A few of us do have problems with sweet potatoes. Yes, sweet potatoes do contain resistant starch, especially if you cook them, allow them to cool, and then reheat them. This "magnifies" the effects of the resistant starch.
Tex
Newly diagnosed with LC, needing some guidance
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Re: Newly diagnosed with LC, needing some guidance
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.
Re: Newly diagnosed with LC, needing some guidance
Hi Tex - I definitely reacted to the sweet potato, as I had a bristol 6 BM (likely from re-heating cooled sweet potato, as you described). It seems I cannot tolerate resistant starches right now. Good to know.
It's a bit frustrating trying to test any new foods, as it feels like traversing a minefield. I don't mind my limited diet right now, but I am more concerned about any nutritional deficiencies/imbalances. I would like to stick with this diet for a few months to allow proper healing, but I don't know if I am missing anything.
According to my Cronometer app, I am lacking calcium, vitamin E, and vitamin K. Otherwise I am getting sufficient intake of everything else. I am eating about 190 grams of protein daily.
Should I try almond milk or coconut milk to get more calcium? What are some good products or brands that are generally safe in the recovery phase?
Thanks as always.
Leena
It's a bit frustrating trying to test any new foods, as it feels like traversing a minefield. I don't mind my limited diet right now, but I am more concerned about any nutritional deficiencies/imbalances. I would like to stick with this diet for a few months to allow proper healing, but I don't know if I am missing anything.
According to my Cronometer app, I am lacking calcium, vitamin E, and vitamin K. Otherwise I am getting sufficient intake of everything else. I am eating about 190 grams of protein daily.
Should I try almond milk or coconut milk to get more calcium? What are some good products or brands that are generally safe in the recovery phase?
Thanks as always.
Leena
Re: Newly diagnosed with LC, needing some guidance
Hi Leena,
Regarding calcium, virtually all of us have plenty of calcium in our diet. The basic problem is that many of us are unable to absorb the calcium in our diet. Here's a quote from a National Institutes of Health webpage for healthcare professionals:
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calci ... fessional/
So we can conclude from that quote that taking calcium supplements is basically worthless. The key to calcium sufficiency is being able to absorb it properly from the food we digest. And the key to properly absorbing calcium is maintaining an adequate vitamin D level, and adequate magnesium, so that the absorbed calcium can be properly transported by insulin to the cells where it's needed. That's why we have always recommended that MC patients should be taking vitamin D and calcium supplements, because MC depletes vitamin D and magnesium, and the reason many of us have MC in the first place, is because we are either vitamin D or magnesium deficient, or we're deficient in both.
That said, coconut milk and almond milk are generally safe for most of us, but we shouldn't rely on them for calcium, because the key to calcium absorption is adequate vitamin D and magnesium. 100% coconut milk is a great source of generally safe fat, if you're trying to add calories to your diet. Avocados are also a good source of fat.
I hope this helps,
Tex
Regarding calcium, virtually all of us have plenty of calcium in our diet. The basic problem is that many of us are unable to absorb the calcium in our diet. Here's a quote from a National Institutes of Health webpage for healthcare professionals:
An inverse relationship exists between calcium intake and absorption. Absorption of calcium from food is about 45% at intakes of 200 mg/day but only 15% when intakes are higher than 2,000 mg/day [6]. Age can also affect absorption of dietary calcium [1,4].
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calci ... fessional/
So we can conclude from that quote that taking calcium supplements is basically worthless. The key to calcium sufficiency is being able to absorb it properly from the food we digest. And the key to properly absorbing calcium is maintaining an adequate vitamin D level, and adequate magnesium, so that the absorbed calcium can be properly transported by insulin to the cells where it's needed. That's why we have always recommended that MC patients should be taking vitamin D and calcium supplements, because MC depletes vitamin D and magnesium, and the reason many of us have MC in the first place, is because we are either vitamin D or magnesium deficient, or we're deficient in both.
