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I would like to find a diet pill or drink to lose some weight, but I am
not sure what to take because I have IC. I have joined the gym and have
25 pounds to lose. Are there any supplements that would be ok to use
that would not cause an IC flare?
Answer:
One thing that is interesting in people with IC is that they either have
excess weight to lose, or they can�t seem to keep weight on.
Scientifically, we don�t understand enough about maintaining a normal
weight yet to truly help people on both sides of the coin, but we are
getting there.
There are many physical, genetic, psychological, and emotional reasons
why your choice to eat or not eat. For example, some people can�t
physically make themselves eat when they are in a state of stress, and
others can�t seem to stop eating. Since having a chronic illness is
definitely a stressful situation, it seems plausible that when someone
has a chronic illness they might fall back on their natural tendency to
either over-eat or under-eat. Add to that a special diet that is often
perceived as vague, medications that disturb the brain�s satiety
centers, and reduced physical activity, and you have a recipe for
difficult weight problems.
That being said, there are many things you can do to help get your
weight under control. You have made a great first step in joining a gym.
Many trainers and physical therapists are educated in helping people
with limited physical conditions, so investing in a few sessions with a
professional trainer can be priceless when it comes to regaining some
control over your body.
At this time, I am not aware of any diet pill or drink that can help an
IC patient lose weight without the potential to make their symptoms
worse. On the other hand, there are still plenty of things you can do to
control your appetite just using food alone:
1.
Drink plenty of water:
I know, I know, you drink enough water every day to keep a US Navy
battleship afloat, but this is one dieting trick that really works.
Water fills you up. Water is critical for proper digestion and
metabolism of foods. Water helps flush out all the junk that is left
over from using stored fat for calories (which is what weight loss
actually is.) And, when a person loses weight, the composition of their
urine changes, often increasing IC symptoms. Drinking plenty of water
can help dilute the urine so that those effects are minimized.
2.
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables:
If you are a person who can�t eat many fruits, concentrate on
vegetables. Include fresh blueberries on your cereal, in a smoothie, or
grab a pear to eat on the way to work. Start each lunch and dinner with
a generous green leafy salad topped with a teaspoon of olive oil and
herbs. You can also add pear or blueberry juice to the olive oil to make
a tasty dressing. Need a snack? Grab some carrots, celery, or sweet
pepper strips for a lot of flavor and even more nutrition.
3.
Select lean protein:
Eggs, chicken, lean beef, lean pork, fish, and low-fat dairy not only
provide essential proteins, but provide a feeling of fullness sooner
than other foods like white breads, pastries, or creamy desserts.
4.
Fill-up on key �non-animal� proteins:
Almonds, cashews, pine nuts, and most legumes (beans, pea pods, alfalfa,
etc.) are tolerated by a majority of IC patients. In addition to the
protein, nuts provide a generous source of healthy monounsaturated fats,
and legumes are a rich source of other vitamins and minerals.
(Exceptions seem to be soy and soy containing products which are
infamous for irritating an IC bladder.)
5.
Choose your carbs wisely:
Studies by Dr. Susanna Holt from the University of Sydney in Australia
demonstrated the satiety effects of various foods. In addition to higher
protein foods and produce, the studies confirm that all carbohydrates
are not the same. Throw out the idea that �white foods are bad� and
concentrate more on the �whole food� idea. In fact, the food with the
highest level of hunger satisfaction was a whole baked potato � with
three times the satiety of a plain piece of white bread! Other high
carbohydrate foods that helped people feel fuller longer were brown
rice, whole grain pastas, oatmeal, bran cereals, and popcorn.
Mentally, the biggest challenge is to transform your thoughts
from �losing weight� to �gaining health.� All of the foods mentioned
above are packed with essential nutrients that can help you maintain
good health, despite the fact you have a fragile bladder. By adopting
healthy habits � moderate exercise, nutritious foods, healthy sleeping
habits, and stress management � into your lifestyle, you can go a long
way to healing your whole body, including managing bladder symptoms. (top
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