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Weirdly Sensitive to All Foods

RhythmSpring

RhythmSpring

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I could go into my physical responses to various foods, but I won't go into that here. This is about how foods make me feel emotionally and mentally. The following statements are not exaggerated.

If I eat sugar, including fruit, I become anxious, on edge, filled with fear-inducing thoughts.
This includes vegetables with sugar, such as beets or carrots.
With grains, including wheat, corn, rice, or anything starchy, I'll get energy at first, perhaps lasting for about a day. Then I crash *hard.* Low energy, motivation, and just all around unbearable depression.
Nuts and seeds make me angry. Or more specifically, they reinforce and encourage angry thought patterns in me.
Cheese and dairy makes me on-edge and irritable.
And just forget about processed foods...

On the flipside-
Kale and leafy greens alike make me feel centered.
Garlic makes me feel grounded and strong.
Wild salmon makes me feel just great.

...and fasting makes me quite happy, but of course, in a kind of ungrounded way. But I do achieve a level of mental clarity and emotional openness that is startling.

And when I say "sugar," I mean, the *smallest* amount of sugar. Like, I'll feel this way after a single drop of honey. I think it's that way because I've avoided these foods for so long. I guess my insulin sensitivity is off the charts or something? I eat VLC (Very Low Carb)

My body is clearly very unusual. My highest carb source right now is avocados, of which I eat 2-3 a day.

Please do NOT give me dietary advice without considering the fact that I eat this way for *very* good reasons. One is that I have severe rheumatoid arthritis, and many if not all of the foods I avoid worsen my joint inflammation. The other is the abovementioned reasons; they make me feel anxious, depressed, closed off, etc.

People always look at me strange when I tell them that I'd fall into a pit of depression if I ate a bagel--which is absolutely true. And yes, I have considered over and over again that it's all psychosomatic. And I've tested this repeatedly. It's really not.

So, um, anyone else experience this?
 
Unfortunately, I can relate. I hate how sensitive I am to most foods. Sugar is by far the worst. However, in my case, the effects are more physiological (perhaps I don't notice the psychological as much). As soon as I have a bit of sugar, say ~9g, my skin gets incredibly dry and I get "inflamed". It's very uncomfortable. Anyways, I don't doubt the validity of what you are saying. I've learned throughout the years that some people are so much more sensitive to things than others. Food obviously has a fairly large impact on your psychology and physiology. Your reactions don't surprise me, although I am curious to know just how strong of an effect these foods are having on you. Do you happen to have any physiological effect to these foods?
 
Yes-we can focus on sugar.

First of all, less than 1g will have an effect on me. Like, if evaporated cane syrup is used to flavor something, but the nutrition facts say 0g sugars, I'll still feel it.

The physiological effects are:
a short burst of energy, followed by a couple days of fatigue and joint inflammation. I'll also produce a lot phlegm. I'll also get cravings for other carb-y foods.
 
First I'll say that I believe you because I've not only seen this in people but I've treated it.

Because you mention joint inflammation, I would suspect an underlying auto-immune dysfunction, which could be related to many things. Assuming you haven't been sensitive to these foods all your life, then one theory is toxic over burden. Some people have this manifest as multiple chemical sensitivities, where suddenly they can't stand exposure to anything, not even perfume. In others, it manifests through the digestive pathways, where they suddenly can't tolerate any of the usual foods.

Arthritis in particular is considered pathogenic across many medicinal systems. Your body isn't just attacking its own joints for no reason, there are pathogenic factors there that it's trying to rid itself of. We know that nitrates gather at the joints, but the body is complex and not all of the joint contaminants have been studied by modern science yet. Aside from degenerative arthritis which is age or injury related, eastern medicine systems consider all arthritis to have pathogenic causes. Lung phlegm is an outward manifestation of this issue, as the cilial lining is constantly trying to purge waste-laden exudate.

Most seeds and nuts on the market today are rancid. This is because their home countries do not follow seasonal trends anymore. Instead of only selling them when they are fresh, they grow them year round and stockpile them in warehouses for ongoing global demand. There are micro-fungi in most varieties of nuts coming from South America. They make you angry because your liver has to deal with fungal toxins, and overburdened livers almost always manifest in either anger, frustration, or sadness. Unless it's in a sealed can that says "certified fresh" on the label, then you are dealing with fungus, especially in those bulk bins. Peanuts are the worst. Most peanut allergies in today's world are actually due to contaminants in the nuts, and not the nuts themselves. (The exception of course is people who are deathly allergic to peanuts. I'm not referring to them.)

