problems with inulin?

[bevfromwa]

Wouldn't you know it, I had a meal at Olive Garden, had carefully researched their menu, and the item listed (kabobs of shrimp and chicken) claimed to be gluten free. Had a flair, and maybe we figured out that the sauce was thickened with something other than GF. Anyway, just about the time I am feeling better, I tried a new gf cereal, Nature's Path Crunchy Maple Sunrise. Within a few hours I was back to square one, couldn't figure it out. Dave said how about that new cereal, which was a bit sweet for my taste anyway, so checked ingredient list and said how can it be bad, it is organic this, organic that, natural, etc. So ate it again the next morning, got worse,then something surfaced from my subconscious mind--inulin. First Google, then Potty People. When I did a search I saw that some members have had problems with it, so called the company and explained what happened and asked the purpose of putting inulin in it. They said it is to add fiber, so maybe that explains the reaction. So I will redouble my label reading efforts in the future. Bev

[tex]

Inulins belong to a special group of soluble fiber known as frucans. Fructans are generally considered to be prebiotics, (IOW, they serve as a food source for certain types of probiotic bacteria). At least that's the way that they are promoted. Unfortunately, it appears that they not only promote the propagation of good bacteria, but fructans also promote the growth and development of "bad" bacteria. just as well, (maybe even better, for those of us who might have a bacterial imbalance in the first place, due to MC).

As a result of that dubious characteristic, many people have had adverse reactions to fructans. Fructans in the gut, are a little like throwing fertilizer in your garden. If no weeds or grass are present, then your garden will flourish. If there are a lot of weeds and/or grass present, then they might take over your garden even faster, with the extra fertilizer.

Sorry you had such an unpleasant experience. I hope the reaction doesn't last long.

Tex

[Issy]

Bev,

I cannot handle inulin either. I cannot eat Activa without getting terrible D and I think it is because it has inulin in it. Also I believe inulin is added to some fiber pills.

One GI doctor suggested that I take a fiber supplement to control my D and it tore my stomach up.......just as the Activa did. It's been a couple of years now, but I believe that the Fiber One had inulin in it.

My hubby researched inulin and discovered the same thing that Tex wrote about and I have tried to avoid it ever since. But you have to read labels carefully.

Issy

[cludwig]

Bev,

I also have terrible problems with inulin and prebiotics in general. Your explaination makes perfect sense Tex.

Love, Cristi

[Matthew]

Bev, Tex, Issy and Cristi

Very early on in my recovery a took a pro biotic that contained inulin. Seemed like an excellent idea at the time in that I had read that it promoted good gut bacteria.

The joke was on me because it gave the worst D I ever had. Strap yourself down with a seat belt D.

With further research I discovered that Yes, it promoted bacteria in the intestinal tract but was not selective.

Thanks so much Tex. The analogy of fertilizer on the garden of gut flora is a wonderfully graphic way of describing how it effected me and might effect others. When we posted abut this years ago I wish I had come up with the same anology. Thanks So Much!

All these years later I see that on a label and let it go with fear and trepidation. But then all the food I eat has no labels. It’s just real food.

Ah, the similar twisting paths we walk to finaly find remission. To bad their is no GPS for MC.

To your continued recovery-

Love

Matthew

[MaggieRedwings]

Morning Bev,

Count me as one rider on the can't take inulin train. Just rips my stomach to pieces.

Hope you are feeling better.

Love, Maggie