Elimination diet to detect food sensitivity - brain fog etc
Discussion
Anyone ever done one of these? Did you identify anything useful? Three weeks of eating like a monk and then introducing a new food every few days, seems pretty difficult to do it strictly enough to identify which foods can cause problems?
I get sleepiness, brain fog, lethargy etc related to eating, along with some 'interesting' digestive experiences, don't know whether it's worth me doing something like this independently before going down the medical route. It's having a pretty stifling effect on my life, especially with son #2 nearly here.
I get sleepiness, brain fog, lethargy etc related to eating, along with some 'interesting' digestive experiences, don't know whether it's worth me doing something like this independently before going down the medical route. It's having a pretty stifling effect on my life, especially with son #2 nearly here.
Edited by ScotHill on Monday 28th June 18:12
My wife did the Fodmap thing a few months ago, was very time consuming but she pinpointed all the foods that gave her trouble, do your research on the subject, it's facinating to see what we put in our stomachs influences what goes on in our brains, personally I would not bother with going to the Dr, they know surprisingly little about gut health.
Your first port of call if I were you would be to introduce a quality digestive enzyme and pro biotic.
Your first port of call if I were you would be to introduce a quality digestive enzyme and pro biotic.
Edited by mcelliott on Monday 28th June 19:30
mcelliott said:
My wife did the Fodmap thing a few months ago, was very time consuming but she pinpointed all the foods that gave her trouble, do your research on the subject, it's fascinating to see what we put in our stomachs influences what goes on in our brains, personally I would not bother with going to the Dr, they know surprisingly little about gut health.
Your first port of call if I were you would be to introduce a quality digestive enzyme and pro biotic.
Not heard of Fodmap, will look it up, thanks.Your first port of call if I were you would be to introduce a quality digestive enzyme and pro biotic.
Would you mind sharing what she changed and what difference it made?
ScotHill said:
mcelliott said:
My wife did the Fodmap thing a few months ago, was very time consuming but she pinpointed all the foods that gave her trouble, do your research on the subject, it's fascinating to see what we put in our stomachs influences what goes on in our brains, personally I would not bother with going to the Dr, they know surprisingly little about gut health.
Your first port of call if I were you would be to introduce a quality digestive enzyme and pro biotic.
Not heard of Fodmap, will look it up, thanks.Your first port of call if I were you would be to introduce a quality digestive enzyme and pro biotic.
Would you mind sharing what she changed and what difference it made?
I did a Yorktest.
I changed some stuff, did another and stuff changed, but some stayed the same despite avoiding it a lot.
In my case, milk. A lot happier now. Just needing to eat more protein from other sources.
But it’s highlighted lots of things i was doing badly/wrong with regards diet and eating and stress etc.
Other approaches probably fine too. Ie, fodmap.
You have to be careful though about changing stuff because it may not be the issue.
Ie, fodmap is probably exacerbated by a sugary diet, stimulants like caffeine, stress, alcohol, poor sleep etc.
You can’t have a bad lifestyle, remove a ‘bad’ food, and get ‘better’
Your lifestyle needs to be good already for these changes to probably have the desired effect.
I changed some stuff, did another and stuff changed, but some stayed the same despite avoiding it a lot.
In my case, milk. A lot happier now. Just needing to eat more protein from other sources.
But it’s highlighted lots of things i was doing badly/wrong with regards diet and eating and stress etc.
Other approaches probably fine too. Ie, fodmap.
You have to be careful though about changing stuff because it may not be the issue.
Ie, fodmap is probably exacerbated by a sugary diet, stimulants like caffeine, stress, alcohol, poor sleep etc.
You can’t have a bad lifestyle, remove a ‘bad’ food, and get ‘better’
Your lifestyle needs to be good already for these changes to probably have the desired effect.
Mr Whippy said:
I did a Yorktest.
I changed some stuff, did another and stuff changed, but some stayed the same despite avoiding it a lot.
In my case, milk. A lot happier now. Just needing to eat more protein from other sources.
But it’s highlighted lots of things i was doing badly/wrong with regards diet and eating and stress etc.
Other approaches probably fine too. Ie, fodmap.
