Ultra Simple Diet

[mcb]

What is the detox diet recommendation these days? I reviewed the modified USD found in the EE forum (not the Hyman USD that I would not recommend any longer) and it still seems like it could be a reasonable starting point for many people but in retrospect, I wasn't one of the people it was particularly good for. I reacted very badly to flaxseed, and even after I figured that one out I never felt especially well on it because it contained too many veggies and high-fiber shakes leading to too much fermentation and other digestive problems.

It seems like the New Atkins diet could provide a better framework for a detox diet than the Hyman USD, especially since carbohydrates are starting to look like they may be the most important toxic dietary component for three out of four people. Taking the foods list from the EE modified USD and applying it to New Atkins might work without much change, although I haven't looked at it closely. Some sort of caution about fiber is in order, though, especially for people who may have damaged their GI tracts from many years of high-fiber diet.

I wouldn't go for keto-adaptation right away, since the idea at first is (I think) to feel better, not worse. In fact, when I switched to low carb I first dropped my carbs just enough to stop my weight gain and carb craving and only later went to keto-adaptation levels.

Both the Hyman USD and New Atkins provide vegetarian/vegan options. That can be important for people coming from that direction and wanting to explore diet and health issues. I am certainly "pro-meat" now, but it took a lot of reading, re-educating, and experimenting to reach where I am now. I didn't take anything "on faith," and I wouldn't expect new people coming along to do so either.

 

[Gaby]

Hi Megan,

I think what you say is perfectly reasonable. I brought very similar points in the Life Without Bread Thread. The gist of it from what we have discussed so far seems to be the following:

High risk populations of developing an acute ischemic arterial event and are starting a serious diet for the first time can do so with the elimination diet. The idea is to do the elimination diet as it is described (with the precaution that some people are actually intolerant to the safe foods listed there) for one or two weeks. Preferably, portions of veggies shouldn't be bigger than portions of meats, but during the first week or so, the suggested portions are actually okay for those who have eaten a SAD (standard American diet) all their life.

Those who prefer to read about the low fat scam and the low carb material first before committing to a low carb diet can also start with the elimination diet as well.

During the transition period, when fats and other meats are introduced, the carb count can be brought down to 72 or 110 for two or three months. 110 for those who are doing a change in diet for the first time and have severe peripheral arterial disease, cardiovascular ischemic disease, or cerebrovascular ischemic disease. People with other problematic diseases can start at 72 grams.

They can start testing their foods while staying at their lower carb intake which is safe and low enough. If they have "carbohydrate intolerance" (metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance) then by the time they are done testing foods, they can try decreasing their intake if things are going smoothly (to 72 if they were in 110, or to 20 - the modified Atkins diet - if they were in 72). But if it's a person with a clear medical history of ischemic arterial events, I'll do 3 full months in 110 grams before reducing the carb intake even further. Depending on how it goes and the medical history of this person, he or she will probably benefit of cutting down to 20 grams after these 3 months. But a more gradual transition can still be an option: doing 72 grams for 2-3 months before cutting down to less than 20 grams of carbs.

While they are still on a higher carb intake (110), some people with digestive problems will have to be careful so as not to combine processed carbs (i.e. blinis) and carbs in general with meat . The fat intake can be increased and the liver protocol can be suggested (other than basic detox supplementation) for those who will have troubleshooting making the shift from carb metabolism to fat metabolism. Some, will have low stomach acidity problems and they'll probably need extra supplementation to help them digest protein.

Then, the cortisone protocol for those who are having an immune bout in a low carb diet due to a possible increase in immunoglobulins which use protein as raw material (the "syndrome of the unconquerable disease", or an autoimmune disease complication, etc). Hydrocortisone is still a great thing to have for occasional adrenal support as well.

Those who can start with the modified Atkins diet directly will probably eliminate all food intolerances since most of them (if not all) come from carbs. Also because the low carb diet will probably heal their leaky gut. They will still need some guidance from the elimination diet because stuff that is relatively very low in carbs like certain veggies and spices can trigger food intolerances. It is frequent to hear histamine reactions in people starting a low carb diet because they get careless about the spices on the meats. So this has to be addressed as well. Probably people will need a few months on a low carb diet before they heal their gut lining enough in order to minimize food intolerance problems. Fatty meats has to be emphasized, as they need some 70% calorie intake from fats. Pork seems to be a safer source for fatty meats when we are dealing with secondary food intolerances (when we react to the soy or corn or other grains the animal ate).

