Auto Immune Carb, fat, protein ratio %

Sthere
Sthere Posts: 59 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Anyone have any good data on a ratio for auto immune disease? I feel my body requires more nutritent dense foods such as fruits and vegetables and don't think sticking with the 50% carb default ratio is good for me.

Thanks

Replies

  • HestiaMoon1
    HestiaMoon1 Posts: 278 Member
    I have only my experience with having MS -- I eat a high fat, medium protein diet that makes my carbs pretty low by default. My carbs come mostly from vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fruit - but I do love me some dark chocolate or a touch of sugar in my espresso. I do not eat grains or beans. I eat mostly organic foods to keep as much crap out of my system as possible - and of course because it's better for the planet, too.
  • icrushit
    icrushit Posts: 773 Member
    Just on the nutrient dense point, it can pay to do a little homework, as some of the heavy-hitters in the nutrient stakes can also be non-carb foods. For example, things like sardines, liver, and sunflower seeds are phenomenal sources of certain nutrients. Its actually something that's been on my mind to do a little homework myself on the best sources of various nutrients, to look at including them in my diet, as optimal health is a personal goal.

    I would just like to say none of the above is in the context of advice re: auto immune, as I simply wouldn't be qualified or knowledgeable to give information in that context, but perhaps some of the above might prove useful.

    Oh, and on a slightly related note, I came across the bizarre phenomenon of something called Soylent, which basically seems to be the results of a few guys to design something that gives the body the essential nutrients it needs, but without food. I believe it developed from the creator(s) being too broke to buy food, so instead he/ she/ they bought various nutrients in powdered form, and whizzed them all up in a blender with a little water. It makes me uneasy to imagine people getting all their nutrients in this way, or even seeing it as a good way to feed our bodies, but I guess the more salient point for you may be that nutrients are available in powdered form, which might serve as useful supplementation to what you eat, should you find it difficult to get the nutrients you need in the quantities you need from food alone, given your medical condition.

    Hope some of this might have been of use :)
  • Sthere
    Sthere Posts: 59 Member
    Listened to dr. John Bergman's podcast and he said auto immune diseases need more carbs, mostly of fruits and vegetables. He also said to stay away from beans and seeds because they contain a lectin that blocks certain processes. I love liver though, best source of vitamin A!
  • Sthere
    Sthere Posts: 59 Member
    autoimmune-protocol.jpg
  • DouMc
    DouMc Posts: 1,689 Member
    What particular autoimmune disease do you have? There are quite a lot of them and i would imagine the nutritional needs would be quite different. For example, someone with ceoliac disease would have to avoid gluten, but I have addison's disease and others in my family have type 1 diabetes, hypothyroidism, and eczema and none of us have to avoid gluten. i think just try to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. I had a quick look online (avoiding any websites which were specific to a particular type of diet, such as paleo) and I found the following information:
    http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/110211p36.shtml

    Basically, this says that there is very little research to date on autoimmune diseases and diet. Vitamin D may help to prevent the onset of some diseases such as type 1 diabetes and there is emerging evidence that the presence of probiotics in the gut may help with some diseases but the research appears to be very limited.

    This article goes on to suggest that eating anti-inflammatory, antioxidant foods such as foods rich in vitamin E might be beneficial.


    The last two paragraphs state:

    ;Donna Sigmond, MS, RD, a Colorado-based dietitian specializing in autoimmune diseases, enthusiastically recommends an anti-inflammatory diet to her patients. “I encourage green leafy veggies and other foods that can reduce inflammation, such as high-fat fish that contains fish oils. Seed oil from flax also can be beneficial. The focus should be to identify and eliminate inflammatory foods and nourish with real foods that deliver vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants,” Sigmond says.

    In a study published August 15, 2006, in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers found that diets high in refined starches, sugar, saturated fats, and trans fats and low in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids appeared to turn on the inflammatory response. However, a diet rich in whole foods, including healthful carbohydrates, fats, and protein sources, cooled it down. There’s no harm in supporting a diet—optimal for just about everyone—that’s rich in whole plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds; is rich in healthful fat sources such as extra-virgin olive oil, avocado, nuts, and fish; and includes foods such as tea, dark chocolate, spices and herbs, and red wine in moderation.;

    Hope this helps!

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