My sensitive stomach journey

[QC Lover Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close QC Lover]

Hi guys,

Veteran member here, haven't posted in a while but finally getting around to starting a log for a very annoying problem which has been getting in the way of my everyday life as of late...my stomach!

So here's a bit of background.
I'm young (in my 20s), eat healthy and go to the gym twice/thrice per week and have had a sensitive stomach for as long as I can remember, often suffering from lactose problems. My family has had a long history of stomach/intestinal problems with cancer running rampant. A few years ago, I had a blood test done (this was my last one) and my Dr noticed something odd in my digestive enzymes so he sent me for further testing. Test came out positive and I was referred to my mom's gastrologist. I met with him, described my symptoms/diet and he basically said that I was too young to do any deep testing. He prescribed these sodium docusate pills which helped a bit but I opte for the more natural Senokot. I eventually weened off of them and my stomach issues seemed to be pretty constant.

Within the past couple of months, I've noticed increased discomfort in my stomach to the point where I'm going to the bathroom 4-5 times a day, if not more. The best part? Mostly gas comes out, even though I feel like I have to go. I don't think it's constipation as I've had that before as well and I don't think it's the same feeling.

Yesterday, I noticed that I had extreme bloating after lunch so I decided to chew on a ginger candy. 10 minutes later, I had to go empty my bowel and I mean EMPTY. Today, I felt OK until dinner when I decided to have an orange with my homemade ginger ale.

I believe the Tapioca Starch in the ginger candy and oranges are upsetting my stomach so far.
EDIT: I remembered that I had a baked good before dinner so that probably reacted with the orange.

I have a "free health clinic" at my job in December where I can get various tests done like glucose, BMI, cholesterol, etc. I'll definitely book an appointment and see what they say.

I will use this thread as my "food journal" to monitor changes.

I would love any feedback or thoughts.

Cheers!


Daily supplements:
- Centrum Advantage
- Extra Strength Probiotic
- Various teas/coffee

Weekly supplements:
- Whey isolate
- BCAA
- L Carnitine

[QC Lover Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close QC Lover]

Little update: I registered for the health screening at my job for Dec 4th
No major stomach aches since I cut out pretty much everything but my Multivitamin and teas.

I'll try adding in my probiotic and chlorophyl over the weekend and see how it goes.

[QC Lover Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close QC Lover]

So I had the Health Screening at work and passed everything with flying colors. I did tell the nurse about my stomach issues and she said I should get a family doctor ASAP so that he can refer me to a gastrologist.

In other news, I have not had the same issue that I've been having but I've also implemented an elimination diet of any dairy and I have been taking my probiotic on/off. That doesn't seem to be the issue.

She did say that I have to meditate and go to the gym more often as my stress levels are off the charts and this could be affecting my stomach.

[Venti Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Venti]

I'd drop the probiotic, it can cause bacterial imbalance just as much as it can fix it.
Many plant foods have antibacterial compounds and some might be too harsh for sensitive stomachs. Some natural antibiotics are garlic, oregano oil and ginger.

Most common causes for feeding too much micro-organisms in the digestive track (causing digestive issues) are poorly digested food or refined carbs. White sugar is favored by yeasts whereas ripe fruit/juices cause usually no digestive issues. Then some proteins/starches can be problematic because your digestive enzymes don't digest it fast enough leaving it to bacteria. Most common offenders are dairy(both lactose and proteins), gluten, legumes, fodmap foods.

Meat is digested almost without exception. A short trial of carnivore diet could be of benefit, adding foods back slow to see the reactions. It takes 18 hours for food to pass through and digestive issues can be hard to link without diary. Some foods can also contribute to the bacterial overgrowth as time goes on because the amount is so little at once so few days (possibly even longer) of eating the food might be required to see all the effects. Food combinations can also make a difference.

I'd recommend finding a baseline where you get no bloat. It can be full carnivore, meat and potatoes and juice but the more variables you have at start the harder it's to find a baseline. After stabilizing the situation adding back food groups one by one maybe week apart to see the effects.

[QC Lover Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close QC Lover]

I'd drop the probiotic, it can cause bacterial imbalance just as much as it can fix it.
Many plant foods have antibacterial compounds and some might be too harsh for sensitive stomachs. Some natural antibiotics are garlic, oregano oil and ginger.

Most common causes for feeding too much micro-organisms in the digestive track (causing digestive issues) are poorly digested food or refined carbs. White sugar is favored by yeasts whereas ripe fruit/juices cause usually no digestive issues. Then some proteins/starches can be problematic because your digestive enzymes don't digest it fast enough leaving it to bacteria. Most common offenders are dairy(both lactose and proteins), gluten, legumes, fodmap foods.

Meat is digested almost without exception. A short trial of carnivore diet could be of benefit, adding foods back slow to see the reactions. It takes 18 hours for food to pass through and digestive issues can be hard to link without diary. Some foods can also contribute to the bacterial overgrowth as time goes on because the amount is so little at once so few days (possibly even longer) of eating the food might be required to see all the effects. Food combinations can also make a difference.

I'd recommend finding a baseline where you get no bloat. It can be full carnivore, meat and potatoes and juice but the more variables you have at start the harder it's to find a baseline. After stabilizing the situation adding back food groups one by one maybe week apart to see the effects.

Thanks for your comment.

Yeah, I eliminated my probiotic and I feel better. I don't even think I really need it since I have a pretty varied diet and I eat greek yogurt.

I'm also lactose-intolerant but somehow, I can have some dairy products like Dairy Queen ice cream and not be affected by it but some other times, I'm in the bathroom all night. I guess it depends on what else I have in that 18-24 hour period.

[Shamany Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Shamany]

Animal products especially meat is your answer. Most gases come from carbs and plant beans!!

Start eating protein from animal and healthy fat, cut carbs.

Antibacteria Antibiotics is BS myth. Your body needs bacteria and in all its types to fight in times of illness or preventing it.

Bcoz of your very sensitive side, you're not helping your body function well.

Get ride of the weak plants, Eat Animal and be strong. Eat raw meat but always fresh, lamb/beef, give your body mixture of bacteria. Let it enjoy..

[mwwip Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mwwip]

I would look into viome to get a sample sent in and have it analyzed it can tell you what foods to eat and what foods to avoid as well as what supplements to add to your day to keep your gut flora in check, lots of studies showing the importance of the gut microbiome and overall health and wellbeing

[QC Lover Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close QC Lover]

I would look into viome to get a sample sent in and have it analyzed it can tell you what foods to eat and what foods to avoid as well as what supplements to add to your day to keep your gut flora in check, lots of studies showing the importance of the gut microbiome and overall health and wellbeing

I'll look into it more, thanks lot!

Seems like it's $115 now, if there anything cheaper that I can do?