Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I am dealing with pretty debilitating ADD symptoms. I am basically illiterate because I cannot focus long enough to read things I need to read, and holding conversations is difficult too. Unless I am intensely interested in a topic, I tune out constantly. I am also very introverted, which is theorized to be related to low dopamine, and I am very depressed and anxious. I have been pursuing VLC Paleo for about a month but I eat dairy fat products (butter, cream), nightshades, and eggs. I cut out other dairy about a week ago. To my knowledge I have no food sensitivities.

However, I have a very long history of disordered and binge eating. I am wondering if binge episodes mess with my dopamine levels. I still binge on Paleo. Should I make an extra-strong effort to stop bingeing episodes at all costs? Most of the pleasure in my life is from eating, which is sad. Do I need to resensitize my dopamine receptors?

Would supplementing with L-Tyrosine help? I am taking magnesium glycinate, milk thistle for liver, betaine HCL, and sometimes L-carnitine. I am pursuing a ketogenic diet as well as meditation and mindfulness.

help? I think I am going to fail school because it takes me 3 hours to read a homework assignment, and I don't remember what I read anyway.

edited to add: I haven't slept through the night yet this year, and I have early morning wakenings every day. I cannot sleep past 7AM

edited Sep 13 at 16:25

asked Sep 13 at 16:02

nursling
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	nursling, how are things going: update? Also, have you looked into your methylation status, either by doing 23andMe genetic testing, or by supplementing with folate & methyl-b12, or taking SAMe, and testing for changes? – Sara S. Dec 11 at 13:12
	hi Sara. I actually did get 23andme testing and found out I am homozygous for the C677T polymorphism. I have started taking methylfolate, but my plasma folates and B12 are normal/high from blood tests. I have stopped most of my supplements and am taking desiccated thyroid and biotin currently. I haven't consistently done an elimination diet but I still intend to. It is really hard for me to give up cheese and yogurt. My bingeing behavior is just starting to get under control as I have been practicing mindfulness and mindful eating. continued... – nursling Dec 13 at 19:55
	my sleep is still not restorative, but I can sometimes sleep through the night and I no longer have early morning wakenings. I haven't had a period in a year but my libido recently returned as I have gained almost ten pounds after dropping 25 a year ago. So many variables...it's hard to know what is working and what isn't. My brain fog is still severe, and that is my worst problem. Thyroid hormones haven't worked nor est/progest. I bought a blood glucose monitor and I am not hypoglycemic. continued... – nursling Dec 13 at 19:57
	I am thinking I might have some sort of bowel toxicity going on from all the binge eating and the stress on my digestive system so I am trying to eat less and fast more to see if that gives my system a break. I think I was eating more fat than my body could handle, so I've introduced carbs and safer fruits. I avoid grains but am now strictly gluten-free as my 23andme tests indicated a predisposition to gluten allergy. That is about all I can report. How are you doing Sara? – nursling Dec 13 at 20:00

Robert · Answer 1 · 2012-09-13 16:30:14Z UTC

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I am on a ketogenic diets with grass fed meats and eggs and my focus improved. I have ADHD/Auditory Processing Disorder I also got rid of all gluten (even hidden sources, cream, shampoo, even handing pet food and breathing in the dust, condiments, etc...). They found that people with gluten sensitivity can exhibit symptoms similar to ADD/ADHD. Not necessarily celiac, they even argue that everyone is gluten sensitive, and that there are just varying degrees of sensitivity, even though you are not celiac.

Take in more Omega-3. Other stuff might be worthy looking into, vinpocetine , Acetyl-L-Carnitine

