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My progress - Andrew Baird

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My 3 year report on the vitamin A reduction. Thanks to Dr Garrett Smith on vitamin A and Stephanie Seneff (on glyphosate detox connection) or I might never have found a solution. Summary: Main problem of bleeding capillaries and peeling skin resolved at about 2 years 10 months. Hemosiderin stains went away. Iceberg lettuce with a little Vitamin K may have helped plus all the liver improvement. Only problem is eczema on legs mainly and itching when hot at night. Slight tinnitus still there. Eye floaters still there. On occasions I have coffee, alcohol and sulfites there is no sign of problems detoxing them as mostly resolved at 1 year mark. Soles of feet nice and soft. Hair is recovering very slowly from long term baldness. Nocturnal penile tumescence much improved ironically at 57 when some over 60s don't get this at all due to so called aging. Arthritic twinges in knuckles gone. Fatigue gone. Bowel movements much improved. Eyesight much improved peripherally and seeing into distance. No major headache in 3 years. Leg cramps went away. No nightime urination at night even in cold winter without beany hat on. Breathing through nose improved. Concentration and short term memory improved. Sleep improved and dreams began to return. Circulation has improved and don't feel so cold at extremities.
 
Mistakes for me: Going too low vit A at the start. Overdoing the beans at 250 grams a day. Removing some fruit speeded things up too much. Better mineral replenishment or lactoferrin help early on might have reduced leakiness in biliary system for later when detox got stronger and eczema increased. I seemed to be low in fat or choline I would have been better increasing eggs earlier when sulfur problems resolved at 1 year mark. Briefly overdoing the fat in the beef led to heartburn. There was probably a nice middle way with the right fat level somewhere about 10%. I'm probably underweight so bit more fat helps. Being slim was also prone to eczema. Possibly drinking more water might have helped the kidneys. Weird cramps at 18 months may have been low B1 or low zinc connected as that seemed the likeliest one that was low in diet too or needed on detox.
 
Diet: Most often: Low fat beef, chicken, eggs, iceberg lettuce, parsnips, apples, mushrooms, brazil nuts, organic brown rice flour, organic spelt wholemeal flour, unrefined molasses sugar, onions, sea salt, passata and extra virgin olive oil. Less often: skipjack tuna, mackerel, salmon, potatoes, dark sweet cherries, grapes, blueberries, raspberries, broccoli, white cabbage, bananas, ginger, caraway seeds, organic unhomogenised milk and butter.
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JennypuddleduckOuraniaNavnHermesRetinoiconArminCarnivoreDeleted user
Previous report at 2 years: Vitamin A reduction report after 2 years of reducing high carotenoids and vitamin A in my diet. To recap I had a skin problem where the capillaries would bleed creating hemosiderin staining on my lower legs and feet. I tried to figure out an answer for 4 years before seeing a post by Garrett Smith including Stephanie Seneff that suggested glyphosate could interfere with Vitamin A detox. Also long term gluten intolerance might lower zinc hence another way Vitamin A could cause problems. I'd been eating carrots and sweet potatoes daily for over 15 years since reading The Optimum Nutrition Bible. I thought that would take care of vitamin A and I never looked closely at it again. In the years from 2011 to 2015 I also began eating more organ meats including liver (high in Vitamin A) and kidneys.
It seemed a reasonable theory that I had high Vitamin A and so I cut out liver, some dairy and the higher carotenoids (carrots, sweet potatoes, peppers, squash, spinach, kale and other dark green vegetables). I also reduced tomatoes considerably. Please also note that I didn't think I had any food intolerances apart from gluten after resolving most of them in 2004. I'd been having digestion difficulties when eating beans and nuts but I think the liver caused this dryness. When I reduced the Vitamin A sources I began digesting much better within about 6-8 weeks.
After a few weeks I began thinking much more clearly. The skin on my legs kept peeling off from some foods and warm baths but eventually itchiness, skin peeling and reactions diminished. High fat foods and dark chocolate were the worst for the reactions. Rhinitis and blocked nose kept improving. Skin quality on face and scalp kept improving. Eyesight got better (peripheral vision, eye movement, long distance sight). Fatigue walking up hills improved. I didn't get so easily burnt by the sun. The soles of my feet are less thick and much softer now.
The second year the hemosiderin stain on one foot disappeared. Still a slight mark on the other foot. I gave up alcohol and tomatoes for 2 month periods in this phase. Ate more beans and low fat beef. Shifts in dysautonomia occurred. Easier to get into parasympathetic mode during the day with less anxiety, better vision and improved digestion. More and more hair follicles began recovering from 20 years of absence. Small hairs now growing all over front of scalp even at the front at the sides where it's first to go. Scalp is now less tight and easier to move and massage.
I gave up oxalates, lectins and salicylates in my efforts to resolve food intolerances many years ago. It's a pity I hadn't tried eliminating carotenoids. Although my experimenting demonstrates a link to getting psoriasis from carotenoid consumption (plus stress probably) and then a more severe problem from eating liver. Then I've reduced the carotenoids and reversed very long standing issues from 30 years ago if not before. Also of note is I'm only partially organic so reducing carotenoids may be more important than going organic. Spells of high organic never solved these problems (probably too many carrots). I was also still drinking a cup of coffee or two each day whilst trying to drink dandelion coffee at times. I still had a glass of wine each evening although I'd definitely suggest total elimination was very beneficial for a month or two.
Grant Genereux's zero carotenoid and Vitamin A diet for 7 years would suggest we don't need any Vitamin A. Over a thousand of us would tend to agree having done the experiment. It's definitely a game changer. Sleep has got better this year although I'm not in a very soundproof building. Eyesight has got better. Hair is recovering after 20 years of loss which is not reported very often. Skin keeps improving. Dysautonomia related to fatty liver continues to improve. Not many people improve that after so many years either. I only take an occasional 22mgs zinc picolinate supplement. I haven't had any leg cramps since doing the Vitamin A reduction. No need to keep doing the magnesium chloride baths. You're winning if the supplements are going down.
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JennypuddleduckOuraniaNavnHermesCarnivoreDeleted user

