Any Other Vegan Celiacs Out There?

[Evangeline]

I am a vegan (no meat or dairy!) and recently realized that there is a high probability that I am Celiac or at least extremely gluten-sensitive. Thankfully, I was already introduced to raw veganism so cooking gluten-free or even grain-free won't be extremely challenging.

I make my raw vegan pies with nut crusts, my raw vegan lasagna with fresh zucchini slices instead of pasta, etc. The food is so delicious that I don't feel handicapped, I just feel pushed to eat more healthy!

I'm wondering if there are other vegan celiacs on this forum?

[Reba32]

Nope, not vegan, but I love me some good eggplant lasagne!

[Wolicki]

I am a vegan (no meat or dairy!) and recently realized that there is a high probability that I am Celiac or at least extremely gluten-sensitive. Thankfully, I was already introduced to raw veganism so cooking gluten-free or even grain-free won't be extremely challenging.

I make my raw vegan pies with nut crusts, my raw vegan lasagna with fresh zucchini slices instead of pasta, etc. The food is so delicious that I don't feel handicapped, I just feel pushed to eat more healthy!

I'm wondering if there are other vegan celiacs on this forum?

I am not a vegan, but have recently discovered raw food. Raw food restaurants are completely safe for me to eat out, and I really like that I don't have to worry about CC. Plus, it tastes amazing! I've learned how to make nut cheese, raw lasagne, pasta made from zucchini and turnips and I love it. I probaly eat about 60% raw/vegan now, but am not currently consuming animal products because of a protein issue. I do love me some beef though

[Evangeline]

I am not a vegan, but have recently discovered raw food. Raw food restaurants are completely safe for me to eat out, and I really like that I don't have to worry about CC. Plus, it tastes amazing! I've learned how to make nut cheese, raw lasagne, pasta made from zucchini and turnips and I love it. I probaly eat about 60% raw/vegan now, but am not currently consuming animal products because of a protein issue. I do love me some beef though

May I ask what protein issue?

I had protein issues myself these past two years.

[Wolicki]

May I ask what protein issue?

I had protein issues myself these past two years.

I have had massive edema since going gluten free. Head to foot, non pitting edema. I estimate it's about 60 pounds and it's killing me. After 7 doctors, my Osteopath seems to think that the problem is that my body has not "re-learned" how to process protein, and it is leaking out into my cells, which is causing the edema. No drugs work. I've tried high protein, medium protein, and now I am, on the advice of another member, trying small molecule low protein to try to get rid of the edema. I was suffering from severe malnutrition when I was finally diagnosed, so it sort of makes sense to me that this is the problem. For the last 3 days, I've been on fruits, veg and grains, getting about 20-25 g of protein a day, which is less than half of what I was doing before.

At this point, I will try anything! Perhaps you can share what your issues are?

Janie

[Evangeline]

I have had massive edema since going gluten free. Head to foot, non pitting edema. I estimate it's about 60 pounds and it's killing me. After 7 doctors, my Osteopath seems to think that the problem is that my body has not "re-learned" how to process protein, and it is leaking out into my cells, which is causing the edema. No drugs work. I've tried high protein, medium protein, and now I am, on the advice of another member, trying small molecule low protein to try to get rid of the edema. I was suffering from severe malnutrition when I was finally diagnosed, so it sort of makes sense to me that this is the problem. For the last 3 days, I've been on fruits, veg and grains, getting about 20-25 g of protein a day, which is less than half of what I was doing before.

At this point, I will try anything! Perhaps you can share what your issues are?

Janie

I am fairly confident that you need to purchase Hydrochloric Acid at the health food store. Celiac Disease causes hypochlorhydria (weak stomach acid) because of the malnutrition. When stomach acid is weak, it is not strong enough to break apart protein into the individual amino acids in the stomach. The molecules of protein are then pushed into the bloodstream and water follows protein (literally) as you already know. You could take hydrochloric acid (pure stomach acid) until your body is able to absorb enough nutrients again to begin making the proper amount of stomach acid by itself, which can take around four months. If you use hydrochloric acid, you will notice results in about 8 days.

The reason the doctors cannot help you is because they are not trained to diagnose hypochlorhydria (weak stomach acid).

[Welda Johnson]

I go vegan for long periods of time, sometimes for several years. Then when I crave protein I eat chicken, fish or turkey. Since 2000 I've strictly eaten only fruits & vegetables & sometimes meats. I also must avoid casein, whey, egg whites, yeast, msg, and maltodextrin & modified food starch from foods other than corn.

I eat Mrs. Leeper's corn pasta and it is great, but would love to know how you make your zucchini lasagna and the other foods you mentioned. Welcome to the board! I am so glad you are here. Welda

[mangomagic]

Yes me :-)

[Wolicki]

I am fairly confident that you need to purchase Hydrochloric Acid at the health food store. Celiac Disease causes hypochlorhydria (weak stomach acid) because of the malnutrition. When stomach acid is weak, it is not strong enough to break apart protein into the individual amino acids in the stomach. The molecules of protein are then pushed into the bloodstream and water follows protein (literally) as you already know. You could take hydrochloric acid (pure stomach acid) until your body is able to absorb enough nutrients again to begin making the proper amount of stomach acid by itself, which can take around four months. If you use hydrochloric acid, you will notice results in about 8 days.

