Ashley Moran says
> Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 1:18 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: thyroid
<snip>

I think it is hard to assign clear evolutionary 'designs' to these
physiological systems.  There is a lot that still needs to be learned about
all of these responses though we do know much more than we did 10 years ago.
I'm not clear if lower T3 values for a lean hunter-gatherer is of any
consequence but for someone who is changing diets from SAD to a lower
carbohydrate way of eating (I think this includes paleodiet) and is
over-fat, lower T3 levels may result in a confounding stall in fat loss.
Fagin's NHE recommends two high carbohydrate/ low fat evening meals twice a
week and gives arguments why this is 'optimal'.  DiPasquale's Metabolic Diet
recommends a high carbohydrate 'eat anything' period once per week lasting
anywhere from 12 hours to 48+ hours depending on how your individual
physiology reacts (i.e. are you laying down fat).  Both are interested in
athletic performance so these carbohydrate feeding are used somewhat to
replenish glycogen stores (I'm not convinced this is all that important) but
perhaps more importantly these brief high carb feeding upregulate T3 levels
while preserving the many benefits of a lower carbohydrate eating plan.

> When you say relatively high carb, what do you mean?  Lots of fruit,
> carrots, parsnips etc, or do you eat grains and potatoes on Friday and
> Saturday?  I am only just starting low-carb (no vegetable matter apart
> from leaves) so I will give it a while before I start experimenting
> with high-carb days.

I tend to stay away from most grains, wheat in particular.  I feel better
when I do not eat any wheat.  That being said, I do occasionally indulge in
the rare piece of birthday cake and such without ill effect.  I do allow
rice and potatoes and occasionally oats or barley with my carb meals but do
limit myself.  And of course I liberally eat all the high carb fruits.  I
usually limit myself to berries during the week. I know many do not support
rice and potatoes as Paleolithic and understand that view but I feel in the
limited quantities I consume them that they could reasonably represent what
would be 'gathered' in a weeks time without agriculture.

I have eaten only meat with salad and tea for months at a times with great
results.  I never get tired of steak salads myself (I'm salivating now! ;))
Currently I eat quite a few eggs most days, and a little dairy (cheese,
yogurt and cream) every few days.  I am not eating raw dairy at the moment
but think I am going to make the effort to find some resources around my
area soon.

Kind regards,

  Wade