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I've done some research within PaleoHacks to try and find some reasoning with regards to my belly, but I still am confused (which doesn't take much).

For example, today I woke up looking like I swallowed a boulder. I'm tired, cranky, have dark circles under my eyes and am constantly scratching my scalp. I will cop to the fact that I did have homemade tamales yesterday and a gluten-free blueberry scone. Yes, I have sinned :(

Now a little more back story (I'm 30, F) - I made the choice to go gluten-free almost two years ago. Before that point, I literally though I was dying. After I quit gluten I was almost a new woman. But the gut was still swollen. I was desperate for anything- I tried all the fads with dieting (while GF) but still felt like crap. I even try to work out extensively but always have a knack for hurting myself- my muscles and connective tissue are so tight.

So anyway, here I am, pleading for advice. I read Robb's book back in December and it has clicked with me. But as I search on I realize my foray into Paleo has tossed me into the ditch from time to time like eating too many almonds, d'oh I should lay off the apples and other fruit and consider scaling back on dairy. My stomach scares me, really it does. I still feel sharp pains that will knuckle me over and the bloatedness makes my stomach feel hard as a rock. Perhaps this is a gut flora issue? Are there things I should be adding or subtracting from my diet? I will say I do generally get 8-9 hours/night of sleep although I do have a hard time going to sleep. My stress level is ok, but I do run my own business and am in school pursuing my masters.

I appreciate any advice and will answer any questions to the best of my ability. I feel like a new baby with everything and I am confused. Thank you!

Oh and here's my recent lab workup:
HDL- 45
LDL-47
Trig- 181

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8 Answers

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1) Your bloodwork results clearly indicate that you eat too many carbohydrates and not nearly enough saturated fat. Triglicerides should be under 100 on Paleo, and HDL should be over 60. Period. Eat more meat. Eat fewer carbs.

2) You need to fast. You should add at least a 12-16 hour DAILY fast (i.e. stop eating after 8 pm and ingest no calories until 8 am or even until 12 noon). This will take care of bloat. After a while, return to 12 hour daily fast and do 1x per month 24-30 hour fast.

3) You need sleep. Dark eye circles are a combination of not enough fat in your diet and not enough sleep.

4) Exercise no more 2x per week until you get things under control. No cardio. Short, high intensity workouts only. Sprinting and weight lifting. This is primal / paleo.

5) Did I mention you need meat in your diet? Eat fatty cuts of grass fed beef. Slow braised meats. Bone broth.

6) Screw "gluten free" products. Greens. Veggies. Meat.

Best of luck!

Matt

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Thanks Matt, that was an awesome reply! I'm a formula gal and this is perfect. If it's ok, I'd like to print this out and put it on my fridge (or forehead)... – LastingOne May 27 2011 at 23:48
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 Go for it, LastingOne! – Matt Baldwin May 28 2011 at 2:35
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You'd be surprised how food intolerance can get a hold of you and cause these issue (maybe in combo with others). You might consider getting some allergy testing done.

I personally am sensitive to coconut oil, it has the opposite effect on me for some reason, so I use it sparingly and use lots more olive oil and ghee. So test it out on yourself slowly as you would with any new food.

An elimination diet might be in your future to try and figure out whats really bothering you. (remove dairy, all processed foods, no bottled/canned/jarred food or seasonings either, only eat nuts/beans if you've soaked and dried them, eggs, test your proteins one by one)

If you start a probiotic, review all ingredients! Also start with just a bit and work your way up to a full pill, otherwise (am speaking from experience) you might suffer worse side effects, probiotics can cause trouble to a compromised system in crisis if taken at too high a dose.

Digestive enzymes might be of help (also allergy free), but you've got to be more strict with your diet and also take the enzymes before, during and after a meal that might contain suspect items for you. Dont start by adding in these things until you've done the allergy testing.

Get yourself tested with a good gastro dr./allergy dr. and dont accept anything short of a solid, well researched, well reviewed diagnosis specific to you.

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what type of reactions do you get when eating coconut oil? How much are you taking? Just curious. – justanotherhunt May 27 2011 at 23:34
Thanks Kelly! I've thankfully done a lot of research on probiotics and enzymes so I'll follow through with that. I've had allergy testing done in the past, but it's been a while (should probably get a revision). I'm allergic to wheat, corn and soy. Errrrm....yes, I totally sinned by having tamales yesterday. I know better! I've been on elimination diets before, first one when I was ten. Sorry to hear about the coconut oil. – LastingOne May 27 2011 at 23:53
Kelly...just like justanotherhunt I am curious about your reaction to coconut oil. I react negatively to it too but frequently try it again "just to check" and it's with the same results: a gut ache followed by a day or so of belly bloat. (and trying it with and without food gives the same results) So far I've only tried Spectrum unrefined virgin coconut oil. Perhaps we should try another brand? – orangecrush May 28 2011 at 16:59
When I started adding coconut into my diet I started with coconut oil, for cooking pork, chicken. I started with small amts (less than 1tb each meal up to 3xday) then added in fresh and dry coconut into breakfast. – Kelly May 28 2011 at 17:34
I'm not sure where it hit me but was hit with severe digestive distress. But I should preface, I've got leaky gut and I'm intolerant to way to many things, I might have been overdoing it for my system? So to be safe I alternate now with ghee and c. oil and only 2 times wk add coconut flesh to berries. I use coconut milk to make yogurt but can only eat that once a week...super yummy but also causes distress. Im using a organic coconut oil from nutsonline.com. In moderation it doesnt bother me too much, but every day is disasterous for me. – Kelly May 28 2011 at 17:34
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I think with your symptoms I'd bypass random people on the internet and head for a Doctor.

