Hi Red Dancer,
I heard the word Microbiome on BBC Radio4 twice in about June 2016 on completely unrelated topics, or so I thoughts. I googled Microbiome and what I have learnt as a result has transformed my life. I hope as more research is done and more people begin to get clever about their guts and what should be living there, that the positive impact on chronic disease will be given the opportunity, by main stream medicine, to fulfill its’ potential. We have to find another way to halt and cure the rising tide of chronic disease in the Western World, before the entire economy collapses under the financial strain. There is also the issue of all those sick people unable to enjoy life as it ought to be.

Just a few days ago I was inspired to write a very long blog on a forum for folks with Rheumatoid Arthritis NRAS HealthUnlocked. After about 50 replies someone asked for info. about what I had read to reach the point where I was currently on no medication. A couple of years ago I was on monthly biological infusions as my local hospital. I got 10 prescriptions a month from my GP back then and he was hounding me to add three more different types of medication to the list. The last time I was well enough to hold down paid employment was well over a decade ago and I have been so ill I have needed regular help from a Carer, again for most of the last decade. Finally in the last 2-3 months my health has begun to improve. This has only happened because my consultant took me off my infusions until various infections cleared up.

A good day for me is to be able to have the energy to read or use my computer, when previously I often spent 16 hours a day in bed and most of the remaining 8 hours slumped in front of the TV. So I still have a long way to go before anyone else could call me well.

The post on the above mentioned site is entitled:-
Some Words of Encouragement. Severe RA and No Meds. Right Now. The Benefits of a Healthier Microbiome. A long way into the 50+ replies you will find a book list with 30 titles all on Gut Health and the Microbiome etc. The first 10 or so books I have read. There are lots of expensive heavy academic research stuff, which I have not read, either because I do not have the relevant Micro Biology Degree, or similar or they are way beyond my budget. This field is moving so fast that I included on my list the books which I am interested in reading, but have not done so because they are so new, or they have not yet been published.

Easy ways to get more info. google, Amazon Books or YouTube. Try Heal my Gut or Healthier Gut for the popular stuff. For a more academic stance try Microbiome or Mictobiota. Amazon lets you learn a lot with the open the book facility, before you need to spend anything. I have gleaned a lot of knowledge that way from books I could never afford to buy.

If I have helped, encouraged or sparked your interest see my profile on here or try the NRAS forum to read my very lengthy post.

May anyone reading this experience better overall health when you have improved the health of your Clever Guts.

AARA

Thanks i did, that’s great.

Dear Untold Gold and readers,

Do you know your blood (AA/EPA) ?

I would recommend 3 main meals and 2 snacks per day with first meal within 1 hour of waking.

No empty carbs, such as potatoes, bread,pasta,rice,grains except steel-cut oats…..Instead brightly coloured vegetables,which are , of course carbs.

Meals simply:-
lean protein size of your palm..
remainder of plate as much brightly coloured vegetable as you can eat.
dash of best quality olive oil

Snacks
nuts,seeds

Sufficient ultra-pure fish oil to maintain blood (AA/EPA) @ 1.5 rather than the normal population >18

More information is contained by referencing the links in my Amazon Review of Michael’s splendid book.

Kindest Regards

Hi Firefox7275

Thank you for your replying. I do include nuts, seeds, lentils etc. in my diet.
I have been seeing a nutritionist and had blood tests to check my vitamin levels. The only thing that was depleted was vitamin B12. She prescribed vitamin B12 and BioAcidophilus, but told me not to take themlong term. After following her advice, l was able to lower my dose of Omeprazole.

The nutritionist prescribed a diet for me which was not far off what l eat normally and my weight stayed the same. Following her advice l omitted carbohydrates for 4 days to see if this would make a difference. Sadly, again my weight stayed the same. She felt unable to help me whilst l’m taking antidepressants. She thought they were suppressing my metabolism and l wouldn’t loose weight whilst l was taking them. I am trying to increase my exercise.

I would like to lose weight as l feel uncomfortable and l’m sure it doesn’t help the hernia. I’m not huge, 5’3 and 10 stone. This is why l asked the question about Clever Guts Diet or Blood Sugar Diet.
Do you have an opinion on this?

Thanks in advance.

Ah! Perhaps I misread – maybe you mean much much Kefir to take per day?

I suppose I drink about 250ml per day — in the morning generally, maybe two lots of 125.

I’d be interested in what others take too.

Thanks so much for the prompt and helpful response.

In my expereince, I would say that it does help – but ‘quantifying’ the effect is far from easy.

Ref other parts of this thread: I’ve managed to quit the macrogol (or any other chemical laxative), with the help (apparently at least) of a combination of kefir, linseeds and water, and a diet predominantly of cheese, fruit and vegetables. I’ve also largely cut out wheat products — subsituting corn crackers to eat with the cheese (I miss bread and wheat biscuits a lot, but don’t miss the effects — so make them an occasional treat).

