How bad is this? I have about 2 cups p/day (not decaf) It's like my "big secret"
I am a "chronic lyme" 4 1/2 years into treatment(but sick 30 + years). 1st year of treatment I did drink only decaf
I am very careful on a no sugar/yeast free diet.
I don't drink alcohol or smoke
All my water is filtered.
I us all nontoxic cleaning and cosmetic/beauty products.
I eat only organic/free range/no pesticide/no antibiotic food
I exercise as much as I can
Yet I feel so guilty about the coffee. How bad is it? Maybe I need an intervention!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
In my OPINION, it's not nearly as bad as sugar.
You are doing many things right and I think that is really important.
Sugar and simple carbs are worse in my opinion because they can cause the same symptoms as Lyme and because a systemic yeast problem is a real danger to us.
Caffeine may make the yeast issue worse, but I don't think it's as bad as the sweets.
Posted by Larkspur (Member # 5131) on :
I feel like it's the one thing I have left that I enjoy
Maybe I will try for one cup vs. the 2. Sometimes it really helps with pain though.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I think it might be worse if you don't have the coffee .... then you might get other vices or indulge in foods (like sugar) that are even worse.
As long as you still get enough sleep, I'd say there's not a problem with it.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Yeah.. just stick with one or two. I agree that without it, you may be more tempted by sweets and other bad stuff!
Posted by bejoy (Member # 11129) on :
I'm a coffee drinker. I admit it. Two cups a day on a good day. Occasionally more.
I agree, it can make the yeast worse and make detoxing more difficult by acidifying the body. It can also dehydrate.
You may want to make sure to take enough calcium, and drink lemon water.
I got better while still drinking coffee. It's not on the lyme diet, for sure, but I think there are worse vices.
However, if you want something for energy, have you tried green drinks and B12 shots?
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
I don't think it's a problem. I usually have 1 cup with 1/2&1/2 & sugar...
I used to listen to Gary Null on the radio awhile back. He said that diet is only something like 15% of the cause of illness. I try to eat as best as I can but I don't stress about it.
Some people in the world are starving & have alot more to worry about in regards to food. Some people eat really "bad" stuff & are healthy.
Just do the best you can & don't trip yourself out too much.
There are always new theories coming out about food. One day tofu is the best food in the world & the next it's the worst... I think it's probably more important about how you feel about the food that you are eating. If you think it's healthy - it will do you good. If you think it's poison - it will make you sick.
You seem to be very moderate & you eat good stuff - so, I wouldn't worry about having 1-2 cups of coffee a day. It's not like you are eating at McDonalds every day & having pork rinds for snacks. Some people use coffee for enemas - so, how bad could it be?
Posted by Larkspur (Member # 5131) on :
"It's not like you are eating at McDonalds every day & having pork rinds for snacks."
Thanks Sparkle - that made me laugh. A good cup of coffee does make me so happy - I'm a half and half girl (no sugar) but that is the only dairy I have. Ever.
BeJoy - ? about Lemon water - I have heard of lemon water as it pertains to detox. I am taking the Pekana drainage remedies and starting the Cowden protocol (which has a detox component)I'm on some other supplement for detox too.
So, should I still have lemon water? I guess it alkalizes the body?
Also - how does coffee makes yeast issues worse?
Thanks
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I THINK caffeine can kill off good bacteria or keep the good bacteria from growing the way it should...
I'm not sure, but I'll try to remember to ask my holistic dr tomorrow. He would know!
Posted by jamescase20 (Member # 14124) on :
It depends on your adrenal glands, if they can handle the stress the coffee is giving them. YES, COFFEE CAUSES STRESS!
Posted by Larkspur (Member # 5131) on :
Thanks Lymetoo!
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
I have a cup every morning - very strong.
I cold brew my coffee to remove most of the acid (and it tastes so good I don't even like regular coffee anymore)
I purchase Organic beans and make it half decaf.
I need my coffee. Coffee is one of the "dirty dozen" so I feel it's worth paying extra for the Organic.
I've also changed ALL beauty products (shampoo, make up, lotions, soaps, etc) cleaning supplies, eat clean, etc. Just gotta have my coffee.
Posted by Michelle M (Member # 7200) on :
I gave up wine.
I gave up cigarettes.
Coffee, however, is my personal line in the sand. Two cups. Frothy. Nothing had been step over.
Michelle
Posted by bejoy (Member # 11129) on :
There is a theory that I subscribe to that yeast grows better in an acidic environment.
