My husband recently saw an iridologist (he's always been curious) who told him that he has some food allergies. That's confirmed now with his positive result on Dr. Fine's gluten sensitivity test.
To identify more trigger foods he started on a 4 day rotation diet from Dr. Sherry Rodger's book The EI Syndrome (environmental illness). She has a whole section on delayed food allergy/intolerance and guidelines for the diet. It's already paying off. He's discovered a reaction to cayenne (nightshade family and he already suspects he reacts to tomatoes) and quinoa. He is such an inspiration.
Before I went on vacation, I also started re-reading my food allergy books and looking at the food families again, since now I know for certain that this is the major source of my problems. I realize that I may well have developed more intolerances because I didn't rotate my foods. I just replaced gluten with non-gluten grains and ate them 2 or 3 times a day. I used soy creamer (with maltodextrin) instead of milk everyday. Etc. etc.
This may not be a problem for most people, but evidently if you are very sensitive, which I seem to be, not rotating your foods can lead to further problems. So I think I am going to start rotating my foods/food families. It's a bit of a pain but it looks like it could be worthwhile.
I have two or three excellent resource guides on rotation diets, but if any of you have any suggestions I would love to hear them.
Wayne, it seemed like you were able to add quite a few foods back in when you rotated. Did you find it to be a worthwhile effort?
Of course, I am not going to try any of my big triggers, but this approach might help me add back in some additional vegetables and fruit and maybe rice if I eat them in great moderation on a rotated basis. Celia
Rotating Foods
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Rotating Foods
I beleive in magic!
Celia,
I'm guessing, of course, but I believe that the reason I was able to add those foods back into my diet, was because my gut had healed enough, (over three years GF), and the main problem that I was having at the time was fermentation, (due to a stenosis in my sigmoid colon). By rotating foods, I probably inadverdently reduced the fermentation problem.
Even now, if I eat my previous intolerances, (corn, dairy, etc.), every day, I will have minor problems after a few days. On a rotational basis, though, I don't notice any symptoms.
My staples, meat and potatoes, I have always eaten, virtually every day of my life, (except when I couldn't eat, of course), and I don't worry about becoming intolerant of them, because if worse comes to worse, I can always ditch the spuds, and live on meat. I really don't believe that I will ever become intolerant to meat, since that is the most basic paleo food in our diets, as far as volume is concerned. It is the non-paleo foods that I have to rotate.
It's nice to be able to eat ice cream once or twice a week, for example, though I lived without it just fine. Ditto for a bowl of allergen free rice cereal in milk, every third day or so. I'm currently doing without popcorn, one of my former favorite snacks, because ice cream contains corn, and so does a Snickers bar, which I sometimes sneak into my diet once or twice a week, and I've already demonstreated, to my satisfaction, that if I overdo corn, I develop symptoms.
I definiitely rotate vegetables, and don't seem to have any problems with them, that way. I'm still too chicken to try lettuce, though, since that previously made me sick as a dog, every time I tried it. I still avoid cirtus, too, since that always made me very sick. Apples and bananas work fine now, and I can eat them every day. Previously, I had to avoid bananas, because of a fermentation problem.
Have you had a chance to check Dr. Roby's site? His program is slightly different from Dr. Rodgers'. He has some good tips. Here's a link, in case you don't have it handy:
http://dwp.bigplanet.com/allergies/foodallergies/
Wayne
P S I figured out why the system wouldn't accept your list of intolerances in the proper slot in your profile, but would accept it in a signature line. You had a slash, (/), separating two words, and the system interpreted that as a forbidden code, for that data entry slot. In the signature block, you can get away with murder, since it will accept HTML code, images, or whatever. Slashes are a common problem in only certain areas of computer data entry, but they sometimes cause weird things to happen, since the're a part of the basic operating command code for most operating systems.
I'm guessing, of course, but I believe that the reason I was able to add those foods back into my diet, was because my gut had healed enough, (over three years GF), and the main problem that I was having at the time was fermentation, (due to a stenosis in my sigmoid colon). By rotating foods, I probably inadverdently reduced the fermentation problem.
Even now, if I eat my previous intolerances, (corn, dairy, etc.), every day, I will have minor problems after a few days. On a rotational basis, though, I don't notice any symptoms.
