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I have been eating paleo for about 4 or 5 months with no problems. However I have recently developed stomach pains after eating, severe gas, and constipation. These symptoms started about 6 weeks ago exactly on the first day I started my sophomore year of college. I have read all sorts of articles but still dont have an answer. I tried taking stomach enzymes for a while but they didnt help. The only thing different about my diet at school and my diet at home is that I cook my vegetables really well at home. At school, all the veggies are pretty much raw. I think this might be a contributing factor, however I ate similarly to paleo last year and the raw veggies didnt bother me. I have never felt like this before and would appreciate any input anyone has.

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 I think you should give a lot more detail about exactly what you eat. – Jay Oct 25 2011 at 2:36

8 Answers

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I would suspect stress/anxiety considering when the problem started. It could possibly also be the industrial seed oils the foods at school are cooked in or the fact that you are eating more raw veggies.

But it's probably anxiety/stress.

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I would consider H. Pylori infection, which can cause similar symptoms and can be tested for. If you have it, you should consider the "natural" treatment as opposed to the massive doses of antibiotics that the mainstream medical community prescribes. From what I'm seeing on the web, it works much better.

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What is the natural treatment? H. Pylori is said to be notoriously hard to cure without antibiotics. – Dean Oct 26 2011 at 12:08
Natural treatment finds many substances helpful, but must be taken in the proper amounts and intervals, for sufficient amount of time. It sounds (on forums, etc.) that many people don't get relief from antibiotics, so natural may be a better choice right from the start. Mastic gum, Sulforaphane (from broccoli) L-glutamine, Monolaurin (from coconut oil) and several spices, for instance, tumeric, appear to be very effective and safe. The protocol uses probiotics to assist the digestive tract in healing. – Kelly H Oct 30 2011 at 18:53
I recently got rid of h. Pylori using the following protocol: 1. First thing in the morning take grapeseed extract and 2 Klair Labs Interfase Plus capsules. The Interphase dissolves biofilms to release the h. Pylori hiding in the film. The "Plus" is an EDTA chelator which traps any metals in the biofim. 2. On hour later take pectin and a charcoal tablet to help neutralize and remove the substances from the body. 3. Later in the day take 2 tablets of mastic gum. I did this for a week and my repeat GI test results came out cler. – AdrianaG Nov 3 2011 at 14:11
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It absolutely blows my mind that young people are having to deal with these problems, aside from that my first guess wouldn't be Helicobacter, many people have that particular bacteria in their GI and are completely asymptomatic. Best test for H. Pylori if you suspect it is a endoscopic biopsy. Stress has a tendency to bring down the immune system if it is chronic and allow H. pylori to flourish and cause GI problems. But you're a sophomore and unless your girlfriend or boyfriend dumped you, you should be well acclimated to the stresses of college so my second guess wouldn't be stress either, but it could be.

Best to start with your obvious diet change and work from there, would hate to have a tube shoved down your throat for no reason at all. Nobody is forcing you to eat cafeteria food. So changing your diet or whatever you need to do is within your power. You might have to get creative though. You could also avoid vegetables if you want and just eat the meat and fruit and see how you do. I don't know what your dorm rules are or if you have a car to do some shopping but you could also buy a crock pot if that is allowed.

Also you stated you have been eating paleo for 4-5 months, and then at the end you stated you didn't have this problem with a similar paleo diet back home last year. So at home were you eating just paleo foods and now you're more strict as in low carb? Or were you still eating SAD foods but displacing them with more whole paleo foods? Anytime you change your diet there is going to be some adjustment usually these symptoms appear sooner rather than later but your clean eating could just be now clearing you out. I don't know. We need more information to be able to effectively advise you.

Just remember that your still young and unless you've been having these problems all your life and they've just sprung up over these past few weeks than most likely you can still solve these problems on your own if you are willing to go out of your way.

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I have been eating strict paleo when I was home. Last year I was basically eating paleo, I didnt know about the diet yet but I ate fruits, veggies, meat, and really limited my grains. This problem is new, I have never had symptoms like this before. I am stressed at school as I am involved in a rigorous academic program. I really do think that stress has something to with it. I am forced to only eat cafeteria food because I go to a quasi military school and we are not allowed to leave campus during the week and are not allowed to have appliances in our rooms. – CK Oct 25 2011 at 17:27
Fair enough. I went to a private college that had a similar policy so I know what that's about. I would make it a point to explain your situation to the Dean. It's a health issue and I believe if the school gets between you and your health they can be held liable. This shouldn't be too much to ask until you figure out the problem. Or if the Dean is a dick you can cut out the vegetables and eat a large amount of fruit in addition to your meat and fat... if they have real butter in those pre-wrapped squares put a couple of those in your pocket :) – Edward J. Edmonds Oct 25 2011 at 18:10
As far as stress it depends. Did you experience this stress as a freshman? If not than what has changed to add that stress? Another thing is that if you are lower carb, if it is stress it would be advisable to eat more carbohydrate either fruits or tubers. – Edward J. Edmonds Oct 25 2011 at 18:15
If your stress caused by adding more classes or being involved in more activities as a result of your choosing than that is something your going to have to confront and deal with by a) stopping the extra stuff or b) biting the bullet. There is nothing wrong with making your schedule more manageable if you have the option. – Edward J. Edmonds Oct 25 2011 at 18:21
Do you find you have cold hands or feet? – Edward J. Edmonds Oct 25 2011 at 18:22
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Tweaking your diet, sleep schedule, or supplements is something you can try for little cost and is worth the effort. Raw veggies, particularly cruciferous ones, can cause bloating for some.

If the problem continues, see a doctor to rule out anything serious. I second the comment to get tested for H. Pylori. I went on extreme antibiotics for this and would had opted for a different route had I known better. Also, I am being tested for a blood flow issue that is a potential cause for my stomach distress and not diet related. Others here have gotten tested for bacterial infections or fungal infections - Paul Jaminet of PHD writes about these. If the issue is chronic, it will take a little detective work to figure out the cause. Good luck!

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What "stomach enzymes" did you take? I periodically get stomach pains, and my chiropractor gave me Betaine HCL to supplement my stomach acid. After taking it before meals for a several days, I seemed to be back to normal.

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I went to the doctor this morning. He said it was most likely stress related. He suggested I take zantac or mylanta to relieve my gas.

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 I don't think this gets at the root of the problem here. Also, many find that antacids are counterproductive in treating stomach issues. – smartcookie Oct 26 2011 at 12:08
Find a new doctor. Get tested for H. Pylori, maybe do H2 breath tests for fructose malabsorption and SIBO. In the meantime, a diet high in meat and paleo fats, and low plants (especially FODMAPs), would be almost certain to reduce the gas/fermentation. – Dean Oct 26 2011 at 12:19
I honestly dont think I have any sort of infection or parasite. If my condition gets worse then I will get tested. In fact, my condition seems to be improving now that I am making more of an effort to relax and not be so anxious about school and sports all the time. The only thing I am really skeptically about is taking things such as zantac and mylanta to relieve gas. I would use something natural instead of any type of medication. – CK Oct 26 2011 at 14:20
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I can't digest raw vegetables properly. I also get indigestion from most fruits. This has been true for years, pre-paleo and after 2 years paleo. I probably have fructose intolerance.

It could be a lot of things. Hope you figure it out.

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Can you stop eating the raw veggies for a couple of days?

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Not really, there are extremely limited options and I want to avoid eating lots and lots of fruit. I soften them up in a microwave for a couple minutes so its not ideal, but better than eating just raw veggies. – CK Oct 26 2011 at 22:46

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