It’s therefore difficult to tell how much the kefir is individually responsible for benefit. I’ve also taken on board Michael Mosely’s advice about welcoming the right kind of bacteria generally rather than shunning them (eg, I’ve been making a point of eating somewhat over-ripe fruit and cheese… er, not licking the pavement…)

That said, I use the macrogol when travelling – and frankly I still find the whole thing a bit of an unpredicatble mystery…

Hope this helps!

Could I ask, have people taking kefir regularly (if so how much and how often?) noted an improvement in constipation? I read that it can help but that in some cases it can cause constipation. I’d appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

I appreciated that fermentation would slow down, but hadn’t considered the ‘tried and trusted materials’ issue.
Thanks for the advice 👍

Dear Fire fox 7275 and all my readers,

please read my Amazon Review of Michael’s book and follow the links there.

Kindest Regards

Nicely put Firefox!

Gordon Wanless: please provide evidence in the form of links to research papers or case studies published in respected peer reviewed scientific journals, as Dr Mosley has in his books.

Even those few human cell types, tissues or organs that regenerate, regrow or repair after birth, after childhood or after puberty are not immortal, save some cancerous cell lines in tissue culture laboratories. Nor does a natural nutrient dense diet from infancy prevent wild mammals or tribes still living as hunter-gatherers dying of old age, tissue or organ damage, or of degenerative diseases.

The internet and media are full of alternative truths, illogical theories, medical hoaxes, scams, downright dangerous diet advice. See Freelee the banana girl, Pro Ana websites, ‘evidence’ that many world leaders and celebrities are shapeshifting aliens.

Untold Gold: maybe ask your family doctor to refer you to a registered dietician or clinical nutritionist. Your detailed food and symptom diary (p. 187) with weighed and measured quantities will be invaluable here. You don’t mention any mineral and fibre rich foods (seeds, nuts, beans, lentils, unprocessed wholegrains, pseudograins).

A properly balanced and very varied wholefood diet is naturally anti inflammatory, and supplies plenty of the nutrients beneficial in mild to moderate depression. These include magnesium, vitamin D, B group vitamins, long chain omega-3s.

Cod liver oil is a poor source of omega-3s (DHA and EPA) compared with very oily fish or triple strength fish body oils. In addition,in somr countries vitamins A and D are added, both of which can be harmful if consumed in excess.

Refrigerating only slows microbial growth it does not stop it, so foods remain at risk of contamination and spoilage.

I would only decant into a container that can be home sterilised, and that won’t stain or taint. Many plastics fail on one or both counts. Stick with tried and trusted methods and tried and trusted materials. Even commercially fermented fruits or vegetables tend to be packed in glass.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve developed an allergy to cold (yes, I know it’s strange…) – it gets triggered by cold temperatures outside, but also exposure to cold water (getting caught in an autumn shower) or even lingering too long in the supermarkets dairy section. All result in very painful welts… (though thankfully they go away about 30minutes after back to normal temp).
I saw an osteopath for something unrelated who reckoned my heightened sensitivity to cold could be brought on by dairy. Dismissed that as complete nonsense until I read Dr Mosley’s book – but now thinking it may be more to do with critters down below being out of whack, and thus eating ‘the wrong kind of dairy’ rather than dairy products themselves. I was brought up in France (on tons of live cheese & yogurt) so giving up dairy would be tantamount to heresy – so I like the idea that maybe because I’m not eating live stuff much these days, it may have thrown my system. Planning to start making own yogurt this weekend, but would love to hear from anyone who has experienced cold urticaria and found ways to alleviate the symptoms? For that matter would love to hear from anyone who has heard of this. Meanwhile, I’m wearing gloves to do the weekly shop…

Hi Graham,
Thank you for your advice. It maybe worth talking to a surgeon, as the Hernia is quite large and it is my Hernia! No one really knows what they would do in the same situation. Also, the pills are problematic in themselves, it would be so good to stop taking them!

I will try the Kefir.
Kind regards,

Caroline

Thanks for this Gordon,
Caroline

If anyone should like to e-mail , I might be able to help you more easily.
kindest regards
g.wanless2014@btinternet.com

Hi, I’ve made a big batch of purple sauerkraut and it’s been fizzy away nicely for the last week or so.
Can I ‘decant’ it into a plastic tub for storage in the fridge, or does it have to stay in the original glass fermenting jar?
thanks

I just got my results back yesterday, although it took a bit longer than two months (more like three). I don’t really understand what they say, although when I did the test I was doing the 5:2 diet (mostly 2 days per week) and I generally try to eat healthily but my results have come back completely different from most of the samples they compare it to – I have tons of Akkermansia (good I think) but some others that are not so good, and one rare one which I can only find mentioned in relation to the middle ear!?

