My Entrolabs test reveals issues with Gluten, with a minor reaction to Rice.
Well I gave up gluten and limited my rice intake. Since I was still having issues (Gas build up, indigestion (some acid)) no diarrhea. I went and saw a food allergist and they stated I had a low level reaction to Chicken, Eggs, Milk (Entrolabs cleared me of these foods) Tomatoes and Sesame.
Could these foods cause an issue for me or do low level mean probably not going to have much of an impact.
Food allergies vs intolerances.
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Hi Doug,
I assume that you're referring to either blood or skin tests. If so, those are IgE-based reactions, rather than IgA reactions (EnteroLab uses IgA-based tests, which are more accurate for detecting the type of inflammation known to cause MC, namely T-cell infiltration into the epithelia of the intestines).
Still, those test results (if they are reliable) can be associated with mast cell reactions in the gut, (connected with those foods). This is a separate issue, but it can definitely derail our recovery. Some of us have mast cell issues that can prevent remission even if we make the proper diet changes (according to the EnteroLab results). This doesn't apply to everyone who has MC, but it apparently applies to a significant percentage of us.
Mast cell problems are essentially a problem of either inappropriate mast cell degranulation (resulting in the inappropriate release of histamine), or too many foods that are high in histamine, in the diet. Or, a deficiency of diamine oxidase (which is somewhat common with IBDs) can be the cause of the problem, or at least contribute to the problem, due to the fact that diamine oxidase (DAO) normally purges the body of unused histamine. If the amount of DAO available is insufficient, then histamine can build up in the body, leading to inflammation that causes poor digestion (gas, bloating, and for some of us, diarrhea). We are finding (here on this board) that mast cell/histamine problems are quite common with MC.
I note that all of the foods that you named (chicken, eggs, milk, tomatoes, and sesame seeds), are all listed as significant sources of histamine. Therefore, in order to do a test to determine whether this is your problem, if I were in your shoes, I would minimize all high histamine foods in my diet, and take an OTC type 1 antihistamine (such as Claritin, or Allegra) each day. You should be able to see a significant improvement within a day or 2, if this is your problem. I'm not a doctor, so I can't advise you to try this, but if I were in your situation, it's what I would do.
Histamine problems are dosage dependent, meaning that we are not allergic to histamines, nor do we produce antibodies to them, but if we accumulate too many of them in our digestive system at any time, they will cause us to have symptoms. Mast cell problems tend to be sort of self-perpetuating, so they can be rather persistent, if left untreated. After a few weeks or so of a low histamine diet, and taking an antihistamine each morning, often the histamine surplus, and the inappropriate mast cell activity will eventually settle down, so that we won't have to continue to take an antihistamine indefinitely, as long as we're careful not to overdo histamines in our diet.
Tex
I assume that you're referring to either blood or skin tests. If so, those are IgE-based reactions, rather than IgA reactions (EnteroLab uses IgA-based tests, which are more accurate for detecting the type of inflammation known to cause MC, namely T-cell infiltration into the epithelia of the intestines).
Still, those test results (if they are reliable) can be associated with mast cell reactions in the gut, (connected with those foods). This is a separate issue, but it can definitely derail our recovery. Some of us have mast cell issues that can prevent remission even if we make the proper diet changes (according to the EnteroLab results). This doesn't apply to everyone who has MC, but it apparently applies to a significant percentage of us.
Mast cell problems are essentially a problem of either inappropriate mast cell degranulation (resulting in the inappropriate release of histamine), or too many foods that are high in histamine, in the diet. Or, a deficiency of diamine oxidase (which is somewhat common with IBDs) can be the cause of the problem, or at least contribute to the problem, due to the fact that diamine oxidase (DAO) normally purges the body of unused histamine. If the amount of DAO available is insufficient, then histamine can build up in the body, leading to inflammation that causes poor digestion (gas, bloating, and for some of us, diarrhea). We are finding (here on this board) that mast cell/histamine problems are quite common with MC.
I note that all of the foods that you named (chicken, eggs, milk, tomatoes, and sesame seeds), are all listed as significant sources of histamine. Therefore, in order to do a test to determine whether this is your problem, if I were in your shoes, I would minimize all high histamine foods in my diet, and take an OTC type 1 antihistamine (such as Claritin, or Allegra) each day. You should be able to see a significant improvement within a day or 2, if this is your problem. I'm not a doctor, so I can't advise you to try this, but if I were in your situation, it's what I would do.
Histamine problems are dosage dependent, meaning that we are not allergic to histamines, nor do we produce antibodies to them, but if we accumulate too many of them in our digestive system at any time, they will cause us to have symptoms. Mast cell problems tend to be sort of self-perpetuating, so they can be rather persistent, if left untreated. After a few weeks or so of a low histamine diet, and taking an antihistamine each morning, often the histamine surplus, and the inappropriate mast cell activity will eventually settle down, so that we won't have to continue to take an antihistamine indefinitely, as long as we're careful not to overdo histamines in our diet.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Doug.
Tex said what I was going to say ( but much better). I am one of those people who have histamine problems. When I took an allegra in the AM, my symptoms got better by the next day. When I added a Benadryl at night, they got even better. I try to keep my diet low in histamines, but when I know I am eating something I shouldn't , I take a HISTAME. It helps with the DAO Problem( helps with eliminating the amount of histamines in the body).
Another thing that could be causing gas and bloating is sugar/fructose malabsorption. If the sugars aren't absorbed through the small intestine, it goes on to the large intestine and ferments ( gas/bloat). There is also a whole other group of foods that can cause those symptoms. They are called FODMAP foods. The F stands ferment. Google it. My cousin, who only suffers from IBS symptoms, has done this elimination diet and feels so much better.
Good luck
Leah
Tex said what I was going to say ( but much better). I am one of those people who have histamine problems. When I took an allegra in the AM, my symptoms got better by the next day. When I added a Benadryl at night, they got even better. I try to keep my diet low in histamines, but when I know I am eating something I shouldn't , I take a HISTAME. It helps with the DAO Problem( helps with eliminating the amount of histamines in the body).
Another thing that could be causing gas and bloating is sugar/fructose malabsorption. If the sugars aren't absorbed through the small intestine, it goes on to the large intestine and ferments ( gas/bloat). There is also a whole other group of foods that can cause those symptoms. They are called FODMAP foods. The F stands ferment. Google it. My cousin, who only suffers from IBS symptoms, has done this elimination diet and feels so much better.
Good luck
Leah
Thank you very much for the information. I definitely have some type of gas problem I believe. I would say that is might biggest issue, as diarrhea has not been too much of problem, but stomach pain from gas certainly is. It is strange it comes and goes and even when I am in pain for two straight hours, then pain level goes up and down. Sometimes I feel better when I am eating, but the pain always seems to come back. I can be symptom free for a week or so and then it is back. I will try Allegra tomorrow morning.