I learned a lot last year in my experience going paleo that has fueled my search for optimal scoliosis treatment. Things were going great for the most part. I saw my labwork numbers heading in the right direction after making dietary and lifestyle changes. I had more energy most days. There were some downsides though. I began to struggle with how I felt about the way I looked, what I ate, my joints started cracking a lot and loudly. Though my numbers were looking promising, I could tell I was approaching a pivot point.
My first pivot after going paleo: nightshades
Last year I was diagnosed with thyroid autoimmunity (Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis). When I read up on autoimmunity, it became clear that of the paleo protocol, I had to go more restrictive and exclude grains and nightshades. So I started rotating my days between a regular paleo diet and an autoimmune paleo protocol (AIP). Giving up nightshades was my first major pivot. What are nightshades? Nightshades are a family of vegetables that include, potatoes, bell peppers, and tomatoes (learn more about nightshades from Dr. Axe). This felt like a really big deal. No tomatoes meant no salsa! What is a life without salsa? And no grains meant getting serious about no corn. I still struggle with this one because: tacos. Apparently, I love Mexican. Moving on…
I am glad I gave myself the chance to ease into AIP by introducing this protocol for only a few days at a time. This approach continues to work for me. I accept that my body has ignited survival tactics and I respond by giving it 3-4 days of “rest” by eating only safe foods.
One man’s superfood is another man’s poison.
My second pivot: dairy
This is more of a pending pivot. Dairy has become my ultimate guilty pleasure. Getting cream in my coffee on Saturday morning is like a really big deal. And I like it that way. While I am supposed to be dairy-free to be paleo, I make paleo my foundation and it’s my choice to discern when and how I veer away from it. I think it’s ok to be paleo 90% of the time and to savor a tasty treat on special occasions. And in my case, my Saturday morning Starbucks coffee with a splash of cream is my reward for saying “yes” to my health the rest of the week.
I do have to say, my take on Paleo and learning about all these fad non-diet diets (but seriously, they’re all diets. Could we be any more stuck in the 90s??) Is that the recommendation to eat fruits and vegetables seems like a safe bet, but the vegetable food group is quite diverse in itself and depending on your treatment needs, some may do more harm than good when working towards one’s goals.
Let’s dive in, more below…
Removing Lectins – Gut Health for Intestinal Healing
Dr. Steve Gundry, M.D. is quite the character. I think it’s safe to say he HATES lectins. I mean, he would never say that, but if you read his book, The Plant Paradox: The Hidden Dangers in “Healthy” Foods That Cause Disease and Weight Gain, it’s hard to take it any other way. What I liked about his book was the deeply scientific analysis he took in explaining the importance of the preparation of food so that they are not harmful to us. This is revolutionary in American history. We are a melting pot of poorly established cuisine. As we figure it out in our scientific roots, I do believe Dr. Gundry has shed light on a very important piece of the equation: how we prepare our foods will determine whether they bring us good or harm. I do love the way he calls out gluten, not in a specific demonizing way, but as it simply being the most popular of the lectins.
Removing Nightshades – Gut Health for Digestive Issues
I really don’t want to talk about nightshades. As you can tell from earlier in this post, removal of this type of food is really hard on me and gets me on an emotional level. What it really comes down to is if you are having any type of illness that results in damage to the gut or issues with digestion, it’s best to avoid nightshades. I need to check back in Gundry’s book, but my inclination is to say that nightshades are high in lectins. I’ll circle back on this though. A good rule of thumb I follow with any risky foods is to have them infrequently – no sooner than 3 days within each other – remove all seeds (if they have them) and cook thoroughly.
Next pivot: Limiting Oxalates – Bone Health and Scoliosis Treatment
Now, this category literally blew my mind. Oxalates were not on my radar until I began reading about bone-healthy foods. In my last appointment with my integrative specialist, I told her, “I do feel better now that I don’t eat gluten, but there’s still something that needs to be removed.” I have an appointment this week with a rheumatologist that my integrative practitioner referred me to after seeing my lab results of autoimmunity in my connective tissue (awesome). I am hoping to find my next pivot through exploring what is going on in my connective tissue and what I need to do to address it, and I have a very strong inkling that the culprit is oxalates. Oxalates make calcium unavailable to the body. I need to read up on these more, but I repeatedly see in osteoporosis prevention diets recommending low-oxalate vegetables.
Your body doesn’t absorb calcium well from foods that are high in oxalates (oxalic acid) such as spinach. – National Osteoporosis Foundation
Calcium is a fascinating nutrient in that it needs to be transferred from the blood to the bone with the help of Vitamin K2.
My hope is this will help tailor your protocol to your unique condition. My experiences have shown me that a “Food as Medicine” approach is a cost-effective option, and takes a deep understanding of how and when to use foods to address various conditions. I do believe a scoliotic body has unique needs and I am passionately pursuing the solution. I am a firm believer that any scoliosis treatment should include a functional nutrition approach. Modifying Paleo or Keto provide a good start, and with the right guidance and under proper care, can potentially be a healing solution for scoliosis.
Please leave a comment below with your thoughts and concerns around adopting a paleo or keto protocol. Nourish royally, my friends. You deserve it.
xoxo,
