I recently received some interesting and direct questions from T-J on the differences between the Fast Tract Diet and the FODMAP approach. Here are the questions and answers. You might also be interested in my article on SIBO Diets.
2018 Update
Mike Sweeney, RD (Registered Dietitian) in UK did an evaluation on the Fast Tract Diet based on 33 IBS patients beyond his own clinic titled “Like FODMAP But Easier?” See the results in this video.
Q: “Since I have only just heard of your research, can you advise about the outcome of peer review it has received?”
NR: The Fast Tract Diet is a new quantitative approach treating IBS, GERD and other SIBO-related illnesses. We have completed a pilot study with 20 people (19 completed the study) that have chronic heartburn. This work has been submitted for publication. We are also in the planning stage for a larger collaborative study – with people who have acid reflux but don’t respond well on PPI medicines. (2019 Update: the Fast Tract Diet is in the clinic for the 2nd clinical study with 90 patients. SIBO breath test is part of this study.) We want to expand our clinical testing to IBS and other conditions. In the meantime, we are sharing this concept with people based on its scientific merits outlined in the Fast Tract Diet book series so they can try the diet for themselves. Based on the responses we are getting from people with chronic heartburn and IBS we are optimistic about the diet for IBS and GERD and have every reason to believe the diet will benefit people with a variety of other SIBO / dysbiosis –related conditions.
Q: “The two approaches are similar in limiting intake to what should be well-tolerated, but your approach doesn’t seem to address the possibility that we all have different tolerances or are affected by different carb types.“
NR: While both approaches are based on the same concept, there are significant differences (also see SIBO Diets article). The Fast Tract Diet is a quantitative approach while the FOPMAP approach is qualitative. The Fast Tract Diet limits lactose, fructose, resistant starch and all fiber types including sugar alcohols and other FODMAPs – though as I understand it, some AOAC fiber test methods are better at measuring sugar alcohols and other FODMAPs than others. Another major difference is that the FODMAP approach recommends supplementing with resistant starch (RS) and fiber while the Fast Tract Diet limits both. There is considerable evidence that RS and Fiber can contribute to excessive intestinal fermentation which often leads to SIBO, IBS and GERD.
If you have read my book, you will notice I discuss individual differences at some length. For instance, people of Northern European decent will likely be lactose tolerant and won’t need to limit lactose. Other underlying problems, surgery, low stomach acid, immune deficiency, pancreas problems or cystic fibrosis and many other factors will drive different tolerances for individuals and will need to be addressed on a case by case basis.
Q: “I have near-zero tolerance for onion and garlic. Other questionable ingredients in your recipes are broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, mushrooms, avocado and sprouts”
NR: I have looked, but cannot find publication of the exact amount of FODMAPs in reported “high FODMAP foods”. I only find lists of foods “high in FODMAPs”. If you have a source for this info, please let me know. If I have the exact amounts of FODMAPs in each food, I can adjust the FP for those foods.
But relatively small amounts of onions and garlic used to flavor a stir fry for instance doesn’t add appreciable amounts of overall carbs so most people should be able to tolerate them even though some of those carbs are FODMAPs. Of course, some people are more sensitive. My dad can’t tolerate even small amounts of uncooked onions. Broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, mushrooms, avocado, and sprouts all have relatively low FPs. So even if half of those carbs are FODMAPs, the symptom potential will be limited when consumed in moderation. Of course, if you find that any of these foods cause you problems, I support you in avoiding them.
Q: “I notice an apparent obsession with Splenda. Are you assuming that your audience is typically overweight? Why not use glucose?”
NR: If you have read my books or blog on sweeteners on this site, you will notice that I present my views on sweeteners and also talk about the use of glucose as a perfectly acceptable alternative to Splenda. I also talk about its ability to facilitate fructose absorption. While not natural or Paleo, I occasionally use Splenda, which has a decent safety record, is good for both cold and hot dishes, doesn’t contain the more damaging sugar alcohols (I have several warnings in my books on the presence of these in many sweeteners including some forms of Stevia) and is much better than sucrose – the most toxic of all sweeteners next to pure fructose. How much sweetener people use is a personal choice and not something I feel I need to comment on. The Fast Tract approach is for people with SIBO, which can affect people who are underweight, overweight, or normal weight.
Got Questions? Ask them here.
I find I don’t need to use sweetners in any of my foods, except in baking which I can avoid for a while if needed. Your start up diet has splenda or some other sweetner, can that be left out if you want to?
Hi Peter, Sure, you can leave it out or replace it with dextrose or rice syrup.
Hi Norm,
Does the bacteria not feed off rice syrup? Or what is the FP for it?
Hi Michelle,
I calculated the FP for one half ounce (14 grams) of brown rice syrup as 1 gram based on 52% maltotriose (GI of 60), 3% glucose (GI 100), and 45% maltose (GI 105).
Hi Norm,
I’ve just ordered your fast track heartburn book and am starting out in the interim cutting out grains, sugars and starches. I purchased a lactose free milk we have here in Australia called Zymil. It has 4.9g total carbs per 100ml and specifies that 2.5g of that is ‘galactose’. The ingredients are milk and lactase. Is the galactose suitable for the fast track diet?
Thanks, and I’m really looking forward to reading the book.
Colette
Hi Colette,
Your book is on the way! Good question. In lactose intolerant people, lactose is not broken down, so it can’t be absorbed and results in excessive bacterial fermentation and symptoms. In lactose-free milk the lactose is already enzymatically broken down to the two sugars it’s made of – glucose and galactose. Both of these sugars appear to be absorbed in the same way (same efficient mechanism) so galactose should not be an issue. Milk also contains some additional small sugar chains called oligosaccharides which are difficult to digest. For this reason, I recommend you limit consumption to about 5 ounces once no more than twice per day.
Sorry, in mLs that would be about 140 mL of milk once or twice per day. Once you are on the diet and your symptoms are gone, you can increase the amount of lactose-free milk and see how you feel.
Thanks Norm, that’s much appreciated.
Colette
I’ve read your book but have not seen you address foods that are promoted by Weston Price Association for a healthy gut – Raw milk, fermented cabbage and beet kvass- fermented beet juice. I basically follow your diet recommendation but also I consume these above mentioned foods daily and hope they are helping my silent GERD though improvement has not been as dramatic as I would like. Thank you.
Hi Debby,
As a microbiologist, I was always taught about the danger due to pathogens in raw milk, but new data shows the risk is minimal. Still, I would prefer cream because it’s lower in lactose. Fermented foods are great and tend to be low in carbs as they have already been fermented.
It’s interesting that relief from silent GERD / LPR generally takes longer than simple acid reflux/heartburn. I recommend staying the course.
Hi Norman
I suffer from IBS and acid reflux. Got both of your books. But I’m scare to eat the diet you propose, if I eat rice or any kind of grains, potatoes and fruit my abdominal distention is unbelievable. Even lactose free milk and yogurts would make me react.
Hi Bessie,
Thanks for reading the books. Initially, try the diet without those items for a week. Then, if you want, introduce only jasmine rice and see what happens. Then try adding a little light or heavy cream perhaps and small servings of yogurt if you want – using lactase enzyme supplement if needed. Only add the lowest FP fruits in small servings after that. All the while monitor your symptoms. Potatoes varieties can vary in FP. If you introduce them, pick the lowest FP varieties and cook them well. We offer counseling if you need it. See the counseling tab.
Cheese, soy, nuts?, this are major allergens. Also citric and fat all of this ingredients spell severe acid indigestion for me
This book does not address food intolerance.
I guess, they are written for normal people with acid reflux.
I wish I could try them, I can’t
Hi Lilly/Bessie,
The Fast Tract Diet is a new approach to acid reflux and IBS that focuses on the fermentation potential of all foods. If you feel you can’t eat some of the foods because you have allergies, I support you in avoiding them.
