Also along the lines of tougher skin... I've noticed dramatically increased resistance to sunburn. According to Natural Bias, it's probably the increased saturated fat in my diet.

Saturated fat makes skin cells more resistant to oxidative damage from the sun which can help to prevent SUNBURN, wrinkles, and skin cancer.

I'm naturally pretty pale and sunburn prone, so this is a BIG deal to me!

You mean aside from dropping twenty pounds, my blood pressure suddenly tanking from high into the low normal range, my diabetes resolving itself, and my lipid panel making a marked improvement, in the space of three months?

Aside from no longer having constipation issues or flatulence? Aside from being much calmer and able to tolerate stress?

Naw, nothing much to report, really :).

When I see myself in the mirror in the morning and go "Oh yeah!". I can't really say I've ever done that and meant it until now. Improved self-image is a blessing.

That plus the improvement in teeth, stool, recovery, etc.

No heartburn. Which sort of messes with my lifelong theory that my occasional heartburn was triggered by high-sat-fat meals...

• A fairly common experience after going grain-free: all tooth plaque has disappeared.

• Stool quality has improved (let's just say there's not much wiping to do any more), although this can be negated by high fish oil consumption (which I no longer do).

• Flatulence is diminished and usually odorless.

• Chronic nighttime sinus congestion is diminished (eliminated, actually, on workout days).

Other than the obvious metabolic changes, here's a few random things I've noticed:

• No more morning breath. I just don't get it now unless I've had wine or something sweet.
• My eyesight has improved (according to my eye doctor).
• Quicker recovery after injury or tough workout (noticeable difference).
• It's easier to wake up in the morning.

And like Biodoc, I too am a cheaper date. ;)

I used to have miserably painful menstrual cycles. About 24-hours at the beginning of every cycle felt sick enough to call in sick to work (though I rarely did). Ever since going low-carb/paleo about a year ago, I have been magically pain and PMS symptom-free. Even in the unlikely event that I never see another improvement, I will never give up paleo, based on that perk alone.

I have also noticed the breath thing. No more morning breath for me or the hubby!

I've also only been sick 1/2 a time in the last year. I'm fairly certain that a flu bug was trying to get me after we got home from visiting relatives at Thanksgiving. I suddenly felt very body-achy, headachy and spiked a 102 temperature one evening. I loaded up on extra vitamin D3, took a tablespoon of coconut oil and went to bed early. I was 100% myself again the next morning. Thank you, paleo!!

For one, my sleep cycle is different. I get really sleepy around 9-10, sleep hard until 12 or 1, wake up for a bit, and then I'm back down until I wake up (sans alarm) at 6:30 or 7. Seems I've moved to the sleep-wake-sleep pattern and I have no idea why! I feel great, so I'm not complaining, it's just strange.

My alcohol tolerance has gone down. A single glass of wine with dinner now actually gets me tipsy! My husband thinks this is hilarious.

Fewer headaches, even though I have just as many triggers (eyestrain, etc.).

this is so fun! Besides loosing 30lbs, clearer skin, having more energy, no more mood swings, no more picking up every single stomach bug/common cold/flu as it makes the rounds in the office. Also, loving the feeling that I am NOT depriving myself of something!

I have been able to come off my THREE prescriptions to battle my IBS completely and pain free! I feel ALIVE and HAPPY and JOYFUL, something my IBS medicine could never help me with. No more severe bloating, no more awful stomach cramping like someone was stabbing me, no more constipation, no more heartburn keeping me uncomfortable and up at night. No more missing fuctions or parties or gatherings with friends because my stomach is acting up. No more stressing that I have something terribly wrong with me that medical science has never seen before. Wish I hadn't battled IBS for 7 years bouncing from doctor to doctor (and them telling me that "I need more fiber" in my diet and prescribing OTC fiber supplements to put into drinks/food/etc)

something quirky though...I SWEAR I have more hair now. just in general prepaleo I could skip a month or two wiht my waxer, but now there is NOooo way I would skip my eyebrow wax appointment! ha! I'm thinking maybe because there is 30 lbs less of me that maybe it just SEEMS like I have more hair? but maybe I'm getting more vitamins and minerals that encourage hair growth? (anyone have ideas on this?)

