Healing The Gut Tribe! - Page 9

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by WildIris

Today I'm rebelling against the regimen. I lazed in bed all morning, didn't eat breakfast, and now at "lunchtime" I'm having a cup of coffee sweetened with Xylitol and some raw cream. I took my Digest Gold first though. Soon I will have a hearty bowl of homemade beef-vegetable soup.

I'm discouraged and weepy today. (Probably a blood sugar drop from skipping breakfast.) I'm getting tired of popping pills (the Candidase plus the Digest Gold plus my other supps) and wondering if it really makes a difference. Mostly all I felt all week was tired and lethargic.

How much am I screwing up my healing by having a cup of coffee now and then?

I hope you feel better. I don't know how much you're screwing up your healing, but I know if I didn't have a baby to nurse right now, I'd be right with you taking a mental health day

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by Chinese Pistache

but I know if I didn't have a baby to nurse right now, I'd be right with you taking a mental health day

Ugh. No kidding. I could really use one of those! Although I did give in and ignore all rational thought last night (for the first time in I don't know how many months)... and ate half a chocolate bar. : My friend got it for me when we were just starting this whole allergy mess, because it's just pure cocoa beans and sugar. But it's processed on shared equipment, so I put it in the pantry and forgot about it. Well, things must have gotten moved around, because I opened the pantry door last night and there it was. I just opened it and started eating! : It was a really weird feeling, to just pick up a food (other than my daily 7) and eat it...

No horrible results yet from DD...

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by changingseasons

Ugh. No kidding. I could really use one of those! Although I did give in and ignore all rational thought last night (for the first time in I don't know how many months)... and ate half a chocolate bar. : My friend got it for me when we were just starting this whole allergy mess, because it's just pure cocoa beans and sugar. But it's processed on shared equipment, so I put it in the pantry and forgot about it. Well, things must have gotten moved around, because I opened the pantry door last night and there it was. I just opened it and started eating! : It was a really weird feeling, to just pick up a food (other than my daily 7) and eat it...

No horrible results yet from DD...

LOL! I have images of your chocolate bar crawling out from the dark recesses of your pantry to sit right up front for when you opened the door!

[BeingMe]

Originally Posted by changingseasons

Ugh. No kidding. I could really use one of those! Although I did give in and ignore all rational thought last night (for the first time in I don't know how many months)... and ate half a chocolate bar. : My friend got it for me when we were just starting this whole allergy mess, because it's just pure cocoa beans and sugar. But it's processed on shared equipment, so I put it in the pantry and forgot about it. Well, things must have gotten moved around, because I opened the pantry door last night and there it was. I just opened it and started eating! : It was a really weird feeling, to just pick up a food (other than my daily 7) and eat it...

No horrible results yet from DD...

I'm right there with you. It must be a sunday thing. Right now I'm snacking on coconut ice cream and it's sooo good. If someone doesn't stop me I'm going to eat the whole thing, but then again everyone keeps telling me I'm too skinny so maybe I will.

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by Chinese Pistache

LOL! I have images of your chocolate bar crawling out from the dark recesses of your pantry to sit right up front for when you opened the door!

It totally did that. It's a conspiracy.

[ellasmama2007]

one morning, there was a hamburger patty in the fridge that i had made for dh like 2 days beforehand. dh never eats leftovers and i am always left staring at food that i am craving so badly... i was a vegetarian before the allergies, but i wanted this burger so desperately, i ate it and puked it up. it was like 6am and that was how my day started. pretty pathetic right? i just want protein so badly.... anyway, enough complaining from me.

[JaneS]

Sorry, haven't been around and don't know what's going on ... too busy breaking my bladder! (see similarly titled thread in this forum)

Which might be interesting for some people to test salicylates for gut symptoms and sensitivity. I had TONS of bloating, not really gas, maybe it was intestinal inflammation? Anyways my upper abdomen was huge, rock hard and painful! I know it wasn't yeast b/c today I'm better and I have been eating carbs and some maple syrup for past couple days.

Anyways I'm just learning about the whole food chemicals thing and it's very interesting.

