I have been newly diagnosed with Lymphocytic colitis and Lupus. I have had WD for two years and no doctor ever suggested that I make a change in my diet! I have been gluten free for two weeks and my WD has stopped. I am so glad to have found this forum and to have gotten so much help from everything that I have read.
I just got my test results back from EnteroLab and I am a little overwhelmed. My number for gluten is 36, for cow's milk is 18, for eggs is 44, for soy is 64. I also appear to have some (1+) reactivity to Corn, Tuna, Beef, Pork, Chicken, Cashew and Walnut. It says no significant reaction to Rice, Almond, and white potato.
I am not sure where to start! Do I need to start with a very simple diet first and start to add back? I am very anxious to start feeling better. Any help you can give me would be very appreciated!
Thank you.
Newbie
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Renee,
Welcome to our Internet family. You're off to a great start, and with your EnteroLab test results in hand it will be much easier to design a recovery diet. The faster we can get to remission, the better off we are, so eating a bland, simple diet that avoids the foods that cause you to produce antibodies is the best way to get your life back in the least amount of time. After you have been in remission for a while, and your digestion is better, you can experiment with adding foods back into your diet (one at a time so that you can pinpoint any problems). Of course, you will always produce antibodies to gluten, casein, soy, and eggs, but there are ways to work around this with the correct substitutes.
If I were in that situation I would consider a menu that allowed turkey, lamb, venison, rabbit, pheasant, duck, goose, or any other wild or less-common meat for protein sources. With rice and potato on the safe list you've got plenty of options for carbs. And you can probably tolerate sweet potato, also. Almond milk or coconut milk should work fine as milk substitutes, and almond flour or potato starch can be used for coating meats if you should feel the need to eat fried foods (but fried foods are probably best reserved for after you are in remission). And note that Vanilla Almond Milk has a much better flavor than the Original version of Almond Milk.
But I wouldn't include all of these foods in my initial recovery diet. I would pick a few, and stick with them as long as they seem to be working. Keep a food/reaction journal, and fine-tune your diet if any particular foods seems to be a problem. And after you have been in remission for a while and feel that you are ready to add some foods to your diet, the ones to add first are those similar to what I mentioned above, because they tend to be safe for virtually everyone.
If you can't live without eggs, there is a very good chance that duck, turkey, or goose eggs may be safe, if you can find them. But baked products are best left until after we have healed for a while, because of the higher risk of reacting to combinations of ingredients.
Incidentally, substituting sheep or goat's millk for cow's milk will not work — the molecular structure of the casein in those milks is too similar to the molecular structure of the casein in cow's milk. Milk from cameloids should be safe, and so should equine milk, because they are sufficiently genetically dissimilar to cow's milk. Cameloids include llamas, alpacas, guanacos, vicuñas, and of course camels. These milks may be found in certain other countries, but not in the US, though I've seen rumors that someone was running a small camel dairy in California.
Sorry that I got side-tracked. I hope that some of this is helpful, and again, welcome aboard.
Tex
Welcome to our Internet family. You're off to a great start, and with your EnteroLab test results in hand it will be much easier to design a recovery diet. The faster we can get to remission, the better off we are, so eating a bland, simple diet that avoids the foods that cause you to produce antibodies is the best way to get your life back in the least amount of time. After you have been in remission for a while, and your digestion is better, you can experiment with adding foods back into your diet (one at a time so that you can pinpoint any problems). Of course, you will always produce antibodies to gluten, casein, soy, and eggs, but there are ways to work around this with the correct substitutes.
If I were in that situation I would consider a menu that allowed turkey, lamb, venison, rabbit, pheasant, duck, goose, or any other wild or less-common meat for protein sources. With rice and potato on the safe list you've got plenty of options for carbs. And you can probably tolerate sweet potato, also. Almond milk or coconut milk should work fine as milk substitutes, and almond flour or potato starch can be used for coating meats if you should feel the need to eat fried foods (but fried foods are probably best reserved for after you are in remission). And note that Vanilla Almond Milk has a much better flavor than the Original version of Almond Milk.
But I wouldn't include all of these foods in my initial recovery diet. I would pick a few, and stick with them as long as they seem to be working. Keep a food/reaction journal, and fine-tune your diet if any particular foods seems to be a problem. And after you have been in remission for a while and feel that you are ready to add some foods to your diet, the ones to add first are those similar to what I mentioned above, because they tend to be safe for virtually everyone.
