Which of your ailments was cured by low carb?
wabmester
Posts: 2,748 Member
I started LC mostly for the blood lipid effects. I wanted to fix my low HDL and high TG. But those are asymptomatic, so I was pleasantly surprised by the skin changes, the sleep changes, and the bathroom changes.
Data is coming out supporting the idea of high insulin and high blood sugar causing all sorts of problems. Hearing loss. Enlarged prostate glands. Bone and tendon problems.
For me:
Data is coming out supporting the idea of high insulin and high blood sugar causing all sorts of problems. Hearing loss. Enlarged prostate glands. Bone and tendon problems.
For me:
- Reduced acne
- Cured my delayed phase sleep
- No more IBS symptoms (used to think mine were normal!)
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I had done it in a desperate attempt to lose weight. But ended up with the following improvements:
- Reduced acne (that I've nearly eliminated when moving to carnivore)
- No more headaches (800mg Ibuprofen/day to 0)
- Less weight variability (daily weight fluctuations are pretty much nil when I'm compliant)
- Less gas/GI grumbly
- Reduced heartburn
- Monthly cycle stability (took carnivory to start it, but it has only faltered over the holidays, even when I'm not perfectly on plan)
- No more constant hunger/no more sugar crash "eat ALL the food!" type hunger
- The ability to turn down sugary food and not feel like I'm missing out or feel tempted by it
- Lower fasting blood sugar and insulin numbers (from upwards of 110mg/dL glucose and 33 units insulin to 86 and 13, respectively)
- Improved blood pressure (it wasn't bad to begin with, and usually sat around 120/80, but improved to 110/70 or so)
- Normal iron levels (I credit more the elimination of wheat/grains for this one, but it was a noticeable improvement that came with the dietary changes I did that reduced my carbs; I went from about two points above "we need to give you a mega dose right now"/"how are you not trying to eat your car right now" levels of iron deficiency, to smack dab in the middle of ideal range)
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I went from having severe headaches and migraines on a daily basis. I also have more restful sleep. In the past I would wake up numerous times a night. When I am not complaint that will be reflected in the way I feel and how well I sleep.0
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- Gums and teeth are better
- Mild acne disappeared
- Ocular Migraines disappeared
- Cholesterol, Trigs, Blood sugar well within normal
- Lower resting hear rate
- Elevated mood
- Sleep better
- Sinus/Congestion problems reduced greatly
- Fewer BM's/No diarrhea
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- Improved mood
- Improved energy
- Improved A1C (cured pre-diabetes)
- Improved migrains (3-5x week to 1x per month!!!)
- Reduced acne and breakouts
- Reduced candida
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Nothing seems to be 100% cured but things are definitely better... by a lot.
- Improved blood glucose after meals
- Better fasting blood glucose (has been going up a bit)
- Reactive hypoglycemia is gone. I was literally shaking, every day, after an hour or two of eating. I would get tired and sluggish, light headed and the shaking made me look like a 90 year old frail woman. It was rather pathetic.
- Acne is better - Over the last 10 years I had progressed to always having pimples around my mouth, on my scalp and back, and over my nose. Now I just get one or two pimples each month - hormonally related.
- Improved autoimmune arthritis. I have no idea what caused it. It got much better after going gluten free a few years back (celiac) but I also have hashi's and ITP, and possibly something else. Anyways, the frequency of flare-ups, and their duration and intensity, has improved a LOT. I am having a flare-up now, but it is the first since last June.
- Cognitive function improved - my husband even noticed. Scary. I can follow along on things better and I am less scatter brained. I used to be pretty sharp, and I knew my mental capacity had declined a bit, but I was shocked by how much better I got - I didn't realize how bad it was.
- Fewer headaches, as long as I supplement sodium.
- Better regularity.
- Don't get sick as much, or as long. I developed shingles last summer. I still went camping and only felt mildl ill and fatigued for a couple of days. That rash stayed small and was completely gone in just over a month.
- BP went up a bit. This is good as it was a bit on the low end.
- Cured my carb binges... Not really an ailment but it caused serious health issues for me.
