thanks a lot!

I thought I had replied a couple weeks ago but I guess it didn't go through for some reason. Anyways, a great sources for plant based recipes is Pinterest. I have found many great recipes/ideas there. Also there is a How Not To Die Cookbook. Not sure where you live but so many Markets carry varieties of plant based burgers, pastas, etc. Costco, Trader Joe's, Amazon to name a few.
Atticus, hope your plant based diet is continuing to go well and you are continuing to see improvements. Thanks for those additional resources you posted. I have been on the plant based diet for about 8 weeks now. The neuropathy does come and go and never leaves completely but I do see an overall improvement with this diet and I am optimistic it will continue to improve. As we know nerves heal very slowly. If for no other reason, it's worth changing to a plant based diet just to reduce the environmental footprint on our planet.

My front of right thigh is about totally Numb, and occasional burn/tingle, but Inosine has helped in that regard a lot. My issue is from Anterior Hip replacement surgery in 2010. I rub it a lot thinking I can "wake up" the nerves that were damaged.

Another food source is LeafSide. You can order on their website. Each freeze dried meal has something like 9 of the 12 requirements in Dr. Greger’s checklist. All you do is add water. I just ordered a few - haven’t received them yet so can’t speak to their taste or how much they satisfy hunger but since I am going back to work, I thought I would give them a try. Will report back later.

Wow Leafside sounds fantastic but doesn't seem to be available in the UK. It appears to be endorsed by the Doctor. There are a lot of new Vegan Foods available in The UK, burgers, steaks and sausages etc have popped up in new supermarket sections. In fact there is a Linda McCartney Factory near where I live, but these are all heavily processed foods full of additives and for me do not represent healthy eating. Quorn for example has littlle nutritional value so are empty calories. Leafside, if those foods do retain their nutritional value in manufacture appears to be a game changer. Thanks for the tip, I shall look for a British equivalent.

In terms of PN, I have had a bit of a setback. My symptoms started in January and peaked in April and May. I have seen one doctor for nerve conduction tests which were at the bottom end of normal and have now been referred to the neurologist, but my doctor said there aren't many of them, so its going to take a while yet. But I know what I have; Alcohol Induced Peripheral Neuropathy. I was never an alcoholic but a weekend session drinker. Wheras doctors can't tell me what I have, Stella Artois can! I loaded up with B Vitamins and flooded my system with nutrient packed anti oxidant smoothies before and after some beers, but from the next day my symptoms were back. Not peak symptoms, but symptoms nevertheless.

We live and learn.

I have a weighing scale linked to a phone app so I can tell you I was 82 KG (180lbs) with 22% body fat on February 2nd when I gave up alcohol (a lot of this was visceral fat, I looked slim-ish at 1.8m. (5ft11) I am now 72.5KG (160lbs) with bodyfat of 14.5%. At 56 I have my first ever sixpack! (in favourable lighting conditions!) Due to lockdown and unusually good weather I have the best tan I have ever had so spend a lot of time at the beach with my shirt off! Ok so other people see a scrawny old man but I feel like a god!

Apart from PN symptoms of course. I feel like a fool.

Well, I have tried a couple of the Leafside meals - fresh is definitely better but they are not bad for work lunches or those days when you don't have the ingredients or are just too lazy to cook. And, no nasty additives.
Sorry to hear about your setback Atticus but as you said, we live and learn.
I too suspect my PN is the result of too much indulgence. I too am not an alcoholic and quit very easily as soon as I had (through the process of elimination) my light bulb moment. When I had my last glass of wine (a little over a year ago) I didn't have any adverse reaction but just decided to give up drinking in the event it caused and would continue to affect my PN.
Have your symptom improved since your date with Stella?
Don't be hard on yourself. It takes time to adjust to being a non-drinker.
I will, most likely, have to live with PN symptoms for the rest of my life but I am grateful it is PN and not something worse. It's a wake up call.
The plant based diet has been great. I've lost about 8 pounds and am now down to a number I haven't seen in 30 something years. Thanks to you sharing those links, I am seeing those great results!
Celebrate the positive steps you have taken and don't dwell on a slip up. We ALL have them. And enjoy your Six Pack!!

An interesting video - The book “Minding Your Mitochondria” has been mentioned in another post in this forum. Author, Dr. Terry Wahls
Unfortunately I am unable to add the link (not enough posts) but you can find it on YouTube - Minding Your Mitochondria Terry Wahls TEDx IowaCity.

Hey Jane, great post and very interesting Ted Talk.

Here is the link

Minding your mitochondria | Dr. Terry Wahls | TEDxIowaCity - YouTube

I copied this from Ted Talk comments section:-

Summary of brain healthy nutrients:

These protect the brain: 1:18
Creatine
Fish Oil
co-enzyme Q 10 (coQ10 for short)

Myelin protects the brain, it needs: 2:14
Vitamins:
B1 - thiamine
B9 - folate (folic acid)
B12 - cyanocobalamin
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Iodine

Neurotransmitters need: 3:06
Sulfur
B6 - pyridoxine

To make mitochondria to thrive: 3:20
B vitamins
sulfur
anti-oxidants

Generalized arguments for a more nutrient rich diet. - 4:08

Where to get these nutrients from food? (~9:00)
9 cups of veg and berries a day before, grain, potatoes, dairy, and meats
3 cups of green leaves - 9:15
kale being a big deal (kale chips, juiced, salad, in soups etc.), parsley, cilantro, dark leafy greens.
3 cups sulfer rich vegetables: - 10:15
The cabbage family (that explains the smell when you cook it) including, cabbage, brussel sprouts, kale, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, rutabaga, & radishes.
The onion family: onions, garlic, leeks, chives, shallots
Mushrooms and asparagus
3 cups bright colored veg/fruit - 10:54
Colors are high in flavonoids and anti-phenols (antioxidants)
Some veg: Beets, carrots, cabbage (red), peppers (sweet and spicy), etc.
Some fruits: Blueberries, strawberries, peaches, oranges, rasberries, blackberries, etc.
Animal protein profile - 11:25
Daily, unknown quantity:
Wild fish = omega 3 fatty acids = Myelin and straight teeth
Salmon and herring
Grass fed meat
Once a week, unknown quantity:
Organ meats = vitamins, minerals, and coenzyme Q (coQ10)
liver, heart, tongue, gizzard, sweat breads.
Iodine - 12:15
necessary for removing heavy metals
low levels increase cancer risk
Once a week: seaweed - iodine, and selenium


I personally take Omega 3 Algae Oil 100% Vegan Omega 3. ( repeat order on Amazon) Oily fish are full of Omega 3 because they eat Algae. Fish are also full of Mercury and other heavy metals. Algae Oil cuts out the middle man and is heavy metal free. Flaxseed and Chia seed are also loaded with Omega 3. (Ground/milled easier to absorb)

I also take Co Q 10 and Creatine ( see 6 pack vanity above)

Thanks for your posts Jane, very much appreciated.

Atty

Thanks for posting that Atticus and for the vegan omega 3 tip. I also do the ground flaxseed, chia plus I add hemp hearts (which have a good amount of protein) in my smoothies. I discovered a brand of vitamins I have never heard of before on Amazon (Ancestral Supplements). Was thinking of ordering their Grass fed beef heart for the Mitochondrial support. They have very high ratings. If you check it out, let me know your thoughts.

of course...plants have sugar: dates, oranges, grapes, etc., etc., etc. and if you eat fruits that are dehydrated, the sugar is more concentrated.