Blog

0

1

To make a long story short, I have IBS, bad seasonal allergies, eczema and asthma. My asthma started bothering me after 10 years of no symptoms (and no medication). My osteopath (osteopaths are not doctors where I live) told me that the cause was digestive and took me off the following: dairy, gluten, sugar (which led me to paleo) for several months. As a result, I no longer had any of the above problems.

Like many others, after this, I've experienced heightened sensitivity when I eat non-paleo foods and I no longer recover as quickly after eating them. I've never been diagnosed as having food allergies or intolerances.

Per a nutritionist friend's recommendation, I took a candida test (fecal) which included a test for leaky gut. The test came back negative for candida but positive for leaky gut.

My results were:

Secretory IgA: decreased: 252 μg/ml 510- 2040

Secretory sIgA is a parameter for the quality of the mucosa associated immune system as well as it measures the permeability of the intestinal mucosa. A decreased sIgA indicates a diminished activity of the mucosa associated immune system.

Alpha-1Antitrypsine: increased: 110.0 mg/dl positive more than 40

Alpha-1-Antitrypsine is synthesised in the liver and in intestinal cells and it is an acute phase protein. An increased reading indicates an increased permeability of the gut lining, which is responsible for the enteral loss of Alpha-1-antitrypsine. Entero colitis of different reasons can also cause an increase of this parameter. This reading indicates a leaky gut condition.

So, my question is, what type of doctor should I see, an allergist or digestive specialist? Who can give me some idea of what foods are causing me problems and guidelines on how to heal things. I don't know exactly which foods are the most offensive (I assume dairy and wheat). Nor do I know how long I need to go without any offending foods before my gut is healed. I'm feeling kind of lost because, even when I'm extremely vigilant, I sometimes have symptoms.

Thanks to all of you that actually got to the end to this question. I appreciate it.

flag
Gastroenterologist or allergy and immunology MD – The Quilt Apr 5 2011 at 18:37
I have a similar situation, leaky gut and glad someone asked this question! Thanks! – Senneth Apr 5 2011 at 18:58
Thanks Dr. K:) PM – Primal Mama Apr 5 2011 at 19:40
Hey Primal Mama- Have you been tested for "histamine allergy", histamine containing foods can cause some of your symptoms. Bonus is that there is an actual test for it (diamine oxidase levels or something). – Senneth Apr 6 2011 at 21:18
Hey Senneth-I have not been tested. I'm scheduling an appt with someone this week so I'll ask about it. Thx:) – Primal Mama Apr 9 2011 at 22:27

4 Answers

1

Robb Wolf says avoid offending foods for two weeks to a month. Others say up to two years!! But you have to find what works for you!

I would recommend seeing an ND; but not a homeopathic doctor. An MD will likely put you on meds; but an ND will help you figure out which foods (aside from grains, legumes, and dairy) that you must avoid.

Cheeseslave is offering a great class on reversing food allergies and overcoming leaky gut. I recommend checking it out. She's more Weston Price than paleo, but she knows and understands paleo and I think she would address it in her classes if you tell her about it.

link|flag
That's the problem, it's almost a delayed reaction. I'll avoid the foods for a time, reintroduce them and some time there after, I'll see the symptoms return. It's not an immediate thing:( I'll check out Cheeseslave. Thanks:) – Primal Mama Apr 5 2011 at 19:37
I have a similar thing with wheat and dairy. My reactions happen 24 to 36 hours later... – gilliebean Apr 5 2011 at 19:56
1

You can do this yourself. Become your own doctor. The fact that you are here indicates you understand that what you have is a disease of civilization caused by your diet. There is nothing wrong with your body. We all have abused our bodies by eating neolithic foods over the years.

Read Mark Sisson's Primal Blueprint, Robb Wolf's The paleo solution, Drs Eades Protein Power, follow Weston A Price Foundation and Chris Masterjohn's writings, Read Dr Harris' http://www.paleonu.com getting started program, read Dr Davis' http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/ read Chris Krisser's http://thehealthyskeptic.org/ Dr Guyenet's http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/ and one I like is Dr Art Ayers' http://coolinginflammation.blogspot.com/ It can get deep in chemistry and biology but I just absorb what I can. I am sure he would say that your problems are associated with your gut not operating correctly. He has a diet program to eliminate inflammation. And our Dr. K who posts here is close to having his own blog. Watch for his announcement. http://paleohacks.com/users/2932/dr-k#axzz1Ig20LtGt

Each one of these resources will have links to other resources. You will find each has a little different take on what paleo is....but the main thrust is eliminate wheat, corn, sugar, veg oils such as soybean, corn, canola, safflower, sunflower, and replace these neolithic items with meat and fat and very limited carbs. The only oils that I use are olive oil and coconut oil. Eat lots of eggs fried in coconut oil. Eat lots of saturated fat from meat and also macadamia nuts...the only nut I will eat because all the others have too much omega 6 fatty acid for me.

