HTG - Healing the Gut September/October 07 - Page 3

[caedmyn]

Originally Posted by whoMe

Another question on my mind: I'm doing all this because dd reacts to my milk, and to reduce long term food intolerances/allergies for her.
Should it be a higher priority to keep her reaction-free right now, on the theory that every reaction is fuel for the next one?
Or should I focus on healing me as fast as possible, and if she reacts a little but is still happy and thriving - that's ok?

IMO if she's reacting at all you need to eliminate the food. Theoretically kids are more likely to outgrow food intolerances if the food is totally eliminated from their diet (or mom's if BF'ing), although I've never found any evidence to support this. Some people think it's okay to give a food that they react to in low enough doses that they don't react (ie only eating it every once a while, or butter for a dairy intolerance child, for instance), but that's a matter of personal preference. I think if she keeps reacting and you keep eating the food, you'll end up doing more damage than good, no matter what the food is. The benefits of something like kefir don't outweigh the harm it can cause to someone who reacts to dairy.

[caedmyn]

Originally Posted by newcastlemama

***Does anyone have advice on when to try prevoiusly intolerant foods? I would like to try eggs sometime, but I am not sure how long to wait.***

I'd say wait at least 3 months, 6 is probably better. I read somewhere that most adults will recover from a food intolerance if the food is avoided for 6 months...although that didn't work with me and dairy last time I tried it. But I do seem to have stopped reacting to eggs (got a bit of eczema from them in the past) after 6 months of avoiding them.

[caedmyn]

Originally Posted by tempestjewel

The same enzymes should be okay, I would think. Taking them between meals helps your body to "mop up" anything extra floating around that hasn't been broken down properly with the rest of the meal.

Enzymes between meals are supposed to help with fungal, bacterial, or viral infections. Oh, and inflammation. I don't think they would have any effect on foods that weren't digested properly--that's why you take digestive enzymes with meals.

[caedmyn]

Originally Posted by whoMe

What else is the SCD *not* good for?

And for food ideas, I've been eating all sorts of yummy stuff! Last night was roast leg of lamb with smooshed cauliflower.

Oh, and a quick (TMI) question about die-off: On saturday and again today (tues) I've had an upset tummy-turned diarrhea. It really seems like something I ate, but I'm wondering if it could be die-off instead? I was eating completely different things friday night and last night...

It could be die-off, or just an adjustment to new foods, but IMO if it continues for very long (more than a week or so) it's likely to be a reaction to a food.

[caedmyn]

Originally Posted by tempestjewel

The super strong probiotic my DD is on may help- its called VSL#3. Its not SCD legal, but it has a long scientific track record of helping a variety of bowel/gut issues. It literally took my daughter from suffering severe eczema and multiple food allergies to her skin becoming healed, her lymph nodes shrinking back down to normal, and us able to reintroduce foods she couldn't have before. And all these positive results were from it helping to heal her gut. Here is the website:

http://www.vsl3.com/

I would HIGHLY recommend this as well. I started having IBS symptoms a few months ago, to the point where I couldn't eat any grains, legumes, or starches (basically all I could eat was meat and some veggies), and within just a few weeks of starting VSL3 I could eat a fairly normal diet again.

[caedmyn]

Originally Posted by whoMe

So I drank baking soda this morning to test my stomach acid. And it took 4.5 minutes to burp. I'm going to redo it tomorrow with fresh soda, but now what? How do you even increase your stomach acid? off to read archives...

and dd is reacting to something new. i hope it's lamb. i want this taken care of!!!

ETA: Answering my own stomach acid question! from the cheat sheet: http://www.totalbeing.com/news_archive_07_01_05.asp

The stomach acid tests I've seen just require you to burp in 5 minutes, so you should be good on stomach acid. You increase stomach acid by taking something acidic with meals, like lemon in water, or ACV in water, or betaine HCL.

Lamb is pretty low on the list of allergens...have you eliminated all of the common allergens? Nuts are a very common allergen, so if you're on the SCD I'd think there's a good chance that she's reacting to nuts.

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by caedmyn

I did both the SCD and a candida diet, and I wouldn't do either again.

Why not?

I agree with you about totally eliminating allergens to get rid of reactions, etc. But if the reactions are in dd and not me, then they're not impeding my own path to healing. If they can help *me* heal faster, then wouldn't that help dd heal faster too? She keeps getting new sensitivities, so until I'm healed, my diet would be more and more restricted. My gut (haha) says to heal myself quickly right now, and worry about dd later. But I'm really interested in talking it out, cause I'm not completely convinced either.

[bubbles]

I've lurked often and posted a few times over the past year. I recently had a Metametrix Organix Comprehensive Profile done and am wondering if anyone here is very knowledgable on that? My dr. went over it w/ me and made a lot of recommendations but I still have questions.