An emphasis of keto-adaptation supplements and tips has to be made: salted water, potassium, magnesium, L-carnitine and/or bone broth for those who have muscle cramps, fatigue, depression, carb cravings, etc. They'll have to be reminded that it can take weeks before they are keto-adapted and that going above 50 grams of carbs will probably ruin the keto-adaptation. Also, working out or exercise in general might not be possible during keto-adaptation since fatty energy sources are still not widely available for a body in keto-adaptation.

Regardless of how one starts, there is still the super evil food list of things never to re-introduce: gluten, MSG, alcohol, milk, soy, aspartame, GMOs...

Once doing less than 20 grams of carbs per day and having reached keto-adaptation, people can increase their carb-intake (5 g per day) according to their tolerance to carbs in order to see which is the highest intake possible while still staying in ketosis. It will probably still be less than 50 grams of carbs to make ketosis possible. Symptoms of getting out of ketosis will include carb cravings, weight gain, and others described in the Modified Atkins diet book. Those who have insulin issues or want to loose weight, will probably benefit from staying at very low carb counts indefinitely. Those who don't want to loose weight or don't want to loose anymore weight, will have to increase their fat intake. Staying at a very low carb level is still an option as there is not such thing as an essential carbohydrate. Just remember to have plenty of fat (fatty meats). If people are not having enough fats, they'll start converting protein into carbs as well.

Most people will probably come off from most supplementation on the low carb diet. Vitamin C will still be handy to have. Also magnesium and potassium. This last one especially if they don't have bone or meat broths.

 

[dugdeep]

Great info Psyche! This sounds like the basis for a book ;)

 

[mcb]

Great info Psyche! This sounds like the basis for a book ;)

I agree! How about an "online guide?" I read Psyche's entire post without blanking out, but then I read The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living without blanking out either, including the optional "technical" parts. After The Polyvagal Theory these things have become easy reading. A lot of people wanting to know where to start, however, are going to need help.

I might be able to help with preparing such a guide, although my time is still scarce due to demands of my day job and a rather heavy reading list. I think I could make room.

 

[Gaby]

Great info Psyche! This sounds like the basis for a book ;)

I agree! How about an "online guide?" I read Psyche's entire post without blanking out, but then I read The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living without blanking out either, including the optional "technical" parts. After The Polyvagal Theory these things have become easy reading. A lot of people wanting to know where to start, however, are going to need help.

I agree! We've been wanting to publish a detox guide for awhile, also a guide of the science of EE. But in the last month or so, we've been having so many new and great discoveries! But I think we are in the point of being ready to publish it officially through Red Pill Press :)

 

[Approaching Infinity]

Great info Psyche! This sounds like the basis for a book ;)

I agree! How about an "online guide?" I read Psyche's entire post without blanking out, but then I read The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living without blanking out either, including the optional "technical" parts. After The Polyvagal Theory these things have become easy reading. A lot of people wanting to know where to start, however, are going to need help.

I agree! We've been wanting to publish a detox guide for awhile, also a guide of the science of EE. But in the last month or so, we've been having so many new and great discoveries! But I think we are in the point of being ready to publish it officially through Red Pill Press :)

Got a title yet? How about something like "The New Paleo Diet: How to Lose Weight, Heal Your Body, Sharpen Your Mind and Feel Great". Tagline: "The Only Diet Officially Endorsed by Mother Nature." ;)

 

[Oxajil]

Got a title yet? How about something like "The New Paleo Diet: How to Lose Weight, Heal Your Body, Sharpen Your Mind and Feel Great". Tagline: "The Only Diet Officially Endorsed by Mother Nature." ;)

But would skinny people pick that book up? :) Maybe changing that to ''How to get the right weight/optimal weight"? Maybe something like that.

 

[Gawan]

Got a title yet? How about something like "The New Paleo Diet: How to Lose Weight, Heal Your Body, Sharpen Your Mind and Feel Great". Tagline: "The Only Diet Officially Endorsed by Mother Nature." ;)

But would skinny people pick that book up? :) Maybe changing that to ''How to get the right weight/optimal weight"? Maybe something like that.

Lol. I had the same thought in my mind. ;)

Anyway, it is a really fantastic idea!!

