Hi all,
I've been in remission from MC since the beginning of 2013. Over this time frame I often forget I even have this disease! Until.....
I started on a supplement from my chiropractor..it's a liquid that you swish under the tongue...it's aqua-cellular and avoids the GI system and liver. But it has tons of stuff in it. I'm concerned about the following anti-oxidants: Selenium, Liposomal C, Ashwagandha (have read this one can aggravate AI diseases), glutathione, Zinc, Elderberry (have read the same about AI issues as well for this). It seems like people on here tolerate the Zinc. I may be in a flare up since starting this supplement 2 months ago. I'm super bloated and having a little D. Could be hormonal for me but after reading about Ashwagandha I'm scared to keep taking this!
Does anyone know about these kinda supps causing a cytokine storm?! I thought I was doing something good for my body but I forget that with MC even the good stuff can be bad.
With the COVID-19 going around I wanted to boost my immune system...good or bad?! Can someone offer advice on what I may tolerate? I also have Hashimotos and I think the Ashwagandha is affecting that as well.
Hope everyone is staying safe....we open back up some here in Houston, TX.
Anti-oxidants! Some good or bad?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Anti-oxidants! Some good or bad?
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.
Hi Terri,
I've never used those items as a supplement, so I'm not familiar with them. But if your flare started soon after you began that treatment, I would be as suspicious as a cat that just saw a mouse run under a sofa. If you were in remission initially, why would you risk taking a commercial product with multiple suspicious ingredients in the first place? And if it appears to be causing a flare, why would you want to continue taking it?
I wrote a book titled Vitamin D and Autoimmune Disease, so I'm familiar with how the immune system works. The fuel that the immune system uses to protect our bodies from disease and heal damaged cells, is the activated form of Vitamin D. The activation process requires magnesium. So if you maintain your vitamin D level within the range of at least 40 (preferably 50) to 80 ng/ml, and take enough magnesium to activate it, your immune system should be at optimum performance levels. I usually keep my vitamin D level in the 40–50 ng/ml range (100–125 nmol/L), but when trying to avoid Covid-19 became a popular pastime, I kicked my vitamin D level up to at least 70 ng/ml (175 nmol/L).
But the most effective way to avoid getting Covid-19 is to avoid other people, wash your hands often if you can't avoid others, and don't touch your face with your hands.
Cases here in Central Texas are still increasing at a fairly even rate. I order everything I need online except groceries and prescription refills, and I go grocery shopping once every two weeks, and pick up prescriptions once every three months. But that's exactly what I've been doing for years, so my routine hasn't changed (except for boosting my vitamin D level).
In my opinion, an elevated risk of a ctokine storm reaction is not due to a strong immune system — it's due to a state of uncontrolled preexisting chronic inflammation, because a cytokine storm is associated with a histamine reaction. If a person's general inflammation level is relatively low (prior to a Covid-19 exposure), then the immune system will be able to concentrate on destroying the virus, without promoting a cytokine storm. Of course, that's just my opinion, not medically-proven fact. I'm hoping that within the next decade or two, the medical community will realize that vitamin D and magnesium are two key requirements for preventing coronavirus pandemics.
I hope this helps. Good to see a post by you again.
Tex
I've never used those items as a supplement, so I'm not familiar with them. But if your flare started soon after you began that treatment, I would be as suspicious as a cat that just saw a mouse run under a sofa. If you were in remission initially, why would you risk taking a commercial product with multiple suspicious ingredients in the first place? And if it appears to be causing a flare, why would you want to continue taking it?
I wrote a book titled Vitamin D and Autoimmune Disease, so I'm familiar with how the immune system works. The fuel that the immune system uses to protect our bodies from disease and heal damaged cells, is the activated form of Vitamin D. The activation process requires magnesium. So if you maintain your vitamin D level within the range of at least 40 (preferably 50) to 80 ng/ml, and take enough magnesium to activate it, your immune system should be at optimum performance levels. I usually keep my vitamin D level in the 40–50 ng/ml range (100–125 nmol/L), but when trying to avoid Covid-19 became a popular pastime, I kicked my vitamin D level up to at least 70 ng/ml (175 nmol/L).
But the most effective way to avoid getting Covid-19 is to avoid other people, wash your hands often if you can't avoid others, and don't touch your face with your hands.
Cases here in Central Texas are still increasing at a fairly even rate. I order everything I need online except groceries and prescription refills, and I go grocery shopping once every two weeks, and pick up prescriptions once every three months. But that's exactly what I've been doing for years, so my routine hasn't changed (except for boosting my vitamin D level).
