Discussion Board

Hi Jeff,

Good news, I gave up all sugar and fruit 4 months ago. After reading Dr. Nancy Appleton's book Lick the Sugar Habit.

At my check up with my internist in February 2011, I learned that I had high cholesterol and that I was overweight (145 pounds). My internist told me to read The China Study and Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. I do not want to get heart disease. Who does right?

My total cholesterol was 228, LDL was 170, my HDL was 37. After being (McDougall/Esseslstyn )vegan for 3 months I got another test done (November of 2011). My total cholesterol was 162 which is still above 150. My LDL was 110 and not below 80. My HDL was 33 and I need it to go up. My internist told me to eat 1 tablespoon of ground up flaxseed meal once a day in order to raise my HDL and exercise.

I am concerned because I am 5'3 and I went from 145 pounds to 102 pounds (so I am now underweight according to the BMI). I stopped lifting weights and doing cardio two months ago because I did not have energy to do so and I did not want to lose muscle mass. I eat like a horse and I eat tons of complex carbs each day. I am allergic to gluten and rice. And I developed a huge eczema rash that I can't get rid of. Anyway, I eat quinoa, millet, white potatoes and sweet potatoes.

I am concerned because a doctor told me that I could get bone loss if I fall below my BMI weight of 107 and I am now 102! Yikes!

My question is should I increase my ground flaxseed consumption to 1/2 cup a day or 1.5 cups a day? Will that help me put on some weight? And should I or can I eat nuts? If so which nuts? And how many?

Thanks,
Martha Smith

What has caused the eczema -- something in your environment or diet?

If diet might be the problem, then you might try the McDougall Elimination Diet, which might help you discover the food (or category of foods) that is causing the problem: http://www.drmcdougall.com/med_allergic.html

The whole thing is worth reading, but particularly note "My Recommendations," about half way down the page.

Here is my experience with using the ED to get rid of my eczema (about 99.9%) and other inflammation problems: http://www.anti-itisdiet.blogspot.com/2 ... foods.html

I now eat a very low sulphur diet: http://anti-itisdiet.blogspot.com/2010/ ... i-eat.html

I am concerned about you saying that you don't have the energy to do cardio or lift weights.... have you tried entering your daily food into something like CRONometer (I am sure I spelled that wrong) to make sure you are getting enough to eat every day?

Sharon

If you post what you eat, I'm sure that some of the pros can make some recommendations for you.

This is just my opinion:

Your BMI is 18.. So you are not underweight according to that. I am one of those persons who don't believe in BMI anyway, because my BMI was always around 18 or less on any diet and I was always eating a lot. This is because of genes, constitution, fast metabolism etc. And I don't understand what's about bone loss?
Look in the mirror. If you don't like what you see, then you have a problem.

Anyway, this may be helpful: http://www.nealhendrickson.com/mcdougall/030700puhowdoIgainweight.htm

As you see on charts you have a good weight.