User lady_arwen - PaleoHacks.com

Have you reduced the amount of dental x-rays due to possible tumor risk?

2012-05-18T16:00:57Z

I realize this is a possible correlation but it's still a bit disturbing.

http://articles.boston.com/2012-04-10/lifestyle/31319572_1_x-rays-tumor-risk-radiation-exposure

My husband had cavities about 20 years ago, has had his wisdom teeth removed, had braces in the teens, but hasn't had any cavities in the last 10 years.

I've never had a cavity or braces, but have only 1 wisdom tooth left (the other were removed but I chose to keep the last one due to it being close to a nerve).

We've been drinking fluoride-free water for 4 years.

We alternate between non-fluoride Tom's of Maine and Tropical Traditions toothpaste brushing with the Sonicare electric brush twice daily, use Tom's of Maine mouthwash twice daily, and floss daily.

Our dentist thinks are teeth are great.

How frequently do you have dental x-rays or would you recommend them?

Thanks.

Anyone have bone density Z-score and/or T-score improve with Paleo? Anyone with osteoporosis improve with Paleo?

2012-05-18T15:40:04Z

My mother has osteoporosis, Vitamin D deficiency, and fibrous dysplasia and is in her 60's. She has fractured multiple bones in the past. She only recently went Paleo with raw dairy, Vitamin D supplementation, and Carlson Cod Liver Oil, etc.

Wolf has a testimonial for osteopenia (less severe than osteoporosis) from a 43 year old improving with Paleo but no numbers for specifics. http://robbwolf.com/2012/05/14/reversing-irreversible/

I was curious what hope there was for her.

Thanks.

Do X-rays in airport security disrupt, change, damage or dilute supplements or vitamins?

2012-01-11T15:51:35Z

I was curious if multivitamins, fish oil capsules (including fermented), probiotics, Vitamin C, multiminerals, Vitamin D, kelp, magnesium are affected by the airport security X-rays?

Which ones are least likely to change by the x-rays - and better to take?

Which ones are best not taken because of too much damage?

Is it better to carry them in checked or hand luggage?

The reason I ask because years ago I took a live oral salmonella vaccine and I had to have a doctor's note with an ice pack to carry it on the plane. TSA visually inspected but no X-ray as it would have damaged the vaccine. I'm thinking the same thing might happen to probiotics, and possibly other supplements?

Thanks!

Have you been mycotoxined (mold/yeast effects)?

2012-05-04T15:00:05Z

This explains my varying response to kale chips, chocolate, coffee/tea, coconut oil, nuts, coconut cream, and cheese - sometimes I'm fine and other times I get nausea, loose stool, diarrhea, gas, and/or abdominal pain. I've also had a bad response to all yeast which are members of the mold family- including the so-called "probiotic," Saccharomyces cerevisiae often added to vitamins, probiotics, baking, brewing, and even kale chips! Nobody ever figured it out until David Asprey discussed this with me so if this sounds familiar you might be mycotoxined! I don't have any issues to raw milk, any butter/ghee/ heavy cream so it's not a dairy or casein issue.

Molds are implicated in some: cancer, liver damage, moodiness, diarrhea, diabetes, kidney disease, stopping detox, etc.

About 30% of the population, nearly 1/3 are sensitive to molds also called mycotoxins members of the fungus group. Mushrooms are a fungus and should be avoided until allergy symptoms are resolved. Anyone with allergies should avoid mold until their gut heals.

At Paleo FX 12 in Austin many told me Nutiva and Artisana (in glass jars) at make reliable coconut oils without mold but in any coconut oil if you find you have a response - throw it away!

Mold can be found in:

coconut oil

chocolate (keep refrigerated, and once opened eat within 2 weeks)

fruit, especially DRIED fruits (raisins, figs), berries (FROZEN organic is a good substitute), grapes, apples (bruised, discolored, damaged fruit are also suspicious)

most coffee (only very pricey coffee tends to be free of mold, and decaf has more mold then regular)

tea (especially individual teabags)

nuts, apple cider vinegar, and maple syrup (refrigerate or you might have an allergy to aflatoxin, the mold that grows on it)

spices especially from tropical countries like Asia/Latin America (use within 6 months - don't use old spices)

ALL grains and legumes/beans (ANOTHER REASON TO GO PALEO!) like corn, oats, rye, wheat, barley, sorghum, millet, rice (use within 6 months)

wine and beer - yeasts used

kombucha (fermented drink), sake (fermented rice alcohol) - yeasts used

breads (yeasts are used, and they are from the fungus family)

cheeses (especially blue cheese - the blue is mold)

potatoes - watch for toxic green spots.

Some good resources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycotoxin

Great powerpoint http://www.asprey.net/mold/

article: http://www.bulletproofexec.com/mycotoxins-in-america/

Some good info in the chart: http://www.mold-help.org/content/view/455/%20

60 min video http://vimeo.com/26421404

Plastic Bottled Spring Water or Fluorinated/ChlorinatedTap Water in Glass? Pick your poison?

2013-01-21T20:19:25Z

When you eat out do you prefer bottled water in plastic (glass is rare and expensive) or tap water with fluoride/chlorine etc.?