If you can't live without eggs, there is a very good chance that duck, turkey, or goose eggs may be safe, if you can find them. But baked products are best left until after we have healed for a while, because of the higher risk of reacting to combinations of ingredients.
Incidentally, substituting sheep or goat's millk for cow's milk will not work — the molecular structure of the casein in those milks is too similar to the molecular structure of the casein in cow's milk. Milk from cameloids should be safe, and so should equine milk, because they are sufficiently genetically dissimilar to cow's milk. Cameloids include llamas, alpacas, guanacos, vicuñas, and of course camels. These milks may be found in certain other countries, but not in the US, though I've seen rumors that someone was running a small camel dairy in California.
Sorry that I got side-tracked. I hope that some of this is helpful, and again, welcome aboard.
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.
Welcome, Renee. We are all just like one big happy family here. If you haven't read Tex's book (up in the upper corner on here), I would order it and read it cover to cover. There is a wealth of info in there, as well as in the archives here.
I am 6 months in to my diagnosis, feeling great, and in remission. I started with chicken, white rice, and a banana, and that's what I ate 4-5 times a day for almost 2 months straight before adding anything back in. You asked about white/brown rice. Brown rice has a lot of fiber, and I found that even now when I eat it, it gives me quite a bit of gas. I would definitely stick to the white rice to begin.
Again, welcome, and feel free to ask lots of questions. Someone will jump in and answer. We have a wealth of experiences on here and all of us react differently, so............. It's always a crap shoot (pardon the pun), but what works for one will not necessarily work for another. You just have to try it out for yourself.
I am 6 months in to my diagnosis, feeling great, and in remission. I started with chicken, white rice, and a banana, and that's what I ate 4-5 times a day for almost 2 months straight before adding anything back in. You asked about white/brown rice. Brown rice has a lot of fiber, and I found that even now when I eat it, it gives me quite a bit of gas. I would definitely stick to the white rice to begin.
Again, welcome, and feel free to ask lots of questions. Someone will jump in and answer. We have a wealth of experiences on here and all of us react differently, so............. It's always a crap shoot (pardon the pun), but what works for one will not necessarily work for another. You just have to try it out for yourself.
Jari
Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
Renee,
I agree with Jari of course — we have to minimize fiber in our diet, especially while we are in the early stages of recovery. Fiber irritates our already-inflamed intestines, and normal to high amounts of fiber can perpetuate the inflammation and prevent us from reaching remission. After we have been in remission for a while, most of us can begin to add foods that contain more fiber back into our diet.
So white rice is always the best choice for someone who has MC.
Tex
I agree with Jari of course — we have to minimize fiber in our diet, especially while we are in the early stages of recovery. Fiber irritates our already-inflamed intestines, and normal to high amounts of fiber can perpetuate the inflammation and prevent us from reaching remission. After we have been in remission for a while, most of us can begin to add foods that contain more fiber back into our diet.
So white rice is always the best choice for someone who has MC.
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.
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Welcome Renee
so pleased that going GF brought such quick results!
I recommend the bland, low amount of ingredients eating plan, the proteins mentioned by Tex with white rice, 1-2 well cooked vegetables.
One really good gut healing, and body healing item is home made bone broth. If you can get bones from safe proteins, make home made bone broth and then use this as the basis of your meals, ie cook the rice in it, make soups and stews. this low inflammation gut healing eating plan will help the MC and the Lupus.
with your high score for Soy, you will benefit from FULL removal of soy from not only your eating plan, but also supplements, medications, bathroom products etc...
some hints to start with
- be cautious of gluten free products - many contain soy
- double check any supplements/medications
- any moisturizers, lip balms, lipsticks that have 'Vit E' will have soy. best to avoid them
- olive oil can have soy oil in it - use coconut oil or rice bran oil
here is a list of names for soy -
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=736
I have this list printed and take it with me when I am shopping.
Where to start
- get rid of everything in your house that has Gluten and Soy in it.
- consider buying new cookware utensils to ensure that there is no contamination. If you share the house with people that are eating gluten and soy, it might be best to have separate items that are only used by you
- start with the bland, low amount of ingredients, well cooked eating plan.
have you had your Vit D3 level checked?