Also supplement with Vit D3 5000IU a day....or get out half naked in full sun for 20 min a day...10 min on a side. D3 activates T cells to find bacteria and virus' and kill them. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7379094/Vitamin-D-triggers-and-arms-the-immune-system.html

You can do this by yourself. Become a walking fat burning machine and most of your problems will abate.

This is a lifetime change. Those neolithic foods should never again enter your body. Many folks complain that if they slip, they feel rotten for a day or two until the body expells the offending substance.

link|flag
Can I see Dr. K as my new doctor!? That would be awesome! – Senneth Apr 5 2011 at 19:11
He is in NYC...a long way from Utah. – Dexter Apr 5 2011 at 19:18
Believe me, I am desprete enough to fly out. Many doctors see patients over the phone, especially for tummy troubles (since some patients have to stay close to a restroom). Since not one of the 'doctors' I have seen for over the past two years has even listened to my heartbeat let alone done a physical exam, I might not even need to be there in person. – Senneth Apr 5 2011 at 19:24
Dexter, thanks for the info, I've read several of the recommended books, and peruse many of those websites. For the most part, I do everything you recommend, I suppose I'm just one of those people that need someone to tell them that they CAN'T eat certain foods. And whether or not it is the dairy. I can go gf but gf and dairy-free all the time, without exceptions, makes things a bit more complicated. I hate to say it but I'd find it difficult to be 100% compliant for the rest of my life without actual evidence as to which foods are causing my harm. – Primal Mama Apr 5 2011 at 20:23
I wish there was one super safe food that could be eaten alot, for say weeks. Then add only one food at a time for a few months. (Under monitor of a doctor..with maybe IV nutrients). – Senneth Apr 5 2011 at 20:37
show 4 more comments
1

Ok I have been the rounds on this one..trying to fix my leaky gut. (Over the course of this I have tried a TON of stuff. Expensive!!). This is all my opinion only, despite any sweeping conclusions. (Bitter from the ongoing battle).

Gastero Docs: All the gastero docs I saw started with suggesting I might be swollowing air, chewing gum too much, or eating beans. Then they wanted to do the endoscopy/colonscopy. Once I actually had this done. (and the results were normal), I was told there was nothing more he could do. Subsequent attempts to get in with another gastero have failed. Once they hear you have done the big money maker tests, they could care less.

Nutritionist: She was actually the smartest one, had me trying GAPS, natural antibiotics, testing me for various things (like candida). However when it boiled down to it she could not prescribe medicine (like antibiotics) or order any 'real' tests (like bloodwork). When my treatment needed to go that direction, she couldn't help anymore.

Chinese Medicine/Acupuncture: I am all for acuptuncture, but my course of treatment made me much worse. I think this route would have been the best, but the doctor used energy work as a diagnostic tool, and kept insisting I had things going on that had already been ruled out with testing. UGH! $900 later.

Naturopathic Doctors: Best of both worlds as far as education goes, they can prescribe meds if need be and order tests but prefer a natural route for treatment. I am now seeing a third one, all three have been dreamy and wishy washy. Try a probiotic, try a cleanse, ....My thought it maybe they are so primary care oriented that particular problems are found to be really confusing.

I will follow this post closely for any new suggestions! Good Luck!

link|flag
Thanks for all the info Senneth, I get your frustration. I'm weary of gastros as they diagnosed me with IBS years ago, after testing negative for everything else, for lack of a better diagnosis. – Primal Mama Apr 5 2011 at 20:28
IBS is a lame diagnosis. They should keep digging. My aunt was diagnosed a few years ago, turned out she had pancreatic cancer. (Only discovered after she forced her general doc to do more testing). Not that our situation is that drastic, but if we are paying clients, they might as well keep trying to discover what it going on and ways to fix it. – Senneth Apr 5 2011 at 20:35
not lame.....MDs are really starting to understand the gut microbiota and genome is huge factor in all diseases. I think this area will explode soon. – The Quilt Apr 6 2011 at 2:57
It is lame when you experience first hand how that dignosis is used to send you packing even though you are still suffering. It is lame when IBS has a cause (probably fairly unique to each person),and is treatable, but that diagnosis leads to a wall. I hope you are right about MD's stepping up to the plate. – Senneth Apr 6 2011 at 16:00
0

Not a doctor, but it's a start to email Robb Wolf and just get his take on it.

link|flag
I'd love to but could he be bothered with something so trivial? – Primal Mama Apr 5 2011 at 18:21
It's not trivial; but he's covered 'healing the gut' quite a few times in his podcasts. Do you listen to those? – gilliebean Apr 5 2011 at 18:55
I don't listen religiously but do listen when I find the time or remember to download them to my ipod. – Primal Mama Apr 6 2011 at 6:09

Your Answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.