As some know, a few decades back, I followed an organic Vegetarian and Vegan dietary/cooking lifestyle for almost 12 years. I gave up that lifestyle 23 years ago after suffering painful and debilitating colon attacks. The unexplained attacks would come out of nowhere and develop within seconds with no warning.
At the time, this baffling health situation affected my employment and quality of life. After many doctor visits, tests and an incorrect diagnosis, I was told that I had a spastic colon – better known now as IBS-C.
Ongoing Digestive Issues
Although I had assumed for years, that the culprits causing these attacks, were most likely gluten and GMO foods, I never knew for sure why the attacks began. What I did know is that once I began to reintroduce animal products back into my diet and gradually cut out the grains and high starch vegetables, I began to feel better. In addition, by changing my diet to one that was low-carb and gluten-free, I was able to manage my IBS for the next 20 years.
Throughout this time I continued to suffer bloating and occasional gas but the colon attacks were gone. I took natural supplements to help manage my IBS-C and eventually morphed toward a ketogenic cooking and dietary lifestyle. I went on to experiment with different versions of Keto for a number of years.
Ketogenic Conversion
About 3 years ago, I came upon a book by Maria Emmerich of MariaMindBodyHealth.com, entitled “The 30 Day Ketogenic Cleanse”. The book attracted me as I was not experiencing the weight loss results that I was looking for during my keto experimentation. During preceding years I had accumulated unwanted weight gain due to hormone imbalance, adrenal issues and the stress associated with the loss of 3 parents, a young pet amongst other unexpected and pressing life issues incurred within a short period of time.
In the end I managed to complete 24 days out of the 30 days recommended for the cleanse. However I was amazed to find that not only had I experienced a notable weight loss but I no longer had any of the IBS-C symptoms. For the first time in my life, my digestive system was functioning as it should! From that day forward, I’ve no longer needed supplements to manage the IBS – happy days!
BUT WHY? WHAT CHANGED???
It wasn’t until this year that I may have stumbled upon the reason for this important health reversal.
The Discovery
PLANT FOODS CONTAIN ANTI-NUTRIENTS
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7600777/
Yes, you read that right … plant foods contain anti-nutrients. What are anti-nutrients?
Anti-nutrients are natural substances within the plant that are designed to protect the plant from infection and from being eaten by insects. Plant anti-nutrients block the absorption of nutrients in the body. In the human body, anti-nutrients such as gluten, oxalates, saponins, tannins, phytic acid, and lectins can play havoc with digestion. Anti-nutrients can also destroy the mucosal lining in the gut and cause the intestines to become more permeable.
Plant-Based Cooking/Diet
When relying on an abundance of plant foods for daily health, our digestion – particularly if damaged, may be unable to function properly. As a result, we may not be absorbing the vitamins and minerals that we understand are a mainstay with a plant-based diet.
Does this mean that plant foods are bad? No. Various cooking methods can help to reduce the anti-nutrients in plant foods – more on that below.
Animal Based Foods
So back to my story on the “The 30 Day Ketogenic Cleanse” … due to carbohydrate restriction and the necessary protein intake, the meal recipes on this plan were created to rely more on animal proteins and fats versus plants. Animal foods actually contain all the essential nutrients needed to thrive and repair. In addition, the nutrients in animal foods are 100% absorbed by the body. They contain the essential amino acids needed for health, that the body cannot make on it’s own.
For more info please view my chart on …
Cooking Suggestions for Reducing Anti-Nutrients in Plant Foods
Please watch for my upcoming blogs discussing the TRUTH about sugar and fats, home cooking and weight loss. More to come on the importance of animal proteins and fats in our cooking/dietary lifestyle.