You have to be careful though about changing stuff because it may not be the issue.
Ie, fodmap is probably exacerbated by a sugary diet, stimulants like caffeine, stress, alcohol, poor sleep etc.
You can’t have a bad lifestyle, remove a ‘bad’ food, and get ‘better’
Your lifestyle needs to be good already for these changes to probably have the desired effect.
Disappointed that a Yorktest isn't 'how many Yorkies can you eat'. They're on sale until midnight (if you mean yorktest.com) but still pretty pricey - which one did you do and what did it tell you? Are they recommended by medical professionals or are they a 'consumer' test?I changed some stuff, did another and stuff changed, but some stayed the same despite avoiding it a lot.
In my case, milk. A lot happier now. Just needing to eat more protein from other sources.
But it’s highlighted lots of things i was doing badly/wrong with regards diet and eating and stress etc.
Other approaches probably fine too. Ie, fodmap.
You have to be careful though about changing stuff because it may not be the issue.
Ie, fodmap is probably exacerbated by a sugary diet, stimulants like caffeine, stress, alcohol, poor sleep etc.
You can’t have a bad lifestyle, remove a ‘bad’ food, and get ‘better’
Your lifestyle needs to be good already for these changes to probably have the desired effect.
My lifestyle is pretty good, but once I go off balance (for whatever reason, food, kids waking me up too much in the night) it can take a few days to a week to get back on track again.
Like a lot of health things, I probably know on some level what I need to do to improve things, but sometimes it's motivating to have a person/piece of paper formalise it for you.
ScotHill said:
Disappointed that a Yorktest isn't 'how many Yorkies can you eat'. They're on sale until midnight (if you mean yorktest.com) but still pretty pricey - which one did you do and what did it tell you? Are they recommended by medical professionals or are they a 'consumer' test?
My lifestyle is pretty good, but once I go off balance (for whatever reason, food, kids waking me up too much in the night) it can take a few days to a week to get back on track again.
Like a lot of health things, I probably know on some level what I need to do to improve things, but sometimes it's motivating to have a person/piece of paper formalise it for you.
I went for a full foods one.My lifestyle is pretty good, but once I go off balance (for whatever reason, food, kids waking me up too much in the night) it can take a few days to a week to get back on track again.
Like a lot of health things, I probably know on some level what I need to do to improve things, but sometimes it's motivating to have a person/piece of paper formalise it for you.
IgG antibodies, so what is your body’s immune system attacking.
Cows milk was top on my first.
It was top of my second, despite minimising intake.
Other things were in there but mostly different from before highlighting dietary changes and probably eating habits.
Ie, the stuff coming up that was new was usually lunch time stuff.
Eaten very quickly, eaten stood up while prepping kids food, often followed by a big drink and washing badly chomped food right through my stomach and into my stress ridden guts where proteins were probably getting into my blood and causing an immune response.
I’ll admit all very ambiguous. But had I listened to the GP, I’d have just been living with these issues which I had, which they suggest no one knows why they happen, yadda yadda.
The solution of course is as much about lifestyle as anything.
Calm down. De-stress. Exercise. Sit down and eat slowly. Eat very well.
Avoid sugars. Refuse anything fake. Use whole foods as much as possible.
Avoid refined carbs.
Doing fodmap will probably make you realise how bad your diet is already.
I’d argue anyone who already eats properly and looks after their digestive health won’t need to do any of these things.
If you do, then you’re lying to yourself about what you’re shovelling down your neck.
I've done them and noticed a big change. My main issue is milk of all types and if I cut it down I feel less bloated and weigh less. A few years ago I couldn't work out why I was putting weight on - up to 5 Kg in a week or so! I realised cream had snuck in to one of the prepared things I was eating for lunch, stopped eating it and the weight dropped off just as quick. I assume the weight is actually water retention...
NorthDave said:
I've done them and noticed a big change. My main issue is milk of all types and if I cut it down I feel less bloated and weigh less. A few years ago I couldn't work out why I was putting weight on - up to 5 Kg in a week or so! I realised cream had snuck in to one of the prepared things I was eating for lunch, stopped eating it and the weight dropped off just as quick. I assume the weight is actually water retention...