I don't get hot in the middle of the night anymore! Like my father, in the middle of the night, I often wake up really hot, and if I'm wearing pajamas, I'll have to take them off. Immediately after starting Paleo, I've been surprised to wake up in the morning, still wearing my long sleeved pajamas (previously unheard of).

I think this has something to do with being a fast oxidizer, and how my body really burns up those refined carbs. On the two occasions where I have not had a paleo dinner, I have once again woken up burning up.

Interesting!

No bloating-- used to have this all the time... probably from trouble digesting grains or maybe sugar. Also, no stomach pains, even after big meals, which I used to have often and attributed to high-fat meals (definitely wrong). Also... like the others said lower alcohol tolerance.

I have never been one for running or doing exercise of any kind, but since going Paleo, I want to exercise more and have been inspired to follow a training program. I can feel a build up of energy in my muscles and body that I never witnessed before paleo which I have a strong desire to 'release' by running or jumping or climbing.

For me, the Paleo diet has liberated my body from rigidity and I now want to move much more than I ever did.

Well, let's see... it's only been a few weeks since I went kinda hard-core and knocked out most carbs except those in the full-fat yogurt and kombucha, and those are pretty minimal. I'm about 48 years old, male, was up around 195lbs at 5'7" which is up there, now down to 174lbs or so, still kind of fat but I'll be doing some kettlebell routines outside once the weather gets better.

1. My skin is clearing up; I've had a lifelong battle with very oily "t-zone" and form lots of blackheads (ugh) and exuded a lot of sebum from my nose when pressed. that's better now, still present but not as bad.
2. In addition or conjunction to the above, my rosacea is also clearing.
3. Digestion-wise, impressive but mostly odorless farts. I'm my own tuba/contrabassoon duet. Poops are firm with usually no cleanup needed. No idea why I'm so farty, but hilarity usually ensues. I'm kind of a small boy about that sort of thing.
4. My teeth feel stronger (I know, weird) and are much less pasty/furry in the morning.
5. In general, I feel much better, more alert, less easily fatigued.

Sounds all good to me.

this is the weirdest forum ever, but alas i must share my grossest discoveries. my sweat stopped smelling. i stopped sweating entirely when i'm not working out (i used to sweat all day when i weighed 10 more lbs). no more period cramps, they are non-existent. no more painful bloating after a meal. after i stopped eating fruit and grains, i stopped farting. i haven't farted in 3 weeks. and if i do fart again, i'll know why.

I have had a few quirky differences pop up.

The most important one is that I am more patient with my children. Shortly after going paleoish, I found an inner strength that I did not know I had. I am much more willing to carry them, play with them, and run around like a little kid. My stress level has reduced dramatically and i feel much better in general, which is why i think this is happening.

Secondly, I got my sex drive back. I lost that shortly after my daughter was born. It came back STRONG about a week after changing my habits. Hubs is pretty stoked. ;)

Lastly, I have learned to enjoy the housework that used to make me feel oh-so-burdened. Carrying baskets of laundry, cleaning up the same toys three hundred times a day, washing dishes, cleaning, vacuuming, etc. Instead of letting it get me down, I actually enjoy it now! I feel like it's helping me. So odd!

My most startling physical change is that my arthritis is VASTLY improved and my Rosacia is GONE. I attribute this to giving up nightshades.

My teeth, also, are much less yucky (unbrushed).

But the best thing is that I am almost never ill. All of my life I've gotten very, very sick as many as 4 times a year with cold/flu/bronchitis/crud. I have asthma, so these were always dibilitating 2-week-long misery fests.

