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Headaches
Quote from Guest on January 22, 2019, 12:47 pm
I am a little over a week into low VA. My diet has been 90% beef, broth, rice, sourdough bread and butter, with the remainder being some peeled cucumber, sauerkraut, coconut oil and chicken.
For the past 5 days I have been experiencing an almost continual pressure headache (very unusual for me- I get headaches once or twice a year). It has to be related to the change in diet. My question is, how do I tell if it is more a symptom of VA detox or if it is something related to a mineral or other deficiency? Plugging my numbers in to cronometer, I notice I am very low in a number of things, (potassium, calcium, etc) which I am not worried about in the short term, unless that is what is causing my headaches. I just don't want to invest in a bunch of supplements to figure this out if possible.
Thank you!
I am a little over a week into low VA. My diet has been 90% beef, broth, rice, sourdough bread and butter, with the remainder being some peeled cucumber, sauerkraut, coconut oil and chicken.
For the past 5 days I have been experiencing an almost continual pressure headache (very unusual for me- I get headaches once or twice a year). It has to be related to the change in diet. My question is, how do I tell if it is more a symptom of VA detox or if it is something related to a mineral or other deficiency? Plugging my numbers in to cronometer, I notice I am very low in a number of things, (potassium, calcium, etc) which I am not worried about in the short term, unless that is what is causing my headaches. I just don't want to invest in a bunch of supplements to figure this out if possible.
Thank you!
Quote from
YH on January 22, 2019, 1:28 pm
I think it's likely related to Vitamin A. Vitamin A serves a number of signaling purposes, and when you stop consuming it, your body needs to readapt to the lack of Vitamin A. This could lead to a flux of Vitamin A, and perhaps even an excessive amount in the serum.
If you don't mind answering some of these questions, I will try to give suggest some things.
Do you have any other symptoms besides for the headache? How's your circulation? Do your hands and feet ever lack circulation? Are you sleeping alright? Are you drinking any coffee or black tea? Are you taking any painkillers? How much fat are you eating?
I think it's likely related to Vitamin A. Vitamin A serves a number of signaling purposes, and when you stop consuming it, your body needs to readapt to the lack of Vitamin A. This could lead to a flux of Vitamin A, and perhaps even an excessive amount in the serum.
If you don't mind answering some of these questions, I will try to give suggest some things.
Do you have any other symptoms besides for the headache? How's your circulation? Do your hands and feet ever lack circulation? Are you sleeping alright? Are you drinking any coffee or black tea? Are you taking any painkillers? How much fat are you eating?
Grant does include beans in his diet for their mineral content.
Maybe, using coconut milk instead of oil could help by providing more potassium.
Grant does include beans in his diet for their mineral content.
Maybe, using coconut milk instead of oil could help by providing more potassium.
Marco R. has reacted to this post.
Quote from Guest on January 22, 2019, 1:51 pm
I happened to develope really bad vA tox symptoms right before going on the diet - one was pressure headaches. They persisted for a few weeks after starting the diet. I think I read that vA increases circulating calcium, or something to do with calcium, (which vA gets from your bones) and that is what creates the pressure headaches. If that is correct, then magnesium may help, though it may take some time. I think that your headaches will go away regardless. After starting the diet I got migraines that I rarely got before, those lasted around 7 to 10 days and have not returned since.
I happened to develope really bad vA tox symptoms right before going on the diet - one was pressure headaches. They persisted for a few weeks after starting the diet. I think I read that vA increases circulating calcium, or something to do with calcium, (which vA gets from your bones) and that is what creates the pressure headaches. If that is correct, then magnesium may help, though it may take some time. I think that your headaches will go away regardless. After starting the diet I got migraines that I rarely got before, those lasted around 7 to 10 days and have not returned since.
Quote from Guest on January 22, 2019, 7:18 pm
Thank you everyone for your thoughts!
I did have a bit of coconut milk today, maybe I will try increasing that. I have been avoiding beans because they seem to make my acid reflux worse, but I might try them eventually if needed.
To answer your questions... I am not having any other symptoms besides the headache. As far as I can tell, my circulation is normal and I am sleeping normally. I haven't been drinking coffee/tea since starting low VA (and only a few times per week before that). I'm not taking any pain killers. I usually eat 1-2 T added fat per meal, in addition to whatever is already in the beef I am eating.
Thank you everyone for your thoughts!
I did have a bit of coconut milk today, maybe I will try increasing that. I have been avoiding beans because they seem to make my acid reflux worse, but I might try them eventually if needed.
To answer your questions... I am not having any other symptoms besides the headache. As far as I can tell, my circulation is normal and I am sleeping normally. I haven't been drinking coffee/tea since starting low VA (and only a few times per week before that). I'm not taking any pain killers. I usually eat 1-2 T added fat per meal, in addition to whatever is already in the beef I am eating.
Quote from Guest on January 22, 2019, 7:20 pm
Also, I am already taking supplemental magnesium.
Also, I am already taking supplemental magnesium.
