Interesting Read.....I'm going to give Raw ... - PBC Foundation

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Interesting Read.....I'm going to give Raw eating a try. What can it hurt?

Ktltel profile image
20 Replies

Below is an article I found by googling "PBC and eating Raw." Also... I am not advocating anyone going off their medication. Anything anyone tries should first be run by your own medical professional. This is simply an article I came across and thought it was interesting enough to share. ❤

(Start)

I was Told My Liver Disease Was Incurable: I Turned to Raw Foods and Saved My Life. For years I had terrible stomach pains, and for years eating certain foods made me sick. I became very fatigued, developed itchy skin, high cholesterol, thyroid problems, cramping in my legs and my spleen was enlarged. My blood work and liver counts were all messed up, but doctors could not figure out what was wrong with me. My gallbladder was removed and yet I still had stomach aches when I ate.

I tried to give blood one time and they wouldn't accept it. So, I went back to the doctor to try and find out what was going on. Still no answers.

It wasn't until May of 2006 that a liver specialist diagnosed me with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC). He did a liver biopsy to confirm this. I not only had PBC, but I was in the last stages. PBC is a liver disease that there is no cure for at this time. A liver transplant does not cure it but will slow down the process. I also developed osteoporosis, arthritis, and the fatigue and itchy skin had gotten worse. I was prescribed medication for everything.

I'm 45 yrs. old, and married with 4 children. I was so sick it was hard to get out of bed, and I was feeling very useless to everyone around me. This was very hard on me and my family.

One day as I was gagging on the several medications I was on, I prayed for answers and healing. That day I decided not to put anything in my mouth that made me sick or gave me stomach aches. Meat was the first to go, then dairy, flour, sugar, and processed foods, which meant no more fast foods. After a month of eating this way, amazingly I was feeling better. The itching had gone away, and I wasn't tired anymore. After a couple of months I went for my doctor appointment to talk about a biopsy and liver transplant. He said I looked so good he wanted to do some blood tests. Those blood tests were almost normal. He told me to keep doing whatever I was doing.

I am now off of all my medication! Never having heard of a raw food lifestyle in my life before my illness, I now eat about 90% of raw foods. Cooked food is still hurting my stomach. I feel better than I have in a long time. My family and I now live a much healthier and happier lifestyle.

I just had my last test update. My blood test came back better than normal: absolutely no sign of osteoporosis or arthritis! My spleen has shrunk back down to normal, and the doctor couldn’t find any signs of cirrhosis on my liver. Without medication! Pretty amazing, considering that I was told there was no cure. It scared me, I took actions, and the raw foods sure saved my life. My story is proof that we are what we eat.

Donna Woods

5/6/2008

beautifulonraw.com/testimon...

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Ktltel profile image
Ktltel
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20 Replies
donna01 profile image
donna01

Wow! I truly believe food has healing ability and that is why I steer away from gluten and processed foods. I too eat a raw fruit and veggie diet however my meat is grass fed and cooked of course. Do you have the link to this article by any chance?

Ktltel profile image
Ktltel in reply to donna01

Figured it out finally. The link is now above in the article. ❤

KatherineM_PBC profile image
KatherineM_PBC

Very interesting read and I also believe we are what we eat. As I have 2 x auto-immune including PBC, I went gluten free 2 years ago and then further cut back on carbs after developing chronic migraine. I eat lots of salad and veg, and where possible organic meat and eggs. My last liver scan showed I had a 'normal' liver and my blood tests results have returned to within normal range. I do lapse occasionally with a naughty desert when dining out, but defo no processed foods. I lost a bit of weight too which is a bonus and energy levels are good.

Ktltel profile image
Ktltel in reply to KatherineM_PBC

How wonderful and promising!! I can't figure out how to post the link. 😖

I'm going to give this a try. I do plant based smoothies... Vega One protein powder. But I've slipped... No, I've fallen down and I'm struggling to get back up from eating badly at the moment!!

Thanks for sharing.

Stella❤

My-life profile image
My-life in reply to Ktltel

Praise God. He gave you wisdom.

Mirimaur profile image
Mirimaur

How interesting , I have noticed that too much sugar can cause me to itch temporarily and l have cut back on gluten. I eat organic I don’t eat processed food or much red meat. I never drink alcohol either. I take Symprove which is a pro biotic. , omega three and magnesium citrate. I do take my Urso of course . Recently had my second lot of liver blood tests the results were all normal. I’m sure it’s down to the Urso .of course and I am so grateful for this drug, however perhaps the healthy diet has also helped . I’m sure diet is very important .Miriam xx

Ktltel profile image
Ktltel in reply to Mirimaur

Thank you so much for sharing that promising bit of information. It's wonderful to hear positive things concerning this PBC. I hope all continues moving in the right direction for you!!

