At last! Evidence that IBS is not psychological

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 10:57 am

For all those "IBS" sufferers out there. Here is visual evidence that sensitivity to FODMAPS is the trigger in IBS/Spastic colon.

http://sciencenordic.com/first-image-irritable-bowel

And here's a depressing list of FODMAPS:

http://www.ibsdiets.org/fodmap-diet/fodmap-food-list/

Notice wheat is one of the biggest offenders.

I think some of the variations in response to FODMAPS have to do with variations in gut flora. This excess fluid observation makes me wonder if this is the classic gurgling we all experience with MC??

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Tue Oct 28, 2014 9:34 am

The Norwegian article mentions serotonin.

I once had a boyfriend who had Tourette's Syndrom, and since then I have been interested in the importance of serotonin. I have collected some information:

Gelatine/glycine regulates the serotonin and counteracts the negative health issues of serotonin, both in the brain and in the gut.
http://raypeat.com/articles/aging/trypt ... ging.shtml

http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/gelatin.shtml

Irritable bowel syndrome, another kind of "movement disorder" can be treated effectively with anti-serotonin agents. This syndrome is very common in women, with premenstrual exacerbations, when estrogen is highest.

http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/serotonin.shtml

"In recent years, evidence has mounted in favor of the antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory and cytoprotective effects of the simplest amino acid L-glycine. Glycine protects against shock caused by hemorrhage, endotoxin and sepsis, prevents ischemia/reperfusion and cold storage/reperfusion injury to a variety of tissues and organs including liver, kidney, heart, intestine and skeletal muscle, and diminishes liver and renal injury caused by hepatic and renal toxicants and drugs. Glycine also protects against peptidoglycan polysaccharide-induced arthritis...and inhibits gastric secretion....and protects the gastric mucosa against chemically and stress-induced ulcers.

Glycine appears to exert several protective effects, including antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory and direct cytoprotective actions. Glycine acts on inflammatory cells such as macrophages to suppress activation of transcription factors and the formation of free radicals and inflammatory cytokines. In the plasma membrane, glycine appears to activate a chloride channel that stabilizes or hyperpolarizes the plasma membrane potential. As a consequence, .... opening of ... calcium channels and the resulting increases in intracellular calcium ions are suppressed, which may account for the immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory effects of glycine. Lastly, glycine blocks the opening of relatively non-specific pores in the plasma membrane that occurs as the penultimate event leading to necrotic cell death".

Zhong Z, Wheeler MD, Li X, Froh M, Schemmer P, Yin M, Bunzendaul H, Bradford B, Lemasters JJ., "L-Glycine: a novel antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, and cytoprotective agent." Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2003 Mar;6(2):229-40.

If you have an unbalance in the serotonin production, gelatine, because of its high level of glycine, is good. Glycine counteracts the negative effects of serotonin. Salt (unrefined, unbleached seasalt), magnesium, more saturated fat (especially short and middle chained fat) and proteins, more cholesterol, and more Bvitamins are good sources. And the main reason for an unbalance in the serotonin level - whether it is too high or too low - is gut inflammation. 90% of the serotonin is produced in "the brain in the gut", i.e. the advanced nerve system in the gut.

PS: A good source of glycine is bone broth.

Lilja

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Tue Oct 28, 2014 10:53 am

Those first 2 articles are blowing my mind!! I've just started learning about neurotransmitters and their role in disease. I had an organic acids urine test that showed I had too much dopamine and not enough norepinephrine. Can't remember what it said about serotonin, but it sure makes sense!! Makes me want to start a pot of bone broth ASAP!! Fascinating!!

Post by **tex** » Tue Oct 28, 2014 11:36 am

IMO, those articles are right on target. The human digestive system, (like the digestive systems of all other mammals) was designed to digest whole foods (not synthesized or individual amino acids).

Tex

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Tue Oct 28, 2014 12:14 pm

Zizzle,
More about amino acids.... I posted this a couple of months back...

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... ight=amino

AnnW · Post by **AnnW** » Tue Oct 28, 2014 4:15 pm

Zizzle:

You noted the list of FODMAPs was depressing. However, the low FODMAP diet is designed to be used like an elimination diet. You first remove all FODMAPs for a few weeks. If a significant reduction in symptoms is achieved, then FODMAPs are added back slowly, by classification, to determine which type(s) of FODMAP produces symptoms in the patient. Also, the negative effects of FODMAPs are cumulative. Many patients can handle small amounts, but too much of any one type of of FODMAP, or too many together can induce symptoms. Thus it is not as restrictive as it might seem at first. I would permanently exclude gluten in MC/IBD patients.

