I have an observation I must share. I started eating / cooking low carb/ Keto Foods for Hubble and me in early June. Had the odd summer treat here and there but have mostly been on target eating hi fat / low sugar meals.
I’ve lost weight but more importantly I feel really good. I have not had much pain( unusual for me) and certainly no RA FLARES in these 10weeks . That’s a record long time feeling “ normal.”
The jury is still out, could be a wonderful coincidence..... just wanted to share, more later
Regards to all!
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Farmgal1958
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When you do eat carbs, what type do you eat. I was following a similar diet and then I unfortunately got admitted to hospital where the diet was mostly lard and sugar.
I try to eat good fats, high protein but what carbs do you eat?
I eat vegetables and berries of all sorts. Dark chocolate and a weebut if full fat yogurt. Also enjoyed an ear of Iowa sweet corn and a bit of birthday cake. I’m not a purist, if I have “ carbs” it’s a small portion and then I’m very good for many days
Atkins was slated years ago and the diet was 'twisted' into a bunch of twaddle - eggs are bad, butter milk bad etc etc . His 'diet' was a diet for for diabetics - a healthy 'diabetic' diet is one we should all be eating ie a 'normal healthy diet'! One low in bad carbs and high in good carbs, whole foods and grains. The fat on meat is not a problem! Our bodies need this fat. Anorexia charities have been up in arms for yonks about promoting so called fat free diets and foods labelled as fat free. The emphasis on fat was always the problem.
Now we sheepishly forget and we all know eggs are very good for you and help lower cholesterol, as are nuts. Atkins diet to lose weight is very strict at first - ketonic - 10 days no fruit and barely any carbs at all (sugar is the highest carb and fruit contains sugar) After that healthy carbs are added until you are a healthy weight. Sugar is the baddie. and as we know now, butter, milk cream is actually good for you. Sugar, marg, highly processed foods have been doing the damage. NHs guidelines are gradually changing but it's the market that's more important and the money behind it...
Sugar includes fruit sugar. There's no such thing as natural sugar in a healthy sense! Yep of course you can eat fruit. but if you eat bananas every day (a diabetic shouldn't) then yes you will put on weight!
My 14 year old niece has been on a ketonic diet since she was six. Apart from other health problems and disabilities this diet stop the fits that were slowly killing her.
Atkins was rightly slated because you were expected to follow it slavishly....& remember it was from the US where a new diet appears every month. Remember, the cabbage soup diet,the grapefruit diet, egg white only omelettes?
Below is an example of meal selections from Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution published in 1999....I never tried it,& I certainly wouldn't want to eat this way...but a lot did & although they did lose weight, like most diets back came the weight when you went back to your old eating ways.
British Dieticians did not recommend it....
BREAKFAST
Eggs, scrambled or fried in butter with streaky or back bacon ham or sugarless sausage. No bread or toast.
LUNCH ='cheeseburger or bacon cheeseburger - no bun
Gherkin spear
Clear chicken consommé
DINNER =. Prawns in Garlic Sauce
Roast chicken in natural gravy
Or Lobster in Clarified Butter
Dessert= Sugar free jelly ( with a dollop of whipped artificially sweetened whipping cream)
if you have no underlying health problems a good balanced diet including carbs, protein & fibre is healthy, but you won't lose weight unless you are active enough to burn off the excess calories.
hmmm not so I was unable to exercise many years ago when I did this diet - could barely walk! Not sure about the artificial whipped cream? It was real cream with nothing added! The diet I used had plenty of veg and fruit but as I said, it is limited at first. You can eat bread and rice as long as wholegrain. No you are right British dieticians were not recommending but they were also telling us we couldn't eat eggs butter milk etc which was obviously the worse advice ever instead of telling us not to eat processed nor sugars. And they are slowly admitting that now. And as I have said the advice from diabetes charities is to follow a healthy low carb non processed diet with milk eggs and butter! You should be slating the low fat trend that people were told they should follow.
And yes, you will put weight back on if you go back to what made you big in the first place!
and to add that coincidence or not I felt the diet helped me so much with RD and flares ups stopped.
Those meal choices I copied straight from the American Atkinson Diet Revolution Book...whipped cream& all! It was completely unbalanced.,
I had been living inNY.....one of my house mates must have bought it...no idea how I ended up with it.Even reading those recipes makes me feel nauseous.
