Oxalates And Nightshades

[Judyin Philly]

AH HI SWEETIEI SAW WHERE YOU 'GAVE UP NORMAL' ON OMG THREAD AS DID ''I"

OLD TAPES IN THE 'HEAD' ARE HARD.............THIS WAS MY TREAT AS A KID.........GAVE UP THE CHOC PIE I ALWAYS BOUGHT WHEN I GOT OFF PLANE TO VISIT MY MOM.............

GAVE UP 'OUR CHOC' PIE TREAT TOO

RACHEL RAY SHOW JUST CAME ON .................I WANT TO SHOOT HER............

'HER QUOTES KILL ME'

FOOD IS LOVE

CAN'T COOK WITHOUT CHEESE

THE MORE CHEESE THE BETTER

SO MANY TAPES TO UN LEARN ...............BUT ...............WERE FILLING THE FILES AND TAPES WITH NEW INFO........................................BUT.......................IT SURE DOESN'T TASTE AS GOOD

WOOPS FORGOT WE DON'T CARE ABOUT TASTE EITHER

BIG BIG ANNOUNCEMENT..............I'M GOING TO TRY...........TO TRY...........TO GET INTO THE GARDEN...................IT'S BEEN 4 WEEKS SINCE I'VE BEEN OUT THERE.

MAYBE MY FUNK IS LIFTING................

JUDY

[Flor]

Judy,

The garden is one of my main sources of sanity. That and writing and knitting.

I hope you get into the garden and that your fall day there is gorgeous.

Down here in SC we're still having 90 degree days, but some signs that it's starting to lift.

I'm Californian going back 6 generations so I like my temperatures to stay around 70 and no humidity. It's been hard to adjust to the red clay soil and the stifling heat here. Though you don't have to water all summer long here like I did in CA.

Thank you to both of you for braving the diet "experimentation" -- it helps me keep my resolve without having to suffer the consequences. I felt pretty atrocious yesterday. Better today, though I haven't put anything in my stomach yet (except calcium!).

And thank you for the Rachelville info. Why do you all speak of it in the past tense? Can I be minister of research for Rachelville? Or, um, town jester?

xoxo

Florence (catesfolly)

[jerseyangel]

Judy,

I know how hard it is to give up all of the foods that hold memories for us....it's a process--as we make progress and feel better, it gets easier. It's already happened for me with the gluten-free diet/intolerances, and I know that once I get on a roll with this, these foods will become just "another intolerance".

It's not happening overnight, though--that's for sure. There are so many individual variables.

Don't stay out in the garden for too long today--it's gonna be brutal this afternoon and you don't want to risk your leg swelling Saturday should be a lot cooler/drier.

Florence,

I so agree with you on the weather preferance! I love a nice, low humidity 70 degree day. Unfortunately, right now we are having a few hot, humid days. It is supposed to get much nicer ths weekend.

A lot of the Rachelville citizens have moved on and don't post anymore. Of course, you're more than welcome to join in over there and be minister of research.

I'm sure we have/had a town jester--but you can't have too many of those

Hope you feel better today--

[San59]

Thanks so much for the information on night shades. I have never heard of this and am very curious to see if it helps my fibro pain.

Today is the first day I am going low oxalate . Printed out the list and went over it a few times. I find it interesting that there isn't really much that I will have to give up. Only thing I gave up that I REALLY am going to miss is my green tea. I drink one cup every morning.

It looks like regular tea though is ok.

Just sharing one more thing, I live in West Michigan.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day and thanks for the welcome.

San

Nightshades are sometimes referred to as "deadly nightshades".

They include:

white potato (not sweet potato)

tomato

eggplant

peppers

tobacco

Open Original Shared Link

[aschev]

OK, folks, here's my update to my previous post:

Like many of you, I've been on the elimination diet that never ends since being diagnosed as celiac this past January. I have been nightshade-free for 11 years (for arthritis & other issues), and am now gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, meat-free (eat only fish), low starch, grain-free, and sugar-free. I eat only fish, and limited fruits and vegetables. I went low oxalate because I had developed severe pain surrounding my arthritic joints, and (sorry for being so graphic) stinky urine. Within a day of going low oxalate, the severe pain went away (yay!) but after about a week my joints became severely inflamed, and I'm having chills followed by sweats at night. Severe pain from inflammation (different from the original pain) in one knee wakes me up at night, and it's so swollen it feels like it's going to explode!

