QuestionQUESTION: Melissa
I began eating Activia yogurt three times aay a couple weeks ago,in order to reduce my distended belly (I am a 50 year old guy) and help with digestion. Apparently a study (probably funded ny Activia) reccomended Activa three times a day for three months to reduce distension and even help with weight loss.
It seems to have helped,my belly has gone down a belt notch, and along with a switch away from refined carbohydrates-I am eating 'low glycemic' and less coffee I am looking and feeling better.
BTW I think I mught have gluten intolerance? I have most of the symptoms so I will go for a month low glycemic to see how I do.
Getting back to the yogurt, I cut down to one a day-just cant eat three.
Now I dont feel like ANY. Can I switch to probiotic capsules? There are a few high quality brands that are enteric coated so they open in your colon not your stomach.Will they work the same?
Also I like buttermilk-can I substitute that for the Activia?
Thanks!
ANSWER: Van,
You say that you have "all the symptoms" of gluten intolerance, but you don't say exactly what symptoms you have. The symptoms of gluten intolerance are first and foremost, being severely underweight and being unable to gain weight no matter how much you eat. Second-chronic, lifelong diarrhea that appears greasy and frothy and floats in the toilet bowl, and is often bloody. Sorry for being so graphic. But actual gluten allergy is pretty rare, and most people are unaware of the symptoms. Gluten allergy also does not develop past the age of 20 or so, so unless you've been having these symptoms since then, celiac disease is not your problem.
A far more common problem is intestinal candidiasis. This is caused by eating too many carbohydrates, and the cure is probiotic bacteria such as Activia. Since you felt better with Activia, this is likely what you have. Once daily Activia, or any other yogurt with live cultures (despite their advertising budget, the bacteria type and number in Activia is not different from any other brand) will do it. You can also do capsules. In addition, you need to reduce carbs, and try to eliminate foods with yeast-pretty much that includes all baked goods and beers/lagers. After a few months, you should be able to stop the probiotics and just stick with the dietary changes.
Good luck!
Melissa
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks Melissa
What I meant to say was I do have most of the symptoms but not ALL the time.
I dont have the diarrhea and I am not underweight I am on the chubby side and find it hard to lose weight.
Do you think I might have a dairy intolerance? Whenever I eat ice cream I get bad gas, but other than a little cheese from time to time and milk in my coffe I dont use much.
Should I continue on with the Activia anyway? Is yogurt dairy?
AnswerVan,
Let's stick with one diagnosis at a time! Gas after ice cream would also be expected with lack of normal gut bacteria, due to the high sugar content. Stick with the probiotics and the diet changes and see how you do. If in four to six months you're still having trouble, then try cutting dairy.
Melissa
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