Dr. Ann

AnnW · Post by **AnnW** » Tue Oct 28, 2014 4:30 pm

Gabes:

One has to be careful when using individual amino acids. The body often changes one type of amino acid into another in biochemical pathways. For example, glycine can calming, but if taken for too long or in very high amounts, it will be turned into excitatory amino acids and then have the opposite effect of what was intended. That goes for all amino acids. Serotonin is known for it's calming effect, but too little in the gut can cause problems just as easily as too much. Lotronex, used for IBS, is a gut serotonin inhibitor. However, one of its known side effects is ischemic colitis. Parts of the intestine are destroyed due to lack of oxygen. Another side effect is intestinal obstruction. I studied a lot of biochemical pathways and I still have to be careful when recommending individual amino acids, particulary long term. The law of unintended consequences is always lirking!

Dr. Ann

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Tue Oct 28, 2014 5:35 pm

Ann
i dont supplement individual amino acids per say and was not recommending to supplement them as individuals. The info about Metallothionein, I was highlighting the importance of amino acids. Bone broth has about 75% of the required amino acids in a good balance with gelatin. the same for my rice protein. I have small amounts of each every day.

moreso in the metallothionein i was pointing out the 'affordable' benefit of having something like bone broth with a low inflammation, gut healing bland eating plan, as a means of getting essential nutrients that our bodies need post major gut inflammation (and sticking with that eating plan as much as possible) to optimise healing

Our body chemistry, cell deficiencies etc is very very individual.... Totally get that!! Which is why listening to our bodies and decoding the messages is important...

AnnW · Post by **AnnW** » Tue Oct 28, 2014 5:41 pm

Gabes:

I know you were not trying to recommend anything. I just thought I would post that for information purposes only.

Dr. Ann

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 2:11 pm

So I went to see my integrative medicine doc yesterday and she "prescribed" a dizzying array of supplements to "heal and seal" my gut. Most were based on the results of my organic acids urine test last year. Apparently I have high serotonin (VERY high 5-HIAA). That must explain why I'm one of the calmest people I know!! Then again, I do eat lots of bananas and avocados...

High 5.hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) (Marker 35) may occur in celiac or tropical sprue, carcinoid tumors, or
from ingestion of foods high in serotonin, such as avocado, banana, tomato, plum, walnut, pineapple or eggplant.
Elevated values may also result from supplementing with tryptophan itself or 5-hydroxy-tryptophan (5-HTP); if this is the
case, a high value does not necessarily indicate the need to reduce oreliminate supplementation. It is possible that
excessive tryptophan intake can lead to overproduction olthe neurotoxic and infiammatory metallolile quinolinic acid.
(See quinoiinic acid value and interpretation.)

This results was also very, very high:

High 3-hydroxyburyric and/or aceroacetic acids (Markers 41,42) indicate increased metabolic utilization of fatty
acids. These ketones are associated with diabetes mellitus, fasting, dieting (ketogenic or SCD diet), or illness such as
nausea or flu, among many other causes. Regardless of cause, supplementation with L-carnitine or acetyl-L-carnitine
(500-1000mg per day) may be beneficial.

I don't recall being low carb when I did this test. Do some people burn ketones despite diet? What does that mean? Could that explain my weight loss and low cholesterol?

Here's the list: Note she did not sell any to me, so there was no profit motive involved.

Vitamin D3 - 5,000IU/day (I was on 5,000 3x/week)

L-Carnitine - I have serious reservations about this one. It can cause lots of GI symptoms!

Glutathione (I took it on and off while on Nystatin. It's the most disgusting tasting liquid EVER!)

NAC - a glutathione precursor (overkill, no?)

Turmeric

L. Rhamnosus probiotic strain (for high Hippuric acid - sign of bacterial overgrowth)

B-complex with riboflavin & B6 and COQ-10 for high succinic acid - OK, no brainer

Vitamin C (2 grams per day!) and possibly copper for low dopamine betahydroxylase enzyme. I can do 1 gram a day. 2 gms would case D, no?? I'm using powdered ascorbic acid. She didn't think Vit C caused D at all!!

I asked if there'd be any room for food after all these supplements.

I'm already taking cal-mag and not enough of my Pure Encapsulations Multi, and I was about to start taking zinc.

She also ordered another CDSA complete stool analysis. We only wanted the amoeba test (to see if I caught it from my daughter - very likely), but it's more expensive to order the test alone. My last CDSA was more than 2 year ago, so probably worth a re-check. So I'm off all probiotics until I collect the samples.

Would you take all the supplements above??

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 3:08 pm

I have been researching Nac... it is on my next to do list once i get through the Pyrrole corrections.
It is getting good kudos to help with leaky gut.