Stella ❤

Mirimaur profile image
Mirimaur in reply to Ktltel

Thank you dear Ktltel . I pray for the same. I was very surprised by my results . My liver function tests were very high. Please G d everyone should only be well and have good results. It’s all so nerve racking at times xxxx❤️

Wocket profile image
Wocket

I might try the raw diet too as I’m sat here feeling sorry for myself, covered in a rash

butterflyEi profile image
butterflyEi

Interesting read Ktltel thank you for sharing. A couple of years ago I started eating mostly salads and preparing/cooking my own soups so I knew what I was eating with the express intention of losing weight to reduce pressure on the liver. I know that I am better because of it.

best wishes

246810 profile image
246810

Hello thankyou for sharing, I'm feeling very tierd at the moment,

May I ask about your tummy before you started the raw food diet. Did you have tummy upsets all the time? I'm finding some days I can't get off the loo. I know I'm not eating well, finding veg friut can make things worse .

kandiepat profile image
kandiepat

wowee, fantastic letter, I always believed that you are what you eat. I have shelves full of diet books and eating raw - but I find it so hard to do as I'm not a fan of veggies but I don't eat processed food and my bloods are ok and I'm old - otherwise I would be inspired by your post and I would join you. So I urge all that can, to give it a go or try for 80/100%. Better still, grow your own veg. if possible. thankyou once again for your great post. Kandiepat

kandiepat profile image
kandiepat in reply to kandiepat

Sorry, got it wrong - but the article was still great Ktltel, give it a go, what is there to regret?

Lizzy1313 profile image
Lizzy1313 in reply to kandiepat

Just a thought....I've experimented with raw food over the years and dehydrated food (as long as it's dehydrated at a low temp) is less intense than all of the raw veggies, etc. I made an amazing batch of two of raw crackers from celery root, carrots, green onions, soaked almonds, salt and they were amazing and didn't taste like veggies really. And....they gave me energy instead of that energy dip I get after eating grain carbs. Met my desire for chips too. Kale chips are yummy too. I found I couldn't even let them fully dehydrate because the savory seasoning kept drawing me back to to kitchen for tastes!

Ktltel profile image
Ktltel in reply to Lizzy1313

Lizzie1313,

I would love that recipe. ❤❤❤

Stella

mrspeffer profile image
mrspeffer

I've been raw/vegan for years now...raw is lots of work to prepare, especially since the results are yummy and my husband eats it quicker than I can make it! Many Natural Pathic doctors feel that autoimmune stems from diet. All the inflammatory foods, lectins, processed foods are difficult for non-PBC bodies to consume, so for us, it's even more difficult. Best wishes to your venture into the RAW world. There are some great recipes online

kandiepat profile image
kandiepat in reply to mrspeffer

As you mentioned lectins, have you read The Plant Paradox book by Dr. mumby. It's truly an eye opener. Just read the Amazon reviews. Kandypat

Hils67 profile image
Hils67

Hi Ktltel,

Just wondering how you’re fading on the raw food diet? Are you still on it or have you been able to re-introduce any foods?

Are your bloods still in the normal range?

Thanks

Hils xx

Ktltel profile image
Ktltel in reply to Hils67

Hello,

I stuck to one raw food meal a day for a month. I was TERRIBLE at it. And my husband couldn't handle it. I really blew it when we had company staying with us for the summer. I just cooked up a storm most nights. But, for the last 3 weeks I'm having issues. All my LFT'S up. ALT is predominately the highest. Not good. Of course, my doctors have always been BEHIND the medical curve😔. To begin with, 2 years ago i was diagnosed "early stage" by biopsy. Huge mistake believing that! Then afterwards, checkups consisted of labs and ultrasounds (which basically miss detecting fibrosis). So, now with my labs going nuts and this nausea im having, I'm probably a non-responder to URSO and most certainly do have fibrosis. I'm having an MRE tomorrow. $2,630 out of pocket due at time of visit. Gotta love the USA/Obama care insurance. At least I'll know the truth where I'm at in my own PBC journey. I'll be popping a Xanax 1st thing tomorrow morning before the 1 1/2 hour trip to Missouri. This neighboring state has a hospital, "Research Medical Center." It's the only place closest to me who does MRE's.

Stella❤

Hils67 profile image
Hils67 in reply to Ktltel

Ah blimey that sounds terrible for you. Makes my problems sound trivial. We’re very lucky in the UK to have the NHS. Although it’s underfunded they really do try and do the best they can for you.

I didn’t think the raw food diet sounded very appetising...although if it works and if it’s a last resort I will give it a go.

I hope you get some answers soon. Sending very best wishes and big hugs xxx

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