The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Food Intolerance Testing
Posted by Carmel (Essex) on 11/08/2023
★★★★☆
You can get food intolerance tests yourself, you do not need your doctor's permission. Most doctors are clueless about diet, even when it is connected to gall bladder and digestion. Do it off your own back. You are the one who benefits. And such tests are not that expensive.
Slippery Elm
Posted by Susan C. (Florida) on 03/01/2020
★★★★★
I have had digestive issues for about 3 years now, irregular movements of diarrhea. Prior to that I went once a day in the morning without fail. I would get terrible gas and sometimes constipation. I never felt that I a fully evacuated.
Now I heat up a cup of water in the evening and add a teaspoon of slippery elm powder and let it steep for a few minutes.
A few sips before bed and a couple more first thing in the morning and I am regular again. I can not believe the difference this has in my digestive health. No more gas and bloating. Complete evacuation every morning.
No side effects, would not be without it again.
Bone Marrow
Posted by St (Oregon) on 12/11/2016
★★★★★
Bone broth is the latest craze and purists will probably scoff at buying it but I tried making it and it just didn't work out for me. I buy it powdered and I think it helps me a lot. I have never been able to digest anything. It comes out just like it goes in. (Sorry) Bone broth is definitely helpful. Also some gut health supplements.
CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid)
Posted by Diane (Orlando, Fl) on 06/23/2016
★★★★★
I also use CLA to help with digestion. If I take 1 -2 capsules after dinner or when I have lots of gas, the CLA takes care of the gas & flattens my stomach. Digestive enzymes worked for me for years, but now CLA seems to work better. I don't know what is in CLA that benefits digestion, but whatever it is, I'm grateful it does! I found this website looking to see if anyone else had discovered that CLA helps with digestion. This is the only website I've found that even mentions it.
Bone Marrow
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile , Tn) on 04/04/2016
HI U IOWAMA,,,,,,,,, yep, we save all our jars that have a seal in the cap. They are far bettern canning jar lids. We have olive jars that we have resealed and used for at least 10 years.
I thank you for your compliment, but sometimes I think I'm preaching to the choir. My dooms day projection is not what folks want to hear. If all my kin and friends show up when the ship hits the sand, then some are going to sleep on pallets. Know you have been down this trail. Told all to bring a hoe.
That was a great time when we went to my Mississippi PawPaw's back in the early 40's. There would be three families there and the men went to the fields before daylight to pick vegetables. They brought them in by the tub full and all the men and kids shelled them on the front porch. The wemmins canned them over a hot wood stove. It was an all day affair. Heard many a tall tale while shelling butter beans and the like.
Betcha, you did the same thing in Iowa.
Yo gardening buddy, =====ORH=======
Bone Marrow
Posted by Iowama (Usa) on 04/03/2016
Hello ORH,
It is funny to see your tractor driver has a jar collection so similar to mine. It's sad to remember how I used to work with my mother to fill the freezers with perfect plastic boxes. What you are teaching new gardeners is important. You are taking the time to teach how gardening really works, as nurseries are packed with a confusing array of unnecessaries, and I say that as a retiree of that industry.
Bone Marrow
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn) on 04/01/2016
★★★★★
HI U IOWAMA,,,,,,,,,, my tractor driver just finished your recipe for bone broth. Wow, she ended up with 8 jars of this wonderful stuff.
You right, it is full of fat. At my stage in life, I relish what good it does for me. All know that this is a new trek for me. Seems that lots of EC wemmin folks have been down this trail before.
I thank you for your counsel. Lord knows I need it.
======ORH=======
Bone Marrow
Posted by Namaw (Bama) on 03/27/2016
I'm just outside of Redstone. Love it here in the south. Roll Tide! (Even tho granddaughter wants to be a vet and will have to go to Auburn for that! )
Bone Marrow
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn.) on 03/26/2016
HI U IOWAMA,,,,,,,,,,, guess you hit a nerve, because my Tractor Driver said to copy your recipe. Wow, I hope you take that as a compliment.
I am just a new boy on the block as far as bone broth is concerned, and you experienced cooks are teaching me and others how to straighten out our bowels.
I (we) thank you.
====ORH====
Bone Marrow
Posted by Iowama (Usa) on 03/26/2016
Hello ORH, I am glad you are talking broth! It was my mother in law who taught me how to put together a good broth. She was a well to do woman, but very thrifty, as is often the case. I would like to share the recipe: Put the carcas and bones of a chicken in a medium or large pot. It does not matter if some bits of meat are still on them. To the pot add a quartered onion, 2 quartered carrots, 3 ribs of celery, a quarter bell pepper, 2 TBSP each of thyme and rosemary. Then I fill the pot with filtered water and add 2 TBSP cider vinegar. I have found the best pot for this job is the newer crock pot with clamps to hold the lid down, and that is because it holds in the vinegar odor, which can be too strong for my husband. Day 1; simmer all day and cut off at night. It can be left sitting on the counter and no, it won't make you sick. Next morning, replace evaporated water, simmer all day and cut off again at bed time. On day 3, add water again and simmer. At day's end, taste for salt and pepper. I then use my large wooden spatula to push down on the bones until they break up easily. Stir it all up well and go to bed. The 4th day of simmering gets more bone cooked into the broth. Toward the end of the day, I strain it all into two pitchers. I then pour it into canning jars and freeze them with the lids loose. The next day, the jars are frozen solid and I tighten the lids. These vegetables and seasonings are just my suggestion. Really, I just add what I think will taste good. I use it a lot in cooking, and not just for soup. There's nothing like a warm mug full on damp days. I wish I could say this broth alone cured my arthritis pain, but truthfully, I had to quit eating wheat flour and granulated sugar. I don't know why, but the sugar in fruit doesn't make us ache at all, so our deserts are just a plate of mixed fruit; as we learned to do when we visited Turkey. There's a book around here somewhere by Sally Fallon and it's called "Nourishing Traditions". As I recall it, Miss Fallon believed our grandparents were better nourished than we are today because they were too thrifty to waste organs and bones. Best wishes to you.