A food elimination diet based on food allergy testing may be something that works for you, but for most people the evidence wasn’t there to justify highlighting this approach in my book. Food elimination diets based on antibody testing was not a very effective means of controlling symptoms in a randomized study of 150 patients with IBS (and I am proposing a similar underlying cause [SIBO] for acid reflux). Only 10% (less than random variability) showed symptomatic improvement (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15361495). I agree with the commentary of J.O. Hunter https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1774875/#r8) on the problems with this approach and the likelihood that it won’t help most people with IBS (and therefore GERD). Even the author’s (P.J. Whorwell) rebuttel stated that “it is likely that only a subset of patients have an immuno-inflammatory basis to their condition and these might be the very individuals who respond to dietary exclusion based on IgG antibodies (you could be in this group perhaps). This would fit with our results where only a proportion of patients responded despite all having antibodies.”
As for fats, the evidence does not support them being a trigger for acid reflux or IBS. FTD Heartburn covers this in detail. And most citric fruits, other than moderate servings of lemon and lime, are high FP and recommended only in small quantities in accordance with overall daily FP limits.
Something else to consider is histamine intolerance, which could be causing your intolerances along with leaky gut. They also coincide with SIBO. I am just learning about this whole histamine intolerance thing
Hello Norm!
I’ve read both of your books about GERD. For a few days i’m trying to stick with your diet plan without mush success yet.
My story in a few words. Since march 2013 i had pain in gallbladder in turn with pain in stomach ocasionally. (i have lazy gallbladder) Then pain in gallbladder dissapeared but reflux came. Endoscopy showed inflamed esophagus and stomach in july 2013. Since that time things became worse. Last two-three months i have almost constant reflux – i feel pain in esophagus, my throat is sore, i cough, it is unpleasant to swallow food or drinks. And also my tongue is always like burned – it is brown-yellowish in colour.
It looks like my reflux promoted by malfunction of my gallbladder. You don’t mention gallbladder problems among the causes of GERD in your books.
What do you think about it? Maybe some additional advices for the diet?
I read that bile reflux can promote canser of esophagus recent studies show. So i am very scared that my GERD persists. I’m 33 and i dream to have kids and normal life – and now i am really very scared and feel helpless.
Thank you!
PS Sorry for my bad english – i’m from Russia. I bought your books via Kindle store in Amazon.
Hi Alexandra,
Thanks for writing. I am so sorry to hear about what you’re going through. The gallbladder is used to store and concentrate bile which is needed for digesting complex fats. Some people may not tolerate as much fatty foods after gallbladder removal because while your body still makes bile, it just drips into the small intestine as opposed to being released in bolus after a meal. This could lead some people to over-consume carbs in place of reduced fat. One alternative might be to consume more medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) from coconut oil. MCTs don’t require bile for absorption. My advice is to continue with the diet supplementing with MCT and limiting carbs and fiber, especially high FP carbs. For more precise help with your individual situation, you might consider our consultation program.
Thank you very much for advice!
I will take a look at coconut oil. It is very interesting that MCT doesn;t require bile for absorption! I’ve never heard about it, thank you.
Three days ago i started to follow your diet more precisely. Now i count FP of everything that i eat. It seems that it works better like this (first time i just chose food with low FP without counting it – with not much success). So now i hope that i am on the right way.
Sincerely,
Alexandra K
I just finished your book regarding sibo/ibs. You addressed many of my concerns regarding antibiotics. I have been on a diet of only meat, non-starchy vegetables, fat, nuts off and on, and almost no fruit since 9/9/13. (Who’s counting, right?). I’ve seen very limited, intermittent relief to my bloating symptoms and no constipation relief. I’m going to try taking my carbs down to 20 or less per day for a week or two as you recommend. That’s still much better than the elemental diet! I pray this works. Thanks for confirming my suspicions. Any advice is always appreciated.
Hi Jeanne. I’m with you and wishing you the best possible outcome in this new year!
Dr. Robillard,
Firstly, thank you for your expertise and giving me hope with this struggle. Secondly, I have a question: I am curious about the Vivonex Plus drink as a way to gain a fast “bad bacteria die off” of the bacteria to “jump start” my recovery, prior to approaching the long haul approach e.g your diet, etc… What are your thoughts with this approach?
Regards,
MB
Absolutely Myra, Give it a try and let us know how you make out.
Updated response:
The idea of using the elemental to jump start the Fast Tract Diet makes sense though it’s expensive and less appealing than real foods. Some people use the elemental diet without medical supervision, but supervision is recommended to ensure all nutritional needs are being met by a very restricted defined diet.
As for a “cure” for SIBO, it depends on how effectively you are able to identify and address the underlying causes (covered in the Fast Track Digestion books) that resulted in your own SIBO in the first place. If the cause is simply over-consumption of difficult-to-digest carbohydrates, the permanent solution is to alter your diet to restrict these carb types. If you have any of the other underlying causes (loss of stomach acid, immune deficiency, motility problems, etc.), those must be addressed as well for permanent relief. For individualized help with your specific situation, we offer counseling.
AMMENDED COMMENT/QUESTION (apologies)
Dr. Robillard,
Thank you for your expertise and giving me hope with this struggle. I have some questions. I am curious about the Vivonex Plus drink as a way to gain a fast “bad bacteria die off” and to “jump start” my recovery, prior to approaching the long haul e.g. your SIBO diet, if that is required. I am unclear if the Elemental Diet is truly a way to approach curing SIBO. It seems to me that 2 weeks of a less than exciting diet is still easier (for me) than following a very restrictive diet for months/years. I have just returned to the country (now in Worcester) and do not yet have a Dr (I have not purchased Medical Insurance yet) to supervise me on the Vivonex diet, however am in intolerable pain periodically and intend to start the Vivonex diet. I want to understand why you have advised this approach ‘with supervision’. I should share two things: I have had a drastic decrease in bloating and pain after adopting a partial SIBO diet, however due to traveling, have abandoned it and am returning to it now. I lead a busy life, thus Vivonex is attractive. Also, I tent to be my best diagnostician. I have learned about SIBO AFTER spending many thousands of dollars with 2 gastroenterologists. Neither of them ever mentioned SIBO, however when I mentioned it, they did agree that it was probably the correct diagnosis (and were happy to prescribe antibiotics). Can the Elemental Diet cure me entirely? If not, is it a plausible way to gain some fast relief? Do you have any other thoughts regarding my approach?
Regards,
MB
P.S.
If you have any studies that I can be a part of, kindly let me know.
Hi Dr. Robillard: I left a question in the book section, but I’m not sure if you’re still monitoring the thread. Anyway, could you tell me if and how a hiatus hernia would affect any attempts at eliminating reflux/heartburn? Am I wasting my time with a low carb diet? (ps: I just finished the book Heartburn Cured: The Low Carb Miracle, and I have to say that keeping the carbs low and the calories high enough is difficult :)) Thank you.
Stephan
Hi Stephan,
Hiatal Hernia exacerbates acid reflux by creating more pressure in your stomach, but cutting carbs relieves some of that pressure and should help quite a bit. If low carb dieting is challenging for you, you might want to try Fast Tract Digestion Heartburn which allows more carbs.
Hi Norm,
Do simple sugars feed gram negative bacteria equally as well as the good species we might want to have in our gut ?
I wonder how many bacterial species can metabolize sugar in a non starch form and if its the fructose or glucose they use or both. If gram negative bacteria were less able to metabolize sugar compared to starch and fermentable fiber, then maybe using strained OJ or other juice or even coca-cola -shriek- in conjunction with RS one or two days a week therapeutically, could be a way to knock back the bad stuff over time.
Thank you for your thoughts.
