I got my results back from Immuno Labs on my food sensitivities.
I feel like I need some guidance. I had some blood work done recently and found I have sensitivities to a lot of foods. The main ones that are really tough for me are:
Yeast (Bakers and Brewers) Wheat Barley Tomato Garlic Pinto beans Kidney beans mustard They are also testing my blood against other beans so I might have reactions to other beans, GREAT!
I literally am running out of things to eat. I typically eat 3-4,000 calories a day. So now I am having buckwehat pancakes and a few cups of oatmeal at breakfast just to get as many calories in me as possible.
Some of these things are almost impossible to avoid. Yeast? I have been trying to make tofu/veggie stir fry but realized that my gluten free soy sause may have yeast in it even though it does not say anything on the bottle about yeast! I use a gluten free soy sause from Whole Foods but it contain alcohol so it probably has yeast. :-( No more stir fry. :-(
I am also told by my doc to eat like NO fat because they found a parasite in my blood that creates biofilms that apparently clear up on a low to no fat diet. No fat means no meat at all. :-(
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
NO fat?? Yikes. I've had to do that before and I began losing my hair!
3-4000 calories is a lot. Your weight is good now??
You might try Bragg's Aminos for the stir frys. Not sure if it contains yeast, but I don't think it does. I can check later.. can't right now.
I hate to think what foods I'm allergic to that I don't know about!!!
So are you gluten free now??
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Some of these food sensitivity tests say people are allergic to everything, especially IgG ones. At some point, you have to question their validity. I'm not saying it may not help, but I think they get carried away.
Posted by lyme in Putnam (Member # 11561) on :
First time went for body testing that turned out to CDC positive in 2002, food testing showed I was allergic to yeast, wheat, dairy, everything. That's the furthest from true. My immune system wasvso down, it showed I was allergic to everything. This happened 2 more times. I'm not allergic - my system was just so down.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Yeah and these tests aren't even reproduced lab to lab. I read one guy sent blood to 10 diff food allergy labs and none were even close. I tossed that out the window when I read how absurd it is.
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
My weight is 208 and I am 6'3". I lift weights 3-4 days a week with some cardio.
So, what to believe!!??
Posted by hadlyme (Member # 6364) on :
Richedie... You can eat meat, but make it lean. The llmd that says LOW fat is ok with lean meat.
I saw him today and we talked about it. Grass fed is best for beef.
I'm doing great on the low fat thing... lost 12 lbs according to the llmd office today.
Fat grams is like 15-25 a day is what he recommends... he's not saying you have to.. just recommending it.
Low fat staves the little buggers... they can't multiply and thrive on a low fat. And then abx works better on them too.
Had a nice visit with said llmd and he's thrilled that I'm feeling full of energy on my low fat thing... and again, mine includes lean meat.
I'm even going to start pulsing with my meds as after my 1 1/2yrs with him I'm doing this great. I contribute the low fat changing the scenerio for me this time.
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
One thing I would love to know is who on the forum had food allergie testing and if it seemed to be the key to them getting better!?
Posted by landerss (Member # 17732) on :
richedie, i think i go to the same doc who you recently saw. i received my immuno labs results and was advised the eat a low fat diet (based on dr. f recommendations) a month ago at my last visit with him.
i've been seeing this doc for 2.5 years and have gotten significantly better, but seemed to have plateaued at around 90%. so, that's why he recommended the food sensitivity testing and low fat diet, to see if these dietary changes could get me over the hump.
as it sounds with you, these changes are killing me in terms of taking away everything i usually eat! i have 26 identified sensitive foods, all things i ate regularly for years. add in the low fat and it's nearly impossible to eat with friends, go to dinner parties, and have a normal social life. and forget alcohol, except for potato-based vodka...
that said, these changes really seem to be helping. it's only been four weeks, but i'm off all antibiotics and feeling pretty decent. i suspect i'll need meds again, but for now the dietary changes have alleviated some symptoms that i had always assumed were from coinfections.
keep us posted on how you're doing with these changes, and i'll do the same!
