Had anyone done the Failsafe/Elimination Diet?

[bcage]

one of my Australian friends recently recommended the Failsafe/Elimination Diet (run by Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney) as a way to determine if I have food chemical intolerances. I've had rosacea for a few good years now, and have yet to discover what my triggers are, so I've been quite interested in this.

Here's more info: http://www.sswahs.nsw.gov.au/rpa/all...l/handbook.cfm

and also http://www.plantpoisonsandrottenstuf...tion-diet.aspx

I've decided to give it a go, and am on Day eight - with a further three weeks remaining until I can start adding foods to my diet in the form of "challenges." It's pretty hard. Unlike these usual type of things; I am able to eat wheat/dairy/meat/sugar (with restriction of course). But the food is very plain/bland, which is hard for me.

So far the results have been really impressive; and in only eight days! My skin redness has reduced significantly, but more importantly to me - the texture has improved. In the last three days i've had only one pustule, which is great for me. My skin also hasn't been itchy.

It's only early days yet, so I'm aware these improvements could just be the 'ebbing and flowing' of my condition. I'll post back at the end of four weeks to see if my symptoms have cleared. If so, I'll be jumping for joy!

Anyways just wanted to post here, and see if anyone else has tried this for rosacea treatment? It's big in Australia, but not so much elsewhere.

[bcage]

anyone?

[Mistica]

Hi,

Megan responded well to the reduction of salicylates and amines. She attended a clinic in Brisbane. Is she the friend you spoke of?

If not, she has a thread somewhere in this forum. I believe it might be in the diet and lifestyle section. She had a link to her blog too, which contained some impressive photos.

[bcage]

nope it wasn't megan who had recommended the diet - it was someone else who was using it for something else, but thought it might be useful for me.

[maria_moi]

Hi!

I started Histamine restricted diet this week, but am now reconsidering to shift to this Failsafe diet you are having. I have started re-thinking my decision after having some doubts on what is safe to eat and what is not.. so Michael_V (he too is following Failsafe elimination diet) provided me with this link that you posted here as well.

It seems to me that this one is more useful because it covers more things (excludes amines, salicylate, additives.) so it helps you kill quite a few flies with just one strike. With histamine restricted diet, you are focusing just on one thing.

Of course, this diet is far more challenging. There are so many restrictions, not much to eat.. It requires changing so many of your habits at once. It’s not just the food, but it’s also all those little things: avoid cigarette smoke, do not wear perfume, use home made toothpaste, the way you wash your laundry.. I’m still not sure where to buy shampoo, soap, deodorant.. that are plain.. (any advise?).

Bcage, please do keep us posted on how you are doing? Have there be any changes?

Anybody else who has some reports/comments/experiences on this subject, feel free to share.

[bcage]

thanks for the reply Maria, thought i'd drop by and post how i'm getting on.

it's been 4 weeks on the failsafe diet and i've had some mixed results. i've been following the very restrictive diet ok - but haven't managed to follow the restrictions on toothpaste/shampoo/perfume/washing detergent etc. I just can't find the information here in the UK about what products are safe to use -- and I can't function in life without moisturising my skin for 2 months (I still have to work!!!!)

The diet itself is challenging, but after the first week it's MUCH easier. you just need to plan more and cook for yourself more. this diet is very different to my usual food intake; but i've managed to stick with it fine.

So, the results. After day seven or eight, my skin was drastically better. flushing reduced, pustles gone, i was really very excited.

then i had a bad week and it went back to normal almost. then the last week has been much better. DEFINITELY reduced flushing/redness. The only thing that is really going up and down are the pustles. some days, gone, some days, there they are.

Because of this, i've decided to keep at the diet for another month. they recommend doing it for 6-8 weeks and i'll do it for the whole eight weeks. i want to be sure this is, or isn't, the reason behind my rosacea.

Friends are commenting my skin looks a lot better, this feels great. My husband definitely thinks its better. I think it's probably as good as when i'm on the antibiotics. Which is better than nothing, but not perfect. Perhaps i'm a bit hard on myself, but I'd like my old perfect skin back!

Anyway will report back and let you know how it's going.

[MasK]

thanks for the reply Maria, thought i'd drop by and post how i'm getting on.

it's been 4 weeks on the failsafe diet and i've had some mixed results. i've been following the very restrictive diet ok - but haven't managed to follow the restrictions on toothpaste/shampoo/perfume/washing detergent etc. I just can't find the information here in the UK about what products are safe to use -- and I can't function in life without moisturising my skin for 2 months (I still have to work!!!!)

The diet itself is challenging, but after the first week it's MUCH easier. you just need to plan more and cook for yourself more. this diet is very different to my usual food intake; but i've managed to stick with it fine.

So, the results. After day seven or eight, my skin was drastically better. flushing reduced, pustles gone, i was really very excited.

then i had a bad week and it went back to normal almost. then the last week has been much better. DEFINITELY reduced flushing/redness. The only thing that is really going up and down are the pustles. some days, gone, some days, there they are.

Because of this, i've decided to keep at the diet for another month. they recommend doing it for 6-8 weeks and i'll do it for the whole eight weeks. i want to be sure this is, or isn't, the reason behind my rosacea.

Friends are commenting my skin looks a lot better, this feels great. My husband definitely thinks its better. I think it's probably as good as when i'm on the antibiotics. Which is better than nothing, but not perfect. Perhaps i'm a bit hard on myself, but I'd like my old perfect skin back!

Anyway will report back and let you know how it's going.

Wow, great! I'm very happy to read your good results!
I hope this will go on improving!

[maria_moi]

That’s great to hear!
I’m starting Failsafe diet from today. When I woke up this morning, and realized I can’t have coffee.. #*&@#$%^!)*&... I am coffee addicted..

I already came up with some menu.. I have a pretty good idea what will I eat during this period, so it’s not a problem.
The only thing that’s sometimes confusing me (when I read the list or restricted/allowed food) is whether something is safe to use or not.
Are you using whole grains in your nutrition? I bought all kind of whole grain flours to make my own bread.

I totally know what you mean by not wanting to settle down with second best.. especially when you know how great your skin was/can be. I do wish you your “old” skin back.
Please do drop by sometimes and let us know on how you’re doing.

[Auburn]

I bought all kind of whole grain flours to make my own bread..

Hi Maria,

This recipe makes a superb 100% whole wheat bread that's tender and easy to digest. I make it every week.

Best of luck with the diet!

[maria_moi]

Thanks Auburn! You’re so sweet..
I took a look at the recipe -- looks delicious. I’m already looking forward to baking it.

I bought instant decaffeinated coffee today (“Nescafe”).. yeeey. It made my day.. (although I’m having such a terrible burning sensations on my nose like I have never had before.. so it’s generally making me so depressed).

I have one Q regarding diet and food intolerance. I’m curious: is there a shortcut in resolving on what food we react to.. is taking Food Intolerance test possibly the easier way to find out on which food we react to? Sorry if my Q is stupid..

thanks