Heartfelt thanks to so many of you for inquiring about the state of my heart and other health issues I’ve been facing this year.
In a nutshell:
- The nuclear stress test gave me the all clear on my heart. Everything thankfully, is great on that front.
- I’ve been working with my doctor to regulate my thyroid. We switched from a synthetic to a natural thyroid hormone and finally those levels have been brought into the normal range! The thinking now is the abnormal heartbeat was caused by low thyroid levels.
- Vitamin D levels are still ridiculously low, despite plenty of supplementation. I may be in for another mega dose winter, although I’m hopeful that normalized thyroid levels will help me to better absorb Vitamin D soon.
- Testosterone is too low for my naturopath but ‘on the low end of normal’ according to my GP. Jury’s still out on what to do about this one.
What am I doing differently?
- Chugging fish oil
- Vitamin B complex and folic acid supplements
I took both fish oil and B vitamins for years but had fallen out of the habit. Now I take significantly MORE fish oil than before and can tell a big difference. I was complaining of not being able to convert oxygen to energy during my runs and often felt unusually winded. Not any more when I get plenty of fish oil.
- Gluten and soy free. I’ve learned these are thyroid antagonists so have been cutting way back on intake. Still room for improvement though.
Overall, some great strides, and I’m feeling much better, but also a work in progress.
Which leads me to my next challenge:
The following is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Grain Brain.
I’ve read a lot about the effects of sugar on the body: inflammation, insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity, etc. but up ’til now, I never gave much thought to how sugar and carbs in general affect the brain.
Dr. David Perlmutter, MD, Neurologist and Author of Grain Brain, is a fellow of the American College of Nutrition and President of the Perlmutter Brain Foundation. He devised this 4-week plan to help us keep our brains healthy, vibrant and sharp.
According to Dr. Perlmutter, wheat, carbs and sugar are “silent killers of the brain”. Even so-called healthy carbs like whole grains can cause dementia, ADHD, epilepsy, chronic headaches and more.
Grain Brain is a fairly technical but very comprehensive and enlightening read. Dr. Perlmutter makes a compelling argument that whole grains and natural sugars are not as good for us as previously thought and that healthy fats and cholesterol have been getting a bad wrap. Most Americans consume less than 25% of the recommended amounts of healthy fats and as a result, vitamins like A, D, E and K are not being absorbed.
The Grain Brain Challenge has 3 basic parts: diet, exercise and sleep. The book contains detailed recommendations for all three.
The Challenge: I’m embarking on a 30-day plan where I will remove from my diet:
- Gluten
- Soy
- Processed carbs
- Refined sugars
My diet will include:
- Healthy fats
- Herbs and seasonings
- Low-sugar fruit like avocado, bell peppers, cucumber, tomato, squash, pumpkin, lemons, limes
- Protein like eggs, fish, grass-fed meat, poultry and pork
- Vegetables
In moderation:
- Non-gluten grains like amaranth, buckwheat, rice, quinoa, millet
- Legumes like beans, peas and lentils
- Stevia and dark chocolate
- Wine (one glass a day)
- Whole sweet fruit like berries, apricots, mangos, pineapple
Supplements:
- Alpha-lipoic acid
- Coconut oil
- DHA derived from fish, fish oil or algae
- Probiotic
- Resveratrol
- Turmeric
- Vitamin D
The challenge will start on Sunday with a day-long fast (water only).
Why I’m doing this:
- Overall, this isn’t too far off from the lifestyle recommended by my doctor and naturopath. I’m already seeing the immense benefits of fish oil, exercise and sufficient sleep.
- Being gluten and soy-free are crucial to thyroid health. This is something I’m already working on so the challenge will hold my feet to the fire.
- I am a sugar hound. While I’d love to be one of those people who refuses cake without batting an eye at birthday parties, that is not me. I’m the one baking sleepover brownies when my kids have their friends over. This week I’ve been weaning myself off of sweets. There are no more afternoon cookies or after-dinner treats and surprisingly, it’s going well.