Posted by landerss (Member # 17732) on :
ps - i second Lymetoo's suggestion of bragg's aminos as a yeast-free substitute for soy sauce!
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
HadLyme,
OK, thanks. I am confused. The doctor I see, Dr. M says that he talked to Dr. F at the lab and he told him for people to follow a vegan low fat diet because all meat has fat, even lean meat. I also consume almond milk which has 3 gms a serving. I probably take in maybe two cups a day of that....and some low fat tofu. He says I should feel great after about 12 days of being vegan, low fat. Miserable.
Maybe Friday I will treat myself and have a lean steak, red potatoes and veggies.
The last thing I need to do is lose weight! Yikes.
I thought the low fat thing was about the biofilms.
What does Dr. F say about coffee? Does he think a cup a day is OK?
Landerrs,
Which blood print test did he run for your food testing? He ran 115 for me and I don't know why. I found out after the fact that they have a larger, all encompassing test, that I wish they had done for me! I was upset because the test he had Immuno Labs do for me left out a lot of foods! I had 14 foods come back reactive but only about 6 came back with +2 or +3
This whole thing is all so confusing. My doctor has me on a low to no fat diet, vegan diet to get rid of the biofilms that Fry Labs has found. He also says it is OK for me to eat potatoes, oatmeal, brown rice, etc even though I am overloaded with yeast. Yet, cowden says to avoid. YIKES!
[ 03-31-2011, 01:00 PM: Message edited by: richedie ]
Posted by landerss (Member # 17732) on :
richedie, dr. m ran the 115 for me, as well. i had 26 foods come back reactive, with about 8 foods at +2 or beyond.
unfortunately, coffee came back +1 for me, but i just can't give it up. did for a little while, and my liver enzymes went up; i like to think coffee is good for the liver!
regarding the anti-yeast diet: i've never followed it, as i'm a heavy exerciser and carb-o-holic. i've never had a particularly bad yeast problem, but have always taken caprylic acid, oregano oil, nystatin, or, occasionally, diflucan.
since i tested +2 for wheat, barley and rye (gluten), i've cut those out. now i live on rice, corn, potatoes and oats. in terms of my personal journey to improvement, i tend to think the low-fat, anti-biofilm diet trumps the anti-yeast diet.
Posted by desertwind (Member # 25256) on :
I have alot - alot of food allergies - since getting lyme.
Tested positive via. blood and skin and the results match my expereince with those foods.
One of my foods is Yeast - being allergic to yeast is really tough especially when you are also dealing with systemic yeast over-growth. My body is/was in a constant state of histamine response and that can feel like lyme.
As an example of how crappy food allgeries can be; I recently started on 2 new allergy meds. It helped my nose but I was getting some wierd symptoms; sweating, chills, body pains, flushing more headaches. After researching the meds I found out that they both had a corn derivative in them. I am allergic to corn as well. I did not have your typical rash response but more of a systemic reaction that felt very much like Lyme.
I stopped the meds and within a day I felt good again (except my sinuses!).
Kinnincinick (sp) has a really great bread that is free of all allergeans; no soy, wheat, gluten, dairy, yeast or corn. It tastes like real bread and I eat that when I need allergy free carbs.
For me the pay off for having such a restriced diet was that I began feeling so much better and I do believe that as our bodies heal from lyme and the abx.s we may not have so many food allergies/sensitivites. That is my hope anyway.
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
landerss, I think it is a major mess up by Dr. M to not run the full test which is print 154 I believe. Otherwsie the 115 test leaves out a lot of foods such as several beans!
I saw a nutritionist who did electro bioenergetic food allergy testing and that came back with different foods! huh?
I guess it is hard to be on the low-fat, anti-biofilm diet and the anti-yeast diet at the same time. Right now I am on Diflucan and I also have nystatin if needed. Do you eat any meat?
I might start working out more days during the week because I am finding exercise is my only true relief from pain! Dr. B says don't exercise two days in a row but it is my only relief!
