Six common beliefs addressed, Part 18

1. People who have metabolic syndrome or diabetes can never eat whole food carbohydrates.

As long as the individual is able to obtain and sustain proper blood glucose regulation, then there is no reason for them to not be able to eat whole food carbohydrates. 

Metabolic syndrome is not a "carb disease". It is a disease of poor blood glucose regulation. Once the person has metabolic syndrome, their poor blood glucose control, becomes very sensitive to carbohydrates so it is best for them to restrict all carbohydrates, regardless of being whole or not. But this is very individualized.

2. Can you have rice as your carbohydrate allowance? 

You can have anything if it doesn't interfere with your blood glucose. 

The reason that rice is not recommended is because it is known to interfere with proper blood glucose regulation. This is particularly true for people who already have poor blood glucose control. 

People with metabolic syndrome should restrict carbohydrates, particularly sugar, grains and starch. Rice is a grain. 

3. Why does fasting cause me to binge once I start eating again?

Binging or hyperphagia is usually a sign of metabolism adapting to extreme energy conservation. This is why extended fasting is not recommended on this blog.

Carbohydrate restriction should always be primary and in most instances, it is enough to achieve metabolic goals, but if you are still having issues, then intermittent fasting can be a good secondary, additional intervention.

In most instances fasting is the easiest and most convenient way to control your intake of carbohydrates and keep a healthy hormonal balance by allowing the body sufficient catabolic times. Unfortunately, for a few, these benefits are not achieved because of binging, inability to be consistent with fasting/eating schedules or extreme discomfort. Though implementing and keeping a fasting regimen is a beneficial intervention, if you have tried it and it doesn't seem to work for you, stop it. There is no purpose of continuing something that's obviously not working.

Instead of fasting you might want to implement a time restricted feeding regimen instead, where you do not have to fast for 18 hours, but can eat a maximum of 3 meals a day, at specific times only. Breakfast in the morning, lunch at mid day and dinner in the evening, with no snacking in between. In this way, you are not constantly eating throughout the day, but you are still eating at short enough intervals to give the illusion that you are not fasting for any specific length of time. You would basically be fasting only overnight, which is about 12 hours. For some, it is much easier to refrain from snacking and/or binging when they know that their next meal is coming up soon, rather than having to wait 16-18 hours.

Paired with a carbohydrate restricted diet, time restricted eating can be a viable option for achieving goals. This method of eating still allows for insulin levels to go up and down, in a pulsatile way, which is how hormones are suppose to work.

4. Can "high protein" cause kidney damage?

Protein does not damage kidneys. That is a myth. The other myth is that there is even such a thing as "high protein". Protein is managed naturally through satiation and the wallet, so it is impossible to eat high protein from food in its whole form. No one is "addicted" to pork chops and they didn't cause the obesity epidemic, nor the kidney disease scourge, we are all facing now.

Kidney damage is caused by chronically high insulin levels. These insulin levels are caused by erratic blood glucose fluctuations putting stress, not only on the kidneys, but the entire body. The water retention caused by insulin and the need to excrete excess glucose puts the kidneys in an abnormal state that eventually causes disease. The high insulin directly affects the kidney tubules causing inflammation, scarring and irreparable damage. The high blood pressure caused by the water retention from chronically high insulin also damages the small blood vessels in the kidneys.

Once the kidneys are damaged they can no longer handle anything, including normal protein metabolism, since they are not functioning properly. Kidneys are responsible for a lot of things and once they are compromised, they become overworked easily. The person with kidney disease is now left having to restrict protein, amongst other things, and that's a recipe for getting fatter and more diabetic. Insulin causes insulin resistance. Metabolic disease causes more metabolic disease.

5. My fingernails are weak and brittle. Can this be the cause of carbohydrate restriction?  

Brittle nails, ridges and other nail problems are usually related to thyroid function. Just because you’re not having a clinically diagnosed thyroid issue does not mean your thyroid is working optimally.

When fasting and following a carbohydrate restricted diet, the most common thing that affects thyroid function is electrolyte imbalances. Make sure you are getting enough electrolytes.

Aside from that you can try rubbing fresh garlic on your finger nails, once a week. Olive oil is also very good for finger nails. You can also try a collagen and/or biotin supplement or cream. You can get more information on supplementation at a vitamin or health food store.

Digestive enzymes can help with nutrient extraction and having your doctor check you for a vitamin deficiency can also be helpful.

6. My toenails are falling off and I blame carbohydrate restriction. 

People always blame any new diet for everything they suffer from. But diet is only a palliative treatment for what ails you, so it is highly unlikely to cause new ailments. 

If you recently started exercising, along with your new diet, and find that you're having toenail problems, this is most likely due to the moisture and heat created by activity and walking shoes.

• Make sure you are wearing the appropriate cotton socks, that wick moisture.
• Take your shoes and socks off immediately after exercising and allow your feet to breath by wearing open toed sandals at home or whenever possible.
• Spray your toes with vinegar once you are done exercising. Vinegar helps prevent nail fungus and can cure any nail fungus you already have. Fill a small cosmetic spray bottle with white vinegar and keep it handy after your workouts.
• Sprinkle cornstarch based baby powder on your toes to keep them dry. Do not use talc.
• Use nail polish on your toenails. It helps create a moisture barrier. You can use clear polish if you don't want it to be visible.
• Always dry your feet well after showering and do not put on shoes or socks until you do. 

Toenail fungus is very difficult to get rid of and there has been no proven, effective, long term treatments. High doses of antibiotics and other chemicals are not recommended, as they usually take many dose cycles and often do not work. Some at home remedies that people have found useful have ranged from Vicks Vapor Rub, to lemon juice, to pure oregano oil, to bleach. I personally have had success with plain vinegar and baby powder, so that's what I recommend.

Fungus likes dark, moist places. Take their environment from them and they die naturally. It's something you will have to work on, for a while, but at least it's a real cure and prevention from it happening again.