Inflammation, food mixing, gluten & IBS
#349690 - 09/03/09 06:24 PM
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Hey guys
Haven't been around these forums for a few months. In that time I saw a doctor who proposed a theory that gave me some new ways to look at my IBS, just wanted to get your thoughts on it
Her theory was basically inflammation as a cellular level causes discord in the GI tract. This is exacerbated by food sensitivities (like to dairy or wheat), and also spikes in blood glucose levels.
For food sensitivities, dairy and wheat were introduced late into man's evolution, so a lot of people can't effectively digest dairy and wheat
Refined sugars and simple carbohydrates are digested so quickly that the body releases a lot of insulin to deal with the sugar, which causes inflammation and problems down the road
Anyway, thats the core of the theory that doctor told me. She speculates that my IBS is from when I got colitis (C. Dificile) 2 years ago after taking antibiotics, which is why my GI tract is still inflamed
One dietary solution is to eat fruits, vegetables, proteins, and fats.
So, thats the advice ive been following. What do you guys think?
This doctor also told me to try eating gluten-free or at least wheat free for a few weeks. At first I thought she was a nut, and that would be way too drastic. I knew I didn't have celiac disease, so going gluten-free would only help if I have a sensitivity.
However, soon enough I found it really wasn't hard to eliminate wheat from my diet (without completely eliminating gluten)
I've felt better in the last month, but there has been a lot more at play (the other main change i made was to take probiotics, which I think have helped)
this post is turning out to include more than I thought..so bear with this
So, the diet im on is meant to reduce inflammation, so eventually ill be able to incorporate more foods. My only worry is that ill go long enough without wheat that I won't be able to go back to it. That sort of happened with fats, it took me a few weeks before I was comfortable having nuts and other healthy fats
Thanks for reading,
Matt
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I feel there is a difference, as you are getting at, between hereditary IBS and sudden onset 'IBS'. It seems to be a whole different ballgame. Therefore, when you get 'IBS' from something and not inherited, your doctor could be right that inflammation needs to be reduced. I would say though that don't forget some of the basics here; they have been established because it is fact that certain things are tough on the gut, and whatever kind of IBS you have, you need to be kind to the gut. Thus, eating the easy to digest food, within the guidelines you have been given, is still the smartest way to go.
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IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!
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does your doctor have any theries on crazy loud nasty noises that are so loud other people hear them and get grossed out? Perhaps your doctor would let me text her a video message of the noises in my stomach? I would love to hear what she had to say. Also I push in places and the noises are more noticable and sometimes nasty acid comes up and burns my throat..but I never feel like I have a heartburn..I feel tired sometimes and crabby.
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You may find the abstract from a recently published study of some interest. The authors claim the range of factors that might percipitate IBS go beyond heredity and sudden onset (usually illness, sugery, etc).
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Interestingly,it would appear that factors such as prior surgery, low birth weight/birth complications, and low socio-economic status may carry an increased risk of IBS later in life. A possible common thread in these...antibiotic use. I still maintain that IBS has a fungal etiology in there somewhere.
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No doctor is going to allow this.
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This is very good Syl, and I agree. Mine was never about diet, but being molested at 6, is what set my IBS off. Good article.
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Thanks for that, Syl
Im actually not sure if it was my antibiotic induced colitis or genetic factors that are contributing to my IBS, since my aunt has a strikingly similar case (but she actually has 'gotten better' through diet & supplements)
My guess is that people can have genetic predisposition and physical triggers for IBS
Anyway, can anyone tell me if they've gone without eating gluten? I'm having trouble finding out if it is a crazy fad or a legitimate path to take!
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Hi there. I'm actually in the process of changing to a gluten free diet at the reccomendation of a nutrionalist. I have immune system issues that traditional medicine can't say why I do, just that I do. Through the mind gut connection, there have been some serious studies, cited by multiple neurologists where they reccomend that those who have immune system issues almost always have a sensitivity to gluten. Not celiacs, a sensitivity. Since I don't want to make my neuro issues worse, I'm going gluten free. I can still get whole grains by black and brown rice, because whole just means intact. Good luck navigating!
Theresa
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My views on the prevalence of GI have changed over time. I tried GF a few times and was hoping to test positive for GI instead of having IBS. Then over the next few years I started to think it was becoming too common to be legit in all cases. Then when you hear people saying GF is something healthy everyone should do, without having any facts, and then reading how erroneous that common view is in credible sources, it made me think many were GF who didn't need to and it was the new hot thing.
Then I have read some info lately about testing the blood of some vials from soldiers in WWII recently for GI. Very few had it but the same cross section today will have many more positive tests. So now I am starting to believe that the uber-prevalence of GI today is in most cases legit and due to changes in our food supply and how we grow our grains. Many people are still advising GF just for a diet or a cleanse or whatever, and while there is nothing wrong with that, it isn't wise to think it will help just anybody. So in summary, my view on it now is that it is more prevalent than ever and for medical/nutritional reasons, but that people need to be smart and not get wrapped up in the fad of GF or take advice from those who don't have their facts straight.
A lot of people don't even know what gluten is and think it is a bad additive or something and they'll be like 'I eat these bars; they are gluten free' and then they eat pasta or bread. Obviously people in the medical field know what gluten is but it is still really important to make your own decisions and do your own research when dealing with any health professional IMO.
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IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!
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