What is amylose and why should I avoid it when healing from mold illness?
What foods contain the least amylose?
Answers are all here- saving you time and helping you support your body by eating well as you recover from CIRS.
First, amylose is not generally “bad for you”.
… but not always good for you either. Read on to learn why those suffering from mold illness should take caution consuming foods high in amylose.
What is amylose?
- The oversimplified definition: amylose = plant based starch.
- Definition of amylose from merriam-webster: a component of starch characterized by its straight chains of glucose units
“Amylose is known as the “starchy, non-sticky starch” in cooking. It does not dissolve in water, and high levels of amylose help grains, like rice maintain their shape. In food manufacturing, some companies use amylose as a stabilizer and thickener.”
Amylose Benefits
- Functions as a useful prebiotic
- Boosts immunity
- May reduce weight and help prevent obesity
- Could decrease heart disease risk factors
- Might alleviate diabetes symptoms
- Potentially lowers risk of colon cancer
- May lower risk of tooth decay
- Could improve neurological symptoms
- Part of a healing diet for leaky gut
From Dr. Axe site
BUUUT… a diet low in amylose is beneficial to CIRS recovery according to Dr. Shoemaker and The International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness (ISEAI) professionals.
Understanding the dark side of amylose…
Potential Amylose Risks and Side Effects
– From Dr. Axe site
- Might aggravate digestive problems
- Can increase side effects from certain medications or supplements
- Could worsen certain inflammatory diseases including those with certain bowel diseases connected to SIBO, cystic fibrosis, mold illness, spondyloarthropathies (a class of inflammatory diseases) or gluten intolerance.
Dr. Shoemaker recommends avoiding select fresh fruits & vegetables while healing from CIRS. Extensive studies have shown that significantly reducing intake of amylose can reduce overly elevated MMP9 levels.
According to Louise Carder, BSc Nutr. Med.,PgDip
A no amylose diet can support leptin levels, as the diet is low carbohydrates and in lectins, which can exacerbate leptin resistance by binding to leptin receptors. Foods that contain amylose and glucose which in turn cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when ingested.
According to Pattie Rose MSN, FNP-BC, ABAAHP
The No Amylose diet will help to bring down elevated MMP9 levels which are seen in Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and to help prevent chronic diseases as a result of obesity. Diets high in these foods can also contribute to Candida overgrowth in the gut causing many of the same symptoms of mold sickness like irritability, anxiety, skin rashes, brain fog, and difficulty losing weight. Sugar is fungi’s favorite snack. Starve the fungus right out of your body.
According to Mary Beshara MS CNS APRN
…a low amylose diet as treatment for both high MMP9 and low VEGF
MMP-9 increases vascular permeability allowing inflammatory molecules to enter brain, nerves, muscles, joints and lungs with accompanying symptoms. If MMP-9 is elevated > 332ng/ml, begin high dose fish oil 2.4 gm EPA and 1.8 gm DHA qd, and follow a low amylose diet. Low VEGF (<31 pg/ml) Symptoms may include brain fog, fatigue, muscle pain, dyspnea with exertion and post exercise exhaustion. Treat with low amylose diet and high dose fish oil 2.4 gm EPA and 1.8 gm DHA qd
Some high amylose foods to avoid:
- Oats, rye, barley
- Bananas and plantains
- Flours and raw starches, all wheat
- All rice (rice noodles, brown rice, white rice, wild rice, black rice, etc.)
- Most root vegetables and tubers (cassava, yam, potatoes, tapioca, etc.)
- Corn products (post healing: be careful to only eat only organic, non-GMO corn)
- All potatoes and potato starch: white, purple, yellow, and sweet potatoes
- *Seeds, nuts (soak before cooking to minimize lectin, and avoid nuts and seeds likely to contain high levels of mycotoxins)
- Beans & legumes (soy beans, peas, lentils, lupin, etc.)
For a free list of foods approved and those high in amylose to avoid- click here
* though this statement about seeds originally posted on a reputable site, could not find conclusive data in multiple locations to illustrate this
Words worthy of mention from a CIRS/Neuroscience student and mold illness survivor:
“Amylose content isn’t a perfect science yet, not all the foods have been tested.“ – Sarah
Wrapping up, there are pros and cons to naturally occurring amylose in foods. As you begin your healing from CIRS try to do as much as possible to reduce inflammation and negative reactions in your body. Adopting a low or “no amylose” diet is important right now. Speaking from personal experience, I noticed significant change after only a few weeks of elimination including increased energy and less joint pain. Several months into the no amylose diet, I found introducing small amounts of complex carbohydrates (carrots & butternut squash) and regular exercise seemed to reduce irritability and further improve my energy levels. Talk to your mold illness professional before making changes in your diet- your response to the introduction of a small amount of complex carbohydrates my differ from mine.
TIPS
Tracking your levels of MMP9 will be helpful; discuss the results and any dietary changes with your Mold Illness specialist.
Carefully eliminate amylose & sugar from your diet. (YES. SUGAR & sweetener intake must definitely be reduced or eliminated on your road to recovering from Mold Illness read more here)
Trust me! You will see positive results! 🙂
A low amylose diet is beneficial for CIRS recovery according to Dr. Shoemaker. Elevated MMP9 levels can often be reduced by following a strict low or no amylose diet. Ask your health professional to monitor your bloodwork details.
The information we provide at Moldfreemenu.com is intended to provide information to better understand how a healthy diet is part of healing from biotoxin illness and not intended to replace consultation with a qualified medical professional.Specific medical advice including diagnosis and treatment will not be provided. This diet does not cure mold illness but does help reduce inflammation- thus reduce symptoms triggered by inflammation.