[tempestjewel]

Originally Posted by caedmyn

Enzymes between meals are supposed to help with fungal, bacterial, or viral infections. Oh, and inflammation. I don't think they would have any effect on foods that weren't digested properly--that's why you take digestive enzymes with meals.

I thought I had read somewhere that it was good especially for breaking down casein and gluten molecules even in-between meals, but can't remember if that was a specific enzyme (maybe DDP-IV). I think it was in Digestive Wellness for Children, but can't remember for sure. I got that book through interlibrary loan and unfortunately already returned it.

Of course, maybe I'm just remembering all wrong because I've been on serious information overload for the past few months :

[chasmyn]

What is everyone;s take on vega testing? I had Kiernen Vega tested becasue my friend is a naturopath and it's what she uses, and since he is 2 and sat on my lap, she said it gets my stuff, too (he's BF so it's fine I guess).

There were SO MANY things! And gut dysbiosis, and candida, which accounts for the so many things.

So should I really take all of this stuff out? Does anyone have some experience with Vega to relate?

[tempestjewel]

Originally Posted by chasmyn

What is everyone;s take on vega testing? I had Kiernen Vega tested becasue my friend is a naturopath and it's what she uses, and since he is 2 and sat on my lap, she said it gets my stuff, too (he's BF so it's fine I guess).

There were SO MANY things! And gut dysbiosis, and candida, which accounts for the so many things.

So should I really take all of this stuff out? Does anyone have some experience with Vega to relate?

What is Vega testing?

[caedmyn]

Originally Posted by whoMe

Why not?

I agree with you about totally eliminating allergens to get rid of reactions, etc. But if the reactions are in dd and not me, then they're not impeding my own path to healing. If they can help *me* heal faster, then wouldn't that help dd heal faster too? She keeps getting new sensitivities, so until I'm healed, my diet would be more and more restricted. My gut (haha) says to heal myself quickly right now, and worry about dd later. But I'm really interested in talking it out, cause I'm not completely convinced either.

I wouldn't do the SCD again because it didn't do anything for DD, and probably sensitized her to nuts to boot. The candida diet helped me a little, although the symptoms that had gone away came right back when I went off the diet, and it made DD a lot worse because it was high in amines, which I eventually figured out cause her problems.

There's no guarantee that healing you will heal your DD. She'll probably still react to the same foods until she outgrows them. Theoretically it's possible to "heal" food intolerances, but I really haven't seen it happen in practice until enough time passes that they can be outgrown.

Also, gut healing isn't fast, easy, or cut & dried. It's a long, tedious process that's full of pitfalls for most people. We've been doing this for 18 months, and, while we've found some answers, we're nowhere near healed, and I really don't know if we will ever be.

What is your DD reacting to? I think there's a good chance that her new sensitivities are actually old ones that were just masked by whatever other foods you were eating that she reacted to. Or if she truly is developing new sensitivites, there's a good chance that she's food chemical sensitive.

[transformed]

Breakfast

My body is screaming for protein in the morning and I need to gradually come to a place where I can eat some of the health food items for breakfast. I dont like to eat protein in the morning cause its always so heavy-and makes my belly hurt and makes me sick...

I binge out on carbs and sugars first thing-and thats just not a good idea for anyone!

Latley I have been eating frozen waffles....:

For a while I was toasting an english muffin, and making a sandwhich of ham and 2 slices of cheese...that got to be too much....even half a sandwich is too much. Its so hard to eat protein in the morning!

Anyone have any suggestions on how to gradually ease into lessining my carbs? I have tried the all at once approach and it always backfired on me.

I used to smoke ciggerettes and I know what a drug craving is like-I crave sugar more than I craved ciggerettes...I remember being a smoker and thinkging "Why do I want sugar more than a cig?"

I bought some liquid acidopholus this morning...I havent looked at it yet but I'll be back here for questions.

BTW-Whats an enzyme?

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by caedmyn

What is your DD reacting to? I think there's a good chance that her new sensitivities are actually old ones that were just masked by whatever other foods you were eating that she reacted to. Or if she truly is developing new sensitivites, there's a good chance that she's food chemical sensitive.

The thing is, I do'nt really know what she reacts to. I started all this by cutting out gluten, soy and dairy. poop went from a mess to picture perfect in the course of a week. I know she reacts to wheat, I suspect corn and now possibly lamb. I haven't tested the other grains or soy yet. I had a spoonful of 24 hr raw milk yogurt yesterday, and so far, all is well which is a good sign.

I've heard people talk about chemical sensitivities, but haven't done my research yet. I kinda want to try this and see if it makes a difference before I overflow my head with more foods to avoid.