Did you cut everything out at the beginning, if so how long for? Or just cut out things individually and see if it had an effect? That's the bit I'm kind of struggling with, it seems like a massive commitment to do it properly, especially if you're living with other people.You can substitute tons of stuff wrt family needs.
Then cut other stuff out almost completely for whole family if it’s generally accepted as not great for you.
Ie, I hardly use butter for cooking/baking now etc.
Lard, coconut oil used instead.
It’s very easy in our western world to eat the same things again and again.
Ie drink milk, have butter, yoghurts, cheese... it’s just tons of cows milk.
I’ve found this chap tends to say things which my body agrees with.
Dr. Sten Ekberg
Top 10 Healthy Foods You Must Eat
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F7gDIshc-S0
Then cut other stuff out almost completely for whole family if it’s generally accepted as not great for you.
Ie, I hardly use butter for cooking/baking now etc.
Lard, coconut oil used instead.
It’s very easy in our western world to eat the same things again and again.
Ie drink milk, have butter, yoghurts, cheese... it’s just tons of cows milk.
I’ve found this chap tends to say things which my body agrees with.
Dr. Sten Ekberg
Top 10 Healthy Foods You Must Eat
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F7gDIshc-S0
Edited by Mr Whippy on Wednesday 30th June 14:08
Mr Whippy said:
You can substitute tons of stuff wrt family needs.
Then cut other stuff out almost completely for whole family if it’s generally accepted as not great for you.
Ie, I hardly use butter for cooking/baking now etc.
Lard, coconut oil used instead.
It’s very easy in our western world to eat the same things again and again.
Ie drink milk, have butter, yoghurts, cheese... it’s just tons of cows milk.
I’ve found this chap tends to say things which my body agrees with.
Dr. Sten Ekberg
Top 10 Healthy Foods You Must Eat
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F7gDIshc-S0
Some people cope with that other stuff fine though, my wife seemingly has no negative response to pretty much any food she eats, sleeps well, only gets tired in the day if she's stressed or working hard. Reminds me of this rant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5bKN6xP8Kk#t=27sThen cut other stuff out almost completely for whole family if it’s generally accepted as not great for you.
Ie, I hardly use butter for cooking/baking now etc.
Lard, coconut oil used instead.
It’s very easy in our western world to eat the same things again and again.
Ie drink milk, have butter, yoghurts, cheese... it’s just tons of cows milk.
I’ve found this chap tends to say things which my body agrees with.
Dr. Sten Ekberg
Top 10 Healthy Foods You Must Eat
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F7gDIshc-S0
Edited by Mr Whippy on Wednesday 30th June 14:08
I never like taking one person's word as gospel, but I probably do most of what the guy says in your video - maybe a bit more variety in the greens and tubers, and I avoid eggs as they turn me inside out. He says grains can be problematic/inflammatory, but from what I've read rice is one of the most benign things you can eat.
So maybe it is just finding out what your personal 'food profile' is, things need to cut down on and things you need to avoid completely.
I’d say go with your flow too.
And explore your body by messing with foods etc.
Yorktest was worth it for me, it identified milk as a big issue (after 2nd test it was confirmed), and the journey of diet change and learning has been worth it too.
Now much fitter, slimmer, happier etc.
My ‘gut’ feeling though is that a really stressful time has shafted my guts and caused all this stuff to become a thing.
Also using anti-biotics seems to be a sure fire way to screw up your gut.
I think in some years it’ll all settle down.
That said my body is very different now... and I feel that milk has probably been making my body/guts unhappy for quite some time.
And explore your body by messing with foods etc.
Yorktest was worth it for me, it identified milk as a big issue (after 2nd test it was confirmed), and the journey of diet change and learning has been worth it too.
Now much fitter, slimmer, happier etc.
My ‘gut’ feeling though is that a really stressful time has shafted my guts and caused all this stuff to become a thing.
Also using anti-biotics seems to be a sure fire way to screw up your gut.
I think in some years it’ll all settle down.
That said my body is very different now... and I feel that milk has probably been making my body/guts unhappy for quite some time.