@grahamsphillips
Please google” Prudence Sinclair” ..then speak with her.
God Bless

Gordon that kind of blanket statement is dangerous frankly verging on irresponsible. If you have cancer you, surgery can be life saving. Yes we should do everything to help the body heal itself but there’s no evidence (please provide me some) that a hernia will heal itself.

Dear GrahamSPhillips and UntoldGold,
Surgery is unnecessary.
All of our body parts are being continuously renewed , although in a gradually ageing state….i.e. hair goes white.
Blood is renewed most quickly, bones most slowly in about 15 years.
If the conditions for renewal are good , i.e. non-inflammatory , then renewal is healthy.
Google “Randal McCloy” and you will learn that this is how after the Sago mine disaster 10 years ago , his brain,heart,lungs,kidneys etc. renewed heathy in a good environment .. he has since had children and is alive to-day.
Again google”Grant Virgin” , where his similar recovery shocked his mother.
Contact “Prudence Sinclair” who was given weeks to live 30 years ago, until..

Kindest Regards

Hi maddyd – where do you live?

Hi @UntoldGold- far be it from me to disagree with your GP -and no one is more wary of surgeons than me! But all of that said, it seems that the only way to stop the vicious circle of acid/omeprazole/dysbiosis is to consider tackling the root cause – i.e. the hernia. Maybe speak to the surgeon and get a view? You are entitled to a second opinion and its still 100% up to you as to whether to go ahead. The other suggestion is to (slowly) introduce a selection of fermented foods into your diet- starting perhaps with Kefir?

Daneen, this a prebiotics forum and the product you’re selling, being brown kelp, probably contains too much iodine for this purpose. And there’s no mention on your website about what your capsules contain.

See Pia Winberg’s comment:
“There are a number of simply milled seaweeds in capsules on the market, but not many yet with the concentrated dietary fibre component with science behind it – but watch this space as there will be soon. Importantly if you buy any seaweed in capsules or powdered form as a supplement and it seems to be a brown kelp, then you just need to make sure that you are not overdosing for iodine. Some kelps concentrate iodine from seawater way too much for them to be edible in quantities everyday that make it useful as a dietary fibre.”

Dear @Untold Gold,
As you will now know, depression is a chronic disease resulting from hormone imbalance. And that you can test your blood inflammation by the simple ( AA/EPA) test, available by post.

Melanie Lawson suffered post natal depression and unaware of a clean source of fish-oil founded her own company!
It ( “Bare Biology”) is the only source of UK fish oil meeting the quality and purity of I.F.O.S. (The International Fish Oil Standards , based in Canada).

85% of the world’s population have (AA/EPA) greater than 18 and suffer from chronic illness.
I require 3 grams per day to maintain my (AA/EPA) to the target 1.5 , which is typical of eskimos and traditional Japanese .
It is no coincidence that in a recent channel 4 tv program “The Best Diet in the World”, Jimmy Docherty found that of the 100 countries examined , Iceland has the best HEALTH SPAN diet i.e. longest life-span without chronic illness.
Icelanders have 3 condiments…salt, pepper and COD LIVER OIL which contains the marine omega 3’s , DHA and EPA…of which a healthy brain and body are largely made from ! it is not rocket science!!
Good Health and Kindest Regards

Hi Graham,
My GP has said that he wouldn’t have the Hernia repaired if it was him, as the operation is unreliable. He says it can be done too tightly or too loosely and not so often just right, so it brings more problems.

I take 20 mg of Omeprazole a day now. I was taking 40mg of Esomeprazole and have managed to cut it down.

My current diet is good. Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, with meat free meals at least once a week. I don’t eat much in the way of sweet foods.

I go to a spin class and a yoga class once a week, l also walk my dogs.

I have also been suffering from depression, which may have been made worse by Omeprazole .

Thanks for replying,
Caroline

Having followed Michael”s recommendation in the book, I ordered a kit from ubiome, but having got stung for VAT and a customs charge and then the info not being clear (no ID number provided) and no postage apparent on the envelope to send back, I have queried these things via e-mail with them to no avail. The website says 24-48 hour response, but have tried every e-mail contact they give and a week on have had nothing back whatsoever. Has anyone else had problems and does anyone know how else I can contact them?
Did you have to put postage on the envelope ? There is a hashed number but i doubt very much royal mail will recognise it….
Many thanks to anyone who can help?

If you should like to e-mail , I might be able to help you more easily.
kindest regards
g.wanless2014@btinternet.com

@sarahwhite82,
If you should like to e-mail, I might be able to help you more easily.
Kindest Regards
g.wanless2014@btinternet.com

Hi Naddy: I agree with Firefox- we’d need a detailed before-and-after food diary to say much more. Maybe you are making too many changes too fast but again the food diary would tell so much more.
Graham

Tap water is fine! Look elsewhere !!