click here to Listen to this mp3

answered Sep 13 at 16:30

Robert
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	thank you for you for your response. I have not been super strict with gluten e.g. licking someting off a cracker. how long did it take you to get into ketosis? I am having trouble making it happen – nursling Sep 13 at 16:33
	Totally agree!!! I did not mention gluten because I assumed you knew that ADD is totally gluten related. NO GLUTEN!!! – VB Sep 13 at 16:39
	okay, I will be more careful about my microexposures. I am also wondering if casein's opiate effect might make things worse – nursling Sep 13 at 16:41
	if you have trouble going into ketosis, I recommend doing some protein restriction 0.8g per kilogram of body weight (excess protein can be converted into glucose) if you work out you can +10g of protein. I'm 158lb (down from 215) I do 60g protein, less than 50g carb, and 100+ g of fat, mostly coconut oil, grassfed butter/tallow, I don't do gluten/nuts/nightshades (personal choice) and about to rid myself of dairy (butter/heavy cream). Most argue you need carbs, it's really an anaerobic fuel, we can produce glucose (gluconeogenesis). Ketones are said to be prefer brain fuel. – Robert Sep 13 at 17:09
	this is curious "Cholesterol supplementation reverses many symptoms of autism in SLOS disorder." google that. It is said that ADD/ADHD is on the autistic spectrum, I am not saying you have SLOS, but something to think about. I add eggs/liver (about 3-4 eggs a day, sometimes i just toss the whites) to my diet for the cholesterol, getting my blood tested, so far cholesterol, glucose,bp, pulse rate all excellent (I even got asked if I am athlete, cause my blood work is so awesome and i am far from that lol) oh an important! make sure its grass fed meat and pastured organic chicken/ eggs – Robert Sep 13 at 17:16

show 2 more comments

VB · Answer 2 · 2012-09-13 16:40:27Z UTC

You cannot be basically illiterate because what you wrote makes perfect sense and your paragraphs are coherent.

Actually, there are multiple factors that contributed to ADD in my former students. Some of them were 1. diet 2. exposure to TV vs reading in their early years 3. birth trauma/premature birth 4. infections/antibiotics use.

I am sure others will recommend something for you, let me just ask you this: have you tried GAPS? Because I would start with very very strict GAPS.

If that would not help, I would go for Terry Wahls diet (in terms of meeting your nutritional deficiencies).

If that would not help, I would supplement with Green Pastures fermented cod liver oil and butter oil. I would try just about anything to see if it can be helped.

If you know a very good naturopath that might help too.

I would also find some very goood (alive) yet not very strong probiotic.

Good luck! I wish I had the answer for you.

EDITED - I had not idea you are not strict with gluten. YOU CANNOT HAVE GLUTEN IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM, PERIOD. Also stay away from additives/preservatives, MSG, all of it.

dylan · Answer 3 · 2012-09-13 16:55:50Z UTC

I'm ADHD and Asperger's, and have realized that my trigger is a huge caffeine problem. This past week I've started to cut back my caffeine to one or two drinks a day, and have noticed a HUGE difference in my ability to get started and stay focused on tasks. I've realized that 2 or 3 drinks within a couple hours puts me into scrambled brain state.

A few other things that have helped me:

drinking lots of water. I now keep water bottles around at all times
working out in the morning. I do pushups every other day, following the 100 Pushup Plan
using internet blocker software, to block websites I use as quick dopamine fixes
deep breathing exercises

Hope this helps!

AlphaCog · Answer 4 · 2012-09-13 17:15:04Z UTC

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Dual-n-Back or other brain training activities(Harry Kahne Multiple Mentality, Cognitivefun, Mnemonics)

Meditation

Biofeedback(e.g. emWave2)

HEG and Brainwave Neurofeedback

Experimental--Cold Thermogenesis(pour ice water on your head--especially the frontal lobe area)

answered Sep 13 at 17:15

AlphaCog
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I'm currently doing neurofeedback and although I don't have ADD I can see how it would help some people with this condition. – sargon Sep 13 at 19:13

