celiac-wife

Neroli,

How often do you take the VSL#3? Is there a difference between the powder form and the capsule form other than the amount of live bacteria?

Thanks,

Cindy

After 2-1/2 years of wandering around in the desert looking for oases, I finally took the step and went to a nutritionist - not just any nutritionist, but one who knows all about lectins which are the little devils that give me such problems. I am so glad I did. I thought I would share with you why I think it was worthwhile.

I have just received my program and my workbook, which is voluminous. She took a long time researching because I have stage 3 kidney disease and poor lung function (COPD) from smoking in my younger days. I also have numerous lectin intolerances which she believes are due partly to my genetic inheritance (Scots/Welsh) and perhaps partly due to still having a leaky gut.

The first thing she started me on right away was a probiotic called VSL#3 which is available online. It is quite pricey but she asserts it to be the best available. Contains 450 billion bacteria per sachet and is micronized as a sprinkle or to blend with yogurt, ice cream, whatever.

She has prescribed taurine to help improve kidney function and to help reduce risk factors for diabetes (my blood sugar has been tending high and I do have insulin resistance because I cannot lose weight). Now Foods Taurine 500mg 2/day

She wants me to take a dose of 50,000 IU Vitamin A once a week. This is in the form of retinol (derived from fish oil, but not the oil itself) because she believes I belong in the group (1 in 5) who do not convert betacarotene to Vitamin A. (I have oodles of skin problems)

I am to give up my beloved flaxseed oil and get my Omega 3's from fish oil (3,000 mg of combined EPA and DHA daily)

Vitamin D3 3,000 IU (Solgar recommended)

Complementary Prescriptions' Vitamin K 1.5mg

Nature's Way multivitamin 2/day

I have to get a Zinc Status Test to see whether I need a zinc supplement in addition to what is contained in

Now Foods Full Spectrum Mineral Tablets 1/day (or perhaps 2)

Carnosine 1,000 mg 2/day for lungs and kidneys

Now Foods Ascrobic acid vitamin C 500 mg 2/day

After 2 months test serum calcium and let her know results

Trace Mineral Research Electrolyte Stamina Tablets - trial to use when weak or have palpitations to stabilize electrolytes.

She does also recommend trying Lectin Lock to take if/when I am having a lectin reaction.

All in all, she thought my diet was pretty good, better than most of her patients. She wants me to start making my own mayonnaise, and I have already switched my yogurt making method. I used to use a one-liter jar with an EasiYo mix shaken up with water and encased for 8 hrs in a thermos of boiling water. I am now making this preparation in the same jar, but wrapped in a heating pad set on low for 24 hours, similar to SCD yogurt I guess. I will make it from milk when I get back to New Zealand where I know it comes from grass-fed cows. (I don't want to become dairy intolerant too!)

She stresses the importance (which I already knew) of eating grass fed beef, lamb, eggs, not just because of the lectin problem but because they also contain omega 3's.

She wants me to greatly reduce or eliminate the use of omega 6 vegetable oils (including my grapeseed) and try to get the ration of 6's to 3's down to 4:1 by using more coconut oil, and palm oil (hard to get in New Zealand) along with olive oil. Butter, lard and cream are okay.

The actual dietary program is pretty unchanged from what I have been eating. She does not believe in low-fat eating - foods should be full-fat if that is the way they come naturallly.

There is lots more that I have not read yet, obviously. But I am excited to get under way.

You should look at the book Eat Right 4 Your Type by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo. He gives you a list of foods that you should eat for your blood type all based on lectins. Beneficial foods are like medicine in your body, neutral foods are ok and avoid foods are ones you don't want because your body reacts to the lectins. My husband has several food intolerances including gluten, soy, dairy, nightshades, legumes and certain nuts. This book has helped him and we try to get in as many beneficial foods as possible.

Hi AliB,

Have you tried eliminating soy also? My husband has intolerances to gluten and dairy and most of all to soy.

Take care,

Cindy

Has anyone tried the holistic approach to getting at their food intolerances? If so, could you please share your experience? We're thinking of trying that approach.

Thanks,

Cindy

My husband has been doing the SCD for 2 weeks now and has noticed a huge difference. He has neuropathy and his pain level went from a 10 down to a 1! He's going to an allergist tomorrow and we're hoping they can do a blood test for food intoleranes. He has lost 8 pounds and he really doesn't want to lose any more. I know some people have been on this diet for a long time. Does your weight keep dropping? Any ideas on what he can do to keep the weight from dropping?

Thanks!