This restricted diet of not fat and no meat is really tough, not sure how long I can keep at it. I mean, I never seem to feel better no matter what I do.
Posted by landerss (Member # 17732) on :
desertwind: thanks so much for the kinnikinnick suggestion - i had never seen that site - great one!
yeast (baker's and brewer's) is on my sensitivity list, as well. really difficult to avoid, as it's in just about every condiment around. bragg's aminos has been my constant companion.
like you, desertwind, i think i'm feeling a lot better avoiding my sensitive foods.
richedie: yes, i've always eaten meat (try to eat grass-fed, free-range). but now with dr. f's biofilm diet suggestions, i'm trying to eat less, mostly lower-fat meats.
is there any way you'd feel comfortable giving up the anti-yeast diet to try just avoiding your sensitive and fatty foods?
i understand that dr. m didn't use a test that tested for enough of the foods...would have been nice to have the more complete test. sounds like you're pursuing follow-up food sensitivity testing?
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
The kinnikinnick bread has eggs so I can;t do that.
I was thinking of having him do the full test but would be another $350! No way.
I have al'so been reading that these tests result ina large number of false positives and are as unreliable as Lyme tests.
Maybe my best bet is to do the Dr. McDougall Elimination diet. I am wondering if I could rule this whole food issue by giving the Elimination diet a good try for the next 7 days. Dr. M says after one week, most will clear their allergies. If I still have my pain after 7 days, maybe I can assume there is not a food component to my issues...and then just resume my normal healthy eating plan.
Posted by MichaelTampa (Member # 24868) on :
I have seen some of the allergy tests provide meaningful results for people. For me the tests were useless, totally out of sync with experience.
Who knows about these tests.
Gosh, I was going to recommend flavoring your tofu/vegetables with tahini, but that is high fat. Maybe salsa?
Spaghetti and spaghetti sauce?
Posted by landerss (Member # 17732) on :
great thoughts, MichaelTampa, but i think tomatoes are on richedie's (and mine, too, unfortunately) "sensitive" list....ughhh!
this is really difficult, with all these different diet recommendations out there for us lymies...
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
quote:Originally posted by MichaelTampa: I have seen some of the allergy tests provide meaningful results for people. For me the tests were useless, totally out of sync with experience.
Who knows about these tests.
Gosh, I was going to recommend flavoring your tofu/vegetables with tahini, but that is high fat. Maybe salsa?
Spaghetti and spaghetti sauce?
I can;t have tomatoes.
If I am still in pain by the time I see my doctor again on 4/28, I am stopping avoiding these things and going back to enjoying food.
Posted by sbh93 (Member # 30429) on :
My testing was sent to two WA-based labs. As I've mentioned elsewhere, I stumbled on my LLMD because I was seeking this type of testing. I believed that intolerances and maybe celiac disease were at the heart of my troubles.
The tests confirmed what I'd already suspected--no gluten, no dairy, no eggs. Though it didn't pick up in testing, I also feel miserable after eating any saturated fats, including meats and peanut butter.
I did not have these problems before my most recent tick bite. I do believe that a compromised immune system is why I tested as such. They are not true allergies, but intolerances.
I can attest that I feel sooooo much better on a diet that eliminates what I can't eat. Whether it will help me recover overall, I can't say, but anything that helps me feel better and function is a plus.
My fervent wish is that when the lyme and co. is under control and my immune system back in action, that these food intolerances will cease to be an issue. It's far too early for me to know.
Unfortunately, I know a few people that have/had lyme in my family, and it seems that more often than not, the intolerances are there to stay.
I would talk with your doc. Does he or she have a dietician on staff or can the office refer you to one? Did your doc put you on a protein supplement for leaky gut? That helps me get in a bunch of calories, protein, and basic nutrients.
I have a food allergy cookbook that helps tremendously too. There's lots of different foods out there; I think we have to be a little adventurous to find them. I know this is hard when you feel awful, though. I take advantage of my good days (like today) to get a bunch of cooking, portioning, and freezing done.