- I have support. The Caveman got his name because he follows a Paleo diet, which is quite similar to this one. He’s been off of grains, dairy and sugar for years.
- I don’t have any important races coming up so it’s a good time to mess with fueling, etc. I’ve always struggled with running in a carb depleted state.
For me the biggest challenge will be planning my meals so I eat the ‘right’ things without craving the ‘wrong’ ones. Let the record show, our annual Halloween party is tomorrow. That will be my last hurrah until Thanksgiving. I am excited to see how this goes.
Do you have a diet similar to this one? Do you find it controversial?
Good luck!! It’s definitely easier that your husband is a paleo eater, and that there are no races on your schedule. I’ll be joining you for the most part, although the week of the marathon will include some carbs!
Well…I already spewed off over on Laura’s blog today about this book, but here I go again! The thing I don’t like about this book, it’s title and subtitle is the continued bashing on grains. Many, many people can handle grains and the better message is to get away from the processed crap. I am sitting here eating an egg sandwich on Ezekiel sesame bread and it not only tastes great, but it’s good for me, too. This doc, however, would beg to differ, even though my body feels great on this food. I do like that he suggests more healthy fats in our diets–we need to rethink fats b/c the last food trend/craze was low fat (before grain bashing). I’m also not a fan of anyone who makes blanket statements about what supplements people should take. Unless my bloodwork says I’m missing something, I’m not going to supplement with pills.
Yes, I do feel a bit strongly about it but really I just think the whole anti-grain message is starting to get out of control!
So glad that you got the all-clear on your heart! Yay for your very healthful food selection! I think it is going to make a world of difference for you. I have been considering trying to go Paleo but haven’t had the courage to pull the trigger on it 100% yet. I’ve heard fantastic things about it from those who do it, though, and the science behind it does make sense. Can’t wait to hear how things progress for you in the coming months!
I totally get why you are trying new things – I’ve always said that our diet works for us but the point that any of the 4 of us start having issues we will make changes to try and correct things.
And – at first I looked at your new plan and thought there would be no way I could follow it but then I saw the daily glass of wine – all is good!!!
I follow a fairly Paleo diet, though I go off that here and there. It hasn’t been too difficult, and while I haven’t noticed feeling better I haven’t felt worse either and I’m eating way more veggies and far less processed food.
Good luck!
I certainly believe that we should eat a diet as close to the natural product as possible most of the time. And I was told by a gastroenterologist that a lot of people can’t process too much gluten so I’ve taken steps to reduce my intake there with a lot of success. But I’m loathe to cut all gluten out of my diet or all dairy for that matter. I still like to think that balance is the way to go.
My husband is primarily grain free, I find it difficult to maintain a fully GF diet with kids tho. How are you doing on your new thyroid meds? I am unable to take the natural form and I keep having to up the synthetic… I’m up to 112 mcg it seems like a lot to me for my age, but I just don’t feel good without it. I just seem to have to jump up my dosage every time time I go to the dr.
I am so glad to hear your ticker is fine. You must have been so scared with all those tests. It is a delight to read your super proactive approach to eating what works for you. I have honed my diet for years to battle Crohn’, and some of what I do is opposite of what the AND outlines in their NCM – but it works for me. I hope this post inspires others who’s health is suffering, so they can see dietary changes for great health is a necessity and works!
Good luck on your diet, I hope it works very soon.
I am so lucky not to follow a diet. My weakness? Coca Cola.
Good luck with the challenge! I’m glad you are feeling better and are doing things that are making you feel healthier!
This is interesting. I have hard time with sweets too but always feel so much better when I cut them out of my diet. I will have to look into fish oil too:) Thanks for the info!
SO HAPPY you are getting answers for your health!!!
As for the diet – I just can’t do these diets & all the other ones on there on IG & blogs – I need balance in my life & as healthy as I eat, I still eat my breads & treats & yes, sugar grams.. I am not happy with such a strict diet so they don’t work for me – learned my lesson years ago when I denied myself. I have no probs with others doing it,. just not for me.
So glad you’re getting some info that makes sense and seeing results with changes! Let me know if you want some recipes. I am happy to help 🙂