My staples, meat and potatoes, I have always eaten, virtually every day of my life, (except when I couldn't eat, of course), and I don't worry about becoming intolerant of them, because if worse comes to worse, I can always ditch the spuds, and live on meat. I really don't believe that I will ever become intolerant to meat, since that is the most basic paleo food in our diets, as far as volume is concerned. It is the non-paleo foods that I have to rotate.
It's nice to be able to eat ice cream once or twice a week, for example, though I lived without it just fine. Ditto for a bowl of allergen free rice cereal in milk, every third day or so. I'm currently doing without popcorn, one of my former favorite snacks, because ice cream contains corn, and so does a Snickers bar, which I sometimes sneak into my diet once or twice a week, and I've already demonstreated, to my satisfaction, that if I overdo corn, I develop symptoms.
I definiitely rotate vegetables, and don't seem to have any problems with them, that way. I'm still too chicken to try lettuce, though, since that previously made me sick as a dog, every time I tried it. I still avoid cirtus, too, since that always made me very sick. Apples and bananas work fine now, and I can eat them every day. Previously, I had to avoid bananas, because of a fermentation problem.
Have you had a chance to check Dr. Roby's site? His program is slightly different from Dr. Rodgers'. He has some good tips. Here's a link, in case you don't have it handy:
http://dwp.bigplanet.com/allergies/foodallergies/
Wayne
P S I figured out why the system wouldn't accept your list of intolerances in the proper slot in your profile, but would accept it in a signature line. You had a slash, (/), separating two words, and the system interpreted that as a forbidden code, for that data entry slot. In the signature block, you can get away with murder, since it will accept HTML code, images, or whatever. Slashes are a common problem in only certain areas of computer data entry, but they sometimes cause weird things to happen, since the're a part of the basic operating command code for most operating systems.
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.
Hi Celia,
I also find that rotating my "minor intolerances" every 3 or 4 days really helps......things like tomatoes and citrus and even a little popcorn now and then.
I agree with you that I will not attempt to eat the major intolerances like gluten or dairy again. Just a reminder in case you don't already know it: celiacs who continue to eat gluten are at greater risk for a cancer of the small intestine. As far as I know, there is no research yet that shows that this can also happen to those of us with just gluten sensitivity (and not full-blown celiac) but it certainly could. Better to be safe than sorry, IMHO.
BTW, the more I learn about dairy, the more I believe it is a major culprit with regard to chronic and autoimmune diseases.
I am very interested to learn more about your hubby's health issues. How are the 2 of you similar? Different? Do you think it is just a coicidence that you both are gluten-sensitive, or do you suspect something else at work?
Love,
Nosy Polly
I also find that rotating my "minor intolerances" every 3 or 4 days really helps......things like tomatoes and citrus and even a little popcorn now and then.
I agree with you that I will not attempt to eat the major intolerances like gluten or dairy again. Just a reminder in case you don't already know it: celiacs who continue to eat gluten are at greater risk for a cancer of the small intestine. As far as I know, there is no research yet that shows that this can also happen to those of us with just gluten sensitivity (and not full-blown celiac) but it certainly could. Better to be safe than sorry, IMHO.
BTW, the more I learn about dairy, the more I believe it is a major culprit with regard to chronic and autoimmune diseases.
I am very interested to learn more about your hubby's health issues. How are the 2 of you similar? Different? Do you think it is just a coicidence that you both are gluten-sensitive, or do you suspect something else at work?
Love,
Nosy Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Hi Poly,
That's an interesting question about me and my hubby. So many of our friends just think it's too weird that we both got ill around the same time.
He had proctitis, which is healed now. And dysbiosis. He was very sensitive to food for a period of time but has been eating a more expanded diet. He didn't think he had any intolerances, so the gluten test came back a surprise, now he's finding more by rotating his foods. He always had strong fatigue with his illness, so he doesn't know for sure if he technically has chronic fatigue.
I have MC with a host of other problems: super multiple intolerances, low adrenal functioning, osteopenia, elevated heavy metals, malabsorption, but I think that's better now, and dysbiosis. I've always had many more symptoms that he, about 25 or 30...but mostly triggered by food.