Bone Marrow
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn.) on 03/25/2016
HI U NAMAW,,,,,,,,,,,,, wife, Tractor Driver, is baking a hen for Easter and will use these bones as you say. All this bone nutrition stuff is new to me, but it has hit home with lots of the folks on EC. Where have I been for the last 79 years?
You say you from Bama and I assume you talking Alabama. Was in the military at Redstone in Huntsville in '61 and worked in Selma in the paper industry in the 80's. Two daughters went to Auburn, so I'm on your side.
======ORH=====
Bone Marrow
Posted by Namaw (Bama) on 03/24/2016
You may find it easier to get chicken bones than cow (or any animal). I've read that you should 'roast' the bones first, get them browned on the grill or in the oven, then put them in the stock pot to simmer. Also said to add a splash of vinegar. The first time I did that, I was shocked at how much fat came out of the bones. Anyway, the broth was delicious. Bear in mind that fresh broth doesn't keep very long-it's the stuff they use to make agar that grows bacteria in labs. If you must keep it, put it in the freezer. This is what I made when DH got out of the hospital and was so weak--had him drink it often. For the elderly it's especially good, gets those trace elements. I don't know that it's a cure, but it sure can't hurt!
Bone Marrow
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn.) on 03/24/2016
HI U EARTHLING,,,,,,, just got off the phone with the local processing plant trying to get grass feed cow bones. The owner said that bone broth is now quite the thing these days. The trick is to avoid GMO fed cattle. I have helped her with her arthritis and she will be on the look out for bones from grass fed cows.
Maybe folks are now thinking more about their health. Let's hope so. Thanks for your URL.
===ORH====
Bone Marrow
Posted by Earthling (Usa) on 03/24/2016
Hey U ORH,
I've seen bone broth mentioned here on EC several times over the years. It's what prompted me to look into it and experiment with different recipes.
I've included a link to one of them. This one is for chicken bone broth, but you can substitute with any bones you like. The longer you cook it, the better.
http://paleoleap.com/making-fresh-bone-stock/
Bone Marrow
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 03/24/2016
For those who cannot do bone broth for whatever reason, a bit (even 1/2 teaspoon) of gelatin does help. I've written before how it can be taken.
Bone Marrow
Posted by Deb (Florida ) on 03/23/2016
I read many yrs ago bone broth was good for arthritis, helps the joints. I use to make my own, now it's hard to find grass fed cows & free range chickens. You don't want GMO fed or antibiotics. If you have organic turkey, boil it too after finishing the turkey. Makes the best soup. Taste great & good for you!
Bone Marrow
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn.) on 03/23/2016
HI U IOWA-MA,,,,,,,,,,,,, how did you get into this cooking project, and why do you cook the bones for 4 days? Got a feeling that this is something passed down by yo kin. There has to be a reason. Think hard and let us all know. Never heard of this topic on EC before. Got a feeling these waste bones can cure lots of ailments. Ain't that sumpin?
Your Buddy,,,,,,, ====ORH======
Bone Marrow
Posted by Iowama (Us) on 03/23/2016
Thanks for this, ORH! I have been making and drinking bone broth made from free ranged chicken bones for several years. I haven't put much effort into locating a good source of beef bones, but now I will do that. My broth cooks for 4 days, usually, and contains cartlege, marrow, and the dissolved bone, as well as vegetables that I add for flavor. Good stuff, and I never thought of it's role in gut health, although mine seems in good shape. It sure helps knock out any dab of joint pain that shows up.
Bone Marrow
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn) on 03/22/2016
★★★★★
HI U OLE PATOOTS DOIN,,,,,,,,,, went to our Anti Aging Doctor to learn of our health status. She always phases my Tractor Driver and chastise's me. I am fair to middlen, but in addition to all my other heath problems, I now have a gut problem. I can't get too far from the potty.
She put me on a bone food product that can only be ordered by a physician. It is made from the bone marrow of cattle. She says she is having great success with folks with all kinds of bowel problems. She is even treating other MD's that have given up on Big Pharma.
I have only been on it for two days and can see a difference. She says it will take a week or two. I did a little research and learned that lots of countries for centuries have cooked bone soup to help digestion. Why do we not heed what has been passed down from our ancestors? Guess they did not wear a white frock, huh?
Would like to hear what others say about cooking bones for your health. Think it will be an interesting thread.
=======ORH======
Betaine HCL
Posted by Nelda (SD, USA) on 12/16/2015
★★★★★
Wow, wow, wow! It is always exciting to have something work well for an ailment, especially when you didn't think it would. :)
I have used apple cider vinegar for years and it was so great for heartburn and gall bladder attacks.
In recent months though, my digestion has seemed worse, even with ACV. Everything I was eating seemed to be bothering me, even foods that had never bothered me before, and foods that I didn't think should bother anyone. I was having frequent gall bladder pain and a ridiculous amount of burping.
