So yesterday, we got the results back of the YorkTest (re-test) we did for Ellie last week. We first did this for Ellie some 9-10 years ago when she was two years old and was seriously regressing and we had major concerns about Autism.
Back then the test confirmed what we thought – wheat and dairy were having a huge effect on her brain function and her ability to communicate and understand (see first few blogs for more).
Anyway, the results came back as Yeast showing as intolerance and nothing else. NOTHING ELSE! Now, I wouldn’t expect wheat or dairy to show up as Ellie doesn’t have this in her diet (maybe just now and again in an emergency like there only being a burger van to get food from!) but other than that, very little so its likely that these wouldn’t be in her system to test against. A huge relief though to find that the 11 foods that were picked up a few weeks ago didn’t show up. To be honest, I did wonder if Ellie was following the instructions the Kinesiologist gave her and whether sometimes she couldn’t be bothered to keep her arms raised. I mean, this is the girl that finds a bag of cotton wool balls heavy! 🙂
So, come Monday morning, we will be eliminating Yeast as best we can from her diet – along with still keeping her wheat and dairy free (after what we went through all those years ago, I’m terrified to fully re-introduce those at the moment – plus it would mess with any improvements from the Yeast withdrawal).
So, what are the symptoms of Yeast intolerance? If you Google this you are immediately taken to symptoms of Candida. These include Abdominal bloating, constipation and diarrhoea. anxiety and depression, hives and psoriasis, impotence and infertility, menstrual problems, respiratory and ear problems, unexpected weight gain, feeling “bad all over”.
There is a useful video with the lovely Dr Hilary Jones on the YorkTest site that explains the symptoms of yeast intolerance and foods to avoid.
http://www.yorktest.com/food-intolerance-advice/problem-foods/yeast-intolerance/
Symptoms mentioned on the site are:
- Bloating, Cramping, Diarrhoea, Constipation, Headaches and can also cause;
- Acne, Eczema, Fatigue and Sugar Cravings
The symptoms that ring true with Ellie are the Anxiety and Depression (but could this be part of her Autism profile?) and also Eczema and Sugar Cravings. I’ve always said she is addicted to sugar!
Having looked at some of the foods Ellie enjoys – crisps being the first that springs to mind, the varieties she can have all have yeast extract in apart from the Ready Salted. Ellie is constantly asking for crisps and gets very upset when I say she can’t have any more. She’s even been caught sneaking crisps up to her room (crafty kid).
Its also in all types of food such as vinegar – does this mean no tomato ketchup and salad cream? No wonder she likes it so much!
Other big culprits are Marmite (safe there!) dried fruit, Bread, Mushrooms, Gravy and Stock cubes, Fermented drinks, Beers, Wines and Ciders (safe there too!) and Ginger Beer (does anyone actually drink Ginger Beer?!).
It looks like I’m going back to checking everything again and seriously reducing/stopping the consumption of Prawn Cocktail crisps, Tomato Ketchup and Salad Cream, amongst a long list of other stuff!
I’m not going to be very popular around here! 
I’ll keep you posted… but be warned, there may be many more vlogs involving distressing scenes and wine!!
Until next time,
Love and hugs
TOMD xxx
Mum Running Life 