Inflammation and Arthritis

I have just recently read your article Modulation of immune function by dietary lectins in rheumatoid arthritis. (Cordain, L, et al. British Journal of Nutrition 2000 83,207-217) and find this is the best explanation of joint problems I’ve been having for the past two and a half years. The attacks I’ve had are of arthritic characteristics: red hot, swollen and very painful. The attacks are random and becoming more frequent to the point where I have been bedridden. Since reading your article, I have stopped eating grains and now find my joints are beginning to feel much better, so much so that I have stopped taking prescription anti-inflammatory drugs.

Anonymous

As a health professional and former long-time vegetarian, I have been following the Paleo diet for about two years, and am delighted with the results. My weight has returned to normal and remained normal, my HDL has increased to 50 from 35, my LDL, which was at the upper range of normal has decreased to healthy levels, my VLDL has also returned to healthy levels (around 12), my triglycerides have plummeted from 250 to 60, and my fluctuating high blood pressure is now consistently within safe parameters. The tendonitis in my knee has cleared up completely. I now recommend this diet to many of my patients in my acupuncture practice, the majority of whom have symptoms of Syndrome X. I am utterly fascinated with this approach to diet and health.

Anonymous

This is my first week on the Paleo Diet and I am already experiencing clear-headedness, looser joints and no aching anymore. Wow! I have for years read and thought about this concept but was hooked on macrobiotics, which truthfully is about caring for oneself at the highest level. And it’s about living seasonally and climactically. The Paleo does this quite nicely. Anyway, thanks for the heads up in the form of your book. I have passed it around.

Anonymous

I am a Personal Trainer with more than 15 years of training experience. I am currently certified through the Cooper Inst. All of the nutritional guidelines I have been certified to communicate to clients are based on AHA guidelines.

A good friend who had great weight loss and increased health success with the Paleo diet gave me a copy of your book. Having been an Anthro minor in college and a nationally ranked athlete, I read it with a great deal of interest.

I have now been following the level 2 plan for two months with modifications for food likes (grew up in Asia as a Navy brat; I hate fish). I have found the joint pain I’ve had from 20+ years of power-lifting and 14 years of stunt work have greatly diminished, and much to my surprise, even I have lost body fat and increased lean muscle mass.

To quote my teenager, I am jazzed about the diet and would like to give my clients information on the Paleo diet, but am concerned about liability if I stray from AHA guide lines. Do you have a Paleo Nutrition course directed toward Personal Trainer/Nutritional Counselors?

William

Thank you for taking time to review this message. I have not been feeling well for several years. After seeing several rheumatologists and many doctors, they are still not sure what is happening except I am exhibiting symptoms of inflammation throughout my body (muscular and gut), minimal joint pain but back and hip stiffness. My energy level has been very low. I have been visiting chiropractors and have been taking Celebrex on an as-needed basis for two months.

I searched the Internet and found an article dated April 18, 2000 in the WebMD archives that was written by Elizabeth Tracey on possible (lectin) grain, pea and bean/ gut changes/ inflammation linkages to arthritis. Your name was mentioned. I do know beans and peas cause me great digestive and bowel issues.

Are there any recent studies of further information on this connection? I have immediately stopped eating wheat, barley, peas and beans and feel great! People even notice a difference. It seems within a few days all my symptoms have disappeared. My energy level and general feeling of well-being have increased dramatically! I am most relieved and hope I have finally found the answer.

Craig

I’m a chef in North Carolina who has a great interest in anthropology and that’s what led me to the Paleo Diet. First Ray Audette’s Neanderthin, then your book. My wife and I have adopted this new lifestyle and it’s wonderful. We both are doing well with the transition. We have more energy and our rheumatoid arthritis (minor symptoms) has not flared up in months.

Bill P.

At just barely 6 months, I have lost 24 lbs and am feeling great. Arthritis and plantar fasciitis has been cleared up completely, I believe, by following this eating program.

Candi

Hi Loren,

Have been on the Paleo diet for three weeks and feel great. More energy, less or no flatulence, firm stools and my gums have stopped bleeding! My wife is on it and feels better too! Still working on getting our 3-year-old to put down those vegetables, but we are making progress. Thanks again for confirming what my evolutionary studies gave me an inkling of!

George