I've found an article about sulfate and UC , could it be something?
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) - The Gas
The H2S gas is made in the colon. It is a nasty customer. It is mostly what gives flatus its foul smell. We avoid the smell when we can and make fun of it. But, there is nothing funny about H2S. Consider these facts about H2S, all medically documented.
* Half the normal population makes H2S gas in their colon. The other half makes methane gas.
* However, 90-100% of ulcerative colitis patients make H2S. That's an interesting fact, isn't it?
* H2S is a toxic gas. In higher doses, it can irritate the eyes. In even higher concentrations, it is as damaging as hydrogen cyanide. In the normal colon, there are cells that contain an enzyme that detoxifies the H2S gas.
* There is some evidence to suggest that this enzyme is deficient in ulcerative colitis patients, so that the H2S may linger and damage the colon wall.
* Most patients have ulcerative colitis in the left side of the colon where the H2S gas is mostly made.
* Certain bacteria in the left side of the colon use sulfur in our foods, water and especially in meats, to make the H2S gas.
* The good bacteria in the colon make certain acid substances, (see SCFA above) thereby acidifying the colon contents.
* Here is a possible key point. These H2S producing bacteria do not grow in an acid environment. Keeping the colon acid may be important.
Sulfate and Sulfides
Sulfate is a necessary element in the diet as our body needs it for many of its functions. However, the H2S gas producing bacteria in the left colon rely on ingested sulfur to make the sulfide gas, H2S. The more sulfate you ingest, the more of it is available for colon bacteria to make sulfide gases. So where is the sulfate we ingest?
* Drinking water - up to 20% or more may come from drinking water, depending on the source. City water is monitored so there won't be too much, but well water can vary significantly. You need to measure sulfate in well water.
* Beverages - beer, red and white wine, cider, apple, grape and tomato juice, and even cow's milk have significant amounts of sulfate.
* Foods - the following have moderate amounts of sulfate:
o eggs
o cheese
o milk
o dates
o dried apples, apricots (dried fruits are very high in sulfate)
o almonds
o wheat pasta
o breads
o peanuts
o cruciferous vegetables (broccoli,cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage
o raisins
o prunes
* Animal Protein - There are only two amino acids, methionine and cystine, that contain sulfate. These are present in all animal products, but especially in red meat. The more meat you eat, the more sulfate enters your colon.
* Supplements - chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) are used by many people for bone and joint disorders.
These have significant amounts of sulfate. So does carrageenan, used as a thickening agent in many prepared foods. Read the labels.
Summary
Were I still in gastroenterology practice, I would recommend that ulcerative colitis patients follow the guidelines in the first part of this section. Additionally, I would consider:
* Reduce sulfur-containing foods in the diet, especially red meat, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts) and sulfur containing wine and beer. Check well water for sulfur.
* Increase foods that are high in inulin and oligofructose.
* Consider using a dietary supplement to get a significant dose of the beneficial prebiotics, inulin and oligofructose, into the colon every day.
The goal is to make your colon more acidic and inhospitable for the H2S gas producing bacteria. If your flatus no longer has a malodorous smell, then the H2S producing bacteria likely are not growing.
One final point. This information has some research behind it. Some of it is not conclusive, but it is at this time the best we have. Finally, check with your physician. She or he knows your case best. This information is for background use only. Prebiotic supplements are not meant to prevent, treat or mitigate any disease.
Original thread at healingwell.com:
Sulfate and sulfides in relation to UC and your diet. - Ulcerative Colitis - HealingWell.com Forum
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) - The Gas
The H2S gas is made in the colon. It is a nasty customer. It is mostly what gives flatus its foul smell. We avoid the smell when we can and make fun of it. But, there is nothing funny about H2S. Consider these facts about H2S, all medically documented.
* Half the normal population makes H2S gas in their colon. The other half makes methane gas.
* However, 90-100% of ulcerative colitis patients make H2S. That's an interesting fact, isn't it?
* H2S is a toxic gas. In higher doses, it can irritate the eyes. In even higher concentrations, it is as damaging as hydrogen cyanide. In the normal colon, there are cells that contain an enzyme that detoxifies the H2S gas.
* There is some evidence to suggest that this enzyme is deficient in ulcerative colitis patients, so that the H2S may linger and damage the colon wall.
* Most patients have ulcerative colitis in the left side of the colon where the H2S gas is mostly made.
* Certain bacteria in the left side of the colon use sulfur in our foods, water and especially in meats, to make the H2S gas.
* The good bacteria in the colon make certain acid substances, (see SCFA above) thereby acidifying the colon contents.
* Here is a possible key point. These H2S producing bacteria do not grow in an acid environment. Keeping the colon acid may be important.
Sulfate and Sulfides
Sulfate is a necessary element in the diet as our body needs it for many of its functions. However, the H2S gas producing bacteria in the left colon rely on ingested sulfur to make the sulfide gas, H2S. The more sulfate you ingest, the more of it is available for colon bacteria to make sulfide gases. So where is the sulfate we ingest?
* Drinking water - up to 20% or more may come from drinking water, depending on the source. City water is monitored so there won't be too much, but well water can vary significantly. You need to measure sulfate in well water.
* Beverages - beer, red and white wine, cider, apple, grape and tomato juice, and even cow's milk have significant amounts of sulfate.
* Foods - the following have moderate amounts of sulfate:
o eggs
o cheese
o milk
o dates
o dried apples, apricots (dried fruits are very high in sulfate)
o almonds
o wheat pasta
o breads
o peanuts
o cruciferous vegetables (broccoli,cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage
o raisins
o prunes
* Animal Protein - There are only two amino acids, methionine and cystine, that contain sulfate. These are present in all animal products, but especially in red meat. The more meat you eat, the more sulfate enters your colon.
* Supplements - chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) are used by many people for bone and joint disorders.
These have significant amounts of sulfate. So does carrageenan, used as a thickening agent in many prepared foods. Read the labels.
Summary
Were I still in gastroenterology practice, I would recommend that ulcerative colitis patients follow the guidelines in the first part of this section. Additionally, I would consider:
* Reduce sulfur-containing foods in the diet, especially red meat, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts) and sulfur containing wine and beer. Check well water for sulfur.
* Increase foods that are high in inulin and oligofructose.
* Consider using a dietary supplement to get a significant dose of the beneficial prebiotics, inulin and oligofructose, into the colon every day.
The goal is to make your colon more acidic and inhospitable for the H2S gas producing bacteria. If your flatus no longer has a malodorous smell, then the H2S producing bacteria likely are not growing.
One final point. This information has some research behind it. Some of it is not conclusive, but it is at this time the best we have. Finally, check with your physician. She or he knows your case best. This information is for background use only. Prebiotic supplements are not meant to prevent, treat or mitigate any disease.
Original thread at healingwell.com:
Sulfate and sulfides in relation to UC and your diet. - Ulcerative Colitis - HealingWell.com Forum