I believe iodine can detoxify fluoride and chlorine according to Dr. David Brownstein, MD so I believe tap water to be a better option since I consume a decent amount of sea veggies.

http://chriskresser.com/how-plastic-food-containers-could-be-making-you-fat-infertile-and-sick Plastic has endocrine disruptors that could disrupt hormones>

How plastic food containers could be making you fat, infertile and sick

We’ve known for decades that BPA has estrogenic activity. In vivo animal studies and in vitro cell-culture research has linked low-level estrogenic activity associated with BPA exposure to all kinds of fun stuff, like diabetes, ADHD, heart disease, infertility and cancer.

There is now significant evidence suggesting that even low levels of BPA-exposure can cause harm, and this is particularly true in vulnerable populations like pregnant women, infants and the chronically ill. (1)

Because of this research, and the growing public awareness that BPA should be avoided, a new crop of “BPA-free” plastic food containers and baby bottles has been introduced. However, a recent study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives in July has shown that even BPA-free plastics have chemicals with estrogenic activity (EA), and can cause serious health problems as a result. (2)

What is “estrogenic activity” (EA)?

Chemicals with estrogenic activity (EA) are those that mimic or antagonize the actions of naturally occurring estrogens. These chemicals are capable of binding with one or more of the nuclear estrogen receptors in the body.

The best way to think of chemicals with EA is as a counterfeit key fitting into a loose lock. When these chemicals activate the estrogen receptor, they produce an increase in circulating estrogen, which in turn can cause problems such as early puberty in females, reduced sperm counts, altered function of the reproductive organs, obesity, increased rates of certain cancers and problems with infant and childhood development. (3)

As I mentioned above, vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, developing fetuses, infants and children are especially sensitive to even very low doses of chemicals with EA. (4)

BPA-free is not EA-free

In the Environmental Health Perspectives study, Yaniger et al. set out to determine the estrogenic activity of commonly used plastic consumer products.

They bought more than 500 plastic products at places like Wal-Mart, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Target, and other major retailers. They selected from all categories of plastic, including tupperware containers, bags and wraps.

Then they cut the containers into pieces, put them into liquids that contain similar chemicals found in food and drinks, and subjected them to stresses that mimic normal use, like UV light (sunlight), microwaving, or moist heat (like boiling or dishwashing).

Their results showed that over 90 percent of the products leached estrogenic chemicals before they were even stressed, and after being stressed essentially all of the products showed estrogenic activity.

According to Stuart Yaniger, one of the lead authors of the study:

Baby bottles, plastic bags, plastic wrap, clamshell food containers, stand-up pouches: Just about anything you can think of that’s made of plastic that food or beverages are wrapped up in, we found this activity. It was shocking to us.

What plastics do and don’t have EA? It’s impossible to tell.

Perhaps the most troubling outcome of this study is that it’s currently impossible to determine which consumer plastic products are likely to have chemicals with EA, and which are not. The exact chemical composition of most plastic products is proprietary and thus not known, and a single plastic item containing many parts (e.g. a baby bottle) may consist of >100 chemicals, all of which can leach from the product.

In light of the researchers’ finding that nearly all of the 500 plastic products they tested leached when stressed, and 90 percent of them leached even without stress, I think it’s pretty safe to assume that most plastic products you can buy in the store have chemicals with EA.

It’s important to reiterate that this is true even with BPA-free plastics. In fact, the Environmental Health Perspectives study found that some BPA-free products had even more EA than BPA-containing products!

Should you be concerned about chemicals with EA?

However, there are 3 strong arguments for being “better safe than sorry” when it comes to plastics and EA (5):

in vitro data overwhelmingly show that exposures to chemicals with EA (even in very low doses) change the structure and function of human cell types; many studies present clear cellular, molecular and systemic mechanisms by which chemicals having EA produce changes in cells, organs and behaviors; and, recent epidemiological studies strongly suggest that chemicals with EA produce measurable changes in the health of various human populations. Perhaps the study authors summed it up best in their conclusion:

Many scientists believe that it is not appropriate to bet our health and that of future generations on an assumption that known cellular effects of chemicals having EA released from most plastics will have no severe adverse health effects.

I couldn’t agree more.

What you can do to reduce your exposure to chemicals with EA

Here’s a list of things you can do to reduce your exposure – and especially your baby’s and children’s exposure – to chemicals with EA.

Use glass containers and canning jars at home for food storage. Be aware that the lids of Mason and Kerr brand canning jars contain BPA and chemicals with EA. There are BPA-free lids, but they still may contain chemicals with EA, and I’ve been told they’re made with formaldehyde. Weck makes 100% glass jars that are a good alternative. Crate and Barrel sells them here. Use stainless steel containers in the freezer instead of freezer bags. Use a stainless steel water bottle (like the Klean Kanteen) instead of plastic bottles.

Don’t drink bottled water from plastic bottles, especially when they’ve been exposed to sunlight. Parents: use glass baby bottles instead of plastic. Evenflo is a commonly available brand you can buy at Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, etc. and online at Amazon and other retailers. Special note for Sous Vide users: After reading this study, I’m feeling very uncomfortable about the idea of eating anything that comes out of a plastic bag that has been sitting in a hot water bath for several hours. This is a crushing blow, as I love cooking with the Sous Vide. But in light of the evidence that even BPA-free plastics bags leach chemicals with EA even without added stress like a hot water bath, I think erring on the side of caution is probably wise.

UPDATE 10-28-11: make sure to read the comments section for some good recommendations.

