Blog

show/hide this revision's text 2 added info

The bad news is this sounds like a reaction many of us experienced in our first 2 weeks on this lifestyle; the good news is this reaction is usually short-lived and means good things are probably happening:

  • your late-day low energy and sleepiness sounds like your body is trying to follow a natural cycle of highs and lows that should help you fall asleep and get good quality rest
  • the mood issue could indicate turnover and upgrade in your gut microflora
  • the energy fluctuations could indicate your body is trying to shift to or from fat-burning mode but may not yet be efficient at switching back and forth.

In healthy metabolism, fat may be going into storage at the same time that other fat is being released into the bloodstream. If your system has been used to burning many-to-all carbs, this process stumbles a bit before hitting efficiency. Again, healthy metabolism can handle both carbs and fats as energy sources but if your past foods were slanted heavily toward either one you need to become re-acclimated to burning whatever's on hand.

Your overall ratios sound fine, but remember that intake doesn't always equal absorption. If/as your gut flora adapt and become healthier you should see your energy and moods stabilize at great levels. If that hasn't happened by 30 days in I'd be thinking about possible small adjustments to see how you react.

EDIT: You should read the new post at Paleo Solution

show/hide this revision's text 1

The bad news is this sounds like a reaction many of us experienced in our first 2 weeks on this lifestyle; the good news is this reaction is usually short-lived and means good things are probably happening:

  • your late-day low energy and sleepiness sounds like your body is trying to follow a natural cycle of highs and lows that should help you fall asleep and get good quality rest
  • the mood issue could indicate turnover and upgrade in your gut microflora
  • the energy fluctuations could indicate your body is trying to shift to or from fat-burning mode but may not yet be efficient at switching back and forth.

In healthy metabolism, fat may be going into storage at the same time that other fat is being released into the bloodstream. If your system has been used to burning many-to-all carbs, this process stumbles a bit before hitting efficiency. Again, healthy metabolism can handle both carbs and fats as energy sources but if your past foods were slanted heavily toward either one you need to become re-acclimated to burning whatever's on hand.

Your overall ratios sound fine, but remember that intake doesn't always equal absorption. If/as your gut flora adapt and become healthier you should see your energy and moods stabilize at great levels. If that hasn't happened by 30 days in I'd be thinking about possible small adjustments to see how you react.