Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I have IBS and have been doing Paleo for just 2 weeks. I was eating close to Paleo before this, so it wasn't a big change - I removed my oatmeal, rice milk, brown rice and choc chip cookies. And I've upped my ruminant meats and animal fat.

So far, there's a lot less bloating because I've removed sources of fermentation - I think the oats were the main problem. But I don't feel I'm actually making any progress in terms of getting my gut in any better shape in the big picture. (Although I realize it's early days still.)

But should I be doing some serious no-carb diet for a while to starve off the bad bacteria, then repopulate it with fermented foods? I've seen reference to some people (i.e. Melissa) taking this approach. I'm not sure what fermented foods I'd eat, since the ones I know of are miso (soy = no), sourdough (wheat = no), sauerkraut (gas = no), yoghurt and kefir (dairy = no).

Also, I am underweight right now, so the diet of cutting out all carbs is freaking me out. And I'm not even sure that "bad bacteria" is the problem.

I am taking VSL#3, a high-strength probiotic.

flag	asked Oct 17 2011 at 11:27 Renee 11.5k●1●5●43

Have u actually been dx'ed w/IBS? What are some of the symptoms? – Namby Pamby Oct 17 2011 at 19:18

Kewpie · Answer 1 · 2011-10-17 13:27:28Z UTC

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I don't know a lot about this topic, but I do have friends who highly recommend the GAPS diet for healing gut problems. One of the main features of the GAPS diet is the regular consumption of homemade bone broths to promote healing.

answered Oct 17 2011 at 13:27

Kewpie
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Vrimj · Answer 2 · 2011-10-17 14:05:50Z UTC

Kombuncha, pickles and water keifer are all options for fermented foods.

A second vote saying you might consider the GAPS diet as a trail if you are not happy with your results, you might consider a week bone broth trial. You can monitor your weight and change if you are not happy with the rate of loss.

Dragonfly · Answer 3 · 2011-10-17 14:06:17Z UTC

More patience is needed. It took my digestion exactly 2.5 weeks to normalize after going Lacto-Paleo from a WAP diet. I've read that it takes 6 weeks for the effects of gluten to start wearing off. Took me 4 months to really feel like I had renourished my body after eliminating the gluten & phytates. YMMV.

I avoid many foods containing FODMAPS and that means I get my carbs from sweet potatoes, potatoes, and small amounts of sugar.

I continued to drink some kombucha with each meat meal. Lactose-free dairy works for me, so I drink small amounts of raw goat's kefir daily.

I also eat gelatin and liver weekly.

I've never done GAPS, so can't speak to it.

Eugenia · Answer 4 · 2011-10-18 03:34:05Z UTC

Get probiotics. I have IBS and after going Paleo I went from 4-5 liquid BMs a day, to one a week (7 weeks of paleo so far). I eat a probiotic goat lactose-free yoghurt though, which I make myself (the SCD diet, which is similar to Paleo and it's designed for gut issues specifically, suggests that).

Oskbor · Answer 5 · 2011-10-18 14:05:52Z UTC

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For the daring, you could try a human fecal transplant,: http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=1612467

answered Oct 18 2011 at 14:05

Oskbor
71●2

I can recommend a doc in Minnesota. But he'll only see you if you have c. Diff. – AdrianaG Oct 19 2011 at 14:28

Angie · Answer 6 · 2011-10-17 20:27:23Z UTC

You might want to try apple cider vinegar (Braggs). I've been reading that the actual problem is not enough acid (HCL) in the stomach - especially to digest all the protein we are ingesting. I've been drinking 2-3 tsp. stirred in 8 oz. water, 2-3x day and it seems to be helping.

hack my gut flora

6 Answers