No Carbs, No Sugar lifestyle

I know sugar is bad for you if you have Lyme. The idea is create an environment within that is not favourable for Lyme to grow and thrive. I'm not sure about carbohydrates, but I prefer to avoid simple carbohydrates with sugar as well as any processed foods.

I have been on a sugar-free diet since the beginning of this year. I have cheated, however, if you include foods with honey or cane sugar.

Have you read Dr. Burrascano's updated treatment guidelines? He talks about foods to avoid as well as recommended supplements.

I hope others chime in soon ~ very good topic.

Take good care.

what whole grain foods are okay to eat? I'm a little confused.

I haven't been convinced of the usefulness of this restrictive diet. Lyme lives in your tissue, it eats it. If you have the bacteria in your CNS, it leaves lesions visible on an MRI.

I can understand the need for this diet if you live an unhealthy lifestyle to begin with. No exercise plus overweight prior to the disease. This obviously is not a good environment for our immune system.

I'm not convinced (and maybe someone here can convince me) why we need this diet if we're already fit and at an optimal weight. The exclusion of fruit is what boggles my mind the most.

I haven't seen a story where a lymie felt better after this diet. Except for those who were eating unhealthy to begin with.

Yeast is a different issue. if you have candida overgrowth, then I could see why you want to avoid sugars.

Mike,

The whole grains that are ok include oats (gluten-free varieties only), brown rice, corn, buckwheat, quinoa, millet, & amaranth. I might have missed one or two... Kamut, spelt, rye, barley and regular oats (only because of cross-contamination) contain the pro-inflammatory gluten.

For baking, you can get gluten-free flour mixes that work pretty well. And a number of places are starting to offer gluten-free bakery items. The biggest thing to watch out for is the sugar content in these pre-made items.

Sweeteners that are acceptable on the candida diet include stevia, xylitol & agave. Tupalo honey (only if pure 100% tupalo...which is pretty expensive) is safe for diabetics also because it does not raise blood sugar. Artificial sweeteners are essentially neurotoxins & and some are known to cause cancer - these include splenda, nutra-sweet, sucralose, acesulfame-K, & saccharine.

I hope this info is helpful...take care,

I didn't know that naturally occurring sugars were considered an immunosuppresant. I can understand the processed stuff. But we were built to consume sugar (in moderation of course) from natural sources. I am currently on a restrictive diet because I am a patient at the two frogs healing center. I was sent there by my LLMD. I've been losing weight and I don't want to. I think it is dangerous to start losing weight when you are fighting an infection.

My point is that I think we need a balance. No fruit and no carbs is going a step beyond "balanced". I can understand cutting out sweets, ice cream,processed carbs even certain fruit juices. That's just common sense. We weren't made to consume those products to begin with. But, beans, bananas, rice,... I don't get. They are simple foods with a lot of benefits.

I just haven't seen convincing evidence that eliminating those types of "sugars" is beneficial in our fight. I enjoyed ice cream, pasta and the occasional drink prior to this (as I'm sure most of us did). I'm happy to give those up, because those were treats for me not my body. Instead of popping potassium and magnesium pills, I'd much rather get it from natural sources.

Forgive me, I'm not trying to pick a fight. Just trying to understand.

I have heard some of the argument for how much fruit and grain should be allowed for optimum health.
I think some would argue that fruit is preferable to grain, but there are a fair amount of voices arguing that both should be minimized to some degree. also part of the argument is the alkali****tion theory which states the more alkaline our bodies the healthier. These diets require a diet high in vegetables, though certain types of veggies are preferable, and i think these diets can be fairly high in certain fruits. I believe alkalinizing is nit too conducive to grain, but I might have this wrong.

What I do find amazing is the lack of literatutre on the health effects of these various types of diets. You would think a rational medical system would put the effects of diet near the top. I imagine there are some issues with confirming what people are truly eating, but nonetheless something seems amiss with the effort in this regard

Gary,

You're always great at responding, thanks for that. However, I think my questions are being a bit misunderstood.

I agree with you and there is clear evidence that refined sugars are not good for you period. I don't put sugar in my tea anymore. I can live with that. Don't eat chips, pasta and other processed carbs.
Both before and after this disease I tried to eat mostly organic foods.

