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Post by oldbaylover1024 on May 22, 2017 16:10:58 GMT
Obviously this is not F'17 related, but I figured I'd start a new thread to make us look busier LOL
It's been suggested that I try a gluten-free diet to help with my psoriasis. I have it over 50% of my body and it's only gotten worse since having kids. God bless, hormones...
I'm hesitant to do it. Frankly, it's a big lifestyle change. I'm not sure I could get my family on board, so I'd probably have to make a ton of dietary adjustments in my meal planning just for me.
BUT if it works, I'd be able to (potentially) get rid of the 5 prescriptions I'm on now and reduce my time at the dermatologist. Plus, self-esteem and all that.
So talk to me about it. |
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pivot
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Post by pivot on May 22, 2017 16:18:47 GMT
I don't really have any advice, however, I am starting a whole 30 tomorrow. It eliminates grains/gluten, dairy, legumes and any added sugars. Do it for 30 days and then add back in each food group slowly to see if any particular group is affecting you. I am doing this for similar skin reasons. I don't have great clear skin to begin with and I also have keratosis-pilaris and I want to see if that has an underlying cause. It's going to be hard because my family is not on board so I will have to do two meals basically.
Anyways, with all this rambling - I'm cutting out grains as well if you need someone to talk to along the way but no real advice yet.
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Post by musicallyinclined on May 22, 2017 16:21:45 GMT
I am not familiar with gluten free as a treatment for psoriasis, but my grandmother had it on her arms and legs pretty aggressively. She tried gluten-free and it didn't help hers at all. Oddly enough, an inversion table helped hers a lot. She was kind of a nut and a hypochondriac, but she swears up and down that spending 30 minutes in the inversion table help her tremendously. And I want to say we noticed an improvement.
So, sorry that is anecdotal and not really helpful.
Gluten free is easier to do now, maybe try it for 4-6 weeks on your own and if it helps make adjustments to the family's stuff too to make it easier.
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Post by oldbaylover1024 on May 22, 2017 16:24:55 GMT
Ugh. I considered doing a whole 30, but it seemed too hard LOL
The funny thing is we don't eat a lot of white foods anyway, so I'm wondering if going grain-free (basically) is going to be *that* hard. Don't get me wrong... I love bread and pasta every now and then, but they're not huge staples in our diet. We also try and eat raw when possible. I looked up all the food I brought for lunch and it's all gluten-free, and I didn't plan it.
I am obviously naïve.
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Post by oldbaylover1024 on May 22, 2017 16:26:43 GMT
FWIW I've tried everything for my skin - from homeopathic remedies to a full-on systemic assault. Nothing has made a difference, and it's spreading. I am willing to try anything. Since having C, I have it on areas that shall not be named. My body hates me. |
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pivot
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Post by pivot on May 22, 2017 16:34:43 GMT
Have you thought about cutting out dairy instead of gluten since it seems that you are mostly gluten free anyways? I've heard dairy can be a culprit for skin issues.
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Post by oldbaylover1024 on May 22, 2017 16:42:43 GMT
pivot - Dairy would be really tough. I don't drink a lot of milk, but I eat yogurt daily and I really like cheese. I don't eat it a ton, but I'm not sure I could cut out cheese... Mmmm... Cheese.
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Post by linewifekat on May 22, 2017 17:21:28 GMT
I think going gluten free is easier than going dairy free. I've been dairy free for a week now and it sucks. Check out trim healthy mama. Most of their recipes are gluten free.
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Post by billie on May 22, 2017 17:31:00 GMT
I've never eaten gluten free, but just wanted to add that a recent study found that gluten free industrialized products are nutritionally poor. So I think you have the right idea, eating other things and not "adapted" products like gluten free bread or pasta.
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Post by wildflower on May 22, 2017 17:35:40 GMT
So, this is probably yet another suggestion and you are sick of them... but have you tried essential oils? I get psoriasis spots and a 1% dilution of lavender and tea tree oil is the only thing that has worked.
