivotal part in my wife getting |
weight loss, energy, mood, infertility |
Peter | After eating a meat and vegetables diet for a 1.5 years I read PHD and added back starches. I had been craving them, so it wasn’t hard to do. The addition of starches warmed my body temperature (always an issue Of all the symptoms of glucose deficiency the most concerning was the flat Many thanks to Paul! |
Hypothyroidism, energy, adrenal fatigue, bowel function, mood |
Dry eyes or skin
Angie | It’s anecdotal, but all four people in my family experienced a variety of new symptoms (seasonal allergies, constipation, worsening of heartburn, bladder spasms, dry eyes, increasing tiredness and low energy) when we did GAPS. These problems didn’t resolve until we luckily stumbled upon PHD and added back safe starches. I think GAPS would be much improved by allowing more PHD safe starches and doing away with all the honey and nuts which are considerably harder on many people’s systems (they definitely are on mine!) than potatoes and white rice. |
Allergies, heartburn, dry eyes, low energy |
Melinda | I had severe dry eyes while eating too low carb. Following Dr. Paul’s recommendations at “Perfect Health Diet”, I upped my carbs to his minimum of 50 grams of starch per day and the dry eyes went away. He says that minimum keeps mucus membranes intact and protective. |
dry eyes |
Susan | I’ve instituted “Paleo” in our house since 1/1/11. Very strict about only plants and protein. About 4/1/11 I realized I was experiencing extremely dry eyes and mouth. I read your post about glucose deficiency and added rice and potatoes back into our diet. This cleared the problem up within 3 days and I was super grateful. It also *normalized* our diet, as it’s easy to go out to lunch and have rice/potatoes while avoiding wheat/grains. |
dry eyes |
Erik (comment 1 and comment 2) |
Your book and writings have totally changed the way I think about my diet, nutrition and health. So in the past year, I have minimized grains, cut out processed food, do not eat sweets and avoid omega-6 rich cooking oils like the plague. I have increased my intake of saturated fat by several fold and use butter and coconut oil as my cooking oils. I eat eggs for breakfast and add cream/coconut milk to my coffee. I eat sardines and salmon weekly. I get plenty of sunshine and exercise several times a week. I eat just as much fruits and vegetables as I did in the past. I do however consume more sweet potatoes and potatoes. I use to avoid the “evil” potato as well!… I basically do not calorie count and eat to what I feel. I have actually lost weight and my skin has become healthier as well. My lips do not become chapped like they use to in the past. I always had chapped lips for most of my life…. I have been well overall. The phd is working great for me. Also, my son’s gastrointestinal issues have been improving from the addition of probiotics and better nutrition. He is also starting to say a lot more words this summer. He is asking for things with words for the first time. I can’t say what helped him since there are so many variables interplaying but I am happy to see improvements in language. Our pediatrician was shocked and excited about his improvements. I think his probiotics, gluten free diet, vitamin supplements and intensive ABA therapy have helped a lot. My son’s autism has been a very good learning experience. I feel very lucky to have you as a fantastic resource of information. Many thanks again for your help and kindness! |
weight loss, chapped lips; his son: autism, GI issues |
jtl | When I began implementing PHD a few weeks ago I cut fruit back to about 80 calories/day and upped starch intake with sweet potatoes, potatoes, sourdough buckwheat pancakes, and white rice. Within a couple of weeks chronic health issues such as itchy, flaky scalp, tense painful neck and shoulder muscles, and cyclical vaginal itching had disappeared, my mood had improved noticeably, and I was able to do a little weight-lifting without it wiping me out physically and mentally. 2 weeks ago I cut out fruit entirely and began getting all my carbs in PHD proportions from white rice, sweet potatoes, sourdough buckwheat cakes, and potatoes and saw a dramatic improvement in mood and ability to work-out without negative effects, and the fuzzy-headeded/blurry-eyedness that I’ve felt intermittently throughout the day for as long as I can remember disappeared. For the first time in my life I felt happy, relaxed, patient, care-free, clear-headed/eyed, and not hungry (I’ve always noticed being hungry in my head, not my belly). |
fungal infections, impaired mood, fatigue, dry eyes, food cravings |
Doris | I reached my weight loss goals by eliminating grains and limiting dairy to butter and cream and reducing fruit intake. That said, over the last month or so, I was wondering why my body seemed to be drying out from the inside out. I want to tweak my diet to optimum health and found your book. The information about the importance of mucin was helpful. What was missing in my diet was the carbs that you and the missus recommend. Sweet potatos, white rice etc. Maybe less protein than I’ve been eating and more saturated fat. (I’m alarmed by the stomach and other cancers suffered by long term adherence to the Optimal diet …) I’m having better results every day. I am fascinated that I have a laboratory of my own body to put your ideas to a test and have them show positive results. Thank you both so much for your work and above responses to questions and comments. |
Dry eyes, GI tract |
Autism
Erik (comment 1 and comment 2) |
Your book and writings have totally changed the way I think about my diet, nutrition and health. So in the past year, I have minimized grains, cut out processed food, do not eat sweets and avoid omega-6 rich cooking oils like the plague. I have increased my intake of saturated fat by several fold and use butter and coconut oil as my cooking oils. I eat eggs for breakfast and add cream/coconut milk to my coffee. I eat sardines and salmon weekly. I get plenty of sunshine and exercise several times a week. I eat just as much fruits and vegetables as I did in the past. I do however consume more sweet potatoes and potatoes. I use to avoid the “evil” potato as well!… I basically do not calorie count and eat to what I feel. I have actually lost weight and my skin has become healthier as well. My lips do not become chapped like they use to in the past. I always had chapped lips for most of my life…. I have been well overall. The phd is working great for me. Also, my son’s gastrointestinal issues have been improving from the addition of probiotics and better nutrition. He is also starting to say a lot more words this summer. He is asking for things with words for the first time. I can’t say what helped him since there are so many variables interplaying but I am happy to see improvements in language. Our pediatrician was shocked and excited about his improvements. I think his probiotics, gluten free diet, vitamin supplements and intensive ABA therapy have helped a lot. My son’s autism has been a very good learning experience. I feel very lucky to have you as a fantastic resource of information. Many thanks again for your help and kindness! |
weight loss, chapped lips; his son: autism, GI issues |
Constipation
Bella | Perhaps this is as good a place on your site as any to share the improvements I experienced after switching from a gut healing diet that generally can be described as VLC Paleo to PHD. What’s even more remarkable than the improvements themselves is that they occurred *within 48 hours* of seriously increasing my safe starch consumption. I couldn’t have special ordered it any better. 1. Constipation is gone. 2. Fungal (?) rash is gone. 3. Powdery substance in urine is gone. (After reading here about how VLC diets can cause excess excretion of uric acid, I’m certain this was the problem.) 4. Energy and mood are way better. 5. I like what I’m eating now, I am sated, and my instincts are no longer telling me something’s missing. This intangible effect has made perhaps the biggest impact on my day-to-day quality of life. Thank you PJ and S-CJ! Your PHD came into my life at exactly the right time and produced exactly the changes I needed. Sweet relief! I am still working out some hormonal issues, and fighting fungi, but my glucose deficiency symptoms are gone, and I feel better than I have in a year, which is to say I feel normal, finally. My husband has virtually no symptoms of colitis now. We’re looking forward to his upcoming flex sig to prove that the disease process has been reversed, so that the GI doctor will stop telling us that there’s no way dietary changes alone could’ve cured the disease, that my husband must be in symptomatic remission with a still-flaming colon. Doc doesn’t know what to make of us. So indulge me in a bit of gushing when I tell you I’m utterly grateful for both your product (the book) and service (advice on your site). The one-on-one advice is a very powerful way to connect with your audience. It’s as if I can *feel* the sense of community and healing when I’m on your site. You’ve got a special thing going. |
fungal infections, low energy, impaired mood, constipation |
Vincent | I thought others might be interested in the results of my experiments with preventing constipation over the last few months. (See my previous comments and Paul’s recommendations to me in this thread for background.) My regimen was as follows… Diet: Added enough white rice to raise consumption of safe starches above 600 calories daily; ate berries, turmeric, oregano, spinach, and fermented vegetables regularly; initially eliminated tubers (which I had difficulty digesting) and later replaced them with fermented tubers; and replaced coconut oil with olive oil. Anti-fungal medicines: I respected Paul’s advice regarding anti-fungal drugs, but decided to postpone using them until after I had tried non-prescription supplements. Supplements: Conformed my nutritional supplements to the PHD recommendations and added NAC; added grapefruit seed extract, olive leaf extract, Kolorex advanced candida care (horopito), Now Foods candida clear, and occasional activated charcoal; and tried a few probiotics, including ThreeLac. After a few weeks of little improvement, I experienced my Many |
constipation, fungal infection |
Anna | I’m so grateful to you for this information. I’ve been suffering for weeks but I took the recommended supplements and did nothing else — and experienced relief the second day. In a world full of useless and confusing information, having a good source is such a godsend. Thank you for all that you do. |
constipation |
Hunter‘s wife | My wife and I have been VLC for a couple years now, myself probably a little longer than her and I tend to eat more saturated fat too. She recently stopped taking birth control and her menstrual cycle just stopped. Also for years and years, maybe as long as the past decade, she’s been chronically constipated, depressed, and always tired and wanting to sleep 10+ hours. She’s been thru tons of tests and no doctor can find anything wrong with her. I started doing some research on her results from multiple blood tests and found her TSH has been slowly increasing and was at 3.13. We started checking her basal body temperature in the mornings and she’s usually around 96…. Both of us have also avoided salt for most of our lives as well as most packaged/processed foods that might contain salt. So we started supplementing Iodine, starting about a month ago and slowly increasing the dosage each week, as well as eating about 200-400 carb calories a day from white rice, taro, and cassava (all covered in pastured butter). Some mornings now her temperature has reached as high as 98.2 and her constipation has suddenly improved a lot. |
hypothyroidism, fatigue, constipation, amenorrhea |
Betty | You have blessed my life. I had one final symptom that was chronic all my life. Constipation. I e-mailed you last week and you offered up some suggestions. PRAISE THE LORD! I have had NO IBS, or constipation since following your advice. I am, and will be forever grateful. |
constipation |
Robin | I had been on a Paleo diet for about six months when it dawned on me that I needed the rice to avoid constipation. Addition of starchy roots and a bit more animal fat did not help the situation. Once I reintroduced rice ( 1 cup on a daily basis) , the problem was solved. |
constipation |
Anonymous | I’ve been following the PHD and taking the recommended supplements and many of the therapeutic supplements for several months. Last week, I just started supplementing with Zinc and NAC. This week – no more constipation for the first time in many, many years – amazing! Thank you so much! |
constipation |
Helena’s mom | Hi Paul, Thank you again! You helped my mom who has suffered with chronic constipation for 60 plus years. She had taken Senna for decades. I read your post about using Magnesium Citrate instead. It works like a charm and she is no longer taking toxic Senna. Thank you! |
constipation |
Fungal infections
Bella | Perhaps this is as good a place on your site as any to share the improvements I experienced after switching from a gut healing diet that generally can be described as VLC Paleo to PHD. What’s even more remarkable than the improvements themselves is that they occurred *within 48 hours* of seriously increasing my safe starch consumption. I couldn’t have special ordered it any better. 1. Constipation is gone. 2. Fungal (?) rash is gone. 3. Powdery substance in urine is gone. (After reading here about how VLC diets can cause excess excretion of uric acid, I’m certain this was the problem.) 4. Energy and mood are way better. 5. I like what I’m eating now, I am sated, and my instincts are no longer telling me something’s missing. This intangible effect has made perhaps the biggest impact on my day-to-day quality of life. Thank you PJ and S-CJ! Your PHD came into my life at exactly the right time and produced exactly the changes I needed. Sweet relief! I am still working out some hormonal issues, and fighting fungi, but my glucose deficiency symptoms are gone, and I feel better than I have in a year, which is to say I feel normal, finally. My husband has virtually no symptoms of colitis now. We’re looking forward to his upcoming flex sig to prove that the disease process has been reversed, so that the GI doctor will stop telling us that there’s no way dietary changes alone could’ve cured the disease, that my husband must be in symptomatic remission with a still-flaming colon. Doc doesn’t know what to make of us. So indulge me in a bit of gushing when I tell you I’m utterly grateful for both your product (the book) and service (advice on your site). The one-on-one advice is a very powerful way to connect with your audience. It’s as if I can *feel* the sense of community and healing when I’m on your site. You’ve got a special thing going. |
fungal infections, low energy, impaired mood, constipation |
Vincent | I thought others might be interested in the results of my experiments with preventing constipation over the last few months. (See my previous comments and Paul’s recommendations to me in this thread for background.) My regimen was as follows… Diet: Added enough white rice to raise consumption of safe starches above 600 calories daily; ate berries, turmeric, oregano, spinach, and fermented vegetables regularly; initially eliminated tubers (which I had difficulty digesting) and later replaced them with fermented tubers; and replaced coconut oil with olive oil. Anti-fungal medicines: I respected Paul’s advice regarding anti-fungal drugs, but decided to postpone using them until after I had tried non-prescription supplements. Supplements: Conformed my nutritional supplements to the PHD recommendations and added NAC; added grapefruit seed extract, olive leaf extract, Kolorex advanced candida care (horopito), Now Foods candida clear, and occasional activated charcoal; and tried a few probiotics, including ThreeLac. After a few weeks of little improvement, I experienced my Many |
constipation, fungal infection |
KirkC | I started PHD ten months ago after having previously pursued a low-carb paleo approach. At that time, I had a toe fungal infection which made the toenail of my right toe nearly black, plus it made my foot half-numb. It was getting so that I didn’t even like to go for long walks, which I have done all my life. After six months of PHD eating, some of the fungus had receded and some feeling had returned to my foot. Recently, after a discussion or two on your blog mentioned Epsom Salts, I added a nightly foot soak in Epsom Salts. It seemed to me that almost immediately there was a reduction in both the visibility of the fungus as well as a reduction in the numbness. As of today, most (but not all) of the feeling has returned to my right foot. Although I suspect the most recent improvement resulted from Epsom Salts, it might also be due to other changes which finally registered results. Those changes, in reverse order (most recent changes first): Nature’s Way Primadophilus, Yerba Prima Bentonite, intermittent fasting, recommended supplements, PHD nutrition. |
fungal infection |
jtl | When I began implementing PHD a few weeks ago I cut fruit back to about 80 calories/day and upped starch intake with sweet potatoes, potatoes, sourdough buckwheat pancakes, and white rice. Within a couple of weeks chronic health issues such as itchy, flaky scalp, tense painful neck and shoulder muscles, and cyclical vaginal itching had disappeared, my mood had improved noticeably, and I was able to do a little weight-lifting without it wiping me out physically and mentally. 2 weeks ago I cut out fruit entirely and began getting all my carbs in PHD proportions from white rice, sweet potatoes, sourdough buckwheat cakes, and potatoes and saw a dramatic improvement in mood and ability to work-out without negative effects, and the fuzzy-headeded/blurry-eyedness that I’ve felt intermittently throughout the day for as long as I can remember disappeared. For the first time in my life I felt happy, relaxed, patient, care-free, clear-headed/eyed, and not hungry (I’ve always noticed being hungry in my head, not my belly). |
fungal infections, impaired mood, fatigue, dry eyes, food cravings |
Juan Camilo | Thank you Paul, you’ve been a huge help and so far, the one who’s had the right answer to many problems. |
fungal infection |
Bill (comment 1 and comment 2) |
VLC sucked the life out of me… maybe I didn’t do it right but for a young active male it is a definite no go for me and I never had dandruff until I went ZC…. Got way better with starches and is now on it’s way out with starches plus antifungals!… I thought I would share an update on my antifungal therapy. I have been taking 200mg of Diflucan along with 2 caps of Kolorex for almost 2 weeks now… so not much time but I have seen some very significant changes in that time period. I am eating a diet high in sweet potatoes and lower in fat/protein. Probably anywhere from 50-60% carbs, 20-30% fats and 10-20% protein. Before when attempting this high carb diet, my digestion went to hell. 3-5 bowel movements a day, starting with 1 good one and then each one after got worse. Never diarreah but not well formed, etc (sorry to be TMI). My sebhorreic dermatitis would flare up even though my skin was more moist and healthy (maybe increased oils flared this). Allergies seemed to be worse. Sleep was sometimes better and easier, sometimes worse. I went high carb because I seemed to develop some thyroid symptoms on low carb that were easily erased with a high carb PHD. Now, two weeks into Diflucan, my digestion is almost perfect. 1-2 solid bowl movements a day all well formed. No IBS like urgency at all anymore. Better athletic performance, smoother healthier skin (the seb derm redness has vanished but there is still some minor flaking… upping the bone broths, vit C, vitamin A to speed healing). Congestion is much much better and my gums have stopped bleeding! |
fungal infections |
Kirk | I forced my toenail fungus into a major retreat by switching to the Perfect Health Diet (which added more carbs, which, according to Paul, supplies the body the glucose needed to fight fungal infections). I also added in a number of their recommended supplements. |
toenail fungus |
Hypothyroidism
Am doing quite well on PHD … Having Hashimoto’s, I avidly followed your Carbohydrates and the Thyroid series, and have found there is DEFINITELY a thyroid improvement (energy levels, reduced neck swelling) when some carbs are in my diet. Like Claire, on PHD my thyroid medication was reduced, but to 1/3 of the previous dose. This is all thrilling … Thank you so much for all your work. |
|
hypothyroidism |
ET | I am extremely grateful to you and Shou-Ching. Your book and this website has helped me tremendously. I had soft tissue recovery issues, joint inflammation, skin issues etc. After endless doctors visits, a smart dermatologist suggested I had a leaky gut and gluten sensitivity. At one point Hashimoto was also thrown into the mix. Paleo and GAPS took care of most of the joint inflammation and skin problems, but my T3 and some of my thyroid symptoms got worse while I was on the (unintentional) ketogenic healing diet. Your posts on this issue have been helpful, and I am now upping my carb intake. I have bought the book to a few people in my family and my best friend…. I am so happy. |