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by BeingMe

Oops I forgot about me. I'm planning on trying to get pregnant in a few months and want to make sure I don't have any holes left in my gut. I have been on digestive enzymes with food for over a year, along with CLO, and many supplements like magnesium, acerola extract, probiotics, some licorice tabs, etc. I still get belly problems, and often feel burning when there is any pressure on my upper stomach (about an inch where ribs seperate), so I think I have work to do.
Going off the enzymestuff website, what is the best(from your knowledge or experience):
1. Broad-spectrum ennzyme,
2. The best strong protease enzyme,
3. The best probiotic
4. The best yeast targeting enzyme(such as candex)

Thanks!!

I think I will answer this differently since my experience this week.

1. Broad Spectrum Enzyme: Hands down, Houston trio: AFP Peptizyde, Zyme Prime, No Fenol. Digest Gold is very very good, but it doesn't have what Houston's does. I'm feeling now I never should have switched DS for convenience b/c I'm now sure he needs the No Fenol and that is why some of his food intolerances are still present. Well not really the ultimate cause but ykwim.

2. Protease Enzyme: Houston AFP Peptizyde or Enzymedica Virastop depending on issues. If viral issues are likely the latter might be better for between meals b/c of the serrapeptidase.

3. Probiotic: If you can tolerate dairy: homemade yogurt with super strains (Natren yogurt starter plus spiked alternately, one batch with one, one batch with other, of the following: Natren Megadophilus, Natren Life Start) OR homemade kefir using live grains or the Body Ecology powder grown in raw milk. If dairy free, Pharmax human strain probiotics.

4. Yeast Targeting Enzyme: Can't really say which is best. Either Candidase, Candex or No Fenol. The Candex really worked for me quickly when I had thrush but I didn't test the others in the same way so cannot say for sure.

[BeingMe]

Jane,
Hope you are feeling better, and THANK YOU so much for such a detailed response. I have a few other questions if you aren't super busy (sorry, but I'm so close to figuring things out).

1. When you say the Houston Trio are you speaking about their Tri-Enza product?

2. I'm thinking the vira-stop since my last test showed really elevated levels of epstein barr. Is there any risk with this product that you know of? Or anything else I need to supplement with when using this product?

3. Is it a good idea to go with the Candex if I use the Virastop since candex doesn't have proteases and virastop does, but if I go with AFP then I should go with Candidase because AFP doesn't have a lot of proteases and I can make it up with the candidase?

4. How long should I be on these products and how long before I get pregnant should I stop this regime for safety?

Thanks again!!!

[WildIris]

It's been over one week now of taking Candidase.

I am so so so depressed tonight. Crying, sobbing, thinking irrational thoughts: i.e., my whole life is a failure, everything is bad and nothing will ever get better. The kind of horrible PMS-y emotional stuff I used to have on a regular basis but haven't had for a long time.

Any chance this is connected to yeast die-off, or am I just being a basketcase by coincidence?

P.S. Do not worry about me, I am okay, I will be okay. I realize this is transient. All will be well tomorrow.

[xekomaya]

mm.. basketcase.

no j/k I've heard a lot about emotional symptoms from die-off and I get them frequently when I change my diet (which is either some kind of withdrawal or die off). I would do whatever you can to support your detox and go to bed. Water/Green tea/Epsom salts...

[xekomaya]

Originally Posted by Chinese Pistache

Do you make water kefir? I need to do that. Where did you get your grains?

I got my grains from the kefirlady. I'm only finally getting them to really grow with some suggestions from the TF forum. Dogmom's grains are less expensive and shes an MDC mama of course, so if I had known I would have gotten them there in the first place.

Fingers crossed I have grains to share in a couple weeks.

[bluets]

Originally Posted by BookGoddess

ChangingSeasons- The activated charcoal capsule I gave my preschool aged DD is fine to take. It's what hospitals give if you go with an overdose of medications. Charcoal can absorb more than its weight in toxins. When I suspect a die-off reaction, I give the activated charcoal mixed in some liquid. The pill is black so when it's mixed with something it looks very black therefore perhaps gross to some kids. I use a cup with a lid on it so DD won't object to the color. Activated charcoal isn't something you'd give everyday with supplements or medicines. It will absorb all those because it's not selective about absorbing just toxins so you give it only if the situation calls for it. HTH!

when our ND recommends either Candex or Candidase, he also recommends activated charcoal to go along with it. in fact, we use activated charcoal for any tummy upset, including incidental gluten exposure.

