Trashcan Annie

Interesting about the wheat. Maybe you have irritable bowel syndrome. Wheat and starch can make that flair up.

I do have that! but I didn't know that about IBS. Interesting. You know, wheat seems to be counter productive to running in general. It's something of inflammatory food, or so it seems. I read that you stopped eatting it due to the A.S. and that it helped. Interesting.

Yup. Check out this book. It is diet I am following (although I do not have IBS, but it works for other auto-immune issues).

http://www.everydiet.org/diet/low-starch-diet

http://www.amazon.com/IBS-Low-Starch-Diet-Carol-Sinclair/dp/0091912865

I am finding out that the need for athletes to follow a high-carb diet is a myth.

I TOTALLY AGREE! My last two years at ISU I ate pretty high protien (granted I was mid distance), all carbs came from produce or rice and I felt awesome, saw my asthma and IBS improve, didn't get sick once and that includes a pregnancy! I did some research back then but there wasn't a lot out there to back up my experience. I will definitely read that, and pass it on!

IBS is not an auto-immune disorder (IBD is) although celiac disease is (which is a serious disease). I did not realize that people were finding that gluten exacerbated IBS, but it is good to know there are ways to help alleviate symptoms. Most importantly for you, Annie, it is helping!!! good! I still stand by my fiber comment as well though ...

Oops, I stand corrected regarding IBS and auto-immune. Many people with A.S. also have IBS, so that's probably where I got confused. Some theorize that it is the IBS that triggers the A.S. (leaky gut).

But in any case, many have found relief from IBS and other ailments by eliminating starch. And not just gluten, but all starch, including rice, potatoes, corn, legumes, and others.

My cousin has AS -- wow. I had no idea Paul. I know that exercise is suppose to help, but it can be a challenge depending on which joints are involved. And, I had no idea that they found an association between IBS and AS ... wow. I wonder if the GI symptoms from AS are actually causing ulcerative colitis because of all the NSAIDs? I just am having trouble trying to figure out how IBS and AS would be related ... regardless, I am glad that the gluten free diet helps. I have heard from many many of my friends that this has helped them too.

I have heard that is an relationship between asthma and IBS/gut issues. I dunno? I do know that as an infant they thought I might have Cystic Fibrosis because of all my asthma/intestinal/failure to thrive issues, which is interesting to think of now. They'd never suggest it. they'd simply do a test! Anyway that's an interesting theory A>S. and IBS... I might agree with Bonnie on the NSAIDs. I COULD NEVER LIVE WITHOUT STARTCH!!! I love my carrots, rice and potatoes! and Corn, goodness we're from Indiana Paul, that's Heresy!

Well, the trigger(s) to A.S. is unknown, but most agree that there are multiple triggers. Basically you need genes, plus a trigger event. So most people with AS do not have IBS, and most people with IBS certainly do not have AS. But there are more people with both AS and IBS than there should be. Certainly extended use of NSAIDs do not help gut health.

My rheumatologist told me that most people think that A.S. originates from some sort of gut infection. So there is something going on there.

By the way, very few doctors will tell to try this diet stuff, and it is definitely "fringe". Drugs and lots of 'em is the mainstream treatment. There are been very few studies on the diet link. Not much in it for the drug companies, I guess. But there is a very fanatical following for No Starch or Low Starch Diet, composed of people whose lives have been changed for the better. It's hard to decipher fact from heresay, but there is no harm in trying. If it fails, I can always start getting bi-weekly infusions of biologic medications, and eat all the starch I want. :P

well I'm with you for sure. Drugs are definitely not my favorite choice in dealing with health issues. I'd rather do something more wholistic, and if it's fringe fine, right! I do know the healthiest strand I've had has been when I was eatting whole foods and lean meats/fish. I'd rather do that than take Advair, or prednisone... which can cause other issues equally (if not more) devistating than asthma attacks and bronchitis

Carrots don't have starch. At least not raw ;-)

I would never abstain from starch if I had absolutely no health issues. They call them "comfort foods" for a reason. Yummy stuff. If the diet does not work, I certainly will not deny myself. But until then, it's not so bad. You get used to it, and don't miss the starch much.

BTW - the Sinclair book I linked to above advocates changing the diet in steps. Give up wheat and grains first, and keep eating potatoes, rice, and other things. If that gets rid of the problem, great! If not, move to step 2, which is elimination of potato and rice products. If that works, then great, if not eliminate legumes, cooked vegetables, and whatever else I've forgotten to mention.

So for your IBS, you may be able to pin it completely on wheat, or perhaps large amounts of wheat. So eliminating or just reducing bread and other wheat products might completely do the trick, and you can keep eating potatoes, corn, and rice, maybe quionia.

Mmmm...prednisone...that was some good junk (took it last April). Not healthy though.

I just started reading a book called "Paleo Diet for Athletes". It's interesting so far, but I haven't gotten very far into it.

http://www.thepaleodiet.com/paleo_books/forathletes.shtml

Okay, that's it. I really need to get off the blog and back to work. I enjoyed the discussion.

HOwcha know I sat at home eatting starchy foods all day? I did... cereal...bars... etc. anyway. I"m doing better now, and I know you'd never pass up a pastery if you didn't have to ;)

My advise which doesn't mean squat is keep the candy addiction but bag the wheat addiction. I got diagnosed with Celiac disease last year along with my 2 kids. From a scientific standpoint I had know for a while that wheat wasn't doing me good, but on an emotional level I was in love. I agree with the other posts that you should find other starches and carbos that may be more appropriate for you. Good-luck