Dear Dr. Cordain,
I know that you are very busy, but I wanted to express to you my appreciation of The Paleo Diet. Thank you so much for doing this work and writing this book. It has changed my life.
In the spring of 2009 I first noticed a change in the coloration of the skin on my fingers, and that June it was diagnosed as vitiligo. For three years I watched the depigmented patches spread on my hands and face. Then last spring I read your book and went on a very strict paleo diet (100% paleo meals, plus no nightshades or even meat that had been fed grains (I eat a lot of grass-fed beef, thinking perhaps lectins or other substances from the grains might remain in the meat)). The depigmented patches have stopped growing! This has been a relief beyond words. (One of the agonizing parts of the disease was knowing intuitively that it was my body’s way of indicating that something was wrong, but not knowing what was wrong or what to do about it.) I wanted to share this with you both to express my appreciation for the incredible positive influence you have had on my life, as well as to potentially help people by sharing my personal experience. (I know that you are continuing to do research on the health effects of the paleo diet.)
Dr. Cordain, thank you again. If you have any advice for me about who else to talk to regarding my experience and possible ways to spread the word about The Paleo Diet, I would very much love to know.
Sincerely,
Liz Uhlig
Dr. Cordain’s Response:
Hi Liz,
Many thanks for your kind words and congratulations with your success with the Paleo Diet and your vitiligo. In my most recent book, The Paleo Diet, I describe before and after photos shown to me by a young man with vitiligo who attended one of my lectures in San Diego in 2009. His pre-Paleo photos showed vitiligo extending to his hands arms, legs and trunk. After 1 year on Paleo, the photos revealed about a 50 to 75 % regression of the lesions. I also know of a devoted CrossFitter and Paleo Diet fan from NYC whose vitiligo lesions did not improve, but did not worsen after a year of Paleo. I would like to post your comments on my blog and see what other vitiligo patients experiences are. If you are OK with this, let me know and I will have Kyle, my webmaster post your story. If you would like, we can do the post anonymously.
Best wishes,
Loren Cordain, Ph.D., Professor
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I can't speak for the Paleo diet, but I do have experience with Vitiligo. A few years ago I came across something on the internet that suggested Ginkgo biloba. I started to take it with the thought that whether it worked or not, there seemed to be enough evidence of benefits in other areas. It took almost six months, but all of the depigmented patches on my hands and arms (which were the only area really visible) cleared up. Now here is the funny thing. Once they cleared up, I stopped taking the Ginkgo biloba. Several months later they came back. So I started to take it again. Six months later, they cleared up… and I am embarrassed to say… I stopped taking the Ginkgo biloba again… and guess what? It came back. This time I am committed to sticking with it. (Truth be told I was able to see some progress after about three months… and then it progressively got better and better until you couldn't tell where the spots had been).
I'm not sure that it will help everyone, but… I would give it a try… and I would make sure to stick it out for at least six months or so. If I had been in most of the trials, I would have listed it at a failure as few seem to go that long.
Hi, I just read your information and it’s very interesting. Can you give me the name of the Ginkgo biloba brand you are taking? I have vitiligo also and I Am trying to enter in poleo diet to, but I would like to tray with the ginkgo to. thanks
I am not trying to lose weight, as I am already under weight. I want to eat healthy though. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to eat healthy without losing weight. Also, with the Paleo diet, are you cooking all the vegetables or are you eating them raw. Again, I need to gain weight.
Sheila,
Saffron will aid digestion and increase appetite. Maybe an increase in appetite could help you gain a little weight, by eating a little more.
I am new to the Paleo diet. I have seen the term ‘Nightshades’ but I haven’t been able to figure out what this means. Can you please clarify this for me? Thank you.
http://www.thepaleomom.com/2012/08/the-whys-behind-autoimmune-protocol.html
Here is a good explanation of them!
I am looking for more information about Paleo diet and a friend recommend me this site. I have heard about the salubrious effects people can gain from this and it’s great to know that only by practising this kind of diet, such disease could be cured.