In an effort to heal my Psoriasis naturally, I started out with trying this diet called Paleo & was instantly impressed with the results. Within 4 weeks, I lost around 5 lbs of inflammatory weight, no longer had any bloating, and my Psoriasis cleared up!!
So what is the Paleo Diet?
The Paleo diet consists mostly of a grain free & dairy free diet. The premise of the diet is that if a caveman didn’t eat it, neither should you. Basically this means cutting out anything that comes from processed food, and focusing on things like leafy greens, veggies, nuts, seeds, avocados, seafood and grass fed meat.
My Experience with the Paleo Diet:
I was already dairy free, so the transition wasn’t too extreme for me. I went 100% strict for 4 weeks and then added back in one grain at a time. I started with rice, then bread, then pasta, and then quinoa. Surprisingly enough, I found rice to be a bigger trigger to my body than bread or pasta. When I eat rice, not only does my psoriasis flare up, but I also look like I’m 3 months pregnant from all of the bloating. When I looked further into it, I found that perhaps I was not having a grain or gluten allergy (I’ve tested negative for gluten), but rather a chemical reaction to glyphosate.
What is Glyphosate?
Glyphosate is the active ingredient created by Monsanto, used in Roundup Weed Killer. It’s used to kill weeds and increases the yield of the crop by roughly 10%. Many studies have been done showing the connection of Glyphosate to numerous health conditions, including cancer. Many people are proposing that we’re not having a gluten reaction or grain sensitivity, but rather a reaction to Glyphosate in the grains.
Just to put things into perspective, Monsanto is the creator of Agent Orange and GMO foods. Agent Orange is an herbicide that was used by the U.S military during the Vietnam War to destroy forests and crops. It is estimated that over 400,000 people were killed or maimed as a result. This means the same company who is responsible for killing and injuring thousands of people, are the same creators of our current food line of GMO foods and the same creator of the chemicals we use on it. For more information about GMO Foods, check out the documentary GMO OMG on Netflix.
Paelo & Legumes:
According to the Paleo diet, you’re supposed to stay away from legumes. What are legumes? Legumes are plants with seeds in pods, and include plants such as beans, peanuts, peas, soy, and alfalfa. I learned that some legumes bother me and others do not. For instance when I eat chickpeas, I appear to be okay, but when I eat kidney beans or lentils my face breaks out the next day. Another huge trigger for me are soy products, which is also very high in lectins. By the way, the majority of soy products are also GMO.
What are Lectins?
They are a type of protein found in our food, sometimes referred to as antinutrients, because they can reduce the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. They can also cause Gastrointestinal distress by causing damage to the intestinal lining. As it turns out, some of the highest amounts of Lectins are found in top food allergies like dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. Lectins are also found in something called Night Shade Vegetables.
There may be a way to avoid some of the trouble caused by Lectins, by the process of soaking, sprouting, and fermenting. This decreases the lectin content and frees up the good nutrients. The longer you soak and sprout your legumes, the more the lectins will be deactivated.
My Advice:
Always listen to your body. This idea that “one size fits all” is arbitrary. You can read as many studies as you want, but at the end of the day you should be listening to how your body responds. A great way to do this is by creating a food journal and doing an elimination diet. Check out an elimination diet called Autoimmune Inflammatory Protocol (AIP). It takes the Paleo diet a few steps further and may be very beneficial to some people.
Ask yourself questions after you eat:
- Did I develop acid reflux, food regurgitation, burping, belching, bloating, gas, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, joint pain, brain fog, rashes, acne, headaches/migraines, or bags under your eyes?
Or —->>> - Did my skin clear up, did I have more energy, did I feel happier, did I sleep better, did my food digest better, or did my joints feel better? These are only examples.
Supplements:
For me living a mostly grain free & dairy free life, cleared up my psoriasis, but I was still dealing with dry skin. Fortunately I found a way to deal that too, with the use of supplements. I find that using Omega 3’s and a B-complex vitamin help to keep my skin nice and smooth. Turmeric and probiotics are two other BIG game changers in my health. Sleep is also another crucial aspect to healing. If you have trouble sleeping, click here.
In summary, the Paleo diet was super helpful for me but may or not be helpful for you. Always listen to your body and see what works for you. I find that as long as I follow my diet (Paleo & nightshade free) 80% of the time, I do not have psoriasis or joint pain. I’m human people…. I still enjoy the occasional slice of pizza and fresh baked bread at the table! LOL
JUST EAT REAL FOOD – Stop focusing on calories & focus on what you’re eating and how it makes you feel. Your body is always giving you signals, but many times we ignore them. Pay attention if you develop nausea, gas, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, joint pain, rashes, sinus problems, or cold sores. If you develop any of these things after eating, it’s a good indicator that your body is giving you a clue to stop consuming something in your food. Many times these symptoms come from consuming chemicals, artificial coloring, and preservatives. Other times these symptoms can occur from a food allergy or sensitivity. Pay attention. Creating a food diary is a really great way to help you figure out what your triggers are. Food elimination diets are a great way to figure out what your triggers are.
DISCLAIMER
Information in this posting is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your medical provider before starting any new supplements or medications.
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