My husband is 11 years younger than me so perhaps his speedier recovery and fewer symptoms may relate to his age a bit.
How this all came about we have no idea. A few things that come to my mind...In the early 90's we living in a very, very moldy house on a cliff above the ocean. The location was beautiful, but the house not very healthy. We moved out after 4 or 5 years when I began to have some symptoms like ongoing sore throat, etc. Two of our friends who lived there before and after us both have chronic illnesses now.
We also went to India in the early 90's. Talk about D.!!!!!!
And we go to France every summer for 3-4 weeks . We stay in the country and the water may be iffy there too.
In 2001 I had surgery to have a uterine fibroid removed. I've heard that the stress of surgery can trigger gluten intolerance. Also, its easy to pick up bacteria in a hospital. Like klebisella infection is quite rampant in my hospitals.
We started the Zone diet around that time, so if we were already gluten intolerant the Zone saved us from worsening symtpoms for a year or so until we let more gluten crawl back into our diet.
We moved in 2002 from SF to Voorheesivlle, in the Albany area. Our water came from a well, another possible source of bacteria. Many people have commented that perhpas something may have been environmentally off in that house since that's when our symptoms started to manifest in full force. For me they began in the Spring of 2003 and hit me like a brick in the Spring of 2004. for my husband, I think he slowly started to feel unwell in the Fall of 2003. Not sure when his proctitis started.
My guess is that we weakened ourselves by living in the moldy house and leading very stressful lifes. Then I think we got a bug (bacteria or whatever) that initiated our gastro problems and further demise. My husband had a test which recently which indicated a mycoplasma infection but it's not clear if this was a past infection or current one and if it might have any relevance. So far, we haven't found a doctor that knows how to interpret the tests. Mycoplasma infections are not that uncommon, but if they stick around they can do a lot of damage...as you probably know very well.
My guess is that we got the same bug and it just affected us differently in relation to our respective weaknesses.
Whew! Long story.
Be well, Celia
That's an interesting question about me and my hubby. So many of our friends just think it's too weird that we both got ill around the same time.
He had proctitis, which is healed now. And dysbiosis. He was very sensitive to food for a period of time but has been eating a more expanded diet. He didn't think he had any intolerances, so the gluten test came back a surprise, now he's finding more by rotating his foods. He always had strong fatigue with his illness, so he doesn't know for sure if he technically has chronic fatigue.
I have MC with a host of other problems: super multiple intolerances, low adrenal functioning, osteopenia, elevated heavy metals, malabsorption, but I think that's better now, and dysbiosis. I've always had many more symptoms that he, about 25 or 30...but mostly triggered by food.
My husband is 11 years younger than me so perhaps his speedier recovery and fewer symptoms may relate to his age a bit.
How this all came about we have no idea. A few things that come to my mind...In the early 90's we living in a very, very moldy house on a cliff above the ocean. The location was beautiful, but the house not very healthy. We moved out after 4 or 5 years when I began to have some symptoms like ongoing sore throat, etc. Two of our friends who lived there before and after us both have chronic illnesses now.
We also went to India in the early 90's. Talk about D.!!!!!!
And we go to France every summer for 3-4 weeks . We stay in the country and the water may be iffy there too.
In 2001 I had surgery to have a uterine fibroid removed. I've heard that the stress of surgery can trigger gluten intolerance. Also, its easy to pick up bacteria in a hospital. Like klebisella infection is quite rampant in my hospitals.
We started the Zone diet around that time, so if we were already gluten intolerant the Zone saved us from worsening symtpoms for a year or so until we let more gluten crawl back into our diet.
We moved in 2002 from SF to Voorheesivlle, in the Albany area. Our water came from a well, another possible source of bacteria. Many people have commented that perhpas something may have been environmentally off in that house since that's when our symptoms started to manifest in full force. For me they began in the Spring of 2003 and hit me like a brick in the Spring of 2004. for my husband, I think he slowly started to feel unwell in the Fall of 2003. Not sure when his proctitis started.