Interesting idea Perry. Looks like you might be planning some experiments. I can’t do justice to this question here, but here are a few thoughts. First off, there are plenty of “good” and “bad” bacteria amongst both gram positive (ex. Lactobacillus vs. C. diff) and gram negative bacteria (ex. E.coli 0157 vs. Bacteroides fragilis). Also, many bacteria are good most of the time, but capable of causing infection given an opportunity.
Certainly different types of bacteria are better at breaking down different substrates. Sure, you can generalize about gram positive vs gram negative, but I like to think in terms of their normal locations in the intestines where they have access to different substrates. Bacteria in the small intestine (mostly gram positive bacteria such as Lactobacillus) prefer simple sugars while bacteria that normally reside in the large intestines (both gram positive Bifidobacteria / Clostridia for example and gram negative bacteria Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and many species of Bacteroides for example), prefer complex carbohydrates as well as proteins.
The picture gets more confusing when imbalances (dysbiosis) or SIBO occur. Changing populations and bacteria from the large intestine migrating into the small intestine increases the likely hood that more complex carbs may be attacked earlier in the digestive process.
One other major point. We tend to talk about a handful organisms that are either better understood, more prevalently represented or easy to grow in culture, but improvements in molecular biology techinques, gut ribosomal DNA probe libraries, etc. are opening the window into the true diversity of the gut microbiome where our discussions can expand from Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteria and Bacteroides to the over 1000 different species, all with different characteristics and metabolic capabilities, that inhabit our gut.
Good luck with your experiments. Please keep good records in inform us as to what you find!
If that is the short answer – Wow – is all I have to say.
Thank you very much. Obviously, I had no idea how complex the gut microbiome is and how so much is still unknown.
The problem with my little “experiment” is that its really not possible to completely define what is good or bad so the whole thing (self driven, reconstituted gut flora) may well be a giant confounded mess.
I will look to your books for help in figuring out the effects of different fiber types and levels, simple vs. complex carbs, resistant starch, etc. on gut flora. My interest lies in positively affecting immune balance through proper Tcell regulation in the hopes of throttling back auto immune neurological disease.
One more quick question if I may. Is the small intestine ideally a sterile environment or a place for low levels of bacteria (maybe due to all the acid)?
One last thing someone may find interesting. I believe my gut functions much better when my body temperature is close to the 98.5 “normal”. Simple sugars (mostly from fruit) rather than complex carbs get me closer to that number, higher body temp, over time. I don’t know cause and effect though.
Thanks again for your information here.
No problem Perry. There are so many approaches to digestive illness that rely on taking something (drugs and supplements), eating something (resistant starch, herbs, juicing, etc.). My approach is definitely a “less is better approach”. While conditions involving severe malabsorption may merit a vitamin / mineral supplement, once your body is healed, you should be able to get what you need from your diet. And eating less (along with an occasional 1/2 day fast) is better for digestion and general health than eating more in my opinion. Under less digestive stress, you gut immune system should function much better.
Yes, there are few microbes in the small intestine (close to zero in the first part up to about one million bacteria / mL in the last part near the large intestine. Even though the numbers are much lower than the large intestine, the type of bacteria residing there are important, including species of gram positive oxygen-tolerant Staph, Strep, Lactobacillus. These bacteria complete against unhealthy bacteria, supply protective acids such as lactic acid and digest mostly sugars that escape digestion.
As far as ” your gut functioning better with a body temperature close to the 98.5 “normal”, as long as you are consuming sugars within the FP limits, you should be fine. I would recommend lower FP sugars and starches none the less over sucrcose / fructose, etc. so a good thing doesn’t turn into GI symptoms.
Hi Norm,
I came across your diet plan a week ago and ordered the kindle version of your book for IBS and SIBO. I have struggled for about 10 years with bloating. I don’t have much pain, but the bloating has increased severely over the years, to the point that I looked about 5 months pregnant. It was really affecting my self-image and mood. I have been diagnosed with a lactose intolerance and have been consuming very low levels of it. I saw that in your book that yoghurt and some cheeses are low in lactose. I decided to give it a try yesterday and to my amazement I had no increase in bloating at all afterward! I was so excited to be able to eat these foods again!
I have tried gluten free, lactose free and FODMAP, for the last year, and had absolutely no relief.
After such a short time on the fast tract diet I have seen significant results! I just want to thank you for your extensive research and books. I am so thankful to come across it after all these years! I’m sure my bad bacteria have no idea what has happened to their food!
All the best! I will recommend your diet to everyone who struggle with IBS or GERD!
I am so happy to hear the diet is working for you Michelle. Thanks for writing about your experience and helping to spread the word!
How long can one expect to follow the diet before SIBO is eliminated? Weeks, months, years? I did not see this addressed in the book. Thank you!
Good question Kathryn. While the diet hits SIBO hard and can relieve major symptoms in as little as two days, symptoms from inflamed tissue, i.e., esophagus, throat, vocal cords, etc. may take longer to resolve. But to your question, if there are underlying causes (motility, enzyme deficiency, immune disorders, low stomach acid, etc.) that have not been fully addressed, or you’re just susceptible to SIBO for unknown reasons, is could return soon after loosening up on the diet. I seem to be in the last group. If I start adding more of the wrong kinds of carbs, even after 8 years of full dietary control, my GERD symptoms reemerge in three or four days.
Very interesting! Do you have a theory for your quick relapse? Have you ever tested yourself or any of your patients that seem to have dietary control of their symptoms with a follow up Hydrogen Breath Test?
I never did test myself. I encourage people to just try the diet and see how they feel. I am working on a collaboration where we have plans to add before and after H2 breath testing for some of the study participants.
I wonder if some of us just weren’t designed to consume so many of the carbs I write about. They were not nearly as available eons ago during our evolution. We didn’t need to evolve mechanisms to deal with them perhaps. Alternatively, our microbiota has suffered great losses in modern times by a variety of insults such as antibiotics, food preservatives and other toxins.
Norm, just curious…do you have any results for this study mentioned in your reply above?
Hey Norm.
Purchased a Kindle version of your IBS book. Great read and hope it will help my four-year battle with SIBO (just diagnosed last week!).
I’m scheduled to see a nutritionist who has indicated she plans to recommend FODMAPS. I tried this diet before with another nutritionist but to no avail. What’s the protocol for sharing this book with my nutritionist (and other nutritionists in the area)?
Hello,
Thank you for all the information. I have yet to read your book, but I am wondering if you think I could benefit from this diet after having h.pylori, high yeast levels, and symptoms of constipation, acne, stomach distension? I have tried both gluten free and dairy free diets as well as supplements with little improvement and am feeling discouraged.
Thanks you the help,
Siobhan
Yes, I recommend that you read the book. Gluten free and dairy free diets still contain significant amounts of fermentable carbohydrates. Those all need to be controlled. On the other hand there are acceptable dairy products and some gluten-containing foods might be tolerated if you don’t have a specific reaction to gluten. Reading the book will help you get the full picture of foods that can promote both yeast and bacterial overgrowth and the symptoms you describe.
Hi, thank you for the fast response. I will order your book as I’m curious about the foods that are with high fermentation. I know you speak much about heartburn and GERD, but are you familiar with h.pylori and yeast? If necessary would you be able to consult with me on correcting these issues? Just thought if I needed additional guidance. Thank you. Siobhan
Absolutely Siobhan. Rhea tells me you already have the info for our program.
Yes, I will be in touch with Rhea early this week. I am hoping a couple sessions will get me on the right path. It’s good to know you deal with a broad range of digestive symptoms! Thank you and I will be reading your book. Siobhan
Hi Norm.Whey protein isolate has a low FP?
Hi bogdan, Yes, Whey protein has an FP of Zero.
Do you think if after i eat lean meat i get nausea and burping meat like taste ,also from nausea i get fatigue, it s causea by low stomach acid or sibo? also u think i should exclude meat from diet?Tks.
