Elimination diet

[Patricia]

Happy New Year to everybody!

Here's a little update. I had discontinued gluten and dairy at the end of October, and once I received the Enterolab results right before Thanksgiving, I also discontinued egg and soy. Despite being super careful about that, also eliminating all raw fruits and vegetables (with the exception of bananas), I still had a few days of D each week. We always celebrate Christmas on the 24th and I decided that I would start an elimination diet on the 25th because I could tell that I was still reacting to something. Also, the right side of my face still had that rash (especially pronounced in the morning) and was itchy, despite being on Allegra.
So, the 25th I started eating only chicken, sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, cooked apples, and bananas. After indulging in a bit too much homemade applesauce one day I had some loose bowel movements again. Since then I left the apples away as well. On December 31st, my cheek still red and itchy, it occurred to me that I had not checked whether there were any foods contained in the Allegra or my vitamin D3 preparation (weeks before I had made sure that they were GF, DF, EF, SF). I called both companies, and it turns out that Allegra contains corn gluten and my vitamin D3 contains beef. I admit, I was a bit upset with myself for not having realized that any earlier. Also, I wondered if I might be reacting to chicken. So since January 1st, I have only had lamb, sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, and bananas.
Overall, I feel better. There are better days and worse days (and I wonder how that is possible, maybe due to the menstrual cycle?) regarding bloating, gurgling, bowel movements, and pain. Shouldn't it be the same every day since I have the same diet every single day?
So far, I had no more outright D. And the rash is slightly better, the itchiness as well.

I now have several questions:

- The first phase of the elimination diet should be about 2 weeks. Do I count only from January 1st? And what is the risk of staying in that phase too long regarding deficiencies on the one side and an overdose of vitamin A (from the sweet potatoes) on the other side? I have been eating sweet potatoes nearly daily since the end of November.
- Are there any supplements (vitamin D3 or others) out there that do not contain ANY foods?
- Once I start introducing foods, one every three days, do I only introduce the new food in the morning of day 1, or am I also supposed to have a small portion of it on days 2 and 3? And once that goes well can I have them regularly while testing other foods?
- Does it matter whether I start testing with regular potatoes, rice, corn, chicken, beef, apples, coconut, or anything else?

Thank you so much in advance!!!

Love, Patricia

[tex]

Hi Particia,

It's not unusual for us to have a mix of good days and bad days when we are recovering. It takes a long time to heal, and even though you might be in remission from D, you still have a lot of healing left to do.

- The first phase of the elimination diet should be about 2 weeks. Do I count only from January 1st? And what is the risk of staying in that phase too long regarding deficiencies on the one side and an overdose of vitamin A (from the sweet potatoes) on the other side? I have been eating sweet potatoes nearly daily since the end of November.

I followed a strict elimination diet for about a year and a half. As long as you are make sure that you are getting enough vitamin B-12 (either in your food or with a supplement), magnesium, etc., and you're taking enough vitamin D, you should be OK. The vitamin A in sweet potatoes is in the form of beta carotene (if my memory is correct), and for most people, it's impossible to overdose on beta carotene, because the body will only convert what it needs, and pass the rest on.

- Are there any supplements (vitamin D3 or others) out there that do not contain ANY foods?

Yes there are. Here's one that I take, for example (though I take more vitamin D than this dose):

http://www.freedavitamins.com/index.php ... 2&parent=4

- Once I start introducing foods, one every three days, do I only introduce the new food in the morning of day 1, or am I also supposed to have a small portion of it on days 2 and 3? And once that goes well can I have them regularly while testing other foods?

Most members here eat it daily for 3 days, and if they haven't reacted to it by then, they accept it as safe and add it to their diet.

- Does it matter whether I start testing with regular potatoes, rice, corn, chicken, beef, apples, coconut, or anything else?

Whatever testing order appeals to you should be fine, as long as you only test one food at a time. And if you have a reaction to a food, give your digestive system time to settle down again for at least a few days before testing another food.

Good luck, and you are very welcome.

Love,
Tex

[Gabes-Apg]

Patricia,
Congrats on progress..

There is no fixed timing to this, listen to your body, is the way to go.

If you are not feeling 100%, either from bad sleep or cold symptoms, or there is increase in emotional/physical/mental stress, don't try a new ingredient..

My suggestion is to keep in mind that our digestion system at this stage is sensitive, a bit like a baby, when you take them from milk to gooey solids. When trying a new ingredient have a small serve, no more than half a cup. The first day there may be mild symptoms and the poop will change..., as the digestion system adjusts to the change... that is why we say to have small serves for three days,
If after the third day there is D, or excess of gas, I would put that ingredient on the 'not now' list...

As tex mentions, wait however long it takes for the system to settle down before trying another ingredient...
Don't try to rush it!!,

One thing I have found is that I have many foods that are sometimes foods..... Some I can have a couple of times a week, some I can only have once every couple of weeks.... while trying other new ingredients, don't have too many serves of the other new ingredients... It may sound like protective overkill but you don't want to undo your progress..