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by transformed

My body is screaming for protein in the morning and I need to gradually come to a place where I can eat some of the health food items for breakfast. I dont like to eat protein in the morning cause its always so heavy-and makes my belly hurt and makes me sick...

I binge out on carbs and sugars first thing-and thats just not a good idea for anyone!

Latley I have been eating frozen waffles....:

For a while I was toasting an english muffin, and making a sandwhich of ham and 2 slices of cheese...that got to be too much....even half a sandwich is too much. Its so hard to eat protein in the morning!

Anyone have any suggestions on how to gradually ease into lessining my carbs? I have tried the all at once approach and it always backfired on me.

I used to smoke ciggerettes and I know what a drug craving is like-I crave sugar more than I craved ciggerettes...I remember being a smoker and thinkging "Why do I want sugar more than a cig?"

I bought some liquid acidopholus this morning...I havent looked at it yet but I'll be back here for questions.

BTW-Whats an enzyme?

What if you start by just adding something like a glass of milk? It's got protein and isn't quite as heavy as meat or cheese. If you haven't already, you can also switch to whole grains and unrefined sweeteners. (Also, look into raw milk and phytic acid/soaking grains)

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by transformed

BTW-Whats an enzyme?

An enzyme is a big protein molecule that helps reactions occur in your body. They're made by every plant and animal and they come in all shapes and do all sorts of functions. The enzymes talked about here are ones that are best at breaking other food molecules apart so that you can digest them. Your body in theory should make enough of them on its own, but you can help the process by supplementing with specific ones you think you would benefit from.

[transformed]

Milk is a definate option, I am curious about raw milk but in reality-I dont think it is for me.

I am big on dairy.

Here is the probiotic I bought....although I havent tasted it yet but i may end up at GNC I heard they have a chewable-I am a terrible pill taker and the liquids are so yuck sometimes, LOL....A chewable I may actually stick with....but GNC is pretty low quality.

So can anyone help me with how to take a probiotic? This one says 1 T as needed. ??? LOL

[MsBirdie]

I am on an anti candida diet becuase our whole family had symptoms to suggest that we had a yeast infection in our intestines. We all have definately been dealing with "die off" but are feeling better. We are only on day 3 and I have dropped oe dress size

I know this is all water weight; however, this showed me how bad my digestive system has been. My DD is going thru major "die out" and has been almost unbearable to deal with, but I know she probably had the worst case (and the reason we started this).

I think it finally clicked with me that what we eat can make us sick

Hope everyone else is doing well.

we are also doing probiotics, garlic, and cranberry tablets.

here is also a site for baths to help with detox and die-off, and a lot cheaper than the spa

http://www.ourlittleplace.com/detox.html

[bluets]

Originally Posted by transformed

My body is screaming for protein in the morning and I need to gradually come to a place where I can eat some of the health food items for breakfast. I dont like to eat protein in the morning cause its always so heavy-and makes my belly hurt and makes me sick...

I binge out on carbs and sugars first thing-and thats just not a good idea for anyone!

Latley I have been eating frozen waffles....:

For a while I was toasting an english muffin, and making a sandwhich of ham and 2 slices of cheese...that got to be too much....even half a sandwich is too much. Its so hard to eat protein in the morning!

Anyone have any suggestions on how to gradually ease into lessining my carbs? I have tried the all at once approach and it always backfired on me.

I used to smoke ciggerettes and I know what a drug craving is like-I crave sugar more than I craved ciggerettes...I remember being a smoker and thinkging "Why do I want sugar more than a cig?"

I bought some liquid acidopholus this morning...I havent looked at it yet but I'll be back here for questions.

BTW-Whats an enzyme?

nut butter pancakes. 4 eggs, 1 c. nut butter (we use cashew butter), 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp baking powder, dash salt, drizzle of honey. Mix well (until it looks like normal pancake batter). Use a 1/4 c. scooper to make your pancakes.

It's got protein and fat but the context might fool you into thinking carbs.

[bluets]

Originally Posted by MsBirdie

I am on an anti candida diet becuase our whole family had symptoms to suggest that we had a yeast infection in our intestines. We all have definately been dealing with "die off" but are feeling better. We are only on day 3 and I have dropped oe dress size

I know this is all water weight; however, this showed me how bad my digestive system has been. My DD is going thru major "die out" and has been almost unbearable to deal with, but I know she probably had the worst case (and the reason we started this).

I think it finally clicked with me that what we eat can make us sick

Hope everyone else is doing well.

we are also doing probiotics, garlic, and cranberry tablets.

here is also a site for baths to help with detox and die-off, and a lot cheaper than the spa

http://www.ourlittleplace.com/detox.html

even just plain ol' epsom salts in the bath are super for detox and for boosting a number of biochemical pathways.