If you are even a casual reader of health journalism these days, then I'm sure you've run across the regular columns from The Washington Post health and nutrition columnist named Sally Squires. Her regular "Lean Plate Club" feature includes lots of news and commentary on the latest developments in the world of diet and living healthy. Unfortunately, Squires comes at it from the conventional low-fat, low-calorie, low-cholesterol, everything-in-moderation yadda yadda yadda approach that has dominated our culture for decades now.
Whether you're livin' la vida low-carb or not, egg consumption is a VERY healthy way to start your day with a power-packed meal or anytime as a snack idea. I love my eggs and probably eat 2-3 dozen by myself every single week. Yep, yolk and all, Ms. Squires! Why? Because they are indeed (say it with me now!) H-E-A-L-T-H-Y!!!
First, let's address the "artery-clogging cholesterol" comment. Ummm, where's your proof that dietary cholesterol has any impact on your lipid profile or in your arterial walls? Noted researcher on low-carbohydrate diets Dr. Stephen Phinney (who I hope to interview for my podcast show when I meet him at a symposium on saturated fat in Phoenix, Arizona next month) once conducted a test on himself eating a total of 17 eggs in one day to see what impact it would have on his cholesterol levels. Guess what? His cholesterol went up by only one point. So, this myth that eating cholesterol will raise your cholesterol is as archaic and WRONG as eating fat will make you fat. Again, I ask, where is the proof?
Then Squires quotes a professor of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health named Dr. Lawrence Appel who claims the "unhealthy saturated fat" that accompanies egg consumption from all the bacon and sausage they eat with them is what concerns him the most because it will in his opinion significantly raise LDL cholesterol levels. And he made one of the most asinine statements I've ever heard about why you shouldn't eat these delicious low-carb breakfast foods.
"And many of these foods are cooked in trans fat, which also hikes LDL levels," Appel exclaimed.
HUH?! What trans fat is used to cook eggs, bacon and sausage, Dr. Appel? If you're referring to margarine--a low-fat concoction that I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole--then obviously you know nothing about people who are livin' la vida low-carb. We cook our eggs in butter, macadamia nut oil, avocado oil, and other wonderfully healthy saturated fats. There's no trans fat in my cooking oils. And you don't need a lick of oil when you cook bacon and sausage because they've got plenty of amazing fats in them already to get brown and crispy for a wonderful complement to eggs.
Ironically, Dr. Appel already understands this dynamic about eating less carbs and more fat for better heart health because of this study he published in the December 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Is he now disagreeing with what the science showed him quite clearly just a little more than two years ago? Come on, Dr. Appel, you know better than to allow your own personal zealotry to get in the way of being an objective observer.
This quote from Dr. Appel certainly took the cake.
"But what I am concerned about is that some people will think that the exception is the rule," he stated. "So they will eat an omelet on the weekend and then grab a breakfast sandwich on the run on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. We don't want people to reverse the strides that have been made."
Let me tell you, sir, it's not the eggs that will "reverse the strides" these people are making in their health. It's the SANDWICH part of that breakfast sandwich with all those carbohydrates in them that makes it worse for your body--NOT the eggs or the cholesterol and fat that's in them. If you cut out the bread and eat the eggs and meat for breakfast, then you've got just about the perfect meal. Check out my daily menus and you'll see that eggs are a major part what I eat and proudly so. They are AMAZINGLY good for you!
The final paragraph in Squires' column was a bit appalling, too.
"To make sense of all this, here's the bottom line: If you're healthy and you like eggs, eat them in moderation," she recommended. "If you've got high cholesterol or Type 2 diabetes, skip the yolks or limit your intake to no more than one per day."
In a word, Ms. Squires, NO THANKS (okay, that's two words!). I am VERY healthy precisely because I do eat eggs--yolk and all!--regularly as part of my reduced-carbohydrate nutritional approach. As long as you are limiting your carb intake, eggs can be a yummy way to get lots of hunger-satisfying protein and fat into your body to help burn body fat and build muscle. I wouldn't think of ever giving up my eggs as long as they are providing me an inexpensive way to stay healthy. And that's exactly what they are doing!
There was a chat about this Sally Squires column that was quite revealing about why she believes what she does about eggs being harmful to health, especially for Type 2 diabetics. Check out this question and answer exchange:
Eggs and Type 2 Diabetes: I can understand the cholesterol issue with eggs and heart disease, but why is there an issue with eggs and Type 2 Diabetes?
Sally Squires: Because diabetes significantly raises the risk of heart disease. In fact, some experts have told me that we should consider diabetes "early heart disease." It has just that much effect on blood vessels and the heart. So the National Cholesterol Education Program--part of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, advises that people with type 2 diabetes need to take many of the same steps in prevention as those who already have high blood cholesterol or other signs of heart disease.
The good news: We know from the Diabetes Prevention Program that weight loss, exercise and eating right can significantly reduce risk of developing diabetes. And we know from other research that people who already have type 2 diabetes can takes steps to control it and sometimes even reverse it.
Okay, Ms. Squires, if diabetes raises heart disease risk, then why not treat the diabetes first with the best proven method for controlling it--LOW-CARB! If you want to help diabetes ward off heart disease from happening to them, then logic tells you to cut down on their carbs along with a regular exercise routine to bring about those reductions in blood sugar, insulin levels, and weight. Why do we have to make this so difficult for people to understand? Just tell 'em the truth about livin' la vida low-carb and watch the results happen right before our very eyes.
Maybe that's what the Sally Squires of this world are afraid of!
Eggland's Best eggs are both nutritious and delicious!
One of the most underrated health foods of all time has got to be those protein-packed morsels of yummy goodness known as eggs (I did a YouTube video on these recently). They're inexpensive, readily available, and chock full of so many healthy benefits for those who consume them. But not all eggs are created equal which is why I'm pleased to tell you about Eggland's Best eggs.