Hi @untoldgold -what has your GP said about a hernia repair? What dose of omeprazole do you take, are you taking any other meds and do you need to take them every day?

In terms of diet: what is your current diet like? There’s no reason why you couldn’t combine a calorie-restricted diet with the Clever Guts. My starting point is never about calories in/calories out. That comes later if at all. Start by eating really healthily. Then you shouldn’t be hungry all the time, your insulin won’t be spiking and cutting back on calories (if needed) becomes much easier.

Finally -do you exercise? While it’s 100% true that you can’t out run a bad diet, nevertheless exercise is crucial to health and wellbeing. Hope that helps

Graham

@lee737,
If you should like to e-mail,I might be able to help you more easily.
Kindest Regards
g.wanless2014@btinternet.com

@ladyhaddon,
If you should like to e-mail , I might be able to help you more easily.
Kindest Regards,
g.wanless2014@btinternet.com

@ladyhaddon, If you should like to e-mail , I might be able to help you more easily.
Kindest Regards

@Untold Gold,
If you should like to e-mail, I might be able to help you more easily.
Kindest Regards,
g.wanless2014@btinternet.com

Have just seen a great program by Kate Quilton…3 superfoods,2 of which I knew nothing !
a) Organic Eggs, repeat organic , contain Lutein which fights against Macular Degeneration.
Whilst leafy green vegetables also contain Lutein, unlike eggs they do not come with their own fat which helps absorption into the blood stream.
b) Jelly , which contains gelatine , improves the bone joints…obviously must be sugar-free! Bone-broth similar and Hydrolysed collagen.
Also, of course, reduces skin wrinkles.
c) Tumeric is well known superfood…but the effective part is not cucumin but the water soluble component..great anti-inflammatory as is fish-oil.
Next week will include olive-oil for avoiding Alzheimers!
I always include fat in my meals… usually a drizzle of the best olive oil , or avocado , or nuts.
Kindest Regards

@Untold Gold
If you follow the Director you might find the simple advice you are looking for , particularly under obesity.
Kindest Regards

Thank you for your suggestion. I had a look at The Inflammation Research Institute website. I don’t really know where to start looking there.
I think possibly The Clever Guts Diet may help me. I need something quite straight forwards.

@Untold Gold
Trouble is ,as you know , your stomach should contain the strongest acid known to man, to digest your food.
Omeprazole is compromising this.
An alternative is to tackle the Inflammation .
You might like to look at The Inflammation Research Institute and associated knowledge.
Kindest Regards

Hi, l have a Hiatus Hernia and currently take Omeprazole and I would like to loose a stone in weight. I don’t know whether to try the Clever Guts Diet or the Blood Sugar Diet. Any advice gratefully received.

hard to know if the level of chlorine is so low that it wouldaffect your biome or not. I’d rather not have to pay for bottled water especially when you consider this:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/9775158/Bottled-water-not-as-safe-as-tap-variety.html

Have you been completing the detailed food and symptom diary, with weighed and measured quantities?

Given you have an existing gut condition, it would be safest to discuss any worsening of symptoms with your family doctor. They can also refer to a dietician. Your food diary will help either/ both.

Hi all
Firstly Steve , thank you for you detailed reply, i found it very helpful.
Graham , i had no dietary advise or follow up from either of my week long stays.

For the last 3 and half weeks i have been following an a amended version of the clever gut diet , i couldn’t do the full version due to lack of finances and time to plan, but have hopefully got it as near as possible.
I have gone gluten free and increased my fibre intake by eating more fruit and veg as well as adding chia seeds to my cereal. Also cut out caffeine and drinking mainly water and taking the apple cider vinegar.
I have got so much more energy and am so much more alert , which has been a real benefit as i drive up to 700 miles a week.
My only worry is that over the last week my bowels have become very loose and urgent. Can anyone explain why. ??
Thanks

I’d like to take part if possible.

on a related question: does anyone have recommendations about what filter to use to filter our chlorine and fluoride?

Once both eating healthily according to Clever Guts and/ or the 5:2 Diet books as well as becoming more physically active, you can easily adjust overall energy intake on non fasting days by eating more Mediterranean foods which are rich in fats. So very oily fish, olives and their oil, avocados, certain nuts and seeds, traditional cheeses.

Do reread the 5:2 Diet book for further guidance on maintaining results. And do consult your family doctor if you are concerned about safety. HTH!

Fasting in moderation can certainly be used to maintain weight and maintain overall health. Having said that do consider that lack of diagnoses or absence of major symptoms doesn’t mean there aren’t underlying issues such as a chronic low level of inflammation or mild deficiency/ insufficiency in one or more nutrients (vitamin D, omega-3s, magnesium are common).

Rather than your husband emphasising restriction at this stage it would make more sense to focus on eating a really wide variety of nutrient dense wholefoods