Immune system antibodies

Feel free to discuss any topic of general interest, so long as nothing you post here is likely to be interpreted as insulting, and/or inflammatory, nor clearly designed to provoke any individual or group. Please be considerate of others feelings, and they will be considerate of yours.

Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh

nhotch
Adélie Penguin
Adélie Penguin
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2017 11:46 pm
Location: Alaska

Immune system antibodies

Post by nhotch »

Hi Tex

Downloaded your new book. In your new book (In you first book also) You write that there are certain foods that cause the immune system to produce antibodies which can prevent healing the inflammation in the gut. My question is, I have been taking a supplement called AHCC 750 mg which supports a healthy immune cell function (it contains a blend of mushroom Mycella extract) I have been taking it for over a year and besides having LC I have not gotten sick. I was just wondering if this supplement would limit me or help me in my healing process. Are mushrooms ok ?


Thank You
Nancy
Alaska
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35070
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Post by tex »

Hi Nancy,

That's an interesting question. Part of the immune system's response to pathogens is the production of antibodies and proinflammatory agents, so it would seem that from a logical viewpoint, a stronger immune system should be able to launch a more vigorous response than a weaker immune system, thereby making MC reactions worse. And you know that your immune system seems to be working well (because you haven't been catching viruses regularly).

The medical community holds that simplistic viewpoint and they claim that all autoimmune diseases (including IBDs) are a result of the immune system sort of somehow going haywire and behaving inappropriately to attack the body. And that's why they have chosen to treat more severe cases of AI diseases by disabling the immune system.

I disagree. In my opinion, all so-called AI diseases are the result of the immune system working perfectly well to attack an exogenous antigen (an inflammatory agent from outside the body). As I mentioned in the book, if you get rid of the exogenous agent causing the inflammation, the immune system response ceases, including a cessation of the production of tissue transglutaminase enzyme. (Tissue transglutaminase enzyme is what the medical community claims is proof of an AI reaction.) So I believe that a more robust immune system will be likely to heal all issues faster (including MC) than a compromised system. The key is that you have to remove the exogenous antigens before the immune system can proceed with healing.

As evidence, I would point out that people with very low vitamin D levels (or some other reason for a compromised immune system) are much more likely to develop IBDs and other AI diseases. Look at how much faster we heal when our immune system is working properly. But you have to remove the exogenous antigens first, and that's where the health care system is lost, by failing to recognize the critical importance of the diet connection with AI diseases.

So if that supplement doesn't contain anything that causes you to react (exogenous antigens) and it does indeed boost your immune system, then it should benefit your healing (in my opinion).

Regarding mushrooms, they are generally high-histamine items, though some are worse than others. If you aren't bothered by high-histamine foods (as many of us are), then small to moderate amounts should be OK. You might be able to tolerate large amounts, for that matter. It may be prudent to avoid high intake though, because many of us seem to develop histamine issues eventually if we routinely eat a high-histamine diet. Of course YMMV.

I hope this helps. But remember, this is just my strictly unprofessional opinion.

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.
nhotch
Adélie Penguin
Adélie Penguin
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2017 11:46 pm
Location: Alaska

Post by nhotch »

Hi Tex

Thank you for getting back to me, I do have some histamine issues, but I find if I take allegra or chlorphen-12 that calms the histamine issue down, but I don't think its a good idea to take those for too long. I have been using them off and on for the last three months. I have had 3 flare ups during that time period and that has be due to eating coconut macaroons or dessert containing cocoa (even though the sweets said gluten, soy, diary free (terrible addiction to sweets). I find I can eat sweets one day but if I eat them the second day, I get a flare up, which goes away by the second day afterwards. So I know my worst histamine issue is sweets and I am over eating them and I need to limit my self better. LOL I guess I am a slow learner on this.

Nancy
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35070
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Post by tex »

Chocolate isn't a high-histamine food. But unfortunately cocoa contains two biogenic amines — tyramine and phenylethylamine. Biogenic amines are histamine triggers, (a histamine trigger prompts the body to produce/release histamines). In fact, high enough doses of biogenic amines are fatal to humans.

