most recent 30 from http://paleohacks.com 2013-06-20T02:32:09Z http://paleohacks.com/feeds/user/2007 http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://paleohacks.com/questions/196174/paleohacks-podcast-your-questions-wanted-paul-jaminet/196252#196252 Harfatum 2013-05-18T07:44:54Z 2013-05-18T07:44:54Z

<p>Two questions!</p> <ol> <li><p>Any ideas or speculation on possible root causes behind "essential" hypertension?</p></li> <li><p>I've been afflicted with excess stomach gas for a few years. It's bad enough that after a meal, I can't sleep for a few hours due to the bloating and belching. I've started taking Interfase Plus, mastic gum, and sometimes turmeric in case it was pylori, but I don't see much if any benefit after a week of it. Any ideas on other things I could look into?</p></li> </ol>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/148092/sorry-another-poo-question-plus-i-got-roids/148211#148211 Harfatum 2012-09-09T20:23:01Z 2012-09-09T20:23:01Z

<p>Try changing the way you sit on the toilet. Some people do better with squatting. Some do better with regular sitting. My 'roids are virtually gone now that I've started sitting.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/142188/for-those-of-you-with-hypoglycemia-what-are-your-s-for-fat-carbs-protein-intake/142234#142234 Harfatum 2012-08-12T04:38:59Z 2012-08-12T04:38:59Z

<p>I don't have severe hypoglycemia but I do notice it from time to time. It was a quite common thing for me before paleo and I even used to carry sugar packets with me sometimes, but now it is quite rare. I'm not chained to food and I usually eat two or three times a day. I have found that as long as I don't make any meal primarily carbs (besides small snacks like fruit) then I very rarely become hypoglycemic. I would estimate that I eat 25% carbohydrate, 30% protein, 45% fat but it varies a lot. Today was high-carb for example, but mostly from fruit, and I have been OK.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/137998/best-possible-diet-exercise-and-lifestyle-regime-for-hypertension/138017#138017 Harfatum 2012-07-25T01:50:37Z 2012-08-04T23:55:05Z

<p>I am also a guy who had too-high blood pressure at a healthy weight and a relatively young age. It started around age 26 and 165 lbs for me. Paleo and exercise have helped some, but not a ton. Or rather, there have been times when it was enough to keep me in the healthy range, but then it stopped being enough. Why, I can't say - maybe stress? I moved around that time. Maybe something else. It is interesting to me that yours is lower in the morning, because mine is always normal or near to it in the AM - 120/70 or thereabouts is most common. Later in the day it is more common for me to be in the low 130s when I first sit down, and then it generally lowers to 120s after a while. When I am very nervous and agitated it can spike to 160 but this is quite rare. Diastolic has been good since I have gotten on supplements.</p> <p>In any case, I think that garlic and CoQ-10 have made the biggest difference for me. (I estimate this to be near 10 points both diastolic and systolic). Hawthorn extract and hibiscus tea have also been shown to help. I believe that limiting caffeine is helpful but I can't speak definitively on that yet. I am interested to see how this thread goes, because I want to continue to manage my own blood pressure.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/140552/is-saturated-fat-bad-for-my-liver/140558#140558 Harfatum 2012-08-04T03:00:17Z 2012-08-04T03:00:17Z

<p>Have you read the "liver saving saturated fats" link right up above your question there?</p> <p>In case it goes away, here it is:</p> <p><a href="http://principleintopractice.com/2012/08/02/liver-saving-saturated-fats/" rel="nofollow">http://principleintopractice.com/2012/08/02/liver-saving-saturated-fats/</a></p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/139573/left-bicep-more-pronounced-than-right/139599#139599 Harfatum 2012-07-31T16:58:07Z 2012-07-31T16:58:07Z

<p>I also have a larger left bicep, despite being right-handed and working both sides on all lifting movements. In fact, for movements where the arms are worked independently like DB rows, my right arm is slightly stronger. My right leg is both slightly stronger and larger than my left, so this isn't a full-body thing either.</p> <p>I have asked some more experienced lifters about this and they just advise to keep moving and that differences will tend to become less significant as one lifts heavier weights with both sides.</p> <p>Failing that, you could do some more focused bodybuilding-style training for areas you'd like to grow.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/139411/blood-in-stool-diet-too-anti-inflammatory/139420#139420 Harfatum 2012-07-30T20:11:40Z 2012-07-30T20:11:40Z