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Keep 'em coming! I'd like to tabulate and summarize later. A couple docs speculated that seborrheic keratosis and other signs of "old age" may just be signs of chronic insulin resistance. Fascinating idea, but I'm not aware of any evidence.0
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I also began this woe for weight loss, and have gotten sooooo much more!
1. Migraines that were at least once a week are now almost nonexistent.
2. Chronic nasal allergies that I have treated with meds and nose sprays, my whole life, are now gone and require no medications!
3. Cystic acne, that I was on a daily antibiotic to just control it (never went away), is gone and off of antibiotic too!
4. Cervical Dystonia (twisting/turning of neck muscles) almost requires no more treatment (I've gotten Botox injections into these muscles every three months for almost 16 years)!
5. Fibromyalgia has greatly improved! Off of the medicine for this too!! Will flare up if I overdo too much, but flares don't last like they did!
6. Mental clarity!
7. Fatigue has been replaced with energy!
8. Endometriosis pain has disappeared!
I had been unable to work for 10 years because of the pain medications I had to take, and the pain itself! I'm an RN and they frown on us working after taking Morphine, and Dilaudid, lol! Yes, I took these every day for those 16 years, and can now use Tramadol maybe twice a week! I have been back at work since November, which was eight months after beginning this woe, and it's wonderful!!
I'm sure there are more that I can't recall right now, but the weight loss became a secondary goal once I realized the health benefits for me! It still is!0 -
I do eat some fruits and beans but try to avoid sugar and flour. For me the heart burn, bad bad reflux and stomach pain are managed. I don't want to say cured but asymptomatic. The reflux was really bad without nexuim. I have been off nexium for 5 months and just need an occasional pepcid.
My moods seem better to but that might be the walking & hiking too.
The carb craving is definitely under control with protein and fats diet.0 -
I haven't gotten my bloodwork done but my Dentist commented on how good my blood pressure was. I think it was101/60 when I went in late January.
Other things I've noticed:
Walking is easier
Less asthma attacks
Down to maybe 1 or 2 headaches a month if that. Now I can pinpoint something I ate just before the headache and avoid that thing rather than just chalking it up to "stress". Costco hotdogs are a big one that always give me headaches. Ground hamburger or turkey is fine.
Sleeping is somewhat better but I still have a lot of back pain. This could be me just needing to get into the gym and work those muscles, who knows.0 -
I went from low carb low fat to very low carb and high fat to reduce my insulin use so that I could lose weight.
I'd say mission accomplished, but it's really mission successfully underway. I now use just a small fraction of the insulin I used to use and my HBA1C is down even lower (it's never been high because I managed it effectively with insulin, which wasn't good for my weight).
I've also experienced reduced LDL and triglyceride levels, though my HDL is also down a bit, but still at an acceptable level.
I am no longer tired all the time, which I attribute to a lack of glucose and insulin spikes now, however my insomnia has crept back a bit.
I no longer need my diuretic pill for my bp due to the diuretic effect of this woe, so I'm down one pill and my bp went from 120/70 to 100/60 most of the time. Hoping to get off another pill, but it's a bit complicated.
I know a lot of people say they experience improvements with their rosacea and general pain, my rosacea has been worse than ever before, though is ok right now. My nerve and arthritis pain has not improved, though it certainly hasn't become worse. I'm confident additional weight loss will lead to more pain improvements. I really need to get my c reactive protein checked, very curious to see how my inflammation markers are faring.0 -
What a terrific, affirming list!
Major benefit for me is weight loss and my A1C went down to 5.5.
Still working at being more LCHF diligent...I can definitely feel the difference when I goof off!
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Mood enhancement? I have to say that LCHF should be listed as a mind altering drug.
When I went LCHF I was euphoric for 2 weeks. Now on 40+ days I'm still so happy I have to pinch myself. I have denied myself from eating fats for so long that I think my body and moods desperately needed them. I have had other benefits but the extremely good moods are just so powerful. So, does anyone know when the happiness wears off?0 -
- Lost over 100 lbs (and all the benefits that go with the loss).