That said, coconut milk and almond milk are generally safe for most of us, but we shouldn't rely on them for calcium, because the key to calcium absorption is adequate vitamin D and magnesium. 100% coconut milk is a great source of generally safe fat, if you're trying to add calories to your diet. Avocados are also a good source of fat.
I hope this helps,
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.
Re: Newly diagnosed with LC, needing some guidance
Hi everyone,
I just received my Enterolab results and would really appreciate some help with interpreting them.
Currently, I am having normans. My diet is as follows:
-plainville turkey
-zucchini
-yellow squash
-jasmine rice
-coconut oil
-sea salt
If you think there is anything I should adjust right now, please let me know!
---
Fecal Anti-gliadin IgA 125 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)
Fecal Anti-casein (cow’s milk) IgA 36 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)
Fecal Anti-ovalbumin (chicken egg) IgA 18 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)
Fecal Anti-soy IgA 19 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)
Mean Value 11 Antigenic Foods 26 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)
While all of the foods tested can be immune-stimulating, the hierarchy of reactions detected were as follows:
Food to which there was no significant immunological reactivity:
None
Food to which there was some immunological reactivity (1+):
White potato
Food to which there was moderate immunological reactivity (2+):
Oat
Rice
Chicken
Beef
Pork
Cashew
Almond
Food to which there was significant and/or the most immunological reactivity (3+):
Corn
Tuna
Walnut
Within each class of foods to which you displayed multiple reactions, the hierarchy of those reactions detected were as follows:
Grains:
Grain toward which you displayed the most immunologic reactivity: Corn
Grain toward which you displayed intermediate immunologic reactivity: Oat
Grain toward which you displayed the least immunologic reactivity: Rice
Meats:
Meat toward which you displayed the most immunologic reactivity: Tuna
Meat toward which you were next most immunologically reactive: Chicken
Meat toward which you displayed intermediate immunologic reactivity: Beef
Meat toward which you displayed the least immunologic reactivity: Pork
Nuts:
Nut toward which you displayed the most immunologic reactivity: Walnut
Nut toward which you displayed intermediate immunologic reactivity: Cashew
Nut toward which you displayed the least immunologic reactivity: Almond
Nightshades:
You displayed immunologic reactivity to white potato, the member of the nightshade family usually consumed most often and in greatest quantities. While this does not necessarily mean you would react to all other nightshade foods (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant), it is possible. In the realm of elimination diets for immunologic disorders, nightshades are usually eliminated as the entire food class (i.e., all four previously mentioned foods in this class). This is especially important to the clinical setting of arthritis.
I just received my Enterolab results and would really appreciate some help with interpreting them.
Currently, I am having normans. My diet is as follows:
-plainville turkey
-zucchini
-yellow squash
-jasmine rice
-coconut oil
-sea salt
If you think there is anything I should adjust right now, please let me know!
---
Fecal Anti-gliadin IgA 125 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)
Fecal Anti-casein (cow’s milk) IgA 36 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)
Fecal Anti-ovalbumin (chicken egg) IgA 18 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)
Fecal Anti-soy IgA 19 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)
Mean Value 11 Antigenic Foods 26 Units (Normal Range is less than 10 Units)
While all of the foods tested can be immune-stimulating, the hierarchy of reactions detected were as follows:
Food to which there was no significant immunological reactivity:
None
Food to which there was some immunological reactivity (1+):
White potato
Food to which there was moderate immunological reactivity (2+):
Oat
Rice
Chicken
Beef
Pork
Cashew
Almond
Food to which there was significant and/or the most immunological reactivity (3+):
Corn
Tuna
Walnut
Within each class of foods to which you displayed multiple reactions, the hierarchy of those reactions detected were as follows:
Grains:
Grain toward which you displayed the most immunologic reactivity: Corn
Grain toward which you displayed intermediate immunologic reactivity: Oat
Grain toward which you displayed the least immunologic reactivity: Rice
Meats:
Meat toward which you displayed the most immunologic reactivity: Tuna
Meat toward which you were next most immunologically reactive: Chicken
Meat toward which you displayed intermediate immunologic reactivity: Beef
Meat toward which you displayed the least immunologic reactivity: Pork
Nuts:
Nut toward which you displayed the most immunologic reactivity: Walnut
Nut toward which you displayed intermediate immunologic reactivity: Cashew
Nut toward which you displayed the least immunologic reactivity: Almond
Nightshades:
You displayed immunologic reactivity to white potato, the member of the nightshade family usually consumed most often and in greatest quantities. While this does not necessarily mean you would react to all other nightshade foods (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant), it is possible. In the realm of elimination diets for immunologic disorders, nightshades are usually eliminated as the entire food class (i.e., all four previously mentioned foods in this class). This is especially important to the clinical setting of arthritis.
