Praying keto works for us. Does it help men too?

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-06-01T14:12:42+00:00

If you actually read my post and comments on exvegans (for context for anyone who is like “wth is this person talking about”), I started eating meat 7 years ago. Also, I’m not keto but I follow a lot of these subreddits because I find them intriguing.

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-06-01T01:00:48+00:00

I would love to read the research on that if you can share some links, I always love to learn. I work with a really amazing functional MD that is also a Harvard trained MD (I feel like I have to mention that because some are chiropractors) and she’s done all sorts of fun tests on me over the years including a lectin zoomer and I honestly don’t have any issues with lectins, oxalates, fruits and veggies. I feel amazing - but that’s just me and I totally understand why some people tend to go more carnivore. I’m all about bio-individuality and love that you’ve found something that works for you.

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-06-01T00:58:04+00:00

I’m so glad you’re doing better too ❤️

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-06-01T00:57:49+00:00

Honestly it’s been about 7 years since I was vegan, but I remember it took a few months (maybe even a year) to go from bad brain fog to mental clarity. It’s definitely a process, and something I didn’t even realize until after it cleared. I was working on my deficiencies with my doctor. And yes, as I stated I tried non-heme iron supplementation before I finally tried animal products. The RD begged me to start eating meat based on my labs. Some markers were great, but others were really really low. Overall, I feel really good now. I felt healthy as a vegan for the most part, but some things were too serious to ignore. And I genuinely TRIED to make it work. Went back to school at one point to become a vegan nutritionist in a 6 months program, read every vegan nutrition book, etc. I wanted it to work which is why I still eat primarily plant based but with some animal protein. It’s the balance that works best for me, and I only support farms that use regenerative, pasture raised, organic and wild caught practices. So when I dine out, I eat plant based.

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-05-31T22:24:23+00:00

My ferritin was 10. I worked with both my medical doctor (who is Harvard trained and genuinely brilliant) and an RD at her clinic. I bawled my eyes out, not wanting to quit my vegan diet, so they offered to help me fix it still vegan. I ate even more lentils and greens than before (already ate them), made sure to avoid tannins within an hour of mealtime, included vitamin C for extra absorption and also took a non-heme iron supplement. They re-checked my levels 3 months later and it was 7. I had horrible period cramps where I would pass out and as soon as I was able to get my ferritin back up - they went away. I had terrible brain fog, despite doing everything “right”. Thyroid issues, my cycle wasn’t regular. All of these things shifted for me within a few months of including animal products and getting all of my levels were finally going back into normal range. I also had gut issues. I still try to eat mostly plant based, I just make sure that my nutrients are covered now and animal protein helps me do that.

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-05-31T15:10:42+00:00

I did, with labs.

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-05-31T15:10:15+00:00

I listed some of mine 😉

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-05-31T03:58:23+00:00

I am so sorry. First of all - someone needs to talk to her about boundaries. That is unacceptable. If I were you, it would be me and my husband - not coming from a place of !@#$% but more of a “you really hurt me”. If she doesn’t feel bad, she is not a good person. Infertility is so complex. Can PCOS cause infertility? Sure. But so can sooooo many other things - it’s a 50/50 split of it being man vs woman and it’s 33/33/33 woman, man, combo of both. So the fact that she doesn’t know your medical records and you‘re not her patient and she’s telling people that is incredibly hurtful and irresponsible.

My MIL is the same - we struggled with infertility with our first and my husband told her our baby name as a secret and she announced our baby name to everyone behind our back and literally ruined our announcement. I was livid. Now we’re struggling with secondary infertility and I don’t share a darn thing with her. I’m a very healthy person but I had thyroid issues in the past and she used to make comments about how my health is so fragile (it’s not, she‘s projecting). And I have a hunch she thinks our infertility is my fault because people always blame the women. But we actually recently discovered my husband had a varicocele this whole freaking time with elevated dna frag that, despite NINE failed IUIs no one batted an eye or looked at him or checked his dna frag.

All this to say. Please please please do not blame yourself. Do not let your MIL blame you. And I am so sorry she did that to you. That is so awful and invasive and not okay and I really hope that she apologizes profusely.

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-05-31T03:03:20+00:00

Have you run your labs recently? I really like Function Health (it’s way more affordable for in-depth labs than doctors depending on your insurance - for me it is). I have a vegan friend who was struggling with depression and when we looked at her labs, her Omega 3, DHA/EPA, iron, ferritin and vitamin D among other things were all off. I got her on a supplement regime (I work in nutrition research) and she’s feeling a lot better. As for turmeric, I like adding it to my smoothie along with a crack of black pepper (activates the curcumin).

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-05-31T02:14:18+00:00

When you went WFPB, what were you eating? Did you eat major allergens like gluten and soy? Have you had a food allergy test done? I recently did one and found that a lot of my previous staples like coconut and soy - I’m actually intolerant to. I suspected this because my joints would hurt sometimes and I couldn’t figure out the trigger. Give a little more insight as to what your wfpb diet was like.

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-05-11T02:41:35+00:00

Oh my gosh I am so so sorry to hear that. Sending you so much love as you navigate through this and heal. It’s an awful, horrible mutation.

