Food For Thought

[Pierre42]

WG also-known-as GPA is an inflammatory response

Some things that modern medical science tell us about the biological processes of inflammation and immune-response

• some foods (eg Turmeric, Saffron) have a well documented anti-inflammatory action
• others have a PRO inflammatory action (or, at least, boost the activity of the immune system) eg Spirulina, Echinacea, Goldenseal, Astralagus (they're all basically toxic for us)
• an excess of dietary calories produces an inflammatory response (akin to driving your car with the accelerator floored, all-the-time)
• any dietary "refined carbohydrates" eg "sugars" of any kind, starches, white rice, white flour, (think "high GI food") produces an inflammatory response
• there's more cells of 'bacteria' on/in your body than there are cells of YOU (especially in your digestive system)
• both an imbalance of the KINDS of bacteria ("good" / "bad") and a lack of diversity have been shown to have MAJOR biological effects, including:
  
  • you can make perpetually skinny people get fat (and vice versa) just by applying certain bacteria
  • you can correct (some) disastrous immune responses just by apply certain bacteria

(er by "applying certain bacteria" I mean this has been demonstrated by "fecal transplant" type methodologies, not "slap on a poo patch" or something)

• and you can even change how your brain works (there's a Spanish Inquisition moment ) by tweaking your gut bacteria

• strenuous exercise will suppress your immune response (at least for a short while)
• during intermittent fasting (48-72 hours without food) your immune system goes on a MASSIVE scavenger hunt, clearing out ~30% of your white blood cells (and then building a vibrant, healthy, fresh batch, of course)

Things we now know about food: (ie that we didn't understand until only recently)

• fat doesn't make you (other than being high in calories, and too many of THOSE will always pack on the lard, unless you do LOTS of manual labour, professional athlete, etc)
• eating cholesterol doesn't clog up your arteries (80% of the cholesterol in your blood is made by your own body, the amount you eat is basically irrelevant)
• eggs actually, really, are pretty much LITERALLY a "super food"
• even salt (for most healthy people) doesn't significantly increase your Blood Pressure (if all other factors are equal)
  
  • specifically sodium vs potassium is the balance we strive for, most people with BP issues are overweight, overstressed, and potassium poor
  • Prednisone causes potassium excretion and sodium retention -> guess what comes next?
  • BEER (drinking, not washing-with) causes Potassium excretion - amazing what you learn from an emergency ward bed (also that excessively low potassium causes heart palpitations )
  
  
• a high-fiber diet increases both the "Good" vs "Bad" Bacteria balance in your gut, as well as (for as yet unexplained reasons) the diversity
• even without making any other significant change, simply eating a very diverse diet (lots of different foods rather than "the same routine") ALSO helps good-vs-bad _and_ diversity
• other than some Japanese, and people living on deserted islands, pretty much nobody eats "enough" fish/seafood
• Wine is good for you (a small glass of Red Wine every day)
• Coffee is good for you (3-5 cups a day... of course if you're Chugging Full Fat Latte With Three Sugars every time it's not-so-awesome)
• Supplements (aside from prescribed-by-doctor, eg Folic Acid) are (generally speaking) BAD FOR YOU
  
  • every pill has some tiny fraction of "active ingredient" and the rest is filler, color, anti-this and preservative-that (ie it's full of crap that will kill you, in the long run)
  • stuffing yourself full of "vitamin supplements" actually INCREASES your cancer risk (amongst other things)
  • we know know that "eating the Magical Super Ingredient" has close to no health benefits compared to "eating the food" (it appears to be some kind of 'ingredient synergy' that makes the difference). So yes eating oily fish has MASSIVELY greater benefits than sucking down tons of fish-oil capsules every day

Actions you should consider: (in no particular order)

• low carb diet
• low calorie diet
• exclusively or at least highly vegetarian (eg "weekend carnivore") diet
• Intermittent Fasting (aka "The 5:2 Diet")
• a high fiber diet (an easy trick is to supplement with Inulin - no NOT "Insulin")
• a highly varied diet
• "fermented foods" (Kefir, home-made yogurt with the right bacteria, Kimchi, Sauerkraut, Tempeh, Miso, Kombucha, Natto)

[Pete]

I'm learning to shop/eat my way around the perimeter of the grocery store. There, I will find fresh produce, dairy, and meat. I shop and spend less in the middle of the store where the processed "convenience" foods are located.

[annekat]

That's very interesting and informative, Pierre, and I like the way you wrote it, so I have bookmarked this thread to read again! Thanks!

[woz]

Hey Pierre, interesting reading, keep up the good work....

Woz.

[ThePowerCouple]

After being diagnosed with WG, we became even more interested in nutrition. We wanted to eat foods that are anti-inflammatory in hopes to help get rid of WG. An opportunity arose for us to take a plant-based nutrition class from “The Food Pharmacy.” The class showed us how to select foods that were better for our cells. It showed us how to eliminate oil and increase fiber. It showed us that we can have better health by eating a variety of legumes, grains, fruits and vegetables. We started to eat foods that we never heard of. We now select better choices to our diet such as: Turmeric, Ginger, Chia Seeds, Kale, Quinoa, Lentils, Oats, and the list goes on. We take it one day at a time. We try to investigate and research as much information as possible. We want remission to come and stay.

[annekat]

After being diagnosed with WG, we became even more interested in nutrition. We wanted to eat foods that are anti-inflammatory in hopes to help get rid of WG. An opportunity arose for us to take a plant-based nutrition class from “The Food Pharmacy.” The class showed us how to select foods that were better for our cells. It showed us how to eliminate oil and increase fiber. It showed us that we can have better health by eating a variety of legumes, grains, fruits and vegetables. We started to eat foods that we never heard of. We now select better choices to our diet such as: Turmeric, Ginger, Chia Seeds, Kale, Quinoa, Lentils, Oats, and the list goes on. We take it one day at a time. We try to investigate and research as much information as possible. We want remission to come and stay.

Do you BOTH have WG? That would seem quite unusual. We'd like to hear more about you.

[ThePowerCouple]

No. My husband was diagnosed with WG on August 2014. It was devastating to the both of us. We are one. We fight together.

[annekat]

So, it is almost like you both have it, even though only one does. I admire the way you fight it together. It's awesome. If and when you feel inclined, we'd like to hear about how you and your husband came to know his diagnosis, whether it was a delayed one, what the first symptoms were and what areas are involved, and what kind of treatment he is getting. Only because it affects everyone a little differently and we can learn a lot from what others are going through.... we never know when WG will throw another curve ball at us. The forum has two sections where you could tell his and your story, New Member Introductions, and Weggies' Stories, whichever you prefer. If you are not ready to do so, that is fine. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on this forum, even though there may be some different viewpoints expressed, so ask away if any questions. For many of us, it is a way to stay connected with the world and feel less alone with this dumb disease, and especially to talk to those who understand because they have been there and are there now. Most of all, I wish the best to your husband, not knowing what stage of recovery he is at, but feeling that as a Power Couple you can certainly beat this thing down and gain control over it. Your diet plan sounds like a very good start.

[ThePowerCouple]

We are currently writing his story. As soon as we have it ready, we will post it under Weggies' Stories. We are new to this website. We now know that we are not alone anymore.

[Jaha]

Pierre, Thank you for putting all that down in a very concise manner for us. I am trying to move toward the direction of eating nothing but good whole foods. It is very hard to get there when you are still on a high dose of preds and feel to bad to carefully do the shopping. I do believe that your diet is about the most important thing to get under control. I hope your are doing well and thanks again for the info.