joint inflammation, skin issues, hypothyroidism |
William Trumbower MD | What a wonderful series of posts!! I treat thyroid problems in my practice and have Hashimoto’s myself. I check FT3/RT3 ratios on almost everyone. I think this is the best lab test for your thyroid related metabolic state. The most useful is the old fashioned history and physical exam. Old time thyroid docs did this with no lab tests to guide them. The thyroid gland controls the metabolism of the hypothalamus and pituitary. TSH allows the hypothalamus/pituitary to receive adequate thyroid hormone in the face of a hypometabolic state (starvation etc). Chronic elevated systemic inflammation and malnutrition inhibit thyroid function and thus ALL endocrine function, including adrenals. The longer I am on the PHD and appropriate supplements, the less desiccated thyroid I require. It used to take 21/2 tabs daily and now I use 1/2 tab daily. I have increased my safe carb intake as weight loss is no longer my main goal and feel great! Thanks Paul |
hypothyroidism |
Hunter‘s wife | My wife and I have been VLC for a couple years now, myself probably a little longer than her and I tend to eat more saturated fat too. She recently stopped taking birth control and her menstrual cycle just stopped. Also for years and years, maybe as long as the past decade, she’s been chronically constipated, depressed, and always tired and wanting to sleep 10+ hours. She’s been thru tons of tests and no doctor can find anything wrong with her. I started doing some research on her results from multiple blood tests and found her TSH has been slowly increasing and was at 3.13. We started checking her basal body temperature in the mornings and she’s usually around 96…. Both of us have also avoided salt for most of our lives as well as most packaged/processed foods that might contain salt. So we started supplementing Iodine, starting about a month ago and slowly increasing the dosage each week, as well as eating about 200-400 carb calories a day from white rice, taro, and cassava (all covered in pastured butter). Some mornings now her temperature has reached as high as 98.2 and her constipation has suddenly improved a lot. |
hypothyroidism, fatigue, constipation, amenorrhea |
Peter | After eating a meat and vegetables diet for a 1.5 years I read PHD and added back starches. I had been craving them, so it wasn’t hard to do. The addition of starches warmed my body temperature (always an issue Of all the symptoms of glucose deficiency the most concerning was the flat Many thanks to Paul! |
hypothyroidism, bowel function, mood |
Joan | Hi Paul
I haven’t posted for a while but continue to be an avid reader of your Quick background: Crohn’s for 16.5 years. Steroids for most of that time I’ve particularly concentrated on raising my Vit D levels All these things improved my general sense of well-being and energy levels I did a Metametrix GI Effects Stool test in March hoping to find something During this time, since coming off steroids, I was able to observe the So, re-reading you assertion that intra-cellular bacteria can only feed on It is very unlikely that anti-MAP antibiotics will be made available to Regards, Joan Footnote2: My sister continues to be free of eczema. Thanks so much, |
Crohn’s, hypothyroidism, general wellbeing; eczema |
Michelle | IME, a comprehensive stool test proved helpful. I found a fungal infection which I treated with two bottles of ProEnt-2. I found bacterial overgrowths, which I treated with Natren probiotics. The stool test showed gluten intolerance as well, and seeing the results on paper helped me to take the leap & kiss gluten goodbye. I was also positive to toxoplasma, which I have not treated due to cost I had a sudden severe arthritis flare and have been on low dose pulsing My thyroid function has improved as I’ve gotten healthier. My guess is I’m no longer anemic. I used SAM-e successfully, for 2-3 years at 200-400 mg per day, upon I can’t tell you how empowering it felt to take steps, and to slowly see Good luck to you! There are often many pieces to the puzzle! You may find |
Infections, arthritis, hypothyroidism, anemia, mood |
Java Gal | Ok, have to comment – can’t contain myself anymore! I am a lurker of the worst sort, but here goes. As a 54 year old woman, I am more energetic, flexible (yoga three times a week), and healthier than I have been for, oh, decades. My doc, a wonderful, but dye-in-the-wool vegetarian, told me to keep doing what I was doing – cholesterol dropped, good TSH levels(I’m hypo), and down 5 sizes. Talk about replacing a wardrobe! My worry, of course, is gaining it all back, which, sorry to say, is an experience I have had already in days of yore. I was an avowed low-carber back then and I can attest that, while it was effective for losing weight, it was not a good long term strategy. So far, as long as I stick to basic PHD principles, things are going swimmingly. In general, PHD has been a huge success. Thank you Paul and Shou-Ching! |
obesity, energy, flexibility, dyslipidemia, hypothyroidism, general health |
Agatha | Thanks for this Paul – very helpful. I have noticed my temperature has increased since starting PHD – I used to be always cold and being warmer feels much, much better – being constantly cold is a miserable way to live. |
hypothyroidism |
Peter | After eating a meat and vegetables diet for a 1.5 years I read PHD and added back starches. I had been craving them, so it wasn’t hard to do. The addition of starches warmed my body temperature (always an issue Of all the symptoms of glucose deficiency the most concerning was the flat Many thanks to Paul! |
Hypothyroidism, energy, adrenal fatigue, bowel function, mood |
Carpal tunnel syndrome<
Justin (and here) | I started feeling terrible in the winter of 2007. I went to five doctors, none of them knew what was wrong with me. I had blood drawn about 15 times for various lab tests. I was afraid I would be bedridden one day because of the pain. The first doctor who helped me did so by diagnosing me with fibromyalgia. He started me on Savella 50mg/day. I improved on Savella, and was told to I tried a few different things, natural supplements, and diets. Some gave I learned of the Perfect Health Diet from a friend in the summer of 2011. In light of my previous failures, the key that made the avoidance of wheat I thought all would be cured by avoiding gluten, so I started cutting back I decided I would put more effort into the other parts of the PHD. Next in Next, I went half in on the supplements. I noticed the magnesium had In fact, it took some forced thinking to recall how far I’ve come. I used Now, I do still have elbow pain and some psoriasis/rash, so all is not THREE AND A HALF MONTHS LATER: I posted earlier about my progress with being on Savella for a I delayed reporting because I wanted to be sure symptoms would not flare |
fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel |
Arthritis, joint inflammation, crepitus
ET | I am extremely grateful to you and Shou-Ching. Your book and this website has helped me tremendously. I had soft tissue recovery issues, joint inflammation, skin issues etc. After endless doctors visits, a smart dermatologist suggested I had a leaky gut and gluten sensitivity. At one point Hashimoto was also thrown into the mix. Paleo and GAPS took care of most of the joint inflammation and skin problems, but my T3 and some of my thyroid symptoms got worse while I was on the (unintentional) ketogenic healing diet. Your posts on this issue have been helpful, and I am now upping my carb intake. I have bought the book to a few people in my family and my best friend…. I am so happy. |
joint inflammation, skin issues, hypothyroidism |
Morris G (comment 1, comment 2, comment 3) |
A couple of months after starting PHD there was an obvious improvement in mood and cognitive function. Now 12 months later the mental improvements persist but do not seem to be growing. … I’ve had joint “noises” for about 20 years (I’m 72yo) but no direct discomfort from the noise effect. The frequency and magnitude has increased over time but only very slowly. I tend to think that the degree of crepitude correlates (weakly) with general joint health eg time to recover from episodes of tendonitis or discomfort caused by overuse. I have ignored this “crepitude” as being an unavoidable aging effect until recently, when my manageable back/neck aches spontaneously improved and that happened about 3 months after adopting the PHD diet (although I didn’t know at the time that the diet was PHD). For example I can sleep on my back for the first time in 8 years and turn my neck 90 deg without any discomfort. My exercise regime has not changed from pre-PHD and is not too strenuous, about 2-3 hrs total/week of which most is moderate effort cardio with some resistance. The odd thing is that pre-PHD, with the same exercise effort, if I increased calories my fat would easily but slowly increase, but not now…. I feel great … |
mood, cognitive function, joint function, weight |
Alex | I recently had my carotid arteries evaluated via ultrasound for plaque and narrowing and was told there is no evidence of either. A year ago, just before adopting a PHD type diet, an MRI of my heart revealed “significant” plaque on one of my coronary arteries and less significant on another…. I’m in my mid 40s, lean, active, and have seen many health improvements since adopting the diet (less joint stiffness, no more chronic back pain, milder colds, fewer allergy symptoms, less gas, less bloating, need for less sleep. |
atherosclerosis, joint stiffness, back pain, allergies, bowel distress |
L.B. | I have been following a “paleo” diet for the past seven months – a combination of the PHD book, Mark’s Daily Apple and Kurt Harris’ blog. I am a 47 year old male, 6’ 1” and 175lbs. My health and fitness improvements include the following:
This fitness plan has had a profoundly positive impact on my life. My wife |
weight loss, gout, creaky joints, IBS, heartburn / acid reflux, dyslipidemia, oral health, reduced cravings, blood pressure |
J.L. | I just returned from a book club meeting where we discussed The Perfect Health Diet at length. I have to say, I am most fascinated by the chapter focused on chronic disease and infection! I am a living testament to the power of diet and “immuno- warfare”, if you Since beginning to uncover secrets of old three years ago, I have eaten a Thank God for my integrative MD…He ordered Metametrix testing, and lo and I can sometimes feel the anger welling up inside me when I think of the Thank you kindly for joining the crusade and bringing your diet and this |
rheumatoid arthritis, chronic infections |
Michelle | IME, a comprehensive stool test proved helpful. I found a fungal infection which I treated with two bottles of ProEnt-2. I found bacterial overgrowths, which I treated with Natren probiotics. The stool test showed gluten intolerance as well, and seeing the results on paper helped me to take the leap & kiss gluten goodbye. I was also positive to toxoplasma, which I have not treated due to cost I had a sudden severe arthritis flare and have been on low dose pulsing My thyroid function has improved as I’ve gotten healthier. My guess is I’m no longer anemic. I used SAM-e successfully, for 2-3 years at 200-400 mg per day, upon I can’t tell you how empowering it felt to take steps, and to slowly see Good luck to you! There are often many pieces to the puzzle! You may find |
Infections, arthritis, hypothyroidism, anemia, mood |
Thomas | An unanticipated but very welcome result of getting on PHD has been relief of arthritis in my ankles. I sprained my ankles dozens of times while playing basketball growing up, and had slight arthritis in both ankles by the time I was 26. Since then, any type of prolonged running makes my ankles sore and painful for hours, with a little bit of swelling. In the last month that has stopped completely- I feel great after playing ball now. I don’t know if PHD is responsible for the relief, but I can’t imagine what else it could be. |
arthritis |
Back pain
Alex | I recently had my carotid arteries evaluated via ultrasound for plaque and narrowing and was told there is no evidence of either. A year ago, just before adopting a PHD type diet, an MRI of my heart revealed “significant” plaque on one of my coronary arteries and less significant on another…. I’m in my mid 40s, lean, active, and have seen many health improvements since adopting the diet (less joint stiffness, no more chronic back pain, milder colds, fewer allergy symptoms, less gas, less bloating, need for less sleep. |
atherosclerosis, joint stiffness, back pain, allergies, bowel distress |
Raynaud’s syndrome
Becky | Hat tip and thank you: After I started reading your blog, and adding in “safe starches”, my Reynaud’s largely cleared up with temperatures over 20F. This wasn’t the intention, but a wonderful side-effect. Last month, when the sun came out and the temps got over 25, I enjoyed a successful 2-mile snow hike for the first time in three years. =) |
Raynaud’s |
Kate | I too have had Raynaud’s all my life … In the past two months, I have modified my diet in line with Paul’s suggestions for Migraine. I now eat 200 calories worth of safe starch, all the recommended supplements, and as much coconut oil as I can stomach. I am also doing the 16/8 fast. My Raynaud’s has further improved, as measured by the fact I sometimes forget to turn the heat up in the morning, and cold extremities don’t always alert me to my forgetfulness!… Thanks for asking about the Migraines. They are in fact vastly improved, which I attribute solely to your recommendations. I can say that, because I have tried virtually everything else in the past…. Clearly something remarkable is happening, thanks to your recommendations! A little history. I started getting these headaches in my late 30s. (I am now 52). In the beginning I thought I had the stomach flu, because in addition to the headache I would always throw up or have dry heaves. The worst headaches would keep me immobilized in bed for up to two days. My brother-in-law, a neurologist, convinced me they were migraines. I finally consulted a doctor, who put me on midrin, which did not help, and a few months later I started on imitrex, which did help, at least at first. Eventually, my headache pattern evolved, and I had at least a mild headache every day, punctuated by the occasional doozy. Apparently, this is a pretty common progression, especially with women my age. I always suspected there was something wrong with my lifestyle or diet, and over the years I have tried numerous experiments, but nothing ever worked. … In January, in my blog travels, I stumbled on your site. I ordered the book and was intrigued by your and Shou-Ching’s ideas about disease and chronic conditions. I was already familiar with the idea of a ketogenic diet for epilepsy, so I was immediately interested in trying a more ketogenic diet for myself. I ordered all your basic supplements, and immediately upped my kelp to two capsules. I had been using coconut oil for curries, so I started using it habitually. Started eating 200 calories of starches that you recommended—this was a little scary, after studiously avoiding them for four years! I was afraid I they might keep me awake at night, but I am sleeping like a log. Started fasting 16/8, which was easy once you absolved me for having cream in my morning coffee! Within a week of starting this regimen my chronic headache started to disappear! Some days I would only have a headache for part of the day, and occasionally I would have no headache at all! I read somewhere on your site that NAC is good on a ketogenic diet, so I ordered it too. I had never heard of this supplement before. It seems to have made a further positive difference. I have started taking it twice a day. Once before bed, and once in the late afternoon, when the headache sometimes starts coming back. Since I added NAC, I have been nearly headache free. Another amazing development concerns anxiety. Over the years I have become somewhat anxious when I drive on highways. I grip the steering wheel tightly, sit forward in the seat, and am generally hyper vigilant. I always chided myself for my lack of nerves, but that didn’t help. As mentioned above, this was magnified by the Topomax. I never had this issue when I was younger; indeed I used to fly helicopters in the army. Two weeks ago I drove up to New Jersey to pick up my daughter, a 3.5 hour trip from where I live in Northern Virginia. I stopped two hours into the trip to make a pit stop, and I suddenly realized I was totally relaxed, and had been for the entire trip! The PHD is strong brain medicine indeed! Thanks for all your research, insights, and ideas. I think the Perfect Health Diet is going to be a game changer for many people. Hopefully it is the start of a sea change at how we approach the chronic maladies of our times. |
Raynaud’s, migraines, anxiety |
Anonymous (also here) | I have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and am taking a very low dose of risperdal (same drug in higher doses used to treat schizophrenia). I had been doing very low carb for many years and do now wonder if it Better mood I have found that following the PHD diet (in particular, getting enough Very nutritious, no cravings This diet is super healthy and does allow plenty of choices: meat, fish, Intermittent fasting – easy This is optional, but I’m so happy I discovered this. Fasting sounds Raynaud’s Another benefit of the PHD is that my Raynaud’s is much better now and I’m So give PHD a try if you want to feel better and be healthy too. I highly Thank you so much, Paul and Shou-Ching, for all you do! 🙂 |
Borderline Personality Disorder, mood, energy, anxiety, food cravings, Raynaud’s |
General health
Kate | “However, some of the effects of nutrient deficiencies are insidious and might easily escape notice, because they develop gradually over months or years.” I could not agree more. Moreover, while your your body may give you hints all is not well, that does not necessarily point you in the right direction. Particularly when you are embracing the latest ill thought out nutritional theory de jour. In my case, I went from “carb loading” on my swimteam as a teen, to thinking carbs were the most healthful food, which segued into low fat, whole grain obsession as an adult. By my late forties, I had a number of niggling health problems, which were partially resolved by a 180 shift to a low carb diet, which I took to further extremes, which created more issues…I think many people know their body is trying to tell them something, but in the midst of the cacophony of government and health agencies’ dietary advice, most people have no idea what to do. I am finally finding my way out of a dark tunnel using the PHD framework of optimizing macro and micro nutrition, getting tests, and careful experimentation. This is the first diet and approach to health I have seen that really tries to reconcile all the research, and consider all the traditional wisdom, in contrast to the usual practice in recent decades of enshrining one or two possibly good ideas to extreme and ultimately damaging dietary prescriptions. |
miscellaneous issues |
Richard M, email of Oct 19, 2011 |
May I firstly congratulate you and Shou-Ching for writing such a wonderful book. After researching nutrition and health in my spare time for many years I have never come across a book that has been able to tie all of the major aspects of a healthy diet together in such a concise manner whilst being so extensively well referenced. The amount of improvements that I have seen since implementing this diet |
energy, food cravings, weight, illness |
Jeanie Graham Campbell | My husband is doing fabulously on the PHD. It stalled my weight loss, but I felt great. Once I get down to where I want to be (another 7 or so pounds), I’ll be rockin’ the PHD!!! |
A. b. Dada | I added back white potatoes and even white rice based on Dr. Harris’ advice and definitely feel better (less orthostatic hypotension) — plus I’m actually slimmer than I’ve ever been, yet my muscles are much stronger. Low carb for 12 years before this year! |
orthostatic hypotension, body composition |
Ellen | MM’s nighttime numbness made me think about a similar mystery that I experienced. I have had for the last several years, not exactly numbness, but a strange burning sensation in feet and/or legs only at night when I would wake. not every night, but frequently. If I moved my legs a bit it would go away. It started after being VERY low carb for over six months. I hadn’t noticed, but now that I think about it, it seems to have dwindled significantly, perhaps completely. I have been eating 200 C safe starches for a three and a half months now. Chalk up another one for PHD! |
