Organic vs Gluten free

[KatherineM_PBC]

Hi all. I have been trying to improve my diet since finding I have PBC. I opt for organic options where available and have also read that gluten free might be of benefit, especially regarding the itching???? So, which would be better for example, organic bread or gluten free bread? Any thoughts?

[Hidden]

Hello KatherinM_PBC.

I was diagnosed with PBC December 2010 and over the years I'd bought organic produce when I could afford it, thought I had a good diet but I still started with the itch early 2010 that led to being diagnosed with PBC later that year at aged 46.

I did have a spell a few years ago where I ate quite a bit of gluten-free foods due to at the time my young adult son being advised by a consultant to cut out gluten, wheat products in particular for a spell as at the time he had a bowel issue that was thought to be due to over-use of antibiotics. The whole family did the gluten-free but can't say it made a scrap of difference to the itch at all. (The itch has changed in intensity since taking the urso and these days I tend to have it later at night and it lasts until around 6a.m. Downside it can cause broken sleep most of the time.)

I watched a tv programme, think early this year and there was a consultant on who dealt with bowel issues and other gastro problems. He stated that there was only a very tiny percent of the population who were wholly gluten-intolerant (as in coeliacs) and there was no need for anyone who was not diagnosed with a problem to go gluten-free. He stated he did not advise anyone who didn't have an issue to avoid gluten. Another tv programme showed 2 groups of uni students in the UK on a programme hosted by Fiona Phillips, one group had a placebo and the others not. One group had gluten in their diet for the trial, the other snot. The results were compared and the group who said they felt wonderful and thoguht they'd had a gluten-free diet had in fact not done so. the gluten-free 'lot' apparently didn't seem to fair as well. Even comparing 2 other groups of students, one with a supposed healthy diet, another with a diet that included red meat, bread, etc., their LFTs were actually taken pre-test and then compared at the end. The ones on what was considered a healthy diet (minus certain sins like red meat) apparently their LFTs were not as good after but the ones who ate what they wanted within reason faired the best.

For me buying organic just means that I am perhaps guaranteeing myself there are no nasty artificial additives. Thinking though, water cannot be considered organic so makes me wonder.

As the itch is supposed to come from used bile, bile which we require to digest foods especially fats means that it circulates in the bloodstream and due to our compromised liver, means that in my theory as a protection, it leeches out via the skin as it is toxic and I reckon it reacts with all those tiny nerve endings thus giving us the itch sensation.

I've found days where I feel I've not eaten so good (maybe had a bit of chocolate of which I don't consume much of) I've felt better itchwise than when I've taken care. I think with the itch it might somehow be on a good day we've managed to somehow balance the bile with what we have consumed.

[Tleeoliver]

I was diagnosed 18 months ago (stage4) and am not responding to Urso so I decided to take control using my diet. I'm celiac so already gluten free, I have cut caffeine but drink decaf coffee or plant based teas, limit my sugar intake, have no alcohol and try to only eat organic foods. I feel fantastic.

[Rockie]

KatherineM Gluten free bread I suppose. That is what I eat,but I am still itching. So I do not have any answers for this PBC. It always seems to be just one ahead of me.

[butterflyEi]

Hi KatherineM_PBC

My itch went out of control back in spring 2014. I have tried various things since then including removing bread completely from my diet. Going gluten free is a good alternative and like Rockie gluten free bread is an option.

[PatriciaHebrides]

I eat gluten free bread etc.

Although, a blood test show I did not have Celiac disease, if eat food with wheat and/or gluten I get diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort.

I had suffered form this for many years and had many tests and investigations that show nothing. (that scenario sounds familiar!) I discovered myself that cutting out ordinary bread etc stopped those symptoms about the same time as I was diagnosed with pbc.

It does not seem to have effect on itching.

I did start my gluten free diet about the same time as I started taking URSO - and the itching became less and less and stopped The itching did return 2 years later and I was prescribed Questran Light which together with moisturising creams helped. I am itching free at the moment - thank goodness

I can tolerate small amounts of wheat/gluten food which means I don't have to be extra careful about the food I eat and also prevents constipation.

I just try to eat sensibly - a healthy type diet.

[Rockie]

PatriciaHerbrides So glad you are relieved of the itching. For me it is part of my life. and now after all the years I was fatigue free, that has also kicked in now, but I have to go on,what else?