Previous report at 1 year for the record:

Vitamin A reduction report. I've been reducing Vitamin A for a year now. I haven't eaten carrots, peppers, sweet potatoes, liver, plain kale or spinach for a year. I'd say I've rearranged the foods I eat rather than increasing anything in particular. Milk thistle seeds in the last 4 months might be the only thing I'd never used before. I've taken less magnesium chloride baths this year as no leg cramps at night now (about 10 kilograms worth whereas previously I'd go through 25 kgs). No supplements apart from a food based B complex supplement for a month when there was a little eczema on my arms.
At first slight brain fog lifted very quickly, the half moons on fingernails seemed to appear but went again, the longer thicker eyebrows have definitely remained indicating sub clinical hypothyroid might have been a factor. Teeth became shinier, less staining and less niggles. Occasional gums bleeding but less than previously. I was mainly reducing Vitamin A to sort a skin rash on my feet and the peeling skin has now resolved. Less itching, less fungal rash and clearing up very slowly. Less capillary bleeding and much softer skin. Vitamin K might have helped the spotting but I didnt get round to getting that.
As stated in the hair report skin on the front of my scalp has resolved to normal skin with light vellus hairs similar to the rest of the body. Hopefully, longer hairs will come through. The scalp also is softer and easier to massage. Liver health has improved and ability to detox sulphites, alcohol and coffee has significantly changed. Rhinitis and blocked nose problem have diminished significantly making breathing much easier. Ability to walk 4 miles and up hills without fatigue improved. Sleep and cognitive ability have improved. Dry mouth in the morning resolved and digestion got much much better especially nuts which were almost impossible before without dryness. Previous liver consumption brought on the dryness and poor digestion.
Eyesight has improved with greater eye movement, better peripheral vision and improved mild short sightedness. Involves a relearning of good habits to blink and breathe and move eyes rather than head. Can see much further in good light after becoming aware to reduce lutein levels in some foods. No issues around night blindness. Eyes gave up a lot of gunk initially but now have much less dryness and feel better lubricated. I eat plenty of zinc foods like beef, beans, small amount of fish, 85% dark chocolate, almonds, pecans and pistachios. I'd estimate I've been consuming a third to a half the Vitamin A RDA of 1,500 IU.
Beef, pinto beans and white cabbage being a good combination to get nutrients whilst avoiding skin eruptions from the stearic acid in beef. I used tomatoes/passata as the base for sauces at about a fifth of previous levels. Avoiding eggs at times to reduce lutein levels. Red cabbage was a bit high in carotenoids. Broccoli also best avoided for much of the time as quite high in lutein. Thanks to Garrett Smith for insights on lutein, lycopene and stearic acid to name a few. The worst reactors for my skin were dark chocolate, cashews and high fat beef all being high in stearic acid which aids the absorption of Vitamin A when you're trying to remove it. They got better over time. Globe artichokes not sure about whether they speeded up detox too much or the small amount of lutein causes an issue. Milk thistle seeds, dandelion coffee, white cabbage, black beans, asparagus (despite lutein), pomegranates, dark cherries, blueberries, apples, sea salt, pistachios and dark grapes all very helpful foods. Will continue on with the Vitamin A reduction. Don't really miss any of the high foods. As always maintain nutrient dense foods and variety for nourishment and enjoyment.
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JennypuddleduckOuraniaNavnHermesCarnivoreDeleted user
Egg report after 9 months of eating 3-4 eggs a day most of the time and reducing high carotenoids and vitamin A in my diet for 2 years 7 months. The healing and improvements keep continuing with 3-4 eggs a day for more choline and phospholipids. Some egg supply issues here in UK so probably nearer 2-3 eggs a day lately. I also eat less pancakes in winter. Fat digestion much better now. I used to struggle a bit with butter, chocolate, coconut, fatty bacon and cheese. Now there's no problem. Lipase I'm assuming has improved from increased phospholipids in the bile salts protecting me from the toxicity. Or perhaps improved methylation helps the pancreas. Or the major lipotrope choline helps. Or them all. Anybody know for sure what it is ?
The digestive system works much more smoothly with increased choline and betaine. Sometimes 3 bowel movements a day to reduce the Vitamin A faster. 40 years of issues and now it's working perfectly. I'm also eating quinoa, fermented organic beetroot juice, organic spelt wholemeal and sourdough bread for betaine. Eye and mouth dryness has totally gone. I metabolise all the colour in the beetroot juice so kidneys I suspect working better. Increased B1 and B5 foods like sunflower seed 'milk', chicken, mushrooms, avocados and eggs may be helping too.
Mood and libido continue to improve. My liver is making hormones better. Lamb kidneys and haggis with lamb lobes also found to be helpful. Kidneys are very high in choline. Choline is the main precursor to betaine and it helps maintain water balance. I also feel capable of overcoming obstacles much better now and getting some exercise by walking to the park and up the small hill. Loads of people eating some eggs on top of lowering vitamin A and finding a stronger detox. No need to take so many supplements with better absorption. No need to push the detox with high protein, high fibre, high fat or high beef. Moderation is the key.
Replenishing the choline with consistent 3-4 eggs a day acts in a medicinal way. It's transformed my body as fast as it can heal. Choline and betaine help male fertility. It's another flip side to the high Vitamin A causing it. Choline very important in pregnancy as well. Liver health is at the centre of it all. Learning how high vitamin A and high fat affect the liver and increase the need for phosphatidylcholine to protect the body from the bile salts. Easy to understand why stress reducing choline is so bad for general health and often comes with a detoxing illness. Another few months and I'm hoping to finish the Vit A reduction. I've healed most of the things I wanted to. Detox still strong. Thanks for believing in it.
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puddleduckHermesDeleted userDonald

