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Emulsifiers in Food

Wed, April 01, 2015 1:09 PM

I came across this article recently http://www.nature.com/news/food-preservatives-linked-to-obesity-and-gut-disease-1.16984 where it says "Mouse study suggests that emulsifiers alter gut bacteria, leading to the inflammatory bowel condition colitis."

I've had Ulcerative Colitis for more than 20 years. In 2014, I removed all gluten from my diet which helped, but after 10 months of no gluten (and I had stopped taking my colitis medicine), I had a bad flare for 3 few months. Then I saw this article about emulsifiers, so I've also removed foods with emulsifiers from my diet such as my unsweetened soy milk, popcorn, chocolate, yogurt, ice cream, etc. For most foods I was able to find a substitute that didn't have any emulsifiers. So far, I think it's helping. My flare is under control since resuming Asacol and I've eliminated gluten, chocolate and foods with emulsifiers.

It sure would be great if someone could figure out why we have inflammatory bowel disease. It's been a long difficult 22 years of not knowing how to control it, but with my revised diet, it's much better. I can eat all kinds of fruits & vegetables, meat and dairy now that my system is working. I couldn't eat dairy before.

Hope this info helps!

imfree
Joined Jul 14, 2014

Mon, May 04, 2015 2:06 PM

Reply posted for caseylb.

I look for these ingredients and switch brands to make sure they aren't included. I'm doing SO MUCH better since removing emulsifiers (as well as gluten and chocolate which has emulsifiers). I searched various sites to look for names of emulsifiers. Here's my list. Good luck!

Carageenan

Gums (all kinds)
CMC (Carboxymethylcellulose)
Lechithins
Polysorbates
Mono and diglycerides

Ammonium Phosphatides
Sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids
Magnesium salts of fatty acids
Sucrose esters of fatty acids
Suroglycerides
Polyglycerol
Propane
Sodium stearoyl
Calcium stearoyl
Sorbitan

imfree
Joined Jul 14, 2014

Sat, May 02, 2015 12:27 AM

Reply posted for imfree.

I read that study a few months ago and have been trying to remove emulsifiers from my diet. They are EVERYWHERE, including in colitis drugs (Rowasa, Lialda), many probiotic formulations, supplements, lots of gluten-free breads and pasta, and just above every packaged food with more than 5 ingredients.

After a month or so, I am doing measurably better, but too early to tell for sure. My understanding is that it probably takes a few months to wash out emulsifiers.

caseylb
Joined Apr 20, 2015

Sat, April 11, 2015 11:03 AM

Reply posted for imfree.

I will check out this article! Thank you for pointing me to it!

lr246
Joined Apr 5, 2015

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