Food instead of Medications

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Lilja
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Food instead of Medications

Post by Lilja »

Hi,

My functional medicine doctor had put a link on his website this morning about adrenals and burnout, but you had to order it, and I didn't want to do that, but here it is:

http://drhyman.com/blog/2013/09/17/push ... l-burnout/

I went to YouTube to see if I could find if Dr Hyman has published some similar stuff there, not only about adrenals:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgWBKJsJtk0

Food instead of medications ...

He recommends things that is not good for people with MC while we are trying to heal, but 80-90% of what he says is important to us regarding nutrition, all the aspects of eating meat, gut flora, treating the whole human being, "the dark ages" of treating diseases etc.

Lilja
Collagenous Colitis diagnosis in 2010
Psoriasis in 1973, symptom free in 2014
GF, CF and SF free since April, 2013
Blueberry
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Post by Blueberry »

I didn't listen to the whole video of Dr. Hyman. it is quite long. I have listened to his videos in the past and read some of his articles, and I suppose with anything health wise have agreed with some of his advice and disagreed with other. I saw Dr. Hyman wrote an article for a well known American web sight the other day saying sugar caused heart disease. It had me shaking my head in disagreement. We all have to find out what we are comfortable with though. Some believe that to be true.

I had to chuckle about the Youtube web sight posted though. On another interview of Dr. Hyman is a talk where Hyman talks with a Dr. Barry Sears. My father used to be good friends with Dr. Sears. I know well the story of how he wrote his diet books. Personally probably the original alternative doctor I talked with about my MC was Barry Sears. He came to our house and for a break we played basketball and talked stomach health. And as was mentioned in the interview, Barry likes fish oil. That was the advice given to me, take lots of quality fish oil. I don't think there is enough fish oil one can take according to Dr. Sears. The more the better in his book.

The fish oil didn't do me good stomach wise, but I suppose it was a start in the alternative health world.

It is controversial in America to view food as medicine. At least it is controversial for some. I wish more would take a look into this area for improving health, and more seem to, but not all that many do it seems. Health care costs are sky rocketing upwards. I read drug costs continue to rise. Medical costs have seen the same too. My insurance costs have tripled in the last decade, and I rarely see doctors anymore. It is good for the economy some write, seeing higher health care costs. I would think it would be better for people to be healthier in the long run for the economy though, whether that happens with diet ideas or other means.
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Post by hollyweb »

Just a note here that I've learned fish oil can be difficult even for people without MC to digest. I took it in the capsules for many years before getting MC; after that, it was challenging. I take a liquid fish oil now, Nordic Naturals, and take 1/2 tsp in am and 1/2 tsp in pm, also making sure I have food in my mouth when I take it! Plus, this is after taking pancreatic digestive enzymes!

It IS important to get those omegas. With MC, that, like so many other things, is something that may take some experimentation. Another way I'm adding omegas to my diet is sprinkling drops of hempseed oil onto rice cakes with nut butter. It tastes great, IMO! There's also the hemp seed hearts, which are the hulled, shelled hemp seeds (like little flower buds, easy on GI tract), and they're very tasty too. You can sprinkle them on top of your protein instead of nuts, put in a salad or in/on cooked veggies ... many uses and both forms of the hemp are supposed to be very good sources of omegas and amino acids.

BTW, this is not the same hemp as marijuana!! My ND (naturopath) recommended these 2 forms of hemp for me - maybe they will help others, too!

Wishing you the best of health,
~ Holly
2015 Hashimoto's, MTHFR
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis

"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
Blueberry
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Post by Blueberry »

Are you taking the pancreatic digestive enzymes for the trypsin & amylopsin? If so did it help?
hollyweb
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Post by hollyweb »

Hi Blueberry! My GI doctor had given me a sample of "Creon", which he said was the only FDA approved prescription pancreatic enzymes. It contains Lipase, Protease and Amylase. I thought it helped, but not as much as I'd hoped. (After my 48 hr. fat stool quantity test came back under the medical limit, he refused to prescribe the Creon, so since I knew I *did* have serious malabsorption issues and he told me taking digestive enzymes with meals was not harmful, I began to research more on my own.)

During my research, I came across ingredients others had found helpful for fat malabsorption, which I knew I had due to symptoms and positive for fat on fecal stool test (this was first test done; next was the 48 hr QUANTITY of fat in stool test). The ingredients that kept coming up were Betaine hcl (and I'd had a comprehensive stool test done through Meridian labs ordered by my naturopath doctor - this was before I'd gotten my colonoscopy and MC diagnosis or heard about EnteroLabs, and it showed I was deficient in Betaine); Ox Bile Extract, and Peptidase (DPPIV). My GI doctor just nodded his head when I mentioned those to him, but wouldn't go any further as for him, this could not be found in an FDA approved product.

Well, I found these in a product called Digestzymes, from Designs for Health. Ingredients are: 200 mg. Betaine hcl and 180 mg. GastroENZ (which contains Ox Bile Extract, DPPIV, Amylases, Pepsin, Proteases, Glucoamylase, Lactase, Lipase and Invertase per capsule).