Since your body is likely in a state of chronic inflammation, irritation, and immune response, there are a few things you can try. The first thing is identifying the offending foods and cutting them out, which you seem to have done. The other is introducing pure foods that have cleansing properties, such as fresh greens. Interestingly, you say these already benefit you. So keep it up. In addition to the bulk greens you should also try their freshly squeezed juices. And remember: organic only. Wheat grass juice consumed on an empty stomach would be especially useful to you, but it has to be taken fresh or it's useless.

In the herbalism world, the go-to remedy for systemic inflammation is tumeric. You can take fresh tumeric capsules several times daily, and put tumeric in your food. It has blood cleansing properties and eases pretty much any kind of chronic inflammation on a more permanent basis. You can do your own scientific research to confirm this. I've had a lot of success in my practice using just tumeric as a single herb for IBS and rheumatoid arthritis.

Another thing you can investigate is medicinal mushrooms. They have a modulatory effect on the immune system, especially IgE, by resolving harsh micro-cellular wastes. Mushrooms are an area of intense study because they can be used to restore ecosystems that have suffered toxic devastation; for instance, oyster mushrooms are being used to recover parts of the Gulf Coast oil spill. They have a similar effect on the human body when taken internally. Some immune systems are over active or under active, as a result of life long exposure. Medicinal mushrooms modulate them to be in the middle, while removing the offending cause. I recommend the extracts, since the dried or fresh mushrooms can contain yeasts which someone in your situation might react to. (Plus, the raw herbs straight from Asia can be dubious.) Reishi, Chaga, Maitake, Mesima, Poria, Oyster, Suehirotake, Cordyceps, Shiitake, Lion's Mane, Agarikon, and Coriolus are all beneficial. (Underlined the best ones.) Basically: mushrooms are your friend.
 
Interesting info about nuts, thank you.
I have tried turmeric/curcumin, and it did nothing for me.
I take Reishi, Chaga, and Lions Mane on and off, and they have psychological benefits, but I do not notice inflammation reduction.
An interesting aspect of my diet is that it is very very low carb. It makes my emotions very basic and still.
I feel I'm doing all the right things, but I'm not really improving. I'm a lot better off than if I were not eating the diet I eat now, but in terms of progress, I see none. Only that I am painting myself into a corner. The more I abstain from offending foods, the more sensitive I am to them.
 
I'm allergic to just about everything anymore, and sensitive to chemicals and fragrances. I wear a particle filter mask at times, but the stuff it is made out of makes my face/lips burn.

I eat hemp seeds. Not allergic to them, but I believe I am running into fungus issues, like Foreigner mentioned. Having a pretty bad reaction right now. ...They're 99% of diet. But I run into a lot of problems. Can only handle one brand... When they are good. Great, clear energy from the seed itself. But yea...

Chicken livers... about .7 pounds a week for vital nutrients. Chicken itself gives mouth ulcers. Have been testing canned tuna again. Need to retry spinach.

Have some same issues as you, with sugars. But different. My diet is also low carb. Often less than 20 per day. Mostly.

I gave up most food. I don't really feel a background is necessary, but I have issues, too.

Have you considered helminthic therapy? Really interesting. I was about to start, but things happened. Hopefully sometime.
 
What 23 said:
I'm allergic to just about everything anymore, and sensitive to chemicals and fragrances. I wear a particle filter mask at times, but the stuff it is made out of makes my face/lips burn.

I eat hemp seeds. Not allergic to them, but I believe I am running into fungus issues, like Foreigner mentioned. Having a pretty bad reaction right now. ...They're 99% of diet. But I run into a lot of problems. Can only handle one brand... When they are good. Great, clear energy from the seed itself. But yea...

Chicken livers... about .7 pounds a week for vital nutrients. Chicken itself gives mouth ulcers. Have been testing canned tuna again. Need to retry spinach.

Have some same issues as you, with sugars. But different. My diet is also low carb. Often less than 20 per day. Mostly.

I gave up most food. I don't really feel a background is necessary, but I have issues, too.

Have you considered helminthic therapy? Really interesting. I was about to start, but things happened. Hopefully sometime.
Click to expand...

Wait, 99% of your diet is hempseed? !! I thought MY diet was extreme! I'd say 60% of my diet is avocados, 30% is fish (mostly canned) and 10% is green veggies. I hear you on the chicken livers, I do that too.

Do you have autoimmune problems? If you have digestion problems, I strongly recommend raw fermented vegetables (unpasteurized sauerkraut, for example).

I'm considered helminitic therapy as well--it doesn't seem like it would help. I'm trying other things that work for inflammation, such as food grade hydrogen peroxide (diluted, of course).

But I'm still ridiculously sensitive, emotionally, to foods, and that is showing no signs of getting better. It's a blessing and a curse, though, because when I eat well, I feel fantastic. But then again, it's getting harder and harder to feel fantastic/stable.
 