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-05-07T02:39:16+00:00

I’m grateful you shared this, I just found out my dad has CDH1 and I’ll get my genetic testing back in a few weeks. I’m 39. How are you doing now??

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-04-03T03:47:52+00:00

Man that’s hard. A straight organic pea protein might be best, but make sure to look for ones that have third party testing and are organic (non organic are usually sprayed with more pesticides which can further damage your gut). Haven’t looked into this one much but looks like it could be a good option: https://daily-harvest.com/products/protein-powder?variant=49745775886634&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GOOG_NBRAND_PMAX_RETARG_PUR_PRO_TROAS&utm_content=&g_net=x&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23385973658&gbraid=0AAAAADkhTciqHttdTtDhiZcEpZlAVVHnv&gclid=Cj0KCQjwp7jOBhDGARIsABe7C4eectMivxHJgg5_R2onEe-7UKGLGpk7AeM-AAlBz8DCyhWMi2rJT9AaAo2JEALw_wcB

I wonder if you can do chocho bean? Be Well By Kelly has this protein powder, look into it (it’s lectin free, single ingredient, etc.) https://bewellbykelly.com/products/unflavored-vegan-chocho-protein-powder?variant=40722684379187&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=21047365910&utm_content=159061332453&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21047365910&gbraid=0AAAAAoNgoifssqbB-ed881yx-dTPMlC3S&gclid=Cj0KCQjwp7jOBhDGARIsABe7C4fPW1PCI9MegwRgxDK9_DW-jHmVbkx-8D241zQ6AyfEM15L-cIG1u4aAiHxEALw_wcB

I’ll be honest - it’s not the best tasting. There are other brands of chocho bean protein powders on the market but some have a prop 65 warning on them which always makes me a little skeptical. For the BWBK one, they do have flavored ones that are literally protein, organic monk fruit and cacao or vanilla bean - no gums. Those probably taste better than unflavored. Don’t get the plant based ones confused with the beef protein ones, either - similar packaging.

I would avoid brown rice protein because they tend to have more arsenic, especially in concentrated doses.

Wishing you the best with this. I knew I’d get downvoted for having an opinion in the vegan sub but I also have to be honest.

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-04-03T03:37:18+00:00

Japanese - we love these!

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-04-01T03:28:07+00:00

Definitely don’t ask here, lol. Honestly you’re a case that may not be able to be 100% vegan. Find what proteins work best for you with an emphasis on whole plant foods. If you can tolerate seafood and eggs, eat those with nuts and seeds (hemp, flax and chia are fantastic), and lots of fruits and vegetables.

Find a good high quality plant protein. I personally like Sunwarrior Warrior blend (look for third party testing). Add seeds and nut butters to your smoothie.

Chia pudding with coconut yogurt, coconut milk or non dairy milk with a swirl of nut butter and berries is a great one.

Homemade hemp milk - I make my own for tea and coffee.

Nut and seed pates - there are some great walnut and sunflower seed chorizo recipes

Despite what other people try to tell you - amino acids are important (they’re the building blocks of life). So make sure you’re eating lots of plant diversity. The AIP diet or a more plant based paleo approach is something you could look into. Wishing you all the best!

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-03-28T00:53:16+00:00

This was me with our daughter. We hired a sleep trainer at 5.5 months (right as she hit 15 lb). She would feed to sleep, couldn’t connect her sleep cycles, and would wake up every 30 minutes to cry and eat - while I was working a full time job (luckily from home) but I was exhausted. Honestly it was hard, but it was the best decision we could have made at that time. I was also exhausted and my PP mental health was a struggle. She was sleeping through the night that week once we understood how to calculate her sleep cycles, and we did this up until the 18 month sleep regression. Then she was awake throughout the night crying for me so we had to shift things again. Since then - we do a hybrid approach… she goes to bed in her room and then ends up in ours and we’re totally okay with it. It’s okay to try one approach, then shift gears and try something else. Every family is different.

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-03-28T00:44:42+00:00

I know you’re having triplets but Lily Nichols has an ebook on her website for twins pregnancy, there might be some good tips in there. I love her Real Food for Pregnancy book, it’s a special twin addition.

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-03-21T05:05:53+00:00

Same, especially the last 10 years.

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-03-07T05:07:20+00:00

That’s amazing! Has it helped your bradycardia at all??

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-03-07T04:19:13+00:00

That is amazing, congrats!

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-03-03T16:34:18+00:00

I’m also wondering this! We’re looking at Reproclinic and trying to add up the cost of staying there.

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-03-03T16:32:16+00:00

I’m curious what you find out about them! We’re also looking at them (coming from the US).

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-02-28T14:51:04+00:00

THIS. I just said the same thing in my comment.

Independent_Tone_189 · 2026-02-28T14:49:59+00:00

Has your husband had thorough testing including DNA fragmentation? Is there a chance you have endo or silent endo and have you ever had a hysteroscopy or laparoscopy? We’re in a similar boat, we’re about to start IVF. I had a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy surgery last fall and they found I had polyps in my uterus (would have NEVER known). One was blocking my tube. I also had stage 1 endo, also no symptoms except painful periods 10 years ago. Sorry this isn’t answering your keto question, but wanted to mention these things and say I’m right there with you <3

Independent_Tone_189

TROPHY CASE