Dear Dr. Wilson,
Doctor, I’m a bit confused on where to start. I am a 36 (turned 36 April, 20) year old male that suffered a TBI from a motor vehicle accident when I was 17. I was also diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy a couple of years ago. I am in 7 months recovery from alcohol.
I went into the hospital late October/ early November of 2012. I was in really bad shape when I went in. I couldn’t walk, was very restless. I was given the medication topamax which I stopped in December. I have had dental work done from December till current. Root canals, mercury fillings (which I tried to protest but wound up with them anyway), bridge. I was eager to recover from alcohol and get into tip top shape.
I started eating fruits, vegetables, fish and cut out butter, mayo and switched to almond milk. I had a bout of hyperthyroidism where I lost 30 pounds in 3 months, bad vertigo, numbness tingling on left side in my head, side of face, arm, leg, finger tips, toes, I get muscle twitching on both sides. I fractured my left proximal humerus November first 2010 and I get twitching in my left arm that is painful. I went back to my old diet of fatty foods, butter, milk and just eating whatever and the hyperthyroidism went away. I felt better. My gp and the endocrinologist I saw told me it wasn’t my diet so I went back to eating fruits and veggies every 3 hours and my symptoms came back.
I made an appointment with a neurologist for May 31st. I’m scared, nervous and I just want to heal and get better. Please, please help me. Is healing possible? Will I be alright? What could be going on? I read that a person can develop carb syndrome from eating 3 or more fruits a day. I’m so confused.
Sincerely, Leo
Dr Wilson’s Response:
Leo: Although I can’t give you specific medical advice I’m glad to see that you are working with your physicians to monitor your thyroid function. Alcohol is also capable of triggering CARB syndrome especially when it is consumed along with excessive fructose from sugar and HFCS and high glycemic carbohydrates. I don’t think just eating fruits and vegetables is a good idea because it’s pretty easy to get too much fructose by doing so.
I recommend reading Richard Johson’s book “The Sugar Fix” for more information on the issue of fructose. You might also consider reading Loren Cordain’s excellent book “The Paleo Answer”. I also recommend that you take an omega-3 supplement on days you don’t eat fish.
To me it sounds like you aren’t getting enough protein and healthy fat when you go on your fruit and vegetable diet. As far as I am concerned, olive oil doesn’t need to be limited. For most people saturated fats from meat, dairy and butter is actually good for your health. Stay away from vegetable oils and partially hydrogenated fats–the kind found in most processed foods. The next time you go to your physician, have them check a blood homocyteine level. If it is above 10, I recommend taking at least 1,000 mcg of l-methylfolate daily, a special form of folic acid that helps improve brain function. It’s hard to find but it can be purchased at http://www.lef.org.
I’m glad you will be seeing a neurologist so they can rule out other types of neurological problems. Your Neurologist is unlikely to know anything about the CARB syndrome concept because it is quite new. Anytime you have strange and unexplained symptoms, I strongly recommend that you go through a complete medical workup to rule out other medical problems. Don’t worry, if any of your symptoms are related to CARB syndrome, it is a completely reversible condition and the core way to do so is to eat a healthy diet. Let me know how it works out.
Dr. Bill Wilson