Now, I get the sniffles, maybe, or a small cough, or a stuffy head and it's gone in a few days. Fabulous! :D

I have one toenail that had some sort of non-painful white fungus on it for the past few years (not really gross just white and flaky). Ive tried to get rid of it with over the counter anti-fungal topicals but it would only get part of it and it would come back. I noticed yesterday while walking around my yard barefoot that its pretty much gone. Stoked on that one.

I had an undiganosed low-grade asthma that I just sort of lived with. I had done low-carb before, but always supplemented with plenty of "low carb tortillas" and other Frankenfoods.

Once I kicked gluten to the curb, the asthma vanished in less than a week.

1. No heartburn. I had been taking zantac at least once a week for almost a year, now I only need it for my 20%.
2. Skin clearing. I don't know if it's from going Paleo or no soap/poo, but my acne and psoriasis have started clearing. I no longer have dry spots or oily spots.
3. I don't get sick as easily. A few bugs have gone through the house and I was the only one who did not get sick.
4. Healing. If I get scratches, bruises or cuts I heal a lot faster and with less infection.
5. ADD. I have not needed my ADD meds nor my anti-depressants since January.
6. My wife has severe TMJ. She has had surgery to try to correct it, but still has massive pain and depression from it. Eating paleo, she has less pain and takes fewer meds.
7. Energy. I have more energy. I also have less trouble falling asleep at night and waking in the morning.

All in all it has been a great thing for me and my family. Thanks to all who post in this forum and those who blog to spread the word. Society can only benefit.

Some small things that could be attributed to paleo lifestyle (maybe not only the diet)

• Improvement in psoriasis (from mild to very mild, and gone in summer)
• Haven't had dizziness caused by inner ear inflammation (I had maybe 5 episodes of 2 days in the 4 years). Not sure about this one though...
• Calmness of mind. Although I am a calm person (really ;-) ), I noticed that when our first son was born (while not being paleo), nightly wake-ups could bring up a kind of anger from deep inside. It was a strange senstation, because I'm almost never angry, and I didn't want to be angry at the person I loved the most, but still, I felt it. Now, after our second son was born, this néver happened, never. And I don't think it was because I was more anxious for the unknown of the first birth.
• Change in behaviour: wanting to persuade everybody about the paleo lifestyle! ;-) Now, this must be something that occurs mainly in the first year. I seem to have calmed down a bit. But still, people see me and the family, and ask questions. Leading by example works fine now. And I people want more information, this site is a great reference (Thanks Patrick!)

Cheers

edit: some more things I've noticed - No more swollen eyes in the morning, but after a grain/carb cheat they are back (luckily only for 1 day) - I haven't been biting my fingernails for a long time. Wonder why? - Less of the white on the back of the tongue.

Psoriasis (Or what appeared to be is psoriasis is now gone) and my hair is a lot softer w/o conditioner which has allowed me to go "-poo"less. The list of benefits goes on but those were the unexpected ones.

My biggest surprise was tougher skin. I attribute this to a much larger percentage of saturated fat in my diet and a significant decrease in polyunsaturated fats. I used to get scrapes and cuts rather easily and the skin on my knuckles would start cracking every winter. The knuckles were by far the most noticeable.

It took about two years of eating Paleo, but it was very gratifying to go an entire winter with no painful cracked knuckles. Subsequently, I would occasionally bang a shin or scrape myself and be surprised to notice no bleeding.

Regards, Dave

My mood swings have lessened considerably, and like gilliebean, I find myself feeling refreshed in the morning whereas before it would take all the mental strength I had to get out of bed in the morning.

1. I used to wake up with a very slight runny nose; my old 'normal'. No longer! I attribute this almost certainly to cutting gluten.

2. As mentioned here already; no more furry teeth!

3. Reduced body odor smell (I still stink though)

4. No more hunger pangs that used to almost make me feel sick!

My spouse and I have noticed that our dreams have changed. I think this is gluten related, because I have had intense and unpleasant dreams after a gluten mistake. It has been over a year and he hasn't had an intense, recurring anxious dream about missing the big exam. I used to have a dream about the brakes failing in my car. I don't miss that at all.

