Lex's Journal

[lex_rooker]

He sounds like he worked his arse off.

On another angle...was it worth it Lex?

Yes, for me it was worth it and I would do everything again if I was given a do-over.  I'd even happily re-do my spectacular failures as it was those that taught me the most.  Most people do everything possible to avoid painful situations.  They worry about what they might lose rather than focusing on the opportunity.

I've lost plenty, but I've gained far more than I've lost.  Think about Las Vegas.  The house has a small edge and they make millions.  They are happy to pay out the jackpot on occasion as it brings in more customers.  They know that taking in a small 6 cents of every dollar played, over time they will be rich.  They also know that most people will keep replaying each dollar over and over until, 6 cents at a time, they've given all of it to the house.

All I want is a small advantage and enough time for it to work in my favor.  As an example, in my stock purchase above, most people think the 25 year lock down of funds is a disadvantage.  I see it as the primary advantage that works in my favor.

[wodgina]

So interesting Lex

[PaleoPhil]

Hi Lex, It's interesting to see that the results of your experiment that started off this journal, which showed that you were able to gain body fat while eat very low carb (near-zero carb in your case), have since been confirmed by other low carbers, including even the famous Jimmy Moore:

"I was able embrace the message of that game-changing book written by the late, great Dr. Robert C. Atkins to drop weight off of my body very quickly and go on to lose 180 pounds by the end of that year [from 410 pounds to 230 pounds]. ... I got back up over 300 pounds again in early 2012 even while eating a low-carb diet." - Jimmy Moore, http://livinlavidalowcarb.com/blog/jimmy-moores-n1-experiments-nutritional-ketosis-day-211-240/17390

Granted, he has since lost weight again by doing a ketogenic version of LC, but his weight gain does show that it is possible to gain excessive body fat via the common sort of LC advocated by Atkins and Gary Taubes.

[lex_rooker]

Hi Phil,
I find this fascinating as well.  Just goes to show that long term results are often quite different than short term.  This is why I find it rather humorous when someone decides to make a dietary change and they make statements like "Day 3 and doing great.  This is really working!".  At this point they are often quoting research studies referencing obscure metabolic pathways to account for their great success.  My own experience has made it clear that it's what happens after 1 year, 2 years, 5 years that really matter, and that the body's metabolic functions are far more complex than a simple choice between two or three identified pathways. 

I've learned that my mind can decide what action I'm going to take, and then based on that action my body will respond and adapt in ways that I cannot anticipate - often counter to what conventional wisdom driven by short term studies would suggest.  The best I can do is observe and report.

Lex

[PaleoPhil]

This is why I find it rather humorous when someone decides to make a dietary change and they make statements like "Day 3 and doing great.  This is really working!".

Hee, hee, so true. Gotta love it too when they say "I'm going to eat this way forever!" (which typically lasts less than a year). I love your eye for what's humorously ridiculous and your knack for revealing it for what it is.

At this point they are often quoting research studies referencing obscure metabolic pathways to account for their great success.

After all the raging battles of the macronutrient war, many of the LCers are starting to acknowledge that the CHO and insulin hypotheses may not explain nearly everything after all. Simple answers rarely do. Some LC bloggers have even switched sides and are attacking LCers with just as much gusto as they had attacked anti-LCers before.

Mind, I'm not saying that there's nothing useful coming out of the LC side. Paul Jaminet and Mark Sisson make some interesting points, for example (though Paul is sometimes attacked as not sufficiently pro-LC and too pro-starch), and if I measured my intakes I would probably still come out fairly LC myself.

My own experience has made it clear that it's what happens after 1 year, 2 years, 5 years that really matter, and that the body's metabolic functions are far more complex than a simple choice between two or three identified pathways.