I have been experiencing bouts with diarrhea, only upon waking (about 15 years). The diarrhea is ALWAYS accompanied with a headache. I have assumed that the headache is connected to my digestion. (Build up of toxins?). I am gluten and dairy intolerant and a pre diabetic. I control my sugar levels only with diet. (I am not overweight). This lead me to a healthy diet most of my life. I don’t eat white rice nor regular potatoes. My staples are Quinoa, Wild rice, Yams, Sweet potatoes and squashes combined with other veg. I eat very little fruit due to the high GI.
Your book prescribes low FP food which are mainly the high GI foods. I am quite confused as to how to navigate through this.
Does combining foods like meat protein and grain carbs causes the carbs to linger longer in our system?. Does that add to the problem of fermentation and formation of gut bugs? Would it help to eat those separate of each other?
I never had heart burns, Gerd, nor gas, just diarrhea accompanied with headache.
My blood tests do show a low level of inflammation.
Is this regiment useful for me?
I enjoyed your book which offers a new understanding to old beliefs. Thank you
Hi Nikki,
Diarrhea can be caused by several things, but chronic diarrhea can be a sign of IBS(D) and cutting fermentable carbs can help. Yes, the GI can decrease in mixed meals (higher FP), but you are still better off with low FP foods (compared to the foods you list). I recommend just trying the diet without worrying about food combinations. If you continue to have symptoms refer to the trouble-shooting sections.
Hi dr Norm. i recently bought ur book as i search a cure for my curious symtoms. a few years ago i passed a difficult 3 months with a lot of stress and in the same time i weightlifted as i a train for 10 years. after this period i got really fatigued tired and gerd nausea especially after meat meals or other high protein meals.my diet was preety clean rice and chiken breast whey protein suplents in capsules so now after strggling for 3 years i cannot go to the gym properly i have DOMS fatigue next day after weight training and some dr told me is because bad fermenting bacteria.that s why i bought ur book. i gained a lot of weight in the last my quality of life is pooranf i have a fres newborn kid that i love verry much. i need my energy back good Dr. and i want to loose weight as i am carb senzitive individual but the protein is my big problem. whenever i start high protein low carb i get nausea tired maybe there is a carb withdrawal but my question is how to pass this period?maybe after few days i can feel better..
Could it be adrenal fatigue?? low serotonin-dopamine my real problem is a few years ago i was like an ox now i am like a turtle…i took every suplement under the sun probiotics enzymes vitamins etc nothibg worked.. fatigue poor focus lack of interest and i know is something wrong on my digestion flatulence belching bloating water weight poor wound healing, toe nail fungus all sorts pf weird symptoms. the doctors told me is gerd without burn, silent reflux and is because i weighttrained with heavy weights . i cannot believe that…
Hi Haidar,
If you’re still experiencing excessive belching / flatulence, you are likely consuming too many fermentable carbohydrates. Stick to the Fast Tract program and consider adding extra fats for more energy. Overdoing it on the carbs, even low FP carbs, may limit weight loss. If you want, contact us for individualized consultation.
Mr. Robillard,
I thank you for writing the book. I have struggled with SIBO for years and have been unable to get it under control despite previous help. I am just starting the FP diet and have a couple of questions to get started.
Is the glycemic index number for vegetables in your tables in the back of the SIBO book given for cooked or raw veggies? Would it make a difference? I.e., would cooked/canned green beans have a different glycemic index than raw green beans (and thus a different FP)? Would the GI and thus the FP be different for boiled carrots than raw carrots? If so, which does your tables reflect?
Secondly, I remain slightly confused about the overlap of the FODMAP diet and the Fast Tract diet. I realize your diet limits more fiber and resistant starch than the FODMAP diet (having read your book and some articles on your website). However, would you suggest combining the Fast Tract and FODMAP diet, i.e., avoid FODMAPS while also counting the FP? (Especially for years long, entrenched, hard to get rid of SIBO)? Or is that unnecessary? For example, mushrooms are polyls and often advised to eliminate as a FODMAP but have a low FP. Is it better to eliminate those (at least at first, and then try reintroducing them)? In summary, is it best to combine the FODMAP and FP approach, or just disregard FODMAP and go entirely by FP? I read your Q & A article on FODMAP versus Fast Tract and did not find this answer.
Thank you. G
Hi G, Glycemic index testing is typically conducted on higher carb foods that have enough carbs to make the testing feasible- people must consume a 50 gram net carb serving. Testing is typically conducted for these higher carb foods in a cooked state. Having the GI values to calculate an FP value for cooked vs raw carrots is an exception. For most lower carb veggies without a GI value, the FP is calculated based on an average estimated GI of 50. Since they are lower carb veggies the GI will have less of an impact on the FP because there are so few carbs present to begin with. As a rule of thumb however, I would assume that raw veggies will have a higher FP than cooked, but it’s limited by the number of carbs and fiber present.
When foods are tested for total carbs and fiber content for nutrition facts labeling, FODMAPs end up in the fiber fraction and therefore should be included in the fiber content on nutrition facts labeling. Since FODMAPs are essentially dietary fibers, they are included in the FP calculation.
Thank you so much for your response. It means a lot, a lot to me that someone would take the time to respond. Thank you for your work, and thank you deeply for your response.
Forgive me for a further question. My brain is not working properly any longer, brain fog and lack of concentration, degeneration of higher reasoning. SIBO has been going on far too long (with autoimmune and Lyme and thyroid issues).
FODMAPS-So, take asparagus. It is listed on the “avoid, eliminate” column of the FODMAPs lists due to its fructose content. On the FP potential, 80 g yields a FP of 2 or 3, still classifying it as low. It has 2 g carbs, 2 g fiber (which is where the fructose ends up?), estimated GI of 50. Is 80 g an amount that would not contain enough fructose/FODMAP to worry about and/or that wouldn’t cause a problem? But it still has fructose in it. Is it better to avoid asparagus completely (or at least at first)? Or just avoid larger amounts of it, like 240 g?
The FP limits/shows the AMOUNT of fructose in the asparagus, but it is still there….
Grae, If you just follow the FP values, you should be fine. For foods that are high in FODMAPs such as garlic, asparagus, avocado, you might just be aware and if your symptom relief becomes stalled, you could employ a bit of extra caution for these foods. But I don’t think this will be necessary.
Thanks for your work doctor. Could you comment on whether you have worked with any LPR folks, or have had reports on whether it was successful for them?
Hi Matt. Approximately 25 – 30 percent of the people we work with suffer from LPR. We have been tremendously successful. That said, LPR requires strict diet and vigilance and takes longer than simple heartburn to resolve. Typically 15 to 45 days is required.
Hi Dr. Robillard,
Is LPR the type of reflux that doesn’t cause heartburn, but can cause laryngitis? I have that, and have recently started developing bloating. I’m starting to see how they might be related. I haven’t read your book yet – which one do you recommend for me? Also, I did listen to a podcast you did. Just wondering, is the diet extremely restrictive? I love fruits and vegetables, I have no problem giving up bread and sweets. Thanks, Pat
Hi Pat,
Correct, your symptoms are consistent with LPR. I recommend the Fast Tract Digestion Heartburn book. The Fast Tract Diet does allow fruits, but smaller serving sizes of higher FP (fermentation potential) fruits are recommended. As for veggies, most are low FP and can be consumed in greater quantities.
Hi Dr. Robillard,
I just received my copy of the book and haven’t really read it yet, but I did flip immediately to the charts, especially the fruits. I am dismayed about the selection of fruit in the Low FP category. I have to confess I am a fruit-aholic. I have a banana smoothie every morning, and usually snack between meals with fruit and use it as my night time treat mixed with yogurt. What am I going to do? It seems as if I am going to have to wipe out a huge part of my healthy diet and I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around this. Thank you, Pat
Hi Pat, I hear you. Fruit is delicious! While there are some low FP fruits as you can see, many fruits are higher in FP mostly due to fructose content, though bananas (especially if not fully ripe) have a good bit of resistant starch. Some fruits also have fiber (apples, for example).
