Comments on: Eating in the Zone: My new Menieres Diet http://www.toastyfrog.net/2009/04/27/eating-in-the-zone-my-new-menieres-diet/ The adventures (and distractions) of a somewhat cynical idealist Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:23:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: andi http://www.toastyfrog.net/2009/04/27/eating-in-the-zone-my-new-menieres-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-911 andi Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:05:18 +0000 http://www.toastyfrog.net/?p=319#comment-911 I am so glad to have found this website!!! I have have this dreadful disease over a year now. Have had "small attacks" and recently a rather "big one". I will try the Zone diet and hope it will work as well for me as it has for others. I am so glad to have found this website!!! I have have this dreadful disease over a year now. Have had “small attacks” and recently a rather “big one”. I will try the Zone diet and hope it will work as well for me as it has for others.

]]> By: Geek2Nurse http://www.toastyfrog.net/2009/04/27/eating-in-the-zone-my-new-menieres-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-909 Geek2Nurse Wed, 05 Oct 2011 03:28:56 +0000 http://www.toastyfrog.net/?p=319#comment-909 Leslie--The positional element makes me wonder if your attacks may be from BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) rather than Meniere's. Has anyone tested to rule that out? If it's BPPV, it's caused by debris in the inner ear, and there is a sequence of positions you can use to move it out. Do a search on "Epley Manouver" online -- there are videos on YouTube to show you how to do it. As for supplements, I don't know of any reason you can't add them to the Zone diet. Good luck! Leslie–The positional element makes me wonder if your attacks may be from BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) rather than Meniere’s. Has anyone tested to rule that out? If it’s BPPV, it’s caused by debris in the inner ear, and there is a sequence of positions you can use to move it out. Do a search on “Epley Manouver” online — there are videos on YouTube to show you how to do it. As for supplements, I don’t know of any reason you can’t add them to the Zone diet. Good luck!

]]> By: Leslie http://www.toastyfrog.net/2009/04/27/eating-in-the-zone-my-new-menieres-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-897 Leslie Sat, 01 Oct 2011 01:00:34 +0000 http://www.toastyfrog.net/?p=319#comment-897 I have just been kind of diagnosed with Menieres disease. I have been off balance and dizzy for the last 4 years but never had any violent attack of vertigo. We have been remodeling our house all summer and have no kitchen and I have been eating fast food for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the last 3 months. All of a sudden one morning I rolled over and BAM!!!! Violent vertigo that sent me to the ER and admitted overnight. They suspected menieres and it took me 3 days to get out of bed. I wanted to try the low sodium diet but it was going to be difficult since I can't even cook. Within the week I was feeling fine and back on my feet. Until 10 days later when I ate 4 slices of pizza. That evening I was lying on my side in my daughter's bed and BAM!!! It happened again!!! I also suffer from anxiety and panic attacks so it was really horrible. Is this going to be my life now? I have 2 young children and all I can do is lay in bed as my husband or another family member takes care of them. I used to have The Zone book and I am willing to try anything. Does anyone else have advice for me? Can you add suppliments like Lipoflavonoids and Ginko to the Zone Diet? I amd desperate for anyone's help. I live in the Oregon and saw that someone saw a Dr. Black? I have just been kind of diagnosed with Menieres disease. I have been off balance and dizzy for the last 4 years but never had any violent attack of vertigo. We have been remodeling our house all summer and have no kitchen and I have been eating fast food for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the last 3 months. All of a sudden one morning I rolled over and BAM!!!! Violent vertigo that sent me to the ER and admitted overnight. They suspected menieres and it took me 3 days to get out of bed. I wanted to try the low sodium diet but it was going to be difficult since I can’t even cook. Within the week I was feeling fine and back on my feet. Until 10 days later when I ate 4 slices of pizza. That evening I was lying on my side in my daughter’s bed and BAM!!! It happened again!!! I also suffer from anxiety and panic attacks so it was really horrible. Is this going to be my life now? I have 2 young children and all I can do is lay in bed as my husband or another family member takes care of them. I used to have The Zone book and I am willing to try anything. Does anyone else have advice for me? Can you add suppliments like Lipoflavonoids and Ginko to the Zone Diet? I amd desperate for anyone’s help. I live in the Oregon and saw that someone saw a Dr. Black?