My point is that sometimes these "blanket" diets need to be tailored to an individual. I can not lose anymore weight or I'm going to start looking daunt. Only veggies don't cut it for me. Especially because we are not supposed to eat "sweet veggies" like bell peppers.

I am well aware of the IDSA/ ILADS controversy.I definitely don't side with IDSA. Lymemd is my LLMD. One of the first things he did 6 months ago when I started to see him was to make sure I understood this controversy. He makes you do your homework. I haven't brought up the concern of my diet with him, but I will next time.

Matt brought up what is at the root of my frustration...more studies need to be done.

Hi...im new to this forum as well. I read your post with great interest as tomorrow will be 2 wks since i cut out all sugar and am on low carbs. No potatoes, rice, bread etc. Since the day i cut out all of that was also the same day since my horrible symptoms improved exponentially i dont know what this will do to keep what i call "the horrors" away. Ive only experienced some soreness rince. But i dont know how often to expect the symptoms to flare either. These dietary restrictions can only be good for me though. Its been easy to adhere to as well. Nothing like being very sick to make me start making changes. Please ck out those websites. Theyre very helpful.

This topic is very interesting to me as well. I have always been a vegetarian who eats a balanced diet of whole grains, veggies, dairy, and lots of nuts and seeds. But I also love a glass of wine or good cup of coffee and in the summer ice cream. I have no weight issue and wonder just how much better my diet could be.

For the last month because of Lyme I have had little to no refined sugars, but certainly have had some from the veggies etc I consume. People have always asked me "what do vegetarians eat?" I used to have a lot of choices but now with this diet I wonder, should I eat the whole grain pasta? should I drink skim milk etc. what about the carrots I snack on, and now because of this thread am wondering about all the walnuts I eat! Yikes.

Wish I too understood what I need to do to complement the abx mix I am currently on for the Lyme. It is so confusing, so right now I am following a low/no obvious sugar, no alcohol diet (waiting for the day I can have a glass of wine again) and will see where it takes me.

Enjoy reading what works for others.

I didn't read all of the posts, so sorry if I am repeating what anyone else said:)
I had to go on the no carbs (well under 20grams per day) and NO sugar diet when I was first diagnosed. It was great because after the initial detoxing I felt wonderful...except for the lyme:( And, I lost almost 30 lbs. I had to do it because of the yeast. I was on diflucan everyday, did a yeast cleanse and had to use nystatin everyday (orally for thrush) and still could not get rid of the yeast. The diet totally helped. However, it just wasn't realistic for me. It was too restrictive. I think if you stick to lower carbs and no sugar it would be easier to stick to. I am going back to that myself in a couple of days just hoping it makes me feel better.

