Brain VS Body (TCM friendly keto?)

(Miss E) #1

Struggling to decide between eating styles. Historically, a traditional chinese approach to diet and lifestyle has worked quite well for me but it’s equally as restrictive as keto (if not more). Logically I can see how keto would benefit from me but historically I don’t think my body will like it. Historically my body dislikes high fat and high animal products (although I struggle to go without dairy). That said I’m totally addicted to sugar due to low dopamine levels and I have a weak spleen (although I think that is getting better thanks to increase in exercise). My adrenals are suffering (from a lack luster lifestyle as well as occasional stimulant medication).

Curious whether anyone else with a weak spleen has embarked on keto and how it is going for them?

For the sake of accuracy I also have depression, PCOS and I’m booked in to find out if I have sleep apnea. I am also overweight and fairly intolerant of soy. Kinda overwhelmed with where to start, especially with how much I rely on food for distraction and dopamine.

(Rob) #2

I don’t know what is in the TCM diet but from your other health issues it sounds like you should give proper keto a chance since many report very positive results vs. PCOS and depression. DO it for those if nothing else (weight loss, mental clarity, metabolic health).

It is possible that your body didn’t like high fat in the presence of high glucose (sensible body :grin:) so give it a try, picking fats you can handle like dairy, avocado, EVOO, macadamias etc. You can limit animal protein and play with the types of fats but it is essential to the WoE that you aren’t avoiding it.

Check out the Getting Started section for an array of good advice but the key principle for me is to keep it simple - eat things you like, in quantities that fill you up and that fit into the macros (for carbs and protein at least) for the early weeks as you adapt. Don’t (over) exercise since your body should focus on gettin off the sugar addiction. Don’t worry about calories per se but don’t undereat - overt calorie restriction is not a great thing at any time but definitely not during adaptation.

Good luck and welcome (?) to keto!

(Sarah ) #3

there is nothing you can do but try it. you are 100% in charge.

(Consensus is Politics) #4

There is something to be said for the miraculous effects of a Keto diet. Which probably mostly occur because of the reduction of insulin production. Insulin alone, it’s like that one kid in your class, a Vinnie Barberino if you will, that causes disruptions with everything else going on, so nothing goes quite right.

Give it a couple of months. It sounds like you are just uncomfortable with it. Push through that. After all, your overall health is at stake. Don’t half ass it though, pardon my Latin, my wife wants to eat like me, to loose weight like me, to be ‘not hungry’ like me (just did another two day fast by accident, oops, forgot to eat agin for a few days, oh well, lost a couple of more pounds :scream::cowboy_hat_face:. BUT… she wants to still eat apples, oranges, cups of rice. She doesn’t want to give anything up, she just wants to add what I do. I keep explaining it won’t work. It only works for me being insulin resistant because I completely abstain from carbs. Do that, and expect results.

#5

I second @Capnbob. Brilliant reminder that @Lovethyself body may not have liked high fat due to the sugar. Animal protein though…don’t go high. Keto is very moderate on protein and it does not all have to be from animals though you may need to gradually add in small portions. The veggies will be no problem as well.

As far as weak spleen. My TCM practitioner addressed my weak spleen by telling me to stop all cold foods for a time and to stop eating wheat. Used some tea she made for me. As an aside, spleen and anxiety go hand in hand. Notice how the anxiety rises as you think about change and how it will decrease when you actually make the change.

Most of all…follow your own wise woman…love yourself!

(Miss E) #6

I have almost always disliked really cold drinks and food, think my body was trying to do me a favour. That said I don’t mind raw food but you’re supposed to avoid it if you have a weak spleen. I find raw foods in the earlier part of the day are okay.

Thanks everyone for the feedback so far, very supportive welcome :slight_smile:

(Miss E) #7

Could I ask you to elaborate on the uncomfortable feeling being more about the glucose/fat combo rather than just the fat?

(Rob) #8

Super over simplified but - Carbs drive insulin production which wants to turn (excess) glucose into fat and store it but will also store all your dietary fat. Your body’s reaction to fat alone, especially if you are fat adapted and expect fat as fuel is fundamentally different (low insulin).

Keto adapted people who massively overfeed on fat only don’t put on weight or get sick but the same caloric input of carbs will do all the bad things you expect.