Yup. When I first experienced dramatic improvements on Paleo and helped some family and friends by sharing some tips and directing them to more information, some told me I should start a blog and promote it and write a book (or even tell ill celebrities about it ). More and more newbie Paleo and LC dieters have been doing just that, and I was briefly tempted to do it myself, but after I calmed down I realized that months of good results are not a real test and vowed that I wouldn't heavily promote a diet, blog or book or claim to be some sort of expert for at least 4 years, if ever. I would try to help those who were interested, but not heavily market my approach or myself. It's too bad there isn't a law requiring that. Every prominent diet blogger I've seen who has stayed active for more than a year to two (most don't stick with it for that long) has changed their mind about at least one significant matter.

I've learned that my mind can decide what action I'm going to take, and then based on that action my body will respond and adapt in ways that I cannot anticipate - often counter to what conventional wisdom driven by short term studies would suggest.  The best I can do is observe and report.

Yeah, my experience also seems to be rather different than most people's. Research studies, reductionist science and the scientific consensus have been some of my least reliable sources for figuring out what will work for me. What has tended to work for me is often nearly the opposite of the consensus recommendations. So when someone says that I should accept or do something because of an alleged scientific or "Paleo" consensus, I just have to laugh.

[cherimoya_kid]

... long term results are often quite different than short term.  This is why I find it rather humorous when someone decides to make a dietary change and they make statements like "Day 3 and doing great.  This is really working!".  At this point they are often quoting research studies referencing obscure metabolic pathways to account for their great success.  My own experience has made it clear that it's what happens after 1 year, 2 years, 5 years that really matter, and that the body's metabolic functions are far more complex than a simple choice between two or three identified pathways. 

I sometimes wonder what a society that had

1. Lots of money and good scientists (like the US)

2. NO profit motive re: drug companies, etc.

would look like. We have the best scientists in the world, but...look what a mess we are re: nutrition and health.

[lex_rooker]

CK
I'd be interested to know how much of your time is spent on activities that are not in some way profitable to you?  Remember that profit is not always money, but can be anything that you find desirable or valuable.  Money is just a medium of exchange that allows us to trade between various types of value such as labor, goods, services, and entertainment.  Not everything of value is tangible like goods or labor.  Often it is psychological in how something makes us feel such as entertainment or charitable giving.

So how much of your time is spent doing things you absolutely despise doing and receive absolutely nothing you find of value in return for doing them?

In my case I can say almost zero.  If I find no value in something, I quickly stop doing it and redirect my time and effort to something that I find more profitable.

Don't confuse profit motive with corruption and political stupidity.

Lex

[aLptHW4k4y]

CK - any wealth I have is due to CHOOSING to live hand-to-mouth for many years and then making good investment choices with what I was able to save.
...
Anyone can do this if they are willing to forego things now to have much more later in life.

Thanks for sharing Lex, that's a story that many people need to read.

My dad has been living exactly the same way, and by his example me too. He built our house all by himself and help of neighbors without knowing a thing about building a house, in what took 5-10 years because he wouldn't borrow any money.. and even then at first we all lived in one room for a few years until there were money to setup another room for me and my brother. All the money were mostly invested back in his business. And he's still doing the same, still working with a 30-40 years old VW van, sleeping on some old bed and having my mom sew the broken clothes, even though he's probably acquired enough assets by now to be considered fairly rich.

I payed off a school debt of 20K in two years while earning 20K a year and without asking for a penny from my parents, and then friends that have the same debt are wondering and even can't believe how did I manage that. It's all about investing your time and money wisely, e.g. paying out a loan with 7.5% interest is certainly a much better investment than buying a car, a huge unnecessary liability especially if you don't have a family yet to fill the car with. But most don't realize these things and then go on to complain how life is so hard and think that those with some more money got them with some magic.

[lex_rooker]

@aLptHW4k4y
Thanks so much for adding this to the conversation.  I'm told over and over that somehow my life and situation is different and so it is OK for me to live frugally but others point out that it would be totally impossible for them.  Total nonsense.  It is simply a choice.