I have read about Betaine HCL with Pepsin here on EC. I knew it was something I should try, especially reading that digestion can slow down as you get older. I ordered some and took it with skepticism. I started to take one capsule with lunch and one with dinner. I don't take one with breakfast since I tend to eat a light breakfast. To my great shock and delight, foods are no longer bothering me and burping is greatly reduced!
Coconut Oil
Posted by Veesue (Sheridan Wy) on 06/19/2015
★★★★★
Hello VCO & activated charcoal users. I just wanted to submit my experience. I have a long history of having a too slow digestive system. The whole process randomly seems to just stop...and then all the follow-up symptoms/problems start to happen, which is a miserable condition that effects mood, work, and life in general. This goes on for weeks and weeks. I have tried many things, including activated charcoal capsules. Charcoal seems to be the only thing that helped the middle-of-the-nigh horrible stomach aches, but then the slow/sluggish digestion really did not improve. I found out only recently that activated charcoal exacerbates that particular problem. So, I went on to try something else.
I have used VCO a little in the past, but never consistently. Well, lately I have, by taking 1-3 teaspoons via mixed in with herb tea at night. This tastes good and works great me for getting things moving along, and I have had no adverse effects at all. IMO only...taking 3 to 5 tablespoons seems like a lot to take, especially just starting out. Maybe start with a much smaller dosage to prevent negative side-effects. Also, I have personally experienced die-off also by taking other detoxing agents, so I know that it is a realistic and genuine condition to have. - Cheers to everyone bettering their lives through natural means and positive attitudes.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Malisha (San Antonio, Tx) on 04/08/2015
Praise God! I am not alone. I have been diagnosed with over 11 different health issues all related to my digestive tract----GERD, Hiatal Hernia with gastroparesis, autoimmune issues and neurological issues. However, there is hope after reviewing and reading your stories. I have been drinking Aloe, coconut water, spring water, and doing a 20 minute swap with coconut oil daily since February 2015. I will add to the coconut swap and swallow, instead of sipping it out. I am unable to tolerant any raw vegetable without having a reaction. I have to take Miralax twice daily and I will replace the 1 tsb of olive oil with the coconut oil to assist me with my digestion.
Thank God for this website.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 12/21/2014
Katkinz01, try much less, less times a day and/or after meals instead of before.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Katkinz01 (England) on 12/20/2014
★★★★★BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Hi, been taking apple cider vinegar for terrible digestive problems for 1 week and I think it is helping, only thing in the past 2 days I've experienced burning, sore skin. Could it possibly be the ACV? I'm hoping not, I've been taking 1 teaspoon in a glass of warm water before each meal 3x a day.
Raw Honey
Posted by Kathryn (Waukesha, Wisconsin) on 11/16/2014
★★★★★
Recently my daughter and I tried raw honey for our impaired digestion and the results blew me away! We take about 1/2 teaspoon with each meal and all our bloating and discomfort is now gone. We both have struggled with candida in the past but much to our continued surprise, raw (unprocessed) honey also kills candida. We also found articles which told of studies of how raw honey lowered blood sugar for diabetics. I have struggled in the past with keeping my blood sugar under control but since I started taking raw honey my blood sugar has come down to an acceptable level. I did not believe this could possibly work until I tried it myself. We have found that Raw Honey seems to work the best. Avoid the runny stuff in the honey bears. That stuff has been heated so that all the beneficial properties get destroyed. We are now total believers. Also, my energy level has soared since adding raw honey to my diet. I have found I feel best taking less than 1/2 teaspoon while my daughter feels best taking a generous teaspoon with each meal. Give it a try and see if this works for you!
Spicy, Yogurt Drink
Posted by Gokhals (Ca, US) on 11/09/2014 34 posts
For those who have relatively low stomach acids and get stomachaches from burgers (especially the more cooked ones), Moru a south Indian spicy yogurt drink (I make it here in the Bay area with Kefir or Fil Mjolk) relieves it magically.
Recipe:
Yogurt/Kefir diluted with spring water
Add to this:
Powdered cumin
Mashed serrano/jalapeno/thai chilis
Mashed coriander
Diced and mashed ginger
Sea salt
Shake, keep in fridge and drink as an appetite stimulant, protein digestor, general digestive before, during or after a meal. It is also delicious.
Psyllium Husk and Baking Soda
Posted by Anon (Anon) on 12/10/2013
★★★★★
I have some type of irritable digestive disorder. I get headaches and a burning feeling in my stomach if I eat certain food. I begin to feel a vague burning sensation in my stomach, like if you held your hand under
really hot water. I notice I am scowling and my face feels scrunched up. My vision seems blurry. Gradually my head begins to hurt a little. It progresses to a massive gigantic horrible pounding throbbing migraine - like your slamming your head against a wall - and is relieved nearly instantly by taking the following:
- A tall glass of water, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon of psyllium husk, mix the baking soda into the water first so you can see it's all dissolved, then add the psyllium, mix it well and drink it right away before the psyllium husk gets really thick in the glass.
Some foods give me severe pain in my legs when I lay down, it's fine when I'm standing or walking around. I go leg lifts to get the circulation going, that helps sometimes, too. I used to think I had cystitis of the bladder because sometimes I'd get a burning feeling like if you had a bladder infection, but no blood. The same remedy works for both conditions, but you have to wait for it to go all the way through you. I was amazed at how much better I feel after drinking this, I had no idea how crummy I felt.