I love eggs but unfortunately they are causing my symptoms to flare if I eat them too regularly. Seems like once per weak is the maximum I can tolerate before starting to feel some digestive issues (constipation, gastritis, reflux, loss of appetite, gas, bloating). On the other hand, my libido improves significantly whenever I eat eggs on sourdough toasts on the regular basis. I have also started to liver flush (5 flushes so far) with no significant health improvements. 

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Andrew B

@jean you might have sulfur issues if eggs cause these symptoms. Might be eating other foods for choline: kidneys, hearts, fish roe, bison or beef. Sourdough toast would contain betaine which helps the liver too which might explain the benefit. Quinoa and beetroot another 2 foods with betaine.

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Deleted userJean

@andrew-b  Can you provide a an exclusion food list for someone who is starting with low vitamin A diet? Is Egg consumption in contradiction with a low vitamin A diet? Thanks

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Andrew B

@jean-2 My approach in two comments is on page 9. I emphasise choline initially hopefully from eggs if you tolerate them. Choline is far more powerful than Vitamin A in helping overcome fatty liver disease. It's a liver detox rather than a low vitamin A diet. What works best are choline and betaine foods. I'm working on fine tuning another stage in the process at the moment. https://ggenereux.blog/discussion/topic/a-best-practices-diet/?part=9

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Deleted user

Thanks! Also wondering what's your take on liver flushing? Have you ever tried? 

Andrew B has reacted to this post.
Andrew B

@jean-2 I think it might help in the short term where there's high toxicity and gut dysbiosis. In the longer term I see my approach as slow and relatively pain free way of detoxing the liver and getting the digestive system back to working by itself again. Never tried.

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Deleted userJean
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