Without the use of any hormones or antibiotics, Eggland's Best creates superior quality eggs thanks to a nutrient-dense diet designed specifically for maximizing the vitamins and minerals that are produced in each egg. The difference you receive from these eggs is startling, too:
- 7 TIMES more of the antioxidant Vitamin E than regular eggs - 3 TIMES more essential omega 3 fatty acids for heart health than regular eggs - 185 mcg of lutein for excellent eye health - Studies show eating eggs lowers calorie consumption - Studies also show that eggs fill you up
With all these accolades, you would think a company like Eggland's Best would be going around boasting of their accomplishments and thumping their chest for producing superior products for a discriminating consumer. But they don't have to do that when the quality speaks for itself. These eggs are AWESOME and you really ought to try 'em for yourself to experience the difference.
Compliments of Eggland's Best, here are some healthy low-carb recipes fit for a king just in time for the holidays and New Year's resolutions that are coming up. If you are livin' la vida low-carb and want to enjoy the good life, then make eggs and active part of your healthy lifestyle change. Whether you use them in the following recipes or eat them fried, scrambled or even microwaved, just EAT MORE EGGS! :)
Matzoh balls are a holiday classic!
EGGLAND'S BEST FLUFFY MATZOH BALLS
7 Eggland's Best eggs separated 1/2 teaspoon salt dash pepper 1/2 cup club soda 2 cups Matzoh meal or low-carb substitute 1 tablespoon oil 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Blend six Eggland's Best egg yolks in bowl with salt, pepper, nutmeg, oil, and club soda at high-speed 1-2 minutes. In separate bowl, beat seven Eggland's Best egg whites until stiff. Fold yolks into whites. Fold matzoh meal in with a fork, 1/2-cup at a time, until mixture is of medium consistency. Cover bowl with foil and refrigerate at least 30-40 minutes. Boil water in a large pot. Form balls of mixture with hands. Drop into boiling water. Cover and cook over low heat for 30-40 minutes.
This is kinda like a spinach lasagna...ooey gooey good!
In a medium bowl, beat together all ingredients except spinach. Lay spinach in bottom of greased 1-1/2 quart casserole or baking dish. Pour mixed ingredients on top of spinach. Bake in a preheated 350° F oven about 30-35 minutes until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Garnish with pimentos.
Nothing puts you in the Christmas spirit like eggnog
EGGLAND'S BEST EGGNOG
6 large Eggland's Best eggs 1/2 cup granulated Splenda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 quart heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup sugar-free whipped topping (as desired) *Garnishes or stir-ins, (optional)
In a large saucepan, beat together Eggland's Best eggs, Splenda, and salt. Stir in 2 cups of the cream. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until mixture is just to a boil and thick enough to coat a metal spoon. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining 2 cups of cream and the vanilla. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Just before serving, pour into a bowl or pitcher. Fold in whipped topping and garnish or add stir-ins, as desired. Serve immediately.
*Serving Ideas: Garnishes or Stir-ins - Low-carb chocolate curls, cinnamon, extracts or flavorings, ground nutmeg, or peppermint sticks.
The continued outpouring of prayers and support for me and Christine regarding our problem with having a baby has been absolutely incredible. The way you have embraced us, cried with us, shared in the pain, and offered gentle words of encouragement and advice has been our stronghold in the midst of an extremely difficult decision we have been contemplating regarding our next step in this process.
Like I said, your amazing response to our infertility woes has been nothing short of incredible. For those of you who have been through this entire process and shared your experience with us, THANK YOU doesn't even begin to show our sincere appreciation and respect for you. As we've gone through the emotional rollercoaster about what to do, Christine and I have made our decision--we've decided to give an IVF cycle a chance for peace of mind.
The more we thought about this decision, the easier our choice became. If we refused to even TRY to do an IVF cycle, then the likelihood of getting pregnant on 8% quality sperm and Christine's endometriosis returning after she gets off of birth control are next to nothing. Yes, I believe in the miracle-working power of God to make it happen in His will. But the reality is the odds are very slim.
Regarding adoption, that's still an open option if this IVF cycle we attempt does not work. And let me just say, we're not at all opposed to adoption. It's a beautiful thing that actually mimics what God Himself did for us by adopting us as sons and daughters into His family when we accept him as our Abba Father. The act of adoption is very sacred and I greatly admire anyone who chooses this pathway.
But the reality of adoption is it is a very difficult, bumpy ride for vulnerable couples not knowing for sure whether they'll even get their baby or not. And the wait is usually at least two years, tens of thousands of dollars, emotional ups and down, and on and on. Christine and I spoke with a couple in our church who has done one international adoption and is still in the midst of a domestic one as we speak. The administrative Hell they put you through along with all the aforementioned issues make this an extremely unattractive option for people like me and Christine.
So we're back to the IVF decision we have made. Here's the thinking on why we are doing this: We're gonna give it ONE chance to work. Yes, this singular opportunity has odds of about 40-50% of working at a total cost of around $18,000. Sounds like a lot of money and it is. Thankfully we were approved by Capital One for an infertility loan and will be paying this off over the next five years. But regardless of what happens, it will be money well spent.
If we go through this process and Christine gets pregnant, then the money will have been well spent. Thanks to the specialized ICSI process where the best-looking sperm is placed in the center of the egg for fertilization, this greatly increases the chance that is indeed what will happen. It's a hit or miss proposition, but at least you're able to play the game where you wouldn't otherwise.
However, you might be wondering how we will feel shelling out all that money if for some reason God forbid this IVF/ICSI doesn't work. We thought and prayed about this for a very long time and it was not an easy conclusion for Christine and I to come to. But here it is: We will be sad if the IVF/ICSI fails to produce a pregnancy. But we are prepared for that now so we'll know how to react if it actually happens.
Christine has said she'll probably need a few days to come to grips with the reality of not having a child this way. But afterwards we will simply accept this as our lot in life to be without a biological child of our own (still keeping the adoption option open for the future) and have the peace of mind that we at least gave the IVF/ICSI an opportunity to work. We'll never have to look back and regret that we NEVER tried. Our chance is NOW and it's one we're willing to take either way.
Is the money scary? Heck yeah! My job is what you see me doing here at my blog and other related web sites on a daily basis. It's a non-traditional means for income, but has been paying the bills for about a year. I'm expecting an increase in sponsorship in 2008 with several interested companies, but nothing is guaranteed. If my business takes off like I believe it will, then there are no worries.