<p>Have you eaten beets recently? Or any other very dark red vegetables/fruits?</p> <p>If not, you'd better get to a doc.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/138975/sister-on-psuedo-paleo-diet-extremely-high-bp/138985#138985 Harfatum 2012-07-28T19:35:09Z 2012-07-28T19:35:09Z

<p>See this recent question - there are some very informative answers there. She'll probably need to start a few supplements, as well as make some lifestyle changes.</p> <p><a href="http://paleohacks.com/questions/137998/best-possible-diet-exercise-and-lifestyle-regime-for-hypertension#axzz21bdPviRo" rel="nofollow">http://paleohacks.com/questions/137998/best-possible-diet-exercise-and-lifestyle-regime-for-hypertension#axzz21bdPviRo</a></p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/138880/help-me-hack-my-mothers-blood-work-results-her-doc-is-on-a-mission-to-get-her-b/138884#138884 Harfatum 2012-07-28T04:34:55Z 2012-07-28T04:34:55Z

<p>Her lipids are decent. HDL could be higher and Trigs could be lower, but there's really not much to worry about there. Total cholesterol and mortality tend to have a somewhat weak U-curve relationship, with highest mortality at very low levels, and elevated mortality at levels above 250 or so. But as we know, there's much more to a lipid profile than just total cholesterol. Although that test wasn't a "good" test like LipoProfile, we still have enough information to believe that she's doing all right.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/75402/anyone-able-to-make-pho-work-with-paleo/138019#138019 Harfatum 2012-07-25T01:54:33Z 2012-07-25T01:54:33Z

<p>There's not too much non-paleo about Pho. My local Asian market sells radish sprouts, those are a good garnish instead of soy sprouts (Mung bean sprouts are also common and less of a concern). I just use rice noodles but there's nothing wrong with zucchini noodles or whatever substitute you like.</p> <p>I like this recipe, but use extra meat. </p> <p><a href="http://www.consumedgourmet.com/2011/05/pho.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.consumedgourmet.com/2011/05/pho.html</a></p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/137266/cook-boyfriend-dismisses-paleo-and-refuses-to-leave-my-food-decisions-alone-i-ha/137278#137278 Harfatum 2012-07-22T05:15:38Z 2012-07-22T05:15:38Z

<p>As someone who is allergic to soy and peanuts, and DOES react to the supposedly "safe" oils.... he is endangering your life! Leave without a second thought. This is abuse.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/136757/great-lakes-gelatin-how-do-you-incorporate-it-into-your-diet-aside-from-drinkin/136791#136791 Harfatum 2012-07-20T02:30:50Z 2012-07-20T02:30:50Z

<p>I love gummi bears, but the ones in the store are unhealthy because they have waaaay too much sugar. I have made my own with lots of gelatin, tea as flavoring, and just a bit of sugar. It was not bad, and I bet with practice it could be good.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/123762/to-all-you-boston-folk-out-there/135392#135392 Harfatum 2012-07-15T03:32:39Z 2012-07-15T03:32:39Z

<p>I'm interested. I am in Somerville.</p> <p>Grass-fed beef around here is EXPENSIVE.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/128443/paleo-alternative-to-roasted-barley-tea Harfatum 2012-06-17T18:11:16Z 2012-07-02T17:58:02Z

<p>Before Paleo, I was introduced to barley tea by a foreign exchange student my family hosted. It's basically just roasted whole barley, steeped like tea. Served iced, it's really nice - it kind of tastes like weak coffee without the bitterness or caffeine. Very refreshing.</p> <p>Does anyone have any preferred alternatives to it? I know that it may not be necessary to go to that level of grain avoidance, but at the very least it would be helpful for the gluten-sensitive.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/131950/testicular-varicocele/131957#131957 Harfatum 2012-07-02T03:00:12Z 2012-07-02T03:00:12Z

<p>I don't think this is really a paleo-related question. But I had/have one. It's not harming function so I just ignore it and get an ultrasound every few years.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/129970/who-had-started-paleo-for-non-weight-loss-reasons/130533#130533 Harfatum 2012-06-26T00:47:14Z 2012-06-26T00:47:14Z

