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Comment by valarauko | Hacker News Reader

What's the issues you've been facing, and why do you think it's a gut-brain issue?

Constipation, headaches, stress, bloating, anxiety, depression, fatigue, weight loss, hair loss, rashes.

I don't know what the cause was, but the gut-brain theory fits all of my experience and treatments aimed at improving my gut bacteria helped the most, and there has definitely been a strong connection between how my gut is feeling and how my mind is feeling.

If you're experiencing an improvement, great. It seems reasonable that your gut issues (if nothing else) could be improved by addressing the gut biome.

Since you've had some luck with traditional medicines, I can share my $0.02 about the traditional system I'm somewhat familiar with. In traditional Indian folk medicine, the focus for practically everything seems to revolve around improving gut health. It's a common belief that tongue health is a reflection of gut health, so for example a coated tongue suggests a sluggish digestive system, and the physician will seek to address that before anything else. A lot of treatments also include required dietary changes (like avoiding certain vegetables).

> like avoiding certain vegetables

I've never heard of this. Western medicine says "all the vegetables, all the time". What are some of the vegetables people told to avoid? Genuinely curious.

Even in Western medicine (at the research stage, at least), that is not necessarily true in patients suffering from certain conditions.

There is some evidence (in the sense of evidence-based medicine) that a low-FODMAP (fermentable *saccharides) diet reduces symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. [1]

As far as vegetables go, according to one site high-FODMAP vegetables include alliums and artichokes. [2]

It is worth noting that the authors of the linked review paper caution that it is unknown whether a low-FODMAP diet may have long-term adverse effects.

[1] doi:10.2147/CEG.S86798

[2] https://www.monashfodmap.com/about-fodmap-and-ibs/high-and-l...

Autoimmune Protocol diets commonly favour leafy greens a lot while telling you to avoid too starchy veg and everything in the potato-tomato family ("nightshades"). Very abbreviated it would be "eat green veg, fish and meat."

I did this when I was in constant horrific agony. Full body burning pain. Serious painkillers Just to not want to die.

Tried 100% only Chicken green veggies and sweet potatoes. A Month later I was out kayaking twice a week. No need for painkillers.

What a pain, sorry to hear that and great that it worked.

I have to plead ignorance on the specifics, since it's not something I've consulted myself, so unsure if it's a universal suggestion or whether each person gets tailor made recommendations - though I think it's the latter (based on conversations with people who did consult a traditional physician). Collectively, I've heard recommendations against tomatoes, eggplants, certain pulses common in the Indian diet, some leafy vegetables, okra, colocasia (leaves and tubers), and milk. At least in some cases, the dietary restrictions were supposed to last at least while they took the traditional medications.

Nightshades can increase inflammation. Tomatoes and Potatoes for example.

On the other hand, tomatoes can also be anti-inflammatory. It really depends on the situation.

I assume you were tested for Celiac disease? Many doctors don't do the testing correctly, though - mainly that someone has to be eating gluten for weeks prior to the blood tests to avoid high risk of a false negative.

Have you ever done a hydrogen methane breath test? Curious if it could be SIBO-C.

This is a bit of a vent so apologies in advance but as someone who has been though the same thing OP has I have heard this suggestion from literally everyone. Even if you do the test and it's test results are accurate it's not 100% clear what to do with that information - it's mostly the same stuff OP would have or did already try.

It's common to take a 2 week course of something like Xifaxan (an antibiotic that works in the small intestine) after a positive SIBO test, which is not something you can do without a doctor/gastroenterologist prescribing it for you.

-- someone who tested positive for a hydrogen/methane breath test and just finished a 2 week course of Xifaxan

There are ways to get Xifaxan / Rifaximin without a prescription. Plenty of sites where you can buy it online. I got it from my functional medicine doctor who said let's skip the breath test and just try it, because it has very low risk and few side effects.

Can I ask for a recommendation for the professional you worked with?

I would recommend googling "functional medicine doctors" in your area.

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