fructose intolerance/malabsorption

I have dealt with lymphatic colitis for 40 years. I am 76 now and have just been treated for H-pylori 4 months ago. My breath test has shown Fructose Malabsorption rather then SIBO. Not sure I am glad for this diagnosis. The SIBO I could treat with antibiotics and not as strict a diet. I see my doctor this week and then a dietitian to learn how to eat very different from what I have been eating with the colitis. One diet seems to hinder the other. I feel to old to change my ways but something else to learn now. I was never a real sweet eater until I found out I can't have it. LOL There are so many things I have to throw out and I plan to have one cupboard just for me. My DH can eat anything and I make sweets for him all the time, what an adjustment. Sorry if I sound a little down or pessimistic about this, I know over time I will adjust. I have been reading some of your posts and am encouraged by them. I will return with my journey after Wednesday.

I agree, I can't eat any fruit including cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, ect which are also fruits!! There are many foods on the FODMAP diet I can't tolerate

High fructose, refined sugars, complex carbs all are hard for an inflamed intestine to digest and absorb and provide fuel for bad bacteria to feed on.

I am also on the Low FODMAP diet. I was relapsing until I started working with a nutritionist about two months ago. Before then, I had suffered from chronic, nonstop diarrhea for three months and lost 20 pounds. I am now on my 21 day without diarrhea. I am in the early stages of recovery and slowly trying and introducing new foods. I am cautiously optimistic, and truly believe the diet is what has kept me from relapsing this time. I started the diet on my own and made many mistakes until I met with the nutritionist. My troubles started after taking Clindymycin. It was first thought I had CDiff but the GI doctor eventually diagnosed me with SIBO. Never thought an antibiotic could totally unbalance someone’s gut to this extent. I do believe diet is key to recovery in these cases and I am glad to read someone else is benefitting from it. Gives us all hope.

The symptoms you can get from fructose malabsorption can be really horrible. I developed it after a case of viral food poisoning as severe as that caused by e coli, and it was almost fatal. You can't digest the fructose because the lining of the intestine is damaged. I had incredible gas and belching, bloating, and asthma from the gas, and didn't care whether I lived or died. What's to live for if you can't eat, breathe or sleep? I also got esophageal dysmotility and food caught in the esophagus (even scrambled eggs) and had GERD from it, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth from it. One time had to blend all my food for weeks. Also have visceral hypersensitivity. Anyway, it took about 10 years to get it diagnosed; be sure to go to a reputable gastroenterologist, at a university medical center if possible. Mayo diagnosed mine. I have a friend who has it and she can eat a lot more sugar than I can. She figures if I can eat it so can she. I've found I can hardly eat any, including artificial sugars. I want to share what I've learned. By the way, I've been to 4 dietitians and none of their recommendations worked for me because my system is so intolerant of sugar. This is a minimalist diet but it's a good start if you're still struggling to discovered what you can eat. Here's what I eat: Protein: eggs, meat, fish (all unprocessed- no ham, sausages, etc). Carbs: potatoes without the skin, white Basmati rice, Kettle Brand Kettle Chips (for energy). Vegetables: cooked spinach, cooked broccoli (in moderation), broccolini (in moderation), one baby carrot every other day (has sugar in it). Since I also have lactose intolerance and broccoli and broccolini (?) have a bit of lactose in them, I take 2 lactase pills with those. Occasionally have mushrooms, a bit of celery, green Swiss chard. Whatever you do, don't ever eat garlic, and if you try onion, only eat a little of the clear juice, not the solids. Fruit: none. Drinks: distilled water. Spices and herbs: cinnamon, thyme, sage, salt, black pepper. Nuts: occasional small amounts of Planters Deluxe mixed nuts (remove the pistachios). Oils: canola oil, extra virgin olive oil, extra light olive oil. Be careful with olive oil - olives are a fruit, and other olive oils have olive fruit juice in them. Regarding no potato skins or brown rice, I believe they contain fructans, chains of fructose, also indigestible if you have fructose malabsorption. Anyway, if anyone knows of any spices/herbs that are ok, I'd appreciate knowing. I've tried oregano and rosemary and they didn't agree. Another thing I use is L-Alanine powder, an amino acid, which was found by a researcher at the U. of Iowa or Iowa State to help the intestine absorb fructose. I take probably 6 tsp. of this a day with the potato chips, etc. All for now. There is a web site that gives all the names for sugars, to help you identify them, and another that gives the sugar content of fruits, vegetables, etc. Next time. I'm not going to talk about FODMAPS etc. but just give practical advice that has worked for me.

You said your fructose malabsorption was diagnosed at Mayo> Do you know the Dr. you saw? I just went there and it was not mentioned to me. I have a lot of trouble eating and am 15 lbs underweight.

So, if you eliminate all of these things and feel better, do you assume you have fructose malabsorption (or I would assume at least intolerance? How long do you do the elimination to be sure it is the problem? If I could find a good GI dietitian/nutritionist, I'd ask! I often find patients are excellent sources of information!

Fructose malabsorption is more than high fructose corn syrup. It's all sugar, fruit and many vegetables that are really fruit such as cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes basically anything with seeds. I felt better in about 1 day. If you feel better then you eliminate it permently. I have not found a good dietician, was very disappointed in Mayo's dietician, they were not updated on anything and mostly recommend FODMAP diet which allows many foods I can't eat. I've read many good books that have helped me they are listed on my posts but basically I'm on Keto since it's very low carb and whole foods. Just keep in mind doctors treat with meds not diet when diet will change everything and keep you off the meds. I've been able to get off everything I had been on for nearly 20 years.

Fructose malabsorption is more than high fructose corn syrup. It's all sugar, fruit and many vegetables that are really fruit such as cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes basically anything with seeds. I felt better in about 1 day. If you feel better then you eliminate it permently. I have not found a good dietician, was very disappointed in Mayo's dietician, they were not updated on anything and mostly recommend FODMAP diet which allows many foods I can't eat. I've read many good books that have helped me they are listed on my posts but basically I'm on Keto since it's very low carb and whole foods. Just keep in mind doctors treat with meds not diet when diet will change everything and keep you off the meds. I've been able to get off everything I had been on for nearly 20 years.

This is really addressed to both Saucy and Lelia. Just wanted to put my 2 cents worth in the discussion. I have the same problem and the same frustrations! Not much help on diet advice from docs or dieticians or nutritionists. The things with seeds like tomatoes and cucumber can be eaten if they are peeled and seeded. I am also going by Gundry's Plant Paradox diet, and felt better within 48 hours after making the change! I know it is still controversial, but it has sure helped me. My use of meds for gut problems, both prescription and over the counter, has dropped by about 75%.

I don't agree with everything Gundry recommends, but I my diet is about 90% what he recommends. I still cannot do garlic or onions, or raw dark leafy greens, but everything else is going quite well.