One possibility that might help is that not everyone is fructose intolerant. If you are one of those people (you can be tested), most fruits may present less of a problem for you.
For fructose intolerant people, adherence to the FP limits for fruit is imperative. But this doesn’t mean eliminating fruits, but rather limiting the higher FP fruits. For instance, have a few slices of ripe banana in your smoothie instead of the whole thing.
Thanks for the suggestion. I will try to fill in with another fruit that’s lower and still keep a few banana slices in there.
Hi Norm I finished reading your Fast Tract book and I’m starting to see more of the whole picture but have some questions while Im trying to figure more of it out. Are there any times that it is okay to have whole grains besides brown rice pasta i.e. short grain brown rice, brown rice crackers(Edward and Sons Brown rice Snaps), sprouted brown rice, puffed brown rice cakes and how about tapioca starch ( boiled?)? I dont get the low ratings on onions, garlic and cashews but maybe once i understand the FP calculation more it will become clear. I was also wondering why its okay to have Buckwheat pancakes but not buckwheat flour? Im guessing quinoa is moderate to high but hope that there is a way to eat quinoa maybe sprouted? One last thing….I usually shop in the Whole Foods market so I was wondering if the cereals you mention with a low rating can be substituted for the organic ones in that store? Wow Im so glad that I found you and promise to study more before piling questions on you again!
I had the same questions regarding garlic, onions and cashews. Cashews were one of my first triggers, before I had any idea that I was developing any kind of “issue”. These foods seem to be mentioned as high in fructans, oligosaccharides, etc. in the text, but then seem acceptable in the diet. Looking forward to clarification! :)
Hello:
What are your thoughts on rice milk? Is it easy to digest?
Thank you,
hello:
What are your thoughts about rice milk? is it easy to digest?
Thank you,
Hi there,
I have a Hiatus Hernia and acid reflux – would your book Heartburn Cured help me do you think?
I have also been suffering with diarrhoea for many years and was put on the FODMAP diet which mostly worked – I need to complete the elimination diet to fully know what foods I can tolerate. I have thought that there could be a link between the diarrhoea and acid reflux – would be interested in your views.
Thanks
Terri
Hi Terri, Heartburn cured is a low carbohydrate approach. Fast Tract Digestion is a newer book featuring the Fast Tract Diet which focuses more on fermentable carbohydrates and so allows a wider variety of foods. It depends on your dietary preferences. Both books recommend an approach to reduce the pressure from intestinal gas which will benefit anyone with a hiatus hernia.
For methodology and amount of FODMAPs in various food see
Muir JG, Rose R, Rosella O, Liels K, Barrett JS, Shepherd SJ, et al. Measurement of Short-Chain Carbohydrates in Common Australian Vegetables and Fruits by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2009 2009/01/05;57(2):554-65.
There are other publications that five the methodology and values of the FODMAP content of foods but you may have to search for things like fructans, galactans, fructose, etc. And the USDA table frequently has the sugar content of foods listed by individual sugars like fructose.
For methodology and amount of FODMAPs in various food see
Muir JG, Rose R, Rosella O, Liels K, Barrett JS, Shepherd SJ, et al. Measurement of Short-Chain Carbohydrates in Common Australian Vegetables and Fruits by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2009 2009/01/05;57(2):554-65.
There are other publications that five the methodology and values of the FODMAP content of foods but you may have to search for things like fructans, galactans, fructose, etc. And the USDA table frequently has the sugar content of foods listed by individual sugars like fructose.
Great article Sy. Thanks for posting.
I have LPR. I am following your diet with the app scrupulously (under 20 fp) but wondering if fat may be a problem although I am not eating anything really greasy except maybe occasional stir fry. I am coughing quite a lot. I have been following your diet for 3 weeks. I also do not eaten anything acidic, caffeinated, etc. for almost 4 months. My doctor ramped up my prilosec to 40 mg.(morning dose). I read nexium is better for lpr so I am substituting that. I do take. I am about to try Gaviscon Advance Raft. Anything more I can do with the diet? Also wondering why Barley Malt has a low fp since it is so sugary.
Hi, I have had GERD for 3 years and have taken Apple Cider Vinegar to relieve symptom.30 minutes prior to each meal. Then I was diagnosed with fructose malabsorption in last summer (from hydrogen breath test). Therefore, I followed the low FODMAP diet and I found that apple cider vinegar should not be taken due to fructose in it from a website. Thus I stopped taking apple cider vinegar, but my symptom (gas, bloating and diarrhea) was not improved. After reading the book, the Fast Tract Digestion last week, I started to follow the Fast Tract Diet. The Fast Tract Diet app informs me that apple cider vinegar has FP value of 0 and is safe. I am not sure if apple cider vinegar is ok for me or not. Would you recommend to take apple cider vinegar?
Hi..live purchased your book…. its very interesting. Ive been told I have Candida is that really SIBO? And do you think some people can’t eat e.g. broccoli as this over growth causes thyroid problem and broccoli is a goitrogen? Like soy affects me I’m sure it affects my thyroid with the symptoms I get.
Can you have Sino and Candida, I cant eat yeast either..so difficult I can’t eat the fruit you mention, I have a problem with fat makes me feel very sick and have greasy stools but has been going on ten years since loads of antibiotics..
Thanks
Amanda
Hi. I am waiting for your book to arrive and am using the app. When I use the FP calculator, I am unsure as to where to set the glycemic index. Can you help me with this?
Thanks!
Hi Regan, If you can find the food in the app, it will also list the glycemic index (GI). If a food is not in the book, you will need to look up the GI (try sites such as glycemicIndex.com). If you can’t find the GI, plug in “50” for an estimate of FP.
Hi. I was told I don’t have LPR, but I also don’t get heartburn, so am I silent GERD or not? Who knows. However, my chest started hurting in December and finally I got scoped in February and they found esophagitis and a little gastritis. I reluctantly have been on omeprazole for a little over 3 months and will be scoped next week to see if I am healed. I still feel a little something on the esophagus. Problem is, I can’t determine whether any food is hurting or helping my situation since I never get heartburn. I can see the logic in your approach and maybe the ‘gas’ is what started this for me (I also have a small hiatal hernia), but it is so frustrating since I had been eating Paleo for several years. A naturopath Dr did a quick breath test after my diagnosis and told me I did not have SiBO so it’s confusing.
I have been reducing the omeprazole and plan to be off completely in a few weeks regardless of what the Dr says, but I don’t know how to judge if the low FP foods are working for me. One ENT felt I should be scoped every year to make sure the esophagus is not getting eroded again. It’s kind of scary.
