When I was young I never felt the cold, but for about 30 years I’ve suffered badly with Raynaud’s a.k.a. White Finger - it even forced me to quit snow-boarding. I’ve now been on a Keto Diet and in ketosis for over 3 months (and off all Ropinirole and Sinemet for 2 months) and I’ve gradually noticed that I don’t feel the cold anymore. Today, as an experiment I went for a half hour walk with my wonderful wife. Although it was only 15C with a stiff breeze, I deliberately under-dressed with a thin sleeveless shirt and open sandals - my wife was wearing winter boots and a warm jacket. Somewhat to my astonishment, I was perfectly comfortable - my hands were cool, but a good colour and felt fine - and my back was also pain-free.
Whilst I am taking thiamine and other vitamins, my gut feeling - pun intended - is that my Keto Diet is the cause of the change. Let’s hope that the Parkinson’s Disease will eventually succumb to the (very tasty) new diet too!
Has anyone else noticed this effect?
Best regards, Phil 2bats
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That’s great ! my father had raynauds for years . Which as you know is autoimmune. I think PD could be too as Some have stated. I am allergic to nuts, beans,eggs, dairy to name a few. Would there be enough food options do you think for me on Keto?
Hi Connie, I’m sure there’s a wealth of choice still available to you on the Keto Diet. Avocado, salmon, goats butter (delicious and affordable), lamb, pork, beef, bacon and above all coconut oil. A really excellent starter for Keto / LCHF is dietdoctor.com and I love their video: youtube.com/watch?v=l55OjWS...
Try it and see. If you fix the inflammation the allergies may abate - that’s your body screaming “change my diet!”
Well I have Raynaud's as well and no, I don't know that it is autoimmune, where did you find that out and how did you find that out? I would like to dig into this one a bit more please thank you.
Sorry Marion but I think my Father had told me that. We have other autoimmune conditions in my family too. My Dad died of cancer so I can’t ask him but looking it up it may not be autoimmune. What I read indicates if it’s primary then someone may possibly develop an autoimmune condition later on or if it’s secondary it’s associated with Lupus or another autoimmune disorder. Sorry Marion I was wrong.
Autoimmune = Leaky gut, a.k.a. intestinal permeability. And yes, while I'm not sure about cancer, almost all chronic conditions are related to gut issues -- whether you have gut symptoms or not.
Yes, it has a genetic component and they say, partially autoimmune, but I feel that based on my previous Neuro had said, brain diseases are inflammatory and autoimmune underneath. Alzeheimer's reacting to hsv virus to cause deposition (tangles called tau, research done at ,Manchester Uni for many years) for example. I have PD genes and my family, relatives full of autoimmune diseases as I do.
Very interesting . No PD genes but many autoimmune diseases and essential tremor genes in my family. I’m amazed and impressed with your recovery! Do you think your recovery is equally due to exercise and diet. Do you take supplements ?
I'm 83 and have had Raynaud's for as long as I can remember. Started keto two or three years ago with my husband (he had Alzheimer's and PD; I have intentional tremor) and, having read your post, I've realized that the fact that my Raynaud's is no longer a problem must be because of the keto. I thought it was because I'm exercising more than I did. Thank you for this insight!
It helped cure his Alzheimer's, Connie, but I can't answer the question about the Parkinson's. He died in January at age 81 but was diagnosed only two months before then, which was when I joined HU to help him. From reading about PD, it was clear that he'd had it for years-- had all the symptoms but managed very well until the last 18 months.
Now do you know that for a fact or are you speculating? How long have you been on keto and did you just now notice because it was talked about? Please tell me some more of your observations so I can see whether it applies to me.
I think keto helps with my PD, but absolutely stopped my essential tremor (different sides of my body.) Like with the raynauds, I was astonished. I didn't expect it.
I've been eating a keto diet for a year and a half. I take no sinemet, and my PD has not progressed. But of course, how can you tell if it's due to diet?
Still, I don't plan to stop this way of eating. And once you get used to it it's not that hard. But you have to be willing to cook, I think. NO PROCESSED FOODS.
I see that mainstream medicine (whichever departments) are good at sticking labels on diseases but never try to figure out what may be causing these diseases (e.g. disease process from A to Z), unlike functional medicine. It sounds as if Raynauds & PD are related. I do read MS, Alzheimer's, ALS and PD are "related". Maybe, they all have the same/similar root cause that mainstream Neurology cannot begin to care as their focus appears to be "look for the disease" and stick labels on/write a script.
Hi. I have Raynaud’s as well. I recently started a keto diet. Did you suffer from any kind of low blood sugar or hyperglycemia? If so what did you add to your keto diet? Also I’m super happy you’re doing better and the diet is helping you. Sincerely, E.S.
Hi Elizabeth, I have had no Blood-sugar issues at all since going keto. I have actually been pretty much full Carnivore for the last two years which seems to suit my health quite well. The Parkinson‘s has progressed but I’m still only taking 5 mg of ropinirole and up to 2 Sinemet per day. I basically live on fatty beef, lamb, offal, fish, cheese and eggs!Good Luck with your keto
Hi Connie, good to hear from you! I went back on the meds because I got bored with the shake and the Parkinson’s Disease was still progressing. I moved from New Zealand to Sydney 2 months ago and am now on Sifrol (Pramipexole) which is better than Ropinirole together with Sinemet 3x 100/25 per day. I’ve stopped driving, biking and even croquet and can’t touch-type now. I’ve been on a Carnivore Diet for 3 years which helps and stops me feeling depressed. It is what it is!
thank you for your post.. I tried keto a couple of years ago but stopped when my hair began falling out ... too much, too fast
i have had Raynaud's for much of my life and this is the first time i'm seeing anything about a possible treatment for.... i'll give it a whirl again and look for a way to keep my hair..
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