<p>I started to get healthy, but the primary precipitator of that decision was my blood pressure, which was becoming too high at 26 and a healthy weight.</p> <p>Unfortunately, paleo/primal has not helped with blood pressure as much as I would like, and I am still on supplements (CoQ-10, garlic) to keep it normal. It has helped with some other things though, like heartburn.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/128799/need-help-with-insulin-resistance-as-a-result-of-my-low-carb-vlc-diet-anything-c/128821#128821 Harfatum 2012-06-19T02:05:12Z 2012-06-19T02:05:12Z

<p>Insulin resistance is a <a href="http://high-fat-nutrition.blogspot.com/search/label/Physiological%20insulin%20resistance%20%281%29" rel="nofollow">normal consquence of eating VLC</a> and is probably not much of a concern.</p> <p>It's only an issue if, after reintroducing carbs (slowly, giving your body a few days to adapt), you remain insulin resistant.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/128226/why-has-my-heart-started-beating-quicker-and-harder-while-resting/128274#128274 Harfatum 2012-06-16T20:38:03Z 2012-06-16T20:38:03Z

<p>If you increase your fat intake drastically, I believe that you may experience faster heart rate as the heart runs on fat.</p> <p>But of course, don't screw around with heart issues.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/126040/yikes-total-cholesterol-over-300/126539#126539 Harfatum 2012-06-09T16:10:01Z 2012-06-09T16:10:01Z

<p>You could look into if there might be an underlying cause to the high TC numbers, like thyroid:</p> <p><a href="http://chriskresser.com/chris-masterjohn-on-cholesterol-and-heart-disease-part-3" rel="nofollow">http://chriskresser.com/chris-masterjohn-on-cholesterol-and-heart-disease-part-3</a></p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/124018/how-fast-does-improving-omega-63-ratios-take-to-work/124040#124040 Harfatum 2012-05-31T14:19:28Z 2012-05-31T14:19:28Z

<p>In rats, about a year: <a href="http://www.westonaprice.org/blogs/cmasterjohn/2012/05/17/ajcn-publishes-a-new-pufa-study-that-should-make-us-long-for-the-old-days/" rel="nofollow">http://www.westonaprice.org/blogs/cmasterjohn/2012/05/17/ajcn-publishes-a-new-pufa-study-that-should-make-us-long-for-the-old-days/</a></p> <p>So, it's reasonable to believe that it takes at least as long for the process to be mostly complete in humans.</p> <p>I believe effects of the omega-3s on blood lipids, etc. show up sooner, though.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/123509/office-job-weight-lifter-cant-get-rid-of-spare-tire/123535#123535 Harfatum 2012-05-29T21:15:30Z 2012-05-29T21:15:30Z

<p><a href="http://swole.me/" rel="nofollow">http://swole.me/</a> generates diets to fit whatever macro ratios and calorie amount you like. It even has a Paleo option.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/122507/dow-creates-gluten-replacement-what-will-be-the-impact/122524#122524 Harfatum 2012-05-26T04:03:46Z 2012-05-26T04:03:46Z

<p>This is basically making gluten-free have better structure due to sawdust.</p> <p>Sawdust isn't probably terribly harmful, so this would be better than gluten, quite probably. Especially for celiacs. Now, if they've done some awful things to that sawdust it could be bad, but I think this could possibly be worth trying.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/118205/has-anybody-done-a-detox-using-aloe-vera/121643#121643 Harfatum 2012-05-23T03:59:29Z 2012-05-23T03:59:29Z

<p>There's no reason to believe that it would cause you to purge some sort of toxins. "Toxins" as a term is useless unless you can actually name some of the toxins and why they are toxic. </p> <p>Use it if you like it and it doesn't cause any symptoms, but don't think that it's going to have any particularly positive health outcome.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/117811/cholesterol-what-me-worry/117873#117873 Harfatum 2012-05-07T22:16:09Z 2012-05-07T22:16:09Z

<p>Oxidized LDL is probably the major culprit in atherosclerosis. If you have a huge LDL pool, it's more likely that more of it will become oxidized. This is possibly due to things like endothelial injury, low LDL receptor activity, recent body fat loss, or some people have a hypercholesterolemic reaction to certain fat balances as well. LDL particle number (high) and particle size (small) are measurements that correlate with high oxLDL.</p> <p>If your LDL is high even in itself, it's worth looking into the cause. It could be more benign or be a concern.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/117137/i-dont-know-what-to-do-help-teeth-issues/117212#117212 Harfatum 2012-05-05T02:19:43Z 2012-05-05T02:19:43Z