Hi Doctor. My son Matthew was deathly ill for over seven years. Doctors looking at the possibility of leukemia found spirochetes in his blood instead. Further testing revealed bartonella, babesia ( a parasitic infection of the red blood cells) typhus and all this was in a child with chronic strep staph and myco infections that meant he had Sydenhams Chorea at one point – ref by NIH to Dr Elizabeth Latimer, Georgetown, who treated hum with high dose IVIG. He was tested numerous times for both Lyme and even malaria based on his symptoms. The blots and even IGENEX were always negative. Obviously the malaria test was too since he had Babesia. At one point a doctor wanted him tested for cystic fibrosis as he had all the symptoms. It was at that point that a chance interaction with a microbiologist, retired from research, changed everything…and certainly Matt’s life. We still have illness to content with – it seems something viral, like hepatitis, and we have SIBO after all the abx – even IV ones that we used to treat the infections – and that did not work I might add…only a few simple generics did, dosed correctly, and only after reversing a severe undiagnosed thiocyanate deficiency created by a bio engineered amygdalin one. Only microbiologists would care or even understand what I am sharing. With your background, I thought you might get it on the first take and find it as interesting…and as heartbreaking as we did. Bayer Crop Science Monsanto and other companies have been legally allowed to ( and protected from any personal injury lawsuits by more laws in 2013) remove through gene editing the only precursor to the only antioxidant that activates the neutrophils for phagoctyosis. My son was at death’s door and this retired from research microbiologist, whose specialty was the Krebs cycle, wrote us and said it is just a very severe thiocyanate deficiency. Reverses in two weeks, but you still have to treat all infections and conditions that are enabled during the deficiency. WITHIN THREE WEEKS no more cystic fibrosis symptoms. Many GI problems went away, but not all – we have a great deal of treating and healing left to do…but the changes in Matt were stunning. Big change..reverse the thiocyanate deficiency and you get POSITIVE labs after years of false negative…that too seemed like a miracle, but the scientist said, no – the white blood cells can make antibodies again that is all. All the jobs of the neutrophils rely on thiocyanate. The body makes white blood cells daily, drs count them, but how viable they are is entirely dependent on thiocyanate which has only one precursor in microbiology – amygdalin gene 35030 – which is in seeds, leaves, the BARK of trees…all those oils and herbs that people rely on will no longer work once Bayer replaces plants with versions lacking amygdalin by simply gene editing out the 35030. Totally legal, even protected, and quite deadly…seedless sweeter patented healthy fruits veggies fortified grains and feed appear to feed the mammalian host but starve the white blood cells as they do by forcing the body to rely on the finite stores of thiocyanate in the liver. When any immune challenge that requires a recruitment of activated neutrophils happens the body responds and fuels them from the stores in the liver. Viruses rapidly deplete them rapidly and in the absence of dietary amygdalin they cannot be replenished. Until 2012 there was no entry in the HMDB for amygdalin and therefore no way to examine seed stocks to see if the amygdalin content was still there or not. Plants once mature that do not produce seeds will have none, of course, so whatever the label says or does not ( How USELESS are labeling laws in a world of legal gene editing crop science by Bayer?) all seedless fruits and veggies – even organic ones are not safe for healthy bc they destabilize the thiocyanate cycle that creates the ONLY antioxidant that can power the part of the immune system that is our First Responders and that tells the rest of your immune system what to do. Matt’s years of PANDAS were simply this deficiency. We did a simple blood test – a thiocyanate one – he had 1/1000th of what he should. It only took two weeks to reverse the deficiency…and then suddenly testing worked, medicines worked…and I am hoping treating what remains of Matt’s SIBO symptoms and viral hepatitis ones will too. Matt’s body did not process his vaccines, of course, due to the deficiency and his body’s inability to produce antibodies. He was formula fed. NO commercial formulas regardless of ingredients have any amygdalin or thiocyanate as temperatures above 210 and processing destroy both. A UK food study confirms that there is none in any foods now in the UK across a wide spectrum of ingredients tested. The lovely old gentlemen warned us not to travel to the UK anymore as vaccines will fail there in record number and those unvaccinated, as their thiocyanate levels deplete and cannot be replenished will enable TB, strep, staph, myco etc…everything we had already been through with Matt. Vaccine induced polio – studied, but misunderstood – should spike as well he said bc without the white blood cells working properly the vaccines will not inoculate, but simply introduce the problem they are intended to eradicate. I asked him why he does not tell someone. He said that it is microbiology, not medicine, and most would not understand. He sent the curated research to Professor Seralini at Caen and others in France bc they were actually trying to understand what in GM foods creates cancerous tumors, diabetes, and obesity..nothing…disabling the neutrophils enables all of it – and he cited the studies I am including here…France banned the GMs and so did Russia. Here, they are legally protected if any science emerges that explains their role in the epidemic of unwellness in the US that has shattered our health system and our education one. In the presence of an undiagnosed thiocyanate deficiency anything and everything can simply colonize the mammalian host. I have no clue who should see this or even if it is meaningful to you. I saw microbiologist by you name and thought I would share. Thanks for all the work you do. If the other scientist is correct none of it will matter though. Monsanto is in the news more, but it is Bayer that holds all the patents. Even for pine trees. For all the plants that Pimental uses in his supplement for the GI…no medical interventions can work and testing and vaccines cannot either in the presence of a thiocyanate deficiency which a bio engineered amygdalin one makes inevitable. He directed me to the work of Dr. Alan MacDonald a forensic pathologist when I asked him WHY would companies do this? 100 percent of the bodies and brains autopsied with alzheimers as a cause of death were simply colonized with borrelia and other pathogens. The drugs that Eli Lilly makes and has patents to make are worth fortunes apparently…but only if MS, alzheimers, and all the things in the included research continue. Legal. All of it. Protected from litigation even after the science comes out now that the French and Russians have banned the crops and Europe scrambles to keep them out. It seems everyone in the world except us thinks it is important to feed the white blood cells. He sent me a paper on what they are SUPPOSED to do, and can, when activated….omg. Anyway, you are a researcher. I thought you might care. xoxoxo
Oh – here is the research. I hope it helps someone, but given the current election underway in the USA I do not see how it can. I think it is too later for all of us since what has happened and is happening is all legal etc.
“This study suggests that the failure of sufficient neutrophil recruitment and activation during the initial inflammatory response may allow B. burgdorferi (Lyme Disease) to effectively colonize the mammalian host.”
https://www.jimmunol.org/content/178/8/5109.full
“This is why Matt had so many infections including borrelia, but not limited to it. This is also why he crashed after his MMR. The shots are fine, but only safe in bodies with sufficient white blood cell function to process them completely. The deficiency is epidemic now thanks to changes in agriculture. Forty kids at Harvard couldnt process their MMRs completely either. It is not just Matt. The numbers on autism are shocking. I never looked at pediatric illness before. I was focused more on neuro Lyme, MS, and Alzheimer’s based on my own experiences while ill. The take away is that mammalian bodies with a disabled thiocyanate cycles and malfunctioning neturophils are colonized by any and everything as the LPO and LPTO systems as the eyes ears nose throat mouth and mucosal linings are poorly defended by self destructing neutrophils. They simply oxidize without enough thiocyanate to “activate” them and power them to complete phagocytosis. I have included other curated research, with some explainations. Good luck to your family.” Will Wiegman, Systems Biologist
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3108639/
This research demonstrates, without intending to, the importance of correcting an undiagnosed thiocyanate deficiency using Amygdalin ( thiocyanate’s precursor) rich foods instead of milk, which many on and off the spectrum cannot tolerate especially once it is pastuerized and the thiocyanate content is destroyed anyway. It is called the LPO Cascade. Per Will Wiegman, an expert thiocyanate and amygdalin deficiency: “I am not sure if anyone has made a chart of all the connections, but the one for the Nervous System looks like this: Anything missing or deficient on the top row, affects everything connected to it on the bottom row. Borrelia steals Acetylcholine and Serotonin, and Glucagon among other things. Simply follow the colored lines from the top line to see how multiple systems are disrupted in the bottom line. They researchers of this study have the theory correct, but without any insight as to why the deficiency in the examined children causes the same affect of debilitation the LPO system in the White Blood Cells.
“This research shows that when an Autism population was studied it clearly lacked the antibacterial anti fungal antiviral properties that should be present in a healthy individual. Confirming that the autism population clearly has this deficiency. This research points to the fact that amygdalin and thiocyanate deficiency has a significant role in Autism, with or without the vaccines. A virus or a vaccine with many viruses both require a sufficient recruitment of activated neutrophils to process completely. Both rapidly deplete the finite thiocyanate stores in the liver, and the rest is the inflammation and illness that results from malfunctioning neutrophils that the body produces but can no longer fuel in the absence of the dietary amygdalin that enables the thiocyanate cycle. The thiocyanate deficiency simply allows pathogens to colonize the mammalian host.