Re: Newly diagnosed with LC, needing some guidance
As long as you're having Norman's, why would you want to rock the boat by making changes? On the other hand if you begin to have symptoms, you might need to cut out rice, based on your test results. It's possible you might be able to eat rice on a rotational basis, once every three days, but if you react, you'd be better off without it.
But as I mentioned in my first sentence, if you're having Norman's, why are you concerned?
Tex
But as I mentioned in my first sentence, if you're having Norman's, why are you concerned?
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.
Re: Newly diagnosed with LC, needing some guidance
I suspected that if I am having normans while still eating jasmine rice, then it’s likely not an issue for me, though I was not sure if this would be putting me at risk of delaying my healing. There is still a lot I need to learn about this disease, but I am trying to get better about listening to my body.
I appreciate your guidance as always, Tex!
I was surprised that my anti-gliadin levels were still so high despite me being gluten-free for the past 6 months or so. Is that common?
I appreciate your guidance as always, Tex!
I was surprised that my anti-gliadin levels were still so high despite me being gluten-free for the past 6 months or so. Is that common?
Re: Newly diagnosed with LC, needing some guidance
Also I just recalled - I did have a week or so within the past month where I didn’t have yellow squash in my meals, and I noticed my stools were much looser. Once I realized that the only thing I had changed was leaving out the yellow squash, I added it back in and the normans returned… At the time I chalked it up to the zucchini lectins? But now I am wondering if perhaps it is in fact the rice. 
Re: Newly diagnosed with LC, needing some guidance
As I recall, the information that comes with the test results from EnteroLab points out that the test results for the 11 other antigenic foods are not chiseled in stone. There are a few of us who can tolerate some of the items that show that they cause our immune system to produce antibodies. And in that case, eating them normally does this interfere with our healing process. That's only true for the 11 other antigenic foods, though, Any sensitivity shown for the main four allergens (gluten, casein, soy, and eggs)is virtually always a prominent sensitivity, whether we are showing symptoms, or not. It's possible to develop a tolerance so that we don't show symptoms, but that does not mean that we are not accumulating damage to our intestines. Some celiacs, for example, develop a tolerance for gluten, and they don't display symptoms, but the lining of their intestines looks like a battleground, when viewed through a microscope.
I can tolerate casein, for example, despite the fact that my EnteroLab test showed that I'm sensitive to casein, but if I eat any dairy products they cause osteoarthritis problems for me. So obviously, I never eat any dairy products.
The consistency of our stools depends upon our diet, and the more fiber our diet contains, the less solid our stool will be. Jasmine rice contains very little fiber, but squash are a relatively high fiber source, and that probably caused the difference in your stool pattern.
Regarding antigliadin levels, anti-gliadin antibodies have a 120 day half-life, whereas most other food sensitivities have a five or six day half-life. That makes antigliadin antibodies very persistent, relative to all the others. The EnteroLab test are so sensitive that they can detect gluten sensitivity up to two years after gluten is removed from the diet, and that's obviously due to the fact that antigliadin antibodies have such a long half-life. In other words if we have a high antigliadin antibody level when we adopt the gluten-free diet, it normally takes at least several years or more for our antibody level to decay to a normal level.
