I'm reading EAT TO LIVE by Joel Fuhrman, M.D. and learned about a study [see details at end of this post] done that was very promising concerning cure or relief of peripheral neuropathy with a very austere vegan diet.

I especially was happy to see that the relief came within a fairly short period of time. But even if my PN doesn't get cured, I hope to stay with this for at least 6 months. Wish me luck!

I have started on the EAT TO LIVE diet because I am 100 lbs overweight. I am 61. I wasn't this overweight when I first got PN about 13 years ago but gradually with very little exercise and a lot of depression (i.e. eating to feel better), I have gotten to a horrible place with my body size. I was not diabetic when I first got PN but now with the weight gain, I am gradually working my way in that direction.

I wouldn't be able to stay on this diet if I wasn't so desperate. You know what they say in A.A., some people have to reach bottom before they can get better. I'm hoping that is me with my food and that I have reached bottom. (I don't think I could feel any worse, mentally or physically.) I AM VERY VERY DETERMINED!

The diet is VERY anti-social. I don't know how I'm every going to socialize again where there is food and when does anyone ever socialize these days without food? I am actually making the diet even more severe than Dr. Fuhrman outlines. But I find that cravings really take over if I eat any kind of starches such as rice or pasta or potatoes. If I can stay clear of these, my appetite isn't out of control, surprisingly.

I was already vegetarian (almost - except fish maybe once a week). And I already was trying to get rid of cheese in my diet. Now I'm giving up Olive Oil (almost entirely except for a tsp per day) I have always used Olive Oil (too) freely.

So bottom line:
.. -no meat,
-no dairy,
-no oil (or almost none)
-no grain
-no sugar (we already knew that)
Good news --
-no calorie counting
-you can eat as much fruit as you like and are required to eat at least 4 servings of fruit per day.
-Tofu and cooked beans are allowed
-also small servings of walnuts and flaxseed.
- hunger is minimal, at least that is my experience so far
(note: he has a non-vegetarian version with chicken, yoghurt, etc. but he obviously favors a vegan lifestyle if you can swing it.)

"The salad is the main dish" is the mantra of this diet. I have lost three pounds in three days. Wish me luck. I'm giving up a way of life here, if I can REALLY stay with it. If I don't stay with it, I don't know where to turn to next.

I found numerous references to this study by Dr. Crane on the web. Here's a cut and paste. Google will bring you numerous hits if you would like to see more:
"A dietary study published in 1994 by Milton Crane, M.D. revealed some very impressive symptomatic and biochemical changes in Type II Diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain in the legs). The diet given was strictly vegetarian, high in complex carbohydrate and fiber, low in simple sugars, contained 10-15% fat, and was devoid of cholesterol and refined foods. The results were as follows:

1. Blood glucose normalized;

2. Cholesterol, triglycerides and bodyweight decreased;

3. Within 2-1/2 weeks, 17 of the 21 subjects had resolution of their leg pain.

Well, I was fat all my life, I went to a nutritionist and I lost over 100 lbs.
I'm almost 60 and never looked better. But I also got neuropathy.

I eat salads for lunch and for dinner. I also use grilled chicken, tomatoes, veggies. I also use extra virgin olive oil.

I noticed you are giving up olive oil. What does the doctor have against Olive Oil????

Thanks so much

P.S. I'm a diabetic and it's controlled. Still got neuropathy but if I have to give up anything, I'll give it up. I don't take any pain pills and hopefully will not have to. I take my methyl b-12 faithfully every day.

Thanks much.

Melody

Thanks for the info Melody. I am in awe of anyone who can lose 100 pounds. How long did it take you?

Regarding the olive oil, Dr. Fuhrman says that Crete where the "Mediterranean Diet" was discovered has been "revisited" and the people are a lot fatter than they were before and the occurrence of heart disease is a lot greater now.

He says the problems have come up because the Cretians (or whatever they are called) aren't eating as many fruits and vegetables as they did initially when they were studied. He says it is the fruits and vegetables in the Mediterranean Diet that was so healthy and not the olive oil.

He says the olive oil is only good (or o.k.) if you aren't overweight. If you are overweight, he thinks you should stay away from almost all oil. He does agree that Olive oil is a whole lot better than Safflower. I can't remember what he said about Canola oil.

"Cretians", too funny!! LOL!

I think they are called Cretes or Cretans, but not Croutons!!

So even the Cretans (whatever), are gaining weight??? This is very intresting!

Best of luck on your diet.

I am also on a diet, but I am realising that I need a buddy to diet with. Someone I can tell them what I eat during the day! Someone that will make me feel shame if I eat chippies or other rubbish! LOL!

and the book:

http://www.obesitysanswer.com/index.php?cid=836

Dr. Kittley describes the water weight lost when initiating a diet. Early loss is typical, but hard to sustain.

Dramatic diets usually fail. As you said clearly...anti-social. This book encourages the reader to find the food groups that their bodies are not processing correctly. And this intolerance varies from person to person.
It is an informative and compassionate read.

Try http://www.sparkpeople.com/ Tell 'em jarrett622 sent you. I love that site! You can create groups, say one for people with PN. This site is like all the pay-for sites but they're free! This site has helped me so much with healthy eating. They have a recipe section that includes non-vegan and vegan. My problem, besides the weight gain from being on SSRI"s, is very high cholesterol brought on from taking Effexor. I've never been a big eater of high fat type foods. I love veggies and fruits. Always have.

A note about sugar subs - I tried the Splenda equivalent called Alterna at Walmart. Then I got some regular Splenda. The taste difference is striking. There's an aftertaste with Alterna that's not there in Splenda. The Alterna aftertaste is nowhere near as unpleasant as the aspartame aftertaste. But it *is* there. Tolerable but still there. I can get used to it where I can't *stand* the aspartame aftertaste. *shudder* Not to mention all the truly scary things I've read about long term use of aspartame.

I lost 90 lbs. when i realized no matter how much junk i put in my
mouth my husband was not coming back he was dead. I was on the
diabectic diet from age 19,my husband went on it to encourage me,
but i was not over weigh i was a diabectic because i am a debectic.
I raised my 3 kids on it (all 3 are now vegetarians). It's a good diet.
But when he died 8 yrs. ago my choice of drugs was FOOD. Why
doesn't matter,but i got sick,sick now i'm back on the diabectic diet.
And i wish you and Aussie all the luck in the world. If you have a hard
time get, a friend,a neighbor a family member or a good nutritiontist.
And darn there they are your toes... Sue