I was fortunate in that I learned early in life that creating wealth and security was less about how much money you made and more about what you were willing to do without.  A co-worker of mine started with the company I worked for the same year I did.  We were the same age but he had much more education than I did so throughout the 34 years we worked together his annual salary was about 40% more than mine.  At age 55 I was able to retire comfortably with a nice pension, significant savings, and no debt.  At age 63 and 41 years on the job he's still working and making excellent money which he pays out to his creditors.  He lives paycheck to paycheck and last I talked to him he still had no savings. Recently he's been working with a financial planner and he hopes to have his debt paid down enough to be able to retire and live on his pension in about 12 years (2035).  Assuming he makes it, he'll be 75 when he is finally able to retire.
 
Lex

[goodsamaritan]

Lex,  what do you do these days with your retired time?

We're supposed to live until 120++, so you've got lots of time.

[lex_rooker]

Lex,  what do you do these days with your retired time?

We're supposed to live until 120++, so you've got lots of time. 

Hi GS,
I work in my shop most every day and then I belong to several nonprofit organizations that keep me busy.  I teach antique clock repair courses several times a year and also give demonstrations of jerky and pemmican making as well.

As an example I just gave a jerky demo last weekend.  I supply all the material including 5 lbs of meat for each participant and everyone goes home with a $10 Jerky Maker filled with meat.  There is no cost to the students - I supply everything.

On Wednesday the 23rd I leave for Ventura CA to teach a 5 day advanced antique clock repair course.

On Feb 1st I spend 3 days at the National Association of Watch and Clock Collector's greater Los Angeles Regional meeting.

On Feb 9th & 10th I give a 2 day Introduction to Horology course  for the Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties chapter of the NAWCC.

On the 28th of Feb fly to Dallas Texas for several days to meet with the director of training for the NAWCC to discuss my participation in rewriting the course curriculum for the NAWCC Field Suitcase Workshop program.

On the 3rd of March I fly to Atlanta Georgia to meet with a friend and spend several days working on a business plan he has for a franchise opportunity.  Will miss class this week (see below) but discussed this with my instructor before signing up of the classes.

The 7th of March I have my monthly luncheon and meeting with several managers and supervisors at the company I retired from.  We discuss the changing business environment, employee problems, evaluate advancement opportunities, corporate initiatives, and other business issues related to working and surviving in a large corporate environment.

In mid March (exact date not yet settled), I'll be flying to Portland Oregon to take a weekend course on putting together Distance Learning courses centered around using a 3 camera system with one camera coupled to a microscope to provide closeup detail when performing and teaching technical procedures.

I'm enrolled in El Camino College taking advanced CNC machining courses in Lathe and Milling Machine operations 5 hours per day on Tuesdays and Thursdays  from Feb 11th through June 10th.

I also make myself available for neighbors and friends to help with their projects.  I live in an old neighborhood and many of my neighbors are in their 80's and 90's.  I help with their computer problems, plumbing problems, phone, Internet and cable TV problems.  In the last 3 years I've upgraded electrical service (installed new breaker and meter panels) for 4 neighbors and 2 relatives.  I've also unstopped drains, installed water purification systems, re-plumbed a house with copper piping, replaced 2 water heaters, redid the lawn and sprinkler systems for 2 neighbors, and a host of other projects.  Most of these people retired years ago and are on small fixed incomes.  I do all work for free including supplying all material.

I open my shop to Boy Scouts and youth groups.  In the past few years I've done 2 Eagle Scout projects and all sorts of youth group stuff.  I helped a youth group from a local community church install a new telephone system for their church (I'm not a member of the church).  I supplied all the material and taught the group how to program and maintain the system.  We do fun stuff as well like making Pine Derby race cars (some not exactly legal) for an annual race held locally.  Lots of fun and the kids love it.