UPDATE 11-7-11: check out this article on Nom Nom Paleo, one of my favorite Paleo food blogs. She did some homework and found some information claiming that re-usable silicon bags don’t have EA chemicals. However, Stuart Yaniger, one of the authors of the paper I referenced in this article, commented on her post (and below) that most silicon products do, in fact, leach EA chemicals. I’m also wary of the claim that FoodSaver bags don’t have any EA without 3rd party, independent testing. As Yaniger’s article demonstrated, we should assume all plastics have EA until proven otherwise.

Potassium Iodide vs. Kelp for Iodine: Which is better and why?

2012-05-04T15:01:48Z

What do you use and how much? Do you have any thyroid issues?

Anyone "cured" of gluten intolerance or improved tolerance to gluten after how long on Paleo?

2011-12-19T00:14:28Z

I was wondering if any celiacs, or anyone who had severe gluten sensitivity such as cross contamination after X number of months on Paleo, GAPS, etc. was able to reintroduce cross-contaminated or even a bite of gluten (such as fermented sourdough) without any issues. Please specify your degree of sensitivity and how much it improved after gut healing and your version of Paleo.

My husband who had celiac like symptoms (autoimmune TTG response) with gluten even cross-contamination for most of his life now after 1 year of Paleo (with raw pastured dairy) is able to tolerate cross-contamination and even accidentally has eaten bites of gluten and been fine. We now follow a low carbish (50-150 g/day of carbs - higher end on gym days)and incorporate good amounts of dairy and fermented foods in probiotics. He used to have nightshade issues but is now fine eating potato peels, marinara sauce, and even most chilies.

I was curious who else has had this response and to what degree?

Neither he or I are encouraging eating gluten - just makes it easier to travel and eat at other's houses. We both still think gluten is the most problematic of cereal grains. I think everything has a threshold to gluten, and once you go past that it could cause problems so I'm not advocating regular eating of gluten.

Does freezing raw dairy kill the good bacteria?

2011-11-18T04:55:56Z

What happens if making ice cream or the like with raw milk, heavy cream, etc. Does freezing raw dairy just makes the good bacteria dormant, which awaken when thawed or in the gut (at a warmer temperature)?

Could one make homemade frozen yogurt in the same manner?

Answer by Lady_Arwen for What are your favorite paleo convenience foods?

2011-12-02T00:24:47Z

Mostly Protein:

1) hard boiled eggs ideally pastured

2) jerky ideally grass-fed/pastured

3) Vital Choice canned fish - salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, etc.

Mostly Fats/Carbs:

1) dark chocolate 70-85%

2) kale chips

3) Paleokrunch (bars and cereal)

4) 1-2 TBSP tree nuts: pecans, almonds, walnuts, and/or macadamias

5) Emmy's Coconut Macaroons

6) Good Health Avocado oil Sea Salt Potato chips

Anybody heard about/used a shewee - used to help women pee standing up?

2012-01-27T16:21:16Z

Okay not to ask whether this is Paleo (LOL :). Can anyone attest to the practicality and precision of this product??!! Marketing hype or really useful?

http://www.shewee.ca/ Shewee - the revolutionary device that is changing women’s lives.

No more crossed legs or uncomfortable squatting. Maintain your privacy and banish bare bottoms! Stand up at public toilets to avoid unhygienic seats and smelly port-a-cabins. Hike/climb/ski/jog off the beaten track, miles from the nearest toilet. Travel the world with the comfort of home in your pocket. Stand to pee - the ultimate in personal hygiene.

Do you think EMF pollution is a problem? Why or why not?

2012-08-03T20:55:03Z

Anyone read the Zapped book by Ann Louise Gittleman?

There's a lot of controversy regarding electromagnetic pollution. But it's now becoming more mainstream to keep cell phones (and other digital media) further away from the body. etc/

There are some interesting PubMed articles (much of the research outside of the USA):

Occupational exposure of dentists to electromagnetic fields produced by magnetostrictive cavitrons alters the serum cortisol level http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3361780/?report=printable

Arch Environ Occup Health. 2012;67(1):31-6. Exposure to electromagnetic fields from laptop use of "laptop" computers. Bellieni CV, Pinto I, Bogi A, Zoppetti N, Andreuccetti D, Buonocore G. Source Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproduction Medicine, University of Siena, Italy. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22315933

Clin Exp Reprod Med. 2012 Mar;39(1):1-9. Epub 2012 Mar 31. Effect of electromagnetic field exposure on the reproductive system. Gye MC, Park CJ. Source Department of Life Science and Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22563544

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity: evidence for a novel neurological syndrome. McCarty DE, Carrubba S, Chesson AL, Frilot C, Gonzalez-Toledo E, Marino AA. Source Int J Neurosci. 2011 Dec;121(12):670-6. Epub 2011 Sep 5. Department of Neurology, LSU Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana 71130-3932, USA. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21793784

Any thoughts?

If you had to live as a hunter-gatherer or pastoralist (ancient or modern) which culture would you choose and why?

2012-07-21T03:29:48Z

This is a fun, creative question. Perhaps you like the raw milk of the Massai, or the bison of the Sioux, the berries of the Inuit, or the yams of the Kitava. Perhaps you like certain philosophies of a particular hunter-gatherer or pastoral culture. Or maybe you don't want to join a tribe or culture that eats fermented fish head, etc.

Now tell me if you were forced to relive your life in a hunter-gatherer or pastoral culture (ancient or modern) - which one would you choose and why?

Help me figure out magnesium? How to calculate elemental magnesium?