]]> By: Geek2Nurse http://www.toastyfrog.net/2009/04/27/eating-in-the-zone-my-new-menieres-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-800 Geek2Nurse Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:25:32 +0000 http://www.toastyfrog.net/?p=319#comment-800 This diet replaces the low-sodium diet. Note where I said, " The driving factor behind that overall balance is not sodium, but insulin." Control insulin levels, and your sodium level will also be controlled. My doctor actually had me slowly titrate my sodium intake back up to normal levels once I started on the Zone diet. Good luck! :) This diet replaces the low-sodium diet. Note where I said, ” The driving factor behind that overall balance is not sodium, but insulin.” Control insulin levels, and your sodium level will also be controlled. My doctor actually had me slowly titrate my sodium intake back up to normal levels once I started on the Zone diet. Good luck! :)

]]> By: Anna Spivey http://www.toastyfrog.net/2009/04/27/eating-in-the-zone-my-new-menieres-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-798 Anna Spivey Mon, 25 Jul 2011 02:04:48 +0000 http://www.toastyfrog.net/?p=319#comment-798 I was just sentenced I mean diagnosed. I have been trying to stick to 1300 mg of sodium a day (at my doctor's recommendation) but like the sound of this Zone Diet. I think. I need whatever will (a) maintain my hearing so I don't lose it and have to take the dreaded Steroids!! again and (b) be liveable with my having to cook for a family. My question is... this Zone Diet totally throws my 1300 mg of sodium out the window. How do I reconcile the two with my Cochlear Hydrops? Thanks! I was just sentenced I mean diagnosed. I have been trying to stick to 1300 mg of sodium a day (at my doctor’s recommendation) but like the sound of this Zone Diet. I think. I need whatever will (a) maintain my hearing so I don’t lose it and have to take the dreaded Steroids!! again and (b) be liveable with my having to cook for a family. My question is… this Zone Diet totally throws my 1300 mg of sodium out the window. How do I reconcile the two with my Cochlear Hydrops? Thanks!

]]> By: Karen http://www.toastyfrog.net/2009/04/27/eating-in-the-zone-my-new-menieres-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-533 Karen Thu, 09 Dec 2010 16:27:00 +0000 http://www.toastyfrog.net/?p=319#comment-533 Hello, This is the first I have seen of this website and I am really curious, I have barometric pressure menieres and I was told by my ENT that I should stay on a very low sodium diet and right now I am on only 1000 mgs a day of salt. I usually only eat once or twice a day and this whole website has really taken my interest as I have had Meniere's since 2004 and had two surgeries on both ears. I want my life back again and cannot seem to get it back. I also want to lose some more weight as I was told by my ENT that the more weight I lose the easier it will be on me. I have lost 80 lbs with the low salt but I am always so tired and cold and worn out. Is this due to the sodium level??? Also, I am always asked by all doctors if I am a diabetic but my PCP says I am not. I would love to try the ZONE DIET but my income is also very low and it is hard for me to find food that can get me through the month. Thanks Karen Hello,
This is the first I have seen of this website and I am really curious, I have barometric pressure menieres and I was told by my ENT that I should stay on a very low sodium diet and right now I am on only 1000 mgs a day of salt. I usually only eat once or twice a day and this whole website has really taken my interest as I have had Meniere’s since 2004 and had two surgeries on both ears. I want my life back again and cannot seem to get it back. I also want to lose some more weight as I was told by my ENT that the more weight I lose the easier it will be on me. I have lost 80 lbs with the low salt but I am always so tired and cold and worn out. Is this due to the sodium level??? Also, I am always asked by all doctors if I am a diabetic but my PCP says I am not. I would love to try the ZONE DIET but my income is also very low and it is hard for me to find food that can get me through the month.
Thanks Karen