<p>Plenty of good advice here. If things are getting bad, then of course have it looked at by a dentist.</p> <p>But I have found that MI Paste has been very helpful with reducing sensitivity. It has been shown to help remineralize teeth, so give it a shot. I put it on when I shower and spit it out when I'm done.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/117176/paleo-guru-credibility-jack-kruse-suspended-by-neurosurgery-organization/117199#117199 Harfatum 2012-05-05T01:24:11Z 2012-05-05T01:24:11Z

<p>He doesn't speak for paleo. No one can speak for the whole community or claim to own the idea of eating and living more in accordance with our ancestral and genetic composition.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/116535/please-hack-my-cholesterol-results/116702#116702 Harfatum 2012-05-03T00:22:08Z 2012-05-03T00:22:08Z

<p>Your numbers are quite decent, and not high at all. Epidemiologically, mortality is lowest in the 220-230 range (although total cholesterol alone is a rather weak predictor). Your total-to-HDL is pretty good but could still be improved. You don't know particle size, which might be worth having checked next time with a test like Berkeley, NMR LipoProfile, or VAP.</p> <p>You really have very little to worry about based on those numbers, although you may try reducing dairy fat or fructose if you are concerned.</p> <p>In fact, other than slightly lower numbers, you and I have very similar results. My TC is about 30 points higher, but the ratios are all the same. I personally am exploring whether mild hypothyroid might be happening in my case, but that's due to some other symptoms and family history so it probably doesn't apply to you.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/104671/what-do-you-buy-from-iherb/115792#115792 Harfatum 2012-04-29T22:46:05Z 2012-04-29T22:46:05Z

<p>I used to buy the coconut aminos. But they stopped selling them, and local stores started. Then, when I bought hibiscus flowers from them, they were intercropped with peanuts and I had a reaction - despite the fact that the website did not say anything about this. I don't buy from them anymore.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/115327/the-cholesterol-poll/115411#115411 Harfatum 2012-04-28T06:44:00Z 2012-04-28T06:44:00Z

<ol> <li><p>Probably? I don't have numbers from before, but TC was recently measured at 253, HDL 61, Trigs 96, LDL calculated at 173 (I'm getting a VAP in a couple weeks).</p></li> <li><p>No, a fair amount of dairy. I also have rice occasionally, maybe once or twice a week. </p></li> <li><p>I don't cheat much. I never have the really bad stuff like deep-fried food. When I do cheat, it's usually an organic rice-flour pizza or green tea ice cream.</p></li> <li><p>Haven't measured in a while. I estimate it's 20% carb, 30% protein, 50% fat.</p></li> <li><p>Yes, a decent amount of veggies.</p></li> <li><p>Yes, one to three pieces of fruit most days.</p></li> <li><p>No, although my blood pressure was bordering on hypertensive before paleo and still isn't quite normal.</p></li> <li><p>Been paleo for a year and a half, since 10/10. I was eating "healthy SAD", lots of grains, fruits, and veggies and low meat/fat.</p></li> <li><p>28/M</p></li> <li><p>I lift for about three hours each week and occasionally do cardio.</p></li> <li><p>Sometimes I do IF, but not regularly. More commonly I will go until the early afternoon on only a couple fruits, if I'm not particularly hungry. I find the sugar helps keep me mentally energized in my programming job.</p></li> </ol>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/114624/just-starting-on-the-paleo-diet-wife-having-problems-with-nausea-and-low-energy/114663#114663 Harfatum 2012-04-25T15:30:54Z 2012-04-25T15:30:54Z

<p>Paleo and very-low-carb are two independent things. Any major dietary adjustment can cause temporary issues, and you're doing two at once. Try going paleo but making sure you eat at least a sweet potato or two every day. Low-carb is a worthwhile experiment, and many people feel better on it, but take this one step at a time in my opinion. You can then ease into it later if you want.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/5698/jan-kwasniewski-optimal-diet/56823#56823 Harfatum 2013-05-22T22:57:12Z 2013-05-22T22:57:12Z