I'm not sure if this is considered dumping, but I sure hope so. It's been a few days, and I'm still waiting for some relief.

I am VERY happy to say that after about 4 nights of the intense pain (and two-a-night visits to the bathroom as well as all day long), my chills/sweats are gone and the pain and inflammation are lifting! I am concluding that it was indeed dumping. So here's a summary of my low oxalate experience:

Days 1-7: Started low oxalate diet. Very severe pain around knees and elbows lifted within a day or two.

Days 8-11: After about a week, knees and right elbow swelled up. I spent about 4 days barely being able to walk, and with very little range of motion in my right elbow. Nights were very painful. Couldn't get comfortable, got chills/sweats at night, knee pain intense in right knee, very slow and painful to walk during the day.

Days 11-13: Then things suddenly got better! What's funny is that as my knees got better, my elbow got worse. I had run out of the multivitamin my holistic doctor has me on (AdvaClear.) Went back on AdvaClear, and the elbow got better but the base of my left thumb, which I don't think has ever bothered me before, became very swollen and painful! What is it about those left thumbs???

Day 14: After 13 days I was showing off how I could walk almost normally to my husband! Then I messed up and ate a sugar-free fruit-only popsicle that had grapes in it (one of the foods that seems to bother me) and had a bad night and morning. No more popsicles for me! I enjoy feeling good too much. Oh - and the thumb is better today.

I am using Twinlab Calcium Citrate Caps, taking 6 a day (300 Mg. Calcium each, 150 Mb. Magnesium). It seems to be a good balance for me. I did deal with the "pale BM", also referred to on Trying_Low_Oxalates as "yellow poop", and am taking Taurine as they recommend. I wish I understood the chemistry behind it all! It does seem to correct the problem.

I was hoping that the calcium would close the TJ's (Tight Junctions) so that I could eat some of the foods my leaky gut gave me an intolerance to, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Here's what I am able to eat:

Breakfast: nectarine/cantaloupe/dried (unsulfurized) apricots

Lunch: fish (grilled or sauteed in olive oil), iceberg lettuce or raw cucumber or broccoli/bok choi (steamed or sauteed in olive oil), nectarine/cantaloupe/dried apricots

Dinner: same as lunch.

Once in a while I can tolerate a peeled apple.

Hopefully things will heal before I can't bear this restricted diet any longer!

Thanks to all of you for sharing your info and stories and general nuttiness - they really help me feel not quite so "out there"!

Oh - and I live in Raleigh, NC.

[Jestgar]

Well, I had a bowl of oxalates for dinner - blueberries and almonds. But I seem to be a bit less sensitive than some of you, and I haven't had anything too toxic for a while, so I think I can get away with it. Except for the SI and slight hip pain I already feel...

sigh

[Judyin Philly]

Judy,The garden is one of my main sources of sanity. That and writing and knitting.

I JUST STARTED WITH THE WRITING BUT ENJOY THE OTHERS ALSO

I hope you get into the garden and that your fall day there is gorgeous.

YEP GOING TO HAVE TO GET OUT AND IN BEFORE THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY HIT..THANKS PATTI

YES I HAVE TO START TO EAT AGAIN....JUST PLAIN STOPPED....STUPID #3

And thank you for the Rachelville info. Why do you all speak of it in the past tense? Can I be minister of research for Rachelville? Or, um, town jester?

HONEY ALL RESEARCH WELCOMED AND 'JESTERS' LORDY BRING THEM ON.........WE NEED MORE ALL THE TIME.xoxo

Florence (catesfolly)

THANKS AGAIN PATT

SAN.......I HAVE PUT ALMOST ALL HIGH OXALATES IN WHEN I WENT 100% ON THIS THING

THE POTATOES, PEPPERS, BAKED BEANS ETC..........WERE MY MAIN STAY AND THEN THE TOMATOES.