strange burning sensation |
Chronic infections
Jesper | I was struggling for a while and had to keep upping the abx dose every couple of months to get the same effect as before, and not deteriorate. I read about some of Pauls tips and started eating high fat low carb, and i felt there was a difference. Also started doing ketogenic fast in the morning. I have a lot less symptoms now than before and i feel like the abx hits harder, especially true during my morning fast. I think high fat low carb is a good idea for the people with this bacteria especially those who struggle with abx resistance. |
chronic bacterial infection |
Natalie | As someone dealing with chronic disease (a very unfun combination of Lyme, Babesia, and Bartonella), I know I’m always looking to find out more of what has worked and what did not work for others. This blog along with many of the readers of this blog have been a tremendous help to me personally. For example, I now know I can avoid the daily “coma naps” if I don’t go crazy on the carbohydrates. I’ve actually received some excellent diet advice from my doctor, but he never told me to chill on the carbs! |
chronic infections |
Thomas | The part of this blog post that starts “Thus common symptoms of a bacterial infection of the brain are those of cognitive hypoglycemia and serotonin deficiency” and continues for several paragraphs describes precisely the mysterious changes I have experience over the last decade of life (I am now 33), with the one variation being that I suffer extreme fatigue rather than insomnia or restlessness. Every other sympton, including the odd mental state you mention, is a perfect match, and I experience them all to a marked degree…. I have been diagnosed with general anxiety but never depression. I do not feel sad ever, just irritable and anhedonia-ac, if I may coin a word. Anti-depressants, and I’ve tried a bunch, do absolutely nothing for me. I began to decline after suffering the second subdural hematoma of my life at age 20 when I was in Italy, followed by a 5 year binge on alcohol…. I’ve been doing PHD for about 7 weeks now, and tried a ketogenic fast this past weekend. I ended up going 33 hours with some coconut oil and cream. It was a bit tough having to eat a bunch of oil on an empty stomach, but nothing too bad. I can’t say there was any improvement cognitively or with anhedonia, but there seemed to me to be a pronounced calming effect after about 24 hours of fasting. I often stutter or stumble over words (again, for about 10 years now), which usually goes away only with two or three alcoholic drinks. But the speech problems stopped almost completely during the fast, which makes me thing that there is some link to anxiety and stuttering. I’ve been on PHD for a few months, and about a month ago went to the low-carb therapeutic ketogenic version of the PHD. After reading some of Paul’s posts, I believe that I might have a brain infection as a result of a head injury from more than a decade ago (Paul, if you recall, my condition has a lot of similarities to the one you once had). I started taking doxycycline a few days ago, and I have already noticed pronounced improvement (whether due to the diet or the antibiotic or both) in controlling the irritability and anxiety that have plagued me for years…. I definitely feel great since making the diet changes. My blood pressure, which has been creeping upwards over the last few years to 135/80 or so, is back down to 110/70. My testosterone is 824, and I am pleased to see that I maintaining my strength in the gym despite being on a ketogenic diet. The improvements I’ve seen recently have done more for my well-being than anything in the last decade, and I am profoundly grateful to you for all your excellent advice. |
brain infection |
J.L. | I just returned from a book club meeting where we discussed The Perfect Health Diet at length. I have to say, I am most fascinated by the chapter focused on chronic disease and infection! I am a living testament to the power of diet and “immuno- warfare”, if you Since beginning to uncover secrets of old three years ago, I have eaten a Thank God for my integrative MD…He ordered Metametrix testing, and lo and I can sometimes feel the anger welling up inside me when I think of the Thank you kindly for joining the crusade and bringing your diet and this |
rheumatoid arthritis, chronic infections |
Michelle | IME, a comprehensive stool test proved helpful. I found a fungal infection which I treated with two bottles of ProEnt-2. I found bacterial overgrowths, which I treated with Natren probiotics. The stool test showed gluten intolerance as well, and seeing the results on paper helped me to take the leap & kiss gluten goodbye. I was also positive to toxoplasma, which I have not treated due to cost I had a sudden severe arthritis flare and have been on low dose pulsing My thyroid function has improved as I’ve gotten healthier. My guess is I’m no longer anemic. I used SAM-e successfully, for 2-3 years at 200-400 mg per day, upon I can’t tell you how empowering it felt to take steps, and to slowly see Good luck to you! There are often many pieces to the puzzle! You may find |
Infections, arthritis, hypothyroidism, anemia, mood |
Louise | My 10 yo daughter is being treated for a lyme/bartonella infection and her LLMD is supplementing her with the B6 metabolite P-5-P, L-methylFolate and methylB12 to address the MTHFR defect that is so prominent in a lot of kids with lyme induced autism and immune disregulation. My daughter is responding well to treatment; her speech, executive function, handwriting, sound/light sensitivities have improved greatly with antibiotics and supplementation, and the ~80% implementation of your diet. Thank you so much for your hard work, you are helping so many. |
Lyme, bartonella |
Fibromyalgia & CFS
Justin (and here) | I started feeling terrible in the winter of 2007. I went to five doctors, none of them knew what was wrong with me. I had blood drawn about 15 times for various lab tests. I was afraid I would be bedridden one day because of the pain. The first doctor who helped me did so by diagnosing me with fibromyalgia. He started me on Savella 50mg/day. I improved on Savella, and was told to I tried a few different things, natural supplements, and diets. Some gave I learned of the Perfect Health Diet from a friend in the summer of 2011. In light of my previous failures, the key that made the avoidance of wheat I thought all would be cured by avoiding gluten, so I started cutting back I decided I would put more effort into the other parts of the PHD. Next in Next, I went half in on the supplements. I noticed the magnesium had In fact, it took some forced thinking to recall how far I’ve come. I used Now, I do still have elbow pain and some psoriasis/rash, so all is not THREE AND A HALF MONTHS LATER: I posted earlier about my progress with being on Savella for a I delayed reporting because I wanted to be sure symptoms would not flare |
fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel |
Joan’s sister | Hi Paul
You will remember 12 days ago I asked you about my sister who has CFS and You wrote: My guess is that there is a high level of oxidative stress Your advice was spot on and the results have been miraculous. She started Not only that, but some of her CFS symptoms have improved. Her constant I’ve ordered a couple of copies of your book and I’m sure she will be more Any interesting note: prior to starting the anti-oxidants she craved the In searching the net I found this paper that seems to support your advice: And this letter in the Nutritional Neuroscience discussing the paper’s Thank you once again, Paul, for your generosity in sharing your knowledge Kind Regards Joan |
chronic fatigue syndrome, eczema |
Acne
Els and here and here | I have been on PHD for almost 2 weeks now, doing IF 16/8 at the same time, and have started with the supplements you have recommended 4 days ago. Since I started PHD I do no longer crave for sweets. I used to eat chocolates almost everyday and haven’t had it for over 2 weeks now. 🙂 I am so happy I found your blog and got your book. Keep up the good works…. 5 weeks ago I found PHD website and ordered the book. I am now on my 4th Btw, I continue to shed off some more fat even after I’ve increased my |
food cravings, cramps / menstrual cramps, sleep, acne / pimples, body composition |
Hunter and here | Well I can comment on the topic of acne. Since starting to follow the perfect health diet around the beginning of this month my acne has completely cleared up. To give you a little history, I discovered both Cordain’s the paleo diet and Sisson’s primal blueprint nearly 2 years ago and upon cutting out grains and dairy I saw immediate improvement in my moderate acne that I have been struggling to find a cure for since I was about 15. I turned 34 this month. At first I thought for sure that it must’ve been the 3+ glasses of milk plus cheese plus yogurt plus ice cream that I was consuming nearly everyday, but my acne did continue even though I was following a relatively strict paleo diet, although acne inflammation was usually to a much lesser degree than before I had changed my diet. I have still not been able to nail down the cause, until now I think… Cordain’s advice has been to avoid saturated fat and simply eat all the I increased my sat fat intake, mainly from coconut oil which I had All of those changes I think are good, but I believe that in particular BTW, I had already been experimenting with intermittent fasting for the … I’ve been |
acne |
Infertility, amenorrhea, PCOS
Hunter‘s wife | My wife and I have been VLC for a couple years now, myself probably a little longer than her and I tend to eat more saturated fat too. She recently stopped taking birth control and her menstrual cycle just stopped. Also for years and years, maybe as long as the past decade, she’s been chronically constipated, depressed, and always tired and wanting to sleep 10+ hours. She’s been thru tons of tests and no doctor can find anything wrong with her. I started doing some research on her results from multiple blood tests and found her TSH has been slowly increasing and was at 3.13. We started checking her basal body temperature in the mornings and she’s usually around 96…. Both of us have also avoided salt for most of our lives as well as most packaged/processed foods that might contain salt. So we started supplementing Iodine, starting about a month ago and slowly increasing the dosage each week, as well as eating about 200-400 carb calories a day from white rice, taro, and cassava (all covered in pastured butter). Some mornings now her temperature has reached as high as 98.2 and her constipation has suddenly improved a lot. |
hypothyroidism, fatigue, constipation, amenorrhea |
S, |
Two weeks ago my doctor diagnosed me with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. After chatting to me a little about nutrition and its effect on the body, he wrote down the title of your book “The Perfect Health Diet” and said that it could help me. I went home and immediately ordered the book online and received it a few days later (yippee!) Although I’m not even half way into the book (I decided to start again after discovering it’s not light bedtime reading!) I am certainly seeing sense in what the book says and am already feeling a lot better just in myself – more energy, happier, less hormone mood swings and not bloated at all. I’ve lost a bit of weight since I started two weeks ago (6lbs) and my skin is… well… the least spotty its been since I was about 11 years old! I’m certain that the diet is the reason for these changes. |
PCOS, weight loss |
Brian P. | Many thanks for your book and blog as it has helped me lose 35 pounds and counting over the last 5 months, along with a general improvement in energy level and “evenness”. Extremely gratifying to find a way of eating which is sustainable, totally satisfying and results in natural weight loss. And, I have yet to add high intensity workouts to my normal morning and afternoon walks. I have been talking to anyone who has expressed interest as the potential of the diet is obviously tremendous!! P.s. I strongly suspect PHD played a pivotal part in my wife getting |
weight loss, energy, mood, infertility |
Genetic disorders
Zach and Mathias | My son, who is 6, … has been on the diet for less than one month and his hands have relaxed enough for him to regain his pointing ability (which had been lost). Zach, the 12 year old on the diet, is much further progressed in the disease. Zach has been on the diet since late October, 2010, reaching 80% fat levels towards mid-December. The following are the improvements that have been noted by Zach’s family and therapists: Zach has begun holding up his head even though his neck has been hyper extended backwards since he was 9, he has begun pointing with his finger again instead of the palm of his hand, he is moving his right arm again some, and the latest thing is that he is now able to go from a laying position to a sitting position on his own by hanging on to something or someone. He has not done this since he was 9 years old. Both boys have begun smiling and laughing all the time…. Zach has gotten off all pain medicine and only has a small amount of 3 [anti-spasmodic] medicines left which hopefully he can get off of over the next year. |
Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA) |
Migraines, headaches
Rob Sacks | By day 23 [of a ketogenic fast] I became free of headaches. There was still some sort of migraine activity — I could often feel the sensations that in all my previous life, had always been followed by a headache — but no headache resulted….Then I started following a diet similar to those used by neurologists at Johns Hopkins to treat children with epilepsy, with calorie restriction, frequent meals, and a ratio of fat to protein (by weight) of four to one. After two days of this diet, my headaches stopped again. That was only 48 hours ago but I’m sure the diet is working because I challenged myself last night with a sure-fire migraine trigger by staying up past my bedtime to watch the eclipse. Normally this would create a debilitating headache, but the only result was a slight migrainy feeling that was easily controlled with two aspirin. Before the fast, aspirin had no apparent effect on my migraines…. A bad varicose vein is dramatically improved, and a teary eye problem (which I think was caused by a clogged tear duct, and which I previously controlled with large amounts of vitamin C) has resolved almost completely. |
migraines |
Kate | I too have had Raynaud’s all my life … In the past two months, I have modified my diet in line with Paul’s suggestions for Migraine. I now eat 200 calories worth of safe starch, all the recommended supplements, and as much coconut oil as I can stomach. I am also doing the 16/8 fast. My Raynaud’s has further improved, as measured by the fact I sometimes forget to turn the heat up in the morning, and cold extremities don’t always alert me to my forgetfulness!… Thanks for asking about the Migraines. They are in fact vastly improved, which I attribute solely to your recommendations. I can say that, because I have tried virtually everything else in the past…. Clearly something remarkable is happening, thanks to your recommendations! A little history. I started getting these headaches in my late 30s. (I am now 52). In the beginning I thought I had the stomach flu, because in addition to the headache I would always throw up or have dry heaves. The worst headaches would keep me immobilized in bed for up to two days. My brother-in-law, a neurologist, convinced me they were migraines. I finally consulted a doctor, who put me on midrin, which did not help, and a few months later I started on imitrex, which did help, at least at first. Eventually, my headache pattern evolved, and I had at least a mild headache every day, punctuated by the occasional doozy. Apparently, this is a pretty common progression, especially with women my age. I always suspected there was something wrong with my lifestyle or diet, and over the years I have tried numerous experiments, but nothing ever worked. … In January, in my blog travels, I stumbled on your site. I ordered the book and was intrigued by your and Shou-Ching’s ideas about disease and chronic conditions. I was already familiar with the idea of a ketogenic diet for epilepsy, so I was immediately interested in trying a more ketogenic diet for myself. I ordered all your basic supplements, and immediately upped my kelp to two capsules. I had been using coconut oil for curries, so I started using it habitually. Started eating 200 calories of starches that you recommended—this was a little scary, after studiously avoiding them for four years! I was afraid I they might keep me awake at night, but I am sleeping like a log. Started fasting 16/8, which was easy once you absolved me for having cream in my morning coffee! Within a week of starting this regimen my chronic headache started to disappear! Some days I would only have a headache for part of the day, and occasionally I would have no headache at all! I read somewhere on your site that NAC is good on a ketogenic diet, so I ordered it too. I had never heard of this supplement before. It seems to have made a further positive difference. I have started taking it twice a day. Once before bed, and once in the late afternoon, when the headache sometimes starts coming back. Since I added NAC, I have been nearly headache free. Another amazing development concerns anxiety. Over the years I have become somewhat anxious when I drive on highways. I grip the steering wheel tightly, sit forward in the seat, and am generally hyper vigilant. I always chided myself for my lack of nerves, but that didn’t help. As mentioned above, this was magnified by the Topomax. I never had this issue when I was younger; indeed I used to fly helicopters in the army. Two weeks ago I drove up to New Jersey to pick up my daughter, a 3.5 hour trip from where I live in Northern Virginia. I stopped two hours into the trip to make a pit stop, and I suddenly realized I was totally relaxed, and had been for the entire trip! The PHD is strong brain medicine indeed! Thanks for all your research, insights, and ideas. I think the Perfect Health Diet is going to be a game changer for many people. Hopefully it is the start of a sea change at how we approach the chronic maladies of our times. |
Raynaud’s, migraines, anxiety |
Sharon McAllister |
Before the Perfect Health Diet, I was getting migraines almost every day. I was on a low-fat, high fiber diet which is, necessarily a high carbohydrate diet. I ate lots of legumes, lots of whole grains, and lots of fruits and vegetables. I also ate low-fat and non-fat dairy. As you can see, the only good thing in my diet was the vegetables. I was on this diet for about 4 years. My bowels were regular for the first time in my life, and it did feel good to not always be constipated. I believed I was doing all the right things. I now know that slowly over time toxins were building up in my system. Eventually, I realized that immediately after eating a meal (a meal that I thought was superfood healthy), I got a migraine before I could even get up from the table. I couldn’t understand it! I began to research, and by the grace of God, I found your diet and immediately purchased your book. I have many migraine triggers, so they are not completely gone, but the frequency and intensity have reduced substantially. My doctor has put me on several different maintenance drugs over the years that were suppose to reduce the frequency and intensity of my migraines, but none of them worked at all. Your diet has done far more than anything else I’ve tried. I am still hoping that one day I will be migraine free, but with my hormone related migraines, it will probably not be until after menopause. I’m 48 years old though, so maybe not too much longer to wait. My adult niece has also been a migraine sufferer for years and she is now on your diet, and it is working great for her too. We both owe you a great deal of thanks! |
migraines |
Karin | I have particularly severe, chronic, complicated, and often silent migraines. I have had these since childhood all day everyday. Because they were often silent (no pain) they would manifest in various other ways, thus leading to misdiagnoses of mood disorders and schizophrenia for many years. At one point I was also misdiagnosed with epilepsy as well. After one particularly smart neurologist saw and tested me, I was placed on blood pressure medications for migraines. This worked. The problem is that my body constantly fights to readjust to the medications. After a few months at one dose, it seems I start to get migraines again. So it would go up and the same thing would repeat again. I was looking for a different solution and I stumbled across this article. I’ve been on the keto diet for nearly a month and it is the best thing |
migraines, mood, sleep, energy, weight loss |
Brian | Paul, Many thanks for the excellent work and great book.