Even still, it's always good to have backup plans for raising some extra money. That's where we hope to get YOU involved in this process. In the next few days, I'll be posting about some homemade bead jewelry that my sweetheart Christine has made to sell to anyone interested in helping us in this cause. This is a fundraising venture that will give us the financial assistance we need while giving you a chance to receive an extra special Christmas present for someone in your life (maybe even a little something something for yourself!). :D Stay tuned for more details about that coming soon.
Meanwhile, we went to our IVF orientation on Wednesday this week where a nurse went over the schedule of all the shots, tests, treatments, retrieval of the eggs and sperm, and the embryo transfer details as well as how to administer about 60 shots in 10 days! EEEEK! I'm terrified of needles and cannot imagine what Christine is gonna have to go through, especially with the one that goes into her bottom for two months in a row. She's gonna have another pain in the butt besides me now. :P
We go to the reproductive endocrinologist's office next Wednesday to get baseline readings for Christine right before our trip to Virginia to be with Christine's family for Thanksgiving. She immediately begins the shots and I've been warned that this could impact her mood adversely. Hoo boy! Lord, I pray now for mercy and gentleness from that dear sweet woman I call my wife so she doesn't rippeth my headeth off during this process! LOL!
In my next post about our quest to have a baby, I'll share with you the names of these shots Christine will be taking and talk about the process of going through an IVF/ICSI cycle. We're ready to give this a go--good, bad, or ugly! We just want to be able to say in the end that we used this open door of opportunity and never regret our decision. And we won't.
Pray for Christine as she begins taking these shots next week that she will be strong. She's a lot better at them that I'd ever be, so I'm honored she would go through this to have OUR baby. I love that woman now more than ever before!
Check out some more feedback we've received from readers as well as related news regarding infertility and IVF:
Hello Jimmy,
You get so much mail, I don't want to waste your time with a lot of unnecessary words. Let me just first say I love your blog. You are a talented, witty writer and I believe you are doing your readers a great service by supplying such informative and interesting health news and interviews.
But my real reason for writing is to express my sympathies for the problems you and Christine are having in trying to conceive a child. As a mother of four, with four miscarriages in my history as well, I know a little of the pain you have suffered. I would just like to leave you with something to reflect upon during your decision making process regarding IVF.
I take it you are a Christian, from what I've inferred from your writing. From that point of view, I think it is imperative to remember that IVF almost invariably results in "unusable" embryos being destroyed or discarded. I don't know what your belief is regarding when life begins, but even if you think it might begin at conception, then you may want to give further thought (or get an honest answer from your doctor) to the IVF process.
I know this is a painful time in your life. May God bless you and lead you in the right direction. ********** ABC News: "Eating Soy May Slash Sperm Count" ********** Jimmy,
Now that you've found the science that will work, now it is time to turn to religion. By this I mean the resources of the family values movement, aka the church, or the theocracy crowd, aka church-based social services. Not, my favorite people. But, there is a reason to look here for financial assistance.
I imagine, but I do not know, that they are very much anti- the sperm-donor thing, so the fact that you make the effort to see beyond the humanist answer, a bad answer in their view means that they should be on your side. They have the money. Heck the Bush administration is handing out tax dollars to these entities like crazy. So cycle through the fundamentalist churches and find someone that can help.
I'm attending my girlfriend's Catholic church. A few weeks ago, an organization came forward needing us to evangelize their services. They get government money, so they needed patients to keep the money flowing. The patients didn't need to be Catholic or religious.
Make the calls even if you don't go to church. Your tax dollars paid for these services. Access them. They are there waiting. You may also find some financial assistance from your State government, but I'd have no idea who to ask.
Beyond that, get a PayPal account and tie it to your blog and websites. Start a new website just to generate contributions. Have you put your blog content into a book yet? ********** Hi Jimmy!
I too would like to make a plea for adoption. I agree with the lady who stated that everything happens for a reason. Perhaps there is a reason for those who cannot conceive? Perhaps their baby, should they have one, will face health problems, be they mental or physical. Another reason for infertility could be that God knows how overpopulated we are, and it’s his way of controlling the population.
For myself, I looked at all of the struggles I have faced in my life, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, abuse, Lyme disease, obesity, obsessive compulsive disorders, and I decided that it was not worth the risk of my own happiness, to put a child through any of these possibilities. All are hereditary, including abuse! I just could not do that to anyone, let alone my own kid. Life is hard! I even made the decision not to adopt because some of my issues are behavioral, and could be “taught” to a child. I would not wish obsessive compulsive disorders on my worst enemy!
On another note, there is the cost that you mentioned, that is just astronomical. Have you also considered this? Not only will you have this tremendous debt, or deficit, but there is also the cost of raising a child in and of itself. Don’t even get me started on how much you would have to save starting right now, to put a child through college! At least $500 a month I believe is the current statistic. Will you be able to adequately provide for a child after spending that much money conceiving? Provide for them as well as you would like to? Back to adoption, wouldn’t it be better to put your hard earned money into the life of a child who needs it right now, rather than spend tens of thousands of dollars trying to create a new life?
I know that people want their “own” child, but I am half adopted. My father died when my mother was pregnant with me. When I was one and a half, she married a man who took on me and my three brothers; he adopted us 4 years later. Never in my life did I call him my step-dad, or my adopted dad, despite the fact that he was probably the worst dad in the world. To me, the one who raises you is your mom and dad. Blood has nothing to do with it. It’s the ones who stayed up with you when you were sick, or read to you every night ‘til you went to sleep, or who helped you through those auditions for the school play. Those are the parents, the true moms and dads.
And when considering adoption, if you go that route, also consider adopting an older child instead of being put on a wait-list for an infant. So many children out there need homes.
OK, that’s my two cents, for what it’s worth. I know that no matter what the decision, you and Christine will make great parents. I wish you the best of luck in making your decision. I know the decision not to have a child at all was the hardest one I ever made, so I wish you well in making yours. ********** Jimmy,
Today’s the first time I’ve read your blog – it came up in a Google Alert I’d set a couple years ago for IVF/ICSI. My husband and I underwent the process just about two years ago, and now we have a 14-month-old boy. We couldn’t get pregnant because my husband’s sperm morphology was zero percent. In fact, all of his counts were very low, so that made ICSI perfect for us. Actually, I’ve read that a majority of IVF cycles are done with ICSI these days, just because it ups the success rate so much.