YOU DON'T EAT ANY OF THEM?..........OH BLESS YOU.

THIS SHOULD BE EASY FOR YOU THEN

AND THE BLACK PEPPER..........I STOPPED SALT SO THEN USED LOTS OF BLACK PEPPER

ROBBIN GAVE ME THE NAME OF THE SEASONING TO USE NOW.

THANKS ALL...........DRESSED AND OUT I GO INTO 'GODS' PLACE'

J

[jerseyangel]

Thanks so much for the information on night shades. I have never heard of this and am very curious to see if it helps my fibro pain.

I wouldn't be surprised if cutting out the nightshades do help--I hope so! Good luck on your first day of the LO--I'll be anxious to hear about how you do

OK, folks, here's my update to my previous post:....

Wow, aschev, that's great! Thanks for detailing all of that, as I know it will be helpful to those of us who had no idea what to expect.

The leaky gut seems to take a lot of time to begin healing, but after more than 2 years, I have been able to add in a couple foods I was intolerant to--so don't get discouraged about that. Hopefully, as you heal and give it more time, you'll be able to try some of those problem foods.

Well, I had a bowl of oxalates for dinner - blueberries and almonds. But I seem to be a bit less sensitive than some of you, and I haven't had anything too toxic for a while, so I think I can get away with it. Except for the SI and slight hip pain I already feel...

sigh

"A bowl of oxalates"--how happy am I that you're here, Jestgar! Listen to your hip--it's trying to tell you something

DRESSED AND OUT I GO INTO 'GODS' PLACE'

Have a great time

[Judyin Philly]

Ok back in the house...lordy it's hot and muggy out there.

BUT---------GUESS WHAT........................I FOUND IN 'GOD'S PLACE'????

I WAS WATERING AND ............I FOUND THE LAST BLOOM ON MY BUTTERFLY BUSH I THOUGHT I LOST.............IT WAS MY YELLOW HONEYCOMB THAT I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR ALL SUMMER.

I'M TAKING IT AS A SIGN..............I HAVE TO KEEP FIGHTING...........I HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OF THIS FUNK................I HAVE TO EAT AGAIN. JUST THE THOUGHT OF FOOD MAKES ME SO NAUSEOUS..AND SCARED. MAYBE A BOWL OF MY SAFE SOUP FROM FREEZER..........OR 2 SCRAMBLED EGGS.........NOT SURE.

I READ ON MY KITCHEN BASICS BROTHS..........ALL HAVE CARROTS, CELERY AND PEPPER IN THEM.

SCARED...................AS SUSIE Q WOULD SAY.................'HOLD ME I'M SCARED'

JUDY

[jerseyangel]

Oh Judy--I'm glad you found your "sign"!

Since you have so many other sensitivities, maybe it would be easier to limit the oxalates instead of trying to go completely OF all at once.

Start with foods in their natural state (sound familiar?). For instance the eggs are a good idea. A dish with lots of ingredients right now might just confuse the issue because it's hard to tell what, if anything, causes a problem. Or, for that matter, what agreed with you

Just what we want to do--go back to square one and go through yet another food puzzle.....

I'm beginning to think that I have a worse problem with nightshades than with oxalates.....

[Jestgar]

.I FOUND THE LAST BLOOM ON MY BUTTERFLY BUSH I THOUGHT I LOST.............IT WAS MY YELLOW HONEYCOMB THAT I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR ALL SUMMER.

Funny how things happen just when we seem to need them to.

[covsooze]

Hi all

I've been lurking around this thread reading it with interest, although some degree of confusion too I have definitely got a problem with most nightshades. They make my stomach feel very raw. Not sure about potatoes. They are my one 'can't live without' food. They don't seem to cause me any problems but who knows? What I'm confused about, is is there a link between the nightshade intolerance and oxalate problem? Or is it just that a lot of people with one of these problems benefits from cutting out/ down on the others too?