I started PHD a few week before Christmas, and even with a few holiday I have no serious health issues as such, but a number of smaller/low level Gradually over a few shorts weeks the aforementioned issues have either I’ve recommended your book to family and work colleagues as a result. I think the main plus point of the diet is that it is ‘doable’. Being allowed to each ‘safe starches’ has been great, as I’ve found All in all I’m delighted, and so glad I found your website & book. Many thanks |
headaches, acid reflux, fatigue, bloating, weight gain |
Kidney stones
George (email of Oct 14, 2011) |
Just a quick thank you for your website and the book which I purchased a month ago. I had been a low carber for several years and over that time have suffered 4 painful bouts of kidney stones. Your post on kidney stones on a LC diet was eye opening. My urologist did various tests and I ended up with having high levels of uric acid and oxalates. Incorporating your PHD, I dramatically brought down my uric acid levels. I hope this and the other benefits of your PHD will help prevent future stones. |
kidney stones |
Diabetes & glycemic regulation
PeterC’s dad | There might not be a perfect known diet for diabetes, but approximately six months ago, my dad, an obese man in his early 70s with Type II diabetes and recovering from congestive heart failure (with other health problems as well), began following a not-especially low carb version of PHD along with daily intermittent fasting. Not only has he lost around 30 pounds, he’s been able to go off all his He feels the best he’s felt in a long, long time. Where he used to say, I could write a lot more about him and plan to do so in the future. |
diabetes |
Daniel’s stepdad | My step dad was diagnosed T2D and had to take Metformin (high dosage) I convinced him that his problem wasn’t high glucose but high insulin levels and that Metformin was just a bandaid. I managed to get him to read Sisson’s articles at MDA and follow the Primal Blueprint. This was NOT easy-he is very stubborn. But Mark does have a way with words and now my step dad-in 8 months-has great BS readings and does not take any medication. His best friend is also T2D and used to take 6 “mega shots” (his words) of insulin everyday and now, after about 6 months, he is down to one shot per day. They both have lost weight and both are in their late 50?s. Dont give up! the PHD or Primal Blueprint are actually perfect to handle diabetes. Just dont listen to the ADA!! |
diabetes |
Newell Wright | I am a type II diabetic and a Perfect Health Diet follower, so I want to chime in with my experience…. I switched from the Atkins Induction diet to the Perfect Health Diet. I Today, my fasting blood glucose reading was 105. Note that since following For dinner tonight, I had a fatty pork rib, green beans, and a small baked So not only am I losing weight on the Perfect Health Diet, my blood So for me, as a type II diabetic, this “safe starches” exclusion |
diabetes |
Jim, email of April 2, 2012 | . I am down from 341lbs to 272lbs doing mostly Paleo, but modified with some safe starches per your book. Just so you know this is not just about weight loss for me, I was a type 2 diabetic with full metabolic syndrome and most importantly, I had popping capillaries in my retinas that were leading to blindness. All is better now, no pills etc. |
diabetes, obesity, diabetic retinopathy |
KH | I’m type 1 diabetic …
Just this morning, I took my A1c home test (by Bayer) which includes two test 1- 5.2 test 2- 5.3 … I know the diet here is helping me a lot and I’ve been feeling more |
Type I diabetes, energy, mood |
elizabethe | I’ve struggled all my life with overweight, binge-like eating disorder symptoms, and fluctuating weight and (undiagnosed but quite obvious) volatile blood sugar. I’ve been roughly following PHD for some months now and it has seriously reduced all of my previous binge-eating, hunger craving symptoms, as well as vastly increasing the amount of time I can go between meals without feeling frantic or emotional. I haven’t lost much weight, but my weight has stabilized whereas before I was on a steady gaining trend. |
binge eating, weight gain, glycemic regulation |
Atherosclerosis
Alex | I recently had my carotid arteries evaluated via ultrasound for plaque and narrowing and was told there is no evidence of either. A year ago, just before adopting a PHD type diet, an MRI of my heart revealed “significant” plaque on one of my coronary arteries and less significant on another…. I’m in my mid 40s, lean, active, and have seen many health improvements since adopting the diet (less joint stiffness, no more chronic back pain, milder colds, fewer allergy symptoms, less gas, less bloating, need for less sleep. |
atherosclerosis, joint stiffness, back pain, allergies, bowel distress |
Body composition, strength, athleticism
Ryan | In a month on your diet, I haven’t lost a single pound—I wasn’t really overweight to begin with when I start—but my body fat % has decreased 2.5% from 17.5 to 15. I have never had an easier time putting on and maintaining muscle in my entire life, despite the fact that I am not really doing any exercise, well, save for a half hour of yoga, 5 days a week. |
body composition, muscle development |
David Z. | My success story: I’ve been eating what was mostly a “health food” diet for twenty years. I followed the various trends and tried vegan, vegetarian, raw, and more at different time periods. I’ve done juice fasting and cleansing. At some times I followed it more religiously and other times less so, but nonetheless slowly gained weight over the years. This year I read Wheat Belly and started to think about cutting out wheat, I lost 25 points in the first two months on the diet, going from 215 lbs 190 is not a bad weight for me; I am 5’11″ and lift weights so while Thanks! |
weight loss, body recomposition |
Billy | Greetings from Liverpool UK! I recently bought your book and converted from paleo (one year) to using your safe starches and more fat which works much better for me – i’m 28, athletic build and live a very active lifestyle so super low carb made me look like i was literally starving – gaunt and not good. I have some colour back in my cheeks now and much more energy! |
body composition, energy |
Matt | Dear Paul
I completely agree with the review on your book given by Chris Kresser. It I’m an amateur bodybuilder and I’ve been struggling to gain muscle mass I’ve read your book and greatly increased my saturated fat intake from What’s really surprising is that my calorie intake is higher and I’m |
bodybuilding, gaining muscle while losing fat |
Java Gal | Ok, have to comment – can’t contain myself anymore! I am a lurker of the worst sort, but here goes. As a 54 year old woman, I am more energetic, flexible (yoga three times a week), and healthier than I have been for, oh, decades. My doc, a wonderful, but dye-in-the-wool vegetarian, told me to keep doing what I was doing – cholesterol dropped, good TSH levels(I’m hypo), and down 5 sizes. Talk about replacing a wardrobe! My worry, of course, is gaining it all back, which, sorry to say, is an experience I have had already in days of yore. I was an avowed low-carber back then and I can attest that, while it was effective for losing weight, it was not a good long term strategy. So far, as long as I stick to basic PHD principles, things are going swimmingly. In general, PHD has been a huge success. Thank you Paul and Shou-Ching! |
obesity, energy, flexibility, dyslipidemia, hypothyroidism, general health |
John D. | After ‘standard’ PHD (maybe too low carb PHD) for about six months I’ve been doing Leangains-style for the past 3-4, and I too have better success than before. (Success = weight loss without significant muscle loss.) In my case I lift once a week (Body By Science-style), and on that day I By watching calories (1600 off day, 2000 workout) I’ve (slowly) lost So I am a fan of LG + PHD. The big question is what happens when I stop |
weight loss, muscle gain |
A. b. Dada | I added back white potatoes and even white rice based on Dr. Harris’ advice and definitely feel better (less orthostatic hypotension) — plus I’m actually slimmer than I’ve ever been, yet my muscles are much stronger. Low carb for 12 years before this year! |
orthostatic hypotension, body composition |
Mowgli | When I started primal/phd, the numbers on the scale didn’t change, but I went from a 4 pack to a solid 6 pack, and got much faster despite less running. |
running speed, body composition |
Els and here and here | I have been on PHD for almost 2 weeks now, doing IF 16/8 at the same time, and have started with the supplements you have recommended 4 days ago. Since I started PHD I do no longer crave for sweets. I used to eat chocolates almost everyday and haven’t had it for over 2 weeks now. 🙂 I am so happy I found your blog and got your book. Keep up the good works…. 5 weeks ago I found PHD website and ordered the book. I am now on my 4th Btw, I continue to shed off some more fat even after I’ve increased my |
food cravings, cramps / menstrual cramps, sleep, acne / pimples, body composition |
Gout
L.B. | I have been following a “paleo” diet for the past seven months – a combination of the PHD book, Mark’s Daily Apple and Kurt Harris’ blog. I am a 47 year old male, 6’ 1” and 175lbs. My health and fitness improvements include the following:
This fitness plan has had a profoundly positive impact on my life. My wife |
weight loss, gout, creaky joints, IBS, heartburn / acid reflux, dyslipidemia, oral health, reduced cravings, blood pressure |
Dyslipidemia
L.B. | I have been following a “paleo” diet for the past seven months – a combination of the PHD book, Mark’s Daily Apple and Kurt Harris’ blog. I am a 47 year old male, 6’ 1” and 175lbs. My health and fitness improvements include the following:
This fitness plan has had a profoundly positive impact on my life. My wife |
weight loss, gout, creaky joints, IBS, heartburn / acid reflux, dyslipidemia, oral health, reduced cravings, blood pressure |
Java Gal | Ok, have to comment – can’t contain myself anymore! I am a lurker of the worst sort, but here goes. As a 54 year old woman, I am more energetic, flexible (yoga three times a week), and healthier than I have been for, oh, decades. My doc, a wonderful, but dye-in-the-wool vegetarian, told me to keep doing what I was doing – cholesterol dropped, good TSH levels(I’m hypo), and down 5 sizes. Talk about replacing a wardrobe! My worry, of course, is gaining it all back, which, sorry to say, is an experience I have had already in days of yore. I was an avowed low-carber back then and I can attest that, while it was effective for losing weight, it was not a good long term strategy. So far, as long as I stick to basic PHD principles, things are going swimmingly. In general, PHD has been a huge success. Thank you Paul and Shou-Ching! |
obesity, energy, flexibility, dyslipidemia, hypothyroidism, general health |
Mike Gruber | My TG seem to run a little lower if I eat some carbs. Pre-Paleo, I was 114. Post-Paleo, it had run as high as 167, and was 139 when last tested in May of ’10. I added “safe starches” and started the full PHD supplementation |
dyslipidemia |
Oral & dental health
L.B. | I have been following a “paleo” diet for the past seven months – a combination of the PHD book, Mark’s Daily Apple and Kurt Harris’ blog. I am a 47 year old male, 6’ 1” and 175lbs. My health and fitness improvements include the following:
This fitness plan has had a profoundly positive impact on my life. My wife |
weight loss, gout, creaky joints, IBS, heartburn / acid reflux, dyslipidemia, oral health, reduced cravings, blood pressure |
Ray | Among many of the benefits of giving up gluten completely has been the disappearance of a life long dental plaque problem (I’m currently 51); a problem so bad I needed to have my teeth cleaned every four months to keep my dental hygienist happy. |
dental plaque |
Eczema
Firlefanz | I’ve had a sore on my right hand for over two months now. Nothing I did really helped, I tried fatty salves, zinc salve, disinfectant spray … nothing helped. But this morning, it’s practically healed. No more red skin, in fact, the hard skin part simply flaked off and left healthy skin behind. Small, but noticable. This diet reduces inflammation in the whole body. I |
hadrion | I decided to give Perfect Health Diet a go first and see where that takes me. What I’ve learned from asking question to the Jaminets and reading their answers is that a little sugar here and there in products and the sugar in fruit isn’t going to kill you. I can’t do a low carb Paleo diet as I never feel right on that kind of After 2 weeks on Perfect Health Diet I’ve seen some pretty impressive This leads me to a few things, chiefly, that gluten is not good for my While I’m not dismissing Peat’s philosophy of diet, so far I feel pretty What I would encourage any of you dealing with inflammation or who feel So far, following the plan set out in the PHD has led to some nice |
Skin redness, bloating, weight loss, eczema |
Joan’s sister | Hi Paul
You will remember 12 days ago I asked you about my sister who has CFS and You wrote: My guess is that there is a high level of oxidative stress Your advice was spot on and the results have been miraculous. She started Not only that, but some of her CFS symptoms have improved. Her constant I’ve ordered a couple of copies of your book and I’m sure she will be more Any interesting note: prior to starting the anti-oxidants she craved the In searching the net I found this paper that seems to support your advice: And this letter in the Nutritional Neuroscience discussing the paper’s Thank you once again, Paul, for your generosity in sharing your knowledge Kind Regards Joan |
chronic fatigue syndrome, eczema |
Hair loss
Meli | Hi Paul,
I just wanted to let you know that I was finally successful at adding back As a bonus, my eyes are no longer blurry, and my hair appears to have You have my deepest gratitude, and respect. ~ Meli |
Weight loss, dry eyes, hair loss |
Heart palpitations
Shelley | I’ve been reading paleo, WAPF, low-carb sites for over a year now and following your PHD as well. You can add me to the list of your success stories as I lost 15 pounds , have no “cravings” eliminated GERD, heart palpiations, panic attacts and other annoying pains. |
weight loss, food cravings, GERD / acid reflux, heart palpitations, panic attacks / anxiety |
Cramps, menstrual cramps
Els and here and here | I have been on PHD for almost 2 weeks now, doing IF 16/8 at the same time, and have started with the supplements you have recommended 4 days ago. Since I started PHD I do no longer crave for sweets. I used to eat chocolates almost everyday and haven’t had it for over 2 weeks now. 🙂 I am so happy I found your blog and got your book. Keep up the good works…. 5 weeks ago I found PHD website and ordered the book. I am now on my 4th Btw, I continue to shed off some more fat even after I’ve increased my |
food cravings, cramps / menstrual cramps, sleep, acne / pimples, body composition |
Erik | I also recall during the summer getting cramps in my calves and triceps when I didn’t consume enough carbohydrates. It was very easy to under consume carbs when you cut out grains and legumes. The cramping went away when I added in sweet potatos, rice and yams. Now, I make an effort to get more carbs in my diet. I also noticed that my body odor would be stronger on days that I consumed less than 100 calories of carbs. For me, I have found that very low carbing doesn’t work well and there are side effects. |
cramps, body odor |
Multiple sclerosis
Sara H | I am a non-menstruating woman who with MS …
I do practice ketogenic dieting (thanks to you!) and I definitely feel the I have had no new lesions since first being diagnosed and looking at me |
multiple sclerosis |
Body odor
Erik | I also recall during the summer getting cramps in my calves and triceps when I didn’t consume enough carbohydrates. It was very easy to under consume carbs when you cut out grains and legumes. The cramping went away when I added in sweet potatos, rice and yams. Now, I make an effort to get more carbs in my diet. I also noticed that my body odor would be stronger on days that I consumed less than 100 calories of carbs. For me, I have found that very low carbing doesn’t work well and there are side effects. |
cramps, body odor |
Hi Mary,
Yes. I get about 3 of those per day.
