Sore joints

[Mary Ellen]

Hi Dr. Lydon -

I followed the plan for about 8 wks and lost inches and a few pounds. I have been a yo-yo dieter and was a smoker for years, so I attribute the slower progress to reestablishing my healthy metabolism.

The problem is, slowly I started eating more dairy and carbs - then last week, went to visit my in-laws for 5 days: very stressful. I slipped into binge mode, and ate all the wrong foods: fried, greasy, fatty, creamy, you name it, I over-ate it. Not only did my energy and mood plummet, but my knees joints are now killing me! I must say - I left all of my fish oil and calcium/magnesium/multi-vitamins home so I wasn't even on top of that. (self-sabatoge???)

I've now been back on my supplements and am trying to get off this bad eating path I'm on - but my knees are still feeling sore and swollen (almost like there's fluid in there?). I did nothing strenous on my trip - no exercising or extensive walking. Could this joint pain be diet/supplement related?

I guess I am really feeling like I let myself down! Any ideas? Thanks so much - Mary Ellen

[Site Administrator]

Hi Mary Ellen!

Sore joints following the reintroduction of eliminated foods is a BIG RED FLAG that your body is mounting an inflammatory response against those foods. It may have been either the dairy or the grains that caused this reaction, but I am inclined to say it was probably the grains. The antigens in wheat-- (and especially gluten, which is also found in barley and oats,) are well known to contribute to arthritis in susceptible individuals. The best advice I can give you is to return to week 3 eating guidelines until your joints recover fully.

Once your are pain-free, you will need to do a little investigative work to determine which antigenic food items you need to avoid in the future. I recommend introudcing small amounts of dairy for up to four days (continue to avoid soy so as not to confuse the results) and see if the symptoms return. Repeat this procedure for soy, and then for grain products.

And don't be so hard on yourself!!!

This is a temporary set-back that has provided you with extremely valuable information-- namely that certain foods are making you sick and fat! If you want to acheive and maintain both good health and a lean body compostion FOREVER, you will need to avoid these foods in the future.

Best Wishes,
Chris