HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Don't eat potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/12/2015 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

It's an important information for all the Crohn and Colitis people. I can't see it shared very often...

Those foods, called Solanacaes (or nightshades), which are: Tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, sweet and hot peppers (but not black pepper), and chili-based spices (including paprika)
So these foods increase our gut permeability, and it is strongly recommanded not to eat them if you want to put all the chances on your side to be in remission.

Studies that can help:

- Naturally occurring glycoalkaloids in potatoes aggravate intestinal inflammation in two mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20198430
- Potato glycoalkaloids adversely affect intestinal permeability and aggravate inflammatory bowel disease.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12479649

- Molecular basis of glycoalkaloid induced membrane disruption.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8541293

- Effects of capsaicin on cellular damage and monolayer permeability in human intestinal Caco-2 cells.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17917278



And an interesting article:
www.thepaleomom.com/2012/08/the-whys-behind-autoimmune-protocol.html


You have to be very strict with your diet guys, I know it's hard to avoid potatoes or tomatoes, but if you want to live better there is no alternative but avoiding them.

Take care

[I made the links live]

Post Edited (jeanloup) : 3/12/2015 3:04:00 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/12/2015 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jeanloup -

Thanks for sharing.

I believe the solanine in potatoes is neutralized by boiling them and then peeling the skin... making them safe to consume for those with gut issues.

They are my go to food for rebuilding the gut, as the resistant starches provide food for the bacteria. There is lots of medical literature showing that they promote butyrate production and reduce colon cancer risk. They also rebuild the lining of the colon.

Cooked tomatoes or sauce is an excellent source of lycopene, which is showing benefits for those with prostate problems.

I highly recommend avoiding anything processed. I think cooking from scratch is the best way to go.

Best.
Posted 3/12/2015 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi mate,

Thanks for your precisions.

In fact I think solanacaes have more inconvenients than advantages (even if they have some that's true).

For a "normal" person, they can be part of their diet, but for a person with weak gut and autoimmune problems they have to be avoided.

Making a test is simple, just avoid them during 3 months and see how it goes.
(Plus of course, avoiding processed foods, sugar, cereals, and dairy, but I think everybody here knows that now :) )
Posted 3/12/2015 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
Would love to read the links, is it possible for a mod to make them live?
Posted 3/12/2015 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
just copy/paste them in your browser ^^
Posted 3/12/2015 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
But I absolutely love potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, and cayenne peppers which are the spice of my life. Sorry guys I'll still eat them :-)
Posted 3/12/2015 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Its so hard to do on iPhone/iPad. :/(
Posted 3/12/2015 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
just buy an android :)

ok let's see if I can edit the links

Edit; someone has done it before me, thank you
Posted 3/12/2015 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Oh thank you!!!
Posted 3/12/2015 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
Omg, really? I just bought a big bag of potatoes! But I think that boiling without the skin would be ok.

Tomato would also mean tomato sauce.

I guess i can live without these as a precaution until i sm flare free and eat moderation then.

My mom told me once that nightshades were not healthy. But she eats them! ;/)
Posted 3/12/2015 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
The first two studies cited don't particularly apply. The first was a study done with fried potato skins. The second did not use real potatoes but a chemical concoction containing (a probably) elevated amount of glycoalkaloids equivalent to what's to be found in fried potato skins. Sorry I'll stick with my boiled skinless potatoes, tomatoes and peppers too. Paleo freaks annoy me....sorry I too, despite years of zen study....get annoyed. ;)
Posted 3/13/2015 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
You can get annoyed its allowed. I cought the skins in the first study but not the second study stuff.