We live in Des Moines and used the University of Iowa’s excellent IVF center. We also used the “insurance” program and spent about $15,000 on it, plus about another $3,000 on the drugs. Today I tell people that I would pay a hundred times that for our son. I think U of I’s program refunds the money if the pregnancy results in a miscarriage before 10 weeks, and since most miscarriages happen by that time, we felt like it was a reasonable risk, especially since none of my tests showed anything suspicious. Plus, if you do miscarry and they have any extra embryos frozen, they’ll try again with those at no extra cost. Also, they keep a close eye on you once you’re pregnant to make sure hormone levels are good, and they’ll make sure you have progesterone supplements, which helps support the pregnancy.
We took out a home equity loan, which we just recently paid off when we sold our home, to pay for the treatment. I think if I hadn’t tried it, I would always have regretted it, because I wanted to know what it was like to have my biological child. I’m adopted myself, and my husband and I will likely adopt the rest of our children, but I’m so glad I went through IVF/ICSI. The emotional roller coaster is such a faded, distant memory now.
As for the process itself – it’s pretty intense. Your wife will have daily shots in the legs and hip (they really aren’t more than a prick), blood work every two or three days once the cycle starts and then a couple ultrasounds to check on how the eggs are growing and when they should be retrieved. The retrieval is really easy since they’ll put her under. I wasn’t sore or anything – just a little groggy afterwards. And, of course, your part is a breeze!
Then, you’ll hear the next day how many eggs were fertilized and are growing. We only had three fertilize, which is fewer than most women, and I was so disappointed because I thought there might not be enough to have a really good embryo to implant. But, three days later, when we went back for the transfer, we got a photo of the embryos and were told that two of them were “perfect.” They were both transferred and we got to watch the whole thing on a giant ultrasound screen in the room. The doctor pointed out the two “sparkles” as they were being transferred, which still gives me goose bumps when I think about it. We didn’t end up with twins, but the fact that one of those little sparkles is now my funny, sweet little guy is just amazing.
I did try to remind myself that there’s more than one way to build a family, but in the end, I would have always wondered if I hadn’t at least tried the IVF/ICSI. Good luck to you and your wife, whatever you decide. ********** Jimmy,
First let me begin by saying I enjoy your blog and I was turned on to it by my reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Gil Wilshire. I have to tell you my home is a 90 minute drive from his office and the ride home was not to pleasant after my first visit there, he made no bones about the changes I needed to make to my diet in order to get healthy and to eventually conceive.
To make a long story short I’ve been living a low carb lifestyle for almost 8 months now and I’ve lost nearly 60 pounds and seen dramatic changes to my PCOS symptoms. I am writing to you today because I am completely on the same wavelength concerning the costs associated with the treatment of infertility. I always say that if my plumbing worked then I could have dozens of kids and no one would say a word and my insurance would cover much of the cost, but since we are struggling we have all kinds of hoops to jump through and little or no help from our insurance.
My husband and I have been married for nearly 7 years and we share your concerns about the cost of these treatments. There is pressure from the doctors, they see these problems everyday and it is easy for them to tell people to commit thousands of dollars, but do they realize what it is like to pay those bills if things don’t go as hoped. It is an incredible burden to know that there is something wrong with your body and you may not be able to have children, then add to it that you are preventing your spouse from having children too and it is enough to make anyone feel desperate enough to do just about anything.
I know that you are a Christian and I encourage you to pray and seek God on this matter. It has been my faith that has kept me going, I’ve said for years that I know God will give us children. We have been tremendously blessed four years ago our nephew came to live with us and is now like a son to us, and 2 months ago today we adopted a beautiful baby girl. We still desire to have a successful pregnancy, but we will take whatever we can get. For now we are just hanging out eating right and counting days, if we don’t become pregnant in a few months we will take additional steps.
I realize your situation is different, please feel free to call me, I would be happy to share with you why we are not in favor of IVF and the other costly treatments. Your blog has given me lots of good support and I would love to reciprocate. God makes people parents in ways that are unconventional and sometimes medically impossible. ********** FOX News: "Study: The Sexier The Walk, The Less Fertile The Woman" ********** My husband and I went through an (unsuccessful) IVF cycle back in 2003/2004, and I’m more than happy to answer any questions you have about it via email.
Our case was a little different than yours, my husband had great sperm count/motility, but I have severe PCOS which means I don’t ovulate at all on my own – we had to use mega doses of hormones to get me to respond at all, and although we transferred 3 perfect embryos, none of them implanted, which was absolutely heartbreaking.
I later found out that I have a inherited problem called Factor V Leiden which makes implantation and carrying a pregnancy to term very difficult, and we had to re-evaluate everything at that point. With the cost of drugs and IVF at $15,000-$20,000, we just couldn’t justify going through the emotional stress of another cycle.
I wasn’t able to “let go” until I sold my leftover drugs. Now, at 35 years old, we’ve not ruled out trying again, but haven’t decided on it yet either. I still weigh about 400 lbs, and want to wait until I’ve lost the weight I need to lose before even considering it. I know for sure that the DS I’m having in January will force me to eat more protein/less carbs, and I’m sure that will help as well. Maybe we won’t even need to go to an reproductive endocrinologist and we’ll just get lucky. I’m more than happy to talk about anything related to our experience, all you need to do is ask. ********** Jimmy-
We did two rounds of IVF/ICSI that resulted in our beautiful twin girls. ********** Jimmy and Christine, My wife and I went through IVF/ICSI in 2000 and we now have 7-year old twin boys. We had to do ICSI for the same reason, low motility--my boys couldn't get past the goal keeper.
We went through the whole injection thing and harvesting the eggs and then waiting to see how many eggs 'took' and then the implanting of the fertilized eggs and then the waiting to see if we were pregnant. Oh yeah, the cash, we spent about $20,000, it hurt--I was a firefighter and my wife worked in the dental field--we weren't rolling in the dough, but we have two wonderful healthy wild and crazy boys!!