The other product I take is very similar to the Creon, but non-prescription, made by Thorne, called Dipan-9. It contains porcine (from pork) pancreatin, and they state that each capsule contains about 125,000 USP units Amylase, 115,000 USP units Protease, and 18,000 USP Lipase. It's important to remember that comparing USP units to "mgs" is like trying to compare apples to oranges - not the same unit of measurement. Interestingly, I couldn't tolerate the porcine NatureThyroid for my Hashimoto's (my ND and MD both actually agreed on this one, that perhaps the auto-immune response from my body was attacking the NatureThyroid) - however, using digestive enzymes isn't the same type of thing at all, and my body is loving both these formulas!!!

I do take them both and get them on Amazon. For regular meals, I usually take 2 Digestzymes and 2 Dipan-9 right at the beginning of the meal. They've made a HUGE difference for me - adding them, plus the antihistamine, and staying gluten, dairy, egg and mostly soy-free, plus avoiding foods that I've learned cause tummy troubles.

What's going on with you? I hope this info is helpful!
~ Holly
2015 Hashimoto's, MTHFR
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis

"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
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Post by Blueberry »

Thanks Holly for the information. Much appreciated, and it brings back memories. I'll explain a bit later. I have to admit I've been reading differently than from stomach issues. Coincidentally I have been reading about pancreas enzymes trypsin & amylopsin. An English researcher 100 years ago named John Beard used the two enzymes to fight cancer, often successfully it seems. His theory for cancer was largely over looked though when Madam Curry announced around the same time that cancer could easily be overcome with radiation treatment.

It was many years ago and a different life but I used to work in the health food field. It was a different company that did this work but we shared the same building, hemp seed oil used to be produced in the building I worked in. I can remember the seeds coming in from Canada, and then being placed into the large rolling cold pressing machines. Some times the hemp seeds were roasted which was a pleasant odor.

My father was a salesman for a company that manufactured pork pancreatin "Pancrelipase" or Creon I believe. Dad had an allergic reaction to the pork pancreas. He never could enter that building for long with out developing a rash and breathing problems. Maybe not all that ironically one of the main foods I'm concerned with is pork. When I eat it for an extended period of time my gums swell up painfully and bleed. For what ever reason that allergy didn't show up in the Entrolab results though.

Overall doing quite well health wise! The stomach has been decent enough for a number of years. The main problem I've had is the common all to often overwhelming fatigue we all seem to experience at one time or anther. Of late, with the diet I'm on and some other ideas I'm doing, my energy levels have increased greatly. I'm over the moon about it. I still have a ways to heal I suspect but signs point to me being on the right track.

Hope your treatments are working out as hoped.
hollyweb
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Post by hollyweb »

Hi Blueberry! Wow, great post!! I'll have to look up John Beard and his research. How fascinating to learn about your father's occupation and your own work in the health food field!! So interesting too about both of you having the reaction to pork ... all the genetically "pre-disposed" issues involved around these complex medical conditions surely have basis and as more genetic testing becomes available and can be applied to specific health conditions, I suspect more answers will be forthcoming ... eventually.

Any ideas why your issues with pork didn't show up on the EnteroLab testing? Have you ever had blood testing for pork reaction? Ah yes ... the fatigue, and for me, brain fog, anxiety and depression. I wonder so frequently where the "fearless" person I used to be has gone to ... but I think she's still there, just right now (as you put it so well) often overwhelmed with these medical issues and how they impact our ability to function out in the world. Amazing the ways having such a restricted diet and the concern about MC symptoms affects one socially, especially without a family or support group. Except, wait a minute ... HERE is my support group and family!! Reading stories of others who've conquered their fears, traveled internationally, done so many incredible things with MC is just so inspiring and needed.

I'm so glad to hear you're making progress and feeling more energized, and wish you continued success in that positive direction!

~ Holly
2015 Hashimoto's, MTHFR
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis

"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
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tex
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Post by tex »

Holly wrote:Any ideas why your issues with pork didn't show up on the EnteroLab testing?
Those symptoms described would be associated with IgE/IgG reactions. EnteroLab tests for IgA reactions.

Tex
:cowboy:

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.
hollyweb
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Post by hollyweb »

Tex, I'm sure you've already answered this - is there a quick (low time requirement for you) answer version for if/how one can test for IgE and IgG reactions? Do those fall into the histamine category, or are these foods we just have to do trial/error and know our own responses? There's probably already a protocol for testing the the MCF recommends (or maybe it's in your book, which will hopefully arrive in next few days!) as to the best tests and order of tests to be done once one has the MC diagnosis. If you could provide just a link or something, I'd be so grateful. IgA tests from EnteroLabs show what foods trigger inflammation in our guts, right? Which is specific to people with the IBD's including MC? So that's why it is the most important for us?