And I'm wondering about potassium, is it also sufficient enough to eat mushrooms (champignons)? According to wiki they have some, otherwise I like to buy some potassium-salt, to be on the safe side.

 

[dugdeep]

Great info Psyche! This sounds like the basis for a book ;)

I agree! How about an "online guide?" I read Psyche's entire post without blanking out, but then I read The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living without blanking out either, including the optional "technical" parts. After The Polyvagal Theory these things have become easy reading. A lot of people wanting to know where to start, however, are going to need help.

I agree! We've been wanting to publish a detox guide for awhile, also a guide of the science of EE. But in the last month or so, we've been having so many new and great discoveries! But I think we are in the point of being ready to publish it officially through Red Pill Press :)

Got a title yet? How about something like "The New Paleo Diet: How to Lose Weight, Heal Your Body, Sharpen Your Mind and Feel Great". Tagline: "The Only Diet Officially Endorsed by Mother Nature." ;)

I've been thinking about this quite a bit lately. I'm thinking something along the lines of "21st Century Survival Guide" or something general like that. Maybe tagline it with "A Dietary Guide to Surviving A Toxic Planet" or "A Dietary Guide to Looking and Feeling Great While Surviving the Apocalypse"

 

[Infiniteness]

Hi Psyche,

Thank you for clarifying my question in the other thread. I just wanted to get some feedback on some of the things that have been on my mind about my health. The gluten and probably the dairy too, have caused my body a lot of neurological damage, but also have rotted my gut too. I have come to realize that when I eat any type of cereal, whether it is rice, quinoa, or even buckwheat that my stomach dose not digest it. It basically comes out undigested and its not only the cereals but at times vegetables too, even seasoning too. I know some people at times have undigested food that shows up in there stool, but I think my case is abnormal. For instance, I am not sure if this is normal or not, but when I eat buckwheat I can see the little buckwheat particles of flour in the toilet or when I wipe, I can clearly see the little black and brown flour bits, there is actually a lot usually on the toilet paper. When I tried making and eating the vegetable broth I would have instant diarrhea after 30 mins, so it seems like I am pretty intolerant to the green guys too. However I can tolerate sweet potato, carrots, and cucumbers.

So there is no doubt that my gut has been greatly compromised. I also will be getting a colonoscopy on the 17 of this month, my doctor wants to be sure its nothing serious . So since it seems like I cant tolerant cereals, vegetables, I am pretty much not getting much from the carbs. So I think the logical and best thing would be to go on a low crab diet. Then again making the transition to the low crab diet can be difficult/dangerous for some or sometimes the damage cant be reversed has Laura has said, so I am wondering if I maybe one of those folks. I am 21 years old, a male. I have never been diagnosed with anything, other then some minor things. But I do have Neurological, gut damage, and it seems like I have poor blood circulation. Not to mention I am severely underweight and have developed hypotension.

So I was just wondering if you could give me some feedback on what I have written. I know I am the person that has to ultimately decide after doing the homework, but just wanted to see what you think. I am thinking about following your guidelines that you have posted above, sticking to the 110 crab limit. I am just a little worried about consuming all that fat, with my damaged gut. Its probably all the fat disinfo lol. I do have "Life Without Bread", and have skimmed through some of it, they have said that most gastro conditions will have the best outlook on the low crab diet so that is good.

I have been feeling a bit better of late, even the severe brain fog is getting better, thankfully. But its going to be a long road to recover after all the beating that my body has taken, though I am thankful that at least I have an opportunity to heal. I will be reading through the threads and the books.

Thanks for reading.

 

[Gertrudes]

Hi Gee,

It seems that a lower carb diet is already helping you, which is good to hear. Just a few things that came to mind while reading your post, I wouldn't be at all worried about fat, in fact, fat will likely help heal your gut as it is already doing for several members. Once you get the chance do read the Life without Bread and Vegetarian myth threads, they are packed with vital information about the diet. Not only will you be able to follow the diet more accurately and be prepared for any upcoming possible problems, but you'll also understand WHY we are doing things the way we are doing, which also includes the fat consumption. Fat is an absolutely vital component, without it, optimal health simply can't be achieved. But the books and threads will explain that much better :)

You may need to start increasing fat intake gradually though, some of us, myself included, have damaged guts and organs so we can't, as you know, make an abrupt transition. Our guts and livers won't cope with it. They need time to heal and adapt.