I wish I knew how to technically trouble-shoot it for Paul. People’s email just get randomly “hi-jacked”.
It’s actually nothing to do with email but is instead website comment spam. They are usually deleted by someone on the website backend, I imagine, so that’s why you don’t often see them on the site itself, but usually email and RSS subscription to comment threads get sent out before the post maintenance takes place.
xnkbayrxefra
I’ve suspended my subscription due to the continued spam attacks to my email box. I’ll just check in from time to time at the blog. Too bad somebody always has to ruin it for others, isn’t it.
Happy 4th!
Hi Mary,
Sorry about that. I hope to have that fixed in a few weeks. The problem is that we implemented caching software to speed up page loading, but we introduced a bug that prevents our spam filter from learning about new spammers. So we’ve gotten some repetitive spam. Once we fix the bug the spam filter should go back to catching these things.
Paul
I just found your site, and have been eating Paleo for quite some time. I have learned a lot from Weston Price, Dr, Mercola, Michael Pollan, and Kevin Trudeau. Most of what I learned is the same type of diet. I am very surprised that you would sanction the use of a microwave. I got rid of mine years ago. I don’t trust them, and think they change the food, beyond just losing some nutrients, I think they contribute to cancer. Kevin Trudeau is adamant about it. I just don’t think they are good for you.
I was eating entirely vegan until May 1 of this year when I got results from lipid panel and triglycerides were sky high. I found your diet looking for ways to increase HDL and started on it immediately. All was going well and I felt very helthy. Then after 6 weeks I started to get TMJ. I was taking the D3, the Vit C, the K2 and the magnesium. I feel that the sudden onset of the TMJ indicates it is a nutrisional deficiency but in wht area? Any ideaas? I am 64
❓ Could you look into/discuss gallstones/liver stones, and clearing gall stones safely without having gallbladder removed please?
Dear Paul and Shou-Ching,
I have been on the PHD for just five weeks now and have experienced some dramatic relief! After years of severe GERD, (the same symptom which led to esophageal cancer and death in an older brother), I am experiencing virtually no acid stomach nor reflux. Given my improvement, I was able to cut my dose of PPI in half with the blessing of my GI doc, and cut out extra doses of OTC antacid. I hope to cut back more in the future. (The PPI can cause some serious side effects when taken in large doses for long periods of time). I also am noticing that after eating a filling meal such as spaghetti with (rice) pasta, I no longer feel bloated. Also, I notice less aching in my fingers and wrists, and my arthritic knees are less painful. Thank you both so much for your incredible work!
Herb,
I have a close friend who is struggling with GERD. Are there any specific parts of the PHD that you emphasized to help your GERD symptoms?
Thanks
Rick
Rick,
I would emphasize safe starches, staying away from vegetable oil, beans, and legumes, and carefully checking the contents of any packaged foods for high-fructose corn syrup (amazingly common) etc. before purchasing. Also, when dining out or visiting friends, be sure to bring along safe foods to consume if you are not certain of the fare beforehand. Using these strategies, not only is my reflux resolved, but I have virtually no more heartburn. Good luck to you and your friend!
Regards,
Herb
Hi Herb,
Have you been able to get off medications? Glad to hear you are doing well!
Hi Paul,
I have now successfully gotten off 3/4 of my PPI medication (Dexilant) without any rebound or other ill effects. I hope to get off the last 30 mg in time, but will take it slowly as I have been on this med for almost 7 years.
My cardiologist also put me on a statin prophylactically many years ago- not for my cholesterol, which has never been high, but because my C-reactive protein ( a non-specific measure of inflammation) ran between 20 and 25, and he hoped the statin would lower it (it did not). The normal high is 5, so you see it was markedly elevated So I started the PHD diet on July 1 of this year and just got the results of retesting- my level is now 7!! Quite a tribute to the PHD diet, almost down to normal after just 6 weeks. So the statin is now discontinued as well! Many thanks to you and Shou-Ching for your landmark research.
Regards,
Herb
Hi Rick,
I’m working on a GERD post soon. The usual causes: SIBO/gut infection; food sensitivities; choline deficiency; circadian rhythm disruption. PHD addresses all of these, I’ll discuss the specific parts in my post. To start with, you should try eliminating toxic foods and omega-6 rich foods, supplementing choline, eating bone/joint/connective tissue soups and stews for extra cellular matrix components, taking extra vitamin C for collagen, doing intermittent fasting, eating liver (vitamin A) and optimizing vitamin D for mucosal immunity, and tending to all the circadian rhythm factors.
I have just started introducing the PHD way of eating into my life as well as my family. I struggle with anxiety and concentration when anxious. I have also been struggling with weight loss, for many years. i have been trying to understand your recommended supplements but feel uncertain of what would be the most suitable for my lifestyle. I live in South Africa, and am struggling to find the same products as suggested on your website. I would sincerely appreciate your help.
Hi Khat,
Anxiety usually reflects some sort of infection, possibly confined to the gut (it can affect the brain by long distance communications). Weight gain often has a similar cause.
Supplements are less important than food. Liver and sunshine are key. Take all the PHD supplemental foods, and tend to circadian rhythm factors.
Best, Paul
Hello Paul,
I’ve just spent several hours reading your website, and I find this information fascinating. I can’t afford to buy the book at the moment, but I wonder if you could suggest what I could do for chronic constipation. Triphala worked for awhile; maybe I need to increase the dose. I’d appreciate your advice. Thanks!
Hi Cindy, http://perfecthealthdiet.com/category/disease/constipation/.
Hi Paul and Shou-Ching,
I just came across your website while exploring possible answers to my health problems. Although I haven’t ordered your book yet or started to follow the diet, I plan to do so. My problems started about 20 years ago with periodic brain fog. Over the years, I finally pinpointed chocolate, peanuts, and crying as the sources. I haven’t eaten chocolate or peanuts since then, but even the smell of peanuts will give me 24-hour brain fog (but not if I see them first and breathe through my mouth, so it’s something in the nasal passage that goes to my brain). For about 10 years I have also had excess phlegm in my throat and for the past 2 years puffy eyes that start with seasonal allergies but just continue, and also when I have the brain fog (recently because of empty-nest crying), tiny sebaceous cysts on my chin and cheeks. At first I thought the phlegm and puffiness and cysts might be liver disease, but recent blood tests all came back normal. I have started to suspect histamine because I think crying and chocolate and peanuts all release histamine into the brain. Does this make any sense to you?
Hi Karen,
I have to confess all this is new to me. I have no idea what it could be. Histamine is a clever idea.
Peanuts are a common allergen, and chocolate is also a common source of food sensitivity (possibly due to cockroaches and other insects that tend to contaminate it). Crying could be stress-related.
I don’t have alternative ideas, but I’ll keep an eye out for something relevant to this pattern.
Thank you Folks
Just finished “The perfect health diet” book. Was a bit of a challenge
to get through but very glad I persevered.
Paleo had been my way of eating for 14 months now. 35lbs gone
on my 5’2″ frame was a very good thing but not enough… weight loss
stalled, started becoming hungry after supper again.
Daughter emailed me about your website and the rest is history.
Well, as of almost 2 weeks ago. I’ve been eating only within the 8 hour
window.
It’s 7pm I just finished supper: can salmon, an avocado with a drizzle of homemade dressing and a baked potatoe loaded with organic butter
and 2 pieces of 90% chocolate. I feel stuffed and yet, in a little over a week
I’ve lost another 5lbs. It is sooo easy to be lazy and just have 2 cups of coffee in the morning (with cream) and wait to eat till 11:30-12:00ish.
Feels like cheating, but it’s not.
I feel wonderful (before any weight loss) I sleep better. The last of the inflamation in my leg and foot has all but disappeared and I feel finally full
when after supper rolls around.
Thank you for finding the extra key. Who knew it would be this easy!
Shouting from the rooftops won’t spread the word as quickly as a quiet smile and answering the questions that surface.
Thank you
Many blessings
Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer! Very glad you are doing well!
I finally got a chance to look at the micro-nutrient section of UK edition. Thanks for recommending bell peppers! There’s no need to supplement C when I can eat a red bell pepper and some lettuce greens. Problem solved. I’m also looking forward to eating oysters for zinc and dark chocolate for magnesium.
I gave vitamins another chance this summer, and while they have some interesting effects, for whatever reason, all three of my Aristotelian souls (vegetive, perceptive and rational) work incomparably better when I don’t take them. And in light of the suggestions in the UK edition, I feel fairly confident that I can obtain an abundance of nutrients without them.
I’ve also discovered that certain mineral waters (from Spain and Italy and California) are good sources of lithium, magnesium, calcium and silicon.
Thanks for your ongoing research on circadian rhythms. Some of the lighting and light blocking products and your advice on circadian rhythm entrainment have been enormously beneficial.
I’m also quite sure now that I have re-discovered in the sphere of barefoot running, and after years of research, practice and reflection, “the one best way.”
Of course, any wild animal can possess perfect health and physical perfection, but humans have a rational soul, and that needs to be cultivated as well. To the day when we can all take perfect health and physical perfection for granted! To the day when your insight is conventional wisdom.
Hi Paul and Shou-Ching,
first of all thanks for writing this book. I read it in 2 days straight and got so much valuable information out of it. Impressive!
My health issues are acne and fungal infections. Acne cleared up impressively on the PHD which I contribute mostly to beef liver, salmon, coconut oil, butter, bone broth, and avoidance of gluten and PUFAs.
However my fungal infection – mostly on the scalp and small patches on the arms – persists. The odd thing is that, the fungus flares up everytime I eat saturated fat from beef, lamb or bone broth. I know this sounds weird, but I’m keeping track of this phenomenon for almost 1 year. So I need antifungal cream whenever I eat these foods.
I’m considering:
• „Starving“ the fungus by avoiding beef,lamb,bone broth.
• Supplemental iodine + selenium (from brazil nuts)
• NAC
• Taking collagen hydrolysate instead of bone broth
• I already take 1g Vitamin C, Zink, Probiotics, weekly liver+daily eggs without results
I’d appreciate your thoughts on this tricky fungus 😉
Greetings from Austria
Michael A.
Hi Michael,
Try supplementing some vitamin A (not beta carotene, but the active retinoic acid from cod liver oil) and making sure vitamin D status is good and you get some K2. Also, try eating more carbs (for immunity); checking iron status; and providing more choline (egg yolks, liver, or supplements) and pantothenic acid to help dispose of excess saturated fatty acids.
Best, Paul
Thanks for your fast reply Paul!
I already eat 200-300g liver weekly and egg yolks daily. Is it still advisable to supplement Vitamin A?
Cod liver oil is a great hint and I’ll check the others too. Thanks!
Michael
Hi Michael,
Well, you shouldn’t need more A, but experiment and see if it helps. Also, check your iron status and make sure you don’t have an excess; if so give blood. Liver is very iron rich.
I finally figured it out!
Iodine was the missing key to kill malassezia furfur. Also VERY strict avoidance of wheat was necessary in my case.
I would suggest people with fungal infections to try the following:
1. Strictly no allergens (especially wheat)
2. Vitamin A (weekly liver should be sufficient)
3. More carbs
4. Seaweeds and/or KI for iodine
However I still have one question to close the case:
You stated in your book that grains induce hypothyroidism. How does that happen? Does the immuno-reaction against grains somehow use up iodine? And if iodine is scarce in the blood stream it is drawn from thyroid hormone like you described in the book (“respiratory burst”)?
Thanks again Paul. You and your book improved my life in so many ways!
Oh and by the way, I found that iodine is used to treat “severe seborrhea and fungus/pus-forming infections” in dogs and horses (e.g. http://www.fullersupplyco.com/naturals-iodine-shampoo-8oz)
I assume it would also work great in humans to KILL the fungus, but where do you buy iodine shampoo for humans? Did the “anti-dandruff-shampoo”-lobby promote zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, ketoconazol and others to SUPPRESS fungal growth and not kill it?! They have to ensure returning customers someway 😉
Alright, thanks Paul!
Hello Paul,
You book is filled with incredible data… I have encouraged my colleagues and friends to buy a copy.
I have a question referring to page 130, the macro-nutrient profile of meat. I believe that the meat you refer to here is corn fed beef and not grass fed beef which have much higher percentages of omega 3. Please could you clarify this – we eat a lot of grass fed beef with the understanding that we are obtaining higher levels of omega 3 over those who purchase store bought corn fed beef.
Thanks
Hi Andrew,
Although grass fed beef has more omega-3 than grain fed, levels are still very low compared to fish. So if you are eating salmon once a week, whether you eat grass fed or grain fed beef is irrelevant to your omega-3 status.
Grass fed beef also has lower omega-6 levels, which is good. But the main benefit is that the animal is healthier so there is less inflammation and therefore it is less likely to bring inflammatory compounds.
Thanks for your fast response, Paul.
I consume about 5 servings of Salmon a week, about 10 servings of grass fed beef and roughly 2-3 serving of poultry. I will also have 2 free range organic eggs each morning with either fish or vegetables. I also take a tablespoon of high quality cod liver oil and also 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil. I make my own jerky from our grass fed ground beef supply and eat this daily as a snack or when cycling.
