Digestive issues?

[lmsprang]

Question that may be a little TMI....

Think back to your first challenge. Did you digestive tract (stomach / intestines) have a hard first two weeks dealing with your sudden change in diet & activity level?

DH and I have been having a rough time in that department lately and we're wondering if BFL could be the cause.

[Rhone]

I had some occasional GI discomfort, nothing too serious. I was very constipated, though; increasing my veggie intake (I'm making myself eat a minimum of 1/2 lb of veggies per day now) and drinking a lot more water helped immensely with that.

[yakubu]

Originally Posted by lmsprang

Question that may be a little TMI....

Think back to your first challenge. Did you digestive tract (stomach / intestines) have a hard first two weeks dealing with your sudden change in diet & activity level?

DH and I have been having a rough time in that department lately and we're wondering if BFL could be the cause.

ive had no probs, infact ill felt better in the 1st few days

[winnie]

Originally Posted by yakubu

ive had no probs, infact ill felt better in the 1st few days

Same. I'm part way through week three, and the GI effects have so far all been positive.

[bluexj]

I had some gi issues before I started BFL and since I have been on it for 11.5 weeks I have had no problems. My wife who has terrible IBS says she'll never go off of the BFL eating principles. She was spending way to much of her day in the bathroom before starting BFL with me and since we started she has only had 2 episodes of her IBS flaring up and the reason for those was definitely stress.

[bluexj]

Oh, one other thought.... I don't know if you are using protein powder or protein bars but some people have trouble with protein powder and some protein bars contain sugar alcohols that can definitley upset your stomach....

[Marc]

BFL has definitely helped my digestive system be more regular!

[statona]

Actually - I was pretty "backed up" - throughout the program... and even though I was getting enough of the veggies - I had to add fiber to my diet. So now, I'm eating all bran with cottage cheese and yogurt in the morning and a side of fibercon.

I have had IBS issues for a long time - and I'm not sure if this pushed me over the limit - but since supplementing with fiber, life has been great.

[Chris]

Bowel issues are common in the beginning. It's usually related to the overconsumption of protein. In short, it's a ammonia toxicity from too many amino acids for your body to process. This is temporary however since your body will soon compensate and be better equipped to handle the extra protein. The toxicity presents itself with constipation, diarrhea (strange that it can do both), and a bunch of other things (including mood changes). It will get better...

If you are constipated. Up your fiber. IF you are too loose, eat more yogurt. Good luck

[setapart]

I got some protein bars and happened to read the back of one of them after I ate it. Hidden under the flap in little print it said that the bar contained sugar alcohol (?) which could have a laxative effect. Ummm...they could've put that on the FRONT and I might not have eaten it at WORK!

[GregCP]

started out with loose stools....then constipation....but after halfway through...no more issues.....except only abdominal pain and distention on free days

[winnie]

I improved a lot at the beginning. In the last 2-3 weeks, my stools have been like bricks, so I've started taking fiber supplements. It helps, but not enough. Anyone know what the safe upper limit on dosage for fiber supps is?

[setapart]

The thing with fiber supplements is that you really need to increase your fluids or your stools will become even more brick-like. Fiber holds more fluid in your stool, but if there isn't much fluid, it will be hard. Increasing fruits and veggies should help because they have fluid in them, but you still need to push fluids...how many more times can I say "fluid"?

[GregCP]

Originally Posted by winnie

I improved a lot at the beginning. In the last 2-3 weeks, my stools have been like bricks, so I've started taking fiber supplements. It helps, but not enough. Anyone know what the safe upper limit on dosage for fiber supps is?

you should try Docusate Sodium

[setapart]

Miralax is a newer style stimulant free laxative. It's even safe enough for kids so I guess it's okay. It mimics the way fiver pulls fluids into the intestine to keep stool soft. Doc's in my office are suggesting it to patients fairly frequently, so I thought I'd toss it into this ring.

[Hamoth]

Originally Posted by Chris

Bowel issues are common in the beginning. It's usually related to the overconsumption of protein. In short, it's a ammonia toxicity from too many amino acids for your body to process. This is temporary however since your body will soon compensate and be better equipped to handle the extra protein. The toxicity presents itself with constipation, diarrhea (strange that it can do both), and a bunch of other things (including mood changes). It will get better...

If you are constipated. Up your fiber. IF you are too loose, eat more yogurt. Good luck

Having this exact trouble. Thanks for the knowledge.

I busted out my psyllium husks.

[Drewno]

I also went through this, and I would say it's a normal part of the process for a lot of people. I used to be a man who was proud of the quality of his issuance, and unfortunately BFL has taken that from me

I guess it's an 'ok' trade for being healthy the rest of my life and not having a heart attack at 45 though...

I also made a brief run at the Atkins diet, and I have to say THAT experience was FAR FAR worse, but that could have been from my steady diet of hamburger meat and sugar-free Jello.