Hey everyone, I'm still pretty new to the site and had a couple questions about nutritionists and supplements to take when working out...
I do quite a bit of weight lifting and am pretty active and was curious if anyone had any suggestions for protein powders. I currently use Carnivor from MuscleMeds. It is made from beef protein isolate and is lactose free, sugar free, and gluten free but I know there are a lot of other ingredients in it that may cause flares for my LC. I haven't had any issues yet but wanted to know about any other 'cleaner' protein powders out there.
Also, is it worth the cost to see a nutritionist that specializes in MC? I've already cleaned up my diet and started going gluten free this week but would it be best to see a specialist to make sure I'm getting all the vitamins and such to fit my active lifestyle.
Thanks!
Supplements/Nutritionist?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
I would be very surprised if you would be able to find a nutritionist that even knows how to treat MC, let alone specializes in treating MC patients. Many of them will say that they are qualified, and they will provide their standard treatment for IBDs, but based on the disappointing experiences of many other members here, that simply does not work for MC. We usually do best by figuring out our own customized diet based on the information posted here by others who have been living with the disease for a while.Jeff wrote:Also, is it worth the cost to see a nutritionist that specializes in MC?
There's not much point in worrying about a well balanced diet until we have our symptoms under control, and healing well under way, because many nutrients just pass right through us anyway, until our guts have done some significant healing. Once we have our digestive system back on track, then we can fine our diet successfully. The main point is to minimize the inflammation, and get plenty of safe protein, to promote healing.
I'm not familiar with protein powders, but a few other members have tried various types. Hopefully some of them will see this post and respond.
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.
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Most practitioners treat all IBD's the same. MC is not the same as other IBD's.
I was seeing naturopath and acupuncturist for many years before my MC Dx, once Dx'd, based on what I learnt from this forum, they helped me tweak diet, supplements etc to come up with a good approach to healing.
Save your money and spend a couple of hours each week on the forum reading.....
There is a wealth of information and proven learnings....
Use the search function to find previous discussions.
There are quite a few single ingredient type protein powders on the market. If you do a search of the archives you will find the previous discussions, that mentions types and brands etc.
I use a rice based protein, (as I react badly to soy) there is also pea, hemp etc
(As I am in Aus, I am not familiar with brands and types in USA)
To support the weight lifting sport, I highly recommend having home made bone broth based on your safe meat(s) - bone broth has gelatine to help the gut heal, moreso it has essential amino acids and other minerals that your body needs. It is a good foundation for a healthy, healing eating plan.
As tex said, the ability to absorb nutrients is compromised until you remove all major triggers, minimise inflammation, get some good gut healing underway.
The best foundation for long term wellness is figuring out your safe eating plan, and giving your gut time to heal.
I was seeing naturopath and acupuncturist for many years before my MC Dx, once Dx'd, based on what I learnt from this forum, they helped me tweak diet, supplements etc to come up with a good approach to healing.
Save your money and spend a couple of hours each week on the forum reading.....
There is a wealth of information and proven learnings....
Use the search function to find previous discussions.
There are quite a few single ingredient type protein powders on the market. If you do a search of the archives you will find the previous discussions, that mentions types and brands etc.
I use a rice based protein, (as I react badly to soy) there is also pea, hemp etc
(As I am in Aus, I am not familiar with brands and types in USA)
To support the weight lifting sport, I highly recommend having home made bone broth based on your safe meat(s) - bone broth has gelatine to help the gut heal, moreso it has essential amino acids and other minerals that your body needs. It is a good foundation for a healthy, healing eating plan.
As tex said, the ability to absorb nutrients is compromised until you remove all major triggers, minimise inflammation, get some good gut healing underway.
The best foundation for long term wellness is figuring out your safe eating plan, and giving your gut time to heal.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Hi Jeff,
Agree with the others....spend several hours a day on hear is more productive than a nutritionist. We've had discussions about protein powders before. Suggest search term "protein powder" to look at further discussions.
We have some very athletic folk on here so hopefully they will chime in. I've not tried the powders.
Brandy
Agree with the others....spend several hours a day on hear is more productive than a nutritionist. We've had discussions about protein powders before. Suggest search term "protein powder" to look at further discussions.
We have some very athletic folk on here so hopefully they will chime in. I've not tried the powders.
Brandy
Hi! I use Plain Nutribiotic Organic Rice Protein powder every day. I get it on Amazon. I tried a few other protein powders without success. I use it in my morning smoothie with almond milk and some frozen fruit.
