Hi sdeshwood (it would be nice if you could let me know your first name!),
You wrote this above:
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If SP II is more technical than SP I, then I am excited to read it! Can't wait for it to arrive! I find a lot of what she writes interesting but then find the explanations lacking so hopefully SP II will help fill in the blanks for me, especially on why carbs are so necessary. I've heard that SP II addresses low carb more than SP I did.
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Then I think you will enjoy it!
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I have to say I have been experiencing some digestion issues since slowly trying to incorporate starches into my diet. Last night I ate a small amount of whole wheat and I think that really bothered me so I am going to try and stick to small amounts of brown rice and oatmeal for my carbs for now.
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In one of Schwarzbein's books ("The Program", I believe), she actually recommends going off wheat for between 3-6 months. It seems that there are a lot of people out there who are sensitive to wheat (without being full-blown celiacs). Often it seems that this wheat-sensitivity can be the reason for a stall or other health problems. I am also doing my best to stay away from wheat, although I am not as strict about it as I maybe could be. However, I do seem to get odd reactions when I do eat it.
The wheat bread that is produced today is a far cry from what we used to eat. Most bread used to be made using the very slow sour-dough method, which some argue makes the wheat more palatable and breaks down the gluten somewhat (others would disagree). Whatever the case may be, after much debate with myself, I finally decided to start a no-wheat experiment after reading on the Dr BG blog (I'll try to find the link to the article I'm referring to) that her gums had improved after going wheat-free. I also have problems with receding gums so I thought, "What the heck, what have I got to lose?" After a while, my DH asked me if I had noticed any difference and I spontaneously said, "My gums feel happier" without really thinking about it. Recently, I went to have my teeth cleaned and the dental hygienist said my gums were firmer and there was less bleeding than "normal" during the cleaning.
Over Christmas and in early January I had had "normal" bread and generally I noticed that my gums felt sore afterwards. Then I did another experiment a couple of weeks ago: on one day I had a couple of slices of bread made with spelt flour (which is an ancient version of wheat, I do believe, which the Germans are quite keen on) and didn't noticeable reactions. I think it was the next day that I then had some "normal" wheat-based bread (which I used to love!!!) and that gave me quite nasty reactions: bloating and stomach pains, which weren't even relieved by drinking fennel tea (which normally does the trick).
Anyway, I would recommend that you follow her advice and stay away from wheat for between one month and three months and be aware of any health benefits you notice - or not. Then re-introduce it and see what happens!
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I don't know if this is because these carbs are bad for me or if my digestive system just needs to re-learn how to deal with starches.
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Personally, I believe that wheat is in a category of its own and should be avoided. There's some interesting articles on wheat on Stephan Guyenet's blog, "Whole Health Source". I posted some of them and links, I think, in my journal, too. If you look round the world, the rice-eating nations don't tend to get fat - at least not until wheat arrives!!!
Here's the page in my journal with various articles and links:
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthre...0&page=39&pp=15
It may also be the case that your system has been producing fewer enzymes for digesting starch, but your body will re-adjust. Or you could get some digestive enzymes, which Schwarzbein recommends for people with exhausted adrenals and insulin resistance, if I recall correctly.
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Do you ever look at 180health.blogspot.com? I am intrested in his ideas but generally confused by them! I don't want to pay for his ebook though so I'm wondering if anyone knows the general tenets of his plan?
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I think the guy is a fraud. He actually did the Schwarzbein plan - successfully, he says - and has now put together his own plan, called the "High Everything Diet". Some of the things he has said and done are completely off the wall. I don't trust him an inch. There's a thread about his latest escapades in the War Zone, I think, if you need to know more. But, to be honest, I place far more trust in Schwarzbein, who actually has a medical degree, treats people using her methods, and isn't just a sensation-seeking blogger!!! The only thing his blog is good for is a laugh.
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On the subject of exhausted adrenals- I don't know! Is there a good online self-assessment quiz or other information source you would recommend I look at re: adrenal fatigue?
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Try googling Dr Lam and you'll get his website.
Here it is:
http://www.drlam.com/articles/adrenal_fatigue.asp
I hate the layout and it is in
desperate need of a good proofread and edit, but the info seems sound. I think there might be a questionnaire in there, too. There's also James Wilson's own website. There's a ton of stuff on the web, but after you've read a few articles, you'll notice that a lot of them are based on the same sources. There is an adrenal fatigue forum on "curezone", which is quite interesting if you want to read about other people's experiences with trying to cure themselves and so on.
Hope this helps.
amanda