]]> By: nancy http://www.toastyfrog.net/2009/04/27/eating-in-the-zone-my-new-menieres-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-477 nancy Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:20 +0000 http://www.toastyfrog.net/?p=319#comment-477 Thanks again Ruth, Your article really got me moving in a productive direction. I was so tired and brain dead when I went off caffeine. I wasn't connecting all the info I received from the specialist in a meaningful way. My return to the Zone diet has given me energy and my brain back. My system is working better and the possible metabolic component of this vestibular problem is being addressed. Having more energy, now, has renewed my interest in exercise - the circulation component my doctor mentioned. I also try to lay perfectly still for 15 minutes mid-day, everyday and this seems to renew my energy which allows me to do more things which aids circulation. The lower sodium diet helps because I notice a difference when I go above 1500 mgs. What has really helped is addressing the allergy component. 20 years ago I had allergy testing done after a few small episodes of this problem. I followed the advice of Dr. William Walsh and the Meniere's disappeared for 18 years. Maybe it was just a coincidence but I do much better now when I follow his advice of no artificial sweetener, avoid citrus and other acids, no MSG and really reduce refined sweeteners. My allergy test confirmed that I was sensitive to tomatoes and potatoes (nightshade family). Tomatoes, peas, corn and mushrooms are foods high in MSG and tomatoes are also high in citrus. So, I have my best days when I do all of the above. I am also sensitive to soy, wheat, egg whites and citrus. Every once in a while I have to take a Sudafed for airborne allergy. This helps also. I hope this helps others. Note, MSG occurs in many different forms, like hydrolyzed yeast protein and "natural flavors" and in other ways. One of the surprises was aged cheese and yogurt. They really need to be limited. Thanks again for getting me problem solving and more thoughtfully attacking this problem. Nancy Thanks again Ruth,
Your article really got me moving in a productive direction. I was so tired and brain dead when I went off caffeine. I wasn’t connecting all the info I received from the specialist in a meaningful way. My return to the Zone diet has given me energy and my brain back. My system is working better and the possible metabolic component of this vestibular problem is being addressed. Having more energy, now, has renewed my interest in exercise – the circulation component my doctor mentioned. I also try to lay perfectly still for 15 minutes mid-day, everyday and this seems to renew my energy which allows me to do more things which aids circulation. The lower sodium diet helps because I notice a difference when I go
above 1500 mgs. What has really helped is addressing the allergy component. 20 years ago I had allergy testing done after a few small episodes of this problem. I followed the advice of Dr. William Walsh and the Meniere’s disappeared for 18 years. Maybe it was just a coincidence but I do much better now when I follow his advice of no artificial sweetener, avoid citrus and other acids, no MSG and really reduce refined sweeteners. My allergy test confirmed that I was sensitive to tomatoes and potatoes (nightshade family). Tomatoes, peas, corn and mushrooms are foods high in MSG and tomatoes are also high in citrus. So, I have my best days when I do all of the above. I am also sensitive to soy, wheat, egg whites and citrus. Every once in a while I have to take a Sudafed for airborne allergy. This helps also. I hope this helps others. Note, MSG occurs in many different forms, like hydrolyzed yeast protein and “natural flavors” and in other ways. One of the surprises was aged cheese and yogurt. They really need to be limited. Thanks again for getting me problem solving and more thoughtfully attacking this problem. Nancy

]]> By: nancy http://www.toastyfrog.net/2009/04/27/eating-in-the-zone-my-new-menieres-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-476 nancy Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:08:26 +0000 http://www.toastyfrog.net/?p=319#comment-476 Hi Ruth, The Zone diet is really helping. I found the turkey sausage links at Whole Foods and they are delicious but only two little skinny links have 230 mgs. of sodium. The other proteins for breakfast also have sodium and it really adds up for one meal. So today I bought ground turkey at TJ's and made the sausage patty recipe in the Zone book. They are scrumptious. I made them in 4 block sizes - 1/2 for 6:00 am 2 block meal and the other half for the 9:00 meal. I froze some for another time. What do you take for your seasonal allergies? My doc recommended Zrytec every night but that doesn't do much. How do these allergies affect Meniere's? Tylenol Sinus, RobitussinPE and Sudafed all help reduce my ear problem. At least temporarily. Why? Nancy Hi Ruth,
The Zone diet is really helping. I found the turkey sausage links at Whole Foods and they are delicious but only two little skinny links have 230 mgs. of sodium. The other proteins for breakfast also have sodium and it really adds up for one meal. So today I bought ground turkey at TJ’s and made the sausage patty recipe in the Zone book. They are scrumptious. I made them in 4 block sizes – 1/2 for 6:00 am 2 block meal and the other half for the 9:00 meal. I froze some for another time.
What do you take for your seasonal allergies? My doc recommended Zrytec every night but that doesn’t do much. How do these allergies affect Meniere’s? Tylenol Sinus, RobitussinPE and Sudafed all help reduce my ear problem. At least temporarily. Why? Nancy