Lemon water helps to alkalinize the body (counterintuitive, I know.) There are so many types of detoxing, and you can't do them all. You get to decide. If your tongue feels like it is burning or if you get cold sores often, you might be too acidic.
You can't go wrong with lemon water, unless you have an allergy to citrus or something. I can do lemons, but can't do limes. Go figure.
And of course, as mentioned, coffee is a no no because it stresses the adrenals. We absolutely shouldn't take it while on Cortef.
I'm embarrassed, but I'll admit I don't follow doctors orders here. I'm bad and wrong. But I am running a pretty clean lifestyle otherwise, these days, and doing pretty well, despite my vices.
I brew really dark coffee. Then I take plain soy milk and heat it up, and add four drops of stevia. Then I take one of those little battery operated whizzers that foams the milk until it's almost the consistency of whipped cream.
Then I pour in half a cup of dark coffee, and sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg, and cocoa powder on top. Then I sit back and drink it and tell myself what a good person I am. I do this twice a day.
Euphoric recall. I'm not helping things here, now am I?
I also eat dark chocolate. Sugar free when I can get it, regular when I can't.
I have fallen to the dark side.
Mojo, tell me about cold brewing.
Posted by AlisonP (Member # 7771) on :
I certainly *never* drink coffee. Especially not yummy yummy vanilla lattes. Or mochas. Or the odd caramel macchiato. That would be wrong. If you happen to see me at the Starbuck's drive-thru (open til midnight - yeah!!) I am probably buying coffee for a FRIEND. Yeah.....a friend.
I also never brew coffee at home and then dump a whole load of whipping cream in it with what can only be described as a generously rounded teaspoon of evil white sugar. That would be unhealthy.
And I certainly don't ever use a french press to make extra dark coffee and then revel in glugging in a bunch of vanilla flavored non-dairy creamer into it. Nope, not me. Absolutely not.
There. I'm glad I cleared that up.
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
LOL Sounds like we are all doing the best we can with our diets and detoxing BUT we aren't perfect. Someone mentioned coffee is not as bad as sugar - I agree. Also, not as bad as alcohol and I was a social drinker and I miss my cocktails but gave those up completely.
Right now I'm enjoying my one cuppa Joe.
The cold brew is cool. You can buy it online but it's not organic:
You can purchae a Coffee Toddy at Amazon.com for under $30. You need very coarse ground beans to make a nice strong concentrate. Follow directions - you brew it for 12 hours. Then you have a concentrate that lasts for a week to 10 days - depending on how much you drink and how stron you like your coffee. Mix with water to taste. It calls for adding boiling water (1/3 concentrate to 2/3 water) but I drink it a lot stronger so I have to microwave mine. I also add a PH drops (again to neutralize the acid).
This is the BEST tasting coffee you'll ever drink. Very smooth. You can buy any type of beans you like. I use French Roast. I buy my beans 5lbs at a time on Ebay and end up getting the organic at a pretty good price that way. I put the beans in the freezer to keep them fresh.
Posted by h8lyme (Member # 11765) on :
Coffee is my vice as well. I feel great while drinking it, feel great for a couple hours after I drink it, but the problems arise a few hours later. I feel weak and get dizzy. I rarely drink coffee now, but on special occasions I have a cup here and there.
Gotta try and enjoy life. Take away everything that makes life joyful, and you have a bland boring life.
Posted by Larkspur (Member # 5131) on :
Hi everyone! It's nice to know others struggle with not being "perfect" on their diets!
I'm going to continue to have at least one cup of reg with my beloved half and half and enjoy it!
I'm getting a Tassimo too - then it will be easier to make decaf (single serve) vs. having to keep making different pots! Maybe they will offer organic soon - they seem to be have contracts with everyone.
I dream of a glass of wine a couple times a year Posted by cookiegirl (Member # 15226) on :
I share coffee guilt and coffee love. I'm vigilant in every other diet area.
My mom gives me a fully loaded Dunkin Donuts card every few weeks. How can I refuse?
Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
I agree that two cups coffee daily is probably not a big deal for you. And decaf is actually worse for you than regular due to chemical processing.
However, if any are like me, any amount of coffee on a daily basis will start my joints hurting after about a week of daily consumption.
I have never tried cold brewed coffee so don't know if that would be better for me.
I have found a coffee substitute I just love and I have two cups of it every morning. Not only does it not cause me problems, but it is actually alkaline and healthy.
I love it and had no trouble switching from coffee to Teechino.
Luvs
Posted by Larkspur (Member # 5131) on :
Thanks Luvs - that is an interesting site/product. And it tastes good?
