April B.
I found Grain Brain at my local Costco and found that I could really relate my experiences with food with what you were describing. I had very strong cravings to eat all the time, and had known that when I would cut bread/sandwiches out of my diet, I lost those same cravings. Your book defined things for me in such a way that I could grasp what had been happening in my body for many years. I knew that my fasting glucose had been rising over the last few years and during my marriage year my family physician had prescribed Crestor for my whopping high cholesterol. My late mother also had been diagnosed with high cholesterol about the same age and had been put on cholesterol lowering medication. She died at age 78 with no stents or surgeries on her heart, but with Alzheimer’s. More than anything I did not want to end up with Alzheimer’s…I have to die somehow but not with that please!
After reading your book I went off my Crestor, because it all made so much sense to me! I already had an appointment in 3 months time to have my fasting glucose and my cholesterol retested. In the meantime I very much reduced my sugar intake. From a dietary perspective, I drank no juice, had no candy and gave up desserts and did no baking. I would eat an egg or 2 each day, have cheese and meats, eat asparagus, green beens and juice green vegetables with lemon, ginger and an apple. I am not able to do this perfectly but I knew I was doing pretty well, with NO CRAVINGS. I lost weight fairly rapidly, and have now lost a total of 30 pounds as of February 2014. My doctor is happy about that. My triglycerides are only .90 mmol/L so this has encouraged me also. I did convince my doctor to give me the C-reactive protein test and it has come back low. I am more encouraged to stay on this new regimen and leave the Crestor alone.
I doubt that I am gluten sensitive although 2 of my 3 sons are, with 1 of them having also having leaky gut. Both of these young men were diagnosed with ADD before high school. There is a history of food intolerances and behavior issues in their father’s family, and I feel that is where this is where these issues come from.
I’d like to lose another 23 pounds, and already have in hand my order for cholesterol and glucose tests in 4 months. I’m pretty certain that my glucose will remain healthy or perhaps go even lower, and if my cholesterol remains the same well so be it. My doctor will perhaps come around.