I also worried about getting all the vitamins I needed in the beginning, but a very simple diet will allow you to heal. Read all you can here. It will make all the difference!
Kathy
I also worried about getting all the vitamins I needed in the beginning, but a very simple diet will allow you to heal. Read all you can here. It will make all the difference!
Kathy
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UkuleleLady
- Gentoo Penguin
- Posts: 383
- Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 4:45 pm
- Location: Texas
Hey Jeff, wanted to welcome you to the site. A lot of us lift and workout (as much as we can) these days. A couple of personal trainers here, too.
My personal feeling is that meat is a more effective source of protein than powders, especially if you're reacting and don't know what you're reacting to. Some protein powders have a lot of ingredients, just not worth the risk. I am allergic to eggs, dairy, rice, soy lots of things, so I get my protein from meat and seafood. Early in recovery the more simple food you can have and the fewer supplements the better. Vitamin d is a good idea though so get some drops or a sublingual form of that.
Read around the site and keep asking any questions you want we are here to help.
Nancy
My personal feeling is that meat is a more effective source of protein than powders, especially if you're reacting and don't know what you're reacting to. Some protein powders have a lot of ingredients, just not worth the risk. I am allergic to eggs, dairy, rice, soy lots of things, so I get my protein from meat and seafood. Early in recovery the more simple food you can have and the fewer supplements the better. Vitamin d is a good idea though so get some drops or a sublingual form of that.
Read around the site and keep asking any questions you want we are here to help.
Nancy
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. ~The Dalai Lama
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seeljanerun
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Wed Aug 14, 2013 11:33 am
jhdorn16,
welcome :)
I have had MC for approaching a decade now and have always dealt with symptoms.
I am at the point where I can have semi-formed movements, 2-4 times per day, and this is diet in conjunction with a steroid drug, entocort.
I have expanded my diet to include many more vegetables and fruits since starting the entocort, so sometimes I wonder if this is impacting my ability to recover further - yet, by including these other foods, I seem to have a lot more energy and feel better overall, so that is why I have brought them back in the first place.
In any case, what others have stated is correct - a savy nutritionist can guide you in terms of supplements that might be useful or provide you information about fodmaps, food intolerances, histamine intolerance, low GI, etc. but ultimately, you will have to be your own watchdog in terms of what foods seem to work best for you. The only thing that we seem to all have in common is that following a restricted diet does help our symptoms - you just have to stick with the at times arduous process of figuring out what does bother you.
As a long distance runner and occasional lifter, I like Vega Sport Protein in Vanilla. It is a vegan protein, which I know is touted as not as effective as animal protein for muscle building, but I really do believe this one is a good one. The only additives are vanilla & stevia. It uses a protein blend of pea, saviseed, sprouted brown rice & alfalfa protein. It is not cheap, but it also includes L-glutamine & branched chain amino acids, as well as digestive enzymes, so depending on dosage you may not have to take those separately if they are part of your regime when you consume it. I also like Manitoba Harvest Hemp Pro 70. The down side to both of these proteins however is that they do not taste fabulous on their own; I usually mix them into something or make a smoothie with them. I have stayed away from beef protein because I tried it and was not able to tolerate it well, but if you think it works well for you, you could try going to TrueNutrition.com and make your own blend of beef protein without the questionable additives. Plant based proteins also come with their own mixed bag - some people's GIs are so irritated that they react to the innate defense mechanisms of plants- physical and/or biological.
As someone who is studying to become a registered dietician, I can tell you that the general curriculum does not prepare RDs for something like microscopic colitis, and so you would have to find someone who is really savvy and open minded; still, such an RD would only be able to serve as a guide, since food intolerances/reactions are highly individualized. I would say it would depend on if you're the kind of person who benefits from supervised guidance and encouragement when making dietary changes or if you feel like you have the time/energy/motivation to track down the information on this site and implement strategic changes. I kind of feel like I would have benefited from someone holding my hand through all this to be honest - I have spent years bouncing around making various dietary changes but not being focused enough in my approaches, and so I always continued to struggle.
I don't know if this would be helpful to you as a weight lifter, but one supplement I have found that I really love is UCan Super Starch. It is a low GI carbohydrate powder with electrolytes that my stomach handles extremely well. It provides long lasting energy when I work out, but I have also mixed it in with some protein powder to get me through work. Again, not cheap; also, it is corn based, and some people with MC are sensitive to corn, so there is that...
In any case, welcome :) & good luck to you as you figure this all out!
welcome :)
I have had MC for approaching a decade now and have always dealt with symptoms.
