Medication Diary 2023 Food Sensitivity

I started this year with a food sensitivity test called the ALCAT test by Cell Science Systems and PreviMedica. Since my 2019 testing that showed gluten antibodies I have wondered if I might be celiac, but this test confirmed that my sensitivity is to gliadin, not gluten. It also showed a severe reaction to sodium lauryl sulfate, which was the main ingredient in my face wash that I was scrubbing into my skin each night! As part of my testing I got two free nutrition consulting sessions and she also recommended changing some of my supplements because they contained ingredients that I had moderate reactions to, like sardines and glycerin.

PreviMedica’s recommended food regime is very different from the 5-day fast and 21-day elimination diet my functional medicine doctor I did in 2019. They recommend avoiding all foods and additives with a severe reaction for 6 months or moderate reaction for 3 months and then gradually adding them back by introducing them in a significant quantity on day 1, waiting to see if there is a reaction on days 2, 3, and 4 before testing the 2nd food. Their theory is that if you have a sensitivity because of a leaky gut situation, that the white blood cells will replenish in the 3-6 month time frame and no longer be triggered by the same food. It’s fascinating to think about. I’ll write about my eating regimine in my food diary.

To fully understand why I was taking each of these supplements you’ll want to review my posts on the progression of my disease and the diet and elimination protocols I have tried.

Leading up to 2023

I finished the natural hormone supplements mid-December. My bloodwork does not show any marked improvement in my hormone levels, but anecdotally, I would say I am slightly improved. A mildly improved libido and lubrication level. I continued the “Pagano Method” from Healing Psoriasis by John O. A. Pagano. Slippery Elm Bark Tea in the morning, American Yellow Saffron Tea at night, and L-Glutamine morning and evening. Interestingly, I did read somewhere that Slippery Elm Bark Powder might also improve a woman’s lubrication level. I stopped all supplements around December 15 to January 4th to do ALCAT testing with PreviMedica. I go into more detail about this in my Food, Exercise and Symptom Diary

January 2023

• Iron bisglycinate, 18mg. Finished this bottle.
• 5000 IU D3/100mcg K2 1/day
• Ultimate Omega 3 2X, only taking one so 5625 mg EPA, 438 mg DHA, 75mg other Omega 3s
• Slippery Elm Bark Powder Tea in the morning
• American Yellow Saffron Tea in the evening
• L-Glutamine, Using 3-5mg /tsp powder under my tongue morning & night

February-May 2023

I completely changed my supplements after ALCAT testing and discovering several food and additive sensitivities that were in my supplements. My Omega 3 was from sardines, and some of my supplements contain glycerin, both are on my “moderate reaction” list. I showed a moderate reaction to quite a few additives that are in my skin care products and I am slowly searching for alternatives. I’m using coconut oil for now while I explore my options. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is in most laundry detergents and I’ve been getting more and more sensitive to clothing tags. I have to remove almost all of them now, even in clothes that I’ve had for years. In March I learned that toothpaste is a major source of sodium lauryl sulfate and my dentist said there is research going on with it possibly causing some oral health problems. WHY do we keep using chemicals in our consumables that make us sick!!! Here is my current list of supplements.

• Amino Acid Complex by Thorne, take 1 scoop in the morning paired with brushing teeth. Testing showed me low in quite a few amino acids. Our body doesn’t store them so take them in the morning since I don’t usually eat for a few hours after waking.
• ELIMINATED: all skin products with sodium lauryl sulfate
• CHANGED: Magnesiuim Glycinate by Douglas Laboratories. The liquid version I’ve been taking is good but the pill is easier for traveling. I will take the liquid version when I think about it since it is always obvious when I have too much magnesium.
• CHANGED: D3+K2 to Seeking Health brand, without glycerine.
• CHANGED: Iron-C supplement, 1/day
• CHANGED: Arctic Cod Liver Oil for Omega 3’s. The Nordic Natural Brand is from sardines & I had a moderate reaction to sardines.
• ADDED: B6 Complex by Pure Encapsulations. She recommended this one because it also has choline, which I need.
• ADDED: N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine by Klaire Labs. Can boost glutathione levels.
• ADDED: Saccharomyces Boulardii probiotic supplement. I had a moderate reaction to candida albicans and this probiotic can help with that. I was also encouraged to take it while traveling.

June-August 2023

Back pain has been chronic so I finally decided to try hormones. My backpain subsided sometime in May but my left hip was hurting so bad I could barely finish my walk. Even swimming was hurting. I suspect my SI joint is freezing up at times. I’ve decided to go ahead and try hormones to see if they help with my chronic pain.

• Amino Acid Complex by Kion, take 1 scoop in the morning paired with brushing teeth. Tastes better than Thorne version.
• Magnesiuim Glycinate by Douglas Laboratories.
• D3+K2 to Seeking Health brand, without glycerine.
• Iron-C supplement, 1/day
• Arctic Cod Liver Oil for Omega 3’s. Cod better source than sardine for me.
• B6 Complex by Pure Encapsulations. She recommended this one because it also has choline, which I need.
• N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine by Klaire Labs. Can boost glutathione levels.
• Saccharomyces Boulardii probiotic supplement. I had a moderate reaction to candida albicans and this probiotic can help with that. I was also encouraged to take it while traveling.
• ADDED: Zinc L-Carnosine–when I looked back on bloodwork, I was on this when Alkaline Phosphatase (ALKP) was within normal range. It’s a little low. No doctor is concerned but they also can’t explain why it is low. So just experimenting.
• ADDED: BIEST 5 (80:20)MG/GM Estriol:Estradiol cream. 1 click (0.25gm)
• ADDED: Progesterone, 100 mg at night

September-December 2023

• ADDED: Cimzia TNF inhibitor, 3 doses 2 weeks apart, August 29, September 12, September 26
• INCREASED: Estradiol & added Testosterone. BIEST/TEST 10(80:20)/8mg/gm cream
• Zinc note from Adrenal Transformation Protocol book by Isabella Wentz: Low Alkaline Phosphatase in blood can be indicator of zinc deficiency. My doctor did not know what it meant when my health was failing. Recommendations from book: doses of no more than 30 mg a day. Zinc supplementation above 40 mg may cause a depletion in copper levels. If choosing to take zinc, you may also want to take a copper supplement. Usually 1.5–3 mg of copper should be sufficient. (General recommendations are to take 1 mg of copper for every 15 mg of zinc.) Caution: Zinc can cause depletion in copper and iron.