- No longer take these meds: statins, BP meds, or any diabetic pills and two different insulins.
- My BG levels are normal (highest A1c was 15).
- My edema is gone from my ankles.
- My neuropathy is markedly improved (I can feel temperature in my feet).
- A toe nail fungus went away.
- My digestion is way better (especially since I started eating fermented foods).
- My asthma is gone completely
- My complexion is 100% better now.
I hope this helps,
Dan the Man from Michigan
Keto / The Recipe Water Fasting / E.A.S.Y. Exercise Program
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- Successfully eliminated 150 pounds so far (half my starting body weight);
- Have had NO new cavities since going Keto;
- I was on a natural high (euphoric) for the first 6-8 months on this WOE;
- No more severe depression (off all meds for that - Effexor XR) - much more stable and elevated moods/emotions;
- Elimination of daily headaches related to low/high blood sugar - I still get one now and then but it's more like once a month as opposed to every day so I no longer have to take multiple courses of pills of acetaminophen several times a day like they were going out of style;
- Reversal of pre-diabetes diagnosis;
- Lowered A1C;
- Raised HDL;
- Lowered Triglicerides;
- Greatly reduced knee pain largely due to being morbidly obese - do still have twinges now and then though;
- Huge reduction in Carpal Tunnel pain (went from roughly 7-8 on a daily basis to now anywhere from 0.5-2);
- My skin wasn't bad before, but now it's even better and I get even fewer pimples than before;
- Clearer / sharper mental facilities;
- Huge increase in energy;
- Off all Diabetic related medications (Metformin);
- Am able to successfully control my blood sugar every day with no medication eating this way;
- Get sick much less often and tend to recover more quickly;
- Sorry TMI here - for the past 2 years during wintertime, the drying out of my nasal membranes which usually led to multiple bloody noses during the Fall and Winter seasons has completely disappeared;
- Reversal / reduction / total control of neuropathy pain in my feet (no longer have to take or use Neuroveen);
- Reversal of eczema on front and back of hands and on top eyelid of left eye (Keto isn't 100% responsible for this, but it did partially contribute to this...30%?...50%?)
- Much more comfortable in my own skin;
- Enjoy moving around and being physically active;
- Much less gassy now;
- More regular periods;
- Not hungry all the time anymore and no longer thinking about food 24/7;
- No more carb/sugar cravings and the ability to completely ignore non-LCHF foods;
- More regular BM's and very little diarrhea;
- Look and feel a hell of a lot better;
- Cooking skills have improved dramatically - have gone from being a "good" cook to a "great" cook (also enjoy cooking much more now than I ever did before); and
- Have learned a hell of a lot about myself, my body and nutrition in general.
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I started for weight loss and to break a sugar addiction, but was surprised to also have other benefits.
•My IBS is a thing of the past!
•My cystic acne completely cleared up, though I'm having some minor breakouts these days.
•Haven't had any "phantom" gall bladder attacks
•My appetite is completely under my control I never feel like I "need" sugar or carby foods.
And the big one for me...
•I was able to reduce my ADHD meds because my brain feels clear and I am able to focus0 -
I can not say much to be honest with you other than (& just because bullets are popular in this topic):
- Improved body composition proportion-wise, bodyfat%-wise
- Stable energy as opposed to the crash & burn from carbohydrates (would eat hundreds of carbohydrates post marathon training)
- Improved mental health...in hoping this will be preventative for say Parkinson's Dx & Alzheimer's Dx
- Acting as a buffer for preventing seizures if I take waaay too many stimulants (somewhat jokingly)
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Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »I started for weight loss and to break a sugar addiction, but was surprised to also have other benefits.
•My IBS is a thing of the past!
•My cystic acne completely cleared up, though I'm having some minor breakouts these days.
•Haven't had any "phantom" gall bladder attacks
•My appetite is completely under my control I never feel like I "need" sugar or carby foods.
And the big one for me...
•I was able to reduce my ADHD meds because my brain feels clear and I am able to focus
A couple questions..
