Salt and Prednisone
Posted , 10 users are following.
I was diagnosed with PMR in December last and after doing a bit of research decided that I would reduce my intake of carbs as I felt this might help reduce the inflammation. Being a life-long serious cyclist I've found this fairly counter-intuitive as it's always been 'carbs, carbs, carbs!' but nevertheless I persevered and after reading a fair bit I've come to feel that this is definitely the way to go and would definitely follow a low-carb, high-fat lifestyle even if I wasn't sick. I don't know if it helps with the inflammation but I definitely have more energy when I'm strict with myself. In fact more and more professional athletes (particularly endurance athletes) are going LCHF so if it's good enough for them it's good enough for me...
I'm now considering going full-on Keto but one of the things that's recommended is to take additional salt, whereas because of the Prednisone I've been told to cut out salt. Does anyone else here follow a Keto diet (for example I've read that you're very low-carb Eileen) and if so do you take extra salt? In fact why is it recommended that we don't add salt? I was under the impression it was to prevent water retention and weight gain; is that correct?
Thanks in advance.
0 likes, 28 replies
lilian05079 lazyslug
Posted
Whilst on preds its not recommended to take too much salt due to raising blood pressure...preds raise blood pressure so does salt.....
EileenH lazyslug
Posted
Yes - it does seem to help reduce puffiness due to fluid retention. I never use salt in cooking and haven't used table salt for 40 years or so! I have a grinder of herbs for salads which has salt in it, that is absolutely all the added salt I use. When we eat out a few days in a row when on holiday my feet go up like footballs - so it does make a difference!
I haven't tried full-on keto - though I suspect most of mt diet would fit with the newer and revised Atkins approach which does include low carb right from the start.
sandy65909 EileenH
Posted
Thanks
lilian05079 sandy65909
Posted
Sugar is high in glycaemic load..all foods with glycaemic load cause inflammation.....
sandy65909 lilian05079
Posted
Michdonn EileenH
Posted
Gluten is another inflammatory substance, that most people are eating. It is found in all varieties of wheat, barely, and rye. 🙂
EileenH Michdonn
Posted
I've been eating wheat-free for many years and at the time I was diagnosed with PMR was eating gluten-free as the only way to avoid wheat. The problem for me isn't gluten though - and gluten gets blamed for a lot of things that it isn't responsible for! It is mostly wheat - and not the gluten but the structure of the starch. I can eat other forms of wheat, just not the highly commercialised hard wheat used to make many baked goods and pasta. I can eat proper French bread - it is a different variety of wheat...
Michdonn EileenH
Posted
Oh, for a piece of good Italian bread, then Italian bread toasted the next morning. Or Portuguese sweet bread toasted, now there is a real treat. I loved going to the ethnic bakeries in Rhode Island. Yes a good ethnic bakeries are one of the things we miss here in New Mexico. 🙂
EileenH Michdonn
Posted
Now you do know there are as many Italian breads as there are towns? Like there is no "Italian food" - a recipe for the local speciality will be different between 2 villages 2 miles apart!
Michdonn EileenH
Posted
True, in some locations there were Italian bakery across the street from each other and the bread would be different. Never much for the pastries, but the tomato pies, spinach pies, etc, pepper sticks and wine biscuits. What a treat! Nothing like that in NM. 🙂 But I am able to ski here! 🙂
EileenH Michdonn
Posted
Michdonn lazyslug
Posted
lazyslug, rode a bicycle for years on low carb diet, even try a so called no carb diet, felt fine had no problems. Currently on an anti-inflammatory diet, missing somethings, but feel good and looking to get on smaller doses of Pred. Have not been riding my bike, poor balance, hoping with lower doses my balance improves. Thinking positive and keep a smile on my face. 🙂
margaret89358 lazyslug
Posted
We don't add salt to anything, it has always been something my husband refused to let our children add too food. I think most food has enough salt. My blood pressure is too high without adding salt to my diet. I am following a no carb diet to help with the weight gain. I would love a sandwich, but stick with a salad. It is so hard. I am going to look at the Keto diet. Thank you.
Guest lazyslug
Posted
Terry Wahls, M.D. has a lot of information about ketogenic diets. She has multiple sclerosis but addresses lots of autoimmune conditions. I know she has books and currently has lots of research grants in this area. She has a great TEDx talk called Feeding Your Mitochondria on YouTube if you are interested.
sandy65909 Guest
Posted
Guest sandy65909
Posted
Sorry, I realized I gave the wrong title.
Minding your mitochondria. She is an amazing person and so intelligent and well spoken. I found her the same month I was diagnosed with GCA and she always provided hope to me when I found dealing with the medical community so difficult.
sandy65909 Guest
Posted