In my opinion, an elevated risk of a ctokine storm reaction is not due to a strong immune system — it's due to a state of uncontrolled preexisting chronic inflammation, because a cytokine storm is associated with a histamine reaction. If a person's general inflammation level is relatively low (prior to a Covid-19 exposure), then the immune system will be able to concentrate on destroying the virus, without promoting a cytokine storm. Of course, that's just my opinion, not medically-proven fact. I'm hoping that within the next decade or two, the medical community will realize that vitamin D and magnesium are two key requirements for preventing coronavirus pandemics.
I hope this helps. Good to see a post by you again.
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.
thanks Tex!
I've been doing more research and it seems if Zinc is deficient that it can cause a cytokine storm and high inflammation. My C-reactive protein is high at 12. Not sure how accurate that test was but I had it done 3 years ago. could be better by now.
Ashwaghanda is known for making AI diseases worse so that's the one I'm concerned about. I have stopped the supplement. I also lowered my Estrogen as I'm thinking that is my main culprit as it is associated with histamine reactions. I'm on BioIdentical hormone therapy..without Estrogen I suffer and am bedridden. Also Estrogen can promote bile flow and I don't have a gallbladder so that could be the issues as well. Always playing detective.
I will have to test and see! Since stopping the liquid stuff which by the way had CBD and other cannibinoids in it (no THC), I'm now getting my arthritis pain back some. I just wanted my pain to go away. It had so much good stuff in it like Curcumin but it all bypasses the digestive tract ... I don't tolerate anything first pass through the liver much...less is best for that. It had tons of anti-inflammatories in it...was just wanting to lower my CRP and thought I'd give it a go. I do take vit D3..my levels are usually around 60..probably higher now....plus I take 300 mgs of Magnesium glycinate. Maybe that will be enough.
Yes, our levels here in Houston are going up but I no longer trust the numbers anymore. I go to the grocery once a week and to the chiropractor and that's it. Not much of a change to my normal life. I'm a homebody! So this has been the easiest thing I've ever done except I'm not able to see my doctors just yet.
I wish I could find that article on elderberry cause it said it could cause a cytokine storm..it was pretty hard to understand but it definitely scared me and I won't be trying that at all. I just thought that us MCers with our inflammation could not tolerate some of these anti-oxidants.
Anyway just FYI for someone wanting to try Ashwagandha...it's all over the internet how it can aggravate AI issues. I wish I had done my homework but my chiro told me it wasn't a problem. There I go trusting a doctor again!
Oh btw..I'm outta the little flare up already! Everything is back to normal. Thank goodness I rebound so quickly.
Be safe!
I've been doing more research and it seems if Zinc is deficient that it can cause a cytokine storm and high inflammation. My C-reactive protein is high at 12. Not sure how accurate that test was but I had it done 3 years ago. could be better by now.
Ashwaghanda is known for making AI diseases worse so that's the one I'm concerned about. I have stopped the supplement. I also lowered my Estrogen as I'm thinking that is my main culprit as it is associated with histamine reactions. I'm on BioIdentical hormone therapy..without Estrogen I suffer and am bedridden. Also Estrogen can promote bile flow and I don't have a gallbladder so that could be the issues as well. Always playing detective.
I will have to test and see! Since stopping the liquid stuff which by the way had CBD and other cannibinoids in it (no THC), I'm now getting my arthritis pain back some. I just wanted my pain to go away. It had so much good stuff in it like Curcumin but it all bypasses the digestive tract ... I don't tolerate anything first pass through the liver much...less is best for that. It had tons of anti-inflammatories in it...was just wanting to lower my CRP and thought I'd give it a go. I do take vit D3..my levels are usually around 60..probably higher now....plus I take 300 mgs of Magnesium glycinate. Maybe that will be enough.
Yes, our levels here in Houston are going up but I no longer trust the numbers anymore. I go to the grocery once a week and to the chiropractor and that's it. Not much of a change to my normal life. I'm a homebody! So this has been the easiest thing I've ever done except I'm not able to see my doctors just yet.
I wish I could find that article on elderberry cause it said it could cause a cytokine storm..it was pretty hard to understand but it definitely scared me and I won't be trying that at all. I just thought that us MCers with our inflammation could not tolerate some of these anti-oxidants.
Anyway just FYI for someone wanting to try Ashwagandha...it's all over the internet how it can aggravate AI issues. I wish I had done my homework but my chiro told me it wasn't a problem. There I go trusting a doctor again!
Oh btw..I'm outta the little flare up already! Everything is back to normal. Thank goodness I rebound so quickly.
Be safe!
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.
Hi Tiras- I also need to lower my CRP levels. My functional med doc told me that in order to do that I need to be sure my Omega 3 levels are balanced with my Omega 6 levels. I have decent Omega 6 levels but my Omega 3s are low.
That might be another way to approach a high CRP level.
Best wishes,
Carol
That might be another way to approach a high CRP level.
Best wishes,
Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Carol, yes I have heard of that and need to address that! It's just so hard for me without a gallbladder because I don't absorb it well...like I can't take fish oil without getting nauseated but I found another kind I may brave again. Maybe I just need to take it with OxBile.
