No Claims Allowed
While this blog title may get me in trouble, I write this in an effort to help others and to share my personal story.
No one is allowed to say they’ve “cured” a disease. If you have this imprinted on a vitamin bottle, the FDA will write you a letter saying things like, “No one can make such claims.”
Well, I’m here to say, Yes, we can!
Excuse to Drink
Wherever I go, I here friends, family, co-workers or strangers complain about stomach pain. I bite my tongue because I know that they don’t have to suffer like I did.
The solutions are quite simple if you’re willing to make the right choices towards optimal health.
As you may have read in my previous blog: My Recovery Story , I hit rock bottom back in 2007 from an addiction to alcohol. During and before this time, I was also suffering from IBS or as some call IBD – Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Disorder.
What’s funny is that sometimes I thought the alcohol calmed my stomach issues. But as some know, us alcoholics, we will use any excuse to drink!
Symptoms
What it actually came down to was finding out the true cause of my stomach woes and when I mean woes, I really mean pain and embarrassment.
IBS or IBD may cause the following symptoms:
Constipation
Diarrhea
Extreme or mild stomach pain
Flatulence
Anxiety about eating
Embarrassment & social distancing
Weight loss
Headaches
Fatigue
Process of Elimination
I had to find out what to do because I was finding it really difficult to function normally in society such as go on dates. More importantly, I found it difficult to enjoy my meals.
As with many things, my IBS got worse before it got better. I began eliminating certain foods and substances that I felt triggered any inflammation in my gut.
This can be tricky because you may not notice anything right away. It may happen hours later.
But sometimes it was easy. For example, I was taking ibuprofen, as many do, for menstrual cramps. I always thought this was okay before doing more research on the matter. So, back in 2007, I took two, as directed, and almost immediately, I was vomiting and I had diarrhea!
Down to the Research
To understand why such things as over the counter (OTC) medicine and alcohol may trigger intestinal inflammation, let’s take a look at some research regarding pH levels.
Our bodies are actually super smart. The reason I threw up after taking that ibuprofen is because it was rejecting it just like when we experience diarrhea from food poisoning. While it may not feel in the moment that our body is going through a healing process, it actually is.
Our bodies are always trying to maintain homeostasis.
For a healthy balance, our body should maintain a pH level between 7.35 and 7.45 pH.
This is so important because disease thrives in an acidic environment.
To delve deeper into the topic, we have to discuss the pH level of foods.
When you look at the image above (Source: WPS – Feel free to Google for more images) note the basic pH levels of certain drinks and foods that we typically consume on a daily basis.
As you can see, things like soda and all animal products are more acidic while water and plant-based foods are more alkaline.
This is very exciting news for a vegan activist but that doesn’t mean that vegans are healthier. There are a lot of tasty vegan junk food items on the market today that definitely won’t make your stomach happy, however, vegans overall tend to have healthier digestive systems because of a stronger microbiome.
Plus, there are many claims that a healthy microbiome and a balanced pH go together. Many meat eaters a.k.a. omnivores have found that drinking Kombucha, a fermented tea, or taking probiotics daily have helped them with digestive issues.
Other Causal Factors
Currently, between 25 to 45 million Americans suffer with IBS according to the American College of Gastroenterology so I don’t believe it is as simple as we may think. There are other possible causal factors.
Other possible contributing causes of IBS include emotional or psychological disorders or even hormonal imbalances.
Now, I can’t speak for everyone. We are all different. But these are the foods and substances I have eliminated from my regular diet that have continued to help me tremendously during my healing process.
All OTC medicine
Pharmaceuticals (Unless absolutely medically necessary)
All meat products
All dairy products
Conventional wheat products (Gluten), however, most organic wheat products are fine (please see a specialist regarding a possible wheat intolerance)
Sodas and/or caffeinated beverages
White vinegar
Sulfites
Alcohol
(On a side note: There are also natural supplements that I recommend that assist with healing.)
Optimal Health
However, it’s your choice, right? Why continue to suffer through stomach pain? As I oftentimes say, do your research. If you don’t want to sit and read through scientific studies, use the process of elimination or discover intuitive eating by listening to your body. The answers are within you.
If you need help. I’m here! Leave me a comment below or contact me now.