On Scd? How Did You Get Rid Of Your Buddha Belly?

[manasota]

I'm gluten free 5 1/2 years and SCD 2 1/2 years.  Tried going without dairy, no help.  Cannot get rid of this uncomfortable Buddha Belly.  Don't think it's SIBO as SCD is supposed to take care of that.  Kind of tired of wearing loose dresses all the time.  Not gas as Gas-X is no help either.  Possibly simply the inflammation that is focused on trying to heal my intestines????????

[Brenna P]

I'm still working on my Buddha Belly.  I'm gluten-free for 8 years, low FODMAP for 1.5 years, SCD for 4 months. 

Have you tried low FODMAPS?  From my understanding that would cut out foods that might contribute to gas and bloating, but wouldn't really resolve leaky gut, which is the reason high FODMAP foods might bother you.  Check out the Monash University info on FODMAPs.  They also have a great app for FODMAPS for your phone/

 

For me I've realized that any excess carbs are a bad thing for bloating.  I need to eat pretty low carb.  Any time I over-eat too many carbs or fats I'm bloated.  Protien seems easy for my bdy to digest  So I try to keep lots of low-carb salads and easy protein, like pre-made burgers and hard boiled eggs around. 

 

What do you think helps you the most?

What do you think sets you off?

Are you still doing daily SCD yogurt?  That's got to have some positive pay off too. 

[manasota]

Hi Brenna P,

 

Yes, I've been low FODMAP and low fructose for about a year.  (I will check out the Monash Univ. site)

 

Everything I have tried has helped--just not enough.  Guess I would say no grains has helped the most.

 

No idea "what sets me off"--even though I've kept a food diary ever since being diagnosed with celiac disease (5 1/2 years).

 

I had stopped the SCD yogurt for about a year since it didn't seem to make that much difference and I wanted to try no dairy at all.  I just restarted it about a month ago.   Again, doesn't seem to make much difference.  By far, I've had many more problems AFTER going gluten free.  My gut does seem to work better, however.  My hair, nails, skin are much better.  Fatigue and body pain are my major problems--and the darn Buddha Belly.  It's really quite depressing to see you having this problem even after 8 years.  I do agree that protein and fats are the easiest to digest; but we need to eat some veggies and fruit (low fructose & FODMAP).  NO idea what else to try--other than more time!  Then again, you've been doing it for 8 years (2 1/2 years longer than me).  I'm lost.

[cyclinglady]

Maybe your doctor (GP or GI) should rule out SIBO? In any case, there is something wrong and maybe your doctor can help.

This is off topic, but what is your age? Going through menopause/perimenopause can cause weight in your mid-section as your body fights to find a new estrogen sources (fat cells).

As far as diet, I went gluten-free and saw some improvement the first year and then I got my diabetes diagnosis. Now I eat to my meter and eat a low carb high fat diet. I finally feel really good! Not sure if it was the diet or simply healing from celiac disease damage. I eat very little fruit and then it is only berries. Carbs are carbs regardless of the source and my body does not like them! BTW, my doctor is happy with my results. I test as a non-diabetic just by diet alone though not sure how long this will last!

[manasota]

That's a good idea for my MD to test for SIBO.

 

I'm 65.  The BB is not fat & seems to be my guts swollen.

 

I too eat low carb and high fat.  Also, the only fruit I eat is berries.

 

I'm glad you're doing so well.  May I ask your age at diagnosis?

[cyclinglady]

I was 51.

[manasota]

Wow.  I am stunned that you "feel really good" after only 2 years gluten free.  What exactly do you eat?  Maybe I could follow your meal plan.

[cyclinglady]

Well, the are a few reasons for my improved health. First, the gluten-free diet learning curve was not steep because my husband had been gluten-free for 12 years when I was diagnosed. So, I knew the drill. Second, our house became completely gluten-free once I was diagnosed. Our kid gets her gluten fix in prepackaged products that are consumed outside of the house. She bakes cakes (I supply the ingrediants) at her friend's houses. Plus, she orders gluten in restaurants. Hubby and I feel that we really needed to be able to relax in our own home. Third, I got my diabetes diagnosis a year after my celiac disease diagnosis (not typed because at this time diet is doing the trick and I monitor with my meter). I wanted to keep my kidneys and feet, so I researched and found that the LCHF diet works. Amazingly, I feel much better on this diet and my doctor is happy. I test as a non-diabetic now. I do not crave sugar/carbs at all! I do eat plenty of carbs sourced from veggies grown "above" ground. Plus, plenty of fat even though I am lacking a gallbladder. I can ride 50 miles without loading up on carbs, so they are really not as necessary as we all used to think! Fourth, I was and still am athletic. I ride, bike, walk and swim. I exercise daily. Nothing crazy, but I am in great shape for my age. Fifth, I am on HRT. I need to build bone as I fractured a few vertabrae doing NOTHING two months after my diagnosis. I have been on and off HRT for over a decade. I think my undiagnosed celiac disease wreaked havoic with my hormones and I experienced every symptom in the book. The worst was insomnia from the night sweats. My new doctor wanted me off HRT so I complied. That lasted about six months when my husband begged me to get back on them. I was kind of crazy, short-tempered from lack of restorative sleep and being wet all the time! Finally, my hubby! We are in this boat together. I could go in and on about him, but hand would ache especially from typing on my iPad!

I think that sums it up. I am fortunate that we work from home, so we are able to cook three meals a day and that helps. But who knows? Glitches? You bet. I was accidentally glutened three weeks ago and I am still recovering. So, stuff like that happens.

[manasota]

Thanks for offering such complete information.  You have given me lots of "food for thought".  ;-)

[Brenna P]

Hi again Manasota,

So I think I've had a bit of a breakthrough with my Buddha Belly this week, and I wanted to share. 