[gilamama]

can yyou guys help me? or reassure me?

i am a hormonal pregnant lady at the moment and i am a little worried.

I have no ND or something to turn to and i am tired of making all the health decisions for my family.

i have been lurking occationally on the HTG threads for years now since like the second one. originally for my dh then for my dd2 then my dd1 and now for me. why did it take me 2 1/2 years of healing my dd's guts and eliminating foods from my diet so as not to LEAK them into my milk to realize that I must also hae gut problems? i dont know.

anyway, we recently started enzyes and then moved and i couldnt keep up so we are on them again. i'd love to hear advise abt what to take and when... we use houstons.

So we'll start with me. I am 6 months pregnant, is there anything i shouldnt do b/c of that (like peptizide and no phenol btwn meals?) I had always been a gassy person but that was it. When my 2nd dd was born i cut out dairy within a few days and wheat within a few months i was no longer gassy and her exema and runny poops improved but not totally. At almost 2 yo she and i went off gluten and her exema disappeared and her speech took off. Her poops have improved gradually (but are soft now from starting enzymes again) and her cradle cap is usually gone. I didnt see any difference in myself when cutting out gluten (it was just spelt and rye at that point). Now dd2 was mostly weaned except for naptime when she nurses my colostrum and she wasnt naping for a while so we werent nursing. during that time i started eating yogurt and rye or spelt bread again with peptizide. it was so easy and so filling and i loved that. but then the dairy started bothering me. and then a few days later i ate some bread with no enzymes and spent a day in bed with braxton hicks and stomach cramps. So I have eaten rye bread since with enzymes but i am stopping. I just think it is safer for me and my fetus. well i stopped already i guess. I am taking zyme prime with meals now. my dd2 is 2 1/2 and gfcf and is taking zyme prime with meals and my dd1 is off wheat, dairy except butter, corn, chocolate and sugar (me and dd2 eat some sugar but only a few x a week in pacaged things). none of us eat soy. she is also taking zyme prime with meals except snack in kindergarden which is like a meal. i was planning to wait till they even out from the zyme prime and then start with peptizide at bed time. should i also add no phenol? i dont know if we have yeast problems. i think dd1 did, but i think it is gone. my dh does majorly but that is another story. mine and dd1's spit always floted on top bubbly with the spit test. nothing like dh's stringy spit. maybe we'll check tomorow.

I also give a really good probiotic 1st think in the am. for like 2 yrs now. I take it too with l-glutamine.

thanks for any feed back.

ETA do you think it is ok to take the glutamine? i read once that julia ross who wrote the diet cure anyway that she said not to take amino acids during pregnancy.

Also i think i have fibrocystic breasts or breast absesses from mastitis that never healed. does anyone know of a connection between thyroid health, breast health and gut health. specifically gluten "intolerance" and thyroid issues?

[WildIris]

Originally Posted by gilamama

does anyone know of a connection between thyroid health, breast health and gut health. specifically gluten "intolerance" and thyroid issues?

I'm sorry I don't have answers to your other questions, but about this one... yes, I have seen many articles linking gluten intolerance and disruption to the endocrine system. Many people with autoimmune disease, in general, benefit from a gluten free diet.

I'm sorry I don't have specific links for you, but I'm sure if you do a google search on gluten + endocrine, you would come up with a lot of info.

[WildIris]

Originally Posted by WildIris

It's been over one week now of taking Candidase.

I am so so so depressed tonight. Crying, sobbing, thinking irrational thoughts: i.e., my whole life is a failure, everything is bad and nothing will ever get better. The kind of horrible PMS-y emotional stuff I used to have on a regular basis but haven't had for a long time.

Any chance this is connected to yeast die-off, or am I just being a basketcase by coincidence?.

Update: I figured out my emotional crash last night was NOT die-off, I was having an allergic reaction. I realized it when I had the same thing happen tonight. The culprit: an avocado! I ate half for dinner last night, the other half tonight. Same emotional upheaval tonight, plus irritability, headache, face rash, and throat tightening clued me in. I looked up the brand name from the sticker on the avocado and found out these are ripened in a "ripening room" with ethylene gas = CORN. Argghhh! Stupid corn.

At least I know what's going on, and one more thing to avoid.

