Menopause, Joint Pain, and the Carnivore Diet

One of the surprising symptoms of menopause (for me) was joint pain. At first I thought joint pain was caused by arthritis, and arthritis was caused by aging. I thought it was simply part of the aging process... like your joints were just wearing out overtime. But now I realize joint pain (like almost all pain) is caused by inflammation. This inflammation during menopause is caused by changing hormone levels and mineral depletion as we age.

My Joint Pain Story

When I first experienced joint pain and arthritis, I did not connect it to menopause at all. I thought I was using my computer mouse too much, as in "repetitive movement." The pain and stiffness became an issue when I couldn’t do push-ups during a group fitness class at the local YMCA. When it was time to get into position, I was the only one that couldn't stay there. I couldn’t put my hands flat on the floor. My fingers stayed bent. The instructor's suggestion was to do the push-ups on my closed fist or grip weights instead. This was also just as impossible. I felt like a complete loser! This was embarrassing. I was never one to say that I couldn’t do something physically difficult, but here I was admitting defeat.

How I Reversed My Joint Pain and Swelling

One solution that helped my joints return to normal size and range of motion was intermittent fasting. I started fasting for 20 hours every day and had an eating window of four hours. During my fasting window, I had water (lots of water with trace minerals) and plain, black coffee in the morning. At 4 PM, I had a snack (often a bowl of plain, whole milk yogurt with berries and honey. If you haven't tried it, you should!) For dinner, I would eat with my husband-- just something with protein and and a starch or veggie, like chicken and rice or hamburger with green beans as a side.

I suspect my inflammation was reduced because I was allowing my body 20 hours daily to rest from food and digestion. The energy my body once used to digest and process my breakfast and lunch now went toward healing. I was also avoiding processed food all day: no snacks, sugary coffees, treats that coworkers brought in from their weekend parties, or fast food lunches. My body had 20 full hours each day to focus on healing. My swollen joints went back to normal before menopause, and I found I could do push-ups at the YMCA again! This was a beautiful side effect I hadn't anticipated. I got excited about the fact that I had somehow reverse the aging process-- at least in my hands.

I mentioned in an earlier post that while my hands had reduced the swelling There is still one finger joint that is swollen and painful. I still cannot straighten that finger. I am determined to try!

Enter Carnivore Diet

My friend Rachel (the one that prompted me to try 75Hard) had been researching the carnivore diet. This is where you primarily eat animal products like meat, eggs, fish, cheese, etc. I wrote about this in a separate post. Rachel was interested in trying the carnivore diet to help heal her auto immune disease symptoms. She also suffers from arthritis pain in her thumbs and fingers. After attending a seminar and doing some research, she believes this diet could lesson inflammation in order to help these symptoms. I was excited to try it too.

The Carnivore Diet After Two Weeks

At around one week I started to experience overwhelming sugar cravings-- to the point that I was ravenous for the apple at the bottom of our fridge! I stayed strong, but the feelings were intense. I made it through about 2 to 3 days of serious cravings, but at around two weeks, I felt like I had been hit by a bus! I was sick. I felt awful. My head started hurting, my muscles began to ache, and the fatigue wiped me out. I ended up falling asleep on the couch one evening at 7:20 PM! Mind you, I don’t even get home from work until almost 6 o’clock, so this worried my husband a bit. I had been warned that eating a carnivore diet could cause some flu like symptoms, and it sure did! But a few days later, the flu like feelings subsided.

After the Carnivore Diet Flu

Then I started feeling fantastic! I’m only in week three of 12... we plan to stay on the Carnivore Diet for at least 90 days to see if healing truly occurs. In just a short time, I am feeling focused and my clothes feel a bit looser (the batteries died in my scale, so I can't tell if I've actually lost any weight.) I have less joint pain, but my swollen finger is still there. Nothing has budged, but I am hopeful. I'll keep updating this post as I see results. Time will tell...

Dear Reader, if you are experiencing some issues like arthritis, swollen joints, or autoimmune disease symptoms, you might research Intermittent Fasting and/or the Carnivore Diet. Many people have found relief, and I am beginning to feel the results after only 15 days! You have nothing to lose but the pain. I pray you find what you need for healing and happiness.

To your health,

Jennifer Kaye