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Posted 12/17/2007 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

I have been reading articles on websites saying that cutting out meat from your diet can reduce flares and inflammation in the gut.

So, just wanted to know how true this is?

I am currently experimenting on a high-protein, low-carb diet with average results. Any thoughts...

G
Posted 12/17/2007 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
I don't find it to be true at all. Tender white meat of turkey and chicken are constant staples of my diet. I don't eat much red meat or fatty stuff, though. For me, cutting out grains and sugars is what's helped reduce flares and inflammation.
Posted 12/18/2007 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
My perspective, meat is one of the best sources for protein, vitamins & minerals that our bodies need. I can't function without meat..meaning..I eat it at least once a day..but have protein with every meal.

Humans have eaten meat for upteen years....our bodies are made to digest meat...but, it doesn't mean that all agree with us or that some of us are intolerant or allergic.

I ask you why it has to be high protein or low protein....what about balanced?

So, there are many meats from which to choose....going vegan hasn't proved to help any flares, for I see many who are and still don't have flares under control.

My perspective on it anyway....

Are you also using your meds?

quincy

Posted 12/18/2007 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
Give up chicken, steak, fish?????????? Not this ol' gal..........."WHERE'S THE BEEF????" LOL!

Only suppose to have small portions of meat anyways, the problem with meat isn't eating it, it's eating too much at one time....Protein, omegas, iron, those are the best sources and one of the tastiest ways of getting them.

:)
Posted 12/18/2007 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
There is some evidence that high consumption of meat significantly increases your risk of flaring in those who already have UC.

See the study by Jowett et al. 2004. Influence of dietary factors on the clinical course of ulcerative colitis: a prospective cohort study. Gut. 53:1479-1484.

All meat except fish is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, and it is nutrient deficient compared to most plant foods. I'll be darned if I can find a reason TO eat meat, but I can find a hell of a lot to NOT eat it.
Posted 12/18/2007 4:55 AM (GMT 0)
I do believe that red meat causes inflammation and I try to avoid it as much as possible.  If only I liked Salmon! BLAH!

Posted 12/18/2007 5:21 AM (GMT 0)
meat is good for you. we were made to eat it. thats why we have canine teeth.

also protein is necessary for us as well.

i dont find meat to cause any problems with my UC.  but we are all different.

also, we lose a lot blood, us UC'ers, so protein and meat are especially good for us to boost our iron levels.

i couldnt live without meat!

Posted 12/18/2007 5:38 AM (GMT 0)
My doctor has never said anything about avoiding any type of food, even greens and popcorn (contrary to many recommended diets). However, I can't complain because I haven't had any problems. I tend to be heavy on meats and vegetables, and it works fine for me.

Most people will probably just tell you to experiment and see what works for you.
Posted 12/18/2007 5:58 AM (GMT 0)
I agree that sugars and grains are more difficult for humans to digest than meat. Many of the studies involving meat and inflammation/cancer involve processed read meat and does not necessarily exclude the very common fried meats (eg. hamburgers) which have plentiful oil and grease which contribute to inflammation in their own right.

Of course, everyone is individual. Although, in a non-acute flare stage, the intestines would usually fare much better with a piece of steak and cooked vegetables than a bagel with jelly!
Posted 12/18/2007 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
I was a vegetarian and that being said I didn´t gain remission because of my diet. I have met other life long vegetarians (east Indians) who, like me, lost their colon due to UC. I do not believe diet plays a part in remission.

Sue
Posted 12/18/2007 2:26 PM (GMT 0)

Gave up meat (except for fish) as soon as I was diagnosed and it hasn't been that bad.  I feel healthier, for sure, and really don't miss it all that much. 

I think diet might play a role by making your flare or remission better or worse than it already is.

Posted 12/18/2007 3:00 PM (GMT 0)

suebear said...
 I do not believe diet plays a part in remission.

In my experience, it plays a very big part. From the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America Web site:

First of all, you may be surprised to learn that there is no evidence that anything in your diet history caused or contributed to these diseases. Once you develop IBD, however, paying special attention to what you eat may go a long way toward reducing symptoms and promoting healing.

Posted 12/18/2007 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
If I eat red meat for a prolonged period of time I develop UC symptoms. If I eat it occasionally there is a 50:50 chance of getting blood. In any case I "feel" my GI tract having problems with red meat e.g. gas, stomach rumblings etc

I realise theres lots of (unproven) medical evidence to suggest that food doesn't cause flares so I only speak for my own colon!

Having said that I enjoy my cheese-burger and fries once a week and suffer the little consequences!

Meat is vital for protein and iron. I eat a lot of "non red" meat and take iron supplements.

I couldn't live without meat either. Right now I have found a healthy balance with meat and red meat and hope this continues.

I agree with Princesa...Diet and Stress management have given me control over my UC. I believe both have contributed to my healing and to my remission. I don't like extreme views on UC such as this is correct or this is not correct. With UC each of us need to find our own solutions. Like most things with UC a common-sense approach is best with regard to meat (and diet!).