My guess is that we weakened ourselves by living in the moldy house and leading very stressful lifes. Then I think we got a bug (bacteria or whatever) that initiated our gastro problems and further demise. My husband had a test which recently which indicated a mycoplasma infection but it's not clear if this was a past infection or current one and if it might have any relevance. So far, we haven't found a doctor that knows how to interpret the tests. Mycoplasma infections are not that uncommon, but if they stick around they can do a lot of damage...as you probably know very well.
My guess is that we got the same bug and it just affected us differently in relation to our respective weaknesses.
Whew! Long story.
Be well, Celia
I beleive in magic!
Celia,
Thanks for the medical history. I know you had posted some of it before but it was interesting to see the whole progression. I don't know much about mold. Has it been linked to digestive problems/food intolerances?
Certainly infection is a biggie. Did you ever get tested for ova and parasites (especially giardia) when you were drinking suspect water? Quite a few here had infections that preceded their MC, usually C. difficle, which used to be mainly hospital-acquired but now can be acquired in the community and is more prevalent.
A suggestion. You might try emailing Dr. Fine and asking him for an opinion regarding your husband's tests that indicated a mycoplasma infection. Perhaps he can shed some light. What test did your hubby have for gluten intolerance?
This is all so very fascinating.......and leads to lots more questions instead of answers. LOL!
Love,
Polly
Thanks for the medical history. I know you had posted some of it before but it was interesting to see the whole progression. I don't know much about mold. Has it been linked to digestive problems/food intolerances?
Certainly infection is a biggie. Did you ever get tested for ova and parasites (especially giardia) when you were drinking suspect water? Quite a few here had infections that preceded their MC, usually C. difficle, which used to be mainly hospital-acquired but now can be acquired in the community and is more prevalent.
A suggestion. You might try emailing Dr. Fine and asking him for an opinion regarding your husband's tests that indicated a mycoplasma infection. Perhaps he can shed some light. What test did your hubby have for gluten intolerance?
This is all so very fascinating.......and leads to lots more questions instead of answers. LOL!
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Polly,
I don't know if mold has every been connected to digestive problems, but I think it can have an impact on your immune system. My husband and I both had the Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis done at Great Smokies Lab. He's had it done twice, and it didn't reveal any parasites or abnormal levels of bacteria...just dysbiosis...not enough of the good guys. He's also had parasite tests done at other labls and an organic acids test which would reveal the metabolic byproducts of such organisms. But nothing has turned up. Our test folder is very thick!
My husband just had the basic $99 gluten intolerance test from Enterolab. That's a good idea about asking Dr. Fine abt. the mycoplasma test. We are still waiting to get a copy from his Dr. which might also give some clues and he might be able to talk to someone at the lab where he had it done. But without the paper in hand, it would be difficult to get more information. He should have it soon.
It's possible I had c. diff as my big downslide in Spring 2004 began after taking antibiotics for dental work. A week or two later I had the huge 5-day gastrointestinal event with abdominal pain and lots of D. Forgot to put that one in the chronology!
I had also spent 5 weeks visiting my Dad in a nursing home before he died in June 2002 another haunt for c. diff.
When I look back I see there are so many different possibilities! Not sure I will ever know the source!
Have a good night,
Celia
I don't know if mold has every been connected to digestive problems, but I think it can have an impact on your immune system. My husband and I both had the Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis done at Great Smokies Lab. He's had it done twice, and it didn't reveal any parasites or abnormal levels of bacteria...just dysbiosis...not enough of the good guys. He's also had parasite tests done at other labls and an organic acids test which would reveal the metabolic byproducts of such organisms. But nothing has turned up. Our test folder is very thick!
My husband just had the basic $99 gluten intolerance test from Enterolab. That's a good idea about asking Dr. Fine abt. the mycoplasma test. We are still waiting to get a copy from his Dr. which might also give some clues and he might be able to talk to someone at the lab where he had it done. But without the paper in hand, it would be difficult to get more information. He should have it soon.
It's possible I had c. diff as my big downslide in Spring 2004 began after taking antibiotics for dental work. A week or two later I had the huge 5-day gastrointestinal event with abdominal pain and lots of D. Forgot to put that one in the chronology!
I had also spent 5 weeks visiting my Dad in a nursing home before he died in June 2002 another haunt for c. diff.
When I look back I see there are so many different possibilities! Not sure I will ever know the source!
Have a good night,
Celia
I beleive in magic!