Anyway, I keep busy enough to stay off the streets and out of the bars,

Lex

[William]

You asked why not take vit. C, and I had forgotten my experience (diarrhea), but here's a good reason for carnivores. I'm assuming that there is vit C in lime juice.  From: http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=2028504#i

"These people are all children, contented, peaceable, honest and hospitable; they are without a ruler and without any ambition for fame or power—an ideal socialistic community where property is held in common, politics unknown, and where all are on the same social plane.

They subsist almost exclusively on a raw animal diet, which explains the absence of a number of diseases that are common among the civilized people. Salt water contains iodin, and all animals living in it and all animals which live on sea food absorb more or less of this fickle chemical substance. None of these people has ever suffered from scurvy, which was such a common affection among the crews of the early polar expeditions and which occasionally afflicts the Eskimos who consume more cooked than raw animal food. Peary has profited by this observation, and places great importance in supplying his crew with fresh meat, and has never seen a case of scurvy among them. He has found by experience that lime juice, which formerly enjoyed such an enviable reputation as an antiscorbutic, is not only useless but harmful. Taken in the Arctic region, it acts as a cathartic and becomes distasteful to those who have used it."

Note that the characteristics of these people are probably from what someone here called "a constant state of mild euphoria". Compare with the state of the carbohydrate-addicted.

...and a promising note on prostate:" I questioned Commander Peary and Mr. Henson, his main man, who have spent seven winters among these natives, with special reference to the existence of urinary difficulties among old men. From their accounts it appears that prostatic obstruction does not exist, as they have seen many of the men urinate, and noticed that the stream was large and strong. The sexua| life of these people and the iodized food may account for the absence of senile prostatic hypertrophy and its consequences, urinary obstruction and eventually renal disease. "

[Löwenherz]

Great article! Thanks, William.

[Flyrod350]

Well it took about 3 weeks but I read the entire journal start to finish. Very inspiring Lex. It was cool being able to compress 4 years into 3 weeks...I wasnt left hanging in suspense so to speak..like a good book I was sorry to reach the end. I am interested to see how the iodine experiment works.
I just turned 50 a few weeks ago...been gravitating to this way of eating for six or seven years now...many times of carb binging and not giving a crap..dropped 39lbs since October 2nd, nearly 5 months ago. So much anecdotal evidence all around me that has brought me to this point. I particularly loved someones smart ass remark that "God didnt give us these wonderful stereoscopic, forward facing eyes to sneak up on carrots!" Hehehehehehe...
Never thought I'd be eating raw meat...but here I am...probably one third of calories are raw now..made pemmican too and always have some in my truck in case I get hungry...thanks for being of service to the BSA, they need honest men of integrity now, more than ever.

[lex_rooker]

Flyrod,
Thanks for taking the time to read my journal and sorry it has taken me so long to respond.  I've been very busy with school and my trip to Dallas and Atlanta.  When I returned, I found a leak in my water main and that has taken several days to dig up and repair.

Unfortuantely I spent over 20 years sneaking up on carrots and the result was not what was advertised by the bugs & bunnies folks.  Doing much better on raw meat so I suppose I'll stick with that until something better comes along.

Lex

[Löwenherz]

Unfortuantely I spent over 20 years sneaking up on carrots and the result was not what was advertised by the bugs & bunnies folks.

LOL! Good to hear from you, Lex.

You have done a lot of research. What are your thoughts about folates and manganese and (theoretically) expected deficiencies on a meat based ZC diet. Even if we eat liver every day it's nearly impossible to reach the RDAs..

How much water do you drink in a day?

Löwenherz

[lex_rooker]

You have done a lot of research. What are your thoughts about folates and manganese and (theoretically) expected deficiencies on a meat based ZC diet. Even if we eat liver every day it's nearly impossible to reach the RDAs..