A health book I read drew a connection between lack of protein, headaches, and ammonia in the brain. I've read that turmeric and clove both help with detoxification, so do ginger and peanut butter due to the lysine and arginine in them. I've been semi vegetarian for years, so this makes sense. I've also read that if you stop eating meat you can lose the ability to digest it, you have to work your way back into it slowly.
Foods that bother me are sugar, wheat, coffee, chocolate, crushed black pepper corns, apple cider vinegar, possibly tomatoes.
Foods that seem helpful are generous amounts of raw red cabbage, apples, lemon juice, cantaloup, cucumbers, hemp seed powder, kelp powder, spirulina, spinach and oranges smoothies, and a combination of ginger/peanut butter/curry powder. Probably beans and bone broth would help too since it's probably a combination high inflammation, low potassium and high uric acid or purines. I took glutamine powder for a while, it only seemed effective one day, probably I took something complimentary by chance that day. I also tried a low acid diet which was marvelous.
And an olive oil liver cleanse, that was wonderful, too:
- fast all day or drink only water with apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp per glass
- take Epsom salt water at 6 pm - 1 large glass water, 1 teaspoon Epsom salt, dissolve thoroughly
- drink olive oil mix at 8 pm - 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, juice from one lemon, 1 or more crushed cloves of garlic, mix all
- immediately go to bed and lay on right side, laying on back seems to work, too
Anon
Digesting Red Meat
Posted by Timh (Ky, Usa) on 12/04/2013 2043 posts
I like the Native American Indian mentality on this issue. The meat of Fish, Deer, Bison, to-mention-a-few was critical to their survival, BUT (for many or most tribes) the attitude wasn't one of pleasure at killing (which is the real sin and source of bad karma), it was one of reverence and thanks to the gods and provider spirits. Often, when I eat meat (which is almost daily) I give thanks to the creature for the sacrifice of it's life so that I may live. To further legitimize meat-eating, one should live and honest, just, and grateful life that leads to religious or higher consciousness. Human's eating meat not as in pride at being the top predator, but as a vehicle of higher or divine consciousness. Being proactive in environmental & wildlife conservation is also a method of reverence & gratitude to the sanctity of the creatures.
Digesting Red Meat
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 12/03/2013
Om and Selini, just wondering about plant "life". I believe science has proven that plants "feel". If that's true, then what IS a human to eat?? I guess each person's religious/scientific/whatever belief is the guide.
Digesting Red Meat
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 12/03/2013
Om and Selini, just wondering about plant "life". I believe science has proven that plants "feel". If that's true, then what IS a human to eat?? I guess each person's religious/scientific/whatever belief is the guide.
Digesting Red Meat
Posted by Om (Hope, Bc, Canada) on 12/02/2013
Selini from Florida. Thank you for your courageous post on meat eating. I have often been tempted to write on this as well as I cannot understand how one can have good health by eating a carcass and become a walking cemetery. It is after all taking in the energy of death. Why is the bull so strong? He is a vegetarian. The subtle part of suffering torture does go into one's psychological make up. The milk of cows is poisoned not only from all the drugs added but because the cow mothers know when their child is being bludgeoned to death . Many children born in this time are natural vegetarians even if the family is not. Is this not surprising?
This world will not change unless there is reverence for all life. Even the vultures die from ingesting human corpses in India, as people take pharmaceutical drugs that have a poisonous effect, ultimately on the entire planet. That is, vultures become scarce.
To take the life of an innocent animal is tantamount of blatand savagery. Thus we have wars, epidemics, murder and irreverence for sacred life. Only HE can give and take life.
Hence the powers that manage the huge numbers of degenerate diseases, thereby becoming immensely rich, which creates a pathological condition of non caring and living on the misery of the afflicted. But every single human has a conscience. We cannot change others except ourselves. As you eat so you think. Love, Om
Digesting Red Meat
Posted by Selini (Florida) on 12/02/2013
Why or WHY do you people just have to have meat??? My god, they eat 20 lbs of carcass every day in this country *USA*, , , and unless you are eating strictly organic, and hopefully non-GMO, WITHOUT THE MEAT, , , well, let's just ask, do you wonder why everyone in the USA is literally dying of Cancer every day?? They have poisoned the entire food supply for MONEY, GREED and if you don't take your health into your own hands and eliminate what needs to be eliminated *such as MEAT and animal products*, , well then you will suffer the consequences. Sorry, but it boggles the mind how the population at large in the USA is so dumbed down…stuffing their faces with McDonalds and all other kinds of filth (also found in regular supermarkets) and wonder why they have a myriad of health issues….including CANCER EVERYWHERE!!! You don't HAVE TO HAVE meat or animal products…you choose!!!!!!!!
CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid)
Posted by Prioris (Fl) on 11/14/2013
CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) is not mentioned much as a digestive aid but more as a weight loss thing but I found a few other people who have noticed the same thing. CLA helps with digestion of food for some reason.
btw
As an aside, I think many people who take CLA for weight loss don't realize how it works so they think it failed even if it is working. They run to their weight scale to ascertain the results. Success is lower weight. That is a big MISTAKE because they will be gaining weight due to gain in muscle mass.
General Feedback
Posted by Gokhals (Ca, Usa) on 10/12/2013 34 posts
Replace pasteurized milk with raw milk. I could not drink pasteurized milk for 30 years. Raw milk has transformed my digestion and health.
