Re: Ria's questions

[Guest guest]

1) Does anyone count

protein grams? I have my own DWIDP-like tool and count them every day. I

shoot for 70g and average around that. I eat an extremely varied protein diet. About

40% of protein comes from fish or shellfish – tuna, salmon, other

non-oily fish like tilapia or flounder, shrimp, clams, oysters, mussels, squid.

I eat 3-6 whole eggs a week. I eat lean beef and pork – maybe 3 or 4

times a week. I eat chicken – white meat without skin 2-3 times a week. I

try to get meats that are grass-fed and antibiotic/hormone free, but my husband

is not so picky and sometimes does the shopping. I have generally eliminated

the use of “manufactured” foods – I call them Archer s

Midland foods, where all the trace nutrients have been stripped out and things

have been heated and otherwise processed. Because of this, I avoid protein

powders. I do not use any dairy. My entire family tested as having an IgG

allergic reaction to milk – our strongest reaction. This is not lactose-intolerance,

we are allergic to proteins in the milk. We all feel better now that we don’t

use it. Many people have this mild form of food allergy to milk and don’t

know it. Part of the point of CRON is reducing inflammation, so it seems

especially counterproductive to eat foods that you have an allergy to! The

protein that most people are allergic to is casein. It often causes sinus congestion.

I became aware of this 10 years ago when my son had his tonsils out. He was

eating all kinds of dairy stuff to soothe his throat and was totally

uncomfortable because of congestion. I talked to the nurse about it and she

said to cut out the dairy. I did and he cleared up within a day. Think Elmer’s

glue and you will think twice about milk. I really would encourage people to

eat wholesome, varied natural protein sources. Some CRONies think it’s

necessary to eat 30 different types of raw vegetables a day, but it’s

okay to get all your protein from a powder mix. I do not agree with this and

think it is just as important to get protein from varied, natural sources. These

foods also are rich sources of B vitamins and minerals – there may be

micronutrients there that are undiscovered or underappreciated as well.

2) What are the blood

markers mentioned by Francesca as showing the benefits of CR? Body temperature

was mentioned. My body temperature is pretty normal. It cycles, since I

am pre-menopausal. It’s 97.3 on average in the pre-ovulation phase and 98

on average in the luteal phase – both normal values. I have 23%

body fat – so maybe I can maintain my temperature better than some. I eat

1100 calories a day and maintain my 118 lbs on that (stable for 18 months), so

I am pretty highly CR’d.

3) Has anyone else read that the Atkins Diet causes

bone loss? Yes, but there are many aspects of diet that could be responsible. I

suspect that any bone loss from Atkins may be caused by bad acid/alkaline

balance. If you eat lots of vegetables and fruits you will not have this

problem. I’ve monitored by saliva and urine alkalinity on occasion and it’s

always good. People that eat mostly grains without vegetables and fruits would

also have a bone-loss causing acid imbalance.