I didn't know decaf was worse. I knew it wasn't great but thought it would be better for me than regular....
hmmmm
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Larkspur, My holistic dr said it really doesn't have any effect on yeast .. in his opinion.
He said one cup of coffee never hurt anybody!
Sounds like a drinker!
PS to Alison... You crack me up! Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
Luvs: Just prior to my Lyme diagnosis I learned about the Alkaline diet. At that time I was driniking a lot of coffee and espresso daily and had a lot of pain.
The day I changed to no/low acid coffee and reduced my intake my pain went from a 10 to a 3 or 4.
It has made a huge difference for me.
Posted by wrotek (Member # 5354) on :
I was just thinking ... coffee is how I made it through grad school with undiagnosed Chronic Lyme!
Not that it was a good thing, but I had way more than 2 cups a day
Posted by shoney (Member # 9925) on :
Coffee toddy is my savior-makes low acid coffee,taste great and is ok for us. Swiss water decaf doesn't use chemicals for decafinatining.
Posted by amk33 (Member # 13206) on :
Just a note about the teechino...I looked at the website, and it sounded great, until I read that it is rich in inulin. Anything with inulin gives me severe intestinal gas. It took me
awhile to realize that it was inulin that was doing this to me. (This and anything ending in "-ol", such as malitol or sorbitol) Just keep it in mind if you do try this product and get gas.
Posted by Kado (Member # 4731) on :
Hi Mojo and others-
I'm so glad that I did a search for coffee in the flash discussions--
I LOVE it!
And as exhausted as I am it's the only hope I have of making it out the door.
As far as organic coffee goes-- I'm not an authority, but I've had experience working with coffee.
It's not uncommon for coffee growers to use organic growing methods. In some cases coffee growing is an organic tradition carried out by very skilled yet low income laborers. Unfortunately, due to industry regulations, the growers are not always able to afford to buy the the title "certified organic" and therefore can not list that standard on their packaging, but when in fact, their agricultural methods may be some of the best you can find.
This may make some of you feel slightly better--
I usually aim for fair trade varieties and steer away from big business when possible.
Good luck gang! Posted by sweet pea (Member # 6495) on :
You are all cracking me up. Coffee is my one vice. I cannot start my day without it. I think though because my adrenals are shot I can make do with only 1:4 ratio of caffeinated/decaf to get me going.
I'm trying to stay off dairy (wow do I miss cheese!) so I've been using coconut milk as the creamer.
Posted by DoctorLuddite (Member # 13853) on :
If you have amalgam fillings in your teeth, you should only drink iced coffee; hot coffee will increase the amount of mercury that outgasses from the fillings, which you will then swallow with the sip of coffee and trap in your GI tract, creating a growing media for yeast and other pathologic bacteria that can tolerate mercury.
Go to www.iaomt.org and click on the video "smoking teeth". I am off for some iced coffee...then I will only worry about the chemical load of caffeine and other alkaloids present in the Joe.
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
quote:Originally posted by DoctorLuddite: If you have amalgam fillings in your teeth, you should only drink iced coffee; hot coffee will increase the amount of mercury that outgasses from the fillings, which you will then swallow with the sip of coffee and trap in your GI tract, creating a growing media for yeast and other pathologic bacteria that can tolerate mercury.
Go to www.iaomt.org and click on the video "smoking teeth". I am off for some iced coffee...then I will only worry about the chemical load of caffeine and other alkaloids present in the Joe.
Is that proven? I have one amalgam but am thikning of having it removed and replaced.
I read coffee is a non and I am fine with decaf...but even that for yeast is no good because of trace amounts.
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
Kado - So glad you like the cold brewed coffee! It is delicious. Aside from the health benefits I could never go back to brewed or perked coffee.
I have all my amalgams out. I think any hot beverage would be an issue with the amalgams wouldn't they? It's been a while since I watched the video.
My dentist is a member of that organization, thankfully.
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
I think just chewing alone is bad when you have an amalgam. I have one and want to have it removed. But then, the mercury still remains in the system.
Where do you find a doc who correctly removes the filling and replaces it?
Posted by DoctorLuddite (Member # 13853) on :
Go to www.iaomt.org, There should be a link, I had my 3 amalgams out 5 years ago by a dentist who was in the 'amalgam is perfectly safe' camp, but I had an integrative doc on board who chelated me at the time of amalgam removal and then subsequently, reducing my provoked mercury load to almost the arbitrary acceptable limit. Now I take Chlorella, Cilantro and NAC, and as long as I eat a diet low in fermentable sugars, my gut function is regular.