Quote from Guest on January 22, 2019, 7:38 pm
I don't seem experience any side effects at this point after few adjustments to the dietand that I feel cover everything. Here are my staples:
- Coconut water (hight potassium and I prefer it over any milk)
- Oatmeal
- Turkey slices
- Ground lean beef
- White rice
- Mushrooms
- Beans (pinto, black and other low A)
- Cauliflowers
- White potatoes
- Parsnips/rubataga on occasion
Important daily supplements: vitamin c (I take between 5 and 10 grams) and Magnesium. If I wasn't trying hard to deplete I would maybe add apples. Ron
I don't seem experience any side effects at this point after few adjustments to the dietand that I feel cover everything. Here are my staples:
- Coconut water (hight potassium and I prefer it over any milk)
- Oatmeal
- Turkey slices
- Ground lean beef
- White rice
- Mushrooms
- Beans (pinto, black and other low A)
- Cauliflowers
- White potatoes
- Parsnips/rubataga on occasion
Important daily supplements: vitamin c (I take between 5 and 10 grams) and Magnesium. If I wasn't trying hard to deplete I would maybe add apples. Ron
Quote from Guest on January 22, 2019, 9:03 pm
Quote from Guest on January 22, 2019, 7:20 pm
Also, I am already taking supplemental magnesium.
Just in case you magnesium supplement isn't topical: From what I understand oral magnesium is not very effective even if it is in the form that doesn't cause diarrhea. Topical/transdermal magnesium is supposed to be superior at raising magnesium levels.
I am the one that wrote about my experience about pressure and migraine headaches and suggested magnesium. I had also been doing magnesium (mostly topical) for 4 years but had also been doing lots of high vA foods and supplements at that same time, so I think it helped protect me for awhile until my system got overwhelmed and I got to the point of having pressure headaches everyday for most of the day. I am still suffering with other symptoms but if I manage to get enough sleep, I don't have those headaches that seemed to be present all day around the time I started the diet. Everyone is different though at the same time similar in ways so it is hard to know exactly what is going on. My guess is that you are going through detox, which unfortunately can't be avoided.
Quote from Guest on January 22, 2019, 7:20 pm
Also, I am already taking supplemental magnesium.
Just in case you magnesium supplement isn't topical: From what I understand oral magnesium is not very effective even if it is in the form that doesn't cause diarrhea. Topical/transdermal magnesium is supposed to be superior at raising magnesium levels.
I am the one that wrote about my experience about pressure and migraine headaches and suggested magnesium. I had also been doing magnesium (mostly topical) for 4 years but had also been doing lots of high vA foods and supplements at that same time, so I think it helped protect me for awhile until my system got overwhelmed and I got to the point of having pressure headaches everyday for most of the day. I am still suffering with other symptoms but if I manage to get enough sleep, I don't have those headaches that seemed to be present all day around the time I started the diet. Everyone is different though at the same time similar in ways so it is hard to know exactly what is going on. My guess is that you are going through detox, which unfortunately can't be avoided.
Quote from
Liz on January 22, 2019, 9:23 pm
Great topic!
I have intermittent headaches that are not like "normal ones", you know, where pain increases with movement. No, when I am still it gets worse but when I am moving it goes away. It usually lasts for a day or two and goes away for days or a week. It has been ocuring since day one pretty much (and I am also one of those who never get a headache normally). It was more frequent at the beginning though.
Great topic!
I have intermittent headaches that are not like "normal ones", you know, where pain increases with movement. No, when I am still it gets worse but when I am moving it goes away. It usually lasts for a day or two and goes away for days or a week. It has been ocuring since day one pretty much (and I am also one of those who never get a headache normally). It was more frequent at the beginning though.
Quote from
YH on January 22, 2019, 10:49 pm
Your diet seems alright in terms of macros, but you can easily improve it. Try to maybe add a few portions of tolerable fruits(peeled pears, apples, bananas, pineapple). The sugar in fruit helps retain minerals, and also adds potassium. You also lack a source for vitamin e. A serving of almonds and some sunflower oil will help you get to the RDA.
In terms of what to look out for, I'd first be wary of supplementation before foods. Most supplements are contaminated with heavy metals, even magnesium. Things like cadmium and lead disrupt normal metabolism of retinol. Maybe take a break from the supplements, and see if it helps? A few weeks off of supplements is hardly enough time to be depleted.
Your diet seems alright in terms of macros, but you can easily improve it. Try to maybe add a few portions of tolerable fruits(peeled pears, apples, bananas, pineapple). The sugar in fruit helps retain minerals, and also adds potassium. You also lack a source for vitamin e. A serving of almonds and some sunflower oil will help you get to the RDA.
In terms of what to look out for, I'd first be wary of supplementation before foods. Most supplements are contaminated with heavy metals, even magnesium. Things like cadmium and lead disrupt normal metabolism of retinol. Maybe take a break from the supplements, and see if it helps? A few weeks off of supplements is hardly enough time to be depleted.
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