Potaoes baked and boiled always work for me too, tomato gives me heartburn,
Posted 3/13/2015 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
I'd starve to death if I followed the recommendations posted here lol, no dairy, no gluten, no nightshades, etc.
Posted 3/13/2015 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
Huh. Potatoes are one of my go to's, very calming on my gut. Also, bell peppers and tomatoes are one of the few veggies my colon will tolerate. Strange.
Posted 3/13/2015 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
One Nutritionists Opinion

Diet and Nutrition from CCFA

Potatoes 'might' be a problem studies mostly on mice; nothing on a significant number of humans. (show me if so). I read several studies about potatoes containing 'glycoalkaloids' and the DAILY consumption MAY be harmful to the small intestine . My thoughts are having mashed potatoes (infrequent chips or fries) with a meal isn't bad for the colon. 'Further studies needed' In fact, I find mashed potatoes easy on my colon and good for me.

Studies on UC-induced mice where they feed them an exaggerated amount of something are really difficult to draw conclusions. Significant human studies (1000 ppl, placebo, double blind are required and even small human studies of 10-60 contradict studies on mice).

Check out this site:

University of Maryland Medical Center Says: EAT TOMATOES
"...If fiber bothers you, steam or bake your vegetables instead of eating them raw, and avoid high fiber foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, and raw apples. Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and TOMATOES ) and vegetables (such as squash and bell peppers)..."

If it is not bothering you then eat the foods. You start eliminating what bothers others (or mice intestines) then you'll starve yourself often for no reason and be miserable.

There is no consensus on diet from what I can tell other than to eat nutritious meals you can tolerate.

"Elimination Diets" are frequently discussed - tailored to you

Food diary with symptoms, stress, activity level and also track illnesses, allergies...



I would not worry about potatoes, tomatoes and the other foods listed on this thread or others
UNLESS THEY BOTHER YOU.

There is no conclusive evidence these and other food bother ulcerative colitis.
Posted 3/13/2015 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Here is an old thread that discusses arthritis and how in my case it was affected by solanine. Besides nightshades it is also in chocolate. Apparently this thread originally did not go over well, (nobody responded to my thread), but it relates to solanine.

I like tomatoes and potatoes are an important source of resistant starch. I just don't eat enough to OD on solanine.

IamCurious said...
One of my extraintestinal IBD symptoms was crippling rheumatoid arthritis to the point where I could barely make a fist or climb stairs. But when my flare ended the RA symptoms in my hands, elbows, and knees all disappeared, along with eye inflammation and everything else.

However I also have a separate issue of severely degenerated spinal discs. I believe it is from 40 years of heavy weight lifting and hitting thousands of golf balls. (I never realized how warped my golf swing truly was until I saw a video in slow motion. No wonder it wrecked my back! LOL.) I don't take NSAIDS but manage the problem in three ways.

1. I visit the chiropractor to adjust my spine every 2-5 months. She is surprised that I don't have to come more often considering how badly damaged my discs are. The muscles and ligaments supporting my spine are very strong. Each session brings on relief and as long as I maintain good posture and stop slouching on chairs, I find that I only need to get my vertebrae separated every few months or so.

2. Look up the relationship between solanine and arthritis. I had the classic symptoms which was pain first early in the morning that gradually dissipates during the day. The major sources of solanine are the nightshade foods such as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, etc., and chocolate. (My major source was chocolate lol). Cutting back on solanine foods really helped me. This isn't like gluten sensitivity, you can eat some nightshades but just not pig out on them.

3. Supplements. I regularly take fish oil, glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM which helps. At one time I had a problem with glucosamine since it is usually derived from shellfish which triggers IBD symptoms for me. But I switched to a formula that excluded shellfish.

I also experimented with boswellia and curcumin to help with my IBD. It helps but not as much as probiotics and psyllium seed. However I did wonder why my back pain seemed to be getting better when it dawned on me that boswellia and curcumin are anti-inflammatories. DUH!

I can manage my back pain for now but I have even more hope for the future. Researchers are very confident that stem cell therapy will regenerate cartilage and reverse osteoarthritis (along with my degenerative discs) in the very near future, 5-7 years or so.