I'm hoping to revive this thread!
I've searched actual studies and can't find anything to show how the bacteria reacts to sugars and yeast.
I believe it's hypothesis based on the sugars and yeast on MOST ppl and how they eat.
I'm also perfect weight, fighting for a couple of years now but just put on the diet by a LLMD.
I was getting better slowly on MINX. after leveling off on doxi.
I chose to keep my apt with LLMD because it took 3 months waiting to see him. This diet and the added supplements he's prescribed have cost us $300 plus already and that doesn't count the apts.
He gave me a list of "what I can't have. No list of what I can have.
So went to the naturalist store for the supplements where they sell this stuff, I was looking for rice cakes. (he said I could have and corn chips)
Well she said NO!
Also no natural sugars either as I was inquiring about honey and coconut. NO
But she said I could have sprouted bread and sold me that and muffins.
Now they have YEAST! Which he said NO to.
Stevia is the only sugar. No fruit because of the sugar even tho natural but I can have stevia that is processed natural sugar!
Then I wen to acupuncturist (another $50)
she said fruit and natural sugars like honey and coconut are ok.
LOL~
depends on who wants to "cheat" on which part of this stinking diet.
No dairy!!
That's a big screw you for me!
I believe highly on a healthy diet everything in moderation.
I have changed to unpressed cows milk for the natural antibiotics that are found in both mothers and any milk.
i'm not eating cheese.
The wheat I'm really having a hard time with also as years back I had stomach issues and I tried many things including pills!
I finally got it under control with wheat in the morning (Wheaties or mini wheat & cheerios) and 3 times a week on string beans for the fiber.
I'm now having issues like i did in the past and it dam well hurts!
One said I could do rye bread too.
so again it's who you talk to and I personally and leaning to saying screw it to the wheat too.
All of us process food differently in our diets, some have celiacs. (sp) I don't!
I think I'm backwards in the processing. I don't get bothered by caffeine (doesn't keep me awake) sudafed and other things never put me to sleep like other ppl.
so maybe my matab. is so different that I personally need the wheat in my belly to keep the regulation. Just backward from the ones who are intolerant.
I go 3 days without wheat (today it's only been 2 and I'm hurting) my belly is hard and feels like it's prickling around my intenestines. I've tried increasing the probiotics too. doesn't help.
I'm sorry but I know I can't get better if I'm loosing weight to the point it makes me weak, and I hurt.
they also said no strenous exercise!
Seriously!!
You can't keep muscle and stay strong by sitting on your ass!
I worked on fence posts this summer sweat my a## off and drank so much water I was sweating literly down a down pour of rain.
I felt better then I have in 3 years!
I'm going to stick as close to the diet as I can for a month but if I don't see improvement I'm going back to my wheat cheese and Light sugar.
I don't eat much sugar only in coffee (decaf) and an occasional snack.
the breads I make don't have yeast and I can go light on those no problem.
The acupuncture seemed to relieve my back spasms, so I'll try next weeks apt. but at $50 a pop that's not going to be a regimen. I just can't afford this.
I still have throat or neck swelling feeling and my joints have gotten worse then on the minx. alone.
so if I'm going to keep getting worse like this I'll go back to the antibiotic, a good healthy mix of foods, and strenuous exercise to build or at least try to keep the muscle I have.
So if someone can "show me" the clinical trials to prove how the bacteria is reacting to the lack of or add to with sugars please post those links. Then I'll be a believer. Then I'll stick to it even tho' it seems to be making me feel and act worse.
I need science proof.
The acupuncturist said they have tested it but never pointed me in the direction of being able to support this theory.
The Dr. didn't even want to answer "what are the side effects".
So PLEASE SHOW US ALL THE Evidence!
Stop posting links to why it's bad for a diabetic or wheat intolerant person.
I also heard one say they "cured" but no names and no one to talk to that can show the proof they had it to start with.
we are all experiments...

This is from a Mercola newletter.

" We’ve covered some of the best foods for your brain, but equally important is what foods to avoid. In the video above, Dr. David Perlmutter—probably the leading natural medicine neurologist in the US, from my perspective—shares his insights into how to protect your brain health and even prevent Alzheimer’s disease using a key dietary strategy… namely, avoiding sugar and carbohydrates, including gluten.

Gluten sensitivity is involved in most chronic disease, including those affecting the brain, because of how gluten affects your immune system. Unfortunately, many people, physicians included, still believe that if you don’t have celiac disease, gluten is fair game and you can eat as much of it as you like. However, virtually all of us are affected to some degree.

This is because we all create something called zonulin in the intestine in response to gluten. Gluten proteins, found in wheat, barley and rye, makes your gut more permeable, which allows undigested proteins and gut contents such as bacteria to get into your bloodstream that would otherwise have been excluded. That then sensitizes your immune system and promotes inflammation and autoimmunity.

Once gluten upregulates permeability in your gut, it then becomes “leaky” and all manner of previously excluded proteins—including casein and other dairy proteins—have direct access to your bloodstream, thereby challenging your immune system and contributing to the loss of self-tolerance, the very definition of autoimmunity.

According to Dr. Perlmutter, much of our current disease burden, including brain diseases, stems from the fact that we are contaminating our immune systems with proteins to which the human immune system has never, in the history of humankind, been previously exposed to. To learn more, I highly recommend Dr. Perlmutter’s New York Times best-selling book, Grain Brain.

A Healthy Lifestyle Equals a Healthy Brain"

And the video, http://youtu.be/O43_WSRURjs