2012-07-06T18:32:48Z

Thanks in advance for your help! I'm confused about elemental magnesium from various chelates.

http://www.longecity.org/forum/topic/22235-best-form-of-supplemental-magnesium/

http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050510/msgs/503184.html

http://afibbers.org/magnesium.html

"Vitamin D is required for optimum absorption so it is important to get adequate unprotected sun exposure daily or to take a vitamin D-3 supplement when using oral replenishment of magnesium. Some magnesium supplements, when taken in excess, cause a looser stool and even diarrhea. Taking too much magnesium is not a good idea since diarrhea is likely to cause the loss of most, if not all, of the supplemented amount.

The most common magnesium supplements are magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, chelated magnesium (magnesium glycinate), magnesium orotate, magnesium citrate, magnesium maleate and magnesium gluconate. These supplements provide different amounts of elemental magnesium (the constituent that matters) and also vary significantly in their bioavailability (absorption).

Magnesium oxide is the most dense magnesium compound and the one most often used in mineral supplements and multivitamins. It contains 300 mg of elemental magnesium per 500 mg tablet, but is extremely poorly absorbed. Only about 4% of its elemental magnesium is absorbed or about 12 mg out of a 500 mg tablet.

Magnesium carbonate contains 125 mg of elemental magnesium per 500 mg tablet, but is poorly absorbed.

Chelated magnesium (magnesium glycinate) is magnesium bound in a complex of glycine and lysine. It is easily absorbed and highly bioavailable. The magnesium (elemental) content per tablet or capsule is usually 100 mg.

Magnesium orotate contains only 31 mg of elemental magnesium per 500 mg tablet. However, it is well absorbed and has been found highly effective in daily intakes of 3000 mg (186 mg elemental).

Magnesium citrate contains 80 mg of elemental magnesium per 500 mg tablet. It is far better absorbed than is magnesium oxide. The water soluble form (Natural Calm) contains 205 mg of elemental magnesium per teaspoon, is totally soluble in hot water and is highly bioavailable.

Magnesium maleate contains 56 mg of elemental magnesium per 500 mg tablet.

Magnesium gluconate contains 27 mg of elemental magnesium per 500 mg tablet. It is easily absorbed and quick acting.

All forms of oral magnesium supplements are better absorbed when taken with a meal."

I'm kind of debating among these various products:

1) Magnesium Orotate 360 mg (per capsule) http://www.pureformulas.com/magnesium-orotate-360mg-100-capsules-by-priority-one.html

(yielding 50mg of Elemental Magnesium) Contains: Rice Powder This product is encapsulated in a vegetarian capsule. Contains no preservatives.

2) Source Naturals Ultra-Mag

http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SN270/ItemDetail

Serving Size 2 Tablets Vitamin B-6 (as pyridoxine HCl) 50 mg
Magnesium (as magnesium citrate, taurinate, malate, glycinate, and succinate) 400 mg

Other Ingredients: Stearic acid, acacia gum, modified cellulose gum, magnesium stearate, and colloidal silicon dioxide.

Suitable for vegetarians. Contains no yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, soy or wheat. Contains no sugar, starch, preservatives, or artificial color, flavor or fragrance.

3) KAL Magnesium Orotate 2 tablets = 200 mg

They are sneaky and don't tell how much Elemental Magnesium is in it.

http://www.vitacost.com/kal-magnesium-orotate-200-mg-60-tablets-1

Does anyone know how much elemental magnesium is in this or the formula to calculate it or in other magnesium products - is it an algebraic formula? What is the most cost-effective and best absorbed?

What have you used/recommend for altitude sickness?

2012-07-21T03:47:29Z

My husband and I went to the summit (6288 ft) of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire by train. We both felt dizzy and light-headed. In addition I had a headache and felt nauseous. We've been to the summit of Mt. Haleakala on Maui (Hawaii), and could barely breathe when we tried to hike (stopped after 10 minutes) on 10023 ft. I've been to the summit of Pike's Peak (14110 ft) elevation as a child with the same altitude sickness.

I decided what the hell do I have to lose - either I take a NSAID like ibuprofen (not good as it contributes to leaky gut) or I can try grounding. So the hubby and I both touched the granite rocks and soil at the top of the mountain for about 10 minutes. We were both skeptical. But we felt normal (great) afterwards with all the symptoms gone. We were only on the summit about 45 minutes - I don't think this is enough time to acclimate as we were coming from just slightly above sea level at the beginning of the day.

Possible Confounding factor: Cold Therapy? We were the only 2 people on the train NOT wearing jackets as it can get cold on the mountain. It was about 50 F with 25 mph winds. It has a world record of the worst weather in the world when on April 12, 1934 wind speeds of 231 mph (372 km/hr). On Jan 16, 2004 it was about -43F (-42C) with about 88 mph (141 km/h) winds resulting in a windchill of -103 F(-75 C).

So this is a n=2 experiment. Anyone else have this response?

Purple rice, "forbidden rice," black rice bran, anthocyanins

2011-05-12T23:56:58Z

Does purple rice, "forbidden rice," black rice bran, anthocyanins have a place in Paleo/Primal? What about as a cheat meal or supplement? Can it harm the body? How would it affect gut inflammation? How strong is the evidence for/against purple rice and pros/cons for autoimmune disease, heart disease, cancer, etc. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21058201 Nutr Cancer. 2010;62(8):1128-36. Anticancer activities of an anthocyanin-rich extract from black rice against breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Genet Mol Res. 2010 Oct 19;9(4):2086-95. Effects of Thai black sticky rice extract on oxidative stress and lipid metabolism gene expression in HepG2 cells. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20967698

Have you tried raw (unheated) coconut water (refrigerated) now sold through Whole Foods and others?

