In my earlier years, I abused my body living on processed foods, transfats, and HFCS. By the time I was in my mid 40's I was very much overweight and unhealthy. Finally said enough is enough, and started Akins in '03, concentrating on lean proteins, and fresh vegetables. I lost 100 lbs. in 9 months. Instead of going back to my bad habits, I stayed with the lean proteins, tons of vegis, whole grains, fruits, nuts, and a lot of soy (tofu, protein powders, soy beans). A couple years later, I started to get a nasty reaction whenever I ate soy. I did research, and finally found out the truth about this poison. Seems I had developed a soy intolerance due to my overuse. Even worse, once you develop a soy intolerance, it makes it much easier to develop intolerances/allergies to other foods. It wasn't long before I couldn't eat peanuts or chickpeas (same family as soy). A few years later I developed a gluten intolerance, followed by shellfish, corn, and about a year ago, caffeine.
About 6 months ago, I started to notice a problem with potatoes. Over the past few months, I started having bad leg pains and irritability after a gluten free pasta dinner with homemade tomato sauce. I figured the pasta must have been cross contaminated with gluten at the factory, and started to try other brands with similar results. A couple days ago, I made homemade chili with dried chili peppers and diced tomatoes. Had a real bad reaction, so now I'm thinking it was maybe the tomatoes in the sauce, and not the pasta after all. Last night I had gluten free pasta with a homemade alfredo sauce and had zero problems. Further evidence that tomatoes may be the problem. Tonight I made a dinner of grilled chicken, brown rice and broccoli. I used my standard homemade rub including dried chilies and paprika. About 10 minutes after dinner, I had a bad reaction. Heaviness in my legs, tons of pain, and irritability.
So, I did some research tonight, and discovered that potatoes, tomatoes, chilies, peppers, paprika, eggplant and a few others are members of the Nightshade family. They all contain alkaloids like their poisonous cousins, but in much lower doses. These alkaloids produce arthritis, joint pain and nerve problems, to name a few, in folks who develop a sensitivity to them. I'll have to do some more experimenting, but it looks like I will probably have to give up all Nightshades. Fun.
Now the kicker. You know what other plant is a Nightshade? Tobacco! Seems that Nicotine is a very potent Nightshade alkaloid. Over the past year I've noticed leg and joint pain after a cigar on a few occasions, but most of the time no problem. I attributed it to gluten being used in the wrapper glue on some brands. Steve Saka kind of blew that theory out of the water. Now I'm just wondering if it's a matter of time, before I'll have to give up my beloved cigars for good.
About 6 months ago, I started to notice a problem with potatoes. Over the past few months, I started having bad leg pains and irritability after a gluten free pasta dinner with homemade tomato sauce. I figured the pasta must have been cross contaminated with gluten at the factory, and started to try other brands with similar results. A couple days ago, I made homemade chili with dried chili peppers and diced tomatoes. Had a real bad reaction, so now I'm thinking it was maybe the tomatoes in the sauce, and not the pasta after all. Last night I had gluten free pasta with a homemade alfredo sauce and had zero problems. Further evidence that tomatoes may be the problem. Tonight I made a dinner of grilled chicken, brown rice and broccoli. I used my standard homemade rub including dried chilies and paprika. About 10 minutes after dinner, I had a bad reaction. Heaviness in my legs, tons of pain, and irritability.
So, I did some research tonight, and discovered that potatoes, tomatoes, chilies, peppers, paprika, eggplant and a few others are members of the Nightshade family. They all contain alkaloids like their poisonous cousins, but in much lower doses. These alkaloids produce arthritis, joint pain and nerve problems, to name a few, in folks who develop a sensitivity to them. I'll have to do some more experimenting, but it looks like I will probably have to give up all Nightshades. Fun.
Now the kicker. You know what other plant is a Nightshade? Tobacco! Seems that Nicotine is a very potent Nightshade alkaloid. Over the past year I've noticed leg and joint pain after a cigar on a few occasions, but most of the time no problem. I attributed it to gluten being used in the wrapper glue on some brands. Steve Saka kind of blew that theory out of the water. Now I'm just wondering if it's a matter of time, before I'll have to give up my beloved cigars for good.