I'm starting to look...buff. For 10-12 years now (I'm 28 and 6'1") I have gone back and forth between 160-205 lbs. I have always been either a bean-pole or carrying extra weight around the middle. I used to be an endurance athlete, and spent time in the military. But I was NEVER able to build a lot of muscle no matter how hard I tried. After about two months of primal eating (roughly 90% of meals), I am starting to notice a lot of muscle definition. I have exercised only a couple of times in the last couple of months, and my work is sedentary. I'm shocked and amazed. I still cheat on a semi-regular basis (had a vending machine cinnamon roll this morning. Yuck!), and I have lost 20 pounds and I feel better than ever. I'm still eating conventional beef, too (due to cost and availability of grass-fed in my area).

The best part of all is that I never feel like I'm "on a diet".

Ditto on the vision. 5 years ago I got readers that were at 1.5. I just got my eyes checked and I still need just a 1.5. So it's not gettign worse. My distance vision is 20/15. I'm 50 years old... Cured a blood sugar problem. Before paleo fastings were 120-133. That was 4 years ago. No my fastings are in the 70's. One hour post meal blood sugars are in the 80's. Oral glucose tolerance test dropped 100 points. And they say you can't cure blood sugar problems...

My three year old son's behaviour changed, for the better. He really is a lovely and energetic boy. But since 6 months he had these anger attacks, that were quite heavy. Terrible twos, everybody said. Still, we thought they were strange. He also had some eczema and quite a lot of nightly sweating. At home he ate paleo, but in daycare, he ate some bread and pasta.

We decided to totally avoid all grains (no problem for the daycare centre, thanks to them), and quite immediately, all of the above 'symptoms' went away. No eczema, no nightly sweating (even if it was summer), and no more anger attacks. The latter was not really expected (although I had read about the connection of gluten/behaviour).

Yeah, he infrequently get's a little anger attack, but these I'm willing to call normal terrible two type attacks.

It is still an experiment going on, but whenever he eats grains, we think we feel the difference. But n=1 experiments are hard to interpret, so we keep looking out.

I've just started a few weeks ago, and amazed to the point that I even became suspicious of myself...

1. Having had psoriasis since I was 3, it has calmed down and in some places even gone in remission. I am 42, so some skin I have never seen normal.
2. My colitis has calmed down. I'm still weary about it, it could be a temporary thing, but I don't need to use the bathroom three times a day anymore since one week into Paleo.
3. My weight is dropping like nothing I've ever seen.
4. My hair is baby soft, which is a bit of a nuisance, because trying to style it invariably gets the response "nah, not today, dude" from my scalp.
5. My mood has become intolerably happy. It annoys people around me. Went for a walk on the beach a few days ago, and happiness came over me in such a way that it made me cry and laugh out loud at the same time.
6. I go to bed when I feel sleepy, which has funny results. I notice I wake up before the alarm clock.
7. Breakfast is not an exercise in procrastination anymore. I actually enjoy cooking in the morning, having rediscovered kale. (I loved that as a child, but discovered I hadn't eaten it in more than two years).
8. The energy. I swear it's gonna kill me one of these days. In weekends I want to go out and do stuff. That from a man who used to have a weekly bathrobe day (lounging around, and forcing guests to wear bathrobes too. Come to think of it, I miss that when female friends are over).
9. No more sleepless nights! I used to have at least one sleepless night a week, sitting on the couch, reading or watching tv. Those are gone.
10. Headaches that I had since 13 have left. That in itself has made the whole experience worthwhile. I'm the kind of guy that carries painkillers around everywhere. Yesterday I threw them in the medicine cabinet as I don't need them anymore.

And best of all, I'm not feeling like I am restraining myself eating, or doing anything that I don't want to.

It's too early to tell whether my other little complaints are clearing up or changing, but I have made up my mind to keep on going. I promised myself a one month trial, which is now turning permanent.