Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

2

Female, middle 50s, 200 pounds, 5'7".

I have fairly severe insomnia. Frankly, it's been a problem since my 30s when I was a young momma. Currently working with my gyno and compounding P\pharmacist to get the right bio cream for me (long process - ugh).

I have started and failed Dr. Jack's leptin reset about five times in the past few months. I go a few days - once a couple of weeks - and totally cave to bad habits. Not blaming the hubs, but the abundance of crap in our house is epic.

All that said, my hugest problem with success with the protocol is my insomnia. I wake, more often than not, at 3 or 4 a.m. after going to sleep between 10 and 11 p.m. I don't want to have my BAB at 3:30 in the morning.

Question is this: While suffering from this type of insomnia is the 30 minute BAB rule still an absolute?

I keep hearing SLEEP MORE, but haven't been successful. And if I do happen to sleep a longer length of time I wake incredibly groggy. Schlepping around like I weigh 300 pounds.

flag	asked Nov 7 2011 at 11:05 Deborah105 709●1●10

2

You need to get your DHEA checked. With insomnia that bad it may be the root cause. – The Quilt Nov 7 2011 at 11:33

Dr. Jack - you just reminded me that I did have level testing done in June and guess what - my dhea levels are/were 1.3. I have a DHEA supplement, but am notoriously bad at taking my supplements. So many pills!. I'm off to see what optimum levels for my age group would be. Thanks Dr. J. – Deborah105 Nov 7 2011 at 13:57

White Dolemite · Answer 1 · 2011-11-07 12:12:07Z UTC

2

Why don't you have your cortisol and DHEA levels tested? You can order a saliva test online, do it at home, and mail it in.

http://www.zrtlab.com/

Saliva is a better indicator than blood or urine levels.

answered Nov 7 2011 at 12:12

White Dolemite
660●1●6

Eric S · Answer 2 · 2011-11-07 17:39:00Z UTC

1

Since the leptin reset protocol is premised on how 'old' leptin receptors are wired to adapt to light changes, when you wake up in the middle of the night, I would wait to eat your BAB until about 30 minutes after sunrise.

answered Nov 7 2011 at 17:39

Eric S
5,606●12●44

	This I can do. Thanks Eric. – Deborah105 Nov 7 2011 at 19:06
	Happy to help -- a lot of people who are reading Dr K seem to be missing or overlooking the light-cycle component. – Eric S Nov 8 2011 at 2:18

Luke · Answer 3 · 2011-11-07 13:50:26Z UTC

Are you 100% Paleo? Is the room you sleep in pitch black at night? No blinking lights, no visual or audible distractions? If not, make it so.

Dont eat late at night or your digestion will keep you awake or make you have bad dreams.

30 mins before bed try a ZMA supplement or some Natural calm. This will help you sleep and aide digestion so your money deposit will be a good one.

Insomnia and the Leptin Reset Protocol

3 Answers