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Sulfite reaction


Fri, March 13, 2015 11:38 AM

I have had IBD for over 20 years, diagnosed with Crohn's in about 1997. A healthy diet has been absolutely essential. I find that being a vegetarian plus eating occasional fish helps a lot. I am a scientist, and I have repeatedly over the past 10 years observed symptoms about 12 hours after I eat any food or drink that may contain added sulfite preservatives. Many foods have sulfites: beer, wine, anything in a jar (look for metabisulfite, bisulfite, or sulfite in the ingredients list). Now I have noticed that even eating ONE orange-colored dried apricot will cause a flare. Eating "fresh" vegetables in airports, salad bars or buffets are particularly dangerous. Last Sunday, I ate at PF Chang's in the Atlanta airport, a lovely Buddha's Delight––broccoli, carrots, with brown rice––and I got very sick the next morning. It was clearly not food poisoning. Has anyone else noticed this? If I get enough response, I plan to create a survey about sulfites in our diets, and see if we can find a common cause. If this extends to more people than just me, maybe we can start a movement to get the sulfites out of our food. There already exists a relatively cheap substitute––vitamin C!

FPO fetzkorn
Joined Mar 13, 2015