Have you tried no Yeast, Dairy, and SCD, (or at least no Gluten) at the same time?

[DiagnosedAndScared]

In August 2014, my GI doctor found continuing inflammation in my ileum (It had also been seen during a CT scan in June 2014, when I first got sick), and granulomas on my biopsy from the colonoscopy, and because of that, he wanted me on Pentasa.

Well, I refused, wanting more answers...

In October, I started the Specific Carb Diet. It only helped my symptoms moderately. I was still having regular, daily pains, but my bloating did subside somewhat. After being on the SCD for four months, I had IgG and IgA testing done and among other foods, I had very high antibodies to both baker's and brewer's yeast. When I removed those from my diet, I had IMMEDIATE improvement in my symptoms. Within one month (just this past March) I felt awesome.

As it turns out, nearly 60 % of people with Crohn's have an allergy to yeast!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1808965/

Now, April 2015, I have almost zero symptoms. Maybe one pain every four days or so, a level one, after having had pains several times per day for months ever since I got sick in June 2014, sometimes as high as a level six on a one to ten scale.

In the start of March 2015, one month after following a yeast free diet (and still following SCD too, which means gluten free), I had a capsule endoscopy done. No signs of Crohn's at all. Now, the same GI who had wanted me on Pentasa, will no longer to commit to whether I had Crohn's or not. Now, he's saying it may have been something infectious. But when I asked him that back in August, he said no. He said if I had something infectious in June, it would have been gone by August.

I also want to mention that I am also dairy free (allergy also), and I believe, after doing some reading, that it may have been the combo of gluten/dairy/yeast free that did the trick for me. I am feeling so great now that I am desperately trying to spread the word to others to just try going yeast free for a month, as well as trying going Gluten and Dairy free too, as I keep reading that these foods cross react with one another. Or even better, SCD, without dairy and yeast. Yes, it's tough, but what's one month, if it might just possible help you?

ETA: My user name no longer fits me. I'm confident, feeling well, and have a message to share!

 

[hugh]

That's great to hear......
Keep in mind that SCD eliminates a whole heap of things and maybe they weren't all causing problems.[1]
For example, after a few months on SCD i reintroduced 'paleo' carbs (sweet potato etc)[2] with no issues and a year or so after that i reintroduced white rice (PHD diet)[3] with good results.
These are good ways of getting resistant starch and fiber which are important for good gut bugs
Whatever works for you is important so these are just suggestions to make food more interesting


[1]Raw Vegan, Blood Type O, Paleo, Low Carb High Fat Diets – what do they have in common?
"When people change their diet and achieve significant health improvements, they often change multiple factors – i.e they remove many foods and add in many foods, so most people have little idea what specific change in their diet caused the biggest improvement in their condition. As a result they become passionate about the dietary philosophy that improved their health, and are convinced if only others followed this particular eating plan – they too would get dramatic health improvements."
http://paleozonenutrition.com/2012/...d-the-paleo-diet-what-do-they-have-in-common/
[2]Eat Your Starches: Why Safe Starches Are Healthy
"But not all carbohydrate-rich foods contain toxins or antinutrients, and some are even high in nutrients: sweet potatoes, for example, are a rich source of Vitamin A. This raises the question: do these non-toxic starches have a place in the Paleo diet? If wheat is unhealthy because of the gluten, not the carbohydrates, starches like potatoes and yams ought to be acceptable, and even encouraged. "
http://paleoleap.com/eat-your-starches-why-safe-starches-are-healthy/
[3]Bowel Disorders, Part I: About Gut Disease
"If we prioritize these in terms of damage caused, then ulcerative colitis is an infectious and autoimmune disease, since these two factors do the most severe damage. It is generally unclear which is doing the most damage. Food toxins and malnutrition continue to be secondary sources of damage.
On the other hand, if we prioritize chronologically in terms of the original causes, the disease is originally caused by food toxins and malnutrition and sometimes antibiotics, which cause intestinal damage and infections, followed by autoimmunity. "
http://perfecthealthdiet.com/2010/07/ulcerative-colitis-a-devastating-gut-disease/

 

[DiagnosedAndScared]

Yes, I actually plan to reintroduce those down the road. I'm sticking with the one year rule for SCD, (don't try the illegals until a year after your last symptom), just to be on the safe side...but I keep thinking that rice, potatoes, chocolate, and maybe even corn might be fine later on.