Posted by raw vegan runner (Member # 30432) on :
I have had both the RAST bood test as well as the skin testing done. I had the skin testing done twice, about 3 years apart. Some say the blood test is more accurate, some say skin. All I know is my IgE is typically in the 900's(very high, and indicative of allergies) and the way I reacted to the skin testing...I trust it.
That being said, there is a difference between allergy and sensitivity. A *true* food allergy is rare, and something you will have forever. A sensitivity is fairly common, and something you may or may not have forever.
Many people with wonky immune systems, leaky gut, etc will develop sensitivities to foods they eat all the time. Some foods cross-react, which would show up as a sensitivity to something you eat alot of, and something related to it.
I have about 25 foods I am sensitive to. Some I can eat on occasion, some cause immediate allergic-type reactions. I have 3 true food allergies (and carry an epi pen for them)
The thing with sensitivities is, often times you can avoid these foods for a period of time...say 3-6mo and then you can add them back into your diet on a rotation basis (say, every 3 or 4 days) and sometimes you can go all willy-nilly and eat them whenever.
My children and I all have/had food sensitivities. I was able to correct 2 out of 3 kids immune systems and they now can eat all but 2 or 3 things on their lists (down from about 30) and those 2 or 3 things they don't like anyways. My 3rd kiddo is on the spectrum, and probably has chronic Lyme as well so we are still working with him.
I was not so lucky. My sensitivities are still with me, but I am an allergic person genetically so that could just be my luck, or may just be par for the course with the Lyme.
I feel MUCH better if I do not eat that which I am sensitive to. Its just a different way of eating, that's all. When I am feeling well, I run 50 mile races...and I am a vegan(mostly) and I do not consume many grains, dairy, beans or nuts. It can be done...(and I certianly am not too thin, lol)
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
It can be done but I have a difficult time doing it because I lose interest in eating when I have to eat the same things over and over again. Being a mostly vegan, I could not see not eating grains. Right now, that is mostly what I eat(although these are not all grains)...lots of brown rice, oatmeal, quinoa, buckwheat, etc.
I eat a ton of beans but potatoes don't fill me up. I will do my bestover the next month but if I don;t feel better eliminating these foods, I will go back to eating normally. I always ate about 4,000 calories a day and am struggling now, literally eating all the time just to maintain weight.
I never feel any better or worse regardless of what I eat and I have tried a lot over the last three years.
I had skin tests for allergies and sensitivites multiple times but nothing ever showed as being an issue. I am still wondering why my doctor oblytested me for a select number of foods rather than doing the big test that covers a lot more. Almost feels like a waste now.
Posted by hadlyme (Member # 6364) on :
Nothing has ever been said to me about a veggie only diet from my llmd. He smiled and was happy yesterday when I told him how I'm keeping the fat grams down to 12-25ish a day. We talked about grass fed meat. He still was smiling...
It's a low fat diet. It's not to stay away from certain food. Just Fat. He knows and approves of me eating grass fed beef and chicken. I lost 12 lbs in two months! He loved it. Another one of his patients that he was telling me about yesterday has lost 40 lbs and feels just as great as I do.
There are some of us that weight gain with this has been another yuck. So to finally see it coming off is absolutely a miracle finally.
The fat in our cells is helping our 'buggers' to thrive! If we 'starve'them... they are killed better by the abx and then we all feel better!
It's working with me.
I still drink coffee. He's never said not to.
Not sure what all this food allergy thing is. It is NOT something dr F is saying to do that's for sure.
I love that in the last two months, following low fat and taking plaqunel and doxy and then zith (not all this at the same time, as dr. f doesn't over do it like other llmds.. one or two at a time only.)
He simply said... by starving the buggers, we can go into remission and live pretty normal until someone out there figures all this out.
I'm willing to eat lowfat for that reason!
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
All i know is my Dr. M talks to him and last time they talked he recommended my doctor get his patients on a low fat vegan diet so that is what I am on. Oh well. He said I can;t do low fat and eat meat because there really is no such thing as lean meat. Hidden fat is everywhere. For example, when they say 98% fat free. The industry bases that on water weight in order to deceive us.
