any suggestions on what in malt...

[JDH2]

could be making my mother in law sick like MSG? She is deathly allergic to MSG. It has caused her to lose the lining to her colon and we almost lost her. We know no MSG, yogurt, real sausage, jello and a few other things but now it seems that malt, sugar-free chocolates, and possibly carrageenen are having the same effects and we can't seem to figure it out. She also can not have sage as it makes her sick too.
We have a very interesting diet around my house as my kid is sensitive to wheat, egg whites, & milk, I am allergic to corn, tomatoes, and beans, my hubby is a diabetic, and her msg allergy. Just wish it was an easy thing to fix for all of us lol.

 

[Newfs Forever]

I have no advice, Melissa. But, I hope your mom feels better.

 

[JDH2]

Thanks it is very scary. She is 76 and generally very active but this stupid MSG stuff really drains her.

 

[charlieinnj]

If malt, sugar-free chocolates, and possibly carrageenen have the same effect as the MSG, why do you suspect the malt? What are her symptoms?

 

[JDH2]

She gets major diarrhea with a distinct smell that she knows immediately. She also only seems to get the vagal response to MSG which can cause her to pass out which is about as scary. She had some store bought bread pudding last night and those two ingredients (malt & carrageenan)were what she thought may have been to blame.

 

[charlieinnj]

Hmmmmm.....The first thing that jumped out at me is the sugar-free chocolate. I have zero tolerance for them and they cause me serious gastro upset due to the sugar alcohols used in them. Especially, sorbitol.

Sugar alcohols are sugar replacers, used to take the place of sugar to make sugar free candies and other sugar free products. Sugar alcohols include maltitol, maltitol syrup, sorbitol, isomalt, polyglucitol, and lactitol. They have fewer calories than sugar, but still provide a sugar-like taste. Sugar alcohols are digested more slowly than sugar, generally producing a relatively small rise in blood sugar levels after eating. Because sugar alcohols may bypass initial steps in digestion (similar to fiber), intake may trigger gas production or a laxative effect.

There seems to be a lot of discussions on 'Malitol' use:
http://www.momresponds.com/413/maltitol-sugar-free-treats/

 

[padkins]

Does her doctor or a local hospital has a dietician that she can be referred to? I'm sure that they could provide a lot of good information on the good, the bad, and the other stuff to help her. Hope that you find some answers soon!

 

[JDH2]

The sorbitol definitely sounds like it could be the issue with the sugar free chocolate! Thank you very much.
When she figured out 20+ years ago that it was MSG that was causing her attacks it was from her primary doctor who has long since retired. I have to fight with her to get her to go to the DR. about most anything. She is at minimum 8 years overdue for a colon scope which she refuses to have done. Not fun on my part since I get to fuss and throw the stats at her and she gets to give me excuses. She knows that if I didn't care I wouldn't fuss but in her way of thinking if it isn't broke don't mess with it, mine is that you may not know that it is broke and colon cancer is very preventable and treatable if caught early.
When she lost the lining to her colon 10+ years ago, the hospital was feeding her jello which was making it worse. I will try to see if there is a knowledgeable nutritionist that can help, but I am afraid that she wouldn't go anyway. We all need to go with our food issues but finding one that knows about these issues may be difficult.
Thanks again!

 

[victoria1140]

what about a holistic or chinese herbal docter if she hates going to the normal ones