I have never had by omega ratio properly calculated, but just assumed that my consumption of fish and fish oil has given me a good balance.
Unfortunately I was told 20 years ago by my doctor to avoid fats because of cholesterol risk, so had eaten a high grain diet for a long period. I shifted to Paleo 18 months ago and then found your book. Since then I have enjoyed adding some starch to by diet as this has helped me keep my weight up – I am naturally thin at 160lbs/6ft and the additional carbohydrates allows me to worry less about losing weight. Bibimbap is one of my favorites. Funny that I used to make this without knowing what it was called – I just add coconut milk (GMO Free in a can) for extra saturated fat.
Cheers and thanks again
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
That sounds pretty good to me. We recommend about 1 pound of salmon per week, and if a serving is 4 ounces, that would make four servings. I don’t know what your serving size is.
It is important to minimize omega-6 fats by avoiding vegetable seed oils and eating meats and animal fats from ruminants or seafood.
Thanks Paul – appreciate the feedback.
Hello Paul
I would really appreciate your thoughts on my last post.
Thanks very much..!
Andrew
Hi Paul,
I want to first thank you for sharing this knowledge with me as it has truly changed my life. I am a 28 year old female who has struggled with body image, anxiety, OCD and digestive problems. I had always been considered thin by family and friends, however I was always looking to drop those last few pounds. I found Paleo about a year ago and thought that I had found the answer. I was VLC and practicing IF on a regular basis. Although I saw results on the scale..I continued to have severe anxiety, obsessive thoughts about my weight and continued to struggle with digestive issues. I found the PHD recently and my world turned upside down (in a good way)I no longer care about the scale. I did regain about 5lbs but I am at a healthy normal weight. My skin, hair and mood have improved dramatically. For the first time I am able to enjoy activities that I once did as a young kid. I sleep better than I ever have. Thank you for everything 🙂
Hi Katie,
Fantastic! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Paul, I have been following (not perfectly but fairly well) PHD for about a year and a half. Some recent bloodwork showed me at the lowest end of the scale for iron. In addition I’ve been diagnosed with vitiligo which seemed to start last summer and seems to ‘flare’ (it gets itchy and irritated) occasionally. I’ve, since adolescence had issues w fungal infections (athletes foot, toenail-which improved with PHD but still plagues me)and have a tendency to what I think is gut related OCD type behaviour (hair pulling, also since adolescence-also improved w diet). I’ve also had terribly painful periods most of my life. While it all sounds like a hot mess I feel well and function very well. Friends and family would consider me healthy. I just wondered if you saw some ‘magical’ link between them all that I am missing. While much has improved with PHD (which I am so grateful for) the low iron and recent vitiligo have me perplexed. The fungal and OCD issues seem to have flared of late too… I did cheat with some (too much) commercial sugary icecream at the end of the summer-perhaps that’s all it takes to set me back… Thanks Paul, for your time and input. You are incredibly generous.
Hi Tami, are you sure you have vitiligo? Pityriasis versicolor (a fungal infection) can look very similar to vitiligo. Try scratching the unpigmented patches with your fingernails… if your skin scales (like dry skin), its very likely that its a fungal infection.
Are you getting enough iodine?
For me, the following helped to eliminate fungi:
1. Strictly no allergens (especially wheat)
2. Vitamin A (weekly liver should be sufficient)
3. More carbs
4. Seaweeds and/or KI for iodine
In another post Paul also recommended selenium, iodine, zinc, copper, chromium, iron, vitamin D, vitamin C, glutathione (or NAC, glycine) for anti-fungal immunity.
sorry Michael, I didn’t hit reply -see next post!
🙂
Hi Michael,
Thank you for your post, I appreciate your input. Unfortunately I am sure it’s vitiligo. I’d rather be dealing with fungus over autoimmune. I saw a dermatologist and specifically asked if it could be fungal but she says it is classic vitiligo (I believe one can differentiate using a woods lamp which she used). I don’t have any scales or dry skin in the area (jaw line). I’ve been wheat-free for almost 5 years now and grain free (except white rice) for the last 1 1/2 to 2 years. I do aim for weekly liver but am not always reaching my quota. It’s possible iodine is low, however I did a patch test with it a couple of months ago and could still see some staining the next day which I believe indicates its probably normal. I seem to start. but not stick with seaweed. I was doing the zinc/copper recommended dosages when I didn’t have liver in a given week, but woke one night with a terrible copper taste in my mouth, like i’d had pennies in my mouth, and decided to stop them. I take D (have had it tested and its great) and C. I’m sure I get enough dietary iron (which is why I thought it strange it was so low). Selenium I’m pretty sure I satisfy thru diet. Chromium and glutathione I have not tried and am not familiar with. Overall the fungal issues are improving and I am sure another year or two with PHD will see more improvement. It’s the recent low iron and autoimmune that have me hmmmmming… My best guess is that its all gut related, so will continue to focus in that department. I’m sure it can take some time and tweaking to get things just right there! Thanks again for your input Michael!
a couple of my own observations,
i came to the conclusion that the iodine spot/patch test was meaningless, too may variables…iodine type, iodine strength, skin type, skin temp, climatic conditions (temp, humidity etc), ‘rubbing’ from clothing/bedding, perspiration…
With the copper taste, i experienced a similar thing when taking some zinc&copper capsules (Jarrow Zinc Balance).
one capsule was fine, but if i took two (=2mg copper as copper gluconate) the taste would ‘repeat’ on me for hours.
I changed from capsules to tablets & to a different form, 2.5 mg copper for copper glycinate (Solgar Chelated Copper). & the taste problem was gone.
Of course the only way to find out if your are deficient in copper or not is probably from blood tests, ie. Serum Copper & Ceruloplasmin
typo…
…2.5 mg copper From copper glycinate…
Hi Paul, I was wondering what your thoughts on hemp seeds are? They contain high PUFA levels but also seem to be good for the immune system.
Dear Paul,
Thank you for you all the work both you and Shou-Ching Shih put into publishing the Perfect Health Diet book. I’m learning so much. I have a question about herbs and their effect on the hormonal system and toxicity. Would you recommend elimitating all herbs from diet or are there safe herbs to eat and if so what are they and how much per meal?
Dear Paul,
I lost weight on Paleo, and had amazing energy for the first few weeks. This energy faded away so I looked for something more sustainable. Since I adopted PHD, I’m feeling a whole lot better now. 🙂 I’m also encouraging my family to follow PHD.
I’m using the free LIFT app (iPhone & web based)to help in developing new PHD habits. On LIFT there is a “Eat perfect health diet” habit group that can encourage us on this journey. If you are looking for accountability and encouragement in developing new consistent PHD habits, check out lift.do and search for the habit “Eat perfect health diet”.
Hello everyone. I’m completely new to all this, and only started looking at Paleo / low carb diets when I started teaching GCSE Food Technology again last year (yes I’m in the UK). I researched first of all into eating sugar and found some disturbing info about how bad it really is for you, then progressed to low carb diets then here. Unfortunately I have to teach the syllabus which preaches the UK healthy eating guidelines (high carb low fat), but I do manage to sneak in some low carb info as ‘an alternative viewpoint’! I’ve pestered my GP about the following symptoms for ages, and have finally had blood tests done (waiting for results):
IBS symptoms, crashing fatigue after eating, brain fog most mornings despite decent amounts of sleep, craving sugary food even after eating till it hurts! Pale stools for days on end and a very bad reaction to caffeine, (hyperactive, then chest tightness, then constant peeing then hugely upset stomach) add to this an overactive bladder and urge incontinence and you can see why I was pestering the doc!!!!! But blood pressure fine But extremely poor circulation and I feel the cold before everyone else.
Any thoughts on all this or shall I just wait on the test results (they are to test for ceoliac, diabetes etc.)
yours hopefully
Jo Whitham (Wales, UK)
Hi Joanne, I could have wrote all that myself – I suffer in very similar ways! I always get tired after eating, but usually from higher carb foods. I’m currently trying to do a ketogenic diet as it’s the only thing that seems to make me feel better and clear-headed. I also craze sugary food like mad, which isn’t helped by seeing it in the supermarkets all the time!
Yeah, I had that also pre Paleo and less so pre PHD. Create treats for yourself – mine is 90%+ dark chocolate (afternoon treat) and coconut ice cream on weekends. If you are on craving, drink some water with lemon or some flavored tea. I have a tub of Manuka honey and and take a quarter teaspoon if I feel like something really sweet. I also make my own dried meat and have this as a snack. I find the more fat I eat, the less I feel like sugar. Sugar is poison so be thankful to yourself for not eating it… Just remember some haling modalities say it takes the same time to repair your body as it took to get sick, so this is not an overnight fix. Just hang in there – it will pass and you will get better.
*healing modalities
You can also make your own chocolate from melted coconut oil and cocoa powder. It lacks the sweetness but it tastes very rich and satisfying! There’s also a 100% cocoa dark chocolate from Hotel Chocolat but it’s rather bitter. Also I’ve heard l-glutamine helps sugar cravings, anyone tried it?
Yes, many reports that l-glutamine reduces cravings. I also read that chocolate and/or cocoa also reduces cravings…
I make coconut cookies with coconut butter and coconut nectar as sweetner as it is low glycemic. Add chocolate chips. Delicious.
Fermented vegetables help sugar cravings. End your meal with a few bites of your favorite lacto fermented veg , the juice thereof or some beet kvass
http://www.pickl-it.com/blog/66/lacto-fermented-foods-turn-off-sugar-cravings/
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Testimonial from Herb Mandell MD, Guest at Albert Oaks Perfect Health Retreat
November 11, 2013
My goal in coming to the Albert Oaks Perfect Health Retreat was to totally immerse myself in a culture of food, exercise, and circadian entrainment, with like-minded individuals, so that I might emerge with an integrated lifestyle and game plan to work with. Although I am still working on the circadian part, I have made some progress there, and am more than satisfied with my progress in all the other areas. I could not have predicted how helpful the staff, our talks with Dr. Jaminet, the environment, or certainly our gracious hosts, Damon and Joyce Young, would prove to be. These are tremendously big-hearted people who shared their wealth of knowledge, their Retreat, and their practical experience with us on so many levels. I am also eternally grateful to my lovely wife and lifetime partner, Peggy, who accompanied me on this journey with her quick wit, her deeply reflective insights, and her truly indomitable spirit. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities for exercise here, and personally mastered the Primal 7, the bicycle course at the Velopark, and even went on to successfully complete a ten-segment zip line course on a weekend jaunt to nearby Wimberley.
The information that I have absorbed has been nothing short of a huge paradigm shift for me. As a retired physician and medical director of a national children’s charity, I can honestly say that I have never so clearly comprehended the importance and role of diet, exercise, and other lifestyle elements in shaping one’s personal health status. While here I was able to achieve my goal of getting off my protein pump inhibitor medication, which I had taken for over seven years with very mixed results. While on the PHD diet, my C-Reactive Protein plunged from 35 to 7, and I was able to discontinue my statin medication as well. I have also made significant progress in addressing a chronic fungal infection while being able to cut back on medication for that also.
The other guests here were very interesting folks, and I am sure we will remain friends, at least online, and hopefully again in person. Our host and chef, Damon Young, served as a powerful presence in anchoring our daily educational meetings, meals, and in suggesting exercise and other outdoor activities. He and his wife, Joyce, are a warm, deeply caring couple who are fun to interact with.
The accommodations at the Retreat were extremely comfortable, with a large private room and en suite bath. We always had full access to the living room, dining room, exercise areas, yoga room, as well as laundry facilities. Yoga classes, in particular, were extremely enjoyable and an important integral part of a healthy approach to life and to aging. I can honestly say I feel several years younger, although I celebrated my 64th birthday while at the Retreat. The rest of the staff were spontaneous, high energy folks who did everything possible to keep us engaged and happy and helped ensure the success of our experience.
Finally, some words about Austin, Texas. I found it to be a fascinating, intriguing, multi-cultural, and unexpected big city. It was easy to get to with a non-stop flight from the East Coast, and because it is laid out in a grid, easy to navigate as well. The one drawback, of course, is the traffic. We managed to pack in visits to a number of restaurants that were excellent by any standards, as well as the State Capitol building, the LBJ Library, the Broken Spoke, and some bohemian shops on South Congress Street. It helps that I have a nephew and niece in Austin, but anyone would find it a really cool town.
I would urge anyone who is learning the PHD diet and philosophy to come to the Retreat for the total experience. You cannot put a price tag on your life, your health, or your ability to make the most of both.
Testimonial from Peggy Mandell, Guest at Albert Oaks Perfect Health Retreat
November 11, 2013
My husband and I have just concluded a month long stay at the Albert Oaks Perfect Health Retreat, which exceeded our expectations in every way and added years to our lives.
We began the Perfect Health Diet four months prior to attending the Retreat, beginning on July 1, 2013, and had already been experiencing amazing health benefits and weight stabilization when we arrived. But until coming to Albert Oaks, the only instruction I had in following the program was to go “by the book”–a wonderfully rich, informative, compelling book, indeed–but without the benefit of a community of other PHD program participants, experiences, and mentors to bring the program to life and make it second-nature. Now, I can’t imagine living any other way.
As the cook in our family, I was especially looking forward to enjoying PHD compliant meals cooked by a professional chef using eggs and fresh produce from their own back yard garden. From the moment we arrived at the airport in Austin, Damon and Joyce Young treated us like family and welcomed us into their spacious, beautifully appointed home. So much thought and care had gone into creating a comfortable environment for learning and living, from the commodious dining room where guests, hosts, and staff ate together family style, to the lovely yoga studio and outdoor patio equipped with weights, medicine balls, and primal 7 exercise equipment, to the attractive living quarters replete with special lighting to help guests reset their circadian clocks, if need be, and enjoy a long, restful sleep each night.
After a month of nutritious meals, great sleeping, and daily exercise, plus a stimulating educational program with world class scientist and eminently friendly and approachable Paul Jaminet, PhD, co-creator of the Perfect Health Diet, I feel ten years younger!
It was so easy to get into the “habit” of going outside each day for a jog around the peaceful, tree-lined, South Austin neighborhood in which Albert Oaks is situated, or to take in the Texas sunshine for my requisite dose of vitamin D. Once I had clearance to go into Damon’s really cool commercial kitchen (a Texas Food Handlers Card was required), I enjoyed learning Damon’s chef’s secrets and lessons for great PHD meals–including the world’s best bone broth and most nutritious fermented vegetables. We all learned the benefits of intermittent fasting (eating only between noon and 8 p.m.), and delicious morning coffee and broth made it easy.
The Perfect Health Diet is a lifestyle that can add years to one’s life simply by getting regular exercise and adopting regular sleeping habits, eliminating toxins from the diet such as grains, legumes and seed-based vegetable oils, and then eating wholesome, fresh, nutrient-dense foods in a perfect balance. Albert Oaks teaches one exactly how to do this in a community where everyone is committed to doing the same thing. All the supplemental foods that PHD recommends were amply provided, from great seafood at least once a week, to the delicious bone broth, to melt-in-your mouth liver mousse, to daily rations of fresh vegetables and fermented home-made kimchi, safe starches and satisfying meat dishes, to the ubiquitous eggs! It was sheer heaven hanging out in a kitchen where all the ingredients were abundantly PHD compliant. I tried my hand at cooking a few times and everyone in the kitchen was generous and supportive, especially the wry, iconoclastic and talented Damon Young. Arriving at Albert Oaks was like landing in a country where everyone spoke your language. I was treated to a shopping expedition with Damon to learn how he chooses food in a grocery store or farmer’s market. I envy his encyclopedic grasp of “cost per pound” and gift for mental addition, and am in awe of his boundless energy and creativity. Bringing PHD to life in a practical setting has been Damon’s dream and passion, and it is evident in every detail here at Albert Oaks.