Even if I eat fat free, I am sure it can live off my fat and the trace fat in foods. We will see what happens. I still consume lots of almond milk but I might switch to fat free soy milk although it has sugar.
My Dr. was the one who said part of the key to getting better is getting rid of food allergies so that is why I avoid a lot of other foods. Dr. Fry told my doctor to have me on plaquenil and biaxin, but my doc is taking me off all meds next month. Dr F also told him that the low fat vegan thing should be enough without meds. At that point I might go herbal
Posted by raw vegan runner (Member # 30432) on :
Well, I have never heard the low/no fat diet option...but I have to say that I eat virtually no overt fat and did not lose weight nor did I go into remission...just by default of what I can eat, I do not get any fat. So...for me, this option did not work.
I think this is just another one of those things where one size will not fit all. I know sugar free is key as sugar feeds bacteria, but I had not heard fat feeds bacteria. I am going to read into that...
I do agree though that starving the bacteria is a big deal...if they can't eat they can't live and that is the goal Posted by chiquita incognita (Member # 30381) on :
Hi Richedie We all like different things, so here are just some ideas.
Indian food Thai food Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food (see Paula Wolfitz cookbooks, fantastic!) Soups with rice noodles or rice grain
Roasted root vegetables as side dish (potatoes, carrots, parsnips, rutabagas, red bell peppers, onions, shallots) the veggies come out all caramelized and yummy. Just pour olive oil over the inch-sized diced vegetables, sprinkle with rosemary and pepper, and bake 350 degrees for about an hour. Really yummy.
We also bake fennel bulb (cut up) with goat cheese gouda and Italian herbs, yum.
Also, people posted some wonderful ideas, links and recipes to my gluten-free thread in the general support section, check it out. Best wishes, CI
[ 04-02-2011, 01:15 AM: Message edited by: chiquita incognita ]
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
Problem with no-low fat is I lose tons of weight! Way more than I need too right now as I am starting to bulk up butI am liking the fact that I can see my abdominal muscles. ....so I am not complaining.
Avoding yeast has been the biggest challenge. I keep finding it in hidden places! I have been using lots of hot sause and soy sauce since I can't have tomoatoes any longer, then I realized my soy sause had yeast so I switched to Bragg Liquid Ominos. Then I realized hot sauce has vinegar, hence yeast! So, now I have to cross that out! Man, this diet is bland! Basically no condiments.
I had to stop eating thai and indian foods which were my favorites! UNfortunately they use too much garlic, hot sauses, tomatoes, oil, yeast, dairy, etc
Posted by chiquita incognita (Member # 30381) on :
Hi Richedie Can you make your own Indian and Thai foods and use your own variations on the recipes? Or maybe that still doesn't work?
Tried Middle Eastern foods? I love the combinations of herbs in Paula Wolfertz's book that I got for $3 at teh Friends of the Library store. Imagine a green bean dish with yogurt, mint, cilantro, leeks stir-fried, dill, cinnamon, saffron all mixed together??? It's DELICIOUS!!! I would have thought the cinnamon with the aromatics above would have been so strange, but man I"ve got to tell you it's so good! Her recipes are *all* like that. These herbs will aid digestion, break up gas, and taste so incredibly yummy together! No blandness whatsoever, you kidding?
And if you can't have the dairy then you can skip the yogurt recipes (though lots of people with dairy allergies can tolerate the cultured products, or use the goat milk equivalents).
Also, how about soups with rice or rice noodles (gluten-free)? Chicken/rice soup?
Ever tried Greek lemon soup? It's a chicken soup with lemon and dill. Not at all bland!
What about that French Boquet Garni, mixing thyme, lavender, and other herbs? YUM!!
Try caramelizing vegetables for flavor, use at base of soups, gravies et al.
There are ways to go. Maybe if you think of mixed aromatics you will find your recipes coming alive for you. And it will benefit digestive health too. Win-win!
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
I could make my own Indian and Thai food but without garlic, they are bland to me.