I don't know what diet you were following but those I copied are what Atkinson was all about.
But if you are saying you are diabetic then your dietary needs are Just eating good balanced meals that keep your condition under control aren't they?
Hello Farmgal,Must feel great to find a way to get down inflammation without meds The effect of diets can be very powerful. There are several studies on the effect of ketogenic diet on decreasing inflammation and is in fact used therapeutically in for example epilepsy. What we need to be aware of however is that we all have our own individual metabolism. Some of us have no problem with using fat for fuel while some of us have livers that are not working 100% in this case low carb high fat can really be too great of a stress for your body. Our cells need fuel to get energy the process of energy production is different in using fat and using carbs. What works for someone does not necessarily need to work for you. There is also a question mark concerning how long you should stay on the diet, short term effects are very often possitive.
Definitely not intended as advice, just sharing my experience. I still take my meds but am feeling great for a change. I eat tons of veggies, salads, berries, nuts, seeds, a little cheese and all kinds of protein. I use virgin olive oil, butter and avacado oil ( cream or 1/2 &1/2 for crustless quiches and soups) and i indulge in a square of very dark chocolate or a spoon or two of whole yogurt with berries for dessert nightly.
I drink coffee, iced tea, water and one vodka club soda most nights. Real food, real meals. I’m sleeping well, loosing weight and am on cloud nine for now .
Whilst some spurious evidence for short-term gains in some areas is there (but not very convincing) the above link is based on a study that followed 15000 ish people for 25 years and shows quite clearly that a low carb high protein diet that contains a high percentage of animal fat (like the Atkins diet) is likely to shorten your life by years. Read the study and don’t take my word for it.
It’s a long-term study with a large sample, so is more significant than the tenuous short-term studies that suggest slight benefits to metabolism and inflammation.
The caveat being if you replace the ‘bad’ carbs with a healthy plant based alternative you will be ok. And before this becomes another one of those threads - I am not a vegan / plant based diet individual, I’m just referencing the most recently provided data.
Personally I will take the results of that type of study above the opinions of some people on the Internet. And above the short-term studies that (with loads of bias) show a slight benefit in terms of inflammation / metabolism. And I had bbq ribs, cheese and cured meat as part of my food tonight (on holiday with a group of people that aren’t so concerned!) - so I’m not in any way preaching.
I have read it and get their point. The CSIRO, which is Australia’s preeminent research organisation has published 2 books on the Low Carb Diet. Their diet includes lots of vegetables, legumes/nuts, healthy fats and lean meat. More importantly, they describe why Carbs have become a problem in western society - meaning that we eat too many of them and don’t do enough “work” to justify the amount we eat - which contributes to obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
A Keto/Paleo diet takes low carb to the extreme - which IMHO is not healthy, that’s the realm of the elite athlete with a daily nutritionist supplying detailed information.
I’m currently going low carb, removing most bread, pasta and rice. Employing Tofu, lentils etc, but it’s early days. I certainly don’t see it as being “anti-inflammatory” - more about health eating and weight stabilisation
very misleading. Atkins promoted following a strict low/no carb to be ketonic for a couple of weeks then all the good stuff gradually increased until a healthy weight or diabetes controlled. This study states “The more you exchange plant-based fats and proteins for carbohydrates, the more the risk lowers,” which is exactly what low carb diet is. Replacing bad carbs with good carbs! getting rid of sugar and processed foods!
The age thing is misleading too. No one can live longer than their genetic age, it is inherited, but we can eat healthily to help us reach that age!
Hmm, no one can live longer than their genetic age. Sounds good. But everyone can live for less than their genetic age if they smoke, drink every day, eat steak for breakfast. Am I misunderstanding your point?
Who is misleading who?
If you read my post below you will see that I also say that there are different interpretations of the same data.
Don’t know about agenda, but Atkins died of cancer. Obviously, I’m of the age to know how long Atkins had been around. Don’t suspect an Agenda, more a zealousness about promoting their point of view
In this context that is what I mean - promoting one’s own point of view on the pretext that it is the best diet for everyone, when in reality his hidden agenda was to increase his own personal wealth / fame /
status / reputation...
And I put a ‘?’ after it on purpose, maybe he was genuinely altruistic and promoted his ideas for the good of mankind - he just so happened to make a fortune from it... 😉
I know what you mean ....I am fortunate & have not had weight problems, but like you it took me a long time to be convinced that even though I would never get back to playing sport in the way I had for years, that didn't mean I should just sit & think "Why me"? & do nothing to help me lead a half way decent - just different - life.
