I would need some help for my father please.

[Deleted member 8431]

Hi everyone!

I would like to have some help, if possible, about a heath issue regarding my father. He personally asked me to make some research because he is losing fate in doctors which seem to only tell him the issue is "psychological" and not physiological.

Anyhow, his issue, as he put it, is in regards to enzyme production. He says he has a defficiency of both the CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 enzymes. Even his doctor who is specialized in the liver dosen't seem to know anything.

I've made quite some research but I am a total ignorant when it comes down to that sort of very specific problem. The vocabulary used is also very hard for me to understand as I have poor biology knowledge in the matter.

So now, I'm going to give you a background of his situation.

He is 52 years old.

He has been a chronic alcoholic and drug addict (majorly opiates) for about 15 years and stopped 26 years ago (when I was only 1 yo) and is sober since. So here, he has damaged his liver already so it could be in part responsible, osit.

He works out a lot so eats a lot too and his diet is the normal crappy 4 groups mainstream diet (including lots of carbs, not a lot of animal fat, dairy products, gluten, fruits/veggies, legumes sometimes and maybe soy from time to time). He also take protein supplements if I recall (will double check) and that is usually made of casein which is bad. He also farts a lot and it smells like rotten eggs/cabbage (another red flag). So yeah, this is a major red flag here but I am unable to determine what exactly in there could be responsible for those specific enzymes. My bet would be that it has a lot more concequences on him that he is aware of but unless I come with something solid, there is no way he'll just change his whole diet to paleo or especially not ketogenic.

He says he had had this problem for 20 years. It resurfaced when he took meds a few years ago. He would be hyper-sensitive to them and wouldn't feel good (they were sleeping pills if I recall). He would also over-react when injected benzocaine (or whatever cocaine derivate dentists use to numb your face) and his heart would race etc. He's always been told it was psychological but he knows it isn't so. He's done well enough drugs to know to make the diffrence, osht.

So that's it. I've tried to search but I'm very lost in that area and my dad is quite worried. Any tips, hits, links, suggestions would be greately appreciated. I know diet is most likely the key here but I just need a few tips or links to come up with strong data/arguments. GMO's might be to consider as well as I have seen in another topic while researching.

If you have any questions that could enlighten the situation, feel absolutely free to ask and I'll call him if necessary.

Thanks a lot!

Peace.

 

[Gaby]

Hello JayMark,

I know a liver doc and could ask for some practical pointers on your dad's problem. To be honest, I would be surprised if he provides any information that will make the difference though. If these are liver enzymes in charge of processing toxic elements, perhaps he would benefit by taking liver friendly supplements for detox purposes such as milk thistle and alpha lipoic acid. But I think a better attitude will be for him to read PBPM and be open to do the paleo diet.

As complicated as it might sound, it still comes down to be open to do the diet, try something that has worked for many who had serious problems and conditions that mainstream medicine didn't resolve and that is based on research of the benefits of primal diets and the disastrous effects of our modern diet. As Gedgaudas said, the more difficult your health condition, the more need to go primal into a diet that was best suited for our physiology. Perhaps he might be able to understand this argument for the sake of his health? Would he be open to take charge of his health if he knows mainstream medicine can't help him?

 

[Ellipse]

As usual I would recommend to find an acupuncturist (a real one) to have a complete diagnosis of the body through Chinese pulse. The body is a whole and the problem of your father may be linked with others problems unseen by doctors if they are at a loss.

 

[Renaissance]

Would he be open to getting a FIR sauna blanket?

There was a SOTT podcast on the subject, #75 Toxic World, Toxic Bodies that may be worth checking out if you haven't already:

http://www.sott.net/podcasts/listall

 

[mcb]

Is he taking prescription drugs? There is quite a list of ones that cause such problems.

 

[Deleted member 8431]

Hello JayMark,

I know a liver doc and could ask for some practical pointers on your dad's problem. To be honest, I would be surprised if he provides any information that will make the difference though. If these are liver enzymes in charge of processing toxic elements, perhaps he would benefit by taking liver friendly supplements for detox purposes such as milk thistle and alpha lipoic acid.