Middle Eastern food has never been too exciting to me but I will investigate.
I have cut out all meat right now which is tough.
I can;t afford to get Paula Wolfertz's books now but maybe there are some links that have similar recipes?
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
Not sure how long I can stay on thie eating plan. I am eating no/low fat vegan while avoiding most beans, yeast, tomatoes, gluten, eggs, dairy, garlic, and a few other things. This Saturday will be 12 days on the diet. If I feel no different, I am adding back lean meat, assuming I can keep my fat below 20-25 grams a day.
If I don't notice any change by Easter, I might eat some things off my food sensitive list because I already no I have no adverse reaction from them. My doctor only feels since they came back as reactice no my blood test, that I shold avoid to take some stress off the immune system.
Posted by willbeatthis (Member # 31111) on :
Richie- I posted on your other question... I too have lots of food sensitivities and I believe we need our reserves to fight lyme etc... not to be toying with unnecessary reactions to foods. I just eat around my allergies-- lots of whole foods-- just the way it is in my book... I make a great rice pudding with almond milk- one of my mainstays- cant due gluten or milk - lots of chicken, rice crackers- (made with rice flour), vegis- oh the vegis, splurge is coconut milk ice cream, fruit etc. This was an undertaking for me too... but no inflammation and I am ONE happier camper!
Posted by chiquita incognita (Member # 30381) on :
Have you asked your doctor about a rotating diet? Can introduce foods every 4 days, then a different, one, etc. That's what people with long food allergy lists often do, so you don't go crazy with the restrictive regimen. What does your doctor think about this, in your own unique case?
Best, CI ps maybe you can find some good ideas on Rachel Ray's website. I don't have the link but if you google her of course it will come up. Cilantro/lyme flavorings?
Here is an incredible recipe, no garlic. If you go back to doing the lean meats/fish, see the Salmon on a Bed of Greens with Mango Salsa recipe, but some other recipes here look really good too: http://www.healthdiscovery.net/forums/showthread.php?61635-Jicama
You might love Deborah Madison's cookbook called Local Flavors. Recipes to die over based on the local farmer's market. Maybe you could get the book from the library and photocopy pages from it.
Molly Katzen (author of the Moosewood cookbook and others) has a website where you can download free recipes, they are very creative and pretty good.
I hope this helps!
Best wishes, CI
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
But I don;t thin I have food allergies. Never had any indication. This is all guess work in my opnion. I could eat anything I want and never feel any different. Many people I know who go to LLMDs have never had food sensitivity testing and say their doctors say it is not necessary. What's to believe.
My doctor said not to follow a rotating diet.
I can't eat fish, it makes me throw up. Not because I am allergic, I just hate the esmell and taste.
The thing is, what I am reading is there are no good food sensitivity tests that are accurate, so the best method is an elimination diet which is brutal. I am tempted to do it for two weeks to see if I feel better.
Posted by hadlyme (Member # 6364) on :
Rich.. Maybe start a new thread and ask how many have had a llmd do this with them.. food sensitivity tests and eating for your immune.
I don't think many have had this told to them. Make sure people know you're not allergic to these foods, but that the dr. recommends you eat for your immune system.
This just isn't something that I've heard through the years, and something at least for me, I wouldn't do.
Food doesn't help our immune system as much as D3 and that type of minerials and vitamins.
Just a thought on the new thread asking... make it clear that your not allergic to food.. but what llmd is asking.
Posted by jennie46 (Member # 20953) on :
What does your LLMD recommend during babesia treatment when Mepron requires fat?
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
quote:Originally posted by jennie46: What does your LLMD recommend during babesia treatment when Mepron requires fat?
To eat lots of fat...but that was when I went through taking mepron, ages ago.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
Strange that the doctor thinks all fats are bad. What about nuts, ground flax seed, seeds etc.
Read the book The China Study. It will excite you about the vegan diet. The author writes cancer, diabetes and heart disease are afflictions of affluent countries where meat consumption is high.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
so that could just be my luck, or may just be par for the course with the Lyme.