The reason the doctors cannot help you is because they are not trained to diagnose hypochlorhydria (weak stomach acid).

You know, my doc told me about 2 months ago that he thought my body was very alkaline, and didn't think that too much acid was a problem. I've been on acid blockers for years because of heartburn.

I bought some HCL a while back and used it for a few days then stopped. I have been off acid blockers for about a week, but am getting terrible heartburn. Do you think it's possible to eat regular protein (meats and dairy) while taking HCL and have the excess water go away? If not, and I need to limit my diet to veg, fruits and grains, the bottle of HCL says NOT to take it with carb meals, only with protein. Thoughts?

[Evangeline]

You know, my doc told me about 2 months ago that he thought my body was very alkaline, and didn't think that too much acid was a problem. I've been on acid blockers for years because of heartburn.

I bought some HCL a while back and used it for a few days then stopped. I have been off acid blockers for about a week, but am getting terrible heartburn. Do you think it's possible to eat regular protein (meats and dairy) while taking HCL and have the excess water go away? If not, and I need to limit my diet to veg, fruits and grains, the bottle of HCL says NOT to take it with carb meals, only with protein. Thoughts?

Did your doctor specifically give you a hypochlorhydria test? Or do you and your doctors believe you have excess stomach acid due to your "heartburn" pain?

Stomach acid that is too strong and too weak both manifest the same symptoms: Heartburn. Because of this, many people are misdiagnosed.

Do you feel relief with antacids? Did you experience a burning sensation when you took the Hydrochloric Acid?

Because all of my meals have carbs and proteins mixed together, I frequently take the HCl with both foods.

[Evangeline]

You know, my doc told me about 2 months ago that he thought my body was very alkaline, and didn't think that too much acid was a problem. I've been on acid blockers for years because of heartburn.

I bought some HCL a while back and used it for a few days then stopped. I have been off acid blockers for about a week, but am getting terrible heartburn. Do you think it's possible to eat regular protein (meats and dairy) while taking HCL and have the excess water go away? If not, and I need to limit my diet to veg, fruits and grains, the bottle of HCL says NOT to take it with carb meals, only with protein. Thoughts?

Meat is a difficult protein to digest, it was one of the first foods I removed from my diet and noticed a little relief. Soy also caused horrible edema. Nuts and seeds cause only a little, but now I take HCl (Hydrochloric Acid) with the nuts, seeds and legumes. Soy and meat on the other hand still cause quite a bit of edema even with the HCl.

I would suggest sticking to your low protein diet for at least 1-2 weeks. I noticed my edema subsided after 8 days.

[Wolicki]

Meat is a difficult protein to digest, it was one of the first foods I removed from my diet and noticed a little relief. Soy also caused horrible edema. Nuts and seeds cause only a little, but now I take HCl (Hydrochloric Acid) with the nuts, seeds and legumes. Soy and meat on the other hand still cause quite a bit of edema even with the HCl.

I would suggest sticking to your low protein diet for at least 1-2 weeks. I noticed my edema subsided after 8 days.

Doc didn't do a test, but said that based on lab results being alkaline. I get frequent heartburn. When I have taken the HCL in the past, it did not cause burning at all taking 2 capsules.

[Evangeline]

Doc didn't do a test, but said that based on lab results being alkaline. I get frequent heartburn. When I have taken the HCL in the past, it did not cause burning at all taking 2 capsules.

If taking 2 capsules of HCl at meal did not cause any burning, you most likely have weak stomach acid. It sounds like you were not given the proper test (there is a stomach pH test that can be performed) and then misdiagnosed. I found that I could take up to 9 pills of HCl with each meal of protein to alleviate the edema. After several months, your body will begin to correct itself and you will be able to lower the dosage. I would begin taking HCl with every meal and stop taking the antacids. I would also avoid meats and soy. But first try to stay as low protein as possible for the next few weeks to see the results.

[Wolicki]

If taking 2 capsules of HCl at meal did not cause any burning, you most likely have weak stomach acid. It sounds like you were not given the proper test (there is a stomach pH test that can be performed) and then misdiagnosed. I found that I could take up to 9 pills of HCl with each meal of protein to alleviate the edema. After several months, your body will begin to correct itself and you will be able to lower the dosage. I would begin taking HCl with every meal and stop taking the antacids. I would also avoid meats and soy. But first try to stay as low protein as possible for the next few weeks to see the results.

I will certainly give it a try. I am willing to do just about anything! This is almost debilitating, as I have at least 50-60 pounds of extra fluid.

I took 3 HCL with a lunch of salad, with no ill effects. I just had another with a slice of bread. Keep a good thought for me that this works!

Janie

[meatslayer]

You should check out the book The Thrive Diet, by Brendan Brazier. Tons of whole food recipes and loaded with 'super foods- super grains' High energy eating written by a Vegan Ironman Triathlete.

( Me-day two being diagnosed as a celiac, hopefully not going to be to bad, ate low carbs and super healthy to start- looking forward to feeling heathy again. Information reading overload.)