Will look upon that. He eats a lot of fish, canned tuna and seafood sometimes so I suspect that mercury for instance might be problematic. Not to mention all the other toxins (casein, carbs, gluten, anti-nutrients, MSG, GMO's etc).

But I think a better attitude will be for him to read PBPM and be open to do the paleo diet.

Quite frankly, I see no other solution possible. Diet is fundamental as I've learned here. There's no "going around" that. So there's nothing really negative that changing his diet could do as far as I can see anyways.

As complicated as it might sound, it still comes down to be open to do the diet, try something that has worked for many who had serious problems and conditions that mainstream medicine didn't resolve and that is based on research of the benefits of primal diets and the disastrous effects of our modern diet. As Gedgaudas said, the more difficult your health condition, the more need to go primal into a diet that was best suited for our physiology.

For me, that answer is crystal clear but it might be a bit more complex for him since he has almost a personal nutritionner (his trainer at the gym who is a professionnal bodybuilder).

Perhaps he might be able to understand this argument for the sake of his health? Would he be open to take charge of his health if he knows mainstream medicine can't help him?

There's only one way to know and it is to discuss the issue(s) with him. Oh, he is quite open minded and starts to have more and more confidence in my objectivity but still, he dosen't really have any way to tell if what he's told is Truth or disinformation (to some point). You know, I'll be open and honnest with him. There's no point trying to avoid things. In the end, he's going to have to make a choise (no matter how happy or unhappy it will make me feel). But I think I can guide him if he decides to go with it meaning not drastically changing everything from one day to the other. Perhaps by starting to avoid gluten, casein/diary, soy, legumes and starting to reduce carbs while upping quality fat would be a good start. And anyhow, this fantastic website is always there when I need objective data.

As usual I would recommend to find an acupuncturist (a real one) to have a complete diagnosis of the body through Chinese pulse. The body is a whole and the problem of your father may be linked with others problems unseen by doctors if they are at a loss.

This is more unlikely to work (I mean, convincing him to do so) but I'll keep it in mind nontheless. We never know. And yes, I'm certain that there is more to it that just the enzyme thing. He is on unemployment right now so stress in an extra factor (which makes him lack sleep). Also, I know carbs will stress you out by stimulating the production of adrenalin. Perhaps stressing the pancreas isn't a good thing either here. He does waste a lot of energy working out but he eats a whole lot more carbs that the average person in order to suffice his energy needs. So even though he technically waste the extra energy, carbs remain carbs and despite the fact he now knows it damages cells, he still thinks there are good and bad sugars (see what I mean by his difficulty to filter information). When it comes down to our cells producing energy, no matter if you consumed a fruit of a spoon full of pure table sugar, it'll be broken down to glucose and that's what damages the cells when being used (or you can correct me if I'm wrong).

Would he be open to getting a FIR sauna blanket?

There was a SOTT podcast on the subject, #75 Toxic World, Toxic Bodies that may be worth checking out if you haven't already:

http://www.sott.net/podcasts/listall

Thank you. I'll check it out and come back to you.

Is he taking prescription drugs? There is quite a list of ones that cause such problems.

I think he does but on occasion. He very rarely ever takes pills but now as he's getting older, some health issues are inevitably pressuring him (just like so many others, thanks to mainstream bullcrap).

Anyhow, like I said, he might be using more these days (and perhaps even for a longer time, he dosen't really speak about it to me because he dosen't want me to think he's up on drugs again like before I was born). I know he used cannabis at one point to help him sleep because the med was too hars on him. But I doubt it's the big issue here.

Very important point. I'll call him tomorrow and ask him to be specific about it.

Many thanks guys! This is going somewhere. To be honnest, I had the feeling it would come to that but I still wanted to ask you guys just in case. I love my father so much. Without him, I probably wouldn't be where I am right now.

I'll follow up tomorrow with new infos.

Peace.

 

[Deleted member 8431]

Alright.

I didn't even have to call him, he did and asked me if I had some answers.

So he's quite worried, I'm starting to realise it more and more.