Probiotics
Posted by Cyn (Griswold, Ct) on 07/28/2013
★★★★★
I have IBS, lactose intolerance & a hiatal hernia. I avoid milk products for lactose intolerance, & my IBS triggers include broccoli, cabbage & fried foods, which also affect gall bladder. I also can't eat pork, as I will end up with a debilitating gall bladder attack & hospital stay (almost died from it once). I had severe stomach pain, left sided back pain & even pain in the spleen area, with bouts of constipation. I was prescribed different meds.... Aciphex, Nexium, Bentyl, Omeprazole, etc... Nothing helped. I tried many techniques, to no avail. With my last prescription given, I had enough. The side effects were too much for me & nothing worked. Finally after reading & research online, I decided to try a probiotic.... & voila! I have never felt BETTER! No pain, no burning, fullness, belching, back or spleen pain & no more constipation! This is my thought to why it helped. Not only had I been on multiple meds, I had upper GI, colonoscopies, endoscopes, etc. your digestive system needs both good & bad bacteria, but balanced. After too many tests with cleaning out my entire digestive system for these tests to be done, multiple meds, etc. , my balance was off & Probiotics helped all that! I still watch my food triggers, but I feel great, more energy, etc. I hope this helps just one person even. I take one pill daily, no side effects either! Good luck!
Avoid Soybean Oil
Posted by Fay (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) on 07/04/2013
Hi.... I didn't catch the name of the person that was giving advice on Soybean Oil but wanted to thank him/her. Every little bit of info that is experienced and blogged about is so helpful for me. I have recently just stopped sugar, yeast and gluten. It has helped my tummy problems alot with bloating etc. I still have some work to do but I do have Crohns/Colitis which is what I am dealing with. I still have bloat but I am beginning to understand the old saying: "You Are What You Eat". I have abused food for many years and had a hunch that sugar etc. Was causing alot of problems. I never thought I could do it but my stomach looked bigger then a 9 month pregnant lady and it was very painful. So far so good...Fay
Dietary Suggestions
Posted by Dan (California) on 05/30/2013
Hi, I'm confused about your comment here. ACV is acidic. At least I know Organic Unpasturized ACV is acidic. B___'s for instance has a pH level of 5. Been working well for my low acidic belly.
Digesting Red Meat
Posted by Into It (Belleville, Mi, USA) on 05/07/2013
Kathy thanks for the info, I will try the pineapple. I have barbeque to attend shortly... I will let you know the outcome.
Digesting Red Meat
Posted by Kathy (the USA) on 05/06/2013
Hi again, Into It--If you are able to find bison that has not been confined in fields infiltrated with GMO's that is an excellent source of meat. It's too expensive for us but it is good. Thanks for your support Oscar.
Digesting Red Meat
Posted by Oscar (Syracuse, New York) on 05/06/2013
Listen to what Kathy from Sadville USA has to say about ground beef, hamburger, whatever you wish to call it.
What she says is very important. What is commonly sold as ground beef, hamburger is made up of at times hundreds of different animals. Also often includes dated ground beef and the flesh of DOWNER animals. Animals that were diseased and never fit to be sold as food. There is a disease that is untreatable and always fatal associated with hamburger. It is a big secret the FDA under reports or never reports. It is called MAD COW DISEASE. There is NO treatment for it.
So, like Susan says: If you insist on eating ground beef make very sure it is from one and only one animal. NOT the stuff sold in ALL grocery stores. They have NO reliable record of the source of this ground beef....Oscar
Digesting Red Meat
Posted by Kathy (the USA) on 05/06/2013
Boy, "Into It", can I relate to you. My husband and I were big red meat eaters. We tried the "free-range" for a very short time but long enough to become aware it was affecting our kidneys/bladder making it more difficult and painful to urinate. The reason beef is getting harder to digest is because the cattle are being fed grains and grasses that have been genetically modified to be drought and disease resistant and to last longer. In fact, all the critters we eat, get milk and eggs from are being fed this way and each year it is getting worse. Some of the meat is being cloned. I noticed the chicken and eggs contributing to incontinence. Reducing consumption is the key and we've not had as much of the problem.
If you have to have burgers, purchase a small roast and have it ground.
Fresh pineapple contains bromelain (the core) that the canned does not. This is what is needed for digestion. I slice the pineapple in half lengthwise and make 1/4-1/2 inch slices then cut that into pie-shaped wedges so that a small wedge of the core is in each slice. It is hard but easier to chew up with the rest of the slice. It is so good, I ate too much and my mouth became a little sore so you do have to be careful of that too.
Digesting Red Meat
Posted by Timh (Louisville, Ky, Usa) on 05/05/2013 2043 posts
Into It: Begin by eating Pineapple during or after the red meat meal. If this isn't enough, u can purchase and take "Papaya Tablets" after the meal. This should get u back in the game.
Digesting Red Meat
Posted by Into It (Belleville, Mi, Usa) on 05/05/2013
Consuming Red Meat: It seems the older I get in age, the harder it is for me to eat red meat. I heard it takes about 3-4 days for it to digest. I love a good hamburger, and who doesn't like a good steak, or eating barbequed ribs during the summer holidays? I know I could substitute hamburger for ground turkey (but really do not care for it). Is there anything out there that will make the digestion process faster and without getting a stomach ache?
Any and all comments welcome.
Thanks, Into It.
