Introduction post

#1

Hi everyone,

I’m not exactly new to this forum or keto, for that matter, but I thought it would be a good idea to introduce myself before posting elsewhere.

Last August, after years of accumulating health problems (mainly concerning my skin and my stomach, no weight issues) and frustrating doctor visits (“You’ll just have to live with this”), I decided it was time for a change. I’ve been eating Keto since September and switched to Ketovore in December, a small serving of Macadamia nuts being the only non-animal food I eat. Other than that, it’s beef with added beef fat trimmings, as meat tends to be very lean around these parts, and, rarely, cheese (my skin doesn’t like it). I’m not symptom free by a long shot, but things have gotten better and I’ve seen unexpected benefits, especially for my mental health.

Anyway, that’s it, just thought I’d say hi.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #2

Welcome, and I look forward to hearing more from you. I’m glad you’re having such success. Give it plenty of time; some of my skin problems cleared up right away, but others took a year or two to fully resolve.

(Marianne) #3

Welcome!

I’m glad you have started to see results. I believe a keto/zc way of eating heals primarily from within and manifests in external benefits, which we all like to see. I don’t have “skin issues” per se, but I can tell you that I have seen remarkable benefits in this area, too. For my entire adult life, I had scaly, discolored elbows. When I was younger and it seemed to matter (:roll_eyes:), I tried applying lemon juice, various moisturizing creams, vigorous exfoliating, etc., all to no avail. Similar problem with my feet. I’d get regular pedicures mainly so the aesthetician could use a skin planer on my feet to get rid of the rough areas that used to feel so rough and catch on my stockings, etc. Since keto, my elbows and feet are completely smooth and beautiful, so much so that the aesthetician commented about my feet the last few times I went - and that was only for a polish change. She said, “I wish I had your skin.” I paint my toes at home now as I really have no need to go anymore. I also noticed that my armpits are beautiful now - uniform color, smooth, equal distribution of fat, etc. Another benefit I’ve seen is the elimination of cellulite. Never experienced that with conventional dieting, even when I got down to my goal weight, which is very low for me. My skin health overall, is wonderful.

My husband suffered trauma to his toe in high school (over 50 years ago). He has always had a thicken nail on that one toe. Since keto, that has cleared. I noticed it one day and mentioned it to him. He was completely amazed.

So, the moral of the story is the longer you maintain this woe, the better your skin will become. I really believe that many of your skin anomalies will resolve as you keep repairing your metabolic health.

(Robin) #4

Yay for you! Glad you spoke up… sounds like you are already on the right track. Time is your friend… improvement does not stop. Even in maintenance. Some things are a slow process. I bet your issues will continue to get better.
Welcome!

(Ohio ) #5

Any chance your skin problems could be tap water? I get skin problems when I shower too often.

(Jane) #6

Welcome!

#7

Hi there, I’ve seen quite alot of anecdotal evidence (search Dave Macleod - rock climber) that exclusion of dairy leads to improvements in eczema. This ties directly to your post. Apart from the occasional dip into cheese are you completely excluding dairy?

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #8

Some people can tolerate dairy, others can’t. My eczema cleared up while I was eating dairy, so it is a crap shoot.

#9

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

In terms of dairy: I actually suspect that dairy in general mght be an issue. One of the skin problems I have (the one that bothers me the least) is keratosis pilaris, mostly on my arms. Had it for a few years. Earlier this year, it completely disappeared, like 100% gone - only to reappear a few weeks later. That has never happened before and might have coincided with me completely cutting out dairy and then reintroducing it, though I‘m not sure this is really the reason. Aside from cheese, I occasionally indulge in a store-bought, unsweetened cappuccino, but after a bad experience yesterday, I‘m not going to do that anymore. It‘s 110mg caffeine per serving and that is way too much for me. Caffeine has always made me nervous and anxious (I never felt awake or alert) and that has gotten way worse since keto. So it‘s time to ditch thatcappuccino. It was 10 carbs per serving anyway (glucose and galactose), not that it mattered much due to my otherwise very low carb intake, but still, that is quite a bit of sugar.

I have to admit that I‘m a little bit annoyed by the dairy issue. I like cheese. A lot. My country is known for its cheeses, there‘s a huge variety. Why does my body react to it that way? I had to cut out so many things, including my beloved 99% chocolate (chocolate is high in histamines and something else in it is bad for rosacea, which is one of my other issues).

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #10

Try again, and if it clears up again, that’s pretty indicative. Many people have a sensitivity to the proteins in cows’ milk, even if they have no trouble with lactose.

#11

I will try again. It‘s just hard to give up on cheese…

#12

Hi I love cheese too. I gave it up on Monday but still on extra thick cream. If it works you could try just eating goats and sheep cheese as Paul said it may have a different affect. Jersey cow milk is ok too apparently?? I think it’s either A1 or A2 protein that makes the difference. Dave Macleod said his foot eczema clears when he gives up dairy.

Good luck ice.