Many people go to Albert Oaks to eat healthfully and lose weight. While I had already achieved my ideal weight before I got there, it was extremely important to me to maintain my weight and this was easy to do. Many people go to Albert Oaks to find ways to overcome chronic illness through diet rather than medication, or to get off medications that are ineffectual, have nasty side-effects, or both. My personal goal was to reverse post-menopausal osteoporosis through diet and lifestyle, with the right mix of recommended supplements to maximize bone health, so that I could get off a medication that has dangerous side effects. By carefully following the PHD guidelines and also speaking personally with Paul Jaminet during our Skype Q & A sessions, I have been able to tweak my vitamin and mineral supplements with these goals in mind. If osteoporosis was unknown in Paleolithic times, surely we moderns can nourish our bones for strength and health by eating “the way we were meant to eat.”
Another happy outcome of the diet for me, both before and during our stay at Albert Oaks, is that I now feel completely satisfied at mealtime, never get hungry before the next meal, but also never feel bloated, too full, or uncomfortable after eating. My body does a “happy dance” each day because it now gets exactly what and how much food it needs, and nothing harmful.
This next unexpected consequence took me completely by surprise. For years I had pain in my neck from what I believed was age-related osteoarthritis. After trying everything (massage, yoga, chiropractic adjustments–all of which provided only partial, temporary relief), I woke up one morning at Albert Oaks and realized my neck did not hurt any more and I had regained full range of motion. I thought about all the changes I had made in my diet and what might have been THE magic bullet for taking away my chronic inflammation and muscle stiffness, and I decided it didn’t matter because it worked! PHD teaches, and I am living proof, that with the right diet and lifestyle one need not be sick, or chronically inflamed or infected, particularly in later life, just because one is aging.
I am grateful beyond words for what PHD and Albert Oaks has done for me and my husband Herb, who will relate his own Albert Oaks story. By coming to Austin we have discovered a beautiful, vibrant part of central Texas hitherto unknown to us. On our days “off” we went canoeing on Town Lake, visited the magnificent State Capitol building and LBJ Library on the University campus, hiked all around the spectacular Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, enjoyed yoga “in the park” where Damon cooks BBQ and invites everyone to join him for volleyball, learned “contra dancing” with other Albert Oaks guests and staff, enjoyed some of Austin’s best country music at the legendary “Broken Spoke,” had a lovely bike ride in the park, spent a weekend out in the Hill Country where we rode 10 zip lines across a canyon on a beautiful Texas ranch, and met some of the warmest, friendliest, truly big-hearted and generous people we have ever encountered. Thank you Paul and Shou-Ching Jaminet. Thank you Damon and Joyce Young. Thank you wonderful retreat teachers, organizers, staffers, cooks and helpers: Beth, Hannah, Jorjan, Charlie, Paula and Seth. Thank you, Albert Oaks!
POSTSCRIPT
If you are thinking about coming to Albert Oaks and not sure you can afford the financial or time commitment, think again: ask yourself “how can I afford NOT to come here?” Not only is this all-inclusive immersion experience more affordable than any month-long vacation you could possibly take, it is such incredible value for the money. Think of all the other ways you spend your time and money with no measurable benefit. To attend Albert Oaks is to give yourself a gift for a lifetime with continuing good health returns. Surely you and your loved-ones are worth that!
If you do come, know that like everything else in life, you get back what you give. Learning a new way of living and eating takes discipline, commitment and trust. The best advice I can offer someone just starting out is this: come with an open mind and an open heart, and be prepared to surrender your old habits and beliefs about what’s “bad” and what’s “good” to eat. Paul Jaminet’s fascinating classes will give you all the understanding you need to grasp the science of the PHD, and the pleasure of feeling great and living the fullest possible life will be your reward.
Dear Paul,
I’m considering moving out west, but, during short visits, e.g., one-two weeks, I am having some trouble adjusting to moderately high altitudes, which are around 4000-5000 ft. The main problem is a feeling of spaciness, general unease, a narrowing in the field of focus, and mental slowness.
I feel better when I eat easily digestible carbs, such as non-alcoholic beer and white rice, and immediately after engaging in aerobic exercise, but the effect is temporary. When I return to sea level, within hours my mind feels more flexible and thought is once again spontaneous and creative.
Do you have any advice or theory about acclimatization: how long it takes, whether it is possible ever to acclimatize fully? How diet, supplements or exercise might influence the transition? I do academic work, and I’m concerned about the effects of altitude on my ability to teach, think and write at the levels to which I am accustomed at sea level.
Best,
Euthyphro
Hi Euthyphro,
Have you looked into whether you are anemic? Carbs need less oxygen so if you are anemic they will give you more energy. I would ask my doctor for some blood tests and in the meantime, eat some liver.
Also be sure to drink plenty of water when at altitude.
Dear Paul,
That’s a fascinating point about carbs, as I’ve become accustomed to rely on fats for energy.
Three years ago, I got some blood tests, and my iron/ferritin/hemoglobin levels were on the higher end of normal; this led me to donate a pint of blood, something I haven’t repeated since. As a result of the donation, my ferritin levels, as of two years ago, were on the low end of normal.
On the PHD, I eat about 40-50 grams of dark chocolate a day and usually take vitamin 250 mg of C. Once a week, I eat liver, clams or oysters. I would happily supplement extra iron if it might speed up acclimatization. (Anecdotally, I’ve noticed lithium increases blood flow.)
It’s been frustrating for me to experience diminished cognitive and cogitative capacities at moderate altitudes, e.g., 4000-5000 ft, since this is the average altitude of the major cities out west, and I would like to be able to live out there while still feeling my best. The cognitive changes are more pronounced and troubling for me than the physical fatigue, which doesn’t matter too much, since I’m physically fit.
I’m wondering if it will ever be possible for me to adapt fully. Is it just a matter of time, do you think? Perhaps it requires a month or two? Does the body ever find a way to “saturate hemoglobin” with oxygen at these altitudes? Does the brain ever get the same amount of oxygen that it does at sea level?
Thank you,
Euthyphro
From my experiences doing astronomy at 10,000 to 15,000 feet, it usually takes ~3 days if you exercise and ~7 days if you don’t to get comfortable.
It seems unlikely you would be iron deficient if you don’t give blood and do eat liver.
If you are not adapting in a reasonable period of time, I would consult a doctor just to see if there is anything observable in blood tests.
Yes, I’m sure you’re right that exercise is a catalyst. Perhaps if I make an effort to exercise in the surrounding mountains (9,000 ft.), then the high desert (5000 ft.) will seem more like sea level.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! This was our first PHD Thanksgiving and my chance to show off to the family just how delicious PHD food can be. My crowning achievement as the designated cook, after serving Russ Crandall’s perfect smoked turkey and other sides, was when my brother (who eats unmentionable things normally) said, “this is the first time I’ve eaten an enormous meal like this and not felt stuffed or uncomfortable afterwards.” Yes, I noticed there wasn’t the usual post-prandial groaning and moaning, even after I served the grain-free apple cake with whipped coconut milk. Plus the after dinner conversation was more scintillating, read: coherent.
Paul, Thank you for this opportunity to speak to you.
I have been overweight since the age of 12 for which my mother treated me with adepex – amphetamines. She continued to supply these until I was 23 years old. At 17 I became I’ll with mono for 1 yr. I also was hit in the head by a baseball bat at that age. At age 19 I traveled to Mexico and nearly died from montezumas revenge. I was sick for about a year after that. Around this time I developed CFS. At age 26 I traveled to Central America, where I ended up for a year. I was infected by a microbe and nearly died. I contracted a rare skin fungal infection,for which the only treatment could be found in another country. Since that time I’ve been battling obesity and fatigue. I started thyroid treatment based on symptoms even though my TSH was 4.8. I have been recently diagnosed with diabetes insipidus (from the head injury at 17.). All the while I’ve continued to be obese. To top it all, 9 years ago my employer built a new facility and after moving in I became very ill. It was discovered that we were breathing diesel fumes from the boiler exhaust, which was next to the intake vents in our department. Since then I’ve had MCS, asthma, severe joint pain and a gluten allergy ( diagnosed with blood, skin and saliva testing). My employer has never accepted any wrong doing. Over the past 3 years I have been doing the HCG diet, intermittent fasting and Paleo. When I eat fruit or any other carb, I gain weight. I live on meat and vegetables. ( not any starches). I lost 50 lbs and I’ve lost about 60% of my once very thick hair. Plus my joint pain is now unbearable. I can barely walk when I stand up. I’m so morally and physically down. I don’t know where to turn. I happened upon your website as a link on Dr Kressers website. So here I am and I’m intrigued by what I read. I know my story is long and convoluted but perhaps your program can offer some relief for me. Thanks. Patty
Dear Patty,
Well, a lot has gone wrong. Sometimes when you get a severe acute infection, the germs may persist as a chronic infection. That’s why after an acute intestinal infection you can end up with chronic fatigue. Mono (Epstein-Barr virus) often produces persistent chronic infections and is associated with a variety of diseases including multiple sclerosis. The fungal infection suggests suppressed immunity or nutritional imbalance, but those can be very dangerous. A TSH of 4.8 suggests a fairly severe hypothyroidism. Neurogenic forms of diabetes insipidus are often caused by chronic infections. Obesity is an inflammatory condition usually caused by infections (either systemic or in the gut), often exacerbated by bad nutrition, bad diet, and bad lifestyle.
The hair loss indicates hypothyroidism and suggests your diet has been too restrictive (semi-starvation, either of calories or carbs or both). The joint pain is probably some mix of infections, inflammation from toxins originating in the gut, and circadian rhythm disruption.
I think your best course is to not worry about weight for a bit, but focus on healing yourself and restoring immune function with a nourishing diet, and on circadian rhythm entrainment. Incorporate intermittent fasting, but don’t restrict calories. You’ll have to try to restore a normal gut flora and for that you’ll need some carbs and fiber in the diet, even though they may lead to some weight gain.
If you could come to our Retreats that would be great, but at least you should try to read the book and include our supplemental foods such as liver and supplements in your diet, and work hard on circadian rhythm entrainment, adding in intermittent fasting and exercise as possible.
Let me know how things go. It will take time to recover but the key thing is to make steady progress.
Best, Paul
On October 12, 2013 I began having strange/scary neurological symptoms (dizziness, falling down, knee-buckling sensation, heaviness in legs/feet, numbness/tingling in legs and feet, overall muscular jitteriness and tremors throughout my whole body.) In October alone I had at least 3 migraines (two of those back to back) which seemed to be increasing in overall frequency and intensity. My usual pattern was about once or twice a month. My doc prescribed Sumatriptan.
I started the PHD on Nov. 9, 2013. I stopped sugar/grains (except white rice)/ and vegetable oils/legumes, etc. And since then I have not had ONE migraine! And I have not completely eliminated all the usual offenders (although I now consume much less than before) and I have even started drinking 4 ounces of red wine daily!
I also have not had any more dizziness, the heaviness in my legs or feet is gone, and I have not fallen down anymore! Those were the most distressing symptoms! The jitteriness has calmed down and the tremors are minor compared to before. I still do have some numbness in my feet from time to time, but it is minor compared to before starting this diet. The diet and supplements have really helped. And it’s only been almost 4 weeks! I have lost some weight too. I still have ongoing digestive problems but even those have improved somewhat and I’m only taking Lansoprazole a few times a week now. I hope to get off it soon if possible.
I’m still new to this diet and am learning how to implement it better on a daily basis. This website is a great support! Thank you Paul and Shou-Ching!
Fantastic Ginny! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Dr. Paul & Dr. Shou-Ching for a wonderful book. I keep re-reading sections because the info is so terrific. My sleep is better now, thanks to using my yellow glasses in the evening while watching TV. Also, I have a much better balance of my electrolytes (sodium/potassium) and minerals (zinc, copper and vitamins D/A/K2 resulting in more energy and reduced allergy symptoms/asthma.
A couple of questions: I see bone broth post with photos on the PHD site, and notice especially the last photo which has strikingly whitish broth. My attempts produce tasty and nourishing broth but even using more acid (vinegar or citric acid) haven’t yielded such white looking broth. Any suggestions for me?
Second question: I am fighting chronic sinusitis which plagued me for years. With PHD it is much better (I can breathe through both nostrils again!). But to accomplish this I have had to boost iodine (I use Iodoral) up to 12.5 mgm daily with extra beef kidney as source of selenium. I used to eat brazil nuts but noticed a garlicy odor to my armpits and increased night sweats. I calculate 800 ugm selenium per beef kidney so I eat one kidney per week, separated as steamed kidney chips, about 6-8 chips daily. Any suggestions or thoughts? Seems to be working for me, and I expect I can reduce the iodoral once my body has displaced competing halides (bromide, chlorine, etc.)
Thanks again for such a well thought out, well-researched and plain spoken book. It is a treasure! I highly recommend it to all I speak to. You should publicize your PHD on Dr. Oz and other venues. I wish the schools taught what your book teaches, our kids/families would be so much healthier.
Cheers!
Thank you so much Dr. Paul & Dr. Shou-Ching for a wonderful book. I keep re-reading sections because the info is so terrific. My sleep is better now, thanks to using my yellow glasses in the evening while watching TV. Also, I have a much better balance of my electrolytes (sodium/potassium) and minerals (zinc, copper) and vitamins (balanced D/A/K2) resulting in more energy and reduced allergy symptoms/asthma. In short, I feel great, have maintained good weight and energy, and have very few cravings. I mostly steam my food, which includes grass-fed meat and organic potatoes, yams and wild caught salmon, bananas, etc. I take the supplemental foods including 3 egg yolks daily (allergic to egg whites), weekly 1/4 lb beef liver, tablespoons of coconut oil during morning fast, ect.
A couple of questions: I see bone broth post with photos on the PHD site, and notice especially the last photo which has strikingly whitish broth. My attempts produce tasty and nourishing broth but even using more acid (vinegar or citric acid) haven’t yielded such white looking broth. Any suggestions for me?
Second question: I am fighting chronic sinusitis which plagued me for years. With PHD it is much better (I can breathe through both nostrils again!). But to accomplish this I have had to boost iodine (I use Iodoral) up to 12.5 mgm daily with extra beef kidney as source of selenium. I used to eat brazil nuts but noticed a garlicy odor to my armpits and increased night sweats. I calculate 800 ugm selenium per beef kidney so I eat one kidney per week, separated as steamed kidney chips, about 6-8 chips daily. Any suggestions or thoughts? Seems to be working for me, and I expect I can reduce the iodoral once my body has displaced competing halides (bromide, chlorine, etc.)
Thanks again for such a well thought out, well-researched and plain spoken book. It is a treasure! I highly recommend it to all I speak to. You should publicize your PHD on Dr. Oz and other venues. I wish the schools taught what your book teaches, our kids/families would be so much healthier.
Cheers!
Just wanted to share the good news that I was able to give blood yesterday, and, for the first time in years, my hemoglobin was high enough that they let me donate. (Proof positive that PHD is rich in red meat, liver, shellfish and leafy green vegetables; plus the diet is rich in vitamin K2 and my blood clotted immediately when they took the needle out–the tech was surprised– and I had absolutely no bruising at the vein site.) This was thrilling for me on many levels: we all love to think we can make a difference in someone else’s life, of course, but it turns out GIVING BLOOD IS ACTUALLY HEALTHFUL FOR THE DONOR. Since reading the PHD book, I have been fascinated by the “case for giving blood” since my husband and I have supported the blood drive at our local synagogue for many years. Now we can invoke this argument when recruiting donors:
from pp 252-253 in the “Perfect Health Diet” by Paul Jaminet, Ph.D. and Shou-Ching Jaminet, Ph.D., Chapter 39, “A Strategy for Immunity”
Iron Starvation
Iron Is an essential mineral for nearly all life, including microbes. Iron’s natural forms are poorly soluble in in water, so the human body has a variety of ways to transport or store iron.
The human immune system takes advantage of this situation by trying to starve pathogens of iron. Within hours of infection, concentrations of iron in intracellular fluid and blood drop dramatically. Cells that recycle iron from red blood cells cease releasing recycled iron; infected cells store their iron in ferritin, an iron storage protein that is inaccessible to most pathogens; neutrophils in infected tissue secrete proteins such as lactoferrin that chelate iron.