Experiment and find what is best for you.
Posted 12/18/2007 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
I doubt that meat in moderate quantities has much effect on either the triggering of UC or keeping one out of a flair once UC has manifested.  By all accounts processed meats  should be avoided due to increased cancer risk. Fish, particularly a high oil fish i.e. salmon, IMO is the way to go if one feels the need for animal protein and though there are other risks associated with high consumption of certain species of fish, wild salmon is considered safe. 
Posted 12/18/2007 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
I just wanted to add that meat is NOT necessary for protein or iron. I've been a vegetarian for over 3 years and have never had a problem getting enough nutrients in my diet. Even when I was bleeding very heavily with UC, my iron levels were not deficient. Most Americans get more than enough protein in their diets.

And to whoever said humans were meant to eat meat, that's simply not true. Please read this article: http://michaelbluejay.com/veg/natural.html
Posted 12/18/2007 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Eating meat is a choice we make. I believe it has healthy benefits for me. I agree that it can equally have disadvantages especially processed meat.

But to say that we are not "meant" to eat meat is a bit unfair. I respect the choice that people make when they don't eat meat. I'd hope they would equally respect (if not agree) with the choice others make to eat meat.

Natural selection is about how the human body can adapt to change. If something was not true of the human body in the past it does not follow necessarily that it wont be true in the future.

Also I was looking at a bigger picture than simply Americans! My argument is aimed at us Europeans, Asians, Australians too. It's an international website here and that is a wonderful thing!

Posted 12/18/2007 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
I avoid red meat, as this has been proven to increase the chances of colorectal cancer, as if we need more.  I was vegetarian for a couple of years prior to UC, but have eased up a bit since being diagnosed.  Meat can be harder to digest, and is an inflammatory food.  But I think people can make up their own minds about it and do whatever feels good to them!

Posted 12/18/2007 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Didn't mean to offend you, but how is it unfair if it's true? Our bodies were not originally designed to eat meat, according to all the research I've read. And, I was replying to kazy's post that said "we were made to eat it. that's why we have canine teeth" (which we don't...our teeth are actually more similar to herbivores). If you weren't offended by her claim, why are you offended by mine?

And I'm not just talking about Americans. I'm talking about all humans. My protein comment was about Americans because that is the only diet I am thoroughly familiar with...but I would assume most people in any developed nation are getting more than enough protein. Just sharing knowledge...not out to offend anyone.
Posted 12/18/2007 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not offended by your claim at all. You make your point very clearly and I accept theres lots of evidence to back it up.

I just don't agree with it in relation to myself. I have a different opinion, that's all.

D
Posted 12/18/2007 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Big difference between food possibly causing flares and exacerbating symptoms, the CCFC states that food could very well be a culprit in triggering IBD but much more research needs to be done...they do however say that foods can definitely exacerbate symptoms and they believe that it may have alot to do with people ingesting foods that they have a sensitivity to without realizing it.

Fast-foods are thought to be a trigger for IBD, as well as processed foods (sugar is a huge culprit for playing it's role with bacterial over-growth and being incredibly difficult for our bodies to process), animal fats and caffeine are thought to be culprits in exacerbating symptoms as well as artificial sweetners and MSG's (food additives) which brings us back to processed foods which contain these along with fast-foods.

I avoid eating the above mentioned and it was not overnight because it takes time for the body to eliminate the effects of eating the above mentioned, but I definitely notice all around improvements more and more from eating health, whole, fresh foods, no processed, fast-foods, caffeine, animal fats, ect.


:)
Posted 12/20/2007 1:06 AM (GMT 0)

kazygirl said...
meat is good for you. we were made to eat it. thats why we have canine teeth.

also protein is necessary for us as well.

i dont find meat to cause any problems with my UC.  but we are all different.

also, we lose a lot blood, us UC'ers, so protein and meat are especially good for us to boost our iron levels.

i couldnt live without meat!

Actually we were not made to eat meat. Our body design is that of animals that eat plants. Also, we do not have canine teeth. If you are a pet owner, take a look at our cats/dogs teeth. Those are the teeth of a meat eater. I eat very little meat. Only some seafood. I can't really say if it's helped with my flares.

 

 

Posted 12/20/2007 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
There was a fascinating part of the book, "The New Eating Right for a Bad Gut"... My book is missing at the moment, lol, under a pile somewhere... but from what I remember, there is a certain place in Japan that eats only fish, never had access to red meat. Their incidence of IBD was either none or almost none. Yet, every where else in Japan where they do eat red meat, there were instances of IBD. Sorry I don't remember it exactly, but it was something like that...
Posted 12/20/2007 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
I was a vegetarian when i was dx'd and stayed that way for five more years. My problem was that my diet was way too high fiber. I ate a lot of veggies and lentils. My GI's all told me my diet was too harsh on my system (i had been a vegetarian since i was ten) If your body can handle the veggies and you know how to make a whole protien ect... being a vegetarian is very healthy. My vegetarian diet was too harsh. Now i eat lots of meat and have noticed a big difference. My body likes meat. It reacts much better to it than my vegetarian diet did. But that is me. I would reccommend if you are playing with your diet to have your gi monitor your bloodwork to make sure you are getting everything you need. Good luck
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