Tex
I can tolerate casein, for example, despite the fact that my EnteroLab test showed that I'm sensitive to casein, but if I eat any dairy products they cause osteoarthritis problems for me. So obviously, I never eat any dairy products.
The consistency of our stools depends upon our diet, and the more fiber our diet contains, the less solid our stool will be. Jasmine rice contains very little fiber, but squash are a relatively high fiber source, and that probably caused the difference in your stool pattern.
Regarding antigliadin levels, anti-gliadin antibodies have a 120 day half-life, whereas most other food sensitivities have a five or six day half-life. That makes antigliadin antibodies very persistent, relative to all the others. The EnteroLab test are so sensitive that they can detect gluten sensitivity up to two years after gluten is removed from the diet, and that's obviously due to the fact that antigliadin antibodies have such a long half-life. In other words if we have a high antigliadin antibody level when we adopt the gluten-free diet, it normally takes at least several years or more for our antibody level to decay to a normal level.
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.
Re: Newly diagnosed with LC, needing some guidance
Very interesting, thank you for the information!! Despite the frustration that can come with navigating LC/MC, I believe that the rewarding part can be making these discoveries and connections along the way and learning what is best for our overall wellbeing, slowly but surely.
I think for now I will keep the jasmine rice, but I’ll take it with a *grain* of salt (pun intended). I have been only eating soups and so I add in the rice in small portions each time (about 1 cup per day). My goal will be to switch to safer carbs at least while I am in the recovery phase.
Regarding the fiber intake, that makes sense. Though I was confused why zucchini + rice = loose stools, but zucchini + rice + yellow squash = normal?? It made me think that maybe there is something in the zucchini that is irritating to the gut, but the yellow squash helps to bind it and eliminate it. I wish I knew more about nutritional science haha !
Good to know about the anti-gliadin antibodies. It’s a wonder how gluten has become so prevalent in society when it seems to be wreaking havoc on the gut health of so many.
I think for now I will keep the jasmine rice, but I’ll take it with a *grain* of salt (pun intended). I have been only eating soups and so I add in the rice in small portions each time (about 1 cup per day). My goal will be to switch to safer carbs at least while I am in the recovery phase.
Regarding the fiber intake, that makes sense. Though I was confused why zucchini + rice = loose stools, but zucchini + rice + yellow squash = normal?? It made me think that maybe there is something in the zucchini that is irritating to the gut, but the yellow squash helps to bind it and eliminate it. I wish I knew more about nutritional science haha !
Good to know about the anti-gliadin antibodies. It’s a wonder how gluten has become so prevalent in society when it seems to be wreaking havoc on the gut health of so many.
Re: Newly diagnosed with LC, needing some guidance
You're not the first person I've seen complain about zucchini causing digestive system problems. It can sometimes contain toxic cucurbitacins (presumably under certain growing conditions) that can cause problems, especially for some people. So you might be right, that the problem is not just your imagination.
And yes, the path to remission can be unique for many of us, and lead to a very personalized (customized) diet.
Regarding gluten, no human can digest gluten, but only some of us are unfortunate enough that it causes us to develop leaky gut, so that we develop gluten sensitivity, and other food sensitivities. For everyone else, the undigested peptides that result from the digestion of gluten pass on through their digestive system, harmlessly.
Tex
And yes, the path to remission can be unique for many of us, and lead to a very personalized (customized) diet.
Regarding gluten, no human can digest gluten, but only some of us are unfortunate enough that it causes us to develop leaky gut, so that we develop gluten sensitivity, and other food sensitivities. For everyone else, the undigested peptides that result from the digestion of gluten pass on through their digestive system, harmlessly.