Read the posts here on the forum - have you read the thread about Erica's journey?
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=21173
This post talks not just about diet, but the mental and emotional aspects ...
hope this helps
so pleased that going GF brought such quick results!
I recommend the bland, low amount of ingredients eating plan, the proteins mentioned by Tex with white rice, 1-2 well cooked vegetables.
One really good gut healing, and body healing item is home made bone broth. If you can get bones from safe proteins, make home made bone broth and then use this as the basis of your meals, ie cook the rice in it, make soups and stews. this low inflammation gut healing eating plan will help the MC and the Lupus.
with your high score for Soy, you will benefit from FULL removal of soy from not only your eating plan, but also supplements, medications, bathroom products etc...
some hints to start with
- be cautious of gluten free products - many contain soy
- double check any supplements/medications
- any moisturizers, lip balms, lipsticks that have 'Vit E' will have soy. best to avoid them
- olive oil can have soy oil in it - use coconut oil or rice bran oil
here is a list of names for soy -
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=736
I have this list printed and take it with me when I am shopping.
Where to start
- get rid of everything in your house that has Gluten and Soy in it.
- consider buying new cookware utensils to ensure that there is no contamination. If you share the house with people that are eating gluten and soy, it might be best to have separate items that are only used by you
- start with the bland, low amount of ingredients, well cooked eating plan.
have you had your Vit D3 level checked?
Read the posts here on the forum - have you read the thread about Erica's journey?
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=21173
This post talks not just about diet, but the mental and emotional aspects ...
hope this helps
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Renee,
Regarding the warning Gabes posted about olive oil — you won't find soy on the label. Unfortunately there is a huge problem with adulterated imported olive oil, even some of the expensive brands. Most people here in the U. S. find that the California brands of olive oil are much safer.
Tex
Regarding the warning Gabes posted about olive oil — you won't find soy on the label. Unfortunately there is a huge problem with adulterated imported olive oil, even some of the expensive brands. Most people here in the U. S. find that the California brands of olive oil are much safer.
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.
Renee,
I ate chicken, rice, and banana for about 2 months and nothing else before I added anything else back in (I really wanted some good healing to happen). Then, using the results of my Enterolab, I began to slowly add one thing at a time (and my adding was slow - about 1 thing a week). I started with pork because I was sick of chicken by then. I tried bacon and then added in potato, and then slowly more and more. Your body will tell you if it can't handle it. But I did it very slowly as I wanted good healing to occur and it was worth it. I feel better now than I ever have.
I ate chicken, rice, and banana for about 2 months and nothing else before I added anything else back in (I really wanted some good healing to happen). Then, using the results of my Enterolab, I began to slowly add one thing at a time (and my adding was slow - about 1 thing a week). I started with pork because I was sick of chicken by then. I tried bacon and then added in potato, and then slowly more and more. Your body will tell you if it can't handle it. But I did it very slowly as I wanted good healing to occur and it was worth it. I feel better now than I ever have.
Jari
Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
Exactly. It's best to keep your diet to a few things until your digestion has significantly improved. Then add one thing at a time and give yourself three days to a week between each addition so it's easy to pinpoint problem foods. If you find that a certain food isn't working for you, stop eating it for a few more months and then try it again once you have had time for more healing.
For example, bananas don't work for me at all, but squash is fine. I couldn't eat nut butters for the first year, but now I can no problem. We are all different so it's impossible to come up with a list that works for everyone.
For example, bananas don't work for me at all, but squash is fine. I couldn't eat nut butters for the first year, but now I can no problem. We are all different so it's impossible to come up with a list that works for everyone.
Hi Renee,
Your scenario is very similar to mine back in May 2015, the questions you seek sound so familiar, it's as if I was having a flair again!
Oh wait...I did just go thru one because I thought I could eat something I know is not a safe food for me anymore, darn it!
Something someone said during my healing that made me laugh was 'we get so hungry at times we could eat our kids!!' It is true, this new diet can make us pretty hungry sometimes, so be kind to yourself, eat safe foods that you know you can at this time and eat them often, don't worry about being calorie conscience at this time, in fact with MC I don't know if anyone has to really count calories anymore....lol.