Thanks!

Susie

[Flor]

Hey you all,

My sense from looking at the oxalate and nightshade stuff is that most nightshades are on the oxalate list but that nightshades have additional toxins. I'm a botanist from way back and the family is Solanaceae -- the nightshade family. And EVERY SINGLE ONE of the plants in that family is poisonous. We have bred the nightshade foods to be edible to us and we have evolved enzymes and bacteria to deal with the toxins they carry. BUT for damaged guts, we don't have the right bacteria and enzymes to deal with the nightshade toxins or the oxalates.

I think it's really a question of what your own body can handle and at what stage of gut damage. For me right now because I have had non-stop diarrhea for two years and fewer than a dozen "good days" I feel like I have to eliminate EVERYTHING that is hard on a damaged gut -- casein, lectins, gluten, oxalates, nightshades, blah blah blah. But it seems like this is highly individual and only through experimentation can we figure out where we are. I think my guts are in the very early stages of healing -- I had hoped, after more than a year of dairy and soy and gluten free, that I would be farther along, but I think now that eating more nightshades and oxalates than I did before being sick probably has delayed my recovery. Or at least that's what I'm guessing for the moment.

Someone said black tea is okay but green tea not in terms of oxalates...I thought it was the other way around!

I've been using this list: Open Original Shared Link and it shows black tea as high and green as low. I switched from black to green when I started on this diet a week ago. I do miss my black tea!!!

[jerseyangel]

Hi all

I've been lurking around this thread reading it with interest, although some degree of confusion too I have definitely got a problem with most nightshades. They make my stomach feel very raw. Not sure about potatoes. They are my one 'can't live without' food. They don't seem to cause me any problems but who knows? What I'm confused about, is is there a link between the nightshade intolerance and oxalate problem? Or is it just that a lot of people with one of these problems benefits from cutting out/ down on the others too?

Thanks!

Susie

Hi Susie

They are two separate things. I put them together in the thread since there was a lot of interest in both the low oxalate diet and nightshade intolerance.

You know, potatoes were always my go-to food, too, when my stomach was upset. I'm really trying to make some sense of all this.

Florence--

Thanks for that information. I agree completely that it's a highly individual thing. I think I said somewhere before that this isn't a one-size-fits-all type thing. I know I'm still feeling my way through it all.

[Judyin Philly]

Hi Susie

Hi Florence

this is judy .............

screwed up this post but not time now to go back...

just want to say

POTOATOS WERE ................ALWAYS....................MY SAFE FOOD FOR 2 + YEARS...........WHY NOW THEY ARE NOT NOW...................WHO KNOWS BUT I DO KNOW FOR RIGHT NOW ===BEING A HIGH OXALATE + NIGHTSHADE.................IT'S OUT FOR ME.

IT'S SO INDIVIDUAL ..............THAT'S FOR SURE.

They are two separate things. I put them together in the thread since there was a lot of interest in both the low oxalate diet and nightshade intolerance.

You know, potatoes were always my go-to food, too, when my stomach was upset. I'm really trying to make some sense of all this.

Florence--

Thanks for that information. I agree completely that it's a highly individual thing. I think I said somewhere before that this isn't a one-size-fits-all type thing. I know I'm still feeling my way through it all.

[gluless]

Hi Everyone! Yep, the nightshades are a problem for some in regard to other chemical properties they have, but they are high oxalates too, so if you cut them out and still have problems with other oxalate foods, then you can probably say with a degree of certainty that it is oxalates giving you the "business".

I think I may be in a "dumping mode" tonight. I had a little ankle twist over the cat the other day and the next day my back started hurting badly and I thought I was just walking a little wonky from the sore ankle, but now the foot is swollen, and the back is WORSE with burning urination now, so I think I am shedding more of the nasty things. Guzzling water and eating bananas, as usual, LOL.

As for the tea, I know some lists are a little confusing about them. The most current list (I forget which website--JUDY Help!!) that I know of says that oolong tea is ok. It is very good and tastes like regular plain tea. I made suntea with it and it was delicious. Still missing coffee so much though

If you focus on meats, white rice, white rice bread, allowed fruits and veggies and TRY TO FORGET THERE ARE OTHER FOODS OUT THERE, it is much easier than you think, lol. I am TRYING to forget chocolate ever existed......

This thread is so helpful, thank you again Patti!!!!! Welcome to wonderful San!!!!

[Rachel--24]

So I think I found the answer to my oxalate problem.

As most of you know I have major fungal issues (specifically candida and aspergillus) as a result of mercury and other heavy metals accumulating to high levels.

I found another source of oxalates....candida, aspergillus infections and bacteria overgrowths all produce oxalates. This makes alot of sense to me given the fact that I have these infections. It would make sense for the autistic population as well.

Another oxalate connection relates to candida and yeast overgrowth. Good bacteria in the gut help to keep oxalates in check by breaking them down. Bad bacteria in the gut can produce oxalates. Oxalates are said to suppress the immune system and make one more susceptible to candida overgrowth. Therefore, along with a low oxalate diet, addressing yeast is imperative to reduce the overall oxalate load.

There were abundant fungal hyphae and high numbers of associated oxalate crystals, which were presumed to have been produced by the fungus. Low numbers of yeast cells were also present. Microbiological culture of tissues on horse blood agar and Sabouraud

[Rachel--24]

This thread is so helpful, thank you again Patti!!!!!

Yes....thank you Patti!! I'm learning more and more about the oxalate connection.

Hi Robbin!

I cant believe you dont like bananas!! OMG....I would be in heaven if I could bananas all day long. I havent had one in over a year.

[Rachel--24]

Some Aspergillus species produce oxalic acid, which reacts with blood or tissue calcium to precipitate calcium oxalate.

I'm thinking the Aspergillus might be the main culprit for me. Even though I do experience some gut problems (Patti do you recall the sweetpotato/yam weight loss heinosities??) the vast majority of my pain and inflammation is from the shoulders up. Mainly in my neck/head.

The Dr. said alot of my symptoms would be caused by the Aspergillus since it mainly invades the sinuses and lungs.

When I eat the high oxalate foods it messes up my gut causing weight loss (which is why I dont eat those foods)...but whats even worse is the pain and tissue swelling that I feel in my sinuses, ears and jaw. That comes on immediately when I try eating those foods.

We havent aggressively treated the Aspergillus yet but I think I'm gonna have one of my Dr.'s give me a prescription for that. It'll be interesting to see if it helps...or if I can eat more foods by getting that specific infection under control.

I'm on a mission now.

[Judyin Philly]

OK SO WE'RE THINKING THE 'WARM' TINGLING ' URINATION COULD BE DUMPLING...THAT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AFTER THE CHOCO PUDDING CAUSE THE 'NO NO' IT SHOULD BE DUMPING WHILE WE ARE ''CLEAN'' RIGHT?

IS THIS THE NAME OF THE KIND OF TEA? SINCE I DON'T DRINK TEA I'M NOT THE EXPERT HERE BUT I'LL LOOK OVER THE 3 GOOD LISTS I HAVE ROBBIN.

As for the tea, I know some lists are a little confusing about them. The most current list (I forget which website--JUDY Help!!) that I know of says that oolong tea is ok.

JUDY

TRIED TO FIND THE LINK BUT TOO TIRED NOW AFTER LOOKING BUT WILL LOOK AT THE 3 LISTS I HAVE PRINTED OUT

RACHEL..IS THERE A TEST FOR

I'm thinking the Aspergillus might be the main culprit for me.

WITHOUT GOING THROUGH ALL THE DR'S AND TESTING YOUR DOING?

PROBABLY NOT A MAIN STREAM THING...MAYBE ON THE RAST TEST......DIDN'T KNOW WHAT MOLDS TO CK SO DIDN'T DO THOSE WILL LOOK AT THAT LIST OF THE RAST AGAIN. OR........DO YOU NOT PUT MUCH STOCK IN IT.

IT ONLY CAME BACK WITH ..........TOMATOES AND CATALOPE..........HA........NOT EVEN GLUENTEN, BARLEY OATS OR RYE........OR DAIRY OR CASEIN SO.............I DON'T HAVE ALOT OF FAITH IN THAT TEST FOR FOODS BUT MAYBE MOLDS ARE DIFFERENT?

[Judyin Philly]

DRINKS

apple Cider

apple juice

apricot nectar

bottled beer

buttermilk

cherry juice

cola

grapefruit juice

green tea

herbal teas:

see below

lemonade

lemon juice

limeade

lime juice

milk

oolong tea

pineapple juice

wine

DAIRY

cheese

buttermilk

milk

FATS, NUTS,

SEEDS

butter

margarine

mayonnaise

salad dressing

vegetable oil

FRUIT

avocados

bananas

cherries (bing and

sour)

grapefruit

grapes (green

and red)

huckleberries

kumquat

litchi/lychee

mangoes

melons

nectarines

papaya

passion fruit

canned peaches

canned pears

green and yellow

plums

raisins (1/4 cup)

MEAT

bacon

beef

corned beef

fish (except

sardines)

ham

lamb

lean meats

pork

poultry

shellfish

STARCHES

barley

cereals (corn or rice)

Cheerios

chicken noodle soup

egg noodles

English muffin

graham crackers

macaroni

pasta (plain)

white rice

wild rice

VEGETABLES

cabbage

cauliflower

chives

cucumber

endive

kohlrabi

mushrooms

peas

radishes

water chestnut

CONDIMENTS

basil

cinnamon

corn syrup

Dijon mustard

dill

honey

imitation vanilla

extract

jelly made from low

oxalate fruits

ketchup (1 Tbsp)

maple syrup

nutmeg

oregano

peppermint

sage

sugar

vinegar

white pepper

MISCELLANEOUS

gelatin (unflavored)

hard candy

Jell-O

lemon balm

lemon juice

lime juice

Enjoy these low-oxalate foods and drinks

Eat as much of these low-oxalate foods as you like.

Low-oxalate foods have less than 2 mg of oxalate per serving.

DIDN'T SOMEONE SOMEWHERE SAY YOU HAVE TO WATCH THESE CELESTIAL TEAS.....?? I DON'T KNOW AS I DON'T DRINK THEM. FEEL FREE TO CORRET THIS LIST ...PLEASE.

Celestial Seasonings

Sleepytime

Peppermint

Wild Forrest

Blackberry

Mandarin

Orange Spice

Cinnamon

Apple Spice

R.C. Bigelow

Cranberry Apple

Red Raspberry

I Love Lemon

Orange and Spic

Mint Medley

Sweet Dreams

Thomas J. Lipton

Gentle Orange

Lemon Soothe

Chamomile Flowers

Stinging Nettle

[Rachel--24]

Judy...the first time Aspergillus came up it was when I was going to BioSET and having electrodermal screening. I was going there for months and the Aspergillus was always showing up....same with candida.

My practitioner was suspecting these were some heavy issues for me and ordered blood tests for both. My yeast antibodies were through the roof...one of the highest she'd ever seen...which was no surprise to either of us.

The Aspergillus is harder to test for and not many labs run the test. She did find a lab to test it....and my results came back negative.

I relayed it to my Dr. and he said the lab tests arent good enough.

Since then I've had alot more testing with the alternative stuff...ART and kinesiology. Aspergillus has showed up every time....and with all the different Dr.'s.

I'm pretty sure its there since its never failed to show up...except for in the blood test. It explains my head symptoms for sure....and if its also causing the food problems then I definately want to address it now.

I knew it was putting stress on my immune system but if its also producing oxalates its no wonder I have so much inflammation in those specific areas. The infection could be stressing my immune system even more than I had thought. Treating it could improve my condition immensely if thats really whats going on.