I am at the point where I can have semi-formed movements, 2-4 times per day, and this is diet in conjunction with a steroid drug, entocort.
I have expanded my diet to include many more vegetables and fruits since starting the entocort, so sometimes I wonder if this is impacting my ability to recover further - yet, by including these other foods, I seem to have a lot more energy and feel better overall, so that is why I have brought them back in the first place.
In any case, what others have stated is correct - a savy nutritionist can guide you in terms of supplements that might be useful or provide you information about fodmaps, food intolerances, histamine intolerance, low GI, etc. but ultimately, you will have to be your own watchdog in terms of what foods seem to work best for you. The only thing that we seem to all have in common is that following a restricted diet does help our symptoms - you just have to stick with the at times arduous process of figuring out what does bother you.
As a long distance runner and occasional lifter, I like Vega Sport Protein in Vanilla. It is a vegan protein, which I know is touted as not as effective as animal protein for muscle building, but I really do believe this one is a good one. The only additives are vanilla & stevia. It uses a protein blend of pea, saviseed, sprouted brown rice & alfalfa protein. It is not cheap, but it also includes L-glutamine & branched chain amino acids, as well as digestive enzymes, so depending on dosage you may not have to take those separately if they are part of your regime when you consume it. I also like Manitoba Harvest Hemp Pro 70. The down side to both of these proteins however is that they do not taste fabulous on their own; I usually mix them into something or make a smoothie with them. I have stayed away from beef protein because I tried it and was not able to tolerate it well, but if you think it works well for you, you could try going to TrueNutrition.com and make your own blend of beef protein without the questionable additives. Plant based proteins also come with their own mixed bag - some people's GIs are so irritated that they react to the innate defense mechanisms of plants- physical and/or biological.
As someone who is studying to become a registered dietician, I can tell you that the general curriculum does not prepare RDs for something like microscopic colitis, and so you would have to find someone who is really savvy and open minded; still, such an RD would only be able to serve as a guide, since food intolerances/reactions are highly individualized. I would say it would depend on if you're the kind of person who benefits from supervised guidance and encouragement when making dietary changes or if you feel like you have the time/energy/motivation to track down the information on this site and implement strategic changes. I kind of feel like I would have benefited from someone holding my hand through all this to be honest - I have spent years bouncing around making various dietary changes but not being focused enough in my approaches, and so I always continued to struggle.
I don't know if this would be helpful to you as a weight lifter, but one supplement I have found that I really love is UCan Super Starch. It is a low GI carbohydrate powder with electrolytes that my stomach handles extremely well. It provides long lasting energy when I work out, but I have also mixed it in with some protein powder to get me through work. Again, not cheap; also, it is corn based, and some people with MC are sensitive to corn, so there is that...
In any case, welcome :) & good luck to you as you figure this all out!
Jane
I found that finding a dietician was a huge help to me. I started seeing her before my diagnosis because I wasn't feeling well. Imagine that. She is very open minded and even read Tex's book. She does tend to add a lot of things that I have to tell her....nope gut is not healed enough for that yet. But she is very useful in guiding me through Stool Testing, Nuritional status bloodwork, and hormonal issues. They also use enterolab for their clients which for us is a positive sign. I think it is very individualized like Jane says. I need a lot of guidance! Especially at first when it seems that you've just walked into Zimbabwe. I think I'm gonna have to say goodbye to her soon though....I need a car! These tests and vitamins are expensive but worth it for me. I have to use my own knowledge and intuition, this forum, and some of the things she suggests combined. You have to stay true to what you know and don't let dogma take over. Sometimes hard to do.
Vanessa
Jane,
Excellent, excellent post. IMO you are right on target. The right kind of help can be extremely beneficial, but where the rubber meets the road, no one else can fight this battle for us. We have to make the decisions that matter, and we alone are ultimately responsible for making sure that we do everything necessary in order to reach a level of recovery that we consider to be acceptable.
That said, I can't help but wonder if there might be a ready market for the services of a good MC Recovery Coach — the MC recovery equivalent of a personal trainer. And Vanessa's post seems to support this. You might want to consider that as a career option (possibly as a sideline, while you are establishing a track record).
Tex
Excellent, excellent post. IMO you are right on target. The right kind of help can be extremely beneficial, but where the rubber meets the road, no one else can fight this battle for us. We have to make the decisions that matter, and we alone are ultimately responsible for making sure that we do everything necessary in order to reach a level of recovery that we consider to be acceptable.