I would spend whatever it takes again and again to achieve what we have now, it's only money and if it takes 20 years to pay it off--who cares. You can always make more money Jimmy. ********** Jimmy and Christine:
My husband and I experienced this infertility roller coaster from 1999 to 2003. While it seems like a long period of time, we were only in treatment for about 18 months in 2002 and 2003. At the time we did not have health insurance that covered assisted reproduction (by the time we got coverage, we felt that we were too old to become first time parents and it was just too difficult for us to jump back on the emotional roller coaster of treatments).
During that time we ultimately underwent 2 IVF/ICSI cycles, once using my own eggs and once using donor eggs. Unfortunately both cycles were unsuccessful and we have since decided to live child-free. While my husband and I were unsuccessful, I would always have been haunted by the "what ifs" if we had not tried. ********** Jimmy and Christine,
I would like to say may God be with you on your journey to parenthood, wherever that may lead you. Please keep in mind and always remember - with God all things are possible.
All the posts I read about this was either about adoption or the cost of IVF/ICSI. Not one blogger said anything about the cost involved with adoption, or the heartache that goes with it when a child goes back to their birth mother "because the courts said so."
Its a shame that there are people out there that are basically baby making machines (sometimes with siblings that have different fathers-or the fathers are unknown,AND that many of these children are born out of wedlock!) and that the government is providing for them(welfare & food stamps and in some cases child support because the parent or parents are in jail). These same people get free birth control, free prenatal care, and the cost of having the baby is free, then the immunizations are free and they go onto medicade and then their medical care is free, not to mention the WIC & Food For Families programs-which benefits the mother while pregnant and the baby til age 6.
Yet the government does nothing to help people who really want kids to get them, whether it is by adoption or medically helping the couple to conceive, their own biological child.
Then there are the people that really want children and can't for one reason or another, or people that have to go through fertility treatments to have one and basically get so in debt that it makes life harder for them to live - especially if they end up with multiple births.
I have friends that are foster parents, I know others that have adopted a child, I have friends that were adopted and my brother and his wife had to go thru fertility procedures to have their two children. I have one child and would like another, but it has not happened yet. The emotional rollercoaster you go thru while trying to conceive is UNBELIEVABLE!!!
My heart goes out to you and Christine. If your faith is strong and your marriage is strong, ya'll will be able to conquer this, and come out on top!
Basically it's gonna be expensive whichever way ya'll decide to go, and I think the joy of having a child is worth the cost of the procedure to get it. Counseling to keep ya'll together and will help ya'll to deal with all the emotional ups and downs as well as the financial burdens. Counseling is a good thing and it doesn't matter if it is from your church or from the medical profession. Always make time for you and Christine, no matter what, and remember "The family that prays together, stays together." ********** Jimmy,
I have been following your pregnancy efforts. I know what it's like to be dealing with this. I had 3 ectopic pregnancies in 1980, 81 and 82. Had to decide if IVF was the next step. We opted not to for a variety of reasons and feel now it was the right decision. I wish you both the very best. My thoughts and prayers go out to both of you. ********** MSN/Today Show: "8 Dos and Don'ts: Diet Tips For Pregnancy" ********** Hi Jimmy!
I enjoy following your blog and have been a very firm believer in La Vida Low Carb since I was a teen. I was reading your story and frustration with not being able to have a baby and IVF. I wanted to drop you a little note and let you know the BIGGEST way low carb has helped me!
When I was about 18, I started noticing hair loss and hair in unwanted places. I was gaining at an alarming speed, despite not really eating that much. After crying to my doctor to please figure out what was wrong with me, I finally got a diagnosis--PCOS--when I was 23. I read all about it and decided to be real about Atkins. Working full time and going to nursing school full time I was still able to be extremely faithful to 20 carbs a day.
After only about 3 months I lost 30 pounds! My PCOS symptoms greatly improved. Then I started to feel very sick. I was pregnant! I was on BC at the time for my PCOS, not even trying to get pregnant! I was told I would have a very difficult time because of virtually no periods and one of my tubes was blocked by a cyst. When I had an ultrasound, my cyst was gone! 3 short months of LC and I had shrank a cyst and completely renewed my metabolism.
Then, this year after a few years of not being on LC I got serious again. My PCOS was worsening and I felt terrible. I was on Atkins again and lost 21 pounds in 3 weeks! Next thing I know---I am pregnant AGAIN! I was very happy with just being able to have 1, but 2----it blows my mind. So I am 18 weeks pregnant and owe it all to the Low Carb Life! I will tell anyone who will listen how Atkins got me pregnant twice...most don't believe me but it is definitely true! After the baby comes, I am going for Atkins again with more than 120 pounds to lose.
I love your story and your site! I wish you all the best in everything! ********** Jimmy/Christine --
I don't have firsthand experience with IVF procedures, although my husband and I did struggle to get pregnant. We had one successful pregnancy out of three, and our boy/girl twins will be two this month!
We have some very good friends who did IVF. Out of four rounds of IVF, they have one little girl. The first round resulted in miscarriage. The second round is when they had their daughter; she was one of three embryos to implant. The third and fourth rounds were completely unsuccessful -- no pregnancies either time. With that said, we were also in labor and delivery classes with three couples who had undergone IVF successfully, so it does work.
In the end, the cost to undergo IVF versus the cost to adopt is about equal -- most places put the estimates at $20,000. Adoption isn't a guarantee of a baby, either -- heaps of red tape, long waits for paperwork to be finalized and processed, and then you wait for a baby to become available. . . unless you adopt overseas, which brings another set of challenges with it. . .
Have you guys considered having the IVF done out of the country? America has some wonderful technology, but there are other countries not far behind us -- in fact, there are hospitals in India that are managed by a health care company in Dallas, TX! As a rule, the cost to have a procedure done outside the U.S. is roughly 1/3 to 1/2 what you would pay here. . .
Just a thought. . .
Best wishes to you both! ********** Hi Jimmy,
Please know that you and Christine have my total support in your quest to have a baby of your own. You both in my thoughts. Again, I admire your honesty in laying out the various reasons why you are having problems conceiving. I don't think that there are a whole lot of guys out there that will candidly admit that part of the problem lies with them. I have every expectation that the happy day will come when you post about the arrival of your child. And I look forward to that day. ********** Jimmy,
Some doctors who do IVF recommend acupuncture prior to and during the IVF process and find it to be very helpful. Thought I would pass this along. ********** Hi Jimmy:
I was reading your blog today and saw what you and Christine are going through right now with IVF/ICSI.
