Opinions on High Protein Diets

A few thoughts
Lisa -

I empathize with you. Before I got sick, I lost about 10 pounds on Nutrisystem, which exactly what you are talking about (high protein/low fat/low carb). In the first few months I was back at work (eating all the treats but still being too exhausted to do anything) I gained all that weight back.

I thought about going back to Nutrisystem, but I didn't want the super charged protein. It's not so much a worry that the protein will bring your cancer back, but your kidneys help break down protein, so a high protein diet can be hard on them. While my doctors haven't given me any specific limitations, I have a friend who is a Nephrologist and he said if I go easy on salt and protein, it will be a little easier on my remaining kidney.

I have successfully lost 20 pounds since Thanksgiving on a program through our local hospital - it's all based on "Healthy Weight Loss." I've had to change my diet and really exercise to do it. Maybe you can find classes in a warm water pool? Any activity you can get in is better than none. Plus, cardio is good for your heart and can help keep your blood pressure healthy - also good for your kidneys.

High protein diet...
Hi Lisa,

You have the advantage of two kidneys (one a bit smaller than the other) over those of us with only one so short term high protein should not be as big a risk, but use caution anyway. I was on a high protein low fat diet for several months prior to dx and it worked very well for me too, post-op I have found that watching my sodium intake works well for me. My main form of exercise (other than the 12oz curl) is walking, I don't know much about Fibromyalgia, but perhaps walking would work for you.

Blessings back atcha,

Gary

LISAinTN said:

Hi Gary
Hi Gary,

Thanks for the reply. I like to do 12 oz. curls as well. LOL You are so funny.

I think I'm going to try the high protein again for a short stint. It's just the only thing that really worked for me. It can't be any worse then sitting here eating like I have been lately. Must find a different way to deal with the stress.

Walking is actually good for Fibro and I started yesterday again taking my dog for a walk. Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder so it just makes it so hard to do anything. My body is so wracked with pain from my neck to my feet that it's a struggle to get out of bed in the mornings. It also causes terrible insomnia so I never get into that deep REM sleep so that my body can restore itself and the muscles, joint, tendons, etc. Thus the reason for the pain and it's just a vicious cycle. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, BUT I do get out of bed every morning and I get going and get things done because I am not the type to sit around and do nothing or watch everyone else get things taken care of. Life goes on.......Anyway, thanks again for the reply. And thanks for the blessings. )

Blessings,

Lisa

Fibromyalgia
Lisa, at the risk of getting you to look at material which is all old hat to you, you may care to take a glance at this in case it contains something worth exploring:

http://www.webmd.boots.com/vitamins-and-minerals/fibromyalgia-herbs-and-supplements

My apologies if it doesn't prove of any use.

myboys2 said:

2 interesting books
I read 2 interesting books on diet recently, the China Study and Eat 4 your type. They were both interesting and it would appear that the diet that my son is eating was the right one for o+. I also have eaten his diet in support and lost all 18 pounds I needed to and remain that way. Just a thought.

Diet and blood type
Gail, it's several years since I was reading D'adamo but his theory struck me (after initially thinking it the work of a crank) as inherently highly plausible. For most of my life I've been fascinated by the complexity of the human body and the ramifications of the biochemical individuality that is so evident. I was intrigued by some of the work of an early luminary in the immunology field - Arthur Coca.

Anyway, on first encountering D'adamo's books, I figured that it would be surprising if our blood type did not interact with the chemistry of what we ingest. After all, differences in blood chemistry are hugely important. For instance, I am a 'universal donor' which makes my blood particularly valuable socially (apart from being fairly important to me!). When I go under the knife on 30th March, it will be crucial to have blood of only my type available for any transfusions I may need because if I were given blood of any other group it would almost certainly kill me. The other obvious example is the Rhesus Factor - blue babies and so on.

I must revisit D'adamo. Your posting led me to look at a site by some enthusiast in New Zealand which contains an (unattributed) table which suggests that with my blood type I would have a tough digestive tract, strong immune system and a predilection for intense exercise, all of which is spot on. The rest of it I'm not as sure about. It also led me on to, ultimately The Weston A. Price Foundation which sounds like a collection of dangerous lunatics. They seem to have totally conflicting policies but appear keen to promote eating as much saturated animal fats as you can. They also advocate reducing your phytic acid intake by all means possible as being a dangerous anti-nutrient. Interestingly, this is another name for IP6, the anti-cancer and numerous other benefits of which I have just been exploring as a result of Olsera's question on the thread "are natural remedies snake oil or promising?"