DAY 9

Today is the first day I have noticed an actual increase in weight, about 6 oz as usual. Based on what I ate yesterday there could be a couple items that may have helped. I ate scallops, about a lb of them myself, this is not a food I eat normally. The next potential influencer is water and the consumption of food in general. Any thing that is placed into your body becomes added weight until processed and pooped/peed out. I will continue to monitor and see if I can select one or more of the above items as the actual culprit.

I noticed something yesterday, sex drive, you know that urge to hump a chair about 2-5 days after your period when your eggs are flowing and your hormones are out the window. I don't have that and neither does my husband. The actual mad drive all the time seems to be in hibernation for the moment, curious if or when that is going to change. Will keep you updated.

Here is a site that talks about plants in a way that could challenge your mind and your opinion about eating those bad boys. I have my own opinion, so please make your own when you read this excerpt.

Plants Don’t Like to Be Eaten!

One of the arguments for a vegan diet is that it’s cruel to eat animals. After all, every living creature strives for self-preservation. They argue the world would be a much better if we would just leave the animals alone.

The truth is that nothing likes to be eaten… including plants!

Animals have the ability to defend themselves from predation or make a speedy escape. Plants do not have the same abilities, but they do have protection mechanisms. At the slightest nip of a leaf, plants release chemicals that can irritate or poison predators – the plant’s version of an immune response.

In fact, researchers at the University of Missouri recently showed that plants don’t even have to be damaged to mount a defense. The mere sound of caterpillar “munching vibrations” caused plants under study to ramp up production of mildly-toxic mustard oils.

The problem is that plant defenses take affect after you have consumed them. And for many people the results of a plant-rich diet can be pain, inflammation and debilitating autoimmune diseases.

The examples of plant toxins and anti-nutrients are voluminous. But let’s review some of the common edible species and the compounds within them known to have health-harming effects:

Nightshades: The solanaceae family of flowering plants includes a number of species that are outright poisonous. But the nightshade family also includes tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant and goji berries, which are well known to promote inflammation and joint pain in some people.

Phytic Acid: A natural substance found in plant seeds (including grains and legumes). This compound is known as an “anti-nutrient” for its ability to bind to minerals. Phytic acid impairs the absorption of iron, zinc, calcium and other minerals and can promote mineral deficiencies.

Oxalates: Compounds found in dark leafy greens, such as spinach, kale and other “superfoods.” Most people can break down oxalates in the gut. For others, however, these compounds turn into sharp crystals and can lead to chronic pain, inflammation, oxidative stress, kidney stones and autoimmune disease.

Lectins: These plant compounds can promote leaky gut, alter the microbiome, stimulate the immune system and trigger inflammation. The highest levels are found in whole grains, legumes and dairy.

Salicylates: These are naturally-occurring pesticides that plants use to protect against insects, fungus and bacterial infection. In humans, they can cause a wide range of symptoms from tinnitus to ulcers. High concentrations are found in avocados, berries, grapes, almonds, honey, dried fruits and many spices

FODMAPs: Though not technically a defense mechanism of plants, these compounds are a collection of short-chain carbohydrates that are not properly absorbed in the gut. FODMAPs can cause severe digestive distress for some people. High-FODMAP foods include a wide range of fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, condiments, drinks and dairy foods.

Saponins: Anti-feedant compounds that protect many plants from predation by insects, microbes and fungi. Saponins have soapy, foaming characteristics. They promote leaky gut and can cause bloating, gas, nausea and diarrhea. Legumes (soy, beans, peas and lentils) as well as quinoa are rich in saponins.

Goitrogens: These compounds can reduce iodine uptake in the thyroid gland and slow the production of thyroid hormones. The result can be an enlarged thyroid (goiter) and a host of metabolic disturbances. The most common plant goitrogens are compounds known as glucosinolates, found in broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, arugula, radishes, turnips, collard greens, bok choy and other similar vegetables.

Phytoestrogens: These naturally-occurring plant chemicals have a molecular structure quite similar to estrogen. Used as a natural defense against herbivores, they can disrupt animal fertility. In humans, phytoestrogens can cause hormonal dysfunction and may promote cancer. These compounds are most common in soybeans, flax and sesame seeds.