I have sent you a link with pictures of my two sons (BEAUTIFUL BOYS!) who were BOTH born from IVF/ICSI. My husband also had a horrible sperm count and we were told we would probably never have a baby of our own. We went through 2 fresh cycles and 2 frozen embryo transfer cycles, so we've done it all. One is a frozen baby and the other is a fresh baby!
ICSI has been around for almost 12 years. It is now standard procedure in most good clinics. For the most part, it has essentially "cured" male infertility, so feel confident you are using a well established method.
Make sure you understand if your clinic does a Day 3 embryo transfer or a Day 5 blastocyst transfer. I had both and only Day 3 worked. Day 5 is not the end all/cure all that it is sometimes advertised. Day 5 is often pushed to reduce the risk of multiples. I have tons of info on this subject, so let me know if you need more.
So much of your success is riding on the quality of the lab and the embryologist. He is the single most important person in this equation. Ask your clinic if they are certified and what training they have.
Lastly, try to ignore everyone's ridiculous and obnoxious comments and advice. Going through IVF was the hardest and best thing that ever happened to us. It changed our lives. So many people take for granted the ability to have a child. It is often the uneducated that make the most hurtful comments.
They have no idea what you two are going thru. Just like I cannot even begin to imagine what a cancer survivor feels, someone who has never experienced infertility has no idea what it is like. I always try to remember that before I judge people too harshly.
I know how hard this is, and how very few people understand the incredibly difficult decisions you and Christine are facing right now.
We spent about $36,000 for our children. Boy, that would have been a heck of a vacation, huh? Do I ever think about that money? NEVER. Did I worry that it was all for nothing the two times it failed and I was not pregnant? Yes. What is most important is that you have a good doctor, a great lab and come armed with facts.
Please call me if you would like to discuss, I'm a research nerd and I know more than any normal person should about IVF. My doctor often joked that I should come to work for him.
I wish you all the best and send you fertile thoughts. I assume you'll keep everyone posted on your progress with the blog. ********** Dear Jimmy, regarding your recent post about contemplating IVF, please consider the following argument against it. I know it can seem like the medical technology involved is not any different from any other medical procedures intended to heal sickness, correct deformities, etc., but creating life (something we are to do in a way that reflects we are made as an image and likeness of God) is in an entirely different category from using scientific know-how to heal sickness. A human life is not a product you have a right to purchase because you want one. Please consider applying all the money this procedure would cost you towards adopting a child who needs you and Christine to be his parents. May God bless you and give you the wisdom to walk in His ways.
"Babies in Test Tubes" by Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk
When I give talks about in vitro fertilization (IVF), I usually ask my audience the following question: "How many of you know a baby born by IVF, or know a couple who has tried to get pregnant this way?" Usually about half the hands in the room go up. Then I ask them to raise their hands if the couple was Catholic. Virtually all the same hands go up a second time. I have the sense that Catholics are making use of IVF at about the same rate as non-Catholics, and that most of them are only vaguely aware of the Church's position on making test tube babies.
When asked why IVF might be immoral, people will usually mention the extra embryos that are frozen or discarded. Such embryos are certainly a serious concern, but they are not the primary reason the Church insists the procedure is immoral. Even if IVF were done without making any extra embryos at all, this way of making babies would still be morally objectionable, because the procedure strikes at the very core and meaning of marital sexuality.
It substitutes an act of laboratory manipulation for an act of bodily union between spouses. It turns procreation into production. IVF is really the flip-side of contraception: rather than trying to have sex without babies, we try to have babies without sex. Because many Americans have come to view sex largely in terms of recreation, ignoring its procreative orientation, they have lost touch with the grave violations that occur both in contraceptive sex and in making babies in test tubes.
Clearly, the moral violations that occur in IVF do not reflect upon the child, who is innocent. It is not the baby's fault in any way. The child has no control over how he or she got here. Regardless of how a baby comes into the world, whether by IVF, whether by adultery, by pre-marital sex, or even by cloning, that baby is always a gift and a blessing. The problem with IVF is not with the child, but with a decision made by the parents concerning how to pursue the satisfaction of their own desire for a child. In other words, babies, even when very much desired, should not be brought into the world by making use of disordered means such as adultery, pre-marital sex, IVF, or cloning. They should be brought into the world only within that intimate love-giving moment of the marital embrace.
Children are entitled to come into being as the fruit of a singular parental love that is uniquely manifested in the spousal moment of bodily surrender to each other. Through the incredibly rich language of the parents' bodies, through their body to body contact, the new body of their child is engendered. In their one-flesh union, they enflesh new life. That intimate bodily embrace is a sacred action that only spouses may share, and it represents the unique and privileged locus, by God's design, in which human love is translated into new life. IVF violates this design by replacing that love-giving act with an act of production, whereby we manufacture our own children in petri dishes and test tubes, as if they were products or objects to be manhandled at will.
In this way, IVF incidentalizes and adulterates sex, reducing it to another arena for manipulation according to our own desires. When we take this immoral step, others quickly follow, including the freezing or even the discarding of our own children, as if they were a form of medical waste. By making test tube babies, we first violate the sacred human act by which we hand on life. It is then but a short step to go further and violate the very life itself that we produce in the laboratory.
Is it not reasonable and right to insist, as the Church does, that new human life should be the fruit of married love, carried out through bodily self-giving between spouses, this act which allows each partner to enrich the other with the total gift of himself or herself? The marital act embodies spousal love directly, exclusively and authentically.
Can we say the same for IVF, where the woman upsets her delicate hormonal cycles and subjects herself to repetitive injections with powerful drugs to make her body produce unnaturally large numbers of eggs, and where the man may be expected to go into a back room with salacious magazines and videos to "provide a sample"? Can we really say that IVF embodies spousal love in an authentic and exclusive way when a lab technician ends up being the causal agent of the pregnancy, instead of the spouses themselves through a sacred act proper to their married love? By any stretch, can we honestly believe that IVF is faithful to God's design for marriage?
We sometimes tend to brush the ungainly and unsightly parts of the procedure under the rug and instead try to focus on the result, the baby, so as to mitigate the disturbing reality of what we are really engaging in. Some couples also may rest their approval for IVF on a perfunctory assumption, namely: "We have a right to a child when we get married, so any means, even IVF, should be okay." But the deeper truth is that we never have a right to a baby.