I suppose the key word here is "theoretically".  I haven't had any deficiencies that I'm aware of.  Of course that may not mean much since I'm a single statistic.  Are you aware of any actual documented deficiencies that can be attributed to a proper meat based diet?  If you (or anyone else) discover any I'd be very interested in hearing about it.  Other than that I'm pretty busy and don't spend much time on the Internet.  A couple of weeks ago I was in Dallas, Texas for a week and then Atlanta, Georgia for 4 days.  Just returned yesterday from 4 days in Portland, Oregon.  Today was in Ventura, Calif.  I have very little time to muck about the web looking for potential problems I don't currently have.  I assure you that if a deficiency does make itself known, I'll report it here so that everyone is aware of it.

How much water do you drink in a day?

I drink at least 3 quarts (3 liters) a day and usually more.  I start with 1 quart in the morning with 50mg of iodine in it, I usually drink another quart with my afternoon meal, and then 1 quart in the early evening with the second dose of 50mg of iodine.  I then drink additional water throughout the day as thirst demands and that depends on what I'm doing, the weather etc.
Lex

[LePatron7]

Hey Lex. It's been like 2 months since we hear from you. How's the iodine going? I recently decided to start using Lugol's myself. I've been doing a drop every 2-3 hours of the 2%. I use Real Salt, 1/2 tsp 3-5 times per day if I experience any detox symptoms. I'm also taking the companion supplements (b complex, niacin, vitamin c, magnesium). I also take calcium since I read it can dislodge fluoride and calcium as calcium fluoride. Any advice you wanna send my way? I see you're taking 50 mg twice a day in 2 doses. I can't even take 2 drops at the same time usually.

[lex_rooker]

Time for my annual check-in and check-up.  Just got the labs this morning.
As many of you know for the last 12 months I’ve been trying an iodine protocol to help with my BPH symptoms (known in the medical industry as LUTS or Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms).  My results have been mixed at best.  BPH symptoms have not gotten better over the long term and I’m now having to get up 3-4 times per night to urinate.  On the plus side, PSA dropped from 3.1 a year ago to 2.5 this year.  Not sure what this means and have an appointment with a urologist to work this through.  Will report what happens as the prostate drama unfolds.

As for the rest of the labs, I’m pleased. 

Blood Glucose is       91
Total Cholesterol    186
HDL         70
LDL         108
HDLC Ratio      2.7
Triglycerides      42
PSA         2.5

Vital Signs are still holding as well.
Blood pressure               110/60
Heart rate                            60

All in all, not bad for a 62 year old.

This makes the 7th lab test to be posted here and for the last 8 years I’ve been on a very high fat/very low carb dietary protocol.  Lab results are consistently good (with the possible exception of PSA) and I see no reason to change what I’m doing.

I’m going to continue the iodine protocol as well.  Though it didn’t have the hoped for results in reducing my BPH symptoms, it may well be the reason that my PSA dropped and therefore may have a benefit in reducing prostate cancer risk.  If it is helping, it may only be temporary but any delay in the need for traditional medical intervention is welcome.  It will also provide some insight as to very long term benefits that are difficult to find elsewhere.

Labs attached
 (HANNIBAL can you post these labs on the first journal entry along with the others?)
Lex

[Cosmo]

Hi, Lex.
If you drink milk instead of water,  you won't have to get up 3-4 times per night to urinate. I had a similar problem in the past. Milk helped me to solve the problem.
I use organic milk only.

[Dr. D]

Lex,

I'm fairly new here and have read through your whole journal. I'm amazed to see your blood results again this year (though not surprised in the least). You HDL-LDL ratio is practically unheard of. Did your doc make any comment on those results? Does he know that you eat "insane" amounts of fat?

Congrats on your PSA. Sorry to hear no improvements in symptoms.

I'm wondering what your plans are for future "experimentation," if any? Not a loaded question as I've seen many others post for you. I have no suggestions to give sadly.

One thing I'm curious about: How did you fair adding in the supplements with your iodine protocol? Last time I added magnesium I "overdosed" and had terrible diarrhea all day. Just the basic 400 mg/ day suggested by the iodine protocol. I am also currently carnivorous and attribute it to the theory of needing less vitamins and minerals when not consuming any carbs.