That said, I can't help but wonder if there might be a ready market for the services of a good MC Recovery Coach — the MC recovery equivalent of a personal trainer. And Vanessa's post seems to support this. You might want to consider that as a career option (possibly as a sideline, while you are establishing a track record).
I did the same thing for a year and a half. Then one day it dawned on me that I was just going in circles, and if I intended to get my life back I was going to have to get serious about it.Jane wrote:I have spent years bouncing around making various dietary changes but not being focused enough in my approaches, and so I always continued to struggle.
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.
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seeljanerun
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Wed Aug 14, 2013 11:33 am
Welcome! Being both a personal trainer and a certified nutrition specialist with MC, I agree with everyone who says that most out there are clueless about MC. Save your money. Getting rid of gluten, dairy, and soy for now will help tremendously.After you heal, you can test the soy. Having said that, IF you are reacting to soy, do not drink a protein powder that is pea protein based. Peas are legumes and closely related to soy. The shake you are using might be fine. I am aware of the one you are using. BUT EATING PROTEIN is your best best. The less ingredients you take in right now, the better.
Stay hydrated. If you are not having bad D, you might want to take vitamins D ( at least 5000 IU) and B to keep your energy up.
Good luck
Leah
Stay hydrated. If you are not having bad D, you might want to take vitamins D ( at least 5000 IU) and B to keep your energy up.
Good luck
Leah
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seeljanerun
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Wed Aug 14, 2013 11:33 am
Leah,
Is that a designation you created? or was there actually a program for MC nutrition? Just curious!
& thanks for the reminder about the legume/soy connection; you're right to say that it makes more sense to focus on whole foods/single ingredient foods when you are figuring this whole thing out.
The only reason I gravitate towards protein powder to begin with is that my diet is very whole/fresh food based and having one thing I can just dump in a shaker bottle and drink up when life is crazy is hard to let go of. Also, my appetite/digestion often feels impaired post-workout, depending on length, and it's an easy source of calories to get down.
We all have excuses for why we aren't perfect don't we? ;)
In any case, it all comes down to level of motivation, what works for you, and, as Tex also said, what level of remission you're comfortable with/willing to accept; I do believe there comes a point where the level of obsession/stress that strict dietary rules might cause could rule out the benefits of the dietary restriction, but it entirely depends on the personality of the individual.
Is that a designation you created? or was there actually a program for MC nutrition? Just curious!
& thanks for the reminder about the legume/soy connection; you're right to say that it makes more sense to focus on whole foods/single ingredient foods when you are figuring this whole thing out.
The only reason I gravitate towards protein powder to begin with is that my diet is very whole/fresh food based and having one thing I can just dump in a shaker bottle and drink up when life is crazy is hard to let go of. Also, my appetite/digestion often feels impaired post-workout, depending on length, and it's an easy source of calories to get down.
We all have excuses for why we aren't perfect don't we? ;)
In any case, it all comes down to level of motivation, what works for you, and, as Tex also said, what level of remission you're comfortable with/willing to accept; I do believe there comes a point where the level of obsession/stress that strict dietary rules might cause could rule out the benefits of the dietary restriction, but it entirely depends on the personality of the individual.
Jane
Jane,
When Leah wrote:
I'm not saying that either approach is right or wrong, and I totally agree with you that decisions about treatment programs are mostly determined by individual personality characteristics. I find it noteworthy that the official medical protocol for treatment (of all IBDs) falls into the first category (i.e., like most medical treatments, it centers around limited control of symptoms). By contrast, those of us who fall into the second category focus on totally eliminating the cause of the symptoms (which involves removal or minimization of all environmental sources of inflammation).
Tex
When Leah wrote:
I believe that she was simply stating the fact that she is a personal trainer who is a certified nutrition specialist, and she happens to have MC.Being both a personal trainer and a certified nutrition specialist with MC
My views on this are that since most of us were perfectionists in our prior life, when we are confronted by the realities of MC, we typically tend to choose either of 2 extremes — we either deny that it deserves our full attention (maybe because we feel that we don't have time for another demand on our time), or we "go for the gold" and do everything in our power to overcome it and minimize it's effects on our life to the maximum extent possible. I get the impression that while some of those who choose the first option do occasionally come to embrace the second option and allow themselves to become fully engaged, many of them only begrudgingly adopt a limited treatment program and are more likely to refuse to embrace (or try to ignore) the fact that MC is now a permanent part of their life.Jane wrote:I do believe there comes a point where the level of obsession/stress that strict dietary rules might cause could rule out the benefits of the dietary restriction, but it entirely depends on the personality of the individual.