I think being on SCD has 1/2 resolved a yeast issue for me, but not completely (gas is gone, but not the bloat).  PecanBread.com has info about candida and SCD.  Regular SCD is a great start, because grains and starchy veggies are the biggest culprits.  But SCD may need to be tweaked more to really get rid of yeast issues- so I just cut out cheese, nuts, and fruit (except for 1/2 cup of low sugar fruit like berries every other day).  This is going to be tough for me, but it really makes sense that yeast is still the issue.  I'm going to try this modification for a week or two and see if my belly's improved.  I'm hopeful.  Today is day 2.  Thank goodness I can still eat SCD yogurt!  I went to a BBQ last night and ate only meat and veggies- so strange.  Was able  to stay away from the fruit and cheese.  And home-made gluten-free cookies!  Uggg....

 

Anyway, wanted to share if any of it makes sense for you too.

Here's to saying goodbye to our buddha bellies!

Brenna

Hi Brenna P,

 

Yes, I've been low FODMAP and low fructose for about a year.  (I will check out the Monash Univ. site)

 

Everything I have tried has helped--just not enough.  Guess I would say no grains has helped the most.

 

No idea "what sets me off"--even though I've kept a food diary ever since being diagnosed with celiac disease (5 1/2 years).

 

I had stopped the SCD yogurt for about a year since it didn't seem to make that much difference and I wanted to try no dairy at all.  I just restarted it about a month ago.   Again, doesn't seem to make much difference.  By far, I've had many more problems AFTER going gluten free.  My gut does seem to work better, however.  My hair, nails, skin are much better.  Fatigue and body pain are my major problems--and the darn Buddha Belly.  It's really quite depressing to see you having this problem even after 8 years.  I do agree that protein and fats are the easiest to digest; but we need to eat some veggies and fruit (low fructose & FODMAP).  NO idea what else to try--other than more time!  Then again, you've been doing it for 8 years (2 1/2 years longer than me).  I'm lost.

[manasota]

Hi Brenna P.,

 

During this trial, will you also omit baking with almond flour?  I think that's the only thing I haven't tried giving up.  In BTVC, she was so sure that baking with almond flour would become a basic part of the diet and easily digested by all.  I hope you have good luck with your trial.  Let me know if you're giving up almond flour too.  

 

I'm thinking my major obstacle is having been diagnosed at an advanced age (60yo) after a lifetime diet of tons of gluten.

 

My whole house is gluten free.  I am on HRT.  I meditate, do yoga, lift light weights, and dance at least every other day.  However, after my cancer treatment, I had to stop these activities for awhile.  I was so sick from Graves & undiagnosed Celiac that I couldn't do much of anything.  I plan to just keep going, trying my best, and hope I live long enough to heal.  ;-)

 

Manasota

[Brenna P]

Hi Brenna P.,

 

During this trial, will you also omit baking with almond flour?  I think that's the only thing I haven't tried giving up.  In BTVC, she was so sure that baking with almond flour would become a basic part of the diet and easily digested by all.  I hope you have good luck with your trial.  Let me know if you're giving up almond flour too.  

 

I'm thinking my major obstacle is having been diagnosed at an advanced age (60yo) after a lifetime diet of tons of gluten.

 

My whole house is gluten free.  I am on HRT.  I meditate, do yoga, lift light weights, and dance at least every other day.  However, after my cancer treatment, I had to stop these activities for awhile.  I was so sick from Graves & undiagnosed Celiac that I couldn't do much of anything.  I plan to just keep going, trying my best, and hope I live long enough to heal.  ;-)

 

Manasota

Hi Manasota,

Yes, I stopped using almond flour this week too. 

I just saw a different dr. today, and she wants to do some gut testing on me- intestinal permeability, SIBO, etc.... Some of the Genova testing. FINALLY, someone who wants to do some actual testing! My doctors in the past have not wanted to do this testing, and I don't understand why. My current dr, thinks it's SIBO.  Have you been tested for SIBO?  Like you, I feel like there's NOTHING I haven't tried!  Over the past year and a half, diligently trying EVERYTHING!

 

By the way, Chris Kresser has some interesting info on yeast and being low-FODMAP.  I have pretty much been avoiding FODMAPs for 1.5 years, but knew it was only addressing my symptoms, not the problem.  Anyway, after reading this, I'm going back to some higher FODMAPs, but still low on fruit, nuts, cheese.  I'm eating eggs, veggies, meat, coconut, bone broth, and SCD yogurt at this point. 

Anyway, here's a little info from Chris:

Open Original Shared Link

 

Again, with me I'm not sure if it's candida or SIBO, but my hunch is SIBO.  We'll see when the testing comes back. 

 

There's also this interesting info re: zonulin from Dr. Fasano.  It's an interview with him and Chris Kresser.

Open Original Shared Link

This seems like a really interesting area- I hope there's more info on zonulin and celiacs soon.  I wonder if celiacs who are grain-free also produce zonulin, or not?  That seems like it would be really important to find out. 

 

Take care!

In health, we WILL get there!!!

[manasota]

Hi Brenna P.,

 

I can't wait to find out the results of your new diet restrictions & your new testing.  I was not tested for SIBO.  My MD thought my "pregnant belly" was evidence enough.  He wrote for 3 antibiotics which gave me such bad diarrhea that he said to stop them.  I thought one of the main points of the SCD diet was to fix the causes of SIBO so the belly size would return to normal.  I thought it was supposed to deny "food" to the bad bacteria & promote the good bacteria (with the yogurt).  In effect, to correct the balance.  Anyway, I started the SCD right after the "failure" with the antibiotics.