It can be easier to cut out food groups one at a time. Eg cut out dairy for a week. If no difference put it back in and move onto another food eg gluten and so on.
That way it is easier to work out what the culprit is and far more practical than going back to complete basics of food and slowly adding things back in which is a nightmare to stick to especially if not at home.
Ps worth asking for a coeliac blood test at the gp if you think wheat/ gluten is a possible trigger. Symptoms sound quite good for that
That way it is easier to work out what the culprit is and far more practical than going back to complete basics of food and slowly adding things back in which is a nightmare to stick to especially if not at home.
Ps worth asking for a coeliac blood test at the gp if you think wheat/ gluten is a possible trigger. Symptoms sound quite good for that
Edited by Biglips on Wednesday 30th June 18:25
I had major issues a few years back, did the keto diet which was brilliant and then started to go back to normal food and it was constant bloating to the point I was developing a hernia, bad stomach and bad toilet experiences.
Did the blood test antibody thing which highlighted gluten, eggs and dairy. I didn't pay any attention to it as I have eaten those items for 30 years.....
Anyway several weeks later on the recommendation by my physio I cut out gluten and within days my symptoms disappeared.
No idea if I always had a gluten intolerance or if it just developed. However I rarely power nap now where as before it was everyday after work.
Cutting out gluten is fairly simple as most shops sell alternatives and you should notice a difference within a week.
Did the blood test antibody thing which highlighted gluten, eggs and dairy. I didn't pay any attention to it as I have eaten those items for 30 years.....
Anyway several weeks later on the recommendation by my physio I cut out gluten and within days my symptoms disappeared.
No idea if I always had a gluten intolerance or if it just developed. However I rarely power nap now where as before it was everyday after work.
Cutting out gluten is fairly simple as most shops sell alternatives and you should notice a difference within a week.
Cheers all, I might be able to get an appointment with a gastrodoc in the summer for something separate but possibly related, so I'll lay out the symptoms and see what they say. I know the medical establishment can be behind in new thinking sometimes, but they also tend to cut through the bulls
t. Will try excluding a food type for a week at a time and see what difference that makes.
t. Will try excluding a food type for a week at a time and see what difference that makes.ScotHill said:
Did you suspect milk before you started investigating or was it out of the blue? Would you have done anything about it without the test?
No, I was using milk to settle my stomach.I’d often get heart burn and even took a glass of milk to bed with me in recent years
Then maybe 8 cups of tea a day.
Then maybe cereal etc.
The IgG response apparently triggers a stress response and adrenaline, so you can end up craving these foods too, so you get the adrenaline hit... seemingly.
I now just use koko milk for cereal and a single cuppa first thing and then that’s it for ‘milk’ pretty much.
Coconut oil replaced butter give or take.
I don’t really eat bread anymore either and don’t miss it as it’s just fat fluffy sheets of sugar really.
I’ll admit I still have cheat days. I’ve just had a calzone pizza chicken thing for a change from local restaurant take away.
Needless to say if I stick to whole foods and cook myself, and avoid milk, my gut is almost like it’s not there.
If I have naughty stuff it’s playing up within 30mins.
Mr Whippy said:
Other approaches probably fine too. Ie, fodmap.
You have to be careful though about changing stuff because it may not be the issue.
Ie, fodmap is probably exacerbated by a sugary diet, stimulants like caffeine, stress, alcohol, poor sleep etc.
You can’t have a bad lifestyle, remove a ‘bad’ food, and get ‘better’
Your lifestyle needs to be good already for these changes to probably have the desired effect.
Very good point! Lately i've been reducing gluten and dairy as i get excema and bloating / gut issuesYou have to be careful though about changing stuff because it may not be the issue.
Ie, fodmap is probably exacerbated by a sugary diet, stimulants like caffeine, stress, alcohol, poor sleep etc.
You can’t have a bad lifestyle, remove a ‘bad’ food, and get ‘better’
Your lifestyle needs to be good already for these changes to probably have the desired effect.
Seems to work well - but i've also started exercising more, sleeping more, overall less sugar and better meal timings all of which can also be "cures" so hard to say!
Suppose as a rule certain foods like gluten and dairy are easy enough to cut and not necessary too healthy anyway
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