I had get into my head to accept my lot & denial of reality every time anothe Dmard failed was just making me unhappy & unable to get on with any quality of life ...but making myself do something positive about it took a long time.......
But you can't help thinking "What if....... Can you?
I think the ‘what if?” and “why me?” are all part of the grieving process that we must go through if we are to accept that the way forwards is not to look 👀 back.
My footballing days ended when I was 30. And when I was as bad as I’ve been, the gym / pool / etc were not a realistic option. But in more recent times I could, if I’m honest with myself, have done ‘something’ - even if it was just enough to prevent the inevitable muscle loss that occurs with age and lack of use, and lets face it, it’s a lot easier not to use it.
Weight isn’t and never has been an issue for me either (although lots of steroids didn’t help) but then I’m not exercising to lose weight - it was a case of having to if I wanted to walk again.
I am past the ‘what if’ with regards RA now, it is what it is and my own persona health is far less important now I have children. Apart from to be there for them, of course.
I’m in a position where I was diagnosed with RA Jan/2018. I worked a very physical job 5 days x 5 hours and played golf 3 x times per week. I’ve since lost my job because the RA made it impossible, and now have a poor bone density test, so I need to get stuck into weight bearing exercise.. I’m lucky, my golf club has a gym, which I joined.
I enjoy lifting weights - plug the iPod in and get on with it - it’s a bit Zen The one thing I have discovered is that it is possible to get this kind of exercise and modify to work with how your joints are behaving (or not) - it’s been a bit of an eye opener for me, cheers Deb
Yup - think people (myself included) hear the words ‘gym’ and ‘weights’ and think it will be impossible. But you just do what you can, increase slowly and don’t try to be the next Arnie...
A ketonic carb free diet has saved the life of my 14 yr old niece - fits were slowly killing her brain. Hasn't had one now since she started the diet aged 6. Regular hospital check ups and all good.
Again, specific individual cases are less significant than data spanning age groups / medical conditions / etc.
I’m glad you found a way of helping your niece’s specific needs, and I am in no way saying that this approach is bad / good. But the most recent data would suggest that for the majority of people a diet that replaces carbs with animal fat and protein is likely to shorten most peope’s lives.
It may not be a perfect study,
I haven’t read it (as I have clearly said).
I am not the one misleading anyone, I am just saying that the Atkins diet is not the answer for everyone and is unlikely to lengthen your lifespan.
oh I agree to a point. The carb free diet through a tube is helping her to stay alive. but so far, has suffered no ill effects from it yet. I wouldn't recommend a ketonic diet with no carbs, neither did Atkins. Only in the first stages carbs were limited for the weight loss and high in protein. Then to maintain was normal healthy food except had to be wholefoods, bread rice etc. Yes it comes across that you can eat a lot of protein and fat - but once you had reached your goal weight you had cut out sugars and processed so unless you went back eating them (the reason for weight gain) then all was ok.
He was slated because he said he could reverse type II diabetes just by eating healthily. And now we are hearing the same.
But we should all be getting cross over the low fat con and the fact we were encouraged to eat processed foods and cut out eggs!
I didn’t subscribe to anything. I’ve read about it on line, and have seen results with friends and family. I browse Pinterest and cookbooks for ideas and adapt favorite meals as well.
It’s always interesting to hear about what works for people especially when it’s shared and not evangelised - sorry, that’s not really a word is it?
The New Scientist article, widely repeated in national press recently is, I agree, convincing given that it’s a huge study over 25 years.
I’ve shared here a few times that years ago I tried different diets very seriously and with great results initially but in my case, the fabulous improvements didn’t last and I caused myself significant bone damage by stopping meds for 10 years and turning my back on conventional medicine. I wish I’d had blood tests while dieting but I doubt my GP would have cooperated in those days. Some doctors seem more enlightened now so that’s got to be the best way to attempt a diet.
So my take on all the information we share is cautious but interested even though the ‘successful’ diets I read about unsettle me because I have tried that to my own detriment but would LOVE to ditch the drugs if only I could. I just daren’t risk my present ‘good-enough’ health brought about by Biologic - despite the so-called sinus infections and lowered immune system. Incidentally my immune system has definitely improved since using a gym twice a week as has my balance and muscle strength.