2012-05-01T21:56:30Z

The taste is amazing - much better then the pasteurized heat treated Vita Coco, ONE, and Zico!

This is the 100% Raw and Organic Coconut water (high pressure treated to kill pathogens) but no heating!

http://www.goodlifer.com/2011/08/harmless-harvest-100-organic-raw-coconut-water/ http://www.harmlesscoconut.com/Harmless_Coconut/what.html

Here's a map where they can be found - most of West and East Coast! http://www.harmlesscoconut.com/Harmless_Coconut/switchget.html

I haven't tried this one yet: http://www.exoticsuperfoods.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=2&zenid=67fc2c3e18c4fe249a4f29bb53351181

Which form(s) of Vitamin B6 is (are) best?

2012-07-28T17:15:44Z

What do you recommend?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_B6

forms of this vitamin are known:

Pyridoxine (PN), the form that is most commonly given as vitamin B6 supplement Pyridoxine 5'-phosphate (PNP) Pyridoxal (PL) Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), the metabolically active form (sold as 'P-5-P' vitamin supplement) Pyridoxamine (PM) Pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate (PMP)

Not consumed: 4-Pyridoxic acid (PA), the catabolite which is excreted in the urine

Estrogen in Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement linked to IBD? Are you still going to use?

2012-06-02T04:18:45Z

Does this change your view?

Robb Wolf and others have mentioned hormones contribute to "leaky gut."

If this is true even bio-identical natural estrogen hormones could be problematic??!!

Perhaps some new evidence:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health/0521/estrogen-a-culprit-in-inflammatory-bowel-disease.aspx

Medscape requires free registration but has a more detailed article.

Are two-thirds of Americans metabolically deranged?

2012-07-27T03:30:16Z

Define metabolically deranged? Would this be abnormal elevated fasting insulin, fasting glucose, glucose levels post carbohydrate intake (1, 2, and 3 hours after meal), and/or belly fat count?

If this is true, would two thirds of Americans be metabolically deranged in some way?

http://drjengunter.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/more-than-two-thirds-of-americans-are-overweight-the-normalization-of-unhealthy/

Skinny-fat also a problem:

http://drhyman.com/blog/2012/05/22/skinny-fat-people-why-being-skinny-doesnt-protect-us-against-diabetes-and-death/

The reason this question is important because I wonder if a Kitavan style high-carb Paleo/Ancestral diet may not be optimum for a significant group of people who are metabolically deranged?

Would squeezing a lemon or lime into water several times a day fulfill most Vitamin C requirements?

2011-11-07T14:37:00Z

What is most bioavailable form of Vitamin C as a supplement for those going that route? Thanks.

UPDATE (Fall/Winter): I started with 500 mg/day of Vitamin C supplementation (with Bioflavonoids) and worked up to 4000-6000 mg/day (depending on the day) before I saw GI distress like abdominal pain and/or diarrhea! The hubby went to 6000-8000 mg/day before seeing Vitamin C excess symptoms during winter!

UPDATE (Spring/Summer): In summer when far more local fruits (and veggies) are available we consume about 1000-3000 mg/day of Vitamin C supplementation.

We were both seriously too low! US RDA be damned!

You need to test by increasing by 500 to 1000 mg at time to find your threshold!

Answer by Lady_Arwen for What's the best carb (in general)?

2012-08-19T00:56:09Z

what is your age and activity level? any underlying medical diagnoses? do you respond poorly to nightshades and/or fruit?

Nightshades can be a problem for those with autoimmune - esp. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc.

Starches (like potatoes, sweet potatoes) can be a problem for those with autoimmune or metabolic issues such as Ankylosing Spondlyitis.

Fruit are an issue for FODMAPS and certain people who have problems with fermentable carbohydrates.

Goitrogens - food that interact with thyroid function can be a problem for those with inadequate iodine, selenium AND eating large quantities of goitrogenic foods. See this post http://paleohacks.com/questions/111727/have-you-had-a-possible-iodine-and-or-selenium-deficiency-or-symptoms-of-it-on#axzz23fn3mg2u

Most normal people can eat nightshades and moderate amount of fruit.

Some people do better with cooked vegetables vs. raw.

Green beans or green peas once or twice a month for most people is not the end of the world.

Starchier vegetables include pumpkin, butternut squash (winter squashes) and fruits like banana, plantains, taro, cassava, yucca, etc.

Most people don't have a problem with carrots.

You need to test and see for yourself. Don't be so quick to exclude whole categories of food without testing 1 at a time. I know it's a pain but trust me when you figure it out you will be glad.

Another issue is as the gut heals in time, often old foods that caused problems in the past can slowly be introduced 1 at a time in small quantities. This happened with my husband with nightshades - now he can eat spicy chilies with no problems (we don't do it very often because I think it's not that healthy) but the point is if we want to eat a little spicy ethnic food once in awhile we can and not feel miserable like in the past. In the past he couldn't even eat tomatoes, eggplant, etc.

What foods do pregnant hunter/gatherer women crave?

2011-11-09T17:24:12Z

I'm wondering in the literature do various pregnant women in hunter gatherer cultures have cravings? And for what? red meat? fish? fruit? coconut? fat? protein? starchy tubers?

Are modern pregnant women culturally conditioned to crave junk foods (especially grains and sugar) because that's what the media and culture promotes?