Any idea why the IBS clears up on low-carb (assuming no reduction in fiber)?
I've never heard of LCHF bringing about a reduction in ADHD meds. That's great! Could you elaborate?
Thanks.0 -
Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »I started for weight loss and to break a sugar addiction, but was surprised to also have other benefits.
•My IBS is a thing of the past!
•My cystic acne completely cleared up, though I'm having some minor breakouts these days.
•Haven't had any "phantom" gall bladder attacks
•My appetite is completely under my control I never feel like I "need" sugar or carby foods.
And the big one for me...
•I was able to reduce my ADHD meds because my brain feels clear and I am able to focus
A couple questions..
Any idea why the IBS clears up on low-carb (assuming no reduction in fiber)?
I've never heard of LCHF bringing about a reduction in ADHD meds. That's great! Could you elaborate?
Thanks.
as for the IBS, probably it is because a low carb diet is naturally low in FODMAPs.
Read Perlmutter's Grain Brain for the ADHD.
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cedarsidefarm wrote: »Mood enhancement? I have to say that LCHF should be listed as a mind altering drug.
When I went LCHF I was euphoric for 2 weeks. Now on 40+ days I'm still so happy I have to pinch myself. I have denied myself from eating fats for so long that I think my body and moods desperately needed them. I have had other benefits but the extremely good moods are just so powerful. So, does anyone know when the happiness wears off?
LOL, only when you start eating that dastardly carbage again. I have a pet theory that all the violence in the world could easily be ended if we could only get everyone on this way of eating!
As to what ailments I had that are now gone:
--improved Hba1c, bg, HDL, LDL etc markers across the board (total cholesterol is higher, though)
--lost 11 kg, down 2 sizes in jeans
--constant gas and bowel upsets
--feeling sleepy midafternoon after a carby lunch
--bloated, puffy face, fingers, "cankles" and all that stuff that makes you look 20 years older
--achy hip joints, osteoarthritic pain mostly gone
--acne is gone
--fewer colds
--cravings disappeared, I can walk past a bakery with nary a glance. Even the Cinnabon-like shop that wafts its evil through the station mall no longer appeals!
--and I am so happy happy happy...
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Gianfranco_R wrote: »as for the IBS, probably it is because a low carb diet is naturally low in FODMAPs.
Read Perlmutter's Grain Brain for the ADHD.
We end up eliminating a lot of foods on LC, but I didn't eliminate FODMAPs (plenty of bell peppers and onions, for example). For me, it was probably the lack of grains, but who knows.0 -
Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »I started for weight loss and to break a sugar addiction, but was surprised to also have other benefits.
•My IBS is a thing of the past!
•My cystic acne completely cleared up, though I'm having some minor breakouts these days.
•Haven't had any "phantom" gall bladder attacks
•My appetite is completely under my control I never feel like I "need" sugar or carby foods.
And the big one for me...
•I was able to reduce my ADHD meds because my brain feels clear and I am able to focus
A couple questions..
Any idea why the IBS clears up on low-carb (assuming no reduction in fiber)?
I've never heard of LCHF bringing about a reduction in ADHD meds. That's great! Could you elaborate?
Thanks.
I had a major reduction of fiber. I average about 3-5g fiber a day. I used to take a fiber supplement like a little old lady! I did that since I was 20 something.
I really think it's the grains. And to some degree vegetables and fiber itself. If I do have a slightly higher fiber day, I can feel a bit gassy
As for ADHD, again I'm sure grains have something to do with it. But I think ketones for brain energy are a big component as well and I've had even greater improvement as time has gone on. Weather it's just something that gets better in time or if it's due to the addition of MCT oil, high dose vitamin c, high dose magnesium, ginkgo Biloba and krill oil... Who knows. I'm just gonna keep it all up anyway.0 -
I feel amazing! I have noticed my arthritis is 90% better. My joints feel more lubricated. I am remembering things better. My skin is really dry though. My mood is more positive, not so grumpy. Loads of energy! Have ZERO cravings for sweets, which is amazing for me, that's why I started LCHF. Diabetes is bad on both sides of my family and I was heading down that road....so happy I found this group! People thought I was nuts to try this WOE but now they ask me to show them how
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After 3 months or so of eating LCHF, I have increased engery/ more positive mood. I struggle with an auto immune problem and following this WOE has significantly improved my symptoms. Specifically, my joint pain has been greatly alleviated, my "brain fog" is almost non exsistent, I no longer have overwhelming fatigue most days( I still get tired, but that is not the same thing), I sleep better, meaning my restless leg symptoms are reduced, my husband was the one to notice that. He said that the sheets no longer look like I have been wrestling an alligator in my sleep. LOL.