Thanks
Dustin

[lex_rooker]

Hi, Lex.
If you drink milk instead of water,  you won't have to get up 3-4 times per night to urinate. I had a similar problem in the past. Milk helped me to solve the problem.
I use organic milk only.

Milk doesn't work well for me.   My nose runs and I have continuous post nasal drip if I drink milk - organic or not.  I eat very little dairy.  The occasional plain yogurt (once or twice a year) and that is about it.   More than that and I start having problems.

Lex

[lex_rooker]

I'm fairly new here and have read through your whole journal. I'm amazed to see your blood results again this year (though not surprised in the least). You HDL-LDL ratio is practically unheard of. Did your doc make any comment on those results? Does he know that you eat "insane" amounts of fat?

Yes, my doctors are fully aware of what I eat.  They just shake their heads and suggest that if I took medication I could eat a more "normal" diet.  I'm happy without the meds.

Congrats on your PSA. Sorry to hear no improvements in symptoms.
I'm wondering what your plans are for future "experimentation," if any? Not a loaded question as I've seen many others post for you. I have no suggestions to give sadly.

I saw a Urologist right after posting my labs this afternoon.  I made the appointment several weeks ago based on the fact that the iodine protocol wasn't meeting my needs and I was scheduled for my annual physical so I wouldn't have to repeat the lab work.  This is the first time I've gone to a urologist.  Up to now I was dealing with my HMO and Primary care physician.

It was an eye opener.  My prostate is very large and is pushing into the bladder.  It takes up almost 25% of the bladder volume.  There are stretch marks on my bladder similar to the stretch marks women get when they are pregnant. This shows weakening of the bladder muscle.  The intrusion of the prostate into the bladder looks much like the shape of a volcano.  This means the opening to the bladder is no longer the lowest point and derbis in the form of small stones and granules collects in the bladder at the base of the volcano unable to escape.  The urologist says that over time, if left untreated, the stones will grow, (he's seen some the size of golf balls), and really create problems where the only remedy is surgery.  Also, the deformation and stretching of the bladder will continue until it can no longer contract to void urine and I could end up with a permanent catheter.

None of this sounds encouraging and would certainly lower my quality of life.  We discussed several options and since the damage to my bladder was not past the point of no return we decided on the least invasive procedure which is Cooled Trans Urethral Microwave Therapy.  The prostate is heated from the inside with microwaves like a microwave oven while the urethra is protected by a cooled fluid.  This destroys prostate tissue and over time the body carries the cooked tissue away shrinking the prostate.

Like all medical procedures there are risks, but the worst risk is the same as the end result of not taking action so I have little to lose.  Also, the risks of the microwave therapy are far less than the risk of major surgery, and if the microwave therapy doesn't work surgery is always an option.  My strategy is to work from the least invasive procedure up.  Since there is no sign of cancer the urologist agrees this is the best approach for me.

One thing I'm curious about: How did you fair adding in the supplements with your iodine protocol? Last time I added magnesium I "overdosed" and had terrible diarrhea all day. Just the basic 400 mg/ day suggested by the iodine protocol. I am also currently carnivorous and attribute it to the theory of needing less vitamins and minerals when not consuming any carbs.

The diarrhea from magnesium is partly caused by osmosis.  The magnesium creates a concentrated fluid in the intestines and bowel as it dissolves and fluid is drawn from surrounding tissues to dilute it.  I have no problem if I consume the supplements at the mid point of my daily meal.  This gives the magnesium a chance to dissolve in the stomach and mix with the large amount of food I consume which dilutes it beyond the point that it causes a problem.

Lex

[jessica]

Dustin what kind of Magnesium did you add?  Mag Citrate?

Lex, is having your prostate microwaved the only option you have considered?

[Dr. D]

That does sound terrible lex and I hope and pray you can find a viable alternative. Thanks for your answers.


Jess, (if I can call you that ) it was mag glycinate. But on the back it said mag oxide. So idk. I'm nervous about trying it again.