My BFF had been doing some research on PsA. She found some literature about going on a gluten free diet and told me about it. I also watched a seminar from the Arthiritis foundation with a Dr. somewhere in California that suggested that going on a GF diet will help symptoms of PsA. Basically his researched suggested that gluten is like the fuel to the cells in the body that cause inflamation to our joints. So if we cut the food supply to those cells then they cant flare up. It made sense what he said and I was impressed by his findings. So about 8wks ago I decided to get on a GF diet and I think it works. Has anyone else tried it? What is your take on it?
I think if this works for you you should go with it. I find that diet plays no part in my Psa or P .That being said I really watch my dairy intake and do not eat any soy products period. The humira/MTXcombo controls my IBS.Too much dairy sets it off and I just cannot drink pasteurised milk at all. If anyone could explain why freah pineapple makes my nose run I'd appreciate it ? good luck with your GF diet I am happy it works for you :
I was diagnosed with Celiac around the time I was diagnosed with PsA, so have been gluten-free for a while. It has helped a bit with some of my chronic inflammation, but hasn't been the cure-all it can be in some people. I think it's important for anyone to look into dietary changes that will perhaps help them feel better.
For me, I know I feel worse when I consume dairy, so I avoid it. I also feel worse when I eat processed foods, hfcs, hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, or any artificial ingredients.
yikes me too. No known artificial i gredients at all no oils that are not pure etc. No processed foods(I lie I ate mozza sticks out of a box last night)maybe why the edge of my mouth cracked last night?interesting eh this food stuff?
I have been following an 'anti-inflammatory' diet since July with positive results. No: Gluten, Dairy, processed foods, salt, sugar, red meat. I eat lots of fish, green vegetables, grains and fruits (minus citrus which I have found causes my psoriasis to flare) I do know that when I do eat something that I should not, I feel terrible the next day. If this helps you, then stick with it, I think you will have positive results
Hello,
I went to a nutritionist in April 2012 and discussed this very thing - actually there are more foods that can cause inflammation that should be tried. I cannot tolerate any nightshade veggies or gluten or dairy or I flare up. I kayaked and hiked, camped etc this summer for the first time 4 years. It does work.
The method that I followed was simple - go on a very strict elimination diet - no caffiene, dairy, etc (see my earlier discussion from the spring for the list) and after 6 weeks, slowly introduce 1 item a week, eaten 3 times a day for 2 days and see if you react. I reacted to peppers within 10 minutes, potatoes took 2 days - they are all out of my life and I have only had 1 bad episode since May - and it was triggered by eating out and eating bad choices (Indian food has Dairy, gluten and peppers).
It is hard to eliminate these foods - really makes fast food and restaurants difficult - but it works!
Nicole
There are 2 interesting books - one for Celiac and IBS - Wheat Belly - and the other is The Anti-Inflammation diet by Jessica Black.
very helpful
YES! So glad to see your post!! I have eliminated gluten, dairy, sugar and alcohol. I am really trying to be Pharma-free. I am finding that when my food is super clean I feel better.
I have been gluten free since jan and actually wanted to post something about it but forgot so I’m thankful you did. Being gluten free has changed my life. It not only has helped with my constant stomach upset, but I actually forget to take my psa meds sometimes. Can you believe that? before i would count down till my next dose. I even went in for a check up and my crp, which normally runs about 3 times the upper limit of normal, is almost back within normal range. My doc said “whatever you’ve been doing, keep it up.” I recommend it to anyone to try and if you need any pointers let me know.
Our family has tried the gluten free diet - and it does work with joint pain. My knee pain was gone within one week. My daughter is the one with PsA and I cannot get her to go completely gluten free.....so please let me know if you find it works and I will encourage her.
Thanks!
Thanks to all for your input...I really think it is working for me....I was my own experiement. Like mentioned I had been gluten free for 8 wks and after 2 weeks in I started to feel alot better. Of course when I told my dr she said that she thought it was the mtx kicking in...she didnt discourage me in keeping the diet but shes not really a believer in going GF for PsA. So about a week or so I decide to endulge on a burger and some crackers and every now and then I will eat some of my kids cereal vs my gluten free chex and to my finding I started feeling pain again. It got really really bad. I was overwhelmed again and hopeless (but this is when I found you guys!). Now with your comments Im optimistic again that GF is the way to go for me! It really helps me with the pain and the swelling. I know it is hard to change the way you eat but for me I found that real Mexican is very GF (of course me being Mexican helps). Like I love corn tortillas so I didnt have to give that up! :) It is hard at the beginning and it takes a lil more effort bc I homemake everything for me and my family but its worth it. I hate feeling tired and in pain. My kids and husband even tho they dont have PsA they will benefit from this dieat by eating healthly and natural. So my next self experiement will be going dairy free. I did notice that alot of you said that going dairy free too help with the symptoms. Why is that?
