tegid’s BodyBlog

Today I went to see a nutrition specialist who specializes in food intolerance and sensitivity testing. The system that indicates food intolerances was developed in Germany and is known as a BER Resonance Medicine. it measures changes in the body’s resistance which can help to pinpoint problem foods.  The foods that have been found to commonly cause difficulties include wheat, dairy products, yeast, sugar, chocolate, tea, citrus fruit and coffee.  These are foods that we consume on a daily basis and the body becomes dehydrated when trying to excrete these. The body also increases the production of histamine in reaction to these foods.  With raised histamine levels, the body’s immune/defense system is thrown off balance and the symptoms associated with food sensitivities and intolerances then show up.  

For me, this makes a lot of sense, as blood tests through the years have shown that I have dehydration (despite drinking a LOT of water every day) plus my immune system is low: I have had low white blood cells and leucopenia/neutropenia for over two years.

To start with, the tests indicated that I had low levels of zinc, potassium and chromium.

The machine then tested 90 different types of food and the following were shown to cause a change in my body’s electrical resonance - and are suggested as things that I have an intolerance with:

Buckwheat, cow’s milk, cheese (cow’s), yoghurt, beef, potato, swede/turnip, soya, cabbage, beetroot, peppers (capsicum), tomato, orange, pineapple, yeast, sugar (beet & cane), chocolate, alcohol and monosodium glutamate.

Well, being a skeptic I was ‘testing’ the method and am pleased to say that it picked out chocolate and monosodium glutamate which I have reacted to badly ever since I was a baby. So I’m quite impressed. The beef thing was a surprise… but never mind – that’s easy to take off the menu as I mostly eat chicken and fish.  Yeast may be more of an issue because it is an ingredient used in many things – including ketchup, pickles and salad dressings.

The idea is to now eliminate the things on the list above from my diet, for a period of 6 weeks and then attempt sensible re-introduction.  To be honest I don’t think it will be that difficult because I have eliminated most of the things on the list already.  I think the biggest problem will be whey protein (which is a cow’s dairy product. I am hoping that whey isolate is not a problem, though.  Failing that, I’ll be drinking a lot of egg white (yuck!)

The low levels of zinc, potassium and chromium are strange as I take supplements that are supposed to specifically increase these minerals. Strange.

Anyhow, I’ll let you know how things go during the diet!

Today I went to see the UKBFF South Coast Show- despite the layer of snow that met me when I first woke up and clambered aboard the train. It was the first time I’d ever bee to a bodybuilding show. Wow. I had no idea that there were so many people that bodybuilt. Phil Heath was there and did a seminar. He came across as a very polite, professional guy who has achieved astonishing things in a very short space of time (I think he said he’s only been body building for 5 years). http://www.phillipheath.com/

As impressive as the pro’s were the thing that really struck me were the amateur competitors, each with incredible stories of determination and courage. While waiting to go onto stage, they sat out in the audience, covered in pro-tan and with astonishing definition. Really inspiring.

It’s taken a lot out of me and luckily Adam Read (Adam247) offered to drive me part of the way home. Oh dear - I had a full-blow seizure about 20 minutes into the journey. If I’d been on the train I’d have been taken to the nearest hospital, miles from home and with no way of getting home because I’d have missed the last train. So I am very, very grateful to Adam for his outstanding consideration during the seizure and coping with the whole thing in such a responsible way. I count myslelf so incredibly lucky to know him.