Low level arsenic poisoning?

[mcbphd1]

I was diagnosed with celiac 5 years ago.  After the first year of stumbling with the gluten free diet, I have become more and more cautious about exposure.  I no longer eat out or have processed foods of any sort.  I don't go to restaurants at all or large sporting events with food everywhere.  I have tried a low FODMAP diet,  Fasano diet, and avoided soy, dairy, corn, etc., at various times.  Despite all of this, I have continued to have declining health and gastrointestinal problems.  Most of my symptoms resemble gluten exposure - tingling fingers and toes, muscle and joint pain and weakness, severe fatigue, abdominal pain and bloating, alternating diarrhea and constipation, headaches, vertigo, asthma, severe anxiety attacks, ...you get the picture.  Recently, I have had a lot of hair loss and skin lesions - blisters on soles of feet and hands, and a DH-type rash on back and chest.  While this has gone on, my glucose has continued to slowly climb, finally crossing the threshold from pre-diabetic to diabetic. I am only about 10 pounds overweight.  Because of this and the fact that I tried everything else, I started a very low carb diet.  No grains, carbs only in fruit and small servings of potatoes.  Within about 10 days, I noticed a significant lessening of symptoms.  I started doing research into symptoms of low level arsenic poisoning.  I have them all!  I was eating around 2 cups of brown rice or rice products per day.  I was also eating almost exclusively chicken - usually not organic.  I am close to concluding that my issues are not low levels of gluten exposure, but instead are due to chronic arsenic ingestion.  I'm wondering if any of you have had similar issues, and if so, have you tried avoiding or reducing rice intake? Has this improved your health?

[Jmg]

I haven't noticed symptoms but I have recently become more aware of just how much rice based food is in my diet now. I've started pre soaking rice as per these instructions: Open Original Shared Link and I've moved to white from brown rice for the same reason.

[Ennis-TX]

I had issues with bloating, fatigue, and distention with carbs in general. Ended up I had UC and the carbs were causing flare ups where my intestines would swell with inflammation. Ketogenic diet with a focus on fats and protein helped there.

But your issues sound mostly like deficiencies issues. Did you ever supplement? Those of us with celiac have damaged intestines that have issues absorbing nutrients. Common ones that cause a bunch of you listed results include Magnesium, B-vitamins, Iron, Folate, Niacin, and C,D,E.   And many of use need them in 2x the doses on some to reach our needed levels. I for one have issues with Magnesium, Iron, and B vitamins. You might want to do some research on the results of these being low. Might suggest getting your levels tested. I can give you suggestions on what I take if you like for brand recommendations.

 

[cyclinglady]

When was the last time you had a celiac disease antibodies check?  Deficiencies check?  This will help rule out active celiac disease.  

I have diabetes.  I am thin and exercise.  But it seems to have a genetic component as it runs in families.  Cutting down on carbs and eating to my meter (experimented and tested heavily in the early days) for the last three years has kept my diabetes from progresssing.  Read Jenny Ruhl's site "Blood Sugar 101" for research and tips.  It is not a quack site.  She does sell a book, but it contains the same information as her site which is free.  I bought a book for my Uncle who is not on the internet.  

Rice?  It spikes my blood sugar big time!  I might as well eat a cupcake!  ? I do serve it to my family.  I purchase white rice from California (least amount of arsenic as reported by Consumer Reports).  I wash and soak it.  I still prefer steaming over boiling.  

Health improved?  I did finally feel better once I gave up grains and added more fat.   When I went Gluten Free I made the same mistake as many newbies by converting my Standard American Diet full of processed foods (lots of sweets) to gluten-free versions.  Most likely delayed intestinal healing, but I have no proof!  

[mcbphd1]

Agreed on moving to white rice.  I did request and got a new celiac panel done last January - no elevated antibodies, also, normal B12, folate, iron, electrolytes, and slightly low vitamin D.  I am becoming convinced that ketogenic or paleo is the way to go for me.  Maybe after things heal and my system is clear of toxins, I can add back some carbs.  I'll be interested to see what my A1C is after 3 months of low carb.  The publications I'm reading on elevated arsenic levels are very interesting.  If nothing else, it's a great excuse to get in the hot tub and sauna!