But I think avoiding them all really helped with my healing. After I took out all my allergens, I was pretty much on Paleo Autoimmune for a good 45 days. I just recently reintroduced hazelnuts and lentils with no issue, and am looking forward to introducing a lot more foods in the days to come...

 

[Justanothercp]

I also found that a change in diet has made a huge change in my symptoms. I know it doesn't help everyone, but for me, it was a game changer. I've been Paleo 7 mo now and haven't felt this well in 15-20 years. I plan to try to reintroduce one item at a time, but not quite yet.

 

[DiagnosedAndScared]

I also found that a change in diet has made a huge change in my symptoms. I know it doesn't help everyone, but for me, it was a game changer. I've been Paleo 7 mo now and haven't felt this well in 15-20 years. I plan to try to reintroduce one item at a time, but not quite yet.

That's wonderful to hear...!

I totally agree about not rushing the additions, and yeah, when I do add them, it will be one at a time, for like two weeks, before trying the next.

 

[Justanothercp]

I have a lot of people ask how I can stick to the "diet". But really it isn't an issue at all. When it makes you feel good, it's easy to stay the course. I don't even think about it anymore. It is no longer a diet, it is just my lifestyle. And it is weird, I'm eating a lot more fat, especially animal fat, but my cholesterol has gone from 244 to 170 without Meds! The only difficulty is eating out can be a challenge...

 

[UnXmas]

I've been yeast, dairy and gluten free at the same time (and free from many other things, including all processed food, at the same time too) and it made me much more sick than when I eat normally.

 

[DiagnosedAndScared]

I've been yeast, dairy and gluten free at the same time (and free from many other things, including all processed food, at the same time too) and it made me much more sick than when I eat normally.

Sorry to hear that it made you worse...but fully believe it was worth the try. You just never know. Hope you are feeling well nowadays!

 

[Crohns08]

I think depending on how inflamed you are, where the disease is located, and how your body processes food depends on the diet and what you can eat. I know some people do just fine with sugar, but for me I notice a BIG difference when I cut out artificial carbs and stick to just the ones the SCD allows. When flaring I can't eat red meat or dairy. But once on the diet and feeling well? I can eat all the steak and salads and dairy I want.

ETA: I am only on a low residue diet currently to minimize symptoms and to get carbs in for my baby so I don't go into ketosis. After I give birth I am going back 100% to the SCD.

 

[Chronie_04]

I also have done a food sensitivity test. Dairy and gluten were fine for me. I was sensitive to Yeast (bakers, brewers, mushrooms) but also Broccoli, cauliflower, sesame, cranberry, coffee and sugar cane. After eliminating these foods I feel GREAT. Noticed a difference right away. I also do not eat any processed foods or any white flour/refined sugars. I recommend any one to give it a try. I do believe Crohns is actually a group of different diseases. So it may not work for everyone. But for me it was great.

 

[Basmah]

I went from gluten free first, then cut out corn and dairy after seeing a nutritionist. Now I am on a low carb diet (SCD-ish) diet that consists of only meat, cooked veggies, a small potato as my carb, and 1 serving of cooked fruit a day. It has helped me out tremendously, my last labs were the best I have ever seen them. I hope after my colonoscopy I can add in more some more carb, but I am happy with how things are working out right now.

 

[DiagnosedAndScared]

I'm so happy to hear that several of you have found your own "success" diets as well. I hope you all continue to stay well and heal.