Milk Thistle
Posted by Timh (Louisville, Ky, Usa) on 12/14/2012 2043 posts
Milk thistle Seed has a long safety tract record. Take as recommended on label. Remember that potency varies, that's why it's good to use a standardized extract version. As for relieving constipation, you need a Milk Thistle Combination which may contain supportive herbs like Dandelion, Burdock, Yellowdock, Beet, Turmeric, Artichoke.
Milk Thistle
Posted by Diana (White Mountains, Nh, Usa) on 12/13/2012
Hello Friends, I have digestion problems. I have chronic constipation and cannot eat wheat. Whenever I eat wheat it makes my constipation problems worst. I am taking milk thistle two times a day 750mg is my dose. My question is that it is safe to take milk thistle everyday and what is the safe dosege for milk thistle?
Milk thistle is helping me in my digestion problems and even if I eat little beat wheat I was ok too.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Jem (Aberdeen) on 12/12/2012
Thanks so much for the details Lisa.
I have not yet tried the STS in water yet but as to the running nose, all I can think of is perhaps a slight allergic reaction to sulphates perhaps. I'm still getting a list together of stuff I'll be ordering soon so I'll let you know what reaction I get to the STs. But I'm gonna add some potassium (bicarbonate) to the mixture just to balance out the sodium as I think those two are anatogonistic pairs.
Although the BEV-300 water purifier system really looks you'll never have to bother with STS again :)
Dietary Changes
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 12/09/2012
Hi Jem, I use sodium thiosulfate which I ordered online. Did you learn about it here on EC? When I first started using it, within minutes of taking it my nose would run as if I'd turned on a faucet! It was crazy! It happened about the first 3 times and then not much difference when I'd take it after that. Now I only use it about every 3 weeks. Much more often in the beginning.
As for water purifying systems, the one we get our water from is called Pure Water Systems. The BEV- 300 is the one which goes under the sink. It's an amazing system which removes chlorine and organic contaminants. It also removes over 99.5% of salts, heavy metals and radioactive substances and 99.9% of pesticides, herbicides, bacterias, cysts and viruses. I had the chance to speak to the man who created these and an interesting thing that happened for him was when the nuclear meltdown in Japan occurred he was overwhelmed with orders from there for his system.
The shilajit I use I get from here in the U. S. but of course it is real shilajit. I will give you the link to my favorites and you will links to the two places I get it from.
https://www.earthclinic.com/supplements/favorites.html#LISA
I hope all this helps. Best to you and keep me posted on your progress. Lisa
Dietary Changes
Posted by Jem (Aberdeen) on 12/09/2012
Thanks Lisa, yes I agree investment in your health is well worth it, for the water.
I have been looking at the sodium thiosulphate recipes for dechlorination and will probably use that initially. It works well for chlorine and should do something to reduce chloramines as well.
On the shilajit, do you get that within the USA or do you order it internationally, from India or other?
Dietary Changes
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 12/06/2012
Hi Jem, I have used fulvic acid but now what I take is shilajit. They're very similar it's just that shilajit is specifically from Himalaya and Caucasus mountains. The fulvic acid will work just fine.
As for the water I drink, we get filtered water from a very sophisticated filtering system. This system is expensive but for me, it's an investment in health. Long ago, I bought a distiller and would make water every night. Those aren't that expensive and they work well- at least mine did. As long as you take the fulvic acid, the distilled water would work.
Now, as for noticing a difference, well, I do so many things and feel great that I couldn't tell you if those are making a big difference. Honestly, the biggest difference was after my original detox and then my maintenance. I feel very good with what I do to maintain my health now which I shared with you in my first post. Hope this helps. Lisa
Dietary Changes
Posted by Jem (Aberdeen) on 12/05/2012
I just wondered what water you both used (distilled/mineral/reverse osmosis.. ?) Also have you tried any of the fulvic acid based products such as wujinsan or other and if so has it had a positive effect you feel?
I am thinking about getting fulvic acid the only problem is sourcing a water source that is not chlorinated and shelling out for a decent distiller is expensive not to mention the upkeep towards it.
General Feedback
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 12/04/2012
Also he may have developed lactose intolerance... Even at a young age that is possible. Try getting him off ice cream, milk, creams of any kind for a few weeks and see if that helps. Also don't feed him heavy red meats except on occasion. Surely he doesn't drink coffee yet. All those can cause stomach distress which is a form of reflux as the intolerance is not allowing proper digestion. As for the quantity of ACV and Baking Soda, for his size, let him sip until he does not want any more. But just a quarter cup of water and one third teaspoon of ACV with a third teaspoon of Soda will give a nice tasting fizzy drink that is actually fun to consume. Now one other thing. Again even at a young age another cause is possible and that is a stomach ulcer. Make sure if all else fails, that an ulcer is not the problem. In that case, you need colloidal silver on empty stomach to kill bacteria causing the ulcer plus quarter cup daily on empty stomach of aloe vera (high quality) to heal and DGL and by no means is he to drink carbonated drinks or eat acidic foods like tomatoes. This formula for three weeks will heal 90 percent of all stomach ulcers.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Anon (Anon) on 12/02/2012
Hi, Sounds like if you cut out all the list of things you are intolerant too you will start to feel better within a few days, probably the milk was stopping the absorption of all the vitamins. Obviously , this will be a challenge but it will be worth it. Why don't you concentrate on this as a start because that seems to be your main issue. Until you cut out the milk for example taking Bsm would be a waste of money as you probably wouldn't absorb the minerals anyway! Why don't you keep a food diary then you can log your achievements.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 12/01/2012
Hi Jem, Yes, I like Dr. Mercola's site as well. He always has very valuable information. Actually, he and Donna Gates, who created BED are very good friends and he admires her work as she does his. I hope you look at her site, you will learn a lot.