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.
Re: Newly diagnosed with LC, needing some guidance
Hi all, I’m currently in another flare and am in need of some advice on how to get out of it.
This flare has been the worst I’ve had in months. It has been two weeks and it has not resolved. BMs are fluctuating between nearly normal to Bristol 6-7. Typically, my flare ups are minor and take 3-4 days max to return back to my baseline. I think what set it off this time is that I had cross-contamination with gluten and dairy during the thanksgiving holiday. I was already in a mild flare at the time, possibly from eating food that had sat a bit too long in the fridge.
But then, during the holiday I cooked my food in glass pans that had been washed after another family member used them. They had made dishes containing pasta with gluten and cheese, amongst other ingredients. I should’ve considered that even after washing the pans, they would still have residual amounts – now I suspect that even this is enough for me to react.
Since then, I have bought new glass pans for only me to use for cooking. I am also trying to get new pots. I live with other family members, so I am trying to think of ways to reduce the risk of cross-contamination from now on. The other items I use are bowls, plates, silverware, glass Tupperware, and wooden cutting boards – these are all washed thoroughly in our dishwasher, minus the cutting boards which are washed by hand. I have even gone to the extent of asking my family to use specified “off-limits” Tupperware when storing any gluten or dairy. Do you think it is safe for me to continue reusing any items that were cleaned by the dishwasher? I did not have any issues prior to this, but now I am wondering if I have been cross-contaminating all along?
As for why I am stuck in this flare, I am considering these other variables:
- Zucchini & yellow squash peels – I am going to try reducing my intake of peels right now and see what happens. The last time I tried removing all peels, I became constipated, so I will try reducing but not removing altogether.
- Jasmine rice – rice is 2+ for me, but I believe that this jasmine rice is safe for me based on my body’s response to it the past few months.
As I mentioned, this flare is very unusual for me, so the only thing I can think of is that I accidentally dosed myself with gluten and now my gut is hypersensitive. I have not added any other ingredients.
This flare has been the worst I’ve had in months. It has been two weeks and it has not resolved. BMs are fluctuating between nearly normal to Bristol 6-7. Typically, my flare ups are minor and take 3-4 days max to return back to my baseline. I think what set it off this time is that I had cross-contamination with gluten and dairy during the thanksgiving holiday. I was already in a mild flare at the time, possibly from eating food that had sat a bit too long in the fridge.
But then, during the holiday I cooked my food in glass pans that had been washed after another family member used them. They had made dishes containing pasta with gluten and cheese, amongst other ingredients. I should’ve considered that even after washing the pans, they would still have residual amounts – now I suspect that even this is enough for me to react.
Since then, I have bought new glass pans for only me to use for cooking. I am also trying to get new pots. I live with other family members, so I am trying to think of ways to reduce the risk of cross-contamination from now on. The other items I use are bowls, plates, silverware, glass Tupperware, and wooden cutting boards – these are all washed thoroughly in our dishwasher, minus the cutting boards which are washed by hand. I have even gone to the extent of asking my family to use specified “off-limits” Tupperware when storing any gluten or dairy. Do you think it is safe for me to continue reusing any items that were cleaned by the dishwasher? I did not have any issues prior to this, but now I am wondering if I have been cross-contaminating all along?
As for why I am stuck in this flare, I am considering these other variables:
- Zucchini & yellow squash peels – I am going to try reducing my intake of peels right now and see what happens. The last time I tried removing all peels, I became constipated, so I will try reducing but not removing altogether.
- Jasmine rice – rice is 2+ for me, but I believe that this jasmine rice is safe for me based on my body’s response to it the past few months.
As I mentioned, this flare is very unusual for me, so the only thing I can think of is that I accidentally dosed myself with gluten and now my gut is hypersensitive. I have not added any other ingredients.