 

[jay1976]

Hi new to all this crohns i am trying to give up gluten and dairy as i have heard these help but what i am really struggling with is the chocolate or should i say the sugar in them!
does anyone have any advice how i can gut the sugar out i have tried most things like vegan chocolate but it is just not the same and i have a really bad sweet tooth :confused2:

 

[DiagnosedAndScared]

Hi new to all this crohns i am trying to give up gluten and dairy as i have these help but what i am really struggling with is the chocolate or should i say the sugar in them!
does anyone have any advice how i can gut the sugar out i have tried most things like vegan chocolate but it is just not the same and i have a really bad sweet tooth :confused2:

I had a terrible sweet tooth as well and had been known to binge on donuts and cookies before getting sick, but I have to say, once you start eliminating the sugary stuff, your tastes change. Now I love fruit and consider it to be very sweet, where before I started on this diet stuff, I hardly touched the stuff.

Over time, the cravings for the sweet stuff get less and less too.

For me, cold turkey was the way to go, but, of course, everyone is different.

 

[Crohns08]

If you're gonna do chocolate, do dark chocolate that is at least 66% cacao. It has less sugar in it and there are some benefits to eating one small portion of it a day. They do make higher end chocolate that is dairy free, soy free, etc and sweetened with dried fruit or honey. You just want to try and stay away from chemicals, make sure you have it in small portions, and don't indulge often; maybe 1-3 times a week and space it out.

 

[buttER]

DiagnosedandScared

What foods should be avoided to cut out yeast?

 

[jay1976]

I had a terrible sweet tooth as well and had been known to binge on donuts and cookies before getting sick, but I have to say, once you start eliminating the sugary stuff, your tastes change. Now I love fruit and consider it to be very sweet, where before I started on this diet stuff, I hardly touched the stuff.

Over time, the cravings for the sweet stuff get less and less too.

For me, cold turkey was the way to go, but, of course, everyone is different.

i eat a lot of fruit as will dried and fresh it is just when i sit down at night and watch a little tv a suddenly get the munches and i go straight for sugar the other night it was so bad (as i had gone cold turkey for 2 weeks) i went and eat one of my childrens easter eggs and i was so sick the next day stomach ache and all the rest i am now trying to eat dark chocolate and see if that works out any better

 

[jay1976]

DiagnosedandScared

What foods should be avoided to cut out yeast?

all breads and if it is for the gluten then pasta,sausages,and all processed food and read all labels you will be surprised where you will find it some times :ghug:

 

[DiagnosedAndScared]

DiagnosedandScared

What foods should be avoided to cut out yeast?

This is the list that I've been using, I got it from a naturopath:
Bakers/Brewer’s Yeast-Containing Foods to Avoid; Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Diet:

- Leavened breads, rolls, pretzels, pastries, cookies, sweet rolls, etc. (pitas, tortillas, and other flat breads are ok, as are most sweet breads like zucchini bread).

- Bread products that must raise or that say they
contain yeast on the label.

- Brewer’s yeast (also called nutritional yeast) any anything that contains it

- Beer, wine, and all other alcoholic beverages

- Vitamin and mineral supplements unless specifically labeled “yeast-free.”

- Vinegar or anything containing vinegar (mustard, salad dressings, pickled foods, sauces, mayonnaise)

- Many commercial and processed foods

- Miscellaneous fermented foods (soy sauce, shoyu, ciders, olives, sauerkraut, kimchee, some root beers, tempeh, miso, tamari)—question anything that tastes acidic.

- Aged, ripened cheeses

- Probiotics containing Saccharomyces boulardii

- Read labels carefully as brewer’s/baker’s yeast can show up in anything.

- Also remember you can ask any restaurant what is in any dish you are eating to find out—and you have to be pretty specific, usually to the point of asking the chef. Vinegar is very common and easy to miss.

Note: This is not a fungus-free or “candida” diet, only a diet to avoid the Saccharomyces