As for TCM, I would encourage you to try it again but give it a chance. Your TCM Dr. will work on the organs in order of importance or what is most urgent. They will know what order to work in. And you don't necessarily need to target all the organs. In Chinese medicine, the organs are also related to one another. So working on one will affect the related organs.
Your acne and eczema are an indication of too much internal heat so that would be addressed as well. I had that same issue but mine would manifest as rashes all the time. I finally was relieved of them through TCM. It's been almost two years since I've had a rash- an all time record for me!
As for my own herbs for digestion, I couldn't tell you what exactly they were because they were a formula which my TCM Dr. put together for me. I also take betaine hcl with every meal which I learned about here on EC. That was about two years ago now and that made a huge difference for me as well. I also make sure I eat fermented veggies on a regular basis. (Usually daily)
I am in very good health now and take Chinese herbs to stay this way and create even more robust health. I use a formula which has adaptogens in it. They are wild reishi, wild ginseng, wild rhodiola, pure cordyceps, wild schizandra, goji, snow lotus and he shou wu. I feel amazing from this.
Hope this info helps you. Lisa
Dietary Changes
Posted by Jem (Aberdeen) on 12/01/2012
Hi Lisa, thanks for the suggestion which I will look into. Have not looked at BED website much although I do look at Dr Mercola's site, what do you think of this? Regarding the TCM part I did try some sessions of acupunture and herbs for kidneys mainly but since then I have read that I need to target all the organs and in a specific order.
I was initially told to try a herb for kidney essence and also another that targeted 'heat in the body' as I still suffer from cases of acne on my face, back and also behind the ears (even though I am 34! ). I also occasionally get eczema on my fingers around the finger nail area. These herbs didn't work for me probably due to what was mentioned above.
The herbs that you tried, what are their names and were they intended to target a specific organ, and anything else that you got from TCM that helped with your digestion?
General Feedback
Posted by Bradshad (North Providence, Rhode Island) on 12/01/2012
To the women with the son with digestion issues, all of the suggestions you were given are very good but the main one that sticks out is the Proper Food Combining. You should really, really consider looking into this. I did the protocol for 3 months straight and had the best results with my issues. Unfourtunately somewhere along the line I caught a g. I bacteria that derailed me and just recovering from that. Talking to the person who got me involved in this said that this is the best healing protocol by far availiable. And what sold me on it was the phrase he coined "you dont supplement a bad diet, you change a bad diet" something like that. I immediately got rid of all my supplements, followed the eating program, and that was it. I am not gonna lie it was not easy but I guess it all depends on how bad you want something in life. Best of luck, any questions I will try to get back to you. Also Lisa, thanks to you and a few other posts I recieved last week with the leaky gut and water cleanse questions.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 11/30/2012
Hi Jem, I had really bad issues with my digestion and pain which coursed through my legs and joints. It was here on EC that I would try many different remedies such as ACV, baking soda, oil pulling, etc. Each worked somewhat but nothing really made a big difference.
Then I decided to try the mini beet protocol and started to notice changes which led me to researching green juices and then the raw food diet. It was all an amazing journey in which I saw people turn their health completely around through eating this way. So, for 3 months I did a raw food diet. Within about 3 days all pain ceased. (Although I persisted with my bad hips but that was another issue, I realized later. ) I'm not saying to go to this extreme but I am saying diet has so much to do with it.
I also had issues with my digestion which Traditional Chinese medicine helped with and also the Body Ecology Diet which had so many sound ideas. You might want to google it because not only have I used it but, I've suggested it to several friends who have been helped by it. Probiotics through fermented foods/ drinks are the ideal way to get all the good bacteria into the body and heal the gut, digestion and many, many more issues. Anyway, their website has such good information and great recipes. I have the book because it's easier for me to reference.
Today, I eat based in BED but also, Weston Price protocol, drink green vegetable juices every morning and take Chinese herbs and have restored my health. Hope this info helps. Lisa
Dietary Changes
Posted by Jem (Aberdeen) on 11/30/2012
Hi all, My problem is one of digestion/gut trouble but before I realized this I have been suffering for a longtime (10 years) with back/knee pain and very tight muscles and I dont sleep well due to the bad back. Joint pain in my neck, fingers, elbow and shoulder has also increased progressively.
It was only after a friend mentioned that all the trouble with my back could be due to my diet that I looked into it further since doctors and consultants that I had been previously referred to were unfortunately unable to help me.
The general signs of problems with my digestion are that I do get bloated sometimes. Flatulence is also another problem and I do almost always see undigested matter in stools. Sometimes food comes back up after eating but depends (on what I eat most probably).
I decided to have an allergy test done which also gave readings of which minerals I was deficient in which turned up the following results.
Im strongly allergic to milk (cow goat), cheese, butter, yoghurt, lactose, beef, lamb, pork, capsicum, tomato, strawberry, orange, coffee, chocolate, cocoa, tea, lemonade, sugar.
I'm also allergic to wheat but it was secondary as opposed to the above that I am primarily allergic to.
The vitamin/mineral deficiencies were: Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12 (I found this strange because I regularly take a vitamin B complex, for nerve issues, that contains all of these).
Deficiency was also seen in Vitamin H(Biotin), Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin P, Vitamin K, Potassium, Magnesium, Silicon, Zinc, Chromium.
