It has been about 2 months since I was at the hospital getting tested, poked, and probed to see what is wrong with my stomach. The gastritis that I had been having turned out to be bile reflux. The pyloric valve between the liver and the stomach isn’t working properly and is allowing bile back into the stomach. I don’t know what this means for the future. Will the valve always be defective? Certainly, if I don’t change any of my diet and don’t work to protect my stomach lining, I could end up with something like a cancer of the esophogus.
In response to these results, I have since altered my diet and begun an chiropractic-related enzyme replacement therapy to help my digestive system better deal with the bile. I don’t know if the valve will always be defective, but I am confident that my efforts will give my body the tools it needs to maintain excellent health. Since I implemented these changes, I have felt great! I haven’t had so much as a cold or sniffle. My energy levels have been steady with no crashes. The enzymes are certainly helping my stomach, but there are still some moments where the gastritis is apparent like when I took a nap right after lunch today – the 30 minutes after I woke wasn’t a picnic.
An unexpected benefit of the new diet is the loss of 19 pounds in 8 weeks which is largely a result of my food intake and moderate exercise. I have challenged myself to try to follow the dietary recommendations of several programs simultaneously. There is the enzyme treatment, recommendations of my nutritionist, and my attempt to be gluten-free. I also follow some principles of the Blood Type Diet, the Abs Diet, and even Michael Pollan’s tips from his book In Defense of Food. So, coordinating the best of all of them is a challenge. To put it simply, the bulk of my diet is fruit, vegetables, and meat or eggs. I have eliminated all wheat products because I have continued to suspect I have celiac’s disease. My nutritionist has encouraged me to eliminate grains and dairy – although I have made exceptions with mozzarella cheese as the enzyme diet allows for it in moderation.
I have also seen a significant improvement in the skin rashes. They are much more manageable! I don’t know which element is helping my body fight them off, but I’m not complaining!
The bottom line: so far, so good.
I have yet to take a medication to treat the symptoms of the gastritis and have largely been satisified with my improvements. Additionally, my “green” diet already incorporates organic foods as much as I can afford. Taking control of my health through diet, enzymes, chiropractic care, and excercise hasn’t just benefitted the stomach problems; it has improved functions such as immunity, mental clarity, and many ofher phsyical functions.