Posted 3/13/2015 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
Don't do this, do do that. After 2 years of UC I am pretty certain that it is pointless to offer dietary advice to others. What works for you works for you, and that's great. But one size doesn't fit all.
Posted 3/13/2015 11:15 AM (GMT 0)
Guys ok diet is personnal, but there are basics that should apply to everybody suffering from UC. Avoiding solanacaes is one of them.

I notice you almost all say "potatoes are fine for me" whereas you are not in remission... I found something illogical in this sorry. Good luck then.
Posted 3/13/2015 12:19 PM (GMT 0)

jeanloup said...
Guys ok diet is personnal, but there are basics that should apply to everybody suffering from UC. Avoiding solanacaes is one of them.

I notice you almost all say "potatoes are fine for me" whereas you are not in remission... I found something illogical in this sorry. Good luck then.

I'm in remission - I had 5-year very solid remission (zero symptoms), then a very minor flare, and have been back in remission for over 9 months now. I eat all of those things, and especially eat a lot of tomatoes.

And no, I really don't think there are any basics that apply to everyone with UC. If I were to eliminate everything that someone felt that nobody with UC had any business eating, there wouldn't be much left.
Posted 3/13/2015 12:37 PM (GMT 0)
Basics do exist, processed foods, dairy, for example. You won't get in remission very long if you eat them.
Posted 3/13/2015 12:38 PM (GMT 0)

kiwi- said...
Don't do this, do do that. After 2 years of UC I am pretty certain that it is pointless to offer dietary advice to others. What works for you works for you, and that's great. But one size doesn't fit all.


it's not pointless at all = if someone stopped you on the street and said "don't eat 50 bananas a day cuz that might make your colitis worse" you'd just blow them off -

but maybe if someone here said the same thing, you might go "huh, maybe I should try that" - we have new folks here everyday that have not, and probably would not hear about how some are significantly affected by the foods we eat - the only way they get that is if we all share that info -
Posted 3/13/2015 12:46 PM (GMT 0)

jeanloup said...
Basics do exist, processed foods, dairy, for example. You won't get in remission very long if you eat them.

Sorry, but wrong again. I eat dairy daily. And while I don't eat a lot of processed foods because I like to cook and I like to avoid them for overall health, I do eat some.
Posted 3/13/2015 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
I eat dairy, gluten, nightshades, and the occasional soda, beer, and fast food as treats. Yet, I've been in remission for 6 months now (1 bm a day without urgency).

I'm sure diets help some folks with their uc. However, it is never an absolute, such as never eat nightshades if you have uc. Your results will vary, doesn't work for everyone are all standard disclaimers that are essential. Any uc treatment that will supposedly work for all, seldom does.
Posted 3/13/2015 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
And to clarify, I think it's great that people share what food bother them - it can give others ideas of what to try, if they think they need to modify their diet. However, I really do think the idea that all UCers need to avoid certain foods is absolutely not true.
Posted 3/13/2015 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
I have noticed that when someone is on a very restrictive diet and it helps them, they become convinced that diet is THE answer for everyone and will argue the point endlessly. I'd like to believe that it's an altruistic argument because they genuinely want to help others, but the conviction even in the face of opposing facts, leads me to believe that the arguments are so relentless because those on the strict diet want to validate their sacrifices by having others agree with them.

Diet modifications do help some people, but not everyone and no one should be saying you MUST eat this way or you will be sick. That is simply not true. I am happy that the OP found something that works for them. But the insistence that we should all be eating the same way is over the top.

I eat all of those things and even though I am not completely in remission yet, I keep getting closer every day since I started drinking nopal water. Fully formed BMs 1x a day (sometimes 2x) and I haven't seen a trace of blood for 5 days now and even before that all I have been seeing for a couple weeks now is very faint traces that if I wasn't really looking for it I would never have seen. Perhaps I should be insisting that everyone drink nopal water ;)
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12