Low fodmap and low immunity

[Av0id]

I've been following fodmap as well as I can, staying in the low range since about October. It has mostly helped, and I'm working on identifying more specific problem foods. The problem I'm having is that my immune system seems totally shot this winter. I haven't had a fever since I was a kid and I've been knocked out with a flu/fever several times this winter season. I can't think of anything big that's changed except my diet, and I used to consume a ton of garlic so I'm thinking I'm missing the immune boosting compounds in garlic and other banned foods on the fodmap diet. 

I definitely can't introduce things back in and certainly not garlic, so I'm wondering if anyone else had this experience and what people might use for immune supplements. I take C, D, B and probiotics but it seems like I'm missing something important still. I'm sick of being sick especially because every time I think it could be covid and it disrupts my job and my life. Thanks for any responses!!

[Jeffrey Roberts]

Dear @Av0id,

The low FODMAP diet is meant to be a 3-stage protocol where elimination is the BEGINNING and not the END. Many people seem to run into this problem where they might have stripped their body from essential nutrients while eliminating foods high in FODMAP. Have you tried to gradually add garlic back to your diet and see how much you can tolerate? Really, you can. I know that I can tolerate some level of garlic before it becomes a problem for me.

I hope this is helpful. It is tiring being sick especially if covid is constantly in the back of your mind.

[Av0id]

12 minutes ago, Jeffrey Roberts said:

Dear @Av0id,

The low FODMAP diet is meant to be a 3-stage protocol where elimination is the BEGINNING and not the END. Many people seem to run into this problem where they might have stripped their body from essential nutrients while eliminating foods high in FODMAP. Have you tried to gradually add garlic back to your diet and see how much you can tolerate? Really, you can. I know that I can tolerate some level of garlic before it becomes a problem for me.

I hope this is helpful. It is tiring being sick especially if covid is constantly in the back of your mind.

That's a super valid point and I would like to add things back in but even on the elimination phase I was still having symptoms so it's been challenging to figure out what green lighted foods I need to try eliminating to get to a kind of steady state where I can try reintroducing. I'm sure it's just going to take a while to figure out in the meantime I was wondering if anyone had experience supplementing for immunity during this process 

[Esjie]

Some foods (like cabbage and broccoli for example, and others) are both low and high FODMAP, depending on the amount. I was surprised to find broccoli is low FODMAP at 1/3 of an 8oz cup, but high FODMAP if  in larger amounts. Same with avocado. Very small amounts are fine.
There are many foods like that.
I have also found that to be true re: my own gut, by experimenting.

But, I have taken a good multivitamin and mineral complex through all of this, plus a B complex, each day.

I think there are such things as "Allicin" capsules (?) That is basically the medicinal properties extracted from garlic, without the fibre etc that can cause upset. I know they are part of the herbal treatment for SIBO.....at least. But I honestly don't know if they are high, or low FODMAP.
I think they may be different to the ordinary garlic capsules.

It's the allicin which also has immune boosting properties.

You could maybe research that if you are interested?

There are also other herbs which can help the immune system. There is one -Astragalus Root, which is very gentle, and I have taken it and found no gut upset (worse than usual anyway!) from it. It also tastes pretty mild and sweet-ish.

Edited March 10, 2021 by Esjie
typos