Isolated hunter-gatherer pregnant women wouldn't have access to bagels, cookies, chips, muffins, pancakes, pastries, pretzels, etc so they could not crave those foods!

Do you think Paleo/Ancestral nutrition can help someone with "incurable cancer," as tested by genes?

2012-07-10T20:28:45Z

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/10/health/genetic-test-changes-game-in-cancer-prognosis.html?pagewanted=all

..."But Ms. Caton had a new option, something that became possible only in this new genetic age. She could have a genetic test of her tumor that could reveal her prognosis with uncanny precision. The test identifies one of two gene patterns in eye melanomas. Almost everyone in Class 1 — roughly half of patients — is cured when the tumor is removed.As for those in Class 2, 70 to 80 percent will die within five years. Their cancers will re-emerge as growths in the liver. For them, there is no cure and no way to slow the disease.

No test has ever been so accurate in predicting cancer outcomes, researchers said.

The data from studies of the test are “unbelievably impressive,” said Dr. Michael Birrer, an ovarian cancer specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital. “I would die to have something like that in ovarian cancer.”

While for now the ocular melanoma test is in a class by itself, cancer researchers say it is a taste of what may be coming as they continue to investigate the genes of cancer cells. Similar tests, not always as definitive but nonetheless able to give prognostic information, are under development or starting to be used for other cancers, like cancers of the blood.

About 2,000 people a year, or about 5 percent of melanoma patients, have ocular melanoma, a tumor of the dark brown melanocytes that form a sheet much like a photographer’s backdrop behind the retina. Those with very large tumors are most likely to have a bad prognosis, but patients with small tumors also can have the deadly type. Often there are no symptoms; the tumor may be discovered by an ophthalmologist during a routine exam. Other patients, though, lose vision or see flashing lights or a sea of floaters in an eye, all signs of damage to the retina as the tumor encroaches.

Most get radiation, a highly radioactive disc placed on the surface of the eye that destroys the tumor in a few days and then is taken out. But those with huge tumors, like Ms. Caton, must have their eye removed.

Ocular melanoma specialists had long noticed that some patients did well and the rest did not, but Dr. Harbour wanted to know why.

Then he saw an opportunity. Ever since he came to Washington University in 1996, Dr. Harbour had been storing bits of tumors from ocular melanoma patients and keeping track of what happened to the patients. Working with his colleagues at the genome center, Dr. Harbour looked for genetic differences in tumors that spread and those that did not.

The genes themselves were no different. But a group of several hundred genes that looked the same in cells from patients in Class 1 and Class 2 were acting differently in the patients who did poorly. The genes were churning out many more proteins in the cells of patients in Class 2. Dr. Harbour found that he could look at the activity of 12 of those genes and predict how well a patient would do.

After a rigorous study to confirm that the test worked, the university licensed it to a small company, Castle Biosciences. They bill more than $6,000, with the price depending on the quality of the sample. But the company has programs to make sure that the poor or uninsured can receive the test, said Derek Maetzold, the company’s president and chief executive.

Some cancer specialists, though, ask what is to be gained by using the test.

When it comes to dividing patients into two prognostic groups, “the data are really astonishing,” said Dr. Keith Flaherty, a melanoma researcher at Massachusetts General. Yet, he added, “There is no treatment yet that will alter the natural history of the disease.”

“Why would you want that information when we don’t have anything we can do for you?” Dr. Flaherty asked. “That is the fundamental question that has caused people to pause.”

For the majority treated with radiation, having the test requires a biopsy of the tumor before treatment. After going through that, those in Class 2 have no real options other than to wait for the inevitable. ..."

Answer by Lady_Arwen for Increasing sleep quality?

2012-08-06T01:25:01Z

1) Cut out IF (intermittent fasting). Some research shows that IF for females (human and animals) makes glucose tolerance WORSE but is better for men. Too little or too much carbohydrate can release cortisol and screw up your sleep.

http://www.paleoforwomen.com/shattering-the-myth-of-fasting-for-women-a-review-of-female-specific-responses-to-fasting-in-the-literature/

2) Stress reduction and cortisol normalization. Consider meditation like emwave for Desktop by HeartMath Institute. Make sure you're sleeping in a dark room. Use free Flux program for the computer. Shut off all digital media 1 hour before bedtime. Use blue-blocking lights (amber color)as nightlights if you have to get up during the night. https://www.lowbluelights.com/index.asp?

3) Intense training (like weight lifting/Crossfut) for 30-60 minutes a week maximum twice a week.Too much intense exercise will increase cortisol and burn out the adrenals. Do not do cardio - just walk (NO JOGGING/RUNNING). Hubby and I hated cardio and GAINED weight with it.

4) Do low-level and fun activity like walking in park - especially with nature - parks, etc. This will help with stress reduction.

5) Do 2 carb refeeds a week - ideally on your intense training days (post work-out). MDA - great posts (recent: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/dear-mark-should-i-increase-carb-intake-for-weight-loss/#axzz22LnOtoKk

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/carb-refeeding-and-weight-loss/#axzz21hBUtC00

Consider upping your daily carbs to 75-125 g/day, and increasing by another 50 g on carb refeed days. Play around with this. Everybody has a sweet spot for carbs and you have to test this out.

6) cut out sweeteners (other then 1 teaspoon max a day of raw honey or sugar). Xylitol, stevia, and artificial sweeteners can cause an insulin response in as many people and in my experience (among friends, family, and ourselves) - I've seen it happen with all the above. No dried fruit or fruit juices. .

