Paleo and platelet/leukocyte count

[Mark Gebhard]

I've been eating Paleo for >1 year including fish oil supplementation. A few months ago I had some bloodwork done and the numbers were all pretty amazing (yay for Paleo and being young) except that my white blood cell count and platelets were lower than the 95% range of a healthy population. I was retested a month later with no change and the doctor didn't have much of an explanation but said not to worry about it. Unfortunately, I have no pre-Paleo numbers to compare them to.

I've been wondering if it's related to my diet and I have found this paper which seems to indicate that maybe it is. The study compares an ordinary Swedish diet to a Mediterranean-inspired diet with more MUFAs, PUFAs, fruits and vegetables, etc. so I'm guessing it's somewhat generalizable to the Paleo diet.

My questions, then, are:
1. Has anyone noticed these lowered bloodwork numbers after eating Paleo?

2. I'm a firm believer that Paleo can do no wrong, so do you think that the general population just has elevated platelets and leukocytes, and lowered levels are a more natural state?

3. Can anyone offer a physiological / immunological explanation or theory as to why lower platelets and leukocytes might be better?

(Is there a hematologist in the house?)

[Robb Wolf]

Mark-
The EGF, platelets and white cells all play into the vascular endothelial damage seen in most people. Lower those items and one decreases the likelihood of vascular damage, clots and atherosclerosis.

[Garrett Smith]

Low platelet counts can be indicative of solvent toxicity.

Low WBC and platelets could be indicative of bone marrow suppression from toxic metals.

Or you could just be SO healthy your body doesn't need that many of either of them.

Personally, to be safe, I'd look into the toxicity first to be safe, rather than just assuming you're one of the healthiest people on this toxic planet...

[Mark Gebhard]

How are solvent toxicity and heavy metal toxicity diagnosed? My googling skills are apparently lacking. Would it be wise, whether with or without a diagnosis, to try some sort of detox like eating tons of cilantro and maybe chlorella? Any other suggestions for do-it-yourself detox?

[Garrett Smith]

For those who are squeamish about bodily fluids, don't read this to the end.

Mark,
There is a quantitative blood test for solvents, it's about $600. Otherwise, there is a qualitative urine test strip I've heard about (I'm still trying to find out who provides these). Basically, one can assume that solvents are present in everyone on the planet--see the Environmental Working Group for more information than you probably want to know. It's whether or not they are affecting you in clinically relevant manners and how preventative you choose to be.

As for metals, I do a two-part urine test, using a chelating agent. I don't suggest the DIY approach in this area too much, unless you plan on post-treatment testing to confirm that the load has been reduced. I have used the cilantro/chlorella approach in the past, it has not been as effective nor time-efficient as the approach I'm using now.

My treatment approach deals with the metals and the liver, which combined with exercise, will definitely help get rid of the solvents. The proper diet, over a long period of time, will help get rid of these things, whether or not it can outpace the rate they are coming in is another matter.

For example, I have a model patient who has been extremely good about her diet and basic supplements for about 8 months now. She had an extensive history of antibiotic and medication use. She is now detoxing solvents. How do I know? She tells me that her BO smells like cardboard and she has a mild vaginal discharge that smells of RAID (insecticide). I'm glad that this stuff is coming out...now I'm simply trying to help her body accelerate the process...I have not done a toxic metals test on her yet, that is something I'm looking forward to...

[Yael Grauer]

There is actually no evidence that cilantro removes mercury in humans. PubMed has some studies that were published in a journal of electroacupuncture--they use muscle testing to assess the status of mercury. Not exactly scientific. I'd be interested in any before and after heavy metal status urine tests to assess mercury load.

OTOH, I know a handful of people who thought they had heavy metal intoxication completely remove their symptoms through diet alone.

[Garrett Smith]

Diet can absolutely do it alone, it just takes a freakin' loooooooong time compared to a focused oral chelation/detox protocol, IMO.