I'm not saying that either approach is right or wrong, and I totally agree with you that decisions about treatment programs are mostly determined by individual personality characteristics. I find it noteworthy that the official medical protocol for treatment (of all IBDs) falls into the first category (i.e., like most medical treatments, it centers around limited control of symptoms). By contrast, those of us who fall into the second category focus on totally eliminating the cause of the symptoms (which involves removal or minimization of all environmental sources of inflammation).
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.
I totally get it Jane. I was very strict for the first six months because I was desperate to feel better and be able to do my job. It was the best way to heal. As I added foods back in, I knew that some of the "irritants" I was ingesting probably weren't the best thing for me and was preventing me from having "perfect" bowel movements, but once I got to one bowel movement a day ( even if it was soft) was Okay with me. I was much happier eating my salad and popcorn and just accepting my "new normal". Like you said, we all have our limits as to what we are willing to do and live without.
Leah
Leah
Hi Jeff,
Thought I'd mention that I cook my protein in big lots and freeze in individual portions. My trainer taught me to put about 9 chicken breasts in my crock pot. Add a jar of GF DF SF spaghetti sauce. I add some oregano etc. Set crock on low. 4-6 hours later remove chicken. It is very moist. I usually cut the breasts in thirds and freeze in one large freezer bag with a little space between each chicken chunk. I can break off a piece of chicken and microwave. Some mcers probably can't tolerate spaghetti sauce. GF chicken broth would work as a substitute.
I also make meat loaf in large lots, bake it then cut in in squares and freeze using same freezing techniques above. Typically I'll make 6 pounds of meatloaf at a time. 2 lbs of ground pork, 2 pounds of ground turkey, 2 pounds of ground grass fed beef, 4 eggs, 4 slices of GF bread toasted and whirled in food processor to make crumbs, sometimes some chopped parsley or onion. I make this in two batches as it is easier to mix in my mixing bowl. I made this this week and it turned out well.
I get about 38 portions of turkey out of a 14 pound roast turkey (If I'm remembering correctly). We roast the turkey then the bf picks the meat off the bones and I freeze the meat.
I've also added the great lakes gelatin in the green can to liquids. This is a protein but not a complete protein. (I'm not sure what that means but there is discussions on the paleo forums.) The green can gelatin does not "jell". It dissolves into a liquid.
I think on some of the paleo forums there is some discussion about eating raw eggs added to shakes etc. Have not tried that as it kind of creeps me out.
I'm in remission and have been for awhile but I get freaked about trying new things. I bought some protein powder awhile back but was scared to try it so gave it away.
Cooking in big lots and freezing helps when getting protein from foods.
Brandy
Thought I'd mention that I cook my protein in big lots and freeze in individual portions. My trainer taught me to put about 9 chicken breasts in my crock pot. Add a jar of GF DF SF spaghetti sauce. I add some oregano etc. Set crock on low. 4-6 hours later remove chicken. It is very moist. I usually cut the breasts in thirds and freeze in one large freezer bag with a little space between each chicken chunk. I can break off a piece of chicken and microwave. Some mcers probably can't tolerate spaghetti sauce. GF chicken broth would work as a substitute.
I also make meat loaf in large lots, bake it then cut in in squares and freeze using same freezing techniques above. Typically I'll make 6 pounds of meatloaf at a time. 2 lbs of ground pork, 2 pounds of ground turkey, 2 pounds of ground grass fed beef, 4 eggs, 4 slices of GF bread toasted and whirled in food processor to make crumbs, sometimes some chopped parsley or onion. I make this in two batches as it is easier to mix in my mixing bowl. I made this this week and it turned out well.
I get about 38 portions of turkey out of a 14 pound roast turkey (If I'm remembering correctly). We roast the turkey then the bf picks the meat off the bones and I freeze the meat.
I've also added the great lakes gelatin in the green can to liquids. This is a protein but not a complete protein. (I'm not sure what that means but there is discussions on the paleo forums.) The green can gelatin does not "jell". It dissolves into a liquid.
I think on some of the paleo forums there is some discussion about eating raw eggs added to shakes etc. Have not tried that as it kind of creeps me out.
I'm in remission and have been for awhile but I get freaked about trying new things. I bought some protein powder awhile back but was scared to try it so gave it away.
Cooking in big lots and freezing helps when getting protein from foods.
Brandy