Vegan Nutrition with Jill Nussinow, MS, RD

Jill Nussinow is a Registered Dietitian, culinary educator, cookbook author, speaker and consultant and all around proponent of a plant-based diet. She teaches vegetarian and vegan cooking at Santa Rosa Junior College in California and other places around the US. She has a son who is almost 15. One of her greatest joys is sharing her enthusiasm for vegetables and pressure cooking with anyone who will listen.

I have multiple chemical sensitivity, fibromyalgia, and leaky gut disease. I cannot tolerate any supplements or herbs. I eat steamed vegetables and oil for breakfast and lunch, and steamed vegetables, oil, and protein for dinner. I am now also allergic to garlic and psyllium husk. None of my foods are coming out solid, they are coming out undigested. I am severely constipated and bloated and I was wondering what's the most healing and protective diet for leaky gut. Also, is vegetable juice fasting best for leaky gut? And if so, for how long?

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Let me preface my remarks by saying that I am not at all an expert in Leaky Gut Syndrome. From what I know, it's best to eat the foods that you can tolerate well, and avoid those that you can't. Generally, foods that are prebioitic and probiotic may provide some relief.

The fructooligosachharides (FOS) found in Jerusalem artichokes, a source of inulin, may be beneficial in helping with your gut sensitivity. According to Wikipedia (not the most reliable source) "FOS is extracted from fruits and vegetables like bananas, onions, chicory root, garlic, asparagus, barley, wheat, jícama, tomatoes, and leeks. The Jerusalem artichoke and its relative, yacón have been found to have the highest concentrations of FOS of cultured plants." Other fiber-containing foods may also help with your constipation problems. If you can tolerate ground flaxseeds, they will add fiber and also increase the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids, which help with the immune system.

Vegetable juices could potentially be soothing but will likely provide enough calories to keep you going for very long.

It is not uncommon for people with leaky gut to develop more sensitivities since your intestinal lining is likely so inflamed. Eating fermented foods might also help but since this is completely individual, you will need to continue to carefully experiment with your diet. With so much going on it might be most helpful to work with a doctor or Registered Dietitian experienced in this area.

Visit Jill's website TheVeggieQueen.com and her blog theveggiequeen.blogspot.com.

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Disclaimer: The advice given here is for eductional purposes only. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider.
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