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by BeingMe

1. When you say the Houston Trio are you speaking about their Tri-Enza product?

No, the recommended dosage of 2 capsules of Trienza is still lacking full amount in one capsule of No Fenol. Which if you are sensitive to phenols and salicylates like we are, and my little bladder test last week illustrated, Trienza might not be "the best" and you asked for "the best"!

HOWEVER there is evidence that No Fenol works in lower dosages for some people, so Trienza *might* be the best but I don't know enough to say that yet, or for your particular circumstance. It *does* contain the full amount of Peptizyde and that is very important if you are eating wheat and dairy. Note 2 capsules is dosage.

I still think at this point I will redo my little experiement a month from now *with* the No Fenol to see how well it works on salicylates. And test DS with it too (not overload him though, I would just love for him to sleep more soundly on small amounts of certain fruits/veg that he is obviously sensitive to!) At least that is my current thinking if my bladder still gets better everyday as it has been doing.

2. I'm thinking the vira-stop since my last test showed really elevated levels of epstein barr. Is there any risk with this product that you know of? Or anything else I need to supplement with when using this product?

Yes absolutely!! I would sincerely recommend ramping up the Virastop. Karen's trials were based on a very large amount of capsules/day. I believe she said you could contact Enzymedica for higher dosage pills at lower cost for a viral trial.

I don't think there are risks per se, but you might want to check Karen DeFelice's Enzymes and Autism Yahoo group to see if they have discussed this. Or ask a question, the group is not just for autism. Proteases work with the immune system and healing crises are not dangerous as I understand it.

3. Is it a good idea to go with the Candex if I use the Virastop since candex doesn't have proteases and virastop does, but if I go with AFP then I should go with Candidase because AFP doesn't have a lot of proteases and I can make it up with the candidase?

Whew, had to read that several times!

AFP Peptizyde has a lot of proteases. But since you have a known viral issue I would go with Virastop since it has *special* kinds of proteases that have been shown to be effective on viruses. See viral info at www.enzymestuff.com

The AFP Peptizyde should be taken with gluten and casein since it is the best on the market at breaking them down, contains the most DPP IV activity. Digest Gold has some but not as high as the Houston AFP Peptizyde. It also works on other food proteins, breaking them into amino acids like a strong gut would do naturally, so it helps with low amino issues (mood) too. It is not like taking separate aa's like Julia Ross recommends but it can work in the same way.

In addition take Virastop between meals (2 hrs after or 1 hr. before eating).

4. How long should I be on these products and how long before I get pregnant should I stop this regime for safety?

Hard to say. The Houston trio is safe for pg, Dr. Houston has talked about this many times. Personally I wouldn't take a chance and I would be on them throughout. Many people on that Yahoo group have, you might check them about this issue. Don't know about Virastop. I would read more about that, her new book might be helpful in explaining it for you.

My instinct would tell me you want to take care of viral issues before getting pg and not during. However, I don't know much about the life cycle and control of them esp. Ep Barr. I should since I had mono in college so please do share if you find out anything interesting!

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by WildIris

I have seen many articles linking gluten intolerance and disruption to the endocrine system. Many people with autoimmune disease, in general, benefit from a gluten free diet.

www.enterolab.com article "Before the Villi are Gone"

My holistic dietician is working with Neuroscience too now, their site might have more info as I know this has been their experience as well. I might go to a talk next month on this too will report if so.

[JaneS]

Gilamama,

I gotta run but wanted to say this book is a must read on breast health, fibrocystic disease and thyroid health. Fibro's disappear completely with adequate iodine.
http://www.drbrownstein.com/singleproduct.asp?id=787
Dr. Guy Abraham maker of Iodoral also has good info on his site.
http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/opt_Iodoral.htm

The thyroid runs on the amino acid tyrosine plus iodine. And re: breast cancer, iodine is crucial for prevention.

[gilamama]

whoa are you serious i took tyrosine after my last pregnancy to help with mild ppd anxiety and well... interest in sex.

i saw you rec that article after the villi are gone on a dift thread but i couldnt find articles on the enterolabs site. i will look again.

Jane do you have any insight into why a malfunctioning thyroid would make a person unable to digest gluten properly (this is just curiosity, if i can get my family healthy i dont really care why it works ).