However, I suffer from extreme dry eye, and that is not improved. Still, fingers crossed.
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Here is a list of changes that I've experienced so far in less than 2 months:
1. hair and nails stronger and longer
2. clear skin
3. keratosis pilaris 90% gone
4. no more/limited heartburn
5. less stomach pain
6. better sleep
7. more energized
8. no cravings
9. lost 15lbs in 5 weeks with little/no exercise
10. improved mood
11. less lower GI issues
Luckily prior to this by cholesterol and blood sugars have always been good, but I was diagnosed with NAFLD and just had my gallbladder out in November. I'm hoping that when I go for updated blood work in May that I'll see an improvement in my liver enzymes. I still take HB medicine before bed because I get these "attacks" that my GI MD thinks are HB related, I disagree, but am trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. I'm hoping to wean off of that by the end of April.0 -
Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »I started for weight loss and to break a sugar addiction, but was surprised to also have other benefits.
•My IBS is a thing of the past!
•My cystic acne completely cleared up, though I'm having some minor breakouts these days.
•Haven't had any "phantom" gall bladder attacks
•My appetite is completely under my control I never feel like I "need" sugar or carby foods.
And the big one for me...
•I was able to reduce my ADHD meds because my brain feels clear and I am able to focus
A couple questions..
Any idea why the IBS clears up on low-carb (assuming no reduction in fiber)?
I've never heard of LCHF bringing about a reduction in ADHD meds. That's great! Could you elaborate?
Thanks.
Actually, from the things that I've seen, reduction in fiber is actually one of the big contributors to improvements in IBS, UC, and other GI issues on LCHF.0 -
Hey @michelle172415 , if your heart burn medication is a proton pump inhibitor I recommend weaning sooner, rather than later. The side effects they are beginning to correlate with these medicines are too terrible to continue them. Memory loss is the one I've experienced with it. I weaned myself off over the past couple of months, and I can say that wasn't a fun process! I used Apple cider vinegar for any heart burn (recommended by the every knowledgeable, and helpful @Dragonwolf!
), and use a gastric enzyme supplement to help rebuild the normal acidic state that any stomach prefers! I will use a Pepcid, or Zantac, if I don't get relief from the acv, but nine times out of ten the acv relieves the symptoms (and works within a couple of minutes too!) Plus, I kicked my gastroenterologist to the curb! His recommendations never fixed me, only treated symptoms! I'm on the road to being fixed now, without him! I just hope the memory loss improves after being off of it!
Good luck!0 -
The biggest changes I have noticed in the past 8 weeks are:
Energy up -- and not reliant on caffeine, although I still drink coffee but more as a comfort than as a necessity
Weight loss
Tummy issues are gone
Heartburn is gone0 -
I've been LCHF since October so far I've seen
Improved joint pain
Clearer skin
Weight loss
Reduced anxiety
Gastritis attacks reduced
Less stomach "issues"
Weight loss
This weekend I ran for the first time in over a year. Last year I had RA flares that kept me from running. The last run I attempted led to a major flare plus tendonitis in my ankle. I honestly didn't think I could run again. This weekend I spontaneously added running intervals into my hike both Saturday and Sunday and I ran better than when I used to go regularly. My joints felt good. I have some muscle soreness because honestly I've barely been exercising at all but no "bad" pain! I did not get the dreaded side cramp that has plagued me since I was in elementary school gym class! It was crazy. Like running in a whole new body! I hope these improvements persist! 0
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