Prolamins & Glutelins – Consisting of a wide range of proteins, used by plants to store energy in seeds. This group of compounds are the primary environmental factors in causing Celiac disease. Found primarily in grains and rice.

I would be the last person to say that there are no benefits to eating plant foods. But it is important to understand that there can be a dark side. Not all plant foods are right for all people all of the time.

If you’d like to learn more about the “dark side” of plants, I encourage you to check out the video presentation by Dr. Georgia Ede, MD from the 2nd Annual Ancestral Health Symposium, titled Little Shop of Horrors? The Risks and Benefits of Eating Plants. (Ref)

Dr. Ede cites the meat-only / carnivore / zero-carb diet as very useful for managing the many “mystery syndrome” symptoms that do not respond to traditional Paleo or “elimination” diets.

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Currently no noticeable changes to most of the list below. 

Previously Noted Changes Are: 
No food associated intolerances.
No Histamine based intolerance problems.
Fourth finger on my right hand at the second knuckle remains flexible and pain free.
Astma is still dormant.
Thyroid is working as it should with medicine but will have to be re evaluated following weight loss.
Testosterone/progesterone is the one animal I know least about, I will have to talk to my doctor.
Melatonin, I slept very well without it.
Food intolerance are still not a problem.
Tinnitus remains a constant.
Arthritis remains inactive and no longer a problem.
Tendinitis, is currently not an issue.
Bursitis is currently not an issue.
Spinal Bulge is currently not an issue.

New Noticeable Changes Are: 
Disclaimer; some changes may take time to manifest. In some cases changes are noticed because problems don't manifest themselves again.

Additional Info on each problem:

Asthma; I have had this my entire life and in the last few years it has given me a bronchial infection roughly twice a year. Ongoing problem.

Low Thyroid; I take about 3 grain natural thyroid to adjust several problems my body has I.E. supper low body temp, poor sleep and foggy mind just to name a few. Ongoing problem.

High Testosterone and low progesterone; this is something that most likely occurred over time. To a woman high testosterone is directly related to cramping, bleeding, hair loss, and a slew of other health problems. Ongoing problem.

Low Melatonin; I had to add additional melatonin in the evening to be able to sleep through the night. Ongoing problem.

Histamine intolerance; this has caused some what of an auto immune problem over the fact I am now unable to eat a large number of foods that I absolutely love. When your told about 50 of your favorite foods are no longer on your list of available options, you have to wonder if it is worth eating plants at all. Due to this my bodies immune system is not as strong as it used to be and I find myself seriously sick more and more often (see asthma). Ongoing problem.

Food intolerances; milk, soy, cocoa

Tinnitus; ringing in the ears, unknown cause, kicked in about a year and a half ago after a severe sickness.

Arthritis; lots of use of hands over the years has caused my hands to swell when I over work them, seen most when writing, drawing, painting and other repetitive motions.

Tendinitis; in both wrists but the inflammation is under control.

Bursitis in the right shoulder; inflammation of the bursa, this took a shot of cortisone into the shoulder and physical therapy. Currently under control.

Spinal Bulge; 4 mm L5 spinal bulge on right side requiring anti inflammatory injections and 3 months of physical therapy. Currently under control.

Ultimately I will evaluate each of the symptoms I have over the next few weeks/months/etc and see which ones are alleviated, which ones go away completely, and which ones take a step back. When you loose weight it affects any medication you are on; make sure to have your doctor re evaluate your dosage. Ultimately we want to remove as many meds as possible from our life, our body is a very natural well oiled machine that on the most part can do just that if given what it needs.

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Date: 9 Sept 18
Weight: 156.0lb

Breakfast: coffee (with coffee booster; contains coconut oil, ghee butter, vanilla bean paste 1 tsp).
Snack: None
Lunch: cheddarwurst and coffee

Supper: pork, duck, lamb, beef, and a slice of pineapple (bites and bits and pieces, meal remains unfinished)
 
How I felt throughout the day: Woke up just fine as usual, feel great, not tired or anything else. We went for a nice walk and then headed up our favorite hill, got to the top and kept going. Oddly we came around to the entrance to the hill again and headed right back up it, once we hit the top we called it a day and headed back down to go home. Dad says despite having fasted for the last 15 hours and having not eaten anything but meat for the last 8 days this is the fasted and easiest he has ever gotten up that hill.