Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Non-dairy Diet helped me feel better!

By LuciaLucia Monday, February 09, 2009
I have been suffering from multiple digestive problems for approximately 20 years, including UTI's, gallstones, gallbladder removal, hiatal hernia, acid reflux, tooth decay, sore throats, & the acid reflux cough, and a seemingly unconnected milk allergy when I was an infant, and within the last few years extreme side pain and constipation. At age ten I weighed just under 90 pounds. By age 14, I weighed 197, and even as an active teenager, I just couldn't lose any of the weight. Still to this day, I eat right, I exercise, and i have maintained the same weight for over ten years. Recently, while speaking with Expert Jan, she said one of the things about my symptoms that caught her eye was the milk allergy. My pediatrician thought I had grown out of the allergy & during my childhood years, I started consuming milk again. Expert Jan suggested I look into a safe elimination diet of milk products. I investigated to make sure I would still be getting the vitamins and nutrients in milk, and about two weeks ago, I eliminated dairy products, and started drinking soy milk, and eating soy/veggie cheese. I started the diet on Wednesday after work, weighing 203 lbs. By Saturday, I had lost 11 lbs. Within three more days, I lost an additional three pounds. Over the last week, the drastic weight loss has levelled out, but I have also seen improvements in my digestive system. I find that I have less nausea and also that my bowels are moving more regularly than they did during a year of daily prescription laxatives. I just wanted to post this information in case anyone else has read any of my posts and has similar symptoms and problems. I have not yet spoken with my doctor about the elimination diet. I figure after about 40 doctors appointments last year, I might as well stick with it for a while and then take solid information to the doctors office, rather than just the first two weeks of results. But I will keep it up, and I will let everyone know how it works for me!
Jan Gambino, Health Guide
2/10/09 6:44am

Hello Lucia!

I love Happy News! Good for you!

Be sure to keep us updated.

Jan Gambino

The Reflux Mom

5/ 8/09 5:55pm

I think this is going to remain a permanent change.  I haven't felt this good in years.  Its been a few months since I started, but i truly believe that milk and sugar were the main culprits.  I did switch sugar for splenda in anything I make that needs sugar, as well as replacing dairy for soy.  All in all, I have lost a total of 19 pounds since the initial milk switch.  it leveled out and is going down much slower, and I'm sure that is probably healthier than the initial change of 11 pounds in three days.  I have felt so much better that i haven't had to take my digestive medicines because everything is working on it's own now!!!!

Anonymous
feeling better
5/20/09 4:03pm

I've had a similar experience.  I'm a 20's/30's female.  In college, i developed problems with gas/flatulence (embarrassing, huh..)  then, in about the past 2 years, I developed SEVERE acid reflux -- to the point where I was popping 10-12 tums/day for months on end -- over the counter zantac barely took the edge off.  Felt like I was being stabbed in the chest every day. Went to a holistic health counselor with nutrition and food allergy background to figure out what was going on.  She suggested my symptoms were red flag for dairy intolerance.  I went off dairy completely milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, baked goods with butter, everything. After 5 days off dairy, I had my first full day in about a year with Zero Reflux.  I felt like cheering out loud!!!  It was an amazing accomplishment.  I continue a dairy free diet -- which means in addition to removing all dairy (including in baked goods), I don't eat soy cheeses -- they are made with casein, a milk protein to which some people (including me) are sensitive.  Staying off the dairy is not a problem since I know how that reflux feels when I slip.  I'm so thankful to know what the problem is, and so grateful for avoiding all the health issues that would probably have snowballed from this (beyond reflux) if I hadn't figured it out.

 

Helpful hint -- I CAN eat ghee -- clarified butter used in traditional indian dishes.  you can find (time consuming & complex) recipes online, or just buy it  at the grocery store in the international foods section.   It is dairy, but lactose and casein free.  It's pricey, so I use it sparingly...but nothing beats that real butter flavor :).

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By LuciaLucia— Last Modified: 10/26/11, First Published: 02/09/09