10 sats \ 4 replies \ @0371279ce5 22h \ on: AskSN: Curious if Anyone Had Advice on Lowering Glucose and Cholesterol Levels AskSN
There are many different "tools" one can use to accomplish this.
Some people have tried a carnivore diet with success, but sometimes long-term adherence may cause paradoxical reactions (myself, included). Carnivore seems to work by directly inhibiting insulin response and reduction of linoleic acid (see below), but with ratio of protein:fat that's too high, metabolism can slow due to 1) lack of energy, 2) too much reliance on gluconeogenesis, and 3) high protein's direct effect on slowing metabolism because of the amount of thyroid hormone required to process it - in addition to the fact that most people are undiagnosed hypothyroid anyway if looking at classic signs as opposed to blood markers.
Lowering protein and increasing energy intake (moreso if carbs/fats are separated as to not activate the Randle Cycle) can help to speed up metabolic rate. High sugars and low protein are both known to increase FGF21 which increases metabolic rate. This is part of your "calorie out" for those that obsess over CICO.
PUFA, particularly oxidized linoleic acid, has been known for DECADES to directly cause diabetes, and yet, we promote it for its "cholesterol lowering benefits". These are especially high in all vegetable/seed oils, even olive oil (because most are spiked anyway). If you pull something off the shelf at your local grocery and it has any fat in it at all, it will be nearly guaranteed to be fat from a vegetable/seed oil. Pork and chicken fat are even worse than those oils because they contain higher percentages of linoleic acid. Sugars are not the cause of diabetes. Look at the fruitarians - although unhealthy in the long-term, they don't have diabetes. The cause is that something (PUFA, especially) is blocking your body's ability to utilize it, hence why it continues to elevate.
This is actually a very interesting and informative read with regard to the Randle Cycle (macronutrient swampland, as she calls it). You will also see an amazing diet of essentially pure carbohydrates that has been known to work very well for over 100 years. Somehow, this knowledge has been "lost".
If you fix your metabolism, you will fix your glucose issues. I would recommend not stressing about cholesterol or what your doctor may say. Ultimately, everything is your decisions, not theirs.
The links inside here also have some interesting "diets" you could try until you learn more about metabolism.
Lol I am a person on Synthroid! Thats been a while ago now and it occurred when I was rapidly gaining and losing weight suddenly even though I was going on 3-mile or longer runs every other day. Ever since my thyroid went sideways my metabolism has definitely slowed down. I remember something about spicy food or well food with spices on it helping speed up metabolism. My mom is from Chicago so her "spicy" food was not spicy at all!
This is super helpful! I've bookmarked this so that I don't lose it! Recently I have seen more and more stuff about really all the oils except for olive and how they are just brutal for our system.
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Synthroid does not work for 99% of people. Synthroid is T4 (inactive thyroid hormone) and if you're already hypothyroid, you won't be able to convert much, if any of that T4 to T3 (active hormone). Personally, I take dessicated thyroid (over the counter) because it contains both and usually also has some T2 and calcitonin. I've also seen people order T3 from Mexico or elsewhere once they understand how to titrate it. Rarely will a doctor prescribe T3, but it never hurts to try. In the last 7-8 years, I've only seen someone prescribed something other than Synthroid a total of 2 times. One of those patients told me she had to fight her doctor to get it prescribed because she "did her own research" and guess what... it helped when Synthroid didn't.
Just FYI, long runs cause large spikes in cortisol and catecholamines which are also known to contribute to diabetes and muscle loss (muscle contributes positively to metabolic rate). I would suggest switching to a few all-out sprints, 2-3x/week instead. Your metabolism and body composition will thank you.
Here is an interesting read on thyroid.
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So Synthroid was actually the last thing we tried! We did the compounds, generics, etc. and nothing was working until Synthroid. My levels were good T3 was right where we wanted it T4 was within range as well. My complaint is that my boujee ass body of course "requires" that I take the name brand!
Synthroid was actually what led me to realize the issues people can have with generics and different manufacturers etc. I had never thought of that before but its a big deal esp as someone who is on seizure meds.
Ahh so high-intensity interval training cardio would be better? I am a weird person who loves cardio and running but willing to move into whatever will help me not take any more drugs!
Bookmarked this comment as well for that article!
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I'd be interested to know if they tried you on liothyronine (Cytomel/NP Thyroid) or Armour Thyroid. Blood TSH, T4, or T3 are not always a good measure of thyroid function.
Maybe this isn't your case, but many people who take Synthroid just end up feeling hot, becoming heat intolerant, and/or losing weight without a real increase in energy.
Seizures are often related to metabolism as well. It is theorized that the brain's ability to use glucose for fuel has been compromised, much like what is happening with diabetes.
Yes, occasional high-intensity running will often give many more benefits without the negatives of long-distance.
And don't forget sunlight. Super underutilized.
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