Healthy sensible eating if we can afford good quality fresh food has to be advantageous and it’s great to get insights to what others eat and the benefits they get, so thank you.
We’d all love it if there was some convincing evidence that a certain diet was good not just for short-term benefit but also long-term, and the only way to get that evidence is through long-term, high-quality studies - not through anecdotal ‘evidence’ or from short-term, low-quality studies.
People cite studies that they feel ‘prove’ their point, but what percentage of internet forum users are able to assess a study to determine the quality of it?
The article linked above was only reporting on the study, I picked the New Scientist article because it carries a bit more weight than the Daily Fail, for example (and the original study is behind a paywall AFAIK).
And I agree about the benefits of the gym, I wish I’d spent more time there over the last 20 years and not waited until I was trying to recover from major spine issues, but every cloud and all that.
I've been eating Keto for around two years. Previously I ate the standard high-carb diet and found that to maintain my weight I had to regularly reduce the amount of calories I ate. Since starting Keto, I eat more calories (than when I ate carbs) and have found my weight has stabilised. (I should point out I'm not Keto to lose weight).
If you're looking for information, I'd recommend looking at dietdoctor.com and listening to the Intensive Dietary Management podcasts.
If keto seems a bit "much", look at thatsugarmovement.com which has loads of sugar, starch and refined-carb free recipes. Worth watching "That Sugar Film" too, if you've got Netflix or Amazon TV.
It just makes sense to eat well, not always easy when you’re feeling down!! I think getting well is a bit of everything ... finding the medication( one hopes) that works for you... good healthy food and as much excersise as u can handle! Great to hear u are feeling good , what meds are u on?
I’ve noticed the same! I cheated over the weekend and my pain has increased dramatically. I’m planning to talk to my doctor about trying to come off of the Methatrexate and seeing if the diet alone helps. I hate being on these medicines. There is a fb group called 90 day low carb challenge where tons have said its helped their autoimmune diseases drastically as well.
The short term effect of low carb diet is like taking extra cortisone. The lack of sufficient carbs puts the metabolism in a stress mode where cortisol level is elevated and energy taken from body fat and muscle tissue. Yes you will lose pounds and have less symptoms but the metabolic stress situation will back fire if you stay on this diet long term. The ketogenic diet is tolleratad differently by different people but it is always a stress and a risk longterm.
I’m not naive enough to expect anything including medicine or diet to be a magic cure. But , Life is full of trade offs, and for now, I’m trading sugar( glucose) for less pain, stiffness and better sleep! Enjoy what’s left of summer!
Ps.. I inject Cimzia 2x month, 200mg Celebrex, daily , tramadol for pain when needed. Quit methotrexate last May, couldn’t handle the hair loss anymore.
I started doing the same kind of diet, Paleo, about six weeks ago. Since then, I haven't had a flare, and convinced my rheumatologist to let me go off Simponi . Unless the RA returns. Simponi made me gain 25 lbs in a year. My mother has/had polymyalgia rheumatica and went on an anti inflammatory diet. Her inflammation went away and she lost 40 lbs. Getting the inflammation in her body was her concern, the weight loss was secondary by far.
Thanks so much for sharing your success, keeps me motivated!
Just as a follow up to the comments above I was told in conversation last night by someone that has different medical conditions to me, but that has an interest in diet and it’s effect on health, that the study referenced above has some ‘issues’.
Again the people that said this have their own agenda (they are proponents of a low-carb diet and think animal fat / protein is ok).
I guess I’m just saying I personally haven’t read the study and have no idea how good it is, and there are so many different agendas flying around that pretty much everything you read has to be taken as just a part of the puzzle rather than the whole truth!
Hope you all have as good a day as your personal situation allows - and that you are able to enjoy whatever you choose to eat!
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The effect of diets can be very powerful. There are several studies on the effect of ketogenic diet on decreasing inflammation and is in fact used therapeutically in for example epilepsy. What we need to be aware of however is that we all have our own individual metabolism. Some of us have no problem with using fat for fuel while some of us have livers that are not working 100% in this case low carb high fat can really be too great of a stress for your body. Our cells need fuel to get energy the process of energy production is different in using fat and using carbs. What works for someone does not necessarily need to work for you. There is also a question mark concerning how long you should stay on the diet, short term effects are very often possitive. 
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