QUESTION:
Hi Ben,
My naturopathic physician recommended the Intestinal Repair Capsules, which I have ordered from you in the past. They really work.
The question I have is, what other supplements do you recommend? I have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease for 1 year, and have since moved from my naturopath. I am feeling much better, able to work full time, walk for an hour every day, eating more organic foods and reading labels to abstain from any gluten products.However, I still suffer from flare-ups (especially when under stress) and have not yet lost the weight gained while ill. I know most celiac I have talked to have lost 30 lbs once they got their disease under control. I have not lost any weight and yet am very careful about what I eat.
I also still suffer from severe hunger spells which I believe is my body still seeking out nutrition- hence, why I need to order more repair capsules! My local health food store has suggested a vitamin supplement (Life Force).Any suggestions you would be able to make are most appreciated-
Thanks,
Improving Celiac [changed name for privacy]
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ANSWER:
Improving Celiac -
The vitamin store is correct in a multi - that is a good idea esp with digestive issues as absorption of nutrients from food can be difficult. We have a highly rated multi-vitamin for women - it is #2 out of 100's.
- Avoiding gluten.
- Decreasing past inflammation.
- Supporting digestive organs with their specific nutrients.
- Exercise.
- Water.
- Rest.
Sounds like you are doing a good job overall but still have flare ups - due to moods. My first thought is perhaps you add meditation to your lifestyle along with yoga.
We have an excellent yoga relaxation cd and meditation book - in the book/dvd sections. However, one does not really need a book to meditate - it is simply allowing 15 min of your day to yourself however you want - sitting quietly gazing at a candle or simply breathing slowing in and long out breaths. If a thought comes into your head, do not fight it - just don't focus on it - let it slide out.Yoga is awesome - join a yoga group or class. The stretching, toning and breathing all combined will improve your overall energy and lifestyle.
Taking the capsules is a good idea yet there is long standing inflammation that needs to go down. This must happen before you repair the intestines. It is like taking an aspirin for a headache with the aggravating loud music still playing full blast. Turn off the music and then take the aspirin - at the same time.The severe hunger spells may suggest that you are not absorbing the nutrients well or digesting your foods well. Bloating, gas, constipation and/or diarrhea point to poor absorption and digestive power. These symptoms may be signs that gluten is still in your diet and that inflammation is still present.
It is essential to avoid all wheat containing products - soy sauce, fillers, additives, etc. All of them. In the inflamed stage of celiac, one can react to the smallest amount of wheat or gluten. Check labels on supplements also as there may be fillers in there that you need to avoid. These are typically cheap supplement companies -we do not carry those. A good web resource that lists foods allowed and not allowed for celiac disease is the Canadian Celiac AssociationA patient who was excellent in terms of avoiding all gluten-containing foods was having flare-ups caused by a filler in his supplement. Wheat is everywhere - unfortunately. Fortunately, there are awesome resources which help point these out and provide alternatives.
A good website to look for recipes and a forum to help with eating limitations - Living WithoutYou may want to consider the BioInflammatory Powder - along with the Intestinal repair powder. A refrigerated probiotic may be useful as well - an acidophilus/lactobacilis blend. I don't carry that at the moment - but all stores have them - just ensure they are refrigerated - if not, they are garbage.
The combined efforts in diet improvement, decreasing inflammation, adding intestinal support, multivitamin, relaxation, yoga will do wonders for you. The probiotic may be a good idea as well - bloating may be due to harmful bacteria off-gasing. Yet my guess is that the bloating is due to the inflammation caused by gluten-containing products - so you may want to do the Bio-Inflammatory Functional Food Powder. You may want to try that for a month or two and then you may be good with just the intestinal repair powder and multi-vitamin.Carlson fish oil may also be beneficial. But we are getting into many supplements here - but in general a multi, fish oil, and a probiotic may be helpful for many individuals.
It takes time to heal. It may seem overwhelming now but that is due to the newness of the information and lifestyle changes. Once it becomes routine, it will be much easier.I hope this helps. ;)