In fatty acids I was lacking GLA, EPA and Alpha Linolenic Acid and the Amino Acid test section showed I was lacking Gluthathione.
The prognosis on my the Digestive side marked I was suffering from Intestinal Gas (Excess), LactoBacillus Deficiency and Leaky Gut.
The Endocrine System Test marked I had Pancreatic Insufficiency.
Basically the course of treatment I was prescribed would be to get a load of good bacteria down me and to start alkalizing my blood as I appeared to be a classic case of too much acid. I have been eating a little bit of kefir from a local store which seems to be ok with me as opposed to cold mik and cold cheese which makes my stomach upset. However when I drink warm milk or warm cheese (cheese on toast), the symptoms with my stomach aren't as bad as with cold forms. I've also been trying ACV BS and this really does seem to make me warm and 'energised'. I tried this to get more acid production in my stomach as I thought I may be lacking in this but the iodine mineral test showed I was not deficient in this however I have started to incorporate a 1teaspoon of himalayan salts in a glass of water, a day, just in case as sometimes I do feel like my food comes back up; its not like the commonly thought of indigestion or acid reflux but I think its more like the food just sitting there and fermenting. However the pancreatic insufficiency was positive so perhaps im lacking those enzymes along with some bicarbonates. I tried calcium for bones but the test showed my levels of calcium (and vitamin D) are ok. But then again its mainly joint pain I get so more likely to be cartilage damage which I was taking glucosomine for, but didn't really help.
The problems with my muscular pain could all be driven by my gut trouble now as I have come to understand; when digestion, or parts of it, is compromised for whatever reason the body takes energy from 'good areas' to supply the damaged parts of the body. This ends up depleting the good areas of energy as energy is diverted to the dysfunctional areas.
My diet is mixed to be honest I mean I do eat good but also have some bad foods too (although I hardly ever eat fast or junk food but more of freezer/frozen food unfortunately which im cutting down on) but i've started to wean myself of things like wheat and dairy and I've started incorporating things like apples, kale and more fish.
I was prescribed some probiotics and various tablets/powders but I dont really want to go down this route as they're all synthetic, man made and and I'd rather go the natural route with herbs and simple but natural remedies.
I have read much of the suggested remedies on here including Ted's and others but I am unsure how to proceed although I have an idea about what I could start of with (Lemon juice BS looks a good start and I've started this) but in light of my prognosis above can anyone pinpoint what may be my specific issues if they've had similar, what did you try, and any ideas on what I could start doing and taking. Thanks
General Feedback
Posted by Margo (L.a. Cal , Usa) on 11/30/2012
Hate to even bring this issue up.. However, make sure he is not being molested by someone.. I've heard of that causing symptoms.. Sorry.. just a thought.
General Feedback
Posted by Ed2010 (Oakville, Canada) on 11/30/2012
Hello Sara, Endoscopy, Barium Enema, or colonoscopy can reveal some truth. If you don't want to do it. that is fine.
Your son's stomach pain can be due to infection, food allergy, auto immune, food intolerance
To start with
Take Teds ACV - Baking Soda formula - Half the amount than what is mentioned in this site but with full glass of water. When you alkalize your body, it starts to heal.
Take 1 cup of Home Made Milk Kefir two times a day. Milk kefir can take care of infection, allergy and intolerance. You can get kefir grains easily in Toronto. you can watch plenty of youtube videos on how to make milk kefir.
try this for 2 - 3 weeks, if your son feels good, fine. Or you may have to consult a TCM or Homeopath.
Also
Try to prepare a food chart what your son is having from morning till night. Categorize the food he is taking as given below. Record the details for 3 weeks
Time | Food Name | Organic/Non organic | Non Gmo / Gmo | Home cooked / Store Bought
replace most of the foods with
1. Organic
2. Non GMO
3. Home Cooked
No Die based foods or color. popsicles, candy, cola's, colored bakeries etc.
Good Health
General Feedback
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 11/29/2012
Hi Sara, I see you said you have no hope in conventional medicine. I pretty much feel the same and managed to take care of all my kids without drs or medicine. Three of them are adults now.
One thing I would suggest is Traditional Chinese medicine. The approach to the body is so much more wholistic. All of the symptoms your son has would be the keys to how the TCM dr. would treat him. Even symptoms which appear unrelated, in Chinese medicine are connected. All of my kids at one time or another have been to my acupuncturist and been treated with both acupuncture and herbs. It is a very reliable healing modality with a thousand years behind it! Hope this helps. Lisa
General Feedback
Posted by Kathy (Ontario, Ca) on 11/29/2012
I always gave my neice vinegar tea as we called it.... This is what I did. I made a cup of hot tea like lipton. I added 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar, 1/8 tsp baking soda and sugar to taste. It settled her stomach in no time and she was 7 when I started giving it to her. I usually take it when my stomach hurts or I've eaten too much but I use room temp water. (and no tea bag)
General Feedback
Posted by Debra (Brisbane, Australia) on 11/29/2012
He may have a bacterial overgrowth so probiotics would be good, or low stomach acid; hcl would be good &/or digestive enzymes. They all help me. I could hardly eat anything. Apple Cider Vinegar would help, it might be a nasty taste for kids, 1 tb before meal.
General Feedback
Posted by Anon (Anon) on 11/29/2012
Hi, Have you tried food combining? Eating carb with veg or protein and veg but not protein and carb at the same meal? Just a thought, best wishes.