Vileplume
Member
TL/DR: Raw goat milk is causing diarrhea and stomach cramps, instead of the constipation I've suffered from for years. From an optimistic view, my bowels are finally moving more freely than they have in a while. Is it reasonable to view this as an improvement? Is 4-5x/day diarrhea better than constipation (one overly dry bowel movement every 2-4 days?)
Long-time sufferer of IBS, been dealing with chronic constipation for about 12 years--since I was in high school. Eventually, my poor digestion led to cognitive and mood issues which ultimately led me to intermittent fasting and the carnivore diet, which I followed from 2019-2020, stopping about a few months ago when I discovered Peat's work.
I've still been eating a lot of meat, with a few tablespoons of gelatin, because for the last ten years I have been under the impression that I could not tolerate any dairy. A few weeks ago, I tried introducing pasteurized organic, grass-fed cow's milk (A1) from Horizon brand, and although I had no gas and bloating, my constipation came back instantly. I tried another brand of pasteurized A1 cow's milk, again a gallon from the grocery store, and I instantly felt negative cognitive effects: brain fog, poor mood, inability to focus on or enjoy my work. So I temporarily stopped with the cow's milk.
Last week, I found a local goat farmer who feeds her goats only alfalfa and takes great care of them, and I picked up a few gallons from her. I've been drinking this raw goat's milk for just over a week now, averaging about a quart a day. I'm noticing some positive cognitive effects from this milk, such as a balanced mood, positive outlook, appreciation for being outside/joy in the little things, coherent writing, and a desire to socialize.
The raw goat's milk has given me none of my usual chronic IBS symptoms of bloating, gas, or constipation, but instead I have been suffering from stomach cramps and diarrhea. As opposed to constipation, where I usually go 2-4 days without a BM, I appreciate what feels like food travelling through my body much quicker, albeit in the form of diarrhea. I know diarrhea and stomach pain is not symptomatic of strong digestion, likely indicating inflammation and poor nutrient absorption, but I prefer this to the constipation that affected me with pasteurized cow's milk. Less food sitting around in the stomach = less chance for putrefaction and toxic stuff to build up, right? Also, I am having more bowel movements per day; this diarrhea (4-5x a day, roughly) indicates, at least, that my colon is more active than when I was constipated. In the thread/article originally posted by @Amazoniac , John Harvey Kellogg writes that "The multiplication of bacteria in the intestine is more actively encouraged by stasis or stagnation of the intestinal contents than by any other factor aside from an excessive amount of protein in the diet. A most important means of lessening the multiplication of bacteria in the intestine is the acceleration of the food materials along the intestinal tract. Delay of intestinal contents at any point along the twenty-seven feet of small and large intestine is quickly followed by the development of active bacterial changes."Plus, again, the cognitive and mood effects have been positive.
Has anyone else undergone something similar to this (constipation gone, diarrhea and stomach cramps increased) when reintroducing dairy after a long time? Did it go away? On the surface, is this 4-5x a day diarrhea better than constipation where I only poop once every 2-4 days? How positive a sign are the cognitive/mood effects, weighted against the cramps and diarrhea?
My current plan is to stay around a quart per day of this raw goat's milk, hoping the diarrhea and stomach cramps go away, before I increase the dose.
Other notes:
Long-time sufferer of IBS, been dealing with chronic constipation for about 12 years--since I was in high school. Eventually, my poor digestion led to cognitive and mood issues which ultimately led me to intermittent fasting and the carnivore diet, which I followed from 2019-2020, stopping about a few months ago when I discovered Peat's work.
I've still been eating a lot of meat, with a few tablespoons of gelatin, because for the last ten years I have been under the impression that I could not tolerate any dairy. A few weeks ago, I tried introducing pasteurized organic, grass-fed cow's milk (A1) from Horizon brand, and although I had no gas and bloating, my constipation came back instantly. I tried another brand of pasteurized A1 cow's milk, again a gallon from the grocery store, and I instantly felt negative cognitive effects: brain fog, poor mood, inability to focus on or enjoy my work. So I temporarily stopped with the cow's milk.
Last week, I found a local goat farmer who feeds her goats only alfalfa and takes great care of them, and I picked up a few gallons from her. I've been drinking this raw goat's milk for just over a week now, averaging about a quart a day. I'm noticing some positive cognitive effects from this milk, such as a balanced mood, positive outlook, appreciation for being outside/joy in the little things, coherent writing, and a desire to socialize.
The raw goat's milk has given me none of my usual chronic IBS symptoms of bloating, gas, or constipation, but instead I have been suffering from stomach cramps and diarrhea. As opposed to constipation, where I usually go 2-4 days without a BM, I appreciate what feels like food travelling through my body much quicker, albeit in the form of diarrhea. I know diarrhea and stomach pain is not symptomatic of strong digestion, likely indicating inflammation and poor nutrient absorption, but I prefer this to the constipation that affected me with pasteurized cow's milk. Less food sitting around in the stomach = less chance for putrefaction and toxic stuff to build up, right? Also, I am having more bowel movements per day; this diarrhea (4-5x a day, roughly) indicates, at least, that my colon is more active than when I was constipated. In the thread/article originally posted by @Amazoniac , John Harvey Kellogg writes that "The multiplication of bacteria in the intestine is more actively encouraged by stasis or stagnation of the intestinal contents than by any other factor aside from an excessive amount of protein in the diet. A most important means of lessening the multiplication of bacteria in the intestine is the acceleration of the food materials along the intestinal tract. Delay of intestinal contents at any point along the twenty-seven feet of small and large intestine is quickly followed by the development of active bacterial changes."Plus, again, the cognitive and mood effects have been positive.
Has anyone else undergone something similar to this (constipation gone, diarrhea and stomach cramps increased) when reintroducing dairy after a long time? Did it go away? On the surface, is this 4-5x a day diarrhea better than constipation where I only poop once every 2-4 days? How positive a sign are the cognitive/mood effects, weighted against the cramps and diarrhea?
My current plan is to stay around a quart per day of this raw goat's milk, hoping the diarrhea and stomach cramps go away, before I increase the dose.
Other notes:
- the skin on my hands/lips feels very moist since drinking more milk
- the first few days drinking milk, my tongue was ABSOLUTELY COATED, and now it's less so, although there is still some white/tan bacteria on there.