| dejah
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Hi all-- been lurking for a while; this is my first post. I've searched the forums but couldn't find anything on this subject, so I apologize if it's one of those really common questions.
This is my first time seriously trying a low-carb diet (as opposed to just "cutting down on carbs"). I live in Asia, in a place where pre-processed low-carb foods such as Atkins meals aren't available, and neither are many of the artificial sweeteners and recommended foods. So I'm kind of winging it. I'm essentially on Phase I but I'm not following actual meal plans, just trying to eat a well-balanced diet from the recommended food list. I have a little sugar in my coffee, but other than that I've cut out sugar, bread, grains, fruit and fruit juice.
I've been doing this for about 10 days and have had visible results that make me very happy. However, I can no longer ignore the mouth issues. I developed a toothache that happens when I chew on the left side-- haven't had time for a dentist appointment yet, but I figured OK, I've got a cavity. Just in the last few days, though, my whole mouth has started hurting. The gums are sore and the roots of the teeth ache. I also feel like my gums are receding more by the minute. I'm 35 and have a certain amount of typical gum disease, but this seems to be a rapid deterioration. I'm thinking malnutrition.
Throughout this, I've been taking a multivitamin, and I drink vegetable juice. I really thought I was getting enough Vitamin C. Should I be taking an extra C supplement, or is there some other vitamin or mineral I'm missing that could be the culprit? If it is C, what are the best Phase I foods I should be eating? Or should I bite the bullet and go to Phase II early so I can add fruits back in? Thanks for any advice you can give. |
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Fri Feb 22, 2008 10:53 am |
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| ladybugnessa
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| what you need to do is see the dentist. |
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Fri Feb 22, 2008 11:03 am |
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| dejah
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ladybugnessa wrote: what you need to do is see the dentist.
I'm sure you're right. But how stupid would I feel if I went to the dentist and she said, "You're on a low-carb diet, aren't you? This is an extremely common problem. Eat more Vitamin C. That'll be $100, please." :) |
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Fri Feb 22, 2008 2:51 pm |
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| Veggi
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| Ten days on ANY diet, or even no diet at all (fasting), would not cause the symptoms you described. Please see your dentist. |
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Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:24 pm |
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| luvs_torun
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dejah wrote: ladybugnessa wrote: what you need to do is see the dentist.
I'm sure you're right. But how stupid would I feel if I went to the dentist and she said, "You're on a low-carb diet, aren't you? This is an extremely common problem. Eat more Vitamin C. That'll be $100, please." :)
South Beach is not a low carb diet, done correctly.
Eating fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein promotes "all-over" health and wouldn't contribute to gum disease....
(and I realize you are in phase 1 and not eating the fruit and grains for 2 weeks...but still :wink: )
I agree with nessa...... |
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Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:25 pm |
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| RedRox
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| you can easily consume 80-100 gms of carbs daily in P1 if you max out the available carb sources. This is only slightly under the minimum recommendation of 100 gms per day by many nutritionists and it is far more than any true "low carb" dietary program. Taking a good daily multi-vitamin/multi-mineral supplement is always a good idea in my book, but SB eating should not be causing these issues. If it is "malnutrition", then it may be due more to your personal implementation, than the program itself and an indicator that it may be time to move to P2! good luck. mouth issues are no fun at all. |
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Fri Feb 22, 2008 5:33 pm |
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| dejah
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I know I misspoke when I called it a low-carb diet, but it's definitely a diet of radically different carbs than my body is used to-- usually I eat a whole lot of fruits, grains and sweet vegetables. But I didn't mean to imply that it was a carb issue per se.
I sent a quick e-mail to my doctor, who reminded me that I have a tendency toward slight anemia. He suggested that I increase my intake of iron and of Vitamin C, which helps the body to absorb iron. (And that I see a dentist, which I had already been planning to do. :) |
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Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:41 am |
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