Posted by Blymey (Member # 15215) on :
I gave up booze (especially red wine)
I had to give up dairy because of Vitamin D toxicity (no cheese, no milk) - I'm doing Tums for calcium - no added Vit. D
I gave up candy until this very moment - I had a weak moment and just ate 6 airheads - they are like laffy taffy but with MORE sugar!
Now, I'm on Dr. B's lyme diet - it's kicking some serious weight issues I've been dealing with (21 lbs. in one month) - got another 50 to go!
So...Skittles were my friends.
Coffee with steamed soy was my friend - but Silk and the others have added Vit. D - so no more milk, no more cereal - sigh...
I switched to decaf green tea with Splenda - it ain't coffee, or a caramel macchiato, or even a skinny white chocolate mochachino (YUMMMM) - but it's warm and it makes me feel good...and it doesn't hurt my tummy.
So - now I'm leaving work and plan to spend some quality time on my elliptical to "detoxify" myself from the sins of the day and to kill those nasty lyme buggers.
Thanks for your support and sharing!
Amy
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Be careful if you're gluten-free .... Teechino is not gluten free. I have an espresso machine and have even made lattes with it.
Posted by Mo (Member # 2863) on :
it's quite simple for me. if i don't have my daily cup'a high test dark roast with half and half -- i become a danger to society.
so i drink it purely out of consideration for others.
mo
ps - and i accept NO substitutions. who the heck thought of the concept of fat free half and half??? what is half and half without the fat? shouldn't it just be called "half" then ... or "quarter"?? i had some well-meaning relatives decide i should have that in some weak coffee one morning, and they narrowly escaped with their lives. Posted by Larkspur (Member # 5131) on :
I too am very attached to my half and half Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
I'm with Mo - not coffee = danger to society!
Also wanted to add that I always purchase "Fair Trade" "Organic" beans. I buy from small sellers on eBay.
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
I gave it up! Worth it. You can think more clearly without caffeine, that is for sure! Once you get past the addiction, your head is much more clear without the caffeine.
Posted by bugabooboo (Member # 7383) on :
Coffee, love it! Had to go decaf (Swiss Water Method), then stop it altogether because of this disease. That was a sad day. But now I am able to have it occasionally (decaf). It makes me too acid-y when I am herxing.
I also occasionally embibe in my favorite, a Breve' which is expresso with steamed 1/2 and 1/2. I started doing that because I stopped all sugars and carbs for 2 years and I needed some fats (and dessert).
Speaking of coffee, I've had a beautiful 2 head La Marzocco commercial espresso machine in storage because this disease stopped me from pursuing my dream (coffee house). I'm an RN, unable to work for 3 1/2 yrs.
Unless I have to sell it to pay hospital bills, it's a reminder to me that someday I WILL BE WELL!!
So yeah, once in awhile I do something "normal" like drink coffee!
Bug
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
quote:Originally posted by bugabooboo: Coffee, love it! Had to go decaf (Swiss Water Method), then stop it altogether because of this disease. That was a sad day. But now I am able to have it occasionally (decaf). It makes me too acid-y when I am herxing.
I also occasionally embibe in my favorite, a Breve' which is expresso with steamed 1/2 and 1/2. I started doing that because I stopped all sugars and carbs for 2 years and I needed some fats (and dessert).
Speaking of coffee, I've had a beautiful 2 head La Marzocco commercial espresso machine in storage because this disease stopped me from pursuing my dream (coffee house). I'm an RN, unable to work for 3 1/2 yrs.
Unless I have to sell it to pay hospital bills, it's a reminder to me that someday I WILL BE WELL!!
So yeah, once in awhile I do something "normal" like drink coffee!
Bug
I roast myown coffee and a coffee house was my dream as well....but where do i get the money for a coffee shop, LOL.
Is the no coffee and no decaf a rule while taking antibiotics or just with Lyme in general? As with the carbs, I assume it is more to do with the abx?
Rich
Posted by bugabooboo (Member # 7383) on :
My LLMD said "no coffee". So I cut it out for awhile like I said. Caffeine being a stimulant exacerbates or worsens the neurotoxins of Lyme as well as dehydrates and causes acidity.
quote: Hi Laurie, There was a woman I know that suffered from fibro for years who recently found out it was the coffee bean that was causing her symptoms. She came off coffee and all the symptoms went away. She had her life back. But one cold winter day she thought she'd have some coffee and, low and behold, the pain came back. For her it was really significant and it took years to discover!
some quotes from our discussion
quote: Hi Wrotek, The woman is a beautician and our conversation was over a hair cut so I don't have a lot of details. She mentioned once having had fibromyalgia, and yes, it did cause years of fatigue/pain.Her comment about it being the coffee bean (she specifically said coffee bean, not caffeine) that was the enemy for her.