Why only consider Inuit and Masai? They demonstrate that such ratios are possible, but do not give evidence for them being ideal in any sense.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/165184/helicobacter-pylori-treatment-the-paleo-way/165186#165186 Harfatum 2013-04-23T19:54:35Z 2013-04-23T19:54:35Z

Why is mastic gum bad for SIBO?

http://paleohacks.com/questions/169577/are-eggs-bad-for-you-if-you-have-hepatitis-liver-disease/183926#183926 Harfatum 2013-04-18T23:24:47Z 2013-04-18T23:24:47Z

limit fructose more than other carbs, as it is processed almost exclusively by the liver

http://paleohacks.com/questions/186584/is-chipotle-becoming-paleo-friendly/186589#186589 Harfatum 2013-03-20T18:44:46Z 2013-03-20T18:44:46Z

That's just for the fryer though - I doubt many of us will be ordering deep-fried anything there. Rice bran is an improvement over soy, especially for people like me who are allergic.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/19187/buying-grass-fed-beef-online/24138#24138 Harfatum 2012-10-25T02:32:10Z 2012-10-25T02:32:10Z

They are not bad, and if you can catch a nice coupon code they are not too pricey. Flavorwise, though, they seem unimpressive compared to some other grass-fed beeves I've had.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/51776/how-much-canned-fish-is-bad-for-you/51831#51831 Harfatum 2012-09-18T21:13:54Z 2012-09-18T21:13:54Z

Aluminum is not &quot;just as toxic&quot;! I'd rather take in less of it than more, but it's everywhere and there's got to be some level of adaptation to it - at least the more common and less bioavailable formes.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/142607/egg-yolk-consumption-increases-atherosclerosis-risk-and-plaque-build-up/142612#142612 Harfatum 2012-08-14T17:47:44Z 2012-08-14T17:47:44Z

&quot;I don't like this, and am going to ignore it&quot; would also be thoughts, but not useful to anyone who wants to understand the issue. Jamie's answer is closer to what I'd hope we're looking for here.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/142607/egg-yolk-consumption-increases-atherosclerosis-risk-and-plaque-build-up/142612#142612 Harfatum 2012-08-14T14:29:19Z 2012-08-14T14:29:19Z

I agree with this, but it is not an answer.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/137998/best-possible-diet-exercise-and-lifestyle-regime-for-hypertension/138047#138047 Harfatum 2012-08-04T23:56:45Z 2012-08-04T23:56:45Z

How did you know which tests to get, etc?

http://paleohacks.com/questions/137998/best-possible-diet-exercise-and-lifestyle-regime-for-hypertension/138047#138047 Harfatum 2012-07-25T16:57:55Z 2012-07-25T16:57:55Z

How do you measure the BP? Like, for me, my first number after sitting is often in the 130s or higher, but it drops to low 120s after a few minutes. I think doctors usually take the lower numbers, but I'm curious what the ones you gave are measuring.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/137998/best-possible-diet-exercise-and-lifestyle-regime-for-hypertension/138047#138047 Harfatum 2012-07-25T16:54:43Z 2012-07-25T16:54:43Z

The one tricky thing for me - I've gotten small hives when I had grapeseed oil on my skin before. Not sure if I can take the supplement....

http://paleohacks.com/questions/137998/best-possible-diet-exercise-and-lifestyle-regime-for-hypertension/138017#138017 Harfatum 2012-07-25T16:51:34Z 2012-07-25T16:51:34Z

I personally saw some results after a month on CoQ-10.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/137998/best-possible-diet-exercise-and-lifestyle-regime-for-hypertension/138047#138047 Harfatum 2012-07-25T06:06:59Z 2012-07-25T06:06:59Z

Wow, thanks for this. It may be what I need to get my own blood pressure down to &quot;normal&quot; most of the time.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/128799/need-help-with-insulin-resistance-as-a-result-of-my-low-carb-vlc-diet-anything-c/128821#128821 Harfatum 2012-06-19T17:36:22Z 2012-06-19T17:36:22Z

Ah, yep. I was thinking about some of the newer ones too, grabbed the wrong link from my history. Thanks JayJay.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/128443/paleo-alternative-to-roasted-barley-tea Harfatum 2012-06-17T18:50:22Z 2012-06-17T18:50:22Z

The student was Japanese, but I think it's basically the same as boricha.