A child is not our property or our possession. Rather, a child is a gift, one we hope God will send us, one we stand ready and eager to receive, but certainly not an entitlement or a right for us. When we marry, we properly have a right to those beautiful, life-giving acts we call marital acts, which open us up to the mysterious divine spark at the heart of human love. Those remarkable marital acts are the only human acts appropriately ordered to engendering the incredible gift of new human life.
Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese of Fall River, MA, and serves as the Director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org ********** Hi Jimmy,
Thinking about you guys and it's just a thought. IVF is about $6,000 here in Panama as opposed to $25,000 in the States, however, they may be better at this procedure in the States. I know someone who just went through it. She is 42 (quite a bit overweight, but very pretty still) and I'm not sure the circumstances in their case, but after 3 tries they were not successful.
One time it took, but she miscarried. It was really sad, especially for her husband. She does have 2 almost-grown children, but her newish husband wants children of his own now that her children are about to leave the nest.
My heart goes out to you both. Not an easy decision or an easy trial for that matter, but I just have this feeling that God has a plan for your lives and it is a good one! Keep praying for God's guidance.
Keep the feedback coming at livinlowcarbman@charter.net and I'll be providing more updates, along with that special bead necklace and bracelet fundraiser, in the near future! THANK YOU again everyone!
You'll be singing the praises of eggs after watching this YouTube video
Have you been following the new "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb On YouTube" series that my wife Christine and I have been recording over the past couple of months? We've had more fun doing these videos because we can let it all hang out and just be us for a change. Although I do that somewhat here at my blog and on my podcast show, there's something about being in front of a camera with the love of my life where real magic moments can happen. THANK YOU to everyone who has so faithfully supported this new venture!
In our previous video--Episode 7--we offered a chance to win a FREE AUTOGRAPHED COPY of my book Livin' La Vida Low-Carb: My Journey From Flabby Fat To Sensationally Skinny In One Year and the winner of that drawing was SlimQuest (aka Dan). CONGRATULATIONS Dan and your book is on the way to you now. :D We'll be having MANY MORE opportunities to win prizes in future videos, so KEEP WATCHING!
The educational fun continues in Episode 8 today where we discuss the incredible edible egg. As you know, eggs have been found in studies to reduce total calorie intake compared with a bagel for breakfast! YEPPERS, it's true! Nutrient-dense, chock full of healthy protein, lutein, omega-3s, and more vitamins and minerals than you could shake a stick at. And I'm talking about eating THE WHOLE EGG! GASP! But, but, but...
Before you fret, watch the video for yourself to learn more about eggs:
Yes, I know people fear the cholesterol in eggs and that's just plain silly. Eating cholesterol does NOT raise your cholesterol. But consuming tons and tons of carbs as well as stress leads the body to create unhealthy levels of cholesterol naturally through the liver that enter the bloodstream and cause the problems that lead to higher risks for heart disease and stroke. You won't hear this message very often from the so-called health "experts," but it is the truth.
We'd love to have your thoughts about Episode 8 at YouTube, so share your experiences about eating eggs for your health in the comments section of this video at YouTube. Click here to share your feedback and help educate others about why eggs are the cheapest health food you can eat!
Backlogged on seeing our other YouTube videos? Here are links to those:
- Promo video--A half-minute promotion of the new video series - Episode 1--Introduction of Jimmy & Christine Moore - Episode 2--What kind of fruits can you have on a low-carb diet? - Episode 3--What kind of veggies can you have on a low-carb diet? - Episode 4--What does a low-carber do for something sweet? - Episode 5--Why is fat so healthy for you on the low-carb lifestyle? - Episode 6--Which restaurants can you go to on the low-carb lifestyle? - Episode 7--What are the best new low-carb books you need to read?
Brand new subscribers to our YouTube videos keep signing up all the time, so be sure to be one of those so you'll never miss a new video when we upload it. It has been an incredible pleasure to make these videos which we hope demonstrate how fun and exciting the healthy low-carb lifestyle can be for people to follow.
THANK YOU so much for watching our videos and please send us your feedback, suggestions for future show ideas, comments, and questions at livinlowcarbman@charter.net. We will be on vacation in the Smoky Mountains with my mother and stepfather next week in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, so we won't be recording a video next week. But we'll get right back at it when we return, so don't fret. We appreciate your very kind comments and excitedly move forward with this new format for sharing the uplifting and positive message of livin' la vida low-carb!
A new and innovative way to use eggs in your low-carb lifestyle
With props to my regular reader Gary (see, you REALLY do need to get your own blog, man! *wink*), here is one of the most creative low-carb ideas I've seen in a long time from a woman named Heidi Swanson at her web site called 101 Cookbooks.
It's a recipe for what she describes as "Skinny Omelettes" and this is so cool! You're gonna love this unique idea.
Heidi Swanson uses her artistic abilities in a variety of ways
First, let me tell you a bit about Swanson. She lives in San Francisco, California and is a very talented photographer, designer, and cookbook author, including her outstanding 2007 release entitled Super Natural Cooking: Five Ways To Incorporate Whole and Natural Ingredients into Your Cooking. She has been privileged enough to be featured in a diverse number of media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, LIFE, USA Today, Shape Magazine, Glamour, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, Whole Foods Markets, National Public Radio, and even the Vegetarian Times.
If you enjoy recipes using only whole foods, then this book is for you
Even as a well-known and respected vegetarian supporter, I was quite impressed by this "Skinny Omelettes" idea. Swanson describes traditional omelettes as not "very exciting." But as a low-carber, I can think of no better way to enjoy a quick, high-protein meal that's delicious and will satisfy my hunger for hours!
Perhaps you're bored with the way you've been making eggs. Why not try Heidi Swanson's "Skinny Omelettes" and see if that sparks some fresh ideas for you in the kitchen. I'm all for finding new ways to make livin' la vida low-carb even better. Well here ya go!
You can e-mail your appreciation to Heidi Swanson for this fantastic cooking idea at heidi@heidiswanson.com.