7) Gradually reduce and if possible eliminate caffeine AND alcohol. Somebody's going to downvote me because most everybody loves the booze and caffeine. Both will interfere with sleep! If you need caffeine to get you up in the morning and alcohol to relax you so you can sleep at night, you are using uppers (stimulants) and downers (depressants) to mask your health issues. My husband used to drink 2-3 energy drinks a day pre-Paleo. Now we have NO caffeine. Wean off slowly so you minimize withdrawal effects. Caffeine tends to increase cortisol and alcohol blocks weight loss. Beer belly = carb belly. In maintenance stage, you can slowly add caffeine and/or alcohol but if you start to have symptoms and/or gain weight you know your threshold! Consider only eating dark chocolate in the morning, because it has caffeine, don't have it at night!

Answer by Lady_Arwen for What is your favourite/the best cut of beef?

2012-08-06T01:19:07Z

Fatty cuts like rib-eye! Meat that is too lean is a huge turn-off for me.

Answer by Lady_Arwen for Anyone noticed any snoring improvements?

2012-08-06T01:17:56Z

Yes - my husband snored like a foghorn pre-Paleo. We were using a white noise machine, earplugs, snore sprays, etc. but Paleo did the trick!

I view snoring as indicative of inflammation and/or insulin resistance.

To this date if we have too many cheats eating out - vegetable oils, etc. he will snore somewhat.

My father also used to snore like a foghorn (yes, I could hear him upstairs!) but is now normal on low-carbish (75-150 g carbs) Paleo.

Answer by Lady_Arwen for Women: How to lose the last 10 pounds?

2012-08-04T15:37:21Z

Some thoughts: You have a tough plate with 5 kids but...

1) Cut out IF (intermittent fasting). Some research shows that IF for females (human and animals) makes glucose tolerance WORSE but is better for men.

http://www.paleoforwomen.com/shattering-the-myth-of-fasting-for-women-a-review-of-female-specific-responses-to-fasting-in-the-literature/

2) Stress reduction and cortisol normalization. Consider meditation like emwave for Desktop by HeartMath Institute. Make sure you're sleeping in a dark room. Use free Flux program for the computer. Shut off all digital media 1 hour before bedtime. Use blue-blocking lights (amber color)as nightlights if you have to get up during the night. https://www.lowbluelights.com/index.asp?

3) Intense training (like weight lifting) for 30-60 minutes a week maximum twice a week. Too much intense exercise will increase cortisol and burn out the adrenals. Do not do cardio - just walk (NO JOGGING/RUNNING). Hubby and I hated cardio and GAINED weight with it.

4) Do low-level and fun activity like walking with kids in park - especially with nature - parks, etc. This will help with stress reduction.

5) Do 2 carb refeeds a week - ideally on your intense training days (post work-out). MDA - great posts (recent: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/dear-mark-should-i-increase-carb-intake-for-weight-loss/#axzz22LnOtoKk

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/carb-refeeding-and-weight-loss/#axzz21hBUtC00

Consider upping your daily carbs to 75-125 g/day, and increasing by another 50 g on carb refeed days. Play around with this. Everybody has a sweet spot for carbs and you have to test this out.

6) Sleeping 8-12 hours a night. As much as you can. I know it's hard with your 5 kids. Poor sleep can cause weight gain/plateau weight loss in ANYBODY. Shift workers and people with young kids have the hardest time with weight loss.

7) cut out sweeteners (other then 1 teaspoon max a day of raw honey or sugar). Xylitol, stevia, and artificial sweeteners can cause an insulin response in as many people and in my experience (among friends, family, and ourselves) - I've seen it happen with all the above. No dried fruit or fruit juices. The hubby and I plateaued on xylitol but no issues with sugar.

8) Get your Vitamin D between 50-70 because that boosts insulin sensitivity

9) Make sure you are eating 1 pound of oily fish (skin-on, ideally wild) such as from salmon and sardines a week. Stay away from the high mercury seafood. EPA and DHA help boost insulin sensitivity.

10) Gradually reduce and if possible eliminate caffeine AND alcohol. Somebody's going to downvote me because most everybody loves the booze and caffeine. Both will interfere with sleep! If you need caffeine to get you up in the morning and alcohol to relax you so you can sleep at night, you are using uppers (stimulants) and downers (depressants) to mask your health issues. My husband used to drink 2-3 energy drinks a day pre-Paleo. Now we have NO caffeine. Wean off slowly so you minimize withdrawal effects. Caffeine tends to increase cortisol and alcohol blocks weight loss. Beer belly = carb belly. In maintenance stage, you can slowly add caffeine and/or alcohol but if you start to have symptoms and/or gain weight you know your threshold! Consider only eating dark chocolate in the morning, because it has caffeine, don't have it at night!

Best of luck. I don't have 5 kids but my hubby and I have been there done that and seen a lot of people stuck on the last 10 pounds!

Did an Ancestral diet improve your spirit?

2012-08-03T20:29:18Z

So I'm sick of hearing spirituality associated with vegetarianism. At some point, eating all those beans are going to interfere with meditation or spiritual practice. LOL.

BTW - the hubby and I had much better meditation post-Paleo then pre-Paleo!

Ironically all many ancient traditions (Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianism) both major religions and minor rituals involved animal foods (meat mostly, some dairy).

