November 27, 2017
Carbohydrates: Friend Not Foe
I have experienced gastro-intestinal discomfort for over twenty years, always being told it was IBS. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth), leaky gut and Candida; needless to say I embarked on a diet free from sugar, beans, dairy, eggs, grains and pretty much all carbs.
I tried the Low Fodmap, SCD, GAPS, Paleo and combinations of them trying to just relieve symptoms and get stable. My experience with antibiotics and herbal protocols is another story and ongoing. Even though my symptoms are still around, I have realized that all these ‘gut-healing’ diets are only very temporary and perhaps cutting out all these food groups can do more harm to your body than what you’re trying to get rid of.
So, here comes the importance of carbohydrates in the diet.
Carbs not only function as fuel for the body but also, stability for the digestive system, helping regulate the metabolism of proteins and fats. They are essential for intercellular communication, functioning of the internal organs and are needed for colon health and proper elimination.
Going on a low/no carb diet can shift the bodies metabolism into a ketogenic state, where your body relies on its fat stores for energy. Research points in the direction that this can effect insulin and destabilize our blood sugar levels. Insulin supports amino acid uptake into muscle tissues supporting in the growth and recovery process of muscle mass. So, with very low levels of insulin due to low carb diets you may lose muscle mass, which definitely happened to me! Also, serotonin is naturally produced after eating carbs so, drops in your mood can become an all to normal state of being.
At my end with strict diets and no relief, I slowly began expanding my food plate to include more vegetables, such as, broccoli, cauliflower, onion and garlic and starchier veggies like rhutabaga, parsnips, yams and more squash.
I am slowly getting over my fear of carbohydrates from trying to starve the beasts within and instead, choosing to nourish this body mindfully and with love.
My latest addition is sprouted grains, such as, manna bread and organic sprouted buckwheat flour. The beauty and benefits of the ancient practice of soaking and sprouting grains, seeds and nuts is yet another blog to come; but, I will tell you that the taste and how the body feels after eating sprouted foods is well worth the energy you put into it.