About prescription drugs, he told me no. Like I previously said, he did try some meds to help him sleep at some point but since he overreacted to it, he didn't touch it again. That's how he realised something was wrong apparently.

He told me that in a gereral sense, he seems to overreact to any kind of meds he has tried. Even the dentist's anesthetic.

So quite frankly, I think it's time for him to change his diet - as simple (and complicated) as that. I say complicated because it sure will be a shock for him but I love him so I'll be honnest with him about it and not avoid things.

I'll try to see what I can find that I could print/send him via internet so he can get the information. There are quite a few many links in the Diet And Health section, papers written by doctors and also I'll see if I can get Primal Body Primal Mind. Are we talking about the one by Nora Gedgaudas? I guess so but I want to make sure.

Good. I'll stard to collect data so I can built a little dossier. This might be found to be handy for others as well (and myself) in the future.

Thanks again.

EDIT: Oh and Shane, I'll find the time to listen to that. This should be very interesting and it's in French so it'll give me an "English break". ;)

 

[mcb]

...
He told me that in a gereral sense, he seems to overreact to any kind of meds he has tried. Even the dentist's anesthetic.
...

That sounds a lot like liver/detox issues (or outright pathology). I would guess that his liver needs some very special care right about now, especially if there is a genetic issue with enzymes, but I couldn't begin to make recommendations.

 

[Renaissance]

EDIT: Oh and Shane, I'll find the time to listen to that. This should be very interesting and it's in French so it'll give me an "English break". ;)

The podcast I was referring to is in English and is the seventh podcast down the page.

And yes, Primal Body Primal Mind is by Nora Gedgaudas.

 

[Deleted member 8431]

That sounds a lot like liver/detox issues (or outright pathology). I would guess that his liver needs some very special care right about now, especially if there is a genetic issue with enzymes, but I couldn't begin to make recommendations.

Perhaps a mix of both is also to consider.

He has been followed by a liver specialist for years because of his heavy drug/alcohol abuse of the past. It has suffered a lot and seems not to go so much better (so to speak) but the doctor himself dosen't seem to know what's going on.

I have started going around the board and SOTT and am copying/pasting articles, messages, texts in regards to detoxification, primary toxins (soy/glutamate, gluten, dairy, carbs, gmo's, heavy metals, antinutrients) as well as providing some background info about the benefits of a paleo diet (will also mention ketogenic for the sake of it).

His primary source of dietary information is from his trainer, a professional bodybuilder and he does take steroids (the guy, not my dad). So it won't be hard for me to explain to my father how biaised his information/research is.

The podcast I was referring to is in English and is the seventh podcast down the page.

And yes, Primal Body Primal Mind is by Nora Gedgaudas.

Good, will check for both. When it says "beyond the paleo diet", does it mean she goes further into the ketogenic diet as well? That would be great although paleo is certainly not a bad thing per se as far as I can see. Might be better for my dad to shift to paleo before going full blown ketogenic. He will most likely need some time to detoxify and cleansen his body so it would be irresponsible imho to go too fast. I'll let him read the info and explain things to him so he gets very well informed about it. I don't see any other option.

Meanwhile, I can still advise him to cut on gluten, diary, soy and legumes right now to begin with. That will be that much less neurotoxins and antinutrients and help the detox process. I'll also advise him start to cut carbs and replace with good animal fat. This might even help him sleeping. Perhaps I should also advise him to take some supplements like melatonin, potassium, magnesium and vitamin C?

Thanks y'all!

 

[mcb]

...
Meanwhile, I can still advise him to cut on gluten, diary, soy and legumes right now to begin with. That will be that much less neurotoxins and antinutrients and help the detox process. I'll also advise him start to cut carbs and replace with good animal fat. This might even help him sleeping. Perhaps I should also advise him to take some supplements like melatonin, potassium, magnesium and vitamin C?
...

Any toxin he can eliminate should ultimately help, although it is hard to guess what interactions and backlash there might be (when detoxing, things can get worse before they get better). I am guessing that his system might be overwhelmed with toxins.

Detoxify or Die might be helpful as a source of information, although I found some parts of it better than others, and you might want to discuss things that you find there before trying them. That's the book that really opened my eyes to being surrounded by toxicity.