At least Gary Taubes was honest when he posted his blood work! Notice how way more Paleos/Primals/Ancestral-eaters post more bloodwork then vegans and vegetarians ?!!

The other excuse I've heard is when spiritual people die early from a lifestyle-related disease - they took on the karma (the disease(s) from other poor souls they are trying to save.

Please feel free to add to this list:

1) Ken Wilbur - his wife died of breast cancer They were both vegetarian since 1972 (over 10) years when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1983. The poor woman died of breast cancer within 5 years of diagnosis (and tried conventional AND alternative treatments). p 34 in Grace and Grit: Spirituality and Healing in the Life and Death of Treya Killam Wilber http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Wilber Ken himself looks sickly and overweight

I've read his work and he basically says when you reach a high enough level of spirituality then meat becomes unnecessary! http://www.juicefeasting.com/JuiceFeastingIntroduction/WhatistheSpectrumofDiet/tabid/348/Default.aspx

2) Dr. Deepak Chopra, MD http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepak_Chopra looks overweight or at least inflamed - look at the face/chin http://www.deepakchopra.com/blog/view/496/becoming_vegetarian

3) Tony Robbins (now endorsing fish after years of veganism) having serious health issues, and looks like NOW is cutting out the grains (LOL). http://www.tonyrobbins.com/pdfs/LLPack.pdf

4) Swami Vivekananda - Hindu monk died from diabetes, asthma, insomnia, etc. at age 39 While touring outside of India he would accept the meal of any host/hostess he stayed with - even including meat and beef. For this he was severely chastised and attacked by conservative Hindus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Vivekananda

Are you shocked by prices of some food(s) - both low or high? Which ones?

2012-08-03T20:36:01Z

So I was at the farmer's market the other day and I realized how inexpensive some things are in when in season!

I can make 1 pound of organic kale chips (2 bunches of kale) for $4 + price of high smoke point oil and spices.

Commercial Kale Chips go for $6-8 for 3 oz that's $32-43 PER POUND

Live lobster - $10 for 1-1.25 pounds. Whole Food (Whole Wallet) sells just the tail at $39.99/pound!

I've even seen organic produce and wild seafood at discounters like Costco, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, BJs, etc.

Please share your story!

Does Paleo help with luteal phase deficits or defects?

2012-08-03T20:40:54Z

So a friend asked me about this, and I really didn't know what to tell her. Thanks in advance for your help!

Anyone have any experience treating luteal phase defects and/or deficits with Paleo in women? Did Paleo fix it for your and/or your patients?

What recommendations:

Supplements?

Nutrition?

Medications?

Hormones?

Testing?

Does sleep/circadian rhythms play a role?

Stress?

Comment by Lady_Arwen

2012-09-21T00:56:57Z

Holy cats! The cat learned to use the toilet like in Meet the Parents movie?

Comment by Lady_Arwen

2012-09-01T21:53:01Z

Why not starches like potatoes, sweet potatoes, plantains, yucca, taro, and tapioca- or even gluten-free grains like white rice? Low-fat dairy - full fat is what nature intended - cows don't naturally give out skim milk and neither do humans! Low-fat is processed and heated to high temperature.

Comment by Lady_Arwen

2012-09-01T21:51:22Z

try starches like potatoes, sweet potatoes, plantains, yucca, taro, and tapioca- or even gluten-free grains like white rice.

Comment by Lady_Arwen

2012-08-20T23:57:22Z

what are you Vit D levels David?

Comment by Lady_Arwen

2012-08-19T01:46:27Z

I have met pimply, overweight (including obese), multiple-chinned cashiers/workers/managers at WF. Customers vary just as well. Some are in better shape because they are less likely to smoke, more likely to exercise/take supplements, and in general take better care of themselves.

Comment by Lady_Arwen

2012-08-19T01:41:08Z

hysterically funny article ToddB!

Comment by Lady_Arwen

2012-08-19T01:11:33Z

great questions and great post! I think if you feel fine (no symptoms) and your bloodwork is fine you're probably fine! You still eat a variety of foods, and I think the greatest diversity in ancestral foods (without causing inflammation and/or symptoms) is optimum.

Comment by Lady_Arwen

2012-08-19T00:58:08Z

What is your activity level Thorny and define LC? Some people define LC as below 150 grams, 100 grams, 50 grams, etc. per day. How is your sleep?

Comment by Lady_Arwen

2012-08-19T00:42:36Z

how is your sleep, stress, and exercise - daily/weekly average of last month?

Comment by Lady_Arwen

2012-08-13T20:02:43Z

robbwolf.com/2011/01/11/… audio Episode 62 of Robb Wolf Podcast

Comment by Lady_Arwen

2012-08-13T20:00:37Z

robbwolf.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/… Robb Wolf in this or another podcast says why would you change anything that might risk your milk? Why can't you wait to IF until you've weaned the baby? If you accidentally IF that's one thing but never intentionally. Stress can affect milk. IF is a type of stress!

Comment by Lady_Arwen

2012-08-12T02:34:55Z

oh yea - been there done that!

Comment by Lady_Arwen

2012-08-07T23:17:08Z

I've heard they dehydrate the coconutwater so it tastes sweeter -concentrating the natural coconut sugars.

Comment by Lady_Arwen

2012-08-07T23:16:22Z

BPA in cans perhaps?

Comment by Lady_Arwen

2012-08-07T23:15:41Z

Is this conventional ice cream or homemade? Can you post the ingredients of the ice cream or take a pic of it?