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Thanks Kent- I already have though. Handful of docs with even more tests. Nothing that can be classified other than the umbrella of IBS and gluten intolerance. – LastingOne May 27 2011 at 19:54
I have read that gluten intolerance dont always show up in testing until you've done significant damage to your insides-then the damage is done. So go with your instinct, if you dont feel well after eating it, its probably not good for you anyways! – Kelly May 27 2011 at 21:08
Very true Kelly which is a source of frustration, but my doc (who is thankfully very savvy) took a look at other symptoms (skin rash- DH) and said I needed to get off the gluten at the speed of light. Yes, I feel like junk after eating it so no gluten for me! – LastingOne May 27 2011 at 23:46
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Your story sounds EXACTLY like mine. Now, step away from the corn masa and do not return! I'm sure someone else will post something more insightful, but after going gluten free and feeling better, but not great I stumbled on Primal and Paleo and after removing the corn, rice, soy, and dairy from my diet I am literally a new woman. I didn't realize that people DIDN'T hurt after they ate and that your tummy is not supposed to balloon up after each meal.

Best of luck to you - keep tweaking, you'll find your formula soon enough!

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Thank you Heather! Yes, sadly I must ignore the tamales :) I did remove soy from my diet due to breast pain, but again, like mentioned above, foods that I am not aware can contain soy, gluten, etc. I need to get real with myself and cut what you have suggested out. Thanks again, it's nice to know I'm not alone but in the same breath makes me sad that people go through this! – LastingOne May 27 2011 at 19:59
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Your story sounds like mine. It sounds like dysbiosis and possibly food intolerances. Eat grass-fed antibiotic/hormone free meat and vegetables mostly with limited fruit, berries are good. Stay away from any sweeteners for a while until your symptoms get better, then do a little raw honey if you want something sweet. I'd stay away from all dairy for a while, with your past issues with gluten, you may not be digesting it. Try a rotation diet where you eliminate suspected foods for a while and then reintroduce them. Don't eat things that you know make you sick. Get your thyroid, adrenals, and progesterone/estrogen ratio checked by a holistic doctor or naturopath. Take an allergy free probiotic daily for the bloating...Jarrow's is good.

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Thanks for the advice Becky! I will consider a naturopath, we have a few highly-reputable ones in the area. – LastingOne May 27 2011 at 23:47
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Thanks everyone for your thoughtful answers. I've made some changes already and look forward to seeing how it goes. I even changed my birthday meal reservations to a pure gluten-free restaurant that prides itself on absolutely no cross-contamination, so I can hopefully enjoy socializing without worrying if I'm going to be sick. I'll update as I go, since I know I'm not the only one with this concern that pops into this website.

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hey, did you ever solve the mystery? – g. Sep 1 2011 at 21:34
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A bit of a late answer but check out these links

http://www.archevore.com/panu-weblog/2011/2/5/fodmaps.html

http://shepherdworks.com.au/disease-information/low-fodmap-diet

This may have some relevance, Good luck!!!!

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Thank you for the links! – LastingOne Sep 23 2011 at 7:06
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Hey all, people have asked for an update so here you go:

I've not really gotten any better and I actually walked away from Paleo for a bit because I was getting too obsessed with the details. I am going in to see a ND in a couple of weeks to have a battery of tests run on my hormones. We suspect estrogen dominance and possible hypothyroidism. The clinic also has an acupuncturist/dietitian who has a Paleo background so I feel good about seeing her as well. I have a good support system in trying to get my life back on track, so we'll see how it all goes! I'll post my results when they come in. Perhaps that will give others the incentive to follow suit and/or compare.

Thanks everyone!

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"Not getting better" as a result of walking away from paleo or following these suggestions and still seeing no results? There really aren't many 'details' to follow. Just eat quality meat and vegetables. Feel better. Get healthy. Good luck. – Priscilla Sep 23 2011 at 10:55
Hi Priscilla, I tried most of what was suggested and was not seeing results. Details I'm talking about are reading too much about VLC, fasting, etc., and overwhelming myself. Thanks for the luck! I feel that getting tested is the best way to go at this point. – LastingOne Sep 23 2011 at 18:01

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