Hello,
Below are three emails continuing the January 23, 2012 post:
January 29, 2012
Hi again,
First of all, I really appreciate your thoughtful response, and have been contemplating how I will apply it to my situation. I'm eager to give it a try, so this morning, went in to get a "before" set of labs drawn, and then chose to eat simply of greens, vegs, sweet potato, white potato, and berries today. My main concern for myself, is will I be able to sustain it! So far, I think yes. I am interested in your book.
I like your wording of "calorie normalization" rather than "calorie restriction". Puts an entirely different spin on the concept.
A few more questions: first, I'd read somewhere that quinoa is metabolized as alkaline, but I guess this must be in error? I'd also read somewhere that almonds are the only nut metabolized as alkaline, but then it's also true that these acid/base listings of various foods are not consistent one to the next. So sounds like I should avoid all grains (not really a hardship).
You didn't mention mushrooms in your talk. Are you positive, negative, or neutral regarding them?
Regarding potatoes, what do you think of having a sweet potato plus some white potato every day (the third meal of the day to have other roots...probably parnsip, rutabaga, carrot, beet, or for another source of calories/starch, winter squash. Or do you really think it's best to have 2 sweet potato/day and avoid the white potato? Other varieties of sweet potato are not easily or reliably available here (Charlotte, NC).
Re purslane, never seen it before, but have read it's high in oxalates. As I have no history of kidney stones, if I can find some, I guess this shouldn't be a problem? daily? I will be using no form of oil or plant foods high in fat (seeds, nuts, avocado), and have not used flax since listening to your talk.
Regarding supplements, I noted in your VHS lecture that you feel they generally are not necessary with the exception of B12 and maybe D. But what about iodine? I currently take about 150 mcg iodine/day (liquid solution), 2000 IU D, plus zinc when I remember (25 mg), and 1000 mcg B12 once or twice a week. No other vitamins/minerals. Do you think zinc can be well enough absorbed on a vegan diet that I can dispense with that?
How do you feel about fruit/veg smoothies? I've been drinking a smoothie made of 1 cup frozen mixed raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, 1 cup of frozen raw collards (chopped pretty small, so the one cup is pretty compactly packed), and 1/2 cup commercial pasteurized pomegranate juice. Is this too glycemic because of damaging fiber by blending, for diabetes, or do you feel that we should really eat, rather than drink, our calories (Dr. McDougall), or is this a recommended positive dietary addition for the nutrient density, raw cruciferous, and more absorbable vitamix blended form (Dr. Fuhrman)?
I'll let you know how it goes, maybe by an email every three months or so. The next set of labs (the "after" version) is scheduled to be drawn June 4th. If I can't make this work, though, I think I'll know a lot sooner than that! But I'm VERY optimistic that I can mostly avoid migraine on this plan, so my primary remaining concern is how my blood sugar will do with all the potato (low fiber and glycemic compared to beans and oat groats...but I couldn't sustain a diet emphasizing those either, because of the migraines!).
Thanks again, and do let me know how to obtain a copy of your book.
Ann
P.S. I also appreciate your respectful stance regarding Dr. McDougall's and Dr. Fuhrman's contributions to the field. I've been shocked at all the "bashing" that can be found on websites by their "followers", pitting one against the other. In my opinion, we're all in this together, and you provide a unique, and I think, very helpful synthesis of the two plus further developing your own ideas regarding optimal human nutrition.
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Hi Ann,
This photo makes them look larger than life.
Your considered questions are great and highly appreciated. They force me to analyze everything I know and to learn new things.
Forever The Rainbow Taste Sensations: Health, Kindness And The Plant Life Cyclewill be published in paper form in February for $27.99. Here's what I can do for you - if you send $37.99 via PayPal right now to mdasa1@gmail.com you'll get the book mailed to you in February AND I'll immediately email you the ebook version. In other words - you'll get immediate access, plus get the paper book soon.
If avoiding all grains is not a hardship that's great. Like you said, it's true that these acid/base listings of various foods are not consistent one to the next . I say this and more about acid/base in my book.
Quinoa is a blink-of-an-eye recent technological-age addition (3-7,000 years) to human diets just like all those tiny little grains. (Whereas leaves, buds, vegetable-fruits, sweet fruits, and roots & tubers go back millions of years.)
There's nothing magical or of dire necessity in any pile of grains or seeds. They are just convenient for storage.
My mother never fed me mushrooms (complex fungi) as a child so I've never liked or really eaten them. BUT I do get my fungi fix via nutritional yeast (simple fungi).
I probably average about 3 sweet potatoes to every 1 potato. Here in Hawaii we have 4 distinct varieties of SP's easily available, along with taro root, dasheen and cassava root. Some of these may be available in your locality if you have an Asian market anywhere near you.
Yes purslane is high in oxalates, but mostly meat-eating men who don't drink water get kidney stones - so shouldn't be a problem. You don't have to eat purslane as most all greens contain sufficient omega-3, and the ideal omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. It's just that purslane is super easy to grow. You might have a hard time to find purslane commercially. It grows wild and I think the wild version tastes the best. If you would like I can mail you some seeds (the plants make thousands of them). You can try growing them indoors now, and definitely outdoors in the spring. I like to eat a little daily or at least every other day cooked or raw.
Iodine: I don't eat packaged foods so I don't take in too much salt but when I use a little salt at the table I use iodized salt. When I was taking zero table and added salt, I ate dulse flakes for iodine and which are naturally salty - used them like salt.
Many non-seed vegan foods like basil, dill weed, spearment, asparagus, mushrooms, spinach, okra, parsley, and sea vegetables for example, have good per calorie amounts of zinc in them. Napa cabbage has tons (well not tons) - has a very high amount of zinc it. My wife Sunanda and I have Napa cabbage about once or twice a month. If you eat these things I think you can dispense with the zinc supplements.
What's your B-12 blood level? If it is above the reference range level you can adjust you B-12 down like I did to 1000 mcg every two weeks or whatever keeps your levels near the upper limit.
I blend whole-fruit smoothies spiced with various sweet spices (cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, clove, cardamon) using a bit of water and not any fruit juice. I also blend spiced and flavored greens and vegetable-fruits. I think I'm lazy to chew. I wish I could really eat all my food. The main thing is to not use fruit or vegetable juice (because they are fractionated, concentrated foods) to blend with, only water. But I certainly spice up everything.
Related to CR/CN and to all this is one's blood total cholesterol and LDL levels.
Three major independent sources (Framingham Heart Study, China Study & Dr. Esselstyn from the Cleveland Clinic, and concurred by a fourth source the editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Cardiology, Dr. William Roberts) have discovered that when you keep your blood cholesterol and LDL levels below 150 mg/dL and 80 mg/dL respectively with proper diet not by drugs, then you become cardiovascular disease proof (not lower-the-risk, but eliminate).
I suspect that in your case when you have both your diabetes and migraines controlled your levels will be below 150 & 80.
Thank you for the sentiments and ideas expressed in your P.S. You may notice the word "Kindness" in the Forever The Rainbow book title.
I'll look for your PayPal payment and then send out the ebook immediately, followed by the paper book soon.
Madhava
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Madhava,
Just wanted to say thanks for this reply, too. A lot of "food for thought". Sounds like I can reduce/stop the zinc and iodine and reduce B12. If it's not too much trouble, I'd be excited to receive some purslane seeds and give it a try. My two boys love plants and gardens, and eating what they pick, so this could be good for all of us!
Again, I appreciate the time you've spent replying...will spend the evening with your book.
Ann
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