Now, I'm not talking whole body issues, just spots. I'm also NOT someone who uses EOs for much of anything at all. I'm just throwing that out there since my little roller ball has become my go-do when I start breaking out in patches.
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Post by oldbaylover1024 on May 22, 2017 17:39:34 GMT
So, this is probably yet another suggestion and you are sick of them... but have you tried essential oils? I get psoriasis spots and a 1% dilution of lavender and tea tree oil is the only thing that has worked. Now, I'm not talking whole body issues, just spots. I'm also NOT someone who uses EOs for much of anything at all. I'm just throwing that out there since my little roller ball has become my go-do when I start breaking out in patches. I have tried EO and didn't have any luck unfortunately. Tea tree oil worked on my scalp for a few months, but then stopped working.
I also have psoriatic arthritis, so outside of the actual skin issues I have pretty severe joint inflammation. I've tried one systemic medication and again, it worked for about 6 months, then stopped.
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Post by sweetieheart on May 22, 2017 19:09:51 GMT
I don't have any suggestions, but just wanted to say that I hope you find a solution and that it doesn't involve giving up cheese!
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Post by shawnabm1320 on May 23, 2017 0:48:12 GMT
We've gone gluten free off and on as part of the trim healthy mama eating plan that linewifekat was talking about. It's actually a lot easier than it used to be - it would probably not be too hard to try it for a month and see if you see improvement. They make pasta out of things like chick peas these days. It's crazy! I hope you don't have to give up dairy. That sounds like some form of torture, but you could always try it if gluten doesn't make a difference. On second thought, i guess I would try eliminating sugar if gluten doesn't make a difference. That's easier than dairy, right? |
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Post by evelyn333 on May 23, 2017 1:56:46 GMT
My mom is gluten-free not by choice. All I have to say in regards to strictly diet - it's a lot better than it used to be. There are a lot of options out there now that still taste good. But, yes making meals for the rest of the family plus yourself can be tiring. The other issue is eating out can be tough since most fast food is eliminated. My mom often brings snacks with her - so some preparation can be required if places you are going do not accommodate the diet. But it does seem we have less trouble with restaurants in the States when we travel so may not be as big an issue for you.
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Post by wineandcupcakes on May 23, 2017 3:21:13 GMT
I have Celiac so I'm gluten free. It really threw my lifestyle for a loop. I feel as if sometimes going GF isn't successful for those using it to treat ailments because they don't do it right. There is gluten in SO MUCH - spices, spice mixes, dressings, marinades, sauces, etc etc and cross-contamination is as much of an issue as gluten itself.
In regard to your family, I have actually found its not hard to make GF meals. It really forces you to eat more whole foods and things. Plus, lots of foods and food products are naturally gluten free.
The biggest issue will be cross contamination, but how far you take it depends on your reasons. People with celiac and those who are gluten sensitive and have symptoms are likely willing to go to greater lengths for this process: removing plastic in the kitchen as far as cooking utensils and storage solutions because plastic absorbs gluten, a separate toaster, I got new casserole and baking dishes due to stuck on stuff that may have contained gluten, new cutting boards, wiping down all cabinets and drawers and dedicating a few drawers to gluten-free only cookware, gluten free dish soap and dishwasher detergent, new baking products like sugar and baking soda (GF) because of cross-contamination from prior baking, two sponges (one for GF dishes and one for non-GF washing...my husband isn't GF).
I also choose to use certified GF shampoo, conditioner and body wash so I don't have to be worried that rinsing and washing may result with a bit of soapy water in my mouth. I also use certified GF makeup. This isn't so important but I would use GF lip products since it's easy to ingest them. I also use GF toothpaste (Toms of Maine).
It's not a ton of work and I'm not sure it would be worth it to put that effort in if you don't have actual celiac symptoms, but it would be worth it to be wary of cross contamination and all the places gluten can hide. I am willing to help with food brand suggestions, but sticking to whole foods will be your best bet from a nutritional standpoint, but there are healthy GF food options as well.
ETA: there is a common misconception that gluten is a crumb, but that's not true. Gluten is a molecule so wiping crumbs off a chicken breast, for example, won't suffice.
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