 

[Deleted member 8431]

Any toxin he can eliminate should ultimately help, although it is hard to guess what interactions and backlash there might be (when detoxing, things can get worse before they get better). I am guessing that his system might be overwhelmed with toxins.

Thanks for pointing it out. This is indeed an important point that I could have forgotten if you haden't said so. Detoxifiying can be a pain you are right. I went through this myself and I know what it is. But he has gone through heavy opiate and alcohol withdrawal in the past (up to the point it was life threatening) so in some sense, I feel that he will understand.

Detoxify or Die might be helpful as a source of information, although I found some parts of it better than others, and you might want to discuss things that you find there before trying them. That's the book that really opened my eyes to being surrounded by toxicity.

Will check!

Thank you Megan.

 

[mcb]

By the way, your father sounds like someone who might really benefit from completely eliminating fructose. That would include sugar- and HFCS-containing processed foods as well as fruit (it tends to be much less concentrated in most real foods, even when the levels have been genetically manipulated). Many people are swimming in the stuff, and it taxes the liver and might contribute to NAFLD.

 

[Renaissance]

Good, will check for both. When it says "beyond the paleo diet", does it mean she goes further into the ketogenic diet as well?

There are variations of Paleo and some describe it existing on a spectrum. While that leaves a lot open to interpretation, Nora goes into the science of how the body responds to various foods (and non-foods as it were) to include a ketogenic metabolism. Although I'm not sure, I suppose that might be why she used the subtitle 'beyond the paleo diet'.

Might be better for my dad to shift to paleo before going full blown ketogenic. He will most likely need some time to detoxify and cleansen his body so it would be irresponsible imho to go too fast. I'll let him read the info and explain things to him so he gets very well informed about it. I don't see any other option.

Meanwhile, I can still advise him to cut on gluten, diary, soy and legumes right now to begin with. That will be that much less neurotoxins and antinutrients and help the detox process. I'll also advise him start to cut carbs and replace with good animal fat. This might even help him sleeping. Perhaps I should also advise him to take some supplements like melatonin, potassium, magnesium and vitamin C?

I agree that it would be wise to go about things slowly and to see what his interest is. If he is up for detoxing, he may need to go about it at a gentle pace if his body is loaded with toxins. Also, I'd suggest to try and not overload him with too much information at once, and maybe just focus on a couple of things with him at a time. Maybe start with detoxing, sugar and gluten? I wouldn't advise to do anything with carbs or animal fats at his point.

 

[Deleted member 8431]

By the way, your father sounds like someone who might really benefit from completely eliminating fructose. That would include sugar- and HFCS-containing processed foods as well as fruit (it tends to be much less concentrated in most real foods, even when the levels have been genetically manipulated). Many people are swimming in the stuff, and it taxes the liver and might contribute to NAFLD.

Wow! That is something.

Thanks!

There are variations of Paleo and some describe it existing on a spectrum. While that leaves a lot open to interpretation, Nora goes into the science of how the body responds to various foods (and non-foods as it were) to include a ketogenic metabolism. Although I'm not sure, I suppose that might be why she used the subtitle 'beyond the paleo diet'.

Ok. Makes sense.

I agree that it would be wise to go about things slowly and to see what his interest is. If he is up for detoxing, he may need to go about it at a gentle pace if his body is loaded with toxins. Also, I'd suggest to try and not overload him with too much information at once, and maybe just focus on a couple of things with him at a time. Maybe start with detoxing, sugar and gluten? I wouldn't advise to do anything with carbs or animal fats at his point.

Alright. Step-by-step. With what Megan pointed out, cutting sugar/fructose would be advisable to go with. Besides fruits, do you know what else it could imply? Table sugar of course but what about honey and maple syrup? My guess is that it should be avoided as well.

But thing is if he cuts off sugar/fructose and gluten, he'll also lose a lot of his energy intake and since he works out in the gym, I don't think he'll agree unless he has another option as far as energy requirements are concerned. Your thoughts would be appreciated here.

Thanks so much again.

Peace.