Matt_Raw

I found that during my transition to raw a side effect was dry hands. I've also struggled with dry hands for the last four years, I used to put a lot of cream on them after work but I could never do enough to keep them from cracking. When I cut out meat, wheat and dairy they were worse than ever, and it lasted at least four months, without working too, which had always been the cause. But now I'm finding they are able to cope with work much better then ever before. They still get dry, but don't crack, and I wet them more regularly at work then I used to. My best advice is to avoid washing them whenever possible, as I do believe wetting them and then having the water evaporate is a large cause. Then try and wait out the worst months. It gets better. And 100% about the coconut oil. Start putting that on at night, it's very soothing, and my hands feel a lot better the next morning.

ClaireT said:

The exotic fruit section in the grocery store always keeps me entertained. It's not my main staple, but it helps to mix things up a little. Star fruit is a good one. :)

What are your main staple fruits? And how many do you normally have?

I currently eat a lot of bananas to increase my calories. You should check out the channel 'Sweet Natural Living' on YouTube. They are fruitarians and talk a lot about mono meals, and eating large quantities of a select fue fruits. Like banana, Mango, papaya, coconut.

Fantastic, I'll try that out. Good idea about the surplus bananas too.

So I have convinced myself that I am deficient in vitamin B12 and I'd like to know the communities opinion. Probably over the last 4 months I have not always been feeling my normal, energetic 23yo self. To put things into perspective, I have been vegan for 6 months and 95% raw for 6 weeks. When I first cut out meat I felt great, when I then cut out dairy and wheat I felt amazing. But after around 4 months vegan I started to feel a lack of energy. This part is hard to explain. Mentally I am better then ever. Clear mind, no anxiety. Physically I also feel great, no headaches, no mucus, I'm a good weight and I feel like I want to do things... but my body is progressively getting more sluggish. It is mainly my legs, more and more often moving just feels like so much of a chore. They feel light. My arms a little as well. At work I cannot physically move as fast as my colleagues. They thing I'm laid back but I just physically can't at the moment. I run 20 minutes every morning. It takes a lot of motivation. I feel like I have energy to run for hours but my legs just don't want to do it. From my research about B12 this all makes sense. Apparently it effects your red blood cells ability to carry oxygen around the body, and your extremities feel it first. I also get really cold hands and feet and I'm constantly getting numb or tingling hands and feet. I NEVER had this when I ate meat. My feet and hands were always warm. Even as I write this my left foot is numb. I am currently in a cold climate but I'm inside and it's warm. Apparently a lack off B12 also effects motivation. And I feel less and less inclined to do things I normally want to do. Like cycling or hiking or even socialising. So that's the thick of it. What does everyone thing? Anyone had a similar situation? The only other ideas I've had are too much fats from nuts in my diet or not enough sun. However I have not researched these.