It makes you wonder about the relentless propaganda campaign to discredit this line of scientific inquiry and cyanide as Prunasin and Amygdalin as an essential metabolite. First the bitter almond trees were destroyed, then bitter apricot kernels banned in countries with GM crops, and the fact that Sickle Cell Anemia and Cystic Fibrosis are diseases of cyanide deficiency has been completely ignored in medicine and certainly in crops science bio engineering of plants. Special interests seem determined to convince consumers and politicians that cyanide as amygdalin and prunasin is an ‘evil’ metabolite instead of an essential one! When there is no dietary amygalin and all food crops and feed are seedless and sweeter the neutrophils are starved of the only antioxidant that powers them. That is what researchers are seeing, but not understanding in studies like this one.
2. The inhibition of streptococci by lactoperoxidase, thiocyanate and hydrogen peroxide. The oxidation of thiocyanate and the nature of the inhibitory compound https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1265146/
This study explains how thiocyanate activated white blood destroy bacteria. Neutrophils without enough thiocyanate to complete their roles are like hammers without their handles, basically, and not very useful. A thiocyanate deficiency turns white blood cells into kamikazi warriors when nature designed them to be samaurai.
2. Mode of Action of Lactoperoxidase as Related to Its Antimicrobial Activity: A Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4182067/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4182067/
These two extensive studies basically outline how iodine and thiocyanate are crucial players for proper immune function, and no mammal’s immune system can function without Iodine and Thiocyanate. Iodine and thiocyanate in combination keep you alive by preventing pathogens from killing you. When you are thiocyanate deficient the body steals it from the thyroid to use in the immune system to fight pathogens, thereby reducing hormone production in the thyroid. Without thiocyanate the thyroid immune system does not work.
3. The antioxidant role of thiocyanate in the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis and other inflammation-related diseases https://www.pnas.org/content/106/48/20515.long
This research is significant because it explains the exact chemical reactions that thiocyanate is involved in as relates to immune system response. When there is a thiocyanate deficiency the entire immune system response stops because the neutrophils cannot create the compounds that initiate the signaling to macrophages and the killer T cells.
4. Apoptosis induction of Persicae Semen extract in human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12643594
This significant take away from this research is amygdalin is toxic to HL-60 leukemia cancer cells.
6. Amygdalin inhibits renal fibrosis in chronic kidney disease https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236077277_Amygdalin_inhibits_renal_fibrosis_in_chronic_kidney_disease
7. Amygdalin analogs for the treatment of psoriasis https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236652449_Amygdalin_analogs_for_the_treatment_of_psoriasis
Bodies with sufficient amygdalin in their diets simply do not get psoriasis since the neutrophils are able to properly maintain and remove aging skin cells.
8. Advanced research on anti-tumor effects of amygdalin http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25207888
Professor Seralini at the University of Caen, France, demonstrated that healthy rats fed GM feed became obese with cancerous tumors, but he could not explain what was in the foods that caused those tumors. Nothing. It is the amygdalin genetically removed from them that enables tumors and other health problems. It did not even take a month for France to ban all GM crops. Russia banned them as well.
9. Amygdalin inhibits genes related to cell cycle in SNU-C4 human colon cancer cells https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4320388/
10. Amygdalin blocks bladder cancer cell growth in vitro by diminishing cyclin A and cdk2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25136960
11. Amygdalin influences bladder cancer cell adhesion and invasion in vitro. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25333694
12. Amygdalin induces apoptosis through regulation of Bax and Bcl-2 expressions in human DU145 and LNCaP prostate cancer https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16880611
This research demonstrates that amygdalin destroys prostrate cancer cells by disrupting their metabolism.
13. Combined inhibitory effect of fluoride and hypothiocyanite on the viability and glucose metabolism of Streptococcus mutans, serotype https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9467392
This research indicates that fluoride in toothpastes, dental products, and water only works to prevent cavities and problems in the periodontal immune system it there is sufficient thiocyanate available.
14. Biochemical mechanisms and therapeutic potential of pseudohalide thiocyanate in human health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25564094
This paper indicates that when thiocyanate is missing the white blood cells not only self destruct, but add to the already existing inflammation.
15. Cyanide Detoxifying Enzyme: Rhodanese https://benthamscience.com/journals/current-biotechnology/volume/1/issue/4/page/327/
This is simply an explanation of how an specific enzyme which is in every cell in the human body turns cyanide into usable form.
16. The lactoperoxidase system links anion transport to host defense in cystic fibrosis. – PubMed – NCBI https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17204267
A genetic defect inhibits thiocyanate production and leads to cystic fibrois
17. Anti-Sickling Effect of Dietary Thiocyanate in Prophylactic Control of Sickle Cell Anemia… https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2571427/
Sickle cell anemia is simply a diet of severe thiocyanate deficiency.
18. High plasma thiocyanate levels are associated with enhanced… https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25050609
People who have a heart attack recover more rapidly if there is sufficient dietary amygdalin.
19. High plasma thiocyanate levels modulate protein damage induced by… https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22609005
Thiocyanate prevents self ozidation of white blood cells, which in turn prevents damage to surrounding tissues.
20. Amygdalin inhibits angiogenesis in the cultured endothelial cells of diabetic rats… http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22771646
One of the important findings of this research is that dietary amygdalin prevents weak blood vessels in diabetics. When you remove the amygdalin you create the problem of weak blood vessels.
21. Bioactivity-Guided Fractionation Identifies Amygdalin as a Potent… https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4094722/
This paper basically explains how amygdalin rapidly induces the development, survival, and function of the nerves.
22. Biochemical mechanisms and therapeutic potential of pseudohalide thiocyanate in… https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25564094
This paper basically says that thiocyanate is essential to the host, but has the opposite effect happens in its absence.
23. Amygdalin isolated from Semen Persicae (Tao Ren) extracts induces the… http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4167460/
24. Evidence for the involvement of thiocyanate in the inhibition of Candida… https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2110612
25. Anti-proliferative effect of horehound leaf and wild cherry bark extracts on human…
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2440569/
26. Enhancement of Respiratory Mucosal Antiviral Defenses by the Oxidation of… https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3208616/
This research indicates that amygalin enhances the protection of airway surfaces. This paper also indicates that in the presence of iodide viruses are stopped at the surface of respiratory system and are prevented from entering the body.
27. Inhibition of dental plaque acid production by the salivary… https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC350844/
28. Inhibition of herpes simplex virus type 1, respiratory syncytial virus and echovirus… https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7605114
The results of this research indicate that herpes are inhibited by thiocyanate in the saliva et.
Thiocyanate deficiency shuts down the dental immune system. Dietary amygdalin sufficient to heal the thiocyanate deficiency reverses many chronic dental problems.
29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7605114
“Immunoglobulin M, or IgM for short, is a basic antibody that is produced by B cells. IgM is by far the physically largest antibody in the human circulatory system. It is the first antibody to appear in response to initial exposure to an antigen.” Since B-cells self-destruct when a thiocyanate deficiency exists, they will not be able to produce IgM type antibodies. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunoglobulin_M
30. B cell-helper neutrophils stimulate the diversification and production of immunoglobulin in the marginal zone of the spleen. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22197976
30. Inflammation in the Pathogenesis of Lyme Neuroborreliosis https://ajp.amjpathol.org/arti…/S0002-9440%2815%2900123-6/pdf
Borrelia produces inflammation and causes cell death in the glial neuronal cells of the brain where thoughts are processed and formed. Borrelia destroys the fabric of the brain where thoughts are linked with the words that express it. Borrelia disrupts the process by which correct word selection happens. A thiocyanate deficiency allows borrelia to colonize the mammalian host. Lyme is spread by ticks and other biting insects, but congenital lyme is present in almost everyone as it is one of the oldest bacteria. Even the Ice Man had it per forensic research done in Bolzano.