"The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" Episode 26 [11:22m]: Play in Popup | Download
Today, I talk about the importance of eating eggs on satiety looking at research that shows you will actually eat less calories when you consume eggs rather than a bagel and cream cheese. It's more of my "Fact-Filled February" series that has looked at the research proving the amazing low-carb lifestyle is one of the best and most effective ways to eat on the planet!
Listen to Episode 26 and be sure to leave your comments about this show today. I REALLY want to know what you think about the show. You can access "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" by doing any of the following:
Do you like eggs and have they been a major part of your low-carb lifestyle? Is there any other low-carb food that is more perfect than the incredible, edible egg? Share your feedback and let me know what role eggs play in your low-carb life.
Come back next Monday and Thursday when we'll continue "Fact-Filled February" with the latest research on diabetes and the low-carb connection. You WON'T want to miss it! Also, if you haven't voted in our podcast poll yet, you still have time to help us improve the show. THANK YOU to everyone who has voted so far, but we'd love to hear from many more of you. As always, I appreciate your support and feedback!
The latest research on the health benefits associated with eating eggs shows they will help keep your hunger satisfied longer than any other food product consumed at breakfast. If you are on a low-carb lifestyle, then this is news worth waking up to.
The Rochester Center For Obesity Research located in Rochester Hills, MN is a not-for-profit research group created in October 1999 to conduct clinical research on the subject of obesity and to release their findings to the public with an unbiased point of view. The research team is led by Dr. Nikhil Dhurandhar who has committed his career to helping resolve the world's obesity epidemic.
In this story, Dr. Dhurandhar wanted to know whether a bagel with cream cheese and yogurt (containing 339 calories) would be as filling as two eggs, toast, and jelly (containing 340 calories). In other words, he wanted to know the Satiety Index that each of these meals provided.
Dr. Dhurandhar used 30 non-diabetic adult women in the study whose BMI classified them as either overweight or obese and tested them twice over a two-week period. The women had no idea what the real purpose of the research was and were simply told the scientists wanted to measure their blood pressure and cognizance levels after eating breakfast. Each of them kept a food journal of what they had for lunch and were frequently asked about how satisfied they were with their breakfast meal.
The results of the study found that the participants who ate the eggs were more satisfied and stayed satisfied a greater length of time than the ones who ate the bagel. Interestingly, this led the egg eaters to only eat a 568-calorie lunch compared to a 732-calorie lunch for the bagel eaters. Overall for the entire day of the test, the women who consumed eggs for breakfast had 1,761 calories that day while the women who consumed bagels for breakfast had 2,035 calories.
"[Eggs] induced greater satiety and reduced energy intake at lunch by 29 percent," Dr. Dhurandhar and his team of researchers revealed. "Till noon on the day after the egg breakfast, no compensatory increase in energy intake occurred, which remained lower by 431 (calories) during this time."
This quote from the researchers was extremely encouraging if you are someone who is livin' la vida low-carb:
"Eggs have a 50% greater satiety index than breakfast cereal or bread," the researchers added.
Since we recently learned from Dr. Susanna Holt, who created the Satiety Index, that a slice of bread has a satiety index of 100, then we can surmise that eggs have a satiety index of at least 150. Talk about some eggstra good news for people who are eggstra careful about their carb intake!
I personally have enjoyed eating a four-egg breakfast with melted cheese on top for breakfast for quite a while now. No, I don't have it every single day, but lately I have eaten it more than I used to. It's inexpensive (I bought 5 dozen eggs for a little more than $3) and delicious. I had noticed that I wasn't having to eat my mid-morning snack as often after having eggs for breakfast. Now thanks to Dr. Dhurandhar I know why. :-)
Contact Dr. Dhurandhar to praise him for his honest research. We need more people like him to look into obesity and help people come to a better understanding of how to bring their weight problem under control. When I weighed 410 pounds, I thought there was no way out. But 180 pounds later thanks to eating eggs and following the low-carb lifestyle, I simply know better. Tell Dr. Dhurandhar to never give up for the sake of the other Jimmy Moores out there who need to know the truth about how to best control their weight.
9-16-05 UPDATE: One of my regular readers sent me the following e-mail today regarding my choice of eggs:
Hey Jimmy,
Been reading your stuff for awhile, got a "low carb" Google Alert going.
Was a little dismayed to see you are eating the cheap eggs though. These may not be the best bet. Vegetarian fed, cage free, make a lot more sense, with a composition much closer to the way God/Mother Nature intended. For awhile I was eating Eggland's Best, but realized that their special feed to lower fat and cholesterol (why bother?) and add Omega 3's meant an unnatural diet was being fed to them. Although Omega 3's are of the utmost importance for good health, I'll stick to fish oil pills (and not junk like flaxseed which also contains Omega 6's which we get way too much of these days).
Man always wants to tinker with what we eat as if they are improving things ... they are not. Keep it natural, and avoid the man-made/altered crap. This includes the garbage seed oils that are foisted on us as "natural vegetable" oils (cotton seed and rape/Canola seed are vegetables?) ... they are not. They are dangerous unstable products made with chemical solvents that oxidize quickly, hence the need of all sorts of preservatives to keep them from getting rancid. Useless, dangerous, unnatural, and unnecessary.
I also avoid anything that cannot be eaten raw (not that I eat things raw). This eliminates things like wheat, soybeans, and grains. This is for Herbivores, not humans. It's interesting to note the grain they want us to eat more of is what is used to fatten cattle. Put cattle on a high fat diet and they will lose weight.
I also notice you mention fiber quite a bit. I found it to be not really necessary to the true Low Carber, the small salads I eat have more than enough.
Oh well, enough for now. Regards.
Lots of food for thought in those comments. I appreciate the feedback. My choice of egg brand has more to do with my financial means at this time than it does choosing the best kind of egg on the market. Sometimes you have to make that choice and live with it. As for your other advice, I think we all have our own opinions and philosophy about what constitutes good low-carb eating. That's the beauty of the low-carb lifestyle is that there are so many variations that can work for virtually anyone and everyone that tries it! THANKS again for the comments and for your readership to "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb."
. She has been privileged enough to be featured in a diverse number of media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, LIFE, USA Today, Shape Magazine, Glamour, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, Whole Foods Markets, National Public Radio, and even the Vegetarian Times.