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
I am confused on this. I am not yet on abx, but will be at month's end so I'll bring it up with my LLMD.
Right now I do a whole foods diet, and am vegetarian because my digestion is much better that wy. I mostly do intact grains like brown rice, oat grouts and some sprouted grain breads, etc.
I do no sugar or refined foods.
However, I roast my own coffee and try to do organic and now decaf.....like one cup a day. I also do organic, natural processed decaf.
Posted by Angelica (Member # 15601) on :
A Homeopath told me that if young women support the adrenals before they go through menopause they will have a better chance of breezing through the experience with less discomfort.
She said to drink no more than one cup of coffee a day because it is very drying to the adrenals.
I do not drink coffee anymore. I do love coffee but I think lymies have adrenal issues from the disease without adding to the problem with coffee.
Now I drink a cup of organic Kukicha first thing in the morning after 3 glasses of alkalized/ionized water.
The Kukicha tastes pretty good even without adding honey and it has very low caffeine. I do add half and half.
Posted by shoney (Member # 9925) on :
I love my coffee-but the acid killed me-now I make a coffee concentrate which is very low acid-I use my own organic decaf. One cup in the morning
Okay - add me to the coffee group. Black and strong. I don't like iced drinks and by the time I actually drink my coffee it's probably more like room temperature.
Every once in awhile I have to have some Starbucks Java Chip ice cream. I know, I know, far and beyond going to the dark side.
Just confessing Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
I would have coffee now and then before this hit.
But, when this hit, I noticed I no longer could make a cup of coffee.
So, I recently received an offer for seneco pods and coffee pot which was very reasonable.
I tried it and find I am able to make coffee again and have it taste good.
So far all I have noticed is the pleasure I get out of having a good cup of coffee.
I don't drink a cup every day.
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
So now I do have to get rid of my amalgams? I know I have talked to a lot of people who have had Lyme and co-infections resolved with treatment even with amalgams, and other things.....so I think the idea is to try basic treatment first.
Shoney,
Yes, the Toddy is good. We have one but it barely gets used. I use an aeropress almost everyday which has a good filter and it does remove most of the oils and seems less acidic than how I used to drink it which was espresso, moka pot and rpess pot. I still start up my espresso machine on weekends. I roast my own coffee because I haven't found one shop in the area that has fresh roasted coffee so I had to roast my own...and that is when the true addiction began. People don't know what they are missing when it is not fresh roasted and fresh ground immediately before brew. Anyway, I only do organic, natural process decaf now.
Posted by mazou (Member # 15319) on :
Larkspur,
Pros and cons aside, I believe it is important to live. So, if coffee gives you that little happy feeling every day, I say go for it.
mazou
Posted by lightfoot (Member # 2536) on :
Hi to all.....
This is a wonderful thread.
Coffee is one of those delights I look forward to.
I use organic. Since I've got a fairly clean existence, I figure the coffee isn't adding that much to my "total load".
I don't need any justification but it's always nice to read items like the one below.....
"Experts now generally agree that there is no consistent scientific evidence to prove coffee is detrimental to your health ... A recent study at the University of California at Davis even suggests that coffee may be good for you ... freshly brewed coffee contains antioxidant compounds that may carry as much power as vitamins C and E." Denise Webb
And then we all know..... "Behind every successful woman...is a substantial amount of coffee." Stephanie Piro
Wish we could all sit down and share a cup.....
Posted by wrotek (Member # 5354) on :
Howdi, i have noticed some people are drinking "organic coffee". I would like to ask, what is "inorganic coffee ?" ?
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
Organic is better because they use a lot of pesticides and other chemicals in growing coffee plus there are a lot of unfair practices in the coffee world so I have been switching to organic and fair trade coffee. I also have switched to natural process decaf to play it safe. Not sure the caffeine is an issue or not but caffeine is a rare treat for me now.
I also stick with my own home roasted coffee. I roasted up a nice sumatra the other night and had some this morning. A nice caramely, rustic flavor....hmmmm no sugar or cream required. Wish I could share some with you all.
Keep in mind, a study showing that coffee may be okay or even good for people, may not take into account people who are not well or those with Lyme, etc.
I feel the same about supplements. I feel I can get all I need nutritionally from the organic foods I eat, but not with Lyme.
I wonder if the antioxidant content of coffee is only high if fresh roasted as with any food...losses nutrients over time. I doubt most commercially packaged coffee has much antioxidant power remaining.
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