The connection between viruses and Meniere's and arginine's role in their promotion may or may not be scientifically tenuous, and this supposed relationship is all new to me, so I don't have much to say about it right now. I'm not going to contradict anyone's experience, other than to try to think critically about correlation/causation. But I'm very interested in this connection and will be watching it in future. My symptoms came on 8 months before I changed my diet, and back then I ate about 0g nut butter per week, and not much in the way of whole nuts. For me anyway, the benefits from the dietary changes have had far-reaching positive consequences and I would have a hard time imagining that they were counting against my health. But, as I have been reading on this forum and elsewhere, people seem to have lots and lots of contradictory experiences that the conventional wisdom is not prepared to answer. Frustrating for us all. As far as the apple (or any fruit) juice, reading has taught me that fructose is now considered to be a leading driver of metabolic dysfunction, and that by removing the fiber and other nutrients from the whole fruit, you are sending a ton of naked sugar into your system. I try to never eat “naked” carbs now, whereas I frequently did. Some of the downstream effects of fructose metabolism are (I take a lot of notes!): 1. Fructose intake increases uric acid, which causes vasoconstriction by inhibiting nitric oxide, which causes less glucose uptake in the muscles and brain. This is bad for cardiovascular system and dementias. Also bad for inner ear circulation. 2. Fructose tells the body "winter is coming" by stimulating AMP Deaminase, which tells your body to store glucose as fat. Higher chance of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). 3. As with #2, the process also inhibits AMP Kinase, the enzyme that tells our cells to produce more mitochondria, and therefore more raw energy in the form of ATP. If you're into longevity at all, you're all about increasing mitochondrial ATP.
Congratulations on the HbA1c score. I believe "In range" for A1c is 5.0 — 5.7% so that is a real improvement. Post dietary changes for me, my latest test put it at 5.0% down from a number I don't recall, but was in the 6's. One thing that really helped, besides cutting out sugar, refined carbs and most alcohol (I still consume these things now and then, I'm human) is taking walks after eating. Like a 20-30 minute walk after a meal can made a big difference here.
Thank you for the follow-up GL. I wish I knew what triggered these golf course attacks. Of course, don't we all wish we knew the triggers. Sometimes it just seems so random. We are like the ancients, attributing things we don't understand to the gods.
I was just thinking that. The trouble with this is that nobody knows anything, and the knowledge can change at any time. It does seem almost like capricious gods playing with us for their sport. I guess all we can do is try to be as well-informed as possible, and open to trying things that might go cut against what we already think we know.
I am quite annoyed with myself. I sometimes forget things that were working for me. I have now "rediscovered" this thread just as I was about to start a new one on Keto. This thread is also quite helpful Impaired Carbohydrate Metabolism and it is what got me thinking about Keto again. It turns out the attacks I had last summer were BPPV and had nothing to do with Meniere's but they more or less made me forget that I was seeing good things with moving toward Keto. Anyway, the above thread has reignited my interest in Keto and I have been reducing my carbs and upping the fat in my diet for the last week. My hearing has been fluctuating but trending sharply down, until this past week where I've had 6 out of 7 days with pretty good hearing in my only remaining ear. I really think this encouraging improvement is due to my Keto-like diet. I plan on learning more about Keto and doing better. I have had a few totally deaf days in the last 6 months and it is really life changing - very depressing. You are totally isolated and can't do important life functions like talk to your banker or many very important functions. And socially it's a disaster.
