| elgoog 2005-04-19, 10:37 am |
| Keeping a promise to myself to provide updates for good or bad as long
as the experiment lasts.
First a few basic tenets: I do not believe that diet cures P. I have
mild P and am frustrated with various creams, corticosteroids and such.
I think that biologics, enbrel, mtx are appropriate courses of
treatment for people with moderate to severe P. I am hoping I will
never have moderate to severe P. I am willing to share what does and
does not work for me; but, I am not suggesting that what I am doing
will work for anyone including myself. I am searching and have been
desperate in the past, but am less so today. Today, I am happy.
The first month of diet modification saw substantial improvements, but
one could not conclude that it was due to the diet or simply a period
of remission. Month two brought stability, and no substantial
improvements over month one; but, hey it didn't get worse! Month two
found me with a healthy scalp and wearing black - that was pretty huge
for me.
Now, I am in month three and am seeing further improvements and no set
backs. I have one dry spot at the side of my nose, but only I can see
it and one eyebrow that still hasn't got fully normal skin. I see real
skin returning to my elbows - last month they were that purplish thin
red skin that makes me think of steroid damage. Ears are good. Back is
clear, healthy skin. I haven't touched the steroids for 8 months, and
the Dovonex only very sparingly. But, I actually think there may be
real skin coming in on my elbows. That stubborn knee is still a little
behind the elbows. This is significant improvement in excess of 75%.
Oh, and one more thing, my skin is healthier overall and my nails are
smooth, though they were pitted just a few months ago.
Here's what I think is important. Lots of water. Very important to keep
hydrated. Trying to consume between 80 and 100 oz of water per day, not
always successful. Good hydration means healthy skin. My skin overall
in non-P areas is much healthier.
Avoid salt, not cutting it out but cutting way back from 4400 mg per
day to less than 1500 mg per day. Avoid red meat - used to have
hamburgers or steak 5 to 6 times a week - now it's more like once a
month. Avoid saturated fats. Avoid caffeine (cut down from 200 - 300 mg
per day to about 25 - 50 mg per day). Avoid corn syrup - I consider it
evil. Avoid coconut oil - I think its really bad too. Avoid palm oil -
not really sure why except that the coconut oil was so clearly a
trigger that palm oil got on the do not consume list too.
Those are the things to avoid. Here are the things to seek out.
Probiotics - very important, healthy gut flora - these include yogurt
with l.acidophulus, whole whey and probiotic shakes.
Turmeric/pineapple/ginger smoothie, very good. Onion, celery, garlic,
olive oil. Lots of spices. Fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts (almonds,
walnuts - omega 3's). Lots of antioxidant rich foods, oranges, apples,
blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, tea and rarely dark chocolate.
Eat whole foods, avoid processed foods... get plenty of sleep... anyway
those are the basics.
I haven't discovered anything, I'm just trying to make my life more
liveable. If the P flares, I shall be right back here telling you.
-elgoog
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