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.
nhotch
Adélie Penguin
Adélie Penguin
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2017 11:46 pm
Location: Alaska

Post by nhotch »

Hi Tex

So I would be better off eating chocolate (dark) then cocoa. I thought chocolate could trigger the release histamine?

Nancy
nhotch
Adélie Penguin
Adélie Penguin
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2017 11:46 pm
Location: Alaska

Post by nhotch »

Hi Tex

So I would be better off eating chocolate (dark) then cocoa. I thought chocolate could trigger the release histamine?

Nancy
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35070
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Post by tex »

No, the biogenic amines are in the cacao beans, so it is in all versions of chocolate and cocoa. The only difference in most cocoa and chocolate products are the amount of or complete absence of cocoa butter. The biogenic amines in the chocolate is what triggers the production/release of histamines in the body.

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.
nhotch
Adélie Penguin
Adélie Penguin
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2017 11:46 pm
Location: Alaska

Post by nhotch »

Thank you Tex

In other words I need to moderate myself (don't over fill my histamine bucket) and I probably will not have a flare up issue with it.
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35070
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Post by tex »

Right. At least that seems to be what most of us have found.

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.
nhotch
Adélie Penguin
Adélie Penguin
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2017 11:46 pm
Location: Alaska

Post by nhotch »

Thank you Tex, that makes perfect sense, too bad it took a couple of couple flare ups to make me realize that. My elimination diet has be going good. No problem eliminating gluten, soy and eating protein and veggies mainly (kinda of a boring diet though). Its just been the sweets I have had a problem with.

Take Care and thank you soooo much for all your great advise. I may get back to you after I have my Entrolab work done but that won't be until the end of March.
User avatar
Gabes-Apg
Emperor Penguin
Emperor Penguin
Posts: 8332
Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia

Post by Gabes-Apg »

Further to the points above about the histamine bucket - we also have an inflammation bucket (or maybe histamine and inflammation are in the bucket together) external influences such as stress (physical and/or, mental and/or emotional) , bad sleep, excess toxins, too much sugar will increase inflammation levels in the body. you may have an ingredient one day and be AOK, but on a day where there has been too many external toxins raising inflammation levels then that ingredient may trigger an immune reaction.

in the early stages of healing (ie up to 2 years) our bodies are super sensitive...

there are loads of good resources on the net (you tube etc) that can help with sugar cravings (?addiction)
of note - magnesium is key element to the bodies ability to moderate insulin. Fix nutrient imbalances and things like sugar or chocolate cravings tend to fade.
Gabes Ryan

"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
nhotch
Adélie Penguin
Adélie Penguin
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2017 11:46 pm
Location: Alaska

Post by nhotch »

Thank You Gabes, that also makes good sense. because on all of those three flare ups it was the second time I had eaten the new food about a week prior and it had not bothered then. Yes I really need to work on my sweet addiction. I am taking at least 200 mg of magnesium twice a day plus 5,000 mg of D3 twice a day.

Thank You
Nancy
User avatar
Gabes-Apg
Emperor Penguin
Emperor Penguin
Posts: 8332
Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia

Post by Gabes-Apg »

it can take 8 weeks minimum to correct a deficiency like magnesium.

for me and my combo of health issues / age etc, i took me 6 months to correct magnesium deficiency.

having good serves of protein every meal and snack also helps abate the sugar cravings.
Gabes Ryan

"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35070
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Post by tex »

I might point out that when someone craves chocolate in particular, that's an indication that they're magnesium deficient (chocolate is a good source of magnesium). But if someone just craves sweets in general, that's a different matter entirely.

I was a sugarholic before (and after) my symptoms started. It was tough learning to do without it. Too much sugar in the diet can cause leaky gut. I blame sugar for being at least a contributing factor (if not the primary cause) of my MC. Now, 14 years into remission, I still can't handle very much sugar in my diet. :sigh:

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.
User avatar
Erica P-G
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 1815
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2015 2:06 pm
Location: WA State

Post by Erica P-G »

I agree....with you too Tex....I can't handle much sugar in my diet either, I have to watch how much 'extra' I partake in. Sure stops one from doing lots of foodie things....
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Post Reply

Return to “Main Message Board”