I decided to go all in for Keto. In reading about Keto and Keto for beginners, it seemed to me that it would be a struggle to get into Ketosis, where your body burns fat for energy instead of glucose. Reddit and some small forums are full of stories where people can't get there. So, I bought a meter on Amazon that tests your breath and comes up with a rating as to what level of Ketosis you are at, with level 10 being optimal. Well I received the meter today and to my surprise, I am there! Level 10! Hooray! It wasn't all that hard. I used to eat a lot of dried fruit, such as raisins and especially dried mango and figs. No more. I switched from a fairly sugary drink that I had on cereal and sometimes as a drink, to a heavy cream although I am still experimenting with that. At least with the breath meter, I can experiment and see what happens. But the good news is my hearing has been quite good (for me). Many more good days than bad so far. Also, I used to blow my nose many times in the morning with a nasal drip. That too is much less. It is early days, but so far so good. This is the meter I got: KETOSCAN Smart Breath Ketone Meter. on Amazon
Here is a long but very interesting interview of a doctor that researches the affect if hyperinsulemia (sp?) and Meniere's. He treats people (as I understand it) with a low carb, high fat diet (Keto) Currently, I have had 10 good hearing days out of the last 12 by following this diet quite carefully.
Thanks. It all makes sense. I know the pressure in my ear changes dramatically throughout the day, and is linked to what I eat or fail to eat. "Padding" each meal with vegetables beforehand so nothing passes through the gut too quickly, and being very careful with limiting sugar and simple carbs, has been quite helpful, also for my general energy level, as I tend to experience "crashes" at intervals throughout the day.
LOL - Yeah, so good. I threw mine out. It is so nice to be able to hear people talking, like I used to. My problem now is I like this Keto food too much! Macadamia nuts, Mozerella cheese, and there's all sorts of Keto bars and snacks! Fortunately, weight loss is not my priority. BTW, I was wrong about being in Ketosis, I'm not fully in yet. I am now reading a book about this low carb diet is a Alzheimer's prevention/treatment.
I am unfortunately on a much harder diet to follow-- besides more veggies than I can stand, it requires no dairy, refined sugar, gluten, eggs, or even soy (at least for now) in an effort to repair the gut microbiome and calm autoimmunity. (See The Wahls Protocol.)
It is really hard, because I crave carbs and sugar and yet have to fill up on kale and carrots etc. But feeling tired and drained too often (and old), and being concerned I may lose the ability to do the things I love most to do, is even worse, so I'm pushing on. (I guess it's a fitting punishment from years of eating too many cookies.)
Just as a follow up, I am following a full Keto diet. I find it quite easy to do. There are good Keto snacks you can buy, Shop Healthy Keto Snacks Direct From No Sugar Company has some - the Shellz are really good. Costco has a good Keto cereal. I don't measure or weigh food, I just eat high fat foods, moderate protein and very very low carbs, no cheats. Anyway, my breath meter tells me I am in stable Ketosis. Also I feel fine. The great news is I have had 22 days in a row of very good hearing in my only remaining ear and reduced tinnitus and fullness. I have not worn my $6,000 hearing aids in almost a month because I don't need them. My only regret is that I didn't go Keto years ago. Having experienced the difficulties of full deafness, I am highly motivated, but, like I said, th Keto diet is not a difficult thing to do
Congratulations on your success!! No food, however good, is worth damaging our health... glad you found the formula..
So cool! I have actually been doing the carnivore diet since I was diagnosed in october 23. I love it and believe it's helped! Along with carnivore, I did the valtrex protocol and actually feel amazing now. Virtually no Tinnitus or feeling of fullness. I feel normal actually. Fingers crossed it continues for a long time.
Wow, that's great news FlagGirl. We don't get that many success stories here LOL! Thanks for letting us know. What is that furry thing driving the car in your photo??
Thank you! Fingers crosssed it lasts! I forgot to mention my hearing is better too. The furry guy a groundhog from the movie Groundhog Day.
I would suggest looking into keto or carnivore. Not gonna lie, it's a tough transition, but soon, you'll lose those cravings and feel better! I'll say it, I promise!
I have had 43 days in a row of good hearing, less ear fullness and decreased tinnitus. My meter says I am in moderate ketosis. I have no trouble sticking to the Keto diet but I should eat a little less. I'm very pleased with this state of affairs.