I am doing 2000mg of Vit C a day, if you spread the intake over the day it has not caused me any issues.
(I am now more D dominate MC'er, so i do react if I take too much magnesium/Vit C orally at one time)

Turmeric - I didnt tolerate this when I tried it.

Is the B6 the active form??

With any of them - start slow, and one at a time, your body will soon tell you if it is a keeper!

I take about 8 tabs/caps 4 times a day, plus the linguals (iodine, CoQ10,) and the powders as drinks!
It takes me about 700ml of water just to get the tabs/caps down. It is a bit full on, but it is working!!

AnnW · Post by **AnnW** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:29 pm

Zizzle:

2-hydroxybutyric acid or hydroxybutyrate is a ketone body. Elevations point to metabolic acidosis and/or impaired glucose metabolism. When fatty acids are metabolized, the excess is converted to hydroxybutyrate. Mild elevations will occur in very low carbohydrate diets. If so, carbohydrate intake should be balanced to avoid metabolic acidosis. Chromium, B-complex vitamins, and CoQ10 supplementation can support carbohydrate utilization. Higher elevations may indicate a genetic defect, trauma, or infection (severe). How high was your 2-hydroxybutyric acid compared to the normals? L-carnitine is required to transport fatty acids into the mitochondria to be burned for energy which is why it is being recommended. What supplements are you currently on? Maybe just a few need to be adjusted/added. I suspect the high 5-HIAA is due to the avocados and bananas.

Dr. Ann

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 9:03 am

How high was your 2-hydroxybutyric acid compared to the normals?

Apparently mine are scary high:
The reference range for 3-Hydroxybutyric is less than 3.1. Mine was 39 -- far off the chart.
The reference range for Acetoacetic is less than 10. Mine was 156!!

The 6 other Ketone and Fatty Acid Oxidation markers were within range.

What does this mean? Could I have metabolic acidosis despite my healthy, almost Paleo (but not low-carb) diet? What am I doing wrong?!?

I should mention that at the time of this OAT test (February), I was still on the AIP Paleo diet but eating rice, sweet potatoes and fruit. My Dermatomyositis was also flaring, although 60% improved by diet, so I was having active skin and muscle inflammation. I'm starting to worry about my kidneys' role in all of this. I had a serious kidney infection when I was 3, and went on to suffer 3+ UTIs per year in my adolescence. I feel like I'm constantly trying to fight off the threat of a UTI.

AnnW · Post by **AnnW** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 6:07 pm

Zizzle:

You were obviously in some kind of metabolic acidosis. Inflammation and infections can cause elevations of 3-hydroxybutyric acid. So can deficiencies in vitamin B12, but I am not suspecting that here. Severe candida overgrowth, which you have, could be THE cause of your very high elevations and I suspect it was/is the most likely cause. The same goes for the acetoacetic acid. Elevations in acetoacetic acid is often caused by severe candida overgrowth. You will need to continue to try to keep this yeast under control. It is also a common factor in UTI's. UTI's are bacterial but can be fungal too, and candida often keeps the cycle going. It might help to take some supplementatl N-A-C to help your body detoxify the mycotoxins being produced.

It will be interesting to see what your 23andMe shows.

Dr. Ann

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Tue Nov 04, 2014 11:48 am

I think I'm having a revelation...or I'm digging too deep for clues.

I started taking L-Carnintine (Jarrow brand, 500 mg, Taurate/Carnipure form) with 100 mg Ubiquinol. Made the mistake of taking it in the evening, and only slept 4 hours that night! I was wired!! Heart thumping in my chest (but not fast), muscles twitching. It felt crazy, but not unwell. Had tons of energy the following day too, despite no sleep. So I posted about L-Carnitine in my Dermatomyositis support group and learned several people take it. One woman replied: "All three of my kids have carnitine deficiency and need to take the supplement along with the co-q10. I'm also on the low end. The drs feel that it was the carnitine deficiency that ended up causing my DM 19 years ago."

So I looked up carnitine deficiency, and realized I've had some mild symptoms all my life! Namely hypoglycemia (can't fast), and unusually terrible muscle endurance, lactic acid build-up, etc. I was a sprinter, but could never keep up with other kids endurance-wise, no matter how hard I trained. I can't run more than a mile now (with great difficulty). I thought it was a short-twitch muscle thing... Now I'm wondering if I might be a carrier of this mutation! I wonder if NIH or 23and Me test for it? http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/primar ... deficiency

My NIH doc says they are expecting the next round of results for me any day now. This will be genome tests and investigational autoantibody tests. I need answers!!

So I took my L. Carnitine an hour ago (this time without the Ubiquinol) and I'm already feeling a little reved up.