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=21173
I ate my safe bland few foods for a good 60 days until I could tell what other elements may be causing me to not get my WD completely under control. Then as soon as I figured out what supplements, hand cream, cosmetics, etc....I no longer was afraid to try a new food into my mix of safe foods...this approach worked pretty good for me. I felt a little lost at first but the kind people of this site slowly got me corralled and going down the proper chute in no time.
Stay the course and you'll do great!
Erica
Your scenario is very similar to mine back in May 2015, the questions you seek sound so familiar, it's as if I was having a flair again!
Oh wait...I did just go thru one because I thought I could eat something I know is not a safe food for me anymore, darn it!
Something someone said during my healing that made me laugh was 'we get so hungry at times we could eat our kids!!' It is true, this new diet can make us pretty hungry sometimes, so be kind to yourself, eat safe foods that you know you can at this time and eat them often, don't worry about being calorie conscience at this time, in fact with MC I don't know if anyone has to really count calories anymore....lol.
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=21173
I ate my safe bland few foods for a good 60 days until I could tell what other elements may be causing me to not get my WD completely under control. Then as soon as I figured out what supplements, hand cream, cosmetics, etc....I no longer was afraid to try a new food into my mix of safe foods...this approach worked pretty good for me. I felt a little lost at first but the kind people of this site slowly got me corralled and going down the proper chute in no time.
Stay the course and you'll do great!
Erica
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Hi, Renee. Welcome to our group! Search the forums on here and you'll find a wealth of information to help you on your journey. Feel free to ask as many questions as you need to. Our internet family is a lifesaver when you're first starting out.
Marcia
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
Thank you so much for all of your help! It is so good to hear from everyone who has gone through this before. I think I am slowly getting to understand what to start out eating. There are a few things that I am not sure about. I had a 1+ reactivity to Tuna, and I was wondering if other fish might be something to cut out for a while as well, such as salmon and halibut? Also, I have not heard anything about peanuts or peanut butter. I know that is not something that is tested. Is that something that is usually added later after starting on a restrictive diet at first?
I do have low Vit. D and B-12, and I am taking supplements for those. I had my magnesium tested and that appears to be normal.
Thank you again for all of the help.
I do have low Vit. D and B-12, and I am taking supplements for those. I had my magnesium tested and that appears to be normal.
Thank you again for all of the help.
Renee
According to EnteroLab, many people who are sensitive to tuna are also sensitive to salmon. I'm not sure about halibut. However, most people who are sensitive to tuna and salmon can tolerate shellfish (unless they have a prior allergy to them).
Peanuts are not tested because most people who are sensitive to soy are also sensitive to most legumes (and peanuts are a legume).
Please be aware that the magnesium tests have a serious problem, namely that they will virtually always show magnesium blood levels to be normal up until the magnesium stored in virtually every muscle cell in the body becomes almost completely depleted. When that happens, the risk of a heart attack or stroke goes way up in a hurry. You can find additional information in my post in the thread at the following link:
Magnesium Testing
I'm very familiar with the risks of magnesium deficiency, because up until early last summer, I was apparently living with a chronic magnesium deficiency, despite blood test results that always showed normal magnesium levels. This went on for about 10 years, until a repeated antibiotic treatment used up the last of my magnesium reserves, as described in the following thread:
Even ER Docs Don't Recognize The Importance Of Magnesium
According to research, most people in the general population are magnesium deficient. And people who have an IBD have an even higher likelihood of being magnesium deficient. Many medications also deplete magnesium.
Tex
Peanuts are not tested because most people who are sensitive to soy are also sensitive to most legumes (and peanuts are a legume).
Please be aware that the magnesium tests have a serious problem, namely that they will virtually always show magnesium blood levels to be normal up until the magnesium stored in virtually every muscle cell in the body becomes almost completely depleted. When that happens, the risk of a heart attack or stroke goes way up in a hurry. You can find additional information in my post in the thread at the following link:
Magnesium Testing
I'm very familiar with the risks of magnesium deficiency, because up until early last summer, I was apparently living with a chronic magnesium deficiency, despite blood test results that always showed normal magnesium levels. This went on for about 10 years, until a repeated antibiotic treatment used up the last of my magnesium reserves, as described in the following thread:
Even ER Docs Don't Recognize The Importance Of Magnesium
According to research, most people in the general population are magnesium deficient. And people who have an IBD have an even higher likelihood of being magnesium deficient. Many medications also deplete magnesium.
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.