MRT question related to diet

Beth · Post by **Beth** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 12:58 pm

Hi all!

I've been reading everything I can from all of your previous posts about MRT testing, and I have a concern I'm hoping some of you can address. I go in and out of flares seemingly at random, and I can usually get better after going on a very limited diet of chicken, rice, eggs, carrots and cooked apples. In fact, the D has actually stopped and I'm now getting that ribbon-y kind of bm, which is a good sign. I can tell that I'm still extremely sensitive, though, so I don't dare add anything in. But when I get better, probably in another few days so long as I don't eat anything I shouldn't, and I'm not in a flare how will I know what I react to understand how to test the LEAP diet? Is the key to eliminate the definite offenders and then just to keep rotating? I know that when I find something that works for me, I pretty much eat the same thing every day. And maybe that's the problem? For example, I found that I loved eating a package of frozen broccoli with eggplant and coconut oil, as well as boiled eggs everyday for breakfast. I work out pretty hard in the mornings, so I need to eat a lot of veggies if I want to fill up. My most recent flare came after I was eating a lot (I mean a whole lot) of delicious green beans from the farmer's market. I was probably eating 6-8 cups a day, and suddenly I was in big trouble.

Thanks for your thoughts!
Elizabeth

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 1:25 pm

Beth wrote:Is the key to eliminate the definite offenders and then just to keep rotating?

Yes, that's pretty much the key to the LEAP diet. Most of us who've had the MRT test have been surprised to learn about some offensive foods. The theory is that once you've removed your most problematic foods, your gut will begin to settle down and you can slowly add foods that are less problematic. The rotation part is to minimize the chances of becoming intolerant to additional foods, but the break from certain foods also helps determine whether or not they are causing problems.

Good luck with the test!

Gloria

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 1:55 pm

Elizabeth,

Most of us are super-sensitive to fiber when we're reacting/flaring... so even if green beans (for instance) are something you tolerate in the long run (when well), the high fiber content may be irritating while your system is aggravated...

I was a big egg-eater, and was sure they were not a problem for me. I did eliminate them, after Enterolab tests showed that I had antibodies (darn!), and it has helped. (Changed breakfast time, for sure.)

While we're flaring, it usually seems as though we're reacting to anything and everything. I could tolerate just about nothing but chicken broth and bananas back in March - and some of the foods that seemed to be a problem are now fine for me. So I think you need to get to a somewhat more stable state, and then start testing foods. I did a "total elimination" of all the known suspect foods I could think of ('cept I didn't think of eggs) in the beginning, and I believe that's part of the reason I was able to stop the precipitous weight loss and start getting energy back. Phew. For me, a gluten reaction can last almost a week - which means that no food I test during that time will give a 'clean' result.

I hope that helps - and good luck,

Sara

Beth · Post by **Beth** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 2:50 pm

Yep, fiber seems to be a huge no-no right now. About the eggs - I think that would literally be my most difficult thing to give up. I get eggs from the farmer's market, and they are absolutely delicious. I usually half a dozen/day because they're great for traveling - and they're so good. I never got a test from EnteroLab way back - I just took out dairy, soy and gluten after figuring out that I didn't do well with them. I certainly don't want to spend extra money confirming what I already know, but maybe it would be wise to get a test for eggs. Is EnteroLab the best place to do this? Or is there another lab I could go to through my doctor that would be equally as reliable?

Thanks!

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 3:26 pm

Beth,

Enterolab is testing for antibodies to the protein in egg white - a totally different test from the typical 'allergy' tests.

Cheaper-to-free, of course, would be taking at least a week off from eggs, and see if there's any difference. I ate eggs every day, and I noticed a difference very soon after stopping them. And yes, I don't care if I never see another cookie, but eggs have a special place in my heart ;) If you're eating 1/2-dozen a day, I would guess you might notice a difference reasonably soon by stopping them - if they cause you to react.

You'll find other portable protein sources - if indeed you need to. If you are planning to do MRT, you may not need to do the Enterolab testing as well, though some people do react to the "green" (least reactive) foods. In all cases, how you tolerate the food trumps whatever the test tells you!

--Sar

Beth · Post by **Beth** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 3:48 pm

Giving up eggs would be even worse than having to give up chocolate, which I've had to do while I'm in this flare. I might try to get up the nerve and see what happens, though. Thanks, Sara. When do you start your testing?

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 5:58 pm

If your limited diet achieves good results then the next step is to test foods one at a time. MRT/LEAP is essentially an elimination diet that is guided by a blood test that shows reactions to various foods. But if you've achieved a good state then you can simply add one new food daily and monitor your response (that is the LEAP/MRT process). The great thing about MRT is that os tests reactions to food chemicals as well as foods, which is an important part of figuring out sensitivities.

Mary Beth