The same would apply to your carb intake, from what you have mentioned you seem to be highly sensitive to carbs, so trying to gradually lower the intake, whilst carefully monitoring your physical reactions to the change would be the way to go, I would say.

Others may have other things to add.

 

[mcb]

My experience with elimination diets such as USD is that they point to food as the culprit. There has been no quick fix, coming from eliminating any one food or food group. People who find themselves in this kind of situation need better resources, and some of the books we have been reading look like they can help. I am currently reading Primal Body, Primal Mind and it looks promising.

At this point I am suspecting gluten sensitivity as a prime cause, complicated by other food cross-reactions and adrenal/thyroid (either or both) problems. I pursued the symptoms with doctors for many years starting in the late 1960's (my late teens) and found the US system, what part of it I could afford to use, to be worse than useless. It's not any better today really, I don't think, but I think I am going to be changing medical plans -- dropping the non-profit HMO I have had for 35 years -- and trying to find a decent MD, somewhere.

Things may look bad at 21 years old, but younger bodies usually have great resilience once you remove the causes of the problems. Watch out for doctors that don't believe much in causes and want to sell you drugs and remove body parts instead. There seem to be plenty of them around.

 

[Gaby]

Hi Gee,

I second what has been said.

The 110 grams is really for those who are predisposed to acute arterial ischemic events. I think that cutting your carb intake even further will help you a lot. If you're 21 years old and have digestive problems, stop eating all those foods that you mentioned: cereals including buckwheat (which actually is very problematic for those who are very gluten sensitive). Stick to those foods you can tolerate well. Take supplementation that will help you heal your digestive system: L-glutamine, calostrum, aloe vera, slippery elm, omega 3s. There are more supplement recommendations in Primal Body, Primal Mind which is an excellent book because it puts together a lot of material that is spread everywhere and even though she recommends veggies that some people like you can't tolerate, the book is still pretty good.

 

[dugdeep]

Hi Psyche,

Thank you for clarifying my question in the other thread. I just wanted to get some feedback on some of the things that have been on my mind about my health. The gluten and probably the dairy too, have caused my body a lot of neurological damage, but also have rotted my gut too. I have come to realize that when I eat any type of cereal, whether it is rice, quinoa, or even buckwheat that my stomach dose not digest it. It basically comes out undigested and its not only the cereals but at times vegetables too, even seasoning too. I know some people at times have undigested food that shows up in there stool, but I think my case is abnormal. For instance, I am not sure if this is normal or not, but when I eat buckwheat I can see the little buckwheat particles of flour in the toilet or when I wipe, I can clearly see the little black and brown flour bits, there is actually a lot usually on the toilet paper. When I tried making and eating the vegetable broth I would have instant diarrhea after 30 mins, so it seems like I am pretty intolerant to the green guys too. However I can tolerate sweet potato, carrots, and cucumbers.

If you're seeing undigested food in your stool it likely means you are low in hydrochloric acid (HCL) in your stomach. I would take a digestive enzyme with HCl (usually in the form of Betaine HCl). If fat's a concern, as you said it was, make sure the enzyme supplement has bile, too. Breaking down your food properly is the first step in the chain. Without sufficient acid in the stomach you're not going to chelate a lot of minerals for absorption and you're not going to get any B12, which requires stomach acid for absorption (low B12 could be leading to your brain fog, too).

 

[mcb]

If you're seeing undigested food in your stool it likely means you are low in hydrochloric acid (HCL) in your stomach. I would take a digestive enzyme with HCl (usually in the form of Betaine HCl). If fat's a concern, as you said it was, make sure the enzyme supplement has bile, too. Breaking down your food properly is the first step in the chain. Without sufficient acid in the stomach you're not going to chelate a lot of minerals for absorption and you're not going to get any B12, which requires stomach acid for absorption (low B12 could be leading to your brain fog, too).

I had trouble with undigested food coming through only after trying Betaine HCl and bile salts. I stopped both, and haven't had diarrhea since. I think I am having trouble with slow digestion, though, and I am going to try Betaine HCl again this week, 1 tablet before meals containing substantial protein.

I also have problems with fat digestion, but I am going to hold off on the bile salts for now. I don't want to go through that again, so I will try them one at a time. My bowel movements have nearly returned to normal, but at the cost of going out of ketosis. I will be lowering carbs again, but not back down to 20 g/d just yet.