Cinnamon To Treat Stomach Problems?

[desperateforhealth]

Well, I've been a month off gluten and I am still experiencing excessive gas and occasional stomach upsets (although I can trace those back to potential specific causes usually), so I have been researching for possible remedies that may help with those lingering symptoms.

I have read in several places that cinnamon (often along with honey) can be a natural reliever of gas and stomach issues. Has anyone tried that? Am I getting my hopes up for no reason? I have been on a probiotic for a couple weeks but haven't seen any results...

Any feedbook would be great! Thank you.

[mamaw]

I use Saigon cinnamon for other reasons......so can't help you with your question.. But a suggestion would be to add digestive enzymes before you eat. That helped me.....I use solid gold...

Also if you are new to gluten-free it can take time to heal the intestinal tract. Sorry I didn't look to see how long you have been gluten-free or I missed it...

[desperateforhealth]

  On 2/21/2012 at 12:34 AM, mamaw said:

I use Saigon cinnamon for other reasons......so can't help you with your question.. But a suggestion would be to add digestive enzymes before you eat. That helped me.....I use solid gold...

Also if you are new to gluten-free it can take time to heal the intestinal tract. Sorry I didn't look to see how long you have been gluten-free or I missed it...

Thank you! I have been off gluten for a month... I am not sure if that's "new" or not. Isn't Solid Gold for pets..?

[IrishHeart]

She may have meant Digest Gold which is what I also use.

A month is still pretty early in the healing phase.

Hang in there. It takes time.

Did you take out dairy?

Lactase, which is the enzyme that breaks down the sugar lactose, is produced in the tip of the villi.

When the villi get blunted in celiac disease, sometimes the ability to digest lactose is decreased and you can become lactose intolerant.

This may cause bloating, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, etc. After you go gluten-free, the villi will heal and most people are able to tolerate dairy foods again.

[YoloGx]

Irish Heart is right. Lactose (i.e. milk sugar) can be very hard to digest. Many people with celiac etc. have to go off milk products, especially at first while their villi are healing. Though some can handle goats milk more than cows milk. The yogurt or kefir form are even better. Other common problems are trouble with digesting fats. Thus pancreatin enzyme mix taken with meals can be quite important since it targets the intestines.

Other common allergens are corn, soy, nuts including coconut, the nightshade family (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes). Many too cannot handle eating beans in general. I couldn't until recently, and even there I can only digest well soaked and cooked azuki beans and sprouted mung beans.

Many find too that eating home cooked food is best, especially at first while your villi are healing. Sugar and heavily processed grains do not help a gut that needs to heal. Thus well washed home cooked brown rice is often the safest grain to have.

Chicken is usually tolerated best. Again its best without the skins at first especially due to the need to avoid excess animal fats due to the blunted villi. A great many newly diagnosed celiacs end up with liver and/or gall bladder trouble otherwise due to leaky gut from the damaged villi and inability to process fats very well at all. Thus the pancreatin digestive enzymes and/or dandelion root can help a lot there.

Follow that with vegetables and fruits you tolerate. Keep a food journal and note what you eat, when and how you feel. It should help determine what is what a lot sooner.

As far as cinnamon as a remedy goes, it can work for some as a mild digestive stimulant. I would try the dandelion root first however.

Good luck!

Bea

[desperateforhealth]

Thank you both very much.

I have actually been dairy free longer than I've been gluten free because I could tell it was affecting me. I do stick to home cooked meals almost completely and keep a food journal. Thank you very much for reinforcing the fact that I am doing the right thing.

I've tried to identify any other intolerance but haven't really had any results with that.

I will stick with it! And I'll definitely try dandelion root/enzymes if my troubles persist. Thank you guys.

[RuskitD]

Dr Oz mentioned Monday on his show that caraway seed relieves bloating.

Here is an article I found that mentions it, and has an explanation.

Open Original Shared Link

I hope you find relief!

[Kjas]

Apart from what everyone else has already added, have you tried ginger tea? It's good for stomach pain or nausea. It's a good way to stop the symptoms short term, but it I were you, I would be trying to get to the bottom of why it's that way in the first place.

[YoloGx]

  On 2/21/2012 at 3:45 PM, Kjas said:

Apart from what everyone else has already added, have you tried ginger tea? It's good for stomach pain or nausea. It's a good way to stop the symptoms short term, but it I were you, I would be trying to get to the bottom of why it's that way in the first place.

I'll second that on ginger tea!

Also L-glutamine can help heal and soothe a ravaged gut.

[desperateforhealth]

Thanks, guys! That is super helpful. I have heard the same on caraway and ginger--I will plan on trying those.

[IrishHeart]

Another thought! Do you take probiotics? They help with gut issues as well.

[desperateforhealth]

I do indeed! I haven't really noticed a different yet but it hasn't been very long.

[IrishHeart]

  On 2/22/2012 at 1:44 AM, desperateforhealth said:

I do indeed! I haven't really noticed a different yet but it hasn't been very long.

Sorry, I just re-read your first post. There it is.

well, I think you just need more healing time, hon.

Try the remedies offered, but do not despair. Avoid raw veggies, maybe? beans--gassy and difficult to digest.

Hang in there. Keep us posted.

[Mom-of-Two]

I would hang in there....I was recently diagnosed and only been gluten free a week, but my GI has me being re-tested/follow up in 3 months because she says I need at least that long to notice any changes. If after a few months you really don't see much difference, then begin investigating. I agree with gallbladder, in fact my GI suspects my gallbladder is an issue-- I have frequent pain between my shoulder blades which she is concerned with. For the time being though, I am treating the initial diagnosis of celic and praying that gluten-free fixes me! It sounds like you are doing everything right, so be patient a bit longer. Are you certain you are careful with food prep and there is no possibility of contamination?

I use peppermint tea (Traditional Medicinals) which helps my naseau and bloated feeling.

[desperateforhealth]

IrishHeart - Thank you. I really appreciate your advice and encouragement.

Mom-of-Two - Ahh, yes, honestly that's almost an encouragement to me (the fact that it takes up to three months) because I was getting worried that I should have been getting better by now. That's very interesting, I hope everything goes okay with your gallbladder.

I am as careful as I possibly can be, I live with my parents who eat plenty of gluten but I have separate appliances as much as I can manage.

[IrishHeart]

It is hard to be patient, but healing times vary. You are on your way to feeling better!

Keep us posted.

We love to hear when someone feels better!!!