Diet change
In my last article, I told you about all the medication and treatments I’ve been given to fight inflammation since I was young. In early 2018, I did some research on CBD oil derived from cannabis. There is a company in Europe which sells CBD suppositories, but they are very expensive. I called a health specialist, my gastroenterologist who is a real gem, who understood that I don't want to be overexposed to tons of drugs for my entire life. From a medical conference she attended, she was able to explain to me the true and false facts concerning CBD oil. Unfortunately, placebo versus non-placebo studies show a feeling of well-being for the patients, but don’t show measurable data concerning the inflammation level. Also, the studies don’t explain how well CBD is separated from THC. Since I’m predisposed to genetic factors for mental illness, I decided not to take this risk.
Besides the drugs, last year, I chose to completely change my diet after reading Jacqueline Lagacé's book The End of Pain: How Nutrition and Diet Can Fight Chronic Inflammatory. Having studied in nutrition, I try to have a diet as balanced as possible but reading her book summary was enough to convince me to buy it!
From her work, we discover that new eating habits can improve the quality of life of people living with chronic inflammatory diseases, including Crohn's disease. In my case, reading Jacqueline Lagacé mainly caused me to stop gluten and dairy products. I also stopped drinking alcohol and caffeine, as those two drinks were irritating my bowel and making me very symptomatic. I would say that the taste of a good cafe latte is the one thing that I miss the most. When I see my friends, I bring some Kombucha, a colorful, sparkling, flavored and delicious drink, instead of bringing something alcoholic. Waking up the day after is much more pleasant for me like this!
At first, it was difficult for me; I cheated here and there, so I couldn't see a real difference on my well-being. When I got strict about my diet change, it only took two weeks to feel changes in my symptoms. I was no longer bloated at the end of the day and I had more energy. After a month, I no longer had abdominal pain and inflamed rectum. After a few months, I no longer had joint pain in my left thumb and right foot (caused by arthritis, a Crohn's disease symptom). I haven't had a new x-ray, but I'm sure I don't have arthritis anymore.
People around me complain of inflammatory pain sometimes. Too often, when I talk about their diet with them, I realise that gluten and dairy products are often at the top of the list of their most consumed foods. I understand not everyone is willing to introduce those eating habits into their life, but when you’re exhausted from suffering, it’s a sacrifice that is worth it. I would never go back to my old diet.
I attended a university seminar on vegetarian organic food where they explained the harmful effects of gluten, dairy products and non-organic products on us. It motivated me to eat as much organic, gluten-free and dairy-free food as possible. As my bowel already has a weakness, it’s better to feed it well after all!
I’m not at the low temperature cooking stage yet - because I’ll have to buy the Vitaliseur de Marion steamer in Europe, which is quite expensive - but I’ll do it for sure in a near future!
Brought to you by: ANA