Why don't you think the helminthic therapy would help you at all? Curious.

Yea I was going off of calories mainly, for the 99% number, as chicken liver and tuna don't pack that many, and I don't eat a whole lot of either... and plus I went months with only the hemp seeds, and vitamin C.

I was loving avocados last summer. Got down to sometimes no hemp seeds... Eating a times four, five, or six a day. But I developed an allergy, or became sensitive the the amount of fructose in it. For awhile I could tolerate strawberries, but either fructose or an allergy stopped me from eating those, as well.

I don't know what I would call it... But I am messed up. I also have the digestive problems. They have gotten worse lately, after drinking a lot of mineral water, one day. Chronic diarrhea for a few months now, it seems. Hardly ever go healthy-solid. Well, never. ... I'm allergic to yeast, so sour krout isn't good for me. It would actually most likely just stop me up. I may get ballsy and try it some time, though. I just have so many allergies.. I've been through so many foods, through to the asian markets and all of the weird vegetables one can find in there. Beyond the allergies is as mentioned, the sugar sensitivity, which limits me from many foods I might not yet be allergic to.

Hemp seeds are the only semi-stable source of mostly complete nourishment.

I get you on the emotions. When I drank milk, I was basically full on schizophrenic, or crazy... Not that I really think I was just "crazy", and call it that. But I was definitely crazy, as an aspect of the illness. There was a time when I couldn't even walk into a store without getting terrible anxiety, and breaking a sweat, thinking I was being watched. Many issues tied in. Anxieties amplified. Apparently allergies, and perhaps other diseases involving inflammation, might manifest in the brain as mental illnesses like depression, anxieties, mood swings, even "schizophrenia". There was a study done where a given pool of schizophrenic men were tested for food allergies, to corn, and something like 30% tested positive. I can't cite this, just this moment, but I just remember something in that ball-park.

Last time I ate chickpeas, I got pissed at a red line on a news channel. PISSED. Not that I thought it was in charge of itself or anything, or to blame, but it was irritating, like everything was.

I don't look forward to eating chicken. It takes... life... out of me. In a way. But also gives it. I think it is mainly due to how I digest it, and well, stuff...
Hemp seeds are great energy, when they work.

I should also mention I have ulcers/H. pylori issues (I think), and have had a dysfunctional gallbladder for about a year and a half. As soon as I get insurance I plan to try to have it out. That could possibly stop at least some of the problems.


@ Foreigner: I tried to answer before, on my phone, but it wouldn't let me type "U.S.A.", only Usa, or U.s.a....
 
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^ That's basically what it is.

What 23, you say, "I'm allergic to yeast, so sour krout isn't good for me." But there is no yeast in sauerkraut. In fact, the bacteria in sauerkraut CONSUME yeast. I bet it'd be very good for you.
 
Ah... Hmm. I guess I'm afraid. If its not one thing its the other. I can't even handle probiotics. Last I had gave me chest pain due to either gas or allergy. I may give it a go though... But like I said if its not one its the other, and it being cabbage I doubt it will be much different on me than bok choy, or other cabbages (which arent really bad, but so far have still sparked allergy). Still... I often try/retry foods, because the way it goes, I could be reacting to residues, or even what varieties are grown with... And 90% of my allergies are just annoyance.
 
cabbages fuck up my digestion too, but fermenting gets rid of most of the sugars, and makes it very easy to digest. I suggest trying it. It's aided my digestion immensely. Like, completely turned it around for the better.
 
this thread reminds me a lot of the movie Safe with Julianne Moore about her getting environmental disease (i would recommend watching it but it could also freak you out i suppose)

i can relate to the issue but to a much less hardcore extent than living off hemp seeds

is this whole issue caused by people obsessing over getting a perfect diet and cutting out foods until they are left with only a handful of things they can eat?

do you guys really become sick and angry with a balanced diet of fresh, organic vegetarian or paleo type diet?
 
^ I've seen "Safe"... the problem of multiple chemical sensitivities is real, but that movie portrays a totally koolaid solution. Isolating people in the middle of nowhere and having them subscribe to a spiritual system is not realistic.

It's not due to obsession. People's physical health problems are real and measureable. The quality of food has changed a lot in the past 15-20 years, especially in the United States. More than 80% of the food system is now controlled by a select few corporations, and they now have a free hand to do what they like without litigation (i.e. the Monsanto Act).

IMO if an organic diet is still too much for certain people, then there are endogenous disorders in their bodies that need addressing, something that food itself cannot change.
 
^I tried sauerkraut. Seems tolerable, so far. May add into rotation.
 
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