Re: Newly diagnosed with LC, needing some guidance
There may have been enough damage caused to require a few weeks to get the inflammation level down far enough so that the reaction will stop. With a score of 26 on the 11 other antigenic foods a 2 plus rating on Jasmine rice makes it a rather risky choice, especially while you are still reacting.
And I seriously doubt that you can clean the gluten out of a wooden cutting board unless you sand it down significantly to get below the level at which it might be contaminated. The only practical solution I see there, is to have a separate cutting board that is never exposed to gluten, or any other food antigen. At least, those are my thoughts.
Tex
And I seriously doubt that you can clean the gluten out of a wooden cutting board unless you sand it down significantly to get below the level at which it might be contaminated. The only practical solution I see there, is to have a separate cutting board that is never exposed to gluten, or any other food antigen. At least, those are my thoughts.
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.
Re: Newly diagnosed with LC, needing some guidance
Hello Leena,
I scored 28 on the 11 antigenic foods with rice being a 1+. I tried to introduce jasmine rice and did well on it for almost 2 weeks and then I flared - over 5 weeks of WD (after I stopped the rice).
I also gave up at eating at my sister's place for holidays - I bring my own food in my own containers. My sister always made me safe foods but she used her utensils and her containers. I always ended up with gut problems after eating what she made me, never a bad reaction but enough of one that there was no doubt as to what happened. She's pretty understanding about it - she had a son with Krohns.
John R.
I scored 28 on the 11 antigenic foods with rice being a 1+. I tried to introduce jasmine rice and did well on it for almost 2 weeks and then I flared - over 5 weeks of WD (after I stopped the rice).
I also gave up at eating at my sister's place for holidays - I bring my own food in my own containers. My sister always made me safe foods but she used her utensils and her containers. I always ended up with gut problems after eating what she made me, never a bad reaction but enough of one that there was no doubt as to what happened. She's pretty understanding about it - she had a son with Krohns.
John R.
Re: Newly diagnosed with LC, needing some guidance
Tex, thank you for your reply and patience with me.
Alright, you've convinced me to remove the rice
I have been hesitant to remove it since I get very fatigued on a super low carb diet. I am trying to brainstorm which safer carbs I could eventually replace it with (veg, fruit, ancient grain, etc). Though unless I can get back to normal BMs, I won't be able to reliably test any new foods, right?
There is also the possibility that I am reacting to the zucchini and my BMs will remain loose despite removing the rice. Argh - I'm feeling a bit lost now on what to do.
Out of curiosity, what did your recovery diet look like? Though I know everyone is different.
The cutting boards we have don't get any gluten exposure, though I may very well be getting contamination from the other veggies/fruit/meats that are cut on them. I plan to get my own separate board now.
Alright, you've convinced me to remove the rice
I have been hesitant to remove it since I get very fatigued on a super low carb diet. I am trying to brainstorm which safer carbs I could eventually replace it with (veg, fruit, ancient grain, etc). Though unless I can get back to normal BMs, I won't be able to reliably test any new foods, right?There is also the possibility that I am reacting to the zucchini and my BMs will remain loose despite removing the rice. Argh - I'm feeling a bit lost now on what to do.
Out of curiosity, what did your recovery diet look like? Though I know everyone is different.
The cutting boards we have don't get any gluten exposure, though I may very well be getting contamination from the other veggies/fruit/meats that are cut on them. I plan to get my own separate board now.
Re: Newly diagnosed with LC, needing some guidance
John, thank you so much for your response. Our situations are so similar that I would be remiss to not remove the rice now. May I ask what foods you included in your recovery diet?
I'm sorry to hear that you dealt with flare ups while visiting with family. The silver lining is that you were able to learn from it and find ways to safely eat with them, even during the holiday get togethers. I am at that stage of learning right now as well!
I'm sorry to hear that you dealt with flare ups while visiting with family. The silver lining is that you were able to learn from it and find ways to safely eat with them, even during the holiday get togethers. I am at that stage of learning right now as well!