This immune strategy can be defeated by excessive iron intake. [My italics.]
Iron supplementation or elevated iron levels make tuberculosis far more severe.
Iron overload exacerbates some viral infections, including HIV and hepatitis C.
Blood iron levels predict mortality in people with HIV infection–the higher the ferritin, transferritin, and other iron markers, the higher the mortality rate.
People with hemochromatosis, an iron overload disorder, have more infections.
Iron deficiency, meanwhile, is protective against many infections, including malaria.
For optimal immunity, then, it’s desirable to keep iron stores at low levels. To achieve that, most people should avoid iron supplementation and give blood regularly. [My italics.]
I need some advice. I started on the PHD in November. I’ve been on Prevacid for the past 2 years, before that I was on a number of OTC acid-reducers (Rolaids, Tums, then Pepcid with Cal/mag) since the 80’s. I’m 53.
I inadvertently skipped a dose or two of my Prevacid once I started the diet and found I did not need it! But over a few days time the heartburn started coming back. So I started taking Prevacid every third day. I found this did not help at all, so I just quit it altogether. I’ve had a tender place in my esophagus for a long time. While on Prevacid, I didn’t notice it that much and had no problem with food getting stuck. I still can’t swallow pills bigger than Levothyroxine (the other pill I am still on.) It’s tiny.
I’ve been off Prevacid altogether for about 2 weeks now and have had rebound hyper-acidity which has made life kinda miserable. I’ve decided not to give in and restart this medicine, which I think is harmful to say the least, and instead tweak my diet, which is what I should have done to start with!
I am still finding that I do not digest the proteins and fats very well at all. I am constipated too, and taking Mag. Citrate 400mg per day. I am finding that I have to fast at least one meal per day, sometimes two, because the food I eat just sits in my stomach.
I am adjusting gradually to this lifestyle and I am incorporating as many of the concepts as I can handle. I’m probably not eating enough vegetables, and I am certainly eating much more meat than I ever have before. I don’t really like meat that much, to be honest.
I would appreciate any feedback or advice. Thanks!
A few more things: I didn’t mention that I have a family history of Polycystic Kidney disease (my dad, his brother and their dad, also my oldest sister and several of her kids have been diagnosed with it – I have not, but then I haven’t had a kidney ultrasound.) So I am wondering if that might be the reason I am having so much problem with all the protein? Before this diet, I was a carboholic. I constantly ate chips and sweets all day long. Any “real” meals came out of a box or at the drive-up. So this is a major change for me. I’ve lost about 13 pounds already.
I didn’t make clear that I am once again having trouble with food slowing down, sometimes getting stuck a few moments, at that tender spot in my esophagus now that I am off Prevacid.
To make matters worse, I lost my insurance this year. So naturally I am now having more health problems that require doctor’s visits and labs, whereas before it was just a once a year physicals.
Hi Paul,
I have two 13 years old twin daughters and they have acnes on their faces even I thought we have been eating healthy. One thing I did learned just 2 months ago is that grains or carb/sugar are bad. So we started to eliminate this from our diet. It is not difficult since I was from Taiwan so we eat rice most very meal. Still, it has been kind of frustrated to them and me that they need to constantly watch what they eat in order not to have acnes (still they do have) and tother teenagers eat whatever junk foods and drinks, but have smooth face. Can I ask you what would be the ideal 3 meals and portions that I can feed them? Also, what supplements would you recommend? I am very health conscious and they are taking fish oil, coconut oil, DIM, probiotics, oil cleansing, clay, epsom salt bath. But still every month, the acnes would flair up because the hormone fluctuations. Thanks, Faith
Hi Paul,
I have 13 years old twin daughters and they have acnes on their face even though I thought we have been eating healthy. I did just learn that grains , carb/sugar are bad 2 months ago and try to eliminate these from our diet. Since I was from Taiwan and we eat rice most of meal, the eliminations are not hard on us. I am very health conscious and they have fish oil, probiotics, DIM, vitamin D, clay and epsom salt bath, oil cleansing for acnes problem, but still it does not go away. Each month, the acnes would flair up due to hormone fluctuations. I and they are kind of frustrated to see that other teenagers would eat whatever junk foods and drinks and still have smooth face. Would you please show me how to feed them 3 meals and portions of foods and recommend what supplements I could give them? I learned that acnes are due to hormones imbalance, sugar resistance, and gut problems. But how to come up with a diet plan and supplementation plan to nail this problem. Thanks, Faith
Hi Faith,
It’s OK to eat rice, that’s not the problem. Try having them eat liver 1/4 lb per week or supplement vitamin A 30,000 IU per week, plus eat lots of spinach, carrots, and sweet potatoes, optimize vitamin D through supplementation, supplement vitamin C a few grams per day, zinc 100 mg/week, iodine 225 mcg/day, and pantothenic acid 500 mg/day.
I am not sure the clay is beneficial, it might disturb gut flora. I would stop the DIM also, just eat vegetables, and stop the fish oil, just eat oily fish (salmon, sardines, herring, anchovies) once a week.
Also, they should exercise daily, get bright sunshine during the day, dim lights at night, regular sleep.
best, Paul
Hi Paul,
Thank you so much for the response. They saw a naturopath doctor a month ago and she put them on DIM, Saw Palmetto, liver cleanse, probiotic, fish oil, and indian herbs for digestion. I know DIM is to take the bad estrogen out of body but just not sure if this is good for their age even though the acnes might be due to hormones fluctuation. Since I am a breast cancer survivor, I have been very cautious about the foods and supplements we take. Each meal we have protein, either meat or sea food, veggies, rice, and good fats (coconut oil, animal fats, olive oil, ghee) I do not know what else I can do. I am suspecting maybe I have been giving them too much foods( or too much nutrients) that overburden their bodies to cause the acnes problems ( hormone or gut problems) How much they need to eat at each meal? Why do you not want them to take fish oil? Even though the doctor said it is to bring down the inflammation, for some reason I am suspecting the fish oil make the acnes worse so recently I stopped it. Still I am confused about fish oil, and do not know should we take it or not.
Can I also ask you I have difficulty staying asleep and usually wake up around 3 o’clock and can not go back to sleep? A lot of time I would wake up with digestion discomfort. (I am 48 years old and went through chemo 8 years ago. I also feel pretty moody in winter(I live in Michigan). The past 5 years I have been loosing a lot of hair. What can I do to improve my situation at this age if my life? Thank you for your help. Faith
Hi –
I’ve just finished reading the PHD book and found it fascinating.
I’ve been following a general low carb Paleo Diet for about 2 years but have not lost the weight that I need to lose, and my blood sugar and cholesterol is terrible.
My Background:
40 year old East Indian male, 5’11″ in height, 202 lbs, 38.5 inch waist
History of Type 2 Diabetes and metabolic syndrome — my father and his two brothers. Father died of hear attack at age 67.
I’ve been on a low carb diet for approximately two years.
Carb intake approximately 100 grams per day.
Recent Glucose Serum Fasting = 7.6, no A1C test because the lap forgot to take it, Total Cholesterol = 8.22, LDL 6.08, HDL = 1.36, Triglycerides = 1.71, TC/HDL-C Ration = 6, blood pressure 122/86 but am on blood pressure meds.
I have been exercising regularly and lifting weights using a SuperSlow method (Dr. McGuff’s method) of 5 weight lifting exercises once every 7 days. I do 45 minutes of walking every day and occasional running sprints.
My doctor agreed to give me 6 months to try one more time to bring my numbers in line through diet and exercise. He wants to put me on statins and probably glucose control meds.
In the PHD book it states in the section on Key Steps to Weight Loss that a diet of 500 carb calories, 300 protein calories and 500 fat calories is the minimum caloric intake consistent with proper nourishment.
This translates to 38% carb, 23% protein and 38% fat. Is that correct? It seemed odd to me that these percentages deviate so much from the normal PHD breakdown of 20 – 30% carb, 15% protein and 50 – 60% fat.
I need to lose weight and get my blood sugars and cholesterol levels down — what is the recommended % breakdown of PHD I should follow?
Thanks!
David
from memory,
the ‘missing’ fat % is coming from your bodies fat stores,
there is an oldish post on this here,
http://perfecthealthdiet.com/2011/02/perfect-health-diet-weight-loss-version/
some info has been superseded by the latest book.
Hi David,
First, being too low carb is a frequent cause of high cholesterol. See http://perfecthealthdiet.com/category/biomarkers/hdlldlcholesterol/
Another frequent cause is poor nutrition, especially iodine deficiency. So work on nutrition generally.
Eating 500 carb calories and 300 protein calories daily would be a good start, plus all of our supplemental foods and recommended supplements.
Best, Paul
Hi Paul,
I read your comments above. I’ve been following PHD for quite some time. I gain weight steadily eating 500 cal of carbs unless they are all from fruits and vegs. 300 cal of protein will cause me to be somewhat hungry.
I cannot seem to lose weight unless I severely cut down/eliminate grains and reduce total intake as well.
I have Hashimoto’s and my resting metabolism is about 1500 calories.
What would you recommend for losing weight in a healthy way?
Thank you!
Hi k,
I would focus on circadian rhythm entrainment (light optimization in both day and night, exercise, sleep, ambient temperature, social interactions, meal timing), intermittent fasting, and nutrition for the immune system (vitamins A, D, C, zinc, iodine; PHD supplemental foods).
Thanks, Paul! I read the other info in that link, and will increase my carbs to 60 grams per day and measure my post meal blood sugars. I think I’ll have to experiment with slowly increasing my carbs and see how my blood sugars react. I know that I just feel awful on 30 grams of carbs.
Thanks, Paul.
I do seem to sleep better if I get outside to set my cicadian clock.
I sleep in a cool room.
What do you mean about ambient temp? I keep my home about 65 degrees in the daytime unless the house heats up on its own in summer.
What distribution of protein/fat/carb and how many calories? Meal timing?
I already do IF.
I do active yoga 4x/week and I do Whole Body Vibration ~5x/week.
Social interaction?
Hi k,
You want to be exposed to warmer ambient temperatures in daytime than at night. If you can get your home into the 70s during the day and 65 at night, that would be great. You also want to concentrate social interactions in the daytime, and get sufficient social interactions each day.
any suggestions/recommendations for people living in hot climates with no air conditioning and ambient night temps above 65F…?
…i prefer to avoid air con…but i’m guessing that is the only option?
… and watch my nutrition too 🙂
Paul, what would you recommend for someone with symptoms of low serotonin? (ie. depression, anxiety, irritability etc).
I took SSRIs for quite a while but they worsened my health dramatically and I have been trying to recover ever since. I’m trying to figure out if supplements or dietary intervenetions will help me. I just ordered melatonin to help with my sleep (which is very poor since I came off the meds).
Forgot to mention – I have cut out grains and am still transitioning to a PHD way of eating, although I appear to have some problems with starches.
Hello Paul,
I just purchased and started reading PHD. I was surprised to read the part on cancer and how people with celiac are at high risk for lymphomas. 18 years ago my husband had stage 4 Hodgekins Disease (lymphoma). While in remission he never felt well. About 8 years ago he figured out for himself that he is wheat intolerant after many trips to the doctor and tests. He has been following a wheat free diet for all these years and feeling much better. After reading this section (and the link to the study) he will now eat gluten free …as well as the rest of the family. Thank you for your work and your book. We’ve never known diet to be related to the lymphoma. I wonder if he didn’t make these changes if he would still be alive today. Any input would be appreciated but just wanted to say thanks for your book.
Hi Elizabeth,
Yes, I was shocked when I saw that data too — it is like a 40-fold higher rate of lymphoma with celiac which is huge, you never see hazard ratios that high.
I would recommend eating lots of collagen and vitamin C to maintain gut barrier integrity, eating PHD, circadian rhythm entrainment, daily exercise, intermittent fasting, vitamin A and D and K2.
Thank you Paul!
Can you or anyone recommend a rice cooker? I would like to buy one for simplicity…I’ve been using the stovetop up until now. My main concern is unhealthy materials ..teflon, metals etc. Anyone suggest one??
RICE COOKER???
Can you or anyone recommend a rice cooker? I would like to buy one for simplicity…I’ve been using the stovetop up until now. My main concern is unhealthy materials ..teflon, metals etc. Anyone suggest one??
We had a Zojirushi for a long time but recently switched to a pressure cooker and like that.
Simply want to say your article is as surprising. The clearness to your put up is just
spectacular and i can assume you are knowledgeable in this subject.
Fine along with your permission let me to clutch your RSS feed to keep updated with impending post.
Thank you 1,000,000 and please keep up the enjoyable work.
Hi Paul and Shou-Ching,
Just writing to say that PHD has done wonderful things for me!
In addition to all of the diet and supplements, I saw a significant improvement in chronic fatigue and acne after addressing a parasitic infection that I found via Metametrix GI Effects. I will retest to be sure the parasite is gone, as well as certify the state of fungus/gut bacteria, but Metametrix was a big key.
I’ve been trying to focus on sleep for the past 2 years, but it’s only for the past 5 months after treating the parasite that I have finally seem some benefits.
As of late, I thought I had cured my insomnia – I was sleeping soundly through the night without any type of sleep aid for almost the past 5 months. My chronic fatigue was also getting better, though I was not 100%.
Anyway, I have deviated from my sleep schedule maybe 4 times to hang out with friends in the past 5 months. On these occasions, I happened to get exposure to bright light past when I normally go to sleep (normally I am in bed by 930-10 pm, and I might stay out until 11:30 pm – 12 am if I go out at all). This latest episode, I came back home at 1 AM because I had accompanied a pregnant friend to the hospital (good reason, right?). I have now observed a pattern, which is that these forays out past my bedtime resulted in insomnia/hypomania – I wake up, I don’t feel tired after only 5 hours of sleep, and my thoughts are harder than ever to calm down.
Melatonin helps in getting me back on track before, but it makes me groggy and seems to exacerbate my fatigue. I prefer to make it naturally, by using the special lightbulbs at night’special glasses. Thus, I believe I’m sensitive to a melatonin deficiency caused by bright lights at night, but maybe I cannot deal well with an excess in the form of melatonin supplements either? As I said, the other supplements I found to help tremendously were phosphatidyl serine (PS) and Seriphos (Phosphorylated Serine), to decrease my cortisol, but I am wary of being dependent on any pill to sleep. In my experience, relying on a pill to sleep doesn’t really calm you down and makes insomniacs more agitated.
Wikipedia says that my hypomania can sometimes be a sign of hyperthyroidism (I recently cut down on iodine from 1000 mcg to 250 mcg), B12 deficiency (I try to supplement as you recommend,500 mcg per week, plus liver and beef and shellfish a lot), and Wiki also said that lithium could help (though likely at greater doses than the half tablet that I have tried per your recommendations).
I just find it strange I can be so sensitive to bright lights after a certain hour and that they can make me swing so quickly out of my fatigue to chronic insomnia/overworked mentally. If your saying, “eat what ails you” is true – could it be I need to eat brain (a rich source of phosphatidyl serine)? Are you aware of any literature linking mania / melatonin deficiency or mania and infections? I’ve tried coconut oil fasting and both times ended up with diarrhea/feeling very sick (and also noticed you didn’t include it in the new edition of the book, though it is present in the old edition and old blog post).
Thank you for Paul, Shou-Ching, all for any and all advice
Thanks,
Miyo
Hello Paul
I put in a search for “post menopause” and found only one article relating to ” erp “, who was 76 in 2011 and couldnt lose weight prior to knee surgery. And that’s it. Do you have any other material on post menopause? In the last 24-30 months of menopause my weight shot up 20 kilos and no matter what I did, I couldnt stop it. It has now evened out and doesnt go up, doesnt go down. I DO have a herniated disc which means I can no longer speedwalk, just “lazy walk”. I live in a very hilly area so even lazy isn’t so lazy. But I need to lose that excess, which I’m carrying for 5 years now, and am totally stuck. Eating careful paleo a long time now, organic, blood tests all okay – and stuck. How can I connect with other women with this problem, or find more info? Conversely, what info would you need to see what I’m doing wrong [on a 1000/cal/day diet!] Thank you