Just following up based on my latest blood tests. Here's the comparison of relevant parameters:
7/16/2009
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Condition: Intermittant fasting with basically 12 hours on, 36 hours off. Body weight about 5 pounds below college minimum.
White cell count: 3.58x10^9/L
Neutrophils: 1554/mm3
Platelets: 216x10^9/L
Resveratrol: 98% 500mg/d
Grape extract: 1 pill per day, from Life Extension Foundation
10/26/2009
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Condition: 6 weeks after exiting IF, converted to high-vitamin-K2 mostly-paleo diet. Exceptions: Unlimited cheese and butter; maximum 1L of milk per week; about one slice of bread a day, or equivalent rice. No other carbs except those in nuts. Absolutely no fruit or raw sugar sources, other than incidental amounts in sauces or veggies. The blood test was taken because I had a throat infection which was resulting in traces of blood in the sputum. (The infection has since cleared with antibiotics.) At the time, I had ceased gingival bleeding 2 or 3 weeks prior, likely due to reduction in fish oil intake (to about 30% of previous), increased cheese and butter consumption (vitamin K2), and increased dark leafy green consumption (vitamin K1). Gained about 10 pounds relative to previous test.
White cell count 5.62x10^9/L
Neutrophils 4237/mm3
Platelets 222x10^9/L
Resveratrol 98% 1000mg/d (for about 3 weeks)
Grape extract: 0
Now, the question is, did the neutrophils rise because (1) I had an infection, (2) because I had exited IF since the last test, (3) because the lab in the first test (in a different country entirely) was malfunctioning, or (4) due to cessation of grape extract? (The second test was done in a better hospital.) Maybe all 4. The increase from 1554 (borderline neutropenic) to 4237 (high normal) at least demonstrates to me that I'm capable of manufacturing neutrophils so as to fight infection. So my hairy cell leukemia theory appears to be wrong (phew!).
Note that while my resveratrol intake doubled -- my crude attempt to hang on IF's benefits, while restoring a functional level of energy to my life -- my empirical clotting behavior improved to the point of zero gingivitis. This at least suggests that if resveratrol increases clotting time, then the effect can be reversed by other dietary changes.
Incidentally, between the first and second tests, my sleep apnea condition has utterly reversed. I've gone from zombie to "regular guy" -- after about 2 years as the former! It has cleared so well that I hardly need a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device at night at all, anymore -- just when I'm super-tired or nasally congested. This is particularly noteworthy because my weight actually increased by about 10 pounds, which is basically guaranteed to _worsen_ sleep apnea. Hmm... resveratrol's effects on brain chemistry and sleep requirements? Spooky!
The only other noteworthy point is that my sex drive has exploded, starting roughly a week after doubling resveratrol. Possible causes: resveratrol itself, the increase in caloric intake, or better sleep. Qualitatively, it's back to where it was before I descended into sleep apnea. I mention this because I've noticed other people suggesting a resveratrol connection. (This would be surprising, considering that CR definitely decreases sex drive. But it's probably worthy of more analysis with more data points.)
Edited by resveratrol_guy, 02 November 2009 - 01:54 PM.