]]> By: Geek2Nurse http://www.toastyfrog.net/2009/04/27/eating-in-the-zone-my-new-menieres-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-474 Geek2Nurse Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:44:43 +0000 http://www.toastyfrog.net/?p=319#comment-474 Hi Nancy, Yes, you will have a reaction to eating sodium, because it directly affects sodium levels in your body and that affects the whole fluid balance. The thing about sodium, though, is that your body needs a very defined amount in order to function. Sodium is extremely important, down to the cellular level. Without it, your muscles can't work, your nerves can't conduct signals, your kidneys won't work right, and on and on. As a result, no matter how much or how little you take in, your kidneys rapidly compensate to keep the balance, either hanging on to sodium or letting it be flushed out in your urine. That's why a low-sodium diet really isn't the answer. No matter how little sodium you take in, your body is going to keep those sodium levels where they need to be. All you're doing with a low-sodium diet is avoiding *fluctuations* in the sodium level. When you suddenly take in a larger amount of sodium, your reaction is actually more significant, because you've been sensitized to it. The reason the Zone diet helps is that sodium levels are controlled ultimately by your insulin levels. Once you get those stabilized, you can gradually (key word is GRADUALLY, to let your body get used to it again) increase your sodium intake to normal levels, and let the usual control systems manage the balance. I hope that makes sense! Ruth Hi Nancy,

Yes, you will have a reaction to eating sodium, because it directly affects sodium levels in your body and that affects the whole fluid balance. The thing about sodium, though, is that your body needs a very defined amount in order to function. Sodium is extremely important, down to the cellular level. Without it, your muscles can’t work, your nerves can’t conduct signals, your kidneys won’t work right, and on and on. As a result, no matter how much or how little you take in, your kidneys rapidly compensate to keep the balance, either hanging on to sodium or letting it be flushed out in your urine. That’s why a low-sodium diet really isn’t the answer. No matter how little sodium you take in, your body is going to keep those sodium levels where they need to be. All you’re doing with a low-sodium diet is avoiding *fluctuations* in the sodium level. When you suddenly take in a larger amount of sodium, your reaction is actually more significant, because you’ve been sensitized to it.

The reason the Zone diet helps is that sodium levels are controlled ultimately by your insulin levels. Once you get those stabilized, you can gradually (key word is GRADUALLY, to let your body get used to it again) increase your sodium intake to normal levels, and let the usual control systems manage the balance.

I hope that makes sense!
Ruth

]]> By: Judy http://www.toastyfrog.net/2009/04/27/eating-in-the-zone-my-new-menieres-diet/comment-page-1/#comment-473 Judy Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:43:31 +0000 http://www.toastyfrog.net/?p=319#comment-473 Ruth, Have you tried any of the supplements? I have been researching and came across a regimen of different supplements, and from what I understand, people have had wonderful results from them. I can't take antihistimines or decongestants due to an A-fib problem. I also have been diagnosed with a goiter that will be addressed next month. This is such a nightmare to me right now, and I don't even have the official dx. Ruth, Have you tried any of the supplements? I have been researching and came across a regimen of different supplements, and from what I understand, people have had wonderful results from them. I can’t take antihistimines or decongestants due to an A-fib problem. I also have been diagnosed with a goiter that will be addressed next month. This is such a nightmare to me right now, and I don’t even have the official dx.

]]>