Bartonella https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/bartonellosis/
Bartonella is no longer rare, and many other diseases will cease to be a rare too when pets and livestock are fed GM feed that sabotages their neutrophils function. “Unkempt” Livestock triggers Noma Disease and GM crops ensure that animals become “unkempt” and excellent hosts for Hand Mouth and Foot Disease ( Erich Traub’s research ) Cat Scratch Disease and parasites like toxoplasmosis, Lyme Disease, “winter tumors” and other disease and cancers ( Professor Seralini rat studies at the University of Canne). There is only one microbiology and all mammals share it. The food crops make us sick alter our immune function by the same mechanism that GM feed crops and pet foods hurt the animals that we are meant to take care of and protect. When livestock and pets are fed GM feed or foods they also become good hosts easily colonized by parasites, bacteria, and viral illnesses that spread to humans in contact with them. Grass fed cows do not develop “winter tumors” and chicken fed natural amygdalin-rich diets of natural non GM herbs no longer require copious antibiotics. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/01/business/perdue-and-the-race-to-end-antibiotic-use-in-chickens.html?_r=0
31. Peroxidase-Thiocyanate-Peroxide Antibacterial System Does Not Damage DNA https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC186035/
This research explains how the body uses iodide to kill viruses. When you reverse the most common deficiencies in modern life created by changes in our food supply, specifically an iodine deficiency and a thiocyanate one, in a body otherwise adequately nourished, that body can destroy herpes viruses, shingles, and all viruses.
For those worried about the cyanide content of amygdalin rich foods or specifically the cyanide content of apricot kernels or the kernels of other stone fruit, the Patent information below includes testing for toxicity of Amygdalin: … “[0335] A cyanogenic composition was tested orally and by injection at a dose 5000 mg/kg body weight. No clinical sign of toxicity was detected. Therefore, the composition was considered as GRAS /generally regarded as safe/ tested on mice.[0336] The animals also tested on autopsy and histological studies were made of liver, kidney, brain, muscle, and pancreatic tissue. These organs did not show any pathological change microscopically or macroscopically after the animals received a large dose of the cyanogenic composition.” https://www.google.com/patents/US8937050
There is no such thing as B17. It is a research red herring. The positive effects on the immune system attributed to this non existent vitamin are simply the misunderstood benefits of correcting thiocyanate and amygdalin deficiencies by eating the cyanide our immune systems require as an essential precursor to thiocyanate production. After reversing an amygdalin or thiocyanate deficiency all cancers and infections and other conditions that became a problem while deficient still require treatment and medical attention.
That is why reversing b17 deficiency does not cure cancer, and synthetic versions of amygdalin, laetrile, did not either, and neither will eating apricot kernels, no matter how many are consumed. The body can only use the amygdalin in about six seeds a day, the rest is wasted. A few seeds and careful nutrition revitalizes the white blood cells, but it is not a cure for infections and diseases if they are very advanced and more than working white blood cells can eradicate. Look at the metabolite card. Laetrile and amygdalin are not the same thing. A thiocyanate and amygdalin deficiency enables many different health challenges, but the deficiency itself is not the same as those challenges. A strep infection enabled by a thiocyanate deficiency still needs treatment once the white blood cells are activated again and able to support medical care. This is true of almost all the cancers, conditions, infections, and other health challenges that result from this bio engineered “innovation” in agriculture – gene editing out the amygdalin, removing the seeds, and making things sweeter – that simply enables all disease.
Amazing! Thank you for compiling and posting all that. I just discovered this B-17 Cancel link recently appreciate all of this
*Cancer link – ooops. What I didn’t realize until today just before finding your post, that “B-17” is not just needed to fight Cancer, as you point out here.
Not taking advice from someone who recommends Splenda! it’s a neurotoxin and it’s poisonous.
I got you Sara and respect your opinion. For the benefit of others concerned with Splenda, do you happen to have references to these studies?
Thanks.
This is the main issue I have with the Fast Track approach, it ignores the 1000’s of SIBO sufferers who can NOT tolerate simple Fodmaps like Garlic, Onions etc. These prebiotics especially, FEED BACTERIA, this is very well known, and it only makes perfect common sense that THAT is going to be a big issue for SIBO people.
On the other hand, the foods you suggest cause issues ALSO give SIbo people issues, and again logically.
There is NO perfect SIBO diet, not just for everyone, but period. IMO, Fodmaps is the closest, but, the foods you suggest should also be omitted, so it is a combo of the two that really works I find, and unfortunately it does become VERY restrictive, it is what it is though.
Hi Jason, I understand your concern. But I can assure you that I have not ignored people with SIBO who cannot tolerate FODMAPs. Here is a response to a similar question on the FTD Q&A page:
The FODMAP diet is an elimination diet. But, the Fast Tract Diet uses a quantitative approach based on Fermentation Potential (FP). For this reason, reasonable sized servings of vegetables that contain small amounts of FODMAPs are still acceptable as long as you keep your overall FP levels in line with recommendations.
For example, a few small cloves of garlic do contain a FODMAP (fructose oligosaccharide) but only a couple of grams which is also reflected in the FP value. So by following the low FP approach, you are also controlling FODMAP levels, but in a quantitative manner as opposed to just eliminating any food with even a trace of FODMAPs.
If you want to be 1000% sure to limit all FODMAPs here is something you can do. Because some FODMAP foods contain most of their carb counts as FODMAPs (such as leeks for which some 90% of their carbs are FODMAP), calculate the FP points using a glycemic index of “zero”. That will ensure all the carbs, including FODMAPs are represented as FP. You can find the FP calculator on this site, in the app, or just Google “FP Calculator”.
Hello,
I am dealing with reflux (non-medicated) and IBS. I have the Fast Tract App and was using it for reflux, however, I have been getting some advice about an IBS diet from my doctor. My questions:
1. The FODMAP diet has been advised for me. There seems to be some cross-over, however, some things do not. Do you have a combination diet for IBS and Reflux?
2. Relating to 1. above. The most ‘conflict’ comes from the types of breads, grains and cereals. My GI doc calls white pastas, breads, etc “SAFE FOODS” and not to limit these. Brown rice, grain breads are to be avoided.
3. What about Fiber? I have been advised to take 1 tbsp of pysillium husk (soluble fiber) two times per day. I understand that the fast tract reduces fiber significantly. FODMAP is fine with OATMEAL.
I would appreciate your thoughts and some clarity on this. I plan to set up a virtual consultation with you as well.
Thanks
Hi Bruno, If you click on the “more” box icon on the bottom right of the screen in the mobile app (iphone, or question mark on android), you will sill see the “more” menu. Click on Fast Tract Diet, then click “read more” you will see all the chapters which explain the diet, the premise, troubleshooting, etc and how this diet is unique using the glycemic index to measure fermentable carbs (fermentation potential). Fiber, resistant starch, lactose, fructose and sugar alcohols (except erythritol) all have fermentation potential and should be limited while on the FTD. Resistant starch and fiber limitation is not part of the FODMAP diet. The evidence for limiting RS and fiber is presented clearly in both the FTD IBS and FTD Heartburn books.
Hi, just learning about all of this. Curious if there is something to take prior to eating foods with high FP’s that reduces the fermentation? Beeno? Something else?
Hi Lynne, Yes, there are a variety of things including both supplements and behaviors/practices that are discussed in the FTD books and covered extensively in our consultation program such as amylase enzyme for starches, etc. Beano may help some people as well. It depends on a variety of individual issues as well as the diet people are on.