Food as Medicine

[SuziS]

Does anyone have a really clean diet here, trying to concentrate on using food as medicine for this condition? I'm interested to learn if one sticks to a clean, wholesome diet, organic foods, juicing etc if anyone has had a positive result from this (improved test results, less itching etc) ?

[Kmleary]

I ate clean for 1 year. Sorry to say my disease and itching still progressed. It went from at night on feet and hands to day and night all over. Thats what finally drove me to go to Dr. Then I found out I was stage 2 PBC this Feb. 2013. Clean example, 1st I did Body Ecology Diet. Then, glutin free, then nearly vegitarian, only eating fish chix, turkey acouple times a week. I never juiced.

[Hidden]

I have been on an almost gluten free diet, no processed food, no soda. I have watched the balance of fat, carbs, and protein. Not to heavy on the protein because it stresses the Liver.(40-60 grams daily). I have kept my calories to 1200 a day and have lost 22lbs since June. I feel more energized. My LFT's have gone down, but who knows if it is from the diet or not. I also take Milk Thistle along with the Urso. I do feel better. My skin looks healthier. I have also eliminated red meat from my diet. I eat Chicken, Salmon, Cod and lots of veggies and fresh fruit. I have also almost totally eliminated dairy. I love yogurt. Now I drink Coconut or Almond milk (the chocolate is amazing and vanilla is great in my coffee) I eat non dairy cheese.

[Hidden]

I basically continued as I had prior to PBC which is still trying to eat healthily like I thought I always did but can't say it has made a major difference since started itching 2010 and was diagnosed same year.

My son had what seemed a temporary problem with wheat gluten (due to overuse of antibiotics apparently) and was advised for awhile to eliminate it to see what happened. So I've been buying gluten-free flour, bread rolls and other items of food (though you don't have to spend a lot on special food as there is quite a lot of everyday foods that are gluten-free too). I use gluten-free flour in cooking and have the odd orange choc wafer bar like our Taxi choc wafer bars here in England.

I've not got a problem with fatigue, it's the itching. I can't fathom out how odd days I don't itch (didn't last night) and then others I start at night (only a night time itcher). I have noticed on the days I rarely have any fat of any sort I have felt better at night. I am still convinced with PBC that it is the amount of fat that causes more problems.

I have used a juicer for about 12yrs now and bought a book once on recipes. Found certain fruits very high in sugar content (ie grapes) and did adjust accordingly. I use carrots quite a lot with apples, plums and tho' I have a citrus press I don't have overly-much in the way of oranges. I somehow seem to think that for me citrus isn't very good, have thought this for many many years.

I do eat quite a bit of fish, frozen that is raw uncooked (not processed as in with batter or breadcrumbs) and also fresh plus tinned salmon (bones for calcium) and tuna. Chicken is something else that we tend to eat a lot too. Red meat isn't my speciality, never has been but I can eat it and my husband does like so we have once a wk. I have found though that the times when we have, I've not felt as good later at night and I put that down to the fact that red meat takes longer for the body to process than chicken or fish.

I'm fortunate that I don't like cheese much. Can't stand the smell of it. I do buy the odd block of crumbly cheese like Lancashire, Cheshire, Wensleydale or Caerphilly as I occasionally make my own cauliflower cheese to accompany tea.

[Bookworm7]

I don't suffer with fatigue just the itch, it used to effect me mainly at night but over the last year or so it is all the time, I have a very healthy diet no processed food always fresh lots of veg and salad and home made dishes, unfortunately I don't like fruit but drink juices to get my vitamin C. I also try and exercise at least 3 times a week even though after being awake most nights I don't often feel like it but if I didn't I think I would feel worse.

I don't know for sure if my diet helps my condition because it has changed so much over the last 3 years but it can't do any harm.

[HeidiLucy]

I am also trying to eat extra healthy (organic, etc..). Diet suggestions that have been mentioned above. I'll admit to a binge moment with cookie dough last night.

I have also changed the way I clean to reduce toxins that I breath. I use a handheld steam cleaner from Shark, "green" cleaners and I have been using vinegar to clean I put a painters mask over my nose and mouth when I use hairspray. Maybe that is overboard. I now drink only filtered water that reduces the copper and chlorine in tap water.

I decided to stop polishing my nails because of the fumes of the polish and remover, but I'm still going to get my hair highlighted. It makes me happy.

I was dx on Oct. 2012 stage 2 and I'm 43. All these changes might or might not help PBC, but my liver has to benefit on some level that I have reduced my toxin exposure in food and the air I breath. It make me feel that I'm doing my part.

Heidi

[lainey67]

My lfts improved alot just from changing my diet and stopping smoking,and that was before i was put on urso.My consultant told me that there was a link with pbc and smoking.I completely changed my diet i also started using a spice called tumerick which is good for the imune system ,i have a glass of milk and honey with a spoon of tumerick in it each day.Beets are also very good.I am only early stages and do not as yet have the itch but i do have severe joint and muscle pain and fitigue.

[littlemo in reply to lainey67]

Hi Lainey I think I have read about the use of tumerick before somewhere. I have never used it but would like to try it. What does it taste like and how would you use it if you dont mind me asking?

[lainey67]

Hello littlemo you can buy it from morrisons,asda any of the super markets,it will be were all the spices are,it is called Tumerick ground.sYou can sprinkle it on almost every thing,i know i do.It says on the label that you can use it to complement vegetable,bean and lentill dishes.I allways put a large spoon in my curry,it is great in a glass of milk with a spoon of honey.I read ages ago that it helps the imune system and is used alot in patients with pbc.I will try anything if it will make a difference,ginger is some thing else that is surpose to help,i make home made soup every other day and allways put ginger in,i even put a small spoon of tumerick.Be care full not to get tumerick on your hands as it does stain them yellow and is a pain to wash off.Good luck with it.i hope this has helped i am allways searching up on herbs and spices and will keep you posted.

[lainey67]

Hi again littlemo i have just read some of my notes that i made when reading up on tumerick. It contains the active ingrediant curicumin, and is one of natures most powerfull healer,and helps to prevent liver disease,alzimers,some cancers and is very good for arthritis and joint and muscle problems.It is also an anti inflamatory so would help us as i know the bile ducts are usually inflammed,this is well worth a try.Good luck and take care.

[SuziS]

It's also on Green coffee bean extract available from lef.org

[Hidden]

I eat beets (pickled by me), put tumeric on everything I cook, ginger too. I figured this ingredient would help my arthritis of my hands. I do not take any pain meds for fear of further compromising my Liver or Kidneys. I used to get cramps in my fingers, but not nearly as often now. I believe the spices, milk thistle and Urso have helped. Thanks for the information. I look forward to future postings on this subject. Judi

[dunford91 in reply to Hidden]

hi judi

have just read your comments and l was wondering what milk thistle does for pcb?lm also taking urso and having been told by my gp not to buy over the counter unless l check with him first, lm always a bit worried doing so.

thanks take care lorna

[Hidden]

My Liver doc prescribed the Milk Thistle to me. The following link is from The University of Maryland Medical Center.

umm.edu/altmed/articles/mil... I hope this answers your question.

Regards,

Judi