Thanks so much!
~ Holly
2015 Hashimoto's, MTHFR
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis

"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
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Post by Blueberry »

Hi Holly,

The pork not showing up on the Entro Lab test could be as Tex mentions. I'm also working on the idea that if an allergen to me is fed to an animal, that allergen will effect me if I ate some meat. As an example, soy is a problem food for me. That is a common food fed to animals, and some feel soy allergens will show up in eggs, dairy, and meats. It is just a theory. It might be right. Could be wrong. I've been eating a good deal of wild caught fish lagely. I'd like to say I'm tired of fish, but it is wonderful to feel better and have energy. With that said I'm a bit worn down today due to overly using my new found energy on the tennis court. Its a nice problem to have. A little rest and recovery should have me going good once again this weekend.

I'm doing a few other health actives too, so who knows maybe I'll get this all figured out someday.

Thanks and good luck with your health. Agree whole heartedly, it is good to find support here on the sight.
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tex
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Post by tex »

Holly wrote:IgA tests from EnteroLabs show what foods trigger inflammation in our guts, right? Which is specific to people with the IBD's including MC? So that's why it is the most important for us?
Correct.
Holly wrote:Tex, I'm sure you've already answered this - is there a quick (low time requirement for you) answer version for if/how one can test for IgE and IgG reactions? Do those fall into the histamine category, or are these foods we just have to do trial/error and know our own responses? There's probably already a protocol for testing the the MCF recommends (or maybe it's in your book, which will hopefully arrive in next few days!) as to the best tests and order of tests to be done once one has the MC diagnosis. If you could provide just a link or something, I'd be so grateful.
The blood tests do a decent job of detecting IgE and IgG antibodies that tend to cause reactions in the upper respiratory system and the esophagus. Yes, these are mast cell/histamine reactions associated with classic allergic reactions, including allergic reactions to food passing through the mouth or esophagus. IgA antibodies are associated with food sensitivities in the gut.

The intestines are also loaded with mast cells but if they are overly active it's not so easy to test for that (mast cell activity disorder, or MCAD). One way is by staining biopsy samples taken from the intestines with a tryptase-based stain and examining them under a microscope to count mast cells (similar to the way lymphocytes are counted in an LC diagnosis). If the mast cell count exceeds 20 mast cells per 100 enterolcytes, the indicated diagnosis is mastocytic enterocolitis. Enterocytes are the vertically elongated cells that make up the innermost (surface) layer of the mucosa of the intestines (IOW they are located at the internal surface of the intestines where they are exposed to digested or partially-digested food, fecal matter, or whatever passes through the gut. The tight junctions between the enterocytes are the junctions that become open too far when leaky gut develops.

Yes, all of this is explained in the book.

If you're already ordered some EnteroLab tests, those should be the only tests needed to resolve food sensitivities. You would need to see an allergist if you want to test for food allergies. But an allergist will not understand food intolerances in the gut, nor will they understand mast cell/histamine/IgE reactions in the gut. We pretty much have to figure those out for ourselves because there are only a handful of physicians in the U. S. who are qualified to diagnose and treat the mast cell issues associated with MC. All of them were trained under the direction of Dr. Maria Castells at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

You're very welcome,
Tex
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Post by hollyweb »

Thank you, Tex! Please keep updating on how you're doing, Blueberry, and anything else you discover!

~ Holly
2015 Hashimoto's, MTHFR
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis

"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
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Post by Blueberry »

Holly, I can do that. The great amount of energy has returned this evening. It's odd but very nice to find myself having to much energy for a change, and needing to move around. Tennis hitting this weekend will be fun.
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Post by hollyweb »

Blueberry - That's awesome! Used to love tennis (never good at it, but so what)!

Lilja - See what you started, hehehe! Your topic "Food Instead of Medicine" and your insights are marvelous, and I think I got so inspired as to go *off* topic which was not intentional! Your functional medicine doctor sounds like a very special healer. On this forum, we are with people who understand MC. When not on this forum, for me I have yet to find a single person who has even heard of MC, or who could begin to imagine what it's like to have MC. There still seems to be the underlying belief of either "just get over it", or "take your pills, have your surgery or whatever ... and THEN just get over it!".

Tex - Thank you again for your patient explanations. The information provided here is finally starting to "sink in" and I'm having more moments of clarity with understanding. MC is such a complex condition, and for so many of us, it took a loooong time to get a diagnosis, and then be basically told "Take Budesonide, a very expensive corticosteroid drug, for the rest of your life, and I'll see you in six months to a year".
:mallet:
~ Holly
2015 Hashimoto's, MTHFR
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis

"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
Lilja
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Post by Lilja »

Holly,

I like it when we can leave the "red thread" (the theme) and talk about other things that come to our mind. That's human and that's how our brain works, I think - at least for women.


:grin:

Lilja
Collagenous Colitis diagnosis in 2010
Psoriasis in 1973, symptom free in 2014
GF, CF and SF free since April, 2013
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