Fibromyalgia, high cholesterol, paleo advocacy (I'm bad with titles)

[number42]

My mother recently had her cholesterol checked and the numbers came back quite high. She was prescribed a statin and she took it for four days and stopped due to stomach pains. On top of this, she has fibromyalgia and it has been hitting her hard lately, with tiredness, pain, difficulty sleeping, irritability, the works.

Here's my dilemma: she thinks I'm a hippieish sort that's just playing around with new diets and concepts and that the diet I follow isn't backed by science. I tried telling her that high serum cholesterol was secondary to blood sugar and free radicals present in the blood, I tried telling her that a low-carbohydrate diet could help her with her fibromyalgia, but she lives and works among people that think that red meat will eat your children and that a skinless chicken breast with salad is an ideal and healthy dinner. How can I get her to listen to me? I sincerely feel that at least her fibromyalgia will improve noticeably, but she's convinced that she'll have a stroke or something after a few weeks of eating sanely.

The major hurdle here if I get her to try it will probably be gluten withdrawl. I hate the thought of putting her through more shit while she's already got stress from work and fibro on her. Is there any way to lessen the effects of it? Will coming off of gluten gradually help?

[Nancy LC]

Yeah, high triglycerides and low HDL are the real killers, according to what I'm reading in Taubes new book, "Good Calories, Bad Calories". And those are due to high carbohydrates.

The cardiologist at Heart Scan blog recommends everyone get off of wheat, he says it makes triglycerides and small LDL particles worse than anything. He says the best strategy is to go cold turkey. Not everyone has withdrawls, I think the real issue is just getting used to the idea that your diet is different and certain foods won't be part of your daily life.

Chances are your mom will experience feeling not-so-great while her body transitions over to low carb fat burning instead of glucose burning. For that reason, I'd ease her into low carb by recommending she continue to eat lots of fruit and cut down on it gently.

I didn't have any gluten withdrawl symptoms or dairy either. I just felt MUCH better! But some people do.

I'd suggest getting the book I recommended above but it is a tough book to read, at least the first 100 pages or so, I doubt most people will be able to stay focused that long.

Good luck! I never try to get anyone to change their diet since it is usually an exercise in futility.

But if she sticks with it for a few weeks, makes it through the low-carb transition, I bet she'll feel much, much better.

[Kskline]

My mother recently had her cholesterol checked and the numbers came back quite high. She was prescribed a statin and she took it for four days and stopped due to stomach pains. On top of this, she has fibromyalgia and it has been hitting her hard lately, with tiredness, pain, difficulty sleeping, irritability, the works.

How can I get her to listen to me? I sincerely feel that at least her fibromyalgia will improve noticeably, but she's convinced that she'll have a stroke or something after a few weeks of eating sanely.

I have found that you can never get anyone to listen to you about diet changes unless they are ready to listen. Most of the time it does not good to preach. If someone asks, then that is different. People believe what they believe until they are ready to look into new ideas. It's a sad thing when it comes to families to watch them go downhill though.

Kim

[number42]

Thanks, Nancy. I knew not everyone has withdrawls, but her diet is similar to what mine used to be, so I figured she might be predisposed to them. I'll have a look at Gary's new book too. I've withstood my share of dry, technical literature, and his doesn't look that bad by comparison.

Kskline, I agree for the most part. Although you do find some genuinely open-minded people out there. I tried this diet when I saw it mentioned in somebody's sig, and at the time I was overly self-assured in veganism. Now I'm overly self-assured in antiveganism.

Actually, that's kind of troubling, that sounds more like a true believer (http://www.amazon.com/True-Believer-Thoughts-Movements-Perennial/dp/0060505915/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-2660504-6796618?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192392454&sr=8-1) effect than anything ;)

[ProteusOne]

Well, I happen to agree that a chicken breast with salad ain't too bad, although not ideal for me. It could be worse, and I'd at least try to get her to give up the croutons!

I have the same issue with my Mom, and I'm trying to work in Paleo ideas that jibe with her southern way of eating. There's no way I'll ever convince her to change out and out, but I might get her to go it one step at a time.

Good luck!

[Hybrid]

Here's my dilemma: she thinks I'm a hippieish sort that's just playing around with new diets and concepts and that the diet I follow isn't backed by science.

I don't want to make light of your situation. The love of my life has fibromyalgia, and it is a most debilitating condition.

I do need to point out that there is a book that many people have heard of that does provide a scientific basis for this diet, although it doesn't mention the "how-to" portion.

It's called "The Origin of Species." Forgot the author, but I'm sure you can find it used on Amazon.com. It's a fairly old book, if I remember correctly.

[oakdryad]

Thanks, Nancy. I knew not everyone has withdrawls, but her diet is similar to what mine used to be, so I figured she might be predisposed to them. I'll have a look at Gary's new book too. I've withstood my share of dry, technical literature, and his doesn't look that bad by comparison.

Another book that makes many of the same points but in a more narrative fashion is Real Food: What to Eat and Why by Nina Planck. She isn't really advocating Paleo or even LC since she does talk about whole grains, but she gives lots of good, solid information about the necessity for REAL fats, chicken with skin and whole foods. It might be a good starting point.

[number42]

I don't want to make light of your situation. The love of my life has fibromyalgia, and it is a most debilitating condition.

I do need to point out that there is a book that many people have heard of that does provide a scientific basis for this diet, although it doesn't mention the "how-to" portion.

It's called "The Origin of Species." Forgot the author, but I'm sure you can find it used on Amazon.com. It's a fairly old book, if I remember correctly.

Hehe. Well played. I once considered carrying a copy around and making people swear on it ;)

[Daryl]

Another book that makes many of the same points but in a more narrative fashion is Real Food: What to Eat and Why by Nina Planck. She isn't really advocating Paleo or even LC since she does talk about whole grains, but she gives lots of good, solid information about the necessity for REAL fats, chicken with skin and whole foods. It might be a good starting point.

That's one of my all time favorite books; I heartily recommend it as well. :agree: