Originally Posted by mrsD

You have to ask for your D results.... "normal" doesn't cut it anymore. Some lab ranges for D go down to 30... which is not normal anymore. Goal is 50 or above.

Gluten is a prime candidate to start with. I think the most common intolerance. We've had people on PN who turned out gluten intolerant and by eliminating it were better.

Nightshades are a problem for me... potatoes esp and also too many tomatoes. (I only have a very tiny amount of bland tomato sauce now and then). Potatoes make my feet burn terribly. Peppers also make me burn.

I've given up sugar and fructose. I can tolerate an orange a day, but not much else, fruit wise. I have terrible GI problems from sugars.

I think anyone with PN should avoid MSG at all costs. This form of glutamate stimulates the NMDA receptor for pain. Read your labels always. Watch for it in restaurants. Chinese, esp but also others that have sauces, and soups where it is commonly added.

Other offenders are dairy protein (casein), chocolate, soy, corn.

Eliminate one at a time and reintroduce...each person is different!

Originally Posted by Marlene

Mrs D hit the major offenders. Sugars (natural and artificial sweeteners) are troublesome especially if you have digestive issues.


One way to approach it is to keep a log of what you are eating at each meal. and how you feel. What items are appearing daily or even at each meal, and see if you crave any of those. Are you tired or sluggish after a meal? Bloated or have heart burn. If so, those are suspect.

Most, if not all of us, eat a pretty static diet. Wheat, sugar, dairy, corn, soy show up daily. Corn, soy, and sugars are in processed foods. I find if I eat cow's dairy daily, I will end up with sinus congestion.

One other thing on the hair test....this is really a screening tool and has limitations. You can have false low/high values from hair care products. You need to take into consideration your symptoms, diet, lifestyle, stress level and other lab tests. So it's good you are going to check out your iron before starting a supplement. And finally, the test results on your CA,MG, P & K may be a result of electrolyte imbalance and/or adrenal function and not an deficient/excessive status of the mineral.