Just wanted to ask if others are experiencing this or if it’s just me, since I’m trying to figure out if it’s related to Paleo or something else. I am 35/F/135lb/5’4” and did Paleo in the past. After that I took a break but have decided to start again. It’s been about 1 week, and I’m noticing increased jitters/shakiness right before breakfast, and in the later afternoon. Could this be my body’s reaction to the sharp decline in carbs? Or underlying hypoglycemia… I wonder 🤔 I remember this from the last time, I think it may have gotten better when I was off it? But again not certain
Also what is your favorite high fibre paleo food?
Shakiness sounds like low blood sugar.
Doesn’t hurt to be aware of your blood sugar levels, including when experiencing any jitters. Can put to rest concerns re hypoglycemia. Easy to do at home yourself . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7dJt0pVmHM
You can get a glucometer starter kit for about $20.
An MD friend who was a magnesium researcher at one time in an academic setting relayed some useful insights: (1) A large portion of the population suffers from magnesium deficiency; (2) Standard serum blood tests for magnesium are nearly useless, miss lots of serious deficiency; (3) To reach and maintain adequate magnesium levels is best done by consistently, over the long term, taking smaller doses of magnesium, multiple times a day; (4) Taking a large dose of magnesium at one time results in almost all of it just getting dumped by the body; (5) It can take time and patience, over a year of careful supplementation, to resolve a deficiency; (5) The most commonly available magnesium formulation, i.e. magnesium oxide, is almost useless, very poorly absorbed though it is cheap; (6) Other formulations, including magnesium citrate and magnesium glycinate, are better absorbed.
Oh nice, I’ll try getting one of those - definitely seems worth it. I guess if it doesn’t come up as hypoglycemia then maybe more likely the magnesium or other electrolytes? Thanks a lot for sharing reg. the magnesium… because pretty sure I have the oxide 🤦🏻♀️ That may need an upgrade too, along with consistency Appreciate you taking the time to write
A friend was recently having major symptoms of magnesium deficiency, including associated heart arrhythmias, and severe headaches. I inquired about magnesium, she was taking a significant daily dose of magnesium oxide, had for years. I sent her some links verifying what my MD researcher friend had mentioned, the poor bioavailability of magnesium oxide, only 4% absorbed!
https://europepmc.org/article/med/11794633/reload=0
“Bioavailability was measured as the increment of urinary maginesium excretion in normal volunteers given approximately 21 mEq/day of the test preparations. Results indicated relatively poor bioavailability of magnesium oxide (fractional absorption 4 per cent)”
With a better absorbed magnesium supplement, and patience, the suffering friend’s headaches have completely stopped, and the serious arrhythmias have subsided.
Mark Hyman MD has an article with a good overall perspective on magnesium and magnesium deficiency . . .
https://drhyman.com/blog/2010/05/20/magnesium-the-most-powerful-relaxation-mineral-available/
LMNT is a great electrolyte supplement. That could help.
Also wondering if it’s hypoglycemia related. Do you have an idea of your macros each day, specifically carbs? Maybe track for a couple days?
Ohh I’ve heard of it on the Huberman podcast actually. Maybe I’ll see if I can get a sample or something. I don’t but I could track a few days yeah. Is there a specific number I should be staying above (generally speaking)?
If I was guessing I would bet you are dipping low enough on carbs to get a little hypoglycemia. Count them a few days in a row and see. Most people have the worst issues when they straddle the line between ketosis and glycolysis. That is typically somewhere between 60 and 90 g of carb.
You end up, riding the line too closely. You can go higher if that’s the case. Or get well below 50 to drop into ketosis, you may very well get some low-carb flu at that point. But it will pass in about a week. Paleo is agnostic when it comes to carbohydrate though. Either way is fine. if you do try ketosis, you might want to do some research on women, hormones and ketosis. Some women don’t respond as well. But some do fantastically. Just something to know about as you experiment.
Favorite high fiber, Paleo food, raspberries.
Thanks for the numbers, I’ll try to do a few days of tracking and see where I’m at. Very interesting to learn this because I’m still pretty new to it and have no idea about macros. I’ll look into the ketosis and hormonal side too, that’s a good point as well. I love raspberries, thanks for the suggestion :)
Happy to add to knowledge. If you run into question always feel free to ask.