From Southern India — Junk Food Crashed

Back Story

I am a 29-year-old male from Southern India.

  • I have had a long history of consuming high sugar and high carb junk foods. Recently, in October 2022, I noticed significant weight loss and developed chronic constipation.
  • Early Symptoms:
    • Weight loss of 20 kilos due to malabsorption
    • Lack of hunger due to no stomach acid
    • Constipation
    • Lack of focus and joint pain
  • Tests Conducted:
    • SIBO Breath Test: H2 and CH4 (+ve)
    • GI Maps: Dysbiosis
    • Biomesight: Sutterella, Proteobacteria, Escherichia
    • Gastroscopy: H. pylori (-ve)
    • Colonoscopy: No abnormalities
  • Protocols Followed:
    • Protocol 1 (Sep 2023 – Jan 2024):naturopath
      • Diet: High carb and high protein with all fruits and vegetables
      • Prebiotics: PHGG
      • Probiotics: S. boulardii
      • Herbs & Antibiotics: Rifaximin, Fluconazole, FC Cidal, Dysbiocide, Undecylenic Acid, Mastic Gum
      • Immunity: Vitamin D3 + K2, Magnesium, Fish Oil
      • Results: Weight loss persisted, constipation aggravated, and methane bacteria were not detected in Biomesight.
    • Protocol 2 (Jan 2024 – Present):Microbiome Group
      • Diet: Medium carb and protein with fruits and vegetables, recently switched to GAPS diet
      • Prebiotics: GOS by BIMUNO, PHGG, Sodium Butyrate, 2-FL HMO
      • Probiotics: Rhamnosus GG, S. boulardii, B. Longum bb536, L. plantarum 299, MegaSporeBiotic, Biogaia Protectis
      • Herbs: Oregano, Thyme, Clove Tincture, Neem, Turmeric, Ginger
      • Immunity: Vitamin B complex (B12, B6, Benfotiamine)
      • Additional Recommendations (Not Started Yet):
      • Prebiotics: GutGuardian, Prebiotic Repair, Tributyrin X, Lactulose, Inulin FOS
      • Probiotics: Visbiome Advanced GI Care, Paracasei Powder
      • Herbs: FC Cidal, ADP Oregano, Allicin, FLORASSIST PHage Technology
      • Fermented Foods: Fermented Vegetables, Kefir, Greek Yogurt
      • Other Ideas: Considering FMT using my 1.5-year-old breastfed son’s stool for microbial diversity after screening his poop using        biomesight16s testing.
  • Current Symptoms:
    • Constipation
    • Weight loss and unable to gain weight.
    • No stomach acid

As an amusement, we have the microbiome suggesting some patterns that are in agreement. (India is very very eastern Europe!)

Looking at the new revised Simple UI we see a number of matches at the top of the list.

Analysis

Eubiosis is a shocking 0.3%ile with the following chart, note that there are a large number of very high %ile bacteria.

Looking at Health Analysis we see Overall Volume Percentile 17.3%ile | By different Taxa 92.6%ile – higher values indicates more leak. That is, the mouth may be really over-seeding the gut bacteria. This hints that a FMT may not last because the mouth bacteria will just move back in! The dominate leaked bacteria at the family levels OVER 90%ile are:

Potential Medical Conditions Detected has a lots of concerning ones, including:

  • NonCeliac Gluten Sensitivity (99%ile) or Celiac Disease (97%ile)
  • Mast Cell Issues / mastitis (97%ile)
  • Constipation (90%ile)
  • Weight Issues (83%ile)

Scanning other factors, I see Rickettsia at the 100%ile and Morganella at 95%ile

In short, so many issues to chase!

Going Forward!

Since the person is in India where prescriptions are not needed for most antibiotics, I will include those. I am going with “Just Give Me Suggestions” — mainly because there are too many issues involved. KISS.

Top Antibiotics

Keeping with Cecile Jadin model, I would suggest trying one of these for 1 week each month. Rotating each month starting with Ciprofloxacin and then Piperacillin-tazobactam. You should discuss with your MD before starting.

Ciprofloxacin (a fluoroquinolone) is effective against Rickettsia [src].  Piperacillin-tazobactam (and most fluoroquinolone) is considered an effective first-line treatment option for Morganella infections [src]. Rifaximin (Protocol 1) is on the list but at 30% of the above weights. Fluconazole is at 10%

Other Substances

In the above protocols, there was a huge number of items tried — i.e. the herbal kitchen sink was tossed at you– probably without clear reasons for the choices. The effectiveness of the prior protocols may have been inhibited by the Rickettsia and Morganella.

Using New Simple UI

The above was done with original UI (still there). Using just the 3 symptoms above, we have 21 bacteria identified that are associated to those symptoms. In terms of antibiotics, the top ones are all typically used with ME/CFS. The suggestions are changed from above because we are focused on only the bacteria associated with these 3 symptoms.

In terms of Probiotics, we have the following that are available from Maple Life Sciences (located in India, with a website too)

My current suggestion is to order one bottle of each (average cost $8-9) and start with one probiotic at one capsule, increasing slowly the dosage. When a bottle is empty, go on to the next bottle.

Top Herbs are:

I jumped over to the food planner (which has been reactivated) and see these items:

  • Inulin: Chicory, Burdock
  •  Luteolin: THyme, Sage, Oregano, artichoke
  • Chrysoeriol 7-O-(6”-malonyl-apiosyl-glucoside): Celery seed (leaves provide some, 10% of the seed)
  • Folic acid — go supplement
  • 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde: Tian Ma
  • Coumarin: Tonka Bean
  • Resveratrol: grapes
  • Riboflavin — go supplements and/or Oats and Barley
  • 1-Sinapoyl-2,2′-diferuloylgentiobiose: Raw Broccoli

Postscript – and Reminder

I am not a licensed medical professional and there are strict laws where I live about “appearing to practice medicine”.  I am safe when it is “academic models” and I keep to the language of science, especially statistics. I am not safe when the explanations have possible overtones of advising a patient instead of presenting data to be evaluated by a medical professional before implementing.

I cannot tell people what they should take or not take. I can inform people items that have better odds of improving their microbiome as a results on numeric calculations. I am a trained experienced statistician with appropriate degrees and professional memberships. All suggestions should be reviewed by your medical professional before starting.

The answers above describe my logic and thinking and is not intended to give advice to this person or any one. Always review with your knowledgeable medical professional.