Supplement wise, iHerb is a great site that has fantastic information on products. They have quite a few brands that are gluten, dairy, soy free for a lot of products.

Good luck !!!!

[brandy]

Hi Patricia,

I eat a sweet potato a day and never gave a thought to it. The paleo folks prefer sweet potatos over white potato and rice as it is lower glycemic.

Take your time on adding new foods. There is nothing wrong with the "few foods regimen" early on. Until probably the 1950's forward mankind lived on the few food regimen.....salted meat in winter.....root vegetables in winter.....no fresh vegetables until summer.....fruit only in season. We have a plethora of foods in the supermarket that did not exist prior to the 1950s.

My MC journey had a lot of ups and downs. Suggest evaluate your progress over an 8 week period. It is too frustrating day to day.

Brandy

[tex]

If you are not feeling 100%, either from bad sleep or cold symptoms, or there is increase in emotional/physical/mental stress, don't try a new ingredient..

That's an excellent point, because stress (whether physical, emotional, or chemical) is a wild card that can derail the best of treatment plans. IOW, you don't want to mistakenly assume that you reacted to a test food, when in fact you are reacting to a new or increased level of stress, imposed by some issue in your life.

Tex

[tex]

Take your time on adding new foods. There is nothing wrong with the "few foods regimen" early on. Until probably the 1950's forward mankind lived on the few food regimen.....salted meat in winter.....root vegetables in winter.....no fresh vegetables until summer.....fruit only in season. We have a plethora of foods in the supermarket that did not exist prior to the 1950s.

Another very excellent observation. Most people who come here and read about the rather drastic diet changes we use to get our life back, are scared to death at the thought of trying to survive on such a restricted diet. They incorrectly envision wholesale deficiencies of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that will quickly destroy their health.

But as Brandy so eloquently pointed out, it simply isn't so. Historically, most humans have eaten a very limited, boring diet that might change somewhat with the seasons, but certainly not on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. With MC, we already are dealing with a reduced intake of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, because of the malabsorption problem that comes with the disease. It simply doesn't matter how well balanced our diet might be, if we're unable to properly absorb the nutrients in our food. So the first order of business is to stop the inflammation by concentrating on a few simple foods that we can digest, without causing additional inflammation. We will have plenty of time to fine-tune our diet after we are in remission, but until we are in remission, the name of the game is to eat simply and safely, for as long as necessary in order to restore the ability of our digestive system to properly digest food.

Only during the last 2 or 3 generations have a wide variety of foods, at any time of year, and at virtually any location, become available to the masses. Sure, the ruling classes and the rich and famous have had a more varied diet for centuries, but throughout history (until very recently), us ordinary folks ate rather simply. We have forgotten what that's like, these days (at least the younger generations have — I can certainly remember, because that's the way I grew up, and it's the way I eat today).

Tex

[nerdhume]

Tex:

I can certainly remember, because that's the way I grew up, and it's the way I eat today

I grew up in the 50's eating basically meat, potatoes, very well cooked (or canned) veggies. Wheat bread was actually white bread with coloring to make it brown.

Over the years I ate more 'health foods'. Huge salads, raw veggies and fruit of all kinds, whole grain everything.

Now I'm back to the 50's way of eating without the bread. I am used to it and really don't feel deprived of anything.

[tex]

I grew up in the 50's eating basically meat, potatoes, very well cooked (or canned) veggies.

That's the way we ate when I was growing up, also.

Now I'm back to the 50's way of eating without the bread. I am used to it and really don't feel deprived of anything.

Hmmmmm. I wonder if the next big thing in diets (if not this year, maybe within this decade) will be a "back to the 50s" diet, as more and more people begin to realize that this is where the more successful (healthy) diets are headed. It's a shame that most people are too young (and the rest have forgotten) that after the 50s, our diets and our health began to head south.

There has to be a reason why that happened, and the smoking gun appears to be the USDA's promotion of milk and more grains in the diet, and later, the addition of soy, and an all-out campaign for a low-fat diet. As they say, "The rest is history".

Tex

[Patricia]

Thank you so much to everyone for your support and good points!!!

I was a bit afraid of deficiencies because it stated in Jean's instructions for the elimination diet "after three weeks, there is concern about adequate nutrition". I was relieved to read your answers because I'd rather take it slow and be on the safe side than introduce new foods to early. So I am glad that you recommended that. And I will make sure not to overindulge, but eat really small portions when trying a new food!

As for the vitamins, minerals: I don't think my methyl folate level has ever been checked. So I am not sure what my body does with folic acid. I saw that some of you take very specific ratios of the different B vitamins. Should I do that? Or should I just order a multivitamin from Freeda or iHerb? I assume I'll have to order the vitamin D3 separate. Anything else that I should order separate? Are there any specific vitamins that we need more of with MC? What about calcium if I don't eat dairy anymore?

I have follow-up appointments with my PCP and my gastroenterologist in about 2 months. My PCP was strongly against me eating gluten free (like this would be a very dangerous thing to do). That was before Enterolab testing, and long before going on the elimination diet. I cannot even imagine what she would think of this!!!