Cael · Answer 5 · 2012-12-11 11:03:42Z UTC

I grew up with ADD, inattentive type. I'm also a celiac, but didn't know until I was in my 20s. All kinds of awful, but I'm now a decent teacher and a responsible and happy husband and father. I sorted myself by going cyclic ketogenic paleo, getting some Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture support to start, learning to meditate (and doing it daily) and doing vigorous exercise (short, power-based stuff, HIT/HIIT), lots of walking daily and sleeping as much as I can. If any of those pieces come loose, the ADD effects come back. I'd never manage to monitor it on my own, so having my wife and friends/coworkers helping with the monitoring is essential.
I think the key starter was healing my gut. GAPS does seem to do wonders that way, but it's probably a good idea to find some kind of functional medicine, Chinese medicine or naturopath doctor to help out. At least for starters.
Getting the dopamine hits from the exercise and supporting them with sleep and lots of the nutritionally dense bits of animals seems to be pretty essential, because otherwise you go looking for them from coffee, which will destroy your stomach, energy drinks, which will destroy your adrenals, or other things not so good for you. Post WO, when I'm not keto, is big paleo carb fun. Only keto for a couple of weeks every 4 months or so. Benefits seem to peter out otherwise. I can now finish books, not get lost in conversations, manage a classroom (difficult for anyone, as any teacher will admit) and pay bills on time etc. I'm no Richard Branson, but I think I've got the ADD sorted. I do, however, blame gluten for it. Just too many connections and coincidences for it to be cleared of all blame. Vile stuff. Even if it does make tasty pastry.

Irene · Answer 6 · 2012-09-13 16:58:46Z UTC

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Hi i see u are taking the Green Pastures cod liver oil, just wondering are u taking this with the butter oil? reason i ask is it is suppose to have a much more powerful effect on the brain if taken together. Hope this helps.

answered Sep 13 at 16:58

Irene
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	I haven't taken the one with the butter oil, only the fermented cod liver oil – nursling Sep 13 at 17:04
	I have done a bit of research on this as my 5 year old son was recently diagnosed with ASD, he was born 8 weeks early, i am going to try green pastures fermented cod liver oil and the butter oil together, as it is suppose to be 100 times more effective if taken with the butter oil, might be worth a try, fingers crossed, good luck! – Irene Sep 13 at 17:13

Irene · Answer 7 · 2012-09-13 17:14:41Z UTC

Just wondering when does the brain stop developing?? I was told by a psychologist that its 21 and that's why the legal age for alcohol in the US is 21?? If this is true, is it then too late to change ADHD/ADD/ASD if over the age of 21?? Is it possible to reverse ADD/ADHD/ASD (autistic spectrum disorer) in a 5 year old child that was born premature? Thanxs

Irene · Answer 8 · 2012-09-21 13:11:47Z UTC

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Might be worth trying ginkgo giloba, i heard it is amazing for concentration and focus, good luck!!

answered Sep 21 at 13:11

Irene
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BaconHealsChic · Answer 9 · 2012-09-21 16:39:00Z UTC

Geneen Roth's work helped me a lot with stress eating which I think is the REAL question you are asking maybe...please forgive me if its not--how to stop your binge eating so you feel in control and control ADHD and mood swings/nervous energy.

I read one book and listened to some podcasts. I liked it and I definitely have improved my stress/binge eating.

Keep searching and trying. Good luck.

Her Books

elduderino · Answer 10 · 2012-12-11 11:41:29Z UTC

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Your description sounds more like depression than ADD.

answered Dec 11 at 11:41

elduderino
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	Oh and when I write depression, I don't mean "down a little bit", but full-blown Clinical Depression. – elduderino Dec 11 at 11:42
	yeah, I wouldn't argue that I am depressed. I was on 5/10/20mg Lexapro for six years and prior to that tried other SSRIs and atypical antidepressants with little luck. I tapered off the SSRIs in 2011 and it's been hell ever since. But I also becamse anorexic then (maybe related), so I don't know what caused all these problems. However, I am not willing to go back on SSRIs so I am trying mindfulness right now, and it is helping. – nursling Dec 13 at 20:04

bc4work · Answer 11 · 2012-12-11 13:05:21Z UTC

The big change for me came when I began eating 'good' fats, and lots of them. Specifically cod liver oil, eggs, grassfed butter and coconut oil. My foggy brain tornado slows down to a light breeze when I load up on fats. When I dont have enough fat, I feel myself becoming erratic and fidgety. Bullet proof coffee allows me to focus and think analytically, especially at work. Something I could never do in school unfortunately.

Fats have also changed my pallet and I have noticed I crave vegetables more than ever, specifically red or orange veggies. I'm thinking it has some to do with vitimin A.

I believe it is a chain effect.....Eating better led to better brain and gut health, which led to a happier person.

what can help ADD and low dopamine symptoms?

11 Answers