One thing about the human consumption of cow milk and cow milk products is that human bodies were not designed to digest cow's milk. Also, humans (and, well, any mammal) aren't designed to drink milk beyond the natural age of weaning (around 3-7 years for humans). Anything you ingest that your body reacts strangely to (like the foreign animal protein in cow milk products) or has to work harder to digest can cause one to feel or to be unwell. Pasteurization of milk kills the enzymes necessary for the human body to break down the milk.
That is the truth. Some people still react to these enzymes and everyone reacts differently, but you will notice a difference as soon as stop drinking dairy! Almond milk is a great alternative - can be unsweetened as well.
The Vanilla Almond, unsweetened goes very well with gluten free rice Chex, strawberries and blanched almond slices for breakfast.
The closest milk to humans is actually camel milk - never found it in a store though. Goat and sheeps are a little kinder on our bodies for those cheese lovers out there - but some people cannot handle even these dairies and need to avoid it all together.
nym said:
One thing about the human consumption of cow milk and cow milk products is that human bodies were not designed to digest cow's milk. Also, humans (and, well, any mammal) aren't designed to drink milk beyond the natural age of weaning (around 3-7 years for humans). Anything you ingest that your body reacts strangely to (like the foreign animal protein in cow milk products) or has to work harder to digest can cause one to feel or to be unwell. Pasteurization of milk kills the enzymes necessary for the human body to break down the milk.
yes that is true nym about the unpasteurized milk. I still have a hard time evern drinking that only because of the projectile vomiting I have had with the other. LOL Plus it is hard to get unpasturized milk and I have to drive about 6 hours there and back. I was reading back on these posts and am happy to see so many haveing results on The GF free diet. I wish I too could go without meds. ::sigh:: I have done that not by choice gak the pain is not worth it.
almond breeze unsweetened my milk of choice and I do love goat cheese and sheeps cheese. We have a local (sorta close by ) organic dairy that has both. Very very good .
I just started eliminating Gluten three weeks ago. I can tell a difference if I have any gluten or dairy the next day and it seems to take me three days to recover. It started when I noticed the home made pizza dropped me. I was swollen and horribly fatigued the next morning and it took three days to recover. It is not a cure but I am definitely more comfortable with significant decrease in the swelling in my hand. I have read there is a lot of wheat in processed foods and no requirement to label it on ingredient lists so I am attempting to stay away entirely from any prepared packaged foods. The goal is Raw Vegan but I have a feeling it will take me a while to transition. Its a challenge allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, olives, and avocados.
Yup! Like so many others who have responded here, I find diet makes a big difference for me. I have eliminated gluten, milk (except in bread - haven't managed that one yet), aspartame and HUGELY reduced my cane sugar intake!
If it helps, keep it up! :)
I went to a Naturalist also. With the list he gave me to avoid, there is NOTHING sold at any store that I can consume. Right now, I eliminated the worse evils, and kept the lesser, otherwise I'd be institutionalized for not eating. I have eliminated gluten entirely. It makes my body crash.
I tried the gluten-free diet for 6 months and it had absolutely no effect on me. But hoping it works for you!
Since wheat is an allergen, manufacturers are required to list it. You may have to decipher the ingredients list (like malt flavoring), it may be plain (like wheat starch), or it may be listed after in the allergen warning. But they are required by law to list it.
Gimpsalot said:
I just started eliminating Gluten three weeks ago. I can tell a difference if I have any gluten or dairy the next day and it seems to take me three days to recover. It started when I noticed the home made pizza dropped me. I was swollen and horribly fatigued the next morning and it took three days to recover. It is not a cure but I am definitely more comfortable with significant decrease in the swelling in my hand. I have read there is a lot of wheat in processed foods and no requirement to label it on ingredient lists so I am attempting to stay away entirely from any prepared packaged foods. The goal is Raw Vegan but I have a feeling it will take me a while to transition. Its a challenge allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, olives, and avocados.
For me, being only GF or only dairy free just doesn't work. And I'm thinking I may have to eliminate nightshades, as well. I'm already gluten-intolerant, and there are a surprising number of foods that contain it. But if you're trying to eat healthy and eliminate inflammation-causing foods, sticking to the perimeter of the store is your best bet. You don't have to shop at specialty stores, don't have to buy expensive gluten-free items; Start at the produce department, hit the meats, then get your eggs and almond/coconut milk from the dairy section and you're good to go.
I've started noticing bumps on my 4YO daughter that remind me of my "gluten bumps", so I'm thinking of taking the whole family off of gluten and cattle dairy. May have to look for grass-fed meats, instead of grain-fed, too. And you all have me re-galvanized to get these "toxic" foods out of my life and start to get some of my independence back!