I know my Omega 6's are way higher...my diet is high in those. Hard to balance all this! But thank you for the reminder! I need to lower my sugar intake as well.
I know my Omega 6's are way higher...my diet is high in those. Hard to balance all this! But thank you for the reminder! I need to lower my sugar intake as well.
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.
Tiras- I’m working chia seeds into my diet. They are high in Omega 3 and if I can avoid those gigantic fish oil capsules, that would be great. According to what I read chia seeds have as much Omega 3 as salmon, which I’m also trying to eat more of.
But it’s all about balance.
Take care- Carol
But it’s all about balance.
Take care- Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Let me know how it goes. I tried some Chia seeds in a smoothie but I think I ended up with a tummy ache but hard to say for sure since I had other stuff in it. I have flax seeds now in my smoothie but I don't seem to do well with them ...fiber content maybe? Do you think flaxseeds are just as good as the Chia? Probably not if Chia is comparable to Salmon. But I'm gonna have to throw my Flaxseeds out it looks like. I still have issues with having too much fiber...the less the better for me it seems. Salmon makes me gag....lol. I'm not much of a fish person unless it's catifish or halibut. But those probably have a higher Omega 6 content.
I remember you from when I frequented this forum back in 2012. I still have PTSD from that time! So every time I get even a little D like the other day I freak. Then I have to remind myself that everyone gets D every now and then. Then I won't fret on it.
I remember you from when I frequented this forum back in 2012. I still have PTSD from that time! So every time I get even a little D like the other day I freak. Then I have to remind myself that everyone gets D every now and then. Then I won't fret on it.
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.
Terri,
Flax seed hulls are considered to be an old home remedy for constipation. IOW, they're a laxative. So I would assume that chia seed hulls are, also. I get around that problem by using flax seed oil capsules. They work great for me. I've been using them for many years. I haven't looked to see if chia seed oil is available, because flax seed oil has always worked so well for me.
Tex
Flax seed hulls are considered to be an old home remedy for constipation. IOW, they're a laxative. So I would assume that chia seed hulls are, also. I get around that problem by using flax seed oil capsules. They work great for me. I've been using them for many years. I haven't looked to see if chia seed oil is available, because flax seed oil has always worked so well for me.
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.
Thanks Tex- I may also have to look into flax seed oil for Omega 3s too, depending on how my chia seed experiment goes. I honestly could use a little more fiber in my diet. Just a little.
Maybe I could alternate them
? There’s always more than one way to tackle an issue.
Tiras- I’m going to make a pudding with them. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Carol
Maybe I could alternate them
? There’s always more than one way to tackle an issue. Tiras- I’m going to make a pudding with them. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Tex...oh wow..had no idea! I just knew they had a good fiber content. I will brave some Flaxseed oil capsules..maybe I won't get nauseated from those. Glad you do well on them. I'm now constipated some...I think it's all hormonal now. I'm on a hormonal rollercoaster ride. I now will up my Estrogen and then my system will get moving again. It's trying to find the balance..it's very hard. And I'm going from hypo thyroid to hyper so I have to be careful with all this. I realized that the Ashwaghanda probably sent my thyroid numbers up which will cause D in me. I will figure this out one day!
Carol, yes let me know then give me the pudding recipe! I'm starting low sugar today...will be very hard for me as I'm a sugar addict.
so Tex, you have become quite the writer! Are you currently writing a new book?
Carol, yes let me know then give me the pudding recipe! I'm starting low sugar today...will be very hard for me as I'm a sugar addict.
so Tex, you have become quite the writer! Are you currently writing a new book?
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.
I'm trying to write a novel for a change. It's about a TV news anchor who receives a diagnosis of microscopic colitis. I think it will be the first novel ever written in which the hero or heroine has an IBD. The story line flowed smoothly at first, but I seem to be stumped on how it should end.
Tex
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.
Tex- can I ask what brand of flax seed oil capsules you use? I need to be sure I avoid soy and d-alpha tocopherols, and it’s often hard to find an Omega 3 supplement that does not either of those.
Thanks, as always
Carol
Thanks, as always
Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
I will try that brand...thanks! The fish oil pills also gave me horrible heartburn.
Tex, that is so cool that you are writing a novel. I wish you the best of luck with it. I'm in need of reading a book that isn't all medical. that's all I've been reading lately. My friend's sister-in-law just got diagnosed with MC....told her about this forum but I doubt she'll join. She won't give up her bread and pasta! The "real" bread and pasta...lol.
Tex, that is so cool that you are writing a novel. I wish you the best of luck with it. I'm in need of reading a book that isn't all medical. that's all I've been reading lately. My friend's sister-in-law just got diagnosed with MC....told her about this forum but I doubt she'll join. She won't give up her bread and pasta! The "real" bread and pasta...lol.
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.