When I had all that mercury exposure my immune system was weakened a great deal and it was during those first months that I developed all this inflammation in my head.

[jerseyangel]

The most current list (I forget which website--JUDY Help!!) that I know of says that oolong tea is ok. It is very good and tastes like regular plain tea.

Thanks Robbin--that's good to know, as I enjoy tea. I'm not a coffee drinker, although I love the smell

I've also read that oolong tea is good for eczema.

I'm thinking the Aspergillus might be the main culprit for me. Even though I do experience some gut problems (Patti do you recall the sweetpotato/yam weight loss heinosities??) the vast majority of my pain and inflammation is from the shoulders up. Mainly in my neck/head.

The Dr. said alot of my symptoms would be caused by the Aspergillus since it mainly invades the sinuses and lungs.

When I eat the high oxalate foods it messes up my gut causing weight loss (which is why I dont eat those foods)...but whats even worse is the pain and tissue swelling that I feel in my sinuses, ears and jaw. That comes on immediately when I try eating those foods.

We havent aggressively treated the Aspergillus yet but I think I'm gonna have one of my Dr.'s give me a prescription for that. It'll be interesting to see if it helps...or if I can eat more foods by getting that specific infection under control.

I'm on a mission now.

OMG Rachel!! Aspergillus....I wonder if that could be an issue for me, too? My pain is most always worse from the shoulders up and I have lots of problems with my sinuses, jaw and ears. I was actually diagnosed with TMJ by an ENT--and my accupuncturist confirmed it.

I do remember the yam debacle....wow--I'm so excited about what might happen when you do begin treating for the aspergillus. How do you treat it?

Since my oxalate/potato splurge the other day, I'm still very sore. Another thing is that my lips are very dry, and the bottom one has split. Does anyone know if that is also a symptom?

[Flor]

G'morning you all!

The discoveries are moving so fast here I can't keep up!

That yeast produces oxalates is DISTURBING to say the least. I had no idea. I have all kinds of chronic skin yeast.

Here's my quick update:

Yesterday was a good day (the day before bad). Today is promising to be a bad day. I had kidney pain when I went to sleep last night (first time in my life) and my skin is really icky, breaking out, kind of granular feeling, my scalp and back and forehead all itch, my joints are more inflammed. This must be good right?!? Huge bloating -- and I haven't eaten anything off the list in a week.

Also: I read on the yahoo site that until O.formigenes is available that the probiotic they most recommend is called VSL3 -- there was a lot of discussion back and forth about the best place to buy it and seems like www.vsl3.com is the place. So I just bought some and am going to give it a try, even though I haven't liked other probiotics that much. I'll keep you all posted. Seems like some good bacteria might be in order at this point? This stuff is wicked expensive and apparently comes in a freezer pack. We'll see...their website does say specifically that VSL3 is "medical food" for people with IBS, Crohns, ulcerative colitis, etc.

I think I'll go eat a banana now....

[Flor]

Here's a question:

What do you think about us all sharing the list of supplements we're taking? Maybe we would learn something from each other's regimens?

I've had to look again at all my supplements -- the calcium I was taking was NOT citrate AND it had all these plant-based digestive enzymes AND "green foods" that are no doubt packed with oxalates.

Then I bought calcium citrate, but it doesn't have magnesium. My multi-vitamin has plant-based digestive enzymes too. So now I feel like I have to start all over.

I'd also like to hear people's experiences with the amino acids -- I took gluatmine and a mixed batch of others for awhile but think they upset my stomach (but what doesn't!?!). And then I've been reading about the importance of glutathione.

And I've read also that biotin and zinc and E are important -- do any of you do those?

SO, right now all I'm taking is:

1. Solaray Salmon Oil, 1,000 mg/day (200 mg equivalent of Omega-3)

2. Citracal caplets with Vit D, 4 caplets/day (total of 2,500 mg Calcium and 1,200 IU Vit D -- probably too much huh??)

3. And then when it gets here, the VSL3 probiotic.

I need to find a decent multi-vitamin, a magnesium, and maybe some others?