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Uc and Indian Decent

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/8/2009 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I was wondering if there are any indians on this site and if so has an indian diet been an issue?
Posted 1/8/2009 9:03 PM (GMT 0)

I'm not Indian but have read A LOT about diets and UC.  Based on what I know about Indian food there are some good and bad elements.  The lack of dairy products in Indian cuisine is helpful because UC sufferers are often lactose intolerant or at least sensitive.  The downside of Indian food is the spicy stuff like hot curries, the fried stuff like samosas, and the beans like chickpeas.  All of those can be problem foods for us. 

EDIT:  Just wanted to add that recipes with coconut milk can be very soothing and that sometimes shows up in South Indian cuisine.
Posted 1/8/2009 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not of Indian descent but I love to eat Indian food and never have had a problem.
Posted 1/8/2009 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
I am of Indian descent, and I typically don't have a problem with Indian food or any foods in general. The only thing I've done is cut down on spicy and fried foods. Like I eat fried foods in moderation and at Indian restaurants I'll order the lowest level of spice. The good thing about Indian food is that a lot of it contains turmeric, which is an anti-inflammatory.

UC is very individualized; what works for some doesn't work for others. You might want to try to keep a food journal and see if any foods affect your symptoms.
Posted 1/8/2009 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
Right, I should add that when I do eat Indian food, I usually order the lowest level of spice as well.
Posted 1/9/2009 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
When I'm in remission I generally go all out with Indian food which can be scary for people who are flaring. Spices generally lead to a lot of stomach issues but it also acts as a cleaning agent in the colon.
Posted 1/9/2009 10:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there
I am Indian and there is no problem with Indian food. Dont stop spices but you could reduce the chilly in your foods, thats all. Keep a normal diet.
I just control red and green chillies, red meat, alcohol and milk (though I do have all the milk products). Indian food is very balanced and good for you, dont worry :)
TC
Chere
Posted 1/9/2009 10:07 AM (GMT 0)
Also, wanted to add that I too developed UC after the birth of my first child in 2005. It was a C section
Posted 1/9/2009 11:20 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not Indian, but I'm lucky. I live where there are lots of Indians who recently immigrated to the U.S. I can easily find authentic mild chicken curry with rice. It has really helped my Colitis. Tumeric has very strong anti-inflammatory properties and rice is good for diarrhea. The spice doesn't bother me. But I do usually get "mild" chicken curry just in case.
Posted 1/9/2009 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the responses. I was wondering if too much roti or naan are an issue. Also I am lactose intolerant. Chere2000 did you take motrin for your c section. Cause I also had a flare after my second child was born which was with a C section and I unknowingly took motrin for the pain around the clock.
Posted 1/9/2009 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
I often eat garlic naan. The garlic is anti-inflammatory. However, eating naan might be problematic for those who are gluten/wheat intolerant.
Posted 1/10/2009 10:01 AM (GMT 0)
hi there
I actually eat everything. Nan is something which we dont eat everyday anyway. Also, its not really healthy. I dont avoid it when I eat out though
I have been eating rotis since I was a child. I guess our systems are used to it and I have never had issues with it.
My Uc was first diagnosed after my pregnancy. My first and only one. I cant really pin any particular med on it but the heavy dosage of antibiotics could have led to my Uc
Thanks
chere
Posted 1/21/2009 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
Yes I am of Indian descent . I was born in the Punjab but moved to the UK when I was only 3. My diet, recently has been rather English, with just the occasional Punjabi dish. My husband is English.

I am not sure if diet has much to do with it, more likely is the extreme cleanliness experienced in the west. Some research indicates that many in the modern world are suffering from immune-response illnesses such as asthma, UC, crones and rheumatoid arthritis because our genetic make-up includes an immune system geared to fight bugs and parasites. Take away the enemy and our immune system over reacts to environmental agents. Asians and Africans are particularly prone to 'modernization diseases'. This may be because they are geared up genetically to fight tropical bugs etc. It is no accident that porcine whip worm and hook worm have been identified as possible treatments for asthma, crones and colitis.

My father and I suffer from asthma. I fight mine through rigorous exercise. His asthma disappears during his longer visits to his home village in the Punjab. Weird or what?
Posted 1/22/2009 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hello All,

I'm also from an Indian Decent and trying to understand if there are any foods that you guys identified that may bother us.
For me the following foods creates lots of problems like coffee,corn,pizza,chocolates,meat..etc
Did you guys tried alternative treatment options like Homeopathy, Ayurveda , Herbal products.
Any success with them? If so please provide the details.

Thanks All in advance...........
Posted 1/23/2009 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I have noticed that corn, fried foods, cabbage, beans, pop, and milk products bother me. I have changed my diet to eat more organic breads, and cooked vegetables and canned fruit. I also avoid products with high fructose corn syrup.

Also has anyone used any ayuvedic treatment or herbs from India. My dad keeps telling to try some 'desi" stuff. My dad has rheumatoid arthritis and tries to avoid western meds and visits India every year and gets herbal stuff that he claims has made a HUGE difference. But I am very skeptical using any stuff since it involves the colon.
Posted 1/23/2009 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
I asked an Indian GI about ayuvedic treatments and he said that a lot of them contain steroids, so it's really not natural and it's just best to stick with westernized meds. I personally wouldn't try them for that reason--we don't know what exactly is in them. The only "desi" thing that has medical backing is turmeric since it is an anti-inflammatory.

Posted 1/23/2009 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
Not East Indian but my cuisine is known for spicy food as well (Puerto Rican). Just about all of the literature that I have read emphasizes that diet is normally not a trigger for UC but it can exacerbate a pre-existing condition.
Posted 1/24/2009 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi i am not of indian decent but love indian food and it does not seeem to bother me.
Posted 1/24/2009 5:07 PM (GMT 0)

EdwardC said...
Just about all of the literature that I have read emphasizes that diet is normally not a trigger for UC but it can exacerbate a pre-existing condition.

I don't think that's true though. Right before all three of my flares, I was drinking beverages with HFCS. My liver can't digest HFCS. I get severe diarrhea from it.
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