Systemic enzymes

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Vanessa
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Systemic enzymes

Post by Vanessa »

Hi guys,

Just wondering if anyone has had any luck with systemic enzymes for inflammation. I am soon starting a strict elimination diet.....lamb, turkey, rice, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potato, coconut oil, avocado, and squash. I know less is more during this phase. I take vit D/K2, fish oil, mag spray with 100 mg oral, vit C, iron, and methylated B vits. Should I stop any of these while in the elimination phase? To be honest I am not sure these are even my safe foods. How long should you eat these core foods before wondering if one of these are the offending bugger.....ahh that is the question grasshopper. Thanks for suggestions.
Vanessa
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tex
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Post by tex »

Hi Vanessa,

Of course there are never any guarantees, since we are all different, but your food selections appear to be the best of the best, based on what seems to work for most members here. If you have gas problems while eating these foods, that can probably be attributed to the broccoli, but broccoli itself seems to be quite safe for most of us, other than the gas (which may or may not be a concern). I would assume that the cauliflower could also contribute to gas production (that's true for most fiber and carb sources, some more than others of course).

Some of us can't tolerate vitamin C while we're recovering, and of course iron supplements are notorious for causing digestive problems, so you may want to keep that in mind. Several members here who needed iron supplements found that it was safer to use more natural means, such as foods high in iron, and cooking in cast iron skillets and pots (and if I recall correctly, Brandy had good luck with blackstrap molasses). Hopefully she will see this post and correct any errors that I might be making.

Yes, recovery times vary, so accurate time estimates are tough to make. I cut gluten out of my diet and then experimented with avoiding other foods 1 or 2 at a time for about a year and a half, until it finally dawned on me that I would have to avoid all of them at the same time if I ever intended to get my digestive system back to working properly. After I did that (adopted a very restricted diet), it only took me about 2 weeks to reach remission. That suggests that the most time-consuming part of the healing process may be due to gluten damage. After that it took me about a year and a half on a very restricted diet before I was able to add any foods back into my diet, but I had a lot of digestive system damage caused by years of reacting.

Many members seem to show signs of improvement after a few weeks on a restricted diet, but that can vary from a few days to a few months or more, so I really don't know what to consider as a typical amount of time. :shrug:

I'm not sure what you mean by "systemic enzymes", but I tried a digestive enzyme product while I was recovering, and it took me over 4 days to recover from that single capsule. I truly believe that less is better during recovery, so please be careful with enzymes, supplements, and any other healing aids, while you are still recovering. Remember that the body is designed to recover without all that stuff, and it doesn't need any additional handicaps disguised as "healing enhancers".

Best of luck with your recovery diet, and please keep us posted.

Tex
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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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Post by Gabes-Apg »

Vanessa,
Congrats on embracing the elimination diet with gusto!!!

Looking at your proposed foods, I would be cautious about the avocado and broccoli being in there.
Avocado is a high histamine food (histamine means increased inflammation) and not all can tolerate broccoli,

Depending on how long you have been gf/df, within a couple of weeks you should see some improvement on a bland, small ingredient eating plan...
As tex mentioned some react to Vit C when they are in the early stages. I couldn't tolerate it for about 3 years, now I can handle high doses...
Are all your supplements soy free? While you are doing the elimination diet I would stop any supplement that has soy.
Gabes Ryan

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Vanessa
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Post by Vanessa »

Hi Gabes,

No soy here. I think I will cut vit c for a while so I can be sure of the offender. I will also think about the broccoli. I feel I need something green in the diet....even though I can hear all of the voices of reason "It's only for awhile and your not absorbing it right now anyway ya big dummy!" I have gusto now but ask me in five days. My hope is that I will feel so good I won't even care. Zucchini peeled and seeded might be another option. The avocado is interesting...I eat one a day. My hope is it won't take too long since I have been GF and DF for almost a year and soy free for 6 months. Thanks again!
Vanessa
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Post by Gabes-Apg »

With no soy, no eggs, and duration of gf/df. You will know within a couple of weeks if there are any offenders in the group of foods you are starting with.

It is tough for the first few weeks.... Especially if improvement is slow.... Good to do mental / emotional support at the same time, things like guided meditation /relaxation / audiobooks about acceptance, peace with what is, change etc
As time goes on your brain and tastebuds do adjust... Cravings for other foods fade. And as you start to feel better and heal you get new boost of courage knowing that you are doing the best thing for your body.

Once you confirm that lamb and Turkey are aok, highly recommend home made bone broth, it is full of good nutrients and minerals and gut healing essentials.

I have been eating the same 6 vegetables every day for 5 years!! Only in the past 6 months have I been able to some additional ones as sometimes foods.
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Post by lisaw »

Vanessa:

1 avocado per day is a lot if you have a histamine issue. I was eating quite a bit of avocado at first, trying to keep weight on, but I realized I have a histamine issue and cut back. I now eat about 1/4 at a time, still nervous to eat much more than that at once, though I might be able to handle it. I do fine with well cooked cauliflower, but more than a little broccoli doesn't work as well for me. I eat a lot of green beans, for something green. Also eat a lot of orange veggies- carrots, butternut squash and sweet potatoes.

Good luck, hope you figure out your foods that work.

Lisa
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Post by Polly »

Hi Vanessa,

Just wanted to wish you luck on your elimination diet. If you could alternate those few foods every 2-3 days and keep a journal, it may be easier to identify any additional potential offenders. Just a reminder of how different we all are : I cannot tolerate lamb, cauliflower, and yellow squash (although zucchini is OK). And I do just fine with broccoli and avocado! Keep us posted.

Polly
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Vanessa
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Post by Vanessa »

Thanks for the tip Polly! I hadn't thought of rotation those initial weeks. Looks like the diet is gonna have to wait for awhile( I really don't eat much more than this anyway.) my husband found a lump in my left breast so I definitely want to start this endeavor when I have a little less mental stress. I feel comfortable sharing this info on here because everyone here is so helpful and like family! We definitely take this journey together....it's so much less lonely. We should set up an MC reunion sometime.....that would be fun to talk with people in person you feel like you know already.......hmmm maybe in Texas?
Vanessa
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Patricia
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Post by Patricia »

So sorry to hear this, Vanessa! I wish you all the best and hope that the lump turns out to be benign and nothing to worry about.

Thinking about you!

Love, Patricia
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Gabes-Apg
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Post by Gabes-Apg »

Vanessa
sorry to hear that..... agree with patricia, here's hoping it is benign...

and waiting for a less stressful time is fantastic idea - in the meantime while there is some stress increase the Vit D3, eat wellcooked easy to digest meals...
take care
healing hugs
Gabes Ryan

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Vanessa
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Post by Vanessa »

Thanks for all the positive vibes! Always welcomed and appreciated.
Vanessa
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Post by Grahm »

Prayers coming your way, keep positive!!

Love,
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