And yes, I will try to look at the progress in 8-week increments. It is frustrating when looking at it day-to-day. It is also hard to see friends who I haven't seen in a while and they say things like "look at you, you lost so much weight!" I lost about 10 pounds. A year ago, I would have been overjoyed. But right now I just do not want to loose any more weight.

It is so comforting to read all your posts. Thanks for being there and willing to share advice!

Love, Patricia

[tex]

I saw that some of you take very specific ratios of the different B vitamins. Should I do that?

That's only necessary if you have a methylation problem. People who have methylation problems are unable to convert folic acid into methylfolate (the active form used by the body). That's why some of us have to take the active forms of those 3 vitamins, in a balanced mix.

One way to test to see if you are unable to properly convert folic acid to the methylated form is to have your doctor test your homocysteine level. As unconverted folic acid builds up in the body, homocysteine blood levels will rise (which is not good, because this can lead to heart damage and other cardiovascular issues). However, there are other issues that can cause homocysteine levels to rise, so an elevated level does not necessarily prove that someone has a methylation issue, therefore additional testing may be needed to pinpoint the cause.

Anything else that I should order separate? Are there any specific vitamins that we need more of with MC? What about calcium if I don't eat dairy anymore?

If you have been reacting for several years, or if you have been a vegetarian, you might need vitamin B-12. However, if you have been eating meat for years, you should be OK for a while because the liver can store enough B-12 to last for up to 5 years.

Many/most of us are magnesium deficient, but magnesium citrate (the most easily-absorbed oral form, is a laxative when taken in significant doses, so many of us use a magnesium spray, lotion, or oil, because magnesium can be absorbed through the skin without any digestive problems. Soaking your feet in Epsom salts also works, or adding Epsom salts to bathwater.

If you have plenty of vitamin D and magnesium (and vitamin K2) in your blood, you shouldn't need any calcium supplement, because you should get plenty from your diet (almond milk contains as much calcium as cow's milk, and many other foods contain calcium). Vitamin K2 is mostly found in animal-based foods and fermented foods. If you eat enough of foods such as those in the list below, you should have plenty of K2 in your diet. Obviously many of us cannot eat all of those foods, but all we have to do is to eat enough of the ones that we can eat.

cheese
egg yolk
butter
chicken liver and other organ meats
salami
saeurkraut
chicken breast
ground beef

My PCP was strongly against me eating gluten free (like this would be a very dangerous thing to do).

Your PCP is full of you-know-what. She doesn't have MC, so she obviously knows nothing about treating it. There is nothing healthy about eating gluten, or any of the other foods that cause us to react. Those foods are poison to our body. Your PCP simply doesn't know enough about food sensitivities to understand that.

and they say things like "look at you, you lost so much weight!

At least if you continue to eat a safe diet, they won't have to tell you that through the bathroom door, because you are afraid to leave the bathroom. Don't worry, as your digestive system heals, you will be able to gain weight again. Many of us go through that stage. I was hide and bones for a long time back when I was really sick. I could hardly recognize myself in the mirror. I looked as though I had aged 20 or 30 years, almost overnight.

All your hard work and perseverance will be rewarded, and when you get your life back, and your body heals, you will be healthier than you ever were before.

Love,
Tex

[nerdhume]

Tex wrote:

That's only necessary if you have a methylation problem. People who have methylation problems are unable to convert folic acid into methylfolate (the active form used by the body). That's why some of us have to take the active forms of those 3 vitamins, in a balanced mix.

So this part of my results means I don't have that problem?
[img][img]http://www.chiefimaging.com/Capture.JPG[/img]

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[Gabes-Apg]

Theresa,
The best way to interpret any methylation issues is the report from genetic genie...
There are about 20 or so gene snp's related to the methylation cycle.
The genetic genie methylation report will provide the best info/summary as to any issues with your methylation cycle...

[Patricia]

Are methylation problems more common in people with MC than in the general population? Or is the general population just unaware of them?

Those foods are poison to our body.

So true! Before doing the Enterolab testing my husband and I went to dinner with friends. It was a nice restaurant where we had been before. Well...the next day I felt like I had been poisoned. And I know it was not the restaurant's fault, nor was anybody else in the group sick the next day.

At least if you continue to eat a safe diet, they won't have to tell you that through the bathroom door, because you are afraid to leave the bathroom.

Good one!!!

Thanks again!

Love, Patricia

[tex]

Theresa,

I agree with Gabes — the Genetic Genie results should help to clarify that. My impression is that while that particular exception may lower the risk of the development of subsequent adverse cardiovascular consequences (due to a reduced risk of a homosysteine buildup), it still indicates a methylation issue (since the conversion to tetrahydrofolate cannot be completed).

Tex

[tex]

Are methylation problems more common in people with MC than in the general population? Or is the general population just unaware of them?

That we don't know. Not only are there no valid research data available on what percentage of people who have MC might have a methylation problem, but statistics on the general population are not even available (unless I've overlooked that information).

You're most welcome.

Love,
Tex