Hormone Balancing Raw Carrot Salad
Thanks to Dr. Ray Peat and his simple combination of shredded carrot, coconut oil, vinegar and sea salt, thousands of women (and men!) across the world are experiencing better digestion and a major reduction in estrogen accumulation issues. After consuming the raw carrot salad daily/consistently, many women report significant improvements in things like endometriosis pain, gut issues, dairy tolerance, rashes and acne, PMS symptoms, headaches, migraines, and more.
SO WHO IS THIS GUY?
Dr. Ray Peat is a biologist who has devoted his life to studying hormone physiology in relation to nutrition. He suffered with debilitating migraine headaches leading him to discover that consuming raw carrot salad once or twice daily as well as keeping adequate carbohydrates in the diet resulted in his migraines all but dissapearing. His observations led him to study the effects of estrogen accumulation in the tissues due to low progesterone, iron overload, low thyroid/metabolic rate as well as high stress hormones.
He found a correlation between estrogen, serotonin and his migraines and noticed how the fibers in the raw carrot bound to estrogen and carried it out of the body safely and effectively.
Coconut oil, vinegar and sea salt all have impacts on bacteria, and when added to the raw carrot salad, seem to have a synergistic effect on balancing bacteria in the small intestine and lowering endotoxin (also known as LPS or lipopolysaccharides).
HOW TO MAKE IT…
When consumed daily the raw carrot salad
binds & carries estrogen excreted into the gut
protects from bacterial edotoxin
gently “scrubs” away biofilms & old waste
makes room in liver for blood sugar
lowers metabolic stress & burden
helps normalize gut transit time
“It takes a few days for the intestine to adjust to raw carrot, but the indigestible fiber is very protective for the intestine. Boiled bamboo shoots, which are mostly digestible, have a similar effect. These fibers prevent the reabsorption of estrogen in the intestine, and can shift the balance away from cortisol and estrogen toward profesterone and thyroid in just a few days of regular use. Oatmeal and potatoes do provide fiber, but they are good food for bacteria, and bacterial endotoxin is usually the basic problem causing hormone imbalance by being a chronic burden for the liver, keeping it from storing enough sugar to process thyroid and the other hormones effectively.”
Frequently Asked Questions
CAN I JUST EAT A CARROT?
The raw carrot fiber is the main objective of the salad since it has the ability to bind and carry. A plain, peeled raw carrot will suffice in a pinch, but the addition of vinegar and oil makes it more enjoyable (and a better side when eating with meals).
CAN I USE BABY CARROTS?
Baby carrots are not actually baby carrots! They are usually deformed carrots that aren’t considered pretty enough to sell. They are instead ground up or shaved down and typically soaked in chlorine so they don’t rot (this goes for organic baby carrots as well).
CAN I USE A DIFFERENT OIL?
Coconut oil contains specific gut-beneficial acids like caprilyc and lauric acid. However, authentic extra virgin olive oil can have a similar effect.
SHOULD I EAT IT ALONE?
This depends on the person! Try eating it with, before and after meals and see what works best for your digestion.
CAN I ADD ANYTHING?
Yes! Try adding mustard, pepper, raw honey, fresh shredded ginger, turmeric, apple, or even boiled beets. Jazz it up so it’s something you enjoy. Just make sure it still has the main components so you experience the benefits!
WHAT ABOUT OXALATES?
Some people who are in metabolically imbalanced states are sensitive to plant toxins like oxalates. They can build up in our tissues when we don’t have the right nutrients - like Vitamin K2 and retinol. This leads to eventual reactions to high oxalate foods. Sometimes, fermenting the carrots for a few days to break down some of the plant toxins can help until someone gets to a more nourished and balanced place and handle raw carrot fiber.
Most of the plant toxins in root vegetables are in the peel to ward off bugs and rodens. This is why carrot peel is more bitter than the sweet inside! It’s always a great idea to peel the carrot to reduce the plant toxins like saponins.
WHAT ABOUT BETA-CAROTENE?
Beta carotene is NOT vitamin A in its bioavailable form. It must be converted into retinol to be used by the body. This process requires enzymes that are both cooper and magnesium dependant. When someone is hypothyroid or metabolically struggling, they are often low in magnesium and copper. This can cause beta-carotene to have a hard time converting and it can build up in the body. If this is the case you’ll notice your calluses, hand or feet turning yellow/orange. It can be helpful for some people to rinse some of the beta carotene off by rinsing the carrot pigment off with water before dressing the salad. White carrots have less beta-carotene and can also be a good option!
