Alkaline foods and fibre

[colsta]

Hi all
Have been thinking about this for the past few days so I thought I would share.
My psoriasis does get better when i tweak my diet cut out gluten, diary, and eat more greens, more alkaline foods. also one of the benefits when i have the will power to be eating like this is that I am more regular on the toilet front.
Now regulars to the alternative forum knows about how high alkaline foods seem to help a lot of people be it from their diet changes or more and more people are finding great improvement through green shakes or smoothies and what not, So that is a high alkaline intake and also you have the pagano approach to.

I was thinking the other day, and have never thought of it like this before
Another thing that all high alkaline foods have in common is their fibre qualities.
Now call me stupid others may have thought of it like this before but i have not.
I think it is interesting because when my diet is bad, I have infrequent toilet issues, and all that food builds up and up in my system probably coming out of my skin and making my p worse.
The doctor calls it IBS but i think that stands for (I do not know why)
I have been given this Fybogel at the moment which is a fiber supplement which bulks up in the system and helps you go, it kind of does the opposite to other laxatives like Macrogal as i understand it.
Any way this really helps on the toilet front and that is what got me thinking. that my diet must lack fiber
and then saw the correlation between alkaline food and foods with fiber,
I have always thought that psoriasis might have something to do with our digestive system, and just found it interesting that alot of people do refer to it as high alkaline foods, but i have never heard it refer d to as food high in fiber . and i just found that interesting.










 

[Simon_B]

OK not what you want to be discussing if you are eating so maybe skip this if you are .. perhaps pass a few happy minutes on extremecrossstitch.com..

So my father and I both get Psoriasis, he eats and drinks pretty much what he likes whereas I try to follow the healthiest diet I can. The major difference between us is that he has the bowels of a God.. set a clock by 'em whereas I am all over the place and easily constipated. His skin is near perfect apart from one patch behind his ear, me? covered. Interestingly when I smoked the irritant made me go to the loo more often  and my skin stabilized a little.

I also think sugar has something to do with it but not sure how strong the link is.. perhaps a high sugar diet combined with poor eliminatory system = bad skin..

Just thoughts and observations..

happy poohing all

[Lazza]

I had severe IBS prior to getting psoriasis.  For the past couple of years I have been on a diet rich in fiber, and I also sometimes take psyllium husks to bulk things up.  My IBS symptoms (bloating, cramping, loose stools) improved substantially.  My psoriasis has also improved substantially.  But I don't think fiber is the sole link.  I think a (but perhaps "THE") critical factor is intestinal flora and the overall health of the colon walls.  Eating a high fiber diet plus taking probiotics (or eating fermented foods) will over time improve gut flora and the overall health of the colon.  I do believe a happy colon will help psoriatics who have known gut issues.

I should emphasize that improving one's colon, and in turn one's psoriasis, does take time.  A LONG time.


_Lazza


PS - I am not quite the believer in this body pH business.  Yet certainly those who eat an alkaline diet are typically eating very healthy foods rich in fiber ... as you point out colsta.

[Eveloftus]

I agree Lazza, that intestinal flora is important for psoriasis, and one can improve it by eating homemade yoghurt, kefir or by taking probiotics etc. It was bj if you remember that introduced the idea first.

[Lazza]

We should also point out that making sauerkraut is easier than making yogurt, and of course it is dairy free (..vitally important for some).  I just wish I knew this way back when.    Probiotic supplements haven't worked nearly as well as doing my own fermenting of vegetables.


_Lazza

[steelem]

yes i too had ibs - why because it was a diet that ate white bread - white pasta - white rice - pizza etc etc - making the change to whole gives you the fibre needed - psyllum husks were a major part of the rehabilitation - have you to thank for that lazza -

[Lazza]

yes i too had ibs - why because it was a diet that ate white bread - white pasta - white rice - pizza etc etc - making the change to whole gives you the fibre needed - psyllum husks were a major part of the rehabilitation - have you to thank for that lazza -

... and of course I got that idea from someone else (probably on the NPF board).  This is why we participate in these forums: pass along knowledge and ideas that might work for others.


_Lazza

[LittlePinkPuss]

Another thing that all high alkaline foods have in common is their fibre qualities.

Except when you are juicing them - and then there is no fibre at all. 

But yes, when you think about it (although I never have before) alkaline foods like fruit and vegetables are very high in fibre.

Whereas, acidic food like meat and dairy have no fibre and are more likely to block you up.

[LittlePinkPuss]

I have been given this Fybogel at the moment which is a fiber supplement which bulks up in the system and helps you go

Having had bowel issues for over ten years now, I will give you a few tips:

Cut out white flour products (cakes, bread, biscuits), white sugar, dairy, meat, processed foods and other highly acidic foods - as these clog you up.

On a daily basis:

Drink 8 glasses of filtered water per day to lubricate stools
Drink prune juice or eat prunes
Eat fibre foods like RAW fruits and vegetables
Add chia seed gel to your smoothies, juices or salads - does the same thing as Fybogel but much better for you heath wise.
Go for a power walk
Get yourself a squatting stool for your toilet - an absolute must for people with these sorts of issues.

If this little lot does not get you moving.....................nothing will!

A low fat high fibre vegan diet will have you going several times a day, naturally without straining.

I know many people find this topic disgusting and embarrassing, but bowel health is vital for so many different aspects of your general well being and health.

Maybe have a look at the book "Colon Health" by Dr Norman Walker. "Every organ, gland and cell in the body is affected by the condition of the large intestine, the colon. The book looks at the conditions that can develop if the colon is clogged".

[colsta]

Thank you littlepink for the advice, like i said when i when i do go gluten free everything improves, and it is weird even though i know how to improve things it is hard to stick to it, i have done before then slowly creep back to a unhealthy diet, I have been the last 2 weeks eating well hadly any gluten and low carbs, my only issue when eating well is the weight loss, i am a slim build and when i get on to eating well i lose so much weight, and even though i feel good, i look unhealthy thin. but i would prefer that and being clear.